This sudden declaration of love left Tang Xiaobai swallowing hard, caught between laughter and tears: "So, do you really want to go or not?"
The Crown Prince pursed his lips, remaining silent, his eyes still filled with a wistful longing.
His youthful deanor looked both innocent and amusing, making Tang Xiaobai unable to resist rubbing his face twice, smiling: "Of course, I’ll be reluctant and worried! But since it’s a decision you and Father made together, I must fully support it. I’ll keep my reluctance and worry to myself until you return safely triumphant."
"There’s no need to wait until then—" Li Mu’s eyes brightened.
"Hmm?"
"I’ve decided, we’ll go together!" His gaze was burning with excitent.
Tang Xiaobai was stunned.
Stunned for a long ti, not knowing what to say.
"What? You don’t want to?" Li Mu’s excitent faded bit by bit with her silence.
"I..." Tang Xiaobai felt a bit confused, thought it over for a while, and hesitantly said, "It seems unnecessary to go?"
War is no child’s play, following along wouldn’t provide any real advantage.
On the contrary, it might delay so matters.
"Throughout this year, the Eastern Palace has been setting up many arrangents in the court, the compilation of calendars at Chongwen Hall, the mapping at Chongren Hall, the Imperial College, Observatory, and Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and Nine Temples, all have just started. Even though the control of the Northwest Army is important, these cannot be neglected either—"
"Your father and Qin Xiao will look after those," Li Mu said.
"But I am the master of the Eastern Palace," Tang Xiaobai laughed, "What do you think?"
Li Mu fell silent.
What else could he say?
"I want to stay, oversee the Eastern Palace, manage Chongwen and Chongren Halls," she paused slightly, "and, uncover the spy within the Eastern Palace."
Since the exposure of the Gu Family’s concubine, there has been no further progress.
If the person was hiding within the Gu Family or Duke Yan Mansion, it would be one thing; her biggest worry was the person being within the Eastern Palace.
If both she and Li Mu left, who would be able to root out the deeply hidden individual from the Eastern Palace?
Li Mu naturally understood this too, and upon hearing her ntion of a "spy," his expression turned even more somber.
After a long silence, he embraced her: "Mo Ji will stay with you, I will co back as soon as possible!"
...
Once decided, Li Mu acted quickly, proposing to lead the expedition at the eting in Ganlu Hall the next day.
After a few days of discussions, a decree was issued, appointing Crown Prince Li Mu as the commander to lead the campaign against the Turks.
...
Eastern Palace, Guangtian Hall.
The palace attendants stood in line, the lanterns lighting up the place as if it were dayti.
As the second watch bell chid softly in her ears, Tang Xiaobai suddenly realized she’d been in a daze for quite a while.
Boxes were piled up in front of her, filled with clothing, accessories, and daily necessities.
All belonging to Li Mu.
Tang Xiaobai, although having sent people to the battlefield more than once, was packing for soone going to battle personally for the first ti.
But as this was a military expedition, Li Mu’s clothing was limited, with little room for selection, and other small items were even less necessary.
As Tang Xiaobai thought it over, she suddenly knocked herself on the head in frustration.
Traditionally, she should have asked for a protective charm for this little ancestor to take with him!
Though she wasn’t particularly superstitious, her romantic mind-of-an-ancestor surely would appreciate it!
But they were leaving early the next morning, and she had only just thought of it now, making it too late for any last-minute attempts.
Cheng Zi, ever understanding, noticed her furrowed brow, and whispered in her ear: "Why not choose a couple of comfortable sleeping robes for His Highness?"
Tang Xiaobai’s spirits lifted, and she cast an appreciative glance at her.
No wonder this married woman was more adept!
But then another problem arose—
Which of the Crown Prince’s sleeping robes weren’t comfortable?
At a glance, they all seed as though they ca off an assembly line.
Tang Xiaobai touched each one, eventually closing her eyes and randomly picking a few to have soone pack away, considering it her task of "preparing her husband’s gear for campaign" completed.
Just as she finished her task, the Crown Prince returned.
Tonight, the Emperor hosted a banquet at Taiji Palace to bid farewell to the Crown Prince and accompanying officials and military personnel.
Therefore, as her young lad, age seventeen, arrived at Guangtian Hall, despite maintaining an air of cold indifference, Tang Xiaobai imdiately noticed he’d had quite a bit to drink, taking steps more hurriedly than usual.
As the heir, Li Mu had many drinking opportunities but usually kept it moderate.
Even if he’d been drinking, upon returning to the Eastern Palace, he would take a hangover redy, wash up, and ensure he was free of alcohol before appearing before Tang Xiaobai.
Today was indeed a rarity.
As Tang Xiaobai stood up, he ca to her, looking slightly down at her, his eyes glistening: "What are you doing?"
His voice was hoarse and deep, inexplicably tender.
Tang Xiaobai blushed slightly, replying, "Checking your gear."
He gave an "oh," his gaze swiftly sweeping over the boxes in the hall, and asked nonchalantly, "What did you pack for ?"
Tang Xiaobai felt guilty, "Not much... I just checked..." Fearing further questions, she pulled him outside, "It’s late, let’s get so rest. You’ll have to rise early tomorrow!"
Li Mu said nothing, following her quietly and obediently, his eyes fixed on her, hardly blinking.
Once back at Lizheng Hall, hearing her call for the palace attendants to co in and serve him, he spoke again: "No rush, prepare wine, let’s have a small banquet with the Crown Princess Consort!"
Tang Xiaobai was surprised: "Didn’t eat enough? Or drank too much?"
"Ah Jiao hasn’t had a farewell banquet with yet." His voice suddenly softened, tinged with grievance.
Tang Xiaobai surrendered all at once: "Prepare the banquet!"
...
Wine and dishes were prepared for the small banquet, and the palace attendants withdrew completely.
Tang Xiaobai, noticing his gaze becoming slightly blank, assud he’d had quite a bit at the palace banquet, and poured only for herself.
"Here’s to our Crown Prince achieving victory and returning triumphant." She smiled and drank it all.
Before the cup could be set down, the Crown Prince was already embracing her.
With his arms around her waist, he rested his head on her shoulder, murmuring: "Ah Jiao, I can’t bear to part with you..."
Tang Xiaobai’s heart ached slightly, and she caressed his face: "I can’t bear to part with you either—"
"Then why won’t you co with !" He suddenly lifted his head, his eyes accusatory.
Tang Xiaobai was silent.
He truly had too much to drink, starting to babble without reason again.
But a self-picked ancestor couldn’t just casually brush aside: "I’m not going with you because I want to secure the rear for you in the Capital City."
The little ancestor who was just about to throw a tantrum imdiately quieted down, eyes brimming with tears, innocent and alluring.
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but gently stroke his eyes, softly saying: "You’re going to Liangzhou, I trust in your unbeaten bravery on the battlefield, but in the Capital’s court, the Eastern Palace remains weak. I want to stay behind, I won’t let anyone stab you in the back—"
Almost as soon as her words fell, Li Mu kissed her.
Separation and wine, both are perfect catalysts, painting the ends of the eyes crimson, leaving the breath hot and slightly intoxicated.
The late sumr night breeze carried the lingering heat, swirling over the skin exposed by her robes and bringing a chill, while the kissed areas beca so sensitive they shivered unconsciously.
This slight shivering went unnoticed by Tang Xiaobai herself, but the boy covering her halted suddenly as if electrified.
He slowly raised his buried head.
As their eyes t, Tang Xiaobai was dazed for a mont, then gradually realized, her face turning completely red.
The Crown Prince didn’t appear any calr, his pale skin resembling blooming peach blossoms, eyes still damp and carrying a hint of desire, yet soft and gentle.
"I’ve had a bit too much to drink today..." He looked down, avoiding her gaze, carefully adjusting her robe.
It was an ordinary statent, but it made Tang Xiaobai’s heart skip a beat, and she abruptly grabbed his hand.
"Do you... rember, on our wedding night, we didn’t drink... that much?"
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