Xin He laughed and shook her head: "These people really do have too much idle time."
Shulan seemed rather intrigued: "The Princess may not know, ever since Minister Duan started his grand activities in Yu State, countless eyes in Yu State are watching day by day. After all, he is such an important figure and the citizens of Yu have always been exceptionally passionate, squeezing in time for gossip about our distinguished guest in Yu State amidst their busy schedules."
Xin He chuckled, too lazy to inquire further, but she remained vigilant in her heart. She knew that if Duan Lan was not planning something, he definitely would not stay in Yu State wasting away his days. To her knowledge, the situation in the capital was not too great either, at least for Duan Lan, as the Song Family was still threatening his position in the capital.
If he wasted too much time idling in Yu State, he might find the situation in the capital city drastically changed upon his return.
Duan Lan could not be unaware of this fact; hence, his continued stay here must have another hidden motive.
However, Ji Xinhe could not immediately figure out what that motive could be, and in the end, she could only wait and observe.
While Xin He was deep in thought, she heard Shulan continue to speak excitedly: "Oh right, the Princess might not know, some people are now comparing our Prince and Minister Duan."
Xin He raised her eyebrows: "Comparing what?"
"Naturally, they’re comparing who is better! There are all kinds of opinions, but generally, the citizens of Yu State are somewhat biased towards our Prince. After much comparison, they still think our Prince is better, but there’s one aspect in which our Prince has actually lost." Shulan said, her eyes twinkling with delight, clearly intending to tease Xin He.
Xin He was genuinely curious: "He lost in what aspect?"
"They say that in terms of being lovesick, Minister Duan certainly wins!"
Xin He scrunched up her face: "What kind of nonsense is this?"
"I felt the same, so I angrily asked them for an explanation. Who knew they’d say that initially they thought our Prince was lovesick because he had been married to the Princess for five years and only had one princess. Despite this, the Prince did not take any concubines, showing his deep affection for the Princess. But Minister Duan is even more impressive; he’s been married for six years and hasn’t just been childless, but even Madam Duan hasn’t shown any signs of pregnancy, and yet Minister Duan hasn’t taken any concubines either!"
Laughing heartily, Shulan said: "No movement in her belly for so many years, is this a sign of love or of dislike?"
Xin He paused momentarily upon hearing this: "Li Junyan has been married to Duan Lan for six years and has shown no signs of pregnancy?"
Xiaoyu softly added: "It makes sense, after all, Duan Lan married Li Junyan merely to appease the Emperor. It wasn’t a marriage of love. Considering Minister Duan’s arrogant nature, it’s normal that he doesn’t want her to bear his heir."
Xin He nodded slightly: "But with Duan Lan’s blatant disregard of Li Junyan, isn’t it strange that Li Junyan has shown no signs of resistance? After all, she’s a chess piece the Emperor inserted in there. Normally, she should be trying to make Duan Lan uncomfortable."
"Human intentions are hard to fathom; the internal workings of their relationship are likely unknown to outsiders," said Xiaoyu.
Shulan snorted: "Anyway, regardless of everything, it doesn’t concern our Princess."
Just as they were talking, a little maid came in to announce: "The Princess, Miss Ah Lian is here."
"Please let her in." Xin he said with a smile.
"Yes." The little maid exited.
Shulan and Xiaoyu moved aside to stand at a distance.
Ah Lian was quickly brought in, and she paid her respects to Xin He: "Su’er."
Xin He laughed: "What brings you here today?"
Despite five years passing by in a blink, time seemed to have treated the woman in front of her with great generosity, her beauty still as glamorous as it was in the beginning, almost making people forget that she was nearly thirty.
With a gentle smile, Ah Lian replied: "There’s something, I wanted to discuss with you."
"Go on."
With a smile still on her face, Ah Lian said: "I was thinking of retiring."
Xin He was taken aback upon hearing this: "Retire? Why the sudden mention of this?"
Still smiling, Ah Lian replied: "With girls from Hua Manlou pouring out in batches, my presence or absence doesn’t make much of a difference. Su’er need not worry about me. I’m aging, and I find this drift-like lifestyle rather meaningless."
Xin He’s brows knitted slightly: "Where would you go after retirement?"
"I’ve saved quite a bit over the years and bought a small manor on Qingmian Mountain. I don’t have other plans for now; I’ll just stay there. I’m getting old, and retirement is inevitable. Rather than waiting to be gradually forgotten and despised by people, it’s better to retire now while I’m still in my prime, at least allowing them to remember my best moments, which would, in the future, earn me some of their thoughts." Ah Lian sighed.
Xin He held Ah Lian’s hand: "If you really want to retire, I won’t stop you. But are you sure about this?"
Life in Hua Manlou was like being surrounded by stars, such glory could feel unbearable to some once lost.
"I’ve made up my mind and have thought it through very clearly. Su’er, I’ll always remember the kindness you’ve shown me these years. If there’s anything I can help you with in the future, I promise I won’t refuse." Ah Lian assured her.
"Don’t say that. Whatever kindness I’ve shown you, you’ve paid back over these years. You’ve never owed me anything. It’s just..." Xin He hesitated for a while before asking: "Do you know that the Great Prince hasn’t married all these years?"
Ah Lian laughed and shook her head: "He’s a stubborn man and there are somethings he just can’t grasp. He will understand given some time."
"That’s fine." Xin He didn’t try to convince her otherwise.
Ah Lian didn’t have any special feelings for the Great Prince. Xin He saw this in her eyes and it brought her relief. If Ah Lian developed any links with him, her future path would probably become much harder to tread.
After seeing Ah Lian off, Xin He remembered that she had previously asked Marquis Mu to inquire about the Great Prince. Not knowing whether there was any news yet, she made a special trip to the study.
Marquis Mu handed her the letter: "This letter was delivered a few days ago. I initially thought to wait a little longer before giving it to you."
"Why?" Xin He asked, puzzled. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Marquis Mu snorted lightly: "Whether you read this letter or not, isn’t it all the same outcome? Rather than personally delivering your niece to the Song Family and causing offence, it’s better to let the Song Family lose heart."
According to Marquis Mu, this letter could be directly burned. When the Song Family asked about it later, they would say that the Great Prince didn’t even give face to Marquis Mu, and that this mess should be ignored as much as possible.
Xin He gave him a slight glare: "Did you open it and read it?"
"No." Marquis Mu said calmly: "Why would I look at this?"
He really wasn’t interested.
Xin He simply opened the envelope. Although she knew it was inevitable, she still felt she should read it.
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