What a relief it was for XiaoRue when she finally saw TanTan coming out of the room with the others.
Since TanTan still seemed busy talking with Lady FengHuang and the others, XiaoRue decided to wait patiently.
Not long afterward, she noticed ManQi walking nearby. Seeing an opportunity to find out what had happened inside, she quickly approached him.
"Mr. ManQi, what actually happened in there? Did my XiaoJie get into trouble?"
ManQi looked at her and chuckled.
"Your XiaoJie certainly caused quite a big commotion this time..."
"Really?! Did Prince Li punish her?"
XiaoRue immediately looked worried.
"Well, quite the opposite. She actually managed to defeat Prince Li in an argument and made him furious!"
"Defeat him...?"
XiaoRue looked puzzled.
She couldn't quite imagine what ManQi meant.
From her past experience, whenever HuaMuTan became emotional and lost her temper, she would usually end up being humiliated or even punished by Prince Li.
Although, come to think of it, no one had ever dared to give her XiaoJie any serious punishment. HuaMuTan had always used the Grand Empress Dowager's name as her shield.
Perhaps this time wasn't much different?
"ManQi!"
Hearing Prince Li calling his name, ManQi immediately turned around.
Prince Li had just come out of the room and seemed ready to give him further instructions.
Before leaving, ManQi took a moment to gently pat XiaoRue's head.
"Don't worry. Your Young Madam is fine."
XiaoRue was slightly surprised.
She even felt a little dissatisfied at being treated like a child.
Why does everyone keep patting my head like that? I'm not a child!
She watched ManQi approach Prince Li, who seemed busy giving him several instructions. Perhaps he was also ordering ManQi to prepare the horses for their return to the Li Mansion.
"XiaoRue!"
TanTan's voice suddenly called out.
XiaoRue immediately turned around and hurried toward her.
"XiaoJie! Are you all right?"
TanTan smiled reassuringly.
"I'm fine."
Then she gestured toward the woman standing beside her.
"By the way, this is QingQing. She'll be staying with us for a while."
As part of their agreement, TanTan and QingQing had decided to address each other by their names rather than using formal titles.
QingQing smiled and politely greeted her.
"Please take care of me for a while, XiaoRue."
XiaoRue examined QingQing carefully.
She recognized her as the woman who had been involved in the incident at the restaurant.
Will this woman really be all right staying with XiaoJie?
XiaoRue couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.
Nevertheless, she returned QingQing's greeting with a polite smile.
Then she turned toward TanTan.
"XiaoJie, are we going home now?"
The sky was already beginning to darken, and dusk was approaching.
However, TanTan didn't seem particularly interested in returning home just yet.
She still hadn't found any useful clues about the Silver Mask. After everything that had happened today, she felt as though she had gained almost nothing.
Instead, she turned toward QingQing.
"QingQing, can you tell me exactly how you can help me find the clues I need? Is there somewhere we can go right now to gather some information?"
"XiaoJie..."
XiaoRue immediately looked alarmed.
"You're not planning to go somewhere again, are you?"
QingQing was also surprised by TanTan's direct question.
She was certainly willing to help, but she hadn't expected TanTan to want to start another investigation immediately after they had just gotten out of prison.
"Whoa, calm down, HuaMuTan!" QingQing quickly said. "I don't think we should go anywhere tonight. Why don't we rest first and call it a day? We still have tomorrow, don't we?"
TanTan shook her head.
I'm not sure I'll get another chance to go out so freely tomorrow... Not after making that man so angry today.
She glanced in the direction of Prince Li before looking seriously at QingQing.
"QingQing... Do you really know somewhere we can go to ask for information? I'd prefer to look for clues tonight if possible."
QingQing studied her expression, wondering what was making her so impatient.
Unfortunately, she couldn't think of anywhere suitable to take TanTan at such short notice.
She shook her head.
"I can't think of any particular place right now, HuaMuTan. Initially, I thought my sister could help you because she has connections with quite a few people in the underground world."
"The underground world?"
TanTan's eyes immediately widened with interest.
She focused her attention entirely on QingQing.
"That's what we call certain people who belong to secret organizations and operate outside ordinary society."
TanTan thought for a moment before asking,
"Besides your sister's connections, where else can we usually find information about these underground people?"
QingQing knew the answer.
She hesitated, however, seemingly unsure whether she should tell TanTan.
But when she saw TanTan's expectant and demanding expression, she finally gave in.
"...There is one place."
Her expression became serious.
"But it's very dangerous. I wouldn't recommend going there alone."
"Where is it?"
TanTan was so excited by the information that she failed to notice someone approaching from behind.
That person had apparently overheard their conversation.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed TanTan's wrist.
"Where exactly do you think you're going, HuaMuTan?!"
TanTan turned around.
Prince Li was standing behind her, his expression dark with anger.
"Are you planning to find even more trouble after everything you've done today?! Come with me!"
Without waiting for her response, he pulled her away.
QingQing and XiaoRue could only watch in silence as Prince Li dragged TanTan back into the room.
Inside the room...
Prince Li finally released TanTan's hand.
He pushed her gently but firmly toward a chair, then placed both hands on the armrests, effectively blocking her from standing up again.
"What exactly are your intentions, HuaMuTan?!"
"What do you mean? Let me go!"
Prince Li ignored her protest and stared at her sharply.
"I heard what you were just discussing. You're looking for the underground world?!"
His expression became even more threatening.
"Are you planning to use those people to carry out another one of your evil schemes?! Forget about it! Those people aren't someone you can control as easily as the servants in the palace or the people in your own household! And I absolutely won't allow you to do that!"
TanTan glared back at him.
"I'm not looking for them to do anything evil! I've already told you that I won't hurt anyone!"
"Then why do you want to meet them?!"
"That's my own business! It has nothing to do with you!"
For a moment, the two simply stared at each other.
Prince Li suddenly felt a strange sense of disappointment upon hearing her answer.
However, he also noticed something unusual in her eyes.
There was no trace of the cunning or malicious expression he remembered from the past.
Instead, her eyes looked clear and sincere.
He had never seen her look at him like that before.
Prince Li slowly removed his hands from the chair and stepped aside.
"You're not planning to hurt ShuangAi or FangFang anymore?"
TanTan was confused by his question.
He sounded as though he wanted her to confirm it once again.
She couldn't help feeling a little irritated.
"Of course I won't hurt them! ShuangAi is my friend, and FangFang is my daughter! How could I possibly harm them?"
Prince Li continued studying her expression.
"Then what about other people? Are you planning to hurt any of your enemies?"
"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not planning to hurt anyone!"
TanTan was beginning to lose her patience.
"Do you want me to swear an oath right here? Fine! I swear that I won't deliberately harm anyone. If I break that promise, I'm willing to accept whatever punishment the law imposes!"
She even raised her right hand firmly, as though she were making an oath before a court.
Prince Li stared at her.
She seems sincere this time...
Her eyes looked honest.
They were completely different from the eyes he remembered seeing in the past.
He slowly approached her again.
"Then tell me the truth. Why on earth do you want to meet those underground people? Don't you know how dangerous they are?"
"Dangerous?"
TanTan became curious.
Just how dangerous could these people be?
"Most of them are criminals. Some are even cold-blooded killers or rebels who oppose the imperial court. Do you honestly think you can handle people like that?"
He paused before adding,
"Didn't your experience at the gambling house teach you any lesson?"
TanTan noticed that Prince Li was now standing barely a step away from her.
The closeness made her slightly uncomfortable.
But something else caught her attention.
His words sounded almost like a warning out of concern for her safety.
Was Prince Li actually worried about her?
That was certainly unusual.
TanTan couldn't help asking just to make sure.
"Do... you worry about me?"
Prince Li was startled by the unexpected question.
He immediately answered, but somehow couldn't bring himself to look directly at her.
Instead, he turned his back.
"No! I'm not worried about you!"
He cleared his throat before continuing.
"I'm only worried that your careless actions will bring trouble to the Li Mansion, just like what you've been doing lately! Whether I like it or not, you're still my wife, the Young Madam of the Li Family, and a member of the Imperial Family. You must learn to consider the consequences of your actions!"
Yes! I'm not worried about her!
He tried to convince himself.
It's simply that her reckless behavior has caused too much trouble lately. It could affect the reputation of the Li Family as well!
That's all!
TanTan quietly considered his explanation.
So he's only worried that I'll damage the reputation of the Li Family?
She understood that people in this ancient era placed great importance on their family names and reputations.
That was probably why women, in particular, were expected to behave with such restraint.
The former HuaMuTan, who had grown up following traditional teachings, must have understood these rules very well. Perhaps that was how she had managed to carry out her schemes while maintaining an appearance of perfect courtesy.
But TanTan was different.
She wasn't from this era.
How could she simply accept being restricted from doing whatever she wanted?
Still...
I can't keep offending this man if I want any chance of finding more clues.
After considering the situation, TanTan finally let out a sigh.
"You are right, Prince Li."
Prince Li turned slightly, surprised by her sudden agreement.
"I suppose I've forgotten many things, including the proper manners expected of the Young Madam of the Li Family. I admit that I've made mistakes."
She gave him a polite gesture.
"Please forgive me. Don't worry, I'll behave properly as the Young Madam of the Li Family from now on."
Prince Li was momentarily speechless.
He hadn't expected her to give up the argument so easily.
He simply stared at her, trying to figure out what was going through her mind.
TanTan, meanwhile, maintained her polite expression.
"Well, if there's nothing else, please excuse me."
She turned toward the door.
But before she could leave, Prince Li reached out and grabbed her hand.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
TanTan looked at him.
"Where? Back to the Li Mansion, of course. Isn't that the duty of a proper Young Madam of the Li Family? To stay at home?"
Although her words sounded perfectly obedient, the sarcasm in her tone was impossible to miss.
Prince Li noticed it immediately.
He was becoming increasingly suspicious of her sudden change in attitude.
Still holding her hand, he replied with an equally deliberate tone.
"Then, as a good husband, it is my duty to make sure my wife returns home safely. Let's go!"
TanTan stared at him.
What?
His words sounded polite enough, but she could clearly hear the sarcasm hidden underneath.
"Wait! I can go home by myself!"
Prince Li ignored her protest.
He pulled her toward the exit and walked out with her.
Once outside, he instructed ManQi to escort XiaoRue and the others back to the Li Mansion afterward.
Then, without giving TanTan another chance to complain, he helped her onto his horse.
"Hey! Wait! I said I can go home by myself!"
Prince Li mounted the horse behind her.
"Stop making a fuss. Hold on properly."
Before TanTan could argue again, he urged the horse forward and rode away.
Everyone left behind could only watch the two disappear into the distance.
QingQing was the first to voice her thoughts.
"I didn't know Prince Li was so caring toward his wife!"
She looked at ManQi and XiaoRue in surprise.
"I thought he hated her. Was that just a rumor?"
XiaoRue and ManQi exchanged glances.
Neither knew how to answer.
After all, they were just as confused by what they had witnessed.
It was almost the complete opposite of how things used to be.
In the past, Prince Li had always rejected HuaMuTan and done everything he could to keep his distance from her.
Meanwhile, HuaMuTan had constantly tried every possible way to get closer to him.
But now...
It was Prince Li himself who had taken the initiative to bring his wife home, even when she had repeatedly insisted that she could manage on her own.
What exactly was happening between those two?