Wu Zhenhai then disappeared for three months.
He volunteered to go and eliminate the remaining members of the Zhou Family.
Yes, it's also a way to escape.
He couldn't see, or even recall, the scene of Mingzhu and Cui Run standing together.
He was insanely jealous.
He feared that he might be tempted to do something despicable, like trying to break them up and ruin Mingzhu's happiness.
No, we absolutely cannot do that.
He himself has three children, two of whom are troublesome, and the youngest is still unknown. He is also older, and his status is not as high as Mingzhu's. What else could he possibly have that would make Mingzhu favor him?
Perhaps he should find a woman, get married, and finally give up on her?
Let's wait until Mingzhu gets married.
Prince of Jin was aware of Wu Zhenhai's volunteering, but he did not tell Mingzhu.
Mingzhu and Cui Run's relationship is getting better and better, and they even seem to be thinking about settling down.
Tang Zhuyun watched coldly, thinking that Cui Run was indeed quite good.
He was devoted to Mingzhu, and indeed knew how to improve himself. He was also very tactful, treating all the women in the household with courtesy while maintaining appropriate distance.
Throughout the entire Prince's mansion, among all the women, there was none who disliked Cui Run.
Everyone was silently observing what was going on between Mingzhu and Cui Run.
Even Ren Yingying, who strongly supports Old Cabbage Stalk, has to admit that Cui Run is a good match.
Xiu'er said, "Now we're just waiting to see how Mother-in-law is doing!"
Women with marriage experience know that a good mother-in-law is just as important as a good husband, or even more important.
As the year draws to a close, every household begins preparing for the New Year, and the Prince's Mansion is no exception.
The children, born in the summer, are now all Lovely and playful. The three little ones are rolling around on the kang (a heated brick bed).
Looking at the New Year's shopping list, Tang Zhuyun asked Xiu'er, "Did you send anything to Song Jingyang?"
"I brought some food and cotton clothing; the Xia Kingdom doesn't lack anything else."
Perhaps because Song Jingyang led an army of 50,000 to garrison the Xia Kingdom, the other side was intimidated, and the Northwest remained relatively peaceful this winter, which also put Xiu'er at ease for the time being.
Just then, Yanran brought Jiaojiao in, and shook the snow off her clothes at the doorway, saying, "So cold, so cold."
Xiu'er didn't see her little tail and couldn't help but ask, "Where's your 'son'?"
Yanran: "... Today I sent him to Great Confucian Scholar Kong to pretend to be an expert, so let me rest for a day."
Tang Zhuyun asked in surprise, "Can he even understand it?"
"Of course I can't understand it. If I could, would I still be considered a charlatan?" Yanran rolled her eyes.
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but chuckle, "Why were you so impatient with him today?"
"I need to rest too." Yanran pouted and reached into the iron plate above the stove to take a roasted chestnut with an opening.
Xiu'er said, "I'm just wondering, why are you so good to Wu Yu? Could he really be your son in a past life?"
Yanran said, "I don't know about my past life, but I still like him quite a bit."
"Why?" Xiu'er asked. "He's always crying. I don't think you should like his type."
Tang Zhuyun also began to doubt Yanran's preferences. Could she really like a man who cries all the time?
The elderly mother was having a hard time accepting it.
Yanran, however, said matter-of-factly, "I just like his clumsy side."
Tang Zhuyun: Liking idiots isn't okay either! But Wu Yu doesn't seem to be an idiot.
Xiu'er said, "Have you seen too many smart people and want a change of pace?"
Yanran pouted and said, "There's no one dumber than me in this manor! Aren't those three even human?"
She pointed to the three little ones on the kang (a heated brick bed) who were already babbling and calling to her.
Tang Zhuyun suddenly realized that Yanran was trying to find a balance!
Thinking about it, it does seem to make sense. Linlin and Cui Xiaoqiu are both outstanding individuals who overwhelm those around them. Without strong resilience, they really wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure.
Xiu'er: "I get it. You need someone to listen to you if you want to be a know-it-all, right?"
Yanran: "That's what they say, but it's better if you don't say it aloud."
Tang Zhuyun was amused.
Yanran asked her, "Mother, when is Wu Zhenhai coming to pick up Wu Yu? Even if he doesn't come, he should at least come and see him; he's his own son!"
Yanran could tell that Wu Yu did miss Wu Zhenhai.
Has Wu Zhenhai forgotten that he even has this son?
Xiu'er also said, "Why haven't we heard anything from him lately? Has he been secretly doing something bad?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "You're still thinking about him?"
That person had a past conflict with Mingzhu; isn't it best if they don't show up?
Xiu'er said, "Of course I don't care, but I just feel that he's too quiet."
As they were talking, Mingzhu lifted the curtain and came in, her face slightly flushed, whether from the cold or excitement, it was hard to tell.
"Sister-in-law, Cui Run's mother has arrived."
Tang Zhuyun asked in surprise, "Cui Run's mother is here?"
Xiu'er was also surprised. "Why haven't you mentioned this before?"
Mingzhu said, "I didn't know before; it just happened today."
Tang Zhuyun felt a little uncomfortable, but she didn't show it on her face. She said, "That's probably because you miss Cui Run too much. Don't be nervous. Your relationship is pretty good now. Maybe you can take advantage of his mother's visit to settle things."
Of course, this matter still needs to be discussed with the Prince of Jin.
Mingzhu lowered her eyes and said, "Sister-in-law, do you think his mother might not like me?"
Before Tang Zhuyun could speak, Xiu'er interjected, "What do you plan to do if you don't like it?"
Mingzhu said, "Let's see, let's see just how much they can dislike it."
"I don't like it at all?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
Mingzhu looked up at her, her gaze gradually deepening, and after a long while she said, "Sister-in-law, do you also think that Madam Gao's sudden arrival might be because she is dissatisfied with me?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "It's just a possibility; perhaps I'm overthinking it."
Her words were polite but hypocritical.
Because it's quite obvious that Lady Gao's surprise attack, which didn't even involve Cui Run, was probably not meant to be a surprise.
Mingzhu said, "Then... let's take another look."
Although she wanted to say something like "let go" in a magnanimous way, it was too painful.
Even just imagining it hurts.
For her, Cui Run was a wonderful thing she had never even dreamed of.
During the months they spent together, she received meticulous and thoughtful care from him, a closeness based on respect and affection.
If they could spend their lives together like this, Mingzhu would be grateful and content.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Mingzhu, I also hope I'm being petty. But if Madam Gao really doesn't like you, I can still be angry."
Who wants their daughter to suffer?
Tang Zhuyun was already somewhat displeased by Lady Gao's sudden arrival.
If there were other reasons, that would be fine, but if it was just because Mingzhu came to her door so abruptly, she certainly wouldn't be happy.
Mingzhu paused for a moment before speaking, "Sister-in-law, I understand."
Nothing is more important than dignity, and love is no exception.
Xiu'er said, "Your Highness, Mingzhu, wait here, I'll go see what's going on!"
Yanran: "I'm going too!"
The two, one big and one small, strode out the door with great pride and high spirits.