Ran Yan had soone fetch water, soap powder, and a razor, moved close to him on her knees, wet his beard with water, spread the foamy soap powder over the bearded area, and gently rubbed it.
"Is this a new contraption you’ve devised?" Xiao Song looked down at Ran Yan, who was absorbed in her task, and sat obediently, letting her manipulate.
"Mhm," Ran Yan responded, saying, "It’s easier to shave after washing."
Xiao Song saw Ran Yan’s hands full of foam and, feeling playful, quickly moved closer to her face and kissed her, rubbing vigorously and seeing the foam on Ran Yan’s face, he beca even more spirited.
"Xiao Yuezhi!" Ran Yan wiped the foam from her face and said angrily, "Keep this up and you’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight."
As Ge Lan entered the courtyard, she witnessed this scene, but as always, she remained composed as if she’d seen nothing and reported, "My lord, Lady, soone from the palace has arrived."
"Understood," Xiao Song said, his face still smiling, "Please have them wait in the hall, my Wife and I will be right there."
"Yes, I’ll have soone attend to you," Ge Lan bowed slightly and left.
She had just left through the arch and was on her way to the corridor when she ran into Wan Lu, "It happens that you’re leading people to serve the lord and Lady while they change, soone from the palace has arrived."
Wan Lu said, "I had just learned of it and was about to call for help."
When Ge Lan saw Wan Lu was about to leave, she coughed lightly and said, "Wan Lu..."
"What is it?" Wan Lu stopped and turned around to ask.
"I just saw in the courtyard how the lord and the Wife..." Ge Lan covered her mouth with her sleeve, coughed lightly, and continued solemnly, "Actually, I didn’t particularly an to tell you this, but I thought you might want to hear it. Just now, the Wife scolded the lord like a child, and he obediently listened, the scene was really quite amusing."
"Really?" Wan Lu imdiately beca curious and eagerly joined in, excitent gossiping on her face, "That ans the lord is in a good mood? I really want to see the lord being scolded; I’ve been terrified these past few days, my whole body tense, afraid to make the slightest mistake..." Wan Lu complained for a mont and then hurriedly asked, "What exactly happened?"
"Important matters first," Ge Lan urged her, "Go attend to your duties, and I’ll explain in detail later."
Knowing the importance, where could Wan Lu let the visitor from the palace wait too long? But hearing that Xiao Song’s anger had subsided, she felt much relieved, and her steps lightened considerably.
Xiao Song hadn’t managed to shave his beard, and they both quickly changed into appropriate clothing and went to the front courtyard.
As Xiao Song expected, the visitor was Zhong Rui, an eunuch from the side of Li Shimin.
Before exchanging pleasantries, Zhong Rui imdiately said, "I heard that Lady Xianliang had recently perford Divine Arts to pull Mr. Sui Yuan from Ghost Gate, she must be overly exhausted, please have a seat to talk."
"Thank you for your concern, but I wonder has the Emperor given any verbal commands?" Xiao Song bowed and said, "Such informality might be disrespectful to the Emperor."
Zhong Rui’s perennial smile deepened slightly, saying, "It’s not exactly a verbal command, the Emperor heard of Lady Xianliang’s deeds, and was both pleased and worried, and specially ordered to visit Lady Xianliang."
Visiting a patient naturally involved bringing gifts, but Zhong Rui did not say "bestowed," indicating Li Shimin’s approach was very gentle. Li Ke had married a woman from the Xiao family, who was now kin to the Imperial Family, which was a sign of giving great face to the Xiao family.
In any case, dicine is a skilled profession, and even with supre imperial power, one cannot simply force a daughter-in-law from a noble clan to practice dicine! But with this face given, when Ran Yan is called to the palace to practice dicine, it would be acceptable both to the Imperial Family and the Xiao family.
The Emperor had already lowered his stature to save the Princess, and the Xiao Family graciously fulfilled the Emperor’s paternal love. The Xiao Family’s daughter-in-law practiced dicine out of loyalty, ensuring they did not lose face.
Ran Yan knew that in the Tang Dynasty, for clans like the Xiao Family, when it ca to matters of reputation, they might not give face to the Imperial Family if it contradicted their traditions or was detrintal to their clan.
As both sides compromised, they each took their seats and Zhong Rui began to inquire about the events of that day.
On the surface, everything seed harmonious, but Ran Yan knew she had to think carefully before speaking. She could not afford to misspeak, as she carried the halo of the Xiao Family behind her, which was both a shield and a burden.
The moon rose, and lanterns lit up the streets of Chang’an.
Inside the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian sat on a round-backed armchair lost in thought, with the light from the floor lantern beside him casting shadows on his face that accentuated his deep features.
The eunuch by his side was quietly grinding ink, his long, fine eyebrows slightly raised, his eyes filled with the liveliness of autumn waters, and his moist lips resembling those of an Immortal walked out of a painting, exuding a quiet yet overwhelming aura.
Li Chengqian reached out and took his hand, speaking in a low voice, "Stop grinding, I’m too upset right now to focus on state affairs."
"Your Highness is troubled by the events of the past days, aren’t you?" An Jin’s clear voice was like a cool spring, smoothing away so of Li Chengqian’s restlessness and irritation.
He gently touched Li Chengqian’s brow with his slender fingers, not discussing state matters but instead said, "Your brows have grown more furrowed these past days."
"An Jin, if this matter cos to light, Father Emperor might not be able to tolerate ," Li Chengqian tightened his grip on his hand.
An Jin never involved himself in state affairs, and Li Chengqian rarely discussed such matters with him, the repeated ntions now underscored his deep anxiety.
"Your Highness," An Jin lowered his gaze and pondered for a mont before looking up and softly said, "At this point, I fear it’s all Prince Wu’s doing."
Li Chengqian was startled as An Jin continued, "Although Your Highness has placed spies in Prince Wei’s residence, unfortunately, they cannot get too close to Prince Wei. He might ntion the affair between Sang Suiyuan and Lady Xianleang in public but would never force or threaten him in front of others. Prince Wei is soone who values his reputation highly, why would he ruin his reputation for being refined and respectful so easily? Therefore, soone must have deliberately leaked these details to our spies, my guess is, it must be soone from Prince Wu’s side."
"But isn’t he always disdainful of resorting to sches?" Li Chengqian knew Li Ke very well. Li Ke was sowhat principled and extrely proud, believing he could surpass Li Chengqian and Li Tai based purely on rit. However, he planned by overt ans and also guarded against covert sches from others, thus he repeatedly conflicted with Li Tai.
An Jin said, "Your Highness, Prince Wu might disdain sches but that doesn’t an he doesn’t use them. Faced with such a great opportunity, who wouldn’t be tempted?"
In this covert battle, the true winner was Li Ke. He barely lifted a finger, yet made Li Chengqian and Li Tai fight each other fiercely. Once things were exposed, both would be equally damaged.
Li Chengqian was no fool; he harbored suspicions but since he had acted, he could only think of how to mitigate the damage.
Over the years, he had truly grown weary; sotis, he genuinely wanted to give up the position of Crown Prince. However, as the direct eldest son, he was the legitimate Crown Prince from every perspective. Even if he renounced his position, the successor would always be on guard, and his days would probably be even more difficult.
From this position, he had no choice.
Such loneliness, hence, he always knew that An Jin wasn’t entirely devoted to him, yet he still found it hard to let go.
"An Jin, I’m tired," Li Chengqian straightened up and gently embraced An Jin. Whether An Jin truly cared about him or not, there was one undeniable point — An Jin would never betray him (to be continued. If you like this work, feel free to co to Qidian (qidian) and cast your recomndation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation).
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