Chapter 65 Seducing Her Brother-in-Law

Tan Qingjiu returned to the Tan residence with Xingqi and Xingyou. Tan Yun and Chen Yue were already waiting for them.

Tan Yun’s face was filled with smiles. “I heard you saved Prince Duan from an attack at the Prince Ding’s mansion, and fainted as a result, so he took you away?”

“What did Prince Duan say? Did he thank you properly? You were unconscious—did he give you any reward?”

Tan Qingjiu sneered inwardly. Tan Yun really did wear his greed on his sleeve.

“Prince Duan said that if I could cure his illness, he would reward me generously.”

Tan Yun frowned. “He wants you to cure him first? Are you sure you can do it?”

“It’s been a strange illness for more than ten years—how could it be so easy?”

The smile faded from Tan Yun’s face bit by bit. Just as he was about to speak, the gatekeeper rushed in. “Master! Someone from Prince Duan’s mansion is here. They brought a whole cart of things for Second Miss, as thanks for risking her life to stop his attack today.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Tan Yun’s smile returned. “Good, very good! I said Prince Duan may be frightening when ill, but otherwise, he’s quite decent.”

“Have the gifts brought in.”

He was about to leave when Chen Yue tugged at his sleeve.

Tan Yun frowned, turning to Chen Yue, who stared fixedly at Xingqi and Xingyou. “Qingjiu, who are these children?”

“I heard that at Prince Ding’s mansion, two children called you mother—is it them? Are they the illegitimate children you bore six years ago?”

“Why do they look… just like the Prince Ding’s son? Who are they really?”

Tan Yun’s gaze shifted to Xingqi and Xingyou, his brows furrowing. “Are these children truly just adopted? Could it be that the man you were involved with six years ago—the one who fathered these bastards—was Prince Ding’s son?”

Chen Yue covered her mouth. “Prince Ding’s son is your brother-in-law! You seduced your own brother-in-law six years ago? You… you shameless woman! No wonder Yun Ge said you seemed to have intentions toward Prince Ding’s son. Are you still scheming after him?”

Chen Yue wailed, “Oh heavens, how could our Tan family have such a shameless person? Seducing your own brother-in-law!”

“Enough!” Tan Yun barked sharply at Chen Yue, frowning as he sized up Xingqi and Xingyou, then quickly looked up. “Has Prince Duan seen these children? What did he think?”

Before Tan Qingjiu could answer, Tan Yun lowered his voice. “Since Prince Duan has said he wants to marry you, you must seize this chance. Isn’t becoming Princess Duan far more prestigious than being the prince’s consort?”

“I don’t care who these children are or where they came from, but you must hide them well.”

Tan Yun’s gaze lingered on the boys. “Either hide them, or… deal with them directly.”

He assumed that Xingyou and Xingqi couldn’t understand, and spoke without restraint.

Chen Yue stared in shock. “Master, Tan Qingjiu… she seduced her brother-in-law!”

Tan Yun’s face darkened. “What seduction? What man doesn’t have several wives and concubines? Especially Prince Ding’s son—he’s infamous for his debauchery, visiting every brothel in town. Yun Ge can’t control her man; it’s her own incompetence, not anyone else’s fault.”

“That’s enough.”

Tan Yun sounded impatient. “You’d best watch your tongue. If I find out you’re gossiping, you’ll regret it.”

Tan Qingjiu glanced with interest at Chen Yue, who was furious but dared not protest.

Perhaps Chen Yue hadn’t expected it? Tan Yun’s heart and mind held nothing but his own ambitions—whoever could help him climb higher was right in his eyes.

She hadn’t even acted yet, hadn’t dragged Yun Ge into it, but Tan Yun had already scolded Chen Yue for her.

Tan Qingjiu rolled her eyes and followed Tan Yun’s lead. “Prince Duan has seen them, but before I returned, some said these children resembled Prince Ding’s son, so I had them wear human-skin masks.”

“When they called me mother, Prince Duan was ill and delirious, so he doesn’t remember.”

Tan Yun nodded. “Good. If anyone tells Prince Duan, and he asks, say they’re your adopted children, your medicine apprentices.”

“No one must see their faces, you…”

Tan Qingjiu quickly continued, “I’ll have them wear their masks, then send them back to Miracle Hands Valley.”

“Good,” Tan Yun mused. “Miracle Hands Valley is far from the capital and secluded.”

“In any case, no one must discover their true identities.”

Tan Qingjiu nodded, lowering her head to look at Xingqi and Xingyou. The brothers glanced at each other, stuck out their tongues, and put on their masks.

Tan Qingjiu smiled at Chen Yue, who was gnashing her teeth, then left with the boys.

“Didn’t mother say we should pretend to be adopted? Why did it suddenly change?”

Xingqi looked at Xingyou. “The incident at Prince Ding’s mansion with the prince’s consort—Chen Auntie will soon learn about it. Yun Ge will probably tell her. When they know about us, they’ll be desperate.”

“They’ll have many suspicions, but whatever they think, they won’t let us off easily.”

“Mother must be planning to use us as bait, to provoke them into reckless actions, then take revenge.”

Tan Qingjiu patted Xingqi’s head. “You’re so clever, Xingqi.”

Xingyou’s eyes lit up. “Using us as bait to make them lose control? That sounds fun!”

“Mother, you’re not really planning to send us away, are you? We don’t want to leave—we want to stay and help you get revenge.”

“We’re young; they won’t pay us much mind. When the time comes, heh heh…”

Tan Qingjiu was full of helplessness. The Cloud Pavilion was just ahead. She entered the courtyard, about to speak, when Zisu hurried over. “Mistress, we’ve sent out many people to search and followed all those Madam Li knew, as well as Yun Ge and her attendants. We found Madam Li.”