“Your Highness, may this servant beg a favor from you?”
Mi Ning held a scroll in her arms, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“As you know, I have a younger brother at home. He has always admired the Prime Minister and has been longing to have a portrait of Prime Minister Xie.”
A hint of helplessness flickered in Mi Ning’s eyes.
Although she did not care for the Prime Minister, she couldn’t resist her brother’s persistent pleading.
Shen Zhaoli nodded. “Take it.”
Though Mi Ning served by her side, she was also the daughter of a proper seventh-rank official.
Her father served as the Commander of the Yu Department, responsible for formulating policies on hunting and logging.
In Yujing, where officials were as common as the grass, this was not particularly distinguished.
But the family lived in harmony and contentment.
It was said that Mi Ning’s younger brother was also preparing for the imperial examinations.
Xie Yuheng had once achieved the rare feat of placing first in all three levels of the imperial exams, making him an object of reverence and admiration among countless scholars.
It was only natural for him to admire Xie Yuheng.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Princess’s Mansion.
“Prime Minister, please wait a moment. Once the messenger returns and if Her Highness permits, I will certainly allow you to enter.”
The gatekeeper steeled himself to block Xie Yuheng, his attitude resolute.
Xie Yuheng’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before quickly returning to its usual cool detachment as he stood before the gates of the Princess’s Mansion.
The Princess’s Mansion had always allowed him free entry, with no one daring to stop him.
It seemed she was still angry about yesterday’s incident.
Not long after, the messenger returned and reported that Xie Yuheng was to follow him inside.
Along the way, the intricate and cumbersome formalities were enough to unsettle even someone as composed as Xie Yuheng, stirring a trace of irritation within him.
When Xie Yuheng stepped into Qinghuan Hall, he saw Shen Zhaoli seated on a rosewood chair adorned with rose motifs.
A peony and phoenix-patterned brocade gown outlined her graceful figure, while her cascading black hair was elegantly styled into an exquisite Lingyun bun.
A complete set of white jade hairpins inlaid with red coral flowers accentuated Shen Zhaoli’s lightly made-up face, making her appear even more breathtakingly beautiful.
The noble aura that had been somewhat subdued by her plain attire in the past now radiated with full force.
Xie Yuheng was momentarily taken aback, a flicker of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Yet, he also felt an inexplicable sense of distance.
After standing by the table for a moment, Xie Yuheng took a seat beside Shen Zhaoli.
“I have something to say to you.”
Seeing Shen Zhaoli nod, Mi Ning gestured for the other maids to leave as well.
“Did you eat the pastries?”
Shen Zhaoli looked up at the cold, snow-like Xie Yuheng before her, her lips twitching slightly as she finally gave in to the frustration in her heart.
“Does Prime Minister Xie wish to see this princess break out in hives again?”
Xie Yuheng was momentarily stunned, his cool voice tinged with confusion.
“I didn’t know you couldn’t eat chestnut cakes. I’ll take that one back for Xi’er and buy you a new one tomorrow.”
“Yesterday was my fault. Please don’t take it out on Xi’er. I…”
Before Xie Yuheng could finish, Shen Zhaoli interrupted him.
“This princess is not so petty as to be angry with someone who has nothing to do with her.”
Xie Yuheng’s brow furrowed slightly, and he spared Shen Zhaoli an uncharacteristically long glance.
“Regarding the Imperial Edict of Marriage Bestowal, I will go to the palace to request it.”
“There’s no need. His Majesty is still angry about yesterday’s incident. Let’s discuss it another time.”
Xie Yuheng’s frown deepened. After a moment of silence, his cool voice rang out again.
“I couldn’t return in time yesterday. How about I take you boating on the lake today?”
Shen Zhaoli was momentarily taken aback before her red lips parted slightly.
“There’s no need. This princess has no desire to go boating. I wouldn’t want to waste Prime Minister’s time.”
Xie Yuheng’s frown tightened further, his cool tone suppressing a hint of irritation.
“Are you still angry with me?”
Shen Zhaoli’s gaze remained distant, somewhat puzzled by Xie Yuheng’s displeasure.
Not fighting, not contending, magnanimous and sensible—wasn’t this exactly what he had always wanted in the past?
“Prime Minister, you worry too much.”
Xie Yuheng’s heart sank slightly, softening his tone somewhat.
“If you don’t wish to go boating, I can accompany you…”
Before he could finish, Xie Yuheng’s attendant Yin Ji hurriedly arrived at the doorway and immediately knelt in greeting.
“My lord, Miss Su caught a chill while watching the fireworks last night and developed a fever this morning.”
Xie Yuheng’s expression changed instantly, and he stood up at once.
Shen Zhaoli’s lips curved slightly, her smile tinged with a hint of mockery.
So even those fireworks had not been set off for her to see.
“Since the Prime Minister has urgent matters to attend to, you may go.”
Xie Yuheng’s unspoken words caught in his throat. Seeing Shen Zhaoli’s indifferent expression, his face darkened somewhat.
Still concerned about Su Qingxi, Xie Yuheng’s tone turned cold and stiff.
“I will come to see you later.”
With that, Xie Yuheng turned and left, his steps hurried, just like the day before.
As he was leaving the Princess’s Mansion, he nearly collided with maids carrying items out.
The maids quickly stepped back and knelt to beg forgiveness.
“Today, Her Highness the Princess ordered the disposal of many miscellaneous items. We were carrying too many things and did not see you, my lord, hence the accidental offense. Please forgive us, Prime Minister.”
Xie Yuheng’s gaze was drawn to an unremarkable clay doll on one of the maids’ trays.
The dull, gray clay doll didn’t even have clearly defined features.
Yet it was dressed in exquisite little clothes, meticulously cared for and free of any dust.
Wasn’t this the same doll he had damaged three years ago, intending to throw it away, only for Shen Zhaoli to ask for it?
She had actually kept it carefully all this time.
Xie Yuheng’s heart softened slightly. She did care for him, after all.
…
The next day after the morning court session, Shen Zhijin detained Xie Yuheng.
In the Imperial Study, the expansive and heavy rosewood desk was adorned with exquisite scholar’s treasures.
Several wolf-hair brushes hung on the brush stand.
The emperor’s throne was situated at the deepest part of the study, backed by a screen embroidered with a golden dragon, its eyes inlaid with gems that gleamed with an imposing light.
Shen Zhijin held a memorial in his hand, his gaze stern as he looked at Xie Yuheng kneeling upright in the hall.
“You know why I summoned you.”
Xie Yuheng lowered his eyes, his tone respectful. “At the betrothal banquet, I abandoned Princess Changle and left. It was my fault.”
Shen Zhijin snorted coldly. “Your fault? I haven’t seen any indication that Prime Minister Xie feels he did anything wrong! Several days have passed, and I’ve yet to see you take any action.”
He had originally intended to give Xie Yuheng some time to handle the matter and had been keeping an eye on it.
But he never expected Xie Yuheng to be so bold, repeatedly causing his Li’er distress.
Xie Yuheng frowned slightly. “Her Highness has a strong temperament, but I have already invited her to go boating together and will explain everything properly.”
Shen Zhijin slammed the memorial onto the desk with a sharp sound, rose, and walked up to Xie Yuheng, his entire being radiating anger.
“Xie Yuheng, oh Xie Yuheng, what am I to say to you?”
“You are my most trusted minister. It is because I trust you that I was willing to betroth Changle to you. And this is how you repay her? How can such a significant matter be resolved with just a few words of explanation? You should apologize to Li’er!”
Xie Yuheng’s back remained straight, his voice neither submissive nor arrogant.
“On the day of the betrothal banquet, a life was at stake. I truly had no choice but to leave.”
“For Xi’er, losing her beloved pet was like losing half her life. But for Princess Changle, it was merely missing a banquet—something that can always be made up for in the future.”
“I know Your Highness has been wronged. Whatever she wishes to do in the future, I will accompany her.”
Shen Zhijin stared at Xie Yuheng, letting out a cold laugh in anger.
He finally saw it clearly—this Prime Minister of his was utterly confused!
On one hand, he pined for Li’er, while on the other, he couldn’t let go of his childhood sweetheart.
Now that Li’er had been heartbroken and severed her feelings, agreeing to the marriage alliance with the King of Beiliang, he wanted to see how Xie Yuheng would handle himself when he learned of this in the future!
“For Li’er’s sake, I will not punish you severely. Go kneel outside the hall for an hour, then leave on your own.”
Xie Yuheng pressed his thin lips together, bowed to Shen Zhijin with clasped hands, then rose and exited the Imperial Study.
Liu Hong, the Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, who had been waiting outside for a long time, hurried into the hall, brushing past Xie Yuheng and nodding in greeting.
Xie Yuheng couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Chief Minister Liu Hong was in charge of receiving foreign guests and arranging ceremonial matters.
He hadn’t heard of any foreign envoys visiting the court recently, so why was Liu Hong seeking an audience with the Emperor?
The vermilion doors of the Imperial Study closed after Liu Hong entered, cutting off the conversation inside.
“Your Majesty, news has arrived from Beiliang. The King of Beiliang will soon come to Yujing to pay tribute.”
Shen Zhijin frowned deeply. “Wasn’t it agreed that the marriage alliance delegation would arrive in three months? What does this Chu Yunzheng mean?”
The Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial lowered his head even further, not daring to provoke the Emperor’s displeasure.
“According to Beiliang’s intentions, the King of Beiliang wishes to spend more time with Princess Changle.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall grew cold and tense.
Shen Zhijin curled his lips into a cold smile.
“I have already granted them face by agreeing to the marriage alliance. Now they dare to think of overstepping their bounds.”
“If they refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit, then we shall raise troops and meet them in battle!”
The Emperor’s anger made everyone serving in the Imperial Study tremble with fear, immediately kneeling.
The Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial broke out in a cold sweat. “Your Majesty, please reconsider. Although the two nations’ strength is comparable, Beiliang has a powerful army and strong horses. Starting a war now would not benefit Dajing.”
Shen Zhijin’s expression turned cold and stern.
How could he not know that going to war was not the best choice?
But if they allowed Beiliang to overstep today, they would demand territorial concessions and reparations tomorrow.
Even though they had the strength to fight, retreating and hiding would only embolden Beiliang further. If they did not show their stance and maintain a superficial balance, Dajing would eventually be torn apart, gradually eroded, and fall into a passive situation.
The Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial knelt uneasily, his collar soaked with cold sweat.
The chief eunuch, Wu Yu, observing Shen Zhijin’s grim expression, knew that the matter had to be approached through Princess Changle.
“Your Majesty, since it is Princess Changle who is betrothed, perhaps we should ask for Her Highness’s opinion?”