Prime Minister

Chapter 232, Section 231: [I'll give Your Highness three words]

Xue Huai stepped into the warm pavilion, still carrying the chill of early spring. His official robes were stained with morning dew and dust, indicating that he had rushed back from Daming Temple outside the city and headed straight for Shen Garden.

His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and even though he was exhausted from not having slept all night, the imposing presence in his eyes was even more compelling.

Shen Qingluan and Xu Zhiwei had already stood up, and Su Erniang also greeted them politely, but Jiang Li remained firmly seated in the main seat.

Xue Huai's gaze swept quickly across the room, noticing the indescribable complexity on Shen and Xu's faces, and a sense of doubt arose in his heart.

The chaos at Daming Temple ended quickly. After their attack failed, the bandits immediately disappeared into the mountains under the cover of night. Although Ye Qing was quite capable, the terrain there was completely different from that in the city. The Shugang area was densely forested, and the Jing'an Division and part of the Canal Army were still not enough to control all the areas, making it difficult to pursue the bandits hiding in the shadows.

Fortunately, they did have some gains that night. In addition to killing more than twenty bandits on the spot, they also had eight survivors. One of them was very skilled and should have a high position within the rebel cult.

After daybreak, Xue Huai immediately led his men back to the city. As soon as he entered the city, he received news that Jiang Li had entered Shen Garden. He felt something was strange. Could it be that Jiang Li had also not slept all night?
Standing in the quiet, fragrant warm pavilion, Xue Huai felt that the atmosphere was not quite right. Jiang Li seemed to have no interest in the rebels who stormed Shen Garden last night, and actually pulled Shen Qingluan and Xu Zhiwei aside for a long talk. What could they possibly have to talk about?

He suppressed his thoughts, stepped forward, and bowed calmly, saying, "Your subject Xue Huai greets Your Highness."

"Prefect Xue, you may dispense with the formalities."

Jiang Li's deep gaze fell on Xue Huai's face, and she asked with a noble yet indifferent air, "Were you attacked last night?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xue Huai briefly recounted the situation at Daming Temple last night, and then said, "I have just learned about the situation at Shen Garden. I thank Your Highness for dispatching elite troops to help, which is why Shen Garden was able to be preserved."

This is a polite remark that carries a hint of sincerity.

Xue Huai's initial plan did not include the Princess's personal guards, but Jiang Li's involvement gave him more confidence, so he would be grateful to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled slightly and said softly, "There's no need for formalities between us."

These words caused the atmosphere in the warm pavilion to change once again.

This is not the Green Villa in the capital, nor the treasure ship on the canal, but the Shen family's residence, where Shen Qingluan and Xu Zhiwei are standing right next to them.

In fact, given the increasingly solid alliance between Xue Huai and Jiang Li, her words were not ambiguous at all; the problem was that the occasion was inappropriate.

Putting Xu Zhiwei aside for now, what would Shen Qingluan think upon hearing this?
Not to mention that Jiang Li deliberately softened her tone when she said this, making the two seem particularly close.

Xue Huai was never an ambiguous person. He liked to make everything clear. He explained his relationship with Jiang Li to Shen Qingluan earlier because he had a clear conscience and did not want to cause any dramatic misunderstandings. However, Jiang Li's current attitude would obviously cause misunderstandings.

He looked at Jiang Li with a puzzled expression, not trying to cover it up, but simply curious about what had happened to these women before he stepped into the warm room.

Standing to the side, Su Erniang understood perfectly. His Highness was clearly provoked by Shen Qingluan's firm statement just now, which was why he took this unusual step.

And this is also what she is most worried about.

Relationships between men and women are rarely purely rational. Sometimes, things could simply develop naturally, but an unexpected change can occur due to a seemingly playful action by one party.

On the other side, Shen Qingluan stood seemingly calm.

She doesn't deny that when she heard Jiang Li's words and noticed her intimacy with Xue Huai, she suddenly felt a sense of crisis and a slight bitterness.

Last year, Shen Bingwen donated a large sum of money just to win the court's praise. The plaque "Yangzhou Righteous Merchant" bestowed by the emperor also gave Shen Qingluan more confidence. This way, when she marries into the Xue family in the future, at least no one will openly question her identity as a merchant's daughter.

But compared to Jiang Li in front of me...

Shen Qingluan's heart is strong enough, otherwise she would not have been able to bravely express her feelings when faced with Jiang Li's provocation. However, this was because Jiang Li was standing in the position of an observer at that time.

If she truly had feelings for Xue Huai, how could a plaque bestowed by the emperor compare to the emperor's most beloved princess?
This is not a problem that can be solved simply by being mentally strong.

Shen Qingluan tried her best to maintain her composure. Xu Zhiwei, standing to the side, took in the undercurrents in the room and felt a surge of pity for Shen Qingluan. However, her position was even more awkward, and speaking rashly at this moment would only backfire.

Just then, Xue Huai's steady voice reached Shen Qingluan's ears.

“Your Highness, the distinction between superiors and inferiors must not be overstepped. If the censors were to hear this, they would surely impeach me for a grave offense of disrespect.”

Xue Huai's response was conventional, but it was enough to calm Shen Qingluan's anxious heart.

Jiang Li looked at Xue Huai meaningfully, feeling a little defeated, but she knew that taking it too seriously would only make things awkward for both of them. So she smiled and said casually, "I was just joking, why are you so nervous? Let's get down to business, what do you plan to do with these thieves?"

Seeing that she was trying to change the subject, Xue Huai calmly replied, "Your Highness, based on the two ambushes last night, I have determined that a group of cultists are hiding behind Jimintang. Now that Liu Ying and the others have been captured, I will continue to implement a policy of outward leniency and inward vigilance. On the one hand, I will continue to investigate the source and destination of Jimintang's money, and on the other hand, I will try to get Liu Ying and the others to talk as soon as possible, so as to find out where the core figures of the cult are hiding."

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "That's quite appropriate. I'm a little tired. Have someone take all the thieves to the government office to be imprisoned, and send me back while you're at it."

Where to go back?

Xue Huai didn't ask, so Jiang Li could only return to his official residence.

"Your subject obeys the order."

Xue Huai bowed calmly.

Jiang Li glanced to the side, ignoring Xu Zhiwei whose presence was fading, and smiled at Shen Qingluan, saying, "Miss Shen, I admire you very much, and I hope you can remember what I just said."

Shen Qingluan bowed gracefully and said, "This humble woman will obey Your Highness's command." Jiang Li then stepped outside.

Xue Huai did not follow immediately. He instructed Shen Qingluan, "Qingluan, Miss Xu will have to stay at Shen Garden for a while longer. Please take good care of her."

"Ah."

Shen Qingluan obediently agreed, and then whispered, "Brother, His Highness meant no harm. He was just encouraging me. Please don't take it to heart."

Looking into the girl's clear and bright eyes, Xue Huai couldn't help but smile gently and nodded, saying, "I understand."

Shen Qingluan stared intently at his departing figure, then murmured to Xu Zhiwei, who had come to her side, "Sister Xu, what do you think His Highness intends to do?"

Xu Zhiwei understood what she was worried about. After thinking for a moment, she said seriously, "It doesn't matter what Your Highness wants to do. I think as long as Lord Xue is here, you don't need to worry."

Shen Qingluan laughed upon hearing this, then turned her head and stared at Xu Zhiwei's profile with a slightly strange look in her eyes.

……

About half an hour later, in the study of the magistrate's residence.

Is this the end of the matter?

Jiang Li sat down at Xue Huai's desk without any hesitation, and enthusiastically flipped through the files he had reviewed.

"This is just the beginning."

Xue Huai sat on the lower chair, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Let's not even talk about whether Liu Ying and the others are tough or not. Even if we can pry her open her mouth, I'm afraid a whole bunch of names will come out afterward, just like stirring up a hornet's nest."

According to the information Ye Qing found, this cult hidden behind Jimintang not only had connections with local governments in many parts of Jiangnan, but also had close ties with the powerful and complex Canal Gang, which shows how powerful it was.

Jiang Li solemnly reminded him: "No matter what, you must promptly report every new discovery to the Emperor. Only in this way can you remain invincible. Never act on your own initiative."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Of course."

"Unfortunately, I can't stay in Yangzhou for too long, so I won't be able to help you anymore."

Jiang Li observed Xue Huai's reaction and, seeing that he did not show any reluctance, she couldn't help but frown slightly and say, "Hey, you really don't want me to stay?"

Xue Huai said in a serious tone, "If Your Highness did not have the important task of praying for blessings, I would certainly hope that Your Highness would stay. However, it would be best if Your Highness did not do so, otherwise Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Rites would definitely submit a memorial to impeach you."

Hearing him suddenly mention Zheng Yuan, the Minister of Rites who often caused her trouble, Jiang Li couldn't help but snort and say, "When you return to the central government, remember to teach that old man Zheng a lesson for me."

Xue Huai wisely kept quiet.

Jiang Li had no choice but to change the subject, saying, "Shen Qingluan is really good. She is a capable young lady. You have good taste in choosing this marriage."

Upon hearing this, Xue Huai recalled what had happened at Shen Garden earlier. He coughed lightly and said seriously, "Your Highness, you shouldn't have revealed our relationship to Xu Zhiwei. Although Xu Zhiwei is not a gossipy person, Your Highness should be cautious in everything you do if you are planning for the long term."

Jiang Li asked in surprise, "Are you lecturing me?"

Xue Huai said calmly, "It's just a reminder."

"Humph."

Jiang Li wasn't truly angry. Looking at Xue Huai's solemn face, she suddenly felt a playful urge and said in a sweet voice, "Brother Xue Huai~~"

Xue Huai was horrified.

"Hahaha."

Jiang Li laughed without regard for her image. Ever since that day on the treasure ship, when she was doing such strange things, Xue Huai could no longer maintain his usual calm and dignified image, and she gradually became fond of it.

From Xue Huai's trembling voice at the beginning to Xue Huai's deliberately drawn-out "Brother Xue Huai" now, Jiang Li felt very satisfied looking at Xue Huai's expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Xue Huai took a deep breath and said with a complicated expression, "Your Highness, there is something I have always wanted to say to you, but I have never had the right opportunity. Now I feel that I should say it."

Jiang Li asked curiously, "What did you say?"

“The autumn before last, I accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by His Highness’s guards. When I woke up, His Highness questioned me without any explanation. I almost blurted out my answer. These past few days, His Highness has often teased me. If I continue to keep it to myself, I’m afraid I’ll get sick sooner or later.”

Xue Huai gave a brief explanation, then said very seriously, "Your Highness, please have some self-respect."

Jiang Li was taken aback, then couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

She stood up and walked up to Xue Huai, giving him a sidelong glance before saying leisurely, "How I act is none of your business. I'll settle accounts with you when I'm done with my business in Hangzhou."

Xue Huai was too lazy to argue with her about why they were settling accounts. He stood up and saw her off, saying, "Your Highness, have a safe journey."

Jiang Li turned and glanced at him, then said meaningfully, "Okay."

(End of this chapter)