Chapter 1180: No More Relations

Editor: Henyee Translations

Qiao Xuan was taken aback by Auntie Zhu’s implications. Sensing the underlying concern in her words, she responded, “You’re right, Auntie. We are in unfamiliar territory, and it’s essential to take care of ourselves, especially during the harsh winter ahead. We can’t afford to let our guard down, or we’ll face great difficulties. No one will sympathize with us then, and we’ll suffer.”

With a subtle smile, Qiao Xuan used the opportunity to discreetly dismiss Lixia and Liqiu, asking them to attend to the maids who had accompanied Auntie Zhu and offer them tea and snacks.

Once they were gone, Qiao Xuan turned to Auntie Zhu with genuine concern, bowing slightly and speaking sincerely, “Auntie, please guide me and offer your wisdom.”

“No need to bow to me!” Auntie Zhu gently helped Qiao Xuan back up, feeling both gratified and saddened. She appreciated how easily she could converse with such an intelligent person like Qiao Xuan, who seemed to grasp everything without the need for explicit explanations.

However, her sadness stemmed from the realization that from that moment onward, the Young Master would no longer visit the Shao Residence to spend time with her and Officer Shao. The close bond between the two families would also be affected, and they would no longer have the same opportunities to hang out together.

Auntie Zhu reminisced about how the Young Master cherished Madame Shao and Officer Shao. Whenever Madame Shao was absent, the Young Master would spend hours with Officer Shao, enjoying their time together. They would sometimes engage in playful activities, and the Young Master relished those moments.

In the eyes of the servants, the Young Master’s happiness was of utmost importance, outweighing all other considerations.

But…

Auntie Zhu carefully chose her words, not wanting to be too explicit. She sighed, wearing a gentle smile. “Officer Shao and Minister Old Yun are old friends. It’s no surprise that he possesses such great talent, earning recognition from the Emperor and Crown Prince. Despite his young age, he has already joined the Ministry of Revenue from the Hanlin Academy, promising a bright future ahead. However, as time goes on, he will be engrossed in official duties, and Madame Shao will have to attend numerous social gatherings, leaving them with very little free time. Our son enjoys his leisure, and we wouldn’t want to impose upon him any further.”

“Besides, the Prefecture Lord and the Princess Consort of the Prefecture Lord would feel remorseful too.”

“Madame Shao, once I take this step, let’s forget about mentioning it again. Serving alongside a ruler is akin to keeping company with a tiger. Officer Shao’s rise to prominence has attracted suspicion and envy from many quarters. Numerous eyes are watching him closely from afar. Both you and Officer Shao need to be cautious. If someone plots against him, even the Crown Prince might find it challenging to come to his defense.”

“But the Crown Prince is kind-hearted, and if you ever encounter any trouble, don’t hesitate to ask him for help. He will surely assist you!”

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but feel uneasy. A tinge of sadness and reluctance crept into her heart as she contemplated leaving. While she appreciated the genuine concern expressed, she understood the underlying meaning behind “not to disturb.”

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to stay connected, but rather that they couldn’t. Prefecture Lord Anping and his wife had only one child, and they were determined to avoid any entanglements in the imperial court. The entire Lord Anping Manor, led by Prefecture Lord Anping, distanced themselves from such matters.

If Shao Yunduan had merely been an editor at the Imperial College, the two families could continue their close association. However, things had changed now. Shao Yunduan was branded as part of the Crown Prince’s circle, leading to Lord Anping Manor’s reluctance to maintain the same level of interaction.

Their decision was driven by a desire to stay away from any potential conflicts. Whether actively or passively involved, they didn’t want to risk getting entangled in political affairs.

Their ultimate goal was to protect the young heir. By distancing themselves from such matters, they believed the new emperor would take good care of him even after their passing.

In the end, everything they did was for the young master’s well-being. “Thank you for Princess Consort’s concern.”