Chapter 78: The Mischief of the White Tiger

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"The youngest son of the main branch of the Marquis of Weiyuan, He Hua; the eldest son of the third branch of the General of the State, Shen Kai..."

Jiang Ruoming gently blew on the freshly written words, then handed the paper to his great-uncle.

Jiang Lan patted his head. "This list must not leave this room. Tell no one—keep it buried in your heart."

Jiang Ruoming nodded, obediently asking nothing further.

"It's still more than half an hour before you need to go. Why not rest here with your great-uncle for a while?"

Jiang Lan sat by Jiang Ruoming, gently rubbing his back until he fell asleep. "When you wake up, I have some matters to attend to. Be good and go to your studies, then later in the day, visit your grand-aunt."

"Alright, Great-Uncle."

Once little Ming was truly asleep, the imperial edict from the palace arrived.

Jiang Lan had barely entered the main hall when he saw Eunuch Yu dabbing at his tears with a handkerchief. "Your Highness, are you alright? You gave this servant quite a fright!"

"Thank you for your concern, Eunuch."

"Your hand, Your Highness! Her Majesty will be heartbroken when she sees you like this."

"It's nothing but a minor wound. Did Her Majesty send you for something important?" A maidservant offered tea and pastries.

"Her Majesty was distraught to hear of Your Highness's wrongful imprisonment after that calamity, and longed to see you as soon as you were released. Before I could even leave with her orders, word came from the City Patrol that Your Highness was attacked just outside the prefecture office. Her Majesty nearly fainted in terror, but the imperial physician arrived in time—so all is well now. As soon as she regained consciousness, she sent me to check on you."

Jiang Lan sighed. The Empress Dowager Jiang Ke was truly concerned for him.

"I'm alright. How is my aunt's health? It's still early—I’d like to visit the palace, if it’s convenient?"

"Of course, Your Highness. Her Majesty keeps thinking of you and worrying for your safety."

"Then let us go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Upon arriving at the Chao Yun Palace, a tiger’s roar rang out, and a full-grown white tiger bounded toward Jiang Lan.

He noticed that the eunuchs and maids behind Yu Yuan remained calm, so he quietly withdrew the talisman hidden in his hand.

The tiger pounced, pinning Jiang Lan beneath its massive paws and licking him thoroughly.

Then it sniffed him, hesitated, and sniffed again, as if sensing something amiss.

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The tiger backed away from Jiang Lan, lingering at his side.

Jiang Lan rose, brushing dust from his robe, frowning at the white tiger circling him restlessly.

It seemed the beast had detected he wasn’t truly Jiang Lan. Indeed, the king of beasts possessed a rare intelligence.

"What’s wrong with Nao Nao today? Why is she so cold toward His Highness?" murmured a few maids nearby.

"Nao Nao?"

The white tiger bared its teeth briefly, then trotted away.

Such a clever and gentle creature, kept unchained in the imperial palace—surely it must be docile. This Nao Nao was either raised by Jiang Lan or the Empress Dowager herself. Otherwise, who in the vast palace would dare keep such a fearsome beast, let alone allow it such freedom with Jiang Lan?

Inside Chao Yun Palace, the bustling activity of passing maids made it clear that the Empress Dowager’s anger had not yet subsided.

The air was thick with the scent of medicine, lingering and strong—yet the bowl of medicine remained untouched.

The Empress Dowager, wearing a forehead band, reclined on a couch with her back turned, refusing to acknowledge the maid holding the medicine.

Jiang Lan pressed a finger to his lips, signaling the surrounding attendants to leave, keeping only a few of her closest maids.

He took the medicine from the maid and approached the couch.

"I said I won’t drink it, and I won’t! Take it away, or I’ll have you punished."

Her tone was petulant, but her weakness was obvious.

"Aunt, please drink the medicine."

Jiang Ke sat up abruptly, grabbing Jiang Lan’s hand in agitation. "Lan’er, are you hurt? Are you alright? My precious child!"

Jiang Lan lifted the bowl to her. "Have your medicine first, Aunt."

With no alternative, Jiang Ke pinched her nose and downed the medicine in one gulp.

"Well done—here, have a candied fruit."

Jiang Lan coaxed the Empress Dowager into eating the treat, then let her clutch his hand and weep.

"Does it hurt? Who was the wretch that did this? I’ll see they pay for it!"

Jiang Lan shook his head. "Don’t go against them for my sake, Aunt. It’s not worth it—not yet, at least."

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"But my Lan’er has been wronged."

"It’s nothing, Aunt. Please don’t worry for me. Acting rashly would only disturb the court and bring you more harm than good. It’s not worth it—not now."

Though Jiang Ke doted on Jiang Lan, she would never risk the fate of the empire for his sake. To have supported a young son and contended with the powerful Prince Anping as a youthful Empress Dowager to this day, Jiang Ke was certainly no simple woman.

She understood well the far-reaching consequences—one misstep could topple the entire government.

She dared not take such a gamble.

And yet, in her prime, those people had brazenly attempted to assassinate her Lan’er in broad daylight. Clearly, they held her in contempt, and leaving them unchecked would only sow disaster. There was no rush now, but she would make preparations; those thorns would have to be removed eventually.

"I know you care for me, Lan’er. Rest assured, I have my own plans for those people."

Jiang Lan nodded, though secretly she had her own designs.

Vengeance—a task she had never delegated to others.

"Nao Nao seemed out of sorts today. I’d like to bring it home for a while." Jiang Lan glanced at Jiang Ke, catching a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

"Why do you suddenly want to bring Nao Nao home?" Jiang Ke set aside her candied fruit, a maid swiftly offering a purple silk handkerchief embroidered with jasmine as she wiped her fingertips.

Had the original Jiang Lan shunned the tiger for some reason unknown to her?

Jiang Lan withdrew her hand, a faint pallor appearing on her face.

"I… feel a bit afraid and want Nao Nao to keep me company at night."

Jiang Ke’s expression softened instantly. She patted Jiang Lan’s hand, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll have Nao Nao sent to you. If your grandfather gives you any trouble, come to me."

Jiang Lan brightened with a smile. "Thank you, Aunt. And about the matter at the Imperial Academy..."

Jiang Ke tried to look stern, but the smile in her eyes could not be concealed. Her fingertips, painted with the capital’s latest violet lacquer, flicked Jiang Lan’s fair forehead through the air. "You little rascal, that’s what you really came for, isn’t it?"

Jiang Lan laughed, taking her aunt’s hand. As the Empress Dowager rose, Jiang Lan helped her, while the maids draped her in a brocade cloak, wrapping her tightly against the cold.

"Look at this—how can I move about dressed like this?"

Jiang Ke tugged at her clothes, grumbling to Jiang Lan, who watched her with smiling eyes. Then she gestured to her chief maid, "These people spoil me too much—they never do as I wish."