Therefore, Meng Yulan truly had the will to die.
There's nothing left in this world worth clinging to.
"I already had Lüzhu put all the things I gave you at the inn yesterday... A-Yun, I'm so glad to have met you. You're the older sister, Elder Sister Tang, thank you."
Tang Zhuyun: "... Don't give your last words. If you die, you'll be all alone, unable to be buried in the ancestral grave, with no one to care for you, becoming a wandering ghost. Aren't you afraid?"
"I'm not afraid," Meng Yulan said. "Isn't the human heart more terrifying than a ghost? Besides, after things have come to this, do you think I'd still survive?"
Neither the Meng Family nor the royal family will allow her to live any longer.
"I only owe your older brother, and I owe you too. I'll repay you in the next life."
"Running away from your debts is not ethical," Tang Zhuyun said. "The next life is too far away; who would find you then? Just pay it off in this life."
"A-Yun," Meng Yulan smiled bitterly, "Don't tease me, I really can't laugh. Thank you for saving me, but you can't save my fate."
Tang Zhuyun: "I can easily do that, it's no trouble at all. But what about my older brother? Even though he brought this trouble upon himself, he carried you all the way back in front of everyone. What will he do after that?"
Meng Yulan bit her lip tightly, trying to suppress her tears, but they still streamed down her face.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Besides a weak apology, she didn't know what else to say.
She hadn't intended to implicate others, and even Lüzhu had made arrangements. Little did she know, man proposes, God disposes.
Such a good man, who lent her a helping hand, yet he was dragged down by her, criticized by others, and even resented by the Prince of Jin... If it could be made up for, Meng Yulan was willing to do anything.
"Don't feel sorry, it was my own choice." Tang Baixin had appeared at the door at some point, now dressed in clean clothes, tall and elegant, like a graceful and refined lady.
He stepped forward, looked at Meng Yulan, and said, "What happened today was all my fault, and I will take full responsibility."
Tang Zhuyun's eyes sparkled: Oh my, how can my brother be so manly!
Meng Yulan panicked. "Young Master Tang, no, no, I didn't, I don't want you to take responsibility, I'm the one who dragged you into this..."
Watching the two politely decline each other's invitations, Tang Zhuyun had only one thought in her mind: Please, let's get married on the spot!
Brother, please be strong. We're already home. If you can't make the most of this, you're destined to be single forever.
Tang Baixin clearly thinking more deeply.
He said in a deep voice, "No one forced me. I'm willing to take responsibility for you. You don't need to feel guilty. I made this choice after weighing the pros and cons..."
You're lying. Seeing your loved one hurt, you panicked immediately. What's the point of weighing things up?
"You don't need to worry. I'll handle things with the Emperor and the Prince. Even if I'm not strong enough, I'll persevere to the end."
Human strength has its limits, but I am willing to give everything for you.
Every word was forceful and resounding.
Tang Zhuyun's eyes welled up with tears. Why did it feel like Sister Meng had stolen her script as a time-traveling woman?
She's been here so long and hasn't met a male lead who's head over heels in love with her, not even a supporting male character; Sister Meng has only known Big Brother for a few days and already has such a loyal dog.
The story was all a lie; the real protagonist was someone who excelled in everything from music and chess to calligraphy and painting, and was also virtuous and capable. She was just a complete fool.
The sudden responsibility clearly left Meng Yulan at a loss.
"No, this shouldn't be happening, I, I..."
"I won't force you," Tang Baixin to himself. "Stay in the Tang Family and help me teach my sister. Consider this my reward for your efforts. You can make your own plans after things have changed."
Meng Yulan bit her lip, her body trembling uncontrollably. The white bandage on her forehead made her face look even more pale.
What merit does she possess to deserve such treatment from the Tang Family siblings?
Tang Baixin she would stay in the Tang Family to help him, but she also knew that after this incident, she would have nowhere to go.
The Meng Family will force her to her death, and so will the Prince of Jin; she has become a disgrace they want to erase.
Tang Zhuyun also belatedly realized these things.
However, what she was thinking about was the big boss, the emperor.
This matter rests entirely on the Emperor's decision.
If the Emperor is willing to grant it, then there's no problem; if the Emperor is not... then this matter could cause a huge uproar.
The Emperor probably... wouldn't agree.
This was the principal wife he had prepared for his son. Now that things have turned out like this, how could he let Meng Yulan off the hook?
The Emperor must be thinking, why can't this be resolved privately? Why make it public and cause him to lose face?
Moreover, Meng Yulan is simply a femme fatale.
Prince of Jin, Jiang Beihan, and Tang Baixin are all highly regarded talents in the Emperor's eyes, yet they are all in the eye of the storm because of Meng Yulan.
It's over, Tang Zhuyun thought, her heart growing colder and colder.
This time, even her father's influence probably won't work.
And then there's Prince of Jin, that dog of a man who'd rather eat shit than suffer a loss, valuing his reputation above all else—mainly probably because his reputation is bad, and he doesn't have much face left to lose, so he'll be completely enraged this time.
He had warned the two of them long ago not to bring shame to the Prince's Mansion.
Looking back now, the things she did, like visiting a male prostitute, weren't a big deal at all.
Sister Meng is truly a woman who quietly accomplishes great things.
Tang Zhuyun's head was as big as a bucket.
She had thought before that it would take a lot of effort to dissolve the marriage between Meng Yulan and the Prince of Jin.
Unexpectedly, after all the twists and turns, this hot potato ended up in the Tang Family.
"A-Yun, take good care of Sister Meng," Tang Baixin himself. "I'll go wait for Father to finish court."
Such a big matter required him to consult with Tang Mingfan first.
"Young Master Tang," Meng Yulan called out to him, a resolute look gradually emerging in her eyes, "Thank you, but there's really no need. I can take responsibility for my own actions. As for implicating you... I can only apologize. I think if you explain to the Emperor that you only know that A-Yun and I are close and that you were rushing to help, the Emperor might not investigate further."
Tang Baixin such a good person, she shouldn't be dragged into this.
It was all her fault.
She misjudged him, she was blind, and she's willing to pay any price for it; she accepts it!
"I can take responsibility for what I've done. A-Yun, keep an eye on her," Tang Baixin, emphasizing each word. "Wait for me to come back!"
"Young Master Tang-- "
"Stop shouting. My brother is as stubborn as a mule. Once he's made up his mind, there's no going back. You're destined to owe him this favor," Tang Zhuyun said.
Meng Yulan almost bit her lip until it bled.