Chapter 17: The Imperial Edict

Xu Huairen’s face was full of grief and indignation as he recounted everything that had happened in Huaicheng. After finishing, he pointed to his face.

“Your Majesty, look at this. It was Miss Tang Er who struck me. I hurried back all the way, and it still hasn’t fully healed. I beg Your Majesty to intervene on my behalf! Right now, not only my son but also my niece are both being held captive by General Tang’s youngest daughter.”

The Kangjian Emperor glanced briefly toward Crown Prince Murong Bo before speaking.

“What about Tang Wu? His own daughter is causing such trouble, and he hasn’t intervened?”

Xu Huairen wore a mournful expression as he replied, “After the incident, I sought out General Tang, but the gatekeeper said that General Tang has fallen ill from overwhelming grief over the sudden death of his eldest daughter. He has no time to concern himself with the actions of his youngest daughter.”

The Emperor sighed deeply. “He’s angry in his heart, so he refuses to get involved. At first, they thought his eldest daughter died from illness, but now his youngest daughter has discovered that she was killed by someone using a sinister method. If I were him, I would be the same.”

Hearing this, Xu Huairen’s anxiety deepened. Surely the Kangjian Emperor would not let General Tang vent his anger at the expense of his son’s life! Seeing the turmoil on Xu Huairen’s face, which shifted like a palette of colors, the Emperor added,

“Minister Xu, rest assured, your son will be fine. However, since General Tang’s eldest daughter died due to forbidden items within the palace, and someone tried to cover up the truth by sending the luminous pearl using my authority, this matter must be resolved with Tang Wu.”

The burden in Xu Huairen’s heart finally eased. “Your Majesty speaks wisely.”

The Emperor tapped his hand on the imperial desk a few times. “Since Tang Wu is ill and Huaicheng has now stabilized, let him return to the capital with his family to recuperate. Once back, he can personally investigate the culprit.”

Naturally, Xu Huairen was once again dispatched to Huaicheng with the imperial edict. Besides the order for Tang Wu to return to the capital for treatment, there was also a royal decree addressed to Tang Chaochao.

Looking at the decree, Xu Huairen felt a pang of bitterness. Despite he and his son being badly beaten by Tang Chaochao, the Emperor still sought to appease her by granting her the title of Commandery Princess Chao’an.

How was he supposed to reason with that?

Without returning home, Xu Huairen set off again, accompanied by guards, heading toward Huaicheng. Watching him leave, Crown Prince Murong Bo spoke at the right moment.

“The Emperor granted her the title of Commandery Princess Chao’an to appease General Tang, didn’t he?”

The Kangjian Emperor glanced at his son. The boy was not lacking intelligence but lacked foresight. What needed to be taught had been taught; now it was up to him to understand on his own.

“Crown Prince, I will not issue another order regarding marriage. However, if Commandery Princess Chao’an is truly fond of you, that is another matter altogether. Understand?”

A smile immediately brightened Murong Bo’s face. So the Emperor’s excuse for bringing General Tang back to recuperate was false, as was the search for the murderer. The real purpose was to secure him.

As long as Tang Chaochao returned to the capital, he had plenty of means to make her marry him.

What Tang Chaochao did not realize was that there was a trap waiting for her within her plan to return.

But for her, all schemes and intrigues would turn to dust beneath her fists.

Several days later, inside the General’s residence, the family of three sat together for a meal.

Tang Chaochao looked at Song Rongzhi, who was tenderly serving her dishes, and felt warmth in her heart.

Since taking the herbal remedy her daughter provided, Song Rongzhi’s complexion had grown rosier and her health much improved.

Suddenly, Tang Chaochao placed a small medicine bottle in front of her silent, head-bowed father.

Tang Wu looked up in confusion. “What is this?”

Tang Chaochao grinned. “Poison! Dare you take it?”

Song Rongzhi instinctively asked, “Why would you give your father poison?”

She was certain her daughter would not harm her own father. There must be a reason behind it.

Tang Chaochao glanced at her father. “Old Tang knows best.”

Tang Wu’s face darkened with anger. “Ungrateful girl! I’m your real father, yet you call me ‘Old Tang’ like that. I think you’re itching for a beating.”

Tang Chaochao smirked. “You can’t beat me anyway—who are you trying to scare?”

Tang Wu was hurt to the core. Was this really what a daughter should say?

Song Rongzhi wondered if this father and daughter pair were simply born to clash, always quarreling when they met.

She took an object from her bosom and handed it to Tang Chaochao. “This is from your father. Remember to wear it at all times once you return to the capital.”

Curious, Tang Chaochao took it and saw it was a jade pendant engraved with a dragon pattern.

“What is this? What’s it for?”

Tang Wu said gruffly, “It’s your backing to act arrogantly in the capital.”

Tang Chaochao instantly blossomed into a radiant smile. “Father is so kind.”

Tang Wu snorted. “Now you know to call me ‘father’?”

Tang Chaochao felt her father was being cheeky and puffed out her cheeks.

Seeing her, Tang Wu’s mood lightened considerably.

Song Rongzhi carefully tied the jade pendant around Tang Chaochao’s waist and explained,

“This was bestowed upon the Tang family by the late Emperor. Not only does it serve as a ‘get out of death free’ card, but when you meet the current Emperor, as long as you carry this jade, you may refuse to kneel if you don’t wish to.”

Joy sparkled uncontrollably in Tang Chaochao’s eyes.

So with this jade pendant, she could stride proudly through the capital!

She opened the medicine bottle in front of her father, removed the stopper, and said,

“Father, take this medicine. I promise it will make you appear just as ill, but it will not harm your body.”

Xu Huairen would surely complain before the Emperor upon his return. The Emperor certainly would not interfere in Tang Mumu’s affairs. Entrusting it to a prince was even less likely; whoever was assigned would use the matter to eliminate a thorn in their side. This was something the Emperor wished to avoid.

As for the ministers, handing it over to them was no different from handing it to the princes.

The Kangjian Emperor would merely go with the flow and order the family back to the capital for Tang Wu to investigate personally.

It would be best if nothing was discovered; if something was, there would be scapegoats.

Tang Wu took the medicine his daughter handed him without hesitation and swallowed it.

“By my calculation, Xu Huairen should already be on his way back.”

Tang Chaochao nodded in agreement.

Tang Wu suddenly asked, “What about his son and niece?”

Tang Chaochao shook her head. “I don’t know! Maybe they’re still locked in the woodshed.”

Since the last time she obtained useful information, she hadn’t visited the woodshed again. The servants wouldn’t let them die in there anyway.

Tang Wu sighed. “You—remember to keep some restraint when you act in the capital, understand?”

Tang Chaochao nodded obediently but her eyes flickered toward the jade pendant at her waist. A sly glint crossed her gaze.

That night, just after Tang Chaochao lay down to sleep, a noise came from the direction of the window.

She ignored it, but a figure suddenly pushed open the window and climbed inside.

Tang Chaochao sat up angrily. “A Xi, if you dare climb in through my window again, I swear you’ll end up in a wheelchair just like your master!”

During this time, because of Prince Lin’s illness, Tang Chaochao had grown familiar with A Xi and his group. She had nearly figured out their identities.

Once, A Xi had slipped and called out “Your Highness” in front of her.

Tang Chaochao immediately realized the man’s identity. Apart from Prince Lin, there were no other princes in the Kang Kingdom. None of the Kangjian Emperor’s sons had been granted princely titles.

A Xi’s urgent voice echoed in the dark room. “Madam, my prince suddenly fell ill. Please come quickly and see him!”