Chapter 81 The Return to the Nest Bureau "I hereby bestow upon you the position of Grand Secretary, how about it?"...
"So Lord Xie is also aware of his widespread fame~"
Ning Lu smiled, her eyes crinkling, and she turned to hook her arm around his, teasing him playfully.
"Once you're associated with the Xie family, you'll have special privileges everywhere, but it won't be convenient for you to have fun."
Power brings convenience, but it also attracts the attention of others.
Xie Qinghe himself never cared about these things, but he also knew that it was not the lifestyle Ning Lu liked.
As the carriage turned from the main road into the alley, pedestrians on both sides of the road gave way, and officials' sedan chairs yielded the right of way.
Despite being the heart of the capital's elite circles, the bustling crowds gradually faded into the background.
The carriage came to a stop, and there was a rustling sound outside, like Wei Chun and the others setting up the horse benches.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Ning Lu followed Xie Qinghe as she jumped down from the carriage. Glancing at the densely packed Imperial Guards and palace soldiers standing on either side of the mansion gate, her legs suddenly went weak.
She had seen the leader of the Imperial Guard before; he was the Captain Guo who had traveled a thousand miles to deliver the message.
At the Xie family's gate, a middle-aged man dressed as a steward saw Xie Qinghe dismount and hurriedly stood with his head bowed beside him.
"My lord, Captain Guo Chi has been waiting here since early morning."
Xie Qinghe nodded in understanding upon hearing this, and without looking at Guo Chi, asked directly, "Has everyone arrived?"
"They've all arrived."
Although the middle-aged man was respectful, he was not as timid as Wu Quan at the city gate, and his interactions with Xie Qinghe were more natural.
Even Wei Chun and Wei Zhan tacitly moved aside to make room for him.
With just a quick glance, Ning Lu was certain that the group of people were close acquaintances.
"Steward Ji Zheng, he is in charge of all matters in the mansion."
Interrupting Ning Lu's inner thoughts, Xie Qinghe gently pointed at Ji Zheng.
He seemed to remember something else, raised the corners of his mouth, and added, "The 'Ji' in 'law and discipline'."
Those around him were completely bewildered, but Ning Lu immediately understood his unspoken meaning.
This guy was reminding her of the blunder she made when she associated his courtesy name, Ji Ming, with the word Ji Ming.
They're just making fun of her for being uncultured.
She pouted indignantly, glared at him, and at the same time did not forget to curtsy to the butler Ji Zheng, showing her proper manners and politeness.
Ji Zheng was flattered and quickly bowed in return.
I had heard from Changzhou that a special girl had appeared by the master's side, and seeing her today, I can confirm that she is indeed different.
Considering the strong wind at the entrance, Ji Zheng led everyone inside.
Ning Lu then had the opportunity to carefully examine the high walls and deep courtyard in front of her.
Just by standing in front of the gate and taking a quick look, one can sense that the mansion occupies a vast area and is deep and solemn.
The two ebony doors are heavy and silent, and the weathered stone beasts add to the ancient charm. Not to mention the two gilded characters "Xie Mansion" on the lintel, which are magnificent.
Despite its understated layout, the house still exudes an impressive wealth and refined taste.
Xie Qinghe noticed that she hadn't followed and was still standing there staring blankly at the plaque.
He stopped, raised an eyebrow and tilted his head, then extended his hand towards her with his palm facing upward.
"Ning Lulu".
Ji Zheng opened his wide eyes and silently glanced at Wei Chun and Wei Zhan. Seeing that the two of them were unmoved and not surprised, he immediately made a decision in his mind, took half a step back, and made room for Ning Lu.
Xie Qinghe was weak due to illness and walked slowly, but because of his long legs, one of his steps was equivalent to two of hers.
Ning Lu jogged to catch up with him, quickly grasped his cold fingertips, and walked alongside him.
Xie Qinghe remained unfazed as he passed the Imperial Guards.
Guo Chi, the leader, bowed and said, "This humble official awaits Your Excellency's orders."
At this point, Xie Qinghe paused, glancing at Guo Chi as if he had just noticed him, and gave a light "hmm".
The skin on his palm stung with pain. He silently gripped her hand and led her inside.
The courtyard tiles were so shiny they could reflect a person's image. Walking through the winding corridors and passing through several archways, Ning Lu followed him into a courtyard.
The courtyard was already being swept and cleaned by maids and servants, and Qinghuai and Qingzhi were also inside packing their belongings. Upon hearing the sounds from outside, they immediately ran out to greet them with beaming smiles.
"You can settle down here and be at ease."
Before Ning Lu could react, her wrist was gently lifted, and he took her hand and led her into the room.
"Your food, clothing, and daily necessities will still be taken care of by Qinghuai and Qingzhi. Just tell the servants what you want."
"If you want to go out and have fun, you need to make arrangements in advance, so just tell Ji Zheng directly."
"Within this courtyard, there are no taboos. Only one..."
Before Ning Lu could utter a word, Xie Qinghe launched into a barrage of instructions.
She couldn't help but blurt out, "I know, I have to tell you where I'm going, at least Wei Chun and Wei Zhan need to know."
The response was natural, the tone both agreeable and perfunctory, yet tinged with a hint of obedience and reproach.
Over the years, no one had ever dared to speak to Lord Xie like that, nor had they ever seen Lord Xie act so intimately towards anyone. The people behind him lowered their heads even further, gasping silently.
Unexpectedly, Xie Qinghe raised an eyebrow and chuckled, turning his head to beckon someone forward, his tone returning to its usual aloof and indifferent: "Ji Zheng."
"Yes, sir."
"I heard everything."
"Yes, sir. I have heard everything. I will follow Miss Ning's arrangements."
Seeing Xie Qinghe nod and then straighten up, Ning Lu sensed something was wrong, pressed down on his shoulder, and asked with a serious expression, "Are you going to enter the palace now?"
He didn't look well; he was already slightly out of breath and sweating as he walked from the front yard.
Ning Lu pressed down on his wrists with both hands: "Didn't you say you were coming back to rest?"
Xie Qinghe remained silent, took a deep breath, and gently twirled her earlobe with his fingertips.
The cool touch brought her back to her senses, and she finally realized his true intentions.
He brought her back especially for her.
He personally escorted her back to the mansion and handed her over to Ji Zheng in person, so that everyone in the mansion could see how much he valued her and that they would show her more respect.
"I'll be right back."
Xie Qinghe shook his head to reassure her, then his expression revealed his apology.
The capital was originally an unfamiliar place to her, and even though she knew that Ning Lu was best at taking care of herself, she always felt indebted to her.
The longer I spend with her along the way, the more emotions I've never felt before pop into my head.
He often felt that he could give her too little, and was afraid that he could not make her willing to stay for long.
I just hope she has something to ask for.
I just hope to give more.
I only hope to be with you for a long time.
The palace road was quiet, the eaves bells were silent, and the boots of the sedan chair bearers tapped lightly on the bluestone slabs as they approached the warm pavilion.
Xie Qinghe groggily raised his eyes, watching the scattered spots of light gradually focus into a single point.
As consciousness returned, he clenched his fist and pressed it against his chest. After several laborious breaths, he finally slowly got up.
After receiving a signal, Wu Quan gently pushed open the palace door.
Two years after the Emperor ascended the throne, considering Xie Qinghe's poor health and lack of strength, he granted him special permission to use a sedan chair in the palace and not to kneel when entering the hall.
Such honor is unparalleled, even in the two previous dynasties.
Golden light shone through the carved window lattice, casting sparse shadows on the blue bricks.
Behind the curtain, the young emperor leaned against the soft couch by the bed, not wearing a dragon robe, but only a moon-white casual dress with dark patterns.
Hearing footsteps, the person in the upper seat did not immediately raise his eyes. He turned a page of a book with his fingertips and said indifferently, "Jiming has returned."
His voice was like the melting snow and flowing water in spring, warm and mellow, and his tone was full of intimacy with old friends he hadn't seen for many days.
Xie Qinghe took off his cloak and lifted the corner of his robe to bow, but the person inside stopped him with a smile.
"I've said it many times, you're not in good health, so you don't need to care about these formalities."
"Your Majesty is unwell. I am late in returning and have come to apologize."
The hem of his dark official robe swept across the blue bricks inside the hall as he knelt in respect.
His tone remained as calm and even as ever, yet it betrayed an undeniable weariness and weakness.
In comparison, the person sitting at the head of the table appeared to be full of energy and exceptionally healthy.
Jiang Xu was taken aback, then chuckled softly and pointed to the brocade stool beside the couch: "Please sit down first. Let's talk slowly."
Xie Qinghe did not refuse. He slowly stood up, his body swaying like autumn leaves in the wind, and he couldn't stand steadily for a moment.
Upon seeing this, Jiang Xu quickly sat up: "Jiming!"
"Wu Quan, what are you standing there for? Call Physician Luo here!"
"Your Majesty's concern is no obstacle for me."
Waving his hand to refuse the eunuchs' offer to help him up, Xie Qinghe supported his chest as he stood up, struggled to sit back down on the round stool, and fixed his gaze directly on the emperor's upright figure.
The emperor narrowed his eyes, lifted the swaying beaded curtain in front of him, and casually stood up.
The entire set of movements was fluid and natural, with no trace of injury.
"I knew it; I couldn't hide it from you."
"Your Majesty should not joke about your health."
"If it weren't for this, would you have come back?"
The gentleman walked with an upright and steady gait, approaching Xie Qinghe. Seeing that Xie was about to get up again, he decisively raised his hand and pressed it on Xie's shoulder.
"You sit down."
“Prince Jing’s testimony is complete, and I believe it is sufficient.”
The implication is that it's not that he's indispensable.
"Of course." Jiang Xu shrugged and spread his hands. "I understand."
Xie Qinghe didn't reply, but closed his eyes and snapped his fingers together, waiting for what was to come.
"Now that it's dawn, the twelfth lunar month is approaching. As the year draws to a close... if anything unexpected happens, the people will likely gossip."
"As you know, I have just ascended the throne, and I cannot afford to make any mistakes in these matters."
Xie Qinghe tightened his purplish-red fingertips resting on his knees, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly.
"With the Censorate in charge and the Grand Clan Court acting as a check and balance, the case can be closed before the beginning of spring."
The fingertips tapping Xie Qinghe's shoulder loosened slightly, and a smile appeared in Jiang Xu's light brown pupils as he gently smoothed out the wrinkles on Xie Qinghe's official robe.
"I knew that once you returned, all the problems would be solved."
As dusk fell, only a dim candlelight shone inside the room.
The hidden embroidery patterns on Jiang Xu's body shimmered with a flowing, dark light in the flickering candlelight.
"Of all the officials in the court, only you can give me the answer I want. Now that you have understood, I will reward you after this matter."
His eyes shone brightly as he raised his head and said, "I hereby bestow upon you the position of Grand Secretary. What do you say? Let us join hands to secure the country and bring peace to the land, and our rule will last forever."
"Just like the late emperor and Chief Minister Xie."
It seems he has forgotten the final fates of the late emperor and his grandfather.
Xie Qinghe gave a silent, bitter smile, downplaying the severity of the situation: "His Majesty is very kind. If, after this matter is resolved, my remaining strength is still sufficient for service, then I will await His Majesty's decision."
Upon hearing this, the warm smile on the man's face froze, and the slits at the corners of his eyes silently widened, as if a certain thought in his heart had been confirmed.
However, in a short while, Jiang Xu regained his gentle and warm demeanor and teased, "Jiming, you don't think that I called you back in such a hurry just to have you deal with Prince Jing's matter, do you?"
Xie Qinghe kept his eyes down, his expression unchanged, but his body leaned slightly forward with Jiang Xu's steps.
"I knew it. You must have forgotten what day it is today. You have forgotten, but I remember."
"Today is your birthday. Isn't it? I haven't forgotten."
Jiang Xu grasped Xie Qinghe's wrist and gestured lightly across the room, saying, "I calculated that you would be returning around today. I specially instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare noodles."
"emperor."
Xie Qinghe took half a step back and gently shook his head.
"My old ailment has not yet healed, and I have also caught a cold. Your Majesty is of noble health, and I fear that if I let the illness affect you, it may offend Your Majesty..."
“You’ve had this illness since you were a teenager. When we were young, we ate and lived together while we were studying, and you never said anything like that.”
The warmth in his eyes suddenly turned cold, and Jiang Xu stood with his hands behind his back, sizing up Xie Qinghe.
Seeing that his expression remained unchanged, the corners of his lips trembled slightly as he raised them, a soft laugh escaped his nose, and then his pupils flickered, revealing a look of concern.
"I heard that you were injured in Changzhou. It was the work of an assassin named Liu Yunying. Has he been dealt with?"
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