Prime Minister.

Chapter 46 (046) [The Phoenix Arrives]

As dawn broke, Xue Huai slowly awoke.

Today is the second day of the twelfth lunar month, marking the beginning of the final month of the eighteenth year of the Taihe era.

Having been in this world for almost two months, last night was the most restful night's sleep Xue Huai had ever had.

Although the corruption case in the Ministry of Works was not completely concluded, the follow-up was no longer Xue Huai's concern. The court would determine the punishment of the relevant officials involved. In addition, Shen Wang took over the Ministry of Works to quell public opinion and clean up that mess.

Xue Huai knew that the Ministry of Works was a hot potato, but he had more faith in his mentor's skills and abilities.

He sat up in bed, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

His current official position is Hanlin Academy Reader, whose main responsibility is to lecture the emperor and princes on classics and history. Unlike the past two years when he was buried in old papers and compiling historical books, this is a noble and easy job.

Considering that he has not yet completed his first three-year term, this promotion is very important. In the future, whether he is transferred to a post outside the capital or transferred to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, he will be one step ahead of his fellow graduates.

In officialdom, one step ahead means another, as long as Xue Huai doesn't make any serious mistakes.

Xue Huai raised his hand to rub his sore eyes and began to review the gains and losses of the past period.

Xue Minglun resigned in disgrace, and a large number of officials in the Ministry of Works were punished. This was the biggest blow to the Ning faction in nearly five years. However, judging from the emperor's attitude, this matter still could not shake the position of Grand Secretary Ning Hengzhi in his heart.

As a leader of the Qingliu faction with a high chance of entering the cabinet, Shen Wang's reputation will definitely rise to a new level after this incident. However, his change from his previous years of forbearance and silence will naturally arouse the fear and targeting of Ning Hengzhi and the core members of the Ning Party.

Furthermore, the emperor disliked his methods, and assigning him to the Ministry of Works was a subtle warning. It is foreseeable that Shen Wang will need some time to reflect and prepare.

As for Xue Huai himself, since Shen Wang shielded him from the wind and rain and drew most of the fire, he was the biggest beneficiary of this incident. He not only won the emperor's attention and appreciation, but also successfully got promoted before the evaluation, and corrected the stereotypes about him in the minds of some officials in the court.

After this incident, Xue Huai gained a clearer understanding of the complex situation in the court.

The civil service was deeply entrenched, with the chief minister and the second minister each having their own supporters. The faction of upright officials struggled to survive in the middle, while many other centrists stood on the sidelines, watching from the sidelines.

Although the Wu Xun Group is not as powerful as it used to be, they still occasionally try to make their presence felt.

The imperial family members are not to be underestimated either. Even though the Crown Prince has already been chosen, Xue Huai can sense that none of the adult princes are easy to deal with. Even the Prince of Dai, who is being led by the nose by Jiang Li, carries a lot of weight when he speaks to the Emperor.

In other words, as long as the crown prince has not ascended the throne, no one can guarantee that there will be no unexpected setbacks.

Xue Huai secretly reminded himself that while the struggles in officialdom could be maneuvered around, the change of imperial power was a bottomless abyss that could shatter one's bones, and he absolutely could not easily step into it.

"Forget it, I'll retreat into my little world and try to find a job outside the city next year to temporarily escape these troubles..."

Xue Huai clarified his thoughts and immediately got up to wash.

A moment later, he went to the main room of the inner courtyard to pay his respects to Madam Cui.

"Huai'er, you must be exhausted these days."

Mrs. Cui looked at her handsome son with a smile, the gloom that had been on her face for some time gone away.

Her deceased husband's reputation was preserved, and her son successfully escaped and even got promoted, so naturally she had nothing to complain about.

"I'm not tired, I'm just making my mother worry."

Xue Huai smiled slightly, sat down in the chair at the lower end, looked up at Cui Shi, and quickly noticed something different.

She was wearing a light blue satin coat with a cloud pattern and gray squirrel fur, with a plain silver button loop at the collar and a plain silver belt with a double fish and lotus pattern hanging at her waist. The hem of her skirt was embroidered with honeysuckle and intertwined branches. Compared to her usual clothes, she looked much more formal.

He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mother, are we having guests visiting today?"

"You're such a thoughtful child."

Madam Cui smiled and said, "You've been busy with your duties at court lately, so I've told the servants not to gossip in your ear, lest it interfere with your important business. I told you before that the Shen family business plans to open several branches in the capital, and they've already had the shops selected. The Shen family girl came to the capital this time to inspect them in person. She arrived in the capital the day before yesterday and sent a visiting card. Knowing that you're on leave these two days, she decided to pay you a visit this morning."

Xue Huai calmly said, "I see. Should I take refuge for now?"

Cui asked curiously, "Why are you avoiding it? Although you are both grown up now, the Xue and Shen families are old friends, and you have been playmates since childhood. There is no need to be too concerned about the difference between men and women."

Xue Huai knew that what she said made perfect sense.

When Xue Mingzhang was serving in Yangzhou, he helped the Shen family, who were being besieged by major salt merchants. In return, the Shen family did their utmost to support Xue Mingzhang's policies in Yangzhou, from suppressing salt merchants and developing water conservancy projects to building bridges and roads. Even after Xue Mingzhang returned to the capital with his family, the relationship between the two families did not weaken. Even in the six years following Xue Mingzhang's death, Cui received letters of greeting and various seasonal specialties from the Shen family every few months.

If Xue Mingzhang were still alive, given his position in the emperor's heart and his future prospects in officialdom, it would not be surprising for the Shen family to do this. However, when the Xue family was left with only a widow and her son, and Xue Huai was constantly encountering setbacks in officialdom, the fact that the Shen family could still stand by and support him was truly commendable.

Therefore, it is only natural that Madam Cui was dressed formally today to await the arrival of Miss Shen, and that she also had Xue Huai entertain the guest.

Xue Huai did not continue to refuse. He thought about it carefully, but still could not recall the appearance of that Miss Shen.

After all, he was only nine years old when he left Yangzhou, and nearly ten years had passed. In his memory, there was only a lively and active little figure, and his deepest impression was her clear and melodious laughter.

After the mother and son finished breakfast and chatted for a while, their head maid, Mo Yun, came in and said with a smile, "Madam, young master, the Shen family's carriage has arrived."

Madam Cui nodded slightly, then went out with Xue Huai to personally greet him and show her respect.

Standing under the central corridor, Xue Huai looked ahead and saw a slender young woman walking slowly into the courtyard, surrounded by two personal maids and four servants.

In the cool winter sunlight, the young woman resembled a dignified and elegant hibiscus.

She wore a sky-blue satin jacket with a stand-up collar and a slanted front, the pipa-shaped buttons inlaid with white jade like cold stars adorning the night, and an apricot-yellow silk vest with lotus brocade over it, the silver fur trim on the collar trembling slightly in the wind.

Bathed in the sunlight, the woman's eyebrows and eyes resembled the new willow branches of early spring, and her long eyelashes cast soft shadows, making her skin appear as clear and bright as the first snow.

Her nose was straight and delicate, like a budding jade hairpin; her lips were the pale color of cherry blossoms without rouge; and two shallow dimples on her cheeks appeared and disappeared with her smile.

Based solely on her outstanding demeanor and temperament, Cui felt that she and Xue Huai were a perfect match.

Miss Shen approached, clasped her hands at her sides, bent her knees slightly, and lowered her head and eyes: "This humble girl, Qingluan, greets Madam Cui."

Madam Cui stepped forward and took her hands in hers, saying affectionately, "The Xue and Shen families are close friends, so you can just call me Auntie. Nine years have passed since we last met, and Qingluan, you have grown into such a beautiful young woman. It's clear how the land and water of Jiangnan nourishes people."

Shen Qingluan smiled faintly and said, "Auntie, you flatter me."

"Qingluan, let me introduce you. This is my son, Xue Huai. You used to eat, drink, and play together. Although it has been many years since we last met, I hope you won't feel estranged."

Cui turned to the side and gave Xue Huai a wink.

Shen Qingluan glanced at Xue Huai, her eyes clear and bright, and curtsied, saying, "Greetings, Xue Shidu."

Xue Huai thought to himself that this Miss Shen was quite well-informed, but his face remained calm as he cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Miss Shen."

The two exchanged greetings formally, and the atmosphere seemed extremely harmonious.

Cui's eyelids twitched slightly. These two seemed to be too polite. However, considering that they had not seen each other for nine years and that Shen Qingluan was a lady from a prominent family, it was only natural for her to be reserved and respectful upon their reunion. So she smiled and said, "Qingluan, let's go inside and talk."

Shen Qingluan had no objection.

The two men went ahead, while the servants stayed in the courtyard, and the maids followed them inside.

Inside the main hall, Madam Cui held Shen Qingluan's hand affectionately as the two sat on the couch and talked.

Perhaps it was Shen Qingluan's arrival that stirred up Cui's memories of Yangzhou, as she was more excited than usual. She talked about everything from the local customs and culture of Yangzhou to the turbulent events of that time. Shen Qingluan listened attentively, occasionally offering a few well-timed responses.

As for Xue Huai... at this moment, he was clearly just a foil, as if he were invisible.

He didn't dislike the atmosphere and secretly observed the Miss Shen, who was said to be quite famous in Jiangnan.

From the moment she entered the family until now, her performance has been almost impeccable. She is knowledgeable, polite, gentle, and considerate. Just by looking at the smile that never left Cui's face, you can tell that she has won the favor of the Xue family's matriarch in such a short time.

Xue Huai couldn't help but think of Cui's description of Shen Qingluan.

Is that little girl who follows him around every day, calling him "Brother Huai" all the time, really the refined young lady in front of him who never shows her teeth when she smiles?

However, he understood that girls change a lot as they grow up, and besides, the Shen couple only had one legitimate daughter, Shen Qingluan, and they paid great attention to her upbringing, so this change was not a strange thing.

With this in mind, Xue Huai suppressed his curiosity and took the arrival of his childhood sweetheart in stride.

Just then, Shen Qingluan's gaze swept across Xue Huai's face, and the cunning in the depths of her eyes vanished in an instant.

(End of this chapter)