Tang Zhuyun laughed and scolded, "You're always so easily startled. Aren't you afraid your mother might sneeze?"
"Your Highness, guess what!" Xiu'er, her eyes wide with excitement as if she had discovered a new America. "I suddenly remembered why Wu Zhenhai seemed so familiar!"
"You know him! Song Jingyang mentioned him to you?"
Xiu'er suddenly sounded a little resentful, "I 'Zidu forgotten what Song Jingyang looks like... let alone what he said to me."
Tang Zhuyun: "When you give birth, have him come and be with you."
"No need! He can't help with childbirth," Xiu'er said. "Let's not talk about him, let's talk about Wu Zhenhai."
Tang Zhuyun, however, thought that things couldn't continue like this between the couple.
If it's only for a year or two, I can tolerate it.
If you don't see your child for three to five years, will they grow up and not even recognize their father?
Therefore, the matter between Song Jingyang and Xiu'er still needs to be resolved.
"I remember that day when we hosted a banquet for everyone, there was a young woman who said she was Wu Zhenhai's daughter."
"Ah?"
Tang Zhuyun thought she had misheard.
Wu Zhenhai's daughters are all "women" now?
"That's right, definitely right," Xiu'er said. "Because someone slighted another person, and several women started arguing and comparing their fathers."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
It turns out that relying on one's father's connections has a long-standing tradition.
"Good heavens!" Xiu'er exclaimed, "I think that woman, though young, must be about the same age as Zhou Xu. She might even be a young girl!"
"Think about it again. Such an important person can't be young."
"So, he's just a decrepit old man too?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Impossible. Since he's a military officer, he can't be too old."
"That Flying Dragon General, he's over seventy and still leading troops!" Xiu'er said. "Who knows, Zhou Xu might have really given herself to a decrepit old man."
Tang Zhuyun: Is a relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter really that serious?
As for Sangsang, it's because of her background; there's really nothing she can do about it.
Although Zhou Xu's situation isn't easy, she should still have some options, right?
Tang Zhuyun explained her meaning, but Xiu'er suddenly became depressed.
She said, "Perhaps we really have nowhere else to turn."
She recalled those days when she had nowhere else to turn.
Tang Zhuyun held her hand. "Silly Xiu'er, she can't compare to you. You're a lovable person with a long and blessed life."
Who doesn't like Xiu'er- off?
Xiu'er sniffed and said, "Well, she must have run into the Empress. Maybe she was just lucky."
Tang Zhuyun joked, "Maybe it's because you're a lackey?"
Xiu'er was amused by her and continued, "In any case, Your Highness, we must be careful. This Zhou Xu is truly a ruthless character."
She dared to seduce an old man at the age of fifteen, and judging from her tone of voice, she had been preparing for it for a long time.
That's a terrifying thought.
Compared to that, Zhou Fu's methods are nothing but those of Xiaobai.
"Yes. Let's hurry," Tang Zhuyun said, "I don't know why, but I feel really uneasy."
She needs to go back to see the Prince of Jin as soon as possible.
When she returned, she found guards surrounding the courtyard, and the Prince of Jin was in a rage.
"Keep hitting him! Beat him to death and drag him out!"
When a guard saw Tang Zhuyun, he quickly bowed and whispered the whole story to her.
It turned out that a "clever" maidservant, taking advantage of Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er's absence, came to curry favor, thus running right into the clutches of Prince of Jin.
The Prince of Jin was already visibly unhappy tonight, and yet someone still came to flatter him, which only added fuel to the fire.
Upon hearing this, Xiu'er spat and said, "I'd like to see which ugly thing is dreaming so big!"
She lifted her skirt to go inside, but Tang Zhuyun stopped her.
"We don't know what's going on inside, don't go in and scare yourself."
"No, Your Majesty, let me go in and see which one it is!"
After saying that, Xiu'er went inside.
The Prince of Jin had already heard Tang Zhuyun and Xiu'er talking and said, "Cover them up and drag them out!"
The guards immediately covered the maid's mouth with a black cloth.
Two guards dragged the man out like a sack of potatoes, while others poured water that had been prepared beforehand into the courtyard and began to wash him.
Tang Zhuyun brushed past them as she entered, saying calmly, "If they're still clinging to life, sell them far away."
"Yes," the guard replied in a low voice.
The Prince of Jin said nothing.
Upon seeing Tang Zhuyun, he spontaneously suppressed his icy demeanor and stepped down to greet her.
Xiu'er whispered, "Your Highness, the Prince's angry appearance is quite frightening, like a wolf."
Tang Zhuyun nudged her with her elbow, signaling her to stop talking, "Go back and rest, it's alright."
"Alright, I'll have someone prepare hot water." Xiu'er and the guard withdrew together.
Amitabha Buddha, I entrust this to Your Majesty; please do not harm the innocent.
Tang Zhuyun took the arm of Prince of Jin and entered the house together.
"Don't be angry anymore," she poured Prince of Jin a cup of tea. "We've only been here a short time, and with so many people we've hired, there's bound to be one or two who won't behave."
The Prince of Jin said, "I don't blame you."
Tang Zhuyun:???
She didn't blame herself!
Oh, it seems like the backyard is her responsibility.
Tang Zhuyun, feigning remorse, pinched Prince of Jin's shoulder and asked, "Why are you unhappy today?"
"I'm not unhappy, just a little disappointed."
What's disappointing?
"My mother's portrait has been found."
"And then?" Tang Zhuyun suddenly had a bad feeling.
"The house is leaking, poorly maintained, and completely faded."
For the Prince of Jin, that was perhaps the only connection he had with his birth mother.
Tang Zhuyun was also heartbroken. "Is there absolutely no possibility of restoration? Would it be possible to have an artist take a look?"
Although she herself thought the chances were slim, what if?
The Prince of Jin shook his head. "It's no use. Perhaps we are simply not meant to be."
"Nonsense, how can you be mother and son if you're not destined to be together?" Tang Zhuyun said. "Actually, the painting doesn't represent anything. Perhaps your mother-in-law is still somewhere, waiting for you to go find her..."
"Hmm." Not wanting to burden Tang Zhuyun with his complicated emotions, Prince of Jin took her hand and helped her sit on his lap. "How's the situation outside?"
"It's nothing," Tang Zhuyun said, "Just some private matters within the household. Zhou Xu's aunt was poisoned, and she's trying to save her aunt..."
"Even matters concerning the inner quarters must be handled with care," the Prince of Jin said, clearly worried.
"I know Zhou Xu is not someone to be trifled with," Tang Zhuyun said. "By the way, Your Highness, I'd like to ask you about someone."
"Who?"
Wu Zhenhai.
The Prince of Jin asked, "Why are you asking about him?"
"Zhou Xu said," Tang Zhuyun said without any concealment, "That she is Wu Zhenhai's lover."
She could only trust Zhou Xu to a certain extent at most.
She couldn't trust Zhou Xu without investigating the matter thoroughly.
"That's impossible," the Prince of Jin said firmly.
Why is it impossible?