CHAPTER 102: CHAPTER 102: WHY IS THE LITTLE ANCESTOR HIDING?

The carriage stopped outside the Imperial College, and the attendants who had received instructions immediately sprang into action.

"Wait!"

Tang Xiaobai suddenly called out to the attendant headed to the entrance of the Imperial College, seized what he was holding, and in a few quick steps ran to the stone lion at the entrance.

With two swift strokes, two red streaks, resembling tear marks, appeared under the stone lion’s eyes.

After he finished, the blood continued to trickle down. At first glance, it looked as if the stone lion was crying, and one could even smell the pungent metallic scent without getting close.

Tang Xiaobai held his breath and took a few steps back, then raised his right hand and snapped his fingers towards the sky—

"Stone lion cries blood, Imperial College loses its way! To learn but not know, what would the sage do?"

Ten robust young attendants stood in a row and shouted repeatedly with full vigor, quickly attracting a crowd of onlookers.

Many students from the Imperial College came out upon hearing the commotion, each with a grim expression.

Tang Xiaobai, satisfied, covered his ears, aching from the noise, and took a step back.

Their family’s elder miss said that the Duke Yan Mansion doesn’t need cheap sympathy; it’s disgusting!

They must regain their dignity in every situation!

The students were not just watching idly; they soon rushed out to wipe away the blood on the stone lion.

But the attendants of the Duke Yan Mansion blocked them from getting close, and when the students, angry, pointed to scold the owner, they saw a young girl with mischievous round eyes, as if all this was just a prank.

The noble offspring, mindful of their reputations, couldn’t stoop to scolding a young girl, so they called for more help.

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a voice shouted, "What is the commotion?"

Tang Xiaobai turned her head and froze with a smile on her face.

Outside the crowd stood a group of splendidly dressed men on tall horses, headed by an aristocratic and handsome man, though a layer of chill seemed to shroud his face, making him unapproachable.

"Prince Jin!" The students, seeing Prince Jin Li Shu, felt as if they’d found a savior and approached with expressions of delight to report.

Such grown-ups, yet they still like to tattle!

Tang Xiaobai snorted disdainfully, signaled with her eyes for the attendants to retreat.

The Imperial College and Government Office are just a street apart in the Imperial City, so it’s normal for nobles to be drawn here.

Since Li Shu was here, he certainly wouldn’t stand idly by, so today ends here!

Just as Tang Xiaobai was preparing to retreat discreetly, Li Shu glanced over coldly.

It was nothing; Tang Xiaobai continued her retreat.

But Li Shu’s gaze merely swept past her and then landed on her carriage.

Tang Xiaobai instinctively followed with a glance.

It was still the same carriage.

As the spring air warmed, the curtains had been replaced with a lighter, slightly translucent one.

However, looking from the outside in, you couldn’t actually see in.

Even though it wasn’t visible, Tang Xiaobai could still feel—

Someone was inside the carriage!

This carriage originally carried three people.

She and Tao Zi sat inside, and the driver Ah Xiao sat outside.

After she got off, Tao Zi followed her, now standing next to her.

Ah Xiao hadn’t gotten off but was sitting in the driver’s seat watching.

But now, Ah Xiao wasn’t in the driver’s seat.

Tang Xiaobai stared at the curtain, her heart suddenly tightened.

Why hide inside?

The clatter of hooves approached, and Tang Xiaobai glanced; it was Li Shu, leaving the tattling students, walking towards her.

Tang Xiaobai nervously swallowed, moved closer to the carriage, watching Li Shu warily.

Although she didn’t know why Ah Xiao was hiding from Li Shu, the fact that he was hiding meant Li Shu was dangerous.

Maybe, Li Shu recognized him?

Li Shu hadn’t taken a few steps before he stopped, looking down at the carriage curtain, and coldly said, "The Imperial College is no place for your mischief; leave at once!"

Then he turned and walked away.

Tang Xiaobai looked at Li Shu, then at her carriage, confirming that Li Shu had spoken to the people inside her carriage—specifically, to the person within.

So, did he think that Tang Jiaojiao was in the carriage?

...

After finding another attendant to drive, Tang Xiaobai got into the carriage.

Ah Xiao was indeed inside, looking up at her with a glance that seemed to shimmer.

Could he actually be in a good mood?

"Why were you hiding inside?" Tao Zi questioned in a low, dissatisfied voice.

Tang Xiaobai signaled with her eyes and said, "Let’s talk when we get back."

Looking up, she saw the young man staring straight at her.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a dim glow, deepening the smile in his eyes.

Seeing Li Shu wasn’t a very pleasant experience, but seeing his smiling expression, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but smile as well. "Why are you so happy?"

His eyes smiled even deeper. "Second Miss is intelligent and wise; it is Ah Xiao’s honor."

Tang Xiaobai let out a chuckle.

He was praising all over for just one cover-up! It wasn’t even the first time!

Tao Zi couldn’t stand his flattering manner, cast a disdainful look, and said, "Did Prince Jin think the elder miss was in the carriage just now?"

Tang Xiaobai nodded, instructing, "Don’t mention this when we go back!"

Tao Zi nodded repeatedly, "We won’t mention it; if the elder miss knew we ran away upon seeing Prince Jin, she’d be mad!"

Tang Xiaobai paused, explaining, "I didn’t run away; I was planning to leave anyway!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Tao Zi nodded in agreement, "Prince Jin protects those shortsighted students; he’s as useless as ever, we can’t be bothered with him!"

Tang Xiaobai chuckled coldly, "It’s not that he’s shortsighted, he sees too clearly!"

In this Tang Ziqian murder case, the one who turned out to be the poisoner and manipulator during the investigation was a retired Outer Mansion soldier, who, upon careful tracing, had numerous ties to the missing Zhao Jing.

She didn’t believe Zhao Jing had the capability to orchestrate such a plan clandestinely in the Capital while bearing a warrant—a rebirth doesn’t make him omnipotent.

So Zhao Jing must have allied with a big shot!

This big shot could be Prince Jin, or might not be; she had too few information channels to be certain.

However, even if it’s not Prince Jin, in this matter, Prince Jin surely had a hand in it; otherwise, how conveniently did the Wannian County Government controlled by the Zheng Family catch fire?

The Duke Yan Mansion is indeed a big target; once someone pierces a hole, there’s always someone waiting to exploit the situation.

It’s quite embarrassing to say, when Tang Ziqian ran into trouble this time, aside from their own family and the Gu Family, almost no one lent a hand—

Not that there wasn’t anyone.

Tang Xiaobai straightened up and instructed aloud, "To the Wannian County Office!"

This time, Xue Shaoqin and Xue Shaojian both lent a hand.

Especially Xue Shaoqin, not only helped guard the body but also submitted a letter beyond his rank; he took quite a risk, truly a help in a time of dire need, she must go thank him!

However, upon arriving at the Wannian County Office, Xue Shaoqin was not there.

"County Captain Xue has resigned."

...

"...You remember that County Captain Xue Shaoqin from Wannian County? He resigned three days ago." The voice was gentle, speaking as if in casual conversation.

The man raised his head upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, "County Captain Xue was honest and loyal, but he seemed not skilled in handling criminal cases. If there’s a better opportunity, that would be good."

Another person chuckled twice and said, "Do you know why he resigned?"