Prime Minister.

Chapter 34 034 [The Promise]

Xue Huai had always suspected Jiang Li's motives.

If the life-saving grace by the Nine-Bend River was a coincidence, then from the moment he was carried into the Green Green Villa, Princess Yun'an began to help him resolve potential problems. For example, she sent someone to the Xue residence to inform Cui Shi and put her mind at ease, and she also sent someone to the Hanlin Academy to ask for leave for him. The various difficulties she encountered at their first meeting were nothing more than verbal tests.

During their last meeting, it was Xue Huai who came to express his gratitude, but Jiang Li took the initiative to analyze the situation for him, pointing out who was suspected of setting a trap to frame the Xue family.

The saying goes that when you give a gift, you must have something in mind. Not to mention that Jiang Li still holds the debt of saving her life. She could have just asked Xue Huai to do it for her. Why go through all this trouble?

Although Jiang Li used the excuse of being entrusted by the Crown Prince, Xue Huai did not believe it from the beginning.

The Crown Prince, who holds the power to oversee government affairs, would certainly send an official from the Imperial Household Department, which is dedicated to tutoring the Crown Prince, to win over a certain Hanlin Academy official if he wanted to do so. After all, the Imperial Household Department and the Hanlin Academy share the same titles, personnel, and functions, and their interactions are very frequent. Such an arrangement is reasonable and better than a princess getting entangled with a court official.

Having stepped into this intricate political maze, Xue Huai couldn't fully trust anyone, not even Shen Wang, and Jiang Li was no exception.

In short, Jiang Li's kindness came rather abruptly; it couldn't possibly be because she was attracted to Xue Huai's face.

From the first time they met, Xue Huai was certain that this princess was young but had a deep mind. How could such a person be so easily swayed by her appearance?
Having finally heard two valuable words from Jiang Li, Xue Huai did not press further and turned to walk away slowly.

"Your Highness, how do you intend to help me?"

This means we can continue the discussion.

Jiang Li smiled slightly; she enjoyed chatting with intelligent people.

It seems that people have many misunderstandings about Xue Huai. In fact, although he is upright, he is not an unapproachable person. It is just that many people do not bother to hide their prejudices or have dirty secrets, which makes it impossible for them to communicate with him calmly.

"There's not much I can do to help you, since I can't directly intervene in court affairs."

Jiang Li smiled slightly and then said, "However, I have been going in and out of the palace and the court since I was a child. You know, children like to run around, and His Majesty is very lenient with me and does not allow others to restrain me. So I have been to many places. In addition, many people do not deliberately guard against a little girl, which has allowed me to hear many stories."

Xue Huai said leisurely, "So Your Highness is the all-knowing scholar of the capital."

"Bai Xiaosheng?"

Jiang Li pondered the meaning of the word and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "I didn't expect you to be able to joke around."

"Your Highness, I am only a little unfamiliar with strangers, not that I am ignorant of human relationships."

"So, according to you, we're friends now?"

What does Your Highness think?

"I'm asking you."

Neither of them seemed to like relinquishing control of the conversation easily.

In the end, Xue Huai conceded: "It is my honor to have Your Highness's favor and assistance."

"Favored..."

Jiang Li muttered to herself, then said nonchalantly, "After all, I was the one who asked for your help first, so you don't need to be so anxious and apprehensive."

Xue Huai looked up at the desolate alley ahead, the sound of two carriage wheels rolling over the bluestone street behind him reaching his ears. He asked softly, "Your Highness has disrupted the Prince of Dai's plans today. Aren't you afraid of getting burned?"

The north wind was biting cold. Jiang Li tightened her sleeves and slowly said, "My fifth brother encountered a calamity when he was ten years old. I was the one who first went to His Majesty to report it and saved him. Although my fifth brother's personality changed drastically because of this incident and he sometimes couldn't control his emotions, he always remembered my kindness. Even if he knew that I went to rescue you today, he would not hold a grudge against me because of it."

"Your Highness and the Prince of Dai truly share a deep brother-sister bond."

Xue Huai turned his head and saw the cold winter sunlight sliding from the emerald feather at the end of Jiang Li's hairpin to the tip of her eyelashes, gilding her smiling eyes with scattered gold. "Forgive my boldness, Your Highness was only eight years old at that time?"

"As I just told you, I've never been a quiet and reserved person since I was a child. I like to run around and see a lot of things."

Jiang Li brushed it off and continued, "I understand what you mean. You're just wondering why I would help you instead of my fifth brother, since we're so close. The reason is simple: the Ministry of Works' case won't affect my fifth brother's foundation, but it can help you gain a foothold in the court. Most importantly, His Majesty personally transferred you to the investigation department this time. The better you perform, the greater your chances of rising to prominence in the future."

Ultimately, if she wanted Xue Huai to do things for her, she had to find ways to help him. Otherwise, what could a mere compiler in the Hanlin Academy accomplish?
Xue Huai nodded and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right, but are you sure the Prince of Dai won't get into big trouble because of this?"

“I know my fifth brother.”

Jiang Li pondered and said, "He is indeed difficult to get along with, but among all the imperial brothers, he has the least interest in the position of Crown Prince. At most, he just likes to make some money. The Ministry of Works involves interests from all sides. The two things that are related to the Prince of Dai's Mansion are mainly the estates controlled by the Tuntian Division and the annual silk requisition which are of inferior quality."

"Passing off inferior goods as superior ones?"

Xue Huai frowned slightly and said, "The Ministry of Works secretly replaced the silk bestowed upon the princes with inferior goods, and then privately supplemented the difference to the Prince of Dai's residence?" "Clever, don't underestimate this item, it amounts to tens of thousands of taels a year."

Jiang Li sneered, then said, "However, the main part of their conflict of interest is still the estates. The Tuntian Division reports fertile land as wasteland, while the Prince of Dai's Mansion buys it at a very low price and makes a lot of money by reselling it. Even if they don't resell it and keep it for their own use, the output over a year is still quite considerable."

Xue Huai's expression was solemn as he slowly said, "No wonder the Prince of Dai was so impatient; he probably didn't expect His Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Works this time."

"The Ministry of Works' problems are indeed very complex and serious. His Majesty is not unaware of them, but any action taken will affect the interests of many people. If Gu Heng hadn't schemed against His Majesty and your father this time, His Majesty would not be so furious."

Jiang Li thought for a moment, then said coldly, “Over the years, the Water Conservancy Bureau has been exploiting river works across the country, making a fortune for everyone from Gu Heng down to the lower-level officials. The Land Reclamation Bureau not only dares to sell high-quality official land as wasteland, but it even dares to plunder military land. The Forestry Bureau is in charge of military equipment manufacturing and official supplies, and there are also astonishing profits to be made from mining and minting. As for the Construction Bureau, it goes without saying that just the construction of palaces and official residences in the capital alone means that the officials in charge can pocket mountains of gold and silver just by keeping a little bit for themselves.”

She then began to discuss various issues concerning the Ministry of Works.

Xue Huai knew there was a dark curtain in front of him, but after hearing Jiang Li's detailed explanation, he realized just how dark the scene behind the scenes truly was.

After a long silence, Jiang Li finally stopped, while Xue Huai hesitated before saying, "Since His Majesty is not entirely unaware..."

Jiang Li looked up at the clear sky, a strange light appearing in her eyes: "Of course His Majesty knows, but your uncle is very capable. In recent years, he has not only done his job well, but also sent a large amount of silver to the palace every year. It is only because the disaster was severe this year that the court and the public were shocked, otherwise His Majesty would not have investigated the Ministry of Works."

The image of Xue Minglun appeared in Xue Huai's mind, and he fell silent.

Seeing this, Jiang Li asked, "The road ahead is full of thorns, are you going to give up because of this?"

"Your Highness thinks too highly of me."

Xue Huai said frankly, "I am only a seventh-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy. I am currently doing some clerical work by my teacher's side. Whether I am afraid of difficulties or not, it will not affect the overall situation."

"is it?"

Jiang Li smiled and asked curiously, "Then why did you suddenly leave the investigation office today and make such a big fuss about going home? Vice Minister Shen wanted to fish, and Fifth Prince jumped out to be the fish, and you were the hook, right?"

Xue Huai remained noncommittal; he already knew that the princess beside him was very clever.

Jiang Li sighed, "Since you haven't denied it, then I can naturally assume that you are very important in Minister Shen's plan. His trust in you far exceeds that of others, so you can certainly influence the changes in the situation."

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly stopped and looked into the distance.

Xue Huai followed her gaze and saw an ordinary carriage parked at the end of the alley.

He recognized the driver; he was an experienced man who had been with Shen Wang for over ten years.

“I knew that Vice Minister Shen would not put you in danger. No matter which fish you catch today, he will not let anything happen to you.”

A hint of envy, difficult to decipher, flashed in Jiang Li's eyes. She said, "But I still had to come here to tell you what I know about the Ministry of Works. I hope it will be helpful to you. Also, I need to see my brother the Emperor later to do something else for you..."

Xue Huai listened attentively, then gazed into Jiang Li's smiling eyes and said in a low voice, "Thank you for your help, Your Highness. Regarding what Your Highness said earlier, I have a guess in my mind."

"You said."

"Your Highness said he hopes I can help you investigate something in the future, and that this matter is extremely dangerous. I think this matter should be related to your father, Prince Qi, is that right?"

After he finished speaking, Xue Huai looked at her calmly.

Jiang Li remained silent, only her eyes showed a subtle change.

"Your Highness, rest assured, I will not reveal this matter to anyone. After all, I still want to live a few more years."

"You agreed?"

Jiang Li's eyes brightened slightly.

"If the opportunity arises in the future, I will do my best within my capabilities, but please forgive me for not being able to give Your Highness an absolute guarantee."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully and took his leave, then turned and strode away.

Gazing at his tall and handsome back, Jiang Li stood there for a moment.

She suddenly smiled faintly and murmured to herself.

"Then I'll wait for you."

(End of this chapter)