Chapter 27: A Bit Reckless

Tang Chao followed his father into the palace and entered the imperial study. As soon as they stepped inside, they saw a middle-aged man in official robes kneeling there. Upon seeing Tang Wu enter, the man glared fiercely at him.

Tang Wu looked pale and was about to kneel. The Kangjian Emperor quickly spoke up, “My dear minister, you are still unwell. There is no need for formalities. Someone, bring a seat!”

Tang Wu hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks. As for Tang Chao, she did not kneel but stood silently behind her father. Such blatant disrespect seemed to have given Chancellor Xie Zuo a handle on them.

“How audacious! To see His Majesty and not kneel? General Tang truly has a fine daughter!” Xie Zuo sneered.

Tang Wu remained silent and cleared his throat twice. Tang Chao, however, smiled broadly.

“Father, who is this man? He must hold a high position, right? Despite me not kneeling, His Majesty hasn’t said a word, but this gentleman is the first to reprimand me. Someone unfamiliar might even mistake him for the emperor.”

Xie Zuo’s face flushed with anger at her words, but before he could respond, Tang Wu scolded, “Stop your nonsense. Such words are groundless!”

Feigning a reprimand toward his daughter, Tang Wu then turned to the Kangjian Emperor, cupping his hands respectfully.

“Your Majesty, forgive me. My daughter was raised in the remote mountains and is unacquainted with court etiquette. Once I recover, I shall teach her properly.”

The Kangjian Emperor laughed heartily.

“My dear minister, you are too humble. I should not have summoned you in your condition, but a serious matter has arisen in Chancellor Xie’s household, one that involves your daughter. That is why I had to bring you here.”

Hearing herself mentioned, Tang Chao stepped forward promptly.

“Your Majesty, your servant pays respects. Please forgive me; the gentleman just now wrongfully accused me of disrespect by failing to kneel.”

The emperor smiled, visibly amused.

“Then tell me, why did you not kneel?”

Tang Chao removed the jade pendant from her waist and said, “Your Majesty, this was given to me by my father, having been granted by the late emperor. I was told that anyone bearing this jade need not kneel to anyone. I was uncertain if it was true, so I decided to test it.”

The emperor glanced meaningfully at the jade, then at Tang Wu, before the look vanished quickly.

“You speak truly. With this jade, there is indeed no need to show me such formalities.”

Tang Chao’s eyes brightened.

“Is it really that effective?” she whispered, reveling in her youthful charm. Meanwhile, Xie Zuo, still kneeling alone, clenched his teeth in fury.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to rule in my favor! General Tang, relying on his military achievements, acts above the law. He condones his daughter abducting my daughter for three days and subjecting her to punishment. He shows no regard for my position as chancellor!”

The Kangjian Emperor listened with a troubled expression.

“And what does Minister Tang have to say?”

Tang Wu remained silent, so Tang Chao spoke first.

“Your Majesty, it was I who took Miss Xie Tingyao, but I did not inflict any punishment on her. Moreover, I only questioned her briefly.”

Xie Zuo jumped up, pointing angrily at Tang Chao.

“You insolent girl, do not lie here!”

The emperor immediately intervened.

“Minister Xie, watch your words.”

The command silenced Xie Zuo, who suppressed his anger. The emperor then turned to Tang Chao.

“Then explain why you took Miss Xie and what you wished to ask.”

Tang Chao answered honestly.

“This matter began when I returned to Huaicheng. I was raised in a Taoist temple and suspected my elder sister’s death was unnatural, so I opened her coffin. I believe the real culprit is Xu Huairen, the one who delivered the luminous pearl. But since Master Xu protested his innocence, I detained his relatives. Unexpectedly, I discovered that Master Xu’s niece was involved as well. Xu Luowan confessed that everything she did was under Miss Xie Tingyao’s orders. Seeking the truth, I took Miss Xie hostage to question her.”

She finished in one breath, then blinked at the emperor.

“Your Majesty permitted my father to investigate my sister’s death. Since Father is ill, I felt it best to act swiftly rather than delay. That is why I took Miss Xie—to get clear answers.”

Xie Zuo tried to speak, but the emperor cut him off.

“And did you learn anything?”

Tang Chao nodded, then shook her head.

“Miss Xie claimed ignorance, so I released her. However, I did learn something from her personal maid.”

Tang Chao hesitated, then the emperor urged her.

“What did you learn? Speak freely; do not fear. I will protect you.”

She continued.

“The maid said she was instructed by a little eunuch close to the Third Prince.”

The emperor slammed his fist on the table in anger.

“That wretched maid dares to implicate a prince? Where is she now?”

Tang Chao’s eyes darkened.

“Your Majesty, I was furious and killed her. But then, I thought there must be some truth to it, so I sent her head to the Third Prince’s residence. If the prince is innocent, he will confront me. If someone framed him, His Highness will surely explain himself to me.”

The emperor’s first thought was how fierce Tang Wu’s daughter was. Who else’s daughter could do such a thing? Yet, she made a compelling argument, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Meanwhile, Xie Zuo, left out of the conversation, felt the topic was drifting. He quickly spoke up.

“Your Majesty, even so, it is true she punished my daughter, so she cannot be let off!”

Tang Chao looked at Xie Zuo in confusion.

“Sir, that is slander. If you insist I punished your daughter, bring her to the palace. Whether for confrontation or examination, I will comply. But if no evidence is found, have you considered the consequences of wrongfully accusing me? I am not only the general’s legitimate daughter but also the imperially titled Princess Chao’an.”

Xie Zuo was at a loss. His daughter claimed the punishment was done with forbidden palace items, leaving no visible marks. How could that be verified? Despite his claims, he had no proof.

The emperor saw the chancellor’s deflation and cleared his throat.

“Princess Chao’an speaks reason. However, sending a severed head to the Third Prince’s mansion was improper. One must not abduct someone to question them. Look at Chancellor Xie—his daughter’s disappearance has driven him mad, all because of you.”

Tang Chao obediently admitted fault.

“Your Majesty is right. Next time I encounter a suspect, I will visit directly and ask. I will never abduct anyone again.”

The emperor thought the girl, though fierce, was obedient enough.

“As for the Third Prince, I will give you an explanation. Remember, investigating your sister’s death is allowed, but do not resort to abduction again. Understand?”

He knew if he didn’t warn her now, next time he’d be the one searching for his son. As for the true culprit, since Tang Wu was so determined, the emperor intended to provide a suitable suspect.