Chapter 221: The Tan Family Daughter
The Princess Consort of Donghai, Lady Tan, was two years older and slightly taller than her husband. Beautiful as a flower with graceful and proper manners, she entered the room and bowed to the Weary Marquis, addressing herself as “your humble servant Tan,” treating him like an emperor.
Prince Donghai stood to the side with a red face, feeling that he was not close enough with Han Ruzi for his wife to meet him personally. He dared not speak up, feeling even more embarrassed knowing that his having been beaten had been discovered.
Han Ruzi was curious about this daughter of the Tan family who was fierce enough to beat Prince Donghai, but felt awkward after meeting her, unsure what to say.
“Your humble servant happened to overhear the Weary Marquis’s conversation with Prince Donghai and was quite inspired. As it seemed incomplete, I boldly sought an audience to offer some humble opinions. I beg the Weary Marquis’s forgiveness for any rudeness.”
“My presence here is enough,” Prince Donghai said stiffly, then quickly added, “But if it’s about the Tan family, you should speak.”
Han Ruzi cupped his hands and said, “Please enlighten us, Princess Consort.”
Prince Donghai vigilantly looked left and right, trying to catch their slightest changes in expression.
Ignoring her husband’s supervision, Lady Tan said, “The Weary Marquis says law enforcement clerks are the foundation of the court, which is correct. Prince Donghai says clerks are disloyal, which is also correct. But concluding that law enforcement clerks cannot be relied upon is somewhat mistaken.”
“Where’s the mistake?” Prince Donghai asked, playing along perfectly.