What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?-Chapter 380 - 376: Encircling Tonghua Valley

While in a drowsy sleep, Tang Xiaobai felt someone touching her face, light as butterfly wings, brushing against her and then fluttering away, landing softly on another spot. It tickled a bit, making her want to laugh.

As she laughed, the butterfly landed at the corner of her lips, accompanied by a warm breath.

She suddenly opened her eyes.

In front of her was an enlarged face.

Seeing her eyes open, the face retreated a little.

A young man was leaning at the bedside, his dark collar covering half his snow-white neck, his skin cold like jade, brows like ink feathers, and his pitch-black eyes mixed with the gentle touch of morning light.

Both obedient and warm, full of youthful charm.

Oh dear, to see someone so good-looking the moment she opened her eyes!

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck, nuzzling against him as she mumbled, "Up so early?"

Li Mu murmured a response, holding her along with the quilt in his embrace as he kissed her: "Habit."

Tang Xiaobai yawned, "Then I should get up too."

"Sleep a bit longer, it’s fine," Li Mu said.

Tang Xiaobai laughed, "How is it fine? We still have to visit the Empress Dowager and Empress, and meet the concubines."

"Those are not important," Li Mu dismissively replied, "Do you want to go back to the Duke Yan Mansion?"

"Oh!" Tang Xiaobai playfully pinched his face, "Don’t be stubborn! It was one thing to pull a trick on Your Majesty yesterday, but you can’t do that with the Empress Dowager! Since my mother is fine, visiting after the three-day return will be the same."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you." The Crown Prince was obedient and sweet.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart melted, hugging him even tighter, she playfully commanded, "Carry me up!"

Li Mu curved his lips, lifting her from the quilt.

The nightgown was thin, all warmth and softness to the touch, and as Li Mu stood by the bed, he paused momentarily.

Tang Xiaobai was climbing onto him when she suddenly felt something was off, hesitated, and quickly jumped to the ground.

Li Mu took a deep breath, nonchalantly placing an outer garment over her shoulders, and took her hand as they walked out.

Tang Xiaobai glanced at him from the side.

Though his ear tips were flushed red, his face remained cold and composed.

A bit cute.

Compared to the aggressiveness of the wedding night, he seemed completely different.

Perhaps he was truly frightened last night?

Thinking of his pitiful look the previous night, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but squeeze his hand, and when he turned his head in confusion, she smiled: "The gifts for the three-day return ceremony should be ready, except for the one for Ziyi, what do you think we should send?"

...

Tang Ziyi was the name long decided for the youngest in the Tang Family.

A daughter named Ying, meaning completion; a son named Yi, meaning adding brilliance.

But on the day of the three-day return, when Tang Xiaobai saw the newly born little brother, she found out that her father had changed the name at the last minute.

The final name decided was Tang Ting.

"What does this name mean?" Tang Xiaobai asked.

Gu Ning smiled but did not answer.

"Father said, we’ve had enough children, we can stop now," Tang Jiaojiao laughed heartily as she explained.

Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but laugh too.

But this name... is quite nice.

With two sons and two daughters in their family, and with their mother reaching over forty, it was indeed time to stop.

Little Tang Ting was just a day old, not yet good-looking, nor much to look at.

Even Gu Ning, still lacking energy, said only a few words before Tang Xiaobai left.

Exiting the main hall, she encountered Tang Ziqian.

By etiquette, Tang Ziqian should have been with Tang Shigong entertaining the Crown Prince.

"Father and the Crown Prince have things to discuss, so I came out to check on you," Tang Ziqian explained while observing her, "Is Li Mu treating you well?"

Tang Xiaobai curved her eyes with a smile: "He’s always treated me well."

Tang Ziqian’s lips pressed into a line, his eyes roaming over her, uncertain whether he believed it or not.

Tang Xiaobai felt moved and amused, spreading her arms wide, spinning around in place for him to see: "I’m really fine!"

Only then did Tang Ziqian smile, opening his arms and saying: "Come, let brother give you a hug."

Tang Xiaobai’s eyes heated as she was about to step forward when suddenly—

"Ahem, ahem!" Someone coughed heavily.

Tang Xiaobai glanced to the side, sure enough, the Crown Prince stood not far away, wearing a cold expression.

"Xiaobai, come here!" came Tang Ziqian’s urging in her ear, the tone slightly provocative.

Tang Xiaobai stifled her laughter, walked into Tang Ziqian’s arms despite the Crown Prince’s sharp stare, and gently embraced him.

The sibling bond in their family was undeniable, and she truly saw Tang Ziqian as an elder brother, though not as close as Tang Jiaojiao.

Sometimes she felt guilty, wondering if she hadn’t come, would her brother have a cute, affectionate little sister instead of her awkward self?

But she had come after all.

Ultimately, it was her who came.

Feeling Tang Ziqian patting her back, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but give him another hug.

This time, before she could solidify the embrace, she was pulled away and into another embrace, her waist suddenly held tight.

Blushing, Tang Xiaobai couldn’t help but want to laugh.

So childish!

Tang Ziqian also found it amusing, shaking his head and saying, "Just happened to tell you, the matter at home isn’t over, I won’t be going to the sweep of Tonghua Valley."

He had returned to the capital, firstly for his sister’s wedding, secondly for his mother’s childbirth.

Originally there was over a month free in between, feeling idle, and Tonghua Valley wasn’t too far, he thought he’d lend a hand.

Now he’s decided against it, lacking the spirit.

Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaobai stopped laughing and asked: "Have you found anything?"

Tang Ziqian shook his head, a hint of frustration crossing his brow: "We’ve gone through everyone in the mansion, couldn’t find the source, mother’s food and items were all in order."

Tang Xiaobai furrowed her brows: "Who would want to harm mother?"

The Duke Yan Mansion already had a remarkable eldest legitimate son, theoretically, harming Gu Ning’s unborn child wouldn’t significantly impact the mansion.

But it wouldn’t just be a coincidence.

If it were a coincidence, there wouldn’t be no trace at all.

So, what was the reason for wanting to harm Gu Ning?

"We’ll continue investigating," Tang Ziqian said flatly, "I have to uncover this before I return to Hebei."

Tang Xiaobai nodded.

Tang Ziqian opted out of the Tonghua Valley operation, yet he stuffed Gu You into it.

Gu You was one of Tang Xiaobai’s many cousins from the Gu family, sixth in line, also one of her classmates at the Gu family school.

Due to circumstances, he was tossed by Tang Ziqian into the military camp and unexpectedly stayed.

With no foreign wars, bandit suppression was the easiest way to gain merit.

Tossing Gu You there for training and merit, Tang Xiaobai naturally had no objection.

But to be safe, she also included Gu Wei.

Before setting off, Li Mu summoned the Gu family brothers to the Eastern Palace for instructions.

Tang Xiaobai was also present.

In suppressing Tonghua Valley, with Hua Jian and Yao He leading, supported by the Jianghu righteous forces contacted by Tao Fen, it seemed there were no major issues.

Yet, Tang Xiaobai faintly noticed that the Gu brothers didn’t seem enthusiastic.

Gu Wei always had a poker face, hard to read, but Gu You was clearly somewhat restless and anxious.

"What’s wrong?" Tang Xiaobai stayed behind to ask Gu Wei and Gu You privately.

Gu Wei finally showed a look of concern: "Uncle left a letter and left."

Gu Ling?

Tang Xiaobai’s eyelid twitched: "Where to?"

"Tonghua Valley."