While Jiang Mingyue went to the Crown Princess's palace, Jiang Xiao Tian headed to the Throne Room for an audience with the Emperor. He waited outside for a while, and a eunuch invited him inside. Xiao Tian stepped forward and stopped a few feet away before the stairs. He immediately knelt on the floor, lowered his head and did a hand fist salute.
"Your servant greets the Emperor, may you live long and prosper," Jiang Xiao Tian's voice rang loud and clear in the room.
The Emperor continued his work and did not look up. After a minute has passed, the Emperor put down the brush in his hand and lifted his gaze. He stared at Xiao Tian for a while before he spoke, "rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xiao Tian said. He stood up quickly and waited for the Emperor to speak.
The Emperor rose from his seat. He sauntered with both hands behind his back. He descended the stairs halfway and stopped before he sat down. "Jiang Xiao Tian, I heard that you have been going to see the Crown Princess recently."
Jiang Xiao Tian was not surprised that His Majesty knew of his meeting with the princess. After all, the Emperor had his eyes and ears everywhere in the palace. Xiao Tian lowered his gaze and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"What did she ask you to investigate?"
"She wanted me to find the person who wanted to harm her," Jiang Xiao Tian answered. There was a long silence in the Throne Room. Xiao Tian could feel that the Emperor gaze on him. He stood straight and did not elaborate on his answer. He has decided. If the Emperor probe further, he will answer truthfully. If he doesn't, then, Xiao Tian chose not to say anything else.
After a while, the Emperor heaved a sigh. "Just continue to assist the Crown Princess in whatever she wants."
Jiang Xiao Tian looked up in surprise and quickly hid the expression on his face. When His Majesty brought up the Crown Princess, Xiao Tian had expected that the Emperor would ask a lot more questions. Jiang Xiao Tian saluted the Emperor and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I hope that you will continue to assist the Crown Princess until the time she inherits the throne," the Emperor said. "You don't have to report things that the princess did not want me to know, however, if she faced any difficulties that she could not resolve on her own, then you will come to me."
Xiao Tian saluted again. He may not know what was on the Emperor's mind, but he knew the Emperor's intention to protect the Crown Princess, his only heir.
"After the Spring Hunt ended, it won't be long until the Crown Princess's wedding," the Emperor said. "But before the princess tie the knot, you must continue to find out about the missing Nanling Tribe. I know that the tribe was annihilated almost two decades ago, but I believe that there must be a survivor or else, my daughter will not be suffering from that cold poison."
"Your servant obeys your command."
Jiang Xiao Tian headed to Yan Zifu's place after his audience with the Emperor. He used the road towards the port and regretted his decision as the street was crowded with people. Once in a while, a young maiden would stop him on his track. Some of them were promoting their goods, while some wanted to get his attention. But with one piercing gaze, the maiden would step back.
Just as he reached the port, Jiang Xiao Tian saw two familiar figures. He hid behind one of the stalls and continued to observe the two people. One of them was Chancellor Chen's trusted man, Xiao Bai, and the other one was an emissary person from Western Zhou, Tang Xin.
Although the emissary was in disguise, Jiang Xiao Tian could quickly identify him. After all, he had met the man on the street a few times when he spent his time in Western Zhou two years ago.
But, what was the emissary from Western Zhou doing with Chancellor Chen's man? Moreover, Da Cheng did not receive any envoy from Western Zhou. A private visit?
Jiang Xiao Tian came out from his hiding as he saw the two men walking away together. Just as he was about to trail after the two men, he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him.
"Second brother! What a coincidence!"
Jiang Xiao Tian turned around swiftly. His expression darkened when he saw his third brother, Xiao Liang looking at him cheerfully. He watched the two men through the corner of his eyes and saw that they had noticed his presence. Xiao Tian gritted his teeth knowing that he has no choice but to let the two men go before their suspicion aroused.
"You come at a bad time," Xiao Tian's lips curved into a smile.
Jiang Xiao Liang swallowed as he saw his brother's smile. From his second brother's expression and tone, he knew that he was in deep trouble. "What did I do?"