For a moment, Xu Qi An felt as if he had returned to when he first met Lin’an. Back then, she was also like this – a noble golden canary, beautiful and proud.
This was her usual attitude when meeting outsiders. Later, she would start chirping away, revealing her pure and lively side. Though she was weak in combat, she was like a feisty little hen.
It was as if the princess had taken off her heavy armor, letting you see the little girl inside.
Lin’an was still Lin’an, never changing. It’s just that I’m the favored one… Xu Qi An mimicked Xu Er Lang’s voice, bowed, and said:
“This humble official has come on behalf of my elder brother to check on Your Highness.”
Lin’an maintained her cold and reserved demeanor, but her affectionate peach blossom eyes dimmed slightly, and her voice unconsciously softened: “He… he won’t come himself?”
Xu Qi An shook his head: “Your Highness, how could my elder brother dare to come see you? If he so much as stepped into the palace or Imperial City, His Majesty would immediately have his head.”
Even if he doesn’t come to see me, why won’t he even reply to my letter… Lin’an nodded gently and said softly: “How has your elder brother been lately?”
As she said this, her gaze was focused, her expression serious. It wasn’t just a polite inquiry, but a genuine concern about Xu Qi An’s recent condition.
Lin’an was an emotional girl. If you teased her, she would giggle. If you played tricks on her, she would scratch at you with her claws out. Unlike Huai Qing, whose high intelligence made her cool and aloof.
If you teased Huai Qing, you’d only embarrass yourself.
So, Xu Qi An couldn’t help but want to bully Lin’an a little. He teased: “My elder brother? He’s been doing great lately. Every day, when he’s not cultivating, he’s out having fun. He just went to Jian Prefecture recently.”
“That’s good, that’s good…”
Lin’an nodded reservedly, pursed her lips, and like a reluctant little girl, probed: “Has he… has he mentioned the recent court struggles these past few days? Um, has he been troubled by it?”
She wanted to ask if he had gone to plead with Wei Yuan.
But considering that Xu Er Lang usually worked at the Hanlin Academy, he might not know about these things.
However, if Xu Qi An had truly taken her request to heart, he would certainly have inquired around and thought of strategies. And Xu Er Lang, who held an official position in court, would be one of the people he’d ask.
Seeing her expectant look, Xu Qi An shook his head: “My elder brother is no longer a silver badge constable. He says he’s too lazy to bother with court affairs. Why does Your Highness suddenly ask about this?”
“I… I was just asking casually,” Lin’an forced a smile. She sensed the man’s perfunctory attitude, felt his distance and coldness, and suddenly felt very sad and dejected.
She remembered Xu Qi An saying he would be her servant for life. Although those words had an element of jest, the importance he showed towards her seemed genuine to Lin’an at the time.
When a man you favor places you in an important position in his heart, it’s a happy and blissful thing.
But suddenly, you discover that the man’s previous words and actions might have been perfunctory, might have been lies. He doesn’t care about you at all now.
Her nose stung, and tears nearly rolled down. Lin’an’s heart ached, but she forced herself to say: “I’m tired. If Official Xu has no other business…”
Before she could finish speaking, a palace maid entered with quick steps, her voice clear: “His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
Lin’an lowered her head in a fluster, composing herself. When she raised her head again, she was smiling without a trace of sadness, and hurriedly said: “Quickly, invite Crown Prince brother in.”
Why did the Crown Prince come? If he chases me away, I’m done for. Piaopiao hates me to death… Xu Qi An felt like cursing.
The Crown Prince, dressed in splendid robes, strode in. The first thing he noticed was not Lin’an, but Xu Qi An. This was like how a beautiful woman always notices a more beautiful woman first.
The Crown Prince now had this feeling too.
Although he was the heir apparent, of noble status and excellent bloodline, with superior looks, compared to this Hanlin scholar, he seemed somewhat ordinary.
Especially today, dressed in sky-blue finery, the scholar’s noble and proud air was no less than his own, while his spirit far exceeded the Crown Prince’s.
“Official Xu is here too,” the Crown Prince said with a smile, quickly discarding that slight displeasure. He was only a bit surprised, not remembering any connection between his sister and Xu Xin Nian.
This is perfect. He’s Xu Qi An’s cousin. If I can pull him into my camp first, how could Xu Qi An not give me a face later?
The Crown Prince immediately took a seat and eagerly engaged Xu Xin Nian in conversation.
After some casual chat, the Crown Prince casually steered the topic to court affairs, smiling:
“I was mistaken, truly mistaken. I originally thought the Wang faction would be severely crippled this time, but unexpectedly there was a reversal afterward. Yuan Xiong was demoted to Right Censor-in-Chief, and Vice Minister of War Qin Yuandao was so angry he took to his bed…”
He opened the topic and then looked at Xu Qi An, expecting him to continue along this line of conversation.
Enjoying discussing state affairs and commenting on court matters was a common problem among young officials, especially newly minted jinshi graduates.
Xu Qi An smiled blandly and casually replied: “Court struggles are full of twists and turns. Any kind of reversal is possible.”
Lin’an listened boredly. She just wanted to be alone now, but this was Shaoyin Palace, and as the host, she had to keep them company. Leaving “guests” behind and departing on her own would be very impolite.
It seems he’s still guarded… The Crown Prince’s eyes flashed, and he stopped beating around the bush, saying directly:
“I heard that the Wang faction’s ability to rally the officials and smoothly overcome this crisis was entirely thanks to Official Xu’s efforts.”
Piaopiao suddenly turned her head, staring intently at Xu Qi An.
Your Highness the Crown Prince is truly an expert at setting up punchlines… Xu Qi An glanced at Lin’an, responding calmly: “It wasn’t my effort, but my elder brother’s merit.”
Sure enough, upon hearing his words, Lin’an’s breathing suddenly quickened: “Official Xu, what do you mean? What do you mean it was all your elder brother’s merit? Did… did Xu… Ning Yan also participated in the recent court struggles?”
The Crown Prince took over the conversation, saying:
“Lin’an, you don’t know yet? It’s said that Duke Cao left behind some secret letters before he died, detailing his crimes of corruption, embezzlement of tribute goods, and other offenses over the years. They clearly state which people conspired with him and who was involved.
“Xu Qi An somehow obtained these pieces of evidence. It was because of this evidence that the Wang faction was able to overcome this crisis. What I’ve told you is all confidential, Lin’an. You must not spread it.”
Lin’an leaned forward slightly, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on Xu Qi An, her tone urgent:
“Why… why did Xu Ning Yan help the Wang faction?”
She could feel her heart pounding wildly like someone eagerly anticipating something yet afraid to see the result. Both anxious and expectant.
Ha, Lin’an’s heart is beating so fast? If I said: My elder brother did it to ally with Prime Minister Wang, would she burst into tears on the spot?
Xu Qi An smiled and said: “My elder brother said it was because Princess Lin’an sent someone to relay a message. Whatever Princess Lin’an wants done, he will do his utmost to accomplish, even if he’s no longer a silver badge constable and his abilities are limited.”
For me, he did it… Lin’an muttered to herself.
She was like a lost traveler in the wilderness who had seen a light. Her heart suddenly settled, her eyes curved, and the corners of her mouth turned up.
That joy from the bottom of her heart couldn’t be hidden.
The Crown Prince glanced at his suddenly radiant sister, his expression unchanging, and then extended an invitation: “Tomorrow, I’m holding a banquet outside the palace. Would Official Xu honor us with his presence?”
Xu Qi An agreed: “It would be impolite to decline.”
The Crown Prince smiled, seeing that “Xu Xin Nian” had no intention of leaving. He thought it was not too late to speak with Lin’an tomorrow.
He immediately stood up, saying: “I’ll have someone send an invitation to your residence today. I came by out of boredom, but I still have matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave first.”
Lin’an stood up, and together with Xu Qi An, saw the Crown Prince out of the courtyard. Watching the Crown Prince’s departing figure, she lifted her rounded chin and smiled faintly:
“Does Official Xu have any other business?”
Xu Qi An, using his voice, whispered: “Your Highness, this humble official has missed you terribly.”
Lin’an’s delicate body suddenly stiffened. Her affectionate peach blossom eyes flashed with joy, astonishment, and excitement. Her round, fair cheeks flushed with an intoxicating redness.
Her thick eyelashes fluttered a few times as she suppressed her joy and excitement, forcing herself to remain calm, and said: “Official Xu, I have many things to ask you. Let’s go inside to talk.”
Returning to the reception hall, she calmly instructed: “All of you, withdraw.”
The palace maids standing in the hall curtsied and left the reception hall.
Once everyone had left, Piaopiao immediately changed her demeanor. With her hands on her hips, eyes wide, and cheeks puffed out, she angrily said: “You dog servant, why didn’t you reply to my letter? Why didn’t you come to see me?”
“Has Your Highness been thinking of me so much that you’ve lost your appetite and can’t sleep at night?” Xu Qi An, no longer disguising himself, said with a grin.
“You… you’re talking nonsense. Why would I think of you?”
Lin’an hurriedly denied. She was an unmarried princess, the pure and noble Lin’an. She certainly couldn’t admit to the shameful act of longing for a certain man.
Xu Qi An stared at her and said softly: “But I’ve been thinking of Your Highness so much that I’ve lost my appetite and can’t sleep at night. I wish I could grow wings and fly into the palace.
“Even if His Majesty were to shoot me down with his bow, as long as I could see Your Highness, I would die without regret.”
Piaopiao’s pretty face instantly turned red, blushing to her ears. She stammered: “You… you… you can’t talk to me like that.”
She suddenly felt flustered and confused. Such bold and explicit expressions were something she had never experienced before. She felt like a little white mouse cornered against a wall.
“Your Highness, come, let me tell you about the interesting things that happened in Jian Prefecture these past few days.”
Xu Qi An grabbed her small hand and pulled her to sit down by the table.
Lin’an resisted slightly but then allowed him to hold her hand, lowering her head slightly with a secretly delighted expression.
Time passed minute by minute, and soon it was time for lunch.
It wasn’t until the palace maids called from the courtyard that Lin’an reluctantly stopped, still yearning for more. She needed companionship so badly.
“I can’t keep you here in Shaoyin Palace for lunch. Tomorrow I’ll move to Lin’an Mansion. You dog servant, can… can you come again?” Her alluring eyes held expectation and a hint of pleading.
“I will,” Xu Qi An squeezed her soft little hand.
Lin’an immediately smiled, with a charm that could captivate one’s soul. She was a girl with innate allure.
“Wait a moment, I have something for you.”
She stood up, holding her skirts, and left the reception hall. After a long while, she had the palace maids bring back trays of gold, silver, and jade items.
“All of you, withdraw first.”
After dismissing the palace maids, she chattered: “You don’t have an official position now, and I don’t know if you have other means of making a living. It’s always good to have some gold and silver on hand. There are many valuable things in Shaoyin Palace that I don’t need.
“Huai Qing said you might leave the capital in the future. I… I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you again…”
She didn’t continue, glancing at him, actually wanting to look at his face again, but he was now disguised as his cousin.
This was Shaoyin Palace, the imperial palace. She couldn’t willfully ask him to remove his disguise.
Lin’an could only keep her hopes in her heart.
“Oh, right, this storybook is quite interesting. You… you take it back to read,” she hesitated for a long while, then mustered her courage and took out the storybook hidden in her sleeve.
Xu Qi An gathered the items and stored them in the Book of Earth fragment. He stepped towards the hall door, hesitated briefly, then reached up and rubbed his face for a moment.
“Your Highness!”
He turned back with a smile.
Sky-blue brocade robes embroidered with light blue cloud patterns, jade pendants tinkling, a hollowed-out gold crown binding his hair, and cloud-pattern boots on his feet.
Lin’an was momentarily entranced.
…
The next day, Xu Qi An and Xu Xin Nian rode in the Wang family’s young lady’s carriage, entering the Imperial City. The driver steered them towards the Wang residence.
Xu Qi An sat on the wool-covered soft couch, flipping through the storybook in his hand.
“‘The Great Sage of the Emotional Heavens,’ what a messy book. How did elder brother start reading such idle books?” Xu Xin Nian asked curiously.
Elder brother, this uncultured martial artist, never used to read books.
“The book tells the story of a minor figure from the demon race who falls in love with a celestial princess. Because it’s a forbidden love, the demon is banished to the mortal realm to serve as a beast of burden. Later, the demon storms the heavens, bringing the princess back to the mortal world, where they live a simple life together,” Xu Qi An explained, his smile somewhat complex.
This was the story he had once asked his tool, Zhong Li, to ghostwrite for Lin’an. Now, Lin’an giving him the book back, her implication was clear.
As they talked, the carriage stopped outside the Wang residence.
The Wang family’s steward had been waiting at the gate. As soon as the carriage stopped, he immediately led the two inside.
Xu Xin Nian stayed in the reception hall, accompanied by Wang Simu. Xu Qi An keenly noticed that Miss Wang’s gaze towards him carried a hint of reproach.
You’re blaming me for beating up your sweetheart? Bah, it’s none of your business if I beat my little brother… He inwardly grumbled, following the steward to Prime Minister Wang’s study.
In the luxurious and spacious study, the white-haired Prime Minister Wang, dressed in dark casual clothes, sat behind the desk, holding a scroll in his hand.
“Prime Minister,” Xu Qi An bowed.
“Please sit, Official Xu.”
Prime Minister Wang put down the scroll. His somewhat weathered eyes looked at Xu Qi An with a smile: “Official Xu is a martial artist, so I won’t beat around the bush with you.”
Wait, that sentence clearly shows contempt for martial artists… Xu Qi’an thought to himself. He had come to the Wang residence today to demand “recompense” from Prime Minister Wang.
“If there’s anything this old man can help with, Official Xu, please feel free to ask.”
Xu Qi An chose his words carefully and said: “Two things. First, I need to go to the archives of the Ministry of Personnel to examine some files. Second, there’s an old case I want to inquire about with Prime Minister Wang.”