What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 285 - 281: He Cannot Be a Virtuous Minister

Chapter 285: Chapter 281: He Cannot Be a Virtuous Minister

As the troops returned to camp, it was already nearing midnight.

The snow was still falling, accumulating over the tops of their feet.

Yet no matter how late or how cold it was, staying up on New Year’s Eve couldn’t be avoided.

Tang Xiaobai, Li Mu, Qin Rong, Gu Wei, Gu Hui, Tao Fen, Yingying, and the Mo Brothers were all gathered in Li Mu’s tent to stay up for the occasion.

Li Xingyuan was still in mourning and did not participate in this group event.

Lacking the convenience in the military camp, there was no grand feast; instead, three stoves were set up inside the tent.

One for warming wine, one for a hot pot, and one for brewing tea.

Gathered around the wine-warming stove were Qin Rong, Tao Fen, and Mo Huan.

Tang Xiaobai and Li Mu, who didn’t drink, ate from the hot pot with Gu Wei for a while. Seeing Gu Hui brewing tea, they went over to appreciate the elegant demeanor of the young tea brewer while chatting.

During their chat, the topic turned to Tang Jiaojiao.

As Tang Xiaobai mentioned her, Gu Hui’s hand trembled, spilling some tea.

"Cousin Hui... are you also afraid of my sister?" Tang Xiaobai asked softly in surprise.

Gu Hui blushed and murmured, "Not exactly afraid... it’s just... because of what happened with the Fourth Brother and Third Sister before..."

Tang Xiaobai nodded understandingly.

Previously, due to Third Miss Gu Gu Wan marrying Wei Sui instead of Tang Ziqian, the eldest miss almost cut ties with the entire second branch of the Gu family, treating Second Uncle Gu coldly.

So it’s no wonder the other Gu children were a bit nervous around the eldest miss.

"Should I write home to explain?" Tang Xiaobai turned to ask Li Mu.

"Just worried it might leak out." Gu Hui was saying as he lifted a tea bowl to place in front of Tang Xiaobai.

Halfway there, it was taken by Li Mu.

"It’s fine," Li Mu said. "You write it, and I’ll have it sent back." He motioned for someone to bring over pen and ink.

Tang Xiaobai nodded happily.

She wasn’t afraid of her sister being angry, only worried about the family being concerned.

Holding the pen, Tang Xiaobai pondered for a long while, and in the letter, she wrote, "Regarding the marriage alliance, Ah Xiao and I are aware. We will ensure sister is not wronged."

She didn’t mention anything else to prevent leakage.

After writing, she dried it and sealed it with lacquer.

Li Mu immediately took it and had it sent out.

Tang Xiaobai’s eyes followed the letter to the door, puzzled, "Why do I feel like I forgot something?"

Li Mu thought for a moment and shook his head, "No, you didn’t."

Both of them had gone over it; there was nothing else.

Hearing this, Tang Xiaobai stopped thinking about it and took a sip of the now lukewarm tea.

The tea was fragrant and delightful in the mouth, and Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but feel a bit envious.

The Gu children’s curriculum was very demanding; not only did they need to read well, but they also couldn’t slack in refined arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

For example, Gu Hui’s skill in tea brewing was quite exquisite.

Tang Xiaobai could not do such things.

All these years, she had focused so much on studying that she barely managed to learn some calligraphy.

She ordinarily didn’t mind, but thinking about it now, she suddenly felt she might be disgracing the Duke Yan Mansion a bit.

At least she knew the eldest miss was also knowledgeable in many high-class aristocratic matters.

Seeking some camaraderie, Tang Xiaobai quietly asked the little scion beside her, "Can you brew tea?"

If her little companion, who had stayed by her side since childhood, secretly learned to feign refinement, she would be upset!

The little scion’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he replied in a mild tone, "When we return to the Capital City, I will brew tea for you every day."

"No need!" Tang Xiaobai quickly replied, feeling relieved immediately.

With that answer from the little scion, it meant he couldn’t either!

Tang Xiaobai chuckled, "When we get back to the Capital, I want to learn how to brew tea too!"

Li Mu turned slightly to look at her, "Shall we brew alternately, you one day, me the next?"

Tang Xiaobai laughed, "We don’t have to brew it every day!"

"A pot of tea every morning, wouldn’t it be nice?"

Tang Xiaobai imagined it for a moment.

Morning tea brewing was indeed leisurely and elegant, and waking up to face such a beautiful companion—

"Sounds splendid!" Tang Xiaobai nodded, "After tea, I’d feel refreshed, just right to practice calligraphy!"

"If I have no official duties, I will accompany you—"

"Ahem!" Gu Hui couldn’t hold back any longer, "What are you two talking about?"

Tang Xiaobai paused, recalled, and suddenly blushed.

Indeed! What were they saying? Why did it sound like a married couple?

She buried her face in her hands, blushing, offering an awkward explanation, "Just thinking about the relaxed days after returning to the Capital... Ah... Cousin Hui, you’ll be secluding for exams next year, right?"

Gu Hui shook his head, "No need for that. I haven’t been back to the Capital for a long time, and my writings have not received guidance from the masters for ages. I’ll probably have to go out a lot to visit mentors and friends."

Tang Xiaobai felt a bit guilty, "I’ve wasted a year of your time..."

Gu Hui smiled gently, "We are siblings, don’t say such distant words. Furthermore, reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles, these days I have gained much knowledge," he said, gradually becoming pensive, "We scholars study to enter the court to serve, serving the sovereign above, comforting the people below. Without seeing the sovereign’s domain, nor knowing the people’s livelihood, how can we govern?"

Tang Xiaobai was moved, giving him a thumbs-up, "Cousin Hui, with such a genuine heart, will surely become an exceptional minister in the future!"

Just after she spoke, there was a light tapping sound from a side.

Turning her head, she saw the little scion placing the tea bowl on the table with a gentle tap.

That definitely wasn’t an accidental knock; it had to be a reminder of something.

Tang Xiaobai immediately understood and smiled brightly, "Ah Xiao as well!"

He looked calm and asked, "What about me?"

His beautiful eyes were filled with the hint: quickly elaborate!

Tang Xiaobai wasn’t unwilling, she just couldn’t help but laugh.

Gu Hui couldn’t help but laugh too and said, "Ah Xiao is skilled in both literature and martial arts, with remarkable achievements, far beyond my reach."

During their time in the Northwest, he truly couldn’t stand Qin Xiao, but for a young man who could drive the Turkic people from Mosen, having some eccentricities in temperament wasn’t a major flaw; he no longer felt uncomfortable around him.

"No matter how distinguished, he can’t become a wise minister," Tang Xiaobai laughed.

With such a temperament, being a wise minister was unlikely; he could only be a powerful minister.

Initially expecting the little scion to be pouty after this remark, he surprisingly softened his expression and quietly agreed, "Second Miss is correct."

Gu Hui originally wanted to defend him but, seeing him admit it himself, found it pointless and instead asked, "When will you return to the Capital next year?"

Tang Xiaobai also asked, "How far do you plan to fight?" It couldn’t realistically go on endlessly; penetrating too deep alone was risky, and it couldn’t be defended even if captured.

"Within a month, we will reach Surrender City," Li Mu had long planned this, "It doesn’t suffice to have them surrender here; reaching Surrender City, commands the Turkic tribes to deliver their submissions there."

"Surrender City?" Tang Xiaobai was slightly bewildered.

Li Mu thought she didn’t know and patiently explained, "Surrender City is located in the Northern Desert Grassland, near Gaoque Pass. In the Former Han, when the Xiongnu surrendered, Han Wu ordered Gongsun Ao to build Surrender City there, receiving the surrender at Surrender City, which was quite a sight."

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

She knew about the Han dynasty’s Surrender City; she had read about both the Southern and Northern Deserts.

But mentioning it now sparked an idea for her.