Prime Minister

Chapter 244, Section 243: [Today is a good day to be bold]

Seeing Shen Qingluan's reaction, Du felt both sweet and bitter. She then took out a card wrapped in red silk and handed it to Zhang, saying, "This is my daughter Qingluan's betrothal letter. Please trouble the matchmaker."

With a beaming smile, Zhang accepted the gifts with both hands and announced loudly, "The ceremony is complete! The Xue family accepts the betrothal, and the Shen family accepts! The betrothal gifts are signed by both parties, and we await an auspicious date!"

The hall was immediately filled with a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

Xue Mingding clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent, excellent! Today is truly the beginning of double happiness! It is a great fortune for the Xue family that Jingche has found such a wonderful wife!"

The guests on both sides offered their congratulations. Four famous scholars from the capital praised Shen Qingluan for her beauty and intelligence, while several elders of the Shen family praised Xue Huai as a young hero.

Amidst the profusion of flowers, Shen Qingluan glanced at Xue Huai discreetly. Suddenly, she saw him give her a meaningful look, and her heart skipped a beat, her ears turning slightly red.

In fact, today's ceremony had little to do with her. The reason she dressed up for the occasion was simply to let the Xue family, led by Xue Mingding, see for themselves, as it was a matter of courtesy for the Shen family.

Now that the ceremony is complete, she can naturally take her leave.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingluan coughed lightly and whispered something to Madam Du, who was sitting next to her.

As an experienced woman, Madam Du could guess the reason from her daughter's expression. She didn't object to the two young people getting to know each other better before marriage, but seeing Shen Qingluan's heart completely devoted to Xue Huai, she couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.

She did not object, but whispered a message to Yun'er, who was standing to the side, and told her to help Shen Qingluan leave.

At this moment, Xue Mingding was chatting with Shen Bingwen about the sights and sounds of Yangzhou, and the guests on both sides joined in, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.

A moment later, Xue Huai rose to excuse himself, saying he had something to attend to and needed to leave temporarily. The prominent figures from the capital and the elders of the Shen family all knew that this young man was no ordinary junior, but rather a powerful official in Yangzhou. He had come today to give the Shen family ample face, and it was impossible for him to sit there listening to their idle chatter forever, so they immediately rose to see him off.

Xue Mingding glanced at Xue Huai with a half-smile. He had already noticed that Shen Qingluan was not here. The reason for Xue Huai's temporary departure was self-evident. However, seeing that the Shen couple were happy to see this, he, as the host, would certainly not spoil the mood.

After leaving the main hall, Xue Huai, led by two stewards of the Shen family, headed straight for the depths of Shen Garden.

Outside Tingyu Pavilion, Yun'er and another head maid respectfully bowed and said, "Lord Xue."

Xue Huai nodded in acknowledgment and then stepped into the pavilion.

Having already heard the commotion outside, Shen Qingluan stood obediently, smiling at Xue Huai.

Xue Huai looked up and saw her dressed in a bright red brocade robe, as dazzling as the sunset. The golden phoenix with kingfisher feathers seemed to be taking flight, and the birds on her skirt seemed to come alive in the soft indoor light.

She looked up and smiled, the hibiscus hairpin on her forehead making her eyes and brows sparkle.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, yet the gentle, clear light in her eyes prevented her from losing any of her charm despite the elaborate dress and makeup.

"Brother Huai, is it pretty?"

Perhaps because her excitement had subsided slightly, or perhaps because Xue Huai's silent reassurance had taken effect, Shen Qingluan asked Xue Huai for his opinion rather eagerly after taking her seat.

You look even more beautiful than a fairy today.

Xue Huai nodded seriously, then changed the subject and said, "Qingluan, you still call me Brother Huai?"

"Ok?"

Shen Qingluan looked at him curiously.

Xue Huai laughed and said, "We're already engaged, shouldn't we change how we address each other?"

Shen Qingluan clearly hadn't expected this response, and feigning ignorance, she asked, "Then how should I address you?"

Xue Huai said in a serious tone, "Call me 'husband' and let me hear it."

"husband--"

Shen Qingluan's eyes sparkled, and she smiled gently, saying, "No way, we're not married yet!"

Xue Huai blinked and asked, "Really don't want it?"

Shen Qingluan knew he was teasing her on purpose, so she smiled and said, "I'm willing to change how I address you, but Brother Huai has to set a good example."

"It's not simple yet."

Xue Huai cleared his throat, sat up straight, and said solemnly, "My lady!"

Shen Qingluan was taken aback. Looking at Xue Huai's rigid, old-fashioned demeanor, she couldn't help but lean on the table and laugh.

A sweet feeling welled up in her heart.

Xue Huai was always calm and reserved. In front of the world, he was the Yangzhou Tongzhi, a man of imposing authority. Officials at both the prefectural and county levels would show him great respect upon hearing his name.

Now, throughout Yangzhou, no one, whether official or gentry, dares to outwardly comply with his wishes while inwardly defying him.

But he never puts on airs in front of her, and the way he jokes around like this just to make her happy is something outsiders would probably never see.

After the laughter subsided, Shen Qingluan did not immediately call out that name, and Xue Huai did not mind.

He ate a delicate pastry, took a sip of tea, and then sighed with satisfaction, "By now, the Jing'an Division should have already escorted the wanted rebels onto the official ship."

Shen Qingluan also composed herself and asked with concern, "Brother Huai, is that governor of the Grand Canal really connected with the demonic cult?"

“It’s impossible to confirm at this time.”

Xue Huai's gaze narrowed slightly as he slowly said, "I hope Jiang Jizhou is not involved. This has nothing to do with political views or stance; it's simply because his position is too crucial. If even the Grand Canal Transport Commissioner has been corrupted and won over by the heretical sect, the court will inevitably face a terrifying earthquake, and even Grand Secretary Ning will not be able to remain uninvolved."

After more than a year of experience, Shen Qingluan had gained some understanding of the power struggles within the imperial court, and she knew about the grudges and entanglements between the Ning faction and Xue Huai in the court.

The situation may seem calm at the moment, but if Xue Huai makes a single wrong move, the high-ranking officials of the Ning Party will certainly not let him and his mentor Shen Wang off the hook. Thinking of this, Shen Qingluan couldn't help but say cautiously, "Brother Huai, if the Chief Minister of Ning continues to hold the position of Grand Secretary, he will definitely not allow you to have a smooth journey ahead."

Xue Huai turned to look at her, not blaming or mocking the girl, but patiently and meticulously explaining, "Everyone in officialdom will have enemies, from the Grand Secretary to a lowly ninth-rank official. This is not something that can be changed by human effort. Some people will stop at nothing for power and status, but I cannot do that. For the past year or so, I may have seemed to be enjoying great success, but in reality, all my actions have been limited to certain areas. I can act freely within this circle, but I cannot disregard the overall situation and act recklessly."

Shen Qingluan pondered carefully, then said softly, "The circle drawn for you by the Emperor?"

"clever."

Xue Huai praised him and then said, "The Emperor is very satisfied with Chief Minister Ning. Although it is widely rumored in the court and among the people that the Ning faction is powerful, and many Ning faction officials have indeed committed crimes and been arrested in the past two years, this still cannot shake Chief Minister Ning's position in the Emperor's heart."

Shen Qingluan shook her head honestly and said, "I don't understand."

"Because Chief Minister Ning is not the leader of the Ning Party."

Xue Huai recalled the few words Shen Wang had said and sighed, "Prime Minister Ning always knew his place. He was the Grand Secretary of the Great Yan and a trusted advisor to the Emperor. Neither the Minister of Works Xue Minglun nor the Vice Minister of Rites Yue Zhongming pleaded for them before the Emperor. That is the reason why he has been able to remain in power."

"I see."

Shen Qingluan sighed softly, then said solemnly, "Brother Huai, you must be more careful from now on."

Xue Huai agreed.

In fact, there were some things he didn't say explicitly, such as why he personally took action against the Xuan Yuan Sect.

This matter had nothing to do with Xu Zhiwei. He wanted to find out the details of the Grand Canal Administration and the Grand Canal Gang, which was extremely important to his deep-seated blueprint.

Investigating the Lianghuai Salt Case was merely his way of proving his abilities to the emperor; establishing a salt industry association and even other industry associations was what he valued most. The Shen family's Guangtai Company was the lifeblood he would rely on in the future, and the next step was naturally to get involved in the behemoth that was the Grand Canal.

The reason I didn't tell Shen Qingluan these things was partly because I didn't want her to worry unnecessarily, and partly because I was afraid she would misunderstand and think that this marriage was for my own benefit.

"Qingluan, thank you."

Xue Huai smiled slightly, then said gently, "I have another gift for you."

Shen Qingluan asked in surprise, "There's another gift?"

"Although you never said it, I heard Yun'er mention it once. You really like the poem about plum blossoms that I wrote, and you often recite it in private."

Xue Huai stood up and walked towards the large table by the window, and said with a smile, "If you don't mind, I would like to give you a new poem today as a gift for our engagement."

Shen Qingluan blushed slightly, silently praising Yun'er in her heart. She then got up and came to Xue Huai's side, saying generously, "Brother Huai, let me grind the ink for you!"

Xue Huai readily agreed.

The two stood side by side in front of the desk, and Xue Huai picked up his brush and finished the work in one stroke.

Shen Qingluan's gentle gaze fell on the paper, and after only a few glances, she couldn't help but read it aloud softly.

"I stand leaning against the high tower, the wind is gentle, I gaze into the distance and spring sorrow rises darkly on the horizon."

"Amidst the fading sunlight and the misty grass, who can understand the unspoken thoughts of one leaning on the railing?"

"I intend to indulge in unrestrained revelry and get drunk, singing and drinking, but forced joy is tasteless."

"I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her sake."

She stared intently at the elegant handwriting on the paper, savoring it for a long time, then tilted her head slightly to look at Xue Huai and asked, "Brother Huai, what is the name of this poem?"

Meeting her tender gaze, Xue Huai slowly said, "This poem is called 'Butterfly Loves Flowers'—"

"not regret."

Upon hearing those two words, Shen Qingluan's eyes welled up with tears.

Suddenly, she tiptoed, placed her hands on Xue Huai's broad shoulders, and, to his slightly surprised surprise, lightly kissed his cheek with her red lips, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Instantly separate.

Shen Qingluan quickly shrank back, her face instantly turning crimson, even her small earlobes were stained with a bright red.

"Qingluan."

Xue Huai called out softly, his voice trembling slightly due to restraint.

He reached out and gently lifted Shen Qingluan's smooth chin, forcing her to look him in the eye.

The room was as quiet as night, but my heart was pounding like a drum.

Looking into Shen Qingluan's shy and timid eyes, Xue Huai opened his arms and embraced her, then leaned down and gently kissed her cool lips.

Shen Qingluan's body tensed up immediately, but when she realized that Xue Huai did not make any further moves, she slowly relaxed and moved closer to him little by little.

This was the boldest move she had ever made in her life.

But as he said, he has no regrets.

……

……

(Three chapters have been updated today, and three chapters were also updated yesterday. The two chapters owed from the 12th have been made up. Thank you for your understanding.)
(End of this chapter)