However, no matter what Tang Zhuyun said, Meng Yulan was now finding it difficult to calm down.
She couldn't wait to see Jiang Beihan; she wanted to get to the bottom of things.
What Tang Zhuyun was thinking was that a man's change of heart is like a dog wanting to eat shit; you can't stop him.
A dog eats poop, why don't you ask why?
That's just how it is by nature.
However, she also understood that Meng Yulan had persevered for so many years and made so many sacrifices; all she wanted was an explanation, which was already quite reasonable.
If I were in that situation, I might have acted even less rationally.
"A-Yun, please help me," Meng Yulan pleaded desperately.
She could no longer mention this to anyone else.
She was a girl who rarely left her home, so she really had no one to rely on.
Tang Zhuyun smiled wryly, "Sister Meng, you overestimate me. There's nothing I can do about it."
She understood that Meng Yulan was desperate and would try anything, but she also knew her own limitations.
If she wants to see the Prince of Jin, she might be able to help.
"A-Yun, help me think of a way. You don't need to go through all that trouble. Just help me figure out how to see Jiang Beihan. I can go myself."
Clearly, Meng Yulan was also well aware of the concerns involved.
"Sister Meng, don't worry. Now that he's back, he can't run away anymore; he already has a wife and children, and you and him... are destined to be apart; we can't change the outcome, and there's no rush for you to get an explanation."
She was too embarrassed to say it directly, because if she demanded an explanation, wouldn't she just have to suffer the consequences?
Meng Yulan sat down, looking lost and confused, and murmured, "I just don't understand why, why..."
"Well then," Tang Zhuyun said, "I'll go back and think of something, but don't get your hopes up too high, sister. I'll let you know if there's any progress. You should take good care of yourself first."
She wanted to help, but she didn't know how much she could do, so she didn't dare to give Meng Yulan any hope.
Meng Yulan was extremely grateful to her and said with tears in her eyes, "I know I shouldn't have involved you in this, but I really have no one else to turn to... A-Yun, I'm sorry, I need to calm down a bit more."
Tang Zhuyun said something very true: the outcome is already irreversible.
When Tang Zhuyun returned home, she felt heartbroken thinking about Meng Yulan's condition.
She actually felt that Meng Yulan and Jiang Beihan should meet and talk things out.
Only by severing ties completely can Meng Yulan start anew.
But how did I meet Jiang Beihan?
Looking for the Prince of Jin?
She must be tired of living too long.
The Prince of Jin has always considered Meng Yulan and himself as his own people. If he were to arrange for his woman to meet with another man in secret, he would probably twist his own head off.
Who else can we turn to?
Just as things were looking gloomy and dejected, Tang Baixin returned home.
Tang Zhuyun's eyes lit up. "Big brother, big brother, come here, I have something to tell you."
Tang Baixin came to her room, handed her the box of pastries, and said with a smile, "These are pastries my colleague brought from Jiangnan. Try them yourself first. Don't save all the good ones for the two kids."
"I can't eat, I'm preoccupied!" Tang Zhuyun told Meng Yulan about it.
"It's not appropriate." Tang Baixin frowned. "It's not suitable for you to help with this, and she shouldn't go to see Jiang Beihan either."
"Right... but how am I supposed to answer Sister Meng?" Tang Zhuyun was at her wit's end.
"Alright," Tang Baixin said after a moment's thought, "It's not appropriate for you to handle this matter directly. Let me subtly inquire about it. Jiang Beihan has just returned and is about to inherit his title; he's the focus of the court. If I ask him a few questions, no one will notice."
"What are you asking about?" Tang Zhuyun didn't understand.
"Fool," Tang Baixin to himself, "Of course it's about his wife's situation. I think Miss Meng would definitely want to know about this. Besides, this way you can also help, and you'll be doing right by your friend."
Wow, where can you find such a considerate and thoughtful older brother!
How wonderful it is that Sister Meng has taken a liking to Big Brother!
That's right! Now that Meng Yulan and Jiang Beihan are done, could we let our older brother take advantage of the situation?
However, this thought only lingered briefly, as Meng Yulan's current state was worrying, and she probably had no time to consider anything else.
"Brother, then you should inquire about it as soon as possible."
"I'm off tomorrow. I'll go to the Ministry of Personnel the day after and ask someone there," Tang Baixin to himself. "Have you prepared the incense, candles, and paper money?"
Tang Zhuyun slapped her forehead. "Oh dear, I completely forgot if you hadn't mentioned it, brother. Luckily, we prepared the incense, candles, and paper money beforehand. I was just about to ask you, since we're going to the Great Xiangguo Temple to worship our mother, is it inappropriate to bring meat offerings?"
Tomorrow is the anniversary of their mother's death. Every year, Tang Mingfan would take his whole family to the Great Xiangguo Temple to burn incense and pay their respects.
"Hmm," Tang Baixin, "No need to prepare offerings, just plenty of incense and candles. Father is on good terms with Master Hong'en; he only charges one tael of silver a year for the ever-burning lamps."
That works too...
"Okay, I'll go prepare it right away."
Tang Mingfan had a very deep affection for his deceased wife and had never considered remarrying all these years. He also had no one to take care of him, which is quite heartbreaking.
He lost his wife in his early twenties and is now forty. Twenty years of sleepless nights alone—such deep affection is truly moving.
Tang Zhuyun discussed with Yanran and suggested that she accompany Prince of Jin the next day. After all, this was a sacrificial ceremony for the Tang Family, and Yanran was of noble status; Madam Tang was afraid she couldn't accept such a ceremony.
However, her words were like stirring up a hornet's nest; the well-behaved little girl burst into heart-wrenching sobs. "Sister, are you going to take me home? Don't you want me anymore?"
The wailing was so loud that it attracted the Prince of Jin of Jin next door.
The way Prince of Jin looked at Tang Zhuyun was as if she had abused Yanran.
"Father, please embrace me." The Prince of Jin reached out his arms.
Who knew that Yanran couldn't stand hearing such words at all? She shrank into the corner and cried even louder.
"Speak!" the Prince of Jin, somewhat annoyed.
Yanran sobbed uncontrollably, unable to utter a single word.
Tang Zhuyun said awkwardly, "I didn't explain this clearly, which caused Yanran to misunderstand."
She recounted the whole story, then added, "Your Highness, please tell Yanran that we never intended to do that."
"Then take her with you," said the Prince of Jin.
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun was stunned.
Yanran immediately stopped crying and hugged Prince of Jin's leg, saying, "Thank you, Father, thank you, Father."
Tang Zhuyun sighed, rubbing her forehead. When did that well-behaved, shy child turn into such a sycophant?
However, in the eyes of the Prince of Jin, the way he throws tantrums when he doesn't get what he wants, and then smiles broadly when he does, shows that he has completely learned Tang Zhuyun's shamelessness.
Although he disliked Tang Zhuyun's behavior and even couldn't help but want to pat her every time, seeing his shy daughter become more cheerful and less easily hurt made him feel that this change wasn't entirely unacceptable.
"Behave yourself tomorrow, don't act so aggressively, or I'll deal with you when I get back." These words were spoken to Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun: "???"
Yanran, however, thought he was referring to her, and obediently replied, "I'll listen to my sister."
If we listened to her, wouldn't they tear the roof off the Great Xiangguo Temple?