CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: I WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN

Taihe Palace was a summer palace built during the reign of the former emperor.

The Imperial Palace in the Capital City was in a low-lying area and became unbearably hot in the summer, which was very detrimental to the health of the frail former Crown Prince, who was none other than Emperor Hui Zhao.

Therefore, the former emperor specifically had a summer palace built in Zhongnan Mountain and would take Emperor Hui Zhao there to escape the heat every year from April to June.

But in the eleven years since the current emperor ascended the throne, he has only visited once; this year is the second time, and it’s also to take the frail Crown Prince to escape the heat.

"No matter how you look at it, diligence is indeed diligence; at least it sets a good example for the officials," Tang Xiaobai remarked casually while writing.

This emperor may be hypocritical, a bit disgusting, and especially superstitious, but his diligence is real.

Li Mu’s pen tip paused, and he remained silent.

Tang Xiaobai didn’t notice and continued to sigh, "Actually, for the common people, who... what’s the difference? The most important thing is the peace and stability of this life..."

The original book described Li Xingyuan’s fury for Ye Qingrong, capturing the Capital City to become emperor, which seemed romantic, but in reality? How could war be romantic?

Rising, the people suffer; falling, the people suffer.

"What do you say about Emperor Hui Zhao and the Crown Prince?"

Tang Xiaobai heard the coldness in his tone, looked up, and saw the young master’s face was also cold.

She was taken aback, then remembered that their Qin Family supported Emperor Hui Zhao and had their home raided by the current emperor, which made her a bit awkward, and she hurriedly said, "Emperor Hui Zhao was of course very good, but unfortunately Heaven did not spare him... As for the Crown Prince—" she sighed, "the Crown Prince is indeed pitiful..."

"How is he pitiful? According to Second Miss, if the Crown Prince were gone, wouldn’t it be more stable?"

Tang Xiaobai was once again taken aback by his sharp tone, looked at him, but did not answer.

The Crown Prince indeed doesn’t have much time left.

From a broad perspective, having the emperor pass the throne to his own son does seem more stable than giving it to a nephew.

But saying so is also unfair to the Crown Prince.

And it’s unfair to the Duke Yan Mansion.

To truly stand from the position of power, their Duke Yan Mansion, with their significant achievements which overshadow the monarch and their own military strength, would be the first to be cut down.

"What does Second Miss think makes the Crown Prince pitiful?" This young master, who usually said few words, seemed unrelenting today, his eyes fixed on her, as if he would not give up until he received a satisfactory explanation.

Tang Xiaobai felt her scalp tingle under his gaze and had no choice but to answer, "The Crown Prince has no parents by his side and is frail and often ill," and is about to die, "coming to Taihe Palace to escape the heat this year is also a good thing for the Crown Prince—"

"How does Second Miss know it’s a good thing? Maybe the Crown Prince will die of illness at this Taihe Palace!"

Each word was like an icicle dropping.

Peach and Chengzi, who were quietly doing their assignments nearby, were so frightened that they stopped writing, their faces pale.

"You two leave now!" Tang Xiaobai signaled to the two maidservants.

Once only the two of them were left in the pavilion, Tang Xiaobai’s expression darkened, "Why do you say everything out loud?"

Li Mu had been filled with anger, but her emphasis on "out loud" suddenly relieved his anger, though he didn’t know how to answer, so he lowered his eyes and stayed silent.

Tang Xiaobai propped up her elbow, supporting her face with one hand, and looked at him with a half-smile, "I merely said a few truths, and you’re unhappy?"

Li Mu glanced at her without speaking.

Tang Xiaobai normally found him composed and steady, but seeing him occasionally angry and sullen was actually quite cute, so she couldn’t resist poking his face—

But she missed.

She clicked her tongue, "Why’s your reaction so fast?"

Li Mu glanced at her again.

The young maiden tilted her head and smiled at him, her demeanor innocent and tender, not like someone who would say such blunt truths.

He lowered his gaze, picked up her withdrawn finger, and gently touched it to his face, "Does it matter if I’m happy or not when you say your truths?"

He was indeed unhappy; some things others could say, but she couldn’t.

She had always protected him unconditionally, and he hoped she would keep doing so, without change.

Tang Xiaobai giggled, poked him twice more, and said, "I naturally wish for peace, but—" she lightly tapped her chest with her fist, "my heart isn’t right in the center, so why not favor my own people a bit?"

Li Mu kept his eyes fixed on her hand, as if through that hand he could feel her heartbeat.

Would you favor me?

Just as Li Mu was about to ask, the young girl shifted her gaze.

She reached out and took the calligraphy piece he had just written.

"Ah Xiao’s calligraphy is getting more beautiful!" Tang Xiaobai praised, bringing the piece in front of her and starting to copy it.

Li Mu was taken aback, "Why would Second Miss—" before he finished, he saw the several completed calligraphy pieces she had, which were also his style.

"Why copy my handwriting..." the end of his sentence faded, and the corners of his lips couldn’t help curling up.

Tang Xiaobai, with her head down, didn’t see, and she continued, "Your writing’s so beautiful, I want to learn too."

"I haven’t practiced calligraphy for long, how could I compare to Mr. Zhang’s writing?" his tone was indifferent, but his earlobes suddenly flushed red.

"I’m not saying you write better than Mr. Zhang—"

His slightly curled fingers immediately went stiff.

"Mr. Zhang’s writing is dignified and grand, of course it’s good, but Ah Xiao’s is more elegant and stand-out, it’s better looking!" said Tang Xiaobai.

It’s like how in elementary school everyone copies famous calligraphy, but in middle school, they love learning prettier styles.

So was she saying his writing lacked grandeur? Li Mu pursed his lips and started copying Zhang Yin’s calligraphy.

"Whose writing are you copying? Why does it look so good?" Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but ask, as this style matched her aesthetic perfectly.

Li Mu hesitated and said, "The former Crown Prince’s Tutor, Duke Qin."

The young girl’s writing stopped, her fair face tilted slightly, and she glanced at him.

Her eyes were extremely beautiful, black as pure, white as clean, distinctively round and naive, always carrying a gentle understanding when looking at him.

No matter what strange things he said, she never asked too much.

This time was no different.

Yet he couldn’t help but ask, "Do you know—"

She laughed, softly and roguishly, "Know what? What do I know?" tapping the paper in front of him with her pen, "Have you finished today’s essay?"

Li Mu looked at her, and suddenly felt a tightness in his chest as he recalled he would soon leave, grasping her pen.

In her puzzled gaze, he held the other end of the pen.

The pads of his fingers brushed against her hand, tickling a bit.

He raised his eyes, gazing into hers, and said softly, "Second Miss, in the future... I will never fail you!"

Tang Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Alright!"

These words were quite sweet, just that the person saying it was too young!

Still smiling, she inadvertently glanced at the sky where clouds were gathering, so she simply returned the pen he was holding into his hand, stood up and said, "You focus on your assignments, I’ll go check if the Eldest Miss is back yet!"