Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 74

Su Huai’an remained silent. The shopkeeper continued with a cheerful smile, “Sir, although the land prices on Yunli Street are high, if you look, the Five Army Commanders and the Six Ministries are all nearby. If you proceed forward, you’ll reach Zhengyang Gate. It’s extremely convenient for attending court and official duties.” He added, “Sir, take a look at the nearby shops. Looking south from here, within ten li, there are inns, and within twenty li, there are establishments with excellent food and wine.” At this point, the shopkeeper even chuckled, “Where there’s wine, there are beautiful women.”

Ordinarily, when a man heard such words, they would at least smile.

But this man in front of him showed no change in his brow. Seeing this, the shopkeeper realized he wasn’t the typical type and quickly shifted the conversation, no longer joking. He covered his mouth and said, “If you find it agreeable, only these two properties are left, and others are eyeing them too! Hesitate, and they’ll be gone.”

Though this kind of statement could be seen as a sales pitch, Su Huai’an was familiar with this street and knew how swiftly properties changed hands in this area.

If you didn’t rent, someone else would.

Thinking of this, Su Huai’an couldn’t help but pinch his nose. His annual salary didn’t even amount to 2,160 taels.

The shopkeeper, accustomed to such somber silence from those with shallow pockets, pulled out another land deed and said, “Sir, take a look at this. Although it’s not on Yunli Street, the courtyard is exceptionally well-built. The foundation is six feet deep and has two connected study rooms. In the front and back courtyards, flowerbeds have been arranged. When the spring breeze blows, over a thousand flowers bloom, a lively and beautiful scene. Most importantly, the rent is even less than the previous one, only four taels per month.”

Su Huai’an looked at the capital map and pointed to a mansion directly opposite the main gate of Princess Changning’s residence. He asked, “This mansion under the Xue family’s name is not for rent?”

The shopkeeper hesitated, “Sir, that mansion belongs to the Xue family. I don’t dare to ask whether it’s for rent or sale.”

Su Huai’an pondered for a moment and said, “Thank you.”

The shopkeeper inquired again, “Sir, are you renting or not? If not, I’ll rent it to someone else.”

Su Huai’an placed a silver note on the table and said, “Consider this a deposit. Kindly reserve this room for me for one day.” If he couldn’t move into Xue Xiangyang’s property, he would go to Marquis of Chunnan and put it on his account.

The shopkeeper accepted the silver note and said, “Understood.”

***

Su Huai’an arrived near the period of chen (7-9 AM). He entered the Ministry of Justice’s office and greeted Xue Xiangyang with a bow. “Sir, I apologize for my delay today; some matters held me up.”

Xue Xiangyang was flipping through the case files, assuming Su Huai’an had gone to handle official duties. He asked, “What is the matter?”

Su Huai’an said, “It’s a private matter of mine. I need to visit the property management office.”

Xue Xiangyang furrowed his brow. “Why?”

Su Huai’an replied sincerely, “I reside in Yibei Lane, and even rising at the break of dawn, there’s no guarantee I’ll make it to the early morning court. I plan to rent a new house nearby.”

Xue Xiangyang looked at him.

Huai Jing was not originally from the capital. Now that he had been promoted and was on the verge of becoming an imperial son-in-law, he considered moving, a common occurrence for officials.

Xue Xiangyang hummed and stood, handing him a thick stack of case files. He patted his shoulder and said, “If you need help, just tell me.”

True to the Xue family’s eldest son, even the most ordinary words carried a taste of generosity.

Su Huai’an said, “Thank you, sir.”

After Xue Xiangyang handed over the files to Huai Jing, the Ministry of Justice chief official stood and said, “My lord, there’s a suspicious prostitute in Mingzhao Lane. She claims to have served Su Huai’an, but her story doesn’t add up upon close questioning. It seems she’s trying to extort a reward. Should we take punitive action?”

Xue Xiangyang furrowed his brow, unsure about the details, and said solemnly, “Su Huai’an is different from his traitorous father. He never frequented such places or engaged with prostitutes upon returning to the capital. Interrogate her first, and if we can’t get the truth, then consider punitive action.”

After speaking, he turned and left the Ministry of Justice.

The administrative staff asked the chief official, “Why is Lord Xue suddenly so accommodating?” Everyone knew that when Minister Xue Xiangyang was handling a case, he wouldn’t utter a single extra word if punishment were necessary.

The chief official curled his lips and said, “Things have been like this ever since the lord personally interrogated that Miss Si Yue.”

The staff sighed, “I can’t forget the way Miss Si Yue pleaded with people in the cell that day. Her demeanor was so pitiful. I felt sorry for her. Hey, hey, with that expression, could it be… Chief Xue has something with her?”

Glancing around, the chief official motioned for the staff to come closer. The staff hurried over, and the chief official spoke in a hushed voice, adopting a gossipy tone, “… I heard that Chief Xue wanted to take Miss Si Yue as a concubine and formally present her to his legal wife!”

The staff was left dumbfounded, and it took a while before he stammered, “A common performer entering the Xue residence? That’s truly a lifetime of good fortune.”

“Yet some people in this world don’t cherish their blessings. That Miss Si Yue never even acknowledged our lord,” the chief official added.

The staff said, “I’ve seen her household registration. With that background, how can she match our lord? Chief Xue is dignified in appearance, holds power, and heads the Xue family. He doesn’t despise her and is willing to follow the proper procedures to accept her. What does she have to offer?”

Su Huai’an raised an eyebrow as he looked at him.

Miss Si Yue, that should be the woman mentioned by Ah Ling, right? But wasn’t she Zhuang Sheng’s…

Su Huai’an remained silent, and after sitting down, he picked up a pen and began drafting a report, his speed leaving others astonished. The chief official shifted his attention back to Su Huai’an and praised, “Could Lord Huai have already memorized the laws of Great Zhou?”

Su Huai’an said slowly, “I read them in advance.”

Everyone could sense the modesty in his words.

The chief official could never have imagined that the person before him was someone who had almost been promoted to prime minister, Su Huai’an.

Xue Xiangyang returned to the Ministry of Justice’s office in the evening. Su Huai’an placed a stack of case files and documents before him.

Xue Xiangyang casually opened one volume and was surprised. Then he opened another volume and was surprised again. He carefully read through them, compared them with the documents in his hand, and looked up at Su Huai’an, asking, “All four case files… are completed?” 

Su Huai’an respectfully replied, “It’s all the duty of this subordinate.”

Xue Xiangyang leaned back, supporting his chin with his hand, squinting as he examined Huai Jing. The more he looked, the more pleasing he found this man.

Truly worthy of being the top scorer.

Xue Xiangyang had promoted Huai Jing. Although his top scorer title had been a factor, the main reason was that the prospective prince consort before him couldn’t stand Su Huai’an.

Originally, Xue Xiangyang intended to appoint him as his eyes and ears inside the princess’ mansion. But after reviewing these case files, he suddenly felt like cherishing talent. With this level of ability, he could do the work of half the Ministry of Justice by himself. This kind of talent was better to cultivate genuinely. In the future, he would remember this favor of nurturing and promoting and become an asset to the Xue family.

Providing timely assistance in a time of need is far more valuable than adding embellishments to an already beautiful situation.

Xue Xiangyang said, “The Mongolian envoy will be arriving in the capital shortly. Are you aware of this matter?”

Su Huai’an replied, “I have heard about it.”

Xue Xiangyang nodded and said, “This time, you will accompany me to Mount Li.”

Su Huai’an clasped his hands and said softly, “I deeply appreciate this promotion and will never forget it.”

See? See?
Truly deserving.

Xue Xiangyang smiled knowingly, stood up, and affectionately patted his shoulder, saying, “This morning, you mentioned going to the property management office. Which street did you take an interest in?”

Su Huai’an pursed his lips and said, “Yunli Street.”

As soon as the words fell, Xue Xiangyang raised an eyebrow. Oh, heading to the princess’ mansion?

Could this be going according to his plan?

Xue Xiangyang asked again, “Have you chosen the location?”

Su Huai’an sighed softly and said directly, “I… need to take another look.”

Huai Jing was the son of a humble family. It was a considerable feat for him to climb up to the princess. Everyone knew he lacked wealth and power, so there was no need to conceal it.

Xue Xiangyang immediately understood the underlying meaning of his words. Ah, the awkwardness of an empty wallet.

But indeed, the property prices on Yunli Street might be too much for this prince consort from a humble background.

As the saying goes, never belittle a young man for being poor.

After all, they were both men. Xue Xiangyang considered his pride and casually said, tapping his fingertips, “I happen to have a residence for rent, conveniently located on Yunli Street. Would you like to take a look?”

A trace of apprehension appeared in Su Huai’an’s eyes. “Sir, I have a modest income and I…” he began.

Xue Xiangyang, a man of means and straightforward in his dealings, interrupted Su Huai’an, “Siba, we have a long road ahead of us. Let’s dispense with formalities.” Siba was Huai Jing’s courtesy name.

Su Huai’an gave another bow. “You’ve already been generous to me, my lord. I hesitate to accept such favor.”

Having spent many years in the Ministry of Justice and considering himself worldly-wise, Xue Xiangyang had seen all sorts of people. Looking at the genuine emotions that Su Huai’an couldn’t hide, he knew he hadn’t judged him wrongly.

He patted Su Huai’an’s shoulder and said, “I wouldn’t let you stay for free. The rent will come from your salary.”

Su Huai’an said, “My lord…”

Xue Xiangyang widened his eyes and said, “What, must you keep refusing me three times?”

Su Huai’an took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and said, “I dare not.”

Only then did Xue Xiangyang smile and say, “Let’s go.”

***

The courtyard was quiet, with the fragrance of gardenias wafting from the corner of the wall. The chirping of birds perched on branches filled the air. Five or six maids surrounded a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing azure gown, assisting her with tea and fanning.

Xiao Lianyu leaned back on the lotus-patterned couch, her eyes landing on her dark hair and the intertwined hairpins shimmering with dazzling colors. 

Time passed peacefully.

Suddenly, an attendant named Cheng Tao hurriedly approached and said, “Your Highness, something’s not right.”

Xiao Lianyu furrowed her brows with closed eyes. “What’s the matter?”

Cheng Tao replied, “S-someone has moved into the house across the street.”

“The left side or the right side?”

“The middle one.”

Xiao Lianyu snorted. “Isn’t that Xue’s residence? Why, is Xue Xiangyang keeping such a close eye on me?”

Cheng Tao shook her head and said vaguely, “I inquired a bit earlier. I heard that Xue’s family has rented out the house.”

Xiao Lianyu sat and said, “Xue Xiangyang is not short of money. Renting out the house? Whom did he rent it to?”

Cheng Tao hesitated and said, “The… prince consort…”

Xiao Lianyu widened her almond-shaped eyes, and a trace of anger flashed between her brows. “Who allowed you to call him prince consort?”

Cheng Tao quickly corrected herself, “I apologize. I meant the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Lord Huai.”

Xiao Lianyu stood, her smile concealing her true emotions. “Oh, how interesting. He’s really against me.”