"Your grandmother is difficult to deal with, so be careful. Also, you need to be wary of that Ruan Anruo's always stirring up trouble..." Meng Yulan prepared to leave, adding worriedly to Tang Zhuyun, "You're too straightforward."
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "I know."
"There's one more thing," Meng Yulan said, "You need to keep a close eye on your grandmother and make sure she doesn't do anything inappropriate."
She phrased it tactfully, but Tang Zhuyun still didn't understand.
"Your father and eldest brother are both renowned incorruptible officials. But if someone tries to gain influence through your grandmother's side... then they'll be accused and unable to clear their name."
Tang Zhuyun nodded solemnly.
This is indeed a problem.
Meng Yulan knew that her grandmother had come, and she guessed that many others knew as well.
Tang Zhuyun escorted Meng Yulan out and saw Madam Song smiling broadly as she spoke with an old woman dressed in brocade.
The old woman, clearly from a wealthy family, was dressed in gold and silver and had a very imposing air, yet she was all smiles and flattering Madam Song.
Two maids stood behind her, each carrying a gift box.
What did Meng Yulan just say? Here it comes, haha.
Tang Zhuyun said in a low voice, "Sister Meng, please wait for me a moment."
She stepped forward and coldly asked the old woman, "Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"
Madam Song angrily retorted, "How dare you speak like that, you little brat! Do you even respect me as your elder?"
The old woman came to get things done and didn't want the Tang Family to cause trouble, otherwise everything would fall apart.
She hurriedly said, "This must be Miss Tang. This old servant is a servant of the Prince's residence, a censor in the Ministry of Personnel. This old servant..."
"Can you read?" Tang Zhuyun asked with a sneer.
The old woman looked embarrassed.
A couplet personally written by Tang Mingfan was posted at the entrance of the Tang Family: "Never violate the Way, never offend the people, truly fair, with a heart free of evil; showing no mercy, not accepting bribes, those who swindle and cheat will be severely punished by law."
"You've all heard of my father's reputation. If you don't offer bribes, he'll report it and take action; but if you do offer bribes, the punishment will be doubled."
The old woman was startled and hurriedly bowed.
Tang Zhuyun: "Let's go, I'll pretend you were never here; if you keep bothering me, don't blame me for telling my father!"
The old woman and her maid slunk away.
Madam Song was furious that her prize had slipped through her fingers. "I'm in charge of this household! You little brat, have you gone too far?!"
"If you want to go to jail, go ahead and eat it yourself." Tang Zhuyun retorted without backing down. "If you dare to accept money or gifts from anyone behind my father's back, don't blame me for turning ruthless!"
The Madam Song cannot be allowed to remain.
She had tolerated her these past few days out of filial piety for the sake of Tang Mingfan; now, Tang Zhuyun could no longer bear it.
When Madam Song saw that Tang Zhuyun still dared to talk back, she reached out to hit Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun had almost recovered her skills. She sneered and reached for her hand, intending to give her a taste of her own medicine.
However, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the wide-open courtyard gate and saw Tang Mingfan and his son hurrying back, about to enter the courtyard.
Tang Zhuyun instantly changed her mind, merely turning her head slightly to avoid the slap, thus deflecting most of Madam Song's force and allowing the slap to lightly brush her face.
The Oscar-winning actress collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.
Madam Song stared blankly at her hand. Had she touched Tang Zhuyun?
Tang Zhuyun pinched herself hard, wailing as she got up, "You dare hit my face! My father has never hit me like that! I'll fight you to the death!"
Seeing this, Meng Yulan quickly stepped forward to pull her away.
She couldn't let Tang Zhuyun make that kind of mistake of insubordination.
However, someone was faster than her; Tang Baixin tightly embraced Tang Zhuyun with both arms, her eyes bloodshot.
"Big brother, let me go! I'll fight her to the death!"
She had been beaten, and she had suffered so much at the Madam Song. She wanted to make a scene to remind Tang Mingfan of all this and sever his ties and attachment to the Madam Song.
Even if we can't completely sever ties, we must get rid of the Madam Song as soon as possible.
Meng Yulan touched Tang Baixin's arm, her face flushed slightly, and she quickly took a step back, bowing her head to advise, "A-Yun, don't be impulsive, think about what I told you."
Her voice was gentle yet firm, but she couldn't persuade Tang Zhuyun, who was determined to make a scene today.
Tang Zhuyun: "Big brother, let go!"
"No, let me do it!" Tang Baixin bit her lip, a dark cloud hanging over her brows, a murderous glint in her eyes. "I should have avenged you long ago!"
After saying that, he reached out and slapped Madam Song hard across the face.
Because of his filial piety, he could only swallow his anger even though his younger sister was almost killed by this old witch; but now, his sister is doing so well, and she still comes to bully him.
If I keep tolerating him, does he even deserve to be called an older brother?
A loud "snap" rang out, and the air seemed to freeze.
"Miss Meng, you--" Tang Baixin looked at Meng Yulan who was blocking him, and was speechless for a moment.
He... he just hit Meng Yulan...
Meng Yulan's arm burned with pain, but her gaze was sincere and clear. She shook her head. "Young Master Tang, it's not worth it."
Tang Mingfan was in poor health and walked slowly, already panting heavily when he entered.
Madam Song lay down on the ground. "I don't want to live anymore! My grandson is going to beat me!"
"Enough!" Tang Mingfan's face flushed red, his eyes filled with despair and anger. "Mother, pack your things. Your son will go to the Emperor to resign from my post and take you back to our hometown!"
Only if he leaves, and only if he takes Madam Song with him, can his children have a peaceful life.
Madam Song dared not cry anymore, and said, "You have no idea how that little hussy bullied me when you weren't around. She cursed me to die!"
Hearing her hysterical crying, Tang Mingfan glanced at the brother and sister and said, "You two go inside first."
Tang Baixin bowed deeply. "Miss Meng, I am truly sorry for today. A-Yun, please go in and check on Miss Meng's injuries. Don't worry about the rest, your brother will risk his life to ensure she doesn't mistreat you again!"
Meng Yulan was deeply shocked.
She has several older brothers, but they are polite and distant towards her; they are neither as young and promising as Tang Baixin, nor as passionate and impulsive as him.
She felt she had acted impulsively, but now she felt deeply moved.
Tang Zhuyun shoved Tang Baixin: "Big brother, are you crazy! Why don't you believe me! You..."
He is a pillar of the family, a talented young man admired by all; how could he ruin his future?
The wicked should be punished by their own wicked counterparts.
Meng Yulan was stunned again. What was Tang Zhuyun doing?
Then, the next moment, she saw Tang Baixin smile.
His smile was like a melting snow mountain, instantly blossoming into thousands of pear trees; his eyes shone brightly, as if starlight had been shattered.
"Silly girl," Tang Baixin patted Tang Zhuyun's head, "Your older brother is here."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes welled up with tears. She stomped her foot angrily and pulled Meng Yulan back into the room.
"Sister Meng, I'm so sorry, it was all because I acted on a whim..." Tang Zhuyun took out some ointment and applied it to Meng Yulan's red arm.
Tang Baixin really didn't hold back this time. Meng Yulan's forearm was fair, so the finger marks were clearly visible. You can imagine how painful it must have been.
"I'm fine," Meng Yulan reassured her. "Try putting some medicine on your face first."
"I had forgotten about it if you hadn't mentioned it!" Tang Baixin handed her the ointment and went to the medicine cabinet to rummage through it.