Chapter 45 The Prodigal Son: This is the best choice.

Shen Minghuai looked away. "He can protect you."

Wang Yan felt that he was underestimating her. "I can protect myself."

“I know you're not involved in factional strife, yet you've been dragged into this; it's my fault. Go back to your brother Lanzhi's side—”

Wang Yan suddenly sensed something was wrong and covered Shen Minghuai's mouth with her hand, "Do you already know that person's identity?"

Shen Minghuai's gaze wandered, acknowledging her guess, but he did not reveal the person's name.

Could it be the Prince of Wei, who would destroy what he cannot have? But if it were the Prince of Wei, there would be no need for such concealment. Who could possibly warrant such concern from him…? Wang Yan suddenly looked troubled, “Could it be your father—”

“She’s someone from the palace,” Shen Minghuai interrupted her nonsensical speculation.

Among the people in the palace… looking across the entire palace city, she was not as important as one of those nobles’ cats—could it really be Prince Yi?

Why did he want to kill me?

Shen Minghuai also didn't understand why she was doing this. Killing Wang Yan would mean the Shen and Wang families would never be on good terms again, which would be of no benefit to the Shen family or Prince Wei. The one most likely to benefit would be Prince Yi. This was precisely the most illogical part.

"Regardless of the reason, the feud has been formed, and it has nothing to do with you or me from now on," Wang Yan declared resolutely. "I am a person who holds grudges and will never let those who bully the Wang family get away with it."

Shen Minghuai gently took her hand, "This road is not easy to walk."

“I’m not trying to compete for anything. I know that in this world, just because I don’t offend others doesn’t mean they won’t offend me.” Wang Yan looked down at their clasped hands. “I always help my senior brother do chivalrous things. This time, I’m going to follow my heart.”

Shen Minghuai knew he couldn't persuade her otherwise. "You have to promise me that, in order to prevent the situation from happening again, Huaxin will have to stay with you."

Wang Yan readily agreed. Considering the two assassination attempts, he felt compelled to learn more about the current situation. Whenever matters of the court were discussed, Shen Minghuai's brow furrowed.

"So many people covet that position, driven by ambition, desire, and overwhelming power, devoid of any ruthlessness. But even if one doesn't yearn for that position, once one is even slightly tainted by power and profit, there's no going back. No matter how close they were before, they can become enemies in the blink of an eye."

Wang Yan listened to him while pulling his outer robe tighter around his ears, his mind wandering for a moment.

"Some relationships don't change easily, and some people will always stand with you." Shen Minghuai seemed to be making a promise.

Wang Yan snapped out of her daze, looked at him, and forced a smile. "I hope we don't end up like that."

"If one day I am really pushed into that position, you don't need to show mercy." Shen Minghuai wanted to gently pull his hand back, but Wang Yan increased the pressure.

"And what about you?"

"I will see you off."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yan remained silent for a long time.

"Is this the worst option?"

“This is the best option.” Shen Minghuai smoothed her brow. “Although the two sides are on the verge of conflict, it’s not as severe as it seems. What we see now is only the surface and is quite limited. Everything is still undecided, and perhaps the outcome will not be like this.”

Wang Yan had always believed in Shen Minghuai's ability to assess situations, but given that this concerned the struggle for imperial power, would the outcome really change for him, as someone involved?

“I plan to write a letter to my elder brother so that if anyone is deliberately targeting the Wang family, my father and elder brother can take precautions in advance.”

Shen Minghuai noticed the opened letter on the table and casually asked, "How was your trip to the capital?"

Wang Yan smiled and asked in return, "Don't you know the situation in the capital better than I do? Although the last banquet for recruiting talents was suspected of being an attempt by Prince Wei to win people over, Father has long been adept at handling such matters. Princess Yi has been frequently inviting my brother to banquets lately."

"Also, the King of Wei and Lady Shang are getting married soon."

When Liu'er entered the house with an invitation, Wang Zhen's letter mentioned the marriage between King Wei and the Shang family.

"My lord, the Prince of Yi's residence has sent another invitation..."

Wang Zhen paused, his hand holding the large cone pausing, his brow furrowing slightly. "Open it and take a look."

"Tomorrow, Prince Ri's residence will host a tea banquet, and he invites you, my lord, to attend."

Looking up and seeing Liu'er's hesitant expression, Wang Zhen simply asked, "Is something wrong?"

"I just feel that His Highness Prince Yi's favors come a little too frequently..."

Wang Zhen placed the letter in the sealed envelope, neither annoyed nor annoyed. "A favor? It's clearly just choosing a husband for the Xie family's young lady."

Liu'er hurriedly followed Wang Zhen as he went out, "Is my lord going to the post station?"

"No rush, let's go to Qiongju Lane first."

Qiongju Workshop is bustling today. It's said that a new batch of beautiful jade has arrived, and the ladies are all vying to have it made into jewelry, afraid that the best pieces will be chosen by another lady first. It's not uncommon for two ladies to fancy the same piece of jade. To maintain harmony, they first show courtesy and deference; if they truly love it, they can only decide based on their own wealth and friendship.

After alighting from the carriage, Wang Zhen went straight to the second-floor side room, where someone was already waiting. A servant standing nearby pushed open the door, and just then, the innkeeper emerged and bowed to Wang Zhen. The piece of mutton-fat jade in his hand was so striking that all eyes were immediately drawn to it. The innkeeper quickly placed the jade back into the large mahogany box and went to another location.

After the shopkeeper left, a familiar figure lifted the curtain and came into view. Wang Zhen asked Liu'er, "Who is that?"

Liu'er looked closely and said, "They are guards from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion."

The servant had been standing by the door for some time. "Please come in, young master."

Wang Zhen walked to the other side of the table and sat down. "Young Master Shui, when did your esteemed neighborhood acquire such fine mutton-fat jade?"

Taxpayer poured tea and handed it over. "White jade? Lady Wang's birthday just passed, could it be that a happy event is approaching?"

Wang Zhen did not reply, but his dark eyes swept over the person in front of him from bottom to top.

"So serious? Just kidding, don't take it seriously." Shui Li pushed a cup of tea in front of him. "You're not satisfied with that man surnamed Chen, are you? With your standards, is there any other man in the world who would be a good match for your sister?"

Wang Zhen picked up the jade cup. "If she likes it, that's good."

“I don’t know if Madam Wang likes it or not, but that man surnamed Shen probably likes it very much. You saw it just now, the mutton fat jade that the shopkeeper took was sent by that man surnamed Shen to make a pair.” After saying this, Shui Li kept an eye on Wang Zhen’s expression.

Wang Zhen slowly took a sip of tea. "Moon Rabbit Tea?"

“Expert. It was delivered this morning, just in time for the young master to arrive.” Shui Li turned around and took out the box, which was intricately carved with bamboo. “Madam Wang will surely like this hairpin.”

Wang Zhen opened it, glanced at it, and then closed it again. "Understood."

Taxpayer pretended to get up, "Why don't you give some of this tea to the young master?"

"No need." Wang Zhen took the box and walked towards the door.

Taxpayer asked from behind, "Is the capital peaceful these days? You know I don't go out often."

"Good things are coming soon, what do you think, Mr. Tax?"

"Young Master Wang?"

Wang Zhen, who was focused on descending the steps, looked up and said, "Thank you, Madam."

"Young master, do you know me?" Xie Ji's face was filled with undisguised joy.

Wang Zhen replied indifferently, "Recently, the Prince Ri's mansion has been hosting banquets frequently. Even if one is not good at recognizing people, one would not fail to recognize the Xie family's daughter."

Xie Ji still wore that same smile, his gaze falling on the box in Liu'er's arms. "Young master, are you also here to buy jade?"

Wang Zhen stepped down two steps to stand at eye level with her, saying, "This is for my younger sister."

Xie Ji restrained himself from taking a step forward. "I heard that Lady Wang went to Jiangnan to seek medical treatment. Did it go smoothly?"

Wang Zhen gave a slight bow. "My sister is well, thank you for your concern. I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse me."

The figure had long since disappeared from the entrance of Qiongju Fang, and Xie Ji stared at it intently for a long time.

"My lady, everyone has gone far away."

Xie Ji lightly lifted her skirt and descended the steps, her shawl billowing behind her as she leaped up and landed. "Liu'er, he spoke to me."

"Your wife is both beautiful and talented. There are countless noblemen in the capital who wish to see you but cannot. You, my lord, should do the same."

Liu'er followed closely behind Xie Ji. She had just been choosing bamboo weaving customers when she saw Wang Zhen enter Qiongju Workshop from afar. She followed him and waited for a while, just to say a few words to him.

Xie Ji seemed to have heard some vulgar words and spat, "They all stay far away from me because of my temperament, which is not in line with that of a lady from a respectable family! It's only because of the Xie family's social standing that they either seek stability or want to climb the social ladder. Who cares about the affections of these dissolute men?"

The shopkeeper hurriedly came from behind, saying, "Thank you, madam. The jade bracelet hasn't been taken out yet."

Xie Ji waved his hand dismissively, "Next time, I'll get it next time."

As soon as we left Qiongju Lane, there was a commotion ahead, with a large crowd gathered, seemingly watching something exciting.

Liu'er stepped forward and asked a woman, then turned back to inform Xie Ji: "He is an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, to be executed at Wengshi at noon."

"The Assistant Minister of Rites? Why—isn't that Young Master Wang?" Xie Ji strained to peek out from behind the crowd.

Wang Zhen appeared to be among the onlookers, yet maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far from them.

"Minister of Rites? I don't know him."

"It's said he committed a crime—"

"They must have done something wrong! Otherwise, why would they dress like that and parade through the streets in public?"

"I just saw a Hanlin Academician a while ago, and now another official from the Ministry of Rites has come."

"Hey! What did he do wrong?"

"Who knows?"

"Then why are you throwing eggs?"

“If they were going to be executed, what kind of good person could they be? They were just thrown away.”

Egg yolk slid down his messy hair. The "he" the crowd was talking about stopped his heavy steps, looked up at the sky, and the crowd looked with him. There was nothing but the sun, so bright it was hard to open one's eyes.

"What are you looking at? Get out of here!"

He was then escorted forward by the government officials. After the first person threw an egg, more and more vegetable leaves were thrown on the ground.

"He was clearly a dutiful and responsible official, how could he have made such a foolish mistake... But this execution came far too quickly; according to the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'—"

Liu'er then realized that Wang Zhen was still nearby, and quickly stopped talking. It was not appropriate to say such private gossip in front of this master.

Wang Zhen's mind was not on the prisoner wearing a long cangue. After searching around for a while, his gaze was drawn to a teahouse behind him.

The person upstairs noticed a strange gaze coming from among the backs of the group, and instantly changed their expression, curving into a nonchalant smile.

Wang Zhen glanced at it twice, quickly bowed with both hands, and turned to leave the bustling city.

Liu'er quickened her pace, asking breathlessly, "Why are you in such a hurry, my lord?"

Wang Zhen's expression was unusually serious. "Aying is in danger."

Liu'er had only glanced at Prince Yi briefly, and now she slapped her forehead, "Half a sound!"

Wang Zhen quickly found paper and ink, wrote two letters, and ordered someone to send them to Mingzhou and Hangzhou by fast horse.

The following day at Prince Yi's residence, carriages from various households moved about, stopping and starting, with one after another, finely dressed officials filing in – a scene that had become commonplace this month. Unsurprisingly, Prince Yi was nowhere to be seen. Lately, banquets held at Prince Yi's residence had all been in the name of his wife, seemingly just for poetry and enjoyment. Most of the invitees knew it was merely a pretense; initially unaware of the true purpose, they gradually came to understand.

Since the Princess Consort has this intention, why not? At today's tea banquet, before the meal even began, one prince after another came to Xie Ji's side, only to be choked by Xie Ji before turning away in a huff. Liu'er counted them off from the side:

"Prodigal Son Number One"

...

"Prodigal Son Number Three"

...

"Prodigal Son No. 6"

...

"You playboy—my lady, it's Young Master Wang!"

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Author's Note: The secondary couple has finally appeared! [Let me see!]