What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 342 - 338: The Last Time We Met Was the Last Time
"Could it be someone we know?" Tang Xiaobai asked directly.
"For example?" Tao Fen hadn’t thought of that many possibilities.
Thinking of people they knew in the worldly society, Tang Xiaobai could only think of one: "Young Hero Yao?"
Tao Fen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "If it were Young Hero Yao, there’s no need for secrecy."
That’s also true...
"There’s no need to focus too much on who delivered the message," Tao Fen said, "In the worldly society, there are many people with unclear origins, who might have committed crimes before or have other reasons for hiding their identities. Generally speaking, if they don’t tell, we won’t ask either."
Tang Xiaobai nodded.
"But we still need to send someone to verify the authenticity of the message ourselves," Tao Fen added.
Tang Xiaobai nodded again, "The Crown Prince will send someone."
Tao Fen hesitated for a moment, then said, "Don’t forget to relay this message to His Highness the Crown Prince," giving her a suggestive look.
Tang Xiaobai was surprised, "Brother, you got the message and haven’t told the Crown Prince yet? Can’t you send a message to the Crown Prince?"
That’s not right!
Tao Fen is visibly part of the Eastern Palace, and even hidden projects like the Tonghua Valley were handed over to Tao Fen without reservation. How is it possible that there’s no contact method?
"Of course, I can, but I thought since you see the Crown Prince every day, you could just pass it on," Tao Fen said with a chuckle.
Tang Xiaobai: ...
"Who said I see the Crown Prince every day?"
"Seeing him every other day is enough," Tao Fen retreated a step.
"Not even every other day..."
"Then how often do you meet?" Now it was Tao Fen’s turn to be surprised.
"Um... the last time was the last time..."
"You didn’t see him yesterday?" Tao Fen frowned.
"No, the last time was about... two or three days ago? The day I went to find you."
"What about the time before that?"
Tang Xiaobai: ...
Suddenly, there was a feeling of letting the audience down.
Tao Fen sighed and said, "Then you have to see him today, right? You see, there’s a message to tell His Highness."
"The Crown Prince is very busy—"
"The Crown Prince is so busy he doesn’t have time to leave the Palace to find you. You should go to the Palace to surprise him!" Tao Fen persuasively guided.
Tang Xiaobai took a deep breath and earnestly said, "Brother Tao, actually, I’m quite busy every day too."
Tao Fen raised an eyebrow silently inquiring: What are you busy with?
Tang Xiaobai hesitated to speak then did, then hesitated again, "I do have things to be busy with." But it’s not convenient to say now.
Tao Fen sighed again, "Okay, I’ll go talk to the Crown Prince about this."
Tang Xiaobai wasn’t completely without time to meet the little ancestor, she just couldn’t cope with Tao Fen’s routine.
If everything needed a special trip, it really would be quite a waste of time.
So she didn’t explain and just let him go.
After sending off Tao Fen, Tang Xiaobai was just about to take Cheng Zi to the study when the maid Ah Song came in from outside, saying, "Cheng Zi’s mother is here, requesting to see the Second Miss!"
Tang Xiaobai halted in her steps and turned to look at Cheng Zi.
Cheng Zi’s face turned slightly pale, "She’s here to ask Second Miss to agree to the marriage proposal from the Bu Family at Huaide Lane."
"What do you say?" Tang Xiaobai asked, "If you don’t want to, I’ll turn it down for you."
Cheng Zi remained silent for a moment, then shook her head, "I don’t want to."
Tang Xiaobai nodded, "Go organize the study, I’ll come in a moment."
...
Cheng Zi’s mother didn’t have the sharp image traditionally associated with forcing a marriage. Though middle-aged, her appearance was clean and tidy, gentle and quiet, bearing some resemblance to Cheng Zi.
She used to serve beside Gu Ning, and now she is quite a reputable housekeeper in the mansion.
It’s precisely because of her status that her daughter serves Tang Xiaobai.
Cheng Zi’s mother spoke softly and coherently, "...Cheng Zi was granted the Su family’s favor to become a commoner, and a commoner can’t marry a servant, it’s no longer quite suitable in the mansion... the Bu family is also commoner, they have land... have studied, just like educated girls... although married before, had no children, temperament is gentle..."
Listening to her words, Tang Xiaobai didn’t hear anything amiss.
At least from Cheng Zi’s mother’s perspective, it might really be a good choice.
Yet, Cheng Zi herself was unwilling.
After patiently listening, Tang Xiaobai said, "Cheng Zi has been with me for so many years, she’s also literate, and I rely on her for many things in the future. Her opportunities are far beyond being a merchant’s wife."
This is the truth.
In the future, if she enters the palace to become a consort, Cheng Zi would surely become a female officer.
If there’s a chance, even participating in politics isn’t out of the question.
But these words are not ready to be said now, so Tang Xiaobai could only hint.
Cheng Zi’s mother might have been prepared mentally, hearing the gentle refusal, she wasn’t too upset, just showing a dim expression, sighed, "I know, Cheng Zi somewhat looks down on the Bu family, I’m also aware, the Bu family’s proposal to marry Cheng Zi comes with some intent to align with the Duke Yan Mansion, but the Bu family being merchants, at most seek profit, if it were those ambitious ones, they might have unforeseen intentions."
Tang Xiaobai became suddenly moved.
Just now, listening to Cheng Zi’s mother talk about the Bu family’s conditions, it seemed she had a very grounded consideration.
Now it’s more than just being grounded.
"Though I’m just a lowly servant, I know the Second Miss’s future wealth is beyond words, Cheng Zi as your close aide, who knows how she might be eyed by others. We women, our greatest fear is to marry the wrong person. I’d rather see her marry low than ruin her life by chance."
Tang Xiaobai remained silent for a long time and then said, "Go back first, let me think about it."
Cheng Zi’s mother obediently took her leave.
Tang Xiaobai watched as Cheng Zi’s mother left the courtyard, sighing, "Your mother is very clear-headed."
"What she says always makes sense..." Cheng Zi stepped out from behind the eaves, her expression complicated.
Though not explicitly stated, Cheng Zi’s mother was referring to Luo Xiong.
Luo Xiong often lingered outside the Duke Yan Mansion, seeking various opportunities to meet and speak with Cheng Zi, something Cheng Zi’s mother couldn’t be unaware of.
Born into a humble family, aiming for the imperial examinations, Luo Xiong is undoubtedly ambitious, or rather, has a strong desire for success.
Whether his approach to Cheng Zi was driven by ulterior motives, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t say for sure.
"No matter how sensible your mother’s words are, they are mere speculations. One cannot always be cautious and wise; sometimes, it’s necessary to take a gamble. Only ask yourself if it’s worth it before you do."
No relationship is without risk.
Tang Xiaobai herself knew this.
When she accepted the little ancestor’s feelings, she understood the risks involved.
But she felt it was worth it, so she tried.
Cheng Zi remained silent for a while but finally said, "If it were just about me, taking a gamble wouldn’t matter..."
She didn’t continue, but looked at Tang Xiaobai.
Tang Xiaobai held her forehead.
It was clearly a story about the two of them, how did it drag her into it?
"Think carefully on your own," Tang Xiaobai didn’t dwell on it, stood up, and walked toward the study.
As she had just stepped one foot into the study, maid Ah Song rushed hurriedly from outside into the courtyard, suddenly pausing.
"Second Miss..." She called Tang Xiaobai’s attention, then glanced at Cheng Zi, hesitating.
"What is it?" Tang Xiaobai asked.
Ah Song pointed outside, "Outside they’re saying, that, that something happened to who—"
