Chapter 79: If the Plan Fails, She Must Stay at Baima Temple

Tang Ying waited in the pavilion of the western wing for a while before Ye Junyu finally arrived.

“Your Highness.” The moment she saw him, Tang Ying immediately curtsied.

Ye Junyu’s face was as dark as thunder, his eyes like bottomless black holes, concealing all his displeasure and fury.

Seeing his expression, Tang Ying immediately knew that things must have gone wrong last night. “What happened last night? Did you see Tang Mi?”

“The Prince waited for her all night on the mountain, and she never showed up. Didn’t you say she’d agreed to go up the mountain to fetch the water? Why didn’t she go?” Ye Junyu, brimming with rage, had nowhere to vent his anger and could only lash out at Tang Ying.

Tang Ying frowned. “She did go up. She only came down at dawn, and she brought the divine water.”

“Impossible!” Ye Junyu refuted without hesitation. “I waited by the Celestial Pond all night. She never came up. There’s no way she could’ve gotten the divine water.”

Tang Ying narrowed her eyes. She didn’t doubt Ye Junyu’s words, he had waited a long time for this opportunity. If Tang Mi had really gone up to the Celestial Pond, he wouldn’t have let her go. And he had no reason to lie to her either.

Most likely, Tang Mi never made it to the pond. She probably just got some water from somewhere else and is trying to pass it off as the divine water.

Why didn’t she go up the mountain? Could it be she already knew they were plotting against her?

Impossible. There’s no way she could’ve known. If she had, why would she have agreed to go up the mountain in the first place?

Tang Ying pondered for a moment and then said, “The divine water she brought is likely fake. When the ritual takes place at noon, I’ll find a chance to expose her. Without the real divine water, the ceremony will have to be postponed. And even if they insist on proceeding, I’ll find a way to delay it. We’ll make sure Tang Mi stays at Baima Temple. As for what happens next, we’ll wait for the right moment.”

Ye Junyu shot her a fierce glare. “This is your last chance. Don’t screw it up again, or don’t blame me for losing my patience!”

With a furious swish of his sleeves, Ye Junyu stormed off.

Tang Ying watched his retreating back and curled her lips with disdain.

She’d arranged everything for him, yet he couldn’t even get Tang Mi, how dare he blame her?

If it weren’t for the fact that he was a prince and the most likely candidate to become crown prince, she wouldn’t even bother looking at a man like him!

Tang Ying took a deep breath. Why hadn’t Tang Mi gone up the mountain to fetch water? Could it be she twisted her ankle while climbing and couldn’t make it, so she got fake water halfway?

After thinking it through, that seemed the most reasonable explanation.

In any case, as long as things between her and Ye Junyu weren’t settled, she couldn’t let Tang Mi leave Baima Temple so easily.

Tang Ying adjusted the hood of her cloak and silently returned to the northern wing.

Northern Wing

Old Madam Tang looked anxiously at the physician. “My girl’s foot isn’t seriously hurt, is it?”

After examining Tang Mi, the physician smiled and replied, “Rest assured, Madam. The young lady only has a sprain. There’s no bone damage. It’s nothing serious.”

Old Madam Tang frowned as she looked at Tang Mi’s red and swollen ankle. “No bone damage? But it’s so swollen!”

The physician took another careful look. “Truly no bone injury. The swelling might be due to climbing too many stairs and overexertion. While it’s not a bone or tendon injury, a sprain is no minor issue either. She needs to rest and avoid excessive movement.”

Old Madam Tang nodded and gratefully asked, “Should she take any medicine?”

“I’ll prescribe some herbal decoction to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Two doses should be enough. Her foot isn’t badly hurt.”

“Alright, thank you.” Old Madam Tang looked toward Nanny Gui.

Nanny Gui immediately escorted the physician to prepare the medicine.

Old Madam Tang sat by the bed and gently stroked Tang Mi’s swollen foot. “With your foot like this, your father’s ritual is at noon. I’m not sure if you can participate. Maybe we should…”

“I’m fine. I can do it.” Fearing the date might be changed, Tang Mi quickly reassured her. “Please don’t worry. My foot is okay. It’s not hard work, I just need to kneel a bit. I can handle it. Since the master picked this date with difficulty, let’s not change it because of me.”

Seeing her so obedient and sensible, Old Madam Tang lovingly stroked her head. “Then get some sleep first. The ceremony’s at noon, you still have a few hours to rest.”

“Alright.” After a long night, Tang Mi was truly exhausted and closed her eyes.

Old Madam Tang tucked her in and told Ban Xia to take care of her before quietly leaving.

Tang Mi slept all the way until noon.

Ban Xia gently woke her, “Miss, it’s noon. Time to get up.”

“Okay.” Tang Mi responded groggily and slowly got up.

Ban Xia helped her get dressed and said, “Everyone is already at the main hall. Let me carry you over.”

“No need, I can walk.” Tang Mi tried to get up, but the sharp pain from her ankle instantly made her break out in a sweat.

“Let me carry you. I’ll put you down at the door and help you walk in. Don’t worry about being embarrassed,” Ban Xia quickly comforted her and squatted down.

Tang Mi looked at her back and smiled bitterly. “I’m not trying to act tough. I just worry your small frame won’t be able to carry me.”

Ban Xia’s eyes softened. “I can do it. Please get on.”

Seeing no other choice, Tang Mi carefully climbed onto her back.

Ban Xia struggled a bit but managed to carry her, then smiled in triumph. “See? I told you I could do it.”

Proud of herself, she carried Tang Mi out of the room.

Nanny Gui came hurrying over and saw them. Feeling guilty, she said, “The old madam told me to carry you. Sorry I’m late.”

She turned to Ban Xia. “Let me carry her instead.”

“I’m fine,” Ban Xia insisted.

Tang Mi smiled at Nanny Gui. “It’s okay. Let this girl carry me. She’s nearly of age anyway, time she started bearing some weight.”

Nanny Gui was momentarily stunned, then nodded. “Alright, I’ll walk beside you. If Ban Xia gets tired, I’ll take over.”

“I’ll be fine!” Ban Xia said proudly as she carried Tang Mi toward the main hall.

“Is everyone there already?” Tang Mi asked from her back.

“Yes, just you and Fourth Miss are missing,” Nanny Gui replied.

Tang Mi frowned. “Fourth Sister hasn’t arrived?”

“No sign of her yet. But the old madam said she’s a nun at Jingyue Nunnery now. It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t come,” Nanny Gui replied indifferently.

Tang Mi raised her eyebrows but didn’t think much of it.

Grandmother was right. For their father’s memorial, whether Tang Rong came or not didn’t really matter.