El impresionante Primer Ministro

Capítulo 13

"You took my jade pendant, doesn't that mean we're in love? If you... if you fall for this young lady, give the jade pendant back to me!" Hua Lian sneered and reached out his hand.

Xingge grabbed the outstretched hand and twisted it tightly, saying, "I admire Young Master Jiang very much!"

Hua Lian winced in pain, shook off the attack, and jumped away. "You guys are busy. I'll go to the Minister's office to give you some feedback. I'll take you to a nice place for lunch. Wait for me!" After saying that, as if afraid that Xing Ge would chase after him, he ran away in a big stride.

"This person was fine before, but he's become unruly since coming back from the Bu family. Don't pay any attention to what he says!" Xingge said with a smile, trying to comfort Ran as she saw her face turn red with anger.

He's been so bad since he was little! All he does is bully people! What a bastard! Ran cursed inwardly, "How much longer do I have to train? I won't be able to eat if I go out to eat with him!"

Xingge immediately realized that the two were childhood rivals, and suppressed a laugh, "Now that we're here, let's go to Lianxiang Tower for drinks and music!"

Lianxianglou, Xingge enjoys Ran's money, dresses up as a lady at Bu's house, and is busy preparing the gift for the prince to give to General Dou when she comes back. It's tough!

"I'm twenty this year!" Ran Qingyu

"Oh! Brother Ran is a grown-up now! He can get married and have children."

"How did you know?!" Ran asked in surprise.

Xingge was completely bewildered and looked at Ran with a question in his eyes.

"My father wants me to marry the daughter of Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Personnel, who is also Jiang Hualian's younger sister. What do you think?" Ran asked Xingge with anticipation.

Xingge's heart skipped a beat, and she almost choked. Had the Crown Prince and Prince Li made a move? Or had something changed in the palace or at the Jiang residence? ...

Ran Jianxingge's expression changed, but he was secretly delighted. "Don't worry, I don't like Miss Jiang and I won't marry her!"

"Yes, yes, you're still young. Look at Minister Jiang, even Prince Qing isn't married yet!" Xingge agreed verbally, but her mind was still racing.

Ran's heart sank again. She seemed to want to say something to Xingge, but after several attempts, she swallowed it back. Alas! Jiang Hua could speak so fluently even insincere words, yet she couldn't utter her true feelings! She could only drink heavily in silence!

"Brother Ran, don't get drunk! I have urgent business to attend to at the Prince Qing's residence, please don't get drunk! Sigh! I'm drunk again!"

Xingge carried Xiaoran back to the south courtyard of the Qingwang Mansion, instructed Zijuan to give Ran some sobering tea, and then rushed to the study.

After explaining the situation, he remained silent for a long time, lost in thought.

"Your Highness, please stay in the capital for now. Let me go to Xicang to investigate first."

"Alright, I'll keep an eye on the Crown Prince. Minister Jiang has been an official for many years and won't make any moves at this critical juncture."

"What advice does the Prince of Xicang have for us?"

"Nine years ago, when I was traveling, I visited Yumen Town in Xicang, where our army was stationed. General Dou followed my father in his early years, fighting in the north and south. He is a man of perseverance and loyalty, a rare military talent. However, he is now quite old. I heard that he has a son who is with the army and has already been promoted to major general before he even came of age. He has quite a reputation in Xicang. As for the Northern Jurchens, two years ago, the fourth prince of the Northern Jurchens took charge of the military in Xicang. Within half a year, he had his commander, General Nacuo, executed. This General Nacuo was fierce and brave, and he fought General Dou to a standstill for ten years. He was also a military talent. After the fourth prince executed him, he never invaded the Central Plains again. You must carefully investigate the reasons for this when you go! When General Dou returns to the court, I will host a family banquet for him so that you can get to know him."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness! I visited Xicang three years ago and am quite familiar with the area. Furthermore, the son of General Dou that Your Highness mentioned is named Dou Huai. He studied under me for half a year and can be considered my senior brother!"

"Oh!" Jiu Ru was somewhat surprised to see that Xing Ge's tone was calm but his face showed joy. "Does this Major General Dou also have something among your pile of treasures?"

Seeing that Xingge had been joking for a while, he seemed somewhat displeased. "Senior brother is a chivalrous and righteous man, Your Highness, please don't joke like that! If Your Highness has nothing else to say, I will return to the South Courtyard!"

"So eager to go back to the South Courtyard? I heard you brought back a beauty. I'll go with you to see her!" Jiu Ru also got up and followed Xing Ge outside.

"Brother Ran was drunk. I received the news and rushed back to discuss it with the Prince. I had no choice..."

"It seems Xiao Ran cares about you a lot. If you use your brain, you won't have to worry about the Jiang family." Jiu Ru said jokingly.

Without pausing, Xingge replied with a sweet laugh, "I am of impeccable character, I only sell my art, not my body. Does Your Highness intend to force me into prostitution?!"

"Haha, no, no!" Jiu Ru felt relieved and smiled as she followed Xing Ge into the South Courtyard.

Ran, who was pretending to be asleep on the bed, was startled awake by the laughter outside the courtyard. It was her uncle's laughter!

22. Fellow disciples

Xingge and Jiuru entered the hall, where Zijuan greeted them.

"Has Young Master Ran woken up?" Xingge asked softly.

"He should have woken up by now, but there was no movement inside, so I had no choice but to wait in the hall."

"Oh," Xingge responded, lifting the curtain to enter the bedroom and approaching the bed. Ran turned her head to the side with her eyes closed. Xingge deliberately brought her face closer and saw a suspicious blush rising on the flower-shaped pillow, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Xingge suppressed a laugh, turned around, and bumped into Jiuru standing behind her.

"He's not awake yet, don't disturb him. Your Highness, please return home first," Xingge whispered.

“It’s too hot and dry in your courtyard, not good for sobering up. Why don’t you move to my place?” Jiu Ru stepped forward and reached out to the person on the bed.

Ran felt a strong gust of wind rush towards her, and quickly rolled over into the quilt to sit up, glaring angrily at Jiu Ru.

"My uncle is so cruel!"

"Hehe, Xiao Ran, you've sobered up just in time," Jiu Ru said with a half-smile, raising her voice, "Zijuan! Come in and help Young Master Ran wash up, and inform Uncle Shen to send someone to escort Young Master Ran back to his residence!"

The next day, Xingge had just finished sleeping in and was getting ready for dinner after a quick wash when she suddenly heard the melodious sound of a flute outside the courtyard wall. She chuckled to herself, thinking, "So that's how scared I am?!" She went out of the hall and jumped onto the wall, where she saw a flower-like figure standing at the foot of the wall, with a small carriage beside her.

"Brother Ran, why don't we use the main gate?" Xingge asked jokingly.

"Shh," Xiao Ran put a finger to her lips, "Come down quickly, I'll take you to a fun place!"

"I haven't eaten yet, you have to treat me!"

"Okay, hurry, don't let anyone find out."

"Ye Xing, what are you doing!" Xing Ge suddenly heard Zi Juan shout from the courtyard behind him. He quickly turned around, made a shushing gesture, and jumped out of the courtyard.

"Alas! To think that I, a young hero of my stature, have fallen to the point of having to climb over walls to meet my friends—what a failure!"

"I also spent fifteen minutes in the scorching sun, and my face got tanned!"

...

...

The carriage wound its way through the streets and finally stopped in front of a quiet courtyard.

"Oh, Brother Ran, you're keeping a mistress in a golden house!"

"Yes, I brought you here today especially to see the beauty I've been hiding."

The two laughed and joked as they passed through the entrance hall and the covered corridor, entering an inner room. Ran Yinxing sang to a wall covered with a cloth, then gently lifted the cloth.

Xingge was stunned. On the wall hung a portrait as tall as a person. The person in the painting had a bright and handsome face, a free and unrestrained demeanor, and a playful smile on his lips and brows. No matter which direction you looked at him, you were met with his dark, night-like eyes gazing intently at you. It was even more lifelike than that old fox's portrait of a beauty!

"Brother Ran, you truly understand me! You have described my stunning beauty and unparalleled charm to the fullest extent!"

"Haha," Ran was amused by Xingge, "If you really like that kind of thing, I will definitely try my best to use my imagination to draw one for you!"

"Brother Ran, do you still remember the chivalrous figure you painted for me in Linzhou? Hehe, those were truly happy days!" Xingge laughed wistfully.

"Then why do you still stay in the Green Prince's Mansion?! Wouldn't it be better if we traveled together?"

"Sigh, let's not talk about such painful things! Is this your art academy? Why aren't you at home?"

"Nowhere is as peaceful as here at home!" Ran thought to herself. "I can't look at your portrait all day long at home!"

"By the way, you know that General Dou is returning to the capital in a few days, right? I'll be going to Xicang with them then, and I'm afraid I won't see him for a year or two."

"What are you going to that desolate place for?" Ran asked urgently.

"Hehe, let's play! Brother Ran, hurry up and get some food, I'm so hungry!"

During the Dragon Boat Festival, General Dou Guangyuan, the commander of Xicang, brought his son Dou Huai to the capital. Prince Qing personally greeted them at the city gate, and the Emperor held a banquet in the palace to welcome them. Officials in the court, seeing which way the wind was blowing, changed their tune, and the Dou residence became unusually lively. After spending a few days getting to know Jiu Ru, General Dou felt that he had the demeanor of the Emperor in his youth.

On this day, a banquet was held at the Prince of Qing's residence, and General Dou attended with his son.

Inside the lobby, the lights were bright, and Xingge, unusually well-dressed, waited inside.

"You dressed up especially for Major General Dou today?" Zijuan teased.

"Of course, I must present myself properly when meeting my senior brother! My senior brother is a young and talented man, far superior to Mo Yi. Don't be fooled by his appearance!"

“Really! Then I’ll keep it!” Zi Ying said with a smile.

"My senior brother likes kind-hearted women, so please be kind and lend me five taels of silver, hehe!"

The three were laughing and joking when they heard a message from outside that the prince and General Dou had arrived.

Xingge stepped out of the hall and stood on the platform to greet them. He saw the prince and a vigorous Qing soldier who was nearly fifty years old walking in front of him, followed by a heroic young man who was looking up and meeting his eyes.

"Xiao Xing?!"

Xingge stepped down from the platform to greet him, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "I am Ye Xing, and I greet General Dou. Your brother and I were once martial arts practitioners, and your brother is my senior brother!"

"Young Master Ye, please don't stand on ceremony. Since it's such a coincidence, you and Xiao Huai can catch up."

Jiu Ru and General Dou walked ahead, while the two behind them chuckled softly.

"Xiaodou, you should call me Xiaoge (brother)."

"Xiao Xing, it's one thing to dress up as a man again, but this time you've managed to scam food and drink all the way to the Qing Prince's mansion?!"

"Little Bean, you still dare to underestimate me?! You couldn't beat me back then, okay?"

"That was a trick! By the way, you said you would come to Xicang to find me again, why did you break your promise!"

"I've been waiting for you here! How about we go to Xicang this time?"

"Really! The little eagle we rescued last time has grown up. It must still recognize you."

...

...

The four took their seats, and Jiu Ru greeted them warmly. The two boys were already acquainted, and the host and guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

"Father, Xiao Xing is the junior brother who came back to Xicang with me three years ago... It's a rare occasion to see him again, and I would like to invite Xiao Xing to visit Xicang. Please grant me permission, Father." Taking advantage of everyone's good mood, Dou Huai made a request to General Dou.

General Dou smiled slightly, but in his heart he was thinking, wasn't it his junior sister who came to Xicang three years ago?! Looking at the handsome young man in front of him, now that he was a member of the Qingwang Mansion, this trip must be what the prince needed. What was the prince's intention in sending a young girl?

"Alright, if Young Master Ye doesn't find Xicang boring, we're naturally happy to welcome you. Xiao Huai often talks about you."

23. Accompanying

In the following days, Xingge asked Jiuru for some free time to accompany Dou Huai on a tour of the capital. Dou Huai had grown up in the capital, and the two of them searched for all the places where Dou Huai had played as a child.

On a hilltop outside Beijing, the two fought for fifty rounds.

"Xiaodou, it's been three years since we last met, and your martial arts have improved a lot!" Xingge smiled as she sheathed her sword.

"Alas! I still can't compare to you, Xiao Xing!" Dou Huai sighed and put away his silver spear.