What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 424 - 420: Hoist with One’s Own Petard

Because of Tang Ziqian’s affairs, Tang Xiaobai felt a bit dazed on the way back to the palace.

Your Majesty glanced at her twice and then brought up Tang Ziqian’s assignment to guard the Northwest again: "Initially, the plan was for Li Xingyuan to stay in the Northwest. But since my brother has some thoughts, let them communicate to avoid misunderstandings. However, Li Xingyuan prefers to stay in the Capital City..."

"... It seems the title of Prince Xiping was conferred prematurely on Li Xingyuan. Ah Jiao, do you think it should be changed?"

When Li Mu mentioned this, he finally received a glance from Empress.

With her seemingly amiable smile, he felt a chill run down his spine.

"You went three times just for this?"

Li Mu fell silent for a moment, ultimately not daring to evade her question: "No."

"I heard that the West Ping Prince Mansion may have some kind of enchantment attracting quite a few people to run there!"

Again, she glanced at him with a seemingly agreeable smile.

This look differed slightly from the previous one.

It was like an enticing yet teasing reproach.

Her gaze seemed to produce hooks, fluttering lightly, grazing his heart before breaking apart, leaving his stirred heart with no landing place.

Li Mu momentarily ceased breathing, holding her hand to his heart, revealing the plan he’d hidden for half a month: "No, I just wanted to prepare a surprise for your birthday."

Only then did Tang Xiaobai remember that her fifteenth birthday was just four days away.

"What surprise?"

Your Majesty’s eyes struggled for a moment, then shook his head: "I can’t tell you yet."

Tang Xiaobai mischievously scratched the hand pressed against his heart.

He noticeably took a deep breath, moved her hand aside, pulled her into his embrace, and while nuzzling and kissing haphazardly, persisted in his stance: "You will know when the time comes..."

...

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Upper Festival.

The Upper Festival lasts for three days and nights without restriction, traditionally being the most bustling holiday of the year.

Normally, ordinary citizens are not allowed to set foot on Chengtian Gate Street in front of the Imperial Palace, but restrictions are lifted during the Upper Festival.

This year’s Upper Festival is the first since the new emperor’s ascension.

Before nightfall, Chengtian Gate Street was already packed with people eager to witness the emperor and empress’s presence—

Though this young imperial couple was already quite familiar to them, even in some sense, seen growing up by the citizens of the Capital City.

At Chengtian Gate, before the emperor and empress’s appearance, many below began reminiscing about the past stories of the new emperor and empress.

Things like writing memorials in front of the academy and causing a commotion at the Imperial College, among others.

Most frequent among the recollections, and most widely witnessed, was the scene of a masked handsome young man steering a carriage for a delicate little girl.

"Our Majesty and the Empress, they were childhood friends!" A loud voice shouted out from the crowd just as the imperial couple appeared, causing an abrupt silence in the surroundings.

The shouter shrank back into the crowd, but the words lingered in Tang Xiaobai’s ears.

"No such thing as childhood friends..." Tang Xiaobai muttered.

"Why not?" Li Mu questioned.

Tang Xiaobai blushed and said nothing.

She considered herself to have an adult’s soul, not conscious of such pure childhood friendship.

Yet, upon reflection, these years truly saw her grow from youthful ignorance alongside him.

The youth’s persistence had never changed, and she, too, gradually transitioned from doubt and hesitation to firmness.

Under the wide sleeves of the phoenix robe, Tang Xiaobai surreptitiously extended her little finger, seeking to hook his sleeve corner.

Just one hook, and another little finger accurately found hers, tightly interlocking.

Tang Xiaobai chuckled secretly, leaning slightly toward him, and whispered, "We are childhood friends!"

The emperor, initially facing thousands of subjects, suddenly glanced at her, his lips curling up; under the robe sleeves, his hand flipped, turning the finger hook into interlocked fingers.

At that instant, the tallest lantern tower below Chengtian Gate lit up, and from there, lanterns blossomed sequentially on both sides.

Splendid trees and flowers, a bridge of stars and iron locks.

Reflections of myriad lights, radiance of thousands of doors.

While Tang Xiaobai was mesmerized, suddenly the palace gate opened, and the dancing girls elegantly emerged in silken robes.

Strings, pipes, and drums in harmonious play.

A grand and splendid court music performance unfolded before Chengtian Gate.

Court music performances are composed of multiple parts, and tonight, Tang Xiaobai was unaware this show was planned, so she scratched Your Majesty’s hand back: "What’s this piece called?"

"’Thousand Autumn Joy.’

Thousand autumns typically symbolize birthdays.

Tang Xiaobai shook his hand, unable to restrain her smile: "Is this the surprise you prepared for me?"

But Your Majesty’s answer was unexpected: "No."

After speaking, he gently let go of her hand.

Just as Tang Xiaobai was taken aback, palace attendants presented a pipa from behind.

Li Mu took the pipa, adeptly lifted his left hand, the embroidered sleeve with golden dragon patterns slid down, revealing slender, strong fingers.

When did he learn to play the pipa?

Just as this question arose in Tang Xiaobai’s mind, she heard a vigorous pluck, with Your Majesty demonstrating his skill indeed!

Holding the pipa in his arms, his posture naturally stood as straight as pine and bamboo, with long lashes slightly lowered, and a demeanor of focused engagement subtly exuding tenderness.

His fingers on the strings were sharp and powerful.

This scene was mesmerizing.

But truth be told, Tang Xiaobai always had a pipa master sent by Li Mu by her side, and she had encountered many renowned pipa artists from the Imperial Music Office.

Though her ability to appraise was limited, she could tell Your Majesty’s pipa skill was probably lacking compared to the masters of the Imperial Music Office.

Nonetheless, the more it fell short, the more her heart raced.

Playing so poorly meant he clearly just learned it!

His birthday surprise for her turned out to be personally playing a pipa piece...

...

The court music performance was composed of several parts, and Li Mu didn’t yet have the skill to carry through from start to finish, only having practiced one portion.

Once done, looking at his empress, her almond eyes glistened with evident emotion.

Li Mu couldn’t help but smile, saying, "I only learned this section."

Empress Tang eagerly nodded, tugging his hand, her voice soft and tender: "To have practiced and refined this section in just a few days is so impressive!"

But then a hint of doubt appeared on her face, opening her mouth as if wanting to ask something, but refrained, with people all around.

Li Mu also had a question he wanted to ask her, so he led her away from Chengtian Gate.

Once they’d distanced themselves from the entourage, Tang Xiaobai approached him, whispering: "Did you go to West Ping Prince Mansion just to practice pipa?"

"Initially, I intended for Princess Li to perform for you, then sought her instruction." Luckily, he changed his mind; otherwise, he wouldn’t have won such emotion from his empress today.

The Empress seemed a bit jealous: "With so many renowned pipa artists in the Imperial Music Office, why ask Princess Li specifically?"

Li Mu gave her an innocent look: "Didn’t you praise Li Huaiyue’s pipa skills?"

Tang Xiaobai: ??? Did I praise her???

Li Mu, being remarkably astute, sensed something wrong upon seeing her expression, and his face immediately darkened: "Since that’s the case, what was the intention of praising Li Huaiyue in your letter to me?"

Tang Xiaobai: !!!

Oh no! Again she shot herself in the foot!