136 The Truth (1/2)
Li Chenyang had just gotten home from an exhausting day of court politics. Collapsing on the chair in the entry room, he heaved a long and dreary sigh.
”How irritable they are,” he bit out.
What was the point of having so many ministers if all of them were shoving all the work onto the younger ones? His lips tugged downwards, his face scrunching into a deep scowl. The path to becoming a Prime Minister was not easy.
Li Chenyang lazily examined the thick and heavy scroll that he had brought back from the Palace. He was intrigued about the Bai Family and their assets. What could they have to lose and he to gain?
”Let's see…”
He opened the scroll, his eyes scanning through the clean handwriting. Not a single number was incorrectly calculated. To no one's surprise, the Bai Family's monthly income was decent. The majority of it came from their trading ports in Hechen. Without it, they would be forced to rely on Viscount Bai Sheng's inheritance, but even that was dwindling from their lavish and unrestricted spendings.
Li Chenyang shook his head in disappointment. All of the Bai Family's eggs were in one basket. They would be screwed without their trading ports. And their business was steadily declining due to their damaged reputation.
”What to do…” he trailed off, only to straighten when he heard energetic footsteps thumping on the wooden floors of the hallway.
The door slid open and in tumbled Li Xueyue with a bright smile. ”Chenyang, you're home!'”
Li Chenyang's tired expression quirked a bit, a tiny smile on his face. ”How was your day after returning from the Throne Room?”
Li Xueyue realized he didn't know she didn't return home immediately after she was excused from the audience. ”Well, I didn't return here until after an hour or so.”
”Really now?” Li Chenyang sat up taller, shifting into a more comfortable position. ”What happened?”
”I stumbled across Duke Li Taojun and—”
”You saw my uncle today?” Li Chenyang was instantly more awake now. ”What did he say?”
”He asked me some personal questions. It was so strange, I don't think he was serious about them,” Li Xueyue truthfully said, sitting on a chair directly across him.
Li Chenyang waved for a maidservant to serve tea and snacks. ”Tell me what his questions were.”
”Will you report to the Duke?” Li Xueyue asked.
”Would you like me to?” Li Chenyang blinked. Were those questions pressing matters? If she wanted him to, he would. If not, he'd keep his mouth shut for now.
”No, I don't want to burden any of you.”
”Silly girl.” Li Chenyang laughed. ”When were you ever a burden?”
”W-well, I've been acting a bit too spoiled and haughty lately.” Li Xueyue stared at the ground and then back at him, hesitation written on her face. ”Ever since I started meeting more people, I don't know… I feel like I've changed from who I used to be.”
Li Chenyang softly smiled. He agreed with her words. She had indeed changed from a timid and fearful little girl into a confident young lady. She used to speak only when spoken to, avoid making eye contact with people, and bow as low as her upper body would allow her whenever she had to greet someone. Despite all that, she was still the good-natured and family-driven girl he had come to love and protect.
”Sometimes, change is for the best.” Li Chenyang smiled. ”I'd be surprised if all of this pampering didn't spoil you.”
”But, I've become more demanding and a handful. Of course, I didn't mean to start a pity party but—”
”Li Xueyue, there is nothing wrong in a woman having a voice. Be fierce. Be determined. Be everything that is you. I prefer that you show us who you really are rather than suppress your true self behind faux obedience and keeping silent which was instilled into you.”
Li Xueyue was tongue-tied from his words. She expected to be scolded, not uplifted.
Li Chenyang's expression became more gentle. ”Even after the two years that have passed, I know you're still that good-natured girl who offered to teach me and Wenmin archery. Sometimes, that part of you isn't evident, because it's overshadowed by the many other qualities you've developed.”
He cleared his throat, offering her an understanding smile. ”Now, shall we discuss what my uncle asked of you?”
Li Xueyue wrung her fingers together and nodded. Right on cue, the maidservant walked in with the tea and snacks. She urged him to eat first before she took her share of food.
”He asked about my identity and he said, I quote 'who are you exactly?' Of course, I dodged the question.”
Li Chenyang nodded, quietly munching on his almond cookie.
”Then, he asked about my legitimacy as the Duke's daughter.” Li Xueyue understood it was a very touchy subject—her identity. ”I didn't tell him anything.”
Li Chenyang's eyes narrowed. What was his uncle planning? Duke Li Taojun had finally gained the title of a Duke that he wanted all along, but how? With whose help?
Li Chenyang almost laughed out loud. How could he forget the most crucial detail? The lap dog of the royal family was none other than Duke Li Taojun. Of course the Emperor's pet would be rewarded with titles and rewards for doing their dirty deeds. Without a doubt, Duke Li Taojun's best accomplishment was training Wen Jinkai.