Tang Xiaobai’s kneeling caused a montary silence, a deathly silence, around her.
The hem of the Crown Prince’s luxurious robe moved slightly but he did not take a single step forward.
He placed his hands behind his back and looked down at Tang Xiaobai from above.
His eyes were dark and somber, and beneath his wide sleeves, his ten fingers clutched his palms tightly.
"I was not aware of Your Highness’s esteed status in the past and often offended you. I, a humble maid of a subject, am willing to accept punishnt, only asking that Your Highness not implicate my family." Tang Xiaobai lowered her head, secretly gritting her teeth.
Her kneeling this ti was truly full of effort.
Her knees were not well, her ankle twisted again, bringing tears to her eyes from the pain.
Tears?
Miss Tang lifted her face, pale, stubborn, with tears streaming down.
Tears should not be wasted.
Li Mu’s expression changed drastically, and finally, he couldn’t stop his steps and rushed toward her.
Tang Xiaobai’s expression also changed.
Was her acting too much?
Should she avoid him?
Just as she was in a dilemma, soone dashed out from the side, reaching Tang Xiaobai before Li Mu, and helped her up.
It was Tang Ziqian.
Tang Xiaobai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Tang Ziqian shielded her behind him and glared at Li Mu, "Ignorance is not a cri. If the Crown Prince has any dissatisfaction, direct it at !"
Tang Shigong also stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "As long as there is a man left in the Tang Family, we will not let the won of our family be humiliated. I am willing to take responsibility for my daughter’s offense. Please, Your Highness, grant rcy!"
Li Mu stared tightly at the glimpse of light purple fabric visible behind Tang Ziqian, his eyes red.
Just now when she kneeled, did she hurt her knees...
And her ankle—
"Escort the Second Miss into the palace to treat her injury!" The Crown Prince’s tone was cold and hard, his eyes showed malice, making it seem less like treating an injury and more like seeking revenge.
"No need to trouble the Crown Prince," Tang Shigong said flatly, giving Tang Ziqian a look, "Take good care of your sister."
Tang Ziqian understood imdiately and quickly picked Tang Xiaobai up.
"Thank you for Your Highness’s hospitality today. If there are any other instructions, I will gladly comply!" Tang Shigong cupped his hands, retreated two steps respecting protocol, then strode away with his two children.
Even from behind, their arrogance and domineering could be seen.
No wonder the Crown Prince standing there had reddened eyes from anger.
Gao Fu silently noted and excused himself with a bow.
...
Although he is her elder brother, it still felt awkward being held by the Crown Prince like that.
After walking for a while, Tang Xiaobai whispered, "Brother, let down. I can walk by myself, just more slowly."
Tang Ziqian snorted lightly, "Let you down, who knows if so people might go crazy?"
Tang Xiaobai had no choice but to cover her flushed face and play dead.
Tang Shigong and Tang Ziqian had rushed over from the governnt office upon hearing the commotion, without even riding horses, let alone a carriage.
However, just as they exited the palace gates, a carriage ca rushing toward them.
The man driving the carriage was burly and rugged. Before he even got close, his eyes eagerly looked toward Tang Ziqian’s arms and hurriedly asked, "What happened to the Second Miss? Did you hurt her while fighting?"
Upon hearing the commotion, Tang Xiaobai turned her face out, sowhat surprised, "Brother Tao, what are you doing here?"
Tao Fen stopped the carriage and sighed, "I heard there was trouble outside, and then I heard the Duke and General Tang went to the Eastern Palace. I figured you’d co out, so I brought a carriage to pick you up."
"Much obliged, Master Tao." Tang Shigong nodded at him, signaling Tang Ziqian to place his sister in the carriage.
Tao Fen observed Tang Xiaobai with a furrowed brow, "Where did you get hurt? Who hurt you?" He cast a suspicious glance at the Tang father and son.
"Nowhere, I just twisted my ankle accidentally before entering the palace." Tang Xiaobai explained.
Tao Fen nodded reassuringly, "I said, how could the Crown Prince bear to hurt you?"
Tang Xiaobai blushed and said softly, "Brother Tao, we’re back in the capital. Let’s not talk about this anymore."
Seeing the current situation, both the Eastern Palace and the Duke Yan Mansion seed to be consciously distancing themselves, and might possibly beco enemies.
Although Tao Fen did not know what had happened, the many changes today raised his guard, and he nodded in agreent without asking further questions.
After Tang Ziqian settled his sister, he said to Tang Shigong, "I’ll take Xiao Bai ho. Are you going back to the office, Father?"
By this ti, the servants had already brought up the horses for the father and son.
Tang Shigong got on his horse, shaking his head, "Go back, your mother must be worried sick at ho."
...
Upon returning to the Duke Yan Mansion, as soon as they entered the gate, Gu Ning, weak and delicate, ca out supported by the maids.
Tang Shigong rushed forward and pulled her into his embrace.
Gu Ning’s eyes brimd with tears, "Xiao Bai—"
"She’s fine, she’s back safely." Tang Shigong comforted her.
Tang Xiaobai: ...
My knees and my ankle...
Why do I suddenly want to go back to the Eastern Palace?
Though Tang Shigong was not swayed by beauty, he frowned as he settled Gu Ning inside, "Ziqian, go to the Eldest Princess Mansion yourself. The palace is unstable these days, get Jiaojiao out quickly!"
Gu Ning hesitated, "How can we get her out?"
Tang Shigong replied, "Feign an illness, but don’t let the Empress Dowager know."
Tang Ziqian complied and left.
Tang Shigong then turned to his daughter, "Even though he has moved into the Eastern Palace, he is far from becoming emperor. The emperor agreed to let him restore his status, believing that rather than fighting to the death, it is better to bring the battle to the court. Once in court, Li Mu is just a green youth with nothing."
Tang Xiaobai nodded, "I understand."
A force outside, and also insiders are necessary.
If Duke Yan Mansion didn’t have the Gu Family in court, it would be tough going too.
If Li Mu does not touch Wang Maozhao, Wang Maozhao will still help him.
Whether in the future he will have too much power is a matter for the future.
But he chose to personally bring down Wang Maozhao.
Moreover, Wang Maozhao is dead.
So now, the civil forces of the Eastern Palace are near zero.
"No matter the considerations, for now, we must keep our distance from the Eastern Palace." Tang Shigong said.
Tang Xiaobai nodded again and couldn’t help but ask, "How long must we keep this distance?"
Tang Shigong gave her a aningful look, "You’re only thirteen; what’s the rush?"
Tang Xiaobai blushed.
She was not in a hurry, just that she had promised that little ancestor to set a marriage upon returning to the capital...
If she were to go back on that promise now, who knows what kind of trouble he would cause.
"And Li Xingyuan, the Qin Family, Huntian Academy, these are all counted as being related to the Eastern Palace. Do not associate with them in the future—"
"Even the academy is included?"
"Lin Xujiji was originally supported by the Eastern Palace. In the future, he will inevitably help the Crown Prince manage the Observatory." Tang Shigong said.
"But the academy is not just Mr. Lin’s academy." Tang Xiaobai protested.
She hadn’t been to school for a long ti and really wanted to return.
Tang Shigong laughed, "Earlier you ntioned in your letter that you wanted to draw a map of mountains and rivers, including Mosen and Turkic?"
Tang Xiaobai paused, unable to help but complain, "So Father did receive my letters... not even a single reply!"
Tang Shigong patted the top of her head, "Once you finish drawing the map, it will almost be ti."
Tang Xiaobai nodded, then asked, "Can Prince Li inherit the title this ti?"
Tang Shigong dismissed it, "Those matters, the Crown Prince will worry about."
Tang Xiaobai lowered her head silently.
The Crown Prince at this mont probably only wishes to focus on her...
(The poor updates are my fault, sorry. Both you and I know that such updates are detrintal to the book’s performance, just... a bit helpless... but I will write every day and post as soon as a Chapter is finished.)
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