Prime Minister

Chapter 182, page 181: [A Stroll in the Garden]

The main gate of Shen Garden is wide open today.

When Xue Huai first visited, Shen Bingwen was stuck in Hangzhou because of planning to go to sea. By the time he rushed to Yangzhou, Xue Huai had already left the prefectural city and started his inspection tour of various places.

The two met privately only twice afterward to discuss a comprehensive plan to address the long-standing problems in the salt administration. Not long after, Shen Bingwen was imprisoned in the Salt Bureau by Xu Guanlan. After the dust settled, Xue Huai was busy with various follow-up measures, while Shen Bingwen also had to deal with various merchants to help the government appease people and stabilize the situation.

When the sun was high in the sky, Xue Huai's carriage arrived at Shen Garden, followed by a large cart piled with gifts.

Li Shun, Jiang Sheng, Qi Qingshi, Cen Fu, Hu Yan and others accompanied him. In addition, there were two unfamiliar men in their twenties. They were the personal guards that Wu Changling, the general of the canal army, had specially given to Xue Huai. They were named Bai Cong and Yue Zhenshan.

Yangzhou City is now peaceful and tranquil. A part of the grain transport army is still stationed here, along with a part of the Yangzhou Guard, government officials, and patrol officers. While the defenses are not as tight as an iron barrel, they are at least enough to deter most of the scoundrels. However, Xue Huai will not be careless.

He had not forgotten that Liu Yi, the second son of the Liu family, had not yet been captured. In addition, there were still many remnants of salt smugglers who had escaped the net. Furthermore, some trusted confidants of the salt transport officials and major clans were lurking in the shadows. Naturally, the person they hated most was Xue Huai.

This time, Xue Huai almost completely eradicated the evil forces in Yangzhou. The other party will no longer have any scruples and may retaliate at any time, so Xue Huai pays extra attention to security issues.

The carriage went straight into Shen Garden and stopped in front of the ceremonial gate. Xue Huai stepped out of the carriage and immediately saw Shen Bingwen and Madam Du who came out to greet him, as well as Shen Qingluan standing behind them.

After not seeing her for many days, the girl was dressed in an elegant light green dress. Her lively eyes and brows remained as bright as ever. The bright autumn sunlight shone through the shadows of the trees onto Xue Huai's tall and straight figure, and also illuminated the tenderness and concern hidden in her eyes.

Xue Huai smiled slightly, stepped forward to greet them, and said, "This nephew greets Uncle and Aunt."

"Jing Che, there's no need for such formalities."

Shen Bingwen's eyes were full of admiration. The young man in front of him did not act like his father. He was more ruthless and decisive, but in the current chaotic situation, he could achieve better results.

Times have changed, and the current imperial court is no longer the same as it was when Xue Mingzhang governed Yangzhou.

Back then, the emperor was wise and the ministers were numerous. Xue Mingzhang did not need to take too many risks. He could ride the waves by following the glorious path, unlike the complex situation that Xue Huai is facing now.

In fact, Shen Bingwen was sometimes puzzled. How could the court have undergone such a big change from top to bottom in just over ten years?

On the other side, Xue Huai gestured for Li Shun to present the gift list, and then said, "These are just a few small gifts to express my gratitude. Please do not refuse them, elders."

With a beaming smile, Madam Du said, "Nephew, please don't be so polite. Your visit is a great honor. These days, your Uncle Shen and I often lament that if it weren't for your swift and decisive actions in eliminating the treacherous officials, where would the bright and clear world of Yangzhou be?"

Xue Huai replied, "Auntie, you flatter me."

Shen Bingwen had the steward take the gift list and instructed him to treat Xue Huai's entourage well. Then he said to Xue Huai, "Jing Che, please come in quickly."

"Please, Uncle."

The group stepped inside and took their seats in the main hall for tea.

Shen Bingwen was very talkative, Xue Huai was not an introverted person either, and with Du Shi adding to the fun, the guests and hosts alike enjoyed themselves, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

About an incense stick later, Madam Du got up and personally went to arrange the lunch banquet. Not long after, the steward of the Shen family reported that two highly respected managers of Guangtai Company requested an audience. Shen Bingwen then smiled and said, "Jingche, our two families are old friends, so I won't stand on ceremony with you. Please allow me to take care of some personal matters first. I'll have Qingluan show you around this garden, and we can drink and chat later."

"Uncle, do it yourself."

Xue Huai smiled and agreed. He had come today specifically to visit and deepen the friendship between the two families, and he had no important business to attend to, so he naturally didn't mind.

The hall fell silent until a crisp voice rang out.

"Lord Xue?"

Xue Huai coughed lightly and said in a serious tone, "Miss Shen."

Shen Qingluan covered her mouth and laughed, saying softly, "This humble woman is willing to do the honor of being a host. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

Xue Huai also smiled and said, "Good."

The two walked out of the main hall side by side and headed towards the east garden, with several maids following at a distance.

"Brother Huai, have you finished your important business?"

Shen Qingluan couldn't continue acting and reverted to her usual private interactions with Xue Huai.

Xue Huai pondered for a moment and said, "There's no such thing as an end to official duties, but if you're referring to those major matters from before, then there's indeed only one thing left to finish. Once His Majesty's decree arrives in Yangzhou, the main culprits will be punished, and the salt administration will be rebuilt, then I won't be as busy as before."

"That……"

Shen Qingluan turned her head to look at him, and said expectantly, "Brother Huai, do you still stand by what you promised me?"

Xue Huai, wanting to tease her, asked curiously, "What is it?"

Shen Qingluan's almond-shaped eyes widened immediately, and she said in a slightly more forceful tone, "Brother Huai!"

Whether from anger or excitement, her tone changed slightly, sounding more like the word "bad".

Xue Huai's smile deepened. He had seen Shen Qingluan's dignified and gentle demeanor in front of outsiders, but her current charming naiveté was quite amusing. He pretended to be confused and said, "Qingluan, you know that I have hardly had a moment of leisure in the past six months. I have to deal with those people's schemes all day long. I really can't remember. Why don't you give me a hint?"

Shen Qingluan pouted and said, "Brother Huai has a photographic memory. If he wanted to remember, how could he forget? Since you don't want to remember, I won't shamelessly ask you to."

Xue Huai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Hmph." Shen Qingluan turned her head away.

She wasn't deliberately being temperamental; she simply guessed that Xue Huai was teasing her, so she played along a little.

"Qingluan, look what this is!"

As if by magic, Xue Huai took out a small wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Qingluan.

Shen Qingluan initially wanted to remain reserved for a moment, but she was too curious, so she reached out her slender hand, took the wooden box, opened it, and saw a hairpin inside.

"A hairpin adorned with kingfisher feathers while perched on a wutong tree?"

Shen Qingluan was clearly a discerning person, and her tone betrayed her surprise.

Xue Huai praised, "Good eye."

"It's not that I have a good eye, but this hairpin is very famous. After all, it is the most prized work of the old manager of Jinluyuan in the city."

Shen Qingluan's eyes lit up with joy, but then, as if remembering something, she looked at Xue Huai with slight worry and said, "Brother Huai, how did you get this kingfisher feather hairpin? Could it be that..."

"What are you thinking about?"

Xue Huai lightly tapped her smooth forehead with his finger and smiled, "This is something I had Li Shun buy at a high price, without revealing my identity. Last year you traveled thousands of miles to the capital to visit me, and you've done a lot for me in the past six months, especially those days when you were busy traveling between Yangzhou and Hangzhou. If it weren't for your hard work, I might not have been able to bring down Xu Guanlan so easily. It's only right and proper that I should thank you sincerely, and this hairpin is my thank-you gift."

Shen Qingluan nodded and said, "I see. Brother Huai, there's really no need for thanks between us, and besides..."

Upon seeing this, Xue Huai asked, "What's wrong?"

Shen Qingluan hesitated, a rare sight for her. Holding the wooden box in her hand, she wanted to ask Xue Huai if he knew the deeper meaning behind this gift of gratitude.

A hairpin is a hair ornament. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that "tying hair into marriage" means that a woman will become husband and wife. If a woman gives a hairpin in two pieces to a man, it means "seeing the hairpin is like seeing the man, and longing will never be forgotten". If a man gives a hairpin to a woman and the two are not husband and wife, it means that they are engaged.

Could Xue Huai have had this intention behind his actions?
Shen Qingluan quickly found her answer.

How could someone like Brother Huai, who is so devoted to the livelihood of the people, know such tricks to win a woman's heart? He probably just thought that this hairpin was precious and extraordinary, and its appearance was beautiful, so it was worthy of her.

but……

Shen Qingluan slightly curled the corners of her lips, deciding to accept the gift first, so that he wouldn't have the chance to deny it later.

"It's alright, I really like this hairpin, thank you Brother Huai!"

Shen Qingluan's eyebrows curved like crescent moons. She then solemnly closed the wooden box, beckoned behind her, and handed the box to her personal maid, instructing her to immediately place it in the treasure pavilion in her bedroom.

Xue Huai smiled knowingly upon seeing this.

The two continued on their way, and the autumn scenery of Shen Garden was breathtaking, with its colorful foliage and fragrant osmanthus blossoms.

The pavilions and towers in the garden are elegant and exquisite. Although they are not as grand and magnificent as Yingyuan Garden, they have their own unique charm of the Jiangnan water towns.

Unconsciously, she walked into the Listening to Rain Pavilion by the pond. Shen Qingluan's heart stirred, and she said eagerly, "Brother Huai, come here."

Xue Huai followed her curiously, and the two entered the inner room.

Shen Qingluan stopped and said, "Brother Huai, do you still remember this place?"

Xue Huai looked around but didn't have a strong impression of it at first glance; it seemed to be just an ordinary elegant pavilion.

“Brother Huai, my father had Shen Garden renovated a few years ago, so you may not be familiar with it. But at that time, I asked my father to preserve Tingyu Pavilion exactly as it was.”

A hint of emotion flickered across Shen Qingluan's face as she softly said, "When we were little, you would come to Shen Garden to play with me. This was where we spent most of our time. You would read books and practice chess here, and I would watch you. We also enjoyed many delicious foods here, and—"

She paused slightly, stood by the east wall, raised her hand to touch the wall, and turned to look at Xue Huai, saying, "These marks are still there, do you remember them?"

Xue Huai walked closer and saw several marks on the wall, one on the left and one on the right. The marks on the left were significantly higher than those on the right.

"This is?"

"These are the marks we made when we compared heights back then!"

Shen Qingluan stretched out her hand, her fingertips tracing the higher marks on the left, and said with a smile, "When you were little, you weren't as tall as you are now. Back then, we were about the same height. Whenever we compared heights, Brother Huai, you would always cheat by standing on your tiptoes."

Xue Huai chuckled to himself.

He hadn't expected such a past, and couldn't help but reach out and touch the marks etched by time.

Their hands touched briefly, then parted just as quickly.

Shen Qingluan turned to look at Xue Huai, her eyes glistening with tears.

Time seems to stand still at this moment.

(End of this chapter)