Chapter 9: The Willow Soul

Qin Jinghao’s thoughts were still lingering on the rice paper that Luo Yunyao had huffed at in frustration just moments ago.

The paper, blown open, was like a bridal veil lifted to reveal a face waiting in anticipation. Her warm breath had fluttered against his palm.

Finally, amid Luo Yunyao’s look of confusion and growing impatience, Qin Jinghao snapped back to reality. Regardless of what she had asked him before, he simply nodded.

Luo Yunyao, having no idea that he hadn't heard a word she said, foolishly took his nod as a profound life lesson and tucked it away. She sighed to herself in annoyance, shaking her head. "How did I not think of this logic sooner? I almost left myself open to criticism. Truly foolish."

Amused by the youth’s adorable demeanor, Qin Jinghao reached out and ruffled her hair. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Caught off guard by the warmth of his palm, Luo Yunyao was momentarily dazed.

Qin Jinghao continued his consolation: "You are the top scholar of the new imperial examination. If you achieve nothing at this gathering of poets, you will be looked down upon." However, General Qin was not exactly well-versed in the nuances of social grace or comforting others. He added, "Of course, being an official has nothing to do with writing poetry. In fact, if your poetry is mediocre, it only better highlights your administrative achievements."

Luo Yunyao was so incensed that she forgot she had just been petted like a younger brother. She looked up, glared at him resentfully, let out a heavy, nasal "Hmph," and turned away, refusing to speak to him.

General Qin finally realized he had said the wrong thing. He continued gently, "It’s alright. The Crown Prince is here this time. Just be more careful next time."

Luo Yunyao felt this man was beyond help. She suddenly began to wonder: was Qin Jinghao a neutral party simply because he didn't know how to talk to people?

"It's fine, I have the Crown Prince next time too."

As soon as she said it, she cursed herself for being impulsive. She glanced around nervously and only relaxed when she saw Xiao Limo still standing in the crowd.

Qin Jinghao found the youth increasingly adorable, yet felt a strange prick of irritation in his heart. The General attributed this to seeing his "little brother" relying on an outsider instead of him.

"So, have you decided to follow the Crown Prince?" The tone shifted back to business.

This suited Luo Yunyao perfectly. She wasn't close enough to Qin Jinghao to keep bantering, and besides, Princess Yue was still by the General's side. Luo Yunyao had no desire to offend a member of the royal family.

She stepped back to create some distance, cupped her hands in a formal bow, and replied earnestly, "Since I have chosen the position of Minister of War, which you once held, is my intention not already obvious?"

Qin Jinghao did not mind her sudden formality. To be honest, the General found it to be the typical stuffiness of a scholar. Although he was a man of letters himself, he was not one for such rigid etiquette. He was direct, which was why he remained a neutral military man.

"They won't let you off so easily. You should start thinking about how to get past Prime Minister Lu."

Luo Yunyao, who hadn't truly considered this, tensed up. "I humbly ask for your guidance, Lord Qin."

Qin Jinghao looked up at the sky, his voice light. "What guidance could I possibly give you? Just follow your heart."

Luo Yunyao scoffed inwardly—you were just lecturing me on the Doctrine of the Mean, why be humble now?

While it was said that heroes have trouble resisting the charms of a beauty, and the Marquis’s faction had the whispers of two concubines in their favor, Luo Yunyao had seen through both the Marquis and the Second Prince, Xiao Ming. Those who rely on power to bully others were nothing to be feared.

As for Prime Minister Lu... the Prime Minister controlled the Six Ministries. Moreover, the Crown Prince was who he was. Clearly, the balance of power leaned in this direction.

Even if the Emperor held the ultimate authority, the world would eventually belong to the young. What did the Emperor matter? The Crown Prince was the true path to power!

Therefore, even if one remained neutral, one still had to curry favor with the Crown Prince.

Luo Yunyao unconsciously folded the rice paper she had taken from Qin Jinghao. After making up her mind, she asked in a low voice, "If I become someone who says one thing but does another, people will dislike me, won't they?"

Qin Jinghao waited quietly for her to finish thinking; he didn't judge her decision. In the official world, one is rarely the master of one's own fate. "Just do what you enjoy. Never forget your original intent."

He finally said something human. Luo Yunyao was so happy she wanted to send him flowers.

However, before she could even thank him, she was interrupted by a cooing, "Brother Qin! Brother Qin!"

Seeing Yue Liuxi rushing over, both Qin Jinghao and Luo Yunyao tactfully stepped back.

Luo Yunyao couldn't help but admire Yue Liuxi; even in the modern era, few dared to call their boyfriend "Brother," let alone in ancient times.

Yue Liuxi successfully latched onto Qin Jinghao.

Luo Yunyao had already wisely retreated beyond the Princess's line of sight, and Yue Liuxi, whose heart was entirely focused on Qin Jinghao, had no time for her.

From a distance, Luo Yunyao held up Qin Jinghao's poem, giving a helpless look that said, "I can't return your poem now."

Qin Jinghao nodded faintly, as if to say, *It’s fine, keep it; consider it a gift.*

Luo Yunyao was immediately pleased, and before leaving, she wished him good luck.

As Qin Jinghao had predicted, shortly after the poetry gathering, Luo Yunyao received an invitation from Prime Minister Lu.

Verandas, pavilions, and shadows of trees—every step revealed a new scene.

Unlike the opulent splendor of the Marquis’s estate, Prime Minister Lu’s home was more elegant, imbued with the refined air of a scholar—subtle yet authoritative.

"This humble official pays respects to the Prime Minister... and greets His Highness the Crown Prince. May the Crown Prince be well." Xiao Limo was there, which surprised her, though upon reflection, it made perfect sense.

Xiao Limo sat at the head of the table, sipping tea, looking as if he had been there for some time. He nodded at Luo Yunyao and gestured to the seat beside him. "Minister Luo, please sit."

Xiao Limo was pointing to the seat next to his—a seat of honor, a position of seniority. Luo Yunyao certainly dared not sit there, not only because the Prime Minister’s rank was far higher than hers, but also because this was the Prime Minister's residence.

Luo Yunyao smiled awkwardly and bowed to the Prime Minister. "Prime Minister, please."

Prime Minister Lu smiled kindly, stroking his beard. "I thought that because of the Crown Prince's fondness for you at the poetry gathering, you might have become a bit too informal, Minister Luo."

...So that was why Xiao Limo had done something so reckless. It was a test.

If Luo Yunyao had been thick-skinned enough to sit there, her chance to join the Prime Minister's faction would have vanished. Who would dare employ someone who grows arrogant from favoritism?

Xiao Limo passed the tea, just refilled by a maid, to the Prime Minister and laughed. "I told you, Uncle, that Minister Luo is not someone who lacks a sense of propriety."

Prime Minister Lu Kai’s sister had been Xiao Limo’s mother, so they were exceptionally close, privately addressing each other as "Mo'er." The only pity was that Empress Lu had passed away early.

Once Lu Kai saw Luo Yunyao seated in an appropriate place, he sat beside Xiao Limo, took his teacup, and said to Luo Yunyao with a look of contrition, "It was my fault. I judged a gentleman with a petty mind."

Luo Yunyao smiled back and quickly smoothed things over. "Pardon my bluntness, Prime Minister. Your caution is comprehensive. One day, His Highness will surely ascend the throne, and it is only right for you to thoroughly examine the character of those who serve him."

The corners of Lu Kai’s eyes, crinkled with age, filled with appreciation.

Watching Luo Yunyao’s humble, graceful, and tactful display, Xiao Limo felt a surge of pride. He was determined to have this person.

He waited for the maid to refill Luo Yunyao’s tea, raised his cup from afar, and after they both took a sip, he said, "Minister Luo, this remark of yours is..." He smiled, his eyes curving. Luo Yunyao had a bad premonition, and sure enough, he paused before continuing, "...an agreement to assist me and help correct my shortcomings, is it not?"

Because Luo Yunyao had spoken on behalf of the Prime Minister, her position was naturally aligned with his, and the Prime Minister was the leader of the Crown Prince's faction. Furthermore, she had just unhesitatingly assumed Xiao Limo would ascend the throne. Therefore, the implication that she was acting in his best interest was clear.

Luo Yunyao used the act of drinking tea to hide her shifting gaze. She slowly set the cup down and replied, "What merit or ability does this humble official have to correct Your Highness?" She blinked innocently. "Besides, does Your Highness not already have the Prime Minister and the Grand Tutor?"

Luo Yunyao was asking Xiao Limo what position he could promise her. With so many capable people around him, what benefit was there in her joining his ranks?

This was somewhat rude, not in line with her previous humble persona.

But this youthful spirit also showed that she was, after all, an ordinary person. It made her easy to control, though her weaknesses could also bring disaster. She hadn't spoken fully; she had demonstrated her talent, but she also had shortcomings, and she didn't want others to be disappointed in her later.

Having cast this bait, Luo Yunyao expected Xiao Limo to throw it back.

She expected him to say something like, "I look forward to your performance regardless of your ability, and I am sure you won't disappoint me."

Instead, Xiao Limo replied with absolute composure, "The Grand Tutor doesn't concern himself with my administrative affairs. As for my uncle... he is so busy every day, how could he manage so much of me?" Xiao Limo looked at Luo Yunyao intently. "Besides, I don't only want to be close to you for the sake of politics. We can discuss poetry and literature; the Grand Tutor even says I should learn from your refined choice of words."

Luo Yunyao felt the gaze of this cold, noble prince was too bewitching; she was almost sucked into his focused eyes. Xiao Limo continued to appeal to her emotions: "My mother passed away early, and my father is strict with me. I have lacked a companion since I was young. Lately, seeing you, I have felt a sense of kinship."

The words were gentle, yet every syllable was pressing, especially Xiao Limo’s gaze, which Luo Yunyao could barely withstand.

This was a promise from Xiao Limo. The implication was clear: *Luo Yunyao, I promise you the position closest to me. I respect the Grand Tutor, I honor the Prime Minister, but I feel close to you. What do you say?*

As the Crown Prince, Xiao Limo was naturally a formidable figure. He appeared cold and distant, yet his inner sharpness was exposed. It was truly difficult to resist when he set his mind to winning someone over.

As Luo Yunyao struggled with a headache, Lu Kai added, "It is my sister and I who have failed you, Your Highness." He teased Xiao Limo, but joined him in pressuring Luo Yunyao. "Minister Luo, you should hurry and agree. If he ever mentions this in front of my sister, I would have no face to see her in the afterlife."

Prime Minister Lu’s words carried even more weight. Things had reached this point, and he was an elder. How could she refuse? To refuse would be to show disrespect to one's elders and superiors. The Prime Minister was truly an old fox in the political arena. He remained silent until he needed to speak, and when he did, he left no room for retreat.