"Master, here's the pearl that the lady of the jiao residence sent to her maid to pawn off. It was Jiancheng Pawn house. The one that opened a month ago in the eastern Li province. In ordinary pawnhouses the price would go up to 1 silver tael at most. But according to master's words, Tang Lei has offered the shopkeeper 5 taels in total." Tang Lei reported swiftly.
Tang Yuanxiao accepted the pearl, rolling it between his fingers to feel its size. The lines of his temple smoothened. This wasn't the jewel she had pawned off in her last life.
He was worried she would repeat her mistakes.
Tang Lei left tactically after realising that master wasn't going to give him any new instructions.
Actually, since she also had memories from her last life, it was quite understandable why she was so hell bent against Tang Fanghua, and why she took decisions that were entirely different from her last life.
It was him who felt anxious every time. Because he had seen her fall for him. He had also unintentionally noticed her changing her own mould to fit into Tang Fanghua's world. Was it easy to fall out of love? Did fourth brother really no longer have any space in her heart?
The pearl rolled down from his hand to his lap.
But the hate in her heart also appeared to be strong. Could she hate Tang Fanghua if she had never loved him?
If only, instead of being unbothered and indifferent as always he had told her that he was the one who saved her, not his brother, wouldn't have everything turned out to be perfect?
But what was done, was done. No amount of regrets and heartaches could change that.
He now was more curious about what she wanted the money for?
Raising her own people to stop Tang Fanghua from ascending the throne?
"Host, your progress is 90% on the 1st mission."
Xiao Kui's sudden notification made him look at the system UI once again. The colors were truly tacky.
He still didn't understand the concept of percent, but looking at the pink progress bar almost filled with, he got the idea that only a little more work would be needed to complete the token mission.
"Why can't I just hire a spy to get fourth brother's token for you?"
'Oh brother, if only it was that easy."
Xiao Kui swung its tail a few times in the air, floating around Tang Yuanxiao before opening its mouth. "Host, if that was the case, don't you think Xiao Kui could have done that simply by using these advanced equipment? And then replacing the real token with a fake one, so that no one realizes? Master needs this specific scenario, so that he can note down the outcome and recognize the patterns in the human psyche."
Tang Yuanxioa frowned. "Master? Am I not your master?"
Xiao Kui was so taken aback that it was about to crash down.
'Bah, what nonsense. If this ancient ass man was my master, I would already die simply of no recharge.'
"NO." With a big dialogue bubble popping out of its mouth it immediately went back offline. Just to show offended it was.
—------------------------------
Emperor Tang looked at the present princes and ministers, before clearing his throat.
"Any remaining matters left?" His authoritative voice resounded in the palace court.
Minister Wen wanted to present the taxation issue in Nanjiang, but looking at the emperor's impatient face, he no longer had the courage.
"Since everyone is silent, Zhen will make the announcement now. The autumn winds rise. It is time to test the spirits of the young generation. On the fifteenth day of the Eighth Month, the autumn hunt will take place on the southern hunting field of Chang'an."
Concubine Li pretended to remain calm on the surface. On the other hand, Concubine Ni's grip on her silk clearly showed the noxious ripples in her hand.
The emperor's words were obvious. The autumn hunt is most likely to dictate who will be the next emperor. Although the fourth prince was the crown prince in name, that was merely a strategy to keep the people of the kingdom calm. Everyone in the royal palace was aware of that.
But the fact that the emperor was the one to announce the event, and not the palace eunuch unlike every other year – if someone still couldn't understand it was a miracle how they were alive in the palace.
Tang Fanghua casted a glance at his mother who didn't look his way. Whereas Tang Ziran looked entirely unbothered by most ministers and concubines looking his way.
Mother surely had her strategies. To make everyone hint at the first prince's ambitions. If he won, he would still be under the emperor's radar, and if he lost, that would surely mean even the ones who genuinely were thinking of joining him would lose faith in him.