Song Yixiao didn't realize that the faked loving gestures between her and Jian Xubai had been revealed. After returning to Duke of Yan's mansion, she learnt that Jian Xubai had come back. So, she handed over the newly purchased jewelries to Jinxun, “The necklaces and chrysanthemum hairpins are the gifts I am about to send out; as to the plum-blossom pearl hair ornaments, I will wear them myself. For the rest, you can share them.”

Then she had some desserts prepared and brought them to the study to ask for information.

“How can you come to apologize with a few plates of desserts that are even not made by you?” Jian Xubai was writing. Upon hearing the knock on the door, he said, “Come in.” Then he saw the tray on his wife's hand, raising his eyebrows and sneering, “Do I look so easy to handle?”

Song Yixiao put down the desserts and said casually, “I only had a meal that I couldn't decline. It's no big deal. Why do I have to apologize for that?”

Yet, she couldn't help feeling frightened. Jian Xubai had learnt about Taoli Restaurant after such a short period of time?

“You must know what to know and what not to know!” Jian Xubai was in a good mood now. He didn't talk too much about it then and only asked, “The Pork Broth of Taoli Restaurant tastes delicious. Do you take some back with you?”

“I ate there. Why would I take any away with me? Especially, today's meal is the Su Family's treat.” Song Yixiao said in confusion, “Weren't you treated to lunch in the Yuan Family's mansion?”

Jian Xubai glimpsed her, “When I arrived there, Xuepei had eaten lunch. Besides, we had business to discuss about. After discussion, I just came back home.”

“How about me cooking some soup with sliced noodles?” Song Yixiao put down the crisp biscuit that she had only a bite, and then cleaned her fingers, rising and asking, “Or anything else you want to eat?”

“The soup with sliced noodles is fine.” Jian Xubai was satisfied with her att.i.tude and then nodded his head.

After a while, Song Yixiao brought a bowl of hot soup of sliced noodles for him with four plates of side dishes. After he finished eating, she called on the servants to take away the dishes and make some tea. Then she asked, “May I know what Marquis Boling asked you to go and discuss about?”

Jian Xubai took a sip of the tea, saying, “Linghu Deyin's mother is critically ill and dying.”

He knew that his wife knew little of the court stuff so he explained further, “Linghu Deyin is the Minister of War. If he is in mourning for his mother's death, his post will be emptied. Moreover, he is promoted by Duke of Ji. Even if he rises after his mourning, he cannot grasp the power of Ministry of War again. Xuepei thinks that He Wenqiong, the Left Vice Minister of War is most likely to take his place. In this case, the position of the Left Vice Minister will be available.”

“Does he ask you to be the Left Vice Minister of War?” Song Yixiao asked in confusion, “I'm afraid that you are not qualified for that position?”

Even if all the credits of instigating rebellion within Wuhuan's camp were given to Jian Xubai, the inconvenient truth of him being captured in Wuhuan couldn't be eradicated. Many people still believed that his faults outweighed his deeds. He was only 17 years old and became an official as Director of the fifth-rank Bureau of Military Appointments at the beginning of this year, which manifested the royal favor for him.

If he got promoted to a vice minister in only a few months, regardless of Emperor Xianjia's favor for him, a sensation would be caused among the officials.

Jian Xubai said smilingly, “Yeah, you are right. I am not qualified, but the current Director of the Bureau of Provisions is.”

Seeing his wife staring at him in confusion, he smiled and continued, “Xuepei suggested that I should recommend the heir of Earl Yiping, Xu Xis.h.i.+, our cousin to be the next Director of the Bureau of Provisions.”

“It is said that Brother Xis.h.i.+ is working in the Ministry of Personnel?” Song Yixiao asked in surprise, “Is he willing to be transferred to the Ministry of War?”

The Ministry of Personnel was the top of the Six Ministries. After Wuhuan was exterminated, the world was at peace. The Ministry of War had no scope for displaying one's abilities. In other words, the officials of the Ministry had no chance of rendering services, which also meant the difficulty of promotion. Even as a nephew of an emperor, he was too young to have sufficient qualification and merits, he couldn't get promoted again and again!

Jian Xubai said, “You didn't know about this. The Ministry of Personnel is overseen by Jin Suke these two years. Jin Suke is a man of integrity and talent, who also cherishes talented people as well. If his subordinates are not top-3 winners in the imperial examination, he will not even take a look at them. Brother Xis.h.i.+ is not bad, but he didn't do well in the exam. It took him much effort to pa.s.s the imperial examination so he was not in a mood to take the exam again and just became an official for his forefathers' merits. Do you think he can do well under the supervision of Jin Suke? Of course he cannot get promoted either!”

No matter how powerful his backing was, faced with a supervisor who dislikes him, he had to bear with it anyway.

Needless to ask further, Song Yixiao knew that Xu Xis.h.i.+'s must have cheated in the imperial examination. He was only 19 years old, even one month younger than Jian Yiyou. By reason, he was not even capped yet. Even if he still couldn't become an official, according to the general practice, he might make it later. Why did he hurriedly start his official career?”

Probably he was not really scholar material, who just couldn't gain good marks in the imperial examination. Hence, he might as well begin his official career early and acc.u.mulate working experience. After all, though his birth mother, Luguo Grand Princess was the emperor's sister, she was dead for many years. Without her mother's help, he could only struggle to get as much promoted as possible when his grandmother was still alive.

Otherwise, when the Empress Dowager was gone, he would be left out even though Emperor Xianjia, Jinguo Grand Princess and Daiguo Grand Princess cared about him. After all, they had their own children to attend to.

“If Her Majesty the Empress Dowager knows that you are so concerned about Brother Xis.h.i.+, Her Majesty will be very pleased.” Song Yixiao guessed that Yuan Xuepei didn't only want to look after Xu Xis.h.i.+ by suggesting Jian Xubai doing so.

However, she was not interested in the court affairs. It was a random remark made by her. She was about to ask about Yue Xue'e's recent condition when Jian Xubai sneered, “I seldom meet with this cousin. I think we may have met in childhood. By saying that I care for him, it is only a stunt. This time, there are two reasons why I want to help him. For one thing, I need to find allies as I'm in the Ministry of War not for a long time. Even though Brother Xis.h.i.+ and I rarely meet each other, we are legitimate cousins. For another, I hope to draw Earl Yiping over to my side.”

Song Yixiao realized vaguely his unsaid meaning, “You do this for the Crown Prince?”

“Exactly.” Jian Xubai nodded his head, “The Ministry of War has been controlled by the clan of Duke of Ji and Prince of Zhao has gradually grown up. Indisputably, he is determined, persistent, smart and studious. People are all complimentary about him. Can the Crown Prince not feel worried?”

Song Yixiao agreed. Even Jian Xubai knew that Duke of Ji intended to threaten Emperor Xianjia by holding the military power. How could the Crown Prince be unaware of it? If it were not for Emperor Xianjia's potent deterrent force and longevity, no one could expect what consequence would happen to the Crown Prince. If he still didn't take over the power of Ministry of War, how could he fall asleep?

However, “Ever if Brother Xis.h.i.+ is also transferred to Ministry of War as Director of the Bureau of Provisions like you, he is only a fifth-rank official. When you two get highly promoted, I'm afraid it will take you a long time.”

“He Wenqiong used to be an aide of the Eastern Palace.” Jian Xubai said, “Uncle also tacitly agrees the Crown Prince to intervene with the Ministry of War. However, the Crown Prince's manpower is limited. Otherwise, why will He Wenqiong take over Linghu Deyin's post after the latter has to mourn for his mother?”

Suddenly, he recalled one thing and said, “The other day I ran into your father on the way. Isn't he Vice Director of the Directorate of Secretariats? The Crown Prince says that he used to be a first-prize winner of the imperial examination so it is a waste of talent for him to take charge of books. Thus, the Crown Prince intends to transfer him to the post of a local official.”

Song Yixiao replied with a casual air, “Oh? This is good. Vice Director is a fourth-rank official. If he is allocated to a post outside the imperial capital, will he become an influential local governor?”

“But he is not willing to. Although he didn't decline, he mentioned that he was the only son of the family with mother to attend to and no son.” Jian Xubai said sternly, “Do you know how respectful he is to your grandmother? Does he refuse to be a local official only for your grandmother or because he just doesn't want to side with the Crown Prince?

“Isn't it said that Grandmother Huang is a relative of the Crown Princess and often pays visit to the Eastern Palace?” Song Yixiao said in surprise, “I thought my father had chosen the side of the Crown Prince!”

Jian Xubai shook his head, saying, “Gu Shao, the retired Imperial Tutor, is the match-maker for the marriage between your father and your stepmother. When Gu Shao was in court, he was on an equal footing with my grandfather. However, they held different political views. Regarding the compet.i.tion for the post of prime minister, Gu Shao lost. After that, he was squeezed out by my grandfather so seriously that he was forced to retire.”

Nevertheless, this important official canonized as imperial tutor upon retirement, he was a good friend of Song Ying, the legitimate grandfather of Song Yixiao.

Song Yuan could return to court only because Gu Shao lent him a favor considering the old friends.h.i.+p.

“No wonder my father doesn't want to accept the kind offer of the Crown Prince!” Song Yixiao was speechless, “If he does, he will be a man who cuts down the tree that gives him shade.”

Jian Xubai said indifferently, “It is my grandfather but not the Crown Prince who holds grudge against Gu Shao. The reason why I was sent to talk about this to him is that the Crown Prince feels that I am his son-in-law, who he should cut me some slack anyway.”

Speaking of this, he glanced at his wife with a faint smile, saying, “Well, it is because you are not favored by your father that I failed to lobby him, isn't it? Otherwise, even for the sake of you, your father would agree anyway.”

“Don't say it like you are much favored by your father!” Song Yixiao took a look at him indifferently and snorted, “Back in the old days, you used to inquire me about how to win favor from your father.”

Jian Xubai had no idea how to respond.

Fine, he was focusing on cutting his wife to the quick and yet forgot that he was also not loved by his father!

He took a swig of tea with a poker face. Jian Xubai pretended that he had said nothing and then said, “When I finished discussing with Xuepei just now, he mentioned his sister's marriage. I thought that you should be concerned about it, so I asked about it.”

As expected, Song Yixiao immediately asked, “What is the arrangement for Xue'e's marriage?”

“Xuepei always wanted to marry her to Lu Guanlun.” Jian Xubai said, “However, given the current situation, in order to avoid arousing suspicion, Prince of Hengshan will not allow his son to marry the sister of Marquis Boling.”

After all, Yuan Xuepei was close to Jian Xubai though he was not an official after being disabled. Jian Xubai was always favored by the Crown Prince, making Yuan Xuepei regarded as an ally of the Crown Prince too. Considering the conflict of political stand, even though Yuan Xuepei and Yuan Xue'e were the legitimate grandchildren of the Dowager Consort, the marriage was off the table.

“What can Xue'e do then?” Song Yixiao couldn't help frowning, “She is even two years older than me!”

This year would end after more than two months. By then, Yuan Xue'e would turn 17. Generally, at the same age, most of girls were married. Therefore, her marriage couldn't be postponed anymore!

“Luckily, the result of the imperial examination will come out in the beginning of spring.” Jian Xubai took a sip of tea and said, “Xuepei intends to select an honest and kind man of not high birth among the new candidates who pa.s.s the coming imperial examination.”

By estimate, Song Yixiao learnt that it was only about four months from the imperial examination and eventually felt relieved, saying, “I only hope that he can have good spot and find a good man for Xue'e.”

Speaking of this, she couldn't help thinking, “Now that Lu Guanlun won't marry Xue'e, I wonder who he will marry.”

She didn't have a thing for Lu Guanlun. Just because he treated her as a sister when she lived under the roof of Prince of Hengshan's mansion and she didn't pay him back yet, inevitably she kept his kindness in mind.

Now she hoped, “I wish that he can marry a woman who is sensible and smart enough to help him keep the future position of the heir and prevent him from conflicting with Mother too seriously!”

Yet, Song Yixiao felt unconfident about her mother. No matter how sensible one was, if he was hurt by Wei Mengying over and over again, he would not forgive her then.

However, she couldn't do anything about it. Therefore, she just let it go after ruminating for a while. Unexpectedly, after a few days, Song Yixiao just finished visiting Earl Shouchun's wife and returned home, Liyu advanced to report, “Madam, an invitation has been sent from the Wei Family for you. It is said that Miss Wei Chan is engaged to Mr. Lu Guanlun. A feast will be held in celebration of this merry affair and you are invited to the feast.”