Chapter 122 Xue Han’s Decision

Chapter 122: Xue Han's Decision

Xue Quan stepped out and addressed the high-ranking officials and nobility gathered in the palace square: "His Majesty and the Crown Prince are both safe, and the fire has been extinguished. Everyone, please return to rest."

The officials, who had stayed up most of the night, finally breathed a silent sigh of relief and dispersed, moving stiffly on legs that had gone numb.

Xue Quan spotted Xue Han approaching and asked gently, "I didn't see you there for a while. Where did you go?"

"I went to inspect various parts of the palace complex, fearing there might be oversights," Xue Han replied, immediately noticing the warmth in Xue Quan's tone.

"With so many people around, you needn't handle everything personally. Go wash up and get some rest first. His Majesty will surely summon you later." Xue Quan reached out and patted Xue Han's shoulder. "Well done. You've made me proud."

Saving the Crown Prince was a great achievement.

He had pushed hard for his adopted son to take the position of Imperial City Commissioner. While many dared not openly object, in private, discontent was inevitable. After all, Han'er was only eighteen, and despite his battlefield experience, his youth and qualifications made it hard for him to win people over.

Now those people had to shut up. Han'er had really made him look good.

Feeling immensely pleased, Xue Quan looked at the young man, straight and tall like bamboo, with growing satisfaction. He thought to himself, it's a shame there isn't a princess his age. With Han'er's character, appearance, capability, and the merit of saving the Crown Prince, he would be a fine match for a princess.

Xue Han returned to his quarters and took a quick bath. Though he expected to fall asleep immediately after the busy night, the moment he closed his eyes, his mind filled with the tranquil little lake in the forest, the distraught girl by its shore, and... the embrace that made his heart pound.

After all they had been through, could he bear to let his adoptive father choose a wife for him in the future?

He could not.

He had thought that hiding his feelings and keeping her safe from the danger his affection might bring was enough—that he could silently wish her a good marriage and a smooth life.

But now, searching his heart, could he truly do that?

He could not. He was unwilling.

Lying on the bed, the young man pressed a hand to his chest and stared at the ceiling.

If he was unwilling, then he must strive for it, not waver in uncertainty or wallow in self-pity.

Perhaps... saving the Crown Prince this time was an opportunity.

At this thought, a smile touched Xue Han's lips.

He was still that carefree, unrestrained little beggar at heart. Even after ten years of indoctrination and suppression, he had never truly accepted a life controlled by others.

He would see if gaining the Crown Prince's trust and high regard could give him the strength to resist. Until then, he must be even more cautious, to make sure his foster father didn't catch on to his true feelings for A Heng.

Having made his decision, Xue Han gently closed his eyes.

Princess Kang, who had waited anxiously most of the night, finally saw Prince Kang and Ling Yun return and hurried to greet them.

"Is everything all right?"

Prince Kang frowned. "We were just standing guard. What could happen? Why didn't you sleep instead of staying up?"

The Princess Consort gave a wry smile. "A fire isn't something you can control so easily. I was worried something might go wrong."

"Only the Crown Prince's residence caught fire. It didn't spread elsewhere."

"That's good—"

Receiving a pointed look from Prince Kang, the Princess Consort realized her slip and quickly added, "I mean, it's good that everyone is safe."

"Mother, are Jia Yi and A Heng both all right?" Ling Yun asked.

Seeing A Heng's state earlier, he had been truly worried, but there was no way to leave under those circumstances.

Hearing Ling Yun's question, Princess Kang barely suppressed the urge to purse her lips.

Jia Yi hadn't even gone out—what could happen to her? Clearly, Yun'er was asking about A Heng.

What spell had that wretched girl cast on her son?

Just the thought of Qiu Heng running wildly in the middle of the night, holding up her skirt with disheveled hair, was unbearable to Princess Kang.

"Jia Yi was worried about you and your father too. I told her to rest in her room. A Heng also returned later."

It had been too chaotic and panicked at the time. When Princess Kang finally remembered Qiu Heng, she only sent someone to inquire and was satisfied with the reply that she had returned.

In Princess Kang's view, of course a young girl, curious and running out to see the commotion, would eventually return. Would she stay out all night mingling with a crowd of men?

"Everyone is tired. Wash up and rest. Hot water has been prepared." After years of living in comfort, Princess Kang was long past exhausted.

Prince Kang wasn't much better off either and nodded wearily.

By late morning, Prince Kang, having barely rested, went out again. Princess Kang, now refreshed, had Qiu Heng brought in to give her a talking-to.

"A Heng, since you call me your foster mother, I must say a few words. Last night was so late, and with a dangerous fire, what were you doing running out as a young girl? If people saw, wouldn't they laugh at the Prince's household for being so improper?"

Qiu Heng replied, "A Heng was too anxious at the time."

The Princess Consort grew puzzled. "What were you anxious about?"

"A Heng was worried about Lord Xue, afraid something might happen to him."

The Princess Consort stared, shocked. "Why were you worried about Xue Han?"

Even if she was worried, how could she say it so openly?

"Lord Xue is my friend. Naturally, I worry about him."

Princess Kang's expression turned strange. "But I thought you had feelings for Lin Chengfeng—"

Qiu Heng smiled. "I had feelings for Lin Chengfeng, but then I heard Lord Xue say he has feelings for me... A Heng thought it over carefully and decided Lord Xue isn't bad either."

Princess Kang drew a sharp breath.

Could it be like that?

But seeing Qiu Heng's utterly unapologetic expression, Princess Kang suddenly lost all desire to admonish her. She waved a weary hand. "Go back and rest."

"A Heng takes her leave."

Once Qiu Heng left, Princess Kang clutched County Princess Jiayi's hand, her eyes brimming with tears, and spoke earnestly, "Jia Yi, you must never, ever learn from A Heng."

"Mother means—"

"How can a young girl like one person and then another!"

It was simply unbelievable, unheard of!

County Princess Jiayi shook her head disapprovingly. "A Heng just wants to choose the one she likes most. There's nothing wrong with that."

Princess Kang felt as if she'd been struck by lightning.

Jia Yi! She's already been led astray!

“This is wanton behavior!”

“Mother, don’t say that. But men take wives and concubines all the time, liking many women at once.”

Princess Kang swayed on her feet, nearly buckling under the shock. “Jia Yi, don’t let A Heng lead you down the wrong path. In this world, it’s natural for men to have multiple wives and concubines, but is it the same for women?”

County Princess Jiayi sighed. “Mother, rest assured, your daughter isn’t very interested in men and won’t like one after another. I just think that wanting better is human nature, regardless of gender. Isn’t the fact that A Heng was honest with you proof she sees you as family?”

Princess Kang was stunned.

Damn it, her daughter actually made sense. Had she been led astray too?

“Wait, what do you mean by not being interested in men? You wretched girl, are you planning to spend your whole life with those wretched spices?” Worried she might be convinced, Princess Kang hastily changed the subject and scolded her own daughter.

Qiu Heng left the main courtyard and glanced in the direction of the traveling palace.

There were too many things to do; she had no time to deal with anything else. It was best to let Princess Kang think she was beyond redemption.

Once a woman was seen as obedient and chaste, people would demand she become even more so.

To hell with that.