033 [Walking Together Today]

A familiar sensation welled up in Xue Huai’s heart.

Back when he had first arrived in this world, a princess of noble status had issued him a similar threat. However, Xue Huai understood that Jiang Li’s threat had merely been a test, so he had managed to deflect it with playful banter. Yet, the threat from the Prince of Dai was clearly no laughing matter. He did not doubt the Prince’s capacity or resolve to carry it out.

Realizing his threat had taken effect, the Prince of Dai smiled thinly and said, "Compiler Xue, why don't you reconsider? I truly admire your character. There are few young officials as upright and self-possessed as you these days; I would very much like to be your friend."

Xue Huai collected his thoughts and replied calmly, "Your Highness, I actually broke protocol the moment I stepped into the Taihu Pavilion today. It was only because Senior Clerk Xu indicated he had clues to provide that I came here, never imagining it would invite Your Highness's murderous intent."

"Eh."

The Prince of Dai’s previous hostility vanished, replaced by a leisurely tone. "Compiler Xue, mind your words. I never thought to harm you; do not make baseless accusations."

"It was my slip of the tongue, Your Highness."

Xue Huai glanced at the two envelopes on the table and said firmly, "However, Your Highness's golden words have served as a reminder. As they say, fortunes can change in an instant, and one never knows whether tomorrow or an accident will come first. Since that is the case, I should do my duty to the best of my ability, so that I may leave no regrets behind."

It was not that he lacked the ability to read the room, but the Prince of Dai had left him no room to choose. It was either play the dog or expect a violent death. Had the Prince not been so ruthless, Xue Huai would not have minded playing along. But since the man was clearly forcing him into a corner, why should he hold back?

The Prince of Dai understood the young Hanlin’s implication. Since there would be no easy retreat, Xue Huai would have to venture into the tiger’s den—the entanglements between the Ministry of Works and the Prince of Dai’s manor were already surfacing. He would now use Shen Wang’s authority as an imperial envoy to dig deeper; either the Prince would choose mutual destruction to finish him off, or both sides would have to take a step back.

The Prince narrowed his eyes. He had not expected to be backed into a corner by a mere seventh-rank Hanlin; even ministers and vice-ministers would hardly dare do such a thing—cabinet ministers excluded, of course.

"You really are not afraid of death."

The Prince of Dai gave a sinister smile, turned, and walked toward Xue Huai. He looked the man up and down, as if contemplating where to strike so as not to kill him, but still teach him a profound lesson. He was not unskilled in martial arts; dealing with a lean scholar would be simple.

Xue Huai stood tall and solemn, gazing coldly at this young prince, who had been spoiled beyond all reason by Noble Consort Liu.

"Today, I shall teach you a lesson: when you have no chips to play with, don't be so stubborn!" the Prince of Dai said sharply, raising his right arm.

"Your Highness, please wait a moment. I shall go and report immediately."

"I wish to see my royal brother, and you dare to block me? Get out of the way!"

A cold voice rang out from outside the door. The Prince of Dai’s raised arm froze. A moment later, the door to the private room was pushed open with great force, and Princess Yun’an, dressed in casual attire, stepped inside.

As if she did not see Xue Huai, she walked up and took hold of the Prince’s suspended arm, pouting, "Royal brother, did you come to the Taihu Pavilion today because there’s something delicious to eat? Why didn't you call me?"

The Prince of Dai’s expression stiffened, then returned to normal. He turned to look at Jiang Li and said dotingly, "What are you saying, Yun’an? Whenever I have something delicious or fun, have I not always had it sent directly to your Green Jade Villa?"

"Royal brother is so good to Yun’an!"

Jiang Li offered a sweet smile before looking at Xue Huai, who stood not far away. "Oh? Isn't this Hanlin Xue? I heard you were transferred by Vice Minister Shen to the investigation office to assist with a case. How is it that you are here?"

Xue Huai remained silent.

Jiang Li scrutinized the two of them with suspicion, her expression displeased. "Xue Huai, you aren't trying to cause trouble for my royal brother, are you?"

Fearing that the stubborn Xue Huai might spill everything, the Prince of Dai interjected, "Yun’an, how could Compiler Xue have a grudge against me? In fact, I admire his character. We happened to meet outside today, so I invited him for a brief chat."

"I see."

Jiang Li nodded, then said with concern, "Royal brother, don't blame me for being meddlesome, but His Majesty has not permitted you to observe state affairs. If word of this gets out, and those petty people learn that you are taking the initiative to associate with court officials, who knows how they might spin this against you."

"You care for me so much; how could I misunderstand you?" the Prince of Dai replied gratified. "As for those rumors, you know I have never cared for them."

The two chatted and laughed, while Xue Huai stood by like an invisible man.

After a moment, Jiang Li smiled. "Royal brother, since you only met by chance, I will take Xue Huai away now. I happen to have something to discuss with him."

The Prince of Dai knew he could no longer do anything to Xue Huai today, so he teased, "I didn't realize you two were so familiar."

Jiang Li answered candidly, "Royal brother, have you not heard? A while back, this Hanlin Xue accidentally fell into the Nine-Bend River, and my guards saved him. He even stayed a night at the Green Jade Villa. He owes me a life-saving debt. If you have anything you need him to do, you can tell me directly; he certainly cannot refuse me."

"Very well. If such a situation arises, I will certainly ask for your help, Yun’an." The Prince of Dai laughed it off.

Jiang Li bowed and took her leave, then said to Xue Huai, "Compiler Xue, shall we?"

"After you, Your Highness," Xue Huai said, neither humble nor pushy.

After the two departed, the Prince of Dai walked slowly to the window, his chest heaving, his face as gloomy as water. "Xue Huai..."

Elsewhere, outside the Taihu Pavilion.

"Xue Huai, walk with me."

The late winter sunlight slanted across the pavilions. The sixteen-year-old Princess Yun’an stood before the steps, her figure slender as snow upon a branch. Her tone was light and casual, yet her eyes were like black glass soaked in a cold pool—chilling and aristocratic.

"Your Highness arrived at the perfect moment." Xue Huai walked beside her, his words highlighting the details hidden in the shadows.

"I never intended to keep it from you; I just didn't want you overthinking things." Jiang Li was quite frank. She explained, "You are someone the Crown Prince has taken an interest in, and after the strange incident of you falling into the water, I felt obligated to look after you on his behalf. I could not let you fall into danger, so I arranged for two clever people to follow you. They will not interfere with your life, nor will they sneak into the Xue residence."

Xue Huai did not press her on whether the Crown Prince’s request was true or false; he merely nodded slightly. "Thank you for your help, Your Highness."

Hearing the slight heaviness in his tone, Jiang Li turned to look him up and down. "Did my royal brother lay a hand on you?"

"Nearly."

Unexpectedly, Xue Huai did not hide it. He briefly recounted what had happened after he entered the Taihu Pavilion.

Jiang Li was pensive for a moment before realizing, "If I had arrived a moment later, you would probably be at the Xuande Gate right now, beating the drum to petition the throne."

That had indeed been Xue Huai’s plan. He now understood that this world was vastly different from his previous life. If a royal figure like the Prince of Dai were determined to destroy him at any cost, he would find it hard to live in peace. Thus, he had only one choice: make a scene. If the Prince had attacked him today, he would have made it public; that way, if he were to meet an untimely end, the Prince would always be a suspect.

Perhaps this would not entirely extinguish the Prince’s murderous intent, but Xue Huai had to do it. The more intense and public the conflict became, the safer he would be; otherwise, he might truly die for no apparent reason.

"It seems I ruined your plan. But rest assured, based on my understanding of the Prince of Dai, he was merely using that tactic to force your submission. He wouldn't actually dare to do it." Jiang Li offered an apologetic smile and gave her word.

Xue Huai hesitated. "Why is Your Highness so certain?"

Jiang Li said softly, "Because Commander Shen of the Jing’an Bureau is very capable."

Xue Huai thought to himself: if Shen Qing were truly so capable, why hadn't he been able to uncover the mastermind behind the coercion of Gu Heng and Liu Pingshun?

Jiang Li seemed to read his thoughts and continued, "Because you are not the Prince of Dai. Who would have expected someone to weave such a trap for you? Even if the Jing’an Bureau is powerful, it does not possess the ability to foresee the future, so it would not have placed people by your side in advance."

The implication was that the Jing’an Bureau had eyes on the Prince of Dai and other princes; if the Prince of Dai truly intended to murder an imperial official, the Bureau could not possibly be unaware.

Xue Huai thought about it and accepted Jiang Li’s deduction.

"Xue Huai, have you reached a decision regarding what I told you the other day?" Jiang Li tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and said slowly, "I told you then: given your current position, it is impossible to remain an outsider. The more you try to stay away, the more you will be drawn into the vortex. This is only the beginning; you will encounter all sorts of trouble hereafter."

Hearing her bring up the past, Xue Huai suddenly stopped. Jiang Li stopped too, looking at him with a glimmer of anticipation.

Xue Huai asked solemnly, "Your Highness, you have helped me time and again—what exactly do you want from me?"

The moment he said this, Jiang Li knew that Xue Huai did not believe for a second that she was acting on the Crown Prince’s behalf. A breeze blew past, and the two stood in silent confrontation.

After a long while, Jiang Li bit her lower lip. "You really want to know?"

"I do."

Jiang Li said slowly, "My help is not without reason."

Xue Huai met her gaze. "Please speak plainly, Your Highness."

"I do wish for you to help me with something in the future, but I cannot tell you what it is yet." Jiang Li looked troubled, choosing her words carefully. "At first, I only went to the villa to see you out of curiosity. But you are not quite like the rumors, and the maturity of character you showed later gave me a glimmer of hope. Perhaps when you become more powerful, you can help me uncover the truth of a certain matter."

Xue Huai asked persistently, "What matter?"

"Xue Huai, I will not harm you." Jiang Li was serious as never before. She met his gaze and said sincerely, "If I told you now, believe me, you would be dead very soon."