Prime Minister

Chapter 223, Section 222: [Within Reach]

"Let's wait a few days."

Jiang Li's brief answer left Xue Huai somewhat unsure of her thoughts.

Looking at the serene smile on her face, Xue Huai didn't know if she genuinely wanted to see Shen Qingluan or was simply testing his attitude towards the matter.

Looking back, his interactions with Jiang Li had always been kept at a very safe distance, neither too close nor too distant.

They are allies, each taking what they need, and entrusting each other with trust, but this trust always seems to float on the surface, never touching the depths of their souls.

Their relationship only briefly teetered on the brink once, when Shen Qingluan visited Xue Huai in the capital two years ago.

When Jiang Li learned the news, she inadvertently revealed a fleeting hint of something unusual in her words, which Xue Huai interpreted as her instinctive wariness of potential changes in her allies.

He was unwilling and unable to interpret it as jealousy in the eyes of the world. Although Jiang Li was a young girl, she was still the most noble girl in the world, and she clearly had very deep secrets and shrewdness.

She grew up in the treacherous and dangerous imperial palace, experiencing countless intrigues and deceitful schemes. To interpret her behavior and words simply as a young girl's sentiment would be naive and dangerous.

However, Xue Huai also felt that the atmosphere of their reunion today was a bit strange, as if an invisible stickiness permeated between the two of them.

Silence fell over the hall once again.

The fragrance of magnolias seemed stronger, mixed with the unique dampness of spring river water, slowly flowing through the air and permeating everything.

The sound of water lapping against the ship's side in the distance became even clearer at this moment.

Jiang Li suddenly stood up and walked slowly to the window, leaving Xue Huai with a slender and graceful back view. The sunlight outlined the smooth lines of her shoulders and neck, making her look elegant and charming.

"Xue Huai".

She turned to look at him and asked casually, "Do you genuinely like Shen Qingluan, or did you choose this marriage because the Shen family can provide significant support?"

This statement clearly crosses a line.

Jiang Li understood this as well, so before Xue Huai could answer, she explained, "This is concern between allies. If you feel offended, you don't have to answer."

"Your Highness is serious."

Xue Huai stood up and looked at her, saying frankly and simply, "My engagement to Miss Shen is both the wish of our elders and the result of our mutual affection."

"We both love each other..."

Jiang Li softly repeated those four words, her lips still holding that gentle smile, but her eyes were as if covered by a thin layer of frost, seemingly bright but unable to reflect her true emotions.

She cast her gaze toward the vast canal outside the window, the tassels of her gold phoenix hairpin swaying gently with her barely perceptible movements, refracting the tiny ripples into a dazzling halo.

Xue Huai gazed at her profile and sensed a subtle, intriguing stiffness.

"very nice."

Jiang Li's voice was very soft, like a feather brushing across the stagnant air, and then she praised, "You two are a perfect match, your families are old friends, and you share the same ideals. You are truly a match made in heaven."

There was not a trace of sarcasm in these words, only a simple statement of facts, yet they were like a very fine thread, gently and subtly entwining Xue Huai's heart, bringing an indescribable, slight prickling sensation.

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness."

Xue Huai's voice remained steady, maintaining the proper respect and distance.

Jiang Li suddenly felt a surge of restlessness rising within her.

As time went by, her perception of Xue Huai changed. From a pedantic scholar who only knew how to curry favor, to a promising young man with a bright future, and now to a rising star in the officialdom, Jiang Li was amazed by his rapid growth and occasionally secretly glad that she had made the right choice.

She didn't know when it started, but she became very concerned about Xue Huai's news. Although on the surface this was the kind of concern that allies should have, only Jiang Li herself knew that it felt like watching a flower she had personally nurtured bloom.

She hoped that Xue Huai could rise to prominence, but she also didn't want him to completely get rid of her help. If that day really came, would she still hold any weight in Xue Huai's eyes?
Especially when she learned that Xue Huai was about to get engaged to Shen Qingluan, it reminded her of an old story.

When she was nine years old, Jiang Xuan, who was not yet the Crown Prince, gave her a high-quality jade pendant. Her cousin, Jiang Ning, who was two years older than her, saw it and, relying on the fact that she was the Empress's daughter and Jiang Xuan's younger sister, insisted on snatching the jade pendant from Jiang Li.

Jiang Ning was not shallow; in fact, she didn't like the jade pendant at all. She was just resentful that Jiang Li, an orphan, could be favored by her father, mother, and even her brother. It seemed that everyone preferred her, the daughter of the deceased Prince Qi.

Jiang Li didn't argue with the headstrong Jiang Ning. She readily gave the jade pendant to her. Later, in the presence of the Emperor, Empress, and Jiang Xuan, she successfully retrieved the pendant and taught Jiang Ning a profound and painful lesson. From then on, Jiang Ning never dared to challenge her again. As for the jade pendant... it had long since been lost in some box in the Princess's residence.

Of course, Jiang Li didn't think Xue Huai was equal to a jade pendant; she just couldn't accept that her position in Xue Huai's heart seemed to be inferior to that of Shen Qingluan.

This thought stirred a sharp, intense feeling within her.

She was indeed a princess of noble birth, but only she knew that the title of princess was merely a tool used by the emperor to demonstrate the kinship within the imperial family. This was because she was orphaned and had no siblings, and therefore posed no threat to the emperor, who could naturally continue to bestow favor upon her.

However, for Jiang Li, this favor meant countless schemes and resentments; such is the nature of human nature.

The emperor and empress used her to demonstrate their virtuous reputation, while the crown prince and other princes used her to showcase their own benevolence and refinement. Perhaps there was some sincerity in their actions, but the most important reason was that she had value.

Jiang Li knew she had no right to wallow in self-pity, but no one had ever truly taught her how to face life's and emotional challenges. Su Erniang was loyal, but her abilities and perspectives were insufficient to help Jiang Li resolve her problems, leaving her to fumble around in the dark most of the time.

Just like this moment.

Reason told Jiang Li that she should maintain the status quo with Xue Huai, which was better for both of them, but a nameless fire suddenly ignited in her heart that she couldn't understand.

Therefore, she turned around and took a step, the hem of her lotus-colored palace dress making a barely audible rustling sound on the carpet, as she walked step by step toward Xue Huai.

The distance between the two was just right, but it was constantly being compressed as she got closer.

Xue Huai's gaze narrowed slightly. Even if he was slow to notice, he could sense that something was wrong with Jiang Li. This puzzled him. After all, he wasn't a mind reader, so how could he have imagined that in such a short time, Jiang Li's thoughts had gone through so many twists and turns?

As Jiang Li drew closer, he could even see the turmoil in her eyes. Out of his usual caution, he emphasized his words slightly, "Your Highness."

Jiang Li was taken aback. Looking at Xue Huai's slightly serious expression, she couldn't help but think of the jade pendant that had long been sealed in its box.

As reality and memories intertwined, Jiang Li suddenly realized how similar the insignificant grievance she felt as a little girl when Jiang Ning took her jade pendant back then was to the unfamiliar emotions surging in her chest at this moment.

However, Xue Huai was not a jade pendant that could be easily discarded or given away. He was the chess piece on which she placed high hopes and devoted countless efforts, and he was also the one who made her blur the boundaries between the game and her emotions for the first time.

A sudden wave of sadness and exhaustion washed over Jiang Li, and she finally stopped.

The two were now only three feet apart.

Jiang Li looked at Xue Huai thoughtfully and calmly asked, "Do you know why I stayed in Yangzhou for several days?"

Xue Huai replied, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Jiang Li coughed lightly and said, "I came to Hangzhou to pray for the Empress Dowager. I heard that Daming Temple in Yangzhou is also an ancient temple in Jiangnan, and the monks there are very knowledgeable in Buddhism. So I thought I would go to Daming Temple to offer incense and donate some lamp oil. I hope that this will let the gods and Buddhas feel my sincerity."

Xue Huai stared at her with a slightly disrespectful look.

Just now, Jiang Li inexplicably displayed an indomitable spirit. He didn't know what she wanted to say, but it was definitely not what she said. The topic shift was abrupt and did not match Jiang Li's usual calm and composed nature.

Jiang Li frowned slightly and asked, "What, does Lord Xue disagree?"

Her expression remained impeccable, except that her small hands, hidden in her sleeves, were clenched tightly with some tension.

Xue Huai sighed silently in his heart. In fact, he had already realized that from Jiang Li's desire to see Shen Qingluan, to her sudden inquiry about their marriage, and her subsequent unusual behavior, it was clear that the princess's mind was in turmoil.

However, he couldn't expose her directly. Firstly, Jiang Li was very sensitive, and secondly, they needed to maintain their alliance, so there was really no need to create unnecessary trouble. Moreover, based on his experience, Jiang Li's unusual behavior might not be due to romantic feelings, but perhaps just a kind of resentment that was hard to explain to outsiders and was formed by her background and experiences.

Upon thinking of this, Xue Huai calmly said, "Your Highness misunderstands. This is Your Highness's filial piety towards the Empress Dowager. How could I be negligent? It's just a bit unfortunate that something happened in Yangzhou recently. A highly renowned physician has unfortunately passed away. I have already announced publicly that a funeral ceremony for that physician will be held at Daming Temple in three days. If Your Highness is not in a hurry, could you wait until after the funeral to go to Daming Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings?"

"Miracle doctor?"

Jiang Li was just looking for a topic to cover up her feelings, and it wouldn't have mattered if she waited a few days, but she didn't expect Xue Huai to actually have a suitable reason.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered something Su Erniang had mentioned before, so she looked Xue Huai up and down, a few complicated emotions appearing in her eyes, as if she was judging whether this guy was a rigid gentleman or a true orthodox scholar.

Xue Huai felt somewhat uncomfortable under her gaze, so he cautiously asked, "Does Your Highness think this is inappropriate?"

"There's nothing wrong with that."

Jiang Li casually replied, then stared at Xue Huai with an unfriendly expression and said, "The miracle doctor you mentioned, could it be Xu Zhiwei from Jimintang in Yangzhou?"

(End of this chapter)