The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 324

The Minister's mansion seemed to have collapsed overnight. The Tang family's servants, carrying precious porcelain and jade artifacts, rushed out of the back door where the Tang family usually bought groceries.

Besides his wife, Tang Jian also had four concubines. These four concubines were already waiting in the hall, hoping that their master would give them a letter of divorce.

Madam Tang was even more worried, seeing her husband's somewhat ashen face.

Tang Jian collapsed to the ground with a thud. This time, he was really done for. He never expected that bastard Li Jing would find out about him so quickly.

Madam Tang said with some doubt, "Master, things haven't reached the final stage yet. Perhaps we still have a chance to turn things around. Besides, even if the assassin implicates you, would the Emperor really punish our Tang family based solely on the assassin's confession?"

Upon hearing this, the Minister of Rites let out a cold laugh.

"These useless bastards, who are more trouble than they're worth, went on an assassination attempt, and they even carried my official token. The token fell into Li Jing's hands and was handed directly to the Emperor."

Suddenly, Madam Tang's knees buckled and she slid off the stool. Tang Jian glanced at her, then sneered, and ordered the mansion gates closed. He then found a white silk ribbon and hanged himself in the main hall.

The senior soldiers of the Five Cities Garrison were taken aback when they saw the corpse hanging in the middle, but then calmed down and ordered their soldiers to arrest the person. The chaotic situation at the Tang residence was quickly brought to an end, and as soon as they stepped outside, they saw the prison cart prepared by Zhang You'an, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

Feng Zheng, from the Five Cities Garrison, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhang Youan and then said, "Hand the person over to Lord Zhang to take away, along with the corpse."

“Brother Feng, why are you so late this time? That man surnamed Tang has already committed suicide. If the Emperor finds out about this, he might very well blame us.”

Feng Zheng also looked pale and cursed angrily.

"How dare you attempt to assassinate Prince Rui! Prince Rui is now the hope of all the scholars in the land. All the scholars look up to Prince Rui. Assassinating Prince Rui will surely lead to their doom. If only we could behead this corpse, it would be enough to ease the hatred in my heart."

Upon hearing Feng Zheng's words, Zhang Youan couldn't help but burst into laughter, and then escorted the prison cart to the Ministry of Justice's prison.

At this moment, Xu Tian had already boarded the ferry that had been prepared north of the Yellow River. The ferry was made entirely of black iron.

The boatman said from the side, "Every July and August, the Yellow River becomes even more turbulent, and sand and gravel constantly surge to the surface. Sometimes, boats capsize for no apparent reason while traveling. Countless people have been lost. This black iron boat was specially built for the prince."

At this moment, Xu Tian sat on the deck, wearing a cloak made of white fox fur. He probably realized why Princess Jinyang had changed her mind and insisted on returning to Chang'an.

Sure enough, he saw four old women tightly surrounding Princess Jinyang on the shore, and Princess Jinyang looked at him with resentment, even with some adult hatred.

Xu Tian closed his eyes briefly, couldn't help but click his tongue, and then waved his hand, saying, "Bring Princess Jinyang up to me."

Dongfang Tingyun was startled at first, then turned to look at the little girl standing on the shore.

Unexpectedly, the first thing the little girl said after boarding the ship was even more astonishing. She stared stubbornly at Xu Tian and said, "You didn't like me, but you liked her? Dongfang Tingyun from Moxuan Academy!"

A look of shock flashed across Dongfang Tingyun's face as she watched the little girl staring blankly at her and said, "You should have left Master Xu a long time ago."

Xu Tian pulled his cloak tighter.

"Although I am the most important official in the world, the chain of academies has not yet been completed. All teachers in the world should learn from each other. Besides, Master Dongfang's study at Hongwen Academy has not yet ended. There is no need for the princess to worry about this."