Chapter 269 How tiring it is to be on duty at the Dali Temple!
Prince Ning's Mansion.
In the Xinghe Courtyard, candlelight flickered.
At the desk, Xiao Qingyuan held Huayi's hand and taught her to write.
Hua Yi leaned against him, her hand held in his large hand, feeling incredibly sweet.
She was illiterate, but Xiao Qingyuan did not look down on her. Instead, he patiently taught her to recognize and write each character one by one.
She can write her own name now.
During the day, she said she wanted to go out and play in the snow, and Xiao Qingyuan actually went with her.
He doted on her so much that she had no interest in writing. What good was being able to read and write if she couldn't capture a man's heart? It was all just empty talk.
And now, she was certain that she had captured Xiao Qingyuan's heart.
After writing another character, Huayi didn't want to write anymore. It would be such a waste to waste such a good time writing.
She turned around, ignoring the inkstone standing by grinding ink, and hugged Xiao Qingyuan's waist, saying coquettishly, "Young Master, will you be resting at the manor tomorrow, or will you be on duty at the Dali Temple? If you're on duty, why don't you rest early!"
Ever since Xiao Qingyuan got drunk and took Huayi, he has been spending every day with her, the two of them are inseparable and have forgotten all about home.
So after the Xin family's case had made no progress for several days, he simply stopped going to the Dali Temple and started having fun at home with his concubine.
He used to not understand why Yuan Zheng always liked to take in maids, replacing them as soon as he got tired of one, changing maids more often than he changed clothes. Moreover, he often disregarded the presence of others and indulged in debauchery with his maids during the day and night.
Now, he finally understands Yuan Zheng's happiness.
The maidservants who served him were not only fair-skinned and beautiful, but also gentle and considerate. They had been taught by the matrons in the mansion beforehand, so they knew everything, were not coy or resistant, and even flattered him, providing him with unimaginable pleasure.
For example, right now, Huayi gently hugged his waist, looked up at him with admiration and adoration, making him feel a little giddy.
He touched Huayi's face and asked with a smile, "Would you prefer me to rest in the manor, or would you prefer me to go to the Dali Temple to take up my post?"
Without a second thought, Hua Yi replied, "Of course, I hope you will rest in the manor, sir."
Why?
“Going to the Dali Temple to work is so tiring. You have to get up before dawn and come back after dark. You’re working hard for others all day long. What if the young master gets cold in this cold weather? Why don’t you stay in the manor and read books and write in a comfortable way?”
"Isn't it because you want me to keep you company in the manor?"
Huayi blushed and said shyly, "Of course I want to too."
Xiao Qingyuan picked her up and carried her to the bed: "Then I'll do as you say. I won't go to the Dali Temple tomorrow. I'll stay in the manor and keep you company!"
After he finished speaking, he threw the painting onto the bed, got on the bed himself, and then lowered the bed curtains.
Mo Ji watched as the two threw out one piece of clothing after another, and listened to the soft, melodious cries coming from inside, before silently retreating.
He closed the door, stood outside, and instructed two maids, "Go and prepare water."
"yes."
Snowflakes began to fall from the sky at some unknown time. Mo Ji looked at the swirling snow and ice and sighed softly.
Huayi was indeed a maidservant, lacking knowledge and long-term vision. She only cared about her own immediate interests and didn't understand how to consider the future of the young master.
How can a man like the Crown Prince only indulge in momentary pleasures in the boudoir? His world should be outside, not confined to the inner quarters.
As Mo Ji was pondering this, he saw Qin Xin's figure flash past the courtyard gate.
He stepped into the snow, left the yard, and gently closed the door.
"Qin Xin, why are you here so late? What happened?"
“Nothing happened. I just wanted to come and tell you that the Crown Princess said there’s a lead in the Xin family case, found by the Second Young Master Gu. Moreover, I heard that he was personally invited to the Ministry of Justice by Lord Lü, and he might be able to solve the case soon.”
Mo Ji was taken aback: "Second Young Master Gu? He found a clue so quickly?"
"Yes, that's why he's a genius! But the young master is going to be in trouble now. The case that he can't solve, the second young master Gu can. When you're serving the young master, watch your words and actions, and don't offend him at a time like this."
"Okay, I understand."
"I heard that General Xin has been following Lord Lü of the Ministry of Justice all day. Will the young master go to the Ministry of Justice tomorrow? Or will he still go to the Court of Judicial Review?"
Mo Ji shook his head: "No, the young master said he will stay at the manor with Hua Yi tomorrow. He will neither go to the Ministry of Justice nor the Court of Judicial Review."
"ah?"
Qin Xin's mouth dropped open: "The young master has only been on duty at the Dali Temple for a few days, how come he's already resting at home all the time? Hua Yi is quite capable, she's managed to get the young master to neglect his cases and just stay at the palace to play with her. I really didn't realize she was such a vixen before, she's such a good actress!"
"Keep your voice down, or someone will hear you. Be more careful in the future, or the young master will be unhappy if you say the painting is bad."
Qin Xin sneered, "I am the Crown Prince's woman, why would I be afraid of a mere maid! Even if she becomes the Crown Prince's concubine, she wouldn't dare to do anything to me!"
“I know you’re not afraid of her, but right now the young master is in high spirits and dotes on her. He’ll give her anything she wants. Why would you offend Huayi at a time like this and make an enemy for yourself?”
"Okay, I understand. I'll be careful."
Qin Xin chatted with him for a while longer and learned that the reason Xiao Qingyuan was playing in the snow with the maids at home today was because of Hua Yi's suggestion. She pouted and left.
Back at Wutong Garden, Qin Xin told Shen Wantang everything she had heard from Mo Ji, including how she had revealed to him that Gu Qianhan had found clues about the Xin family case.
Shen Wantang didn't take what she said to heart. She drank her ginseng tea, looked at the account book, and listened to Qin Xin talk like a bamboo tube pouring out beans, while nodding absentmindedly.
She only took Du Juan with her today, not Qin Xin, but she was very well-informed and soon found out that Gu Qianhan was going to solve the case.
However, the information Qin Xin found out wasn't entirely accurate; to be precise, she was the one who found the clues.
But this inaccurate news was exactly what Shen Wantang wanted, and she even had Du Juan send people to spread some of the news on the streets.
Seeing that her mistress didn't seem to care about Huayi, Qin Xin became anxious: "Princess Consort, are we really going to let Huayi continue like this? We can't let her lead the young master astray! The young master had already started working at the Dali Temple and was doing serious work, but now he's been brought back to his old ways! If this continues, Huayi will wear down the young master's fighting spirit and ambition!"
Shen Wantang said without looking up, "Perhaps the young master was just acting on a whim. He's just lost interest in solving the case, which is why he doesn't want to go to the Dali Temple."
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