Prime Minister

Chapter 231, Section 230: [Life is Short]

The aroma of tea in the warm pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xu Zhiwei's reply was watertight, and she did not lie. During those two months, she and Xue Huai only met a few times, and each time they talked about serious matters.

Shen Qingluan sat upright, maintaining an impeccable gentle smile on her face, but her fingertips tightened subtly in her sleeve, her heart stirred by Jiang Li's words.

Jiang Li's gaze seemed tangible, slowly shifting from Xu Zhiwei's calm yet pale face to Shen Qingluan.

She set down her teacup, the gold-embroidered cuffs of her sleeves sliding across the table with an elegant and composed demeanor. Then she turned to Shen Qingluan and said with a hint of curiosity, "I've heard that the back garden of Shen Garden is beautiful in all four seasons, especially famous in Yangzhou for its peonies. Springtime is here, I wonder how the flowers are blooming? After this matter is settled, would Miss Shen be interested in accompanying me to take a stroll and have a look?"

Shen Qingluan's eyes brightened slightly as she respectfully said, "Your Highness, the peonies in the garden are in full bloom. I would be honored if Your Highness would grace us with your presence! It's quite a coincidence, but just the day before yesterday, I admired the flowers with Miss Xu, especially those few Pink Pavilion and Vermilion Jade peonies, which were in their most magnificent and dazzling red blooms. Don't you agree, Miss Xu?"

Xu Zhiwei was caught off guard by being called out by name. When she met Shen Qingluan's bright eyes, she felt as if a deer had bumped into her chest.

She had indeed never experienced love and hate between men and women before, but that didn't mean she was completely ignorant about them. As a doctor, she had witnessed countless joys and sorrows in human life and had a general idea of ​​what was happening before her.

Princess Yun'an suddenly arrived at Shen Garden and privately summoned her and Shen Qingluan. In Xu Zhiwei's eyes, she was just a side character; the princess really wanted to see Shen Qingluan.

Coupled with the slightly strange atmosphere just now, Xu Zhiwei became even more certain that the reason these two women, who were of vastly different social status but equally outstanding, had met was most likely because of Lord Xue.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhiwei had already decided to be a spectator, but she didn't expect Shen Qingluan to suddenly bring up the topic to her. She subconsciously gave a soft "hmm" as a response, but then felt it was inappropriate, so she lowered her head and whispered, "Yes... very bright."

Jiang Li watched with growing interest; the eldest daughter of the Shen family certainly had a unique personality.

She seemingly unintentionally pulled Xu Zhiwei, who was in an awkward silence, into a casual chat, which not only eased the atmosphere but also subtly demonstrated to Jiang Li the harmony between them.

Just then, a maid entered the warm pavilion with her head bowed and carefully presented Jiang Li with freshly brewed hot tea.

Jiang Li did not immediately touch the tea, but her gaze fell on the rising steam. Her voice remained as gentle as a stream as she turned to Xu Zhiwei and said, "Miss Xu just mentioned that it is convenient to rest and meditate in the official residence. I wonder if this meditation has given you a deeper understanding of the affairs of Jimintang?"

Xu Zhiwei sighed inwardly. She was just an observer, so why did these two always have to bring up her?
However, Jiang Li's status was too noble, and Xu Zhiwei was unwilling to cause trouble for the Shen family, so she pretended to be unaware and said, "Your Highness, regarding the conclusions of my meditation, I have already stated them. My thoughts are only about the past history of Jimintang, the interactions between its members, and the cause and effect behind Liu Ying's involvement. As for other matters, I dare not overstep my bounds, nor do I have time to concern myself with them."

Shen Qingluan watched quietly from the side, her heart gradually stirring with emotion.

At first, she thought Jiang Li was there to find out what happened last night. The princess's guards were also involved in the defense of Shen Garden. Moreover, because of their presence, Qi San and Yue Ping were able to focus their attention on the East Garden.

However, as Shen Qingluan gradually understood the princess's thoughts, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward. The princess was indeed noble, but she was not Xue Huai's elder. Why should she be the one to test her on Xue Huai's behalf?

She thought for a moment and then spoke up, saying, "Yes, Your Highness, it seems that Miss Xu never left that courtyard during the time she was recuperating at the official residence. When Lord Xue found out, he even carefully instructed the people in the mansion not to disturb Miss Xu's peace and quiet."

Xu Zhiwei was taken aback.

Shen Qingluan's words were not an exaggeration. Xue Huai had indeed made similar arrangements, but that was only because Xu Zhiwei had not yet made up her mind to tell the truth at that time. Xue Huai did not allow others to have too much contact with her, so she could only see Mo Yun and the other two maids at most.

However, at this moment, Shen Qingluan's words sounded like Xue Huai's special care and consideration for Xu Zhiwei.

Su Erniang stood to the side, keeping her eyes down and suppressing her laughter.

Having been through similar experiences, she could roughly guess what these people were thinking. She thought to herself that this young lady of the Shen family was indeed no pushover. His Highness used Xu Zhiwei's experience of living with Xue Huai for the past two months to provoke her, so she took the opportunity to drag Xu Zhiwei into the battle. She seemed to not care about the story between Xue Huai and Xu Zhiwei at all, and even used it to test His Highness's attitude.

Fortunately, they were all kind and intelligent women. Jiang Li did not abuse her status as a princess to bully others, and Shen Qingluan did not speak sarcastically or make insinuations. As for Xu Zhiwei, she seemed quite innocent. The atmosphere in the warm pavilion did not get out of control, so Su Erniang did not interrupt and was happy to watch the fun from the side.

Looking at Shen Qingluan's bright yet respectful smile, Jiang Li's lips curved into an almost imperceptible arc. She finally picked up the celadon teacup, gently stirred the tea, letting the tea leaves float on the surface, and said leisurely, "Miss Shen has clearly noticed Xue Tongzhi's attentiveness."

Shen Qingluan understood the unspoken meaning behind Jiang Li's words: she was saying that while Jiang Li appeared close to Xu Zhiwei on the surface, she still harbored resentment towards her.

The problem is that she knows very well that's not the case. Xue Huai and Xu Zhiwei really have no connection whatsoever. Her previous envy was just that Xu Zhiwei could live under the same roof as Xue Huai, not that she had any objection to this matter.

Therefore, Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "Your Highness is teasing me. Everyone in Yangzhou knows that Lord Xue is meticulous in his dealings with people. My father often sighs and says that Lord Xue's manners are impeccable. If he were to open a school that could handle everything perfectly, he would surely make a fortune. I just don't know if the requirements for accepting students are high. Could someone as careless as me learn a few tricks?"

puff!
This time, someone actually laughed, though briefly and softly, but clearly enough—it was Su Erniang standing to the side. She felt that Xue Huai was indeed very suitable for the role of a schoolteacher, especially with his mature-beyond-his-years mentality and calm, reserved temperament. Of course, the biggest reason for her laughter at this moment was that the scene described by Shen Qingluan was truly amusing.

Jiang Li's hand holding the teacup paused for a moment, and Shen Qingluan also stared blankly at Su Erniang, as if to say, "What's so funny? I'm explaining this to His Highness very seriously!"

Su Erniang quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me."

Jiang Li glanced at her, but didn't really blame her. Her gaze returned to Shen Qingluan's face. This young lady of the Shen family was really... unexpectedly interesting.

"It doesn't matter."

Jiang Li gently set down her teacup and said calmly, "Miss Shen's idea of ​​a comprehensive academy is quite interesting. Magistrate Xue has always been self-disciplined and respectful of etiquette. If he were to actually establish a school, it would surely be very strict, with even the flapping of the sparrows outside the window being counted."

Shen Qingluan's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons, and she nodded, saying, "Your Highness is absolutely right! Lord Xue's mind is like a nine-linked ring, one link after another. Anyone watching him must be exhausted just watching!"

Xu Zhiwei, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but find the scene both strange and funny as she listened to the two of them teasing the increasingly powerful Yangzhou Tongzhi. Even with her calm and collected demeanor, she couldn't help but find the scene both bizarre and amusing.

She pursed her lips slightly, lowered her eyelashes, and stared at the orchid pattern embroidered on her skirt, fearing that she would be dragged into the affair with these two again.

Fortunately, Jiang Li didn't cause her any trouble this time.

After the teasing, Jiang Li said calmly, "Before I left the capital, I heard that the old lady of the Xue family invited old friends and acquaintances from the capital to find a mature and reliable person to go to Jiangnan. I wonder if Miss Shen knows about this?"

Shen Qingluan knew, of course, that Xue Huai had specifically told her this.

However, this question is not so easy to answer.

Even now, Shen Qingluan still cannot be sure of Jiang Li's feelings. On the one hand, some of her words and actions are slightly overstepping the line, and on the other hand, she does not have any obvious malice towards Shen Qingluan, which makes it difficult for Shen Qingluan to grasp the right balance.

Shen Qingluan was able to handle all the previous probing and subtle exchanges entirely because Jiang Li did not deliberately put on airs of a princess. But now, these words carry a clear sense of scrutiny.

After a brief moment of thought, Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "Your Highness, I have indeed heard about this matter."

In any case, the Xue and Shen families were old friends, and even the emperor knew about the friendship between Xue Mingzhang and Shen Bingwen. Shen Qingluan felt that she had no need to pretend to be stupid.

Jiang Li nodded, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Miss Shen is so clever and open-minded, she is truly a gem among young ladies, and I admire her very much. Xue Tongzhi's affairs are complicated, and if he had a beautiful lady like Miss Shen by his side who could manage his affairs and relieve his worries, he would surely achieve twice the result with half the effort."

She finally revealed the upcoming marriage between the Xue and Shen families.

Shen Qingluan's smile froze slightly.

Sitting next to her, Xu Zhiwei couldn't help but tense up. Of course, it wasn't because of Xue Huai and Shen Qingluan's marriage, but because she keenly sensed the sharp meaning hidden in the princess's question.

Shen Qingluan remained silent for a moment, then said brightly and generously, "Your Highness is too kind to me. I am simple-minded and know nothing about politics or important matters, only about small things in business. If... if I can help Lord Xue with some trivial matters in the future, so that he has fewer worries, that would be my greatest blessing and merit."

She met Jiang Li's scrutinizing gaze with composure, her small hands clenching tightly in her sleeves without the slightest hesitation or fear.

On that bright, spring-like face, there was only unwavering determination and clarity.

Jiang Li remained silent.

Faced with her roundabout examination, Shen Qingluan seemed like a warm and gentle willow catkin, but in the end she burst out with a decisiveness that surprised her.

Just then, Yi Zhong's voice rang out from outside: "Your Highness, Assistant Magistrate Xue has arrived at Shen Garden."

Jiang Li sighed inwardly and said gently, "I understand. Please invite him here."

(End of this chapter)