Chapter 51: “Why is it that wherever this prince goes, you go too?”

Ye Junyu turned around with a gloomy expression and looked at Ye Chenxuan.
“Seventh brother, you seem to have a lot of free time lately. Why is it that wherever I go, you go  too?”

Ye Chenxuan replied nonchalantly, lips slightly curved:
“This prince is merely a leisurely, idle royal. Unlike imperial brother, who enjoys His Majesty’s full trust. Being idle is expected of me. But imperial brother, with your many responsibilities and duties, why are you so free?”

“You!” Ye Junyu was immediately so enraged he gritted his teeth, wishing he could strangle the man in front of him.

He knew full well that Ye Chenxuan was the most likely contender for the position of crown prince, yet here he was, shamelessly competing with him for Tang Mi. What right did he have to compete?

Seeing Ye Junyu fuming, Ye Chenxuan calmly said,
“Since imperial brother is here to worship Buddha, you should purify your heart. This is a peaceful Buddhist temple, imperial brother would do well not to disgrace the royal family’s image.”

Ye Junyu was completely infuriated.
“Ye Chenxuan, what do you mean by that?!”

Ye Chenxuan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“This prince is simply reminding imperial brother that there are ladies in the temple. One’s speech and behavior should be appropriately restrained. Any offense could bring shame to the royal family.”

“You’d best worry about yourself first!” Ye Junyu feared he might truly lose control and strike him, so he angrily flung his sleeves and left.

“Your Highness,” Hong Fei stepped forward.

Ye Chenxuan narrowed his eyes as he watched Ye Junyu’s departing figure.
“Keep an eye on him.”

“Yes,” Hong Fei responded immediately.

North Wing Room.

Old Madam Tang glared sternly at Tang Song, Tang Ying, and her mother.
“What is Prince Yu doing here?”

Tang Ying lowered her head, remaining silent.

Madam Lin gave a meaningful glance at Madam Qin and her daughter, then glanced at Tang Mi before also lowering her head without a word.

“Maybe he’s also here to worship,” Tang Song guessed, pretending to know nothing.

“Yes, he must be here to worship,” Madam Qin quickly echoed.

“Worship?” Old Madam Tang slammed her dragon-headed cane angrily.
“Don’t think I don’t know what dirty tricks you’re all up to. Did you lure him here? I won’t investigate that for now. But since he’s here, we’re leaving this Baima Temple!”

It was clear to her that Prince Yu had ill intentions. How could she let Mi’er stay here for seven days? Not even one day!

Hearing this, Tang Ying tightened her grip on her handkerchief.

Madam Qin hadn’t expected the old lady to be so fierce and was starting to panic.
“How could we possibly predict Prince Yu would come worship here? Besides, what does that have to do with us? We’ll do our ritual, and they’ll pray to their Buddha. Why should we leave?”

Tang Song’s eyes shifted as he added,
“We already informed Master Jingkong. He personally agreed to perform the ritual for us. This is a rare opportunity. No matter what, we can’t skip the tenth anniversary memorial for Uncle.”

Old Madam Tang snorted coldly.
“Rituals can be performed anywhere. They don’t have to be here.”

Of course a tenth-anniversary ritual must be held!

“But Song’er arranged everything already. If we leave now, wouldn’t all his efforts be wasted?” Madam Qin got anxious and raised her voice.

Old Madam Tang turned a sharp gaze to her.
“You’re so eager to stay, what are you planning?”

Her piercing eyes made Madam Qin’s heart tremble with fear.

“It’s all my fault!” Suddenly, Tang Ying, who hadn’t spoken, knelt down before Old Madam Tang with tears streaming down her face.
“If I hadn’t fallen into the pond, Mother wouldn’t have been threatened by Aunt and Grandmother. We wouldn’t have dragged the other girls into this, and wouldn’t have had to perform the ritual early. It’s all my fault. I’ll go with Grandmother and Sister Mi. It doesn’t really matter. What Aunt said is right, just think of it as a joyful twist.”

“Rubbish!” These words provoked Old Madam Tang so much she cursed aloud.

Believe that woman Cai? Talk about a joyful twist? The Qin family sure had the nerve!

“Prince Yu really is just here to worship, it has nothing to do with us. If we’re worried about a run-in, we’ll just avoid going out,” Tang Song added, seeing the old lady was hesitating.

Madam Qin immediately agreed,
“Yes, if we avoid them, there won’t be any gossip. Otherwise, if word gets out, it might harm the girls’ reputations.”

“What scandal? What exactly do you want to happen?” Old Madam Tang glared again.

“I didn’t mean that! Mother, you’re blaming me unfairly.” Madam Qin looked like she was about to stomp her feet in grievance.

Ever since the incident with Rong’er, the old lady had disliked her more and more.

“Grandmother, let’s do as they say. We’ll do our rituals and just go out less,” Tang Mi said. She knew the old lady not only cared about her, but also about Tang Ying.

Though the old lady disapproved of Tang Ying’s marriage match, it was Tang Mi who had dragged her into this. Even if she didn’t blame Tang Mi, she likely felt guilty toward Tang Ying.

A marriage is no small matter, the old lady wouldn’t ignore it.

But Tang Mi was curious: how exactly did Tang Ying plan to resolve the marriage situation?

Old Madam Tang looked at Tang Mi for a moment, sighed, and waved her hand at Madam Qin and the others.
“Go get things ready.”

This meant they were staying. Madam Qin was overjoyed and quickly responded with a smile.

Tang Ying also secretly let out a breath of relief. As long as Tang Mi stayed at Baima Temple, everything else could proceed as planned.

Madam Qin and Madam Lin both bowed to Old Madam Tang and left.

“Grandmother, I’ll head to the West Wing. If you need anything, send for me,” Tang Song said.

The old lady looked at him with pride and nodded.
“Go.”

Tang Song bowed and departed.

Once everyone was gone, Old Madam Tang looked at Tang Mi and said,
“Mi’er, I told you before, I don’t want you getting involved with Prince Yu.”

“Don’t worry, Grandmother. I won’t provoke that man,” Tang Mi reassured her gently.

Seeing her so obedient, the old lady was comforted and nodded.

She had raised the child and knew her nature, kind and principled, with no intention of climbing into power. She wouldn’t provoke that man. What worried the old lady wasn’t Tang Mi, it was that man’s intentions.

Thinking of something, the old lady sighed again.
“It was my fault. We shouldn’t have stayed. But that girl Tang Ying…”

Her face filled with guilt. Tang Mi quickly comforted her,
“I understand everything.”

The old lady nodded silently.
“Go get some rest. Stay in the room next to mine. Don’t be too far, Grandmother won’t feel at ease.”

“Okay,” Tang Mi responded sweetly.

Old Madam Tang then turned to Nanny Gui.
“Stay with Mi’er these next few days. Watch over her for me.”

Nanny Gui was about to respond when Tang Mi interjected,
“I think Yunxiang is pretty steady. Why not let her stay with me? It’s the tenth anniversary of Grandfather’s passing, there’s much to handle. Grandmother should keep Nanny Gui nearby.”

Her thoughtfulness made both Nanny Gui and Old Madam Tang smile warmly.

Old Madam Tang turned to Yunxiang.
“Then Yunxiang, stay with the young lady for the next few days.”

“Yes,” Yunxiang bowed to Tang Mi and agreed.