Chapter 81: Chapter 81: Merit That Shakes the Sovereign

The misty light reflected in the dark, deep eyes caused Tang Jiaojiao, who often looked down on others, to feel a shock in her heart.

The young boy was indeed excessively beautiful.

“Both of them are thirteen, is it appropriate to keep them by Xiao Bai’s side?” Tang Jiaojiao asked softly while supporting Gu Family as they walked.

Gu Family pondered for a moment and said, “No rush for now, let’s wait another half year until Xiao Bai’s fascination wears off.”

Tang Jiaojiao agreed and asked, “Mother, why did you say that to those two?”

Shouldn’t the sister’s injury be serious? Why say it’s nothing major?

Gu Family smiled gently and said, “They are good children and won’t tell anyone.”

Tang Jiaojiao disagreed: “But what if the Palace sends someone to check the injury tomorrow?”

…

Tang Xiaobai was also concerned about this issue: “The news of me breaking Emperor Hui Zhao’s relic should have reached the Palace, right? Will the Palace send someone to question me? Perhaps check the injury? Or maybe accuse me?”

She didn’t get a chance to ask these things yesterday. When she asked Gu Family in the morning, they only smiled and said “There is a way to handle it,” but didn’t explain how, leaving Tang Xiaobai a bit uneasy.

Upon seeing Li Mu visiting, she couldn’t help but complain.

Her little ancestor answered crisply and clearly: “No!”

“Why not?” Tang Xiaobai was intrigued.

“Since the Crown Prince devised a plan to make you leave, these issues must have been arranged,” Li Mu explained.

He had naturally considered all these follow-up matters.

Yesterday, when Miss Tang left the Crown Prince Mansion, it was already late, and he promptly had Gu Yuan to fetch her, ensuring not too many were alerted.

Even if the Palace got the news, they wouldn’t act overnight.

By today, there would be no issues at all.

The young girl giggled on her pillow, “Ah Xiao trusts the Crown Prince so much?”

“Doesn’t Second Miss trust the Crown Prince?”

Tang Xiaobai thought for a while, “I’m not familiar with the Crown Prince, where should I find trust? Besides, he looks just like a child.”

Li Mu frowned, “Why does everyone you look at seem like a child?”

Tang Xiaobai giggled, “Not everyone, but indeed all of you do.”

Thirteen years old, about middle school first or second year?

“Does Second Miss also want to keep him by your side to care for him?” Saying such a sour remark made Li Mu blush, but he said it anyway.

Sure enough, after hearing this, the young girl laughed wildly on her pillow: “He’s the Crown Prince, why would he need me to take care of him? I’ll just look after Ah Xiao!”

Li Mu glanced at her through the screen and said lightly, “What about the Crown Prince? Who says he doesn’t need care?”

Tang Xiaobai laughed: “But he’s the Crown Prince, at least he doesn’t worry about clothing and food, and has someone to serve him, what would he need from me?”

Li Mu was silent for a while, then said, “I think he needs it.”

Tang Xiaobai laughed “haha,” was about to speak, when suddenly heard urgent footsteps outside, she quickly buried her head back on the pillow.

“Second Miss!” It was her maid Ah Song who had been sent out in the morning to monitor the front courtyard.

Tang Xiaobai hurriedly poked her head out from beneath the covers.

Ah Song ran in anxiously: “Second Miss, people from the Palace have come!”

Tang Xiaobai scrambled up: “What did they say?”

Ah Song was caught off guard: “I rushed back to report to Second Miss, didn’t hear what they said…”

Tang Xiaobai held her forehead: “Quickly go and find out!”

Ah Song hurriedly ran out again.

Li Mu glanced outside and said, “Second Miss, stay calm, just because there are palace emissaries, doesn’t necessarily mean they are here to accuse.”

Tang Xiaobai smiled wryly: “If it’s not to accuse, could it be to console me?”

Indeed—

On November 19, the second daughter of Duke Yan was expelled from the Crown Prince’s Mansion by order after accidentally breaking Emperor Hui Zhao’s relic.

On November 20, urgent military reports from Tingzhou announced a major victory at Yingsuo River.

Located southwest of Tingzhou, crossing the river leads to the Shuni Shi Tribe, whose leader is Ashina Zhen, the paternal uncle of Western Turkic Shabolu Khan.

Seven days ago, the army led by Duke Yan, Tang Shigong, broke through the Shuni Shi Tribe, capturing Ashina Zhen alive and seizing countless weapons and horses.

With the Shuni Shi Tribe defeated, the army looked north to the Western Turkic Royal Court!

With such outstanding military achievements, what can a mere candlestick compare?

“This victory report came just at the right time!” Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but sigh, “If it had come a little later, I might have been punished.”

Li Mu opened the book Miss Tang had specifically asked him to bring, responding with a low “hmm.”

Although Tingzhou’s emissary couldn’t arrive in time, the victory report could.

However, this matter wasn’t particularly gratifying.

“If my father hadn’t achieved merit, they’d accuse me, my father achieves merit, they accuse the Crown Prince, either way, it doesn’t cost him anything!” Tang Xiaobai was somewhat resentful.

After the victory report arrived, not only did the Emperor have the palace emissary offer medicine and care for injuries for a long time, he unusually scolded the Crown Prince, speaking of “Crown Prince’s benevolence,” “sympathy for meritorious officials,” and similar sentiments.

Li Mu rolled up the book slightly, saying lightly, “To the Crown Prince, this scolding is neither here nor there.”

Thinking of the Crown Prince, Tang Xiaobai sighed again: “At least I didn’t let down the Crown Prince’s painstaking efforts… even smashed the relic of Emperor Hui Zhao—” Suddenly paused, lowering her voice, she asked, “Do you think the smashed item was really a relic?”

Li Mu’s eyelid twitched, replying, “It was real.”

“How do you know?”

“This time you were summoned to the Crown Prince’s Mansion because of the importance he placed on you recently. If he didn’t smash a real one, fear is that someone might use you for articles later,” Li Mu explained.

This time, it was because of his carelessness and he had been caught with a weakness, leading to the trouble for Miss Tang.

So he had to act properly to make people believe the Crown Prince was truly tired of her.

The candlestick was just an inanimate object; smashing it didn’t feel much of a loss, but he didn’t expect the young girl to doubt his genuineness without a heart.

Tang Xiaobai, however, disagreed: “The attempt to use me for articles this time isn’t entirely because of the Crown Prince, I feel rather they want to force my father back!” As she spoke, she chuckled slightly, feeling a bit proud.

Her father was indeed formidable, not only did he not return, but also accomplished another merit, leaving the Emperor unable to act rashly.

What is called “powerful enough to intimidate the sovereign”? This is it!

Li Mu could also sense the young girl’s pride through the screen, and couldn’t help but smile slightly, echoing, “Duke’s martial prowess is formidable, not easily swayed by others.”

“Formidable martial prowess…” Tang Xiaobai murmured the phrase again, “Is it time to return to present captives?”

Li Mu responded with a “hmm,” saying, “It must happen.”

If not returning, Wang Maozhao also won’t be able to sit still.

…

“The leader of the Shuni Shi Tribe, Ashina Zhen, is Shabolu’s paternal uncle, logically should be escorted to the Capital… If captives are presented at the city gate, it indeed boosts military morale,” said Wang Maozhao with a long sigh, “With Duke Yan guarding the western border, frequent victory reports, there is no longer any worry, my concern is only for the Crown Prince’s health, and may the flourishing national fortunes and military might protect the Crown Prince’s well-being.”

The Emperor smiled slightly.

This old fox, he’s given all the reasons.

“Draft the decree—”

The Secretary to the Secretariat dipped the brush into ink, ready to write.

At this moment, suddenly outside the hall someone reported: “Your Majesty, an envoy from Tingzhou—”

Both the Emperor and ministers inside the hall were startled.

Why has another envoy come?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep