Xiao Bei initially intended to pick up Ah Guai, as he always did, but Ah Guai was angry with him and ran off to keep a distance. This left Xiao Bei behind, abandoned and alone.
With a helpless smile, Xiao Bei said, "This kid, always giving me things to worry about."
Looking at him, Xin He retorts, "You’re no better at giving me peace of mind."
Beaming, Xiao Bei approached and called out, "Sis~"
Xin He, clearly annoyed, replied, "You’re a grown man already. Are you still throwing tantrums?"
Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Bei asked, "Sis, what do you plan to do with Song Yalin? Can’t we just kick her out while brother-in-law is away? I really feel uncomfortable knowing we have an extra side consort in the Mansion."
Xin He responded, "Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle it."
Upon mentioning Song Yalin, Xin He’s mood darkened. The situation was still unclear, and it wouldn’t be wise to act recklessly yet.
But Xiao Bei didn’t know the details. He thought it was just a simple issue of an imposed marriage.
Xiao Bei sighed, "Okay, I know I can be dense sometimes, and I can’t figure out what my sister is thinking. But I know she wouldn’t put up with being wronged, so I won’t interfere anymore." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Seeing his defeated demeanor, Xin He couldn’t help but feel a little helpless as she patted him on the shoulder and said, "How can our Xiao Bei possibly be a fool? After all, you are Yu State’s first sixteen-year-old scholar."
With a snort, Xiao Bei responded. "Sister, don’t try to comfort me. I know my capabilities, and honestly, I’m nowhere near even one-tenth of your level."
Xin He replied gently, "There are some things that you don’t have to understand, and honestly, I don’t even want you to."
Xiao Bei paused, seemingly confused.
Xin He smiled then said, "Alright, you should hurry up and get to school. Don’t keep your teacher waiting. Ah Guai might already be at the school, are you going to let her beat you to it?"
At that, Xiao Bei nodded, "I guess I should get going then."
"Yes, go on," Xin He said while watching Xiao Beil’s retreating figure, feeling a pang of helplessness she sighed lightly, "I don’t know if I’m too soft-hearted, or if I just can’t bear for him to be exposed to much darkness."
Xiaoyu served Xin He a cup of hot tea and said, "If you don’t want Young Master Ji to be involved with such matters, then simply keep him away. What’s the big deal?"
But Xin He shook her head, "However, he will eventually need to stand on his own feet. I can’t handle everything for him forever. As for becoming a Jinshi right now, it seems too early. It might take at least three to five years, and then I worry there will be many dark matters and storms to weather once he becomes an official."
Xiaoyu pursed her lips, "Young Master Ji is simple-minded and focuses much on his academics, but he does not seem skilled in handling twists and turns."
"Exactly my worry. He might suffer unnecessary losses," replied Xin He. "As for Xiaochaihu, I’m not worried about him. He’s always been reliable and can withstand storms. The pity is he’s not interested in his studies."
Xin He added, her brows furrowing with stress, "None of them make things easy on me."
Xiaoyu chuckled, "Why do you worry so much? If you think about it differently, the issues become simple. If Young Master Ji isn’t good at dealing with devious and dark matters, then don’t force him to learn. Besides, with the backing of the Pingyang Prince Mansion, who would dare to bother Young Master Ji within Yu State? As for Xiaochaihu, if he doesn’t want to take the imperial exam, it’s even simpler. Just keep him by your side."
Xin He watched, a little thoughtful. "Indeed, it seems like no big deal. But on second thought, all of this is based on the assumption that the Pingyang Prince Mansion will remain prosperous."
But considering the current situation, it was apparent that the Emperor was gradually becoming intolerant of the existence of the Pingyang Prince Mansion.
Hearing Xin He’s worry, Xiaoyu knew her concerns and reassured her, "Please be at ease. If His Highness decided to go to Lian City, he must have felt confident."
"Mmm."
Xiaoyu continued, "You might not know, but His Highness has made arrangements to send back frequent updates. It won’t be like last time."
But Xin He sighed lightly, "I am not worried about the messages."
Her real concern was the dangers he may face on this trip to Lian City.
The Emperor’s move was as if he had set up a trap. The moment Marquis Mu left Yu State, he could be in danger, and he was only taking a few men with him. The thought was enough to make Xin He’s heart ache with worry.
Xiaoyu opened a small drawer from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, removed an elaborately crafted box made of Phoebe wood, and handed it to Xin He. "Your Highness, this is something His Highness left."
Xin He took the box and opened it to reveal an emerald-green token — a tiger talisman.
Xin He’s heart skipped a beat. Did he really entrust her with the command token that could mobilize one hundred thousand elite soldiers of Yu State? Last night when he said he would let one hundred thousand elite soldiers listen to her command, she thought he was just making a passionate statement out of his zeal and didn’t take it seriously. But now, seeing the tiger talisman he left for her, she realized that he meant every word.
She took the tiger talisman, her heart heavy as if she was holding something weighing a ton. His trust in leaving her his biggest bargaining chip and his last trump card showed that of all people in the world, she was the only one he trusted.
Xin He shut the box with a snap, her face tight and serious. She stood up and asked, "Where is Song Yalin being held?"
Xiaoyu was slightly taken aback but quickly answered respectfully, "She’s in the outer courtyard."
Though she had entered the doors of the Pingyang Prince Mansion as a side consort, she had never been to the inner courtyard. She was confined in the outer courtyard, isolated and secluded from the world.
Xin He pressed her lips together, "Take me to her."
Xiaoyu bowed, "Yes."
The Pingyang Prince Mansion was quite spacious, but due to the lack of consorts and princelings other than Ah Guai and Xiao Bei, many courtyards were left unoccupied. Some of these courtyards had lovely sceneries and were regularly cleaned by diligent servants for occasional visits by the household members.
Others, with less attractive landscapes, were gradually abandoned, visited by none. Luo Xia Garden, located in the outer courtyard, was one of such courtyards. It usually had an eerie desolate vibe and was mostly deserted. The present situation had reduced it to a state of disrepair, where Song Yalin was currently being kept.
As Xin He approached the entrance of Luo Xia Garden, she was met with a sight of desolation within.
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