Chapter 243

Xiao Yuanhang's face changed drastically: "Impossible! Tuan Tuan is only five!"

Song Jingxian looks at him: "Xiao Yuanhang, I know you love your daughter dearly, but precisely because Tuan Tuan is young, the thieves will be lax in their defenses; this is one reason."

Second, she prays for rain for the people, bearing the title of Immortal Envoy, her blessings deep; she may be able to restrain the enemy's schemes with qi fortune, something no army could achieve.

Third, as the Mystic Commandant of Tianji Pavilion, she can justifiably mobilize Tianji Pavilion's influence in the martial world. Therefore, both publicly and privately, she is the most suitable choice.

Precisely because the bandit troubles are thorny and regular measures ineffective, we must deploy this extraordinary force. Tuan Tuan's innate good fortune is exactly the key to breaking this stalemate.

He looked up at the emperor: "Your Majesty can issue a clear decree, select elite guards, under the pretense of suppressing bandits, actually conduct the investigation. This would both satisfy Prince Ning's love for his daughter and relieve the Imperial Court's urgent need."

Xiao Yuanhang blurted: "His Majesty, absolutely not!"

He sprang to his feet: "Tuan Tuan is still young, merely a child needing protection from parents and elder brothers; how could such crafty and vicious thieves allow her to risk her person?"

His chest rose and fell slightly; before his eyes he seemed to see his precious daughter amidst blades and swords, making his heart feel as if cut by a knife.

Song Jingxian's expression remained calm: "Xiao Yuanhang, you treasure Tuan Tuan like a jewel; I too have taken her as my personal disciple—how could I wish her to face danger?"

But she is not only the Princess (Commandery) of Ning Prince's Mansion; she also holds the Mystic Command and is the leader of Tianji Pavilion! The forces of the martial world are best dealt with by her; she is the sole person capable of breaking the current stalemate.

Xiao Yuanhang clenched his fists, unable to speak.

The ever-silent Xiao Jieyun finally spoke: "The teacher's words are sound; I approve."

Convey the imperial decree: appoint Princess Jiayou as special envoy for the investigation, overseeing the Clear Prefecture case. Ninth Prince Xiao Ran shall accompany and assist; the remaining guards and attendants shall be arranged by Prince Ning Xiao Yuanhang.

The Emperor's will is settled; his golden words spoken, this matter admits no further change.

Xiao Yuanhang slowly lowered his head, speaking with difficulty: "Subject... I obey the decree."

Returning to the Prince's Mansion, Xiao Yuanhang pondered, then slowly told Cheng Ru'an, worried that his wife could not bear to part with their daughter, making her sick with anxiety.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Ru'an merely shed silent tears, made no sound, rose and went to pack Tuan Tuan's luggage.

Xiao Yuanhang gazed at his wife's back, sighed, and went to find Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan was feeding the snow-clad horse together with Gongsun Yue; after hearing her father finish, her big eyes blinked once: "Father, you mean I can go investigate the repeating crossbow matter myself, without waiting for those fools in the Ministry of War?"

Xiao Yuanhang startled: "Right."

Tuan Tuan bounced up happily: "Great! Father! I will surely catch those villains, and then Feng Zhou can come out!"

Feng Zhou! Xiao Yuanhang then realized, it turns out his daughter had been thinking of this.

He scooped up Tuan Tuan and kissed her little cheek: "Fine girl!"

"Huh, why doesn't Imperial Uncle let Third Elder Brother accompany me?"

Xiao Yuanhang thought: "The Seventh Prince is now Prince Jing, assisting the Ministry of War, with many duties. How come, Tuan Tuan, you don't like the Ninth Prince?"

Tuan Tuan gave an "oh": "I like him, then it's him! Father! When do we leave?"

"In three days. These three days, Father will go nowhere, just stay with you, okay?"

"Great!" Tuan Tuan hugged his neck, rubbing against him.

Gongsun Yue watched from the side, feeling immensely reluctant, yet said nothing, silently withdrawing.

Three days later, just past noon, at the gate of Ning Prince's Mansion.

The Ninth Prince's honor guard was deployed, guards stood solemnly, banners fluttered, a display of imperial aura.

Xiao Ningxun took his sister's hand, bidding farewell to their parents.

Cheng Ru'an crouched, embracing his daughter, holding back tears: "Be good, don't rush to handle any case; just eat well, play well—if you don't succeed, your Imperial Uncle won't blame you."

"No rash actions; listen to your Third Brother in everything; remember, Mother waits for you at home."

Tuan Tuan nodded firmly: "Don't worry, Mother!"

She then flung herself into her father's embrace, pressing tightly, then: "Let's go! Third Brother!" just as she turned around.

"Tuan Tuan!" Gongsun Yue ran out from the mansion, straight to her face, gently inserting Consort Yun's pearl hairpin into her hair.

He looked at Tuan Tuan wearing the hairpin: "I have nothing better to give you; this is my mother's, wear it and return soon."

Tuan Tuan raised her hand to touch it: "Thank you, Xiao Yueyue! I promise to wear it well and not lose it!" After saying that, she gave him a sweet smile.

"Whoa—!" Xiao Ran spurred his horse to catch up.

He dismounted: "Little squirt! Any tears?"

Tuan Tuan glared at him: "I haven't! You're the one crying! And you keep calling me little squirt!"

Xiao Ran chuckled, walked over, took her other hand, together with Xiao Ningxun, and helped Tuan Tuan into the carriage.

Xiao Ran waved vigorously at the crowd standing at the mansion gate: "All right, head back! Don't just stand there—aren't your legs tired? Let's go!"

This lightened the originally heavy atmosphere considerably.

Xiao Yuanhang waved his hand: "Go! The sooner you go, the sooner you return!"

Xiao Er on horseback clasped his fists in salute: "Prince, please rest assured!"

"Go!" the coachman shouted, and the carriage slowly moved forward.

Tuan Tuan asked: "Xiao Ran, where should we go first?"

"Wanlingyuan."

Xiao Ningxun blinked: "What are we going there for?"

Xiao Ran spread his hands: "Father said he has something to bestow on Tuan Tuan, letting us make a trip to Wanlingyuan; I don't know why, but we'll find out once we get there."

"Right, little squirt, you address the Seventh Prince as 'Third Elder Brother' at least, so why do you call me by name so directly?"

Tuan Tuan examined him carefully: "Third Elder Brother looks much like Third Brother, only a bit older, hence the title 'Third Elder Brother'."

"You're nothing like my several brothers; of course I call you Xiao Ran!"

Xiao Ran shook his head repeatedly: "No! You must also call me Brother!"

Tuan Tuan shook her head even more vigorously: "I just won't!"

Xiao Ningxun helplessly watched the two bicker; soon the carriage stopped at the gate of Wanlingyuan.

The garden keeper came forward: "This humble one has greeted Ninth Prince, Count Wenhui, and the Little Princess."

Xiao Ningxun held Tuan Tuan and got off the carriage; Tuan Tuan, upon seeing the garden supervisor, said: "Little one! I'm going far away—please take good care of my big cat!"

The garden supervisor smiled and agreed: "Princess (Commandery), rest assured—that snow leopard, I personally look after it."

Xiao Ran lazily poked his head out of the carriage window: "Father Emperor, what is it that you want me to give to the Princess (Commandery)?"

The garden supervisor smiled and said: "Everyone, please look."

Two servants brought up an exquisite birdcage covered with bright yellow silk.

The garden supervisor lifted the silk; inside the cage were two small, plump, entirely snow‑white birds, with golden eyes that glanced about, lively and agile in their jumps.

Upon closer look, each bird's leg had a tiny pouch tied to it.

"These are Lingxiao Sparrows, extremely spiritual, capable of traveling a thousand miles in a day."