Prime Minister

Chapter 222, Section 221: [Years Have Passed Since We Parted]

After nearly fifty days at sea, Princess Yun'an Jiang Li's treasure ship and fleet finally arrived in Yangzhou on the eighth day of the third month.

This speed wasn't fast, but it wasn't particularly slow either. After all, Yangzhou was two thousand miles away from the capital, and the princess's fleet couldn't travel too fast. Moreover, they needed to resupply in every major city they reached.

The accompanying eunuchs had already informed local officials that they should not waste resources and manpower to welcome the princess along the way, but were only allowed to present some local folk specialties. Especially after the Tianjin governor Sheng Jing was turned away, the local officials in the south dared not disobey the princess's order.

But Yangzhou is different.

Two days ago, an official from the princess's residence rode swiftly to the prefectural city to inform Xue Huai that Her Highness the princess would be staying in Yangzhou for several days. Therefore, he led his officials to the East Gate Wharf early in the morning to welcome her.

He did not disturb the people in the city, nor did he make any special arrangements at the dock. He only had Wang Gui prepare two carts of Huaiyang specialties and supplies needed by the fleet.

At 3:45 AM, the fleet slowly arrived at the northern end of the dock, where there was a flat and wide body of water. Xue Huai had already ordered the area to be cleared out specifically for this fleet to dock.

Jiang Li did not appear; only Su Erniang, the head maid of the princess's residence, and Ma Jisheng, the chief eunuch, received the officials from the Yangzhou Prefecture and Jiangdu County governments on her behalf.

After all the formalities were completed, Su Erniang looked at Xue Huai meaningfully and said, "Lord Xue, His Highness has something to ask you. Please board the ship and we can talk."

"Your subject obeys the order."

Xue Huai was not surprised by this. He glanced calmly at Zhang Shi and Jiang Sheng and the others, and then followed Su Erniang toward the treasure ship.

He kept his eyes straight ahead and walked with a steady gait.

Upon reaching the third floor, Su Erniang stopped outside the side hall door and stepped aside, saying, "Lord Xue, please come in."

Xue Huai did not take a step immediately.

Su Erniang sighed inwardly, noting that this young prefect had become more composed and mature compared to when he was in the capital. She then teased him gently, "Could it be that Lord Xue doesn't trust His Highness?"

At that very moment, a calm voice rang out from inside the hall: "Come in."

Xue Huai no longer hesitated, raised his hand to straighten the collar of his official robe, and then pushed open the exquisitely carved door.

Inside the hall, light streamed through the exquisite stained-glass windows onto the carpet, and the air was filled with the delicate fragrance of magnolias.

A tall, slender figure stood by the window.

She wore a brocade palace dress with cloud and brocade patterns, the color of which was a restrained lotus root color, yet the subtle gold thread woven into the patterns gave it a luxurious sheen. Her hair was neatly styled, adorned only with a single red gold and kingfisher feather phoenix hairpin, the pearl tassel held in the phoenix's beak swaying slightly with her breath.

Xue Huai did not stare at Jiang Li's back presumptuously. He stepped forward a few paces, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Xue Huai, Assistant Magistrate of Yangzhou, greets Your Highness the Princess."

Upon hearing this steady and powerful voice, Jiang Li slowly turned around, her deep gaze falling on Xue Huai.

From his meticulously crafted official hat to his well-fitting and neat official robe, and his handsome face, his posture remained as upright as a pine tree. However, the cold and sharp edges he once had in the capital seemed to have been wrapped in a layer of warm yet harder jade.

"No gift."

Jiang Li suddenly felt a tickle in her throat.

Xue Huai raised his head.

Eyes facing each other.

Compared to a year ago, Jiang Li seems to have lost some weight.

In some ways, she and Xu Zhiwei are similar. Both of them have a cool and aloof personality. However, Jiang Li's coldness carries an unapproachable and noble air, while Xu Zhiwei's coldness is more like the cold beauty of a red plum blossom in the snow.

The fatigue of the long journey did not diminish Jiang Li's seemingly innate noble air; on the contrary, it made her delicate facial features appear even more defined, like a finely crafted piece of cold jade.

Those eyes, as deep as a frozen pool, were fixed on Xue Huai, calm and sharp as ever, as if they could see into people's hearts.

Xue Huai sensed a hint of estrangement in those eyes.

The air seemed to freeze for only a moment, yet it felt like an eternity had passed.

"Xue Huai".

Jiang Li spoke first, her tone carrying her usual condescending air: "You look even more radiant than before, it's been a year. The feng shui of Yangzhou is truly nourishing."

Xue Huai's posture was respectful and impeccable: "Your Highness is too kind. The affairs of Yangzhou are complicated, and I dare not slack off in the slightest, for fear of failing Your Majesty's high expectations."

Jiang Li raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly sensing the distance between them.

She didn't continue the topic, walked to the side and sat down, then said to Xue Huai, "Sit down. Second Madam, bring some tea."

Su Erniang agreed, personally served two cups of fragrant Biluochun tea, and then quietly withdrew, gently closing the door behind her.

Xue Huai thanked him and took a seat.

Jiang Li felt that this was not the reunion she wanted to see, but she had to admit that the distance was just right.

She took Su Erniang's words to heart that day: regardless of whether she had feelings for Xue Huai, she should always be mindful of the boundaries between allies.

A silence slowly spread. Just as Xue Huai was about to speak, Jiang Li spoke first: "Last year I said Yangzhou was your lucky place; now it seems I was right?"

It's more than just a blessed land.
Xue Huai had only been in Yangzhou for a year when he was bestowed with a bullfighting outfit, a feat unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated at his age.

He smiled faintly and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness. I have indeed benefited greatly from my trip to Yangzhou. However, all of this is not due to my efforts alone. Without the strong assistance of General Wu, Provincial Judge Shi, Transport Commissioner Huang, and Prefect Tan, I would have been unable to make any progress."

Upon hearing Xue Huai emphasize the words "Envoy Huang" in his voice, Jiang Li knew that he had already realized that Huang Chong's identity was not simple.

"From what you've said, there must be quite a few honest and upright officials in Jiangnan."

Jiang Li brushed it off with a few words, then asked with great interest, "I've also heard about your Huaiyang New Policies in the capital. I wonder how they're progressing? I imagine there aren't many obstacles?"

Xue Huai remained calm and said steadily, “Your Highness, the new policies are like rowing against the current; there will naturally be resistance. The salt profits will attract the attention of powerful families, and the new market regulations will shake the foundations of many old brokerage firms and merchant guilds. These deeply entrenched interests cannot be shaken without swift and decisive measures, but excessive force can easily provoke a backlash. Therefore, I dare not be careless. Fortunately, His Majesty’s divine favor is evident, Your Highness has provided much protection in the capital, and the local gentry have considered the overall situation. As a result, the new policies have not lost their direction.”

Jiang Li listened quietly, her fair hands holding the warm cup.

Upon hearing the words "Your Highness will protect me," a slight ripple flashed in her eyes.

She picked up her teacup and took a small sip, using it to conceal the tenderness that instantly appeared in her eyes.

When she put down her teacup, her expression had returned to its previous calm.

"Local gentry..."

Jiang Li smiled meaningfully and said, "The Shen family's support for you can indeed be described as going all out."

She did not mention Shen Qingluan's name, but the subtle pause and the phrase "without sparing any effort" were like an invisible thread, gently stirring the slightly quiet air in the hall.

Xue Huai remained composed and replied calmly, "The Shen family is a pillar of the Huaiyang business community. Uncle Shen is an upright and insightful man who is well-versed in the customs, culture, and trade of Yangzhou. Your Majesty has entrusted me with the responsibility of governing this region and intends to implement new policies to benefit the people. Naturally, I need to rely on such virtuous and respected individuals. I have a clear conscience regarding both public and private matters, and I would never dare to neglect public duty for private reasons."

As Jiang Li savored this frank and rational statement, a bitter feeling quietly rose in her heart.

In fact, she knew very well why the scene of their long-awaited reunion felt so awkward. It was all because she had deliberately created a businesslike atmosphere, and Xue Huai probably didn't feel uncomfortable at all in this situation.

After all, in his view, he and she were merely allies formed by chance.

They were closer than most people, but that was all.

Xue Huai solemnly described his new policy blueprint, and Jiang Li listened attentively. She admitted that Xue Huai was more outstanding than she had expected. Even without her help, he could make a name for himself in Jiangnan. The young man who was full of sharp edges and brilliance had grown into a great tree that could shelter a region in just one year.

This made Jiang Li very happy and appreciative.

However, the deeper her appreciation, the clearer the hidden sense of loss in her heart became.

She listened to him talk about the new policies, about Yangzhou, about the Salt Industry Association... all of this seemed to have nothing to do with her, as if she was destined to be just a secret ally in his life.

"Xue Huai".

Jiang Li interrupted Xue Huai's statement, marking the second time today that she had addressed him by his given name.

Xue Huai looked at her questioningly.

Jiang Li frowned slightly, and asked with a hint of displeasure, "Have you published any new works in the past year?"

New work?

Xue Huai had neither the interest nor the energy to be a plagiarist. A year may seem like a long time, but from the first day he arrived in Yangzhou, he was constantly hampered by twists and turns and had virtually no opportunity to demonstrate his memory.

But Jiang Li's question clearly had a deeper meaning. Xue Huai recalled the small banquet before leaving the capital and the joy Jiang Li felt when she received the poem "Yu Lou Chun". He then said apologetically, "Your Highness, I am preoccupied with trivial matters and have no new works."

"I know you're so busy you don't have time to write lyrics, that's normal."

Jiang Li sighed softly, then said, "But you've been away from the capital for a year and only written me three letters, one of which was a New Year's greeting, totaling less than a thousand words. It seems you didn't consider me a true friend."

Xue Huai said solemnly, "Your Highness, please forgive me for not agreeing with what you said. In my heart, Your Highness not only has saved my life and helped me, but is also a good friend with whom I can be completely honest. As long as Your Highness does not mind, that is fine."

"Of course I won't look down on you."

Jiang Li smiled slightly and said, "Since we are friends, I suppose you wouldn't refuse a small request from a friend?"

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Your Highness, please speak."

A deep meaning flashed in Jiang Li's eyes as she slowly said, "I heard that your mother has taken a liking to the young lady Qingluan from the Shen family and has asked an old friend to go south to propose marriage. She should arrive in Yangzhou in a while. I have also heard of the virtuous reputation of the eldest daughter of the Shen family. Now that your wedding is approaching, why don't you arrange for me to meet her?"

Xue Huai remained silent.

Jiang Li didn't urge him, but just watched him leisurely.

After a moment, Xue Huai asked with a calm expression, "When will Your Highness have some free time?"

Upon hearing this, a relieved smile immediately appeared on Jiang Li's face.

(End of this chapter)