075

Inside the Minghui Hall of the Prime Minister's residence, the lights were dim. Xie Zhongxu had been working on official documents and making annotations all night, and his eyes were already tired.

He looked up and pinched his temple.

An attendant came forward to add hot tea, which he picked up and took a sip to refresh himself.

"At the Princess's birthday banquet yesterday, which family took a liking to Qin Sang?" he suddenly brought up the matter.

A middle-aged advisor, who looked like a scholar, was pondering the chess game in front of him. Upon hearing this, he stood up and respectfully replied, "Miss Qin Sang first had a falling out with Princess Fangfei of the Marquis of Weide's family. Later, at the banquet, she was summoned by the Princess for questioning, and Consort Xian was also present. Both praised her. However, I heard that at the polo field, Prince Bai and our young master Sui'an even had a contest over a flower that belonged to Miss Qin Sang."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zhongxu suddenly laughed: "This young woman has some tricks up her sleeve." But then, remembering something, he frowned, "You mean, Sui An also has feelings for her?"

The staff members lowered their heads and remained silent.

Xie Zhongxu immediately understood.

He had just returned from outside when his grandson excitedly ran into his study, saying that if he passed the imperial examination, he would decide his marriage. Now it seemed that he had been thinking about this for a long time.

This matter cannot be delayed any longer.

He raised his hand, and the steward who was standing guard outside the door came in to listen to his instructions.

"Go and summon Qin Sang."

The steward bowed in response and said, "Young Master Sui'an has been waiting outside for quite some time. He said that if the Prime Minister finishes his official business, he has something to say to you."

Xie Zhongxu hummed in agreement and said, "Go tell him I'm not finished yet, and ask him to come back tomorrow."

The person in charge left.

The advisor said, "Your Excellency, you must put an end to his idea as soon as possible."

Xie Zhongxu sighed softly: "Sui'an has always been simple-minded. How could he know how deep the water is here? That girl carries a blood feud and uses herself as a pawn. She has long since disregarded life and death. As for Sui'an... I only wish him a peaceful and smooth life in this world, that would be enough."

The advisor said, "As elders, we all hope that the younger generation will prosper. But, perhaps Young Master Jingze can't hold the line alone..."

Xie Zhongxu stood up, walked to the door, and looked at the dark sky. A few stars stood out brightly. He sighed again, "I owe the Su family something. Both of my grandsons have fallen into the Su family's love trap. Is Jingze still often out all night?"

"Although not often, but..."

The advisor's words were interrupted by Xie Suian's sudden intrusion. Ignoring the guards' attempts to stop him, he stood at the courtyard gate and shouted, "Grandpa, Grandpa, are you done with your work? Your grandson has something to discuss with you!"

Xie Zhongxu looked at his simple-minded grandson and couldn't bear it, so he waved his hand and let him in.

"Grandpa, I have something to ask of you!" Xie Sui'an ran straight in and bowed obediently in front of Xie Zhongxu.

Xie Zhongxu waved his hand, dismissing the people who remained in the hall. For a moment, only the grandfather and grandson remained in the hall.

"So hasty, so unsteady," Xie Zhongxu reprimanded in a stern voice. "What do you want? Do you know it's almost midnight?"

"Grandpa, you're so busy with work, I've been waiting outside all night." Xie Sui'an acted like a spoiled grandson in front of Xie Zhongxu.

He chuckled and said, "Grandpa, I'll tell you a secret. I've fallen in love with a young girl, and I want to marry her!"

Xie Zhongxu remained expressionless: "Oh?"

Xie Sui'an stepped forward, carefully observing his grandfather, the Prime Minister, who now held immense power in the court and was practically second only to the Emperor. He chuckled awkwardly, "Grandpa, aren't you going to ask your grandson which family that young lady belongs to?"

Xie Zhongxu turned his head to look at him: "The last time you made such a confident promise, it was all for her, wasn't it?"

Thanks for your help, hehe.

Xie Zhongxu sighed deeply.

Xie Sui'an's smile froze.

"Grandpa, do you... already know who she is?"

Xie Zhongxu calmly replied, "I disagree."

Even though she had guessed this answer, Xie Sui'an still jumped up: "Why? Can you really bear to push her into a fire pit? She's the only one left in her family!"

Xie Zhongxu remained expressionless, revealing no emotion whatsoever. He always appeared to be indifferent to everything, yet also completely in control.

No one could tell what the old prime minister was thinking, not even Xie Sui'an.

He understood that his prime minister, though seemingly calm and collected, would not easily change his mind once he had made a decision.

He had planned it all out in advance, and it was quite obvious that Qin Sang had discussed it with him.

A simple sentence made him feel as if a stone was blocking his heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.

He took a deep breath, softened his tone, and tried to reason with him: "Grandpa, I'm not young anymore. If you can use me, please do. You've spoiled me since I was little, and I lack nothing. But I've always known my responsibilities. The capital is full of hidden talents. You can protect me for a while, but not forever. I'm prepared for that." He suddenly became a little sad. "Grandpa, of course I know that being born into a family like ours means many things, especially marriage, are beyond our control. But life is short, and there should be things that bring us joy and happiness, so that we don't live in vain. Grandma felt the same way back then, which is why she married you without hesitation. You're not the stubborn kind of elder. Father and Uncle's marriages weren't entirely about interests, so..."

Xie Zhongxu looked at him: "So? You asked her what she thought? And that's what she thought too?"

Xie Sui'an was speechless.

Xie Zhongxu chuckled and patted his grandson's increasingly broad and sturdy shoulders: "Go back. Even if you wanted to, they might not agree. Don't force it."

Xie Sui'an's eyes widened suddenly: "If she agrees, will Grandpa agree?"

Xie Zhongxu withdrew his hand.

There was no response.

Xie Sui'an took this as tacit agreement, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He cupped his hands and said, "My grandson has grown up. There are some things that my brother can do, and I can do too."

After saying that, he ran out like a whirlwind.

Xie Zhongxu stared at his retreating figure, frowned, and sighed, "Was Jingze this carefree when he was his age?"

The advisor reappeared beside him at some point and said, "Young Master Jingze has been composed since childhood."

Xie Zhongxu nodded: "That's it."

***

Not long after Xie Suian left, Qin Sang arrived with the steward who served the Prime Minister.

Xie Zhongxu was having a late-night snack and invited her to sit down.

Inside Minghui Hall were two large bookshelves, filled with scrolls and books. A bronze palace lantern cast a dim yellow light, which illuminated Xie Zhongxu's long desk.

Although the prime minister, who was nearing seventy, looked tired, he was in good spirits and had a calm demeanor.

Qin Sang sat down on the armchair next to him as instructed, and then heard Xie Zhongxu ask, "How have you been adjusting to life in Kyoto lately?"

Qin Sang knew that her every move was probably being watched by Xie Zhongxu, so she said, "Thank you for your concern, Prime Minister. I'm doing quite well."

“That’s good,” Xie Zhongxu nodded. “Sui’an came over just now and said he wanted to marry you. Do you know his feelings?”

"..." Qin Sang was taken aback, "I roughly... know a little bit."

What do you think?

Qin Sang looked at Xie Zhongxu, not understanding what he meant.

She was sent to Li County. For seven years, Qin Baoyun continuously sent back information about the current situation in the capital, all at the behest of this prime minister. He naturally had plans for her, but he never forced her to do anything. Even after she came to the capital, he only let her adapt first. If Qin Sang hadn't come with a mission, from the perspective of the original owner, she would have been completely lost.

Does Xie Zhongxu intend to help her overturn the verdict, or let her take revenge on her own? Overturning the verdict or seeking revenge are essentially the same thing, but both inevitably involve reopening the old case of treason.

That was a major case involving the confiscation of property and the extermination of an entire family. Xie Zhongxu… would he dare? What concrete evidence did he have?

She hesitated and asked, "What does the Prime Minister mean?"

After finishing his late-night snack and wiping his mouth, Xie Zhongxu slowly said, "I have never asked you whether you were willing to come to the capital with me for a peaceful life or to overturn the verdict against your father and brothers. I was thinking of asking you to make a decision after you understood the situation in the capital, but now I still want to ask you, what are your plans now?"

"Naturally, it's to overturn the verdict against my father and brothers." Qin Sang didn't hesitate at all.

"You have a plan?"

"I have some clues, but not many."

"Hmm. You never thought of asking me for help?"

Qin Sang looked into his deep, ocean-like eyes. Those eyes were complex, their gentle calmness concealing all the schemes in his heart, as if he were truly just an easygoing elder caring for a younger generation.

To be honest, Qin Sang had never thought that Xie Zhongxu would get involved in the case of overturning the verdict. At least for now, Xie Zhongxu's position was secure, and taking her in was already risking the fate of taking in the daughter of a disgraced official. Originally, she had planned to use the prime minister as a springboard to find another backer and take down someone else's roof. But now that Xie Zhongxu had asked her this, she was a little confused.

"The Prime Minister is willing to help me?" she asked doubtfully. "But this matter is dangerous..."

Xie Zhongxu smiled helplessly: "Entering the court as an official is always fraught with danger. Seven years ago, I failed to protect your family, leaving you all alone. I don't know if you want to let go and start a new life, or if you are willing to go back and clarify the truth of what happened back then. Now that I see what you have done, there is no need to ask anymore."

Qin Sang: "..."

Xie Zhongxu: "Do you know this Tan Bi?"

Qin Sang nodded.

Xie Zhongxu smiled gently: "Would you be willing to marry him?"

"..." Qin Sang paused for a moment, "I will follow the Prime Minister's arrangements."

Xie Zhongxu sighed, "This person has a domineering personality, and you may suffer some hardships. However, since ancient times, even heroes have found it hard to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. You are blessed with a unique advantage, and perhaps this appearance is the key to breaking the deadlock."

Qin Sang remained silent for a moment, then asked again, "So, he's from the Crown Prince's faction, is that right?"

This time, Xie Zhongxu was taken aback. He looked at Qin Sang quietly for a long time before smiling and saying, "You know quite a lot, so you've already guessed it?"

"It's just a simple analysis. I thought," she smiled, "that the Prime Minister would arrange for me to become a concubine in the Eastern Palace."

Xie Zhongxu's eyes shone brightly, and his face still held a gentle smile: "Then tell me your analysis and guesses, and I'll listen."

Qin Sang: "It's not hard to guess, is it? If the plot of Prince Su's rebellion was framed, isn't it obvious who benefited in the end?"

Xie Zhongxu: "Anything else?"

“Under the Prince of Su, the Crown Prince’s brothers and his entourage all met violent deaths. What a coincidence that it could happen.”

"So what do you think His Majesty thinks about this?"

"There are many things that even the Emperor cannot control. Although these princes are all his own flesh and blood, they are in the royal family and hold high positions. He was once a prince himself, so he naturally understands the principle of the survival of the fittest. Perhaps he thinks that only the strong who remain are qualified to inherit the dragon throne, so... let's turn a blind eye."