Morning seemed to arrive sooner than expected.
TanTan slowly opened her eyes and found a little hand resting on her face. She carefully moved it aside and began waking up.
Oh, right! FangFang had a sleepover with me last night!
She turned her head and looked at the little girl who was still fast asleep, hugging her favourite doll, XiaoMei.
TanTan smiled affectionately. She gently touched FangFang's cheeks with her finger several times.
So cute...
After admiring the little girl for a while, TanTan slowly got out of bed.
However, the moment she stood up, she suddenly realized something.
She tried stomping her feet several times, then happily moved her injured ankle back and forth.
There was no pain!
"Wow! That medicine really works! Maybe that silver-masked man isn't such a bad guy after all."
At that moment, XiaoRue entered the room carrying a fresh basin of water.
She was surprised to see TanTan standing.
"XiaoJie! Be careful! Your ankle...?!"
TanTan smiled and answered by showing off a little. She even tried jumping lightly to demonstrate that she was perfectly fine.
"Ah! XiaoJie! Your ankle has healed! XiaoRue is so happy!"
Although XiaoRue was delighted, she couldn't help feeling a little puzzled. How could an injury that had been so painful yesterday recover so quickly?
Their voices soon awakened FangFang.
"Mmm... Mommy?"
She looked towards TanTan with sleepy eyes.
"Good morning, sweet girl. Did you sleep well?"
TanTan approached her and gently stroked her hair.
FangFang rubbed her eyes, gradually becoming fully awake. Then she smiled and hugged TanTan.
"YangMu... Good morning!"
She noticed XiaoRue standing nearby and greeted her as well.
"XiaoRue Jie... good morning!"
XiaoRue smiled at the adorable scene.
XiaoJie and FangFang really look like a mother and daughter now... Who would have thought they could become this close?
"Good morning, FangFang XiaoJie!"
"Well, since you're already awake, why don't we freshen up and have breakfast together outside?"
"Mmm!"
FangFang nodded firmly before jumping out of bed. She immediately washed her face and hands, while TanTan helped her finish getting ready. XiaoRue prepared their clothes as well.
Once they were ready, they left the room.
FangFang didn't forget to bring her beloved XiaoMei along.
As they walked out, they encountered Aunt Tong, who had apparently come to check on FangFang.
"Good morning, Aunt Tong!" TanTan greeted her cheerfully.
"...Ah... Good morning, Madam."
Aunt Tong was clearly still not accustomed to being greeted so warmly by HuaMuTan.
She quickly continued with her purpose.
"I came to take FangFang XiaoJie to have breakfast."
"I want to have breakfast with YangMu..." FangFang immediately protested.
"But FangFang, your YiFu instructed me last night to bring you back after you woke up, so you wouldn't trouble Madam any further."
That Prince again! Just how deep is the trauma HuaMuTan caused him? He still doesn't trust me at all, huh?!
TanTan couldn't help complaining inwardly.
"FangFang isn't troubling me at all, Aunt Tong. We were actually planning to have breakfast together in the garden. Why don't you bring the food there? And why don't you join us as well?"
Aunt Tong was slightly surprised by the invitation. She bowed her head a little.
"Then I shall arrange for breakfast to be served in the garden."
TanTan took FangFang's hand, and together with XiaoRue, they headed towards the inner garden.
It was the same garden where FangFang had fallen down previously.
A little while later, breakfast was served.
The three of them were enjoying a simple but delicious meal of warm chicken porridge.
Aunt Tong stood nearby, quietly observing them.
After finishing her porridge, FangFang began playing with XiaoMei while waiting for TanTan. However, she soon became bored.
"YangMu, can we play something?"
"What would you like to play?"
TanTan had just finished her meal and was enjoying a cup of tea.
"What can you play, YangMu?"
"Well..."
TanTan tried to think of something, but she couldn't come up with any ideas. She wasn't familiar with children's games, especially the traditional games played in this era.
She glanced around the garden and noticed a wooden swing.
"Would you like to play on the swing?"
FangFang shook her head.
"Not today..."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she suggested,
"I want to hear YangMu play the guzheng again!"
"The guzheng?"
TanTan thought for a moment.
The silver-masked man said I would find more clues when I went to the palace later. Perhaps I should use this opportunity to practise the guzheng as well.
"Very well! Let's play the guzheng in the pavilion."
TanTan then asked XiaoRue to bring out the instrument.
Together, they headed towards the pavilion.
When they arrived, TanTan and FangFang were surprised by what they saw.
Several empty cups and a couple of wine bottles were scattered across the table.
And beside them...
Prince Li was still sleeping soundly.
He seemed to be having a dream.
In his dream, he was chasing a woman who looked like ShuangAi. However, he could only see her back.
"ShuangAi... ShuangAi!"
He called her name repeatedly, but the woman didn't respond. She simply continued walking away from him.
At the same time, TanTan and FangFang had just entered the pavilion.
They were surprised to find Prince Li sleeping there.
Looking at the empty wine bottles, TanTan guessed that he must have been drinking with someone last night.
Perhaps Prince FengEr was keeping him company?
FangFang was about to approach her foster father.
"Yi..."
However, TanTan quickly gestured for her to remain quiet.
From Prince Li's expression, she could tell something was wrong.
It looks like he's having a bad dream...
Prince Li was murmuring something in his sleep.
Curious, TanTan carefully approached him, trying to hear what he was saying.
Meanwhile, in his dream, Prince Li was getting closer to the woman.
But suddenly, another shadow appeared.
Before he could react, the shadow stabbed the woman from the front.
"Noooo!"
Prince Li shouted.
His eyes flew open, and instinctively, he reached out and grabbed the hand of the person standing beside him.
To his surprise, it was TanTan's hand.
He immediately released it, almost throwing it away in his haste.
His rough reaction displeased TanTan.
"YiFu, are you alright?" FangFang asked worriedly.
Prince Li was now fully awake.
Meanwhile, XiaoRue had entered the pavilion and placed the guzheng on the table, preparing it for TanTan.
Prince Li looked at the instrument in confusion before turning towards TanTan, silently demanding an explanation.
"FangFang wanted to hear me play the guzheng, so I thought I might as well practise here for the performance at the palace later. Are we disturbing you, Prince Li?"
TanTan asked casually.
Prince Li knew he had no reasonable excuse to send them away.
"No..."
He answered shortly.
He had only just woken up after drinking too much the previous night, and his head was still aching from the hangover.
He stood up, intending to leave.
However, FangFang immediately grabbed his hand.
"YiFu, don't go! Let's listen to YangMu play together!"
"I'm sorry, FangFang. But YiFu is very thirsty right now. I want to find some water to drink."
"Let me get water for YiFu!"
"No, no need..."
However, before he could finish speaking, FangFang had already run off to fetch some water.
"FangFang!"
Worried that FangFang might fall again, TanTan immediately turned towards XiaoRue.
"XiaoRue, go after FangFang! Make sure she doesn't fall down!"
"Yes, XiaoJie! FangFang!"
XiaoRue hurried after the little girl.
And just like that, TanTan was left alone with Prince Li.
Prince Li started walking away again.
"Is it really so difficult for you to stay here for a little while and wait for FangFang? She's going to get water for you."
Although TanTan herself wasn't particularly comfortable being alone with Prince Li, she felt that he should at least appreciate FangFang's effort to take care of him.
Prince Li stopped and looked back at her.
He let out a sigh.
He didn't want to disappoint FangFang either, so he reluctantly agreed to stay.
However, being alone with this woman was never pleasant.
Whenever they were together without anyone else around, their conversations usually ended in arguments and quarrels.
TanTan felt exactly the same.
But then she suddenly realized that this might actually be a good opportunity to clear the air between them.
"Look, there's something I'd like to say."
Prince Li didn't respond.
"Fine. You don't have to say anything. Just listen to me, alright?"
What does this woman want now?!
Prince Li looked at her suspiciously but remained silent.
TanTan took a breath before continuing.
"I think after everything that's happened these past few days, I've finally understood how much you hate me because of the way the former HuaMuTan forced you into this marriage."
Prince Li remained silent.
It's true, but why is she bringing up something so obvious?
He simply stared at her sharply.
"And I also know that you actually have strong feelings for ShuangAi Mei, not me."
Prince Li was genuinely puzzled by her words.
However, the moment TanTan mentioned ShuangAi, his expression darkened.
"Enough with this nonsense! What exactly are you trying to say, HuaMuTan?!"
TanTan boldly met his gaze.
"I want to make things right! I've changed. And if you hate this marriage so much, then let's end it. Let's get a divorce!"
She paused before adding,
"I'll set you free. You can be with ShuangAi Mei and live happily together!"
Prince Li's eyes widened.
His mouth even fell open like a fish out of water.
For so long, he had wished to hear those very words from HuaMuTan. Yet now that she had actually said them, he was completely unprepared.
For a moment, he couldn't believe what he had heard.
Then, instead of feeling relieved, he suddenly burst into harsh laughter.
His expression quickly turned furious.
He stepped towards TanTan angrily.
"Don't mock me, HuaMuTan! You want a divorce? Do you even know what you're talking about?! Our marriage was granted by the King's imperial decree! And you know very well that divorcing without the King's approval carries the death penalty!"
TanTan's eyes widened as well.
What?! I didn't know that! Is getting a divorce really that difficult in this era?!
"I... I didn't know that. But I mean what I said!"
She quickly tried to explain.
"I'll find a way. Don't worry. Perhaps I can ask the King himself and explain that we're simply not the right couple. I'm sure he'll understand and grant us permission."
Prince Li narrowed his eyes.
"What exactly is your plan, HuaMuTan? First, you suddenly become close to ShuangAi. Then you become close to FangFang. And now you want a divorce? What is your real purpose?!"
His anger grew as he struck the guzheng beside them.
TanTan immediately became displeased.
"Hey! Don't damage the instrument!"
She stepped forward and pushed Prince Li away from the guzheng, trying to stop him from hitting it again.
Caught off guard, Prince Li lost his balance and fell onto the floor.
He stared at her in disbelief.
TanTan, however, was too irritated to care about his reaction.
"I've already told you! I just want to correct my mistakes! Now I realize this marriage was wrong from the beginning. You should marry ShuangAi Mei and be happy with her. Don't worry, I won't stand between you two anymore. Isn't that what you've always wanted?!"
At that very moment, FangFang and XiaoRue returned with a cup of water.
FangFang was confused to see her foster father sitting on the pavilion floor in front of TanTan.
"YiFu, why are you sitting there?"
Prince Li immediately felt embarrassed.
He quickly stood up and brushed off his clothes before walking away without saying anything.
"But... YiFu! You haven't drunk your water yet!"
FangFang called after him, hoping he would return.
Unfortunately, Prince Li didn't even look back.
XiaoRue approached TanTan and whispered,
"XiaoJie... what happened? Did XiaoJie make Prince Li angry again?"
"He's the one who made me angry! I was kindly offering him what he wanted. Why does he have to get angry with me?!"
XiaoRue looked confused.
"What is it that XiaoJie wants to give him?"
"A divorce."
TanTan answered casually.
"XiaoJie!"
XiaoRue was shocked.
"You can't divorce Prince Li! That's... that's forbidden!"
FangFang, who had approached them, also heard the word.
"YangMu, what does divorce mean?"
TanTan suddenly felt guilty.
Oh, right... If I divorce Prince Li, I won't be FangFang's mother anymore... That's such a shame.
"XiaoJie..."
Seeing XiaoRue's worried expression, TanTan began to regret mentioning the matter so casually.
"Alright, alright! I was only saying it. I'm not actually doing it right now!"
"You should be more careful with such words next time, MuTan Mei."
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted them.
Prince FengEr had just entered the pavilion.
It seemed he had overheard their conversation.
As usual, XiaoRue and FangFang greeted him politely.
"Greetings, San Wang ShuShu!"
Prince FengEr smiled at them before turning towards FangFang.
"FangFang, Shushu would like to talk with your YangMu for a little while. Can you play with XiaoRue first?"
"Yes, San Wang ShuShu!"
FangFang obediently agreed.
XiaoRue looked towards TanTan for permission. After receiving a nod from her mistress, she took FangFang away to play around the pavilion.
Prince FengEr approached TanTan with a smile.
"Now I understand why Wei Di walked past me earlier with such an angry expression. I was wondering what had happened."
He sat beside TanTan and casually plucked a few strings of the guzheng.
"You know, it's not easy to obtain a divorce when the marriage was granted by the King himself."
"Is it really impossible?"
TanTan asked hopefully. Perhaps Prince FengEr could help her find a way.
"Well, it's not impossible. But are you sure you really want to do it, MuTan Mei?"
He glanced at her.
"Don't you care about your reputation? Divorce can be one of the most humiliating things that can happen to a woman. People might mock you for the rest of your life."
Really? Is it that bad?
TanTan began to hesitate.
Am I making this decision too hastily? But I really don't want to continue living in this situation. I want to be free...
She sighed before expressing her thoughts.
"Perhaps that's still better than having to live with a husband who doesn't love you."
"But as far as I know, you love Wei Di very much."
"Well, not anymore."
TanTan shrugged.
Prince FengEr smiled upon hearing her answer.
"Then, if that's truly what you want, perhaps I can help you."
"Do you know a way?"
"Yes. There might be a way."
He paused before explaining.
"If your performance at the palace is successful and you manage to please the Queen Grandmother, you might have a chance. Every year, she grants one wish to the person who presents the gift she likes the most."
TanTan's eyes brightened.
"I can try that! Thank you for the idea, San Wang Ge!"
"Hmm... But what do you plan to do after successfully divorcing your husband, MuTan Mei?"
TanTan thought for a moment.
"I haven't really thought that far ahead. Perhaps I'll return to my old residence and live peacefully there."
She wondered whether her grandmother would welcome her back.
"And what about your attackers? Don't you still want to find out who tried to kill you?"
TanTan sighed again.
"I do. But what can I do? They're hiding in the shadows, and I don't have any clues. I suppose all I can do is wait for them to make another move and hope they leave me more clues."
"Or perhaps..." Prince FengEr paused thoughtfully. "You could stay at my residence until you find out who your attackers are. Then, once everything is settled, you can return to your old home."
"Really?"
TanTan looked surprised.
"Ah... wait! No, I can't do that!"
She suddenly remembered someone.
"Why not?"
"Your sister hates me, remember? I don't want to spend every day arguing with her!"
Prince FengEr chuckled.
"Perhaps she won't hate you anymore after you divorce Wei Di. After all, your marriage is also the reason she dislikes you."
"Well... perhaps you're right!"
"So, will you come and stay at my residence in the future?"
"Hm, maybe...I'll think about it later"
TanTan accepts the offer without much hesitation. It seems like a beneficial opportunity, especially if she wants to uncover more clues about the killer and get closer to the truth.
A promise had been made, and Prince FengEr seemed particularly pleased with her answer.
"Then, may I accompany you while you practise the guzheng?"
"Of course! But aren't you busy with your duties?"
"I still have some time. Come on, let me hear you play."
"...Alright. But please don't laugh at my terrible playing!"
"Hahaha! I highly doubt that will happen."
TanTan was genuinely happy to have someone like Prince FengEr as her companion. He was a good listener and, more importantly, quite enjoyable to talk to.
She adjusted her position before placing her fingers on the strings.
Then she began playing the guzheng.
Meanwhile, Prince Li had stopped walking in the hallway when he heard the familiar sound of the guzheng.
He turned around and looked towards the pavilion from a distance.
There, he saw TanTan sitting close to Prince FengEr, chatting and smiling with him as though they had known each other for years.
His expression immediately darkened.
That woman!
His thoughts began racing.
Is she planning to divorce me so she can manipulate San Wang Ge instead? Is that why she has suddenly changed? Because she no longer considers me her target?
His eyes narrowed as he watched them.
But San Wang Ge...?
He clenched his fists.
No! I must protect San Wang Ge from that evil woman!
His expression became increasingly grim.
HuaMuTan, don't think you can always get whatever you want! You have already ruined my life, but I won't let you do the same to my brother!