Chapter 45 The heart, filled with despair, once again spiraled out of control…
It's better to be early than late. Early that morning, Princess Pei Shen'ai of Wuyang arrived at the Prime Minister's residence, accompanied by Xiao Huanzheng and Xiao Chongheng. Xiao Yuzhen said she was embarrassed to get off the carriage and insisted on entering the Prime Minister's residence later. Pei Shen'ai doted on her and let her have her way.
Xue Wenmian and Yang Chengxiu were teacher and student. Although Yang Chengxiu was a criminal and could only hold a secret funeral, he still went to Princess Jin'an's residence to take a look and offer incense. He had just returned to the Prime Minister's residence when Pei Shen'ai arrived.
Back when Emperor Yang was alive, Xue Wenmian disliked Pei Shen'ai. She was a woman who only cared about her own immediate interests. She would sacrifice anyone for power and befriend anyone.
Pei Shen'ai didn't want to talk to Xue Wenmian much in the first place. She originally wanted Xiao Chongheng to speak, since it was Xiao Chongheng who suggested betrothing Xiao Yuzhen to Xue Haoting. However, Xiao Chongheng had a long face since morning, and he still had a long face when he arrived at the Prime Minister's residence.
"May the Princess be well, and may the Prince Consort be well." Xue Wenmian reluctantly bowed to each of them. "And the Duke of Yan, I apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Pei Shenai gave a forced smile: "Not at all. Prime Minister Xue has made great contributions, and it is only natural for me to visit such an important minister."
Xue Wenmian gave an awkward laugh: "Your Highness has already seen it, so why don't you go back? He's been very busy lately, and His Majesty has fallen ill because of Princess Jin'an's matter. It's inevitable that we, as his subjects, will have to share His Majesty's burdens."
"Hmph, Prime Minister Xue has probably been looking forward to this day for a long time."
"Your Highness is mistaken. As someone in a position, I have a duty to fulfill. Since I eat the emperor's rice, I naturally have to share the emperor's burdens. Who would dare to say a word against it?"
"Whether you share the burden or not, you know in your heart. Nowadays, even important military secrets must be reviewed by you before being presented to His Majesty. Can you say that you haven't formed cliques for personal gain?"
“I am the Crown Princess’s father. His Majesty has personally granted me various rights. If the Princess feels dissatisfied, she may go and report to His Majesty.”
"Hmph, then I hope the Crown Princess's position is secure and your Xue family prospers forever. Just don't accidentally give yourself away!"
"Mother!"
The words were getting increasingly outrageous. Xiao Chongheng frowned and stopped Pei Shenai from saying anything more. He didn't want Ling Zhenli to be dragged into this pointless argument.
Pei Shen'ai was interrupted and, remembering the important matter she had come for today, sat up straight with a sheepish expression.
Seeing that they seemed to have something to say, Xue Wenmian sat down and listened attentively.
"Your Excellency, is Young Master Xue in the manor today?"
"I'm having morning tea with the Crown Princess. The two siblings haven't seen each other for a while, so they need to have a good chat."
Xue Wenmian sounded impatient, but still answered Xiao Chongheng properly. Upon hearing the words "Crown Princess," Xiao Chongheng immediately perked up.
"Is the Crown Princess also at the Prime Minister's residence?"
Xue Wenmian replied, "Last night, the Crown Prince and his wife returned in a sedan chair to visit their home. It wasn't a formal family visit, so they didn't make a big fuss about it."
Seeing that his son's attention was entirely on the Crown Princess and that he had probably forgotten about the important matter, Xiao Huanzheng promptly steered the conversation back on track: "Then may we invite Young Master Xue to come for a moment?"
"You flatter me, Your Highness. There's no need for formalities." Xue Wenmian said politely, then turned to the servant and said, "Go and invite the young master over. Tell him that the Princess and her family have come to visit."
*
The artificial hills are layered with verdant greenery, and the pavilions are reflected in the clear pond.
Ling Zhenli and Xue Haoting were enjoying tea and snacks while feeding the carp in the pavilion by the pond, having a very pleasant time.
"Why did you suddenly come back last night?"
Ling Zhenli scattered some fish food into the pond and said indifferently, "Isn't this my home?"
Xue Haoting immediately replied, "Of course."
"Then I can't come back?"
"Of course you can. I mean, it happened so suddenly. The Crown Prince brought you back in a hurry last night, and then left again in a hurry this morning."
"You've never been interested in politics, but you've been asking about it quite frequently today."
Ling Zhenli looked at the koi in the pond, who were almost full and no longer interested. She turned to Xue Haoting and said, "Princess Jin'an lost her husband, and she's been making a fuss about having him enshrined in the ancestral temple. The emperor, who dotes on her, has given in. Pei Xuanlin has come to the palace to discuss this matter."
"So I'll keep you company today?"
“Yes, then you should stay with me.” Ling Zhenli smiled and sighed, then her expression changed and she became serious. “I promised Yang Chengxiu that I would comfort Princess Jin’an after his death, but I don’t want to, and I don’t remember if I told him that I would break my promise.”
"Comfort Princess Jin'an?" Xue Haoting frowned, puzzled. "Promise Yang Chengxiu? Yang Chengxiu has never treated Yingyue as his future wife. What right does he have to ask you for this?"
Ling Zhenli sneered: "He knows I'm not Xue Yingyue. He has something on me, so naturally he can make me do things for him. Didn't you do the same thing before?"
"I...I know I was wrong, Ahri."
Xue Haoting wrapped his arms around her from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder, his Adam's apple bobbing several times before he could only manage a hoarse, dry apology.
He kept apologizing to her, but Ling Zhenli grew tired of it. She sighed, not wanting to waste her energy, and didn't push Xue Haoting away, letting him hold her.
When the servant came to invite Xue Haoting, the two were still hugging tightly, which put the servant in a difficult position. The young master and young lady were hugging each other, which was not something he could watch, and he dared not disturb them, but he had to get Xue Haoting over quickly.
"Cough...cough cough cough..."
The servant coughed a few times on purpose, hoping to attract the attention of the two and make them separate. However, Ling Zhenli and Xue Haoting only glanced back and, seeing that it was their own servant, paid no attention to it.
The servant was truly at a loss. The brother and sister stopped acting and stopped trying to hide it from others.
"Young master, the master is calling you over in the front hall. The princess has come to our residence."
Hearing this, Xue Haoting slowly released Ling Zhenli, turned back to look at the servant, pursed his lips, and said, "Did the Princess come alone?"
"And there's also Prince Consort Xiao, the Duke of Yan."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
When Ling Zhenli heard that Xiao Chongheng had also arrived, her smile vanished: "You'd better go quickly."
"Would you like to come with me?"
After a moment's hesitation, Ling Zhenli nodded.
*
As the guard announced loudly
Ling Zhenli, with Xue Haoting's arm around her, stepped into the hall, her steps unhurried, her skirt remaining perfectly still.
Upon hearing the announcement, everyone in the hall rose and bowed to her in a wave of respect.
Ling Zhenli's gaze swept over everyone, first looking at Xiao Chongheng, who was bowing respectfully, and then shifting to the woman in a crimson-purple dress who had just given up the main seat for her.
Princess Pei Shen'ai's well-maintained face showed few signs of aging, except for her sharp eyes that revealed a formidable edge.
Ling Zhenli raised her hand, straightened her back, and a perfect smile appeared on her face, befitting a crown princess.
"Rise."
After everyone stood up, Ling Zhenli nodded slightly to Pei Shen'ai, her tone carrying a hint of disdain: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Pei Shen'ai slowly stood up and gave a standard but clearly perfunctory bow: "Your Highness is too polite."
Her gaze swept over Xue Yingyue, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
In that split second of eye contact, Ling Zhenli felt a burning gaze.
She glanced sideways and saw Xiao Chongheng standing behind the eldest princess.
After not seeing him for many days... he had become even more tall and handsome, and a dark blue brocade robe accentuated his aloof and noble temperament.
At this moment, his deep, ink-black eyes were staring straight at her, filled with emotions she couldn't decipher.
The last time they met was at the Duke of Yan's mansion... He and she, skin to skin, warm and tender...
Ling Zhenli's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away.
"Crown Princess," Xue Haoting gently reminded Ling Zhenli, pulling her back to reality from her memories.
"Please sit down, everyone."
Ling Zhenli composed herself, finished speaking, and then, supported by her maid, walked towards the main seat.
With every step Ling Zhenli took, she could feel Xiao Chongheng's gaze following her like a shadow.
She thought she had buried her past feelings deep in her heart, but ever since she reunited with him, her heart, which had been filled with despair, began to beat uncontrollably for him again.
The embers of the fire have been rekindled.
"Your Highness looks very well today." Pei Shen'ai sat down, took a sip of tea, and said in a calm and unhurried tone, "I heard that you were ill a few days ago and did not have time to visit you. Please forgive me."
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly froze.
Ling Zhenli calmly accepted the teacup offered by the maid, her tone indifferent yet with a hint of arrogance: "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am much better now. I heard that the Duke of Yan has recently been appointed as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. I have not yet offered my congratulations to the Duke of Yan."
She deliberately brought up Xiao Chongheng, and sure enough, she saw the princess's expression change slightly.
The position of Vice Minister of War should have been held by someone from the Crown Prince's faction, but Xiao Chongheng unexpectedly obtained it. Everyone in the court knew how much manipulation the Eldest Princess had used behind the scenes.
"Heng'er is young and needs more experience." Pei Shen'ai feigned modesty, but her eyes gleamed with pride.
Ling Zhenli caught a glimpse of Xiao Chongheng frowning out of the corner of her eye, seemingly uncomfortable with his mother's behavior.
No, he should be happy. Back when she was by Xiao Chongheng's side, didn't he marry Princess Roujia for his own benefit? What, is he now remorseful?
"The Duke of Yan is exceptionally talented and will certainly be able to fulfill this role," Ling Zhenli said politely, but a bitter feeling welled up inside her.
"Thank you for your praise, Crown Princess."
Xiao Chongheng's gaze remained fixed on her, showing no intention of mentioning marrying his sister to Xue Haoting.
Since Xue Haoting had a relationship with Ling Zhenli, and Xiao Chongheng was Ling Zhenli's first man, how could he allow Xiao Yuzhen to marry Xue Haoting?
Xiao Huanzheng thought the same as Xiao Chongheng: if they married their daughter to Xue Haoting, things would get chaotic. So he didn't mention the matter.
Pei Shen, however, didn't care about so much and spoke directly.
"Gentlemen," Pei Shen'ai suddenly stood up, her clear voice drowning out all other sounds in the hall, "I have something to discuss with you."
Ling Zhenli looked up and saw Pei Shenai with a graceful smile on her face, her gaze fixed on Xue Haoting beside her.
Ling Zhenli's heart tightened, wondering what trick Pei Shenai was up to.
"Lord Xue is a promising young man who has already risen to the position of Minister of the Imperial Household, yet he remains unmarried," Pei Shen'ai said slowly. "I have a daughter, Princess Yongtai, who has come of age this year. She is both beautiful and talented. If Lord Xue does not mind, how about our two families become husband and wife?"
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