Prime Minister

Chapter 111, Section 110: A Perfect Match

The main gate of Shen Garden is wide open today.

Since Shen Bingwen was not in Yangzhou, Madam Du sent her three illegitimate sons with a group of stewards to greet him at the gate.

The three young masters of the Shen family were both nervous and expectant. They had often heard about the history between the Xue and Shen families, and Shen Bingwen always used Xue Huai as an example when teaching them. This made them curious about Xue Huai, who was far away in the capital, and also felt a deep sense of awe.

The steward and servants were secretly thrilled.

Especially for the elderly who had experienced the hardships and setbacks of those years, their excitement was not only due to Xue Huai's halo and official position, but more importantly, because he was the son of an old friend.

In the ninth year of the Taihe era, Xue Mingzhang retired from his post as the prefect of Yangzhou after achieving his goals and returned to the capital with his family. It has been a full ten years since then.

However, no one could have imagined that this farewell would be their last.

In the twelfth year of the Taihe era, news of Xue Mingzhang's death reached Yangzhou, and Shen Bingwen traveled thousands of miles to the capital to offer condolences and pay his respects.

The grief is beyond words.

The Shen family was known for its upright character, and all the stewards and servants were grateful for the kindness of Master Xue. They naturally felt close to his only remaining bloodline. Not to mention, they had long heard of Xue Huai's deeds, and now that Xue Huai had taken office in Yangzhou, they felt as if they were seeing an old friend again, as if he were carrying on his father's legacy.

"coming!"

The servant brought back a message, and everyone quickly lined up in two rows in front of the door, subconsciously straightening their clothes again.

A horse-drawn carriage appeared at the end of the long street, followed by a large cart and several people.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate, and Xue Huai immediately stepped out of the carriage.

"Welcome, Your Excellency!"

Led by the three young masters of the Shen family, everyone bowed respectfully in unison.

"No need to be polite."

Xue Huai smiled slightly and took the initiative to help the three boys up.

He knew that the Shen couple had three sons and two daughters besides Shen Qingluan. Based on the information he had gathered before, Shen Bingwen was very strict with his children. Although the three young masters in front of him seemed a little nervous and reserved, they had clear eyes and proper manners, and were by no means the kind of pretentious playboys.

"Which of you is Yuan Jing? Who is Zheng Cheng? Who is Shao Heng?"

Xue Huai looked at each one one by one, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible.

The three boys quickly introduced themselves one by one and greeted Xue Huai again.

In fact, the age difference between them and Xue Huai is not that big. The eldest young master, Shen Yuanjing, is fifteen years old this year, only four years younger than Xue Huai. However, in the eyes of the group of stewards, the age difference is the smallest between the two.

Shen Yuanjing was known for his sensible and reasonable nature, which made him stand out among the many playboys in Yangzhou. However, compared with Xue Huai, who had a calm and composed demeanor, his immaturity was obvious.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the head steward of the Shen family stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Excellency, my lady is already waiting at the ceremonial gate."

"How can I trouble my aunt to come out and greet me?"

Xue Huai's words put everyone in the Shen family at ease. He then looked at Li Shun, who quickly handed the gift list to the head steward of the Shen family.

This was a gift that Xue Huai had specially brought from the capital. Cui Shi had repeatedly instructed him to personally deliver it to the Shen family.

A moment later, Xue Huai arrived at the gate of Shenyuan Palace, led by Shen Yuanjing and others.

From afar, one could see an elegantly dressed woman and three young girls, standing in greeting, surrounded by a group of maids and servants.

Xue Huai first looked at the composed Du Shi, then ignored the other two girls and turned his gaze to Shen Qingluan, who had a smile on her lips.

Whether it was his imagination or not, only half a year had passed, but Shen Qingluan seemed to have grown taller and become even more graceful.

Today, Shen Qingluan wore a lotus-colored wide-sleeved gauze shirt with a string of tourmaline necklaces on the front, a light green silk sash around her waist, and a delicate white jade phoenix pendant hanging from it. She paired it with a moon-white long skirt with embroidered patterns, and a pair of embroidered shoes with pearl embellishments peeking out from the hem of the skirt.

Her figure was slender yet full, like a jade hairpin flower blooming in early summer, possessing both captivating beauty and youthful elegance.

It was noted that, in Xue Huaichao's own view, Shen Qingluan bravely met his gaze.

Human emotions are fascinating.

Some people may be obsessed with things they couldn't have when they were young, only to find them tasteless when they finally possess them; it was all just an obsession.

Some people believe that even if a light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains, when they look back at a certain key point in their lives, they will suddenly realize that they have never let go from beginning to end.

For Shen Qingluan, it was difficult to understand her own feelings at first. Perhaps it was because the beautiful memories of her childhood had turned into an obsession, making her only want to meet Xue Huai again.

Half a year has passed since their parting in the capital, and she finds that her feelings for someone are still surging and passionate. Although it may not have reached the point of longing for someone day and night, seeing Xue Huai again now, the joy in her heart is almost overflowing, reflected in her bright smile. Only when her mother coughs lightly beside her does Shen Qingluan lower her head slightly, so as not to be too obvious in front of her family.

As Madam Du watched Xue Huai approach, she was about to step forward and offer her greetings when Xue Huai preemptively greeted her with the courtesy due to a junior, saying, "Aunt, I, your nephew Xue Huai, have come to pay my respects today. I apologize for the long absence in greetings."

Since the Xue and Shen families are close friends, and the Shen family has made such a grand welcome today, Xue Huai could not possibly put on airs as a mere assistant prefect.

However, Madam Du dared not presume to do so, and still curtsied, saying, "Your Excellency, you must not do this. My wife and the entire Shen family cannot bear such a responsibility."

Xue Huai smiled and said, "If Aunt insists on judging by official rank, I'm afraid that when I return to the capital, my mother will make me kneel in the ancestral hall for several days and nights."

Seeing that Xue Huai insisted on treating her with the respect due to a junior, and that his words were witty and friendly, Madam Du felt even more gratified. Her smile became even more genuine, and she said in response to his words, "Your mother has always been a polite and magnanimous person, how could she be like this? My dear nephew, you must be tired from your journey, please come inside and have some tea."

Xue Huai bowed slightly and said earnestly, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. My mother often mentions it in the capital, and before I left, she repeatedly instructed me to convey her regards to Uncle Shen and Aunt, and to express her gratitude for your past kindness."

Upon hearing this, Madam Du's eyes revealed concern for her distant friend, and she said with admiration, "Your mother's words truly make this old woman feel ashamed and uneasy. Back then, it was clearly Lord Xue and her who took great care of the Shen family. It has been many years since we last met. I wonder if your mother is still in good health? I only hope that she takes good care of herself."

Xue Huai replied with a smile, "My mother is well, Aunt, please don't worry. Now that I'm taking up my post in Yangzhou, I'll need your guidance and support in the future."

Madam Du was pleased, and her expression became even more amiable. She quickly said, "Nephew, you're too polite. Why say such things among family? Although my husband is not home for the time being, the Shen family is still your home in Yangzhou. Please come into the hall to rest and talk."

The two then stepped inside.

As Xue Huai passed by Shen Qingluan, he raised an eyebrow slightly, as if asking her how he had performed just now.

Shen Qingluan gave him a charming smile, then, as if afraid of being discovered, deliberately lagged behind and walked with her younger siblings.

Upon entering the main hall, Madam Du instructed her children to bow respectfully to Xue Huai one by one and briefly introduce everyone to him, thus showing their respect for Xue Huai. Only then did she dismiss the other children, leaving Shen Qingluan alone to accompany her.

After offering tea, Madam Du explained, “Nephew, my husband went to Suzhou in early April to handle some trivial matters at the money exchange, and then rushed to Hangzhou in late April to discuss cooperation with several local businesses. He was unaware that you had been transferred to Yangzhou. After receiving the news, I sent someone to Hangzhou by fast horse to deliver the message. I received your reply the day before yesterday. He has already set off for his return and should arrive in about six or seven days. He will visit you in person then.”

Xue Huai was indeed very curious about Shen Bingwen.

In his plans before leaving Beijing, this Yangzhou tycoon, who was able to gain Xue Mingzhang's trust and support, and who stabilized the business after Xue Mingzhang left Beijing and developed Guangtai into its current scale, undoubtedly occupied a very important position.

Therefore, he calmly replied, "It's alright, Uncle Shen. You have important business to attend to. You can return after you're done. I estimate I'll be staying in Yangzhou for three to five years this time, and we'll have many opportunities to meet in the future."

Upon hearing this, before Du could even speak, Shen Qingluan agreed, saying, "What you say is absolutely right, Brother."

Madam Du wanted to laugh, but fearing it would embarrass her daughter, she changed the subject, asking, "Nephew, where are you living now?"

Although Xue Huai was the Assistant Magistrate of Yangzhou, the back residence of the prefectural government was reserved for the prefect, and there were not enough rooms there for him to live in.

He said calmly, "Prefect Tan had already made arrangements before my arrival. Last night, I checked into the official residence to the east of the prefectural government office."

"Isn't it a bit too cramped over there?"

Madam Du, a native of Yangzhou, was naturally familiar with the situation around the government office. She smiled and said, "Knowing that you are about to take up your post in Yangzhou, I thought of helping you arrange your accommodation. I have a few manors in the city to choose from, but I don't know your opinion, so I shouldn't overstep my bounds. Nephew, if you feel uncomfortable living in the official residence, why don't you move out so that my husband and I can do our best to accommodate you?"

Xue Huai noticed the eagerness in Shen Qingluan's eyes and understood the girl's wishful thinking. If he moved out of the government office and into the house arranged by the Shen family, it would definitely be more convenient for the two of them to meet in the future.

Given the long-standing friendship between the two families, his actions should not have drawn criticism. However, after a brief moment of thought, Xue Huai said tactfully, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt. As a newcomer, it is not appropriate for me to be different from others. It would be better for me to stay at the official residence for the time being and make further plans in a year or two."

"That's fine too."

Du nodded slightly, and then chatted with Xue Huai about old times. Shen Qingluan occasionally chimed in, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

About fifteen minutes later, Madam Du said gently, "Nephew, I have already ordered people to prepare a banquet. Don't be in such a hurry to leave. You must try the special flavors of Yangzhou today."

Xue Huai smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Aunt and Sister Shi."

"We're all family, there's no need to bother us."

Madam Du turned to her daughter and reminded her, "Luan'er, you accompany your brother Xue for a stroll in the garden. I'll go check on the kitchen."

"Yes, mother."

Shen Qingluan obediently stood up and agreed, then looked at Xue Huai opposite her and smiled, "Brother, please."

"Thank you for your help, Sister Se."

Xue Huai got up and bid farewell to Madam Du.

Watching the young couple walk away, a smile of satisfaction quietly appeared in Mrs. Du's eyes.

(End of this chapter)