Chapter 265 Explained
Liu Zijun refused to listen to Liu Min's lies any longer and was about to chase after him: "You're talking nonsense! There isn't a single young lady from a prominent family in the entire capital that I don't know. Let's see which little vixen dares to steal my man!"
While Liu Min was blocking Liu Zijun, Huo Ran and the others turned a corner and disappeared from Liu Zijun's sight.
Huo Ran finally caught up with Jiang Mi, but was blocked by the two brothers, Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan.
"Huo Ran, long time no see." Jiang Xuan didn't immediately start accusing him, since they didn't have the right to criticize Huo Ran right now.
Although they didn't say anything, it was more painful for Huo Ran than being accused. He would have been better off if they had just said everything frankly. Their current politeness made him a little flustered.
Huo Ran remained calm on the surface: "It's been a long time. I heard that my two older brothers have finished their exams. I imagine they did very well. In that case, the Jiang family will be able to bring honor to their ancestors. Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang will be very happy to know this."
Jiang Zhi coldly said, "That's none of your business, you outsider. Your status is now worlds apart from ours. We were ignorant before and thought you were the same as us. We won't dare to do that again."
Huo Ran's face grew increasingly grim, but he dared not show any emotion to his future brothers-in-law, so he could only suppress his feelings and speak his mind.
“I was entrusted with the Emperor’s favor and had important matters to attend to, so I could not reveal my identity. Moreover, I was being hunted down and some people wanted to kill me. That’s why I kept my identity a secret. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’m afraid of implicating you.”
Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan exchanged a glance. They hadn't expected this to be the case, so they couldn't entirely blame Huo Ran.
"Really? But this is your own private matter. You can speak if you want, or keep it to yourself if you don't. However, if you want to further your relationship with the Jiang family, you must show sincerity. Now that your task is complete, you seem no different than before."
Jiang Xuan spoke much more politely than Jiang Zhi, but every word she uttered was poignant and hit the nail on the head.
"I know, I wanted to tell Honey sooner, but I had too many concerns. I was worried that telling her would lead to some uncontrollable consequences. I didn't do well in this matter, Honey. Are you willing to give me another chance?"
Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xuan stepped aside slightly, revealing Jiang Mi behind them. The two looked at each other, and seeing the expectation in Huo Ran's eyes, Jiang Mi felt very uncomfortable.
"I am a little angry that you kept some things from me, but if you have your own concerns, I can understand. However, I'm afraid our arrival now might be disturbing you and your friend while you are enjoying tea and composing poetry?"
Suddenly stunned, he thought of Liu Zijun from earlier, and his disgust for Liu Zijun grew even stronger. When he went to the palace next time, he would definitely ask the Emperor and Consort Jing to withdraw the decree again.
“She’s not my friend, Honey, you’ve misunderstood. I have nothing to do with her, and I don’t know how she knew I was here. I was just asking her, but I’ve already warned her not to do this again, or I will definitely not let her off the hook.”
Hearing Huo Ran's words, Jiang Mi felt much better, and her tone softened a bit.
"Really? She's the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's family. What can you do to her? Besides, how did she know where you were? Wasn't it someone close to you who told her?"
Huo Ran had certainly considered this question. The only people who knew his whereabouts were his subordinates and the friend who had just invited him to tea. That friend was none other than the heir of the Duke of Huguo's mansion. The Duke of Huguo's mansion and the Prime Minister's mansion had always been very close. Perhaps today's event was a scheme orchestrated by the heir of the Duke of Huguo's mansion and Liu Zijun.
In order to get close to him, Liu Zijun completely disregarded all propriety and shame.
"I know who it is. I'll deal with that person later. If anyone tries to scheme against me again, don't blame me for disregarding our past relationship."
Seeing Huo Ran's determined look, I thought
"This is the attitude of those in power," Jiang Mi teased him. "As expected, people of high status are different. Their words and actions have become so imposing. We can only look up to them in awe."
Huo Ran felt a little embarrassed by what Jiang Mi said. He always appeared cold and indifferent in front of others, but when he was with Jiang Mi, he seemed like a bewildered young man.
"Fine, say whatever you want, as long as you're happy. Are you still angry with me?"
Hearing the two of them talking more and more intimately, Jiang Xuan coughed. They were trying to woo his own sister right in front of them. What would happen if he weren't there?
Jiang Mi immediately became serious and asked, "Alright, then let me ask you, what exactly is your identity?"
Huo Ran answered her in a serious tone: "I am the only son of the Prince of Ning, and also the heir apparent of the Prince of Ning. My grandfather had done a favor for the Emperor Emeritus. Back then, when the Emperor Emeritus was trying to obtain the throne, it was my grandfather who helped him. Therefore, the Emperor values our family very much. However, over time, many people have become jealous of our Prince of Ning's family."
So that's how it is. No wonder Huo Ran could enter the palace so easily, and his status was so noble. No wonder so many people were afraid of him. With this connection, the Prince of Ning was second only to the emperor in the capital. But why do so many people say that the Prime Minister's Mansion was second only to the emperor?
Jiang Zhi also asked this question: "I've heard that in the court today, the prime minister is more favored by the current emperor than the Prince of Ning. Why is that? Logically speaking, shouldn't your family be more favored by the emperor?"
Huo Ran seemed to have thought of something, and his expression darkened: "Some things will gradually fade with the passing of the elders, and feelings are the same. The Emperor Emeritus valued my grandfather, but that doesn't mean the Emperor values my father. The Emperor's current care for me is also because of my grandfather."
"So there's more to this than meets the eye," Huo Ran continued. "When I went to Shushan County before, the Emperor secretly arranged some things for me. Because some people in the court wanted to stop me, I had to act in secret and hide my identity. Now that the matter is settled, there's nothing left to hide."
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