Prime Minister.

Chapter 51 051 [Entering the Eastern Palace]

The interior of the Green Villa is elegant, with the Nine-Bend River flowing through it.

Jiang Li stood by the railing, gazing at the shimmering sunlight before her, a hint of melancholy on her face.

Su Erniang approached and reported, "Your Highness, we have found out that the Shen family's daughter came to the capital this time because Guangtai Bank's plan to open a money shop in the capital has encountered obstacles."

She explained the situation clearly and logically, and her account was largely the same as Xue Huai's previous statement.

In fact, Jiang Li had already received the news when Shen Qingluan went to the Xue residence. She had people keep an eye on Xue Huai's movements while she arranged for her subordinates to investigate the Shen family's situation.

These details were not difficult to ascertain. Guangtai Company was operating a legitimate business and was entering the capital openly and honestly without any attempt to conceal it. Therefore, it was not a secret in the capital. However, the fact that the Princess's residence was able to find out about it in half a day was enough to prove that Su Erniang was quite capable.

Jiang Li nodded slightly, then said, "That idiot Xue Huai might still be thinking that I'm just jealous of Shen Qingluan."

Su Erniang, being an experienced woman, felt that the princess's words were somewhat of a cover-up, but she couldn't simply say what she was thinking.

No matter how close the relationship, there is still a distinction between superiors and inferiors, and some things are better left unsaid.

Jiang Li suddenly turned to look at her, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Second Aunt, what's with that expression?"

Su Erniang smiled awkwardly and asked curiously, "Why did Your Highness do this? You could have just told Xue Shidu directly. I believe he is intelligent enough not to be presumptuous."

"Second Aunt, you don't understand the mysteries of human nature."

Jiang Li clasped her hands together and rested them on the railing, saying softly, "My relationship with Xue Huai is essentially a transaction. Although I saved his life, I knew from the first day we met that he was extremely guarded and that you could only believe three-tenths of what he said. Everyone in the past was deceived by his brave and reckless appearance."

"The deal is simple: I will help him advance in the court as much as possible, and he will repay me in the future. But we don't have enough ties of interest. Even though he has guessed my deliberately concealed purpose, such a relationship is still too fragile."

"People change all the time."

At this point, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Li's eyes.

Su Erniang realized and said, "So Your Highness deliberately wanted Xue Shidu to misunderstand?"

"It's just a beautiful misunderstanding."

Jiang Li's tone was elusive as she looked straight ahead: "Where there is affection, there will be entanglement. This ambiguous relationship won't make Xue Huai lose his sense of propriety, and it will also strengthen our friendship. Therefore, I don't mind if he misunderstands. That's how it is between men and women. A simple exchange of interests will inevitably lead to hesitation and betrayal, but as long as there is emotional involvement, it may influence his decision at crucial moments."

Su Erniang gazed at her thin profile, and a sudden pang of heartache struck her.

At such a beautiful age, she should be enjoying carefree happiness, instead of carrying so many heavy burdens in her heart.

"Your Highness..."

"Second Aunt, when you told me about the suspicious circumstances surrounding Father's death, you should have been able to imagine what kind of person I would become, so there's no need to be so heartbroken."

Jiang Li clearly knew what the woman beside her was thinking, and calmly said, "I have never complained about you. On the contrary, I am very grateful to you. Compared to living a muddled life, I prefer my current life. At least I know what I should do."

Su Erniang's thousand words of unspoken thoughts ultimately turned into a sigh.

Jiang Li added, "You don't need to worry about the issues between me and Xue Huai. I never intended to harm him, and he has gradually revealed his ambition and shrewdness. Our cooperation is beneficial to both of us. I just hope to make the foundation of our cooperation more solid. In short, it's just planning ahead."

She paused, then repeated her earlier statement: "In the end, it's just a beautiful misunderstanding."

Su Erniang secretly hoped, "I hope that Xue Shidu will be able to understand His Highness's good intentions in the future."

"It does not matter."

Jiang Li shook her head and said calmly, "Take my jade token to the residence of Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue and ask him to make an exception for Guangtai Bank. Also tell him that once this matter is settled, the favor his precious grandson owes me can be wiped clean."

Su Erniang agreed, then hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, would you like to see the Shen family girl?"

"Why would you want to see her?"

Jiang Li smiled and said, "The timing is just right. Xue Huai has doubts but can't make a decision. If I, the dignified Princess Yun'an, were to go to Shen Qingluan, whether to show goodwill or to put pressure on her, it would seem too abnormal to him. There's no need to do something like that, which is counterproductive."

Su Erniang nodded in agreement.

The two turned and walked away, with Su Erniang trailing behind by half a step. She looked at the formal attire that Jiang Li had specially ordered someone to change into today, and her originally calm mood suddenly rippled.

She watched Jiang Li grow up, from a babbling toddler to a deep and unpredictable young woman. Her understanding of Jiang Li was profound, but she always felt that things were not so simple.

Is Your Highness truly treating this matter merely as a means to deepen her connection with Xue Huai, as you previously stated?

Su Erniang couldn't help but think to herself that perhaps the hardest thing in the world is to see one's own heart clearly.

…Xue Huai sometimes couldn't help but wonder how Jiang Li could have such excellent information channels.
He had just returned to the Xue residence when he received a message from Lin Miao, the head of the Imperial Academy, that the Junior Grand Master of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices had personally gone to the Hanlin Academy to arrange for Xue Huai to enter the Eastern Palace in three days to lecture His Highness the Crown Prince.

So Xue Huai stayed home and focused on preparing for his lectures. He only sent a letter to Shen Qingluan, explaining that the matter of the money shop was progressing well and that she didn't need to worry.

On the fifth day of the twelfth month, Xue Huai entered the palace at the appointed time, and under the guidance of Deng Hong, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, he entered the depths of the palace.

This arrangement shows how much the Crown Prince valued him. Usually, Deng Hong would only personally greet highly respected scholars.

Xue Huai kept his eyes straight ahead, and did not try to get close to Deng Hong abruptly. He walked forward with steady steps.

The surrounding blue brick palace walls are over three zhang high, with crenellations like canine teeth biting through the sunlight. The top of the walls is covered with dark green glazed tiles, with dragon heads swallowing clouds and dripping water with ice plum patterns, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

Upon arriving at the Duanben Hall, one sees the five-bay hall doors wide open like the jawbone of a giant beast, with gilded door knockers holding seven copper rings. The east and west side halls stand like crouching beasts, and eight wind chimes hang from the eaves of the hipped roof. When the wind passes, the clear sound splits the air, but it cannot dispel the somber atmosphere of the two century-old ginkgo trees in the courtyard.

Stepping into this place, one feels as if a mountain of rocks is pressing down on their heart.

Xue Huai followed Deng Hong to the side hall. Along the way, all the palace servants he saw were cautious and respectful, which showed how strict the Crown Prince was in managing his subordinates. This was far better than the pretentious officials in the Prince of Dai's mansion.

"Reader Xue, please."

Deng Hong stopped and bowed slightly, his thirties revealing a hint of age.

Xue Huai didn't look at it for long and walked into the inner hall in response.

"Reader Xue has arrived."

A gentle voice from ahead rang out.

Xue Huai greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need to pay tribute."

Crown Prince Jiang Xuan raised his hand in greeting.

Xue Huai looked up and saw that the Crown Prince, who was twenty-five years old at the time, was wearing a winged crown, a crimson gauze robe, and cloud-patterned shoes. He was solemn, dignified, and self-controlled.

His appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, which made him resemble the emperor, but his status as the crown prince gave him an extra air of authority and dignity. Even though he was calm in front of Xue Huai, his naturally imposing presence was still evident.

"More than two years ago, I personally witnessed Xue Shidu pass the imperial examination with flying colors, and I greatly admired the policy essay you wrote in the palace examination."

The Crown Prince began the conversation calmly, saying gently, "At that time, I thought that one day I would sit down and discuss philosophy with Xue Shidu; that would surely be a wonderful thing."

Xue Huai calmly replied, "Your Highness is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise."

The Crown Prince smiled and said, “Xue, there’s no need to be so modest. I knew you were about to be promoted because of your outstanding performance in the Ministry of Works’ corruption case. The other day, when Father asked me about it, Grand Secretary Ning suggested promoting you to Lecturer. I felt that you were still young and it was not appropriate to promote you too quickly, so I mentioned it to you. In the end, Father decided to let you take it one step at a time, which shows how much Father values ​​you.”

This statement contains a lot of information.

In the Hanlin Academy system, the Chancellor of the Academy is in charge of the overall situation. Next are the Attendant Reader and Attendant Lecturer. Although these two positions are only of the fifth rank, they are already high-ranking officials in the Hanlin Academy. The next step is to be transferred to a prefecture. After several years in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices or the Imperial Academy, one can be promoted to a vice minister of one of the six ministries.

Xue Huai is too young, and it is definitely not a good thing for him to suddenly rise to a high position.

He sighed inwardly. The Crown Prince's words were clear: he was telling him that Ning Hengzhi had ill intentions towards him and that it was His Highness the Crown Prince who had helped him.

This tactic of immediately showing favor is not clever. The problem is that the other party is the legitimate Crown Prince. How could Xue Huai not know what's good for him?

He lowered his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness."

"Don't do that."

The Crown Prince waved his hand and said frankly, "You were promoted because you served the court diligently and because of your own merits. It has nothing to do with me. Moreover, Chief Minister Ning values ​​your talent and hopes that the court will gather talented people. I am not saying this to make Xue Shidu feel indebted, but rather to hope that you will not be too reserved in front of me."

He looked into Xue Huai's eyes and continued, "Because I admire you very much."

Xue Huai wasn't foolish enough to go along with the other person's words. He kept his mission in mind all day—to lecture the Crown Prince on classics and history, without bringing up other topics.

The Crown Prince naturally understood the meaning behind Xue Huai's respectful demeanor, but he didn't mind and calmly asked, "I wonder which passage of classics or history Xue will be reciting for me today?"

Xue Huai raised his head and said calmly, "Your Highness, today I will speak about Emperor Zhao of the Western Han Dynasty's evaluation of Huo Guang's loyalty."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's gaze sharpened slightly.

(End of this chapter)