What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 83: Tang Ziqian’s Entrance

Amidst the swirling snow, Tang Xiaobai welcomed her first New Year’s Eve in this world.

But the New Year’s Eve banquet at the Duke Yan Mansion was only attended by the three of them, as Tang Ziqian did not make it back in time before the eve, leaving the New Year’s dinner for the Gu Family and Tang Jiaojiao to be somewhat absent-minded.

"Mother, where is Brother?" Tang Jiaojiao asked.

"Didn’t they say he had reached Qinzhou?" The Gu Family answered.

"That was yesterday’s news, shouldn’t he be in Longzhou by now?" Tang Jiaojiao asked hopefully.

"How could he be so fast? It’s snowing, it might delay him a bit!" Tang Xiaobai drank the specially prepared goji berry health drink in the mansion, enjoying the performances by the courtesans, and squinted in comfort.

Then Miss Tang tugged her hair and complained first like a victim, "Mother, look at Xiao Bai!"

"Why look at me? I didn’t pull anyone’s hair!" Tang Xiaobai retorted angrily.

Tang Jiaojiao gave her a glare, "Don’t you want Brother to come home soon?"

"Of course I do!" How dare she say she doesn’t? "But isn’t snow blocking the road quite normal?" She was just stating the facts!

The Gu Family smiled softly, "When Ziqian left, Xiao Bai was just seven years old, probably doesn’t even remember how Brother looks..." At the end, her voice lowered, her eyes slightly red, full of longing.

Tang Xiaobai silently lowered her head to eat.

Though the eldest son of the Tang Family was admired for his bravery and skill, she had never spent time with him, so there was less feeling.

Moreover, she remembered the book describing Tang Ziqian as "cruel and cunning, like a snake lurking in the shadows," not very easy to get along with.

And she wondered how he would make his entrance...

Just then, a maid came in from outside and whispered to the Gu Family, "Madam, Mr. Zhou has an urgent matter to see you—"

"Is Brother back!" Miss Tang instinctively screamed with excitement.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart stirred, thinking it quite possible too.

However, when Zhou Xun approached, his expression grew tense, "The servants just reported that an intruder was found in the mansion—"

What? Another intruder?

Tang Xiaobai was shocked, wasn’t the vigilance at the Duke Yan Mansion a bit lacking?

"I have ordered the guards to search, until the intruder is caught, I must ask the Madam and the two Misses to remain in the inner hall and not leave!"

"What kind of intruder? Black clothed? Masked? Seriously injured?" She just wanted to confirm if it was the usual scenario.

Zhou Xun gave her a complicated look and nodded silently.

"Where was it discovered?" Would it be the back garden again?

Zhou Xun’s eyes darkened, "In the Yuanxiao Courtyard—"

Before he finished speaking, a little girl’s exclamation was heard, "Ah Xiao! Where’s Ah Yuan?"

Tang Xiaobai grabbed Zhou Xun, her heart almost jumping out of her chest with anxiety.

Zhou Xun patted her arm soothingly and said, "It was Second Miss Ah Yuan who reported it—"

"Then what about Ah Xiao?"

If Ah Yuan was able to report it, she must have escaped danger.

What about Ah Xiao?

Would she stay behind to deal with the bandits and let others report it again!

As Zhou Xun’s eyes flickered, unsure how to answer, Commander Fu Lie’s voice came from outside, urgent: "Madam, Mr. Zhou!"

Zhou Xun’s expression changed, and he rushed out: "Caught them?"

Tang Xiaobai was inside the door, only hearing Zhou Xun’s question before it fell silent, and then Zhou Xun’s voice rang out again: "Please, Master Fu, seal the entire mansion, do not allow entry or exit!"

When Zhou Xun came back in, his expression was graver than before, but he bowed to the Gu Family and said, "It was a mistake by the servants, no intruders."

The Gu Family looked at him for a while, "Hmm," stood up, and softly ordered, "Tonight the weather is cold, send a pot of wine and two dishes to each courtyard. Except for Commander Fu’s men on night patrol, the rest should stay in their rooms and not move around."

Once the servants left as instructed, the Gu Family looked at Zhou Xun and said softly, "Let’s go—"

...

The Yuanxiao Courtyard was named by Tang Xiaobai.

This old courtyard wasn’t large, its location somewhat secluded, without adjacent independent buildings, making it even quieter.

At this time, only about ten guards were left outside the Yuanxiao Courtyard, and in the shadows of the snow, not a sound was heard.

Tang Xiaobai glimpsed Ah Yuan among the crowd, trembling, wearing only a small jacket, her hair tied hastily, as if she had hurriedly escaped, her eyes unfocused with fear.

But she couldn’t worry about Ah Yuan now, only giving a quick glance before following the anxious steps of the Gu Family and Zhou Xun into the Yuanxiao Courtyard.

As the Gu Family entered, they suddenly stopped.

In the stillness of the snowy night, even their footsteps were clearly heard.

Tang Xiaobai quietly peeked out from behind the Gu Family.

There were no lights in the courtyard, making it evident that Ah Yuan’s room was ajar, with a faint light seeping through the door crack.

The Gu Family took a deep breath and spoke with a voice still trembling slightly, "Light up all the lamps in the courtyard!"

She usually spoke softly, but this time her voice was exceptionally clear, resonating slightly in the quiet courtyard.

Almost as soon as she spoke, there was movement in Ah Yuan’s room.

Shadows flickered, and a silhouette blocked the light from the door crack.

Tang Xiaobai instinctively held her breath, and then "creak," the door opened.

The weak light inside the room outlined a tall figure, who leaned against the doorframe, not particularly upright but so languidly handsome, a saber seeming to be tucked at his waist, laziness mixed with an edge.

He paused at the door for a moment before stepping out.

The moment he stepped out of the eaves, the lights ordered by the Gu Family lit up, shining on his face.

Black clothes, no mask, perhaps removed.

His hair was messy, with a few strands hanging over his forehead, casting slight shadows.

His face was very gentle, the chin slightly pointed, like a beautiful boy from a manga she had seen before, sensually beautiful yet sinister.

The light made him squint, but he quickly grinned.

Before he could speak, Tang Jiaojiao shrieked and rushed towards him.

The bewitching beauty boy reflexively opened his arms to catch the approaching little beauty, the impact making him step back two paces, bracing against the doorframe before he chuckled lowly.

So it was him...

Even before seeing the person, Tang Xiaobai had some speculations.

He’s worthy of Zhou Xun protecting his whereabouts, and worthy of the Gu Family coming personally to meet him—

"Brother!" Tang Jiaojiao hurriedly extracted herself from his embrace, "You’re hurt!"

"Just a little wound—" Tang Ziqian nonchalantly pushed her away and took two steps towards the Gu Family, holding the hand of the staggering Gu Family and kneeling on one knee.

"Mother, your son has returned—"

...

Even though the mansion was under lockdown, Tang Ziqian still stayed in Ah Yuan’s room.

After tending to his wounds, Tang Ziqian donned the cloak just brought in, huddling his long limbs on the small bed, a smile lingering on his lips, allowing his family to inspect him eagerly.

"How could you... return like this?" The Gu Family gently touched Tang Ziqian’s freshly bandaged wound, tears that had just stopped welled up again.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at Tang Ziqian’s injuries.

She hadn’t seen the wound clearly, but from the bloody smell filling the room, she knew it was no light injury.

Coming back early, in disguise, heavily wounded, Tang Ziqian’s return was evidently perilous!