Hearing that Yanran's voice sounded off, Tang Zhuyun smiled, put down what she was holding, and reached out to pull her along, saying, "Why not? Come quickly and tell your mother what happened. Did your father scold you?"
She felt that Yanran's departure from Prince of Jin's residence might have been due to something harsh said to her by Prince of Jin.
But it doesn't seem like it should be like this.
Xiu'er said with a grin, "What, can't I listen either?"
Yanran hesitated, "No."
Xiu'er teased her deliberately, "That's it, our relationship is over."
Yanran said, "It's fine! But, but even so, it doesn't count for what you say!"
Xiu'er said, "Alright, alright, I get it. Either you've come to ask for something, or you've come to make demands. I can't make decisions, right? Tsk tsk, this is bound to make things difficult for Your Highness. Fine, I won't get involved anymore, lest you lose face after being rejected and then take it out on me."
Yanran: "..."
She hadn't even tried to appeal to her emotions or reason with her, so how did she know her mother would refuse?
Xiu'er closed the door and went out.
Yanran looked at the doorway. "Don't eavesdrop!"
Xiu'er, who was pressing her head against the door, said, "Who's eavesdropping? You can tell me now, but I won't listen, you little brat."
Surprisingly, she's quite vigilant at such a young age.
Tang Zhuyun sat down on the couch. Yanran didn't sit down with her as usual, but sat down opposite her.
Today, she was going to act like an adult and have a serious talk with her mother about something extremely important.
Tang Zhuyun found it amusing to look at her serious, stern face, but dared not show it on her face.
Can you tell me now?
Yanran bit her lip, "Let me think about how to convince you..."
Tang Zhuyun: "That's not easy. Especially if you want to climb onto the roof and remove the tiles, there's no use in talking to you."
"I don't want to go up to the roof," Yanran said in a muffled voice, fiddling with the tassels at her waist. "I want to go to the capital."
Tang Zhuyun took a moment to realize what was going on. "You want to go to the capital?"
Yanran nodded.
Tang Zhuyun's first reaction was that she was just being playful.
"Tell me, what delicious food and fun activities in the capital attract you?" Tang Zhuyun asked with a smile.
"It's not for those reasons."
"Really?" Tang Zhuyun expressed disbelief. "Oh, I see. Did you get the idea because you knew your father was going back to the capital?"
Yanran nodded again.
"Yanran, your father has very important business in the capital this time, not for leisure." Tang Zhuyun's voice was gentle, but the refusal was clear. "So we can't take you this time. We'll always return to the capital eventually, and maybe you'll even miss the border town then."
Yanran's expression was somewhat agitated. "But Mother, I didn't come to the capital just for fun."
"And you..."
"I want to protect my father." Her expression was extremely serious as she looked up at Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Yanran is very kind. But..."
She's still young, a child who needs protection, and her thoughtfulness already makes her parents very proud.
However, Yanran interrupted her before she could finish speaking.
"Mother, there are no buts, I have to go, I want to protect Father."
Her expression was serious, her eyes shimmering yet deep and resolute.
Tang Zhuyun had a momentary illusion.
She seemed to see Yanran all grown up.
Yanran looks a lot like Xiao Wu; she's a natural beauty, radiant and captivating.
But she usually runs around like a tomboy and doesn't care much about dressing up, so many people, including Tang Zhuyun, tend to overlook her beauty.
Especially when she's serious, her determination is truly touching.
My daughter has grown up.
Even before Tang Zhuyun fell in love with Prince of Jin, she already treated him like her own child.
Only now do I realize that the somewhat timid child from before has unknowingly transformed into a radiant, brave, and strong individual.
Tang Zhuyun reached out and touched the top of Yanran's head. "Yanran has grown up."
"Yes, I've grown up," Yanran said, raising her head. "Mother, I can be of help."
They wouldn't let her go to the battlefield, but she refused.
But this time, even if they tried to stop her, she was determined to go to the capital.
Tang Zhuyun began to understand why she had sought her out.
"Did you run into a wall with Father?"
Yanran nodded, but her sadness was brief before she rallied again, "Mother, I've made up my mind, I must go."
Tang Zhuyun watched her make a resolute decision, feeling moved and proud, but also genuinely troubled.
She shamelessly shifted the blame onto the Prince of Jin.
"Yanran, you know that I make the decisions on small matters in the Prince's mansion, but your father makes the decisions on big matters. Even if I agree, your father won't agree."
Yanran retorted, "Mother, stop pretending. Father listens to you the most. Is there anyone in the manor who doesn't know? Eighth Master and Jiaojiao both know!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
"I will persuade you; please help me persuade my father."
Tang Zhuyun: "Then, you go ahead and say it."
Since the standard of measurement was in her hands, she insisted that she had not been persuaded, Yanran probably couldn't do anything about it.
Although this seems a bit shameless, it's the only way to dissuade Yanran from her idea.
Yanran's words completely surprised Tang Zhuyun.
She said, "Mother, I want to go to the battlefield, but you won't let me. I didn't make a fuss. I know I'm not as smart as my brother, and I'm afraid I won't be smart enough and will hold you back."
Tang Zhuyun suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
Growing up among a group of exceptionally intelligent children, Yanran probably felt inferior.
She said earnestly, "You're not stupid; you're very smart."
"Hehe," Yanran laughed, "Anyway, I'm Mother's smartest daughter, there's no doubt about that."
Her tone of voice was exactly like that of a Xiu'er.
The atmosphere had lightened somewhat, and Tang Zhuyun laughed and scolded, "Don't try to trap me. You're trying to build up your image by first belittling me, aren't you?"
"Hehe." Yanran laughed, "While there's some truth to that, it's not entirely true. Mother, I'm serious."
"Then tell me about it."
"Father is so badly injured right now, and he's sneaking into the capital. What if he gets caught on the way?"
"He's definitely traveling with guards; it's not like he's going on a solo journey."
"That won't work either," Yanran said. "I'm worried. I actually have a good idea... We'll talk about it later. What will we do after we get to the capital? Will it be difficult there too? I have another good idea."
Tang Zhuyun said, "You have quite a few ideas."
"Of course, I am Mother's daughter!" Yanran said with a smile, flattering Tang Zhuyun Zhujun. "Mother, I'm really not just being playful. I want to help, and I really can help with this."
"So your father was persuaded?"
"My father... he's getting senile, stubborn, still thinking he's from the past!"
Tang Zhuyun couldn't help but chuckle, "What, has he become the next generation?"
Was he slapped to death on the beach?
"Mother, if I go to the capital, I'll take Cui Xiaoqiu with me and tie the Cui Family to Father's carriage!"
Tang Zhuyun was shocked.