"You mean you mentioned to Princess Rui that Xiao Yi's reputation for being a jinx to his wives was framed?" Tao Wanniang looked at Hongzhu, who was resting her chin on her hand. "Then have Prince Rui and Princess Rui started investigating the past?"
"Then I don't know, and they won't tell me these things," Hongzhu said. Ten days had passed since that incident. The man in black was dead, and there was no way to verify the truth. The old woman couldn't say whose servant he was. In the end, it was Luo Yunxia who suffered the consequences. She didn't know if she was tortured into confessing or something else, but she was punished and sent to a manor in the suburbs by her father, the Minister.
Tao Wanniang felt uneasy after hearing what Hongzhu said, but she figured that the Prince Rui and his wife must have some backing to back them up!
"Be careful, I don't think this will just end like this," Tao Wanniang warned.
"Who's afraid of who? I'll take on one if one comes, and two if two come," Hongzhu said arrogantly. "I just don't know who harbors such malicious intentions and is so vicious."
Looking at Hongzhu's appearance, Tao Wanniang felt fortunate for Hongzhu, thinking that she was not the weak and delicate type of woman.
"Has there been any news from the East China Sea?" Tao Wanniang then asked.
"Oh, I almost forgot, there was a letter. It probably hadn't arrived when it was sent, but it should be over in the East China Sea by now," Hongzhu said. Xiao Yi had sent a message to let her know he was safe. "I've already thought about going. Fighting pirates, I'm actually quite good at it!"
"There's no reason for you, the Crown Prince's wife, to go," Tao Wanniang said with a smile. "Just wait patiently."
"Sister Tao, when will we finally find this person?" Hongzhu sighed, feeling increasingly anxious about this aimless wait.
"Manager Tao, a distinguished guest is looking for you." Lu Neng knocked on the door and called out. "Your Highness, you can't..."
As Lu Neng's words were interrupted, the door was opened, and the eldest princess led her entourage in arrogantly. The two guards from the Prince Rui's mansion who were with Hongzhu also came in and stood beside Hongzhu.
"This must be the Crown Princess of Prince Rui's residence. I, the princess, presented a congratulatory gift when you and the Crown Prince got married," the eldest princess said slowly, glancing at Hongzhu.
"Greetings, Princess." After the Princess revealed her identity, Hongzhu respectfully bowed to her.
"Your Highness, have you come to the Star-Picking Tower again to bother this humble woman?" Tao Wanniang looked at the princess helplessly. Doesn't she find it annoying that the princess comes to bother her every now and then?
The eldest princess glanced at Tao Wanniang, then at Hongzhu, with a look of disdain.
"Princess Consort Rui, it's not that I didn't remind you, but although you come from a humble background, now that you've entered the Prince's residence, how can you still associate with a merchant's wife like Tao? Isn't that lowering your status?" the Princess said sarcastically. "Oh, right, who knows how long you'll remain Princess Consort Rui?"
Hongzhu has a fiery temper. This princess has never even met her. Why would she curse her to die young if she did?
“Your Highness, the Prince Rui’s Mansion also owns a share in the Star-Picking Tower. Since the Crown Prince is not here, what’s wrong with me, as the Crown Prince’s wife, coming to meet with Manager Tao?” Hongzhu said frankly. “Although I come from a humble background, it is not something I can choose. Naturally, I cannot compare to the princess’s noble birth.”
"How dare you speak to me like that!" the princess exclaimed.
"Your Highness, what brings you here today? Please speak plainly," Tao Wanniang said, pressing down on Hongzhu.
"Ling Yunzhou has been found, but he is in a coma and is already on his way back to the capital. Tao Wanniang, I can forgive and forget, as long as you can wake Ling Yunzhou up." The Princess's news arrived even faster than that of the Prince Rui's residence.
Tao Wanniang was taken aback. What did this have to do with her?
“Your Highness, I am a merchant’s wife, not a doctor.”
"The military doctor said that Ling Yunzhou is unconscious and needs someone close to him to wake him up. Do you think I'd be happy to do that?" the princess said indignantly.
Tao Wanniang's eyes darted around, and she said directly, "Your Highness, let me give you another idea. A person's memories can be changed, and you can also become the person that Lingyunzhou likes the most."
Upon hearing this, the eldest princess was stunned, as was Hongzhu, who was standing beside her. No one had ever told her that Tao Wanniang had any relationship with Lingyunzhou!
The princess was stunned, staring blankly at Tao Wanniang, not knowing what she was thinking for a moment.
"Hongzhu, you should go back. I have some private matters to discuss with the Princess." Tao Wanniang decided to start with the Princess.
Hongzhu really wanted to hear it, but the other party was the Eldest Princess... She looked at Tao Wanniang, then at the Eldest Princess, and reluctantly took her leave.
After taking Hongzhu away, Tao Wanniang calmly said, "Your Highness, please send your people away first. I can only speak to you about this matter." After speaking, Tao Wanniang quietly looked at the princess.
Was she tempted? Of course she was. The princess looked Tao Wanniang up and down, and finally, she ordered everyone to leave.
"What do you mean by saying that a person's memory can be altered?" The princess sat down in front of Tao Wanniang and asked, staring at her.
“Under normal circumstances, it is naturally impossible, but didn’t the princess say that Ling Yunzhou is unconscious?” Tao Wanniang said, “If someone keeps telling him that the person he loves is the princess, when he wakes up, with the cooperation of those around him, it will be enough to make him believe it.”
"Ling Yunzhou lost his memory before, so who helped him regain it?" Tao Wanniang asked earnestly, and then looked directly at the Princess.
It sounds like there's some truth to it, but the princess is wary of Tao Wanniang.
"Not to mention that you have two children with him, he also has a grandson in his household. Do you think he can just forget about you?"
"Who said he should forget me?" Tao Wanniang smiled slightly. "Even if you're making up a story, it has to be based on facts. Does the princess not even have anyone around her who can make up stories?"
The eldest princess frowned. Could Tao Wanniang's words be trusted?
"You'd better explain to me clearly what you mean by fabricating a story based on facts?"
“For example, my relationship with Ling Yunzhou ended long ago. During those ten years, he had already fallen deeply in love with the princess. After regaining his memory, he paid off his debt of love to me with five thousand taels of silver.” Tao Wanniang said simply, “I don’t know anything about the princess and him. It depends on whether the princess has someone who can write the story more realistically! If the princess doesn’t believe what I say, she might as well go and ask the imperial physician.”
The eldest princess will definitely ask the imperial physician, especially the one who helped Ling Yunzhou regain his memories.
"Tao Wan Niang, I need to find out the truth first. If what you said is indeed feasible, I can forgive your offense," the princess said arrogantly.
"To see the princess and General Ling happily married is my lifelong wish," Tao Wanniang said humbly. "Your Highness, what I have said comes from the bottom of my heart; it is as true as gold!"
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