Chapter 71 - (71)

"Greet to Prince Li and Madam"

Minister Hua greets.

TanTan still upset a little bit seeing how Prince Li avoiding their conversation. But then she remembers that Minister Hua comes as what they had planned before, to deliver the gift for Great Queen Mother. So she cooperates for this time.

Prince Li looks aware of the presence of Minister Hua,

"I never thought you will come by yourself so early to handle this small thing, Minister Hua..."

"Just say that this old man has too many worries and come to make sure the journey can be fluent as it has planned, out of any problem..."

"What a coincidence...I need to report something important to the Emperor..." Prince Li smirks but he stares aware to Minister Hua.

"Oh? What would that be? Perhaps Prince have any good news for the Emperor?" asks Minister Hua boldly.

"..."

Prince Li doesn't say anything yet when suddenly ManQi brags in with injured and rushes to Prince Li. Prince Li and others surprise to see ManQi's condition.

"What happened?!" asks Prince Li immediately,

ManQi falls down in front of Prince Li, with the last energy he still has, he reports,

"Master, I am sorry...I have been reckless ... the crown...he...escape..." And then he faints and Prince Li holds him right away,

"ManQi!!" Prince Li checks ManQi's lips, its turning black, he has been poisoned!

Immediately Prince Li orders Uncle Tong and AXing to take ManQi for treatment.

TanTan also heard what ManQi said, 'Did he mean the Crown Prince has escaped? How???!!' She got shocked to hear it.

Minister Hua in another side just stands there, commenting what happened, he looks so confused, but his eyes tell the opposite.

"Prince Li, what actually happens to him? Who has escaped?"

Prince Li glances to him in anger, he kneads his fist very hard. Somehow he suspects that Minister Hua has something to do it with this situation. But he doesn't have proof about it.

Initially, he wants to report to the palace about this case, bringing down the Crown Prince and his men, including this minister Hua. But if the main suspect has gone, he knew it won't easy to convince the Emperor. The Crown Prince will do his best to cover his crime....like eliminates the witnesses...? Prince Li glances to TanTan...

TanTan also evaluates the situation. By escaping the prison, the Crown Prince has a big chance to escape from his crime... first thing the criminal do after escaping prison usually is getting revenge, so she also glances to Prince Li.

When they are glancing to each other, Minister Hua in the other hand asks again,

"Your Highness, from what I see you seem having an urgent problem with your work...why don't you let my people handle the delivery while you can enlighten me the situation?"

Prince Li looks suspicious to Minister Hua. Right now ManQi is not able to continue the mission but he can't just let the delivery goes without his supervision. Minister Hua seems taking this opportunity to act whatever his plan.

The news about Crown Prince arrested has been sent to the palace so Prince Li still need to go to the palace to explain the situation to the Emperor.

TanTan is realizing that Prince Li looks unwilling to continue the delivery...but why? The Queen Mother's banquet time is coming, if we delay the delivery, then it might be too late.

"Eh, how if you let me handle the delivery?" TanTan asks it boldly to Prince Li.

"No!" A very fast and short objection comes out from Prince Li right away, it upsets TanTan a little bit,

"Why not? ManQi is hurt, but we can't delay this delivery...there won't be much time left till the banquet time.... besides it is my gift to the Queen Mother, I want to check it by myself..."

Minister Hua smiles, he supports the idea,

"Young Lady Hua is really concerning, maybe it's better for Young Lady Hua to join, so she can directly check the item and be satisfied with it. Don't worry about her safety, I guarantee my people will keep her safe..."

TanTan is a little afraid to see Prince Li' face becoming very stiff and cold. 'This woman...is she really a brainless or pretending?' Prince Li recites his suspicious before about HuaMuTan might be involved with Minister Hua...

'Perhaps..this is a good chance to see her true intention? But how if she is innocent and harmed?!'

After some thought, Prince Li directly talks to Minister Hua,

"Minister Hua, I think it's better for us to delay the delivery things until we return from the palace later..."

"But..." TanTan seems still object...

"No 'but'...you still need to come with me to the palace...so we will discuss it later..." The sharp tone from Prince Li stops TanTan for saying anything more, Prince Li continue talks to Minister Hua,

"I hope Minister Hua can understand the situation..."

Minister Hua just answer calmly,

"Sure...I'll follow what Prince Li says. Let me inform my people to wait and prepare the delivery tomorrow...I think we'll see in the palace then..."

Prince Li still aware but he gives a gesture to allow Minister Hua to dismiss the place.

"That's right...see you in the palace, Minister Hua..."

Minister Hua greets Prince Li and TanTan again before he finally goes out from the mansion.

At outside of Mansion, before Minister Hua rides on his carriage, one of his servant reports,

"Master, everything has been settled..."

Minister Hua smirks,

"Good...now go to the palace...I am curious how he can handle this!"

While in the room, before Prince Li walks out, TanTan stops him by reaching his arm,

"Do I really need to go to the palace with you?" She is considering what can she say later to the Emperor and others.

Prince Li sighs, he actually doesn't want her to go either. He doesn't want the Emperor and others know about the reason why TanTan could be in the s.h.i.+p. Knowing that his wife secretly sneak out and joining the illegal thing can be a humiliation for him and also for Hua Family. But he feels that he can't leave her alone for this time. At least in the palace, he still can protect her.

"Yes, you will go with me to the palace but no, you don't need to tell anything, just stay quietly later, I will do the rest..."

TanTan confused, 'If he doesn't want me to be a witness...then for what he lets me go there?... But staying here is also pointless, I better follow him and see what can happen there...' and she remembers something,

"Does AXing need to go along also?"

She is one of the victims and also the main evidence for the cruelty of crown Prince in fact, but by the escaping Crown Prince, it seems danger for AXing to come out. TanTan worries if everything gets wrong...

Prince Li shakes his head, "There are other girls who can testify, beside she also said that she can't help much for her mute so she rather just stay and serve you..."

"So like that..." TanTan feels AXing is quite different than an ordinary servant.

"Let's go..." Prince Li once again walks out from the room and be followed by TanTan.