"You’re talking about Wang Zhaoji?" Tang Jiaojiao raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised.
After seeing off Princess Hengyang and Prince Xiping, as soon as they returned ho, Tang Xiaobai imdiately told her sister about the scene outside the city gate.
The one spying on her was Princess Hengyang’s biological mother, Wang Zhaoji.
When Wang Zhaoji was ntioned, Miss Tang showed a bit of disdain—but then, Miss Tang was dismissive of just about everyone.
"She’s from a collateral branch of the Wang Family. When Wang Maozhao was around, she didn’t benefit from it. Instead, when Wang Maozhao’s branch fell, hers rose up."
The Wang Family is a large clan; when one branch falls, countless others remain.
But after all, Wang Zhaoji’s branch is a collateral one, far less talented than the main branch. Even when they rose, it was only by a little and mainly due to Princess Hengyang’s marriage alliance.
Including Wang Zhaoji’s promotion in status.
"We have neither dealings nor grudges with Wang Zhaoji and her daughter. If not for the sake of the Wang Family, why does she have a problem with ?"
Tang Jiaojiao scoffed at her: "I have no dealings or grudges with many people, yet they still don’t like , don’t they?"
Tang Xiaobai was at a loss for words.
"With your background, your talent and beauty, and the Crown Prince doting on you constantly, isn’t it normal for so people to dislike you?" Miss Tang said indifferently, and then walked away.
Leaving Tang Xiaobai behind, her smile widening uncontrollably at the corners of her mouth.
Oh dear...
With her kind of talent and beauty... her sister actually complinted soone...
...
Although slightly flattered by Miss Tang’s complint, after calming down, Tang Xiaobai still felt she should remain cautious.
If Wang Zhaoji was confined to the harem, it wouldn’t matter.
But now, Princess Hengyang has beco Queen of the Turks.
The Turks were overrun and nearly destroyed by her father and brother; whether they truly submitted is another question.
However, just as Tang Xiaobai was pondering how to be wary of Wang Zhaoji, Wang Zhaoji stumbled disastrously—
...
"...Not sure what happened—Shu Family returned ho, her wound bled, and she developed a fever that night;"
"Your Majesty was resting at Yanjia Palace and hurried over upon hearing the news—"
At this point, Empress Yuan’s face displayed an extrely complex expression.
Both gloating and sowhat resentful.
"The next day, Wang Zhaoji was reprimanded and ordered to stay in confinent, though it wasn’t ntioned how long it would last... Your Majesty just returned from the morning court today, went straight to Liluo Palace, and hasn’t co out since."
Tang Xiaobai frowned unconsciously as she listened.
This sounds like a typical palace intrigue!
A reckless and dull old-tir facing a newly rising star, utterly defeated.
Is Wang Zhaoji really a reckless and dull old-tir?
After leaving the Empress Yuan’s palace, Tang Xiaobai thought it over repeatedly and decided to head to the Eastern Palace.
When the Crown Prince saw her, his expression was sowhat subtle: "It’s rely soone else’s harem affair, why bother going to see the Empress yourself?"
The phrase "soone else’s harem affair" amused Tang Xiaobai, and she pinched his chin while he was unguarded: "What? Do similar things happen in your harem?"
The Crown Prince frowned slightly, as if wronged: "Ah Jiao hasn’t entered the palace yet, where would I have a harem?"
"Oh?" Tang Xiaobai pretended not to believe, looking at him skeptically.
"If you don’t believe , feel free to check." He spoke seriously.
Tang Xiaobai laughed: "How am I supposed to check—"
Before she could finish her sentence, she was suddenly pulled inside by him.
"What are you doing?" Tang Xiaobai took two quick steps to catch up.
Li Mu didn’t say a word, diligently leading her further inside.
The front hall of Lizheng Hall is where Li Mu ets with courtiers. Beyond the central courtyard is his daily living quarters.
Li Mu only stopped after pulling her to the entrance of his bedroom.
"I sleep here every day. Beyond the Lizheng Hall, I’ve only been there with you," he glanced inside, "Ah Jiao can investigate my bedroom to see if I’m hiding anything inappropriate."
What should or shouldn’t be, it sounded really suggestive.
Tang Xiaobai blushed, stepping back: "I don’t want to know what you’ve hidden..."
She had just retreated half a step when he hooked her shoulder to stop her: "No way, if Ah Jiao doesn’t check, how will my na be cleared?"
Without a word, he pushed her into the bedroom.
She turned back in embarrassnt and glared at him.
The young man stood in the doorway like a blockade, eyes filled with playful mischief: "Crown Princess Consort, please go ahead!"
Tang Xiaobai’s face turned even redder.
This little brat, he must be trying to tease her!
Is she scared?
Tang Xiaobai cleared her throat, composed herself, and nonchalantly started to inspect the room, glancing to the left, then to the right.
Previously, she had been in the Young Master’s bedroom at Duke Yan Mansion; it was empty and sparsely furnished.
She hadn’t expected that even after becoming the Crown Prince, the bedroom would still be so sparsely furnished.
"Do you really stay here?" Tang Xiaobai muttered.
Behind her, Li Mu gave a soft "hmm" and said, "I only co in to sleep."
He spent most of his ti outside.
"You don’t even add so decorations," Tang Xiaobai continued to mutter.
"What would you like to add?"
Tang Xiaobai glanced around and couldn’t really say.
The Young Master wasn’t fond of incense, so there was no need for braziers.
The palace maids managed his daily clothing, so there was no need for clothes stands in the room.
As for antiques and decorations, he didn’t seem to have such hobbies either.
"How about placing a dressing table under the window?" Li Mu suddenly asked.
"Huh?" Tang Xiaobai didn’t react imdiately.
"I noticed that you have a dressing table by the window in your room."
Tang Xiaobai rembered he had once slept in her room.
"That’s not a dressing table. Sotis when I’m about to sleep, a thought occurs that I want to jot down, so I keep a table there to scribble down notes with eyebrow liners."
Li Mu nodded: "Then I’ll have a similar table placed here, so that in the future, if you want to jot down sothing before sleeping—"
Tang Xiaobai: ...
Suddenly, it felt like she was decorating a marital room.
So, she didn’t hold back!
"Let’s add a small incense burner, one of those decorative ones, not for burning incense, just for display!"
"Sure."
"And hang a sword on the wall, with tassels on the hilt!"
"Mm."
"And opposite the sword, hang a zither, as they complent each other!" Although she could play neither, she just wanted them!
"Sure."
"And the drapes, too, should have tassels, for aesthetics—no hurry to change them now, wait until after the wedding, when the bridal drapes are removed, then replace them."
When the Crown Prince heard the words "wedding" and "bridal drapes," his eyes lit up twice, then he continued to nod obediently: "Sure."
Tang Xiaobai felt slightly embarrassed by his response: "That’s it, let’s go out! I actually have sothing serious to discuss with you!"
"Let’s talk here—" he pulled her back again, "No one else is here, it’s perfect for serious discussions."
How is it suitable to discuss serious matters with no one else around?
Tang Xiaobai noted his hand on her wrist was warm, and tried to pull away.
As soon as she struggled, he let go but then wrapped his arm around her waist.
Bending down, he softly called her na: "Ah Jiao..." His throat moved, and his eyes were moist, innocent yet enticing.
Tang Xiaobai swallowed, but the corner of her eye caught sight of the large bed nearby, and she shivered, regaining her composure.
Being affectionate by a bed as a lone man and woman was highly inappropriate!
At the very least, they should move to the door, right?
So, she solemnly said: "I think—"
Suddenly stopped.
"What?" Li Mu followed her gaze to the bed and his expression changed slightly.
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