Chapter 340: Chapter 336: What Are You Doing

“Why not?” Tang Xiaobai blurted out.

“Why are you yelling?” Tang Jiaojiao frowned and held her down, asking Princess Ji, “What does Grandma think is inappropriate?”

Princess Ji looked at her, then at Gu Ning: “Is this your plan? Do you really intend to betroth Xiaobai to the Crown Prince?”

Gu Ning hesitated, “My husband says, as long as the children like it—”

“How can it be just about liking?” Princess Ji showed a trace of anger, “She’s just a child and doesn’t understand, but do you not understand?”

Princess Ji, who had always been fond of Gu Ning, unexpectedly reprimanded her directly in front of the children, and the atmosphere instantly cooled down.

Tang Xiaobai shook off her sister’s hand, knelt before Princess Ji, and said, “Willing to hear Grandma’s teachings!”

However, when she raised her head, her eyes were full of unyielding fighting spirit.

Princess Ji smiled, “That’s the Crown Prince. Either he ascends the throne and rules the three palaces and six courts, or he ends with no burial ground. Which do you prefer?”

Tang Xiaobai took a slight breath and said, “The order of the universe is constant, but humans are fickle, be it emperor or commoner, it’s the same for everyone.”

Princess Ji dismissed it, “What kind of family are we? As long as it’s not an emperor or prince, whoever your sisters marry, if they dare to entertain a single whimsical thought, Jiao Ziqian will break his legs!”

“But what use do I have for his legs?” Tang Xiaobai said seriously, “Even if he’s a commoner, I would not want to use the influence of the Tang and Gu families to coerce him into obedience—”

“What I want is for him to respect and love me, and I will likewise respect and love him;”

“If one day he can no longer do so, then he is no longer the person I desire.”

“If that day comes, what would you do?” Princess Ji asked, staring intently at her.

Tang Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said, “If conditions permit, I would leave.”

Princess Ji continued to stare at her for a while, then smiled, “Do you know that there’s a girl hidden in the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince?”

Tang Xiaobai: ???

“What girl?” Tang Jiaojiao immediately got angry upon hearing this.

Princess Ji sneered, “Don’t know where she was found, looks eleven or twelve years old, and reportedly resembles Xiaobai by seven or eight points!”

Tang Xiaobai: …

“Pervert!” Tang Jiaojiao got more and more furious, “How come I didn’t hear about this when I was in the palace? Was she brought in after I left the palace?”

“No idea! He claims to have just picked up a stray girl, hasn’t been close to her, can he fool me? Anyway, until the Eastern Palace is cleaned up, nothing else will be discussed!”

Tang Xiaobai: !!!

…

In the Eastern Palace, inside Lizheng Hall, Crown Prince Li Mu was summoning officials for governance matters.

Surrounding the hall, the imperial guards stood solemnly, not a sound was heard.

Suddenly, light footsteps emerged from behind Lizheng Hall, leisurely approaching.

Embroidered shoes in silk, hair styled with pearls.

Holding a tray, a pair of small chubby hands, a childlike face with eyes filled with innocent laughter.

She seemed completely unaware of the solemn atmosphere surrounding Lizheng Hall, carrying a porcelain container, naturally heading towards the main entrance.

The eunuch on duty glanced at her.

Had he not been instructed beforehand, he would never have guessed that this Miss Hua was already sixteen, looking no older than eleven or twelve.

This new master of the Eastern Palace wasn’t particularly kind-hearted, and whatever disdain he experienced outside, he preferred to keep palace maids at arm’s length.

Anyone who relied on their looks to try and curry favor was promptly removed from the Eastern Palace.

Unexpectedly, one day, the Crown Prince personally brought a young lady into the palace and frequently summoned her, seemingly showing much favor.

Privately, there were whispers that some people have peculiar tastes, favoring the young.

But he knew it wasn’t so.

Recognized by Cao Dian, he often had the chance to be on duty around Lizheng Hall.

So, he had seen the Second Miss of Duke Yan Mansion.

The day Miss Hua was brought into the Eastern Palace, he noticed her looks bore similarities to Second Miss Tang.

It was heard that in the past, the Crown Prince had once secretly stayed at Duke Yan Mansion, where Second Miss Tang, like her sister, was proud and unruly, often bullying the Crown Prince.

How could the Crown Prince stand such mistreatment?

Didn’t he frequently abduct Second Miss Tang into the Eastern Palace in attempts of revenge?

But the backing of Second Miss Tang was formidable; Duke Yan and his sons dared to storm even the Eastern Palace, plus Princess Ji, whom even Your Majesty must call “Aunt.” The Crown Prince was helpless against them.

Thus, bringing a young girl resembling Second Miss Tang into the Eastern Palace could hardly be out of favor.

He had often seen Miss Hua led away with red eyes from the presence of the Crown Prince.

Who knew how the Crown Prince tormented this young lady.

As it was not out of favor, Lizheng Hall wasn’t a place Miss Hua could casually visit.

With a plan in mind, the eunuch stepped forward to stop her as she approached.

Just as he lifted his foot, Miss Hua stopped abruptly.

She looked down at her own toes.

From the eunuch’s angle, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Yet, a golden ginkgo leaf had fallen into the crack between the bricks before Hua Jian’s toes.

The gaps between the palace bricks weren’t large; naturally fallen leaves couldn’t slip into them.

This ginkgo leaf had been plucked and tossed inside, as a warning not to proceed further.

Hua Jian’s lips curved slightly, stepping on the ginkgo leaf, she continued forward.

Soon, a subtle sound of something slicing through the air resonated again.

Another leaf.

This time aimed at—

—her foot!

Hua Jian’s expression changed instantly, trying hastily to dodge, but already too late.

The ginkgo leaf grazed the top of her shoe, slashing a long opening across the ornate embroidery.

Hua Jian swallowed, feeling scared and angry.

Her thoughts shifted, and suddenly, she tossed the tray aside, falling to the ground with a cry.

Broken porcelain everywhere, the embroidered shoe torn, the little girl looked pitifully helpless.

The eunuch, disregarding whether she was favored or not, hurried to help her.

Reaching out, he grasped at air.

Hua Jian was lifted off the ground by the collar.

Seeing who it was, the eunuch fell silent and retreated respectfully.

Hua Jian showed neither respect nor fear, kicking her feet and shouting, “You owe me a shoe!”

Mo Ji placed her down properly and uttered a single word, “Leave.”

Hua Jian lifted her foot with the ruined shoe to kick his calf.

Of course, she missed.

“The shoe’s ruined, I can’t walk!” she said angrily.

Mo Ji glanced down.

The entire top of the shoe was sliced open; after a single kick, the shoe tip had detached further, revealing a patch of fair skin.

If she walked back like this, the shoe tip would probably fall off after a few steps.

“Take off your shoes and walk back.” Mo Ji said.

Hua Jian laughed in frustration, “I’m a girl!”

Mo Ji looked at her without expression.

She suddenly gave a sly smile, “You really want to see me take them off?”

Mo Ji maintained his expressionless gaze.

“Should I really take them off?” One foot swayed, the shoe tip dangling precariously.

Mo Ji remained expressionless.

Hua Jian’s eyes flickered before finally, the embroidered shoe flew off.

The shoe flew towards someone approaching.

Mo Ji, aware of the passerby, lifted his hand without blinking, catching the embroidered shoe.

At that moment—

“What… are you playing?”

Mo Ji stiffened for a moment, turning sideways.

The Second Miss Tang looked at the embroidered shoe in his hand with surprise and curiosity.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep