What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 252 - 248: The Son-in-Law Density Is Too High
Yao He was not constantly pursuing him as Zhu Juyuan had claimed.
In fact, after helping Xue Shaojian uncover the spies, Yao He left Shanzhou.
"I heard Second Miss and Gu Fourth Son took the Southern route, so I went to the Northern route..."
Tang Xiaobai found it very intriguing.
This isn’t bad either... There are many potential suitors for brother-in-law...
"Since you went to the Northern route, how did you encounter Zhu Juyuan and end up chasing him here?" Compared to Tang Xiaobai, Tang Ziqian’s attitude towards Yao He was much colder.
His normal question carried a hint of high-handed questioning.
Yao He wasn’t angry, he smiled agreeably, "I doubled back to the vicinity of the Tuyuhun Capital and encountered Zhu Juyuan."
Tang Xiaobai’s eyes lit up.
Double back?
Yao He mischievously nodded at her, "I returned with the Northern Army, the Duke should arrive at the Dafei River in three to five days!"
...
Yao He followed the Northern route to track Duke Yan’s march, and met with Tang Shigong’s army at the end of June.
The Northern Army pursued the Tuyuhun Khan Murong Yun to the border of Qiemo, forcing Murong Yun into dire straits and ultimately resulting in his being killed by his own subordinates. They returned victoriously after that.
According to the pre-expedition agreement, the two armies were to meet at the Dafei River and capture the Tuyuhun Capital together.
When the Northern Army reached the west of the capital, they encountered Zhu Juyuan fleeing from Shanzhou.
Zhu Juyuan had fabricated a similar lie to deceive Tang Shigong, but by the time Yao He discovered it, he had escaped.
Thus, Yao He chased him all the way here.
Five days after meeting Yao He, Tang Shigong led the Northern Army to the Dafei River where the two armies successfully reunited.
Tang Shigong, always composed, did not seem too shocked upon seeing Tang Xiaobai; he merely looked at her for a long time, his untrimmed beard for several months revealing a barely perceptible smile, nodding, "This is our Tang family’s Ah Jiao."
That simple, plain statement made Tang Xiaobai’s eyes warm and almost brought her to tears.
Tang Shigong’s gaze lingered momentarily on the young man in Xuan Yi beside his daughter before withdrawing, proceeding to inquire about the Southern Army’s battle status and the rumors and spies in Shanzhou and Liangzhou.
Speaking of spies, Tang Ziqian appeared somewhat disheartened: "I had never doubted Vice General Zhu. Even at Nuanquan Post, I initially believed a third of what he said."
Tang Shigong patted his shoulder and said, "It’s not just you, even I was fooled by him."
"It’s a pity we couldn’t keep him alive, we still don’t know whose man Zhu Juyuan is." Tang Ziqian said.
At this, Yao He confessed with some shame, "At the time, seeing Zhu Juyuan so close to Second Miss, I couldn’t afford to hold back."
Tang Shigong nodded at him: "It was only natural, thank you for your efforts, Young Hero Yao." His attitude was polite but distant.
Tang Xiaobai felt a little pity for Yao He.
After her father and brother entered the Central Army Tent, she approached Yao He to console him, "My father just talks like that; you killed Zhu Juyuan to save me, my father is grateful to you."
Yao He amusingly glanced at her: "I know."
"You’ve helped us, and our Duke Yan Mansion will remember it," Tang Xiaobai hesitated before asking, "Do you want to return to the Capital City? With your skills, you’d be well-suited for the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of Justice."
Actually, the last time Yao He helped clear her brother’s name from the charge of murder, her brother wanted to repay him, but Yao He didn’t accept.
This time, he still declined, "I’m not after that."
"Then what are you after?" Tang Xiaobai became wary.
Being her brother-in-law still wasn’t quite right.
Yao He smiled and said, "I heard that Eldest Miss struck the Petition Drum to accuse the Heir of Prince Changshan of forcibly entering the Duke Yan Mansion and abducting Second Miss," his gaze shifting to Li Mu, "I just want to know if Ding Shiqi really knocked out the Heir of Prince Changshan on that day."
"Of course!" Tang Xiaobai replied without hesitation, "Are Ah Xiao and I the type to lie?"
Li Mu suddenly glanced at her, his expression complicated.
Yao He also looked at her, his expression uncomplicated, as if saying "you are."
But Tang Xiaobai stayed firm in her response.
The little ancestor definitely had early connections with Li Xingyuan, but could this be openly discussed?
Reasonably speaking, they couldn’t!
"Can you stop dwelling on such old matters?" Tang Xiaobai said seriously.
Yao He laughed, "I just like seeking the truth."
Tang Xiaobai comforted him: "The truth may be delayed, but it will never be absent." We’ll talk about it when there’s a chance in the future.
Yao He laughed heartily, "Then before the truth arrives, will Second Miss treat me to a drink?"
Drinking is easy!
Tang Xiaobai readily agreed, "Once we return to Shanzhou, there’ll be plenty of wine!"
Li Mu was moved, saying: "Since there’s nothing pressing, why don’t we return to Shanzhou first?"
Maybe Tang Shigong and his son still had to capture the Tuyuhun Capital, so it wasn’t necessary to follow them. It seemed better to return early to Shanzhou to rest.
As Tang Xiaobai pondered, a soldier suddenly ran past her.
In front of the Central Army Tent, he loudly reported: "Report—the Liangzhou Inspection Envoy has arrived!"
Tang Xiaobai was taken aback.
Liangzhou Inspection Envoy?
Xue Shaojian?
...
Xue Shaojian wasn’t the only one who arrived, the entire inspection team came along.
The Liangzhou Inspection Envoy represented the court’s inspection of the local area.
Although Xue Shaojian didn’t hold a high rank, Tang Shigong personally welcomed them.
After exchanging greetings, Tang Shigong’s gaze swept over Xue Shaojian, Gu Yuan, and Wang Jian, and he glanced at Yao He when turning around.
That single glance amused Tang Xiaobai.
"What’s so funny?" Li Mu, following her at the back of the crowd, asked softly.
"Did you see my father’s expression?" Tang Xiaobai couldn’t stop laughing.
Li Mu recalled and nodded: "The Duke seemed to have a profound look when he saw Xue Tenth Son."
"Not just Xue Tenth Son," Tang Xiaobai covered her mouth, laughing secretly, "My father’s look... hahaha... there’s a high concentration of potential sons-in-law on site!"
Li Mu: "???"
Tang Xiaobai laughed uncontrollably: "My father realized there are too many people wanting to be his son-in-law here."
After saying this, she noticed a blush rising on the little ancestor’s fair face.
Tang Xiaobai froze for a moment, then realized: "I wasn’t saying—"
She froze again, also blushing.
She hadn’t considered the little ancestor, but he included himself!
"My father doesn’t know—" Tang Xiaobai found it both amusing and a bit embarrassing, glaring at him, "You, don’t overthink!"
He nodded obediently: "I won’t overthink," pausing, "The Duke has sharp eyes."
He certainly knows.
...
"Why has Your Highness come?"
In the dead of night, Tang Shigong’s Central Army Tent was brightly lit, casting the silhouettes of two people sitting opposite each other on the tent fabric.
After discussing military matters, feasting with the envoy, and reminiscing with long-lost children, Tang Shigong dismissed others, leaving only Li Mu alone.
The two sat in the host and guest positions, with Tang Shigong addressing him as Your Highness, his eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, unabashedly scrutinizing the young Crown Prince before him.
Li Mu, becoming suddenly tense under his gaze, realized his forthcoming answer needed utmost care.
