Chapter 23: The Second Young Lady

"Go back. I have no need for you here."

Tang Zhaozhao did not look at A-Bei again, pouring herself a glass of water. A-Bei did not stand up, nor did he intend to leave.

"Second Miss, please keep me. I can be of use to you."

Tang Zhaozhao raised an eyebrow. "You know medicine, but not as well as I do. You know martial arts, but also not as well as I do. Give me one reason to keep you."

A-Bei felt stung, for Tang Zhaozhao was speaking the truth.

"Second Miss is indeed formidable, but a person's capabilities are limited. I can be your third hand; anything you find inconvenient to do yourself can be left to me."

Tang Zhaozhao’s fair hand slowly caressed the porcelain cup in her grasp. "What you say is true. If you really want to stay, I will give you a chance. Go and kidnap Xie Tingyao from the Prime Minister's estate!"

A-Bei did not hesitate to accept the order and vanished from the room. Tang Zhaozhao stared at the closed door in a daze. Was Prince Lin’s decision to give A-Bei to her truly just a simple gesture of apology? Could he be trying to steal her medical knowledge? If so, that Prince Lin was truly cunning—apologizing on the surface while secretly poaching her skills?

After leaving, A-Bei returned directly to the Prince Lin estate and reported the task assigned by Second Miss Tang to the Prince. Prince Lin looked up at him, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"Since you have been given to her, there is no need to report to me regarding the tasks she assigns you."

When A-Bei walked out of the study, he felt somewhat dazed. He saw A-Nan approaching.

"Has the Prince truly given me away?"

A-Nan replied calmly, "Mm."

A-Bei wanted to say something in rebuttal, but A-Nan continued, "A-Bei, the Prince’s word is final. Since he has given you to Second Miss Tang, you should serve her well. Perhaps one day you will have the chance to return."

A-Bei fell silent.

Inside the study, Prince Lin gazed at the flickering candlelight, lost in thought. Kidnapping the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s estate? Had the little Taoist nun just arrived in the capital only to start poking a hornet's nest?

***

Tang Zhaozhao had a wonderful sleep. As she was about to get up, she discovered someone kneeling behind the screen in front of her bed. She spoke lazily, "Is it done?"

A-Bei replied, "Yes, the person has been detained in a secluded place."

"Your efficiency is not bad. You may stay for now. As for that person, keep them locked up."

"Yes!"

Tang Zhaozhao casually threw on an outer robe and sat up. "I cannot have men in my room. You know what to do?"

A-Bei replied, "Rest assured, Miss. I will remain hidden in the shadows. If you have any orders, simply call for me."

That was convenient, so Tang Zhaozhao nodded, signaling that A-Bei could withdraw. No sooner had A-Bei left than Jianxue entered with washing supplies. Seeing Tang Zhaozhao sitting on the edge of the bed with bare feet, she immediately put down her things and hurried over. As she helped Tang Zhaozhao put on her shoes, she said, "Second Miss, it is mid-winter; you will easily catch a chill like this."

Tang Zhaozhao was not used to being served by others, but she did not stop the young girl’s concern. "I am not that delicate."

After washing up, Tang Zhaozhao prepared to head to Song Rongzhi’s courtyard for breakfast. Jianxue quickly added, "Second Miss, the Eldest Mistress is receiving guests in the front hall. Breakfast has been prepared for you in the small kitchen."

Receiving guests so early in the morning? Tang Zhaozhao was curious. "Do you know who it is?"

Jianxue had only heard the servants mention it and did not know who it was. "This servant does not know, but the others say it is a distinguished person."

A distinguished person? Tang Zhaozhao said nothing more and told Jianxue to have the breakfast brought over.

***

In the front hall, Song Rongzhi looked at the handsome man before her. She said calmly, "The General is critically ill and worries about passing his sickness to you, so he cannot meet with you. I ask for your Highness's forgiveness!"

Crown Prince Murong Bo wore a gentle smile, his demeanor and conduct quite appropriate. Gone was the image of him clutching the legs of Emperor Kangjian in the Imperial Study the other day.

"General’s wife, you are too formal. I should have come yesterday, but considering General Tang’s illness and the fatigue of the journey, I delayed my visit until today."

As he spoke, he gestured to his attendants, and several gift boxes were brought forward. Crown Prince Murong Bo said warmly, "His Majesty has been concerned about General Tang. Since he is ill, the Emperor could not come to visit in person, so he asked me to bring some medicinal herbs and supplements."

Song Rongzhi quickly rose and curtsied. "Your Highness is too kind. On behalf of the General, I thank His Majesty for his kindness. When the General is feeling better, he will enter the palace to express his gratitude in person."

Crown Prince Murong Bo waved his hand. "There is no need for such formalities. If not for the unfortunate events that befell your daughter, you would be my mother-in-law by now. It is a pity that I lack such good fortune."

Upon hearing this, a strained smile appeared on Song Rongzhi’s face, but she did not take the bait.

Seeing this, Crown Prince Murong Bo laughed awkwardly. "It is I who spoke too much. However, I heard that the General’s estate has found the Second Miss. In this way, you and the General at least have some consolation."

Song Rongzhi’s brows furrowed slightly. "Your Highness is correct. However, my youngest daughter grew up in the deep mountains and has a wild temperament. Even the General cannot handle her. If she shows any disrespect in the future, I hope Your Highness will be magnanimous."

*There’s no such thing as a free lunch,* she thought. *The Crown Prince has truly set his sights on Zhaozhao.* But Song Rongzhi was not worried; instead, she felt concerned for the Crown Prince, so she decided to warn him in advance.

Crown Prince Murong Bo, however, did not think that way. "General’s wife, do not worry. In the future, I will only look after Second Miss Tang well; how could I ever hold a grudge against her?"

Song Rongzhi could no longer keep up the conversation. "In that case, I thank Your Highness. Today, the hospitality..."

Before she could finish, the Crown Prince interrupted. "I have heard that there is a rare green plum tree in the General’s estate. I wonder if you could have a servant lead me to see it?"

A green plum tree? Having just returned to the capital, Song Rongzhi knew nothing of this. However, since the Crown Prince mentioned it, it was likely the work of her brother-in-law, Tang Wen, who enjoyed such refined tastes. Song Rongzhi summoned a servant and inquired about the situation.

"Since Your Highness has such an elegant interest, I will have a servant take you there."

Crown Prince Murong Bo nodded. Viewing the green plum was just a pretext; his main goal was to use the opportunity to see if he could catch a glimpse of the Second Miss Tang.

Tang Zhaozhao did not know that Crown Prince Murong Bo was already impatient to meet her. Tang Yuntao, from the second branch of the family, was both surprised and delighted to learn that the Crown Prince was coming to her courtyard to admire the green plum tree. She immediately ordered her maids to help her change into a beautiful dress, and the entire small courtyard descended into a flurry of activity. Tang Yuntao felt lucky that when her father had moved the tree, she had acted spoiled and charming for a long time to convince him to plant it in her own yard.

Tang Zhaozhao left the estate after finishing breakfast. Calculating the days, it was time to perform the second treatment for Prince Lin. When Song Rongzhi returned and learned her daughter had gone out, she did not say anything.

Crown Prince Murong Bo was led through the back gardens of the General’s estate. He peered around in many places but did not find the person he was looking for. Before long, he was led to his destination. Seeing a charming young woman kneeling at the entrance of the small courtyard, he subconsciously assumed this was Tang Zhaozhao.

Filled with joy, he stepped forward and said gently, "Is this the Second Miss of the General’s estate?"