Chapter 374

The Regent Prince's mansion has informants spread throughout the realm.

Everyone knows the overt lines are the Regent Prince's office.

The covert lines are even more numerous; exactly how many, only Mu Nan Zhao himself knows.

Among the many official mansions in the capital, the least likely to have the Regent Prince's informants is probably the Xiao He residence.

Mu Nan Zhao and He Jinghui are not merely a superficial superior-subordinate relationship.

They are also childhood friends, close friends, confidants.

They are steadfast allies who stood by each other through adversity, and in the turbulent court they are reliable comrades on the same boat.

Even setting aside the long-standing friendship between the Mu and He families.

Whether from sentiment or interest, the two have long been as close as branches of the same tree, with no possibility of suspicion.

Jiang Mingyuan sent a wooden box into the Xiao He residence; what it contains is known only to those inside the Xiao He residence.

But Mu Nan Zhao's vast intelligence network happens to have a blank spot concerning the Xiao He residence.

Information concerning the Xiao He residence has always been promptly reported by He Jinghui.

Thus, whatever He Jinghui knows, the Regent Prince's mansion learns immediately, more convenient and swift than any informant.

But this time, unfortunately, a series of coincidences happened to coincide.

On the morning the Prefecture of Jingzhao opened its session, Gu Xixi received apricot blossoms.

He Jinghui arrived home and learned of this; he originally wanted to tell Mu Nan Zhao, but Mu Nan Zhao was also at the Prefecture of Jingzhao at that time.

So He Jinghui waited until the afternoon, but due to an urgent matter at the Ministry of Revenue, he hurried out.

When he finally finished his work it was already midnight; he spent the night at the Ministry of Revenue, and at dawn he rode out of the capital with colleagues to inspect the mobilization of poultry for locust eradication in Lin County.

……

He Jinghui counted on his fingers, reviewing the process, and finally regained his composure.

"I went out this time, and just returned to the capital this evening, then came straight to your house."

"So the apricot blossom matter isn't my fault."

"Although I almost forgot, I only just saw you in person, and before that I had no chance to say anything."

With reason and evidence, even though Mu Nan Zhao felt unhappy, he had no grounds for blame.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Who has been invited to tomorrow's flower-viewing banquet?"

"That's too many." He Jinghui said, thinking that Mu Nan Zhao wouldn't care about who exactly is going.

Rather, he wonders whether there is anyone he dislikes among them.

He Jinghui smiled knowingly and said, "The invitations written earlier by Jing Lan I have already previewed."

"Since it's to promote the shop's opening, the sons and daughters of various families are naturally indispensable; they know how to enjoy themselves best and are most willing to spend money."

"There are a few refined scholars and a few ladies of talent and virtue; they constitute the scene of the flower-viewing banquet."

"The rest..."

He Jinghui paused, gauging Mu Nan Zhao's expression, then continued, "Also, this year's successful examination candidates."

"The Top Scholar, Second Place, and Third Place are naturally among them."

Upon hearing the words "Top Scholar," Mu Nan Zhao finally reacted.

"Did Jiang Mingyuan also receive an invitation?"

He Jinghui nodded, "Whether others will come is still uncertain, but Jiang Mingyuan..."

"I think he should attend."

These named examination candidates will all enter officialdom.

Among them, some openly or secretly have already pledged their allegiance to various patrons.

Whether they attend the Xiao He residence's flower-viewing banquet depends entirely on the relationship between their patrons behind them and the Xiao He residence.

But Jiang Mingyuan, since entering the capital, has refused all attempts to recruit him.

After placing first in the examinations, he still adheres to his principles.

He does not attach himself to any powerful minister's household, nor has he accepted any marriage alliance.

Otherwise, he would not still be living in that original inn to this day.

He Jinghui said, "Jiang Mingyuan really has no reason not to come to the flower-viewing banquet."

"Moreover, he is acquainted with Xixi and An Qinghe; even for the sake of friendship, he will surely grace us with his presence."

Mu Nan Zhao lowered his eyes halfway, showing no discernible emotion.

"Friendship?"

"I see it as clearly having ulterior motives."

He Jinghui laughed, "Saying it's ulterior motives is a bit too much; at most it's killing two birds with one stone, balancing both sides."

Mu Nan Zhao raised his eyebrows, "Are friendship and male-female feelings both being balanced?"

He Jinghui, covering his nose, said, "I didn't say that at all—don't speak impropriety."

When the Top Scholar paraded through the streets, he especially stopped to greet Gu Xixi.

Mu Nan Zhao had already heard about this.

But he never expected that Jiang Mingyuan would, the next day, send the Top Scholar's hairpin flower into the Xiao He residence.

Truly audacious!

He Jinghui sighed, "Speaking of it, Jiang Mingyuan really is a decent person."

"He probably knows that Boss Gu doesn't want to attract attention, and perhaps also doesn't want to force Boss Gu to make a choice."

"Therefore he did not publicly pluck flowers to give while parading."

"Yet the next morning he placed the apricot blossoms in a sealed box and had Boss Gu open it himself."

This shows how steadfast his feelings are for Boss Gu.

He said while stealing a glance at Mu Nan Zhao, "If from the perspective of a love rival."

The more considerate Jiang Mingyuan acts, the more it makes people hate him to the point of itching teeth.

You can't find any fault with him— isn't that enough to make people furious?

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao remain silent, He Jinghui proudly raised his eyebrows.

At this moment, he is absolutely the Regent Prince's sole spokesperson!

However, wanting to see the Regent Prince behave like an ordinary man, anxious and even losing composure for his beloved, is no easy feat.

Because he knows Mu Nan Zhao's temperament well, He Jinghui is no longer anxious at all.

He poured himself a cup of Old Lord's eyebrows, already cooled slightly, and it was very refreshing and invigorating.

Think back— when has Mu Nan Zhao ever rushed to treat anyone like this?

Never!

So tonight I might as well keep him company; worst case, I'll stay here and not leave.

I don't believe I can't get his true feelings out of him!

However, this time Mu Nan Zhao reacted much faster than before.

He Jinghui hadn't even drunk half his cup of tea when he heard Mu Nan Zhao say:

"Someone, see the guest out."

"Just that?" He Jinghui almost spat out his tea, "You're in such a hurry to kick me out?!"

Mu Nan Zhao didn't even give him a glance.

"You're too noisy."

The guards outside the study only obey the master's word, and had already pushed the door open from outside.

He Jinghui couldn't act shamelessly in front of the servants, so he could only stand up and walk out.

As he walked, he muttered curses, 'Burn the bridge after crossing the river!'

"After Boss Gu received that apricot blossom, he hasn't explicitly refused it yet!"

"Wait until you toss and turn tonight unable to sleep; tomorrow you'll come running to me in regret, and I won't help you again!"

"Whoever is soft-hearted is a dog!"

……

He Jinghui walked away muttering like that.

Mu Nan Zhao closed the book in his hands, gazed toward the window, his eyes deep.

Today is clear and breezy, not too hot, a good day for flower viewing and enjoying spring.

As soon as the sky lightened, Gu Xixi was forcibly dragged up by He Jinglan and the maidservants.

He Jinglan said, "Today there are many guests; you and I, as the main characters, must dress up carefully."

Fortunately, the clothing and matching accessories had already been chosen the night before.

After washing up and having breakfast, it was a lengthy two hours of dressing before the mirror.

Gu Xixi had given up choosing for herself, closing her eyes and letting the maidservants do as they pleased.

Finally hearing Guang Zhu say it was ready, her tone full of pride.

Gu Xixi shook her head to clear it, only then realizing her head felt somewhat unusual.

She opened her eyes and looked, and was instantly startled by her own reflection in the mirror.

Is this still Gu Xixi?