Chapter 16: Parting as If We Were Old Friends

The matter had nearly been settled when Yuan Wenxiu stood up immediately to take her leave upon hearing that a guest had arrived.

The young lady had not disclosed to her the purpose of summoning Master Xu, implying she had her own plans. Aunt Wei, understanding the hint, quietly took several maids and left.

The Qianhao Room was undoubtedly the finest private chamber at the Jinning Restaurant. The room was spacious, furnished with two exquisitely crafted sets of furniture placed at opposite ends, separated in the center by a dazzling crystal bead curtain.

Ning Junruo sat within the bead curtain at the upper end, her back to the light, making it difficult for those outside to discern the interior. Yet from inside, she could see the entire room clearly, basking in the light.

Xu Mingyi entered with an imposing presence, bowed respectfully, and then took his seat with measured calm.

Initially, she had thought him a fragile scholar, but unexpectedly, he was tall and robust. His composed demeanor was hardly that of a man from a humble background.

On closer inspection, his dragon-like eyes and elegant brows caught her attention. Ning Junruo was secretly amazed—his purple mark between the brows foretold a man destined for greatness.

Amid shifting light and shadow, Ning Junruo fixed her gaze on his remarkably handsome face and asked, “Have you discovered anything, Master?”

Xu Mingyi shook his head. “Both Yichun Pavilion and Tianxiang Tower claim not to have seen this person. I fear the prince wishes to keep this hidden, so I dare not stir the hornet’s nest. Though I have yet to find any trace of Lady Chang, I have made other discoveries.”

In her past life, even when the truth was exposed, no one knew which brothel Chang Yuniao truly came from.

It seemed Zhao Shenxing had taken great pains for the unborn child within her.

If he intended to conceal the truth, prying too hard would only alert the enemy. Unexpectedly, Master Xu was quite prudent, which increased Ning Junruo’s favor toward him.

“Please, Master, speak freely,” Ning Junruo said, toying with the coral beads in her hand.

“I met a Hu merchant recently at Yichun Pavilion, one who had just come through Yumen Pass,” Xu Mingyi said calmly. “Knowing that Prince Liang had just returned from Yumen Pass, I inquired about bandit troubles there. But this man insisted that Prince Liang had not been to Yumen Pass in over a year.”

Meaning that Zhao Shenxing, who had left home months ago, had never visited Yumen Pass nor participated in suppressing the bandits?

Ning Junruo’s heart skipped a beat.

The prince abandoning his domain was a grave crime against the emperor. How could he gamble with the lives of hundreds in his household?

Clutching the beads tightly, she asked with a trembling voice, “This matter is grave. Can we trust this Hu merchant’s words?”

“Brother Guan is a straightforward and generous man; he has no reason to deceive me,” Xu Mingyi replied. “My father has always maintained good relations with the prince’s guards. This morning, after my father finished his duties, he tried to coax information from them, but they were evasive. There must be something hidden.”

If this reached the emperor’s ears, the entire prince’s residence would be implicated.

Xu Mingyi would not dare to joke about such a matter.

Ning Junruo had just observed his countenance and knew him to be meticulous and steady. Such a man would not undertake matters without certainty.

Though she believed the truth was likely as told, she still found it hard to accept.

“I wish to meet this Hu merchant,” Ning Junruo said directly.

“That is not difficult. Whenever Your Highness is free, I can arrange it,” Xu Mingyi said, still sitting upright and formal.

Though she was the one who sought his help, he persistently referred to himself humbly.

Ning Junruo adopted a serious tone. “Master, there is no need for such formality here. This is no place of the Princess of Liang. Please do not refer to yourself so humbly. Just regard me as Junyuan’s elder sister, or as a friend.”

For some reason, whenever he saw her, an inexplicable flutter stirred within his heart.

Yet at the thought of her status as Princess of Liang, Xu Mingyi felt frustration and melancholy, as if a vast distance lay between them—so noble and untouchable she was.

Her words suddenly closed the gap between them, and Xu Mingyi felt a strange familiarity, as if encountering an old friend.

“Very well, then I shall not be formal,” he relaxed, a faint smile gracing his pale cheeks. “I have a feeling Brother Guan is withholding something. It would be best if Your Highness met him personally.”

If so, the entire Liang residence was surely dancing on the edge of a knife.

This was a matter of utmost importance; Ning Junruo dared not delay. She furrowed her brow and said, “Tomorrow at noon, I shall await you both at the Anning Inn.”

Xu Mingyi responded with a nod and was about to rise to take his leave when Ning Junruo added, “By the way, I intend to establish an academy. There will likely be many scholars. Please assist me in selecting a suitable teacher.”

The Liangzhou Academy still had many vacancies, but Prince Liang’s reputation among the people was notoriously poor.

Xu Mingyi thought she was overestimating the matter—no one would entrust their children to the prince’s academy.

“Is this the will of the prince’s household?” Xu Mingyi asked, surprised. “Though I know many learned men, perhaps we should wait until the academy is founded to discuss hiring a teacher.”

“No, this is my personal wish, unrelated to the prince’s household. I wish to found a free academy so that any earnest child may have a place to study.”

Recalling when he left the capital, his grandfather once told him, “I am old now, or I would accompany you to Liangzhou to enlighten the people. Many say the Western Liang people are uncultured. If you, as princess, can assist the prince in educating the masses, it would be a blessing for both you and the people of Liangzhou.”

Alas, confined within the inner chambers these years, he had long forgotten such words—a source of shame.

Upon learning how unreliable the prince was, Ning Junruo became even more resolute.

Better to spend money on matters that benefit the people than to waste it on ungrateful wolves; perhaps then the people might speak kindly.

Though Ning Junyuan came from a noble family, he was always upright within the academy.

Thinking of the Ning family’s good name, Xu Mingyi felt a newfound respect; he had underestimated the princess’s resolve.

He bowed deeply, solemnly saying, “I am honored by Your Highness’s trust and will not fail your expectations.”

Trust…

Ning Junruo was momentarily stunned. When had she trusted him so completely?

Having never met before, how had she entrusted such an important matter to him?

The academy was but a thought in its infancy; why had she given him this charge?

Suddenly, she remembered, “By the way, investigating Lady Chang must have cost quite a sum. As for your expenses at the brothels, I will have Manager Yuan reimburse you.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingyi’s tone grew noticeably colder. “That is unnecessary. Your Highness need not be so formal. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Seeing him leave with a sullen expression, Ning Junruo felt a pang of discomfort.

Why had his demeanor changed so suddenly?

Had she said something amiss?