A moment later, Tang Zhuyun took out another bottle of ointment and applied it to the slightly red area on her face in front of the mirror. Her face immediately felt burning hot.
"A-Yun?" Meng Yulan's voice changed in fright as she watched her face swell up at an almost visible speed.
"Shh—" Tang Zhuyun made a shushing gesture, wincing in pain, "I did it on purpose."
Meng Yulan was stunned. "What are you doing?"
"I need my dad to see her hit me, otherwise, won't he feel guilty when I have to get rid of her?" Tang Zhuyun said matter-of-factly, "I just didn't expect my older brother to be so impulsive, and to drag you into this..."
"I'm fine," Meng Yulan said. "I'll be alright in a few days. But you two are like this..."
This is really worrying.
"It's alright, I have a plan," Tang Zhuyun said. "Today she wanted to accept a gift and even hit me; our mother-son relationship is almost completely worn down."
She never blamed Tang Mingfan for being lenient with Madam Song, because she was his own mother.
Tang Mingfan's unwavering protection of his daughter makes him a model father of his time.
Tang Zhuyun could only use some subtle, manipulative tactics to gradually dishearten him, send Madam Song back to her hometown, and allow her to continue living without any burdens.
"Then let me know how things are going, otherwise I'll keep worrying about you. If you need any help, just let me know. The Duke's Mansion's nameplate can probably intimidate some people."
Tang Zhuyun saw Meng Yulan out, where Tang Baixin was waiting at the door, and apologized to Meng Yulan again and again.
Meng Yulan stepped aside to avoid her, saying, "You are just trying to protect A-Yun, but what happened today... I hope you will think twice before acting in the future."
Tang Baixin to himself, "Thank you for your guidance, young lady."
However, he did not regret it.
He and Tang Zhuyun shared one thought: she was his father's biological mother, and even if it was excessive, it was hard to sever ties with her.
He couldn't think of any way to get revenge for his sister except by resorting to drastic measures.
After seeing Meng Yulan off, Tang Zhuyun saw that the mother and son were still talking in the main room, so she pulled Tang Baixin into her room and said, "Brother, you're too silly. I did it on purpose today! It's also my fault; it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and I didn't discuss it with you..."
She told him the whole story and what she planned to do.
"Are you sure your face is okay?"
Tang Zhuyun rolled her eyes. "It's really nothing. Do you think I'd disfigure myself? Big brother, are you even listening to me? Is this okay?"
"You can give it a try. What can I do to help you?"
"Mind your own business and don't get involved," Tang Zhuyun said disdainfully. "Women's affairs are none of your concern. Just focus on your job and protect me so I can do whatever I want in the future."
"A-Yun, I'm the eldest brother."
"I'm still the younger sister! Go and take Linlin and Yanran with you, don't let them see me like this."
Tang Zhuyun found a veil and tucked it into her bosom. She rubbed her eyes vigorously until they were red and swollen, then pushed open the door to the main room and went inside.
Madam Song was furious whenever she saw her.
Tang Mingfan looked at his daughter with remorse, and seeing her swollen face, he felt even more guilty and made up his mind to speak up for her today.
"Father," Tang Zhuyun said timidly, "Is Grandmother still angry with me? I know I was wrong today, it was all my fault..."
Tang Mingfan quickly said, "Don't be angry, Grandmother won't be angry with you. How's your face? Why didn't you ask Xiu'er to buy some medicine to apply?"
"I'm fine." Tang Zhuyun lowered her eyes. "I was too impulsive today. I got anxious when I heard someone was giving me a gift, and I'm afraid..."
"I know," Tang Mingfan said with difficulty, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I've made up my mind. Tomorrow I will submit a memorial to the Emperor, retiring and returning to my hometown to serve your grandmother."
With a loud "Aow!", Madam Song abandoned her feigned illness and sprang from the bed. "No! I won't allow you to resign!"
Tang Mingfan, however, did not look at her.
Seeing that Madam Song was about to cause trouble, Tang Zhuyun said, "Grandmother, please don't get agitated. Let me try to persuade my father."
"You little brat, this is all your fault." Madam Song grabbed a feather duster from the side and lashed out at her.
She thought she was in the countryside and could act like a tyrant.
Tang Mingfan grabbed her arm and said angrily, "Enough! A-Yun, come with me and serve me pen and ink. I'm going to write a memorial now."
Tang Zhuyun followed behind him, turned around at the door, gave Madam Song a mocking smile, and mouthed "Wait."
Both Madam Song and Song Cui'er could see it clearly.
Madam Song had a fit, pounding the bed and crying hysterically, "You little slut, you... in front of others and behind their backs, you..."
Tang Mingfan pulled Tang Zhuyun aside and slammed the door shut.
He returned to his desk, unable to calm down for a long time.
"Father, have some tea." Tang Zhuyun handed him a cup of hot tea, her manner incredibly obedient. "I was wrong today; it's all because of my grandmother. I'll go apologize to her later and beg for her forgiveness."
"Don't go, you're not allowed to go," Tang Mingfan said. "It's my fault, all my fault. When I went away to study, your mother was alone at home, and she suffered so much..."
As he spoke, he slumped weakly into his chair, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Father, don't think about it anymore. If Mother knew in the afterlife, she would only want us to be doing well, wouldn't she?" Tang Zhuyun said, "Take your time with resigning from your official post. These next few days might ease the tension with Grandmother!"
"No, your father sees through it all. If she doesn't leave, none of you siblings will have a good life. You're soft-hearted, but your eldest brother was heartbroken by her back then. When you got into trouble, if I hadn't stopped him, your eldest brother would have burned down the ancestral home!"
Tang Zhuyun was extremely surprised.
"Your older brother has always doted on you since you were little; he always gave you the best food and toys first..."
Tang Zhuyun lowered her eyes. She knew that behind those mindless impulses was an unbearable frustration that had crossed her bottom line.
Just like when she saw Linlin being bullied by the children of the Prince Rong's Residence, she never thought that it was a mansion where she couldn't cause trouble. Zidu, "You've touched the person I love most, so I'll die with you."
"A-Yun, your father is powerless to protect you. From now on, when you're in the capital, consult with your elder brother on everything. I'm very relieved to see you like this... I'm getting old and want to go home to be with your mother. She's been waiting for me for so long, all alone, looking north towards the capital..."
Seeing that Tang Mingfan was upset, Tang Zhuyun left, letting him deal with it on his own.
As she put on her veil and was about to start cooking, the Prince of Jin entered, leading a child by the hand.
He looked disgusted when he saw Tang Zhuyun wearing a veil.
Yanran skipped over and said, "Sister, you look pretty like this too, but aren't you hot?"
Linlin was more clever than her; without saying a word, she jumped up and tried to pull off the veil.
Tang Zhuyun pressed her veil down. "It's not hot, it's not hot. This keeps mosquitoes away."