Visit
Spring sunlight streamed through the carved windows, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone floor. Yan Shu was sitting by the window embroidering a handkerchief when she heard familiar footsteps coming from outside the courtyard.
"Your Highness, the Prime Minister has arrived." Chun Tao hurried in to announce, her face showing a hint of surprise.
Cui Yanshu paused in her needlework. Her father's sudden visit was probably not just a simple visit to see her.
She straightened her clothes and had just stepped into the courtyard when she saw Prime Minister Cui walking in with a smile.
"Shu'er," Prime Minister Cui looked his daughter up and down, his tone affectionate, "I've found some free time today and came to see you. Have you been settling in well at the Prince's residence?"
"Thank you for your concern, Father. I am doing well," Yan Shu replied calmly.
At this moment, Ling Yuan walked in from the direction of the study. Upon seeing Prime Minister Cui, he remained calm and asked, "Father-in-law, what brings you here today?"
"Your Highness," Prime Minister Cui bowed respectfully, "This old minister was concerned about my daughter and stopped by to visit. If I have disturbed Your Highness's official duties..."
"It's alright," Ling Yuan said calmly. "Since you're here, why don't you stay for dinner?"
Inside the dining hall, exquisite dishes were served one after another. Prime Minister Cui personally placed a piece of steamed sea bass on Yan Shu's plate: "I remember you loved this since you were little, always picking the tenderest piece of meat from the fish's face."
Yan Shu looked at the fish in the bowl: "It's kind of you that Father still remembers."
"What parent wouldn't remember what their child likes?" Prime Minister Cui sighed, then turned to Ling Yuan, "Your Highness, please forgive my rambling, but Shu'er has always been frail, and her father is always worried about her."
Ling Yuan said calmly, "I understand my father-in-law's love for his daughter."
Halfway through the meal, Prime Minister Cui put down his chopsticks and asked casually, "I heard that His Majesty has entrusted the investigation of the Jiangnan salt tax accounts to the Prince?"
Cui Yanshu paused, her hand holding the chopsticks still.
"Yes." Ling Yuan's expression remained unchanged. "This case concerns the foundation of the nation; His Majesty has ordered me to investigate it thoroughly."
Yun Xiang sighed, "The Crown Prince is young and has indeed been negligent in this matter. However..." He changed the subject, "If the punishment is too severe, I fear it will cause an uproar in the court and among the people. Shu'er, don't you think so?"
This was a clever question, which both clarified the relationship between the Crown Prince and the Cui family and put the difficult question on Yan Shu's shoulders.
She slowly put down her chopsticks and smiled faintly: "Father is right. However, I believe the key to this case lies not with His Highness the Crown Prince, but with how to cover the salt tax deficit."
Ling Yuan looked up at her: "What insightful opinion does Your Highness have?"
"Your Highness is wise." She met his gaze. "Salt merchants have been smuggling salt for a long time. If we can take this opportunity to rectify the situation, we can not only make up for the losses but also establish new regulations for the court. As for the Crown Prince's oversight..." She paused, then looked at her father, "How about letting the Crown Prince atone for his crime by personally overseeing the rectification of the salt administration? What do you think, Father?"
Prime Minister Cui's eyes flickered slightly: "This..."
"In my opinion, this is the best way," Yan Shu said gently but firmly. "If the Crown Prince can handle this matter well, wouldn't he be making amends for his past mistakes? It would also be easier to explain to His Majesty. It's better than..." She gave her father a meaningful look, "...it's better than trying to get the Prince to show leniency, which would only put him in a difficult position. After all, we're all family."
Prime Minister Cui's expression changed slightly, then he smiled and said, "Shu'er is right. However, the salt merchants are all powerful and influential families; they might be difficult to deal with."
"Precisely because they are a prominent family, they understand the importance of assessing the situation," Yan Shu said calmly. "The Crown Prince only needs to give them two choices: either make up for the deficit and atone for their crimes through meritorious service, or investigate and punish them severely according to the law. I believe that the Crown Prince is so intelligent that he knows which choice to make."
Ling Yuan looked at her thoughtfully: "What if they refuse to comply?"
"That's perfect." She smiled slightly. "A thorough investigation into salt merchants smuggling will allow us to recover another sum of tax revenue. Either way, the Crown Prince won't lose out. Besides..." She turned her gaze to her father, "With Father mediating in court, those salt merchants probably won't dare to be too reckless."
Upon hearing this, Prime Minister Cui knew that his daughter had given him a way out, and immediately clapped his hands and laughed, "Shu'er is indeed clever! She has considered the overall situation without causing any conflict. What does Your Highness think?"
Ling Yuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Do as the Princess Consort says."
After the meal, Prime Minister Cui rose to take his leave. Before departing, he held Yan Shu's hand and said affectionately, "Seeing that you are doing well today, I am relieved. The Prince treats you well, and that puts my mind at ease."
After seeing her father off, Yan Shu stood in the courtyard, the autumn wind ruffling her clothes. Suddenly, a cloak gently fell onto her shoulders.
"It's windy." Ling Yuan appeared behind her without her noticing, tying the straps of her cloak. His movements were gentle, his fingertips occasionally brushing against the side of her neck, carrying warmth.
She paused slightly, then turned to look at him. In the moonlight, his profile remained stern, but something seemed to be melting in his always icy eyes.
"Your Highness..."
"Go back." His tone remained calm, but as she turned around, he naturally took her arm.
The gesture was brief, yet it warmed Yan Shu's heart. This was the first time he had touched her so proactively, without any distance or wariness.
The two walked silently under the long corridor, the moonlight casting long shadows. A few crabapple leaves drifted down. Just as one leaf was about to brush against her cheek, he raised his hand and gently brushed it away.
Without a word, this subtle gesture brought her more peace of mind than any reward.
She knew that from this day forward, things would be different. She was no longer just the daughter of the Prime Minister, but also the Princess Consort of Duan, whom he recognized.
Ling Yuan watched the figure walking ahead. At today's family banquet, she had both fulfilled her duty to her father and daughter, while upholding the Wangfu's position. Her shrewdness and skillful maneuvering forced him to re-evaluate this woman he had once considered a pawn.
Perhaps, she really wasn't on the same path as Prime Minister Choi.
The moonlight, like water, gently bathed the two walking hand in hand. That night, the autumn colors of the Prince's mansion were exceptionally tender.
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