The Mute Wife Who Brings Prosperity-Chapter 463 - 431: The Hardest Debt to Repay Is a Beauty’s Debt (Part 2)
Tonight, two individuals from Yutang Palace are out enjoying the lanterns—Yuanbao and Zhao Xi.
To be exact, it was Yuanbao who coaxed Zhao Xi to come out.
The reason was quite straightforward—the palace and the outside were celebrating, but the Minister’s Mansion had just had a recent bereavement. Whether out of guilt towards Chief Xue or from the standpoint of a fiancé, Zhao Xi ought to pay a visit to the Minister’s Mansion.
Zhao Xi couldn’t refute this reason, so he left the palace after dinner.
Initially, they planned to follow Yuanbao’s suggestion of taking the final lantern to the Minister’s Mansion. However, they arrived late, and the final lantern had already been won by someone else.
After Yuanbao inquired around, he learned the person who took the lantern was his father, feeling slightly apologetic, he looked at Zhao Xi, "Well, how about we don’t take the final lantern but buy a pretty one instead, what do you think, Your Highness?"
"I don’t think so."
Zhao Xi didn’t plan to buy another lantern and turned to leave.
Yuanbao caught up, "Why?"
Zhao Xi glanced at the dazzling lights on the street, "The Minister’s Mansion is in mourning, with Miss Xue being Chief Xue’s legitimate daughter and her father having just passed, how could she have the mood to enjoy lanterns? If I give her lanterns at such a time, it would not only appear frivolous but also make people think I am heartless, disrespecting the deceased."
With this said, Yuanbao also felt his suggestion was inconsiderate, "If not lanterns, what should we give?"
As he spoke, Zhao Xi already mounted his horse, looking at Yuanbao who was still standing on the ground, "There is no need for gifts, just go in person."
...
Indeed, as Zhao Xi mentioned, the Minister’s Mansion did not have festive decorations; compared to other places, it appeared very quiet.
The sudden visit from the Eldest Prince was obviously to see Xue Yinhuan, and the servants were aware without needing to be told.
However, the Eldest Prince after all was an outsider male, they couldn’t let him meet the lady straight away, so the servants wisely went to notify Minister Xue.
Minister Xue personally received Zhao Xi.
Zhao Xi’s expression was somber, "I deeply regret the death of Chief Xue."
Minister Xue cupped his hands, "To die for saving Your Highness, my son died without regret. But I wonder if the assassin has been caught by Shuntian Prefecture?"
Zhao Xi shook his head, "It was the New Year’s Day when the incident occurred, with too many people around, it’s difficult to find out quickly."
Actually, there were leads already, but it involved the Cabinet Prime Minister Yang Zhen, and his father was hesitating.
Cabinet Prime Minister was essentially the leader of the Cabinet, wielding power similar to the former Su Xiang, in this matter, Emperor Guangxi had to be cautious.
Moreover, Yang Zhen’s niece, Princess Consort Duan, was the Emperor’s favorite concubine, and she had given birth to a Second Prince for the Emperor.
The Emperor always shows more favoritism when it comes to his beloved woman.
Back then, when Deng Zhaoyi conspired with Empress to frame Zhao Xi, Emperor Guangxi without hesitation demoted Deng Zhaoyi to Talented Lady and sent her to the Cold Palace, giving no room for negotiation.
But nowadays, it’s Princess Consort Duan’s family targeting Zhao Xi, and Emperor Guangxi chose to turn a blind eye.
The attitudes in the two incidents were poles apart.
The reason for the slow investigation by Shuntian Prefecture over half a month was likely partly due to the Emperor’s intentions.
Zhao Xi didn’t want to think deeply; he preferred to believe this was a challenge set by his father for his training.
Minister Xue said, "Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent and unmatched, inevitably arousing envy from various sides. In the future, safety comes first when traveling."
Zhao Xi nodded, not wanting to discuss the assassination further, he turned to ask about Xue Yinhuan, "The seven days after Chief Xue’s passing have passed, is she... alright?"
Minister Xue understood Zhao Xi’s underlying meaning, quickly ordered someone to the backyard to invite Xue Yinhuan.
At that time, Xue Yinhuan was writing a letter to her aunt deep in the palace. When her maid informed her that the Eldest Prince had arrived, she was a bit surprised and looked up, "He just arrived?"
"Probably sat for a while," the maid said, "Young Master just sent someone from the outer court to invite Miss out."
"I know." Xue Yinhuan placed the pen down, dealt with the letter paper, and followed the maid to the front courtyard.
Considering that the Eldest Prince might have words to say privately to his granddaughter, Minister Xue quickly retreated.
Yuanbao also went outside to wander around.
When Xue Yinhuan arrived, Zhao Xi was standing by the pomegranate tree outside the front hall, under the not-so-bright corridor light. The young prince’s brows and eyes were as indifferent as their initial meeting, with no emotions.
Xue Yinhuan approached and saluted him, "Why has Your Highness come?"
Zhao Xi noticed even on Lantern Festival, her attire was still simple, with a little white flower pinned on her hair.
"How have you been lately?" Zhao Xi spoke, his words not as cold and hard as before, with more care.
The marriage contract was already set, and Xue Yinhuan didn’t want to play tricks before him, speaking truthfully, "Busy with handling father’s affairs after his death, not too good, but not extremely bad either."
Zhao Xi said, "If you face bullying in the mansion, go to Song Mansion and inform Mr. Song, ask him to tell me, and I’ll handle it for you."
Before Xue Yinhuan could speak, he continued, "I’ve asked someone to investigate the circumstances of your years in the Minister’s Mansion, and have some understanding of things. Now that Chief Xue is not here, I am obligated to look after you on his behalf."
Xue Yinhuan looked at the young prince standing right in front of her. Although the same age as her, his words carried an exceptional solemnity and strength, letting those who listened feel a unique sense of stability.
She didn’t act coy and candidly replied with one word, "Okay."
Zhao Xi handed her the silver note he had prepared earlier, "Take this money, buy whatever you need; no need to wait for monthly allowances."
Xue Yinhuan’s monthly allowance of Silver was only four or five taels. If her stepmother found a reason to deduct it, it would be even less.
Xue Yinhuan didn’t take it, "Previously, the Emperor has already rewarded considerable amounts, I can’t take this money anymore."
Zhao Xi said, "What my father rewarded is counted on your father’s head, and not much of that silver has likely fallen into your hands. This is my compensation for you."
Xue Yinhuan’s eyes slightly reddened but still maintained a smiling face, "The compensation from Your Highness, aside from the word ’care,’ is enough. As a girl from the inner chambers, having so much money is of no use."
Despite Xue Yinhuan’s repeated refusals, Zhao Xi still stuffed the silver note into her hand.
He didn’t quite understand relations between men and women, and even less how to care for a girl’s feelings. Before leaving the palace, Yuanbao taught him a lot, yet Zhao Xi didn’t use any of those; he felt those words, when spoken, didn’t seem like him, besides he couldn’t bring himself to say them, so he followed his heart and simply ended with "Take care of yourself."
Xue Yinhuan put away the silver note and returned to the inner courtyard.
As Zhao Xi emerged, Yuanbao was playing guessing games with the house servants of the Minister’s Mansion. This person had a natural infectious charm, quickly mingling with people wherever he went.
Upon hearing movement, Yuanbao quickly stood up and looked toward Zhao Xi, "Is everything settled?"
"Let’s go."
Zhao Xi spoke calmly, his hands behind back as he headed towards the main gate.
Returning to the city was still on horseback, Yuanbao watching Zhao Xi’s swift mounting motion asked, "Did Miss Xue accept the silver note Your Highness prepared?"
"She did."
Yuanbao stepped on the stirrup, mounted to sit firmly on the saddle, holding the reins tightly, "Let me guess, she certainly didn’t want it, but Your Highness forced it upon her."
Zhao Xi looked over, "How do you know?"
Yuanbao smiled, "Just a guess."
Zhao Xi retracted his gaze, watching the road ahead, "I’ve investigated; her birth mother passed away early, and her grandfather didn’t remarry. For years, the back courtyard has been dominated by Mrs. Xie, and this stepmother is no pushover. If not for Chief Xue shielding her in past years, Miss Xue’s life might have been tougher. Now, Chief Xue died saving me, leaving her with no pillar to rely on. It’s I who owe her, sadly such debt cannot be compensated with Silver Coin."
"It’s rare for Your Highness to have such realization." Yuanbao sighed, "Everyone says the hardest favor to repay is a beauty’s, but actually, the debt owed to a beauty is even harder to return. Your Highness is destined to be tied with her repaying this debt for a lifetime."
"I don’t know whether this is good or bad for her." Zhao Xi’s tone revealed a hint of worry.
Yuanbao cast a curious glance, "What do you mean?"
"The harem is full of schemes, I can protect her for a while, but I can’t guarantee I can protect her for a lifetime; I am not a saint, after all, there will be oversights."
Yuanbao didn’t quite agree with this, "How can you now foresee what you’ll eat, wear thirty years later, or what bad people you’ll encounter? Such matters, take each step as it comes. Now everyone is saying she is your designated concubine, Your Highness isn’t planning to renege last minute, right?"
"If I go back on my words, the world would surely curse me for being ungrateful."
"Then that’s settled."
The two rode, crossed Long Street, lingered outside for a while before returning to the Imperial City.
