CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: ZHENZHOU IMPERIAL COURT

Su Shunqing was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Tang Xiaobai with surprise.

However, since he was sent to the Imperial Academy in the Capital City, he naturally couldn’t be stumped by a child.

He quickly concealed his astonishment, clasped his hands and apologized to Tang Xiaobai: "It was my mistake in speaking, Second Miss Tang has suffered greatly, and of course the Duke Yan Mansion is innocent—" Then, shifting his tone slightly with a smile, "However, the Zhenzhou Imperial Court is established by the Governor of Zhenzhou and Prince Changshan, and is a public office. Surely General Zhao wouldn’t search the Capital Prefecture and Wannian County without orders, would he?"

This comparison was spot on.

Tang Xiaobai closed her mouth in satisfaction.

Why drag the Duke Yan Mansion into this mess without reason? And she even brought Pingyang Princess to stir things up.

But the Pingyang Princess, despite having a troublesome face, was surprisingly unhelpful at this moment.

A flick of the whip in the air pointed straight at Su Shunqing: "Does Pingyang need a decree to enter your Zhenzhou Imperial Court?"

The statement instantly froze the atmosphere, making even the spear tips in the hands of the Imperial Guards seem sharper.

Su Shunqing, however, smiled more deeply and said, "If Her Highness desires to enter, I am honored to welcome you!"

Having said that, he stepped aside, smiling warmly, making a gesture of invitation.

The Pingyang Princess snorted coldly, glanced at Zhao Jing, dismounted, and led the way inside.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at Su Shunqing’s overly bright smile, then at Zhao Jing’s unpleasant expression, and said unconsciously, "Sister, I feel like—" She abruptly stopped.

"Feel like what?" Tang Jiaojiao dismounted her and asked casually.

"Nothing..." Tang Xiaobai said awkwardly.

Just that Su Shunqing’s phrase "honored to welcome you" seemed to have a double meaning, and the expressions of the two men...

She was clearly here to watch the power struggle, so why did it seem to turn into a melodramatic love triangle?

...

Since Su Shunqing let them in, it’s obvious that nothing would be found.

And indeed, as he said, besides him, there were only three people left in the Imperial Academy: two servants and a small official.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but ask, "Can’t you afford more people?" Saving money for a future rebellion?

Imperial Guards scurried about, while Su Shunqing, still composed, stood aside answering a little girl’s question with leisure: "The Imperial Academy’s main function is just to pass the documents sent from Zhenzhou, not a difficult task, so not many people are needed. I was sent here from Zhenzhou where I wasn’t much needed, to keep an eye on the Academy."

Tang Xiaobai chuckled: "The Imperial Officer is indeed humble!"

I don’t believe you! Who doesn’t know you’re Prince Changshan’s intelligence head in the Capital City?

Su Shunqing smiled, "My surname is Su, Sixth Brother. Second Miss can call me Su Liu."

Tang Xiaobai said, "Okay, Imperial Officer!" I just won’t!

Su Shunqing laughed heartily, then concernedly asked, "Was the assassin able to injure Second Miss?"

Tang Xiaobai perked up.

Since you asked so sincerely, I must complain hard!

"Though not injured," Tang Xiaobai frowned, covering her neck, showing lingering fear, "even without getting hurt, I’m scared. I still have nightmares, didn’t the assassin realize he might shake from injury when holding the knife to my throat?"

Seeing Su Shunqing frown, Tang Xiaobai’s tone grew sorrowful: "Who knows what background that assassin has, such a villain who can harm even weak women and children. I really disdain his master!"

She glanced at Su Shunqing again, but noticed he was also looking at her, his expression somewhat subtle.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart skipped a beat, unwilling to let go, she continued, "Really! Think about it, a big man like him, taller than you—" She looked up at Su Shunqing, corrected, "Uh, about as tall as you, Imperial Officer—" There, her heart jolted and she stopped speaking instinctively.

At this time, except for her and Su Shunqing, Tang Jiaojiao, Pingyang Princess, and a few young noble women were standing on the open ground in front of the main hall.

Zhao Jing was also there, he seemed to dislike Su Shunqing, standing a little distance away.

But when Tang Xiaobai stopped, everyone, including Zhao Jing, suddenly looked over.

A quiet moment.

Tang Jiaojiao suddenly grabbed Tang Xiaobai’s hand, pulling her to hide behind her, staring at Su Shunqing defensively.

Zhao Jing quickly stepped forward, guarding in front of Pingyang Princess.

The other noble ladies screamed in fright, causing chaos.

Only Su Shunqing stood still, saying nothing.

Tang Xiaobai peeked her head from behind her sister, seeing Su Shunqing’s face show a helpless yet tolerant expression.

"No—" She was about to explain, but Zhao Jing interrupted her: "Mr. Su, have you recently been injured?"

Su Shunqing shook his head with a smile: "I am just a civil servant who’s never been held hostage by an assassin, what chance would I have to get injured?"

Zhao Jing lifted his right hand, the scabbard pressing against Su Shunqing’s left shoulder blade.

The very spot the assassin was injured that day.

Su Shunqing again showed a tolerant, helpless look: "If General Zhao doesn’t believe it, feel free to examine the injuries in a separate room."

Since he proposed a check voluntarily, the suspicion lessened by half.

The previously frightened ladies all breathed a sigh of relief. Tang Xiaobai finally found a chance to continue explaining: "It’s not him, even though the height is similar, the Imperial Officer is much more slender..."

"Cough, cough..." Su Shunqing coughed several times, saying, "I’m not that slender..."

...

The search of the Zhenzhou Imperial Court was all bark and no bite, ending silently.

When leaving, Su Shunqing courteously escorted everyone to the main gate.

As Tang Xiaobai, who had mounted and rode a short distance, turned back, she still saw Su Shunqing standing at the door watching, feeling his subtle pride even from afar.

Indeed.

Even if the assassin came from Zhenzhou, who says they must hide in the Zhenzhou Imperial Court? There are plenty of places to hide in the Capital City, even in Duke Yan Mansion wouldn’t be too surprising.

This round, Zhao Jing indeed suffered from a setback.

Thinking of this, and taking another look at Zhao Jing’s expression, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but revel in schadenfreude.

Although at first she had qualms because Pingyang Princess might bully Little Qin, Zhao Jing’s cold and abusive attitude made him even more contemptible.

"I still have official duties, so please excuse me!" Before even leaving Changxing Village, Zhao Jing seemed unable to stay any longer, leading his troops away without waiting for a reply from Pingyang Princess.

The Pingyang Princess glared at his back for a long moment, then pulled the reins harshly: "Onward—" and galloped out of Changxing Village...

...

Su Shunqing stood outside the main door, watching the two groups part ways with a sudden smile, then turned around with hands behind his back and strolled inside.

Upon reaching the back wall of the courtyard, he paused, suddenly leaping silently.

His toes touched the wall, and he floated over lightly.

Behind the wall was a delicate garden with a pavilion by the pond where someone was standing, tall and poised.

"Heir." Su Shunqing greeted.

The person in the pavilion gave a slight acknowledgment, asking, "Why did I hear women’s and children’s voices?"

"It was Pingyang Princess and several ladies—" Su Shunqing paused, "and also Second Miss Tang."

The person in the pavilion froze slightly, becoming a bit unnatural in expression.

Su Shunqing glanced at him, saying somberly, "Second Miss Tang says she still has nightmares thinking of the princely heir..."