On April 15th, the Crown Prince made a visit to Ren Zhi Palace.

From the Capital City to Fangzhou Yijun County where Ren Zhi Palace is located, the journey, if rushed, could be completed from morning to evening.

Therefore, on this day, at the crack of dawn, the ceremonial entourage of the Crown Prince and Pingyang Princess set out.

By noon, they stopped to rest, having covered more than half of the journey.

Li Yao got out of the carriage and walked towards the Crown Prince’s vehicle ahead, feeling somewhat nervous for some reason.

She had never met this Crown Prince face-to-face, and she had not seen the true visage of the Crown Prince during the few occasions when they were in the same setting.

She clearly understood the reasons behind this.

She was a Princess, her father was the Emperor, and she had many half-brothers; she wasn’t idly hoping for an unfamiliar cousin to inherit the throne.

Over the years, this Crown Prince cousin had been in critical condition from time to time, so she, like others, awaited the day when the Crown Prince would pass away, and Prince Jin, as the Eldest Prince, would take over the Eastern Palace.

But starting from last year, the circumstances changed.

The Crown Prince’s health improved.

Although he was still weak and reclusive, he was no longer at risk of dying, and occasionally he would issue one or two Imperial Prince’s Decrees. He was no longer completely excluded from governmental affairs.

This was a very strong signal, strong enough that even she, a Princess who had retired to a monastery, sensed something unusual.

Therefore, she felt that the Crown Prince leaving the Capital City for summer cooling this time seemed more like an exile.

If it weren’t for what Zhao Jing had said to her, she would have certainly thought the Crown Prince was really just leaving.

But now—

"Cough, cough..." From behind the layers of gauze curtains, a young figure slightly curled up and coughed twice, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Sister. I am doing alright."

Li Yao heard his weak tone and could not help but soften her voice, saying, "My maid has just prepared a new dish called Imperial Concubine Red. It has already been chilled. Would Your Highness like some to relieve the summer heat?" As she spoke, she took the tall white porcelain cup from the maid’s hand.

Imperial Concubine Red is a dessert drizzled with cream, especially suitable for eating in summer after being chilled.

Li Yao herself liked it very much.

However, she offered the dish with the intent to take the opportunity to see the Crown Prince.

Zhao Jing said that after Tang Jiaojiao came back to life, she conspired with Duke Yan Mansion and the Crown Prince in an attempt to rebel.

She asked Tang Jiaojiao why she went to Jinchang Village that day and had already sent people to investigate the man named Yao He.

She didn’t believe Tang Jiaojiao was reborn, but such major matters as rebellion, especially involving Duke Yan Mansion, she dared not make any rash decisions, nor did she dare to tell anyone else.

Coincidentally, with the Crown Prince leaving the Capital, she took the opportunity to leave together and sought a chance to probe the Crown Prince.

However, when she eagerly presented the white porcelain cup, the Crown Prince’s close attendant Cao He hesitated and said, "Princess, you may not know, but the Crown Prince should avoid sweets and cold foods..."

Li Yao stiffened.

Sweet and cold foods—this dish of Imperial Concubine Red contained both elements.

"Your kind intention is appreciated, Sister. I will accept it once my health recovers and savor your Imperial Concubine Red," the boy’s weak voice echoed from behind the fluttering gauze curtain.

Li Yao’s face flushed, and she was about to retract the white porcelain cup.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind came from behind, propelling her forward involuntarily, causing the dish of Imperial Concubine Red in the white porcelain cup to fly out of her hand.

Li Yao hurriedly lifted her head, just in time to see the porcelain cup collide and part the gauze curtain.

In that instant, the boy raised his eyes and looked startled, his features as exquisite as a blooming purple paeony.

Li Yao was momentarily stunned.

Then a cry rang in her ears: "Assassin—"

...

"...Attacked upon reaching Tianqi Ridge at noon!"

"Is the Crown Prince injured?" Li Mu asked.

Li Xingyuan smiled and said, "Since it was anticipated earlier, how could the Crown Prince suffer injury? However—Pingyang Princess received a minor injury and had a brief encounter with the Crown Prince."

"Oh!" The young girl exclaimed softly, "How minor is the injury? Is it serious?"

Li Xingyuan glanced sideways.

Since they were at Duke Yan Mansion, Tang Ziqian sat in the main seat, with him and Qin Rong seated sequentially on the right.

The Crown Prince sat opposite, but between Tang Ziqian and the Crown Prince, a young girl sat pretty, holding her drink, her eyes wide and black with concern.

"Why is she here? Aren’t we discussing serious matters?" Li Xingyuan questioned Tang Ziqian, perplexed.

Tang Ziqian also felt his younger sister’s presence here was inappropriate, but facing outsiders, inappropriate had to become appropriate, so he returned a look to Li Xingyuan: "Is there an issue with Duke Yan Mansion’s Second Miss being at Duke Yan Mansion?"

Of course there is an issue!

Li Xingyuan was about to continue objecting when suddenly, across from him, the Crown Prince cast a glance over.

He shut his mouth, changed his words, saying, "Not serious."

"Advise them to be cautious," Li Mu said.

Li Xingyuan responded with a "Yes."

Tang Xiaobai was both surprised and proud.

Her little ancestor actually surpassed the male lead? What’s going on? Is the female lead’s brother that impressive? The female lead herself hasn’t even said anything?

Just as she thought of Qin Rong, Qin Rong spoke up: "You anticipated the Crown Prince would face an assassination attempt? Do you know who did it?"

Tang Ziqian and Li Xingyuan both looked at Li Mu.

This anticipation was the Crown Prince’s own prediction.

But Li Mu didn’t directly respond, only saying, "It’s also concerning the Qin Family case."

The Crown Prince was sent away, the Qin Family case was reopened, showing the Emperor’s intent to support Qin Family.

Perhaps he admired him and Qin Rong, or perhaps he admired the Qin Family’s isolated status.

No matter what, this is his opportunity to openly develop on the court, hence, there will be those unwilling.

But they won’t confront directly, merely resorting to secret tactics, attempting to expose his identity prematurely to clash with the Emperor.

But Qin Rong wasn’t aware of his identity, only speculating on enemies of Qin Family: "Someone feels guilty like a thief, fearing the Crown Prince might seize the opportunity to escalate the Qin Family case for personal gain?"

Li Mu also didn’t reveal everything, saying, "It’s best to conclude this case swiftly."

With the Emperor’s decree, the Qin Family case ought to progress rapidly.

But subtly, the case files supposed to be sealed in the Ministry of Justice were incomplete, not to mention key evidence letters were missing.

Despite holding numerous officials accountable, not a shred had been recovered.

And the current witnesses, being old servants of Qin Family, lacked credibility, and the old servants’ concealed letters, being fake, couldn’t prove anything.

"Feng Pu is dead, proving my grandfather’s innocence, aside from the plotter of that year, only the owner of that Turkic Seal remains!" Qin Rong said.

At this point, Miss Tang, sipping her drink while listening, suddenly exclaimed "Oh dear," disrupting the solemn atmosphere of the discussion.

Hurriedly, she put down the cup, loosened a delicate brocade bag from her waist, and pulled out an item from it.

She glanced around, handing it to Li Mu, who was closest to her.

Li Mu took it, looked, and was surprised: "Four-direction Hall?"

She handed over a corner token; corner tokens are often used as passage credentials, and this one was from the Four-direction Hall.

And the Four-direction Hall currently detains the Turkic nobleman brought into the Capital by Tang Shigong.

"Didn’t my father capture many Turkic people this time? I just asked him if he’s seen anyone specific, and he gave me this so I could find out for myself—"