Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 178 Inquiry
Xue Yuechen's heart stirred, and she exchanged a glance with Xue Sui.

They got up, straightened their clothes, and went out hand in hand.

Upon arriving at the flower hall, they saw Princess Ruihe smiling as she looked at the paintings on the wall, with a maidservant beside her carrying a pile of gifts.

"Greetings, Princess." Xue Yuechen spoke first.

Princess Ruihe turned around, first bowed to Xue Yuechen, then looked at Xue Sui with her pretty eyes, her smile full of meaning.

"Lady Ping An looks even more radiant than before."

Xue Sui smiled slightly, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Highness is too kind. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Princess Ruihe's expression changed.

Does she even deserve to ask? This Lady Ping An is incredibly rude, even more arrogant than the Princess...

Is she truly the woman whom her second brother dotes on to the core?

Princess Ruihe took a deep breath before smiling again. "I heard that Your Highness is pregnant, so I came to offer my congratulations. These are all things I carefully prepared for the unborn little prince. It's just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope Your Highness won't find them too much."

Xue Yuechen quickly smiled and said, "I don't even know if he is the young master yet, Your Highness is too kind."

She gestured for the jade to be accepted, and then instructed someone to serve fruit and tea.

"It is a blessing for the Prince and me that the Princess can visit the Prince's residence so often. Please don't spend so much money on her in the future."

Princess Ruihe smiled gently, "I am all alone in this world and have no relatives. It is my honor to be able to visit my second brother often and to befriend the Princess and Lady Ping'an."

The two exchanged pleasantries back and forth.

One appeared calm and composed, while the other seemed approachable, yet also appeared to be deliberately concealing something.

Xue Sui observed calmly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Princess Ruihe noticed her gaze, and her eyes inadvertently lifted slightly before suddenly glancing at Xue Sui's temples.

"I wonder if Lady Ping An still has that phoenix hairpin?"

Xue Sui remained calm and smiled slightly, saying, "It's really unfortunate; the maid lost it a couple of days ago. If the princess likes it, I can have someone make another one with that design and send it to the princess another day, would that be alright?"

Princess Ruihe gently shook her head.

"No need. No matter how good the new one is, it can't compare to the value of the old one. Some feelings can never be replicated."

Xue Yuechen's face darkened, showing some displeasure.

Xue Sui smiled knowingly.

Princess Ruihe wasn't referring to old things, but rather old people.
-
Youhuang Residence.

The bright sunlight, carrying a layer of warmth, shone through the sheer curtains into the room.

Li Zhao leaned against the couch, squinting as he carefully examined the pills that Ruyi had brought.

The light and shadow stretched his shadow long, casting it on the wall, making him look like a lurking beast, gloomy and indifferent.

Laifu dared not look directly at his face, and did not even dare to breathe.

"Your Highness, the water is ready..."

He carefully handed over the water cup, only to be met with a cold laugh from Li Zhao.

Why should I accept her kindness?

Laifu lowered his head even further: "Lady Ping'an must be worried about His Highness, that's why she sent the medicine..."

"Worried?" Li Zhao sneered, flicking his finger lightly, and the pill rolled into the wooden box on the table.

He recalled that day under the eaves outside the Cixi Palace, when Xue Sui said, with a distant yet respectful tone, "Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince," and when Ruyi brought him the words, "Accompanying the Prince to enjoy the rain," and when he remembered her indifference to his illness. A sudden, sharp pain shot through his chest—

Damn love potion!

It seemed to have been stimulated, and it began to run wildly through its veins.

Li Zhao clutched his chest tightly, his eyes as hard as ice.

"I don't believe she would kindly send the antidote..."

He slowly leaned forward, staring at the pills lying quietly in the wooden box.

"That woman is cunning; she might have dug another trap for me..."

"Your Highness!" Laifu noticed the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and hurriedly offered him some cool tea.

"Please don't get too upset and harm your health..."

"Who said I'm angry?"

Li Zhao gave him a cold look, then with a flick of his sleeve, the porcelain cup on the table was swept to the ground, making a crisp shattering sound, which startled the birds perched under the eaves and made them take flight.

Lai Fu bowed his head, silent as a cicada in winter.

Li Zhao slowly picked up the secret report from the table, exuding a chilling aura.

—That was just delivered by Yuan Cang.

"Well, Li Yan..." He narrowed his eyes casually, his dark pupils filled with a dangerous chill. "I'd like to see what kind of show he's going to put on!"

Seeing him about to leave, Laifu panicked: "Your Highness, your health..."

With His Highness's unsteady breathing and gloomy expression, going out would likely attract countless prying eyes and unnecessary trouble... But His Highness's face was frosty, so he dared not offer any further advice...

Lai Fu was racking his brains when he suddenly saw Li Zhao turn his head.

"Where's the water?"

Lai Fu was taken aback by the question and stared blankly at him.

Li Zhao: "Without water, how can I take my medicine?"

Laifu then realized what was happening and happily brought over a bowl of warm water.

Li Zhao tilted his head back and swallowed the pill. As his Adam's apple bobbed, he suddenly closed his eyes and let out a cold snort, the veins on his palms bulging...

Laifu was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he called out in a trembling voice, "Your...Your Highness?"

Li Zhao slowly opened his eyes, the bloodshot color gradually fading from them, and a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips.

"Let's go."

Lai Fu looked at the Crown Prince's calm face with delight, and his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.
-
In an inconspicuous alley in the capital city.

There is an old-fashioned antique shop filled with rare and precious treasures.

Mr. Qiu, dressed in a gray cloth robe, was slightly bent over as he carefully wiped a bronze mythical beast ornament.

The copper bells under the eaves jingled softly as Li Huan's carriage slowly rolled over the bluestone road, stirring up a faint, fishy breeze.

He stepped into the shop unhurriedly, stood with his hands behind his back, and glanced indifferently at the shop's furnishings.

The silence added to the oppressive atmosphere of the small space.

Upon seeing this, Mr. Qiu quickly stepped forward and, with a beaming smile, invited him to sit down.

"Is Your Highness here for that painting, 'Fairy Maidens Offering Longevity'?"

Li Huan's lips curled up slightly, "Sir, you are well-informed."

"The Empress has ordered a search for art dealers in the capital. She says they must dig three feet into the ground to find out the origin of that painting. It's an old artifact from the previous dynasty. I'm also in the antique business and often trade with them, so we're quite familiar with each other..."

Mr. Qiu served tea with a smile and spoke before Li Huan could even make a move.

"That painting is indeed an authentic work by Ye Sheng."

He stroked his beard, his tone very confident.

He, an antique dealer, was surprisingly well-informed about what was happening in the palace.

Clearly, Mr. Qiu wanted to flaunt his close relationship with the old mausoleum and his unknown abilities in order to raise his own status.

Li Huan lightly traced the dragon-tiger paperweight on the desk with his fingertips and smiled faintly.

"I have not come here today for that painting."

"Oh?" Mr. Qiu asked with a smile, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness."

Li Huan remained calm, lightly tapping the table with his fingertips, and slowly said, "What I want to ask is... the Love Silk Gu."

Mr. Qiu stiffened, forcing a smile, "Your Highness is too kind. I only know the ins and outs of the antique business, and I deal with antiques... I would never dare to dabble in such unorthodox practices."

Li Huan suddenly drew his sword from his waist and pressed it against Mr. Qiu's chest.

"Do you think I'm unaware of your shady dealings?"

The sword tip tore through Mr. Qiu's robe, leaving a trail of blood.

Mr. Qiu was terrified, breaking out in a cold sweat, his voice trembling: "Your Highness, spare me! Everything I've said is true, I wouldn't dare utter a single lie. Those so-called Soul-Capturing Gu and Mind-Bewitching Gu... are just legends from the martial arts world, you can't believe them..."

Li Huan stared at him for a moment, then suddenly sheathed his sword.

"If I can't even control a wandering sorcerer, how can I stand firm in the court?"

He slammed a gold ingot on the table. “Within ten days, I need news of the Love Silk Gu. This is a deposit… After it is done, there will be a tenfold reward.”

His eyes were cold, carrying an unquestionable air of authority. After speaking, he turned and left.

Mr. Qiu stared at the ingot of pure gold, feeling both shocked and fearful.

After the carriage had gone far away, he hurriedly called his trusted servant and closed the shop door.

"Quickly, prepare the horses! I have urgent business to report to the sect leader..."

Before he could finish speaking, the shop door was suddenly slammed open from the outside with a loud crash. Caught off guard, the servant was thrown back and stumbled several steps, crashing into a table inside the shop, groaning in pain.

The shop door was wide open, and the autumn wind carried in some dust.

Two guards entered with cold faces, standing solemnly on either side.

Behind them, a tall, slender man slowly stepped across the threshold. His pale, handsome face was framed by the collar of his brocade robe, and his lips were slightly upturned, but the smile did not reach his eyes.

"The shopkeeper has a refined taste."

After he finished speaking, he casually walked past Mr. Qiu's almost limp body, sat down in the chair where Li Huan had just sat, tapped the still warm teacup with his knuckles, his voice was amused, but his eyes and brows were like those of someone immersed in a cold pool.

"Confess yourself, and I'll spare your life."

See you tomorrow, readers! Sending you love!