Prime Minister.

Chapter 98, Section 097: [Riding the Wind]

On the tenth day of the fourth month, there were still two days before Xue Huai was to leave the capital.

In the afternoon, he brought Jiang Sheng to the Green Green Villa.

Whether it was because of the gifts given during the first month of the lunar calendar or because they misunderstood the relationship between Xue Huai and Jiang Li, the guards outside the door were exceptionally enthusiastic towards the young Yangzhou prefect, and even subtly revealed a hint of envy towards Jiang Sheng.

Xue Huai acted as if he hadn't seen Jiang Sheng, leaving him behind so that he could reminisce with his colleagues of many years, while he went straight to the depths of the courtyard.

When he visited last winter, he saw a dilapidated square pond surrounded by white stones. Today, however, he saw a pond full of clear water and lush greenery on the banks.

The maid led Xue Huai eastward, along the bluestone path, until they arrived at the East Garden Flower Hall.

The location here is unique, with a corridor connecting the courtyard gate. The surrounding area offers a wide view and is planted with flowers and plants, making it a pleasant place to visit.

"Prefect Xue, how have you been lately?"

As soon as Xue Huai stepped into the hall, he heard a smiling voice.

He looked up and saw that the girl was wearing a green cross-collar ruqun with a bamboo green embroidered cloud-patterned shawl, and her slender waist was tied with a lake-blue palace sash. Her youthful and lively aura was very different from her usual dignified and noble attire.

She wore her hair in a snake-shaped bun, with a gold filigree white jade phoenix hairpin tucked into her hair, and looked at Xue Huai with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully, but did not deliberately show any deference.

Jiang Li was slightly dissatisfied with his reaction and couldn't help but doubt Su Erniang's taste: Wasn't this supposed to be the most fashionable outfit among noble ladies in the capital? Why didn't this guy show any surprise in his eyes?

She couldn't bring herself to say it directly, so she could only purse her lips and say, "I came all this way to see you off, why are you still keeping such a long face?"

Xue Huai was puzzled.

He came to Qinglu Villa today and was no different from usual, so where does the talk of him having a "stern face" come from?
After thinking it over carefully, Xue Huai still smiled.

"Forget it, your smile looks the same as your cry. You should just keep a straight face."

Jiang Li smiled helplessly and then said, "Let's go. I had the imperial chef prepare today's feast. I guarantee you'll rave about it."

"The imperial chef?"

Xue Huai stopped. Although the emperor did indeed favor Jiang Li, this was a bit outrageous. He actually sent the imperial kitchen chefs here to prepare the banquet.
"What are you nervous about?"

Jiang Li explained, "He's just an old man who retired from the Imperial Kitchen. I spent a lot of money to persuade him to come out of retirement."

Xue Huai had no doubt about this. Based on their interactions over the past six months, Jiang Li was not the domineering and arrogant person the rumors suggested. As long as he didn't provoke her, everything would be fine. Moreover, the princess's residence was quite wealthy, so it was unlikely that she wouldn't be willing to spend such a small amount of money.

"Thanks to Your Highness, I am able to taste the imperial chef's cooking today."

Xue Huai offered a perfunctory compliment.

Jiang Li was pleased and nodded, saying, "It's good that you understand."

The two arrived at a side hall, where Su Erniang personally led the maids to serve the dishes. After they finished, they all took their leave.

Xue Huai looked at the four cold dishes and eight hot dishes on the table, all of which were exquisite and well-prepared, along with two wine pots.

"Would Your Highness like some wine?"

"How can a farewell ceremony be complete without wine?" Jiang Li was slightly surprised, then looked at Xue Huai suspiciously and asked, "Do you think I can't drink?"

"That's not what I meant."

Xue Huai frankly said, "I just remembered that a few days ago I got together with my colleagues from the Hanlin Academy and got so drunk that I slept until noon. My mother specifically told me to try to drink less alcohol in the future."

"That's it."

Jiang Li gestured for him to sit down and smiled, "It's alright. This is Shuyu Spring wine that I brought from the palace. It's extremely mellow and mild. You can drink a whole jar without getting drunk or having a headache."

Xue Huai was skeptical, but he didn't want to argue any further.

This side room is in a superb location, with a view of blooming flowers in the distance outside the window, their fragrance carried on the spring breeze.

Enjoying the delicious food prepared by the old imperial chef and drinking the fine wine that Jiang Li "brought out" from the palace, Xue Huai felt a sense of relief and a sense of having stolen half a day of leisure.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Jiang Li slowly put down her chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief to elegantly wipe her lips, and said gently, "Has the itinerary been arranged?"

Xue Huai nodded and said, "We've decided to depart the day after tomorrow. The steward at home has already taken the official seal to the Tongzhou Canal Transport Office to reserve an official boat, and the luggage has been packed and sent over in advance. My colleagues from the Hanlin Academy originally planned to hold a farewell banquet at the pavilion in the suburbs of the capital, but after careful consideration, I declined."

Jiang Li feigned ignorance and asked, "Why? This is a common practice in officialdom, not something specifically set up for you."

Xue Huai said, "I am still young, and it's not good for me to be too flamboyant."

Jiang Li praised, "Seeing that you are still so clear-headed, I can finally rest assured."

"Why do you say that, Your Highness?"

"Didn't Minister Shen tell you this? The people of Yangzhou certainly still remember your father, but the officials in Yangzhou have changed several times over. They may not recognize you as the son of an old friend. By the time you arrive in Yangzhou, your reputation in the capital will have already spread throughout the Jiangnan officialdom. Do you think those local bullies will welcome a righteous and incorruptible official?"

Jiang Li said meaningfully, "Also, Jiangnan is the territory of the Ning Party. Even Minister Shen would have a headache if he went there in person."

Xue Huai asked curiously, "I remember Your Highness didn't say that that day."

At that time, Jiang Li could even ignore Shen Qingluan's existence and kept explaining to Xue Huai the many benefits of being sent to Yangzhou, fearing that he would choose to go elsewhere.

Jiang Li picked up her wine cup, took a sip, and smiled faintly, "This matter has its advantages and disadvantages, but the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. I believe that those troubles are just a piece of cake for you."

"Your Highness overestimates me."

Xue Huai sighed softly, "There's a saying that two fists can't beat four hands, let alone the many hands I'll face in Yangzhou." "How could you be alone? At least the Shen family will do everything in their power to help you. Jiangnan isn't the capital. The Shen family has a lot of influence there. Besides, I think your father must have made many close friends in Jiangnan back then, leaving you with a lot of goodwill. Even if only a small number of them still remember your father's kindness, it will be of great help to you."

Jiang Li blinked and said, "Besides, I can also lend you a hand."

This is actually the reason, or one of the reasons, that Xue Huai came here today.

He said earnestly, "I would like to hear the details."

Jiang Li slowly said, "Last time I told you about the current prefect of Yangzhou, Tan Mingguang. He is nearly fifty years old and has been a cautious official for decades. Even if he won't become your ally, he won't hinder your work. Today, let's talk about two other high-ranking officials. First is Chen Yan, the governor of Jiangsu. He is the same year and fellow townsman as the Grand Secretary of Ning, and both of them are from Hangzhou Prefecture. Chen Yan is good at hiding a knife behind a smile. As long as you are not deceived by his appearance, you won't be in too much danger."

Xue Huai noted it down.

Jiang Li continued, "The other one is Dou Xian, the Jiangsu Provincial Governor, who has always been at odds with Chen Yan. If necessary, you can use this to your advantage, but never become a pawn in their power struggle. I believe you can handle the situation."

"Thank you for the tip, Your Highness."

Although Xue Huai said this, his expression remained calm. Clearly, what Jiang Li said was not a top secret, and he would probably find out when he arrived in Jiangnan.

If this is all the help Jiang Li has provided, then it seems rather insignificant.

Jiang Li understood his thoughts, and said with a half-smile, "Lu Zhixuan, the Imperial Inspector of Jiangsu, has nothing to do with the Ning Party."

Xue Huai immediately understood.

He looked at Jiang Li with some curiosity.

The other party's words clearly had a deeper meaning. If Lu Zhixuan wasn't a member of the Ning Party, then whose party was he on?
Thinking of this, Xue Huai slowly said, "Your Highness, you'd better be more cautious, after all, you can't see into someone's heart."

Jiang Li coughed lightly. Faced with Xue Huai's sudden concern, her eyes flickered slightly, and she said succinctly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

The two tacitly moved on from the topic, and as the atmosphere relaxed, their conversation was no longer limited to Jiangnan and the struggles in officialdom.

By the time Xue Huai realized what was happening, both jugs of wine had been completely drunk.

However, Jiang Li was not lying. The wine was indeed very smooth. Xue Huai's mind remained clear. On the contrary, Jiang Li, who had initially been imposing, had flushed cheeks and her eyes revealed a clear foolishness, showing no trace of her usual coldness and sharpness.

Xue Huai glanced at the sky outside and said, "Your Highness, it's getting late."

"You should go back now, wait—"

Jiang Li rubbed her eyes and held out her fair hand to Xue Huai: "What about the thing you promised to give me?"

"Of course I won't break my promise."

Xue Huai looked around and saw that a table, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone had been prepared in advance by the window. He couldn't help but smile and got up to walk to the table.

"I come."

Jiang Li took the initiative to grind the ink.

Xue Huai was slightly taken aback. He felt that some of the princess's reactions today were rather unusual.

On second thought, although the two had come into contact through a transaction, they had inevitably developed some friendship over the past six months. Jiang Li was young, so it was normal for her to feel some sadness and longing because of his departure.

Xue Huai suppressed his thoughts, picked up his brush, and wrote. As his brush fell, Jiang Li, who was standing beside him, read it aloud softly.

"Yu Lou Chun, written on the tenth day of the fourth month, bids farewell to Princess Yun'an and is presented to her."

"The scenery in the eastern city is gradually becoming more beautiful, with ripples on the water welcoming the boats."

"A light chill lingers in the morning air beyond the green willows, while spring is in full bloom on the red apricot branches."

"Life is short and joy is fleeting; who would value a thousand pieces of gold over a mere smile?"

"I hold up my cup to the setting sun, urging it to linger a while longer among the flowers."

Xue Huai stopped writing and turned to the side.

Jiang Li continued to stare at the handwriting on the paper.

A gentle spring breeze stirs the flowers outside the window.

She looked out the window and smiled, "I thought... you would write another poem about plum blossoms for me."

Xue Huai honestly said, "I cannot write a new work that can stand shoulder to shoulder with that poem about plum blossoms."

"This one is good too, I like apricot blossoms."

Jiang Li pointed out the window and said, "Look, there are many apricot blossoms in my garden, and they are in full bloom now. Your line, 'Red apricot blossoms on the branches are full of spring,' is wonderful and very fitting."

Xue Huai nodded and said, "I'm glad Your Highness likes it."

Jiang Li turned to look at him, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, and finally just smiled brightly and said, "Xue Huai, have a safe journey and take good care of yourself."

"Your Highness, take care."

Xue Huai bowed respectfully and then took his leave.

Jiang Li leaned against the window, gazing at his receding figure, and murmured softly, "Spring is in full bloom, but we must part ways. The apricot blossoms will never bloom as they did before. This parting... I'm afraid they won't bloom again until the next day, and it won't be at this moment."

……

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(Hello readers, the first volume of this book, "Spring Ice Tiger Tail," has ended, and the second volume, "Washing Tassels in the Vast Waves," will begin tomorrow.)
(End of this chapter)