Tang Baixin told Linlin to go back, instructing him, "This is a man's matter, don't tell your aunt."
Linlin was skeptical.
Why are adults these days so strange?
He nodded and said, "Father, I'd like you to give me some pointers on my writing. I tried writing one, it's a bit immature, but..."
He was initially hesitant to try, fearing his grandfather and father would say he was being unrealistic; however, Tang Zhuyun encouraged him, saying that nothing is achieved overnight, and that he should try slowly and get better and better.
Upon hearing that it concerned academic matters, Tang Baixin said, "Go back and find it. Come to my room, and my grandfather and I will take a look at it for you."
Linlin happily agreed.
Taking advantage of this moment, Tang Baixin hurriedly went inside and told Tang Mingfan about "this important matter" concerning the Prince of Prince of Jin.
Tang Mingfan: "How about I go take a look tomorrow?"
Tang Baixin: "... That's unnecessary. Look, there's still Yanran, isn't there? That's the bloodline acknowledged by the Emperor, there can't be any mistake."
These words were meant to comfort Tang Mingfan, and also to comfort himself.
The father and son had reached an agreement on the "authenticity" of the marriage, but they hadn't told Tang Zhuyun, so they were very concerned about every aspect of the Prince of Jin.
Tang Mingfan nodded, but doubt remained in his eyes.
Tang Baixin very worried that his father would really go to inspect the Prince of Jin tomorrow... but he didn't try to dissuade him.
Never mind, watching it or not, there are pros and cons to both.
While the three men were studying, Tang Zhuyun was thinking about the Prince of Prince of Jin.
It's understandable that the Prince of Jin was angry. After all, Song Cui'er's visit to disgust him was a great humiliation for someone of his noble birth.
If she offends the Prince of Jin too much, she won't fare well either. It's better to try and smooth things over first.
The next day, Meng Yulan arrived.
Tang Zhuyun welcomed her into her room, saying, "There's been so much chaos at home, it's really embarrassing for you to come at this time."
Meng Yulan was surprised. "I heard that your grandmother came to the capital, so I thought I'd come to pay my respects to her and also to see you..."
"Forget it!" Tang Zhuyun said, "That's just a blood-sucking leech; once it gets on you, you can't shake it off."
Meng Yulan: "A-Yun, you, you keep your voice down..."
"She's not here. She went out to buy groceries early this morning and hasn't come back yet."
Speaking of which, Tang Zhuyun also admired Madam Song. For just three catties of green vegetables for one coin, she could still get two cloves of garlic to go with it.
Xiu'er told Tang Zhuyun all of this, and Xiu'er was full of admiration when she said it.
"Let's not talk about her anymore, and it's best if you don't see her," Tang Zhuyun said. "She's not the same person as your old lady."
Those are practically two different species.
Meng Yulan whispered to her, "Don't let anyone find fault with you. Sometimes, you have to keep pretending, you know? If you can't handle a temporary grievance, you'll suffer a great loss later."
"I know, Sister Meng," Tang Zhuyun said.
Life isn't about leveling up in a game and getting better with each challenge.
Ultimately, there's a fear of unintended consequences, so we must stop here.
"Let's not talk about her anymore. Are you worried about news from the border?" Tang Zhuyun said, holding her hand.
Meng Yulan's hands were soft and delicate, with nails that had a light pinkish hue; they were hands that were soaked in milk every day.
A beautiful woman is indeed wonderful in every way.
Meng Yulan lowered her head. "A little, but I know in my heart that it won't be that fast..."
Tang Zhuyun offered her a few words of comfort, but to be honest, they were rather dry.
She herself felt that everything else was pale and powerless except for the reunion and the lovers finally getting together.
"A-Yun, you come out here!" Hearing Madam Song's aggressive voice, Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but roll her eyes.
"She's like this every day," she whispered to Meng Yulan. "You stay here and don't go out. I'm going to see what kind of trouble she's up to this time."
She had already recounted some of the Madam Song's outrageous deeds, Meng Yulan, knowing she was aware of them, nodded in agreement.
Tang Zhuyun, with a forced smile, lifted the curtain and went out, leaning against the door with her arms crossed, saying, "What's gotten into you this time, old man? You're getting on in years, don't push yourself too hard, or you might just pass away suddenly, and then how will you enjoy my father's blessings?"
Song Cui'er looked up at Tang Zhuyun, her eyes filled with grievance and resentment.
Tang Zhuyun:???
Xiu'er then gave Tang Zhuyun a wink and mouthed, "Ruan Anruo."
It took Tang Zhuyun a while to figure it out: what happened to Ruan Anruo this time?
She's already in a bad situation, why would she want to cause trouble?
Tang Zhuyun had vaguely overheard her father and brothers discussing cheating in the imperial examinations these past two days, and she strongly suspected it was related to Ruan Anruo's good cousin.
This is a capital offense; haven't they heard anything about the investigation yet?
That's a sure way to die.
Madam Song angrily retorted, "So you're just a concubine for the Prince? He already has a principal wife!"
Tang Zhuyun: "What happened?"
"You, and yet you remain so arrogant!"
Tang Zhuyun adjusted her temples, composed and calm. "As long as Your Highness is happy, that's all that matters."
"I'm telling you, I know everything," Madam Song said smugly. "You'll have to kneel and serve the principal wife! A real princess, that's what's truly impressive!"
Tang Zhuyun smiled slightly, raised her hand to look at the thin calluses on her fingers—the result of her recent work and boxing practice—and suddenly changed the subject. "So, Grandmother, are you thinking of remarrying?"
Meng Yulan listened from inside, first surprised, then covering her mouth and chuckling.
Tang Zhuyun's mouth...
Madam Song's Zidu popped out of their sockets, and she trembled with rage. "You, you... you wait, I'm going to find that proper future princess and tell her what kind of person you really are!"
"Does the old lady have something to say to me?" Meng Yulan lifted the curtain, revealing a dignified and beautiful face.
Song Cui'er was stunned. How could this person be as beautiful as someone from a play?
She's so beautiful, both in appearance and attire.
Madam Song was also stunned, and after a long while, she finally managed to say, "You, you, you..."
"I am the legitimate wife the old lady was talking about. I wonder what the old lady wants to tell me?"
Madam Song was dumbfounded.
Tang Zhuyun never expected Meng Yulan to be so mischievous. She stepped forward and took her arm, saying, "Sister, my grandmother misses you terribly! She's afraid I might offend you by being unruly, so she wants to kowtow to you in advance to apologize!"
Meng Yulan gently pinched her, signaling her not to go too far, and said, "Grandma, you don't need to think so much. Sister A-Yun and I get along very well."
Madam Song had no idea how she got back into the room. After a long pause, she slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "Even the proper Princess Consort was fooled by that little hussy!"
Song Cui'er whispered, "Didn't Miss Ruan say that you are her elder, so even if she scolds or beats her, she wouldn't dare to do anything? Although she's fierce, she doesn't actually dare to cause trouble for you."
Song Cui'er resented Tang Zhuyun because she had heard that Prince of Jin also had a principal wife, and felt that her chances of entering the Prince's mansion were slim.
Although she didn't know exactly why she was complaining, she was just very angry.
Madam Song: "Wait a minute, after the guests leave, I'll see how I deal with that little hussy!"