Chapter 186
Leng Qiao stared at her delicate, fair face in the bronze mirror for a moment, then pursed her lips and whispered, "Thank you, Miss."
"Alright, go and rest. I don't think we'll have anything to do tomorrow, so we can go out for a walk."
Tao Tao straightened up and casually leaned against the table.
She nodded. "Yes, Miss."
The door opened and closed again. She turned and stared at the doorway for a while. Suddenly, Asu flew down from the bird perch and landed on her shoulder, with something in its beak.
She looked down and noticed something on its beak. She opened her hand and put it near its mouth, but when she saw it was dried fruit and walnuts again, she instinctively slapped it.
"Still eating? Do you want to die?!"
Asu let out a miserable cry, its fur standing on end in anger, squawking wildly: "Bad person! You're a bad cat! I don't want to play with you anymore, it hurts so much... I never want to talk to you again!"
It was as manic as a dog that wasn't on a leash.
What's wrong with you?
Tao Tao frowned, looked at it coldly, ignored it, looked away, and continued to stare blankly for a while, listening to the sound of flapping wings, which made her hair messy.
She impatiently smoothed her wind-blown hair.
Seeing how excited it seemed, I suddenly realized that this might not be for me.
She asked tentatively, "For me?!"
Asu snorted coldly, flew back to the bird perch, turned its rear end towards her, puffed up in anger, and looked like it didn't want to talk to her.
Tao Tao looked at the walnut in her hand, then suddenly felt apologetic. She quickly ran over to comfort it, "Okay, okay, it's all my fault. I'll buy you lots and lots of delicious food tomorrow, okay?"
To everyone's surprise, this guy simply closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, just like when he had ignored her earlier.
Tao Tao scratched her head in annoyance. Perhaps because she had just calmed down and looked expressionless, she might have seemed a little unhappy, which was why it thought of using her favorite food to coax her.
As a result, she thought it was acting recklessly again, and instinctively slapped it. Although it had given her food before, it was rare.
This time it almost killed itself. A little while later, it had the same thing in its mouth again. Concern can cloud judgment, and her careless behavior wasn't too bad, was it?
She reached out and poked its furry, warm belly with her finger, coaxing it gently.
Finally, after her persistent efforts, it reluctantly forgave her.
Two days later, at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion.
Murong Yan wore silver-white armor and a red cloak draped over his shoulders, looking dashing and spirited. The moment he mounted his fine horse, his youthful vigor was on full display.
Behind him followed a long army, all well-trained and ready to go.
He looked at the crowd standing at the door. His father looked at him with a gratified expression, while the girl's eyes were indifferent and her face was expressionless, let alone showing any reluctance.
"Father, Xiaotao, I'm leaving."
Tao Tao's eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly called out to him, "Wait."
Murong Yan looked at her in confusion and asked, "What's wrong?"
She stepped forward, took out a purse from her sleeve, and said with a smile, "Brother, there is a talisman inside. I went to the temple outside the city not long ago to ask for it especially for you."
"With this talisman, my brother will surely be safe and sound and return in triumph."
Upon hearing this, his eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed. He quickly bent down to take it, stroking the exquisite embroidery with his fingertips, and said with a smile, "It's rare that you have this kind thought. Thank you, sister."
She smiled but didn't speak, watching his retreating figure on horseback, the clatter of hooves and the scraping of armor as the army gradually disappeared into the distance.
"Xiao Tao, I heard the Crown Prince came last night?"
Suddenly, Murong Huai Shi’s slightly obsequious voice came from the side. She glanced at him sideways, her eyes smiling, but her gaze was unwavering, and asked, “So what if it is? I advise you not to have any improper thoughts.”
"Being a fence-sitter isn't easy. You probably know that Duan Gan can't tolerate any nonsense."
Being lectured by such a young girl made him blush with embarrassment, and the next second he frowned, feeling a bit annoyed and displeased.
He did have this idea; there was nothing wrong with finding another way out for the Prince's Mansion.
On the other hand, Tao Tao, who is clearly Duan Gan's person, makes no attempt to avoid contacting the Crown Prince. Who is it that has inappropriate thoughts?
"Are you saying that I am that kind of person? How could I be like you? Duan Gan wouldn't bear to kill me."
Tao Tao wore a harmless smile and spoke in a clear, melodious voice as she reached out to help him walk inside.
“Godfather, although His Majesty said that the fiefdom of Yingzhou would still belong to the Murong family after your death, to be precise, that fiefdom belongs to me.”
"You should pray that your brother can gain military merit on the battlefield. Then the emperor will naturally reward you. Don't fight me for that small place."
Upon hearing this, Murong Huai Shi's expression instantly changed, his eyes filled with shock. "What...what did you say?"
Was she asking him for ownership of the Yingzhou fiefdom? Did she even know what she was saying?
That fiefdom could generate more profit each year than the other three states combined, which is why he desperately wanted to hold onto it. In case of war, he could provide enough provisions for an army of 500,000 to fight for ten years.
In this peaceful and prosperous era, with the Celestial Empire reigning supreme, those people are unaware of Yingzhou's value and naturally no one takes it seriously.
However, it is said that the Khitan and Western Xia are always recklessly harassing the border and constantly probing.
I believe this great battle will happen soon, and then no one will be able to underestimate him. Moreover, his son is exceptionally skilled in martial arts and will surely make great contributions on the battlefield.
Even if his son dies in battle, he has other sons. There will always be someone who can bring glory to the Murong family and help him, the father, to reach an even higher position.
Therefore, it is absolutely impossible for this fiefdom to fall out of his hands.
"Tao Tao, don't forget, you were just a merchant's daughter before. Reaching the position of county princess is enough for you. Don't covet what doesn't belong to you!"
He warned her with a gloomy face and an icy tone.
Tao Tao stopped in her tracks, a gloomy look appearing between her brows. She gritted her teeth, trying to suppress the anger that was welling up inside her.
"What do you mean by 'not belonging to me'? That's mine! Besides, what right do you have to judge me? Is being a county princess enough? Would being a prince be enough?"
Her eyes were full of sarcasm, and her words were full of mockery.
Human desires are endless; once you have one, you want two. No one has the right to judge anyone else.
The tense atmosphere between the two spread to the surroundings. The butler stared in shock, never having seen his daughter dare to disobey her father before. This was a great act of filial impiety.
Although she is not his biological daughter, the young lady's courage is unheard of.
Murong Huai Shi's face immediately turned ashen, and he pointed at her, saying, "You!"
"What? You also think I'm right, Prince Murong."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com