Chapter 318 122: Trouble for the Prime Minister's Mansion? Jiang Ruxian's Early Move and Emperor Xia's Warning

From time to time, she would place a few peeled grapes into his mouth, a satisfied and happy smile gracing her picturesque features as if she greatly enjoyed the intimate gesture.

Emperor Xia snorted coldly. "Young Master Jiang, you certainly know how to enjoy yourself."

As the ruler of Great Xia, even she rarely had such leisurely, comfortable moments. Yet here was Jiang Lan, indulging like this every night. And to top it all off, she had to come find him personally over a matter concerning the Prime Minister's Mansion.

This only made her more annoyed.

Already filled with displeasure, it was almost written all over her face.

Jiang Lan's half-closed eyes finally opened, as if he were quite surprised to see Emperor Xia here.

"Hao Xinren, we've only been apart for a day, and you've already come looking for me. To what do I owe the pleasure?" he said with a smile.

With a wave of his hand, the singers and dancers in the room bowed in unison and withdrew.

In truth, Jiang Lan had long known that Emperor Xia would seek him out. After all, she had already taken the bait he'd cast.

As for when she would find him, it was only a matter of time.

'But he hadn't expected Emperor Xia to come looking for him so quickly...'

'Things were going much more smoothly than he had anticipated.'

'It was just that there was still no word from Song Youwei. She must have been held up by something.'

Jiang Lan sat up a little straighter and gestured for Emperor Xia to take a seat.

The room's furnishings were simple. A large bamboo mat was spread on the floor before him, along with a few silk-woven cushions and a dark red, lacquered red-bean wood table holding some Spirit Fruits and wine.

Emperor Xia merely glanced at the setup, showing no intention of sitting down. She said expressionlessly, "I came to find you on important business, of course. Did Young Master Jiang think everyone is as idle as you?"

Jiang Lan seemed unbothered by her veiled jab, smiling as he replied, "It's true, I am quite idle. After all, I have nothing to do all day. My parents are raising me as if I'm useless, so I don't need to worry about a thing."

"Isn't this a good life, though?"

Emperor Xia grew even more annoyed. Her gaze swept over You'Er, who was beside Jiang Lan.

She had sent people to investigate Jiang Lan, so she naturally knew the girl was the slave he had rescued from the fighting pit that day.

After just a few days, she looked as if she'd been completely reborn.

Especially... when she noticed the aura on You'Er.

"The Imperial Extreme Creation Pill I gave you... you had her consume it?" Emperor Xia's gaze turned discernibly colder.

She could naturally sense the aura of the Imperial Extreme Creation Pill. It was an elixir pill so rare and precious that it was nearly impossible to find in the outside world, something even the disciples of the Royal Family treasured.

'He actually wasted such a treasure on a slave?'

"Since you gave it to me, isn't it my business who I have consume it?"

"What, are you going to manage this too?" Jiang Lan's expression remained casual.

Emperor Xia snorted coldly, in no mood to bicker with him about it.

With an expressionless face, she swiped her hand. A clear light flashed, and a rolled-up scroll painting materialized. She tossed it directly in front of Jiang Lan.

"What's this?" Jiang Lan asked, feigning surprise.

"See for yourself," Emperor Xia said flatly.

Jiang Lan unrolled the painting. After just a single glance, the casual expression on his face vanished. He then silently rolled the painting back up.

Emperor Xia had fully expected this reaction from him.

"How did you get this painting?" Jiang Lan asked.

Recalling his response from the previous day, Emperor Xia said flatly, "You don't need to know that. You only need to know that the Prime Minister's Mansion is about to be in trouble."

"Trouble?"

Jiang Lan's brows furrowed slightly. He finally raised his gaze to meet Emperor Xia's face.

Though she was in disguise, her eyes were bright and brilliant, yet also deep, exuding an indescribable, majestic air. At this moment, she met his gaze with perfect calm.

'Is Emperor Xia trying to bluff me? Why else would she say that? Does she really think that knowing this secret is enough to threaten the Prime Minister's Mansion?'

He pondered for a moment.

Seeing Jiang Lan's expression, a rare feeling of delight arose in Emperor Xia's heart. The previous day, in Jiang Lan's presence, she had constantly felt as if he were leading her by the nose, as if he could see right through her.

She said flatly, "It seems, Young Master Jiang, that you are not yet aware of the situation."

"I am indeed unaware. But if the Prime Minister's Mansion runs into trouble, my parents will handle it. Why should I worry myself over it? I'm afraid you've told the wrong person," Jiang Lan said with a laugh.

"You really don't want to know what kind of trouble it is?"

Jiang Lan's reaction was completely within Emperor Xia's expectations. Her tone, though still level, now carried a hint of intrigued interest.

"I don't." Jiang Lan was certain she was trying to trick him into talking.

'Since the Liu Clan has already been rescued by the Observatory's Linglong Commander, Emperor Xia must have learned from them about the Prime Minister's Mansion's secret from over a decade ago.'

'Her probing me like this is nothing more than an attempt to bluff me and see if I know about the matter.'

"So stubborn. But to still feign such composure at a time like this... that's just like you."

"You should recognize the person in this painting. She was your former wet nurse," Emperor Xia said with a soft chuckle.

Jiang Lan looked at her, gesturing for her to continue.

"Right now, she has been taken away by a mysterious and powerful woman in white..." Emperor Xia kept her eyes fixed on Jiang Lan's expression.

And as she said this, she finally saw a flicker of emotion ripple across Jiang Lan's face.

"A woman in white?"

Jiang Lan looked at her intently.

Emperor Xia gave a mocking smile. "Looks like you can't keep up the act anymore, can you?"