Chapter 403: Chapter 399: Gu Has a Daughter

The palanquin passed through the narrow city and entered the East Palace Gate.

After walking just a dozen steps, they encountered Qin Xiao.

In purple attire with a belt, a slender waist and tall stature, his fair hands lightly resting on the hilt of the sword, peach blossom eyes flowing with emotions.

If his expression management were a bit better, Tang Xiaobai felt he could continue treating Beauty Qin as the female lead.

But ever since reverting to his male form, Beauty Qin stopped performing, arching his brows with a chuckle, exuding charm: “Is this the young lady from Master Xu’s household?”

Tang Xiaobai nodded, ready to introduce Qin Xiao to Miss Xu.

Turning his head, he saw Miss Xu staring blankly at Qin Xiao, forgetting the gracefulness she had just displayed before the Emperor and Empress.

This was understandable.

Tang Xiaobai lightly coughed to bring back Miss Xu’s attention, then introduced: “This is Vice Commander of the Crown Prince’s Right Guard, Qin Xiao.”

Though a vice commander, the Crown Prince’s Right Guard had no chief commander, and Qin Xiao led the most elite imperial guard among the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace.

Previously, when Li Mu was around, Qin Xiao often trained soldiers outside the city.

Now, perhaps there was some special instruction from the Crown Prince, causing Qin Xiao to guard the Eastern Palace more frequently.

However, it seemed he was merely passing by, judging by the subtle glances he exchanged with Miss Xu.

After Miss Xu regained her composure, her face flushed, she nervously greeted “Vice Commander Qin,” not daring to look at Qin Xiao.

A pure young lady indeed!

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile with an aunt-like affection.

After sizing up Miss Xu, Qin Xiao also smiled: “Master Xu’s old residence in the capital has been tidied up by others, why not let me escort Miss Xu to settle in?”

Issuing the guest departure order quicker than Tang Xiaobai, the host.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but laugh again, pointing at Miss Xu: “What Miss Xu, Vice Commander Qin, hurry and greet our Commandery Princess!”

Qin Xiao was instantly taken aback: “What?”

“I’ve just acknowledged her as my sworn daughter!”

Haha! What a surprise for you!

…

Having startled Beauty Qin, Tang Xiaobai happily led his newly recognized daughter to have lunch.

The Xu Family is well-rooted in the literary circles, and Miss Xu’s demeanor is graceful and gentle, exuding a familiarity.

Tang Xiaobai set down his chopsticks, and she followed suit.

Sitting with a straight posture, her gaze slightly downward, respectful in demeanor, truly resembling a junior.

Tang Xiaobai tilted his head and smiled at her: “I don’t even know my child’s name yet!”

The young lady’s fair face turned slightly red: “Single name, ’Ah Fei’, ’Fei’ from ’impressive and literary’.

Tang Xiaobai suddenly shook his head.

The blush on Xu Fei’s face quickly faded, she pursed her lips, saying: “It was my paternal grandfather who chose the name…”

Tang Xiaobai laughed: “Don’t worry, I’m not going to change your name, but the phrase ’impressive and literary’ comes from the Analects, not everyone happens to have read it, you risk showing off your knowledge if someone hasn’t read it.”

Xu Fei’s face turned pale, she hastily left her seat and bowed: “Ah Fei thanks the Crown Princess Consort for the guidance!”

Tang Xiaobai did not take it to heart.

Considering Xu Fei’s family background, the Analects might be an entry-level text, and it’s normal for a young lady visiting the capital for the first time not to understand social etiquettes.

As their sworn mother, a bit of guidance was appropriate.

Hmm… sworn mother…

Tang Xiaobai glanced at the young lady with a trembling expression and smiled: “How come you’re still calling me Crown Princess Consort? How about calling me ’Mother’ and let’s hear it?”

The young lady’s face turned fiery red: “Ah, ah, ah…”

Could not utter ’Ah’ for a long time.

Tang Xiaobai laughed out loud and waved her hand: “Forget it, calling me Crown Princess Consort is fine,” pondering, “You know how you should refer to me outside, right?”

Miss Xu nodded vigorously.

So adorable, Tang Xiaobai thought.

At this time, the dining table was cleared, and Tang Xiaobai ordered for the desk to be prepared.

Xu Fei immediately politely asked: “Ah Fei can grind ink for Crown Princess Consort?”

Tang Xiaobai thought for a moment, nodded, but once Xu Fei finished grinding the ink, she added: “You should also write a letter to greet your sworn father?”

“Slap!”

The young lady was so frightened she dropped the pen she was holding onto the table.

…

Shanzhou, Shibao City.

The setting sun was like blood, the north wind like a blade, creating a murderous atmosphere on the city wall.

Li Mu stood on the city wall, gazing down at the mottled traces on the stone crevice.

“It’s said Zhang Yichao fought to the death here with fifty personal soldiers,” Li Xingyuan sighed.

Shibao City is a military fortress; if it weren’t for lack of strength, he wouldn’t want to give it up.

This time, they prepared well and spent considerable effort to retake Shibao City from Tibet and the Turkic allied army.

One can imagine how fierce Zhang Yichao’s battle was.

“In the future, we could garrison troops at Fusi Royal City.”

Li Mu said lightly, making Li Xingyuan’s blood boil: “Great! Just like north of the Yellow River, we’ll set a new line along Dafei River, never letting Tibetans cross it!”

As for the Turkics, in Li Xingyuan’s view, they were as good as dead.

As Li Xingyuan’s heroic spirit soared, the Crown Prince headed back with an expressionless face, without giving him a glance.

Li Xingyuan followed him chagrined, muttering: “So young, yet lifeless? Our Second Miss—”

“She is the Crown Princess Consort!” Li Mu corrected.

Li Xingyuan let out a “heh,” purposely refusing to call her Crown Princess Consort: “Our Xiaobai is such a lively and adorable child, how can she stick around without getting bored?”

Li Mu glanced at him: “We’re already married.”

Li Xingyuan chuckled: “Before marriage, that’s understandable, but after marriage, spending days and nights together, if you remain so boring, watch out, Sister Xiaobai might get bored of you!”

This conversation finally made the Crown Prince stop and turn around, a subtle disdain showing in his cold, indifferent eyes: “I am married, what about you?”

Li Xingyuan: …

So what about marriage?

Does being married mean you can look down on others?

As if others can’t get married too?

“Once this is done, I can get married too!” Li Xingyuan retorted stubbornly.

“Oh?” The Crown Prince remained indifferent.

Li Xingyuan felt a twitch in his eyelids.

What does “Oh” mean?

The Crown Prince wouldn’t be trying to upset him again, would he? Isn’t he already troubled enough?

Just as he wanted to grab Li Mu and explain himself, a Xuan Yi Guard approached: “Message from the Crown Princess Consort!”

The fire-sealed letter was presented, and the Crown Prince’s expression softened like melting ice, imbued with a touch of gentleness as he reached for the letter.

Li Xingyuan was filled with envy.

Tang Xiaobai’s letter was delivered through a special channel entrusted by the Crown Prince.

He didn’t have the authority to create such a backdoor for Jiaojiao.

Moreover, even if he did, considering Miss Tang’s temperament, it was impossible for her to write daily letters to cheer someone like Sister Tang did.

Oh, envy, envy…

While shaking his head in secret, he saw the Crown Prince frowning after reading the letter.

“What does Xiaobai say?” Li Xingyuan craned his neck to sneak a peek.

The Crown Prince, stingy as always, pocketed the letter before he could see a single word: “It’s nothing,” he paused, glanced complicatedly at the letter, then at Li Xingyuan, with renewed scorn, “The Crown Princess Consort says… I now have a daughter.”

Li Xingyuan was shocked.

A daughter? So quickly?!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep