El impresionante Primer Ministro

Capítulo 6

"Since you've gone all the way, I'll give Your Highness another good gift." After saying this, Xingge turned around and went to the bookshelf, pulling out several scrolls of paper.

“Your Highness, the north is often windy. Like this massage chair, there are many places where wind power can be used. These are several volumes of diagrams on how wind power can be used for irrigation. Why don’t Your Highness do a favor and give them to Vice Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Works? After all, the Qinggong Mansion and the Jiang family will be one family sooner or later.”

As Jiu Ru happily accepted the scroll, he paused upon hearing the last line of the song.

Xingge, however, continued joking while staring at the stiff face: "Hehe, I heard that Miss Jiang is finally turning fifteen this year!"

"Bring your sword and come to the study! I'm going to stretch my muscles today!" Jiu Ru said, rolling up the blueprints and striding out of the room, followed by Xing Ge's uncontrollable laughter.

For a prince to achieve great things, he needs not only his own talent but also the influence of his maternal relatives. Among those favored by the emperor are the Crown Prince, the eldest prince, Prince Li, and the ninth prince, Prince Qing. Both the Crown Prince and Prince Li have married daughters of the Wang family. Prince Qing's biological mother, Consort Dan, though posthumously honored as Empress, is of commoner origin and has no power in court. His adoptive mother, Consort Xian, is the daughter of the Jiang family and was the Crown Princess when the Emperor was Crown Prince; she is now the head of the harem. Therefore, marrying a daughter of the Jiang family is the best option for Prince Qing to succeed. It's a pity that the Jiang family patriarch, the current Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, has accumulated so much good karma that he only had one daughter after five sons, and she will only be fifteen this year.

Knowing that the Prince had kept the position of principal wife vacant for many years, waiting for this Jiang family daughter, Xingge decided to tease her! Hehe, this young hero is bored! Today, I'll let you stretch your muscles and bones!

Xingge took the 'Chao Dan' and came to the lakeside. Instead of going through the main entrance of the study, he skimmed across the lake and leaped onto the pavilion built over the water.

"Same rules as always! If you leave the pavilion or stain your sword, you lose! We must settle this today!" Jiu Ru got into position.

Xingge clasped his hands together in front of his chest and bowed, "Young Master Sima, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

On the pavilion, two figures, one in purple and one in black, clashed, their swords flashing in white and black light. After dozens of rounds, neither could gain the upper hand...

"Pause, pause!" Xingge shouted, stepping aside. "That girl Zijuan made such a thick cotton robe that it's suffocating!" She threw her outer robe aside, revealing only her undergarments, and yelled, "Again!"

Seeing Ye Xing dressed in a moon-white undergarment, her slender figure standing gracefully in the spring breeze, her demeanor dashing and spirited, Jiu Ru saw her. She reached out and removed her outer robe, feeling much more at ease! Holding her sword horizontally, she declared, "Today, we must fight to our hearts' content!"

For a moment, two moon-white figures swirled and entangled in battle, their swords striking each other with crisp sounds and flashes of light. Their reflections in the water resembled two mischievous children locked in a fierce fight.

Xingge leaped into the air, performing a somersault to appear behind Jiuru. Just as he was about to close in on the open space behind her, he suddenly saw various handkerchiefs, hairpins, and jade ornaments flying out from his clothes. He couldn't help but shout, "Catch them!" He threw down his sword and stretched out his hands to catch the flying objects.

Jiu Ru felt as if a shower of flowers were falling from above her head, then heard a cry of alarm and saw the figure about to fall to the ground. She quickly reached out and caught the person. Before she could react, the person in her arms had already leaped up. "Great hero, I told you to catch the things, why did you catch me! The person won't break, but the things—ah! Young Master Li's jade pendant!… Miss Qing's bracelet!"

"What a load of rubbish!" Jiu Ru muttered, seeing Ye Xing's distress as he searched for the lost items, even frantically retrieving the silk handkerchief that had fallen into the lake. Knowing there was no chance of another fight today, he could only stand dejectedly to the side. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of green light in the corner. He went closer, picked it up, and examined it closely. It was a lustrous, warm jade pendant. This wasn't… Jiu Ru was shocked. How could it be in Ye Xing's hands! Could it be…? His hand went empty; Ye Xing had snatched it away. "Great hero, one should not pick up lost items on the road! Today's losses are heavy, and I'm in a bad mood. I won't fight anymore!"

Jiu Ru narrowed his phoenix eyes and smiled, "It was I who caused Young Master Ye to suffer losses. To make amends, how about I invite Young Master Ye to join me at the Jiang family's birthday banquet in ten days?"

Xingge's heart skipped a beat. Was she really going to the Jiang family?! Then she saw the prince's fox-like eyes crinkling with a cunning smile. "Your Highness," she said, "this sounds like a trap!"

"Don't you dare?"

Xingge pondered for a moment, then said, "Then I shall humbly accept your offer!"

11. Jiang Mansion

Ten days later, in the afternoon, Xingge, having been thoroughly dressed by Zijuan, went out to the front hall. There she saw the Prince, dressed in a black satin brocade robe with gold thread cloud patterns, his black hair held back by a small gold and black jade crown, looking extremely handsome. It seemed that he was indeed different when celebrating his future father-in-law's birthday, though his expression was overly serious! Xingge followed the Prince into the carriage, sitting in opposite corners of the carriage, turning her head to gaze at his beautiful face with a smile.

Jiu Ru felt uncomfortable under his gaze, so she turned her head and raised an eyebrow to look back. "What? Are you captivated by my good looks?"

"Hehe, I have no problem with Your Highness being confident in your good looks, but your fierce appearance might please Master Jiang, but Miss Jiang certainly won't! Nowadays, people are more open-minded, Your Highness doesn't think that your parents' orders are enough, does he?"

"eventful!"

"Your Highness, please don't underestimate me. I may not have many other skills, but I'm quite adept at pleasing women!"

Jiu Ru thought to herself, "So, you obtained that jade pendant using these methods?!" Then, thinking of the pile of silk handkerchiefs and hairpins, she smiled and said, "You androgynous monster!"

"If Miss Jiang takes a liking to this devilish man later, I beg Your Highness to be merciful and not kill me with jealousy!"

"Hehe!" Jiu Ru was amused.

"Look, your smile is much better now. Miss Jiang will definitely like it!"

...

At the gate of the Jiang residence, Jiu Ru and Xing Ge alighted from the carriage one after the other.

Tall red lanterns stretched from the gate to the end of the street. One side of the gate was lined with carriages that had come to offer birthday greetings.

"His Highness the Azure King has arrived!"

"Prince Qing, you've finally arrived!" Jiang Shilang bowed respectfully as he ushered Jiu Ru inside. He also beckoned his two younger brothers, who were also greeting guests at the door, to come and pay their respects!

"Young Master Ye, thanks to your help last time, the New Year's Eve performance was a great success." Jiang Hua turned around and greeted Xing Ge, secretly marveling at the familiar feeling he had for the other person.

"You're too kind, my lord. It was nothing at all."

After exchanging pleasantries, servants carried the birthday gifts, and Jiu Ru and Xing Ge were led to the inner hall for a short rest.

Xingge deliberately slowed down, carefully observing the scenery within the mansion. Although it was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, the usual solemn and dignified atmosphere was still palpable. This was a family with a century-old tradition of strict discipline, yet nineteen years ago, a rebellious young lady emerged. Xingge found it hard to imagine the scene back then and couldn't help but chuckle softly!

As Jiu Ru stepped onto the inner hall's steps, a smile appeared on her face as she saw a white figure quickly emerge from the hall.

"Uncle, you're the last one here today, you'll be punished!"

"Xiao Ran, I haven't seen you since New Year's Eve. Where have you been this time?"

"Ye Xing, come and greet the Third Young Master Ran of Prince Li's family!"

When Xingge heard the address "Little Uncle," her heart skipped a beat. Seeing the prince turn and call for her to pay her respects, his expression one of complete understanding, she realized the prince's purpose in bringing her here. She could only composed herself, step forward, and bow.

"I am..."

"Xingge! Is it really you?" the white-robed young man opposite exclaimed in surprise.

"Ge'er, it really is you!"

Xingge calmly withdrew his hands from her grasp. "Brother Ran, so you are the third young master of Prince Li's family. My apologies for my rudeness!" He then gave Ran a look that said, "We'll settle this score later!" He turned to the prince and smiled, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, which has allowed me to meet an old friend! However, today is Master Jiang's birthday, so let's go and pay our respects to Master Jiang first."

With a slight smile, Jiu Ru beckoned Ran and Xing Ge into the inner hall one after the other. Ran thought Xing Ge was annoyed that she had concealed her identity, and her eyes kept glancing at Xing Ge. Xing Ge stared straight ahead expressionlessly, but her mind was racing.

When it was Xingge's turn to greet Master Jiang, he said, "I am Ye Xing, and I wish Minister Jiang good fortune and prosperity, and a house full of children and grandchildren."

Master Jiang assumed it was a servant accompanying Prince Qing and politely raised his hand. However, upon seeing the face of the person bowing, he was startled, but quickly regained his composure. "Thank you for your kind words, Young Master Ye. May I ask who you are?"

"My name is Ye Xing, a native of Ye County, Jingzhou..." Xing Ge delivered his prepared remarks flawlessly.

As Mr. Jiang calmed down, he realized that such a coincidence was impossible. However, he also felt a greater sense of kinship with the young man before him.

Soon after, Xingge entered the banquet and witnessed what a century-old family and important ministers were like. Not only did the emperor and the Grand Secretary Wang send congratulatory gifts, but all kinds of officials, princes and grandsons of the emperor also came to offer their congratulations. Xingge suspected that even the court was not so full!

Amidst singing and dancing, laughter and conversation, and the clinking of glasses, a pleasant evening was spent...

The journey of singing yielded fruitful results:

1. Xiao Ran is actually Sima Ran, the third son of Prince Li!

2. Prince Qing already knows who he is.

3. Master Jiang did not recognize himself.

4. Prince Qing may not be Lao Ze's! After today's birthday banquet, Xing Ge discovered that seven or eight out of ten of the princes and grandsons have similar phoenix eyes. Presumably, the Emperor also has a pair of beautiful fox eyes!

5. The Jiang family must be won over!

6. Miss Jiang is even more beautiful and charming than rumored!

7. ……

8. ……

Jiu Ru and Xing Ge sat in the carriage.

"What, you've become mute since you saw your brother Ran? Young Master Qin Demon!"

"Um."

"They actually covered the famous zither 'Li Sao' with black lacquer!"

"Um."

...

...

Back at the Qingwang Mansion, Jiu Ru tossed out a single sentence, "Take the zither, to the study!" and left. Xing Ge returned to her courtyard, picked up "Li Sao," and after a moment's thought, gripped her sword. She headed towards the study.

As if arriving at the lake for the first time, Xingge paused. The study and the entire waterside pavilion were unlit, the moon casting only a dark silhouette, reflected in the water as an even deeper shadow. A figure in black robes sat on the pavilion platform, almost disappearing into the darkness behind him. Xingge laughed wildly, pulled the hairpin from his hair, his disheveled hair flying in the wind, rose, skimmed across the lake, and gracefully landed on the pavilion platform.

"Qin Mo Xingge greets Your Highness, the Prince of Qing. I have been entrusted by my adoptive father, Sima Ze, to fulfill Your Highness's wish. I humbly request Your Highness's guidance!"

After a long silence, he gestured for Xingge to sit down, picked up a xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument), and the sound of the xun was desolate and sorrowful.

Xingge recognized the tune as "Wang Si," the one Old Ze often played for the portrait of a beauty. Did Aunt Wan also play this piece in the palace?! With a sigh, she raised her hand to play the zither, silencing the xun. Gradually, Xingge felt that "Wang Si," which she had heard countless times, not only carried the past tenderness, resentment, and helplessness, but today it had also given rise to… hatred?!

The music ended, and the two remained silent in the darkness. For a long time...

"What kind of person is he?" a whisper came from the darkness.

"Your Highness traveled the world for three years, but you couldn't find it?"

"When I was in Jingzhou, I went up on stage to fight, and he was in the audience. I won, but he left. He didn't want to see me..."

"Oh, hehe, that person! There's nothing worth seeing..." Xingge hesitated for a moment, then chuckled softly.

"That man was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; he was polite and refined in public, but his character and martial arts were both lacking; and he was cunning and treacherous in private! He spent his life either wandering around with that sword on his back or sighing over a painting of a beautiful woman! He never married, never betraying his love!"

Silence fell again. Xingge's hand gripped the sword tightly until he felt he was about to drown in the darkness and oppression. He had no choice but to say in a harsh voice, "Master Huo has two jars of 'Sorrow Relief'. Let's get some and drink until we're drunk!"

Jiu Ru gave a bittersweet smile: "Cure all sorrows?! Good!"

In less than half a quarter of an hour, the two returned to the waterside pavilion. Without saying a word, they lowered their heads and drank in silence…

Having drunk countless bowls, Xingge felt dizzy and lightheaded, when he heard a faint voice coming from across the table.

"Let me tell you a secret, that guy up north, he often stares at this painting late at night, hehe, let's see if he can get people to come back from looking at it?! Haha!"

"Really?! Hah, you're just like that old fox! Serves you right!"

"Exactly! He deserved it!"

Xingge laughed, slightly dizzy, "Hehe! Let me tell you something even more amazing! Once upon a time, there was a young master and a young lady who faced betrayal from everyone and their families just to be together! In the end, they were together, but the young lady died in childbirth. The young master, without hesitation, threw the baby at his friend and took his own life, following his wife in death! Hehe, that saves him from staring at a painting in the future! How about that? Pretty cool, right? Hahaha!"

Jiu Ru's eyes were already dim, and he was stunned for a moment when he heard what was said. He stared at Xing Ge's dark eyes, which were filled with laughter and tears, for a while, then leaned over and drew Xing Ge's sword, and said with a smile, "Bring me a cheerful song, and I'll dance a little dance!"

Xing Ge's fingers flew across the page, and a song, "Drunken Madness," burst forth.

As the sword in his hand gleamed coldly, his feet swayed unsteadily. After a few back and forth movements, he suddenly fell to the ground with a thud, nearly tumbling into the lake.

"Hahaha..." Xingge laughed so hard she couldn't sit still, her whole body trembling. Suddenly, her neck tightened; the person on the ground had gotten up sometime during the night and was now gripping her neck with both hands. A pair of phoenix eyes glared at her fiercely, but Xingge remained unfazed, still chuckling softly!

"Shut up! You all laugh at me! That woman only cares about her own dreams and abandoned me! That old man in the palace likes me?! He likes my face and thinks about that woman! That Ze guy doesn't even want to see me! And you, you'd risk your life for that broken sword?! Don't laugh! Don't laugh!..."

Xingge was dizzy from the roar, tears welling in her eyes. You're upset?! Then I'm completely innocent! I've been tormented by that old fox all my life, and now I have to put up with your whims, this young master! Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain on her lips, a hot, metallic taste filling her mouth. "Bite me! What a despicable move!" Xingge's anger flared, and she bit back, simultaneously wrestling with Jiuru with both hands and feet…

Xingge didn't know how long they had been fighting when she suddenly felt a heavy weight on her body. She raised her hand and pushed, and the person on top of her collapsed limply at her feet, motionless. Xingge approached, and in the moonlight, Jiu Ru's fair face was slightly swollen, her disheveled hair contrasting with the bright red blood on her lips. Her breathing was steady and clear, as if she were a demon who had drunk her fill of blood and was sleeping soundly and contentedly!