"The domain of Zhenzhou belongs to Prince Changshan—"
Tang Xiaobai understood it after hearing the first sentence.
In this book, she might forget other things, but she must remember Prince Changshan!
The male protagonist Li Xingyuan is the princely heir of Prince Changshan!
"Prince Changshan's family line is from the same legitimate line as the founding ancestor, having been enfeoffed in Zhenzhou since the founding ancestor's time, enjoying a superior status. It was fine earlier, but since—" At this point, Tang Jiaojiao abruptly stopped, her gaze cautiously scanning around, and she did not continue.
"Since what?" Tang Xiaobai, seeing the caution on the young lady's face for the first time, couldn't help but become even more curious.
Tang Jiaojiao dismissively waved her hand and said, "Anyway, Zhenzhou is not to be messed with now, and even the Palace's edicts often find them difficult to handle. For a tiny place like Wannian County, it's extremely challenging."
Tang Xiaobai uttered an "oh" and asked again, "So, since what?"
Tang Jiaojiao pressed her head down with one hand: "Why do kids ask so many questions!"
"If you don't want me to ask, I won't ask..." Tang Xiaobai murmured, shaking her hand free.
Even if she didn't say, she could guess.
In the original ending, the male protagonist Li Xingyuan became the emperor, indicating that the relationship between Prince Changshan and the emperor wasn't that well.
That "since" was probably the reason their relationship broke down.
Is this reason important?
In any case, it wasn't as important as Little Qin coming.
After lunch, Tang Xiaobai went to the West Wing again, only to shut the door in her face.
"Ding Shiqi took his medicine at noon and then went to sleep. I heard that the medicine helps with sleep." Coincidentally, the person who answered her casual inquiry was the same one from last time, the new little guard she selected yesterday.
Since he was asleep, Tang Xiaobai wouldn't wake him up.
She just unconsciously looked back when leaving.
The door was tightly closed, quiet as if no one was inside...
...
After the nap, Tang Xiaobai went to the West Wing again.
This time, she was stopped before stepping into the yard.
"Second Miss," Mr. Zhou was carrying a stack of books and stopped at the southwest corner of the corridor heading east. His fair and elegant face bore a playful smile, "I've been waiting for you all afternoon. Why didn't you show up?"
Tang Xiaobai thought to herself, we didn't make an appointment, but recalling that "since," she was curious again and said, "My sister made me nap, and I just woke up!"
Mr. Zhou laughed heartily and added, "Does Second Miss want to come over for tea? I have freshly bought peach crisps—"
...
Of course, Tang Xiaobai wasn't going for the peach crisps, but Mr. Zhou's freshly bought ones were indeed delicious, so delicious that she couldn't resist asking, "Where did you buy this from?"
Mr. Zhou chuckled and said, "Just by the east gate of Changxing Village, about twenty steps south, then about thirty steps west..."
Since entering the Duke Yan Mansion, Tang Xiaobai had not stepped outside its gates, so she just lowered her head and continued eating as she listened to his directions.
When Mr. Zhou finished speaking, she asked, "My sister said Zhenzhou used to get along well with the Palace but later stopped obeying the edicts. What happened?"
Mr. Zhou laughed and asked back, "Why is Second Miss so interested in the affairs of Zhenzhou?"
"It's because you all speak half and leave half unsaid, making me uncomfortable without hearing it all." What Tang Xiaobai said was the truth.
Mr. Zhou laughed for a while and said, "It's not a secret, and Second Miss will know sooner or later," pausing, sprinkling a pinch of salt into boiling water, "The current Prince Changshan was once the imperial tutor of the previous Crown Prince. When the late emperor passed, the previous Crown Prince died on the same day. Not long after, the current emperor ascended as the Second Prince—"
At this point, Zhou Xun glanced at Tang Xiaobai.
A nine-year-old child, not too big, but not too small either.
The Second Miss of the Duke Yan Mansion looked charming and clever, yet by this point in the conversation, even the little girl had a look of some understanding in her dark eyes.
Zhou Xun couldn't help but smile with satisfaction and sprinkled tea powder onto the boiling water.
As the tea aroma rose with the steam, he took a light sniff and felt this pot of tea had brewed to perfection.
Looking up, he saw the little girl staring intently at the boiling pot and said with a smile, "It'll be ready soon, don't worry."
Tang Xiaobai gulped.
Could she refuse salted tea?
But the elder had personally handed the tea bowl to her. Gritting her teeth and with a heart ready for anything, Tang Xiaobai reached for the tea bowl—
"Sir!" came a call from outside, "County Magistrate Zheng from Wannian County is requesting an audience!"
Tang Xiaobai quickly pulled her hand back and said obediently, "Since you have a guest, I'll leave now!"
Mr. Zhou's gaze flickered slightly, and he smiled, "Would Second Miss like to know why County Magistrate Zheng is here?"
"Isn't he here to apologize?" Tang Xiaobai asked in confusion.
She seemed to recall Tang Jiaojiao mentioning yesterday that the County Magistrate of Wannian County would come personally to apologize.
Mr. Zhou smiled mysteriously, "Not necessarily, would Second Miss like to stay and listen?"
Tang Xiaobai couldn't help but think about the Zhenzhou topic they just discussed.
Could it be related to this?
But... would she be allowed to listen to such matters? Wasn't she just a child? Even Xue Shaojian this morning didn't want to speak in front of her!
...
In reality, she was overthinking it. County Magistrate Zheng might not be willing to speak openly in front of her, but Mr. Zhou had intentionally arranged for her to eavesdrop!
Tang Xiaobai hid in the side room, fearing the ancient room's soundproofing was poor, so she even slowed her breath.
She heard footsteps approaching from afar, entering the room.
After the usual exchange of pleasantries, County Magistrate Zheng began to apologize, blaming it on his subordinates' indiscretion, who had already been reprimanded, nothing new.
Tang Xiaobai found it boring until suddenly she heard County Magistrate Zheng change the subject, saying, "Next time, I will assign someone more sensible, so as not to trouble your mansion further."
Listen to that! Is this the attitude of apology?
Tang Xiaobai was utterly surprised.
This County Magistrate was quite stubborn! Did he really intend to send someone again? He seemed not to care about their family's young lady at all!
Mr. Zhou shared the same thought, letting out a laugh, "As the superiors set examples, I'm afraid Wannian County might already be lacking sensible people to send."
County Magistrate Zheng also laughed, "To be frank, our county has already discovered bloodstains in Xuanyang Village's Jingyu Temple, Pingkang Village, and Anxing Village."
Mr. Zhou immediately composed himself, looking silently at County Magistrate Zheng.
County Magistrate Zheng nodded with a smile, "This matter is of great importance, and I ask your esteemed mansion to cooperate."
Mr. Zhou coldly chuckled, "How to cooperate? After interrogating the Second Miss, do you plan to send the young lady for your questioning too?"
County Magistrate Zheng shook his head laughing, "That was just the constables' folly below, hardly an interrogation."
Mr. Zhou's gaze sharply narrowed.
County Magistrate Zheng said no more and stood up to leave.
Mr. Zhou, having seen County Magistrate Zheng off, sighed at the knowledge-seeking face of Tang Xiaobai, "Second Miss, you might have gotten yourself involved in something big!"
From the moment "bloodstains were discovered," Tang Xiaobai couldn't understand a thing: ???
...
The mystery wasn't solved until the next morning.
At the time, Mr. Zhou only said, "It's late, we'll discuss it after informing the lady tomorrow."
But before Mr. Zhou could inform the lady the next day, more guests came to the house again and again.