CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: ZHENZHOU’S ZONGZI

Pingyang Princess indeed arrived very early.

With her status, she should be in the second-to-last group to arrive.

The last group is the Crown Prince.

But at this moment, not even all the external noble ladies have arrived at Xianfu Temple.

When Tang Xiaobai went to pay respects with her family, she was unexpectedly pulled into Pingyang Princess’s embrace.

"Haven’t seen Xiaobai for a long time? What have you been playing with lately?" Pingyang Princess asked affectionately as she hugged her.

Tang Xiaobai said seriously, "Big sister said I’m unruly and sent me to school!"

Still, it wasn’t just because she said the wrong thing in front of the Princess last time; how would Tang Jiaojiao bring her to see Pingyang Princess?

Of course, she wasn’t interested in meeting anyway.

However, Pingyang Princess didn’t hold a grudge against her.

"Xiaobai even went to school hahahaha..." Pingyang Princess laughed heartily.

Tang Xiaobai didn’t like to hear this; so what if she’s going to school? Can’t she go to school?

Unfortunately, her status wasn’t high enough, so she had to listen whether she liked it or not.

Glancing at the laughing Pingyang Princess, full of joy and blooming like a peach blossom, she couldn’t help but wonder, what was making her so happy?

After exchanging a few polite words, a well-dressed servant woman suddenly came in and whispered into Pingyang Princess’s ear.

With Tang Xiaobai sitting in the Princess’s arms, what whispering could she not hear?

"The Prince Consort is in Yongfu Village, escorting the Crown Prince to Xianfu Temple along the way."

Tang Xiaobai suddenly understood.

So Pingyang Princess was here for Zhao Jing!

But hearing now that Zhao Jing was still in Yongfu Village, the air of youthful longing around the Princess dissipated instantly.

"How long before he arrives?" Pingyang Princess asked urgently.

The servant woman cautiously replied, "It should be around the seventh quarter of the si hour... arriving together with the Crown Prince’s carriage?"

That means it would take two more hours.

Since Pingyang Princess had already come to Xianfu Temple, running back to Yongfu Village wasn’t appropriate, so she could only sit and wait.

Thinking about it made the Princess’s face even darker.

Although the Gu Family didn’t hear what the servant said, seeing Pingyang Princess’s expression, they quickly took their leave with their two daughters.

After leaving Pingyang Princess’s meditation room, Tang Jiaojiao whispered, "Why is Zhao Jing accompanying the Crown Prince?"

Tang Xiaobai was suddenly startled.

Indeed!

Why would Zhao Jing escort the Crown Prince?

Last time it was Zhao Jingwei’s Zhenzhou Imperial Court.

Zhao Jing was clearly the Emperor’s sword!

Zhao Jing escorting the Crown Prince, what does that imply?

...

"Zhao Jing?" Li Mu was also quite surprised.

"Yes! Mr. Wang said that all government offices’ arrangements were normal, except for transferring Zhao Jing from the Left Leading Army Guard to the Crown Prince Right Guard, responsible for today’s security from the Crown Prince Mansion to Xianfu Temple," Deng Liao then reassured, "But Zhao Jing is just a small captain with few men, and it doesn’t affect today’s vigilance."

Li Mu shook his head: "It’s not against me."

The Emperor never took him seriously; to make this move was targeting someone else.

Using him as bait.

"Immediately have someone contact Su Shunqing—"

...

Changxing Village, outside the Zhenzhou Imperial Academy gate.

"Our Second Miss wants to taste some Zhenzhou-style rice dumplings, freshly made. Please have the Imperial Envoy deliver them to Duke Yan Mansion around the hour of you. During the day, Second Miss is at Xianfu Temple praying for the Crown Prince, so there’s no need for the envoy to deliver them!"

The maid transmitting the message wore exquisite clothes, carried herself with an air of arrogance, and appeared to be a close servant of the master, likely delivering the master’s exact words.

As is the servant, so is the master.

Even a maid dared to be so presumptuous before an official, indicating the extent of the master’s insolence?

Even passersby couldn’t stand it, shaking their heads repeatedly, casting indignant glances.

But the young official being treated this way maintained an attentive stance throughout, and after the maid finished speaking, he nodded with a smile, "Please relay to Second Miss, Su will certainly deliver the rice dumplings to Duke Yan Mansion at the hour of you, and it will not be delivered to the wrong place!"

Polite and genteel, and also remarkably handsome, making the maid blush, who then quickly put on her haughty demeanor, gave him a perfunctory nod, and left with two accompanying servants.

Su Shunqing stood in place, his gaze lingering for a while, looking toward the sky, pausing briefly, then smiling and turning back into the Zhenzhou Imperial Academy.

Following the same route as before, he climbed the wall to the neighboring yard.

This time, the person wasn’t sitting in the pavilion but by the water, wielding a large sword with vigorous energy.

Judging by the figure, with broad shoulders and long legs, robust and towering, yet when facing him, he looked no older than a youth barely reaching adulthood, still a young man.

Seeing Su Shunqing come in, the young man stopped his moves, casually inserting the sword into the ground.

Su Shunqing glanced at the sword and couldn’t help but say, "The Princely Heir’s sword is extraordinary; placing it on a young girl’s neck is indeed very dangerous!"

The Princely Heir rubbed his nose, cleared his throat twice, and asked, "What did that young girl from the Tang Family want from you?"

A flash of confusion in Su Shunqing’s eyes, he recounted the words of the maid.

After listening, the Princely Heir was surprised, "That little girl is giving a warning too?"

Su Shunqing was puzzled: "Didn’t the Crown Prince already send a message, why have Second Miss Tang give a warning too?" The Crown Prince’s messenger and Second Miss Tang’s maid arrived almost consecutively.

"Maybe she just wants to eat Zhenzhou rice dumplings?" the Princely Heir speculated.

Su Shunqing chuckled, "There’s not much difference between Zhenzhou rice dumplings and those in the Capital City!"

The Princely Heir laughed heartily and said, "What does she know, being just a little girl? You might as well have someone make a couple for her!"

Su Shunqing smiled and agreed, then asked, "And over at Xianfu Temple?"

The message from the Crown Prince and the vague hint from Second Miss Tang seemed to suggest the same thing—don’t go to Xianfu Temple.

The Prince Consort Zhao Jingping was transferred to the Crown Prince Right Guard, responsible for today’s security, likely targeting the "assassin" who appeared at the Crown Prince Mansion last time.

From the Emperor’s perspective, last time Zhenzhou sent people to spy on the Crown Prince Mansion, intending to rescue the Crown Prince but never even saw the Crown Prince’s face.

So he set this trap, having the Crown Prince leave the Crown Prince Mansion to lure out the "assassin," allowing Zhao Jing to observe in secret and capture them when the opportunity arises.

This trap is also correct; the Princely Heir originally planned to disguise himself and go to Xianfu Temple for fun.

The Crown Prince’s message was very timely.

Uh... Miss Tang’s message was also very timely...

Since there’s a trap, should we just let it go?

"Just letting it go? Wouldn’t that be too boring?" The young Princely Heir curved his lips and smiled.

Playing tricks? Who doesn’t know how?

"Immediately gather all personnel, otherwise, the Crown Prince’s carriage will arrive soon—"