Chapter 73 Testing
"It is truly a blessing for us common people that the Celestial Empire has such a benevolent Crown Prince."
Tao Tao didn't know what he meant, so she could only say some polite words to appease him.
"On the seventh night after my uncle's death, Xiao Tao seemed to have discovered something? A silver needle?"
Here it comes. So much time has passed. Is it because this case has never been solved that you're bringing it up again?
"Yes, the Qiu family was also present."
She spoke the truth and didn't hide anything.
"Lord Duan is also present?"
"yes."
He nodded knowingly.
"Duan Gan is cold and aloof, but it seems you two get along quite well."
“He holds a high position of power, while I am just an ordinary citizen. If we hadn’t gotten along, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be alive today.”
Suddenly, Qi Heng laughed and shook her head: "You really are outspoken."
"In that case, Xiao Tao is quite restricted in the Privy Council. The Privy Council is too small. I think the Imperial Funeral Director of the Celestial Empire would be more suitable for you."
Upon hearing this, Tao Tao's pupils dilated instantly.
Why put her in such a high position all of a sudden?
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I am not capable enough to shoulder this heavy responsibility."
Qi Heng looked up at her: "You don't want to?"
She was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't want to. I come from humble origins and am used to being unruly. The title of Privy Council Funeral Director is just an empty name. In fact, I am still running my small shop."
Rest assured, she will never know what they are planning, and she certainly will never know.
"I was reckless."
"Your feelings were not taken into consideration."
"His Highness the Crown Prince is a prince of the Celestial Empire, why should he care about the feelings of a commoner?"
Qi Heng frowned: "Didn't we agree that we're friends? It's only right that I care about my friends' feelings."
Tao Tao reached out and poured him a cup of tea. The pale green tea was slowly poured into the delicate white porcelain cup, and its cool, elegant fragrance filled the room.
The sounds of laughter and merriment drifted into the room through the window lattice. Talented men were reciting poems and painting in the waterside pavilion, beautiful women were admiring flowers and boating on the lake, and some people were fishing on a small boat.
Leisurely and poetic, how delightful!
Qi Heng looked outside at her and, seeing her interest, said, "How about I take you boating and fishing?"
Tao Tao snapped out of her daze, looked at him in surprise, but still shook her head.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. Maybe next time."
With so many people around, she didn't want anyone to see her with the Crown Prince.
His expression was somewhat disappointed. "You've rejected me time and time again. Am I not worthy to be your friend?"
"Absolutely not. It's just that something has come up at home. I haven't been home since yesterday. My mother is worried about me, so I have to go back."
She quickly waved her hand in denial.
"Indeed, filial piety is the most important of all virtues, which is only natural. The Celestial Empire values filial piety the most. In that case, I will have someone send you back."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
This time she didn't refuse again. If she refused again, it would be the third time, which would be too disrespectful to His Highness the Crown Prince.
As Tao Tao went out, Shen Lin stood waiting at the door. When he saw her come out, he looked up and heard the Crown Prince's voice coming from inside.
"Chen Lin, escort Miss Tao back."
"It is Your Highness."
The two went downstairs together, and a carriage was already waiting at the door. As soon as she approached, someone knelt down and used their back as a stool to help her get onto the carriage.
Tao Tao was stunned for a moment, then reached out and grabbed the tassel beside her, climbing up somewhat awkwardly.
The person on the ground stood up, glanced at her suspiciously, and then lowered his head and stood aside.
Looking at his fair complexion and delicate eyebrows, she guessed that he must be a palace eunuch, used to serving others.
"Lord Shenlin, please stop here. A carriage will suffice to take me back. Thank you, Your Highness."
Shen Lin looked up at the sixth-floor window, then watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance before turning around and going upstairs.
Qi Heng took in everything that had just happened, then suddenly overturned the teacup beside her, spilling tea onto the table and making a shattering sound.
How many people in this world have the right to say no? Most are people who have no choice in the matter.
Recalling his mother's sinister appearance, and how she even disregarded the fact that they were in the government office and ordered the Qiu family to repeatedly hunt down this person.
He sighed helplessly. Although there were suspicious points about his uncle's death, she was just an innocent young woman. Why be so aggressive?
Tao Tao had the driver stop by the roadside before they got close to the shop, otherwise she would have had a hard time explaining herself.
She got off the carriage and jogged toward the shop.
My younger brother was attending private school at the time, while my mother sat by the door folding gold and silver ingots, looking worried and lost in thought.
"Mother!"
A clear shout made the woman in front of her suddenly raise her head, and also startled the Yu brothers, Yu Shan and Yu He, who were sorting goods inside.
He hurried out to greet his boss.
Upon seeing her daughter, Tao's mother's face immediately lit up with joy, but she couldn't help but complain:
"Where have you been? You haven't come home since last night. If it weren't for the note you left, I would have reported you to the authorities."
"Mother, I'm fine. I just had a business to take care of. The host felt it was too late, so he let me stay overnight."
After hearing her daughter's explanation, her expression improved considerably. "By the way, the old lady of the Niu family passed away peacefully. Around noon, her son, Niu Wangchun, came to ask you to prepare her body for burial."
"Since you weren't here, I took the liberty of going there as soon as you returned."
"Why all of a sudden?"
She greeted Grandma Niu at the intersection a while ago.
Perhaps it's because she's getting old, or perhaps she's unhappy staying at home, but she often goes out for walks and chats with her neighbors.
Although it was sudden, it was a good omen. It must be because she had prepared the bodies of those high-ranking officials for burial some time ago, which made the neighbors in the street know about it, so they came to visit her.
She immediately became excited: "Then I'll pack my things and head over now."
"Have you eaten yet? I brought some food, you can eat first."
Yu Shan also said, "Boss, please have your meal first. We've already packed everything and are just waiting for you."
As he spoke, he pointed to the cart under the tree, looking quite pleased with himself, as if to say, "Quick, praise him!"
Tao Tao was taken aback, then said with a grin, "Great! You knew what to prepare without me even having to say anything. It seems I made the right choice in inviting you."
"It's been so long, you should know by now, boss."
"Then I'll eat first."
She walked into the shop, and the food box was on the counter.
Half an hour later, they drove a horse-drawn carriage carrying a coffin and stopped in front of a house.
Seeing the tightly closed gate, Yu Shan got out of the car, walked over, and knocked on the wooden door.
Not long after, the door was opened from the inside. It was Niu Laotai's son, Niu Wangchun, a man who was about thirty years old.
He looked up at them, his eyes bloodshot, his face pale and exhausted.
"Is that Miss Tao?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com