What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 423 - 419: Can’t Settle for Less

Tang Xiaobai left the palace, not to go to the West Ping Prince Mansion, but to return to her natal home, the Duke Yan Mansion.

It’s been nearly two months since the previous emperor passed away last year.

During these two months, she had been so busy that she didn’t have time to welcome her elder brother, Tang Ziqian, back to the Capital City.

Today, she finally had some free time and decided to go home.

Moreover, the marriage arrangement between Miss Tang and Li Xingyuan had finally gone into process. Although she couldn’t observe the whole process, she was keen to witness as much as possible.

Thus, she packed a cart with exquisite silks and jewels and happily left the palace for the Duke Yan Mansion.

After all, she was the Empress now. Even if she traveled low-key, upon arriving at the Duke Yan Mansion, she still received a grand welcome.

The mansion was full, but two people were missing.

Tang Xiaobai glanced around and asked, "Where’s brother?"

Her father was busy with official duties, but Tang Ziqian, being an external military leader, should be quite free after returning to the Capital.

"He went to the West Ping Prince Mansion." Tang Jiaojiao responded with an unpleasant expression.

Gu Ning, however, smiled with satisfaction.

Several thoughts spun in Tang Xiaobai’s mind, and she roughly guessed what was going on.

Her brother’s attitude towards both brothers-in-law was not particularly friendly. Especially since Li Xingyuan was still in the process of formal visits, not yet her brother-in-law; it was the best time to give him a hard time.

Based on Tang Ziqian’s character, he should have been waiting at home high-handedly for the prospective brother-in-law to come and curry favor, rather than running over eagerly.

Miss Tang likely thought the same, as she disdained her brother’s act of delivering himself to the door.

But... perhaps Tang Ziqian had some special reason?

For example—

"Does brother have a good relationship with Princess Li?" Having chatted with Gu Ning and played with Xiao Tang Ting for a while, Tang Xiaobai quietly asked her sister.

Princess Li was Li Xingyuan’s sister, originally Princess Zhen Ding, Li Huaiyue.

Earlier in the year, Li Huaiyue entered the Capital together with Tang Ziqian.

Due to her merits in defending the territory with the old troops of Prince Changshan and aiding disaster relief, she was conferred the title of Princess Changshan by Li Mu.

Tang Xiaobai had also met Li Huaiyue. She was a gentle and graceful beauty with a sisterly aura, appearing more reliable than her brother, Li Xingyuan.

Tang Ziqian was unlikely to have gone to the West Ping Prince Mansion for Li Xingyuan. After much consideration, it could only be to find Li Huaiyue, whom he met in Hebei.

But Tang Jiaojiao gave her a cold snort: "How should I know?"

Tang Xiaobai suddenly recalled something before leaving the palace and thoughtfully asked, "How many times has brother been to the West Ping Prince Mansion since returning to the Capital?"

"Three times!" Tang Jiaojiao answered without hesitation, clearly remembering it well.

Tang Xiaobai let out an "huh" and said, "During this period, His Majesty also went to the West Ping Prince Mansion three times."

Once before the New Year, twice after, also three times.

Tang Jiaojiao bristled upon hearing this: "Is the West Ping Prince Mansion enchanted? Is everyone being drawn there?"

Tang Xiaobai coughed twice, "Sister, don’t jump to conclusions. They might be visiting the Commandery Prince."

Tang Jiaojiao remained unconvinced: "Which one among them needs to personally visit Li Xingyuan?"

She had a point.

Tang Xiaobai also couldn’t quite figure out what this was all about at the moment.

"Why not we also visit the West Ping Prince Mansion to see for ourselves?" Tao Zi started to suggest again.

Tang Jiaojiao immediately rolled her eyes at her, "What for? Is the West Ping Prince Mansion some geomantically auspicious place? Do we all have to rush there?" Saying so, she called a maid, "Go to the West Ping Prince Mansion and say Her Majesty the Empress is here to visit the eldest son, and ask him to return quickly!"

...

She intended to invite Tang Ziqian, but in the end, all three came.

As soon as Li Mu arrived, he naturally held Tang Xiaobai’s hand and asked, "Weren’t you saying you’re tired the other day? Why not take some rest?"

Tang Xiaobai smiled wryly, "When I think about how Your Majesty can handle state affairs all day and still manage to run outside the palace, I don’t feel very tired myself."

Li Mu’s eyes flickered, "I was discussing the deployment of border troops with brother and Xingyuan."

"Deployment?" Tang Xiaobai was puzzled.

Since Li Mu’s ascension to the throne, he often consulted with her on state affairs as before.

They had a consensus on the current situation—

If it can be avoided, it should be avoided.

This idea arose because certain actions were unavoidable.

For instance, dealing with the Wang and Yan families, executing those to be executed, imprisoning those to be imprisoned, and exiling countless others.

However, these actions led to various problems.

The Wang family represented the old followers of Emperor Hui Zhao, while the Yan family represented those of the late Emperor.

The sudden downfall of these two families resulted in considerable unrest.

Under these circumstances, Li Mu treated others with leniency.

For example, Zheng Shidao and Wei Du remained in their positions as Prime Ministers, and Liu Tai, a trusted military general of the late Emperor, stayed in his position too.

With the Capital remaining still, why consider moving the border defenses?

"I wish to return to Liangzhou," Tang Ziqian interjected.

Tang Xiaobai was more stunned, "What did Father say?"

They had discussed this issue as early as last year.

The lineage of the Duke Yan had been deeply rooted in the Northwest for years. Further influence in Longyou and even the Western Regions would soon lead to people only recognizing the Duke Yan and not the Court.

Therefore, when their father decided to retire from the military, he also suggested relocating their elder brother to Hebei to lessen the Duke Yan Mansion’s influence in the Northwest.

Why regret it now?

"I’ve already mentioned it to Father, and he asked me to find a way myself."

Tang Xiaobai paused in surprise.

If brother had a justifiable reason to return to Liangzhou, their father wouldn’t have said that.

"Why does brother want to return to Liangzhou?"

Tang Ziqian smiled, "After spending so many years in Liangzhou and Shanzhou, I can’t help but long to go back after leaving."

Tang Xiaobai fell silent.

Longing deeply...

Indeed, not a convincing reason.

"Brother is well-versed in the military intelligence of the Northwest and is suitable for long-term stationing in Liangzhou and Shanzhou," Li Mu said. "These days, I’m discussing with brother and Xingyuan about establishing a horse farm in Liangzhou to supply military horses."

Since His Majesty the Emperor said so, Tang Xiaobai didn’t press further.

Before leaving, she couldn’t help but ask Tang Ziqian privately, "Brother, you’re not getting any younger. Do you have someone you fancy? I’d like to help you with the marriage arrangements."

Tang Ziqian chuckled, gently tapping her forehead, "What kind of sister arranges a marriage for her brother?"

The girl murmured "oh," staring at him intently, her clear eyes seemingly reflecting all his undisclosed secrets.

Tang Ziqian’s smile gradually faded, and he spoke softly, "I’m aware I should shoulder my responsibility as a brother, but..." His gaze stayed still for a long time before flickering, "But without an unparalleled beauty, I can’t just settle, right?"

With that, he patted Tang Xiaobai on the arm, smiled, and said, "Alright, stop worrying—" Then he suddenly turned to look at the corner hidden by shadows, "And don’t overthink it. If Jiaojiao didn’t insist on marrying Li Xingyuan, why would I have any dealings with the West Ping Prince Mansion?"

"Pah!" A soft rebuke came from the corner, followed by hurried footsteps receding into the distance.

Tang Ziqian burst into hearty laughter.

Sunlight scattered on his profile, filling the eye half-shaded in shadow with laughter, as if there wasn’t a hint of gloom...