My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 36.1

After parting ways with Lu Wuyou, Helan Ci, under the guidance of the palace eunuchs, headed straight to the inner palace.

Ever since marrying her husband, her seat was no longer near the front. Helan Ci instead felt more at ease. However, as she lifted her skirt to find her seat, she noticed a noblewoman coldly staring at her, as if she were a beauty that brings disaster¹.

Yao Qianxue didn’t come this time, and Helan Ci listened for quite a while before realizing that the other party was the wife of Duke Cao. She suddenly understood, though she also felt a bit at a loss for words.

This time, the dishes for the palace banquet were no longer prepared by the Ministry of Rites but were instead served by the Imperial Kitchen Department of the inner palace. The food on the plates was visibly much better, but Helan Ci didn’t dare to eat even a bite. She had eaten a bit before leaving, and now she only dared to carefully hold her cup and pretend to drink tea.

Noble Consort Li sat at the head of the table, with several concubines who had borne children sitting next to her in order, including the mothers of the First and Third Princes.

The First Prince’s mother, Consort Ning, had been a palace maid. The Third Prince’s mother, Consort Jing, was the daughter of the Prefect of Qizhou, whose official rank was third grade — a high-ranking regional officer. But now, both of them kept their heads down and behaved meekly, not daring to show off in front of Noble Consort Li.

Actually, before she rose to prominence, Noble Consort Li was just an obscure minor official’s daughter in the capital. Her father was imprisoned for corruption, and she was implicated along with him. In terms of background, she might not even compare to the First Prince’s mother.

But once chosen by the Emperor, she instantly soar to the top.

It was the kind of success that people ought to envy. Yet, as Helan Ci looked at the elegantly dressed palace consorts, she unexpectedly felt an inexplicable sense of sorrow. She absentmindedly lowered her head and almost drank the tea into her mouth, but fortunately, she reacted in time.

Noble Consort Li and the noblewomen sitting nearby were chatting and laughing. Even from such a distance, she could hear the sounds of their conversation and laughter.

Realizing that Noble Consort Li didn’t seem to notice her, Helan Ci felt a bit more at ease.

Just then, the palace maid serving food in front of her lost her grip and spilled a bowl of soup. Helan Ci quickly moved to the side, but despite her swift reaction, quite a bit still splashed on her clothes.

That palace maid turned pale and immediately knelt on the ground, apologizing profusely, and took out a handkerchief, wanting to clean Helan Ci’s clothes.

Fortunately, the soup wasn’t scalding hot, but the sticky, thick liquid clung to her dress, leaving Helan Ci momentarily at a loss for what to do.

The palace maid knelt on the ground and said, “If it pleases you, noble lady, I can help you change into another outfit… I’ll take this dress and wash it right away, right away.”

Even if Helan Ci were possessed by a ghost, she wouldn’t dare agree. While she took a handkerchief to wipe the stains herself, she waved her hand and said, “It’s fine, let’s leave it at that.”
“But this won’t do…”
The maid began to kowtow with loud thuds, which drew attention from those around them. Helan Ci tried to stop her but couldn’t, and the commotion was so big that it caught everyone’s notice.
Noble Consort Li began to ask, “What happened?” The eunuch beside her immediately whispered a report. She seemed surprised and exclaimed, “How can there still be such a clumsy maid? Why are you standing there dazed? Hurry up and take the person to change clothes!”

At that moment, three or four palace maids and a young eunuch suddenly appeared.

Helan Ci couldn’t stubbornly refuse to leave, but at this moment, she was clear-headed. The palace was not like the princess’s mansion; there should still be some decorum. Moreover, she was now married and didn’t care as much about her reputation. If it came to it, she had a hairpin on her and also the things Lu Wuyou had given her, so she could still escape.

After regaining her composure, Helan Ci followed the palace maids out of the main hall.
“We specifically requested the Tailoring Bureau for a similar one to the one the noble lady is wearing…”

Helan Ci didn’t let them approach her. She removed the soiled robe herself and quickly changed into the clean one, retying her sash. She had never changed clothes this quickly in her life — even her fingers were tense and sore.

After changing, she walked out quickly without looking back, only feeling relieved once she stepped out of the hall.
But she hadn’t gone far before the tension returned.
“Miss Helan.”
This voice was low and cold, still as slithery as a snake, instantly evoking many spine-chilling memories for Helan Ci.

She turned on her heel and immediately wanted to escape.

The other party had already blocked her path. Xiao Nanxun no longer wore the predatory gaze he’d shown before; instead, there was a hint of dejection in his eyes.

But Helan Ci did not dare to let her guard down in the slightest.

“Miss Helan, rest assured, I won’t do anything to you. If I really wanted to do something, I wouldn’t be waiting outside the hall—I am just curious and want to ask you a few questions, I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Helan Ci finally spoke up and said, “This humble one is no longer Miss Helan.”

Xiao Nanxun let out a cold laugh and said, “Does Miss Helan want to thank me for this? … I just don’t understand. He’s just a Zhuangyuan, and even if he reaches the pinnacle, he’s still just a subject. Right now, he’s even less worth mentioning. In terms of background and appearance, I far surpass him. Why would Miss Helan choose him over me?”

Helan Ci really didn’t know where his confidence came from. Forget background — how did he surpass in looks?

Hasn’t he looked in the mirror?

If anything, it was the other way around.

Of course, Helan Ci didn’t dare to say that. She politely said, “Your Highness is of noble birth and has countless admirers. Why bother with a married woman?”

Xiao Nanxun directly said, “You won’t even tell me one honest word.”

Helan Ci thought to herself, if she told the truth, he would only get angrier.

“I used to only want to hear lies,” Xiao Nanxun said with a hint of mockery, “Everyone kept reminding me who I am. But now I want to hear the truth. Miss Helan, I truly don’t understand. Who wouldn’t want gold and silver, fine clothes, and wealth? I know the Helan family is poor, and that new husband of yours isn’t necessarily well-off either. You had a golden opportunity to rise above everyone else, and you refused — why?”

There was a trace of temptation in his voice: “Perhaps you’ve never experienced what it’s like to live in luxury — where with just a flick of your finger, everything is prepared for you. They kneel before you, eyes full of obedience, giving you anything you desire without effort or hardship.”

Helan Ci was dumbfounded.

What is he doing? Practicing to be a lobbyist?

And he actually prepared such a long speech.

In the midst of speaking, Xiao Nanxun silently took a step forward.

At this moment, Helan Ci reacted quickly and took a step back.

The other party had spoken so earnestly, and compared to before, they seemed particularly amiable. She figured that being perfunctory would only anger him, so Helan Ci pondered for a moment and said honestly, “……Your Highness, the life you described is indeed appealing, but it ultimately has nothing to do with me.My father taught me from a young age: ‘He who knows contentment will never be poor.’… Your Highness is merely infatuated with my appearance, but beauty fades. With your status, there will always be younger, prettier women by your side. When that day comes, what would I be? Moreover…” she bit her lip, “If there’s even the slightest chance, I would never want to serve a man with my looks, to compete with other women in the harem for favor. That kind of life would make me feel like nothing but a walking corpse.”

He was momentarily stunned.

Seeing he was shocked, Helan Ci took the opportunity to sneak away. She had already taken two steps when Xiao Nanxun suddenly seemed to come to his senses. He stepped forward, the emerald silver chain on him clinking sharply.

The training during this period has begun to show results; before Xiao Nanxun’s hand could even touch her, Helan Ci had skillfully dodged.

He instantly reverted to his sinister demeanor and said, “A walking corpse? You dare to say that marrying that zhuangyuan means you’re not a walking corpse? Didn’t he have to marry you because he forcibly took you? Isn’t it because of your looks? Speaking so grandly, can you guarantee that he won’t have other women by his side in the future?” He sneered slightly, “With the way you look, you’re clearly made for serving in bed. What are you deluding yourself with? That scholar won’t live long — you’ll eventually…”

She instinctively reached for the bracelet in her sleeve. Xiao Nanxun had a special status, and she couldn’t risk injuring him — she still needed to escape. He wouldn’t dare send someone after her. If she could find a place to hide — a roof beam or tree — she could disappear for a while… then return to the banquet as if nothing had happened.

Thinking this way, Helan Ciyuan recalled the path she had just taken, trying hard to plan her route.

Just as she was about to turn and run, a woman’s voice interrupted them.

“May I ask who that esteemed guest standing over there is? My lady wishes to invite her into the palace for a chat.”

Helan Ci and Xiao Nanxun were both taken aback.

Leaning against the lantern’s dim light, I could finally see that there stood a court lady over there, around thirty years old, with an elegant appearance and a dignified expression.

Xiao Nanxun let out a cold snort and then walked away. Helan Ci breathed a sigh of relief, feeling grateful that the other person had helped her out, but she didn’t know who she was, so she introduced herself first.

The woman smiled gently. “So it is Lady An². The hall is this way. Please come with me.”

Helan Ci: “…?”

They genuinely want to meet her?

This night had certainly been eventful. She wondered how Lu Wuyou was doing.

Lu Wuyou was drinking at the banquet, enjoying the feast, and just a moment ago, the Emperor had even promoted him.

Bestowing an official title on the spot is a great honor. The gathered officials came one after another to offer congratulations. Whether they knew him or not, whether familiar or not, all raised their cups to toast his promotion as You Zhongyun of the Imperial Secretariat. his promotion to the Right Deputy Minister of the Zhanfu.

Lu Wuyou wouldn’t refuse and kept drinking one cup after another.
But ever since Shao’an Gongzhu appeared, things had started to feel off.
Everyone knew how she used to chase after him. Now, perhaps having been warned, she dared not approach directly and instead sat across from him, looking at him with misty eyes, aggrieved and tearful.
Anyone unaware might have thought they had something going on.
Lu Wuyou, unable to bear the annoyance, made an excuse to slip out, but still felt somewhat unsettled.

The Huagai Hall is quite far from the Kunning Palace, but since it is a banquet set by Noble Consort Li, it should be in the Yude Palace, which seems to be slightly closer. He recalled the layout he had seen before, thinking about how to best avoid the guards on this path, when he suddenly heard Shaoan’s Gongzhu voice behind him: “…… You are so cold to me.”

Lu Wuyou thought, If i’m not so cold then you will give me another medicine?

However, he is already married now, so there’s nothing to worry about.

His tone remained distant and polite: “May I ask what the princess needs?”