August 15th, the day of the full moon court meeting.

Tang Ziqian reported a sick leave due to a cold.

A minor ailment wouldn’t typically affect the emperor’s decision to have him accompany Prince Jin in suppressing bandits, unless someone knew it wasn’t a minor ailment.

The fact that Tang Ziqian was seriously injured was hidden by their side, and the only ones who knew were those who attacked him.

"Those people were quite courteous when they caught me, but when they saw Little General Tang, they pounced like mad hyenas, even more astonishing was that their weapons were laced with poison," Qin Rong tutted, "With such formidable fighters, their master must be someone important!"

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but ponder.

The plan to capture Qin Rong was premeditated, whereas Tang Ziqian’s appearance was by chance.

These people were courteous to Qin Rong but tried to kill Tang Ziqian—

Is this the heroine’s aura? Or is it the heroine’s aura?

"Could it be that those people captured Miss Qin just to lure Little General Tang to rescue her?" Li Xingyuan, with eyes that only a male lead could have, handsome and bright as the stars, glanced between Qin Rong and Tang Ziqian, showing a slightly sleazy interest.

Tang Xiaobai sighed.

When even the male lead crumbles, what else can she believe?

"I didn’t confront the Duke Yan Mansion’s eldest daughter on the street for Miss Qin." Tang Ziqian said leisurely, lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

"Neither did I!" Li Xingyuan retorted playfully.

Tang Xiaobai decided to turn directly to the person involved, "Miss Qin, so why did they kidnap you?"

"I don’t know. I hadn’t gotten any information from them when your brother appeared," Qin Rong said with regret, "It certainly wasn’t aimed at Little General Tang. I have no dealings with him—" she cast a sidelong glance at the aloof and silent masked boy and smiled, "Could it be for Ah Xiao?"

That smile was overly charming and seductive, causing Tang Xiaobai to freeze for a moment, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.

Why is she flirting with her own younger brother? Isn’t that too much?

But when she glanced at the little master, she saw him lowering his eyes, not speaking, as if he hadn’t noticed Qin Rong’s look, nor did he respond.

Just then, a shadow suddenly flickered in from outside the door and then flickered back out.

Because it was so fast, it only left a blur in Tang Xiaobai’s vision.

After the shadow disappeared, the little master had an extra note in his hand.

He opened it calmly, took a glance, and said, "No."

"What does it say?" Tang Xiaobai asked curiously, leaning in to see.

Li Mu simply handed the note to her.

On the note were just four words: "Prince Jin has not returned."

"This morning, Prince Jin left the city through the East City Gate and has not returned." Li Mu said.

Tang Ziqian opened his eyes, bright and spirited.

The East City Gate leads to the place where Qin Rong was kidnapped and held.

The fact that he has not returned means he did not attend the court meeting.

Just like him.

Turns out it’s aimed at Prince Jin, Li Shu.

Tang Ziqian laughed, "I wonder which fool will volunteer to suppress the bandits today?"

...

"It’s Prince Qing—"

Tang Shigong came to Tang Ziqian right after the court meeting.

By then, Tang Xiaobai and the others had already left, with only Li Mu originally living in the East Garden.

"Prince Jin’s unexplained absence from the court meeting, Imperial Censor Liu Fan impeached, Assistant Minister of the Secretariat Xue Qiao reported bandit troubles in Hedong, and Prince Qing Li Dong volunteered to worry for the emperor." Tang Shigong said.

Liu Fan is Wang Maozhao’s man, Xue Qiao has no bias.

Only Prince Qing Li Dong jumped in fastest and most prominently.

"Fool!" Tang Ziqian mocked.

Prince Qing Li Dong is the emperor’s second son, his birth mother is Yuwen Zhaoyi.

The Yuwen Family comes from a military background, once illustrious, but now lacking any outstanding talents to keep the household in power.

Prince Qing Li Dong is far inferior to Prince Jin Li Shu, which is precisely why the emperor wholeheartedly focuses his efforts on Prince Jin.

"If Prince Qing wants to wrest Hedong from Prince Jin, he shouldn’t have had the eldest son seriously injured." Li Mu said.

No capable people in the Yuwen Family; Prince Qing would have a chance to earn some merit if he took Tang Ziqian.

Tang Ziqian cast him a glance and said, "There’s no one else here, Your Highness, there’s no need to call me ’eldest son’, ’eldest son’, I’m humbled."

Li Mu looked back at him mildly, saying nothing.

"The level of Prince Qing, does Your Majesty not know? Therefore, no decision was made today at the court meeting on who would suppress the bandits in Hedong." Tang Shigong said.

"Actually..." Li Mu pondered, "For us, Prince Qing is more suitable than Prince Jin." More precisely, easier to control.

"Would Your Majesty give up on Prince Jin for Prince Qing?" Tang Shigong doubted.

Li Mu thought for a moment, then said, "Let Qin Rong disappear for a few more days."

A beauty trap is something anyone can use.

...

After sending off the Crown Prince, Tang Shigong sat down by the bed, checking the wounds as he said, "I’ve already started an investigation from Li Dong’s side, if it’s found that he was involved—" he stopped without finishing.