What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 87: Why Does Xiao Bai Dislike Prince Jin?

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Why Does Xiao Bai Dislike Prince Jin?

"I hadn’t been out of Tingzhou long before I noticed someone following me in the shadows. So, I feigned illness, wanting to lure the snake out of its nest, but the other party only made a move once we reached Xianyang."

"Thus, I suspect that the other party was waiting for a more opportune moment—or perhaps, waiting for stronger support!"

The emperor listened quietly, then smiled and asked, "How is Ziqian’s injury?"

Although the topic shifted suddenly, Tang Ziqian wasn’t too surprised. He touched his wound and smiled, "I had already anticipated it, so it’s just some superficial wounds. The Imperial Physician has treated it, and as long as Your Majesty grants me a few months’ leave, I’ll soon be able to fight for Your Majesty again!"

The emperor laughed, "You had anticipated it, yet you still got injured?"

Tang Ziqian sighed, "I anticipated that the stalker would make a move, but I didn’t expect the number of assassins. They were three times more than what I had secretly discovered!"

The emperor furrowed his brow but quickly relaxed it, nodding, "You’ve had a tough time."

Tang Ziqian repeatedly said he dared not accept the compliment and expressed his loyalty a few more times before the emperor smiled again.

After the imperial court audience, they stayed for a celebration.

Fortunately, Tang Ziqian was injured, so he could just make an appearance at the celebration feast and then head home.

Upon reaching home and changing out of his court attire, Tang Ziqian was too lazy to sit properly. He leaned against a small table and lazily laughed, "His Majesty said he originally wanted to hold the archery ceremony at the city gate and invite envoys from all directions to observe," he chuckled, "using the Flying Tiger General’s Xuan Wood Bow from the time of the Grand Emperor!"

Tang Jiaojiao gasped, "Isn’t that going to aggravate Brother’s injury?"

"It would be more than just worsening the injury," Madam Gu’s face turned cold, "The Xuan Wood Bow requires an arm strength of 120 pounds. Even if Ziqian wasn’t injured, he couldn’t easily draw it. Given the current injury, forcing to draw the bow would probably cripple both arms!"

Tang Jiaojiao gasped again.

Tang Xiaobai was puzzled, "Since you can’t draw it even when uninjured, why not just admit defeat up there?"

Tang Jiaojiao glared at her, "How can Hero Brother admit defeat!"

The words just fell, causing Tang Ziqian to cough.

Tang Xiaobai still couldn’t agree with their pride and earnestly advised, "Brother, while pride is important, your arms are more important. Think about it; your pride is yours, but your body was given by your parents! Admitting defeat isn’t disgraceful! It’s filial!" Ha! She had pondered over what to say to these ancient people!

Tang Ziqian coughed while speaking, "Not... cough cough... Uninjured, I... cough cough... can still draw it..."

Tang Xiaobai shook her head helplessly.

Indeed, as stubborn as the eldest daughter, obsessed with saving face.

"Who proposed the city gate archery ceremony?" Madam Gu asked with furrowed brows.

The city gate archery, in front of envoys and Turkic captives, even taking half a step back would damage the nation’s dignity.

And it happened that Tang Ziqian was injured.

Such coincidence was suspicious.

"I don’t know yet," Tang Ziqian shook his head with deep eyes, "I will inquire carefully!" Suddenly, he noticed the young girl’s contemplative expression and couldn’t help but smile playfully, raising his brows at Tang Xiaobai, "Xiaobai suspects Prince Jin again?"

Tang Xiaobai mimicked his raised brows, "I didn’t say anything; Brother said it, indicating you subconsciously suspect Prince Jin!"

Tang Ziqian laughed, "Why does Xiaobai dislike Prince Jin so much? Did he bully you?"

Tang Xiaobai immediately perked up.

If you want to talk about that, I’m not sleepy anymore!

...

This conversation went on for half the afternoon.

Not that Prince Jin had so much dirt, but as they talked about him, Zhao Jing was mentioned, then the beggar Jia San. Eventually, the sisters recounted every good and bad thing that happened at home while Tang Ziqian was away.

Mainly focusing on complaints.

One said Yan Jingjing shamelessly entangled Sister making poems, the other said Gu Xiaoliu mocked her sister as fat and got deservedly beaten—

"Wait!" Tang Xiaobai raised her hand to pause, then glanced down at her little girl’s figure, "Where am I fat?"

She’s just got a normal little girl’s figure!

Though her arms are soft, her belly is chubby, and her face is chubby...

"Did I eat his family’s rice?" Tang Xiaobai felt angry.

She’s still a child! Clearly cute and petite!

Tang Jiaojiao nodded in agreement, "Xiaobai eats a bit more, but our family can afford it!"

Tang Xiaobai: ...

"Xiaobai is still little; she’ll grow out of it." Tang Ziqian smiled to comfort.

Tang Xiaobai: ...

No, she didn’t feel comforted.

Even after leaving Tang Ziqian’s place, Tang Xiaobai still felt vexed.

She’s still a child! She’s growing! Shouldn’t she be getting more nutrition?

Why does body anxiety have to spread to a child under ten? Is there any humanity left?

Speaking of which, is she lacking exercise?

Is there any sport suitable for her as a noble lady from ancient times?

As she pondered, she walked out the main gate of the Duke Yan Mansion.

Not even stepping off the stairs, she heard hooves clattering, wheels creaking, and a carriage stopped before her.

"Second Miss." The youth’s voice was cool and calm, easily pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Ah Xiao?" She blinked, her gaze swept over and her brows curved in a smile, "Practicing driving!"

Her little ancestor is truly self-disciplined!

Pride!

"What’s troubling Second Miss?" Li Mu asked, gazing at her intently.

Just now, when the little girl left the house, her delicate brows were knitted tightly, as if something was bothering her.

"Oh... huh? It’s nothing..." How to explain this? "Just wanted to ride a horse," Tang Xiaobai said.

The only exercise she could think of was riding.

But—

Her eyes swept around her courtyard; although it was big, it wasn’t enough for riding.

She’d have to go to the wild.

But she’s young, so going to ride outside requires someone accompanying her, which would be too much fanfare, not suitable for daily exercise.

Oh...

Li Mu saw her glance around the front courtyard and then outside, her gaze both yearning and regretful. He mused a moment and tentatively asked, "The weather is still early; shall I drive the carriage to take Second Miss out for a spin?"

Thinking about it, because of the new year and Tang Ziqian’s injury, the girl hadn’t been out to play for a while.

Eh?

Tang Xiaobai blinked.

Her little ancestor wanted to drive her out for a ride?

Of course—

"Alright!"

...

The carriage left the Duke Yan Mansion, turned left, and rode along Qinren Street east-west street.

The sun was slightly yellow, shadows of houses and alleys stretched long.

Few pedestrians on the street, the carriage moved slowly, wheels creaking, giving a sense of time’s slow passage.

Tang Xiaobai idly leaned by the carriage door, curtains half drawn, allowing her to chat with the new Junior Carriage Driver.

"Have you ever been to East Market?" Tang Xiaobai asked casually.

Going out, they needed a destination; theirs was to wander around East Market north of Qinren Street.

"No," Li Mu said.

Before leaving, Tang Xiao Bai had wrapped him in a thick fur scarf against the wind, then put on a hat, covering most of his face. Perhaps even Deng Liao wouldn’t recognize him on the street.

This little girl, always thoughtful for some reason.

"Whatever catches your eye, just say it, and I’ll buy it for you!" The little girl seemed in high spirits, after saying this, she then turned and waved her small hand around, "All of you too! If you fancy something, this Miss will buy it for you!"

"Thank you, Second Miss!" Inside and outside the carriage, more than ten people spoke in unison.

This chorus was slightly high-profile, as it settled down, it drew many glances and a brief silence.

Just then, a faint voice reached Tang Xiaobai’s ears—