In the deep autumn night rain, the morning brings osmanthus flowers scattered all over the ground.
Tang Xiaobai had just returned from the Taiji Palace when she received a reply from Shanzhou.
"...Regarding the Yan Family, I also have suspicions, guesswork similar to yours, almost no different..."
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but laugh.
When she wrote to Li Mu about the Yan Family, she only ntioned suspecting that they held a secret of the emperor, but didn’t specify her suspicions.
She hadn’t said it, so how could he have the nerve to say he guessed the sa?
"...This matter is of great importance, let’s plan again after the battle, when I return to the Capital City..."
Tang Xiaobai sighed lightly.
Not knowing when he would return, there was no ntion of a return date in the letter, presumably because the battle is deadlocked and cannot be foreseen.
Reading further down, it was all idle chatter.
In fact, the Crown Prince’s letters were usually full of trivial chatter. When Tang Xiaobai wrote about various matters in the Capital City, apart from addressing so queries, the rest followed a single the: leave it to him.
For instance, the secret of the Yan Family ntioned this ti, and the arrangents in the Imperial College after their withdrawal, the Crown Prince replied: not important, don’t worry about it, wait for my return.
Even though it’s trivial, Tang Xiaobai still couldn’t bear to skip a single word and read it all.
The letter reflects its writer.
Sharp strokes filled the page with ramblings, like a young boy using a cool, reserved tone to coyly seek her attention.
How adorable!
The more Tang Xiaobai read, the more she couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth.
At the end, there was an abrupt sentence: "October is approaching, don’t forget."
Forget what?
Tang Xiaobai paused for a mont, then suddenly rembered and covered the letter, laughing.
Beside her, Tao Zi purposely whispered to Cheng, "Every ti the Crown Princess Consort receives a letter from the Crown Prince, she laughs so much she can’t close her mouth."
Tang Xiaobai blushed slightly, put away the letter, and walked past Lizheng Hall.
Tao Zi quickly caught up, "Does the Crown Princess Consort want to see the new batch of hides that arrived yesterday? There’s a batch of particularly fine Xuan Fox Fur..."
...
Tang Xiaobai intended to look at the materials, but after one round, she found it uninteresting.
Winter clothes are made every year, and every year they’re about the sa.
Even if she ticulously chooses the materials, it’s soone else who makes it, as she doesn’t have the skills herself.
But if it’s not personally made, it always lacks a touch as a birthday gift.
It’s the young master’s eighteenth birthday!
In her mind, that’s a coming-of-age, it can’t be too casual.
What’s more, the young master hinted so obviously in the letter, she had to put so thought into it.
As Tang Xiaobai pondered silently, while Tao Zi continued asking "Hasn’t the Crown Princess Consort found anything she likes?", Cheng had already understood, smiling, "The Crown Prince lacks nothing, what he wants is the Crown Princess Consort’s heartfelt gesture, why not make sothing yourself to give? His Highness would certainly love it."
Tang Xiaobai glanced at her, helplessly saying, "Don’t you know what I’m capable of?"
Can she make a problem for the Crown Prince? Or write an article?
Cheng naturally understood the Crown Princess Consort’s skills, so her suggestion was practical: "The Crown Princess Consort can string beads, or embroider a sachet or make a sword tassel."
Tang Xiaobai frowned, feeling none of it was quite right.
But Tao Zi imdiately agreed cheerfully, "A sachet sounds good! I see others giving sachets! Cheng gave one too, and Luo Xiong was so excited he couldn’t even walk!" earning a playful glare from Cheng.
Just as Tang Xiaobai was about to laugh, a sudden thought crossed her mind, causing the smile on her face to freeze slightly.
Then, she slowly smiled.
"A sachet is good." Tang Xiaobai nodded.
...
Preparing a birthday gift for the Crown Prince is one thing, but other matters can’t be neglected.
The next day, Tang Xiaobai summoned several individuals from this year’s Huntian Academy imperial examination recruits.
"The Yan Family’s failed attempt to ddle in the Imperial College may lead to retaliation. As you embark on your official careers, you must be extra cautious," she paused, her gaze passing over two of them, "especially those in the Imperial College."
There were only two appointed to the Imperial College, Luo Xiong and Zuo Yanhui.
As soon as Tang Xiaobai spoke, Luo Xiong solemnly responded, "We will be prudent and not give any opportunity."
After everyone had left, Tao Fen found an excuse to stay behind.
He started with his familiar approach: "Um... Isn’t the Crown Prince’s birthday approaching?"
Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile, "I know, I’m already preparing!"
"And what are you preparing?" Tao Fen asked curiously.
Tang Xiaobai did not answer.
"Senior brother, try not to associate with Luo Xiong recently," she said.
Tao Fen’s expression tightened, "Why?" Then he recalled what she had just said, "Is soone going after Luo Xiong?"
He suddenly slapped his palm.
"Indeed! Yan Yuezong didn’t beco the Imperial College Sacrificial Officer, and we don’t have a suitable candidate, so competition for positions below becos fiercer, Luo Xiong has a weak background, and he married Cheng, if not him, then who?"
This solo passionate reasoning left Tang Xiaobai silent for a mont before she replied, "It’s not Luo Xiong, it’s you—"
...
Tao Fen, having passed the imperial examination, beca an official in the Eastern Palace.
In terms of environnt, it was much easier compared to others.
It’s not that Tang Xiaobai and Li Mu didn’t trust Tao Fen to seize territory outside, but rather, Tao Fen carried a ticking ti bomb.
Tang Xiaobai estimated that this bomb might be about to explode.
...
In October, the imperial court traveled to the Hot Spring Palace.
Nearly half of the court went along, but Tang Xiaobai did not go.
This was her first experience with the emperor traveling to the Hot Spring Palace, though they often went to the Sumr Palace in the past, they had never gone to the Hot Spring Palace in winter.
Unfamiliar places always lack a sense of security, so Tang Xiaobai cautiously chose not to follow.
But so things can’t be avoided just by being cautious.
In late October, when the first snow of the year fell in the Capital City, riders from the Hot Spring Palace ca flying, carrying an edict and knocking on the Eastern Palace’s gate—
"The Ministry of Justice, by order, summons the Chief Historian of the Crown Prince’s Left Imperial Guard, Tao Fen, for questioning!"
...
The Chief Historian of the Crown Prince’s Left Imperial Guard is only of the Seventh Rank, so why would they need to issue an edict to summon him for questioning?
Issuing an imperial edict was simply to prevent the Eastern Palace from refusing to let him go.
Clearly, they ca prepared this ti.
It was widely known that the Eastern Palace’s relationship with the Taiji Palace was delicate, and though Tao Fen’s official rank was low, even the Crown Prince Li Mu addressed him as "senior brother."
The Ministry of Justice’s personnel were ready to be obstructed by Crown Princess Consort Tang.
However, the expected obstruction did not occur.
...
Cheng hurriedly entered Lizheng Hall, saluted and reported, "Chief Historian Tao has been taken away."
Tang Xiaobai responded with a simple "Hmm," and gestured her over.
Cheng slowly walked to her side and knelt down at one side of the desk.
Instead of the usual array of pens and docunts, the desk was laid out with a selection of small, exquisite weapons.
Tang Xiaobai was ticulously evaluating and selecting them.
Cheng stared blankly for a mont before suddenly asking, "Did the Crown Princess Consort anticipate today’s event?"
"Yes!" she replied nonchalantly.
Cheng’s face paled as an unknown thought crossed her mind.
Tang Xiaobai, her head lowered, did not see this.
After a while, she asked, "Which one do you like?"
Cheng was taken aback.
Tang Xiaobai lifted her head and smiled slightly, "Pick one, for your self-defense."
She remained dazed, not moving.
Tang Xiaobai’s eyes curved in a smile as she patted her on the head, "What are you thinking? Neither of them will be in trouble."
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