Chapter 47: Why Rebel? (Part One)
Tao Ming took a deep breath, sat down in the chair, and rubbed her temples, muttering inwardly that something was wrong with this script. Had she somehow wandered onto the wrong set? The Seventh Prince was a beneficiary of the current order—the Heavenly Emperor was his father—what reason could he possibly have to rebel? No, that wasn’t even the point! Why on earth would he drag her into his rebellion? She was just passing by!
Tao Ming glanced at the two little ones, still blissfully playing their games, oblivious. She then looked at Mu Zhu, who stood by with a stony expression, and finally fixed her gaze on the Seventh Prince. He was staring at her, his face serious. Gritting her teeth, she asked, “If I refuse, is it true the three of us won’t leave this teahouse alive today?”
Mu Zhu nodded. The Seventh Prince shook his head.
Tao Ming looked from Mu Zhu to the Seventh Prince, “So which of you is in charge here?”
Mu Zhu quickly lowered his head and said nothing.
The Seventh Prince replied quietly, “I swore an oath—I will never harm you.”
Hearing this, Mu Zhu’s heart skipped a beat. Has his master lost his mind?
Tao Ming suddenly recalled the oath the Seventh Prince had made and, curling her lips, said, “You just won’t do it yourself, is that it?”
The Seventh Prince sighed. “I thought you’d agree without hesitation.”
Tao Ming frowned. “What gives you that idea?”
“Something you said yesterday.”
She was momentarily confused—she’d said so much, which part had given him the wrong impression?
The Seventh Prince prompted, “The woman who attacked you yesterday.”
Tao Ming thought back. What had she said to that woman? Not much, really. The woman had claimed Ruan Ruan was a witch, and Tao Ming had retorted out of irritation.
Seeing her confusion, the Seventh Prince clarified, “Yesterday you said she should go after the one who made her starve.”
Tao Ming finally remembered—she had said that. But wasn’t that just common sense? If someone made your life miserable, you went after them! Dragging Ruan Ruan into it was just madness.
Catching on, Tao Ming retorted, “I said she should go—I never said I would.”
The Seventh Prince’s expression grew complicated. “I thought you would save the people from their suffering.”
Tao Ming looked him in the eye. “Do you even know that Ruan Ruan still bears the seal imposed by the Heavenly Emperor? I have to free her first.”
The Seventh Prince nodded. “Of course I know. But you needn’t worry too much about that. Once we reach the Imperial City, the Heavenly Emperor will release the seal himself.”
Tao Ming snorted coldly. “There’s always a price. Why would he lift it so easily?”
The Seventh Prince was about to speak when commotion rose from below—the teahouse owner had apparently returned. He said softly, “Let’s continue this conversation in the carriage.”
Tao Ming eyed him warily but said nothing.
The Seventh Prince sighed again. “Rest assured, I won’t harm you.”
Tao Ming went over to the two children, gathered their toys, picked up one in each arm, and waited for the Seventh Prince to lead them out.
He concealed the three of them once more, took down the isolating formation, and, together with Mu Zhu, brought them back to the small courtyard.
Once inside the carriage, Mu Zhu whispered, “If she has other intentions, I will act.”
The Seventh Prince looked at Mu Zhu. “She’ll agree, I’m certain.”
...
When Tao Ming was finally released, she breathed a deep sigh of relief. She could have hidden in her own spatial artifact, but that would reveal she possessed something similar. The Seventh Prince spoke up, “I’d like to talk to you further.”
Tao Ming glanced at the two children in her arms. “Can you give me until after a meal to think it over properly?”
Ruan Ruan piped up, “What meal?”
The Seventh Prince smiled. “Mu Zhu, serve the meal.”
Tao Ming stopped him. “I still have leftovers. Let’s finish those first.”
Mu Zhu hesitated. “My lord never eats leftovers.”
Tao Ming rolled her eyes. “If you want my help, you’ll have to adapt to my way of life.”
The Seventh Prince wondered, what sort of lifestyle is this?
Mu Zhu persisted, “Are the leftovers enough for everyone?”
Tao Ming retrieved yesterday’s packed leftovers, along with some midnight snacks from the Qiluo Residence—variety enough, though the portions were small.
The Seventh Prince glanced at the dishes on the low table and instructed, “Mu Zhu, bring half the meal.”
Mu Zhu acknowledged and left.
The Seventh Prince reached out to touch the disposable lunchboxes. “I’ve never seen containers like these before, and the food is still warm.”
Tao Ming opened the lids one by one, thinking to herself that the containers didn’t keep the food hot—her spatial artifact did. Whatever went in, came out exactly the same. Perfect!
Once Mu Zhu returned with more food, the group began to eat. The Seventh Prince started, “I—”
Tao Ming cut him off, “Eat first. We’ll talk when we’re done.”
The meal passed in silence—Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo didn’t make a sound.
Afterwards, once the table was cleared, the Seventh Prince ordered, “Mu Zhu, gather everyone. We set out at once.”
Mu Zhu acknowledged and exited.
The Seventh Prince tried again, “Now—”
Tao Ming interrupted, “Come with me.”
She led Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo back to their sleeping room. The Seventh Prince followed and closed the door behind them.
Once the door was shut, Tao Ming said, “Set up the same barrier as in the teahouse—no eavesdropping.”
The Seventh Prince waved his hand, casting an isolating formation.
Tao Ming took out the treasure pouch the Seventh Prince had given her. “How does this work?”
He looked surprised. “Haven’t you started cultivating? You don’t know?”
Tao Ming admitted awkwardly, “There’s still a lot I don’t understand.”
The Seventh Prince sat cross-legged, drawing Ruan Ruan to his side. “The simplest way is a drop of blood.”
Ruan Ruan wailed and struggled, “No, not blood! Last time I fainted!”
Tao Ming pulled her back. “Again with the blood? Isn’t there another way?”
The Seventh Prince shook his head, then nodded, and finally said, “A drop of blood is the simplest and safest. Other methods are easily broken.”
Tao Ming coaxed Ruan Ruan, “Just a drop, and the treasure pouch will be yours. I’ll give you all your toys, and you can take them out whenever you want.”
Ruan Ruan hesitated, pouting, but finally held out her hand.
Seeing it work, Tao Ming called, “Nuo Nuo, help.”
Nuo Nuo extended a paw and scratched Ruan Ruan’s finger. Tao Ming quickly pressed the treasure pouch to the wound.
The Seventh Prince caught sight of Nuo Nuo’s paw and was struck dumb, his eyes widening in shock. Was he seeing things? Could Nuo Nuo be...?
A faint white light flashed, and the treasure pouch vanished.
Ruan Ruan touched her head. “Mama, there’s something new here.”
Tao Ming patted her. “All right, nap time now.”
Ruan Ruan pouted, “But I haven’t gotten my toys yet.”
Tao Ming soothed her, “You’ll be too tired. After you wake up.”
“Fine,” Ruan Ruan grumbled, climbing onto the mat.
Nuo Nuo followed suit.
Tao Ming sat beside them, lulling them to sleep. Soon, both were fast asleep.
Once the little ones were deep in slumber, Tao Ming got up, walked to the wooden wall, sat down, and gestured for the Seventh Prince to join her. “Speak plainly—no riddles, just the facts.”
The Seventh Prince, still in shock, moved to sit beside her. “Just now, I saw Nuo Nuo...” He trailed off, unsure how to continue.
Tao Ming understood. Last time at the Qiluo Residence, Nuo Nuo had had his back to everyone, so no one had seen his paw. Now, with the Seventh Prince witnessing it, suspicion was natural. She didn’t plan to hide it from him. “White Tiger in human form—that’s Nuo Nuo.”
The Seventh Prince took several deep breaths before speaking. “This is truly astonishing!”
Tao Ming looked at Nuo Nuo. “You didn’t know the Heavenly Emperor sent the White Tiger to another realm?”
The Seventh Prince shook his head. “I always thought the White Tiger was in the Royal Sanctuary.”
After a pause, he asked, “How could the White Tiger take human form? It’s said sacred beasts require a hundred years to do so.”