What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 299 - 295: Even the Little Ancestor Has the Makings of an Emperor
In the fifteenth year of Taixing, in June, the construction of the Three Surrender Cities was completed.
An imperial decree ordered Prince Jin Li Shu, the heir of Prince Changshan Li Xingyuan, and Left Guard General Tang Ziqian to return to the Capital City.
When Tang Xiaobai received this decree, she was not very happy.
Tang Ziqian, due to his merits in the battle against the Turkic, was promoted from Left Guard Middle General to Left Guard General, and he should receive rewards upon returning to the capital.
In contrast, the others were not so fortunate.
For example, Li Xingyuan.
Prince Changshan Li Mingyi had been dead for over a year, yet Li Xingyuan had not been granted the title, and still remained merely a princely heir.
However, this time entering the capital, there was a high probability he would be granted his title.
The worst off were still the young master and his sister.
The decree ordering the dispatch of troops didn’t have their names, and the one retracting the troops still didn’t include them.
"Even if they don’t hold an official position, they could at least mention us!" Tang Xiaobai muttered.
"When we get back to the Capital City, someone will speak on your behalf," Li Mu comforted her.
Tang Xiaobai shook her head: "I feel like there’s a good chance they’ll burn their bridges with us once we’ve crossed them."
They said the young master should go back to take the imperial examinations first, and then give him both literary and martial acknowledgments. Later, another decree came, saying once Mosen was taken, they would grant him a title.
Now that Mosen has been captured, not a single word about giving him a title has been mentioned.
As expected, the emperor is indeed capricious, humph!
At this, Li Mu pulled out a scroll from the desk and handed it to her: "The decree that said they’d grant a title is still here. He won’t be able to deny it."
Looking at the decree, Tang Xiaobai suddenly remembered that the young master had once confidently pledged to be the top scholar, but for some reason suddenly lost the desire to pursue it.
When it comes to unpredictability, the young master was indeed a match for the emperor.
Does this roundabout mean the young master also has the potential to be emperor?
Tang Xiaobai was amused by her own wild thoughts.
"What’s so funny?" Li Mu asked.
"Nothing," Tang Xiaobai shook her head with a cheerful smile.
"Tell me, will you?" He insistently leaned in with his head, his bright eyes not just wanting to hear a tale.
Tang Xiaobai pushed his head away, glancing at Yingying who was standing nearby with her eyes lowered.
Miss Yingying had tried her best to stand as still as a statue, but the redness of her ears betrayed her as a living person.
Poor thing.
"I was just thinking I’ll soon see my brother, which makes me happy." Tang Xiaobai casually offered an explanation.
He "oh"-ed, but still fixed his gaze on her. From under the table, he reached out secretly and tugged at her.
Tang Xiaobai looked down.
Since the last time the young master reacted too... sensitively, she hasn’t dared provoke him.
However, counting the days, it’s been more than a month since they last had time alone.
She also...
She stole another glance at Yingying, cleared her throat, and said, "Yingying, could you... step outside for a bit? I need to speak to Ah Xiao... just for a short while..."
Yingying glanced at them, hesitating without moving.
Tang Xiaobai’s face turned red with embarrassment, and she raised her hand in assurance: "I’ll be right out!"
Only then did Yingying quietly retreat.
As the curtain fell and still wobbled, the young master moved towards her.
His clothing brushed against hers, and he leaned slightly closer, softly calling: "Ah Jiao..."
It was as if he wanted to say something, yet didn’t.
As if he wanted to move closer, but didn’t.
Tang Xiaobai hummed in response, then subtly extended her pinky finger to hook onto his finger.
This gesture was like a secret code.
He responded by locking their pinkies, and then lowered his head to kiss her lightly on her lips.
But just at this moment, a loud report sounded from outside: "Young Master! The heir of Prince Changshan and Miss Qin have returned to camp!"
"Let them wait!" Li Mu coldly retorted, turning her face back to him and continuing to kiss her.
He seemed anxious but slowed down once their lips met.
His palm held her face gently, like last time, exploring cautiously and affectionately.
It was a tender, inexperienced intimacy full of precious care.
However, there was no sign of him stopping anytime soon.
"Ah Xiao..." she softly murmured, but it was immediately swallowed.
But Tang Xiaobai tried to regain a sliver of composure and cupped his face, reminding: "You know, Prince Li will burst in."
Li Xingyuan already considered himself her brother-in-law, and if he entered the camp and didn’t see the young master nor her, he’d undoubtedly burst in.
"He wouldn’t dare burst in," Li Mu huffed softly.
"He might not, but I still need to go out!"
The girl’s eyes were coquettish, and her tone was playful, instantly captivating him.
Li Mu fell silent, letting her pull him towards the exit.
...
Upon Li Xingyuan and Qin Rong’s return, they could begin their journey back to the capital.
The route from Zhongshou City to the capital was almost a straight line from north to south.
They set out in June, passing through Shengzhou, Yinzhou, crossing Luziguan, and entering Fangzhou from Ziwu Ridge, and by then, it was already July.
Fangzhou was a bit unique.
Ren Zhi Palace was located in Fangzhou.
But they hadn’t reached Ren Zhi Palace yet, when they encountered another group.
"Brother?"
When Tang Xiaobai saw Tang Ziqian, she was dumbfounded.
Their route back to the capital didn’t intersect with Tang Ziqian’s at all, yet they met in Fangzhou.
It was clear Tang Ziqian had taken a detour.
Why take a detour?
Tang Xiaobai’s mind raced, immediately thinking of one possibility: "Are we escorting the Crown Prince from Ren Zhi Palace as well?"
"What’s the point of escorting him? Can’t I come just to see you?"
"Wouldn’t we see each other once we return to the capital?" Tang Xiaobai questioned.
Tang Ziqian was both amused and exasperated, gesturing for her: "Come over here!"
Tang Xiaobai stepped forward.
Tang Ziqian looked her up and down for a while, then said: "You’ve grown taller and skinnier."
"Have I?" Tang Xiaobai looked down at herself in delight, "How much thinner? Do I look better than before?"
The concern and sadness that had just surfaced in Tang Ziqian evaporated instantly.
"Look better how?" He playfully ruffled her hair, making her bun lopsided, "What are you wearing? Don’t you have any nicer clothes?" He complained while casting a dissatisfied look at Li Mu.
Li Mu kept his eyes lowered and didn’t speak, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
She used to be nurtured in jewels and fine clothes, and for over a year now, she’s only had a few plain men’s outfits to switch between, which was indeed too much of a hardship.
Once they returned to the capital, he intended to make it up to her properly.
"These clothes are fine!" Tang Xiaobai tugged at her attire.
Since leaving the capital last year, she had been dressing as a man, which was especially convenient.
But having traveled all day today, she might have looked a bit disheveled, which upset her brother.
Tang Ziqian finished complaining about her clothes and began to criticize her personally: "Have you not ridden properly? Your complexion is rough!"
"Is it really?" Tang Xiaobai was startled, quickly touching her face.
"No," Li Mu interjected, "He’s just teasing you!"
Tang Xiaobai touched her skin but felt nothing wrong.
But being away from home, she admittedly hadn’t paid much attention to skincare, so some roughness was normal.
Though she felt a bit heartache, Tang Xiaobai didn’t worry much: "No problem, I’ll fix it back home." She was still young and could easily recover!
Tang Ziqian, seeing her carefree demeanor, eventually gave a helpless smile, adjusted her skewed bun, and held her shoulders, examining her carefully for a while with a sigh: "As long as you’re okay."
Tang Xiaobai smiled with bent eyes and suddenly leapt into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Brother, I’ve missed you too!"
Tang Ziqian smiled, patting her back, but then his gaze landed on someone, and his smile suddenly faded.
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