Prime Minister

Chapter 216, Section 215: [Half a Day]

Yangzhou, Shuyu Pavilion.

Since the beginning of February, Xue Huai has been busy with new policies. He adapted his experience from his previous life to local conditions and applied it to the vast and prosperous land of Yangzhou, creating extremely detailed scopes of authority and responsibility for officials at both the prefectural and county levels.

Shen Qingluan was not idle either.

Shen Bingwen temporarily shelved the Guangtai ship's overseas expansion strategy and instead devoted most of his energy to the Salt Industry Association.

His recommendation of Qiao Wangshan as the first head of the association was for the sake of the overall situation, but it does not mean that he would ignore this extremely important matter. With the Xue and Shen families about to be united by marriage, Shen Bingwen would naturally do his best to assist Xue Huai's reform plan.

At the same time, Shen Bingwen gradually delegated power to Shen Qingluan, entrusting her with many decisions regarding Guangtai Company. This was also to pave the way for his daughter's future—Shen Qingluan would not become a sheltered housewife after marriage, as her dowry consisted of nearly half of Guangtai Company's assets.

Under these circumstances, Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan only met two or three times throughout February, and each time it was just a hurried encounter with no time for in-depth conversation.

Today, the two finally had half a day of free time and met at the rather private Shuyu Pavilion.

Yun'er, accompanied by several maids, served fragrant tea and snacks, then obediently withdrew.

Xue Huai picked up the celadon teacup and took a sip. The refreshing aroma melted on his tongue, quietly dispelling the weariness that had accumulated in his eyes from days of hard work.

Sitting opposite him, Shen Qingluan was wearing a soft, pale yellow silk spring dress, with a butterfly hairpin slanted in her hair.

She didn't sit upright in a proper manner, but leaned slightly to the side against the backrest, her fingertips twirling a fruit. The spring sunlight illuminated her fair face, making her as radiant as the newly sprouted willows outside the window.

"Brother Huai, you must be exhausted lately?"

"The new policy is naturally quite busy at the beginning, and no one can be careless in anything."

A smile appeared in Xue Huai's eyes as he said gently, "Guangtai Company has many complicated affairs. Now that your uncle has delegated authority to you, I imagine your responsibilities are quite heavy."

Shen Qingluan popped the fruit into her mouth, squinted her eyes contentedly, like a lazy cat.

As their relationship was initially established, Shen Qingluan became more and more relaxed in front of Xue Huai, unlike in front of outsiders where she always maintained the dignified and composed demeanor of the eldest daughter of the Shen family.

In fact, Du had privately advised Shen Qingluan, probably thinking that men in this world, especially young nobles like Xue Huai, would pay more attention to etiquette and rules. But Shen Qingluan didn't think so. She preferred to let Xue Huai see her true self when they were alone.

Hearing Xue Huai's concern, she said brightly, "Of course! Father said he needs me to practice more so that I won't be unskilled in the future..."

She suddenly stopped, glanced quickly at Xue Huai, and casually changed the subject, saying, "Brother Huai, don't worry, I can handle it. For example, there was a troublesome matter at the Jinling branch of the bank a while ago, and I handled it perfectly on my own."

Her tone was light and lively, and she then recounted one by one the things she had been busy with recently.

When she gets excited, she can't help but swing her long, straight legs, making her look incredibly radiant, as if all the vibrant life in spring has gathered on her.

Xue Huai listened quietly, occasionally chiming in, his tense nerves gradually relaxing in Shen Qingluan's clear voice.

After eating a few exquisite pastries, Xue Huai became increasingly comfortable. He noticed that Shen Qingluan's fingertips were unconsciously twirling a jade pendant with excellent clarity around her waist. He couldn't help but look up at her hair, but he didn't see the hairpin he had given her. He then felt a little foolish.

She definitely won't wear that hairpin for the time being.

Shen Qingluan looked up at Xue Huai, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Qingluan."

Xue Huai spoke slowly and gently, “I received a letter from home the day before yesterday. My mother has selected several mature and reliable family friends and asked them to come south to Yangzhou to visit Uncle Shen and discuss matters between us.”

Shen Qingluan was taken aback, her fingers twisting the jade pendant's tassel, but the corners of her lips involuntarily turned up.

From Yangzhou to the capital, and then from the capital back to Yangzhou, she finally realized that what she was pursuing was not just her childhood memories, but also the footsteps of the young man before her.

"Brother Huai".

Shen Qingluan's eyes sparkled as she mustered her courage and said, "There's something I want to tell you."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Go ahead."

“My father said… cough cough… when I get married in the future, he will give some of the family’s properties as my dowry, and I will definitely need to manage these properties. Although I will not be able to show my face in public as often as men, I will also find it difficult to stay in seclusion for long.”

Shen Qingluan looked at Xue Huai with a hint of nervousness; her meaning was self-evident.

Looking at her adorable appearance, Xue Huai's smile deepened, and he said frankly, "Qingluan, in my eyes you have never been a caged bird. The world of the inner quarters will not confine you."

The response was exceptionally concise, yet his gaze was firm and sincere.

Although it wasn't a lengthy and meticulously crafted speech, every word struck a chord with Shen Qingluan, bringing her more peace of mind than any sweet talk.

She smiled sweetly, picked up a delicate lotus-shaped pastry, and generously offered it to Xue Huai: "Lord Xue has been working too hard lately, please try some pastries I made myself!"

Xue Huai took it, tasted it, and after savoring it, praised, "Delicious."

The atmosphere inside became increasingly light and warm.

The two talked for a while about the progress of the new policy. Shen Qingluan was very interested in figuring out how to get Guangtai to carry out some businesses that would benefit the people, such as the cooperation with Xinghua County Government last year, in which Guangtai provided money and manpower, while the county government provided some convenient and generous conditions.

Unbeknownst to them, the sunlight outside the window gradually slanted. Xue Huai glanced outside, and finally decided to bring up the matter, so he slowly said, "Qingluan, do you know about Princess Yun'an's journey south?"

Shen Qingluan knew this, of course, since Princess Yun'an was considered the backer of Guangtai Company in the capital.

Before she set off, the steward in the capital had already sent a message to Jiangnan.

"Yeah, I've heard of it."

Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "Princess Yun'an has been praised throughout the capital for her filial piety during her trip to Hangzhou to pray for the Empress Dowager. Brother Huai, will His Highness stay in Yangzhou this time?"

Xue Huai stroked the teacup with his hand and nodded slightly, saying, "Your Highness is traveling along the Grand Canal this time, and passing through Yangzhou is inevitable. However, it is uncertain whether Your Highness will stay here temporarily, as I have not yet received any notification from the Princess's residence."

Shen Qingluan looked at Xue Huai with bright eyes, a strange feeling rising in her heart.

Recalling her brief stay in the capital two years ago, she felt a mixture of respect and wariness towards Princess Yun'an, whom she had never met before.

This is a gut feeling.

She always felt that Princess Yun'an favored Xue Huai and harbored a subtle hostility towards her. Although the other party had helped Guangtai Company a great deal and was willing to become Guangtai Company's backer in the future, Shen Qingluan believed that this was just Princess Yun'an's pride as a member of the imperial family, and that she disdained to make things difficult for a small business. Moreover, Xue Huai's influence was also involved.

The girl remained silent, but Xue Huai knew what she was thinking. He had brought up Jiang Li today to dispel Shen Qingluan's doubts and worries.

With their engagement imminent, Xue Huai didn't want Shen Qingluan to have any hidden entanglements; this was something he had to do.

"Qingluan."

Xue Huai looked directly into Shen Qingluan's clear eyes and said earnestly, "Princess Yun'an is of noble birth and of extremely high status. Officially, she is a noble person representing the Emperor's will to travel south to pray for blessings. Privately, she has saved my life and helped me several times. Therefore, whether or not she chooses to stay here, I will warmly welcome her on behalf of the Yangzhou government."

Shen Qingluan nodded obediently and said, "Brother Huai, I understand."

Xue Huai solemnly said, "I have nothing but respect and gratitude for Princess Yun'an. This affection is pure and open."

These words acted like a stabilizing force, instantly smoothing out the subtle, indescribable worry in Shen Qingluan's heart.

Back in the capital, she sensed that Xue Huai didn't have any passionate feelings for Jiang Li. However, many things happened afterward, so it wasn't just unfounded suspicion. It was simply the inevitable feelings of a young woman. Hearing Xue Huai's earnest confession now, she couldn't help but smile sweetly and whisper, "I understand, Lord Xue!"

The warm sunlight of early spring shone through the bamboo blinds, dancing on the butterfly hair ornament in her hair and scattering fine golden light.

Looking at her bright and cheerful smile, the last trace of impure thoughts in Xue Huai's heart dissipated.

He reached out naturally, with a hint of tentative tenderness, and gently covered the back of her hand that was resting on the table.

Shen Qingluan trembled slightly as Xue Huai's warm palm enveloped her fair hand.

The temperature felt like an electric current, instantly spreading from her fingers to her heart, making the blush on her cheeks burn even brighter.

She instinctively wanted to curl her fingers, but stopped a second later. Instead, with a touch of shy determination, she slowly turned her palm over, letting her fingertips gently touch Xue Huai's palm.

The two hands rested quietly on the rosewood table.

Xue Huai's hands were long and strong, with distinct knuckles, bearing the marks of years of holding a pen and working on paper. Shen Qingluan's hands were soft and delicate, with slightly cool fingertips, but gradually warmed by her owner's affection.

The room was so quiet that they could hear each other's soft breathing.

Xue Huai's gaze fell on Shen Qingluan's lowered eyelashes, which were trembling gently, revealing the throbbing in her heart. He couldn't help but lean forward slightly, his movements gentle yet firm.

Shen Qingluan seemed to sense something, her long eyelashes lifted, and her clear and lively eyes, glistening with water, looked at him with a mixture of confusion and shyness.

Without hesitation, Xue Huai gently pressed his warm lips to her smooth forehead.

It was a touch as light as a feather, yet as hot as a brand.

Shen Qingluan felt a warm blanket covering her forehead. She instinctively held her breath, her heart feeling as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand. Her cheeks flushed red, like the most beautiful sunset in the sky, spreading all the way to the back of her ears and her slender neck.

Xue Huai tightened his grip on her hand slightly, but Shen Qingluan did not lean into his arms. Instead, she lowered her head and dared not look at him.

Just then, Yun'er's timid voice rang out from outside the window.

"Your Excellency, your guard Jiang Sheng reports that the divine physician wishes to see you."

Shen Qingluan felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She almost instantly pulled her hand out of Xue Huai's palm, coughed lightly, and said, "Brother Huai, you should go back now."

Xue Huai looked at the girl's flushed face with a half-smile, then glanced at the sky outside and said with a smile, "It's still early, why don't you come with me? You haven't seen Xu Zhiwei for a while, and her sudden desire to see me is probably because the person hiding in the shadows can't hold back any longer."

"Well……"

Shen Qingluan hesitated slightly, then said softly, "Then I'll have Yun'er arrange another carriage?"

Xue Huai knew that his actions just now had frightened her a bit, so he immediately smiled and said, "Okay."

(End of this chapter)