Chapter 161: Unbreakable Bond
Exiting Qing Feng Pavilion, the carriage was already waiting.
Li Huan leaned over and gently helped Xue Sui into the carriage before lifting the curtain and getting in himself, sitting opposite her.
“Ping An really has a way.”
Xue Sui said, “It’s just a matter of making connections. Whether it succeeds or not is uncertain, Your Highness shouldn’t have too high expectations…”
Li Huan sighed softly, “I hope it works out.”
Xue Sui said, “Your Highness’s filial piety is truly moving.”
Li Huan looked at her with deep eyes and sighed softly, “The situation in the imperial court has been tense lately, and the Crown Prince is pressing step by step. I also have to plan for myself. Imperial Father values filial piety and respects Grandmother, so I cannot be negligent…”
He spoke with utmost sincerity, treating her as one of his own.
Xue Sui listened quietly without a word, but Li Huan suddenly leaned forward, “There’s something I’ve kept in my heart for a long time, and I hope Ping An can enlighten me.”
“Your Highness, please speak.”
“Ping An, do you have any entanglements with the Crown Prince?”
Xue Sui remained composed, “Your Highness, why do you say that?”
Li Huan gazed intently and smiled meaningfully, “The Crown Prince and I are brothers, we grew up together, and I understand him best. The way the Crown Prince looks at Ping An is very different…”
Xue Sui was slightly taken aback, as if she had just realized, “Your Highness is truly sharp-eyed.”
She looked at Li Huan frankly, neither humble nor arrogant, her voice as calm as a clear spring, “Last time at the Hundred Flowers Banquet, Princess Ping Le falsely accused me and the Crown Prince of having an affair. It was baseless, but once the rumor spread, I suppose the Crown Prince resented me for ruining his reputation. He treated me like an enemy whenever he saw me, and I felt quite uncomfortable seeing him…”
Li Huan smiled slightly, “Then in the future, it’s best to avoid each other if possible.”
Xue Sui nodded earnestly, “I know Your Highness and the Crown Prince are not on good terms. Since I have entered Prince Duan’s Mansion, I must share Your Highness’s worries and not cause trouble for Eldest Sister.”
Li Huan looked at her with approval.
“The Princess Consort is truly fortunate to have a sister like you.”
Xue Sui seized the opportunity, her eyes shining like stars, full of anticipation.
“Xue Liu is the Princess Consort’s sister, and also Your Highness’s sister. Brother-in-law, please allow your younger sister to pay her respects…”
She performed a proper curtsy.
Li Huan hadn’t expected her thoughts to jump so quickly, and he felt a bit strange, but facing her bright and warm smile, he was momentarily at a loss for words.
–
On the Star-Gazing Tower, across the street from Qing Feng Pavilion.
Li Zhao leaned lazily against the window, his fingertips caressing a white jade thumb ring.
The sound of horses’ hooves clattered below, approaching from Qing Feng Pavilion.
He lowered his gaze to look—
The carriage with its blue curtains and ornate canopy rolled over the blue stone slab street, moving slowly.
Li Huan lifted the curtain to glance outside, and a section of Xue Sui’s wrist emerged from her sleeve cuff.
He saw her lean forward slightly, a smile on her face, as if whispering something to Li Huan.
In Li Zhao’s line of sight, he could just see the white of her forehead as she lowered her head, and the soft fabric of the sleeve cuff as it brushed past her waist when Li Huan gently supported her.
With just one glance, he lowered the curtain, closing off everything that could be seen.
“Heh!”
Li Zhao’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. He took the teacup handed to him by Lai Fu, but before he could drink, a fine crack appeared on the rim.
Lai Fu trembled in fear.
The Crown Prince hadn’t uttered a word.
Yet, it was as if he had spoken a thousand unspeakable, venomous curses, leaving him trembling with fear.
–
As the carriage entered Prince Duan’s Mansion, Xue Yuechen came to greet them from afar, bowing with dignified grace.
“Your Highness—Sixth Sister, you’re finally back.”
“Greetings, Princess Consort!” Xue Sui respectfully returned the bow.
Li Huan remained silent, nodded to Xue Yuechen, and very considerately supported Xue Liu by her elbow, three inches from her armpit, as he helped her out of the carriage.
Xue Yuechen’s heart tightened, and a faint bitterness welled up.
After many years of marriage, the Prince had never taken her out alone for outings. Even Consort Yuan, who was once most favored, had never received such affection. Yet Xue Liu had become the unique woman who made him break his routine…
For the past few days, the mansion had been abuzz with talk of the Prince’s affection for Madam Ping’an, and some had even come to congratulate her.
Xue Yuechen didn’t know what she was happy about, but since everyone was celebrating, she had to join in and treat it as a joyous occasion.
“Your Highness,” Xue Yuechen recovered from her bitterness, curtsied slightly, and then smiled gently, “Princess Ruihe just sent someone with an invitation, saying she will visit the mansion tomorrow.”
Li Huan’s fingertips tightened.
“I understand.”
Xue Yuechen sighed softly, “I heard that Princess Ruihe’s husband passed away in Longyou. She is now a widow, and her return to the capital this time is to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday. However, the Empress Dowager pities the Princess and has allowed her to reside in the capital long-term…”
Li Huan’s gaze narrowed slightly.
Xue Yuechen smiled again, “When Princess Ruihe was still unmarried, she was close to Your Highness. Now that she has returned to her homeland, the first person she visits is our mansion. It’s truly a rare bond.”
Li Huan was silent for a moment, “I have official duties tomorrow and will not be in the mansion. I will trouble the Princess Consort to entertain her…”
He said this, then put his hands behind his back and strode away hastily…
A subtle low pressure inexplicably filled the air.
Xue Yuechen’s expression stiffened slightly, she quietly clenched her handkerchief, and stared blankly at his retreating back.
“Did I say something wrong? Why does Your Highness look displeased?”
Xue Sui pretended not to notice, “Did he?”
“How could he not.”
He had been amiable upon entering, but his face suddenly darkened, and he left abruptly. Xue Yuechen was full of confusion and felt very wronged.
“You said you would rest at home, and now you have official duties again…”
Xue Sui smiled gently, “Even if he is troubled, it wouldn’t be because of Eldest Sister…”
“Then what is it?” Xue Yuechen asked, puzzled.
Xue Sui stepped forward and took her wrist, smiling slightly, “I heard that Minister Xiao was seriously injured in prison. He is, after all, Your Highness’s maternal uncle, so it’s natural to be concerned…”
Xue Yuechen muttered to herself.
If he was worried about Xiao Jing, shouldn’t he have shown it earlier?
Why did his mood change only after she mentioned Princess Ruihe?
–
In the afternoon, Guo Yunrong came to visit the mansion with her maids.
Compared to her previous dejected state, there was a hint of joy on her face.
“Madam Ping’an, your good wishes truly came true this time…”
Xue Sui smiled and asked, “What happened?”
Guo Yunrong joyfully said, “My maternal grandfather has been released from the Ministry of Justice prison and returned home this morning.”
Xue Sui said, “Congratulations, congratulations.”
Guo Yunrong changed the subject and sighed with a hint of regret.
“It’s a pity he was still fined his salary, dismissed from his post, and ordered to retire to his hometown, never to be employed again.”
In other words, he escaped the death penalty but not the punishment, and his official career was completely ruined.
Guo Yunrong pouted and said, “It’s also thanks to our ancestors’ spirits. This year is the Empress Dowager’s seventieth birthday, and His Majesty issued a general amnesty, otherwise, my maternal grandfather might not have been able to leave the Ministry of Justice prison…”
Xue Sui smiled calmly.
In fact, the credit should go to Luo Huan for voluntarily confessing and returning all the embezzled money. It also didn’t implicate Xiao Jing in the escape case, which is why the punishment was lenient…
Of course, another reason was that Li Zhao listened to advice and didn’t push things too far—the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince, is not yet the Emperor, and even if he were, he would have to weigh the pros and cons.
Li Huan was right about one thing: winning people’s hearts and building good relationships would also broaden his path in the imperial court.
Guo Yunrong had tea and snacks in Tan Qiu Courtyard before leaving.
“Madam Ping’an, if you have time, please come to my mansion to visit me.”
Xue Sui looked at the pure-hearted young lady and nodded with a smile.
“I will.”
“I’ll be waiting for you!” Guo Yunrong winked at her lightheartedly and got into the carriage reluctantly.
Xue Sui waved thoughtfully, suddenly thinking of Li Zhao.
If he could have such a kind-hearted woman as his Crown Princess, it would likely be suitable.
–
As the sun began to set, Wen Jia sent a message informing her that the secret medical scripture embroidery for the Empress Dowager’s birthday was finished and asking Xue Sui to come and take a look.
Xue Sui informed Xue Yuechen and left with Xiao Zhao.
This time, they arranged to meet at Misty Rain Tower on Vermilion Bird Street.
From the moment she left the manor gate, Xue Sui calmly paraded through the streets, and Wen Jia did not hide either, openly ordering tea and waiting in Misty Rain Tower.
When Xue Sui entered, Wen Jia enthusiastically greeted her.
“Ping’an, come quickly and look.”
A exquisitely beautiful “Secret Medical Scripture” with delicate embroidery was spread out before them, with exquisite stitches, meticulous detail, and masterful craftsmanship.
The two leaned their heads together, admiring it carefully for a long while.
Xue Sui sincerely praised, “This medical scripture illustration is ingenious. The Empress Dowager will surely be delighted when she sees it. I wonder how she will praise the Princess…”
Wen Jia exchanged a look with her, “I poured so much effort into this, all for Grandmother’s happiness. It’s also thanks to Madam Ping’an’s advice… otherwise, my birthday gift this year would likely have been ridiculed again.”
Xue Sui smiled slightly, “Princess, if you receive the Empress Dowager’s commendation, don’t forget what you promised me.”
Wen Jia quickly agreed, “Of course, I will keep my promise.”
The two chatted happily.
After a while, a faint sound came from outside the window.
Xue Sui signaled to Xiao Zhao.
Xiao Zhao quietly approached, observed for a moment, and then returned.
“Miss, the person has already left.”
Xue Sui nodded slightly, took Wen Jia’s hand, and said with concern, “The Princess has worked hard on this. Look at these fair and tender hands, they’ve even developed calluses.”
Wen Jia smiled shyly, withdrew her hand, and rubbed it awkwardly, “My mother’s health has improved these past few days, and she was afraid I couldn’t manage alone, so she also helped. And Dong Xu, her needlework is also decent. This isn’t all my credit…”
Xue Sui smiled and shook her head, “To complete this two-zhang long embroidery in such a short time, even with three people working together, is very difficult…”
Determination appeared on Wen Jia’s face, her eyes firm, “For Grandmother’s birthday, I naturally have to give my all!”
Her voice was soft and delicate, yet she spoke with absolute certainty, as if wanting to drill hatred into people’s bones.
Xue Sui hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked, “There’s something I’d like to ask the Princess.”
Wen Jia readily agreed, “We are close friends, so feel free to ask anything.”
Xue Sui asked, “Princess Ruihe, who married far away to Longyou, does she have any unspeakable connection with Prince Duan?”
Mwah, goodnight~
