What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 398 - 394: Welcoming Old Friends
June 30th, early morning.
The city gate had just opened not long ago, and there were already carriages and horses coming in and out continuously.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, in the morning light at the edge of the plain, a slow-moving old mule approached, carrying a thin, dark-skinned man on its back.
The man looked about forty to fifty years old, with noticeably pronounced wrinkles on his forehead and at the corners of his eyes. He wore gray and white homespun clothes, appearing like a farmer, but his eyes held a gentle and profound gaze, as if meticulously crafted.
At the city gate, he dismounted from the mule, presented his travel permit, and led the mule leisurely into the city.
The city gate guard glanced at him again, thinking to himself: Is Fengzhou really this impoverished? A county officer looking like a peasant...
Just as he was about to turn his gaze away, he suddenly heard a clear and sweet young girl’s voice: "Mr. Lv!"
As soon as the words were spoken, all the guards at the city gate stood at attention.
The guard quickly followed suit, stealing a glance in that direction.
Beside the road inside the city gate, there was an extremely ordinary-looking carriage parked.
At this moment, the carriage’s curtain was lifted, and the girl’s face was as radiant as morning dewdrops and splendid clouds, sparkling and bright.
It was Crown Princess Consort Tang!
The guard quickly lowered his head, not daring to look again, suddenly recalling that the "old farmer" just now seemed to have the surname Lv?
At this moment, the "old farmer" with the surname Lv had already approached Crown Princess Consort Tang, smiling and bowing: "Is the Crown Princess Consort leaving the city?"
Tang Xiaobai shook her head and smiled: "I heard Mr. Lv was coming to the Capital City to report on his duties, so I came to welcome you."
Last year, the court designated Mosen as Fengzhou Prefecture, establishing two counties, and Li Mu bypassed the Ministry of Personnel to directly appoint Lv Xia as one of the county magistrates.
At that time, there were still many construction works in Fengzhou, and local officials had not yet had the opportunity to report to the Ministry of Personnel. It wasn’t until this year that they took the time to come to the capital to report on their duties.
Tang Xiaobai received the news of Lv Xia coming to the capital ten days ago and specifically inquired about the time to welcome him at the city gate.
Although Lv Xia was from the Qingzhou School, he was a rare diligent official who cared about the people’s livelihood, and Tang Xiaobai naturally respected him.
After receiving Lv Xia, Tang Xiaobai sent him to the Ministry of Personnel, chatting along the way about recent developments in Fengzhou.
The Ministry of Personnel Office was inside the Imperial City, and Tang Xiaobai escorted him to the gate of the Imperial City before they bid farewell.
As Lv Xia was about to go inside, he suddenly sensed something and turned his head to look towards the road entrance.
Tang Xiaobai also glanced in that direction and saw a woman.
A long black veil enveloped her entire body, covering her from head to toe completely so that not only her appearance but even her figure was obscured.
Yet, as if divinely inspired, Tang Xiaobai immediately guessed who she was—
...
"In that year, Mr. Lv also resided at Jinchang Village—"
In the private room of the teahouse, Tang Xiaobai looked at the woman who had already taken off the veil with a hint of probing.
Still dressed in white, her face like ice and snow, with her gaze lowered, showing no emotion. Even when responding to her, there was only a low "hmm," cautious and without a trace.
But for Tang Xiaobai, who had experienced that year, it was enough to understand.
Five years ago, she and her elder sister stumbled upon Zhao Jing hiding a beauty in a golden house, revealing Zhen Su’s existence.
Not long after, the palace messenger arrived at Zhen Su’s residence in Jinchang Village with the Emperor’s bestowed poison wine.
However, they found nothing.
Zhen Su was nowhere to be seen.
No one knew where she had gone.
After meeting Zhen Su again in the palace, Tang Xiaobai had specifically asked Li Mu about the incident of that year.
Even the Crown Prince was unaware of Zhen Su’s disappearance.
Until today, when Tang Xiaobai saw Beauty Shu, disguised and leaving the palace alone, outside the gate of the Imperial City, she suddenly remembered that Lv Xia had also lived in Jinchang Village back then.
So that’s how it was...
Tang Xiaobai mused internally for a moment and asked casually: "How did you leave the palace?"
Zhen Su remained silent for a moment and instead asked: "Isn’t the Eastern Palace short of people?"
Tang Xiaobai choked slightly.
Was it that obvious?
Even Zhen Su could see it?
"Why? Beauty Shu has a recommendation?" Tang Xiaobai asked with a nonchalant smile.
Thinking about the purpose of Zhen Su’s trip out of the palace, she couldn’t help but speculate: "Is it Mr. Lv?"
Zhen Su finally glanced at her and said: "He is Zheng Shidao’s junior, and now in everyone’s eyes, he belongs to the Eastern Palace, staying in the capital, how should he conduct himself?"
Tang Xiaobai smiled: "I never intended to let Mr. Lv stay in the capital."
The Capital City and the court are not suitable for honest people like Lv Xia.
"He only came to the capital to report on his duties, and he will return to Fengzhou in a few days." Tang Xiaobai said.
Zhen Su hesitated and said: "I heard that Fengzhou is harsh and cold..."
"It’s not that harsh and cold," Tang Xiaobai laughed, "of course, it’s not a particularly wealthy place either, but at that time, Mr. Lv volunteered to stay in Fengzhou," she paused slightly, "Hedong droughts, Yunzhou military disasters, Fengzhou’s desolation, Mr. Lv missed none."
Zhen Su was silent for a long time and finally said: "A good official like this, now under the Eastern Palace’s banner, I suppose you’ll protect him."
"Of course," Tang Xiaobai said, glancing at Zhen Su, "I still haven’t asked about your purpose for entering the palace."
Zhen Su’s eyes flickered, yet she remained silent.
"Don’t worry, no one will hear us." Tang Xiaobai assured her.
With Mo Ji overseeing, her private meeting with Zhen Su was safe, but having another opportunity like this wouldn’t be easy, so it was best to speak clearly while they had the chance today.
Zhen Su hesitated again, and just as she was about to speak—
"Knock, knock!" Two light taps sounded from outside the window.
Tang Xiaobai’s heart tensed, and she quickly signaled to Zhen Su with her eyes.
The light knock was a signal from Mo Ji.
Someone was coming!
Moments later, a chaotic and cluttered sound of footsteps echoed outside the door, amidst which the slightly anxious voice of a maidservant could faintly be heard: "Your Majesty—"
Before the words finished, the door to the teahouse’s private room was kicked open.
"Bang!"
Even though Tang Xiaobai had prepared somewhat, the noise still startled her, causing her eyelid to twitch. She calmed herself for a moment before calmly saluting: "Your Majesty."
Standing at the door of the teahouse’s private room was the Emperor, dressed in plain clothes.
The current Emperor followed the path of a benevolent ruler, often presenting himself as a kind and gentle elder in front of others.
It was precisely because of this insistence that the little wolf pup Crown Prince had bitten him numerous times.
However, at this moment, he seemed to have forgotten to maintain his persona, his face set in a cold expression as he scrutinized Zhen Su from head to toe two or three times before casting a sharp gaze toward Tang Xiaobai: "Why are you two here?"
While the Emperor was examining Zhen Su, Tang Xiaobai was also rapidly thinking of how to respond.
She didn’t know how Zhen Su left the palace, nor did she understand the Emperor’s motivation for coming over with such an imposing air.
One thing was certain, it was easier for the Emperor to handle a small beauty from his harem than a Crown Princess Consort.
So, to be on the safe side, she should bear more responsibility for Zhen Su.
Thus, when the Emperor asked, Tang Xiaobai only deliberated briefly before calmly answering: "It was I—"
"Just came out for a walk." The words were cut short by Zhen Su.
She was the same as always, cold and distant, like she was untouched by the mundane world.
The Emperor frowned at her: "How did you leave the palace?"
Zhen Su glanced lightly at Tang Xiaobai.
The Emperor’s gaze immediately followed: "The Crown Princess Consort brought Beauty Shu out of the palace?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Zhen Su lowered her eyes and did not deny it.
Tang Xiaobai was at a loss for words.
Didn’t even need her to take responsibility; it was directly pinned on her.
Then she’s rebellious!
"Beauty Shu said she hadn’t seen the bustling Capital City, begged me to take her out, I initially thought it was inappropriate, but Beauty Shu pleaded many times, so I reluctantly agreed." Tang Xiaobai said expressionlessly.
Zhen Su’s mouth twitched, but she remained silent.
"Not again." The Emperor said coldly.
His gaze returned to Zhen Su, and he suddenly stepped forward, taking her hand, "In the future, if you want to go out of the palace to play, I’ll accompany you."
Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
Rushed over without a word of blame.
The Emperor seemed to be quite attentive to this beauty whom he had once bestowed poison wine upon and had harmed her fiancé...
