"Now that His Highness Prince An and you have clarified the matter, Eldest Miss Cui's reputation should be completely cleared."
The Crown Prince did not reply immediately; instead, he raised an eyebrow and let out an "Oh?"
"My fearless royal brother has actually been handled so well that he is now obedient and well-behaved. How rare."
He lifted the carriage curtain and looked towards the few people from Prince An's estate who were talking animatedly, a smile spreading across his face. "If I weren't in a hurry to see Qingwan, I would have gone over to listen."
Eunuch Zhang thought to himself: There is no need to listen. We will have to follow suit and do the exact same thing later.
With the Crown Prince's arrival, the Tang Estate naturally did not dare to be negligent. Grand Tutor Tang came out to greet him personally.
"I am looking for Qingwan to discuss something."
Grand Tutor Tang's expression was respectful, devoid of any other emotion. Upon hearing this, he merely responded, "Your Highness, please sit for a moment. This old subject will have someone call Qingwan over to see you."
The Crown Prince agreed and sat down to drink tea with Grand Tutor Tang.
Grand Tutor Tang was the Crown Prince's teacher, and the Crown Prince held quite a bit of respect for him. However, later on, when the Tang family fell under the Emperor's suspicion, the Crown Prince gradually distanced himself from them.
Now, as Grand Tutor Tang sat with the Crown Prince, he did not mention a single word about court politics. He only made a request, hoping that when his daughter married into the Eastern Palace in the future, the Crown Prince would treat her well.
"Father-in-law, please rest assured. Qingwan and I grew up together, and my affection for her runs deep. Naturally, I will not let her suffer any grievances."
Grand Tutor Tang nodded slightly. "Qingwan's mother passed away early, leaving only the two of us, father and daughter, to rely on each other. It was inevitable that I spoiled her and made her a bit willful. After she enters the Eastern Palace, if she does anything wrong, I hope Your Highness will be tolerant of her. This old subject would be endlessly grateful."
He and Tang Qingwan's mother had been deeply in love. For many years, he had never remarried or taken concubines.
"If Qingwan behaves improperly, this old subject will surely discipline her, and her maternal grandmother will not stand idly by either. Your Highness only needs to send her back."
Nowadays, let alone marrying into the royal family, even if one married a common official, there was absolutely no reason to return to one's maiden home just because of discord.
Grand Tutor Tang's words appeared respectful, but how could they not be considered a threat?
To ask the royal family to send back the married Crown Princess, looking across the entire capital, only the Tang and Cui families would dare to speak so brazenly.
Eunuch Zhang frowned. Historically, when a Crown Princess made a mistake, she was only deposed; there had never been a case of one being sent back to her maiden home.
But the Tang family had the power to make such a claim. Since the Crown Prince did not take offense, he, a mere servant, could only remain silent.
The Tang and Cui families were the Crown Princess's eternal way out and backing, whereas that lady from the Liu family was merely an olive branch tossed out by the Liu family, a stepping stone for their rapid advancement.
Eunuch Zhang already had a clear judgment in his heart.
And the Crown Prince, naturally, was even clearer on the matter.
This was also the reason why the Empress, mediating between the two families, did not dare to break off the engagement.
A quarter of an hour later, the maid sent to invite Tang Qingwan returned to report, "The young lady said that Madam's death anniversary is in a few days. She is copying scriptures for Madam and it is inconvenient to interrupt halfway, so she will not come to pay her respects to Your Highness."
Hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed the Crown Prince's eyes as he turned his head to look at Grand Tutor Tang.
The latter, however, lowered his head to drink tea, as if he hadn't noticed.
The maid suddenly added, "However, the young lady said she will be going to Anshan Temple outside the city the day after tomorrow to pray for Madam. If Your Highness is willing, you may accompany her."
Every year before Madam Tang's death anniversary, Tang Qingwan would go to the temple to pray, and the Crown Prince would often accompany her.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince broke into a smile. "Tell her that I will come to the estate to pick her up the day after tomorrow."
The little maid took the order and retreated. The Crown Prince did not stay much longer and left.
Grand Tutor Tang personally saw him out of the estate. When he returned, he spotted his daughter, who was supposed to be in the small Buddhist hall, standing under the veranda.
He sighed and called her into the study.
After the door was closed, he spoke with earnestness, "Qingwan, what are your true thoughts regarding your marriage to the Crown Prince?"
If she was willing, why did she avoid seeing him? If she was unwilling, why did she insist on it?
"Your father and your uncle are still alive and well; there is no need for you to compromise yourself."
Tang Qingwan lowered her eyes and sat down in the chair opposite Grand Tutor Tang.
Sunlight streamed into the room through the window lattice, illuminating Tang Qingwan's fair and coldly beautiful side profile. It gave Grand Tutor Tang a moment of daze, making him think he had seen his wife again.
"Qingwan, tell Father, do you really like the Crown Prince or not?"
"I like him." After a long while, Tang Qingwan finally spoke, her voice very soft. "Therefore, your daughter wants to marry into the Eastern Palace. Even if it means walking on thin ice, engaging in endless intrigue, and calculating every step, I still want to be entangled with him."
Grand Tutor Tang closed his eyes slightly and let out a heavy sigh. "This stubborn nature of yours is entirely inherited from your mother."
Back then, the Cui family also refused to marry their daughter to him. The Eldest Miss Cui of those days had a stubborn temperament; once she set her mind on a person or a matter, she would not give up until death.
Only then did the two of them unite. Grand Tutor Tang had regretted it countless times: if she hadn't married him, would she have avoided passing away so early?
"Aren't you afraid that you are walking a path to death, child?"
Tang Qingwan shook her head, her gaze firm. "Either I will carve out a path, or I will drag the people on that path to die together with me."
She rested her hands on her knees, her eyes cold and proud. "Father, if not for our Tang and Cui families back then, how could the Xiao family sit securely on the throne today? This empire of Liang should rightfully have a share for The Cui and Tang clans. The position of Empress is what we deserve."
Grand Tutor Tang was startled. "Qingwan, how can you have such thoughts?"
The Tang and Cui families only wanted self-preservation, not...
"Father, it is the Xiao family who was unkind first. I do like the Crown Prince." Tang Qingwan's expression was indifferent. "But your daughter likes power even more. My ambition was nurtured since childhood by everyone calling me the future Crown Princess, the mother of the nation."
She stared into Grand Tutor Tang's eyes and said, "One day, my two brothers will definitely be able to return to the capital with the status of imperial brothers-in-law."
...
At Prince An's estate,
The piece of wood that had been carved for days finally took shape. Xiao Yi played with it back and forth, pushing the hairpin forward, imagining how it would look pinned in the young lady's hair.
The young lady would be smiling brightly, looking at him with charming delight.
He tilted his head slightly, closed his eyes, and a satisfied smile graced his lips.
"Your Highness," Eunuch Liu pushed the door open and entered. "The opportunity has arrived."
