“What are you calling me?”
Chen Yuan pondered for a moment before he continued to test the waters with another phrase:
Li Hongshuang’s heart experienced an indescribable sense of exhilaration, like being doused with a bucket of cold water in the scorching heat of summer. She considered herself long since Jiang He’s woman.
However, Jiang He, for various reasons, was unwilling to accept her.
That was why, in a fit of anger, she nearly fell out with her family, choosing a place in the Capital to establish a nunnery for women, having earlier asked Su Ziyue to acquire for her a Color Stabilizing Pill.
Her original intention was also not wanting her youthful beauty to fade.
Women, after all, are very concerned about their appearance.
Although she was overjoyed, Li Hongshuang did not show it too conspicuously. Instead, she looked at Chen Yuan and said:
“I have left the secular world for many years and I have long severed any relationship with Jiang He, so such a form of address is unnecessary.”
Chen Yuan smiled, clearly seeing through Li Hongshuang’s feigned composure, and nodded as he said:
“It was presumptuous of me.”
Next, from within the sleeve of his robe, a smooth flash of light revealed a jade box which appeared in his hand. He presented it to Li Hongshuang and said:
“Here is the Color Stabilizing Pill.”
Li Hongshuang nodded, casually waving her hand and employing the technique of Jiezixumi to retrieve the Color Stabilizing Pill. She then pondered for a moment and said:
“I hear you have recently made an enemy of the Fourth Prince?”
“Indeed, there have been some feuds,”
Chen Yuan did not hide anything and acknowledged.
“In the temple, I have learned from the mouths of some concubines in the palace that Noble Consort Yang has become furiously angry because of this. She may soon resort to some means. If you run into any difficulties,
you can have someone come to Shuanghe Temple to find me. I will help you within my capabilities, consider it a repayment for you delivering the pill on behalf of Miss Su.”
Li Hongshuang’s demeanor became cool and distant once again.
As for the truth, obviously, it was not as she said. In fact, upon discovering Chen Yuan had deep connections with Jiang He, she had already resolved to help him.
Simply because Chen Yuan had not sought her out, she took the initiative and went to the Eastern Imperial City Bureau herself.
In her opinion, helping Chen Yuan… was akin to helping Jiang He.
“In that case, my thanks to sister-in-law,”
Chen Yuan said with a solemn bow.
The Li Family wielded considerable power within the Capital; although Jingtai was intent on weakening the Li Family’s strength, with the presence of a founding elder like Shen Wu True Monarch, no one dared to go too far.
In the Capital, especially within the military, they had a great many students and old officials under them.
Otherwise, would Li Hongshuang dare to make such a bold statement?
Yet another “sister-in-law” made Li Hongshuang take a deep breath. This time, she did not retort, staying in the great hall, and began to probe indirectly about matters related to Jiang He.
Her intentions were clear to Chen Yuan.
Without any need for hints, he took the initiative to bring up Jiang He and began to discuss his recent situation.
Li Hongshuang listened with keen interest. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoveI(F)ire.net
She had always been secretly attentive to Jiang He’s movements, but others’ words did not carry the same weight as those from Chen Yuan, who had significant ties with Jiang He.
Especially upon hearing that Jiang He was not indulging in the pleasures of women and devoted himself to Sword Dao, she felt he was remaining chaste for her.
She believed that once he made a breakthrough with Yang Transformation, he would come to the Capital using Sword Control to marry her.
Even her obstinate father would probably not be able to object.
And so, with Chen Yuan repeatedly calling her “sister-in-law,” Li Hongshuang was quite delighted, despite her face maintaining an indifferent coolness, yet occasional small gestures occasionally revealed her inner feelings to Chen Yuan.
Indeed, a woman in unrequited love was truly fearsome!
Jiang He’s tactics were terrifying indeed!
Old Jiang’s methods were truly divine, and Chen Yuan wondered whether he was deliberately playing hard to get, or if he truly had no interest in the opposite sex, like him, devoting himself to the path of Dao….
Chen Yuan spoke about Jiang He for an entire hour, only then satisfying Li Hongshuang.
Afterward, the conversation shifted topics as she began to narrate some of the power dynamics within the Capital to Chen Yuan.
She told him that the Fourth Prince’s faction held significant sway in court, and with Princess being his blood sister, she would naturally assist him in various ways; however, he need not worry.
She implied that with a sister-in-law like her, Chen Yuan need not fear anyone.
As long as Sima Ke did not truly ascend to the throne, the Li Family could still manage the situation.
This made Chen Yuan quite touched. With Jiang He looking out for him in Qingzhou, and Li Hongshuang also showing inclination to be his support in the Capital, this couple indeed seemed to have a connection with him.
If the opportunity arose, he would naturally help Li Hongshuang.
To fulfill her hopeful ambitions for Jiang He’s success.
Mid-conversation, how it came about Chen Yuan could not recall, Li Hongshuang started talking about the affairs of the Harem, mentioning her close relationship with the Empress, and if there was a chance, she could take him to pay a visit.
Chen Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still nodded in agreement.
The Harem was a restricted area, not somewhere external officials could easily enter.
If someone were to accuse him of defiling the Harem, then Jingtai, no matter how much he admired Chen Yuan, could no longer continue to favor him. However, Chen Yuan still needed to visit the Harem.
One of the locations Jiang He had mentioned was within the Harem, and he needed to investigate it.
As for Noble Consort Yang, unless she came looking for trouble with him, he would not deliberately oppose her.
But it seemed that was merely wishful thinking.
If Yang Hucheng was severely punished because of him, it was likely Noble Consort Yang would not let the matter rest….
Incidentally, Chen Yuan learned a secret; apparently, Jingtai in recent years had increasingly refrained from spending the nights in the Harem, focusing his attention instead on governance and spiritual cultivation.
Seeking eternal life…
After much idle talk, Li Hongshuang shared many secrets of the Capital with Chen Yuan, urging him to be careful and cautious in his actions here. Even if she could help Chen Yuan,