Chapter 35: Each with Their Own Agenda
Xue Yuechen had been married to Li Huan for many years, but it was not common for the couple to return to her maternal home together.
With such a commotion outside, a person who had “died and come back to life” was crying in the arms of their mother at home; it looked rather comical no matter how you saw it.
On her way, Xue Yuechen was still immersed in the grief of her third uncle’s passing. Seeing this scene now, she couldn’t even catch her breath.
“Father, what exactly is going on?”
Xue Qingzhi looked at her and smiled, “This is a long story. Your third uncle has just returned and was a bit startled. Go keep your grandmother and sisters company, talk to them…”
Xue Yuechen frowned. Glancing at Li Huan’s calm face again, she understood.
No wonder the Prince would accompany her back…
It must be that he received the news in advance.
Yet, he kept her in the dark.
Li Huan’s expression was calm, “Go. Your father-in-law and I have something to discuss.”
Xue Yuechen smiled and agreed, feeling a pang in her heart.
Li Huan was a steady and reserved person. At first glance, he appeared to be a gentle scholar, with a smile on his lips and a gentle demeanor. However, as he stood there with his broad shoulders and tall frame, the atmosphere in the entire courtyard seemed to be enveloped in a layer of frost, instantly becoming solemn.
Imperial Princes naturally possessed an aura.
Moreover, everyone in Shangjing knew that the Emperor had five sons, and Prince Duan was the first.
This was the person who resided in the Emperor’s heart; everyone showed him respect and awe.
Xue Qingzhi stepped forward and bowed, “Please, Your Highness, move to Hui Xian Hall.”
Li Huan calmly raised his hand, “Minister Xue, please.”
“Please.”
The family members tactfully moved aside.
Xue Sui held the Old Madam’s arm, blending into the crowd with her gaze slightly lowered.
However, Li Huan paused as he walked in front of her.
When he stopped, the world fell silent.
Everyone looked over. Li Huan’s gaze fell on her face.
Xue Sui could feel the scrutiny from above and the pressure in his gaze. But Li Huan did not speak, and others held their breath, not daring to speak rashly.
After all, everyone knew that Xue Liu was to be brought into Prince Duan’s Mansion, to serve this master, meaning she was his person.
For a brief moment, there was no sound around them.
Xue Yuechen stood beside Li Huan, enduring each moment as if it were carved into her bones, each day feeling like a year.
She forced herself to remain calm and glanced at Xue Sui, “Your Highness, what is it?”
Li Huan calmly withdrew his gaze, his expression indifferent.
“Nothing.”
He walked ahead with his hands behind his back, his posture upright, his robes lightly fluttering.
Xue Yuechen looked at him deeply, then turned to call Fei Cui to her side and whispered instructions:
“Take Sixth Miss to Zhen Bao Pavilion in Yongxing Ward and buy some pastries that the Prince usually likes. If he stays for dinner later, have her present them as her token of affection.”
Fei Cui curtsied and agreed.
Just as she was about to leave, Xue Yuechen quickly called her back.
“Wait.”
Fei Cui stopped, waiting.
After a long while, Xue Yuechen sighed softly.
“Tell Sixth Miss to dress simply and elegantly. She must not be overly adorned. His Highness prefers dignity and prudence, not vulgar allure. This is your first meeting, do not lose your manners and annoy the Prince.”
Fei Cui understood her mistress’s conflicted feelings.
On one hand, she wanted her sister to take the hit, to bear the Prince’s children for her.
On the other hand, she was unwilling to let her sister get too close to her husband, and was reluctant to easily give her husband to another. It was truly difficult for her.
–
Hui Xian Hall was the reception hall of the Xue Mansion.
Due to Prince Duan’s visit, it was currently bustling.
Over a dozen well-trained maids, dressed in uniform green lotus-colored attire and with neat hair buns, were already at the entrance, bowing respectfully.
As Xue Qingzhi invited the Prince in, they entered in an orderly fashion, swiftly serving tea and pastries to the hall before silently withdrawing without a sound.
With the servants dismissed, the room was quiet for a moment.
Li Huan slowly lowered his head to drink tea, his posture elegant and relaxed.
Xue Qingzhi secretly observed his expression from the side, appearing somewhat flustered.
“Today, my family’s shame has been exposed, causing Your Highness to witness a joke.”
Only then did Li Huan unhurriedly put down his teacup, his fingertips gently caressing the rim, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.
“This pre-rain tea is quite bitter.”
Seeing that he did not mention Xue Qingxiu’s resurrection, Xue Qingzhi assumed he had already received the news and came, fearing he would misunderstand his silence. Beads of sweat quietly appeared on his forehead.
“This new tea was sent by my second brother from Jiangzhou. I suppose the rainfall this spring was not abundant enough, and the tea leaves have lost some of their spirit, failing to capture Your Highness’s attention. If there is a fine product next time, I will present it for Your Highness’s appraisal.”
Li Huan seemed not to hear, suddenly parting his lips to reveal a subtle smile.
“Does Minister Xue know of the Big Dipper Seven Sects of Old Mausoleum Swamp?”
Xue Qingzhi did not know why he asked this and was stunned.
“I have heard a little, but that place is mysterious and unpredictable. The Corpse Keepers do not interact with the outside world, so no one can clearly explain its ways and secrets. With so many rumors, it’s hard to distinguish what is true and what is false…”
Li Huan sat still, his gaze seeming to penetrate people’s hearts.
“I have recently heard some whispers. The Big Dipper Seven Sects act under the command of an Imperial Envoy. This person’s whereabouts are secretive, and it is said that he possesses unparalleled skills and extraordinary wisdom. To obtain him would allow one to maneuver freely.”
Xue Qingzhi’s heart skipped a beat, sensing the matter was tricky. However, he remained composed, “I am ignorant, I do not know why Your Highness mentions this person?”
Li Huan: “If this person can be used by me…”
His words were unfinished, but full of meaning.
Xue Qingzhi quickly bowed, deeply cupping his hands, “Forgive my bluntness. Old Mausoleum Swamp is a forbidden area that the Former Emperor strictly prohibited. Neither officials nor Imperial Family Members are allowed to have any connection or dealings with it…”
Li Huan smiled, “As long as one has the will, everything can be turned around. Minister Xue can have Daoist Ling Xu divine the heavenly secrets, and I, adapting to the times, am also acting in accordance with the general trend.”
Xue Qingzhi could not quite gauge the temperament of this Imperial Noble, only feeling a chill down his spine. He smiled nervously and did not reply.
Li Huan simply gazed at him quietly.
“Minister Xue, do you think that Daoist and the Qiong Tower case are related?”
Xue Qingzhi’s body grew cold, “In my humble opinion, they should… they should not be related.”
Li Huan glanced sideways, “What about the matter of Lao Jun Mountain? I heard your younger brother rendered a great merit?”
Xue Qingzhi smiled awkwardly, unable to utter a sound or complain.
The bandits on Lao Jun Mountain had attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince twice. However, the terrain there was treacherous, with numerous secret passages and mechanisms. Not only could outsiders not ascertain the truth, but the authorities had repeatedly failed to suppress them.
Before today, Xue Qingzhi would have merely smiled faintly at such matters.
Even though Li Huan never confided in him, he could probably guess that the group of bandits who had occupied Lao Jun Mountain for many years were more than likely connected to Prince Duan, otherwise, they wouldn’t have developed so quickly.
Perhaps, this was the force he had secretly cultivated.
Who would have thought that Lao Jun Mountain would be pacified overnight?
And it was his own younger brother who led the men up the mountain…
Based on Xue Qingzhi’s understanding of his younger brother, he was absolutely incapable of accomplishing such a feat.
Yet, the matter was before him. The third brother was proudly claiming credit, and judging by Prince Duan’s expression, it didn’t seem like a pretense. This “merit” had to be acknowledged, whether he wanted to or not.
It all depended on how Li Huan chose to interpret it.
Xue Qingzhi pondered for a moment and said, “Does Your Highness trust this subordinate?”
Li Huan smiled, “If I cannot even trust my father-in-law, whom else can I trust?”
Xue Qingzhi’s furrowed brow relaxed considerably, “In my humble opinion, the Eastern Palace must have been involved in this matter. Seeing the imperial court’s power gradually slipping away and many ministers vying to curry favor with Your Highness, how could the Crown Prince sleep soundly? If he does not find a way to counterbalance, I fear his supporters will also defect sooner or later. He must contend with Your Highness for dominance and superiority to stabilize his position…”
Li Huan chuckled, his gaze becoming much sharper.
“Bring that old Daoist here, I will interrogate him myself.”
Xue Sui: See you tomorrow, dear readers. Without seeing your enthusiastic little hands, I feel uneasy. Is my story not interesting?
Li Zhao: If I don’t appear, who will pay attention to you?
