Chapter 30: She Can Give Up Everything, But the Title Must Belong to Feng’er

Madam Tang furrowed her brows. Though she didn’t respond, her eyes were filled with suspicion.

Tang Mi stared at her. “Grandmother, do you still remember how the Prince of Yu sent people over several times to discuss that matter?”

Madam Tang was startled. “You mean… she colluded with the Prince of Yu!”

“She wants to enter the Prince of Yu’s residence, and she wants to use me as her stepping stone.” Tang Mi directly laid bare Tang Ying’s scheme.

Madam Tang’s brows tightened, disbelief flooding her deep-set eyes.

Seeing her expression, Tang Mi once again felt a wave of disappointment. She stood up. “I’m tired. I’ll go rest first.”

Bowing to Madam Tang, she hesitated, then gritted her teeth and said, “I can overlook everything else, I can give up anything, but the title Father earned with his loyalty the Marquis of Loyalty must go to Feng’er.”

With that, Tang Mi left.

Madam Tang stared at her retreating figure in silence.

“Madam?” Nanny Gui entered the room, finding Madam Tang still lost in thought.

Madam Tang came to herself, looked at Nanny Gui, and ordered with a frown, “Go to the Tang Ying Courtyard and tell the Second Young Miss to remain there and rest. Without my permission, she’s not allowed to go anywhere.”

Nanny Gui was surprised, but responded and left.

Tang Ying Courtyard

Qin Shi was feeding Tang Ying medicine while grumbling, “I thought you had a plan to deal with Tang Mi, but this is all you’ve got?”

Tang Ying’s eyes flickered. She hadn’t planned to use such a low-level tactic against Tang Mi. She had intended to drug Tang Mi during the dance so she’d publicly strip while dancing, disgracing herself before all of the capital.

But Tang Mi didn’t take the bait. She refused to dance with her, choosing instead to play the zither stealing all the attention and overshadowing Tang Ying completely.

As long as Tang Mi was there, no one would look at Tang Ying. Not even Ye Junyu.

“You see? Not only did you fail to hurt Tang Mi, you fell into the water yourself! And you’re on your period, what if that fall damages your health?” Qin Shi kept complaining.

Tang Ying, growing irritated, took the medicine from her and drank it all in one gulp. “I’ve finished it. Yiyun and the others can take care of me. You should go back.”

“You fell into the water, how could I not stay and care for you?” Qin Shi ignored the obvious dismissal. “Luckily your cousin saved you. If it had been someone else, it wouldn’t have been Tang Mi’s reputation that got ruined, it would’ve been yours!”

Tang Ying frowned. Something about today had been strange. She had pushed Tang Mi into the water, but Ye Junyu hadn’t followed their original plan by jumping in to save her. If he had, maybe both she and Tang Mi could’ve entered the Prince of Yu’s residence. And once inside, Tang Mi would never be her match. Who would end up the prince’s consort? That would still be up for grabs.

As she was thinking, Yiyun came in and reported, “Miss, Nanny Gui is here.”

Before Tang Ying could respond, Qin Shi snapped impatiently, “Didn’t the Old Madam just come? What now?”

Tang Ying’s eyes flashed. “Let her in.”

“Yes,” Yiyun said and soon returned with Nanny Gui.

“Second Madam, Second Young Miss.” Nanny Gui bowed as she entered.

Tang Ying coughed weakly. “Does Grandmother have some instructions?”

Nanny Gui looked at her frail appearance and bowed again. “The Old Madam said that the Second Miss should rest well and stay indoors for now. She is not to leave the courtyard without permission.”

Qin Shi exploded. She leapt from the bedside. “What is this supposed to mean? Ying’er was wrongfully accused, and now she’s sick. Tang Mi hasn’t apologized, and now the Old Madam is favoring her? She’s putting Ying’er under house arrest? What did Ying’er do wrong? She just tried to help Tang Mi and got repaid with malice!”

Qin Shi got more emotional with every word, almost moved by her own speech.

Once she finished ranting, Tang Ying gently tugged her and calmly looked at Nanny Gui. “Please tell Grandmother that I have a clear conscience. But if she insists on grounding me, I will comply.”

“I’ll report it to her,” Nanny Gui said and left.

As soon as she was gone, Qin Shi burst out again, furious. “Just now your grandmother clearly believed you! Now this? That bitch Tang Mi must’ve tattled again!”

Tang Ying squinted slightly, much calmer than her mother.

Tang Mi might have tattled, but the punishment was only house arrest. Didn’t that mean Grandmother didn’t fully believe Tang Mi either? Or maybe… she still valued her.

That was useful. As long as she still held value to the Tang family, Grandmother wouldn’t dare deal with her harshly.

Ming Chun Courtyard

Nanny Gui reported Tang Ying’s response to Madam Tang.

Madam Tang’s expression darkened, and she said nothing.

Nanny Gui bowed. “Could the Eldest Miss have misunderstood the Second Miss? I don’t think she would do something like this.”

Madam Tang’s eyes shifted. After a moment of thought, she motioned Nanny Gui to come closer and whispered a few instructions. Nanny Gui nodded and went to carry them out.

West Courtyard

When Lin Shi heard that Tang Ying had been grounded, she snorted disdainfully. “Still her precious granddaughter. Even if she pushed Tang Mi into the water, the Old Madam won’t punish her too harshly.”

She looked resentfully at Tang Ning. “If it had been you who made a mistake today, it wouldn’t have ended with just house arrest.”

Her son was born of a concubine not the Old Madam’s direct descendant, so no matter how well-behaved he was, he would never be truly valued.

Tang Ning was happily eating pastries when she suddenly heard that and looked confused. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why would Grandmother punish me?”

Lin Shi angrily poked her forehead. “You, you only know how to eat! You need to be more cautious like your eldest sister. Be sharp, don’t wait until someone harms you before you realize it!”

Tang Ning looked even more confused. “Mother, what are you talking about? Who would want to harm me?”

Lin Shi sighed again. “It’s my fault for sheltering you too much. Just look at your eldest sister, she has no parents and knows she can only rely on herself.”

Tang Ning blinked. “Then I’ll follow Big Sister from now on. She won’t harm me.”

“For now, she won’t.” Lin Shi murmured, then added under her breath, “In the future, who knows?”

“What did you say, Mother?” Tang Ning asked, not having heard clearly.

Lin Shi sighed and said seriously, “Just stay close to your big sister whenever you go out.”

At least for now, they were on the same side.

“Okay!” Tang Ning nodded obediently at the idea of sticking with Tang Mi.

Late Night

In the middle of the night, Tang Ying was awakened by the sound of a cuckoo outside. She sat up abruptly, threw on her outer clothes and cloak, and sneaked out.

Just as she left the courtyard, a shadow silently followed behind her.