When Tang Baixin returned home, it was already dawn.
Meng Yulan had already gotten up and prepared his court attire and meals.
"Madam, Master is back."
Upon hearing the maid's report, Meng Yulan hurriedly stood up to go out and greet her, but Tang Baixin, with large and quick steps, had already lifted the curtain and come in herself.
Meng Yulan smiled and stepped forward to take off his cloak, then had someone prepare hot water for Tang Baixin to wash up.
"Are you busy again?" Meng Yulan asked. "Should we lie down for a bit before going to the palace for a meal, or should we eat a few bites first and then relax in the carriage for a while?"
"I'm not eating anymore, and you don't need to bother. I have something to tell you."
The couple never argued; they always discussed and agreed on everything.
However, Meng Yulan still sensed that Tang Baixin was somewhat different today.
She told Lüzhu to go out and keep watch, then personally closed the door before returning and asking, "Has something happened?"
Tang Baixin himself, "I went to Emerald and Red Courtyard last night."
Emerald and Red Courtyard?
Meng Yulan knew where she was, and her face paled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and asked, "You're going to Emerald and Red Courtyard?"
She didn't believe it.
"The prince is hiding there."
That's right, that's how it should be.
Meng Yulan breathed a sigh of relief, but her expression remained serious.
"Has something happened again?"
Otherwise, Prince of Jin wouldn't have spent the whole night discussing things with Tang Baixin.
Tang Baixin nodded and, without hiding anything from her, briefly explained the whole story.
Meng Yulan was extremely anxious.
"A-Yun is now carrying two bodies, such a huge burden has fallen on her shoulders, and she is so strong-willed, I'm really worried about her..." Meng Yulan's eyes were filled with tears, wishing she could sprout wings and be by Tang Zhuyun's side immediately.
"It's alright, she's a mother of several children, she knows what she's doing," Tang Baixin Meng Yulan.
Meng Yulan wanted to write to Tang Zhuyun, but she was afraid the letter would be leaked and she was also worried that Tang Zhuyun would be distracted; however, she was really worried if she didn't remind her. She was torn between these two feelings.
Tang Baixin replied, "She's busy with her own things, we'll do ours. We'll get through this together."
Meng Yulan, being exceptionally clever, immediately replied, "Have you discussed a plan with the Prince? Do you need my cooperation? Just tell me."
"I..." Tang Baixin suddenly became speechless, unable to utter a word.
He has been true to his sister, but he has to betray his wife. How can he possibly bring himself to do that?
Meng Yulan felt a pang of sympathy and calmly replied, "We're family. I won't hesitate to do anything I can. Just tell me!"
Tang Baixin, "I... I can no longer serve as the Ministry of Revenue."
His position in the Ministry of Revenue will only make the Emperor more suspicious of Prince of Jin.
Especially now, when the imperial court is in dire need of relief.
He cannot be that obstacle, not even if it is possible.
However, if he becomes an ordinary citizen, Meng Yulan's social status will plummet, making it difficult for her to face her former companions.
Meng Yulan remained silent for only a moment before agreeing, "Alright. But there always needs to be a reason for resigning, especially at this juncture. If it's not done properly, the Emperor will become suspicious."
The emperor's paranoia has always been their new ailment.
"You don't need to worry about me," Meng Yulan said. "I can endure hardship. Besides, with you, there will be no hardship."
Tang Baixin welled up with tears as he listened, and he gently pulled her into his arms. "Yulan, how fortunate I am."
She was his most beautiful fantasy, but when reality came into being, he discovered that she was even more beautiful than he had imagined.
"Enough of that," Meng Yulan, her cheeks flushed. "Let's talk about how to resign from my post without leaving a trace."
"I only wanted to come back and discuss resigning with you, but it's hard to bring it up," Tang Baixin said honestly. "I really haven't thought about what to do specifically."
"Then you should go to court first, or you'll be late. I'll stay at home and think of something for you."
"Good."
"Eat something first, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable," Meng Yulan said. "Also, I think we shouldn't tell Father about this yet."
"I'm also hesitant about this."
"Don't tell him," Meng Yulan. "Father is loyal to the Emperor. Although he also wants to help the Prince and A-Yun, why put him in such a precarious position? It's better to keep it from him and do what needs to be done."
"Okay. You're more thoughtful and considerate than I am."
"Because Dad is good to me too." Meng Yulan served Tang Baixin a bowl of porridge, then turned to him for a lighter topic.
Little Tangyuan didn't come back last night either; she stayed at the Prince's Mansion.
Tang Baixin smiled and said, "Yanran a child who is rough around the edges but meticulous at heart. It would be good to have Sister Yuan with her."
Yanran during the Dragon Boat Race during the Dragon Boat Festival amazed the entire capital.
Tang Baixin has even started to imagine what Little Tangyuan will look like when she grows up.
Meng Yulan chuckled to herself, "It's fine to say that at home, but don't go out and brag about it, saying that Sister Yuan will be like that in the future; I'd be grateful if she were even half as Yanran."
After dinner, Meng Yulan saw Tang Baixin out and then fell into deep thought upon returning home.
Resigning from office is not so easy.
Especially resigning without a reason is tantamount to openly telling others, "We have a plan, come and see."
Claiming illness?
No, she's so young, how could she be seriously ill? Besides, the imperial physician would be able to diagnose it as soon as he arrives.
Pretending to be injured?
No, she couldn't bear to use the self-inflicted injury ploy.
Meng Yulan thought about it again and again, and even considered having the Madam Song in the countryside "die" so that Tang Baixin be filled with worry.
But that would implicate Tang Mingfan as well.
Moreover, the Emperor was well aware of Tang Mingfan's background, so it would be too much of a stretch for him to observe the mourning period.
Meng Yulan was in a dilemma.
Just as she was pondering this, Lüzhu came in carrying brand-new bedding to change, and whispered, "Madam, did you ask the master where he went last night?"
When a good man starts staying out all night, that's a serious problem.
Meng Yulan thought to herself, "I can't tell you that, otherwise they'll definitely misunderstand."
She herself was quite startled.
Suddenly, Meng Yulan had an idea.
"I see!"
Lüzhu asked, "Where did you go?"
"No, I mean I know what to do."
Lüzhu asked blankly, "What do you want to do?"
"No, I'm not talking to you anymore," Meng Yulan said. "Have someone wait for the master outside the palace gate and tell him to come back as soon as court is over."
"Yes," Lüzhu readily agreed.
The next day at court, an imperial censor stepped forward and impeached Tang Baixin, the Ministry of Revenue, for frequenting brothels.
The imperial court explicitly forbade officials from entering or leaving brothels.
Although this clause is practically defunct, it's still possible to find fault with it if you're really looking for the right one.
The most shocking thing was that it was Tang Baixin.
How could it be Tang Baixin?
What an old-fashioned person Tang Mingfan was!
Tang Baixin is a spitting image of him.
Who could believe that Tang Baixin in a brothel?
This must be utter nonsense, a false accusation and a frame-up.
Unexpectedly, Tang Baixin admitted it!
What's wrong with this world?
Tang Baixin took the initiative to plead guilty and resigned from his position Ministry of Revenue.
Not to mention others, even Tang Mingfan couldn't believe it.