"They'll all be obedient," said the Prince of Jin. "These two in your belly will surely be obedient too, and won't let you suffer. With Ren Yingying here, I can rest assured."
As Tang Zhuyun's due date approached, he became increasingly anxious.
Ren Yingying's arrival greatly eased the tension of the Prince of Jin.
--Don't even mention her being a bit noisy, she's a real troublemaker, even the Prince of Jin has to hurry up and prepare a latrine.
In a critical moment, he could save his wife and children's lives!
Nothing is more important than this.
Qu Nian, who was squatting at the door waiting for Prince of Jin:???
That's it, we can't count on the Prince of Jin anymore.
He actually wanted to take all his wives and concubines away at once?
What, one monster isn't enough for you?
You even stuck your chopsticks into my bowl?
I can tolerate you taking one bite with your chopsticks, but you want to take the whole bowl away too?
This is outrageous!
You can't bully a dog!
Ever since I became a dog, nothing and no one has gone my way!
Tang Zhuyun said, "Yes, Yingying is reliable. The people around her are all capable as well. I plan to ask them to help manage the manor for the time being."
Okay, whatever you say.
Qu Nian: Damn it, I'm so tired, I don't want to talk.
This couple is so shameless!
He's been in a coma for half a year, and he hasn't gotten any of the benefits from his wives and concubines. They got to enjoy them first?
Angry!
"Dog Meat, Dog Meat, what are you doing here?" Ren Yingying's voice rang out.
Qu Nian: Let me Jingjing!
Xiu'er is back too.
"Thanks to the Crown Princess for giving her some medicine, otherwise I don't think she would be able to sleep."
She was referring to Zhou Xu.
The Prince of Jin asked, "What was her reaction?"
Xiu'er said disdainfully, "Is there any need to ask? Of course I'm happy! You're a benefactor who can help her, not some poor relative waiting for her help."
The Prince of Jin was speechless.
"What was I going to say?" Xiu'er muttered, "I forgot everything because you interrupted me..."
Tang Zhuyun: "I can't run away, you can think about it slowly."
"Oh, I remember now," Xiu'er said, "Zhou Xu said she wants to go back to the Zhou Family. Don't forget to persuade her then."
The Prince of Jin frowned. "No!"
Tang Zhuyun said, "I know, I'll talk to her about it later, when she's feeling better."
When it was time for dinner that evening, Prince of Jin changed into a moon-white robe and asked Tang Zhuyun, "Does this look better?"
He knew his temperament was aloof and cold, so perhaps lighter-colored clothes would make him more approachable?
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Don't be nervous. It's just a casual meal; it's not like you're going to recognize any relatives."
The Prince of Prince of Jin looked somewhat uneasy. "I'm not nervous."
Xiu'er came in and said, "Your Highness, the Old Madam said she's not coming."
Tang Zhuyun glanced at Prince of Jin, who waved his hand and said, "Then forget it, don't force her."
In truth, he himself was also relieved.
Compared to their biological mother, younger sisters are probably easier to recognize.
Zhou Xu arrived quickly.
She changed her clothes, tidied herself up, and came in, bowing somewhat reservedly.
The Prince of Jin was not one for warm hospitality, and said indifferently, "We're family, no need for formalities."
After Prince of Jin helped Tang Zhuyun sit down, Xiu'er also pulled Zhou Xu over to sit down, and Linlin sat down next to Zhou Xu.
Seeing Xiu'er standing there, Zhou Xu couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"Since it's your first time home, you're considered a guest," Xiu'er said. "You sit down, I'll go check on them, why hasn't the soup arrived yet?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "You should sit down and eat too."
"No, I can't eat if I'm sitting with the prince."
Prince of Jin: "..."
Zhou Xu was surprised.
She glanced at Xiu'er, then at the Prince of Jin.
With such blatant disdain, didn't the Prince of Jin get angry?
He seems different from what I imagined.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Then don't wander around, and don't trip in the dark."
"I'm going back to eat and then write a letter to Song Jingyang."
She wanted to tell Song Jingyang that besides the Empress, another Ren Yingying had joined the household, and she was also very capable. She told him to do his job well and not to worry about her.
She's still waiting to see if Ren Yingying will change Zhou Xu's face!
Hmm, let's check out the craftsmanship first before deciding whether or not to operate on Song Jingyang.
Apart from accompanying Lady Deng Yanran, the family was reunited.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and invited Zhou Xu to eat.
Zhou Xu basically only dared to pick at the rice in her bowl, and occasionally when she picked up some vegetables, she only dared to pick up the poached chicken in front of her.
Even when eating chicken, she's too embarrassed to pick up a chicken leg.
Tang Zhuyun offered her a chicken wing, and she picked one up from her plate.
Tang Zhuyun called to her again, and she picked up a chicken foot.
Tang Zhuyun: "... We really are family, we even have the same tastes."
Zhou Xu was stunned.
Linlin explained, "My mother's favorite foods are chicken wings and chicken feet."
Zhou Xu was bewildered. "I don't know, I..."
"I like to eat, does that affect your liking? The royal palace can't be so poor that it can only kill one chicken a day."
She laughed and recounted the amusing anecdote about Song Cui'er from back then—"The prince must kill a chicken every day!"
Seeing that the Prince of Jin truly treated her like one of his own, and that although he didn't say much, he wasn't harsh either, Zhou Xu finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she was still a bit reserved, she dared to occasionally chime in.
Tang Zhuyun still felt a little uncomfortable, and secretly nudged Prince of Jin under the table, urging him to eat quickly.
The Prince of Jin understood immediately.
Linlin put down her chopsticks and said, "I've finished eating. Father, Mother, and Aunt, please enjoy your meal. I have some questions I'd like to ask Father..."
Tang Zhuyun: We're of one mind!
Prince of Jin put down his chopsticks and stood up, saying, "Alright. You two sisters-in-law can talk slowly. I have something to attend to and will be back late."
Zhou Xu stood up and said with difficulty, "Brother, please take care—"
Prince of Jin paused for a moment, then grunted in agreement and led Linlin out.
Tang Zhuyun chuckled and teased, "Look at you, such a capable girl, how come you're like a mouse before a cat in front of the prince? That's your own brother, what are you afraid of?"
"Your Majesty," Zhou Xu said, lowering her eyes, "I'm afraid, I'm afraid of bringing shame upon my... mother, I'm afraid of putting my mother in a difficult position."
She was afraid she wasn't good enough and didn't deserve this blessing.
A child who has never tasted sweetness handles the candy with utmost care.
This was a shared expectation between her and her mother; she feared she wasn't good enough for it.
How did she, a person with a tarnished reputation and living such a wretched life, suddenly become the prince's sister?
She embarrassed the prince; will he still want her?
It's alright if she doesn't want me; she's used to hardship. But my mother deserves a better life.
Tang Zhuyun took a deep breath, forcing back the tears in her eyes, and smiled, "Don't talk nonsense. We're family, there's no need to talk about shame or embarrassment. We have a long time to spend together in the future."
"Your Majesty, I want to go back to the Zhou Family!"
The respect given to you by others is ultimately given to you by others.
She's unreliable.
She is useful; she doesn't survive solely because of her status as the Prince of Jin's sister.
The Prince of Jin wanted to treat her well, and she was grateful; she also wanted to use her meager strength to tell this elder brother who had appeared out of nowhere that she was useful and that she wasn't just there for show.
She deserves as much happiness as she can afford to put in!