The Missing Dagger
"It seems your memories have returned, Hua MuTan?"
Prince Li stared at her sternly. But TanTan wasn't frightened. She met his gaze and answered calmly.
"...Although I've forgotten everything, it seems my body still remembers how to play the guzheng."
"Hm... Is that so? Then we really shouldn't have to worry about the performance."
His expression showed no relief. Instead, his voice carried a hint of criticism.
His words saddened TanTan a little. Perhaps it was because she was still affected by Hua MuTan's memories. She remained silent.
"Then why don't we listen to the two of you play together, Li Ge and MuTan Jie?" ShuangAi suggested innocently. She hadn't noticed the tension between them and thought it was the perfect opportunity for them to practise together.
"Yes, YiFu! FangFang wants to hear you play together, too!"
FangFang eagerly tugged at Prince Li, hoping to persuade him. TanTan could tell that he wasn't in the mood to play at all, but he seemed reluctant to reject FangFang's request.
So TanTan spoke first.
"...I'm sorry, FangFang. I'm afraid I can't play anymore. I'm feeling a little tired."
"Are you all right, MuTan Jie?" ShuangAi asked with concern. Perhaps Hua MuTan had exhausted herself by playing the guzheng.
TanTan smiled, feeling grateful for ShuangAi's concern.
"It's all right. I just want to rest for now."
However, FangFang pulled at TanTan's hand and pleaded.
"But... FangFang wants to see YiFu and YangMu play together..."
"FangFang! Stop that!" Prince Li was unhappy with her behaviour.
TanTan gently patted FangFang's head and smiled.
"I'm sorry, FangFang. But how about another time? I promise I'll play for you again."
"With YiFu, too...?"
TanTan glanced at Prince Li.
"Of course, FangFang... if he doesn't mind."
FangFang turned to Prince Li with a confused expression.
"Do you mind, YiFu?"
Oh, great... Is she using FangFang to force me into playing with her now?!
Prince Li continued glaring at Hua MuTan.
"Not now, FangFang! You see, your YangMu and I both need to recover our health first. You're also only just recovering from being ill. So let's not bother YangMu anymore. Why don't we go back to your room, all right?"
Although Prince Li tried to speak gently, FangFang could still hear the sternness in his voice. She stopped pleading and answered unhappily.
"All right, YiFu..."
TanTan glared at Prince Li. She didn't like seeing FangFang's excitement fade because of his words. But before she could say anything, Prince Li had already taken FangFang away.
He shouldn't take his anger out on FangFang like that! How hard would it have been to say, 'Maybe next time' or 'I don't mind'? What a narrow-minded man!
"MuTan Jie, since you're tired, I think we should end our practice for today. Please get some rest."
"Ah... yes. I'm sorry, ShuangAi Mei. And thank you again for teaching me today."
"It's all right. Although I didn't really do much. You're already more than ready for the performance, I believe. I'm sure Queen Grandmother will be just as pleased with your playing as she was before. It's a pity I won't be there to watch it."
"You're praising me too much, ShuangAi Mei..."
"It's true! You can ask XiaoRue, too. Isn't that right, XiaoRue?"
XiaoRue nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, Miss ShuangAi! XiaoRue still remembers XiaoJie's performance at the palace last year. XiaoJie looked so beautiful in her red silk dress. She looked just like a goddess!"
"What will you wear for this performance, MuTan Jie?" ShuangAi asked.
TanTan's eyes widened.
Right! The clothes! I need to prepare an outfit for the performance, too!
"XiaoRue, do I have any other clothes suitable for a performance like this?"
"No, XiaoJie. Usually, XiaoJie would have a new outfit made for every important occasion. Even for a performance like this, XiaoJie would never wear the same outfit twice."
Is that so? What a waste... But this is an important event, and I'll be performing in front of the royal family. Perhaps I really do need a new outfit.
TanTan considered it for a moment before asking, "Should I have a new outfit made?"
"MuTan Jie, if you'd like to have a new outfit made, I can accompany you to the tailor. There's a shop in town that I often visit. They have excellent tailors."
ShuangAi offered her help. She was genuinely enjoying the chance to become closer to Hua MuTan, almost like sisters. TanTan felt the same way.
ShuangAi has helped me so much, and I can feel how sincere she is. She really could be the best sister anyone could ask for. What a pity Hua MuTan couldn't see that before.
"In town? Sure! Let's go shopping tomorrow." TanTan smiled gratefully.
This could also be my chance to explore the town. Hopefully, I'll find not only the right outfit but also some clues about the assassins.
After ShuangAi returned home, TanTan went back to her room with XiaoRue.
She wanted to examine the poisoned dagger once more, but to her surprise, it was no longer where she had hidden it.
"XiaoRue, did you move the dagger?"
XiaoRue shook her head nervously.
"No, XiaoJie! I wouldn't dare!"
Then who took it?
TanTan glanced at the window. Anyone could easily enter through it.
However, ever since the Moon Festival incident, Prince Li had strengthened the mansion's security. That meant the person who had taken the dagger was more likely to be someone inside the mansion.
"XiaoRue, did anyone know I was keeping the dagger?"
"XiaoJie told XiaoRue not to tell anyone, so nobody should know..." XiaoRue suddenly remembered something. "Ah! ManQi knew, XiaoJie! When I brought the dagger back to this room, he suddenly appeared and tried to take it from me. But I didn't give him a chance!"
ManQi! That means Prince Li ZhouWei must have taken it without my permission!
Furious, TanTan rushed out of her room and hurried towards Prince Li's chamber. However, when she arrived, he wasn't there.
She looked around, wondering whether he might have hidden the dagger somewhere in the room.
Could he have hidden it here? No... He must have put it somewhere else, somewhere I can't find.
Just then, Aunt Tong entered the room to clean it. She was surprised to find TanTan there.
"Why are you here, Young Madam?" she asked cautiously.
TanTan immediately questioned her in return.
"Where is Prince Li?"
"Why do you need to find him? If you have a message for him, I can pass it along later."
Aunt Tong didn't think it was necessary to let this troublesome woman disturb her young master's time.
"JUST TELL ME WHERE HE IS!"
"I won't tell you anything if you continue being so rude, Hua MuTan. Don't think this old woman will be frightened of you like the other servants."
Aunt Tong glared at her.
TanTan was taken aback. She was furious, and in that moment, shouting at Aunt Tong had seemed perfectly reasonable. She had simply wanted to force the woman to tell her where Prince Li was.
But then she realised what she had just done.
It was exactly how Hua MuTan used to behave.
TanTan sighed and bowed slightly to Aunt Tong to apologise.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Aunt Tong. I'm just in a hurry because there's something important I need to discuss with Prince Li. Would you be so kind as to tell me where he is now?"
Aunt Tong was completely stunned.
She hadn't expected Hua MuTan to bow to her, let alone apologise. As a senior servant, it would be embarrassing to let her young mistress remain bowed before her. It would also be terribly improper.
Confused, Aunt Tong hurriedly bowed in return.
"Ah... no! Please, Young Madam, raise your head! I... I cannot accept this! Um... Prince Li... he's in the study room..."
TanTan straightened up and smiled at her.
"Thank you, Aunt Tong."
Without waiting any longer, she hurried towards the study room, leaving Aunt Tong standing there in bewilderment.
Did Hua MuTan just bow to me? That evil woman even apologised to me?! Am I seeing a ghost?
At the study room, Prince Li was busy discussing household matters with Uncle Tong. They were also discussing the birthday present he needed to prepare for Queen Grandmother.
"So, Young Master, should I send a golden floral vase or a golden longevity tree as a birthday gift for Queen Grandmother?"
Uncle Tong placed pictures of both gifts on Prince Li's desk.
Every year, Prince Li left the arrangements for Queen Grandmother's birthday present to Uncle Tong. He rarely expressed an opinion about the gift. He knew that no matter what he gave her, it could never compare with the extravagant presents offered by the other princes.
"Both choices are fine. I trust your judgement, Uncle Tong. Just choose whichever you think is best."
BANG!
Suddenly, TanTan stormed into the room, interrupting their conversation.
Prince Li and Uncle Tong both looked displeased by her sudden arrival.
"WHERE IS THE DAGGER?!"
Prince Li immediately understood what had happened.
So she has found out already...
He gestured for Uncle Tong to leave. Uncle Tong obeyed, but before going out, he still greeted TanTan politely and closed the door behind him.
Now that they were alone, TanTan felt free to express her anger.
"GIVE ME BACK THE DAGGER!"
Prince Li sighed. He tried to focus on the report book Uncle Tong had left behind, avoiding TanTan's gaze as he answered.
"The dagger is somewhere safe now. You don't need to worry about it anymore."
TanTan slammed her hand against the table, furious that he was still ignoring her.
"But you didn't ask for my permission before taking it! You stole it from me!"
Prince Li finally looked at her.
"Stole it from you? The dagger is in my mansion. And don't forget, I'm the one who was stabbed by it! So I have every right to take it and investigate it."
"That's..."
TanTan couldn't immediately argue with him. His reasoning did make sense.
"But they also tried to kill me! I want to investigate them myself, too!"
"With what resources? Don't you think it's better to leave this matter to me? I have the authority to send officers throughout this town to investigate. But what can you do? Beg your uncle for help? Or ask Queen Grandmother to investigate it for you when you see her on her birthday?"
"I... I have my own ways!"
But deep down, TanTan knew she couldn't easily win this argument.
Then she suddenly remembered Prince FengEr.
"I can ask Prince FengEr to help me investigate!"
"Yes, of course. Prince FengEr is already busy arranging Queen Grandmother's birthday celebration. Do you really think he has time to help you?"
"You...!"
TanTan was absolutely furious. Not so much with Prince Li, but with herself. She had just realised how powerless she actually was.
As Prince Li had pointed out, she had no idea where to begin her investigation.
Her face turned as red as a tomato.
Somehow, Prince Li felt rather pleased with her reaction. For years, he had been forced to endure Hua MuTan's unreasonable demands. But now, for once, he was the one in control.
He gave her a mocking smile.
"Believe me, the dagger is much safer with me than it is with you. So why don't you focus on finding a way to please Queen Grandmother with your performance? Don't interfere with the dagger investigation anymore."
TanTan glared at him as fiercely as she could.
"Fine! You can keep the dagger, but you can't stop me from doing what I want! I'll continue investigating the case, and perhaps I'll uncover the truth before you do!"
With that, she turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Outside the study, she stopped and stood facing the door, silently making up her mind.
Just you wait! I may have lost this round, but I won't give up. Mom wouldn't let me give up, right, Mom? I'll find a way to investigate the assassins before he does!
Well... first, I need to draw the dagger again. Thankfully, I still remember what it looks like.
Having made up her mind, TanTan headed back to her room.
Meanwhile, inside the study, Prince Li was still thinking about TanTan's final words. He sat down and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
"What is she planning now? Argh... I really can't take my eyes off her anymore! This is so frustrating!"