Prime Minister

Chapter 295, Section 294: [This Feeling Cannot Be Eliminated]

Jiang Li's gaze was fixed on the plain paper in her hand.

The ink on the paper was vigorous and elegant, penetrating the paper and carrying a unique sharpness that she was extremely familiar with. When Xue Huai left the capital, he gave her a poem about apricot blossoms, which she treasured. She even had Su Erniang take it with her on this trip south, and would often take it out to look at it. Therefore, she was extremely familiar with Xue Huai's handwriting and could recognize it at a glance.

"What a beautiful poem..."

Jiang Li murmured to herself that this poem, "Butterfly Loves Flowers," was on par with Xue Huai's original poem about plum blossoms, both of which could be considered masterpieces. While Xue Huai's poem about apricot blossoms was of extremely high quality, it was slightly inferior to these two poems.

She was not a petty person, nor did she care about the quality of these poems; rather, she was deeply moved by the tender and poignant emotions contained in the verses of "Butterfly Loves Flowers."

Especially the last line, "I've grown thin and haggard for her sake," was like a fine needle piercing her heart, bringing a sharp and bitter pain.

Who is "伊"?
The answer is obvious: it is the owner of this study, Xue Huai's rightful fiancée, Shen Qingluan.

Jiang Li stood there quietly, and the elegant atmosphere of the books around her seemed to fade away instantly, leaving only the suddenly dull chirping of cicadas outside the window.

She thought she had already accepted reality, buried that secret stirring deep in her heart, and maintained only a delicate balance between allies and friends.

She also thought she was proud enough to maintain the grace and poise befitting Princess Yun'an in front of Shen Qingluan.

However, the love poem she stumbled upon at this moment was like a cold mirror, reflecting the embers deep within her heart that had not yet been completely extinguished.

Xue Huai respected her, cooperated with her, and occasionally felt helpless and restrained when she teased him. There were even brief clashes that sparked their feelings... But Jiang Li knew in her heart that these were completely different from Xue Huai's feelings for Shen Qingluan.

Perhaps this is life; not being able to get what you want is the most common ending.

Upon thinking of this, Jiang Li fell into a long daze until she was startled awake by the sound of the study door opening.

Shen Qingluan walked in hurriedly, her face full of apology, and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My mother was feeling unwell for a while, and I'm sorry to have kept you waiting—"

Her words abruptly stopped when she noticed the unfolded piece of paper in Jiang Li's hand.

The air inside the room seemed to freeze instantly.

Two blushes instantly rose on Shen Qingluan's fair cheeks, and a clear hint of shyness and embarrassment flashed in her eyes. She stammered, "Your Highness... this..."

Jiang Li lifted her gaze from the paper and landed on Shen Qingluan's face, which was even more beautiful and charming because of her shyness. The bitterness in her heart immediately intensified, like aged plum wine, which was astringent at first, sour in the aftertaste, and finally had an indescribable bitterness.

But she quickly regained her usual composure and asked, "Is the old lady alright?"

Shen Qingluan composed herself, no longer looking at the note in Jiang Li's hand, and replied with her head bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. My mother is fine now, but she is feeling a little unwell due to the hot and humid weather. She will be alright after a short rest."

Jiang Li took two steps forward, slightly raising her right hand that was holding the paper, and said with feeling, "I just accidentally found this wonderful poem in your collection of books, and I was so happy that I was a little lost in thought. This poem blends sorrow with scenery, and its exquisite craftsmanship is evident in its simple description. It can be called a masterpiece of expressing feelings through scenery. I wonder which talented person wrote it?"

Shen Qingluan vaguely felt that Jiang Li had guessed the author of the poem, but seeing her say this, she calmed down a bit and said softly, "Your Highness, this poem was written by Lord Xue."

"So it was him. That makes no surprise. His poem about plum blossoms, which he wrote in the capital, was widely sung and people said he had extraordinary talent. It's just a pity that he hasn't published any new works since."

Jiang Li glanced at the paper in her hand again and sighed, "If this poem, 'Butterfly Loves Flowers,' could be circulated, his reputation as a talented person would surely rise even higher."

Shen Qingluan smiled calmly and said, "Your Highness, I also asked Lord Xue, but he said he did not want to be burdened by fame and instructed me not to spread this."

Jiang Li watched her with great interest until Shen Qingluan lowered her head slightly, then she said meaningfully, "Fame? In my opinion, the reason why Xue Tongzhi does not want others to see this poem is mostly because it is sincere and poignant. Miss Shen, Xue Tongzhi truly has deep feelings for you."

Shen Qingluan remained calm and said frankly, "Your Highness is too kind. Lord Xue is naturally a very good person."

"Extremely kind to people?"

Jiang Li repeated these four words, her smile seeming to deepen, but her eyes held little warmth: "Yes, Xue Tongzhi has his own methods of dealing with people, and he always leaves a deep impression. I do like this poem, but it is a gift from Xue Tongzhi to Miss Shen, so please accept it."

She slowly handed the note back.

Shen Qingluan reached out and took it, then turned and put it into the box on the multi-treasure pavilion. She then walked to the table, poured a cup of fresh tea, and said to Jiang Li, "Your Highness, please have some tea."

Jiang Li followed the instructions and sat down at the table. She watched the emerald green tea ripple in the white jade cup, then looked at Shen Qingluan sitting opposite her and asked, "Miss Shen, your engagement with Xue Tongzhi is already arranged. Do you have any concerns?"

"concern?"

Shen Qingluan was taken aback, raised her eyes, and looked at Jiang Li with some confusion.

"Ah."

Jiang Li took a sip of tea, her posture elegant, and slowly said, "In this salt and grain transport dispute, Xue Tongzhi seems to have won a great victory, but in reality, he has touched the interests of countless people, and can be said to be at the center of the vortex. Although the grain transport office has suffered a setback for the time being, a centipede does not die easily. The forces behind it are deeply rooted, not to mention those in the court who are wary or even hostile to Xue Tongzhi because of the proposal to reform the grain transport system... His future path is destined to be bumpy."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingluan fell into deep thought and did not rush to give a response.

Seeing this, Jiang Li asked even more bluntly, "Marrying him means that you will face these storms with him, share honor and disgrace, and depend on each other for life and death. Moreover, your Shen family will also be involved. Miss Shen, are you afraid?" She gazed at Shen Qingluan's face, as if trying to see a trace of hesitation or doubt, but a serene smile appeared on Shen Qingluan's face.

“Your Highness has said something that Qingluan has considered. Lord Xue is a sharp sword with its edge fully exposed, destined to cut through thorns, and also destined to attract covetousness and hidden arrows. As his betrothed, Qingluan knows that she is not very talented and learned, and is afraid that she will not be able to share his burdens in the struggles of the court and the ways of power.”

Shen Qingluan met Jiang Li's scrutiny with an increasingly firm yet gentle tone: "But Qingluan also knows that Lord Xue is by no means a reckless person. He takes every step with caution, as if walking on thin ice or facing an abyss. What he seeks is not the wealth and status of one person, but the smooth flow of trade routes in Lianghuai, the elimination of the long-standing problems of the Grand Canal, and a more peaceful life for the people of Jiangnan."

"He chose this path, chose to shoulder this heavy responsibility, so perhaps all Qingluan can do is to guard this small corner of the world behind him. Let him know that no matter how the road ahead may change, there will always be a light shining for him, and a cup of hot tea warmed for him."

"Your Highness asked Qingluan if he was afraid. Qingluan was only afraid that he was working too hard and that he would face those open and hidden attacks alone. But more than these worries, Qingluan believed that he could overcome all difficulties without fear of danger."

"Qingluan also loves the poem 'Butterfly Loves Flowers' very much. Lord Xue said, 'I will never regret it even if my clothes become loose.' Qingluan also wishes to be like that."

"We will weather the storm together, share joys and sorrows, without complaint or regret."

As she spoke those last five words, Shen Qingluan's cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes remained clear and bright, filled with an unwavering determination.

"No regrets, no resentment..."

Jiang Li gently repeated these five words, her fingers slowly tightening around the teacup.

Shen Qingluan's confession was frank and firm, filled with unreserved trust and support for Xue Huai, and even carried a martyr-like determination.

This affection was pure and intense; in comparison, her own complex emotions, mixed with power struggles, interests, resentment, and secret desires, seemed far less pure.

"What a wonderful statement about having no regrets."

Jiang Li suppressed all her emotions and said sincerely without revealing any flaws on her face, "Miss Shen's affection for Magistrate Xue is truly touching. Magistrate Xue is fortunate to have Miss Shen treat him with such devotion."

Shen Qingluan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As a fellow young lady, how could she not sense Princess Yun'an's hidden feelings for Xue Huai?

She could back down on anything else, but not on this, so she took this opportunity to express her feelings.

Seeing that Jiang Li did not react excessively, she respectfully said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

"The old lady is unwell, so it is inconvenient for me to disturb her any further."

Jiang Li stood up, gazed into Shen Qingluan's eyes, and said, "Miss Shen, please take good care of your mother and cherish the person in front of you."

Shen Qingluan quickly stood up and said, "Your Highness's earnest instructions will be kept in mind by Qingluan."

Jiang Li nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to walk out the door.

Su Erniang had already been quietly standing under the eaves. When she saw the princess come out, she immediately opened an elegant oil-paper umbrella.

Before I knew it, a fine drizzle began to fall outside, like smoke and mist, enveloping Shen Garden in a hazy, poetic atmosphere.

Jiang Li strode forward, and Shen Qingluan took the umbrella from Yun'er and personally escorted Jiang Li to her residence.

During this time, Jiang Li stayed in a side courtyard of the East Garden. Shen Qingluan originally wanted to invite her to stay in the main house, but Jiang Li did not accept. For her, such a small matter was not worth the trouble.

Inside the room, Jiang Li stood by the window, gazing at the misty courtyard outside, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her sleeves.

Xue Huai was heartbroken and unrepentant for Shen Qingluan, but what was she to him? A powerful intruder into his life, a passerby with ulterior motives and hidden agendas? A princess from whom he had to always maintain proper decorum as a subject to a ruler, forever separated by an insurmountable chasm?
Perhaps... she shouldn't have had so many concerns in the first place.

The sound of rain outside the window seemed to have intensified.

Su Erniang looked at Jiang Li with concern. She saw that Jiang Li's long eyelashes cast a small shadow under her eyelids, and her tightly pursed lips revealed an indescribable loneliness and stubbornness.

"wrong."

After a long while, Jiang Li parted her lips slightly and uttered two words almost in a murmur.

Su Erniang couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what is wrong?"

Jiang Li didn't answer, but asked softly, "Second Aunt, when will the fleet arrive in Yangzhou?"

Su Erniang thought for a moment and replied, "At most three days."

"It's time to go back to Beijing."

Jiang Li stretched out her fair, jade-like hand towards the window, feeling the cool raindrops. A faint smile curved her lips as she said, "Second Madam, go and tell Xue Huai that I would like to travel around Yangzhou in a few days. Please ask him to make time for me, but please don't make a big fuss. Just the two of us will be fine."

Looking at her profile, Su Erniang sighed silently and could only reply, "Yes, Your Highness."

(End of this chapter)