The next day, the family took incense and candles to the Great Xiangguo Temple.
Tang Zhuyun followed her elder brother and kowtowed to their mother's memorial tablet, and Linlin and Yanran did the same in a similar manner.
Tang Zhuyun dared not say again that Yanran should not kowtow, otherwise the latter would cry her heart out.
This little crybaby is getting better and better at dealing with adults.
However, thinking of the child who had been so lifeless under the control of that lowly maid, she still preferred to see Yanran so lively and energetic now.
"I'm going to see the master. Baixin, you take them around and don't let them wander too far," Tang Mingfan instructed.
The area around Great Xiangguo Temple is the most bustling in the capital, with thriving incense offerings, which has spurred the growth of many small businesses; not only those related to Buddhism, but also many selling all sorts of miscellaneous items.
For example, Tang Baixin went to buy snacks, Tang Zhuyun was now staring intently at the woodblock prints.
The chubby baby in this painting is so Lovely!
However, the themes of woodblock prints are clearly somewhat limited, consisting mainly of auspicious symbols such as fortune, longevity, prosperity, and various deities, as well as chubby babies and other endearing designs.
But shouldn't we be developing more paintings featuring handsome men?
She could actually provide material for this; watching various young male celebrities in the entertainment industry when she was bored after work was also a great pleasure in life.
There are two types of men: when it comes to pleasing looks, they prefer handsome young men; when it comes to fantasizing about sex, they prefer tall, strong men with six-pack abs.
Oh dear, I'm overthinking it. I probably wouldn't find anyone who could relate in ancient times. Sigh!
She still blushed; how could she be dreaming of springtime in broad daylight, amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowd?
What is the little girl thinking about?
Hearing that cheerful voice, Tang Zhuyun felt as if her lewd thoughts had been exposed, and her face turned even redder.
She looked up, only to be met with the cold face of the Prince of Jin.
Holy crap, you're everywhere!
Both of them understood this from each other's expressions.
The speaker was the Emperor.
Today, for some unknown reason, he went on a clandestine visit.
Tang Zhuyun shuddered slightly, then laughed, "So it's Master Huang."
"Master Huang?" The Emperor stroked his beard, quite pleased with the title.
Yanran stepped forward and obediently called out "Father" and "Grandfather," which pleased the Emperor even more.
"This child is much more clever than before," the Emperor praised.
Linlin obediently greeted them, her voice very soft, and then her demeanor was serious, composed, and dignified.
Tang Zhuyun noticed that besides Prince of Jin, there was another man accompanying the Emperor. He looked older than Prince of Jin, with sharp eyes and a strong profile, but his face showed signs of hardship. He was like a sword that had been tempered, concealing its sharpness yet not to be underestimated.
Tang Zhuyun glanced at him a few more times, wondering if it was just her imagination, but she felt that the Prince of Jin's gaze was like it was filled with knives.
Oh my, she really thinks she's the main wife.
"Why have you all come today?" the Emperor asked.
Tang Zhuyun obediently replied, "Today is the anniversary of my mother's death."
"I see," the Emperor said to Prince of Jin. "You should also go and pay your respects to Madam Tang in a little while."
Logically speaking, the birth mother of a concubine should not have such an honor; however, considering Tang Mingfan's status, there was nothing that could be said.
The Prince of Jin nodded in agreement.
Seeing his reluctant expression, Tang Zhuyun thought to herself that she would have to tell Yanran later that if she died, Yanran should find a husband like Prince of Jin and never come to see her, because she was afraid she wouldn't be able to eat the offerings.
The Emperor then asked another man beside him, "Beihan, you and Prince of Jin are about the same age. How many children do you have now, and how old are they?"
Beihan?
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened immediately.
Is this Jiang Beihan?
The Prince of Jin seemed to chuckle coldly, and then Jiang Beihan said, "One son and two daughters. The eldest son is five years old this year, and the two daughters are three and one years old respectively."
That damned bastard, that horse!
Meng Yulan vowed never to marry for him, but he, on the other hand, fathered a whole bunch of gourd-shaped babies.
Tang Zhuyun was so angry she felt like she was about to explode. She couldn't help but say sarcastically, "So exile is actually good for having offspring!"
Your Majesty, please exile the Prince of Jin as well, so that you may have more grandchildren.
The Emperor laughed and said, "What, Tang girl, you still recognize Beihan?"
"I don't know him," Tang Zhuyun said. "How could a country girl like me know such a distinguished person?"
The Emperor said to Jiang Beihan, "Are you angry? You must have offended this girl sometime. She's the type who won't let things go even when she's in the right!"
The Prince of Jin sneered. He dared to show such sorrow over unrequited love right in front of him? Did the Prince really think he was dead?
Tang Zhuyun first wrote a letter to Jiang Beihan, but now that she heard that Jiang Beihan has already had children, she immediately turned hostile and started being sarcastic in front of the emperor. It's clear that she is pursuing Jiang Beihan.
Jiang Beihan said calmly, "If I have offended Miss Tang, please forgive Miss Tang. I heard that Miss Tang is about to marry the Prince as a concubine. Congratulations, Miss Tang."
Tang Zhuyun said, "Thank you for your congratulations, Your Highness. I am so fortunate to be able to share a husband with Miss Meng; it must have been a stroke of good luck in my past life."
Jiang Beihan's expression remained unchanged, but he gave her a deep look.
"No nonsense is allowed before the Emperor," Prince of Jin rebuked. "Step back."
Tang Zhuyun took two steps back and watched them leave before daring to look up at the Emperor.
She understood the rules; looking directly at the Emperor was a great disrespect, which was why she had kept her gaze lowered.
However, when she looked up and her gaze fell upon the Emperor's brow, she was immediately stunned.
The Emperor is like this...
"Your Majesty, Master Huang!" Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but call out.
The Emperor turned around and smiled, "What's wrong, Tang girl?"
"Master Huang, please walk slowly. There are many people around, so please don't bump into us." Tang Zhuyun swallowed the words that were about to come out.
"What a thoughtful girl, let's go."
The emperor left with those two scoundrels.
Tang Zhuyun seemed to have lost something.
Linlin squeezed her hand. "Aunt, Your Majesty, Master Huang, he..."
"Shh—" Tang Zhuyun gestured for him to be quiet, and whispered, "That's not someone we can talk about casually. Come on, let's see why your father hasn't come back yet..."
Before she finished speaking, Tang Baixin had already strode over.
"Big brother, just now..."
"I saw it," Tang Baixin himself. "It's alright, that person often comes here to discuss Buddhism with Master Hong'en."
"Oh, brother, when will Father come out? Will we run into him...?"
"We'll probably run into them," Tang Baixin to himself. "It's alright. Is there anything else you want to buy? I'll take you there."
"No need, I'm tired, let's find a place to rest."
They found a place to rest, and Tang Zhuyun whispered about her encounter with Jiang Beihan, saying, "Zidu; Sister Meng has completely lost hope this time."
Tang Baixin's eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly lowered her gaze and remained silent.
"Big brother, you watch over those two, I'm going to find Father." Tang Zhuyun stood up and said.
"A-Yun, are you going to find Jiang Beihan?" Tang Baixin grabbed her hand. "Don't be impulsive. Miss Meng is, after all, the prince's betrothed. You'll cause trouble if you do this..."
"I won't get involved. I have other matters to discuss with my father."