Prime Minister

Chapter 23 023 [Everyone Says the World is Foolish]

Jiang Li suddenly smiled.

In their previous conversation, she didn't deliberately put on airs like a princess, and at least she didn't hesitate to smile a few times. However, in Xue Huai's opinion, those smiles were more or less acting.

At this moment, she smiled brightly and freely, like a peony blooming in the spring breeze.

Xue Huai frowned slightly.

Jiang Li stopped laughing and said frankly, "I'm not mocking you, I just find your idea unexpected."

Xue Huai didn't dwell on it too much and said frankly, "However, that's the impression Your Highness gives me."

"That's a misunderstanding on your part."

Jiang Li shook her head and explained, "It is true that His Majesty dotes on me, but when have you ever heard of a woman standing in the court during the more than one hundred years of history of the Great Yan? Furthermore, I am not His Majesty's biological daughter, so how could I be so foolish as to take advantage of his favor and casually associate with officials in the court? To put it another way, even if I really had such thoughts, instead of trying to win over those powerful ministers in the court, I would instead focus my attention on you, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Don't you think that's just child's play?"

Xue Huai agreed with these principles, but he still had doubts in his heart.

"You're being way too cautious."

Jiang Li became even more blunt, saying, "You think these secrets are worth a fortune, but in my opinion, they are nothing more than topics of conversation in your spare time. Since you took the initiative to come and thank me today, and I had nothing better to do, I decided to lend you a hand."

Xue Huai paused for a moment, then said softly, "Your Highness, have you ever heard the saying, 'Great kindness can turn into enmity'?"

Jiang Li said leisurely, "I've heard of it. Do you intend to be ungrateful?"

Xue Huai said solemnly, "I have always remembered Your Highness's life-saving grace, but apart from that, I am unwilling to accept any favors imposed upon me by Your Highness. I did not want to hear what Your Highness just said, but since Your Highness insisted on speaking, I could not cover my ears."

The smile on Jiang Li's face gradually faded.

From childhood to adulthood, she had heard too much flattery. The emperor treated her as his own daughter, the princes did everything they could to pamper her, and everyone in the huge princess's mansion respected her. No one dared to disobey her decisions.

She hadn't experienced being rejected to her face in a long time.

Looking at Xue Huai, who stood tall and straight in front of her, Jiang Li seriously examined him for the first time.

He still had that incredibly handsome face, but compared to when we first met, he had changed a bit.

Unlike the cold and hard image he was rumored to have projected in the past two years, and unlike his deliberate humility at first meeting, his calm demeanor now carries a hint of strength.

This discovery surprised Jiang Li quite a bit; she had never seen anyone mature so quickly in such a short period of time.

To be fair, Jiang Li didn't have much ill will towards Xue Huai. Her initial sarcasm was more of a test, not a prejudice or hatred.

But that's about it.

Later, upon learning that Xue Huai had suddenly launched an attack at the Grand Court Assembly and shattered Gu Heng's scheme in one fell swoop, Jiang Li couldn't help but think more highly of him. As for her actions today, it was because she hoped that Xue Huai could stir up the waters even more, but she did not expect him to be so upright.

The atmosphere inside the hall became cold and solemn.

Xue Huai bowed and said resolutely, "Regarding the life-saving grace of that day, whenever Your Highness wishes to ask for a reward, you only need to send someone to inform me, and I will naturally comply. However, I must make it clear beforehand that Your Highness's request must not violate the laws of the court, nor can it go against my conscience. As long as these two conditions are met, I will not hesitate to face any danger, no matter how great the consequences."

Only by repaying this favor as soon as possible can Xue Huai move forward without distractions.

Jiang Li remained silent, only her brows furrowed slightly.

Xue Huai didn't wait foolishly; he bowed his head and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

"and many more."

As he turned away, Jiang Li stood up and walked up to him, saying, "Xue Huai, I understand your wariness, after all, you have just emerged from a crisis. But you should understand that I have no reason to harm you. Although you have many connections, they are of little significance to me. I have no need to rely on either Shen Wang or Xue Minglun."

Seeing that she was still evasive and unreliable, Xue Huai frowned and said, "Your Highness, although I am young, I understand a simple truth: there is no such thing as a free lunch. It was Your Highness's guards who saved my life that day, not that I owe Your Highness a life-saving favor. Therefore, I cannot accept Your Highness's kindness with a clear conscience."

Jiang Li understood his unspoken meaning.

The relationship between the two was already unequal, and Xue Huai owed her such a huge favor. On this basis, she continued to forcefully help Xue Huai. Even the most foolish person would not dare to accept it easily.

The saying "great kindness is hard to repay" is not complicated in itself.

Jiang Li suddenly sighed softly, then turned to look outside and said, "Since you feel unworthy of this, then accompany me on a tour of this villa as your way of repaying me for those secrets."

Xue Huai did not refuse.

The villa is named for its lush greenery, and its scenery is especially beautiful in spring and summer. Unfortunately, it is now early winter, and all one can see is desolation and coldness.

The two arrived near the pond. Jiang Li stopped and gazed at the withered water lily leaves in the pond, and said softly, "Are you envious of me?" The question seemed abrupt, but Xue Huai suddenly understood. He replied honestly, "No, I'm not envious."

Jiang Li seemed slightly surprised.

Xue Huai explained, “Your Highness is of noble status. As long as you wish, you can live a carefree life for the rest of your life. This is a condition that most people in the world would not even dare to dream of. I am one of them. However, I still have ambitions in my heart and am not willing to enter the state of begging for retirement so early.”

This statement is half true and half false.

On the one hand, it maintains his previous "persona"—his accidental fall into the water and subsequent rescue may change some aspects of his character, but it cannot completely transform him into another person.

On the other hand, it is related to his unfulfilled ambitions in his previous life.

Although it was a completely different world, he was unwilling to live a muddled and mediocre life.

He is indeed very weak now, and the most important thing is to gain a foothold as soon as possible, but this does not conflict with his plans for the future.

Jiang Li pondered the meaning behind his words and slowly said, "As a princess of the imperial family, I have enjoyed endless wealth and honor since birth, but that doesn't mean my life is truly carefree. The people in the imperial family are treacherous. When they see an orphan like me who lost her parents at a young age being superior to others, how many of them can remain calm and composed?"

Xue Huai could understand, but found it difficult to empathize.

He couldn't say that Jiang Li was just whining, but there was too much suffering in the world, and he himself was struggling in the vortex, so how could he sympathize with a princess of noble status?

So he could only remain silent.

Jiang Li seemed to be talking to herself as she said, "You only see His Majesty's doting affection for me, but you don't know how much effort I've put into pleasing him, how much effort I've put into mediating between my brothers over the years, and how many open and covert attacks I've experienced among the imperial family. Last year alone, someone tried to poison the princess's residence three times. That's why I like living in the Green Green Villa."

Xue Huai thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, all living beings suffer. Compared to them, you are already born into wealth and privilege."

"Right."

Jiang Li gave a self-deprecating laugh, then said, "Actually, I hate myself for putting on this sentimental act. I was just expressing my feelings today. Xue Huai, you are intelligent, studious, and have a great memory. You should know the promotion path in the Hanlin Academy. If nothing unexpected happens, you will be entering the Court of Imperial Sacrifices for training next year."

Xue Huai's heart stirred slightly. Could this be the reason why Jiang Li had won him over?

Jiang Li turned to look at him and said calmly, "That day, the guards rescued you, and I came to see you out of curiosity. Later, I told His Highness the Crown Prince what happened, and he became quite interested in you. Not long after, you made a name for yourself at the Grand Court Assembly, and His Highness asked me to help you again, which was also a way for him to observe you further."

This time, Xue Huai did not press the Crown Prince for the reason for his arrangement.

As Jiang Li said, as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, the most likely place for him to be transferred next year is the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, where officials are essentially subordinate to the Crown Prince.

Even if the Crown Prince wanted to show him favor, he wouldn't personally summon him now. That would be too formal and would attract unnecessary attention from others. It would be more appropriate for Jiang Li to act as the middleman.

Xue Huai asked, "Since it is His Highness the Crown Prince's order, why doesn't Your Highness state it clearly?"

"Because your personality is very eccentric."

Jiang Li smiled and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince has helped me a lot. He entrusted me with a task, and of course I hope there will be no mistakes. Who knew you wouldn't even give me face? If I use the debt of saving my life to pressure you, and His Highness finds out that you hold a grudge, he will definitely blame me for not being able to handle such a small matter properly."

Xue Huai sighed softly, “Your Highness, you are overcomplicating things. His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent chosen by His Majesty. Whether I am in the Hanlin Academy or the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, I will do my best. How could I possibly be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant?”

Even so, he did not promise to continue investigating the matter; it was just a meaningless statement.

"I can't tell you."

Jiang Li said irritably, her hands behind her back, looking rather charming. She stepped forward and said, "In short, Gu Heng's case is very complicated, and there will definitely be more twists and turns later. Don't take it lightly. If it involves your brothers, you should not act rashly. It would be best to discuss it with me before making a decision."

Xue Huai replied, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

He still didn't give a definite and positive answer. Jiang Li seemed a little dissatisfied, but in the end she didn't press the matter and said calmly, "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go back now."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully, and then, led by a maid, walked outside.

Until his figure disappeared, Jiang Li stood quietly on the edge of the pool, her face no longer showing any trace of her former coquettishness.

A moment later, Su Erniang came to the side and said, "Your Highness, Editor Xue has already left."

"Ah."

Jiang Li responded and looked at the water, saying, "Second Madam, starting today, arrange for two clever people to keep an eye on Xue Huai in secret. Make sure he doesn't notice, and just make sure he doesn't accidentally fall into the water again."

Su Erniang lowered her head and said, "Yes, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)