What Bad Intentions can the Yandere Crown Prince have?

Chapter 449 - 445: Master Tao’s Innate Goodness—Tao Gu Extra (Part 11)

When Tao Fen learned of it, it was precisely the day his period of seclusion ended.That early morning, he had just left the house, intending to mount his horse and head to the government office to resume his duties.

Upon abruptly hearing this news, he ran towards Changxing Village’s Gu Mansion without a second thought.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, the streets were quiet, and the urgent sound of horse hooves almost echoed throughout the Capital City.

It could be expected that, by tomorrow at the latest, the Imperial Censor’s impeachment would be submitted to the Central Secretariat, and he would once again become the breach through which others would attack the Eastern Palace.

But he couldn’t care about that right now.

He hurriedly turned into Changxing Village’s West Gate and reined in his horse.

It was too early, and there were few people on the streets.

But in front of the Gu Mansion, many carriages and horses were already parked.

From inside the gate to outside, servants were lined up, all with solemn expressions.

Sitting on horseback, leaning against the wall, Tao Fen gazed from afar and saw many people.

The faces of many were blurred, but only the people of the Gu family could be clearly discerned at a glance.

When Tao Fen saw her, he instinctively directed his horse to move closer.

There weren’t many people on the street, so he easily caught the attention of the Gu family, but the person he was looking at did not notice him.

She was calmly gazing straight ahead with an impeccable demeanor and grace.

Tao Fen suddenly recalled the time behind Wulou Temple when she cried pitifully, with red eyes and nose, just because she lost an old sachet given by her mother.

But today, her mother was leaving her, and yet her gaze did not waver a bit.

As Tao Fen stared at her, her gaze finally moved.

She raised her eyes slightly, following Han Family’s departing figure.

Whether it was Tao Fen’s illusion or due to sunlight, something seemed to flash in her eyes.

But it was only a fleeting moment.

After Han Family turned away, until she boarded the carriage and left, she never looked back.

Tao Fen had heard Crown Princess Consort mention the conflict between Han Family and the Gu family, but who could have thought Han Family would be so resolute as to leave without a word, without even a glance at her own daughter.

How could one bear to do that to such an obedient girl?

Tao Fen suddenly felt as if his heart was pierced by needles.

How could one bear this?

He himself could not bear it.

No matter how indignant he felt, Han Family’s carriage heartlessly passed by him and did not stop or look back when it exited the village gate.

Tao Fen hurried to look at Gu Qinglan.

The girl’s gaze followed to the village gate, where she finally saw him.

It was as if she saw him, yet as if she didn’t.

Her eyes were misty, like a quiet, ephemeral winter morning.

But she indeed saw him.

From afar, she nodded towards him, then turned around to follow the Gu family’s women into the Gu family’s gate.

The moment the gate closed, his mount impatiently kicked its hooves twice.

Tao Fen also impatiently tugged at the reins, heading towards the Gu Mansion.

The mansion gate was tightly shut, the stone walls were high.

Tao Fen walked around the wall twice before he couldn’t help but climb up.

But even from the top of the wall, he couldn’t see much.

Tao Fen hesitated for a moment.

Looking back outside the wall, then turning to look inside the wall.

Gu Qinglan’s excessively calm face appeared before him again.

If she cried or made a scene, it would be normal.

But this behavior of not crying or making a scene was particularly worrisome.

Could she be hiding somewhere crying alone?

Just as he thought of this, Tao Fen jumped inside the wall.

He, of course, had never been to the Gu Mansion’s back garden, but large household gardens are generally similar.

After searching a bit, he did indeed find Gu Qinglan.

In the long corridor hidden among flora, the girl’s figure was beautiful yet thin.

Tao Fen was just to her side, observing the direction she came from, seemingly just returning from the main house, yet not sure where to go next.

Her every step was unhurried, her gaze steadily looking straight ahead, as if nothing had happened.

Not until she approached did Tao Fen see her eyes clearly.

Her clear and lustrous eyes had somehow taken on a faint red hue.

Tao Fen’s heart wrenched, and he stepped out from his hiding place: "Fifth—"

"Who’s there!"

...

Eastern Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Tao Fen cast a glance at the Crown Prince Consort Tang, who was struck speechless, and proactively knelt: "This minister acknowledges his wrongdoing, willing to accept punishment!"

The Crown Princess Consort was amused and annoyed: "Brother, you... you skipped your official duties just to climb the Gu family’s wall?"

Tao Fen’s face reddened with embarrassment.

"So why did Brother trespass into the Gu Mansion? There has to be an explanation for the Gu family, right?"

Tao Fen was personally brought to the Eastern Palace by Gu Wei.

Luckily, they were all insiders, so it didn’t cause a major uproar, only handed over to the Eastern Palace couple for disposition.

Indeed, an explanation was necessary.

Tao Fen bowed his head, honestly confessing: "The Crown Princess Consort knows about the Gu family’s matters, right? This minister passed by the Gu Mansion early this morning and happened to see Han Family leaving..." He faltered for words, hesitated a couple of times, then glanced at the Crown Princess Consort, "I know the Crown Princess Consort is busy, but if there’s time, please also care for the sisters in the family."

The Crown Prince, who hadn’t given him a glance since Tao Fen entered, lifted his eyelid and coldly glanced at him: "If you know the Crown Princess Consort is busy, then don’t cause trouble!"

Tao Fen couldn’t help but shrink back a bit.

He was somewhat intimidated by this nominal junior of his.

Fortunately, the Crown Princess Consort casually stuffed a document into the Crown Prince’s chest, and the cold-faced young Crown Prince obediently held the document and started to read it.

"The sister in the family mentioned by Brother wouldn’t happen to be my Fifth Cousin from the Gu family, would it?" The Crown Princess Consort asked with a smile, not minding his earlier transgression.

Tao Fen’s face burned again, he hummed a response, and said: "Fifth Miss... is not having an easy time... I heard the Crown Princess Consort and Fifth Miss once attended school together, and are of similar age—"

"Bang!" The Crown Prince tossed the document onto the desk, raising his dark eyes to look at Tao Fen, "If you care for Gu Wu, can’t you comfort her yourself?"

Tao Fen replied solemnly: "This minister is a man outside—"

"When you trespassed into the Gu Mansion, didn’t you remember you are a man outside?" The Crown Prince mercilessly pointed out.

Tao Fen instantly deflated.

"If you want to do something, do it yourself, and stop disturbing the Crown Princess Consort!"

"Withdraw, and take your punishment!"

...

"Tao... will he be punished?" Gu Qinglan asked uneasily.

Gu Wei glanced at her: "What do you think?"

Gu Qinglan felt even more uneasy under his gaze: "He is, after all, the brother revered by the Crown Princess Consort..."

"Does trespassing into another’s private residence deserve reverence from the Crown Princess Consort?"

"Perhaps there was an urgent matter..."

"What urgent matter?"

Gu Qinglan couldn’t say.

When he was caught by Gu Wei, he didn’t resist much, only occasionally glanced at her, his eyes full of obvious concern.

As if he had come specifically to see her.

"In any case, his conduct is worrying!"

"How could that be?" Gu Qinglan couldn’t help but defend, "Who in the Capital City doesn’t know Master Tao is benevolent and chivalrous?"

"Hah!"

Gu Qinglan softly advised: "Listen to what he has to say..."

...

At this time, outside the Gu Mansion, in front of a spread of boxes and chests, Tao Fen straightened his attire and bowed sincerely: "Crown Prince Minister Tao Fen comes to apologize and make amends!"

The Crown Prince was also right, whatever you want to do, you have to do it yourself.

...

A quarter of an hour later, Gu Wei looked at the courtyard filled with boxes, then at the thick gift list in his hand, and couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

Silks, jewels, rouge, and powdered perfume.

All things for women.

Just shy of explicitly naming the recipient!