Chapter 33: Probing
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The cold wind howled, and snowflakes danced wildly in the air, carried by the fierce gusts like flying dragons and serpents.
Standing outside the gate, Wang Shijie was nearly frozen to death. Only when Ziyuan announced, “His Highness summons you inside,” did Wang Shijie feel as if he had been granted amnesty. Shivering, he hugged his arms and hurried into the Qi Prince’s estate.
Xiao Ming had already moved from the side hall to the study. The secrets of the side hall were not something Wang Shijie could be allowed to see.
“Your Highness, you nearly froze me to death,” Wang Shijie said with a sneeze, looking utterly aggrieved. “I don’t know how I’ve offended you these past few days to deserve such treatment.”
Xiao Ming gestured to the chair opposite him, inviting Wang Shijie to sit, and said with a smile, “Brother Wang, you worry too much. I had some urgent matters to attend to earlier, which is why I kept you waiting. But on such a cold day, didn’t you come by carriage? Why are you covered in snow?”
“Your Highness, I was in such a hurry to see you this morning that I didn’t even have time to prepare a carriage,” Wang Shijie replied, moving closer to the coal stove to warm himself.
Xiao Ming feigned ignorance and asked, “On such a bitterly cold day, Brother Wang must have come in such a rush for something important, right?”
“Well…” Wang Shijie hesitated for a moment before asking, “I heard that a few days ago, Your Highness gave the Qin family a fine wine to sell. Is this true?”
“Indeed, it is. I even saved a jar of that wine for you, Brother Wang, planning to have it sent over to warm you up. I didn’t expect you to come here yourself,” Xiao Ming said, knowing full well that Wang Shijie was more interested in how he had brewed the wine. But he deliberately avoided mentioning it.
Wang Shijie clasped his hands and said, “Your Highness, you even remembered to send me wine. I’m truly moved. Since it’s brewed by Your Highness, I must have a few cups.”
“That’s no trouble at all. Li San, go fetch the wine,” Xiao Ming called out.