Prime Minister

Chapter 245, Section 244: [Never Let Down]

Outside Tingyu Pavilion, Yun'er paced back and forth on the corridor, her hands clasped together, her face full of distress.

Just now, Madam Du instructed her to take good care of the young lady, and Yun'er understood what she meant.

Although the Xue and Shen families have already arranged a marriage, they have only reached the second step of asking names. There are still a lot of rituals to follow, so the two young people should still pay attention to etiquette and not get too close. Du Shi is not worried that Xue Huai will break the rules. She naturally trusts the Xue family's upbringing and Xue Huai's character. On the contrary, Luan'er is actually very bold at heart.

As Shen Qingluan's most trusted personal maid, Yun'er wholeheartedly agreed with her mistress's judgment. Beneath the young lady's dignified and gentle exterior lay a resolute heart; otherwise, she wouldn't have resolutely gone north two years ago.

However, when she brought Shen Qingluan to Tingyuxuan, she solemnly instructed her not to disturb her without being summoned.

How to do it?

Yun'er stopped in her tracks, staring at the tightly closed door of Ya Xuan, her face contorted with worry.

"Sister Yun'er?"

Another head maid, Liangyan, walked over and looked at Yun'er, who seemed lost in thought, with some curiosity.

Yun'er quickly gestured for her to speak softly, then stared at Liangyan for a moment before exclaiming with delight, "You've come at the perfect time! Do me a favor!"

Xue Huai, who was inside the room, was naturally unaware of the situation outside, and even if he did, he would not care at the moment.

Shen Qingluan's lips were soft, carrying a fresh fragrance like a hundred flowers blooming after a spring rain, making one linger.

It was a kiss that was both extremely gentle and extremely restrained. Xue Huai did not ask for anything deeper, but it was enough to make Shen Qingluan feel weak all over and her heart tremble.

After an unknown amount of time, Xue Huai finally stepped back a little.

He looked at Shen Qingluan, whose eyes were slightly closed and whose cheeks were flushed, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Qingluan."

Shen Qingluan slowly opened her eyes and met Xue Huai's affectionate gaze. A belated blush overwhelmed her like a tsunami.

"Just now... just now..."

The girl stammered, her eyes darting around, but she dared not look at Xue Huai again.

She is indeed a very opinionated and decisive person, but the intimate contact just now had crossed the line, almost turning her mind into mush, and she was still a little dizzy.

Seeing her so embarrassed and ashamed, Xue Huai felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Just as Shen Qingluan was about to give up, he reached out and pulled her into his arms. Without any extra movements, he simply held her gently and tightly.

Shen Qingluan pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and feeling the affection enveloping her entire body, and gradually relaxed.

The two embraced quietly like that.

Xue Huai's fingers caressed a strand of her dark hair hanging down her back, the silky, cool touch encircling his fingers as if it were entwining his heart.

After a moment, he said softly, "I also really like your gift."

Shen Qingluan looked up at him, a look of confusion in her eyes: "Huh? What gift?"

She did prepare a gift for Xue Huai, a set of study utensils that she had made by hand over more than half a year, including an embroidered pine and bamboo patterned pen curtain, a sandalwood inkstone screen, and a plain brocade book cover, which she planned to give to him after the luncheon.

Therefore, she did not understand the meaning of the gift Xue Huai mentioned.

Xue Huai pointed to his cheek, referring to her earlier act of offering a kiss.

Shen Qingluan's face, which had just faded from its blush, became burning hot again. She raised her hand and lightly punched him, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed: "Don't mention it!"

Xue Huai laughed loudly, then grabbed her hand and stared intently at her: "If you don't want to mention it, then call me 'husband' and let me hear it?"

Shen Qingluan's heart skipped a beat, and she imitated his manner, clearing her throat, putting on a serious face, and saying in a solemn tone, "Lord Xue!"

Xue Huai raised an eyebrow.

Shen Qingluan glanced at the hand he held in his palm and said leisurely, "My lord, you treat a common woman so lightly, aren't you afraid of being impeached by the imperial censors— um!"

Her words were cut off by Xue Huai.

This time, it won't be a half-hearted attempt.

Shen Qingluan felt a buzzing sound in her mind, as if a dazzling firework had exploded.

She passively endured Xue Huai's gentle yet firm exploration, her body nestled obediently in his arms, like a vine that had finally found something to cling to.

If the previous time was merely a brief, intimate moment, this time it was a passionate, fiery affair.

Faced with Xue Huai's unusual assertiveness, Shen Qingluan responded awkwardly and shyly.

Xue Huai hugged her tighter and tighter, almost as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

Fortunately, he had not forgotten where he was, nor had he forgotten that Shen Qingluan was still an innocent young girl.

When their lips parted, both of them were breathing somewhat erratically.

Shen Qingluan was breathing slightly, her eyelashes were moist and her red lips were delicate, like flower petals covered with morning dew.

Xue Huai suddenly felt a pang of regret. He had indeed acted impulsively and was no longer as calm and composed as usual. However, upon further reflection, he realized that he and she were in love and their marriage was arranged, so why should he pretend to be old-fashioned?
Once Shen Qingluan had calmed down, Xue Huai took her hand and led her to the table. Looking at the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers" with its ink already dried, he asked gently, "Qingluan, do you really like this poem?"

Shen Qingluan's face was still flushed, but her eyes were clear and firm. She nodded earnestly and said, "I like it! I like it very, very much!" Xue Huai smiled and said, "If you like it, I will continue to write for you in the future."

"Ok!"

Shen Qingluan looked into Xue Huai's eyes, her gaze filled with trust and love.

Xue Huai still has many famous works in his memory. If he were to copy them out continuously, coupled with his current extensive knowledge, his reputation in the literary world would surely far surpass his official reputation. This is the root cause of why he has not published any new works in the past year.

For an ambitious official, excessive literary fame is a double-edged sword. While it can make him famous in a very short time, it can easily make people overlook his actual achievements in his official duties.

Shen Qingluan hadn't thought that far ahead. Suddenly, she remembered something and looked at Xue Huai curiously, asking, "Brother Huai, besides me, have you ever given any poems to anyone else?"

Before Xue Huai could answer, she continued, "That poem doesn't count. I know it wasn't written for that courtesan in the capital."

Looking into her bright eyes, Xue Huai said frankly, "I wrote a poem for Princess Yun'an to express my gratitude. If you—"

"It's alright, Brother Huai."

Shen Qingluan said softly, "I understand your feelings and I know what kind of relationship you have with Her Highness the Princess. If she wants to ask you for lyrics again in the future, just agree. There is no need to ask for my opinion."

Xue Huai was quite moved because the girl was so sincere, and he couldn't help but admire her, saying, "Alright, I will follow Madam's arrangements."

Shen Qingluan exclaimed, "Oh!"

Just then, Yun'er's cautious voice came from outside: "Lord Xue, Miss."

Shen Qingluan quickly moved away from Xue Huaiyuan, hurriedly straightening the wrinkles in her clothes, then took a deep breath and said, "Come in."

Yun'er, carrying Liang Yan, each carried a red lacquered tray, on which were placed delicate pastries and a pot of freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea.

The two were in almost identical postures, both blushing and looking down, clearly aware of the intimate atmosphere in the room.

Yun'er's voice was tense as she respectfully said, "Madam asked me to bring some snacks, saying that Lord Xue has been busy all morning and he would like to have something to eat first."

Shen Qingluan appeared calm, but she knew her two personal maids too well; how could she not know what they were thinking at that moment?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but glare at Xue Huai with a mixture of shyness and reproach.

Xue Huai remained calm and said gently to the two head maids, "Thank you for your trouble, please put it down."

"Yes."

Yun'er quickly placed the snacks and tableware on the table to the side, still not daring to look up. She said to Shen Qingluan, "Miss, Madam said that lunch is being prepared in front. Please move over with Lord Xue in a moment."

Without waiting for Shen Qingluan's response, he bowed and took his leave, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

The room fell silent.

Shen Qingluan covered her face and sat down at the table, sighing, "It's over, they're definitely going to make fun of me this time..."

Xue Huai couldn't help but chuckle. He sat down next to her, picked up a pastry with his chopsticks, placed it on the plate in front of her, and said with a smile, "Fill your stomach first, then you can think about how to shut the maids up when you have the energy."

He should have kept quiet, because once he did, the image of his domineering behavior from earlier flashed through Shen Qingluan's mind, leaving her with no choice but to bury her face in her arms like an ostrich.

Xue Huai stopped urging him and ate the exquisite pastries from Shen Garden on his own, praising them sincerely from time to time.

As he turned his head, he saw the girl next to him quietly raise half of her face and secretly look at him.

The two smiled at each other. Shen Qingluan couldn't keep up the act any longer. Just then, Xue Huai used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of lotus seed pastry and handed it to her. She obediently opened her mouth and ate it.

Xue Huai naturally picked up a plain white silk handkerchief from the side and wiped the oil stains from her lips, then poured a cup of tea and placed it beside her.

Shen Qingluan enjoyed his care with sweetness and contentment.

The two enjoyed tea and snacks while chatting about trivial matters.

"Qingluan."

Xue Huai understood the meaning behind Yun'er's words before she left. It was one thing for him to lose control of his emotions earlier, since he had always been cautious since he came to this world, and he would only relax a little in front of the woman he liked. But everything has its limits, and he could not damage Shen Qingluan's reputation before her marriage.

He gazed into the girl's clear eyes and slowly said, "From today onwards, our status is set. After the betrothal ceremony, the wedding date won't be too far off."

"Ah."

Shen Qingluan did not dodge. Perhaps because that intimate contact had completely eliminated the distance between them, she said with a slightly shy but very serious tone, "Brother Huai, I will wait patiently, waiting to be your... bride."

"it is good."

Xue Huai smiled and said, "Shall we go over there?"

Shen Qingluan said, "You go first, I'll go change my clothes."

Xue Huai had no objection, so he got up and left first.

Shen Qingluan walked slowly to the table, stared intently at the writing on the paper, and then carefully folded it up and put it into her sleeve as if it were a precious treasure.

"Shen Qingluan, you must also strive to become more capable, so that you don't become a burden to him in the future!"

(End of this chapter)