Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 369: The New Cabinet Scholar

Mu Yan immediately steadied Zhan Lan and said, "Alright... then take it slow."

Zhan Lan asked somewhat gloomily, "Why?"

With a smile on his face, Mu Yan replied, "The Princess can do whatever she wants."

Then he turned his cold gaze to Vermilion Bird and said, "Vermilion Bird, you’re not allowed to give any bad ideas next time. The Princess isn’t some frail woman who can’t take care of herself!"

Vermilion Bird: "..."

"Yes!" Vermilion Bird’s lips twitched as he muttered inwardly: My master, oh my master, you really call the shots in this place! Sigh, even the subordinates have to shoulder the blame with you!

But still, has the little master arrived? He can’t shake the feeling that Madam’s state doesn’t quite resemble it!

Not far away, Yun He briskly approached to report, "Master, Heir Bai Chen has arrived."

Mu Yan frowned and asked, "What is he here for?"

Yun He replied, "Master, he’s playing with dogs in the garden."

Mu Yan and Zhan Lan exchanged glances, with Zhan Lan smiling and saying, "Since the Princely Heir enjoys it, let’s gift him one!"

Mu Yan thought to himself, perhaps what he likes is not necessarily the dog...

The corners of his lips slightly lifted, never mind, let’s not expose him!

...

Bai Chen was playing with three little dogs that had grown a bit and were running around happily in the garden.

Liu Xi brought over a basin of clear boiled water for the dogs to drink. After seeing Bai Chen, she turned and walked away.

Liu Xi thought to herself: Men and women should not touch each other; it’s better to keep a distance. Bai Chen is really odd; without the Regent King and her Miss home these days, he’s been coming here just to play with the dogs.

Moreover, the Hidden Guards left in the mansion don’t stop him from entering. Only in these few days did she find out that Bai Chen was Prince Zhen Nan’s son.

He is also a famously debauched playboy.

Liu Xi has always had no fondness for playboys, and given his exalted status, she does not wish to get involved with him at all.

Bai Chen watched Liu Xi, dressed in a pink gown, looking delightful in the pleasant autumn garden, smilingly said, "Miss Liu, this Heibaihua seems to be acting a bit off."

Liu Xi halted her steps and walked towards the Heibaihua puppy. Bai Chen was pressing on the puppy’s head, and it let out a whine.

Liu Xi half-knelt down and reached out to touch the puppy. Suddenly, Bai Chen withdrew his hand from the dog’s mouth in pain.

The next moment, Liu Xi saw beads of blood forming on Bai Chen’s fingers.

"You ungrateful little thing, you actually bit me!" Bai Chen raised his finger, looking aggrievedly at Liu Xi.

Liu Xi was scared to death; these dogs were her responsibility, and now one had bitten the Princely Heir.

She quickly took the basin of water she had just brought over and immediately grabbed Bai Chen’s finger to rinse the wound.

The corners of Bai Chen’s lips curled into a faint smile as he watched her earnestly wash the wound, her head bowed.

Her brows were tightly furrowed, her cheeks flushed with a white hue, and the soft touch from her hands made his heart race.

Liu Xi didn’t see Bai Chen gazing at her; she was focused on treating his wound.

Liu Xi put down the basin and quickly picked up a Fire Lighter to light it, until Bai Chen felt a scorching heat on the wound, only then did he realize in surprise that Liu Xi was actually cauterizing his wound with fire.

Ever since she took responsibility for the dogs, she had learned what to do if someone got bitten.

Immediately clean the blood and saliva from the wound, then cauterize it with fire to eliminate any poisons.

"Bear with it a bit," said Liu Xi, holding his hand. Although Bai Chen wasn’t in much pain, he was somewhat moved: This girl handled matters smoothly and calmly.

Only when the Fire Lighter went out did Liu Xi blow on the spot where he had been bitten.

The warm sensation made Bai Chen’s ears flush for a moment. In the past, when he flirted playfully, there was no shortage of women by his side, engaging in playful banter with ease.

However, he had never blushed in front of a woman before, this was the first time!

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he withdrew his hand.

Liu Xi rose to her feet and nodded her head, saying, "I’ve offended the Princely Heir."

Bai Chen avoided her gaze and said, "Thank you."

Liu Xi’s voice was gentle yet distant, "Princely Heir, these five dogs have never bitten anyone before, but you were bitten today. It’s my fault for not watching them; I apologize to you and will also apologize and accept punishment from the Prince and Princess."

She was a servant. It was her duty, and failing that duty naturally meant she had to accept her punishment.

Bai Chen looked at her with a guilty conscience and said, "There’s no need for that, you’ve already been very helpful by treating the wound promptly, should it still be medicated?"

Liu Xi nodded, "Please wait, Princely Heir, I’ll fetch it."

"It’s unnecessary for you to run back and forth, I’ll accompany you," Bai Chen said with a slight smile.

Liu Xi led the way, and the two arrived at the quarters where the servants lived.

Observing the propriety between men and women, Liu Xi kept the door open and asked Bai Chen to take a seat at the doorway.

Bai Chen sat on the chair and extended his hand, as Liu Xi took out an ointment and a bandage to wrap his wound.

Bai Chen kept his gaze on her. As her eyelashes lowered, her earnest and tranquil appearance quickened his heart.

When Liu Xi lifted her eyes, Bai Chen immediately looked away.

Bai Chen saw the elegant handwriting on the table from afar and complimented, "Miss Liu Xi has beautiful penmanship."

Liu Xi immediately let go of his hand, walked over, and flipped over all the papers on the table.

Usually, the young lady would remind her to imitate the handwriting of some people. Today, she left in such a hurry that she forgot to destroy them.

Luckily, the person here was Bai Chen. Next time she would have to be extra careful.

"You caught me in a laughable state," Liu Xi feigned embarrassment and gestured, "Princely Heir, the wrapping is done, you can leave now."

Bai Chen stood up, raising his bandaged hand and said, "Today’s incident was due to my carelessness. Miss Liu Xi need not inform the Prince and Princess. If my elder brother knew I was bitten by a dog, he would surely mock me."

Liu Xi nodded in agreement.

Leaving the Regent Prince Mansion in high spirits, Bai Chen looked at his bandaged finger and mused: if Yan knew he deliberately let himself be bitten by a dog just to chase after a girl, what a loss to his dignity!

However, these coming days, he had the perfect excuse to see more of Miss Liu Xi, who had the grace of an orchid and the heart of a gentlewoman.

...

The next day, two high-ranking officials were ousted from the Cabinet; the Three Agencies investigated and found that these two had bribed Liu Hanlin to enter the Cabinet.

Within the Cabinet, among the grand scholars of the highest grade, there were Lu Zhong, Xue Li, and Han Lin. With the death of Liu Hanlin, the Grand Secretary position was temporarily vacant, and Lu Zhong served as the temporary leader of the four.

Yan selected Wang Qingchen from the scholars of the Hanlin Academy, who excelled in all aspects, to join the Cabinet.

Wang Qingchen started as a member of the Cabinet with the rank of Associate Grand Scholar and got involved in assisting the grandees with government affairs and confidential matters.

...

The Crown Prince quietly arrived at the Empress’s sleeping quarters. Lately, the Empress had been sleepless and restless with troubling dreams. A eunuch was massaging her temples.

Seeing her son arrive, the Empress dismissed the attendants around her.

"My son seems bright and radiant today. Is there some happy news?"

The Empress was distraught recently due to the incident with Liu Hanlin, as her son had lost an important supporter.

The Crown Prince’s smile deepened as he replied, "Indeed, mother, there is good news."

The Empress looked at him with curiosity, "What good news has my son grinning from ear to ear?"