The others in the Prince's mansion hadn't noticed yet, but Tang Zhuyun and the others found out immediately.
Xiu'er said, "Never mind, never mind. I had a feeling before that there might be some hidden dangers."
Ren Yingying then asked, "Has spring come again for the Old Cabbage Stalk?"
Tang Zhuyun glared at her. "What? Are Cui Run and Wu Zhenhai the only two men in the world? Why can't Mingzhu find a better man in the future?"
Xiu'er pouted and said, "Your Majesty, aren't you just deceiving yourself?"
Tang Zhuyun was displeased. "What do you mean by self-deception? Doesn't Mingzhu deserve it?"
She thought, "Is it difficult for a good girl like Mingzhu to find a man of similar age, from a good family, and with a gentle temperament?"
Xiu'er said, "Wu Zhenhai used to be quite a jerk, a spineless wretch; but now he's so good to Mingzhu! Cui Run is the same, tall and handsome, gentle and refined, with a bright future clearly visible... Isn't it difficult to find a better man than either of them, without any other major flaws?"
She hasn't even said yet, but even if there really is such a rare man, would he mind Mingzhu's past?
Also, is it certain that Mingzhu will fall in love with him?
So she said, "It's difficult!"
What a pity!
Although she did not approve of continuing her relationship with Cui Run, she was also pessimistic about Mingzhu's future choice of husband.
Yanran was finally able to join in the adults' conversation.
She said, "Mother, I don't quite understand. Madam Gao, you probably didn't know that Cui Run was with Aunt, did you?"
If Lady Gao had known it was Mingzhu, he might have been very happy!
"But I still think Cui Run is no good. He won't even give it a try." Yanran rolled her eyes.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Yanran, do you think we understand Madam Gao better, or does Cui Run, who has lived with her for over ten years, understand her better?"
This choice was not without its difficulties for Cui Run.
A man who is highly regarded by the Cui Family and Cui Xiaoqiu must be extremely intelligent and insightful.
But Cui Run didn't even try, which proves that Lady Gao definitely wouldn't agree to her relationship with Mingzhu, right?
"Either way it's a no-go, asking won't hurt!" Yanran's thinking was simple and straightforward.
Tang Zhuyun said, "We don't know the specifics, but Cui Run withdrew from this matter in a dignified manner. Let's just talk about it behind his back and leave it at that. Let's not mention him again in the future, so as not to cause Auntie any more sadness, understand?"
Yanran nodded.
Ren Yingying touched her nose and said, "Actually, I think Mingzhu fell for it too quickly."
"Some people even fall in love at first sight!" Tang Zhuyun glared at her, then sighed, "What a pity."
Cui Run is the Prince Charming in Mingzhu's heart.
When dreams become reality, how many people can remain clear-headed?
It's already quite commendable that she's chosen to break up completely, without dwelling on the past or getting entangled with the other person.
Moreover, Cui Run is really not a heinous criminal.
Even the Prince of Jin had a high opinion of Cui Run.
Last night, after Prince of Jin returned, he discussed the matter with her for a long time, trying to see if there was any room for maneuver.
The Prince of Jin and Xiu'er had similar thoughts.
Despite the "flaw" of being Lady Gao, Cui Run's abilities and personality are so likable.
Cui Run will also be a pillar of society in the future.
Adding to this incident, Cui Run could actually have gotten away with it— Mingzhu was already somewhat entangled with him, but he didn't.
His final choice to sever ties and gracefully withdraw was, in itself, another form of love and selflessness.
The adult world is not black and white, good and bad; it is a world of struggle and helplessness.
Yanran blinked, thinking that this Lady Gao was really superfluous. If she died suddenly, her aunt and Cui Run might still have a chance.
However, she dared not say this, for fear that Tang Zhuyun would scold her.
Little did they know, Tang Zhuyun thought the same thing.
--Even if Cui Run's parents are both dead!
He and Mingzhu could absolutely have a happy and harmonious relationship.
However, there are no "ifs".
Ren Yingying said, "Since Cui Run knows that his mother is controlling, why doesn't he stay away from her? He should separate from the family!"
Tang Zhuyun: "You've been here for so long, and you still don't understand the situation?"
The bond between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law is inextricably linked.
Until her mother-in-law died.
For example, while Tang Mingfan was an official in the capital, Tang Zhuyun's mother had to stay in the countryside to take care of her mother-in-law.
This is a heart-wrenching word: "Filial piety"!
Who can remain unaffected by the torrent of values sweeping through our times?
If Cui Run abandons the widowed mother who raised him from childhood, where is his conscience?
So for Cui Run, this is a dead end.
Both Prince of Jin and Tang Zhuyun were well aware of this, and they felt regretful yet helpless.
Ren Yingying said, "Holy crap! Tangbao, don't scare me! So, according to you, does that mean that one day, after Qu Nian is completely dead, I'll still have to serve Princess Consort Min?"
Qu Nian: Thank you, but I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. He's not quite dead yet.
Tang Zhuyun: "Otherwise, what did you think?"
It means that Princess Consort Min's energy is currently focused on her son; otherwise, why would Ren Yingying have come?
Ren Yingying: "Where is the prince? I need the prince!"
Prince of Jin, stand up!
Stand up right now!
Only when you become emperor can you have authority over me!
Only by having a close friend who is an empress can she act with impunity.
Tang Zhuyun said irritably, "Princess Consort Min should be easy to get along with. Just don't overdo it in front of her."
That's really unreliable; she'll naturally step in to help Ren Yingying when the time comes.
My only best friend.
Ren Yingying clasped her hands together and said, "Greatly compassionate Guanyin, I am willing to lose ten pounds to keep Qu Nian half-dead, so that no one will remember me."
Qu Nian: A truly wicked woman!
Tang Zhuyun said, "While you're staying here, you should occasionally write letters over there to express your concern and comfort. At the same time, you should also make up some stories to show that you're working hard for Qu Nian."
"Three sticks of incense daily?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Touched by their words, Qu Nian lamented her current state of being neither human nor dog, and missed her parents, becoming dejected and listless.
After a while, he stood up and decided to go find the Prince of Jin.
If he doesn't talk to the Prince of Jin now, who else can he turn to?
Tang Zhuyun then shifted the topic to the Lady Gao family.
"Actually, I think Lady Gao is very shrewd. Sooner or later, she'll find out about Cui Run and Mingzhu from the servants in the mansion."
Her agreement was probably like winning the lottery for five million dollars.
But Tang Zhuyun thought, what if?
In fact, Lady Gao already knows this.
She was talking to Cui Run.
"Miss Huo won't do!"
Cui Run's heart was breaking, but he remained calm and said, "Mother, there's nothing between me and Miss Huo. Please don't tarnish her reputation."
Lady Gao glanced at him, not saying anything harsh, but pointedly said, "I know the Cui Family's plans. But even if it really succeeds, do you still want to marry a princess? Run'er, you shouldn't be burdened by a woman; you deserve a better future!"
What she didn't say was that Huo Mingzhu's background was unknown, she had a bewitching appearance, and she wasn't dignified or elegant enough.
Where can you find someone as radiantly beautiful as the matriarch of the household?
Lady Gao believed she was not short-sighted; she didn't care about the immediate assistance, she had a long-term vision.
We cannot let our son's ambitions and Jinxiu future be shattered because of a woman.
My son will thank her in the future.