Prime Minister.

Chapter 21 021 [Secret Crossing of the Phoenix Pool]

With Gu Heng imprisoned in the Jing'an Division's jail, the doubts about Xue Mingzhang that had just surfaced in the capital were quickly quelled. Xue Huai, who personally cleared his deceased father's name, did not receive any substantial reward, but he did change some people's opinions of him to some extent.

For example, several colleagues in the Hanlin Academy.

Xue Huai had previously taken several days off, but now that he was free of his shackles, he couldn't continue to stay at home and enjoy his leisure, as that would likely attract the attention of the censors of the Censorate.

Returning to this prestigious government office, known as the residence of the future prime minister, Xue Huai's state of mind was naturally different.

This time, unlike Lin Daiyu when she first entered the Rongguo Mansion, he didn't need to be as careful and cautious as he was when observing people's expressions and fearing that he would be plotted against or framed. He could rest assured and observe the place where he "worked" up close.

The Hanlin Academy has a simple and ancient architectural style and a relatively large area. It is divided into four main parts: the main courtyard, the east courtyard, the west courtyard, and the auxiliary building complex.

Xue Huai's daily duty station was in the editing and inspection hall of the main courtyard, which was divided into many rooms for the use of scholars and editors.

Before heading to the Compilation and Inspection Office, Xue Huai first went to the main hall with five bays to pay his respects to the Chancellor, Lin Miao.

"Greetings, Headmaster."

Xue Huai bowed and said sincerely, "Thank you for speaking up for me at the Grand Court Assembly that day."

He knew that if Shen Wang hadn't spoken first, Lin Miao would most likely have remained silent. But since he wasn't Lin Miao's confidant and had caused him a lot of trouble over the past two years, he couldn't force Lin Miao to lend a helping hand.

Since he has decided to navigate the treacherous waters of officialdom, he must understand the true meaning of the phrase "it's rare to be muddleheaded."

Lin Miao smiled faintly and said gently, "Since you work in the Hanlin Academy, it's only natural for me to help you. There's no need for thanks. To be honest, you should thank Vice Minister Shen properly. If it weren't for your mentor's intervention, the situation might not have changed so quickly."

Xue Huai agreed.

He certainly wouldn't deliberately ignore Shen Wang, but his mentor had been busy with official duties these days and hadn't had time to see him. They had already arranged for him to visit Shen Wang's residence in five days.

Lin Miao calmly said, "You were originally in charge of compiling the fourth volume of 'A Study of the Taihe River Works,' but all the relevant files have been lost. In addition, Academician Chen Quan caught a cold and took leave to return home. Now that it is almost the end of the year, I will not assign you any tasks. We will decide next year."

Is Chen Quan really that guilty?
Since coming into this world, Xue Huai has never dared to underestimate the wisdom of the ancients. They simply lacked knowledge that transcended the limitations of their time. If one were to consider them foolish because of this, one would probably die without ever knowing the identity of the enemy.

But Xue Huai had to admit that every world has smart people and stupid people, and Chen Quan was one of the latter who was born into the right family.

He remembered that at the grand court assembly that day, although Lin Miao only mentioned Chen Quan, the officials in the court were certainly able to see the strangeness of Chen Quan. At this time, he was still trying to hide something, as if he was afraid that the emperor would not notice him.
Lin Miao scrutinized Xue Huai's expression, his curiosity growing. The once headstrong young man who was solely focused on writing memorials had undergone such a dramatic transformation; he was truly blessed. So he smiled and said, "For the next month or so, you can immerse yourself in your studies in the courtyard. If you have any important business to attend to, you may go there yourself. Just remember to come and report for duty every day."

This was certainly good news for Xue Huai, who immediately bowed and said, "Thank you, Headmaster."

Lin Miao smiled and waved his hand, saying no more.

Xue Huai returned to his duty room in the editorial office, immediately attracting several curious glances.

He didn't try to get close to them, but instead, just like when he first arrived in a new environment in his previous life, he maintained a humble yet dignified attitude when interacting with the other scholars.

This was enough to secretly astonish the Hanlin scholars.

Xue Huai wasn't arrogant in the past, but he was indeed a cold and hard-hearted person who was not easy to get along with. Now, although he is not humble, he can at least talk to his colleagues on an equal and amicable basis.

Once the noise subsided, Xue Huai returned to his desk and sat down. Looking at the fragrant tea prepared by the clerk and the dazzling array of books on the bookshelf beside him, he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity mixed with strangeness.

He seemed to have suddenly returned to his original world, transforming into one of his older colleagues in the office.

A cup of tea, a book—time flies by.

It's quite comfortable.

Two days later, in the afternoon, Xue Huai greeted Kong Mu, who was in charge of attendance records, and left amidst the other man's envious gaze.

Li Shun, the servant, brought over two horses. One was a nag kept by the Xue family, while the other had a bright coat and excellent pedigree, clearly a top-quality steed.

Xue Huai mounted his fine steed and headed southwest with Li Shun.

About fifteen minutes later, the two arrived at the banks of the Nine-Bend River, where a beautiful, verdant villa stood before them.

Xue Huai led his horse forward, presented his name card, and said, "Please inform Your Highness that Xue Huai, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, has come to pay his respects."

The guard at the gate took the visiting card and left two words: "Wait a moment."

A moment later, the guard who had returned took the fine horse from Xue Huai, while another guard led him into the villa.

The Green Villa covers a vast area, and Xue Huai admired it as he walked. Stepping through the vermilion gate, he was greeted by an octagonal screen wall made of blue bricks, with a few sparse clumps of cold-resistant Nandina domestica planted in front of it, their oval leaves tinged with dark red.

After passing the screen wall, you will see the main road paved with bluestone. On both sides, there are rows of tall pine trees, more than 20 feet high. Their dark green needles rustle in the cold wind, and the pine needles fall all over the dry stream with cobblestones lining the roadside.

After walking fifty steps along the main path, you will see a square pond surrounded by white stones. The water is so clear that you can see the bottom, and withered yellow water lily leaves float on the surface.

A three-tiered flat bridge spans the pond. On the north bank, an artificial hill is covered with ivy, with gray-brown lake stones peeking out from between the vines. On the south bank, seven or eight Xiangfei bamboo stalks are planted, and unpainted wooden stools are scattered under the bamboo groves.

After crossing the flat bridge and passing through the moon gate with the plaque "Hanxu" hanging on it, you will arrive at Xiexiu Pavilion, which Princess Yun'an used to entertain guests.

The guard stopped in front of the hall and stepped aside, saying, "Editor Xue, please."

Xue Huai nodded in acknowledgment, stepped up the five steps, and entered the serene and elegant Xiexiu Pavilion.

"Greetings to Your Highness."

Xue Huai bowed and looked up at Princess Yun'an, Jiang Li, who was sitting by the window reading a book. Several maids stood beside her, and guards stood guard outside. However, none of the dozen or so people made a sound, and the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful.

Today she was wearing a silver-red brocade jacket, which made her face look as white as fresh snow. The collar was trimmed with light blue piping, and half of her slender white fingertips peeked out from the cuffs, resting lightly on the pages of a book.

The Hetian white jade phoenix head hairpin has been replaced by a gold filigree and kingfisher feather bamboo-shaped hairpin, loosely tied to a single braid that hangs down her left shoulder. The tassel at the end of the braid sways gently with her eye movements, just like icicles melting from the eaves and dripping into a cold pool.

"Editor Xue, please excuse the formalities and have a seat."

Jiang Li raised her chin slightly, and the light filtering through the window swept across her nose, casting a sharp shadow.

Xue Huai took his seat, and Jiang Li also put down her book and slowly walked to the main seat to sit down.

"I have come today specifically to express my gratitude and to return the fine horse that Your Highness lent me."

Xue Huai remained calm. He was not making a presumptuous visit; he had already sent Li Shun to deliver a visiting card the day before, obtaining permission from the princess's residence.

Jiang Li seemed displeased, her tone cold: "I never take back what I give away. Since you've been given that horse, you can keep it. After all, your two old horses at home probably can't handle long journeys."

Xue Huai's heart skipped a beat; the other person's words seemed to be hinting at something.

He cautiously replied, "Your Highness, one should not accept rewards without merit; I dare not accept them."

Jiang Li chuckled and said with a slightly forceful tone, "I don't want to repeat myself. Take what's yours, or don't blame me for taking my anger out on you."

Xue Huai was somewhat curious. He didn't know who in this capital city could make Jiang Li suffer any injustice, except for the Emperor in the palace—but who in the court and the public didn't know that the Emperor treated Princess Yun'an as his own daughter? In all these years, had he ever let her suffer even the slightest injustice?
Curious as he was, Xue Huai had no intention of asking further questions. What if Jiang Li said she didn't like some rich kid and asked him to teach that kid a lesson? Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

Jiang Li seemed to have guessed his thoughts and sneered, "Why do I think the old Xue editor was more pleasing to the eye? Now you've become like those old hands in the court, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. You've lost all your former charm. No, wait, you were quite assertive at the Grand Court Assembly that day."

Xue Huai thought to himself, "Who can compare to you?"

Although she was not born of the emperor, she was more favored than the three proper princesses. It is said that even the Crown Prince had to coax her.

"Your Highness is joking. It is precisely because of the turmoil that I have realized my shortcomings in the past. I can't keep hitting a wall and not turn back."

Xue Huai responded with a mix of truth and falsehood.

Jiang Li said meaningfully, "From what you're saying, you're planning to stay in the Hanlin Academy writing books and compiling history, and ignore everything else?"

Xue Huai nodded and said, "That is exactly what I was thinking."

Jiang Li then asked, "Don't you want revenge?"

Xue Huai controlled his expression and slowly said, "Your Highness is referring to Gu Heng, the former Director of the Capital Waterways Bureau? He is now imprisoned in the Jing'an Bureau. I believe the court will be able to investigate his crimes and bring justice to my late father."

"Don't play dumb, and don't tell me that you believe Gu Heng is the mastermind behind this."

Jiang Li pursed her lips and said leisurely, "You are indeed a smart person, but you don't need to treat me like a three-year-old child."

Xue Huai lowered his head slightly and said, "Your subject dares not."

"Xue Huai, I have helped you once, and I can help you a second time. Although I cannot confirm who is plotting against the Xue family, I can help you narrow it down to just seven people."

Jiang Li paused slightly, then said with a half-smile, "If you want to know the answer, you only need to grant me one simple request."

(End of this chapter)