Chapter 1104: Understanding
Editor: Henyee Translations
In the eyes of outsiders, Qiao Xuan was perceived as someone who only knew how to care for flowers and trees.
Moreover, she was already quite capable in the presence of the Emperor, and the Fourth Prince wouldn’t gain much from her. Peony flowers didn’t fall ill all the time, and Qiao Xuan’s usefulness lay more in handling emergencies.
The Fourth Prince didn’t need to go through so much trouble.
However, Shao Yunduan was different.
He had achieved the t.i.tle of champion among numerous intermediate masters due to his genuine talent. He was an honest man with high moral values and fearlessness in the face of power. Most importantly, he enjoyed the Emperor’s protection, which wasn’t an easy feat.
Furthermore, anyone from the Qiao Family could easily discover the kind of family they were. It would become evident that Shao Yunduan must have employed some clever tactics to sever ties with the Qiao Family.
In the eyes of outsiders, Qiao Xuan seemed disconnected from all of this.
The Fourth Prince might have realized that it was the Qiao Family who severed ties, but it was Shao Yunduan who successfully escaped the troubles a.s.sociated with them.
Given these factors, it was possible that the Fourth Prince had ulterior motives.
Shao Yunduan’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected his wife to be so astute.
“My love, you’re overthinking,” Shao Yunduan rea.s.sured her, taking her hand and speaking calmly. “I am merely a minor editor at Hanlin Academy, and I’m not worth the efforts of the Fourth Prince. Even if he harbors intentions, now is not the opportune time.”
Qiao Xuan contemplated his words and agreed, deciding to put those thoughts aside.
Instead, she focused on the idea of mountain climbing with him!
The persimmons in the capital were especially sweet, the dates delightfully crunchy, and the grapes incredibly delicious. There was an abundance of these fruits during this time of year.
They planned to climb mountains, purchase fresh fruits from local farmers, search for wild mushrooms and fungi, and enjoy picking wild fruits. It would be a splendid adventure.
Shao Yunduan was well aware that the Fourth Prince had his eyes on him due to the Tian Family incident. However, everything thus far had been a subtle test, nothing overt.
He had maintained a low profile, carefully concealing key information to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. He had successfully evaded a few traps along the way.
For now, things were progressing smoothly.
Shao Yunduan exercised patience, knowing that he needed to wait for the right moment to approach the Emperor and request to be released from his current position.
He had already devised a solid excuse – he desired to become a local official and make tangible contributions to the well-being of the local populace.
That was precisely what he yearned for, as it would allow him to escape the troubles of the capital.
If they remained in the intermediate region of the capital, the Tian Family would eventually catch up to them.
Of course, he could seek the support of a patron and serve the Crown Prince or another prince, but he had no such intentions.
Even though he hadn’t been in the capital for long, he possessed enough clarity to perceive the situation for what it truly was, unswayed by the allure of fame and fortune.
The Emperor dedicated much of his time to cultivation and pill-making, resulting in only five or six imperial court meetings per month.
Governmental affairs were seemingly managed by the Crown Prince, the princes, and the Cabinet Elders.
However, things weren’t as straightforward as they appeared.
The Crown Prince’s kind-heartedness often led to the involvement of various factions and forces before reaching a resolution in most governmental matters.