Tang Xin’s Identity

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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Tang Jiwei was busy investigating the case of Jiang Tianyi, with so many documents piled up on his desk that there was barely room left. Tang Xin had to bring over a small table from a side room just to have enough space.

In reality, there weren’t that many documents; some old officials had intentionally mixed in irrelevant materials to give Tang Jiwei a hard time. Just sorting through the files was a headache, let alone making sense of them to find the evidence.

Tang Jiwei vaguely understood that someone was making things difficult for him, but it was clear that some people wanted to extract certain individuals from Jiang Tianyi’s case.

The Jiang clan was the foremost branch of the異姓王 ^[1] 異姓王 translates to King of a different surname (foreign surname royal family) during the Later Qin dynasty. To demonstrate his favor towards the Jiang family, the First Emperor had bestowed titles and lands upon them. By the time of Han Zhen, the Jiang family was already in a precarious position. Han Zhen had dispatched dozens of men to the Jiang territory, hiding for years to uproot the Jiang family completely. However, there were many loyalists within the Jiang clan, and most officials in the court had their spies as well. It was unlikely to rescue Jiang Tianyi, but there was hope to peel off some remaining supporters. Tang Jiwei’s handling of this case was not just about finding the evidence; Han Zhen intended to use these stolen goods as evidence to uncover the accounts and root out all the remaining loyalists in one sweep.

This was not a good job, and it was likely that Li Huili had already learned about it from Duke Anyuan before pushing this troublesome matter onto Tang Jiwei.

“Sir, taking on this case means that you might get caught up in it yourself. Are you really going to help the emperor eliminate the Jiang family?” Tang Xin asked as she poured tea, watching Tang Jiwei bury himself in the documents.

Tang Jiwei looked up, squinting at Tang Xin in the light, and said, “Oh? How did you know this would involve me?”

Tang Xin suddenly knelt down on the ground, leaving Tang Jiwei caught off guard.

“Let’s talk about this later; we don’t do this in the house!” Tang Jiwei said as he helped her up.

Tang Xin insisted on kneeling, her face resolute yet filled with deep guilt towards Tang Jiwei. Her skin was as white as jade, but more importantly, it looked pale.

“Sir, I’m sorry. I concealed my identity. Although you never asked me, I’ve been under your care during my time in the manor. I am not a commoner; my relatives are indeed all deceased.”

Tang Jiwei, feeling slightly interested, asked, “Then what is your background? Are you a fugitive? Or being pursued by an enemy?”

Tang Xin looked up and said, “I am the legitimate granddaughter of the King of Lingnan. My original name is Han Lanqing! That’s why I understand the stakes in the struggles between the factions in the court.”

Tang Jiwei’s hand trembled, causing him to quickly set down his teacup and help her up, saying, “No need to kneel! You are a legitimate princess; I have been blind!”

“You saved me; that is only right. Moreover, I am no longer a princess, just a fish that slipped through the net!” Tang Xin lowered her head, a hint of desolation evident on her face. ^[2] Just a fish that slipped through the net is an idiom that means someone who managed to escape capture, detection, or control

Tang Jiwei stood up and sighed, saying, “The case of the King of Lingnan was indeed mismanaged by the late emperor, and there’s no denying that. But you came to the capital alone—are you seeking revenge?”

Tang Xin shook her head and stood up, saying, “I know the power of the imperial authority and understand that Han Zhen is not his father. I won’t do anything that causes turmoil in the world and unrest among the people. Just the Jiang family is already enough; I can’t afford more sacrifices.”

Tang Jiwei nodded, looking at the woman before him, feeling she was no ordinary person. She had the spirit of a heroine, completely devoid of the arrogance typically associated with royal women. He couldn’t help but admire her words.

“What do you want to do? I’ll help you as much as I can!”

Tang Xin smiled at the man before her, someone whose charm was beyond description, and said, “It should be mutual assistance. I plan to go tomorrow to apply to be a palace maid. I want to get into the inner court to obtain the information I need. Serving beside the emperor might help you as well, right?”

Tang Jiwei was taken aback; he hadn’t thought of this. However, going from princess to palace maid was a transition that only someone exceptionally resilient and determined could endure. Looking at her beauty, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she was stunning. If Han Zhen were to notice her, there would be no chance of escape.

Noticing his hesitation, Tang Xin said, “I know my limits and won’t draw attention. I’m no longer a princess, but I am the only bloodline of the King of Lingnan. If I don’t seek justice for them, our family will forever bear the shame of being labeled as rebels.”

Although Tang Jiwei didn’t fully understand her, he could tell from her journey from Lingnan to the capital that she was determined and not one to give up easily. When the late emperor dealt with the King of Lingnan, they were still young; now, asking a young woman to seek vindication was truly tragic!

“Alright, I understand your predicament, but if there is any danger, you must inform me. Working in the palace requires a sense of moderation; don’t let an injustice lead to your own downfall,” Tang Jiwei cautioned her.

Tang Xin smiled and nodded. Such a radiant and bright smile was common on the faces of girls around fifteen or sixteen, but it was the first time Tang Jiwei had seen such a smile on Tang Xin.

“I’ll go find the barefoot doctor to disguise you; you’re too easy to notice like this!” Tang Jiwei frowned as he looked at her appearance, vaguely recalling that the barefoot doctor knew a few tricks.

Just as Tang Jiwei was about to rush out, Tang Xin leaned forward and pulled his sleeve, saying, “Sir, you haven’t finished investigating your case yet?”

Tang Jiwei grinned slyly and replied, “If you go into the palace to steal secrets for me, won’t that solve my problem?”

After saying this, he dashed out into the light rain, and Tang Xin didn’t even have time to offer him an umbrella before his handsome figure vanished into the night.

Knowing that Tang Jiwei was trying to comfort her, Tang Xin’s eyes grew slightly misty. After nearly ten years of hardship since her family fell apart when she was seven, she had either worked or struggled to survive in rural villages. Since her wet nurse passed away when she was ten, no one had ever treated her so well.

Tang Xin leaned against the door frame, looking up, and thought that if she could one day vindicate her family, she would ask Tang Jiwei to keep her in the Tang household, even if it was just to help him take care of Tang Lao Niang.

When Tang Jiwei found the barefoot doctor, he was inside sipping on some wine. Suddenly, someone rushed in and startled him, causing him to spill a good amount of his drink.

“Oh, what a pity! Such a waste!” the barefoot doctor shook his head and sighed.

Tang Jiwei took off his rain cloak. If the doorman hadn’t insisted on giving it to him, he probably would have turned into a drowned rat.

“What brings you here uninvited?” the barefoot doctor continued swaying his head as he drank.

Tang Jiwei took the wine jug and took a large gulp to warm himself up, saying, “Can you create a fake face for someone?”

“Why? Don’t you think your own face is thick enough?” the barefoot doctor asked.

Tang Jiwei didn’t bother to respond to him. He sat down in a nearby chair and said, “Tang Xin wants to enter the palace, and I need to make it less dangerous for her!”

The barefoot doctor put down his cup and squinted at Tang Jiwei, saying, “Isn’t that a beauty plot?”

Tang Jiwei adjusted his robe and replied, “If a beauty plot could work, I’d be the first to use it on you! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to waste my breath with you!”

“Are you still complaining that I’m being troublesome? I think it’s good if you find me trouble! Hmph!” the barefoot doctor huffed, putting on an expression of superiority, “The crime of deceiving the emperor is a capital offense. If you’re not afraid, I am! When the time comes, all you have to say is that you didn’t know, and I’ll be the scapegoat!”

Tang Jiwei clasped his hands together and said, “Good idea; why didn’t I think of that before? I was hesitating all the way here, but now it seems that there’s no need for that. Let’s go with this plan.”

The barefoot doctor was so taken aback that his old bones creaked. He thought this little brat was just like his mother—especially gifted at harming others while benefiting himself!

To avoid Tang Jiwei smashing his wine jar, the barefoot doctor had no choice but to help him create a disguise, hanging his head between his waistbands.

“Here, this is the potion. Apply it to your face, and within three days, it will meld seamlessly with your skin. It’s far better than any fake skin that can be easily ripped off. Here’s the antidote; if you wash your face with it after three days, it will revert back to normal without any damage at all!” The barefoot doctor spoke about his potion with excitement and pride, nearly shaking Tang Jiwei’s head to ask what he thought.

“Good stuff! Why were you being so secretive about it? What a hassle!” Tang Jiwei scoffed, unable to resist throwing cold water on the doctor’s triumphant expression.

“Ungrateful little brat! Sooner or later, someone will teach you a lesson!”

The barefoot doctor shook his head angrily as he watched Tang Jiwei walk out into the rain.

In the Dongyang Palace, the Empress Dowager had Han Bi and Han Shu Hui stay in the hall for dinner together. It had been a long time since she had enjoyed family joy, and today she looked radiant and very satisfied.

“Yang Cheng, how long has it been since you came back to see your mother? You unfilial child!” The Empress Dowager, after having her meal, kept them talking and looked at her younger daughter with a reproachful expression.

Princess Yang Cheng loved going out more than anyone else. Apart from the eldest princess Han Yuan, born to Empress Jia Yi, she was the second unmarried princess with a fief who was favored by the late emperor.

“Mother, I’m here to see you now!” Yang Cheng sat on the couch, clinging to the Empress Dowager and acting cute.

Princess Yu Cheng, having experienced her husband’s execution and family downfall, had lost much of her former luster. Sitting beside Han Shu Hui, her sullen demeanor annoyed the Empress Dowager.

“Yu Cheng, the emperor thinks the current scholars are quite good. Do you have anyone you’re interested in? I can arrange a marriage for you,” the Empress Dowager said.

Yu Cheng lifted her head and disdainfully replied, “They are all dull and boring people; how could I ever like any of them?”

Han Shu Hui remained silent, but inside, she scoffed: The top scholar is quite impressive; you just don’t match him!

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, “How about the top scholar? I’ve heard from the palace maids that he is quite impressive, handsome and talented. From what I’ve seen of the emperor, he seems to like him. Why don’t we have the emperor arrange a meeting?”

Yu Cheng had always looked down on those from humble backgrounds. Her future husband must come from a respectable family with good character; she had already investigated the top scholar’s background, and it was abysmally poor. Marrying him would be a disgrace, and she certainly wouldn’t be interested.

“Forget it, Mother; I’m fine as I am. I’d rather not find someone unsuitable and be laughed at!” Yu Cheng feigned a look of dejection.

The Empress Dowager frowned, withdrawing her hand from Yang Cheng, and said with authority, “You are a princess, my dear daughter! I will not let anyone speak ill of you behind your back. What if you marry someone else? You are my eldest daughter, immensely honored! This time, we must carefully select a good match, and I will see who dares to disrespect you!”

Yu Cheng’s mouth curved slightly upward, her eyes sparkling with hidden delight. Her long-term ruse had proven effective; she wanted just this kind of attitude from the Empress Dowager. Only if she was treated like the unmarried princess Yang Cheng could she find a good family!

Seeing her second sister’s sigh of relief, Yang Cheng realized her sister had succeeded in her scheme. Glancing at their still-fuming mother, she couldn’t help but feel sorrowful. Her mother, who was wise her entire life, had been outmaneuvered by her own children—truly, smartness had backfired!

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Author’s Note: I didn’t update yesterday due to filling out summer practice forms. Please be gentle, everyone!

P.S.: Don’t unbookmark just because of a one-day update gap! Come, my dear consorts, and take your seats!

Once again P.S.:Not bookmarking will lead to pregnancy! 【Ferocious warning~】