Chapter 40: Appointed Grand Secretary, but he didn't expect that he would get a...
In the reception room, the prince sat on the main seat, holding a cup of tea.
After Xiao Wangshu entered the room, he bowed politely, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not call him to get up.
He took a sip of the wine in his mouth and gave a look, and then the eunuch Wei who was serving beside His Highness retreated respectfully, and before doing so, he did not forget to carefully close the door for them.
Putting down the teacup, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stood up slowly and walked towards Xiao Wangshu. His voice was clear but carried a hint of suppressed anger and a barely perceptible tremor.
"If I don't come, are you going to keep it a secret from me?" Seeing Xiao Wangshu didn't say anything, he suddenly shouted
"Where is An?!"
As soon as he finished speaking, An walked in from outside and knelt down without any hesitation.
Xie Xuanhui picked up the teacup and was about to throw it at An's face, but was stopped by Xiao Wangshu.
"Your Highness, calm down."
From the moment he got the news, Xie Xuanhui felt as if a piece of his heart was being cut out. The pain only eased slightly when he saw Xiao Wangshu appear safely in front of him. Then came overwhelming anger and anxiety that had nowhere to vent. It was not until his wrist was tightly grasped that his heart seemed completely whole.
His eyes turned red in an instant, but he forced himself not to say a word.
So Xiao Wangshu said to An who was still kneeling on the ground:
"Go out first."
An had kept his head down since entering the house. It was not until this moment that he looked up at Xiao Wangshu and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Seeing that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had his eyes closed as a sign of agreement, An left the house.
After the person left, Xiao Wangshu took the person into his arms and said softly, as if coaxing a child:
"I told him not to tell His Highness. Although these assassinations were dangerous, we are not powerless. Moreover, we still have the guards His Highness left behind. Telling His Highness will only make him worried."
Xie Xuanhui closed his eyes and did not speak, obviously not accepting his words.
"Besides, Your Highness said you would point him to me, so why did you ask him to report my whereabouts to you? Does Your Highness distrust me?"
These words were truly heartbreaking. Xie Xuanhui immediately opened his eyes, and this time his anger was directed at Xiao Wangshu.
"Xiao Wangshu! You are my own. I must know your whereabouts. Don't even think about escaping from my grasp."
He turned around and faced Xiao Wangshu, his eyes crazy and paranoid.
Xiao Wangshu felt particularly helpless when facing His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, but he also knew that he must not anger His Royal Highness again at this time.
He once again closed the distance between them, reached up through his wide sleeves to cup His Highness's face, and gave him a gentle kiss.
As the kiss deepened, the Crown Prince's outward anger gradually subsided, and his hand gradually climbed up Xiao Wangshu's collar, while Xiao Wangshu took the opportunity to put his hand on the prince's waist.
After the kiss, they took a breath, and His Highness came forward again, his eyes gleaming. Xiao Wangshu immediately understood His Highness's thoughts. Therefore, the kiss only landed lightly on the corner of his mouth and then faded away. His Highness was very dissatisfied and wanted to move, but was interrupted by Xiao Wangshu's words.
"Your Highness, it's still early. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
This was a subtle reminder, and Xie Xuanhui was not very satisfied with it.
"Your Highness, I told you I'm your man. Are you still worried? If you stop keeping an eye on me, I'll reward you."
Xiao Wangshu quietly distanced himself from His Highness, a smile on his face. Xie Xuanhui was about to say something, but Xiao Wangshu spoke first:
"Your Highness, I have just returned to the capital and have many other things to attend to, so I will leave first."
After saying that, he turned around and walked out without waiting for Xie Xuanhui. Xie Xuanhui naturally caught up with him and complained unforgivingly:
"Ashu is an old stubborn man!"
The two of them had dinner together. The atmosphere was a little subtle. Although the Crown Prince was still upset about Xiao Wangshu concealing the fact that he was in danger, Xiao Wangshu was equally adamant about the fact that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince always sent people to keep an eye on his whereabouts. Both of them knew that this was not a solution, so the topic naturally turned to the situation in the capital.
"It's already the twenty-first year of Tongji. If I remember correctly, Beiliang should have sent an envoy in early May."
After dinner, the two went to the study. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince showed no signs of leaving, so Xiao Wangshu understood that His Royal Highness was going to stay overnight.
Now that he has become a Grand Secretary, there are countless people in the court who are watching him. If His Highness wants to stay in the future, it may be inconvenient, so Xiao Wangshu let him go.
"Um."
After hearing what Xiao Wangshu said, His Highness just nodded and lay back on the small couch next to him for nap.
"Your Highness, have you made all the arrangements for Miss Nian Yue?"
Xiao Wangshu was free today, so he took the time to write elegantly.
"Little Weizi has already taken care of this matter. In the next few days, her aunt will take her to learn the rules. As for which palace she wants to serve in the future, Little Weizi will also arrange it. But, you haven't asked who her enemy is?"
When talking about things of interest, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's beautiful eyes would be filled with starlight, sparkling in the candlelight.
"Well, it's her private matter after all, and she doesn't want to talk to me about it."
The conversation went on until late at night. Perhaps because he was too tired in the past few days, his eyelids were too heavy to lift, so Xiao Wangshu stopped writing. As soon as he walked over, the prince woke up, but he was still drowsy, and seemed a little more obedient than usual.
"Ashu."
He called out unconsciously as he looked at the person approaching.
With a doting chuckle, Xiao Wangshu responded and leaned over to pick him up. Seeing that it was him, Xie Xuanhui didn't struggle at all and fell asleep again in his arms.
The next day, Xiao Wangshu went to the palace to meet the emperor and express his gratitude.
In the Golden Palace, the emperor praised his achievements in governing Licheng and, after some encouragement, formally conferred on him the title of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. Xiao Wangshu behaved appropriately and responded calmly.
Yao Ce, who was from the Fourth Prince's faction, had a calm expression, showing no emotion;
The Sixth Prince Xie Yongheng smiled warmly and even echoed a few words when the emperor praised Xiao Wangshu, but the smile did not reach his eyes.
After the awards were given, the ministers discussed the affairs of state and the topic of conversation was about the Northern Liang envoys coming to the capital.
After the court meeting ended, Yao Ce had been waiting outside the Meridian Gate for a long time:
"Congratulations, Brother Xiao, on your promotion."
Xiao Wangshu naturally complimented him with a smile.
The two people who were chatting happily did not notice that the Sixth Prince was staring at them with a gloomy face not far away.
After hearing the news from Duan Yang, the Sixth Prince immediately checked the duty files of the guards that day. He indeed learned from the guards that Xiao Wangshu had been out during the palace examination that day.
It is true that apart from Xiao Wangshu, several other people had also gone out. Xiao Wangshu's whereabouts did not attract attention, but it was too intriguing when combined with the abnormal behavior of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
He was almost certain that Xiao Wangshu was definitely the Crown Prince's man, so he sent his assassins to intercept him on the road early on. Firstly, he was angry about being played a trick on him, and secondly, a talent like Xiao Wangshu must not fall into the hands of the enemy. Since he couldn't get him, he had to destroy him.
Unfortunately, the result once again confirmed his guess. Xiao Wangshu was surrounded by several masters who had outstanding skills and were extremely loyal.
These guards were definitely not something that an ordinary minister like Xiao Wangshu could afford to hire or support.
Thinking about what was discussed at the court meeting today, a plan came to my mind.
But he didn't expect that he would get an unexpected surprise first.
"Did Xiao Huaian really say that?"
"Your Highness, that's right. Xiao Huaian is usually spoiled and pampered at home, so it's strange that he would say such things."
The servants respectfully reported the remarks made by various princes and ministers recorded in the teahouse today. Among them, His Highness instructed him to pay special attention to the son of the Minister of Rites, Xiao Huaian. He had been speaking outrageously in the past few days, making many remarks that would have him beheaded several times if caught. Naturally, he came this time to seek credit.
"Good! Good! Good! Reward."
He said three "good" words in a row, which showed that he was in a very good mood. He was just happy. Although Xiao Huaian did not get along with Xiao Wangshu, he was also the son of Xiao's father. This Minister of Rites was also the man of his good fourth brother. Now that he had the evidence in his hands, how could he not be happy?
However, he wanted to make the most of this handle. He didn't want Xiao Wangshu, but there was still Yao Ce.
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