Chapter 35: Don't Come Provoking Me

When Tang Chaochao returned to the manor, she happened to see the carriage of Crown Prince Murong Bo departing. Tang Yuntao, upon spotting Tang Chaochao, felt inexplicably flustered, terrified that the Crown Prince might have caught a glimpse of Tang Chaochao’s face. Fortunately, the Crown Prince’s carriage was already far away. Tang Yuntao breathed a sigh of relief, and as she looked at Tang Chaochao again, a smug expression crept across her face.

Tang Chaochao couldn't be bothered to pay her any mind and prepared to head straight inside. Perhaps emboldened by the Crown Prince’s sudden visit, Tang Yuntao spoke up as they brushed past each other. "Sister Chaochao, you are, after all, the daughter of our eldest uncle. You’ve only just returned to the capital, yet you run off outside every other day. Aren't you afraid that others might see you and start gossiping about our uncle?"

Tang Chaochao paused and turned to look at Tang Yuntao. A simple gaze was enough to send an inexplicable chill through Tang Yuntao’s heart. Watching her recoil, Tang Chaochao curled her lips. "Tang Yuntao, I have always lived by the rule: if one does not offend me, I do not offend them. But if someone insists on courting death in front of me... ha, I will crush them without hesitation. A word of advice: stop provoking me. Do you understand?"

Tang Yuntao bit her lip, wanting to retort, but faced with Tang Chaochao’s sharp, piercing eyes, she found herself unable to utter a single word of defiance. She could only watch the other woman’s back as she walked away without looking back. Tang Yuntao bit her lip hard. "Just you wait, Tang Chaochao! Once I become the Crown Princess, let’s see what you have left to be arrogant about."

Tang Chaochao headed straight to Song Rongzhi’s courtyard, as today was the day for her mother’s follow-up consultation. Upon entering, she heard voices from within.

"The old Duke’s family has returned to their ancestral home to pay their respects; I’m afraid they won’t be back until next spring. Once your father returns, I will take you to see them," Tang Wu said. He knew Song Rongzhi longed to see her family, but it was unfortunate that her father’s family had left for the ancestral rites, making a meeting impossible for the time being.

Song Rongzhi sighed. "I have been away for seven years, and because my health has always been so poor, I couldn't even make it back for his old age birthday. I fear Father may blame me."

Tang Wu patted her shoulder reassuringly. "The old Duke dotes on you the most. Why, when I first wanted to marry you, he made me suffer quite a bit. He knows you didn't stay away on purpose, so he certainly wouldn't blame you."

Just as a forced smile appeared on Song Rongzhi’s face, Tang Chaochao walked in. Her mother immediately rose to greet her.

"Mother, I heard that the Old Madam arrived at your courtyard early this morning, brimming with hostility. Are you alright? I was on my way over when the Crown Prince happened to arrive. I had no choice but to attend to him first, so I couldn't look after you."

Tang Chaochao grinned. "Mother, don't worry. Next time, you don't even need to come. I have my own ways of dealing with her."

Tang Wu, standing to the side, feigned displeasure. "Your methods involve nothing more than your fists and that medical skill of yours. Mother’s servant, Nanny Qin, can’t even show her face in public now."

Tang Chaochao puffed out her cheeks. "That was her own doing. If she dares to come and jump around in front of me again, I’ll ensure she’s bedridden so she won't dare come near me ever again!"

Tang Wu sighed helplessly. "Fine, just make sure you know where to draw the line."

Tang Chaochao flashed a toothy grin and took hold of Song Rongzhi’s hand. "Mother, let me check your pulse."

Song Rongzhi smiled gently as Tang Chaochao guided her back to sit. After finishing the pulse check, Tang Chaochao withdrew her hand and said, "Mother’s body is recovering well; continue taking the medicine."

Song Rongzhi smiled. "My body is indeed much better. Chaochao’s medicine is truly effective." Previously, because of her frailty, Song Rongzhi barely slept. Now, not only was her complexion rosy, but she had regained her strength and could sleep soundly until dawn.

Hearing this, Tang Chaochao lifted her chin. "Of course, your daughter is a divine physician."

This display of girlish charm made Tang Wu feel a bit dazed, as if he were seeing his eldest daughter. When Tang Mumu was alive, she would occasionally reveal such innocent and charming gestures. If only his eldest daughter were still alive.

Seeming to notice the discomfort in Tang Wu’s eyes, Song Rongzhi reached out and gently squeezed the large hand he had resting on the table. Sensing her comfort, Tang Wu reined in his display of emotion.

Tang Chaochao said nothing; her elder sister would always be a deep wound in her parents’ hearts. That was an unchangeable fact. After leaving her mother’s courtyard, she returned to her own. Seeing Jianxue sweeping the snow, she immediately set down her tools and followed Tang Chaochao into the room. As she brushed the frost from Tang Chaochao’s clothes, she suddenly spoke.

"Miss, I have thought about it carefully. If there was anything strange about the Eldest Miss three years ago, there is only one thing."

Tang Chaochao, having just sat down, looked directly at Jianxue. "What is it? Tell me."

Jianxue bit her lip, as if having made up her mind. "Three years ago, besides attending the maternal grandfather’s birthday banquet, the Eldest Miss also attended a palace banquet. That banquet was hosted by the Empress for the noble young ladies and gentlemen of the capital. The Eldest Miss received an invitation. I’ve thought it over carefully—if there was any problem, it could only have been then."

At that banquet, Jianxue was supposed to be with Tang Mumu the entire time, but she had stepped away momentarily due to an urgent need. When she returned, Tang Mumu was gone. Upon inquiry, she learned that Tang Mumu had been taken to view flowers by a group of noble young ladies. However, when Jianxue searched for them, she only found those ladies, with no sign of Tang Mumu. They claimed Tang Mumu had parted ways with them long ago.

Jianxue searched elsewhere but could never find her. Just as she was about to report the matter to the Second Mistress, Madam Zhou, she saw the Eldest Miss return. What struck Jianxue as strange was that the Eldest Miss had changed her clothes. When asked, Tang Mumu only said she had accidentally spilled wine on herself and had to change. But Jianxue clearly remembered that the dress the Eldest Miss was wearing was not the spare one she had prepared.

Out of concern for her mistress’s reputation, Jianxue kept quiet, secretly hoping that the dress had been lent by a noble lady or provided by one of the imperial consorts. Ever since that day, the Eldest Miss had been sullen and reluctant to attend any more banquets. Not long after, she returned to Huaicheng alone.

"Before my elder sister left for Huaicheng, did she say anything to you?"

Jianxue thought for a moment and shook her head. "The Eldest Miss didn't say much. She only told me to stay in the capital. She said if I didn't want to stay in the manor, I should find someone to marry. She even gave me my deed of indenture and a sum of money, telling me to live a good life."

Speaking of this, Jianxue’s eyes turned red. She had been bought by the Eldest Miss when she was young and had shared everything with her. The Eldest Miss had been exceptionally kind to her. How could someone so wonderful just leave like that?

Tang Chaochao pondered. "You mean that at the palace banquet, some noble ladies took my elder sister away? Do you know the names of those people?"

Jianxue nodded. "It was Miss Xie Tingyao from the Prime Minister’s manor, and Miss Li Xueying from the Minister’s residence."