Xue Jinqiao’s tears fell drop by drop. Xue Heng watched with a pained heart. The Grand Secretary, who had never wiped anyone’s tears before, clumsily used his sleeve to dry them. “Don’t cry. This is the inevitable fate of the elderly. The Northwest King is a man of his word. As for Zhaoning County Princess, from your granduncle’s observations, she is no ordinary person. If she truly marries into the Eastern Palace, the outcome of the world’s power struggles is hard to predict.”
“The Xue family is already in decline. Your father cannot uphold the family’s legacy. Your granduncle only hopes to hold on until your coming-of-age ceremony, so you can marry early. The benefit of your adoption into my line is that Xue Hui will not be able to control you in the future. The drawback is that if your granduncle cannot hold on, you will have to observe mourning.”
“Your granduncle dares not arrange your marriage hastily. Others may not be able to protect you, but if it is the Northwest Prince Heir, with Zhaoning County Princess by his side, you will surely be safe. In the future, when you marry into the Shen family, think of them often. The Xue family offers you no refuge—they will be your true family.”
“Mm.” Xue Jinqiao nodded through her tears, choking out, “Qiao Qiao understands.”
“Fortunately… fortunately, heaven has shown mercy…” Xue Heng sighed in relief.
At this time, Seventh Lady had encountered Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan. Shen Yungan sincerely wished to marry her, and the Northwest King, aware of Seventh Lady’s illness, felt only compassion without the slightest disdain. Once this marriage was settled, Seventh Lady would have a place to belong. He could face his deceased wife in the afterlife with dignity.
Xue Jinqiao was deeply grieved. Her most beloved granduncle had contracted an incurable illness. The physician said it was a sickness of the heart—a longing for his late wife—with no cure. She did not want to lose her granduncle.
Yet she knew how deeply her granduncle missed his wife. Sometimes, even in his dreams, he murmured her grandmother’s maiden name. Because of this, she dared not ask him to rally for her sake.
Her granduncle was well aware that her father could not uphold the Xue family, and that the family would collapse after his departure, yet he could no longer endure. If even the family could not keep him going, it was clear how agonizing his life had become. Though heartbroken, she refused to be selfish.
However, with no one to confide her pain to, she could only seek out Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe sat in the Warm Pavilion, somewhat helplessly allowing Xue Jinqiao to cling to her. Xue Jinqiao had been holding her like this since her arrival, her eyes red but without shedding tears, not speaking, just clinging tightly.
Knowing that she was to be betrothed to her brother, Shen Xihe naturally regarded her as family and did not mind her closeness. Aware of her sorrow but hesitant to ask, she feared accidentally causing the tears welling in Xue Jinqiao’s eyes to fall.
Though she was a young woman herself, perhaps because she seldom cried, she was also uneasy when other young women wept.
“Elder Sister, Granduncle is going to leave me…” After who knew how long, Xue Jinqiao spoke in a hoarse voice.
Shen Xihe’s gaze sharpened. She reached out to stroke Xue Jinqiao’s back, silently comforting her.
But her mind was in turmoil. If Xue Heng were to pass away, the court would be thrown into upheaval. As one of the three Grand Secretaries, he represented one of the three great families in a delicate balance of power. Since the Cui and Xue families shared political views, they had always united to suppress Wang Zheng.
If the position of Grand Secretary became vacant, the most likely candidate to fill it would be Wang Zheng. It remained to be seen whom Your Majesty would appoint to replace the Deputy Secretary of the Department of State Affairs.
The most probable choice was promoting Xue Hui. Xue Hui was from a separate branch of the Xue family and would not need to observe mourning, but his capabilities…
“Elder Sister, I want Granduncle to live, but I know his life is full of suffering and exhaustion.” As Xue Jinqiao spoke, tears streamed down her face once more.Scalding tears soaked through Shen Xihe's clothes, the icy sensation prompting her to speak: "Qiao Qiao, you still have your elder sister. I, Father, and Brother will all treat you well. Granduncle has suffered too much hardship—let him depart in peace. Don't make him leave this world worrying about you."
"Mm." Xue Jinqiao nodded, tightening her embrace around Shen Xihe. "It's so good... Qiao Qiao still has her elder sister."
Had she not met her elder sister, how pitiful she would have been—she might have followed Granduncle in death.
Shen Xihe stayed with Xue Jinqiao, who seemed to sense Shen Xihe's complete indulgence and immediately began demanding scented satchels, dresses, hairpins, accessories, and snacks...
Never mind. She'd let her have her way just for today.
Thinking about her planned visit to the palace tomorrow to personally see Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe noted that Xue Heng appeared ruddy-cheeked—he must have concealed his illness extremely well. They needed to prepare early; if they couldn't secure one of the Three Ministers' positions, at least they shouldn't let His Majesty have his way.
While Shen Xihe was contemplating major strategies to discuss with Xiao Huayong, Xiao Huayong was busy thinking of ways to please her.
Burning scented coal, he bathed in the lingering fragrance while reclining on a chaise lounge, holding a pale golden Northern Pearl between his fingertips. "This pearl is rather unique."
Raising the pearl toward the sun's direction, the winter sunlight—gentle and restrained—cast upon the Northern Pearl, creating a faint golden halo that radiated luxury and grandeur. "Send people to find more. When Youyou and I marry, these shall adorn her Phoenix Coronet—it will be truly unparalleled."
"Your Highness, this Northern Pearl was brought back by Haidongqing," Tianyuan said quietly. "Such pearls are only found along the shores east of the Far East Sea. The Northern Pearl oysters mature in October, but the shores are covered with thick ice—no one can break through to harvest them."
"White birds along the coast feed on these oysters. While the oyster flesh digests, the pearls remain in their bodies. And Haidongqing particularly enjoys preying on these white birds."
After having his rations reduced by Xiao Huayong last time, Haidongqing had flown off in anger to his birthplace, eaten his fill, and brought back this pearl. Tianyuan believed the eagle intended to present it to Xiao Huayong to curry favor with the Crown Prince.
Having obtained the pearl, Tianyuan had already investigated its origins.
"Oh?" Xiao Huayong found this intriguing. "Then have it gather more pearls. Send Jiuzhang with it to the Far East Sea to collect more."
"As you command..." Tianyuan acknowledged.
"If it proves unwilling, starve it for a few more meals," Xiao Huayong shamelessly added, his silver-flecked eyes gazing tenderly at the pearl—the more he looked, the more he adored it.
Tianyuan felt a sympathetic chill, convinced that since His Highness met the Duchess, all his formerly cherished subordinates and precious birds had become mere tools to please her.
He spent his days running errands while remaining constantly vigilant, cleverly deflecting the Duchess's cold remarks toward His Highness.
In the past, how treasured Haidongqing had been! Anyone who dared let the eagle miss a single satisfying meal would face severe punishment under Luling's regulations. Now it was reduced to starving while gathering pearls for the Duchess's wedding Phoenix Coronet.
Poor Haidongqing—originally thinking to bring back a pearl to please His Highness and hasten the restoration of its meals, only to achieve the opposite effect and face extended food deprivation.
His Highness truly possessed the makings of a decadent ruler.
This thought, Tianyuan only dared entertain in his heart.The next day, Xiao Huayong even had Tianyuan take this pearl to test whether Shen Xihe would like it: "His Highness happened to acquire a Northern Pearl, finding it extraordinary, and thus presents it to Your Ladyship for appreciation."
"A golden pearl." Even Shen Xihe, who had seen countless treasures, was astonished. The pearl was the size of a longan fruit, round and lustrous, extremely rare.
Excellent, Her Ladyship likes it.
Haidongqing, you're on your own...
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