Prince of Jin went out to court, Xiu'er went back home, leaving only Tang Zhuyun Nanxing in the courtyard.
Nanxing ate four bowls of rice. Tang Zhuyun was so shocked by her appetite that she dared not give her any more and then told her to go and rest.
However, Nanxing refused no matter what. No matter how many times she was told, she would say that if she didn't do well, the Prince of Jin would kick her out.
Tang Zhuyun was at a loss for words; if she tried to persuade her further, it would seem as if she were jealous and deliberately trying to sow discord among the family of three.
However, she had a very clear understanding of her own situation. She knew when to quit while she was ahead, so as not to become cannon fodder. Once the family was reunited and there were no more barriers, she knew she had to run away as soon as possible.
"That Nanxing," Tang Zhuyun said, helping her sit on a small stool, "Was it inappropriate for me to name you that? Why are you all looking at me like that?"
Nanxing said, "My original name was somewhat similar to this one."
"What was your original name? Why don't you keep using your old name?"
"This servant is unworthy," Nanxing said.
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
She couldn't respond to that, otherwise she would be accused of reopening old wounds.
What can I say? I can only talk about the child.
Tang Zhuyun said, "Yanran is very well-behaved and obedient, without any of the temper of a young lady, and she's also very considerate. Linlin, that's my... nephew, is close to the prince. I asked her if she was jealous, and she said she wasn't, because she also stole Linlin's aunt, and she also likes Linlin..."
As she spoke of it, she felt a surge of affection. Then, recalling how Yanran had held her and wept uncontrollably, Tang Zhuyun felt a pang of heartache.
Yanran was exactly the kind of girl she had always dreamed of—well-behaved, Lovely, smart, considerate... the good qualities were endless.
Nanxing replied, "This servant will take good care of Miss Yanran."
Tang Zhuyun: There's no need to be so formal...
Prince of Jin hadn't returned from court yet, but Yanran and Linlin arrived first.
One called out "Sister," and the other "Auntie," both arriving with their hair uncombed and faces unwashed.
Nanxing stared blankly at Yanran, tears streaming down her face.
Tang Zhuyun was moved. She smoothed Yanran's hair and said, "Yanran, look at this one..."
She was momentarily at a loss for words to address Nanxing without offending him.
"Sister, is this the new guard brother?" Yanran asked innocently.
Tang Zhuyun was speechless. "..."
"Fool, it's my sister," Linlin said.
Tang Zhuyun's eyes widened.
"How do you know it's the older sister and not the older brother?" she asked curiously.
Linlin looked up and pointed at Nanxing's neck, saying, "Sister doesn't have an Adam's apple."
If you're asking about observation skills, it's still best to look at children; no, there are different kinds of children too, for example, Linlin is very good at it, Yanran is obviously just like herself.
"This servant Nanxing, greets you, young lady." Nanxing knelt down before Yanran with a thud, her face still wet with tears.
Tang Zhuyun was startled. "Nanxing, what are you doing? Get up!"
This is so bad, Yanran deserves to be struck by lightning!
Yanran didn't seem too uncomfortable. She tilted her head and smiled, "Are you the maid Father gave to my sister? Here, take this. Serve my sister well from now on."
She took off the collar from her neck and handed it to Nanxing.
Tang Zhuyun was both amused and exasperated.
This child is really acting like a master at this moment; but what master would bestow such valuable gifts?
"Stop fooling around." Tang Zhuyun put the collar back on her. "From now on Nanxing and I will take care of Yanran together, okay?"
"That's good, sister," Yanran said. "Sister, were you kidnapped by the big bad wolf yesterday?"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
Linlin: "It's not the Big Bad Wolf, it's a bad guy."
"It's alright, the prince saved me. You two, go back and get some more sleep."
Neither of them agreed.
Tang Zhuyun could only help the two of them wash up and comb their hair, while Nanxing stood beside them, staring intently at Yanran.
To be honest, that fervent gaze was somewhat unsettling.
Then, while he was doing all this, the Prince of Jin returned.
Nanxing lowered her head, almost pressing her face against her chest.
"Your Highness, has the Emperor asked about yesterday's events?" Tang Zhuyun asked.
"I asked."
"So, what did you say?"
I took my concubine with me to seek amnesty.
Tang Zhuyun: That's arrogant!
"My father has deducted three months' salary from my pay again," Prince of Jin said coldly.
Tang Zhuyun: "... How about I give you some money back?"
The Prince of Jin ignored her.
Tang Zhuyun chuckled and said, "A bad reputation has its advantages; if this happened to anyone else, it would have been blown out of proportion long ago, but for the two of us, it's nothing out of the ordinary."
The Prince of Jin went straight into the inner chamber, leaving her with a cold and aloof back view.
"That's just how strange he is, you see, he's the same way with me," Tang Zhuyun said to Nanxing.
Nanxing lowered her eyes. "This servant dares not speak ill of my master."
Tang Zhuyun: I feel my face getting hot. We're both concubines, why doesn't she have this kind of awareness?
She didn't know what Second Chief Liu and Prince of Jin had talked about, but the next day Chang Zhi brought two pieces of meat and two fish to Prince of Jin, saying that the bandits had all been recruited by the emperor, and then he got a free meal.
Tang Zhuyun felt that he had eaten everything he brought by himself.
Nanxing was surprised to see Tang Zhuyun cooking herself, but this emotion was fleeting and did not show.
Tang Mingfan came to see Tang Zhuyun and asked her how the prince treated her, but Tang Zhuyun brushed him off by showing off their affection.
It was clear that Tang Mingfan was very pleased.
Tang Zhuyun: Sigh, Father, you're so naive.
"There's something else," Tang Mingfan said, "I vaguely remember that you and Ruan Xingzhi's daughter don't get along?"
Tang Zhuyun: "Yes."
Is that discord? It's a fight to the death!
"I've already investigated the cheating incident during the imperial examinations and am now preparing a memorial to the Emperor. This matter has nothing to do with the Ruan family, but her cousin is undeniably culpable."
Tang Zhuyun expressed deep regret.
"Don't you have any ideas?" Tang Mingfan asked.
Tang Zhuyun asked in surprise, "What?"
Didn't you say before that you wanted to do something?
Tang Zhuyun was stunned, and it took her a long time to realize that her father was encouraging her to trick Ruan Anruo?
Although she did want to do it, how could her father, such a noble and righteous person, make such a suggestion?
"Father, has Ruan Anruo done something bad again?" Tang Zhuyun narrowed her eyes.
Tang Mingfan said, "Anyway, that girl isn't a good person; she deserves to be taught a lesson. If you don't want to, I'll go talk to Ruan Xingzhi about it."
"No need, I can do it myself."
She had already made the inquiries, but hadn't found the right opportunity to act.
If Ruan Anruo comes looking for death, then she'll send her on her way.
After seeing Tang Mingfan off, Tang Zhuyun quickly learned that Ruan Anruo was spreading rumors about her, saying that she had been kidnapped by bandits and that her innocence was in jeopardy...
Alright, you dare to mess with us? Just you wait!
Nanxing said, "Master, let me go and teach her a lesson."
Tang Zhuyun rolled up her sleeves, sharpening her knife with a determined look. "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? I can do it myself!"