Chapter 169 In the Study
Upon hearing Xue Han's words, Fang Xiang said, "I really don't know. I'll send someone to ask."
The servant who went to inquire quickly replied, "Miss Qiu Liu has been staying in the First Madam's courtyard these past few days."
Fang Xiang was puzzled, but showed no sign of it on his face. He said to Xue Han, "Miss Qiu is indeed at the Prime Minister's residence. There are too many people and it's too chaotic here. Go to the Nine Returns Pavilion and wait for her."
"Thank you, Prime Minister Fang." Xue Han cupped his hands in thanks and left with the servant who had led the way.
Fang Xiang then went to his wife's place.
"Why has the Prime Minister come here?" The old lady was somewhat surprised by the Prime Minister's arrival.
Her husband was always busy with work. Whether he was on leave or not, he would either receive guests in the front yard or meet people in his study, and rarely came to her place.
"What's going on with the Yang family? Why is the sixth young lady of the Yongqing Marquis's mansion moving into her courtyard?"
"Oh, I have heard about that." The old lady was relieved to hear it was such a trivial matter. "Ever since Sanlang passed away, Madam Yang has been too grief-stricken to recover until Miss Qiu Liu came to visit and coaxed her, which actually cheered her up a bit..."
The daily affairs of the Prime Minister's residence were managed by Madam Yang. Madam Yang did not need to report to the Old Madam if she wanted to keep a young girl for a short stay. The Old Madam was only paying more attention to Madam Yang because she was worried that Madam Yang could not bear the pain of losing her son.
"What brings Miss Qiu here?"
The old lady smiled and said, "The Yongqing Marquis's family refused the marriage proposal earlier because they were afraid of retaliation from our Prime Minister's family. The Yongqing Marquis himself has no ability, so he took a different approach and sent his granddaughter to win over Madam Yang."
"So that's how it is." Fang Xiang finally understood. "Is Madam Yang really feeling better because of Miss Qiu Liu?"
The old lady nodded.
"The Earl of Yongqing is truly a talented man." Fang Xiang chuckled, then instructed, "Have someone go and tell Madam Yang that if things don't go her way, don't mistreat the girl; just send her away properly."
The old lady looked puzzled.
Fang Xiang revealed a complicated expression: "Xue Quan's adopted son, Xue Han, is deeply in love with that girl. He couldn't find her at the Yongqing Marquis's residence, so he came all the way to the Prime Minister's residence."
I don't know how someone as shrewd as Xue Quan could raise such a lovestruck child.
But this is for the best. That young man has won the Emperor's favor and saved the Crown Prince's life; his future is limitless. If he is also rational and indifferent towards women, then people will have to be wary of him.
His current good relationship with Xue Quan doesn't mean it will last.
The old lady curled her lip and said, "Young people these days are really something else."
In Madam Yang's courtyard, Qiu Heng heard that Xue Han was waiting for her in the pavilion in front, and she took a deep breath.
Xue Han is here again!
Xue Han, a stumbling block, Xue Han, a stumbling block...
Walk until you reach the outside of the Nine-fold Pavilion, where the "stumbling block" inside turns around.
The servant who brought Qiu Heng knew better than to follow.
Qiu Heng walked into the pavilion, a smile playing on her lips: "Xue Han, what brings you here?"
It's her own fault for not explicitly objecting when he said he would marry her. Her momentary greed has brought her this trouble; she deserves it.
Xue Han gazed at the girl in plain clothes who approached, and only felt relieved when he saw that she looked well and in good spirits.
"I heard from the Earl's residence that you've been at the Prime Minister's residence for several days without returning. I was worried, so I came to check on you."
"Oh, you went to the Earl's residence to find me." Qiu Heng smiled, thinking to herself that someone was quite good at making excuses. It was probably because the person keeping an eye on her reported that she had come to the Prime Minister's residence, and he made a special trip to the Earl's residence to make it public.
"Aheng, when are you going back to the Marquis's residence?"
"I promised Madam Yang that I would accompany her until the 49th day after the death of Young Master Fang."
"Are you staying that long?" Xue Han frowned. "Why?"
Qiu Heng sighed, "The Prime Minister's family wanted me to be a concubine for the Third Young Master Fang, but that didn't work out. They then wanted to take my Fourth Sister as a concubine, but that didn't work out either. This has seriously offended the Prime Minister's family, and my grandfather can't sleep at night because of it. So I'm trying to please Madam Yang to relieve the Earl's family's worries."
Xue Han looked at Qiu Heng silently, not believing a single word.
It must be admitted that Ah Heng's reasons were always very appropriate. If he hadn't discovered that Ah Heng was the highly skilled thief, he probably wouldn't have suspected anything.
"What's wrong?" Qiu Heng asked when Xue Han remained silent.
She knew Xue Han wouldn't believe her.
Xue Han had already glimpsed part of her secret, and since he hadn't revealed it, she was happy to play dumb.
He gradually discovered what she was plotting, and this process of gradually accepting it was much more prudent than forcing him to choose a side immediately.
"No matter what, I must ensure my own safety," Xue Han sighed inwardly.
Let him see what Ah Heng is up to.
"Don't worry."
"Then I'm leaving."
"Mm." Qiu Heng nodded gently. "Come find me again after I return to the Marquis's residence."
"Okay." Xue Han readily agreed and stepped out of the pavilion first.
Qiu Heng watched him leave and walked towards the servant who had brought her: "Please take me back to Madam Yang's courtyard."
This Nine-fold Pavilion is not far from the courtyard where the treacherous minister's study is located.
Qiu Heng glanced lightly in the direction of the study and followed the servant to the backyard.
In the stillness of the night, only the faint sound of chanting could be heard from the courtyard where the Third Young Master Fang's body lay in state. One team of guards took over from another, carrying out their patrol duties methodically.
As they were handing over their work, a figure quietly passed by and entered the courtyard where the study was located.
Outside the Prime Minister's residence, the watchman rubbed his eyes and lightly patted his companion: "Something's up."
His companions were invigorated.
The two watched as the side gate of the Prime Minister's residence opened, and several people pushed a cart inside.
"Go and report to Commander Hu. I'll keep an eye on things."
Upon receiving the news, Hu Si immediately went to see Xue Han.
"Three people pushed a cart in; they must be delivering gifts to Prime Minister Fang."
It's not unusual for someone to deliver gifts at night, but the adults said to report any unusual activity immediately, which is why Hu Si took it seriously.
"Keep an eye on who's giving the gift, see who it is," Xue Han casually instructed.
Given Fang Xiang's power, he receives countless gifts, far more than the Imperial City Guard could handle. But since they've already encountered him, figuring out the identity of the gift-giver is a convenient thing to do. As for what happens after that, that depends on the situation; it's not a loss in itself.
The three entered the Prime Minister's residence and were led into the study.
Qiu Heng hid behind the screen, listening intently.
"It's been a long time since we last met, Prime Minister Fang."
What brings you here?
"Prime Minister Fang, please take a look at the local specialties I brought you. This snow fungus grows on a thousand-foot snow mountain, and it is said to prolong life and can be called a divine herb... And this ginseng king..."
As Qiu Heng listened to the man smugly recount each gift, she raised an eyebrow slightly.
Luckily, they stumbled upon the treacherous minister having a secret conversation with the people of Qi.
"I have come on orders to request Prime Minister Fang's assistance in transferring your General Huang away from the border..."
Fang Xiang laughed and said, "It seems you've suffered quite a loss at Huang Lin's hands."
"Hehe, we were defeated by Huang Lin. Huang Lin wanted to press his advantage and attack, which gave the lord a great headache, so he risked going to the capital to ask Prime Minister Fang for help..."
Fang Xiang remained silent, lost in thought.
"The states of Xia and Qi have been fighting and making peace for over a hundred years, with one side gaining the upper hand at one time and the other at another. It's all just a series of events. These rare treasures are the real deal. What does Prime Minister Fang think?"
A moment later, Fang Xiang's voice rang out: "Then I will accept it."
(End of this chapter)
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