Chapter 39: Saving the Exiled Crown Princess Consort (11)

After Zhao Chengfeng left, Tang Qi summoned the people from the Princess’s Mansion waiting outside and gave them a few instructions. Soon, servants delivered food, clean bedding, some daily necessities, and even a few books. The Government Office’s prison was very clean; each cell had three walls, and in the corner was a thick pile of dry straw. After a simple tidying, it could even be called clean and comfortable.

After eating, Tang Qi picked up a book and flipped through it. Luo Xu stared at the book for a moment, then her gaze shifted to Tang Qi. The faint candlelight spilled over Tang Qi, casting small shadows on her face. Luo Xu lowered her eyes, turned around, and hugged Tang Qi, burying her face in her embrace, dejected and crestfallen. “I said I’d come back for revenge, and on the second day, I’m already framed by someone!”

She loathed prisons. This place always reminded her of the darkness and dampness of the Dali Temple Prison, the rats scurrying past her feet, the cockroaches in her bowl, the agony of being unable to plead her case—every image suffocated her.

Tang Qi put down the book and pinched her earlobe. “When something happens, we should blame the evildoer, not the victim. You didn’t know what the bad guys were going to do!”

Luo Xu was in low spirits, feeling useless and like she was embarrassing Tang Qi. Tang Qi pinched her cheek. “How should I comfort you? Hmm?” That drawn-out “Hmm” was tender and full of lingering affection, making Luo Xu blush and her heart race.

The System gestured wildly: “Host, kiss her! Kiss her until she faints!” Tang Qi slapped it unconscious in her mind and locked it away.

Luo Xu’s gloominess dissipated considerably, though she was still somewhat disappointed in herself. She sighed slightly. “Now I know how to break this situation.” The scheme wasn’t particularly ingenious; it had simply won by catching her off guard.

Tang Qi put down her book, assuming a posture of attentive listening. Luo Xu began, “During the chaos, I glanced at Nalan Xue’s wound. The wound was angled, stabbed in diagonally.”

Luo Xu demonstrated an angle. Tang Qi leaned down, kissed Luo Xu on the corner of her lips, and murmured, “Luoluo is so clever, remembering it with just a glance.”

Both embarrassed and annoyed, Luo Xu quickly looked around. Fortunately, their cell had three walls, and being in the corner meant no one else could see. She reached out and pinched Tang Qi. “Be serious… I was standing directly opposite her. If I had struck, the wound would have been perpendicular.”

Tang Qi, not feeling she had done anything wrong, kissed her again with a rewarding air. “Mm, and what else?”

Luo Xu didn’t know whether to be angry or to laugh. She glared at her. “According to the angle I observed, the Flying Needle should have been shot from my left rear. Judging by the force of the hidden weapon, the culprit was about fifteen paces from Nalan Xue. I was about eight paces from Nalan Xue. At my distance, if she had been hit by that hidden weapon, she’d be dead for sure.”

After the incident, Tang Qi had the System check Nalan Xue’s wound and also listened in on the Capital Prefect’s interrogation. Her deductions matched Luo Xu’s.

“It’s just that there were so many people, and the scene was chaotic. I don’t remember who was on my left. The Nalan family’s servants accused me, presumably afraid of being punished when they went back, and admittedly, I was the most suspicious.” Luo Xu sighed. She could only clear her own name, but couldn’t find the true culprit.

Tang Qi continued kissing her. “Impressive, I hadn’t thought of all that!” This angered Luo Xu so much that she couldn’t help but twist Tang Qi’s arm. Then, seeing the red mark on her wrist, she hurriedly rubbed it with a pained expression, forgetting her discomfort in the prison and her previous self-reproach.

Tang Qi understood that as long as this evidence was presented in court, Luo Xu’s innocence could be completely proven. She had already sent people to prepare straw dummies for demonstrations and the hidden weapons.

But… Tang Qi lowered her eyes. Could Zhao Chengfeng not have thought of this? He could think of it, but he didn’t dare to help exonerate Luo Xu. He only dared to find someone secretly to take the blame.

Because rumors were already circulating in the Capital, pointing directly at Zhao Chengfeng. Saying he was treacherous, saying he was ungrateful to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. And as far as she knew, although most of those rumors and betting pools about Luo Xu returning to the Capital were spread by Nalan Xue, another half was… Zhao Chengfeng.

He used Luo Xu’s rumors to cover up matters concerning himself. The Book of the World even said he liked Luo Xu. This kind of ‘like’ was truly cheap and disgusting, but he certainly was ruthless!

“Does it hurt?” Luo Xu asked, rubbing Tang Qi’s wrist. Tang Qi reached out, pinched her chin, and kissed her. “A kiss and it won’t hurt anymore.”

With the Princess’s Mansion’s intervention, Luo Xu’s case was brought to trial the next day. The Princess’s Mansion’s people helped find witnesses from that time, all of whom testified to Luo Xu’s and Nalan Xue’s positions.

As the defendant, Luo Xu did not proactively argue; Tang Qi defended her. But the Nalan family wouldn’t accept it, clamoring for Luo Xu to be sentenced to death.

Unhurried, Tang Qi relied on the witnesses’ testimony, chose the designated position, and shot a Flying Needle at the straw dummy representing Nalan Xue. The needle pierced straight through the chest and embedded itself in the pillar behind, demonstrating that from Luo Xu’s position, Nalan Xue’s injury absolutely could not have been so light.

The Nalan family still wouldn’t accept it, claiming Tang Qi had used a more powerful hidden weapon, and that yesterday’s weapon was less powerful. This time, Tang Qi requested the Coroner and renowned Capital physicians to examine Nalan Xue’s wound. These physicians could all attest that the angle of Nalan Xue’s wound was slightly wide.

Tang Qi asked the Nalan family to examine the straw dummy’s wound themselves. The wound was vertical to the torso, shot straight into the dummy. She conducted several more tests—no matter the posture, a wound inflicted by a person stabbing would never have such a large angle.

The Nalan family fell silent. The Capital Prefect brought down the gavel, announcing Luo Xu’s innocence.

In the distance, Zhao Chengfeng watched Tang Qi, who was speaking confidently, and watched the soft, utterly trusting smile Luo Xu directed at Tang Qi. He nearly ground his teeth to dust.

Many commoners had gathered outside the court to watch. Zhao Zhen had actually come too. Once Luo Xu was acquitted, Zhao Zhen showed a slight smile. She called Tang Qi and Luo Xu over and, under the pretense of celebration, took the two to a restaurant.

After going upstairs, however, she said someone wanted to meet Tang Qi, and she would wait with Luo Xu in the adjacent private room. Zhao Zhen had helped them a lot; Tang Qi and Luo Xu didn’t want to embarrass Zhao Zhen. Exchanging a glance, they agreed.

But Tang Qi was worried about Luo Xu. She woke the System and had it watch over her, then went to the private room Zhao Zhen had designated.

Entering the room, she saw four Guards standing by the window. The sharp gleam in their eyes and the faint killing intent around them suggested their martial skills were not weak. At the center table sat a middle-aged man, behind whom a beardless young man stood, bending slightly at the waist.

In a single glance, Tang Qi recognized the other party’s identity. Without a ripple in her heart, she cupped her hands and bowed. “This common woman, Tang Qi, greets His Majesty.” Some Taskers disliked kneeling to rulers of small worlds. She didn’t care. She had no intention of changing this world, so naturally, she would do as the locals did.

“Quick, rise.” Emperor Zhao Yi helped Tang Qi up, scrutinizing her carefully, his eyes moist. “All grown up. You look exactly like your mother.” Zhao Yi had stumbled into becoming Emperor after rising in rebellion. The Original Host was his daughter by his first wife. During a war, she had accidentally been separated from her mother. Zhao Yi searched for them for a long time, to no avail.

When he became Emperor, he named his first wife Empress, and for all these years, he had not appointed another Empress.

“Zhen went to the Government Office earlier. You spoke very well. My child has great talent.” Zhao Yi was very happy. Seeing Tang Qi’s composure, neither flattered nor alarmed, his smile widened.

He pulled Tang Qi into a meandering conversation, even crying at the sad parts. Tang Qi truly hadn’t expected the Emperor to have this kind of personality and could only offer a few dry words of comfort.

“I heard from your aunt that you had a great fortune in the Western Regions?” Zhao Yi wiped his face and asked. Tang Qi recounted the lie she had prepared, expecting the Emperor to question it. But the Emperor just stroked his beard, his face full of gratification. “My child is blessed. Good! Very good!”

Tang Qi: …

Zhao Yi asked Tang Qi a few more questions, which Tang Qi answered properly. Zhao Yi continued praising, “My child is clever.” He tried to drag Tang Qi back to the Imperial Palace, but Tang Qi politely declined. She had been delayed by Zhao Yi for an hour; Luo Xu must be worried.

Zhao Yi stroked his beard and slowly said, “My child’s haste must be for the girl in the next room, right?”

With that lighthearted remark, the previously harmonious atmosphere instantly froze. Tang Qi’s fingers curled slightly, her tone unruffled. “So what if it is?” She had never intended to hide it from others; she just hadn’t expected the Marquis of Zhenbei to tell Zhao Zhen, and Zhao Zhen to tell the Emperor.

The Emperor’s face darkened slightly. “Nonsense. If you were keeping a few Male Concubines, it would be one thing, but you’ve made trouble with a woman. Tomorrow, Zhen will give her a title and marry her off.”

Tang Qi’s eyes turned cold. She unconsciously touched the soft sword at her waist. In an instant, the four Guards drew their blades in unison. Zhao Yi raised his hand to stop the guards, his eyes fixed on Tang Qi. “What are you going to do? Patricide? Regicide?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Just escape with someone.” Tang Qi drew her soft sword, not compromising just because the other party was the Emperor. “Please, Your Majesty, pretend you never met me.”

Zhao Yi was angered into a laugh. “Do you know what it means to be a Princess?”

Money? Power? Tang Qi didn’t care. She could have them whenever she wanted; it was just a principle in her heart not to disrupt the original operation of a small world.

“Very well. Among all Zhen’s children, you have the greatest courage.” Zhao Yi’s tone was unreadable. “Do you think you can resist Zhen?”

“We can try.” Tang Qi still showed little emotion. Zhao Yi was furious, but seeing Tang Qi’s face, so identical to his late wife’s, he couldn’t bring himself to be harsh.

“I don’t understand!” Tang Qi spoke. “Men having three wives and four concubines, you all consider it heavenly principle. A Princess can keep Male Concubines, being unfaithful in love. Why can you not accept me and Luo Xu?”

The Emperor’s expression paused. “Nonsense. Homosexuality goes against the harmony of nature.”

“Heaven and earth are benevolent. How can sincere affection go against the harmony of nature? Isn’t what goes against the harmony of nature being unfaithful in love? Fickleness and abandoning the old for the new?”

Zhao Yi clenched his teeth, but couldn’t bear to force an imperial order. This was, after all, the daughter of his late wife.

“Forget it. Zhen will see how far you two can go!” He huffily prepared to leave with his people, then turned back halfway. “Tomorrow, have your aunt bring you to the palace for your conferment.”

As Tang Qi walked out of the private room, she heard Zhao Yi order the Eunuch beside him: “Tomorrow, find a few handsome Male Concubines and send them to the Princess.”

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, sheathing her soft sword as she went to find Luo Xu. Luo Xu was worried, and even her conversation with Zhao Zhen was half-hearted. Seeing Tang Qi, she hurried forward.

Zhao Zhen, seeing Tang Qi alone, was quite concerned. “The Emperor… has he left?”

“Mm.” Tang Qi wasn’t angry at Zhao Zhen for informing on her. Zhao Zhen was an imperial princess; naturally, she would side with the Emperor. Seeing Tang Qi was unharmed, Zhao Zhen took her leave.

After Zhao Zhen left, Tang Qi briefly recounted the events. Hearing that Tang Qi was a Princess, Luo Xu was first pleasantly surprised, then somewhat worried.

What if the Emperor found out… Then Tang Qi’s next sentence came: “The Emperor knows.” She hadn’t expected Zhao Yi to be so soft-hearted. “He agreed.”

Luo Xu didn’t believe it. Tang Qi smiled. “Don’t worry. Leave everything to me.” She had originally thought to support someone within the Royal Family to ascend the throne, but this sudden change gave her a new idea.

Thinking this, she didn’t dwell on it. “Don’t overthink it. I heard this restaurant’s food isn’t bad. Want to try it?”

The two ate and drank their fill, then strolled side-by-side down the street. Suddenly, they heard a few people muttering: “Did you hear? The Crown Prince eats excrement.” The Great Qi had only been founded for just over ten years, continuing the customs of the previous dynasty; the common folk were very open.

Hearing imperial scandal, people all around gathered. Someone said, “No way. I heard he goes to the chamber pot to sniff it before every meal, not that he eats it!”

“No, it’s while going… at the same time eating?”

Luo Xu looked at Tang Qi in surprise and pulled her into a small alleyway nearby, lowering her voice. “You spread this?”

Tang Qi said casually, “Found a few beggars at night.”

Luo Xu said, “I thought you were joking.”

Of course not. Since Zhao Chengfeng used Luo Xu’s rumors to cover up his own ruthlessness, he shouldn’t blame her for retaliating. The System was rolling with laughter. “Host is so unprincipled, well done.”

Sometimes this kind of thing was more effective than anything else, and everyone found it amusing to talk about. If Zhao Chengfeng took issue with it, it would just confirm the matter. If he ignored it, it was still disgusting.

“What if he finds out!” Luo Xu worried. Tang Qi shook her head. “He won’t. He’ll think the Prime Minister did it.” As she spoke, she glanced at Luo Xu and realized their posture was a bit strange.

The System covered its face. “Host, isn’t Luoluo kabedon-ing you?”

Tang Qi subtly bent her knees, making herself a little shorter, just level with Luo Xu. Luo Xu hadn’t noticed Tang Qi’s little maneuver. Tang Qi was about to speak when the sound of footsteps approached.

“Sister, you…” Luo Ping’s voice came through. Tang Qi unhurriedly supported Luo Xu as they straightened up, just as Luo Ping appeared with her maidservant.

Seeing the ambiguous posture of the two, Luo Ping covered her mouth, afraid she might cry out. “Sister, you two, what is this…”

“We were just talking. Why are you here?” Tang Qi calmly adjusted her sleeves, glancing back at the dead-end alley.

Luo Ping paused. “My clothes were wrinkled, I came over here to fix them.” A reasonable excuse.

Luo Xu frowned, said a few words, and left with Tang Qi. After walking a few steps, she looked back and saw Luo Ping really was straightening her skirt. She laughed at herself for being overly suspicious.

The next day, the Emperor issued an edict conferring Tang Qi as the Regent Princess Hele, Superior First Rank. The court was in an uproar. It was known that Noble Consorts were only First Rank; only the Empress and Empress Dowager held the Superior First Rank.

At the same time, the struggle between Zhao Chengfeng and the Prime Minister reached its final moment. The Emperor issued an edict for confiscation of property. The once prominent Prime Minister’s Residence completely fell.

While Tang Qi was being honored, Zhao Chengfeng sought out Luo Xu. Luo Xu could not have appeared in the Imperial Palace originally; it was Tang Qi who had requested Zhao Zhen to bring her in.

Luo Xu hadn’t expected to see Zhao Chengfeng so soon. Zhao Chengfeng wore an expression of deep affection. “Xu’er, Gu has done it. The obstacle between us has vanished.”

Luo Xu stepped back several paces. “Crown Prince, please mind your conduct.”

“Xu’er, do you still blame Gu?” Zhao Chengfeng looked pained. “Gu told you, there were grievances before. Seeing you suffer, Gu was also pained. Now that the Nalan family has had their property confiscated, once Nalan Xue is dead, Gu will speak to Imperial Father about re-marrying you as the Crown Princess Consort.”

He stepped forward. “Of course, if you wish to enter the Eastern Palace now, you can, but you must first suffer the slight of being a Secondary Consort.”