CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: YOU GUYS CHAT, I’LL HEAD OUT FIRST

"Guess who reported Tang Xiao?"

After returning from meeting Shida, Tang Ziqian had a smile on his face.

A kind of amused smile.

Li Mu glanced at him and said, "Gongsun Yi."

The smile froze on Tang Ziqian’s face.

"Was it really Gongsun Yi?" Tang Xiaobai was surprised.

So the harsh words Gongsun Yi said to the little ancestor yesterday were about this?

Whose deception did this child fall for? So willing to be a pawn?

"Isn’t he the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue? Recently checking household registrations and somehow came across Tang Xiao, felt the background was unclear—"

"Unclear?" Tang Xiaobai frowned.

That might be true. If it were clear, it would have been discovered long ago that she is a descendant of the Qin Family.

Tang Ziqian glanced at the Crown Prince’s Palace, who had a calm expression: "Those who were born into slavery, sold repeatedly from a young age, how can it be clear?"

Tang Xiaobai nodded: "Unclearness doesn’t mean anything."

"Unclearness means nothing, but they were intent, actually found a lead from the places Tang Xiao was resold to, tying it to Turkic people." Tang Ziqian found it amusing upon reflection.

The so-called places of resale were of course fabricated.

"Can this be considered evidence?" Tang Xiaobai scoffed.

Tang Ziqian chuckled and said, "There’s also talk that he often covers his face with a mask to hide his differences from Central Plains people."

Tang Xiaobai laughed too: "Isn’t the mask thing known throughout the Capital City? Many people have met Ah Xiao before; where is he different from Central Plains people?"

"They even say his behavior and mannerisms aren’t like those born into servitude."

"That’s because we studied books!"

Tang Ziqian laughed: "In the end, if one wants to accuse, there is no shortage of excuses."

"I can prove my innocence."

Tang Xiaobai and Tang Ziqian were both taken aback.

"That... is not necessary..." Tang Ziqian couldn’t grasp the Crown Prince’s Palace’s intentions.

"Yes! They just say a few words without evidence, and you want to prove your innocence. Won’t that be humiliating for our Duke Yan Mansion?" Tang Xiaobai said.

Tang Ziqian couldn’t help but give a sidelong glance: "Why does this sound so familiar?"

Tang Xiaobai ignored him, solemnly told the little ancestor, "Don’t worry, you are one of us from Duke Yan Mansion, they won’t dare do anything to you, with me—" suddenly glanced at Tang Ziqian, "Your Brother is standing up for you!"

Tang Ziqian felt this was a bit off.

Li Mu saw her righteously defending him, felt happy, and his tone softened a lot: "It’s I who needs to prove innocence." He wanted this opportunity to let everyone see him.

Tang Ziqian shuddered, looked at him strangely.

Why does the Crown Prince’s Palace speak like this?

Tang Xiaobai didn’t notice her brother’s oddity, seriously pondered the little ancestor’s words, tentatively asked, "Is it very necessary?" Could the little ancestor be thinking...

Li Mu nodded.

"Then you... be careful!" Tang Xiaobai said.

Li Mu couldn’t help but smile.

His Crown Princess Consort was perceptive; she understood what he intended without needing it spelled out.

The young man smiled, his eyes seemed to ripple, the cold contours softened, with a hint of elegance.

Tang Ziqian was dumbfounded: "What are you guys talking about?" What kind of words direct changed the Crown Prince’s Palace’s demeanor?

"Brother, don’t you know?" Tang Xiaobai was surprised.

"He knows." Li Mu said.

"I know what?" Tang Ziqian frowned.

Li Mu glanced at him.

Tang Ziqian was shocked: "Xiaobai knows?"

Li Mu nodded.

Tang Xiaobai hurriedly waved her hand: "No! I don’t know!"

Li Mu nodded again: "Right, she doesn’t know."

Tang Xiaobai covered her eyes, this is such a bizarre conversation?

"Forget it... you guys chat, I’m leaving first!" Tang Xiaobai jumped up and ran.

Terrified she’d be asked about how she knew the little ancestor’s identity!

"How did Xiaobai learn the Crown Prince’s Palace’s identity?" Tang Ziqian couldn’t ask her sister, so he asked the Crown Prince’s Palace instead.

The Crown Prince’s Palace showed a proud smile: "Second Miss is intelligent."

Tang Ziqian: ...

Something feels off?

...

The following morning, Second Miss Tang’s carriage from Duke Yan Mansion left as usual, driven by a cold young man wearing a green jade mask.

West out of Qinren Street, south, near the city gates, turned right, entered Yanzuo Village.

As they approached the entrance of Huntian Academy, slowed down, stopped.

At this moment, a squad of Imperial Guards suddenly emerged, surrounding them and the carriage.

Wearing sword pendants, adorned with Exorcism symbols, they were the Imperial Guard.

"Swish," "swish," two or three sounds, all the swords were drawn, the blades aiming at Li Mu standing in front of the carriage.

Li Mu hung his eyes calmly, while a tall attendant stepped forward and shouted: "Who dares to stop Duke Yan Mansion’s carriage!"

"I have received a report stating that Duke Yan Mansion’s retainer Tang Xiao is a Turkic spy, hence Tang Xiao must be detained for questioning. I ask Second Miss Tang to cooperate!" Right Golden Wu Middle Lang General Shida walked out leisurely with his hands behind his back.

At this hour, it was the busiest time at the academy’s entrance, and as Shida spoke, already many people had gathered around, hearing his words clearly, their expressions transforming together.

"Tang Xiao is a Turkic spy?" This voice coming forth made the students make way.

Emerging from the crowd was the academy’s head, Lin Xujiji.

His white robe and large sleeves, hair tied in a Taoist knot, exuding a carefree smile: "I wonder where General Shi heard such absurd report?"

Lin Xujiji might have some reputation, but in the end, he’s merely a commoner in white, Shida did not regard him highly.

Only lightly glancing at him, then raised his hand, ordered the arrest.

"Wait!" A girl’s voice shouted from inside the carriage, followed by the drapes being lifted, revealing a petite figure in academy’s blue attire.

Shida did not regard Lin Xujiji, but he dared not ignore this little girl, promptly gestured for a pause.

Hurting Second Miss Tang of Duke Yan Mansion was not something he dared consider.

Only saying coldly: "Second Miss, do not make this difficult, covering for a Turkic spy, even Duke Yan Mansion cannot bear this responsibility!"

Though unable to harm, he could intimidate, thinking this soft little girl couldn’t be very courageous?

But the girl’s courage was greater than he anticipated.

Her dark, bright eyes glanced over the cold gleaming blade tips, remained unfazed: "If you want to arrest him, either bring evidence or a warrant; otherwise, just for implying I cover up Turkic spies, I can accompany you to the palace today and reason!"

Although Shida was a bit surprised, he wasn’t intimidated by her words. Going to the palace wasn’t so easily done.

"But over a servant, Second Miss wants to rush to the palace—" Shaking his head, as if mocking her childishness.

Tang Xiaobai lifted her chin: "So you have no evidence?"

Shida laughed: "Evidence exists of course, but it’s only presented in court; Second Miss doesn’t understand these things."

Tang Xiaobai "Oh" softly, looked at Li Mu.

The long-silent young man finally lifted his eyes.

Those eyes were extremely beautiful, yet dark and gloomy, like a bottomless pit, devoid of any light, numbingly cold.

"If you have no evidence, I do." He said.

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Last time a reader asked, can’t Xiaobai grow to 155cm? I don’t know, how about this, you guys suggest a height, I’ll take an average!