Yanran was framed during her ice skating session, which was also related to the Lang Family.
However, the Lang Family acted cleverly this time, without revealing their true colors.
Once the person who directly committed the act was found, he was dead, leaving no way to verify the facts, and the matter was considered closed.
But that person was a distant relative of the steward of the Lang family.
However, these are not enough to constitute crucial evidence.
The whole thing looks like the Lang Family deliberately trying to disgust people, but they are helpless to do anything about it.
Meanwhile, Tang Baixin was testing Linlin's studies.
He was satisfied with the result.
"Great Confucian Scholar Kong is indeed Great Confucian Scholar Kong," Tang Baixin praised. "Linlin has truly not wasted her years of study."
Upon hearing this, Linlin replied, "Father, you flatter me."
His father and his father were both his closest relatives.
As he spoke, he remained calm and composed, without a trace of arrogance in his expression.
The boy, who is about to turn ten, has already begun to grow taller, with a straight back and a gentle, jade-like appearance.
A sentence flashed through Tang Baixin--
A gentleman of noble character is like jade being cut and polished, like stone being carved and refined.
This child has truly grown up to be a model of a virtuous person.
"Silly child," Tang Baixin reached out and patted Linlin's shoulder affectionately, "You're ten years old now, I can no longer bear the title of 'father'."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at the Prince of Jin.
Linlin has not yet been recognized as a member of the royal family, Tang Baixin is reminding Prince of Jin of this.
Linlin replied, "A teacher for a day is a father for life, let alone the debt of gratitude you owe me for raising me; it is as heavy as a mountain."
The Prince of Jin did not respond, holding his wine cup as if he were pondering something else.
Tang Baixin bluntly stated, "Your Highness, Wuji don't think I'm being nosy. Wuji and his two brothers are still young and don't understand anything; rather than waiting for them to grow up and develop other ideas, it's better to settle Linlin's identity as soon as possible..."
This way, the other brothers will know from a young age that the eldest brother is different, so they don't need to fight over him, thus minimizing the tragedy of sibling rivalry.
The Prince of Jin said, "My brother-in-law is right. I have already considered this matter."
After he said that, Tang Baixin could no longer persuade him and could only raise her glass to change the subject.
Actually, he had many more thoughts about Linlin, but he could only talk about them later.
After the meal, Tang Baixin and his family of three quickly said goodbye so that the family, who were tired from their journey, could rest.
After all, there was still a tough battle to be fought in the palace that night.
The Prince of Jin's men have already found out that the Emperor "misses" quite a few people tonight. Besides the Prince of Ding's Residence, many imperial relatives and important officials have also received the Emperor's favor.
With so many people going, there are bound to be a few who want to cause trouble.
With nothing to do, Yanran thought of going to find Cui Xiaoqiu.
As she was leaving, she saw Zhao Kuo, who was beside Prince of Jin, and Zhao Qing, who was beside Linlin, talking. She couldn't help but laugh and say, "You two, you can't be brothers, can you?"
The two quickly denied it.
Who can blame them when Zhao is such a common surname!
After she left, Zhao Kuo asked casually, "Brother Qing, I didn't expect that the girls already knew you so soon after you arrived."
Zhao Qing said, "The young lady asked for my name, and I remembered it without even realizing it. I had heard from the people around the eldest young master that the young lady was extremely forthright, and now it seems that it is indeed true."
"Hmm." Zhao Kuo nodded, looking in the direction Yanran had gone, his gaze lingering for a moment before returning to his own.
With the prince and princess both present, the young lady shouldn't have gone far; she must have gone to find the young master of the Cui Family again.
Zhao Qing then inquired about other matters concerning the manor, and Zhao Kuo finally calmed himself down and answered them one by one.
That evening, the family of four went to the palace for a banquet.
Yanran was accompanying Tang Zhuyun in the carriage when she suddenly said, "Mother, something's not right!"
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Tang Zhuyun asked, rubbing the dragon pearl between her fingers.
She was just imagining the scene of meeting Consort of Prince of Ding in her mind.
That would be very interesting.
"Shouldn't Father go to the palace to pay respects to His Majesty immediately after returning to the capital?"
This matter could easily give others grounds for criticism.
But why didn't anyone mention this matter, not even her father, mother, or Cui Xiaoqiu, whom she later went to see?
Is it that she herself hasn't figured it out?
Tang Zhuyun stated that she hadn't even considered it.
Her feelings for the Emperor had long since become indifferent.
Every time she treated him like a father, he would immediately give her a stern warning, reminding her that he was a cold-blooded emperor.
Putting aside other matters, he clearly knew that he could have remained silent about his heart ailment from the very beginning of their acquaintance, yet he still spoke up. He had also devoted himself to caring for his health, but he still allowed others to frame him and even wanted to go to the capital alone.
Just... destroy it, whatever!
What does Tang Mingfan's relationship with his sovereign, the Prince of Jin's relationship with his son, have to do with her?
"Then think about it now," Yanran said, resting her chin on her hand, "Why?"
Today she wore a scarlet cloak trimmed with white fox fur, which made her skin appear even whiter. Even the dim light of the carriage could not hide the brightness in her eyes.
Looking at her radiant daughter, Tang Zhuyun felt Wuxian sense of pride.
"Let me think... perhaps it was intentional, giving the Emperor a handle to use against us."
"Huh? On purpose? Why?"
"There's nothing I can do about it," Tang Zhuyun shrugged, joking with a hint of ease, "Your father is just that perfect, which makes him easy to be envied."
Yanran: "... Mother!"
Is it okay to constantly abuse dogs like that?
"Just wait and see, someone will use this to make trouble soon."
However, compared to other crimes, this charge of negligence is really insignificant.
Give them an excuse, let them compete.
"Then what do we do?" Yanran, rubbing her hands together eagerly.
Tang Zhuyun saw the excitement in her eyes and felt helpless.
How could she have raised such a warmonger?
"Cold salad. Head down, eat your vegetables!"
"I'm not eating! The food at the palace banquet is all cold." Yanran started ordering, scrolling through her fingers. "I want to eat the braised pork knuckle with rock sugar, grilled fish, shrimp balls, and stir-fried pork with chili oil, all made by my mother, and I also want to drink milk tea..."
Amidst Yanran's rambling thoughts, the carriage stopped outside the palace gates.
Prince of Jin and Linlin were already waiting by the carriage. The father and son, with perfect understanding, carried their wives (sisters) down from the carriage.
Yanran lingered a little longer, wanting Linlin to hold her a little longer.
Tang Zhuyun laughed and said, "With people coming and going, aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Come down quickly."
"Anyone who laughs at me is just jealous that I have a good older brother," Yanran said matter-of-factly.
She jumped down, took Linlin's arm with one hand, and held her golden bow with the other, and walked inside with a carefree attitude.
The eunuch stopped her, smiling apologetically, "Miss, you can't bring this weapon into the palace..."
"I need to use this for my grandfather's performance. Please keep it safe for me and remember to present it to me when I need it." Yanran handed the bow and arrows to the eunuchs.
The eunuch hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes."
Tang Zhuyun chuckled to herself; it seemed that most people didn't dare to Yanran.
Indeed, for girls, everything else is secondary; the most important thing is ability.