What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 85: The Interceptor

On New Year’s Eve, it snowed all night long, only clearing up by dawn.

On the first day of the New Year, the Duke Yan Mansion was bustling with joy and activity, calming down only by the afternoon.

As soon as there was a break, Tang Xiaobai was pulled by Miss Tang to visit Tang Ziqian.

When Miss Tang joyfully pushed open the door, the person inside, caught off guard, trembled and dropped a piece of food onto Tang Ziqian’s lapel.

Tang Jiaojiao’s face immediately turned sour: "Is your hand useless? How are you serving him?" As she ordered the maid she brought to take over and serve Tang Ziqian his meal.

Tang Ziqian, however, waved it off and instructed Ah Yuan: "Take it away, I’m not eating," then patted his lapel and smiled at Tang Jiaojiao, "It’s just a moment of clumsiness, is it worth your anger?" His temper seemed so good as if it wasn’t him having Ah Yuan kneel to feed him earlier.

Tang Jiaojiao glanced at Ah Yuan, who was tidying up the bowls and chopsticks with his head down, frowned, and asked, "Where’s Ah Xiao?"

Tang Xiaobai also cast a puzzled glance toward Ah Xiao’s room.

She had noticed when they came in that Ah Xiao’s door was closed.

Though it was winter and everyone’s door was shut, that room seemed particularly quiet, not even stirring as she and Tang Jiaojiao entered, as if no one was inside.

"Are you here to see me or to look for someone else?" Tang Ziqian laughed at her.

But it didn’t divert Tang Jiaojiao’s attention: "Go get Ah Xiao!"

Ah Brother was already reduced to having only two boys taking care of him, and one of them was shirking duty?

This matter was bearable for Second Miss, but certainly not for Miss!

Tang Xiaobai felt her heart skip a beat for no reason, instinctively wanting to stop this.

"Why call him over?" But it was Tang Ziqian who spoke first, "This room is so small, if he comes in, will he push you all out?"

Tang Jiaojiao was relentless: "Even if he can’t come in, he better stand at the door! I’ve been busy inside and out all morning, and this little slave knows to hide and enjoy leisure; does he think he’s the ancestor of the Duke Yan Mansion?"

"Ah Jie is right!" Tang Xiaobai immediately chimed in, "I’ll go teach him a lesson right now!" Saying so, before Tang Jiaojiao could react, she dashed out the door, intending to get to Ah Xiao’s room first.

As soon as she stepped out, she almost ran into someone.

The person quickly steadied her shoulders: "Second Miss?" It was Ah Xiao.

Tang Xiaobai hurriedly pulled his arm, lowering her voice: "Be good, Miss is angry!"

Dragged him to the door, she saw Ah Yuan squatting to help Tang Ziqian take off his shoes; in haste, she pushed Xiao Ancestor ahead of Tang Jiaojiao blowing up: "Quick, go serve the Young Master, take off his shoes—"

Before she could finish, Tang Ziqian suddenly stood up, almost knocking Ah Yuan over.

Tang Ziqian laughed "haha" twice, explaining: "I was just about to get up and take a walk!"

Tang Jiaojiao frowned with concern: "Ah Brother’s injury—"

"What does such a small injury count for? During the surprise attack on Yumu Valley in that battle—" Abruptly stopped.

Though he paused in time, both sisters’ eyes turned red, their snow-white little faces looking like two pitiful rabbits.

Tang Ziqian, slightly swooning, patted his forehead, laughing: "What does a big man getting injured matter? It’s not like it’s a deep injury, you see I’m alright now, aren’t I?" Saying so, he spread his arms and spun around, letting them inspect him, which made Tang Jiaojiao break into a smile amidst her tears.

After laughing, she seriously asked, with a somber look: "Ah Brother, do you have any suspicions about who attacked you last night?"

Tang Ziqian’s smile faded, and he unobtrusively glanced at the young boy standing at the door, lightly laughing: "The only one to suspect might be Cheng Zhidu."

Li Mu lowered his gaze, finding the situation tricky.

Cheng Zhidu was Tang Shigong’s vice general.

Such a great merit at the Battle of Yingsuo River, Tang Shigong gave it to Cheng Zhidu without a blink, showing intimacy.

If Cheng Zhidu betrayed, it wouldn’t just be a simple shake of confidence in the Northwest Army; Tang Shigong is still kept in the dark in Tingzhou...

"It’s not just Vice General Cheng—"

Li Mu suddenly raised his eyes, attentively looking at Miss Tang, who seemed hesitant after speaking.

"Who else do you think?" Tang Ziqian laughed in surprise.

"Zhao Jing." Tang Xiaobai said.

Tang Jiaojiao immediately showed a look of disgust: "Yes! And that lunatic! He has lost his wealth and prospects now, and is like a mad dog, not surprised if he bites Ah Brother!"

"He’s not dead yet?" Tang Ziqian’s expression changed abruptly.

"Escaped from prison, and is now missing!" Speaking of this, Tang Jiaojiao couldn’t help but grit her teeth.

"Escape from prison?" Tang Ziqian was surprised.

Escaping from prison is not an easy task.

Tang Xiaobai pondered for a moment and said: "Maybe he hasn’t gone far and is being hidden by someone."

Tang Ziqian scrutinized her for a while and said: "You mean someone is protecting Zhao Jing?"

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

"Who do you suspect?"

"Prince Jin!" Tang Xiaobai unhesitatingly threw out the name.

Although Prince Jin wasn’t her only suspect, having the chance to start with him was never wrong.

Tang Ziqian looked at her thoughtfully: "What use is Zhao Jing to Prince Jin?"

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t answer.

In the past, Zhao Jing was useful because he could understand the intentions above and willingly acted as the emperor’s sharp blade.

Given his background, once suppressed, he would be useless.

If he were still the Prince Consort, Zhao Jing might have had a chance for a comeback.

But such a good retreat was thwarted by his own actions.

Considering this, Zhao Jing seemed like a discarded pawn.

But she knew he wasn’t.

Zhao Jing was someone reborn with prior knowledge at his disposal – an advantage.

In power struggles, who doesn’t want an advantage?

Moreover, judging by the beggar incident, Zhao Jing’s time of rebirth should be after Tang Jiaojiao’s death, so he’s certain to be aware of future upheavals.

Such foresight is precious for Li Shu, the emperor, Li Xingyuan, and many others.

Any ambitious person wouldn’t care about minor grievances with the Duke Yan Mansion.

Thus, Zhao Jing had many options for allegiance, though he might prefer allying against the Duke Yan Mansion.

There are two forces aligned against the Duke Yan Mansion: the emperor and Li Shu father and son, and Prince Changshan and his son.

Commandery Prince Tang Ziqian, a valiant warrior, whom adversarial forces wouldn’t mind removing by any means necessary.

The present problem is, she can reason it all out in her mind but can’t articulate it.

Stifled for a long time, Tang Xiaobai could only dryly say: "Zhao Jing hates us, Prince Jin is just using him!" And added, "Father and Ah Brother have remarkable military merits; Prince Jin is afraid and uses Zhao Jing against us!"

This reasoning was a bit forced and immediately met with Miss Tang’s merciless sneer: "Many hate us, what’s Zhao Jing worth? If Prince Jin wanted to use someone against us, it wouldn’t be him!"

Tang Xiaobai pursed her lips: "Even if there are many who hate us, you don’t have to be so proud, Ah Jie?"

Tang Ziqian laughed heartily, patting Tang Xiaobai’s head: "Xiaobai makes a fair point!"

Tang Xiaobai blinked, waiting for him to continue.

But Tang Ziqian turned his face away, nonchalantly speaking to Tang Jiaojiao about something else.

Tang Xiaobai gave a light hum.

Nobody believes me!

...

"I believe, I believe what Second Miss says—"