The candy in Yanran's purse was brought to her by Cui Xiaoqiu from the capital; there aren't candies this pretty and delicious here.
Besides these, she also brought a big bag full of delicious food and fun toys, all gifts from Cui Xiaoqiu.
While rummaging through her things at home yesterday, she had a change of heart and asked someone to send Cui Xiaoqiu some leather, a lot of dried meat, and some colorful stones from the Gobi Desert.
This was the first time she had returned a gift to Cui Xiaoqiu since she arrived.
Yanran took her candy and Jiaojiao to play with girls their own age.
Jiaojiao is her ultimate weapon.
Hey sis, wanna pet some cats? The ones from Liaodong are really strong!
She refused to believe that anyone wouldn't want to "touch the tiger's backside"!
A little while later, Xiu'er said she needed to use the restroom, and she got up, supporting her back, and went to relieve herself.
The Zhou Family's maids naturally had to follow along, guiding and serving them.
Xiu'er subtly probed him with a few questions, without making any attempt to elicit anything.
Tang Zhuyun watched the Zhou Family's performance Jingjing.
Cheers could be heard intermittently from afar, as if it were from a horse-riding archery competition.
Located on the frontier, this area has a rugged local culture, many military households, and frequent battles, making it particularly martial.
Especially among men, few would compose poems about these topics; whoever could fight was the king.
Tang Zhuyun felt that this was really a disadvantage for Linlin.
But there's nothing to worry about. Even so, with Linlin's daily practice of hundreds of arrows without fail, she's still far ahead of her peers.
Old Madam Zhou tentatively asked, "I see that Her Majesty's health is getting worse, and she hasn't brought many people from the capital. Should we select some more capable people from the border town?"
Tang Zhuyun didn't stand on ceremony, and said with a half-smile, "I'm from the capital, and people from this border town might not be used to it. Thank you for your kindness, Madam."
Old Madam Zhou picked up her teacup to conceal her emotions.
--She's just a vulgar woman from a poor, remote area. She's only been a princess for a few days, and she's already looking down on people.
Zhou Fu lowered her head, feeling somewhat resentful.
She really wanted to enter the Prince's mansion, but unfortunately, she had a terrible ally like her grandmother.
In the Zhou Family, she and her Madam Wang, were on the same side and looked down on Old Madam Zhou.
Madam Wang was related to the Wang Family of Langya, a prominent and influential clan.
Old Madam Zhou came from a military family and was not the eldest daughter of a noble family, so Madam Wang looked down on her mother-in-law.
Zhou Fu was also affected by this sentiment and actually had some complaints about her grandmother.
For example, look at the situation today. They came out with such a menacing attitude, as if they wanted everyone to know that the Zhou Family did not submit to the Prince of Jin.
Given that her grandmother instructed Zhou Xu to say those disgusting things, how could they possibly help her when she enters the Prince's mansion?
No, she can't rely on her grandmother; her grandmother will only hold her back.
She had to find a way to impress the Prince of Jin.
Prince of Jin had probably seen all sorts of beauties, from plump to slender, and found nothing new about them.
To stand out, one must find another way.
Zhou Fu was quick-witted; she summoned a maid, gave her a few instructions, and the maid left to carry out her orders.
Tang Zhuyun noticed her movements but remained calm.
From the other side of the woods ahead, cheers could be heard intermittently.
When Xiu'er returned, she whispered to Tang Zhuyun, "I overheard a few words just now, and it sounded like they were trying to get the Prince to broaden their horizons! That'll scare those bumpkins to death!"
Tang Zhuyun's lips curled into a smile.
Let them see what's what.
"Linlin and the others will be here Linlin," Xiu'er said. "Let them see what they've got!"
Tang Zhuyun: "Uh..."
She was just about to say, "Like father, like son," when she remembered that Linlin's current public identity was only known to her family and the Emperor; it had not yet been officially recognized.
So Linlin is still just her nephew.
She and the Prince of Jin had previously agreed to announce it to the world only after the important matter was accomplished.
But now that I think about it, wasn't that a bit too long?
Especially as Linlin grows older and becomes more thoughtful, what if she's unhappy but keeps it bottled up and it gets to her head?
No, I must discuss this matter with the Prince of Jin as soon as I get back.
A while later, Yanran returned, pouting, and sat down next to Tang Zhuyun, not saying a word.
That expression clearly said, "I'm unhappy, come and comfort me."
Tang Zhuyun tilted her head and chuckled softly, "Who offended you?"
Yanran said, "I know I can't beat them in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but I have an older brother! But for some reason, he didn't perform well today, and I suspect the Zhou Family did something wrong."
If my brother isn't number one, then there must be something fishy going on.
Tang Zhuyun vaguely guessed that Linlin didn't want to take the limelight.
Neither the mother nor the daughter had considered that Linlin was impotent.
Xiu'er said, "That's for sure! Yanran, did you see through it? If you did, just flip the table! You're lying, have you no shame!"
Yanran: "I didn't notice."
She didn't even notice where the Zhou Family was tampering with things.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Alright, it's just a small competition. Let's talk about it when we get home."
She lowered her voice, "Have you two figured it out?"
"Understood!" they both said in unison.
Tang Zhuyun sat up straight.
While waiting for the answer to be revealed, I felt quite uneasy.
She couldn't say for sure whether she hoped that Concubine Yu was Prince of Jin's birth mother so that the family could be reunited, or she hoped that it was someone else, so that Prince of Jin wouldn't have to suffer such heartache and humiliation.
Suddenly, an arrow shot out from the front at an angle.
Instead of shooting towards Tang Zhuyun, it flew to the side, eliciting gasps from the women.
Zhou Fu stood up and said sternly, "Who dares to act recklessly! Come with me to see!"
--This is what she just designed.
She grew up in a border town and learned riding and archery from a young age. She believed she could impress the Prince of Jin.
Xiu'er: "Finally, she's shown up. If this wasn't arranged by her, I'll twist my head off."
Tang Zhuyun sipped her tea and said slowly, "Let's enjoy watching the peacock spread its tail."
"Let me show you my ass."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a commotion arose ahead.
Tang Zhuyun frowned.
It's just an arrow, isn't it? It was a bit dangerous, but no one was hurt. What happened?
Zhou Fu, who had only taken a dozen steps, was also stunned.
She hasn't even made a move yet, and she's already amazed everyone?
She didn't even show her face!
Did someone steal her thunder?
Suddenly, the Prince of Jin appeared on horseback in front of them, carrying Linlin in his hand.
That's right, it's carried.
He didn't even have time to pull Linlin onto the horse before he charged over on horseback.
Almost instantly, he rode his Racing Thunder to a stop and dismounted.
"What's wrong?" Tang Zhuyun asked, bewildered.
"There are bandits." Prince of Jin said succinctly, holding Tang Zhuyun's hand.
Only when she is by his side can he truly feel at ease.
Yanran suddenly became excited, "Where's my little golden bow? Brother, shall we go try it together?"
Linlin shook her head at her.
Yanran immediately wilted.
Tang Zhuyun was dumbfounded.
Looking at the impregnable defenses around her, she thought she had misheard.
"Bandits? Are they walking right into a trap?" Xiu'er asked.
The Prince of Jin said in a low voice, "They've abducted a woman."
"Huh? Who?" Tang Zhuyun exclaimed in shock.