Xiao Tang looked at the lamp again and laughed, "Do you look even slightly like this fox?"
If that man were compared to an animal, he would be the king of beasts like the tiger. In his spare time, he would stroll leisurely in the garden and look quite harmless. However, when hunting, he would be careful and lie in wait, and he would hit the target with one strike.
He was still laughing to himself. The eunuchs beside him looked at him in surprise but did not dare to speak to him. Until there was a knock on the door, the eunuch hurried to open it, listened to a few words and hurried back, saying, "Your Highness, something happened in the court."
Xiao Tang was originally in a cheerful mood, but upon hearing this, his expression turned serious: "Why are you so panicked?"
"The Prince of the Protectorate was summoned to the palace this morning, apparently because of the incident with the bright lights in the city last night," said the eunuch.
The bright lights all over the city naturally attracted people to look up. Although it seemed incredible and a supernatural thing, the lights rising into the sky were really beautiful. However, no one would have thought that it was the work of the Prince of the Protectorate.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tang stood up, his brows furrowed slightly. The light last night had truly shocked him. He still didn't understand how that person had managed it, but this matter had nothing to do with supernatural powers. Since it was caused by him, that person would likely be reprimanded. If he were accused of disrupting the government again, the emperor would have a legitimate reason to attack the southwest.
If he went now, he would probably be considered by those on the throne as colluding with Lin Su and plotting something, which would make his situation even worse.
The plan now was not to act rashly. He paced back and forth for a few steps and said, "Send someone to the Ministry of Revenue to inform them to return to protect the prince of the Protectorate."
"Your Highness?!" The eunuch was shocked.
"We are in the same boat and cannot be separated no matter what. If the emperor really blames him, how can he not vent his anger on me?" Xiao Tang felt a little anxious and walked directly to the door and said, "Bring me my cloak. I will go to the palace myself."
Since they can't let go, others will have no way around it if they want to suppress him.
When he made a decision, his subordinates would no longer question or refute it. The eunuch hurriedly took the cloak, and Xiao Tang tied the belt and went out, his steps somewhat hurried.
He was thinking about what he wanted to say, how to minimize the impact of this matter, but he didn't expect that just when he got outside the hall, he saw Lin Su walking out of the hall. Not only was he unharmed, but the eunuch who sent him off was quite respectful.
Their eyes met, and Xiao Tang subconsciously asked, "Are you okay?"
Lin Su's mood improved considerably when he saw him. He walked down the stairs, stood opposite Xiao Tang, and said, "Are you worried about me and so you hurried here?"
"Today's matter is of no small importance. Your Majesty will never let this go." Xiao Tang looked at him and said, "Don't be too provocative."
"I just made a provocation, it's too late to say anything." Lin Su said with a smile.
Xiao Tang met his gaze and couldn't help but think of what happened last night. Although he knew it was inappropriate, his thoughts were beyond his control: "What did you say?"
"I said that bright lanterns are used to transmit messages within the army, and there are other things that can transmit messages faster than bright lanterns." Lin Su answered every question.
"Then doesn't that mean he suspects that you want to pass on information to the Southwest Army?" Xiao Tang was surprised at his audacity.
A beacon in a city can transmit messages without anyone being able to stop it. If there are other things that can transmit messages even faster, if the Southwestern Army really wants to come, the capital will definitely be caught off guard.
"What we want is that he is suspicious and fearful, so he dare not easily attack the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion. Now it is a battle between two fierce beasts. We can pretend to show weakness, but it cannot be real. Otherwise, it will be a real disaster." Lin Su said.
When two tigers fight, if one of them is afraid, the other will fight without mercy.
Xiao Tang understood what he meant: "Forget it, I'm glad you're okay."
"It seems that you really came here worried about me." Lin Su said with a smile.
Seeing him pleased with himself, Xiao Tang didn't want to go along with his wish. "I have something else to report to Your Majesty. What does it have to do with you? Your Highness, please forgive me for overthinking it."
"Okay, I'll think about it more, and the object of my thoughts will also be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Lin Su said.
Xiao Tang paused for a moment, his heart sweetening slightly. He wondered how this person had learned such a smooth and coaxing skill. "Since there's nothing else to do, go back. It's not appropriate for me to get too close to you right now."
"I obey your command." Lin Su bowed and smiled as he stood up straight, "Don't worry, since I want to help you, I won't let anything happen to myself."
He passed by Xiao Tang, and to others, it seemed that they just exchanged a few words of greeting, bowed, and left.
Now that Xiao Tang had come, he could not leave at will. Others already knew that he had come outside the court. If he turned around and left after seeing that Lin Su was fine, it would only make the emperor more suspicious.
When Emperor Ming Cheng left court, he naturally received the news of Xiao Tang's visit. He had been blocked by the ministers in the court and was very angry. He was furious and his face turned cold when he saw Xiao Tang: "What are you doing here, Prince? Are you trying to plead for the Prince of the Protectorate?"
Xiao Tang, supported by the eunuch, coughed twice and said, "I wonder what happened to His Highness the Crown Prince? I just met him once. Ahem, ahem... please give me some advice, father, so that I won't be... ahem, confused."
Having been ill for a long time, it would not be difficult for him to pretend to be sick even if his health improved.
His face was completely bewildered, as if he truly knew nothing. Emperor Ming Cheng calmed down and asked, "If it's not about the matter of the Prince of the Protectorate, then why did you come here despite being ill?"
"Your Majesty, I'm doing this for Queen Mother." Xiao Tang knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I know a thing or two about the New Year's Day events. I was not in good health at the time, so even if I knew that Queen Mother was under house arrest, I couldn't come to plead for mercy. It was the chief eunuch's fault that day, and it was Queen Mother who failed to discipline her subordinates. It's been half a month now, and even the punishment is enough for reflection. Please, Your Majesty, release Queen Mother from house arrest."
He was talking about the matter of the successor queen. Emperor Ming Chengdi had not thought that because this matter concerned the queen for too long, he just had no way out. However, he did not expect that Xiao Tang would come to plead for mercy before he could even open his mouth.
"Do you really think so? You... don't blame her?" asked Emperor Ming Cheng.
"Your Majesty, you are joking. I have grown up to this age thanks to your mother's great contribution. A son should not criticize his parents' mistakes. It's just such a small matter. How can a child keep it in mind every day?" Xiao Tang said seriously.
Emperor Mingcheng carefully observed his expression, rose from his seat, helped him up, and said, "The ground is cooler now. My son is filial and generous, and I am very pleased. Since you have pleaded so much, I will release the Empress from her confinement. It will be worth your coming here despite your illness."
"Thank you, father." Xiao Tang bowed.
"Go back and recuperate. Don't skimp on the medicinal materials." Emperor Ming Cheng said with rare concern, "You are not in good health. Father will have you carried back in a sedan chair."
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