Prime Minister

Chapter 241, Section 240: [Two Flowers Bloom]

As soon as Li Shun finished speaking, Xue Huai's teacup trembled slightly, and a few drops of light brown tea splashed onto the rosewood desk.

He subconsciously looked out the window. The warm sunlight of late spring in March shone through the window frame, casting interplay of light and shadow on the blue brick floor, reflecting the complex emotions surging within him.

In the past few months, he has been busy with the new policies and has been held back by Jimintang and Xuanyuan Sect, so he has had very little time to think about his life's most important matter.

Now that the people sent by his mother, Cui, to propose marriage have finally arrived in Yangzhou, he has temporarily extricated himself from the complex vortex. The image of Shen Qingluan's sweet smile appears in his mind, and he can't help but feel a little dazed for a moment.

"Who was sent? When will they arrive?"

Xue Huai's voice was not very calm, only the crisp clinking sound when he put down his teacup revealed his inner turmoil.

Li Shun hurriedly replied, "It's the Second Master of the clan, carrying a personal letter from the Old Madam and betrothal gifts, along with several respectable old friends. The Old Madam also specially invited an official matchmaker. The boat had just docked and the gifts were being unloaded when the messenger said that the Second Master would be coming to the government office to pay his respects to the young master immediately!"

Xue Huai remained silent for a moment.

The second master mentioned by Li Shun was named Xue Mingding. According to the clan's seniority, Xue Mingzhang and Xue Mingding were cousins ​​who shared the same grandfather but different fathers. Xue Huaide could call him uncle. This blood connection was much closer than that between him and Xue Minglun.

Xue Mingding was a man of broad-mindedness and great reputation, and was also the oldest among his peers. It was naturally most appropriate for Cui to ask him to be the master of ceremonies at the wedding.

"Prepare the horses, let's go to the dock."

Xue Huai stood up, his official robes stirring a gentle breeze.

"Yes! I'll go right away!"

Li Shun responded loudly and ran out in a flash.

About fifteen minutes later, at the Dongguan Wharf in Yangzhou.

A cargo boat with a lantern bearing the character "Xue" was particularly eye-catching. As soon as the planks were set up, an elderly man with gray hair but vigorous spirit, dressed in a dark brown brocade robe, led several healthy servants down. Beside him were four middle-aged men with refined manners.

The old man was Xue Mingding, who immediately spotted Xue Huai approaching with his entourage.

"Nephew Huai greets Uncle!"

Xue Huai came to a stop five steps in front of Xue Mingding and bowed deeply.

Looking at Xue Huai, who was only twenty years old but already possessed the air of a high-ranking official, Xue Mingding quickly returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, and then helped Xue Huai up by the arm, saying, "Jing Che, rise quickly! You are now an official appointed by the court, how can you bend your back so easily?"

Xue Huai then took a step back and performed the family ceremony again, saying, "Although the etiquette of the officialdom is important, filial piety and brotherly love are the foundation of human relations, and I dare not forget them."

Xue Mingding's eyes welled up with tears. He looked Xue Huai up and down and saw that he was as upright as a pine tree. He was greatly pleased and said, "Jing Che is becoming more and more successful. He is indeed the pillar of our Xue family! I have come south with full courtesy this time. I must make sure that this great event is handled in a grand manner. We cannot let Miss Shen down, and we cannot lose face for the Xue family!"

Then he introduced the four scholars who were traveling with Xue Huai. These people had a good relationship with him and Xue Mingzhang and were all famous scholars in the capital. Although they were not officials, such a lineup still showed that the Xue family valued Shen Qingluan.

Xue Huai then greeted everyone one by one.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Huai led Xue Mingding toward the carriage and said with a smile, "I have already arranged for a house to stay in, which is not far from the official residence. Uncle, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest for a couple of days before going to Shen Garden?"

Xue Mingding readily agreed.

Xue Huai then looked to the side and said to Li Shun, who had come closer, "Go to Shen Garden now and tell him that an important person from the Xue family in the capital has arrived in Yangzhou. I will personally lead him there to pay a visit to Uncle Shen in three days. Please ask Miss Shen to be prepared as well."

"Yes, Master."

Li Shunxin understood immediately and turned to leave.

……

Shen Garden, East Garden.

Shen Qingluan was playing chess with Xu Zhiwei.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces alternated. Shen Qingluan, playing white, made her moves rather slowly, clearly not focused on the game.

Ever since that day when the undercurrents stirred in the warm pavilion, Jiang Li's affectionate "There's no need for formalities between us" and Xue Huai's composed "There is a difference between superiors and inferiors" have been like two invisible threads, repeatedly intertwining in her heart.

Xue Huai left in a hurry, and she only had time to say that she was fine and that he didn't need to worry. However, Jiang Li's attitude towards her was clearly scrutinizing.

With Xue Huai around, Shen Qingluan wasn't afraid of what Jiang Li would do to the Shen family. However, the princess's true feelings were gradually being revealed, perhaps without her even realizing it. Shen Qingluan didn't want her to find out, because it would pose a great threat to her.

A young girl's feelings are always so full of uncertainty and anxiety.

Xu Zhiwei gently placed a black stone in the center position, raised her eyes and quietly looked at the girl opposite her who was somewhat distracted, a hint of understanding appearing in her eyes.

Outside the window, the spring sunshine was bright and the birds chirped sweetly, but it couldn't dispel the slight sorrow between Shen Qingluan's brows.

"Qingluan."

Xu Zhiwei's gentle voice broke the silence: "When one's mind is elsewhere, the game loses its true meaning. Are you still bothered by that prince?"

Shen Qingluan paused with her fingertip on a white piece, which landed on the edge of the chessboard with a soft sound.

She withdrew her hand somewhat awkwardly, forcing a smile, "Sister is joking. Her Highness is of noble status, what is there for me to mind?" Despite her words, her lack of confidence was obvious.

The plaque inscribed "Yangzhou Righteous Merchants" bestowed by the emperor himself gave her the right to stand beside Xue Huai, but compared to true members of the imperial family, the gap was like a chasm.

Xu Zhiwei noticed her unease and was about to offer some words of comfort when suddenly hurried footsteps came from outside the pavilion.

Yun'er strode in quickly, her face beaming with joy, and said, "Miss, Lord Xue has sent someone to inform you that he will come to Shen Garden to visit Master in three days!"

Shen Qingluan's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly asked, "Do you know what Brother Xue wants?"

With an excited blush on her face, Yun'er quickly said, "The people sent by Lord Xue said that Old Madam Xue has sent an important person from the capital to Yangzhou. Lord Xue has personally gone to the dock outside the city to welcome him. He will come to Shen Garden in three days. Lord Xue specifically instructed that Miss should also make some preparations."

"Has Madam Xue sent someone?"

Shen Qingluan was momentarily stunned and subconsciously repeated the sentence.

"Yes!"

Yun'er nodded vigorously, her voice rising slightly, and exclaimed excitedly, "Miss, the Xue family is here to propose marriage!"

The words "marriage proposal" exploded in Shen Qingluan's ears like a thunderclap.

She felt a surge of heat rush from her heart to her cheeks, making it hard to breathe, and she unconsciously clenched the handkerchief in her hand.

Overwhelmed with joy and caught off guard, she was caught off guard and didn't know how to react. She just stared blankly at Yun'er, then turned to Xu Zhiwei in a daze. Her bright eyes were instantly covered with tears, a mixture of joy, shyness, and disbelief.

Xu Zhiwei's usually aloof face showed a rare genuine surprise, which quickly turned into a relieved smile.

She gently grasped Shen Qingluan's trembling hand and said sincerely, "Congratulations, sister, your patience has finally paid off."

Shen Qingluan felt as if she could finally breathe again when Xu Zhiwei held her warm hand. Joy overwhelmed all her previous anxiety and bitterness, and tears finally rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

She hurriedly lowered her head to wipe herself with a handkerchief, her voice trembling, "What should I do?"

Seeing Shen Qingluan's tearful and laughing state, completely devoid of her usual composure as the eldest daughter of the Shen family, Xu Zhiwei felt both pity and amusement. She gently patted Shen Qingluan's hand and said softly, "Don't panic, this is a joyous occasion. Lord Xue specifically sent someone to convey a message, asking you to be prepared. This clearly tells you that the Xue family's visit is for the betrothal ceremony. Your father and mother will surely arrange everything perfectly. You just need to wait patiently."

Shen Qingluan's face was still flushed. She slowly smoothed out the wrinkles in the silk handkerchief she had been clutching, her gaze falling on the white piece that had been placed in the wrong position on the chessboard, as if it reflected her earlier state of mind.

She took a deep breath, and her gaze towards Xu Zhiwei held a hint of dependence: "Sister, then... what about myself? What should I prepare? Should I learn some rules?"

Xu Zhiwei suppressed a laugh and gently comforted her, "Rules? Qingluan, you have always been well-mannered and know how to conduct yourself properly. Why do you need to cram at the last minute? In my opinion, Lord Xue asked you to prepare, not to cram for those empty formalities. He wants you to get ready to become the wife of a magistrate, and to be as decisive and confident as ever."

Shen Qingluan listened quietly, and the panic and tension in her heart gradually subsided, replaced by an unprecedented sense of peace and warmth.

"Thank you, Sister Zhiwei."

Shen Qingluan gazed at Xu Zhiwei's face, her voice becoming clear again, filled with gratitude and a sense of relief and lightness, as she continued, "I understand. I will take these three days off and stop thinking about those things. I will wait for Brother Xue in peace."

"That's right, you're a promising young man."

Xu Zhiwei chuckled softly, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the now-disordered chessboard.

The white piece that Shen Qingluan had accidentally dropped on the edge of the chessboard now looked particularly lonely.

A faint trace of loneliness drifted across Xu Zhiwei's eyes like a wisp of smoke.

Seeing Shen Qingluan's overflowing joy, Xu Zhiwei was genuinely happy for her, but at the same time couldn't help but think of Liu Ying, who was imprisoned.

Once upon a time, she also had such a relative, but now she walks alone.

Fortunately, Lord Xue made a promise to her that she could continue to practice medicine and save lives at Jimintang in the future, which gave her some comfort.

Shen Qingluan was unable to sit still, so Xu Zhiwei advised her to go to the courtyard to clear her mind.

As she stood up, Xu Zhiwei gently raised her hand, her sleeve brushing across the chessboard, and gently brushed the scattered chess piece back onto the board, as if brushing away the last bit of dust from her heart.

She stepped outside the pavilion and gazed at the lush green bamboo swaying gracefully in the spring breeze. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled golden light. Standing not far away, Shen Qingluan resembled a budding lotus, about to usher in the most beautiful and splendid bloom of a woman's life.

What about her?
Xu Zhiwei never liked to wallow in self-pity. Even when Liu Ying forced her to commit suicide, she would only silently endure it alone.

At this moment, she felt a pang of envy for Shen Qingluan deep in her heart, but she quickly regained her composure.

Perhaps her path was already destined; Jimintang was her final destination.

If one can practice the way of the healer of the heart, what is wrong with living a solitary life?

……

……

(Three chapters have been updated today.)
(End of this chapter)