The carriage left Duke Yan Mansion, turning north directly towards the Imperial Palace.

Once it stopped, Tang Jiaojiao jumped down from the carriage without waiting for the maid to assist her.

She quickly took two steps forward, then turned back to help Tang Xiaobai.

As soon as Tang Xiaobai’s feet touched the ground, she was pulled along.

"Sister, are you going into the palace?"

Tang Jiaojiao seemed too preoccupied to answer, simply pulling her forward.

They passed Jiafu Gate, Yongchun Gate, and Changle Gate.

Ahead stood the main gate of the Imperial Palace, Chengtian Gate.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at Tang Jiaojiao with a thoughtful look.

She moved swiftly, her fiery red cloak fluttering before the solemn and majestic palace, making her look especially audacious.

But the hand that held Tang Xiaobai was icy cold.

Tang Xiaobai tightened her grip on Jiaojiao’s hand.

Her footsteps suddenly halted, and she looked back at Tang Xiaobai with a complex expression before releasing her hand and moving towards the west side of Chengtian Gate.

On the west side of Chengtian Gate hung the Petition Drum.

The young lady’s fair, delicate hand grasped the drumstick and struck the drum with all her might—

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

The drum sound carried far, shaking the Imperial Palace.

The attending imperial censor hurried out, seeing Tang Jiaojiao’s face darken, he shouted sternly, "Why beat the drum?"

The Petition Drum was established for the people to present grievances.

Though the eldest daughter of Duke Yan Mansion had no official rank, no one would consider her an ordinary civilian, much less believe she had grievances.

Tang Jiaojiao indifferently tossed the drumstick aside, lifted her chin, and articulated loudly—

"I accuse the Heir of Prince Changshan, Li Xingyuan!"

...

"In the eleventh year of Taixing, on April 2nd, a thug severely injured was hidden in Duke Yan Mansion, injured by my young sister... at that time, his identity was unknown..."

"In May of the twelfth year of Taixing... at Taihe Palace... he kidnapped my young sister at Pingyang Princess’s Villa, his shoulder injured, left abdomen with a red mole—"

"A red mole on his left abdomen?" The emperor finally lifted his eyelids.

"Yes!" Tang Jiaojiao replied loudly and firmly, "Because my mother recently wanted to arrange my marriage, she accidentally learned that the Heir of Prince Changshan has a red mole on his abdomen. I suspect Li Xingyuan is the thug who once kidnapped my young sister and me. Now, with my father and brothers not present, I implore Your Majesty to uphold justice for me!"

After finishing, she prostrated on the ground with a crisp sound, "Boom!"

Tang Xiaobai gritted her teeth and followed with a solid kowtow.

It really hurt!

Tang Xiaobai resisted touching her forehead, not expecting Jiaojiao reaching over.

She didn’t quite touch it, only hovering over it, while her other hand half embraced Xiaobai, eyes glistening, silent.

The pair of sisters, resembling delicate flowers, clung to each other tearfully, enough to soften even a stone-hearted individual.

The emperor observed them for a moment, his tone still indifferent, "A red mole on the abdomen... doesn’t constitute evidence."

Tang Jiaojiao lifted her head, her tone unwavering, "If Your Majesty could summon Li Xingyuan to the capital, I am willing to confront him face to face!"

The emperor pondered silently.

Tang Xiaobai discreetly glanced at the emperor’s expression.

Being so cunning, the emperor wasn’t easily readable.

But unreadable doesn’t mean uninterpretable.

Her sister’s accusation certainly wasn’t personal vendetta.

Kidnapping two little girls meant little; what might sway the emperor were Li Xingyuan’s two secret entries into the capital.

One involved the Crown Prince Mansion, possibly colluding with the Crown Prince; the other near the Summer Palace, hinting at spying on the emperor’s movements.

Logically, the emperor should be wary of these.

Then, what was his hesitation?

Tang Xiaobai thought for a while and asked, "Is it because the Heir of Prince Li is far in Zhenzhou, unable to be summoned to the capital for confrontation?"

When she first arrived, she heard Prince Changshan often defied court orders, leaving the emperor at a loss.

But having no solution and having no ideas are different.

The emperor definitely had thoughts.

"Why shouldn’t he comply?" Tang Jiaojiao scolded, "The Heir of Prince Su, the Heir of Prince Wu, aren’t they all in the capital? Why is Li Xingyuan the only one far in Zhenzhou? Isn’t my brother often away in Liangzhou? Yet he could be summoned to the capital anytime!"

"But the Heir of Prince Changshan may not be in Zhenzhou..." Tang Xiaobai continued, "If he’s truly far in Zhenzhou, who bullied us?"

The emperor gave her a deep look, sending chills from her bones.

As someone of his station, could he fail to grasp their insinuations and provocations?

The Heir of Prince Su, the Heir of Prince Wu, including the two sisters, were essentially kept as hosts in the capital.

Didn’t the emperor want Li Mingyi’s son in the capital?

There was no choice.

Tang Xiaobai clenched her palms, stiffened her neck, "If my brother were in the capital, he’d surely bring Li Xingyuan back for Your Majesty!"

The emperor assessed her again and said, "You may withdraw now."

...

Leaving Ganlu Hall, the sisters shared a heavy silence.

After a few steps, Tang Jiaojiao whispered, "It would be better if our brother were here..."

Clearly, they had provided the emperor an excuse, and though he wished to summon Li Xingyuan, without confidence in retrieving him from Li Mingyi, and not wanting to sever ties, he chose inaction.

If Tang Ziqian were available, he’d be the perfect choice for Zhenzhou.

Yet, if Tang Ziqian were present, they wouldn’t resort to exposing Li Xingyuan.

This time, deprived of familial support.

They unknowingly slowed, thinking of possible alternatives as they walked.

Tang Ziqian was apt for Zhenzhou, not only for competence but because he was their brother, renowned for defending family. Rushing to seize Li Xingyuan, legitimately so.

Besides Tang Ziqian...

"Cousin Tang!"

Turning back, they saw Gu Wei in Imperial Guard attire hastily approaching.

"I heard you beat the Petition Drum?" Gu Wei inquired.

Tang Jiaojiao nodded listlessly, "We’ll talk at home—"

"Yes! We’re accusing the Heir of Prince Changshan, Li Xingyuan!" Tang Xiaobai intercepted, glimpsing at a passerby nearby, indignantly declaring, "Li Xingyuan is the one who intruded Duke Yan Mansion to kidnap me. I’ve written to Qin Xiao; he said Miss Qin would investigate at Prince Changshan Mansion and won’t let Li Xingyuan off lightly!"

"Miss Qin?" The recent passerby was suddenly close by.

Wearing a purple robe with a jade belt, aloof and handsome.

"You mean Miss Qin is at Prince Changshan Mansion?"

...

In the thirteenth year of Taixing, on December 25th, Duke Yan’s second daughters beat the Petition Drum, accusing the Heir of Prince Changshan, Li Xingyuan, of secretly entering the capital and committing assaults.

In the fourteenth year of Taixing, on January 5th, Prince Jin, Li Shu, received a decree to leave the capital, heading to Zhenzhou.

"Li Shu actually went to Zhenzhou for Qin Rong?" Tang Jiaojiao relaxed upon hearing the news, then started to scorn.

Tang Xiaobai disdainfully replied, "What of it? Didn’t you drag your sister into water to save Li Xingyuan?"

They exposed it impulsively, without even briefing her first.

Humph, good thing she’s shrewd!

Tang Jiaojiao smacked her head in irritation, "Didn’t you drag me into water for that Qin Xiao brat?"

Tang Xiaobai pouted.

Fine, it’s even.

"Is Li Shu capable?" Tang Jiaojiao worried.

Tang Xiaobai was surprised, "You aren’t expecting Li Shu to help Prince Li, are you? He might just stir things up; Prince Li will need to handle it himself if in conflict with Prince Changshan."

According to her guess, altercations between father and son could exist; Li Xingyuan merely missed the first opportunity, his strength likely intact, perhaps capable of resolving things independently.

But things like these, who knows?

If they do nothing, they’ll remain uneasy.

"If he can’t handle this, I wouldn’t dare claim acquaintance." The eldest daughter, having cleared her mind, regarded even Li Xingyuan disdainfully.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaobai recalled, "Sister, how did you know Prince Li has a red mole on his abdomen?" Li Xingyuan showed off his muscles?

The eldest daughter’s face flushed, irritated, "How could I know? I just said it casually!"

Tang Xiaobai nodded, "You’re flustered—don’t hit..."