The next day.
There are eleven days left until the princess's coming-of-age ceremony.
Li Gongqin was not well received by the He family.
This Minister of Rites blocked the marriage proposal from the He family to the eldest princess, and not only that, he used all sorts of tricks to block it. Things like the amount of the betrothal gifts was wrong, the colors weren't festive enough… Later, when all the respectable reasons were exhausted, he even came up with excuses like "there are typos" or "the handwriting isn't neat." If this were to be welcomed in a marquis's household, it would be a miracle.
Li Gongqin was also helpless. No matter how difficult He Yuanhao was to deal with, as long as the Empress Dowager gave the order, he would have to bite the bullet and deal with him. Empress Dowager Li Xuanzi was his own aunt. Whether it was her status in the court or her family, she was superior to him in every way. She could be said to be completely restrained by him.
Knowing that his trip to the He residence was fraught with danger and that he might get another beating from He Yuanhao, Li Gongqin specially invited Li Jin to go with him, hoping to use his connections with He Yunxiao, the future imperial son-in-law, to help him out.
Despite all his calculations, Li Gongqin never expected that He Yunxiao wouldn't be home.
The Li father and son sat in the He family's living room for an hour, but they didn't see Marquis Wuqing or even a maid. The tea they drank was cold.
Li Jin was always very proper in front of his father. Now, having prepared in advance, he took out a book and pretended to shake his head and sway his body.
"The Drumming. The drums beat loudly, and soldiers eagerly prepare for battle. The city walls and fortifications of the Tu state are formidable, and I cannot go alone."
Li Gongqin took a sip of the bitter herbal tea and said, "It is 'I travel alone to the south'."
Li Jin continued.
"There is a fox. There is a fox on the banks of the Qi River."
Li Gongqin said helplessly, "That character is pronounced 'Sui'."
"Miss Jiang!"
Li Gongqin said speechlessly, "There isn't one like this..."
"This humble girl, Jiang Wuyou, greets Your Excellency and Young Master Li." Jiang Wuyou, accompanied by servants carrying hot tea, gracefully bowed.
Li Gongqin was, after all, the Minister of Rites, a high-ranking official of the second rank, so it wasn't appropriate to completely ignore him. Since the Marquis and his wife couldn't make an appearance, Jiang Wuyou and his men had to attend to them.
Li Gongqin looked up and saw a woman of unparalleled beauty standing before him. Her appearance was extraordinary, and she seemed vaguely familiar. Li Gongqin paused, then asked in confusion, "You are…?"
Li Jin quickly answered, "Father, this is Jiang Wuyou, He Yunxiao's new wife."
Li Gongqin suddenly realized who Jiang Wuyou was; this woman had even performed a dance at the palace last year. However, his face immediately darkened again.
Princess Xiaoyue is going to marry He Yunxiao, wouldn't that mean she'd have to share with Jiang Wuyou...?
The eldest princess and a courtesan...
This is utterly absurd, both in ancient and modern times!
However, he quickly recalled his aunt's exact words.
"To prevent Qingqian from backing out, this matter must be completed as quickly as possible! Li Gongqin, you come up with the solution, use any means necessary. I want to hold my grandson this time next year! Otherwise, you'll be in for a severe beating!"
Wiping away a cold sweat, Li Gongqin couldn't care less about anything else now, just so that the Empress Dowager could hold her grandson on time.
"Miss Jiang, may I ask if the Marquis is in?"
Jiang Wuyou smiled and said, "My parents are still taking a nap. When they wake up, I will immediately tell them that the adults have arrived."
Li Gongqin looked embarrassed. How could he believe such an explanation? So he forced a smile and said, "I have important matters to discuss with the Marquis. Please trouble them for a moment, young lady."
Jiang Wuyou continued with a smile, "Please wait a moment, my lord. As is our usual custom, my parents will soon be up."
The father and son waited patiently at the Marquis's residence, but no one came. Li Gongqin had no choice but to send Li Jin out to look for He Yunxiao.
As a party involved, He Yunxiao was permitted to know about the "Xiaoyue's Marriage Incident".
However, on this matter, my cousin and aunt had different opinions. My cousin said: there's no need to deliberately let him know. My aunt said: you must tell He Yunxiao, you must make sure it's clearly conveyed. Also, let Xiao'er come to the palace to visit me from time to time.
Caught between the two, Li Gongqin was in a difficult position.
...
Li Jin, burdened with the important task of finding He Yunxiao, naturally dared not be careless.
Based on his understanding of He Yunxiao, He Yunxiao frequented only three places: the Imperial Palace, Chunfeng Tower, and Lujiao Academy.
Li Jin first went to Chunfeng Tower to look for her, but couldn't find her. Then he went to Lujiao Academy to look for Fan Ziruo.
Given Li Jin's status, it was naturally easy for him to see Fan Ziruo. He entered the Fan residence, knocked on the door, and someone led him to find her.
The only variable was that the person who opened the door for Li Jin was named Hong She.
Hongshe led Li Jin to the deserted reception room of the Fan residence, and then said, "Please wait here, young master. I will inform my young lady immediately."
Li Jin bowed and thanked him, then waited patiently.
Hong She's professional skills are beyond question. After infiltrating the Fan household, she quickly became friends with the maids. Even Fan Ziruo had a good impression of this rather clever maid.
After calming Li Jin down, Hong She immediately informed He Yunxiao.
It is absolutely unacceptable for any man to attempt to approach the young master's women.
Since Hong She couldn't contact He Yunxiao immediately, she had no choice but to send the letter to the Marquis's residence.
The letter reached the Marquis's residence, and ended up in Jiang Wuyou's hands.
Jiang Wuyou opened the letter and read: There is a thief in the Fan residence, young master, come quickly.
Jiang Wuyou vaguely knew about Fan Ziruo's situation. Upon seeing this letter, she felt a sense of foreboding. He Yunxiao's woman was her sister, and no matter what, she couldn't let anything happen to her.
Therefore, under Jiang Wuyou's instructions, all the Yan Kingdom spies with military force around the Fan residence in Yinjing City were moving towards the Fan residence, and she herself also arrived at the gate of the Fan residence in the Marquis's carriage.
...
At this moment, He Yunxiao was in a hiding place of the Short Knife Gang, helping the gang leader Pang Jian heal his injuries.
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