Taixing Year Thirteen, August Twenty-Fifth.

Duke Qing Li Dong and Left Guard Middle General Tang Ziqian were ordered to suppress the rebels in Hedong.

The time drew towards late autumn, the morning fog was thick and pervasive.

Li Mu saw Miss Tang approaching through the morning fog, the red patterns embroidered on her cloak swayed gently with her steps, threading through the white mist like sly swimming fish.

Who knows when she’ll swim over to him?

"I heard you’ve been at Duke Yan Mansion for several years, always sticking by Second Miss Tang?" a low laughing voice from Qin Rong sounded beside him.

Li Mu couldn’t be bothered to respond to her.

The young girl over there said something that made the others burst into laughter; Tang Ziqian even hugged her joyfully.

Li Mu hesitated whether to take the initiative and walk over.

But if he went over, he couldn’t talk privately.

"It’s not easy to climb high at Duke Yan Mansion! No wonder you’re heading to Hedong." Qin Rong laughed again.

With no personal power, how could one dream of winning the Duke Yan’s beloved daughter’s favor?

Li Mu glanced at her: "Qin Xiaoshang is missing, why are you going to Hedong?"

Qin Rong’s gaze flickered, and she laughed: "I can manage on my own."

Li Mu ignored her because Miss Tang was walking towards him.

As she got closer, he realized the red patterns were indeed fish.

"Is it pretty?" Tang Xiaobai spun around proudly when she caught him staring at her cloak.

The red koi swam lively as she spun, so adorably one might want to catch them.

"Turning the koi brings good luck!" Tang Xiaobai said proudly.

She specifically had this garment made, what a fitting day to wear it!

"It’s pretty." Li Mu focused his gaze on the edge of her cloak.

His stare made Tang Xiaobai think he fancied the garment: "Do you like koi too? Maybe I’ll have one made for you, to wear when you return, how about that?"

There was a bit of regret.

If only she were a bit older or had some special skill, she could join them.

Given her current state, she’s not qualified to accompany her brother as a caretaker.

"You can have it sent to Hedong." Li Mu suggested.

Tang Xiaobai shook her head: "The koi pattern is too lively, you’re off to suppress rebels! Wearing something so cheerful isn’t fitting, better wait till you return!" she said, appraising the small lord’s height and build.

Who knows how long it will be till he returns, by then he might grow taller, so the measurements need some allowance...

"Second Miss, I quite like koi too!" a stunning face approached from the side.

Tang Xiaobai wasn’t stingy with a garment and immediately nodded: "Miss Qin, take down your measurements for me!"

Turning back, she saw the small lord’s brooding eyes and pursed lips, clearly displeased.

Tang Xiaobai chuckled.

This kid, jealous even of his own sister? 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

She mischievously pulled something from her sleeve, slipped it into his hand, and whispered: "For you, birthday gift!"

Li Mu looked down at the item in his hand.

It was a small brocade bag; a pinch revealed its contents.

"Thought Second Miss might have forgotten again."

Tang Xiaobai chuckled, saying: "Dare I forget again?" With the small lord having prepared two seals, not carving out another would leave him frustrated.

Li Mu smiled faintly, taking out a small seal from the brocade bag.

Similar in size and shape to the one he gifted her, it too was of white jade, the handle carved into a—

Koi?

"This symbol brings good fortune!" Tang Xiaobai explained.

Koi, after all!

Seal and circulate, wishes fulfilled!

Li Mu murmured in agreement, diligently storing the seal away in his bosom.

Tang Xiaobai stepped back to observe him.

Because he was joining the military, he dressed differently than his usual school attire today.

A short teal coat, armed with guards and protectors, lending more strength than usual, with a whip at his waist and a dagger inserted, fully equipped in military fashion, the youth’s overly refined and beautiful features highlighted a hint of valor.

Her little young man, soon to be fifteen, nearly a grown-up.

Tang Xiaobai suddenly felt a bit melancholic, watched him for a while, and finally said: "Return safely."

Li Mu adjusted the collar of her cloak, saying: "Don’t let Yu Kuang call you sister."

Tang Xiaobai: ...

...

Tang Shigong observed the Crown Prince adjusting his collar, recalling the day the Crown Prince almost bowed to help the little girl put on shoes, squinted and asked: "What has Qin Xiaoshang been doing beside Xiaobai these years?"

Tang Jiaojiao curled her lips: "Xiaobai treats it like a treasure, cares for his meals, clothing, everything closely, carries him to read and write, fortunate he’s a Qin Family descendant, otherwise just a laughingstock!"

Caring for meals? Clothing care? Also caring for education?

Tang Shigong pondered for a moment, whispered closely to Gu Ning: "Is our Xiaobai longing for a brother?"

Gu Ning blushed, giving him a gentle push, as her eyes shifted to their eldest son walking outside, concern reappeared: "Ziqian’s injury... can Doctor Feng truly...?"

Tang Shigong comforted, stroking her shoulder: "Since he agreed, he can deliver."

Originally pushing along to let the "Crown Prince" go to Ren Zhi Palace to avoid the summer heat, also smoothing the way for future actions.

The people beside the "Crown Prince" were all ours, initially, bringing Feng Hua along was nothing, even bringing the "Crown Prince" out was no difficulty.

Unexpectedly, Pingyang Princess would accompany him to escape the summer heat, and stay till now.

Zhao Jing knows the secret of the real and false Crown Prince, wonder if he revealed anything to Pingyang Princess...

...

About three hundred miles north of the Capital City, autumn dyes the mountains, palaces stretch.

"Pingyang Princess seeks audience with the Crown Prince!"

"Princess, please wait!"

Li Yao stood outside the palace door, watching the eunuch quietly entering the lofty palace gate.

Inside, the hall was deep, the scent of medicine was pervasive.

She had followed the Crown Prince to Ren Zhi Palace for half a year now.

Initially, the Crown Prince refused her requests for an audience, but perhaps worn down by her daily persistence, he eventually met with her once.

One meeting opened the door for another.

To date, she had met with the Crown Prince countless times, exchanged words aplenty, yet still hadn’t uncovered anything.

Unsure if today would end without results again.

"Princess, please!"

The celestial robe swept over the high threshold, releasing a delicate, soft sound, notably clear in the silent palace.

"Cough cough..." Behind the screen of pines and cranes, a familiar cough reached out, weak but lingering with a slight, elusive allure, tempting one to explore behind the screen.

"Ah Jie is here." The young Crown Prince’s voice was gentle and weak.

Circumnavigating the screen, she saw the young Crown Prince draped across the couch by the window, his slender and graceful neck raised, skin pale as snow, a tear mole near the eye, frail yet charmingly debonair.

Li Yao moved to the front of the couch, took a seat, feigning a casual glance at the book near his hand, asked with a concerned face: "Is Your Highness coughing again? Has Imperial Doctor Feng examined you?"

...

"What if Pingyang Princess finds Doctor Feng missing?"

"Ah Wu will handle it," Li Mu said.