Chapter 10: The Hostage

Page (1/3)

Xu Huairen felt deeply wronged in his heart. He had merely been ordered to deliver a luminous pearl, so how had he suddenly become a murderer? Besides, wasn’t the eldest Miss Tang said to have died of a terminal illness? What did any of this have to do with him?

Tang Chaochao gave Xu Huairen no chance to argue. “As everyone knows, I opened my sister’s coffin yesterday.” At these words, the surrounding townsfolk murmured in agreement. The whole of Huaicheng was aware of this matter.

“I have spent sixteen years in the mountains, and though I am not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, I have learned much about herbs and medicine. I can still treat difficult ailments. I heard that my sister died suddenly from a terminal illness, but how could such an illness claim a life in just a few days? As someone who studies medicine, I was too curious. So, despite father’s objections, I opened the coffin myself.”

Hearing this, the townsfolk felt enlightened. So that was the case. Miss Tang was right—no illness, no matter how severe, could take a life so quickly. Poisoning seemed more plausible. There had to be some foul play involved.

Tang Chaochao observed Xu Luowan’s expression calmly and continued, “Sir Xu, do you know what I found inside my sister’s body?”

Xu Huairen was curious too, but this matter truly had nothing to do with him. “What was it?”

Tang Chaochao produced a small cloth bundle from her sleeve. “Why don’t you take a look for yourself?”

Xu Huairen shivered from the cold. Xu Jiaye immediately picked up the cloth bundle Tang Chaochao tossed over. In front of everyone, he unwrapped it. The curious crowd leaned forward to peer, but the contents were as fine as cow’s hair, and those standing further back could barely make them out.

Since the item was in Xu Jiaye’s hand, he could see it clearly. He had never seen such a tiny needle before and asked in wonder, “What is this?”

Xu Huairen recognized it immediately. This was a forbidden item from the palace. How could it have appeared here?

Tang Chaochao immediately knew that Xu Huairen recognized the object. She glanced at Xu Luowan, but curiously, Xu Luowan’s expression remained calm upon seeing the tiny needle.

Tang Chaochao remained composed. “Sir Xu, you must recognize this item.”

Xu Huairen nodded reluctantly, his complexion darkening. “This is a forbidden item from the palace, Miss Tang. Even if it was taken from Miss Tang’s sister’s body, that does not prove I am the murderer.”

His words were not without reason.

But Tang Chaochao’s next sentence sent a chill through Xu Huairen’s heart. “Do you know why my father did not discover the cause of my sister’s death? It was thanks to the luminous pearl you delivered that preserved her body, making it impossible for others to detect the foul play.”

At this point, almost the entire truth was clear.

Page (2/3)

The townsfolk around immediately shouted in anger. “I knew it! How could the eldest Miss Tang die suddenly? It must be the doing of this corrupt official!”

“Second Miss Tang, kill him! Avenge the eldest Miss!”

Xu Huairen heard the righteous fury of the crowd and felt bitter in his heart. But he couldn’t say he was just following orders. If something went wrong, they could blame the one who gave the order—but that would be asking for his life. Could he say that? No. Even if it was that person’s will, he alone had to bear the blame.

Xu Huairen thought this way, but Xu Jiaye, the naïve youth, disagreed. He argued, “Mistress, no, Lady Chao, don’t say that. Father was only following orders. How can they put this blame directly on his head?”

Tang Chaochao raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying the one who ordered the delivery of the luminous pearl is the murderer of my sister?”

Xu Jiaye immediately realized his mistake and opened his mouth to refute, but Xu Huairen stopped him. “Second Miss Tang, there are definitely problems in this matter, but I am not the murderer of your sister. Please allow me to leave. I will report to His Majesty truthfully and order a thorough investigation. Justice will be served for the General’s family.”

Having served as an official for decades, Xu Huairen knew how much Emperor Kangjian valued General Tang Wu. There was no way he would send someone to kill his daughter. Besides, what purpose would killing General Tang’s daughter serve?

Tang Chaochao smiled coldly. “I want to believe you, Sir Xu, and I would let you leave Huaicheng. But how do I know you won’t flee to escape guilt?”

Xu Huairen understood her meaning clearly. His gaze fell on his son, Xu Jiaye, who immediately felt a bad premonition upon hearing his father speak.

“If Second Miss Tang is not at ease, I will leave my only son here as a hostage,” Xu Huairen said.

A hostage was a good idea. She needed someone to relay news back to the capital. Xu Huairen was a good candidate. But one hostage was not enough.

Tang Chaochao pointed at Xu Luowan. “She must stay as well!”

Before Xu Huairen could speak, Xu Luowan cried out in shock. “Why?”

Tang Chaochao ignored Xu Luowan’s outburst and looked at Xu Huairen for his answer.

As expected, Xu Huairen nodded. His niece’s father was only a minor official of sixth rank in the capital, but if he died here, the entire Xu family would decline. What harm was there in leaving a niece behind? Even if she died here, it would be better than losing their vast family fortune.

Page (3/3)

The Xu family was not the Tang family, who had only two daughters, one of whom had died. Tang Chaochao was reaching for the stars in the sky, and he believed Tang Wu would help her grasp them.

Having achieved her goal, Tang Chaochao raised her chin. “Very well, Sir Xu, take a hot bath and depart for the capital as soon as possible!”

Supported by servants, Xu Huairen rose and glanced at his son. “You really are my own father!” Xu Jiaye pouted, wanting to cry but unable to shed tears. He had been sold out by his own father. Indeed, when disaster strikes, everyone flees.

Xu Luowan wanted to leave with them, but Tang Chaochao blocked her way.

Xu Luowan immediately stamped her foot. “So what if you’re General Tang’s daughter? Detaining a daughter of a court official is illegal, do you know that?”

Tang Chaochao glanced at her with mockery. “No, I don’t.”

Xu Luowan was furious. “You—”

Tang Chaochao was too lazy to waste words. She raised her small fist to strike Xu Luowan’s face, but unexpectedly, Xu Luowan screamed and fainted. Her maid rushed forward to support her. “Miss! Miss, are you alright?”

Tang Chaochao rolled her eyes. Were the ladies of the capital really this fragile?

She turned to look at the abandoned Xu Jiaye. “Still standing there waiting for someone to carry you?”

Xu Jiaye snapped back to reality and wisely stepped behind Tang Chaochao.

Tang Chaochao then smiled broadly at the gathered crowd. “Sorry to have embarrassed everyone, but thank you all for your concern for my sister. The truth will be revealed someday.”

The townsfolk responded enthusiastically. “Second Miss Tang, you must avenge the eldest Miss Tang!”

“General Tang was such a good man; he shouldn’t have lost his daughter so young! Second Miss, we support you!”

“Second Miss Tang, we all support you in finding the real culprit!”

As Tang Chaochao left the street, the crowd’s voices of encouragement followed her. Her gaze fell on Xu Luowan, who was being carried away, and darkened slightly.

Of course, it was Xu Jiaye’s servant who carried her.

Tang Chaochao had come alone without a single companion.

Xu Jiaye, grieving his father’s betrayal, followed silently behind Tang Chaochao.

Axi, having watched the commotion, disappeared from the scene. Excited, he rushed back to the small courtyard and relayed all the events to Prince Lin.

Anan, seeing the man speaking so animatedly, promptly pulled him away from the prince.