Prime Minister.

Chapter 55 055 [Token]

Under the gloomy winter sky, a painted carriage left Yongye Ward and headed towards Dayong Ward.

Inside the carriage, Shen Qingluan looked at Xue Huai with a smile and teased, "Brother Huai, are you reluctant to part with me?"

There seemed to be no trace of sorrow or parting in her tone.

Guangtai Money Shop received its license from the Ministry of Revenue four days ago, and with the cloth shop that opened half a month ago, the Shen family now has a place in the capital's business world. As long as they operate with patience and integrity, they will eventually make a name for themselves.

Shen Qingluan has been very busy these past few days. She is cautious and meticulous in her work. Since she has come all the way to the capital, she will not just take a cursory look around. Instead, she will consider every detail of running the cloth shop and money shop, and discuss it repeatedly with the old managers who have followed Shen Bingwen for many years, striving to avoid any oversights.

She dared not relax or slack off, because the deadline given by the princess was very tight.

Looking at the girl's bright face, Xue Huai felt a mix of emotions.

Although their time together was short, Shen Qingluan's arrival awakened some of his dormant memories. The beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan water towns appeared in his mind, and Xue Mingzhang's tall figure gradually became clearer.

It was as if only at this moment did he truly reconnect with his past.

From then on, they could never be separated.

"Qingluan, do you want to rest for two days before setting off?"

Xue Huai looked concerned. He knew that Shen Qingluan had come to the capital in a hurry this time and had hardly stopped along the way. She had been busy with business matters these past few days and was about to set off south again. He wondered if her thin body could hold up.

"Thank you for your concern, Brother Huai. I've been traveling a lot these past two years and I'm used to this kind of life. I'll be fine."

Shen Qingluan smiled and looked at Xue Huai curiously, asking, "Brother Huai, how come you and Her Highness the Princess are so familiar with each other?"

For Xue Huai, his acquaintance with Jiang Li was not something shameful, and since Shen Qingluan showed no resentment, he briefly recounted what had happened.

When Shen Qingluan heard that Xue Huai had fallen into the water and nearly drowned, although she knew he was safe and sound, worry still showed on her face. She said softly, "Brother Huai, you must be more careful in the future. Someone must be trying to harm you. I don't believe you would be so weak as to drown yourself."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Now he takes his attendants with him wherever he goes, and with Jiang Li's people secretly around, no one would dare to openly harm him.

While the situation in the Great Yan court is complex, it is not yet chaotic and dangerous to this extent.

Shen Qingluan silently made a decision in her heart.

She put her worries aside and her eyes darted around: "Brother Huai, why do I feel like Her Highness the Princess seems to have feelings for you?"

"how could be?"

Xue Huai chuckled and said, "You can't say things like that. She is one of the emperor's most beloved juniors, while I am just a minor official who has just escaped from the vortex. How could I be worthy of such a noble family member?"

"I do not believe."

Shen Qingluan, who always obeyed Xue Huai, shook her head slightly and said slowly, "The favors of the Ministry of Revenue are not so simple. I heard from the old manager of my house that the gatekeepers at Minister Wang's residence refused to accept the visiting cards they sent, no matter how much money they offered. Although Her Highness the Princess is noble, she does not have real power. It is not so easy for her to command the Minister of Revenue. But just because you asked for help, she agreed without hesitation. This shows that you hold a special place in her heart."

At this moment, Xue Huai's heart was also stirred.

It wasn't beautiful, but rather strange.

He recalled what he had seen and heard at the Green Green Villa that day. Jiang Li's unusual attire, her several hesitations, and the strange changes in her expression, coupled with the complex emotions she vaguely revealed in her words, all seemed to corroborate Shen Qingluan's deduction—that Princess Yun'an, whom the playboys of the capital feared, might really have some feelings for him.

Shen Qingluan continued, "If all of this is because Princess Yun'an has a chivalrous heart, then her setting a deadline for my return seems even more abnormal. Logically speaking, she shouldn't care about a merchant's daughter like me, unless she finds me a bit of an eyesore. But since she's willing to help me, it means that her help is entirely because of you, Brother Huai."

Her analysis was perfectly sound, but in Xue Huai's view, the matter was very bizarre.

Having lived two lives, Xue Huai's greatest strength is not his cunning and scheming, but his sufficient self-awareness, knowing when to do what.

His relationship with Jiang Li was based on a transaction, and by now he understood Jiang Li's way of doing things, as well as the connections and resources she had.

Although she was only sixteen years old, Xue Huai did not treat her as an innocent and naive girl.

How could someone like that suddenly fall in love, and even show it so obviously?
Xue Huai didn't believe it.

Thinking of this, he calmly said, "Qingluan, there is another reason for this matter. Although I have not yet figured out the details, Princess Yun'an's actions are definitely not related to romantic feelings."

Shen Qingluan responded gently.

She silently thought to herself, "I don't know if Jiang Li is interested, but I'm sure Brother Huai doesn't have any feelings for her in that way, and that's enough."

To her, Princess Yun'an was naturally a high and mighty figure. No matter how rich the Shen family was, they could not rival the majesty of the imperial family. For the sake of the safety of her family members, she dared not and could not harbor any hostility towards Princess Yun'an, nor would she deliberately spread rumors in front of Xue Huai.

But she believed in Xue Huai's integrity.

As long as Xue Huai himself has no intention, how can Princess Yun'an force him?

Even if the emperor did not appreciate Xue Mingzhang's contributions, he still had to consider the face of the imperial family and the feelings of the officials in the court.

Having thought these questions through, Shen Qingluan calmed down, and the deep-seated resentment she felt from being forced to separate from Xue Huai gradually subsided. Xue Huai noticed her emotional change, and after a moment's thought, he understood and immediately felt relieved.

The two chatted and talked, and time flew by.

When the carriage stopped, they had arrived at the Xue residence.

Xue Huai stepped down from the carriage first and saw his mother, Cui, holding Mo Yun's wrist, standing under the eaves with great reluctance.

"Greetings to Auntie."

Shen Qingluan stepped forward and bowed, her smile serene.

"Qingluan, I'm sorry to have wronged you."

Cui was an experienced woman, and she saw through the reason for Shen Qingluan's hurried comings and goings at a glance. Although she did not show it on her face, she felt in her heart that the princess was too domineering and far inferior to Shen Qingluan's obedient and sensible nature.

Shen Qingluan smiled and said, "Auntie, what are you saying? This trip to the capital has been successful because I was able to meet you and Brother Xue Huai, and the troubles of the business have also been resolved smoothly. How could I have felt wronged?"

Madam Cui held her hand affectionately and sighed, "You are truly a magnanimous child. It is wonderful that you think this way. However, the journey is long, so you must take good care of yourself. Do not rush to get home before New Year's Eve. Only when you arrive home safely will your father and mother be at ease."

Shen Qingluan replied, "I will remember your instructions, Aunt."

"In this haste, your aunt couldn't prepare everything perfectly, so she had a cartload of local specialties and gifts prepared. You can take them home and distribute them to your family. Also—"

Cui paused, and Mo Yun, who was standing next to her, immediately stepped forward with the box in her hands.

She looked at Shen Qingluan with pity and said, "Child, this is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."

Mo Yun opened the box and saw an extremely exquisite set of headdresses inside.

Shen Qingluan, being well-informed, recognized that the set of jewelry was worth a fortune and immediately declined, saying, "Auntie, this is too precious; I cannot accept it."

"Take it."

Madam Cui held her hand slightly tighter and said softly, "This is a set of jewelry that my grandmother gave to you when you got married. You have carefully preserved it all these years, but you have never worn it. Now that we have become close friends and our families have been friends for generations, I can't let you leave the capital empty-handed. If you don't accept it, it means you don't want to treat me as an elder."

Having said all that, Shen Qingluan had no choice but to accept this highly symbolic headdress.

The two chatted for a while longer. Fearing that it would delay Shen Qingluan's journey, Cui reluctantly parted ways with her and instructed Xue Huai to make sure that Shen Qingluan was safely delivered to the dock outside the city.

Xue Huai agreed.

Afternoon, at a dock on the outskirts of Beijing.

As the time for parting approached, Shen Qingluan finally showed signs of sorrow, and her bright eyes became somewhat dim.

"Brother Huai, I'm leaving now."

"Will we... ever see each other again?"

Looking at the girl's sad face, Xue Huai said firmly, "Of course."

Shen Qingluan forced a smile and said, "After today's parting, I don't know when we'll meet again."

Not wanting to worry her, Xue Huai didn't elaborate on the complex situation of the current court, but reassured her, "According to the court's custom, I will be appointed to an official post outside the capital next year. I shouldn't be going to a very remote place; it will most likely be somewhere in Jiangnan. At that time, you and I will not be far apart, so we can naturally reunite."

Shen Qingluan's eyes lit up, and she visibly became happy.

At this moment, she remembered something and couldn't help but let out a soft "Ah!" Then, somewhat flustered, she took out a seal from her purse and handed it to Xue Huai.

Xue Huai asked, "What is this?"

Shen Qingluan quickly said, "Brother Huai, this is my personal seal that I prepared specially. I have already spoken with the two old managers in the capital. Seeing this seal is like seeing me in person. In the future, if you encounter any trouble while I am not in the capital, you can go to those two old managers. They will do their best to help you, whether it is with money or manpower."

She had previously stated that the Guangtai ship was going to Beijing to expand the Shen family's network of connections, and more importantly, to help Xue Huai as much as possible.

Xue Huai felt a heavy weight in his heart as he examined the very light seal. Looking at Shen Qingluan's expectant gaze, he nodded and said, "Qingluan, thank you."

Shen Qingluan smiled shyly, then said in a deliberately nonchalant tone, "Alright, I'm going to board the ship now. Brother Huai, you can go back now."

"Have a safe journey and take good care of yourself."

Xue Huai watched the girl turn and leave, then raised his hand and waved.

Shen Qingluan suddenly stopped, looked back in the cold wind, her eyes fixed on Xue Huai, and said silently.

"Brother Huai, I'll be waiting for you in Jiangnan."

(End of this chapter)