Upon hearing this, Su Xiaoyu was about to tactfully withdraw when Xiao Jingheng grabbed her wrist and pulled her across the threshold.
"Your Highness worries too much. She's merely an ignorant maid for rough work, kept around to serve tea and water. She's timid and clumsy, and wouldn't understand anything anyway."
[What? A maid for rough work? Clumsy? Wouldn't understand? Young Marquis, are you even listening to yourself? Though I'd love to watch the drama unfold, I'd rather not do it right under the villain's nose!]
But on the surface, she cooperatively lowered her head, hunched her shoulders, and put on a foolish act. Coupled with the unfinished snacks she was still holding, she added to the impression of being 'unseemly.'
Chu Yan raised a skeptical eyebrow.
A maid for rough work?
One that Xiao Jingheng cared about so much he'd personally accompany her shopping for snacks?
His gaze swept over Su Xiaoyu's well-made clothes and the exquisite snacks in her arms, and he sneered inwardly.
"Is that so."
Chu Yan smiled as he walked into the private room. "It seems I overthought things. Jingheng, please."
Xiao Jingheng gave a slight nod and stepped inside.
Su Xiaoyu braced herself and cautiously followed them in, like a genuine little tail.
At first, the two exchanged toasts and pleasantries.
When masters spar, it often happens without visible moves.
After three rounds of drinks and several courses, Chu Yan casually steered the conversation toward court affairs.
"The court may seem calm on the surface, but undercurrents are swirling. His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent, which is naturally a blessing for the people. However, sometimes… excessive leniency may not be fortunate for the state."
He swirled his wine cup, looking meaningfully at Xiao Jingheng. "Marquis of Yongning's Mansion has produced loyal and virtuous officials for generations, deeply trusted by His Majesty. You, Jingheng, are outstanding among the younger generation. What are your esteemed views on the current situation?"
Chu Yan asked this with probing intent.
Although Marquis of Yongning's Mansion openly supported the Crown Prince, as long as the Crown Prince hadn't formally ascended the throne, everything remained possible.
Moreover, the relationship between the Crown Prince and Marquis of Yongning's Mansion wasn't entirely ironclad.
Xiao Jingheng's expression remained unchanged. "Your Highness flatters me. The Xiao family has enjoyed imperial favor for generations. We only know loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, faithfully fulfilling our duties. The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, and his benevolence is also a virtue. We, as officials, should wholeheartedly assist and share His Highness's burdens."
His words were impeccably careful, both stating the Hou Manor's loyal stance and expressing support for the Crown Prince.
Su Xiaoyu was diligently peeling a crab. Hearing the discussion about the Crown Prince, she couldn't help but mutter to herself:
[The Crown Prince is a good person, just unlucky… Ah, thinking about his fate later in the book is truly regrettable. Such a good man actually ended up disabled from a fall off a horse, and then in the end he was… Ah, it's all because of Third Prince and his lot! They look all proper now, but who knows what schemes they're plotting inside!]
Xiao Jingheng listened impassively, his fingers gripping the wine cup so tightly they turned pale.
Seeing him unyielding, Chu Yan changed tactics, his tone carrying a hint of heartfelt regret:
"Brother Jingheng, with your exceptional talent and repeated achievements in the Court of Judicial Review, are you truly content to always… remain subordinate? Remember, a fine bird chooses its tree, and a wise minister chooses his master. This 'tree' may appear lush now, but who knows if its roots are firm? If it were to shake in the future, wouldn't it implicate both your promising future and that of the Hou Manor?"
His words were almost blatant attempts to win over and sow discord.
Su Xiaoyu had just stuffed a piece of crab meat into her mouth, and upon hearing this, her eyes widened in shock!
【Holy cow!】
【He's already trying to poach him?! So direct? Third Prince, where's your brain? Shouldn't you offer some benefits or something?】
【Oh, just saying this, who would fall for it? The book says Yongning Hou is a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince. Later, when the Hou Manor faced trouble, the Crown Prince helped a lot too. Although in the end… Ah, anyway, the Young Marquis is the male lead, a gentleman who would never betray the Crown Prince. Third Prince, don't waste your efforts!】
When Xiao Jingheng heard the words "male lead," his pupils trembled slightly.
If he remembered correctly, the last time Xiaoyu saw Lin Wan'er at the tavern, she had called her the female lead!
Now she was calling him the male lead.
Could it be…?
At this thought, an inexplicable restlessness stirred in his heart.
Xiao Jingheng let out a cold laugh inwardly.
Chu Yan's ambition was no longer concealed.
He set down his wine cup, met Chu Yan's gaze, and declared resolutely:
"Your Highness, you are mistaken. A subject's duty lies in loyalty to the sovereign and love for the country, not in weighing gains and losses or choosing which 'tree' to perch on. Everyone in Marquis of Yongning's Mansion knows only to pledge allegiance to His Majesty and assist the Crown Prince. This loyalty is clear as heaven and earth, unwavering and will never waver!"
These words amounted to a complete rejection of Chu Yan's overtures.
After speaking, he proactively stood up, cupped his hands toward Chu Yan, and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Your Highness. I have urgent matters to attend to and must take my leave."
Seeing how uncooperative he was, Chu Yan's smile gradually faded. A shadow of malice flickered in his eyes.
"Since Jingheng has matters to attend to, I won't keep you any longer."
His gaze swept over Xiao Jingheng's hand holding Xiaoyu's. "Let's catch up another day."
It wasn't until they were in the carriage, free from the suffocating atmosphere, that Su Xiaoyu finally let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest.
"Finally, we're out! Eating with that prince felt like the air itself was heavy."
Xiao Jingheng leaned against the carriage wall, lost in thought about the Crown Prince's affairs, and merely responded with a noncommittal "Hmm."
Su Xiaoyu had been holding back a bellyful of words. Now that they were safe, she couldn't resist asking, "Young Marquis, was that Third Prince… trying to win you over just now?"
Xiao Jingheng slowly opened his eyes, looking at Su Xiaoyu's face full of curiosity, his own expression unreadable. "Even you noticed?"
Su Xiaoyu rubbed the back of her head, thinking of the final fate of the Crown Prince and the Hou Manor in the book. She felt it was necessary to give the Young Marquis a heads-up.
"Of course! His eyes… they just didn't look like a good person's!"
【He seemed all smiles and polite on the surface, but beneath that gaze, it felt like he was hiding schemes.】
"Young Marquis, it seems to me that he must have taken notice of the Hou Manor's and your high status and influence, wanting to pull you in to do his bidding!"
After spending half a day together, Su Xiaoyu had grown bolder and began to speculate freely: "I've seen… I've read about this kind of person in storybooks. They lack real ability themselves and just think about forming cliques, stepping on others to climb higher. Who knows what shady deeds they might be doing behind the scenes—like framing loyal officials, taking bribes, or… keeping a bunch of assassins and death warriors."
The more she spoke, the more convinced she became of her speculation, nodding emphatically:
"Yes! That's definitely it! Young Marquis, you mustn't agree to work with him. Associating with him will only lead to trouble. Who knows, you might even be pushed out as a scapegoat one day!"
If it were before, upon hearing her outrageous and baseless words, Xiao Jingheng would have punished her on the spot.
But now, he knew that Su Xiaoyu could glimpse the future and seemed to understand everyone as if heaven had granted her divine insight.
He became increasingly convinced that Su Xiaoyu’s arrival at the Hou Manor and by his side was undoubtedly heaven’s arrangement.
Therefore, he was well aware that her words were not false and might even be just the tip of the iceberg.
But! Rules must not be abandoned.
His gaze was profound, his tone carrying a hint of authority: "Be cautious with your words! The Third Prince is an Imperial Descendant, noble in status—how can we rashly discuss him?"
"Today, you may speak of this only in my presence. If it were to reach outsiders, how many heads do you have to spare?"
His tone was not overly harsh, more of a warning, intending to make Su Xiaoyu understand the danger of careless talk.
Su Xiaoyu, who had been speaking enthusiastically, immediately fell silent at his reprimand and shrank her neck.
"Yes! This servant knows her mistake! This servant will never dare to speak recklessly again!"
[Ah, how can I remind the Young Marquis to avoid the Hou Manor’s impending crisis? Worrying.]
"Oh?"
Xiao Jingheng, however, suddenly shifted the topic: "Then what do you think? How should the Hou Manor act? Which side should it stand on?"