CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: TIME TO COAX THE LITTLE ANCESTOR AGAIN

"Forget it! I don’t need your help! It’s more sincere if I copy it myself." Tang Xiaobai’s expression turned cold, and she started writing again on a new sheet of paper.

Although her handwriting wasn’t great, she still had self-respect!

Li Mu mulled over the word "sincere," feeling somewhat conflicted.

Did she want to be kind to anyone she saw as pitiful? Had she even met him? Was she really going to copy the text for him? And insist on doing it herself?

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. His voice faded as he spoke again: "In that case, Ah Xiao shall take his leave."

After speaking, Miss Tang looked up at him, her eyes indicating she had more to say, but in the end, she waved him off without another word.

...

At night, after an acupuncture session, Li Mu listened with closed eyes as Attendant Deng Liao reported on the Dragon Boat Festival blessings.

"... Using the excuse of His Highness’ anxiety-induced illness, the civil and military officials of Fifth Rank and above, along with their families, are ordered to copy sutras and offer them at the Xianfu Temple... Gathering the eminent monks of the Capital City for a ceremony for His Highness—"

"If something ominous happens at the ceremony, does that mean I’m about to die?" the Young Crown Prince asked with his usual calmness.

Deng Liao was silent for a moment before saying, "I suspect it may not be that simple."

"Oh?"

Deng Liao shook his head: "It’s just speculation for now. It doesn’t seem necessary to make such a big fuss just to create an ominous event."

Upon hearing "big fuss," Li Mu opened his eyes.

Ordering the civil and military officials and their families to hand-copy sutras and take them to Xianfu Temple for prayers—

If it were merely to create an ominous event to frame him, it wouldn’t need to be such a big fuss.

So why go to such lengths?

Or rather, what was the real aim of causing such a disturbance?

The Xianfu Temple during the Dragon Boat Festival seemed fraught with unknown dangers. That young girl wouldn’t also be going, would she?

...

"Yes, we’re going!" Tang Xiaobai was excited when talking about it, "Big sister said our whole family is going! I’ll bring you all along, and after we pray for the Crown Prince, we’ll go to Qujiang Pool to watch the dragon boat races!"

This was the first traditional festival she’d celebrated since arriving in this world!

Dragon Boat Festival! Eating and having fun! Just thinking about it made her so happy!

Huh? Why does the young master look unhappy?

"You don’t like it?" Tang Xiaobai felt a bit troubled.

Why was this kid so melancholy? Could he be jealous of Ah Yuan again?

Li Mu shook his head and handed her a cloth bag.

"What’s this?" Tang Xiaobai asked as she took it, weighing it in her hand.

Eh, it felt like—

She quickly opened it to peek inside and then just as quickly closed it.

Tang Xiaobai looked up, eyes twinkling.

The young man’s expression was calm, but the corners of his lips twitched slightly. He averted his eyes and said, "I wonder if the Second Miss could use this—"

Tang Xiaobai burst into a giggle, held his hand, and shook it gently, whispering, "Thank you..." She rubbed his fingers and asked, "So much... Wasn’t that tiring?"

The boy couldn’t hold back the smile tugging at his lips. A bright and innocent expression overcame his calm demeanor, sweet enough to melt her heart.

The bag contained a stack of paper, filled with handwriting.

Although she hadn’t seen exactly what was written, she could guess from the handwriting—90% similar to her own—that it was the Young Master mimicking her style to copy the "Medicine Buddha Sutra."

She wasn’t particularly keen on copying sutras, but it was an order from above; she couldn’t just refuse.

Just like he had many things he couldn’t openly say, she could subtly understand and help him resolve them.

She hadn’t expected that her unspoken need was also understood by him and that he’d helped her finish it in such a short time.

Feeling touched, Tang Xiaobai instantly regretted being mad at him yesterday!

Wasn’t it just because he said her writing was poor?

She knew it was bad, and he was only stating the truth, and he’d already said it quite tactfully. Why had she been so petty?

And today, she shouldn’t have been impatient with him. The young master was just an awkward, jealous kid. It was probably because he’d never had anyone be kind to him before, which is why he was possessive of her.

Just jealousy, there was no malice in it. All she needed to do was be a bit more affectionate and coax him, right?

"About what I said yesterday—" Tang Xiaobai pulled him closer, whispering, "You know, outside, you and Ah Yuan are the same. If I only take you and not him, people will find it strange. You’re also very handsome, so drawing too much attention is not good. If it weren’t for that, I’d definitely want to take only you!"

The young man lowered his eyes and murmured an "Mm," then added, "Last time, going to Pingyang Princess Mansion—"

Hey! Was he bringing up old matters now?

Tang Xiaobai suppressed a laugh and said, "Last time was really because I wanted you to rest more. If you’d gone that day, you would’ve just stood outside watching us eat, drink, and play. How boring would that be?"

The young man only uttered another "Mm," leaving it uncertain whether he accepted this explanation or not.

Tang Xiaobai giggled and shook his hand again, saying, "Actually, I’ve copied it too. When the time comes, I’ll submit both copies. Yours will be for praying for the Crown Prince, and mine... will be for praying for you. How about that?"

Li Mu glanced at her and nodded silently. Praying for himself might work too...

Tang Xiaobai became even more cheerful, chattering about the Dragon Boat Festival arrangements: "During the Dragon Boat Festival, the palace will gift nine kinds of zongzi and colorful-thread zongzi... The Yu family’s zongzi are also delicious... Do you prefer sweet or salty ones?"

"Either." Li Mu replied casually.

He had never tasted sweet ones, nor salty ones, only those that were poisonous.

"On that day, we need to leave early... I heard Xianfu Temple is huge..."

Li Mu had been to Xianfu Temple before. Although he didn’t want to go, the temple was reportedly built for the blessings of his parents.

He was too young back then to notice if the temple was large.

He’d never cared much about such things, but as the young girl excitedly talked, he found himself looking forward to it...

...

Unfortunately, this anticipation was soon shattered—

"... The meaning from the palace is that at noon on the Dragon Boat Day, as it is the auspicious time for exorcism and warding off illness, His Highness should visit Xianfu Temple at that time to receive the prayers of eminent monks and the people."

Li Mu couldn’t help but show his irritation.

The Second Miss Tang had just mentioned bringing him to Xianfu Temple. How could he "gracefully visit" then?

...

Tang Xiaobai also caught wind of the news.

"The Crown Prince is going too? Isn’t he ill? Going through all this trouble—" Before she could finish, Tang Jiaojiao covered her mouth.

"What are you babbling about? It’s an imperial decree for the Crown Prince’s blessings!" Tang Jiaojiao emphasized each word sternly.

Tang Xiaobai was inwardly indignant.

This was clearly a ploy to torment that child! The intentions were as obvious as Sima Zhao’s!

Is there no one in the court to speak up for the Young Crown Prince? It’s so pitiful...

"Besides the Crown Prince, all other princes and princesses will be there too—"

"Will Pingyang Princess be there?" Tang Xiaobai immediately asked.

"Of course! Pingyang Princess has already sent someone to invite us to watch the dragon boat race together—" Tang Jiaojiao suddenly recalled the incident at Pingyang Princess Mansion last time and warned her with a look, "Keep your mouth shut this time, and stop meddling!"

Tang Xiaobai nodded absentmindedly.

She’s too busy figuring out how to comfort the young master to worry about other people’s business!