The woman’s scream was filled with horror and despair, piercing the eardrums painfully.

Tang Xiaobai instantly felt a chill all over her body.

Where was Mo Huan? Wasn’t he supposed to act according to the situation?

"Third Sister!" Princess Runan shouted urgently, pushing past Tang Jiaojiao to rush inside.

All of a sudden, everyone surged toward the courtyard.

Tang Xiaobai was about to go in too but was stopped by Qin Rong: "You’re just a child, what are you doing running into such a place for fun?"

"Am I trying to have fun?" Tang Xiaobai was anxious.

This was obviously a trap, a trap targeting Princess Hengyang, but it was unclear who the other person was.

Surely not Ah Xiao.

The little ancestor had just separated from her.

It probably wouldn’t be Tang Ziqian either—

"Mr. Tang!" An exclamation came just in time, perfectly slapping her in the face.

Tang Xiaobai felt even colder.

How could it be brother?

Qin Rong was also surprised and made a "huh" sound, standing on tiptoe to look inside, taking advantage of her height.

"Brother! You’re hurt!" Tang Jiaojiao was shocked and angry.

Tang Xiaobai shuddered and squeezed into the crowd.

Just as she squeezed through the crowd, she heard Tang Ziqian casually say, "Why did you bring the Princess here?"

Under the front eaves, Tang Ziqian stood leaning against the railing.

His collar was slightly open, revealing skin as white as autumn frost.

The sleeve torn by a sharp weapon dangled down, exposing a bleeding wound.

His long, fair fingers swiped over it, stained with blood, he took a look, and his thin lips curled into a wicked smile.

His eyelids lazily lifted—

And then he quickly wiped his hand on his body, covering his collar, taking back the cold smile, and frowned to reprimand Tang Jiaojiao: "How could you bring your sister too! Get back now!"

The dark and handsome young man’s demeanor collapsed in an instant, Tang Xiaobai even felt a bit out of place.

Tang Jiaojiao stared at his wound, gritting her teeth and nodding.

"Wait!" How could Princess Runan agree to leave?

She stepped forward, her gaze burning as she looked into the room behind Tang Ziqian.

"We’re looking for Princess Hengyang, did General Tang see her?"

Tang Ziqian laughed and said, "Does the Princess think I can see Princess Hengyang?" His eyebrows raised, his expression somewhat frivolous.

Even though Princess Runan was distracted, she was still blushing from his look, feeling both ashamed and angry: "Who’s in the room then?"

"Why? I’m getting intimate with my concubine in my own home, and even the Princess wants to interfere?"

Tang Xiaobai’s heart suddenly clenched tightly.

Where did Tang Ziqian get a concubine?

Could it be—

"Miss!" Suddenly a servant ran in from outside, gasping for breath, "We’ve found Princess Hengyang!"

"Where was she found?" Princess Runan asked urgently.

"At the West Garden Jade Willow Pavilion, Princess Hengyang drank too much and fell asleep there!"

The West Garden Jade Willow Pavilion was exactly the place Qin Rong mentioned earlier.

"I already said Princess Hengyang was there, but Princess Runan insisted on thinking Princess Hengyang was with General Tang..." Qin Rong laughed meaningfully.

Princess Runan’s expression changed several times and she left in a huff.

The crowd in the courtyard dispersed, and the farce came to an end.

Tang Jiaojiao still looked angry and pale, glaring at Tang Xiaobai: "What are you standing there for? Get back and entertain the guests for me!"

Tang Xiaobai wasn’t in the mood to deal with her, only staring blankly at the house.

There was no light inside, pitch black, and no sounds at all.

Tang Ziqian also looked back at it, remembering something, and suddenly his expression changed.

"Xin Yi!" he shouted, rushing into the room.

"Don’t come over!" A sharp shriek sounded.

Tang Xiaobai’s scalp tightened, and she rushed inside.

The room was not completely dark; faint moonlight seeped through the window curtains, shining on a thin figure by the bed.

The light followed after, and the girl’s face gradually became clear.

Her clothes hung tattered on her body, unable to cover her thin shoulders.

Her trembling hands were holding a blood-stained dagger, the blade tip menacingly pointing at herself.

Tang Ziqian was actually standing quite far away, far enough not to be threatening, but her wide eyes still showed horror. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Horror, and despair.

Tang Xiaobai’s vision suddenly blurred.

She stepped past Tang Ziqian, moving forward two steps closer.

"Ah Yuan..." she called softly, "It’s okay, come to me, it’s okay..."

Xin Yi’s gaze gradually focused on her, and gradually tears welled up.

"Ah Yuan... put the dagger down, don’t harm yourself..."

"I said, when you and Ah Xiao are with me, I will protect you... If you’re unhappy outside, you can still come back, it’s okay..."

Tear light gathered, finally flowing down from the corners of her eyes.

"Second Miss..." she croaked, her hands holding the dagger slightly loosening.

Just at this moment—

"Thud!"

A small shadow broke through the window, hitting Xin Yi’s hand.

The dagger finally fell.

Tang Xiaobai instinctively turned her head to look out the window.

The young man stood bathed in clear light, as jade glistening...

...

"You helped a lot just now..." Her voice was still a bit hoarse.

"Were you scared?" Li Mu asked softly, his heart filled with anger.

How could Tang Ziqian cause such a scandal in front of his sister?

The little girl shook her head, her eyes red, looking extremely pitiful.

Li Mu couldn’t help but give her a light hug on her shoulder, interrupted just before touching by a soft laugh.

He blushed abruptly, turning to glare at Qin Rong.

Qin Rong smiled, then glanced at Tang Xiaobai: "How could your brother be ambushed in his own home?"

Speaking of which, Tang Xiaobai was also angry.

The events of tonight were actually quite clear.

Princess Runan wanted to frame Princess Hengyang and Tang Ziqian, but somehow, Princess Hengyang was replaced with Xin Yi.

Although Xin Yi was indeed harmed, Tang Ziqian didn’t do it on purpose.

The doctor already diagnosed that he had been drugged and was undergoing acupuncture detoxification in his room.

Due to her young age, Tang Xiaobai wasn’t allowed to meddle in such troubling matters, so she could only watch from outside the courtyard.

But no matter what, this was Duke Yan Mansion’s family matter, even as the protagonist, should not interfere.

Tang Xiaobai composed herself, about to bid farewell to the guests, when she heard the eldest sister’s cold and angry voice from the courtyard: "Since when does Duke Yan Mansion’s business become something for Miss Qin to inquire about? Someone, see the guest out!"

Qin Rong wasn’t angry, didn’t argue, just smiled and looked at Tang Xiaobai: "When help is needed, you praise someone’s wit as unparalleled, now after using, Second Miss wouldn’t be so lazy as to not even send me off, right?"

Tang Xiaobai naturally felt embarrassed to refuse, so she, along with the little ancestor, walked Qin Rong to the door.

Just about to leave, Qin Rong turned back and said, "The maid earlier seemed a bit strange."

Tang Xiaobai’s heart tightened: "What do you mean?"

Qin Rong thought for a while, shook her head: "Can’t say exactly, just felt... unlikely..."

...

After seeing Qin Rong off, Tang Xiaobai stood there in a daze for a moment, suddenly called out: "Mo Huan!"

Mo Huan appeared behind Li Mu, smiling brightly, asking: "What are your orders, Second Miss?"

Tang Xiaobai asked, "Didn’t I tell you to follow them and act accordingly?"

Mo Huan showed an innocent expression: "I saw inside it was Mr. Tang and Miss Xin Yi, felt it seemed like no need to act accordingly, later Miss Xin Yi was unwilling, but still hurt Mr. Tang and pushed him back. So still no reason to act accordingly, who knew Miss Xin Yi would become so distressed..."