Chapter 117 An Old Acquaintance from Jiaozhou, Xue Xunfang…

Chapter 117: An Old Acquaintance from Jiaozhou, Xue Xunfang...

The Marquis of Jinyang’s carriage drew to a halt outside the Vice-Minister’s residence. The gatekeeper, observing an unfamiliar lady supported by maids, dared not be remiss. He respectfully inquired, "May I ask, Madam, what brings you here?"

Xue Shi addressed the gatekeeper, "I have come to seek an audience with the Princess of Xinan. Please be so kind as to announce my arrival."

Noticing the gatekeeper’s hesitation, Xue Shi added, "Just tell the Princess that an old acquaintance from Jiaozhou, Xue Xunfang, requests an audience. If the Princess declines, I shall depart immediately."

"Very well, Madam. Please wait a moment."

The gatekeeper returned after about fifteen minutes, accompanied by a maid.

Xue Shi, still frail, was already breaking into a cold sweat after standing for only a short while. Seeing the maid approach from behind the gatekeeper, her anxious heart finally found peace.

The maid stepped forward and bowed to Xue Shi. "Madam Xue, the Princess invites you in to speak."

"Thank you, young lady."

The maid led the way, walking slowly, perhaps mindful of Xue Shi’s delicate condition.

Instead of the main courtyard, she guided Xue Shi to a garden at the rear of the residence.

Though it was late autumn, the garden was still in vibrant bloom. Amidst the flowers stood a pavilion, where a refined woman in her thirties sat.

After escorting Xue Shi to the garden, the maid bowed to the lady in the pavilion and quietly withdrew.

"You may also withdraw," Xue Shi instructed her own maids.

The maids supporting her hesitated with concern but dared not object, obediently retreating from the garden.

Once everyone had departed, Xue Shi took a deep breath before stepping forward. Upon reaching the stone steps of the pavilion, she suddenly dropped to her knees.

"Princess, I would not dare disturb you if I had any other recourse."

The lady in the pavilion gazed silently at Xue Shi for a long moment before suddenly asking, "How long have we known each other, Madam Xue?"

Xue Shi lifted her head to meet the Princess of Xinan’s gaze. "It has been twenty-eight years."

The two women looked at each other until, finally, the Princess sighed softly. "You are unwell. Please rise and sit."

"Thank you, Princess." Xue Shi slowly rose and entered the pavilion.

Once Xue Shi was seated, the Princess slid a cup toward her.

Without hesitation, Xue Shi picked it up and took a sip. She paused in surprise before looking down at the cup.

"Ginger honey water. Do you still enjoy it?" the Princess asked.

Xue Shi’s eyes grew slightly red. "I do."

"When did you recognize me?"

"Long ago. After I became pregnant and the Marquis brought me to the capital, I saw you from afar during festivals a few times. Later, we happened to cross paths a few more times, and I recognized you then."

"Why didn't you approach me?"

"I never intended to disturb you," Xue Shi said, meeting the Princess’s eyes. "Believe it or not, I never planned to reveal myself to you. If not for my desperate situation today, I would not have come."

"Xunfang, of course I believe you." The Princess’s tone grew even gentler. "Now, tell me what has happened to leave the Marchioness of Jinyang in such a state."

"It's a long story, beginning from when I married the Marquis."

"Then speak. I have ample time to listen."

So Xue Shi recounted the complex enmity between her and Ji Chan, including how her own children had met untimely deaths because of Ji Chan.

By the time she finished, Xue Shi was weeping profusely.

For a moment, she regretted it all—if she had not driven Ji Chan out of the marquis’s household, perhaps none of this would have happened.

But now, regret was too late.

Tears welling in her eyes, Xue Shi said, "In my feud with Ji Chan, my poor Ying Ying died alone at Xiling—she was only seventeen. And even that was not enough. The Bright Mirror Bureau accused the Marquis of colluding with the Shen family and took him away. Now, I have no one left to rely on."

After listening, the Princess asked, "The Bright Mirror Bureau is not unreasonable. If they find the Marquis of Jinyang innocent, they will release him. Why are you so distraught?"

"Because of Ji Chan again." By now, Xue Shi couldn't even feel anger when speaking of A Chan. Instead, she felt an unspeakable dread at the name.

"Can she influence the Bright Mirror Bureau?"

"Princess, you likely don't pay much attention to minor matters beyond your circle, so you may not know. Ji Chan somehow won over Bai Xiuming long ago. When Bai Xiuming went to Xiling this time, she followed him there and returned with him.

"The last time Ji Chan and I faced off in court, Bai Xiuming sided with her without reason. Now, no sooner returned to the capital, Bai Xiuming has gone after the Marquis. Who would believe this wasn't orchestrated by Ji Chan behind the scenes?"

The Princess pondered briefly before remarking, "Your stepdaughter is quite formidable indeed."

Though Xue Shi’s claims were speculative, they were not hard to verify.

Xue Shi gave a bitter smile, not hiding her thoughts. "I thought she was someone I could easily handle. Who knew the persimmon was poisonous? Now the Marquis is in Bai Xiuming’s hands—his life hangs by a thread. Ji Chan despises me and the Marquis. She will never let him go."

"What would you have me do for you?"

At the Princess’s question, Xue Shi’s face lit up with desperate hope. "I dare not ask for much—only that the Marquis returns safely from the Bright Mirror Bureau."

"Very well. I'll take care of it. Return home and wait. In a few days, the Marquis of Jinyang will be back."

"Thank you, Princess. I shall never forget your immense kindness."

Xue Shi did not ask how the Princess would secure the Marquis’s release. She immediately started to kneel and kowtow but was stopped.

"No need for such formalities. You are ill—do not fret overly. Focus on recovering. Those two children were unfortunate souls. If something happens to you, who will remember them?"

"You are absolutely right, Princess."

"Go home now. When you are better, I'll invite you for an outing."

Xue Shi wiped her tears and nodded firmly. "As you wish, Princess."

"As for that stepdaughter of yours, you needn't worry too much about her. One day, I shall find a chance to see her for myself—see if she truly has three heads and six arms, to have frightened the courage out of you."

Xue Shi felt bitter. She too had once disbelieved, thinking Ji Chan would be easy to handle—yet every attempt had failed.

Now, she only hoped the Princess could show her a way out.

With their conversation concluded, the Princess called maids to escort Xue Shi out.

Walking through the Vice-Minister’s residence, Xue Shi felt a weight lifted when she saw her carriage. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly—even her weary body seemed lighter.

Just as her maids helped her into the carriage, a sedan chair stopped at the residence’s gates. Out stepped a slender, middle-aged man with a short beard.

The maidservant escorting Xue Shi out smiled and hurried forward upon seeing the man. "Your Highness, what brings you here today? The Princess was just saying yesterday that you've been too busy to visit."

The newcomer was none other than the Princess of Xinan’s elder brother, the Prince of Ying’an.

"What's my sister been up to at home?" The Prince of Ying’an followed the maidservant into the Minister’s residence, his gaze briefly sweeping past Xue Shi before moving on.

"The Princess was meeting an old friend and is still in the garden."

"Alright, take me to her."

Seeing her brother approach, the Princess of Xinan rose to greet him. "Brother, what brings you here today?"

"That opera troupe Father is crazy about has arrived in the capital. He insists on hosting a chrysanthemum-viewing banquet at home, inviting guests to watch Ghost Operas with him."

Hearing the complaint in his tone, the Princess couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't laugh! Father even wants to recommend the Ghost Opera Troupe to His Majesty. What was he thinking? His Majesty is celebrating his birthday soon—'ghost opera' sounds ominous as it is. What was he thinking?"

"But Ghost Operas are truly fascinating. Perhaps His Majesty won't mind."

The Prince of Ying’an sighed. "I knew you'd say that. It was you who got Father hooked on Ghost Operas in the first place."

The Princess merely smiled, not arguing back.

"Father asked me to tell you to arrive early for the banquet. It's been a while since you last visited the palace—he and Mother miss you."

"I was planning to go early anyway," she replied, then added as if remembering something, "Oh, I'd like to invite two guests to the banquet. Could you pass a message to my sister-in-law for me and ask her to send two invitations?"

The Ying’an Princess Consort no longer managed household affairs, leaving such matters to the Prince’s wife—the Princess of Xinan’s sister-in-law. Invitations for the banquet would also be issued through her.

"You're always asking me for favors. Very well, who are these guests?"

"One is the Marchioness of Jinyang, Xue Shi, and the other is named Ji Chan."

"The Marchioness of Jinyang?" He frowned, recalling the woman he had just seen. "At court today, I heard that the Marquis of Jinyang is implicated in the Prince of Xiling’s case. Since when have you become so close with her?"

The Princess replied casually, "Have you forgotten, Brother? Over a decade ago, I accompanied my husband to Jiaozhou for three years. That's when we met."

The Prince paid little heed to her explanation. "Fine, invite whomever you wish. But you've always been too trusting—watch out you don't get tricked."

"Understood. If the Marquis of Jinyang isn't released in a couple of days, I won't invite her to Father's banquet."

"Whatever you say."

The Prince seemed to have other matters to attend to and left after a few more words.

Once he was gone, the Princess returned to the pavilion, staring into the distance as she observed the still-lush trees.

Xue Xunfang... what a troublesome person.

Yet, she was clever—no wonder she had become the Marchioness of Jinyang.

This time, she would help her out. As for the rest, she could wait and see.

When night came, the Minister’s residence grew quiet.

In the main courtyard, the Princess of Xinan leaned against her husband, speaking softly.

"Husband, the Marchioness of Jinyang came to see me today."

"That Xue woman—"

"Xue Xunfang."

"What did she want?" Xu Zecheng asked.

"She asked me to help save the Marquis of Jinyang," the Princess murmured. "I heard the Marquis offended Bai Xiuming and was arrested. She asked me to help out of our friendship of twenty years, and I agreed."

"She's got some nerve," Xu Zecheng remarked, his tone darkening.

"Oh, it's just a small matter. Besides, though the Marquis might not be very capable, he is still nobility. He might prove useful to us someday. I didn't want to refuse her."

"Fine, I'll help out. As for Xue Shi, you decide."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful."

The couple whispered for a while longer before finally falling asleep.