Chapter 67: Secret Deliberations

Seeing that Meng Hongchang and Xiao Yuxi both fell silent, Meng Xuexian took a few steps closer to Xiao Yuxi and lowered her voice to whisper, "The matter of the parrot is easily settled and can be put aside for now, but you mustn't forget what you promised me during the Imperial Grace Examination."

At this, Xiao Yuxi suddenly understood the meaning behind the words Zhang Tiantai had once said: "Having too good a memory may not necessarily be a good thing."

He shook his head with a bitter smile and said to Meng Hongchang, "Xuexian is merely curious. I imagine that after going to the capital for some leisure and amusement, she will return on her own. Rest assured, old Meng, accompanying me, she won't encounter any forceful abductions."

Although Xiao Yuxi did not spell it out explicitly, Meng Hongchang could easily infer that he intended to shield Meng Xuexian from the Crown Prince's aggressive pursuit on his behalf.

Meng Hongchang furrowed his brow and spoke in a hushed tone, "It is perhaps just as well for Meng Xuexian to go to the capital. At the very least, I am stationed at the Capital Garrison Unit there. Although family dependents are not permitted to reside there, it would still be easier to look after her. My only concern is that this might implicate the Eldest Imperial Prince."

Xiao Yuxi laughed heartily and remarked, "As for whether anyone will be implicated, it is hard to say whose weight tips the scale more."

"What do you mean, Your Imperial Highness?"

Meng Hongchang asked in deep thought, while Xiao Yuxi merely smiled without answering.

Sensing that Xiao Yuxi harbored suspicions that the Crown Prince's faction might take action against him, Meng Hongchang said in a solemn voice, "Xuexian, Xueqiao, now that the Imperial Grace Examination has concluded and your elder brothers have all returned to their respective quarters, neither of you is to wander about here any longer. Return to your rooms at once."

Observing Meng Hongchang's stern expression, Meng Xuexian and Meng Xueqiao very sensibly withdrew.

"This is no place for conversation. I must ask Your Imperial Highness to step into your bedchamber."

Meng Hongchang bowed and made an inviting gesture.

Lightly waving his Dragon-Spine Fan, Xiao Yuxi led the way toward his quarters.

"Master? Young Master?"

Xiao Cui pushed open the door and stood there in a daze at the sight of the two men, having assumed that Xiao Yuxi would not return to this room at such an hour.

Xiao Yuxi lightly tapped the shoulder of Xiao Cui with his Dragon-Spine Fan.

Looking bewildered at first, Xiao Cui soon felt the weight on her shoulder growing heavier and heavier. She let out two cries of "Ouch, ouch," her footsteps turning unsteady and her body sinking downward as if she could no longer bear the load and was about to collapse right onto the floor.

By this time, Meng Hongchang had already closed the door behind them.

Xiao Yuxi said with a smile to Meng Hongchang, "I simply adore this little girl. Look at her, old Meng, every time she pretends, it looks as real as life, and when it's real, it looks like pretense."

Indignant, Xiao Cui protested, "What are you saying, Young Master? What kind of fan is this that it weighs so heavily?"

Xiao Yuxi chuckled in response, "You had better show some respect to this fan from now on, or the Young Master might really beat you."

Xiao Cui rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking, 'If I stop serving you from now on, will you still be able to beat me? Once you anger me, it's hard to say who will be beating whom.'

Meng Hongchang stood by with an apologetic smile, uncertain whether Xiao Yuxi had guessed Xiao Cui's true identity, yet knowing that some matters were inconvenient for a servant to voice.

Realizing that Meng Hongchang and Xiao Yuxi likely had private matters to discuss, Xiao Cui bowed respectfully to both of them.

Meng Hongchang nodded, acknowledging the courtesy as though he were worthy of it, yet also returning the gesture.

Xiao Yuxi waved his hand dismissively at Xiao Cui and said, "Off with you. The Young Master will reward you later."

Xiao Cui pursed her lips into a smile and promptly left the room.

Bowing deeply, Meng Hongchang said, "Your Imperial Highness, does your earlier remark imply concern that the Eastern Palace might take some action against you?"

Xiao Yuxi sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress beside him, signaling for Meng Hongchang to sit down and speak.

"There are only the two of us here; there is no need for such formality. What you said is correct; I do have some misgivings."

Xiao Yuxi had no doubts regarding Meng Hongchang's loyalty. Even if Meng Hongchang were to betray him, given that Meng Hongchang had raised him for over a decade, anyone who could believe such a betrayal was possible must be hopelessly naive and utterly unfamiliar with tales of double agents.

Not daring to sit on the same level as Xiao Yuxi, Meng Hongchang perched precariously on the very edge of the bed, with only the tip of his buttocks touching the mattress.

After a moment of contemplation, Meng Hongchang spoke, "Although Your Highness holds the noble rank of Eldest Imperial Prince, if this humble servant may be permitted to speak beyond his station, Imperial Noble Consort Chen is merely a consort, which means Your Highness is not the legitimate eldest son born of the primary wife. In our dynasty, the succession has always favored the legitimate eldest son born of the primary wife—with the sole exception of His Majesty, the Emperor, an emperor through the ages."

When mentioning Emperor Xiaohonglong, Meng Hongchang bowed toward the east to show his respect, then continued, "Therefore, Your Highness should not pose any immediate threat to the Crown Prince. Consequently, on the surface, the Crown Prince will surely maintain peace with Your Imperial Highness. If there are any variables, this humble servant surmises they would stem from the other imperial princes. After all, only two imperial princes hold the title of Prince of the First Rank, while His Majesty has over a dozen sons. Furthermore, Your Imperial Highness is the top-ranking scholar of this Imperial Grace Examination, and your overwhelming prominence currently stands unmatched throughout the Dali Dynasty. I fear that among the other imperial princes, there are bound to be a few harboring jealousy and resentment."

Hearing Meng Hongchang's thorough analysis, Xiao Yuxi mused, "So that is why His Imperial Father deliberately refrained from bestowing any official post upon me despite being the top-scoring scholar of the Imperial Grace Examination?"

Meng Hongchang nodded and said, "Your Highness is exceptionally brilliant and must have long since perceived this crucial point. Fortunately, you sought an imperial favor; although you lack the title of an official, you nevertheless..."

Xiao Yuxi waved his hand to prevent Meng Hongchang from continuing, saying simply, "Though I, Xiao Yuxi, lack talent, I still wish to accomplish some practical deeds for the scholars of the realm."

Meng Hongchang nodded in agreement. "To speak the truth, Your Highness, when you requested that imperial favor, I truly broke out in a cold sweat for you. You are likely the only person who would dare to speak so bluntly about the hardships of the common people right before His Majesty. Even though His Majesty is renowned as a 'benevolent ruler,' when censors submit memorials, they always coordinate in pairs just to muster the courage to speak out—none of them are as brazen as you."

Xiao Yuxi laughed heartily. "Then I can only hope that future generations will not follow my example."

Turning serious once more, he asked, "How well do you understand the Crown Prince's faction? What is their influence in the court, and do they have any rivals? Surely they do not hold absolute dominance alone?"

Meng Hongchang immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed. "This humble servant truly does not dare to presumptuously discuss the Crown Prince!"

Xiao Yuxi felt a sudden surge of frustration, thinking, 'I treat you like an elder brother, yet you treat me like a distant cousin?'

"Old Meng! Speak your mind freely; what need is there for beating around the bush? Whatever I have promised you, I will never renege on."

With a swift motion, Xiao Yuxi hauled Meng Hongchang to his feet.

Meng Hongchang wore an embarrassed expression, clearly aware that his intentions had been guessed by Xiao Yuxi after all. Since matters had reached this point, however, he decided to bite the bullet and speak.

"This humble servant has an unseemly request to make—it is purely a selfish desire of mine."

Xiao Yuxi nodded, signaling for Meng Hongchang to continue. He was eager to see what kind of selfish wish could cause someone as thick-skinned and seasoned in officialdom as Meng Hongchang to blush.

Thickening his skin, Meng Hongchang pressed on, "Xuexian is of age now, and this humble servant was thinking... was thinking of giving Xuexian's hand in marriage to Your Highness. I wonder what Your Highness's opinion might be?"