Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 173 Mischievous as He
Xue Sui remained silent for a long time.

Li Zhao stared intently at her, his slender fingers lightly smoothing his sleeves, avoiding her gaze, and spoke in a low voice.

"Thank you for your help this time."

Xue Sui's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she bowed to him.

"Your Highness has cleared my aunt's name; I should be thanking Your Highness."

Her words and actions were always polite and courteous, revealing her gentle and respectful nature.

Even if someone saw this, they would probably just think it was a normal greeting.

Who would have known that the mysterious and unpredictable Love Silk Gu had already taken deep root in his bones and blood, like a malignant tumor, eroding and growing, quietly intertwining with the woman's aura, inseparable and inextricable...

Li Zhao looked at her quietly, then suddenly smiled.

"Don't try to fool me. How much affection do you really have for your aunt?"

Xue Sui was slightly taken aback.

Back then, the Xue family treated her coldly. When her aunt, who had entered the palace, returned home to visit her family, she was still a child. She had no contact with such a noble person and did not leave much of an impression on her. Naturally, there was no deep affection or friendship, and she would not deliberately seek justice for her...

It's simply going with the flow.

Does Your Highness perhaps think that she stood up for him?

Xue Sui smiled slightly and did not offer any explanation.

Li Zhao suddenly took a step forward, and the delicate fragrance of bergamot mixed with his innate coolness wafted towards him.

"You knew all along what insidious methods the Xiao family used back then?"

Xue Sui subconsciously looked up.

The prince before him had a calm expression and wore a black python robe, exuding natural nobility.

A sense of foreboding flashed through her mind, and she subtly took a small step back, adopting a slight bow.

"Consort Xiao is adept at using these underhanded methods. She ruthlessly murdered my aunt back then, and now she's instigating Princess Ping Le to commit evil deeds. Mother and daughter are of the same ilk, so this behavior is not surprising. With a little speculation, one can guess what's going on..."

Li Zhao's eyes darkened: "How much else do you know?"

"How much more does Your Highness want to know?" Xue Sui met his gaze, his eyes frank. "We each have our own needs, why insist on getting to the bottom of this?"

Li Zhao's pupils darkened, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"Xue Ping'an, we've weathered storms together, like two wheels of a cart or two wings of a bird. From now on, our fates are intertwined. Why be so clear about it..."

After a slight pause, seeing Xue Sui pursing his lips and looking wary, he couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"I have a request that I cannot make."

Xue Sui remained remarkably calm and smiled faintly. "Please speak."

Li Zhao: "When you speak to me in the future, you might as well add the word 'ya' at the end of your sentences."

Xue Sui raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Give it a try..."

"What is Your Highness up to...?"

"Well said." Li Zhao's eyebrows relaxed and he smiled. "Say it like that from now on."

"Your Highness is ill...?"

"continue……"

"What's wrong with you?"

As soon as Xue Sui spoke, she frowned uncomfortably, and with the addition of an interjection, her entire tone changed. Although she was clearly questioning his words, it inexplicably took on a hint of coquettishness...

Looking at Li Zhao's mischievous smile, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

"childish!"

Li Zhao's smile remained unchanged, his eyes bright as stars.

It was an extremely handsome face.

With his sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and high nose bridge, he was not as stern and aloof as he usually was when he spoke. Instead, a gentle smile revealed a captivating tenderness.

"Xue Ping'an, the love flower you planted for me in Youhuang Residence has already sprouted. When will you have some free time to water it?"

Xue Sui silently curled his lips, "Is Your Highness thirsty?"

Li Zhao choked on her words, his Adam's apple bobbing, and a dark undercurrent seemed to well up in his calm eyes.

"Xue Ping'an, you'll remember this—"

Before he finished speaking, the hurried footsteps of palace servants could be heard in the distance.

Li Zhao suddenly leaned forward, bracing his hands on the mottled pillars of the corridor, blocking Xue Sui in a narrow corner, and drew his voice closer.

"From now on, speak like this..."

Xue Sui gasped slightly. Seeing that he had finished speaking and then turned and left, she straightened up, looked at the departing figure, and gave a graceful bow.

"Farewell to His Highness the Crown Prince."

Xiao Zhao hurried over from around the corner of the palace wall and said in a low voice, "Miss, the Princess has sent someone to look for you."

Xue Sui nodded and looked up at the towering, layered palace.

It was magnificent and imposing, like a lurking beast, and all of them were nothing more than ants in its mouth.

"Let's go." She turned around, her skirt sweeping over the fallen leaves on the steps.

The wide sleeves of the brocade robe fluttered slightly in the wind, like a lone goose resolutely flying towards this embroidered cage...

……

The setting sun sank behind the eaves and animal-shaped ornaments. Li Zhao leaned against the vermilion pillars of the corridor. Only after Xue Sui had gone far away did he slowly turn around and walk towards the Linde Hall.

Laifu followed cautiously behind. "Your Highness..."

He whispered a reminder, "Your conversation with Madam Ping An might fall into the eyes of those with ulterior motives..."

Li Zhao did not turn around; his calm eyes concealed a turbulent undercurrent, as if holding a thousand thoughts.

"I know what I'm doing."

Lai Fu lowered his head and sighed to himself.

Unable to accept it, yet unable to let it go, he resisted and struggled with her, yet was still willing to accompany her on this path of no return.

If the ending is just a mirage, will Your Highness accept it calmly and honor the outcome?
The sounds of clinking glasses drifted from the Linde Hall, the laughter of nobles and ministers rising and falling, sometimes near, sometimes far...

The palace was brightly lit, and officials were seated according to their rank. The jubilant atmosphere caused the golden silk curtains to sway gently in the breeze. Musicians played the chime bells, their melodies melodious, while dancers moved gracefully in their movements…

Li Zhao pinched the bridge of his nose, then roused himself and stepped over the threshold.

"Your Highness." Li Zhaogang had just sat down when his deep voice came from beside him.

He leaned slightly forward, looking at Li Huan's face, which was glowing with a clear light, and the corners of his smiling lips turned up slightly.

"Does Your Majesty wish to speak with me?"

Li Huan said, "Just now, all the officials drank together, praying for the Emperor's good health and the prosperity of the nation, but you were not here. This cup of wine must be made up for it..."

He held a jade pot and poured wine for Li Zhao.

Li Zhao's gaze was cold and indifferent. "I've given it up."

Li Huan squinted, rubbing the emerald green thumb ring against its rim.

"Fifth Prince said you went to Cixi Palace to celebrate the birthday to avoid drinking, and I didn't believe you. But now it seems..."

“Brother Emperor,” Li Zhao interrupted with a light laugh, “I’ve given up alcohol since the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Has no one told you that I’ve been taking medicine all this time?”

Li Huan was slightly taken aback.

He certainly sent people to inquire about news from the Crown Prince's palace.

But the officials and advisors of the Crown Prince's palace are all tight-lipped...

"What illness does the Crown Prince suffer from?"

Li Zhao slightly curved his lips and said calmly, "By the grace of Princess Ping Le, my heart palpitations have been cured..."

Li Huan's gaze swept over his pale lips, a hint of doubt flashing across his face. "Then this cup of wine... Your Highness, please take a small sip, so as to accept Father Emperor's wishes..."

“Your Majesty has always been extremely filial.” Li Zhao’s smile deepened, and he said meaningfully, “But my life is also very important.”

Their eyes met in mid-air, as if sparks were flying.

Li Qian, who was sitting to one side, suddenly chuckled and reached out to grab the wine glass.

"Your Majesty has been working hard for over a month to prepare for Grandmother's birthday banquet, and I admire you greatly. I'd like to join in the fun and offer you a toast."

He clearly sensed the awkward atmosphere and was trying to smooth things over.

Li Huan's expression was gentle. "It is my duty to make proper arrangements for my grandmother's birthday. How can I accept the respect from my younger brother? I cannot accept this cup of wine."

Li Qian really just wanted to ease the situation.

He was young and not good at social maneuvering. After being rejected by Li Huan, he looked at the wine cup in his hand and didn't know what to say for a moment.

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhao, who was seated at the head of the table, suddenly spoke up.

"You brothers are quite harmonious. Come, I am in high spirits today. Let us drink this cup together with you brothers, using this fine wine as a toast, to wish the Empress Dowager continued blessings, and that the Great Liang Dynasty prosper for generations to come..."

Prince Wei, Li Yan, and Prince Chun, Li Qian, both stood up and raised their cups in unison.

"Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree."

Emperor Chongzhao stroked his beard and laughed heartily, "You brothers should be of one mind and one heart, safeguard the foundation of the state, and not fail my high expectations."

After saying that, he looked at Li Zhao, who was sitting quietly, and the corners of his lips unconsciously drooped.

"Your Highness, today is the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, a day of celebration for the entire court. Do not spoil the fun."

He commanded respect without anger, and his tone left no room for argument.

Li Zhao raised his eyes, glanced at Li Huan, and slowly raised his wine cup.

"It seems I have no choice but to drink."

These words were spoken to Li Huan, very softly, almost inaudibly.

Li Huan glanced at him, then suddenly bowed with his hands clasped.

"Father, the Crown Prince is unwell and should not drink alcohol. Your son will drink this cup in his stead..."

Emperor Chongzhao's eyes were filled with displeasure as he glanced at Li Huan with a gloomy face.

Li Zhao chuckled softly and raised his wine cup, "Your subject will do it himself."

He picked up his wine cup, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

The strong liquor slid down my throat, and my Adam's apple bobbed slightly...

Memories, like shattered ice, come rushing in one after another.

At his sixth birthday banquet, not long after his grandfather passed away, his position as crown prince was precarious. At that time, an old minister of the Xiao family brought him the same carved wine pot and offered him wine as a sign of filial piety.

The emperor not only did not stop it, but also watched coldly from the sidelines.

At the age of twelve, during a winter hunt, he suddenly felt dizzy and fell off his horse. He wanted to go back to his tent to rest, but his father praised his elder brother for his perseverance and courage, saying that he never backed down in the face of adversity. He also scolded him for being spoiled and pampered and not being able to shoulder great responsibilities.

So he forced himself to continue, but after returning to Beijing he fell seriously ill and almost died...

At the age of fifteen, the court held a grand ceremony to worship Heaven. As the Crown Prince, he should have been the main figure in the ceremony, but his ceremonial robes were splashed with ink. He reported this and demanded a thorough investigation, but his father, the Emperor, determined it was the negligence of a palace servant close to Li Zhao. He not only punished the servant with a cane but also confined Li Zhao to his quarters to reflect on his mistake. The missed ceremony was performed by Li Huan in his place…

Over the years, he has drunk far more than just this cup of bitter wine.
There was also the emperor's suppression and his brothers' scheming...