Chapter 202: The Private Goods Office Is Over

Tuan Tuan was startled: a person from the Private Goods Office?

She glanced at the family gathered around the table, all in high spirits.

Cheng Ru'an instructed, "Take them to the front hall; we'll be there shortly."

She stood up, took Tuan Tuan's small hand, and said, "Come, mother will go with you to hear what he has to say."

Tuan Tuan nodded, "Father, you eat first; I'll be back in a moment."

The two arrived at the front hall, where a man in the Private Goods Office uniform paced anxiously, rubbing his hands.

Seeing them enter, the man hurriedly bowed, "Your Majesty, Princess Consort, Princess. I am Cai Guangteng, Clerk of the Private Goods Office. Lord Feng instructed me before departing that I must report this matter to the Princess."

Tuan Tuan asked curiously, "Has Feng Zhou left? Where did he go? What are you supposed to tell me?"

Cai Guangteng, flustered, stammered, "I misspoke; Lord Feng hasn't left, he's been imprisoned!"

"Huh?" Tuan Tuan looked bewildered, "Why is he locked up?"

Cheng Ru'an, seeing Cai Guangteng in a panic, said, "Don't rush; sit down and tell us slowly."

"Thank you, Princess Consort." Cai Guangteng sat down, steadied his mind, and continued, "A few days ago, the Emperor issued an edict that the Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow had appeared in the jianghu, giving ten days for the Private Goods Office to conduct a self‑investigation."

"Lord Feng searched high and low for ten days but found nothing; the Ministry of War sent officials and seized him, imprisoning him."

"He said before leaving that when the Princess returns, I must report his grievance to her; he never disclosed any of the Private Goods Office's crucial matters to anyone, and he truly knows nothing about why the Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow appeared outside."

"He doesn't know why they arrested him?" Tuan Tuan couldn't understand.

Cheng Ru'an glanced at Cai Guangteng, "Thank you for informing us; please return now."

Cai Guangteng looked at Tuan Tuan, fell to his knees with a thud, and pleaded, "Princess, please clear Lord Feng's injustice!"

"Since the Private Goods Office was founded, Lord Feng has worked day and night without rest, dutiful and responsible, never slacking. Regarding the Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow incident, although as a chief he bears some blame for oversight, it could never have been his doing!"

Having said that, he knocked his head heavily several times in a respectful bow.

Cheng Ru'an hurriedly said, "Cai, please rise; Tuan Tuan already knows, you may return now."

Cai Guangteng, hearing this, only then got up, "I thank the Princess Consort, Princess."

He hunched his shoulders, turned, and left.

Tuan Tuan watched his back, "I'll see you off!"

Cai Guangteng snapped his head back, his face showing emotion. No wonder Lord Feng sent me to beg the Princess; it seems she will indeed try to save him!

His voice choked, "Thank you, Princess."

Cheng Ru'an smiled faintly, took her daughter's hand, and escorted Cai Guangteng to the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

She hadn't expected that just as they reached the gate, a man in Ministry of War uniform arrived with several Constables, blocking Cai Guangteng's path.

The official bowed respectfully to Cheng Ru'an and Tuan Tuan, "I am the Ministry of War Chief, may I have audience with the Princess Consort, Princess."

Cheng Ru'an asked, "Ministry of War Chief? What important business brings you to the Ning Prince's Mansion?"

He replied, "This case is of great significance; I have been ordered to supervise Clerk Cai here. The Ning Prince's Mansion is under the Emperor's special favor; I dare to overstep and humbly request the Princess Consort to keep distance from this matter."

He looked at Cai Guangteng, "Clerk Cai, the Ministry of War is leading this case; as per protocol you are to be escorted and should stay within your duties, not wander freely, and certainly not disturb the Prince's Mansion."

Cai Guangteng's face turned ashen, "Understood." After speaking, he dared not look back and went straight ahead.

The Ministry of War Chief bowed again to Cheng Ru'an, "I take my leave," and followed with his men.

Cheng Ru'an furrowed her brows, led the glum Tuan Tuan back to the dining table.

Xiao Tuanzi drooped her head, face full of displeasure, and everyone looked at Cheng Ru'an.

Cheng Ru'an sighed and recounted what had just happened.

Xiao Ningchen patted Tuan Tuan's small head, "Tuan Tuan, when we were ambushed by the Nine-Star Repeating Crossbow in the canyon, the Seventh Prince was also present."

"If we downplay it, it's a weapons leak; if we exaggerate, it's someone using the nation's prized weapon to assassinate a prince, tantamount to treason!"

His Majesty was enraged, issued an edict for a thorough investigation—obviously proper. The Ministry of War temporarily detained Feng Zhou for interrogation, not a targeted move.

Xiao Ningyuan nodded, "Second brother is right. Tuan Tuan, you needn't be anxious; the Ministry of War has many officials, they will surely uncover the truth."

Xiao Ningxun rose, walked to Tuan Tuan, crouched to meet her eye level, "Stop being upset, okay? Our little Tuan Tuan is now the State‑Stabilizing Princess! Rest assured, once the truth is cleared, Feng Zhou will be released; nothing will happen."

Tuan Tuan looked at everyone, "I understand! Then… I'll wait!"

"I hope they finish the investigation quickly so Feng Zhou can be released soon. Feng Zhou is a good man; he shouldn't be locked up."

Xiao Yuanhang smiled and nodded.

The next day, Tuan Tuan accompanied her father into the palace to thank the Emperor.

Just as they entered Zichen Hall,

they saw a person seated inside.

It was an elderly man in a blue robe, his hair and beard all white, a slender clean face, and a pair of warm, clear eyes.

Huh, who is this old gentleman? He's surrounded by a white glow, so mysterious—I've never seen anything like it.

Xiao Yuanhang also saw the elder and instantly brightened with joy.

He led his daughter to first pay his respects and thanks to Xiao Jieyun.

Xiao Jieyun said, "Stand at ease. Tuan Tuan, quickly meet Lord Song."

Xiao Yuanhang led his daughter to the elder, "Tuan Tuan, pay a grand salute to Lord Song; he is your Imperial Uncle and your father's teacher."

Having said so, he bowed deeply, "Student has seen his benefactor."

Tuan Tuan, hearing this, complied, "Tuan Tuan has met Grandfather Song; Grandfather Song is Imperial Uncle and father's teacher—how impressive!"

Lord Song smiled and nodded, "Everyone, rise quickly, Yuanhang. I've been convalescing in the Jiangnan Region these years; are you well?"

Xiao Yuanhang respectfully replied, "All is well, teacher; are you in good health now?"

Lord Song chuckled, "I'm old, so some ailments are inevitable, but while I can still move, I returned to the capital to see you."

Xiao Jieyun laughed, "Your arrival is perfect; this is the Tuan Tuan I just mentioned, the newly ennobled State‑Stabilizing Princess Jiayou."

Lord Song's gaze fell on Tuan Tuan, gentle and focused, "Is this the renowned Princess Jiayou? Truly jade‑like and lovely; I am Song Jingxian."

Tuan Tuan stared at his beard: "Grandpa Song, your beard is really white! It's like winter snow!"

Song Jingxian stroked his mustache, laughed heartily, and asked with interest: "Princess, do you know why this old man's beard looks like snow?"

Tuan Tuan blinked and honestly shook her head.

"Because snow is water that comes from the heavens; having endured extreme cold, it possesses its own noble character."

Song Jingxian nodded slightly: "Princess, you can discern that noble character at a glance; truly, your insight is like a torch."

Tuan Tuan felt a little embarrassed by his words; I was just speaking offhand!

At that moment, a colorful butterfly fluttered in from outside the hall, catching Tuan Tuan's attention; she stretched out her little finger and pointed: "Butterfly!"

Song Jingxian asked with a smile: "Princess, do you like butterflies?"

"I like them! They're beautiful!" Tuan Tuan nodded.

"Indeed," Song Jingxian said, gazing at the butterfly, "the ancient texts record that butterflies bear five colors and are messengers of the Spring God."

"It has seen the most beautiful flowers and tasted the sweetest nectar; now it has flown here, surely because it finds the Princess more graceful than a hundred blossoms, and has come to see you."

The words made Tuan Tuan's eyes sparkle.

Wow! This Grandpa Song speaks so nicely! His praise makes me so happy!

After a brief exchange between lord and retainer, Xiao Yuanhang led Tuan Tuan to take leave.

"Princess, please stay a moment," Song Jingxian called them back.

He drew an object from his sleeve.

It was a warm, flawless white Jade Pendant, engraved with a miniature map of stars and rivers—vast stars, rushing rivers, countless scenes.

He stepped before Tuan Tuan, took her little hand, and gently placed the Jade Pendant into her palm: "This jade has accompanied me for many years; today I give it to the Princess."

"May the Princess's heart be as lofty as the stars and as unending as the rivers, witnessing the myriad phenomena of this world."

This gift was no trivial matter; Xiao Yuanhang's face showed surprise, and even Xiao Jieyun was slightly moved.

Tuan Tuan held the Jade Pendant, gazing at Song Jingxian's warm smile, and thought, "So beautiful! Thank you, Grandpa Song, I really like it."

Xiao Yuanhang led Tuan Tuan outward; just as they reached the hall entrance, Tuan Tuan turned and waved vigorously at Song Jingxian: "Grandpa Song! I'll come find you to play next time! Okay?"

Song Jingxian looked at her, his smile growing even warmer: "Whenever the Princess wishes to come, this old man will always await."

The father and daughter walked out of the great hall.

Xiao Jieyun sighed: "The teacher seems especially fond of this child."

Song Jingxian was silent for a moment: "His Majesty, this girl is naturally graceful and pure‑hearted, like an uncarved masterpiece jade, a auspicious sign of my fierce nation."

He paused: "Cherish her, value her."

Xiao Jieyun nodded silently; Tuan Tuan's good fortune is innate, truly worthy of the title.

The father and daughter returned to Ning Prince's Mansion; as the carriage had just come to a stop, a figure staggered out.

It was Cai Guangteng, who had only arrived yesterday.

Seeing Xiao Yuanhang and Tuan Tuan alight from the carriage, he fell to his knees before the car, his voice hoarse and tearful: "Prince! Princess! It's terrible! The private goods workshop is ruined!"