Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 181 Meeting at Dawn
On the banks of the Hibiscus Pond, Xue Sui and Xue Yuelou stood side by side, leaning against the bluestone railing.

The autumn sun slanted across the water, gilding the pond full of red-crowned koi with a thin layer of gold.

A gentle smile played on Xue Yuelou's lips as she watched Ming-ge'er use a thin bamboo stick to amuse the koi carp, causing them to leap up and splash water like shattered jade.

Under the corridor not far away, three maids hurried past carrying food boxes, and the faint aroma of "steamed osmanthus sugar cheese" and "crab roe tofu soup" wafted over.

Xue Yuechen craved sweets during her pregnancy, but insisted on saying she "craved sourness." Her meals at the Prince's residence were all prepared by the physician, making it difficult for her to fully enjoy them.

Today, Xue Yuechen returned to her parents' home. Fu Shi felt sorry for her and had the kitchen staff prepare the desserts she used to love. Xue Qingzhi also went along with the arrangements and even, for Xue Yuechen's sake, showed Fu Shi a kind and gentle demeanor for the first time in a long time, putting on a facade of marital harmony.

The sight of everyone surrounding her only made Xue Yueying, who was weeping in the courtyard, appear even more desolate.

Xue Yuelou looked at Xue Sui's meaningful smile and sighed.

"The winds have finally shifted in the Xue family's direction."

In the past, Miss Xue was the splendid star of the mansion, getting whatever she wanted. Xue Qingzhi spoiled her so much that she often didn't even respect her elder sister...

Xue Sui smiled faintly, lightly tapping the railing with her fingertips, startling the koi carp in the pond.

"The child is not yet born. Once the young prince is born, the Xue family's sky will probably be clearer."

"My fourth sister is really possessed—"

Xue Yuelou pulled Mingge into her arms and knelt down to wipe the water stains off his clothes, her eyes filled with the tenderness of a mother.

"If I were the grandmother, I would have sent her to the family temple to cultivate in seclusion long ago. Apart from the Marquis of Jingyuan's mansion, which family would tolerate such a shameless daughter-in-law? And yet she still doesn't know what's good for her..."

Xue Sui looked at her, nodded slightly, and smiled gently.

"Second sister is so lucky, she's finally made it through."

She looked up at the birds perched on the eaves in the distance, smiled self-deprecatingly, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"As a divorced woman, I am already extremely fortunate to have a place in the Xue family." She looked up at the distant eaves, her voice softening. "As long as the Xue family can allow my son and me to live a peaceful life, I will be content..."

The two exchanged a glance, both knowing exactly what was going on.

Xue Yuelou is able to live a peaceful life now entirely because the third wife, Madam Qian, is in charge of the household.

The third wife came from a merchant family, but she was kind-hearted and didn't lack spare change, nor would she skimp on the expenses of the mother and son. If it were the former Madam Fu who was in charge of the household, this divorced daughter would probably have been casually married off to a poor young man and sent away long ago...

"Miss." Just as Xue Sui was about to speak, Jinshu walked over gracefully, holding a vermilion invitation card sprinkled with gold, her face showing slight hesitation.

Princess Wenjia sent an invitation, saying that she invited you to Puji Temple tomorrow to copy the sutra and offer the Medicine King Sutra to the Empress Dowager.

After receiving the invitation, Xue Sui glanced at the hand-painted magnolia flower pattern on the envelope and smiled knowingly.

This is the stationery Wen Jia usually uses.

It is named after the phrase "Magnolia in the courtyard, a scene of pure and upright spirit".

She is truly a woman of exceptional intelligence and virtue.

In a critical moment, Wen Jia had to come to the rescue.

Xue Sui, a faint smile playing on his lips, gave instructions to Jinshu.

"I'll go tell my elder sister that you should instruct Xiao Zhao to prepare the lotus incense and the purple brush. We'll set off early tomorrow morning."
-
Holding Wen Jia's invitation, she approached Xue Yuechen and told him, and Xue Yuechen readily agreed.

Wenjia is now the Princess Protector of the Nation, the most favored princess in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She tells the Empress Dowager about medicine every day, making the Empress Dowager smile every day, and her health has improved a lot.

Xue Yuechen was now pregnant and even less willing to offend this newly popular person, so she only instructed that more guards be brought with her before returning to her residence.

That night, Xue Sui stayed at Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Shortly after dinner, Madam Qian sent someone to report that Xue Qingxiu had returned home.

She hurriedly changed her clothes and headed to the west courtyard, where she could hear her third uncle's hearty laughter from afar.

In just six months, this third uncle seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, becoming a different person altogether. He had gained a touch of military heroism between his brows and looked majestic and awe-inspiring.

Xue Sui suddenly understood why Xue Ji had fallen for Xue Qingzhi at first sight back then—

The Xue family members were born with a fine bone structure.

"Third Uncle." She bowed gracefully.

"Get up quickly, don't be so polite." Xue Qingxiu took off his goose-feather sword, slammed it on the table, and sat down in the chair with a swagger, displaying the boldness of a soldier.

“I just got back from the military camp and haven’t had a chance to eat yet. Just have a few bites, and sit down and let’s chat.”

Mrs. Qian served the dishes with a gentle smile on her lips. The two children chased and played around the table. In the flickering candlelight, the family of four was happy and harmonious.

Xue Sui was somewhat lost in thought until Madam Qian coughed lightly, her face flushed.

"Sixth Miss is still here. As an elder, you shouldn't be so uncouth when you eat."

Xue Qingxiu laughed heartily, took the handkerchief handed to him by Madam Qian, wiped his hands, and stared intently at Xue Sui.

"Speak, Sixth Girl, what do you want with your Third Uncle?"

Xue Sui hesitated for a moment, then said, "My niece does have something to say. However..."

Her gaze swept over the frolicking children, and Xue Qingxiu understood. He immediately instructed Madam Qian to take the Tenth Sister and Xue Yi away.

Once the door was closed, the newly promoted military officer stopped smiling and said seriously, "If you have anything to say, just say so. Don't be embarrassed. Even if the sky falls, your third uncle will support you."

Xue Sui turned slightly to the side, asking with a half-smile:
"My third uncle serves under General Yiwu and can frequently travel to the Shenbi Camp in the south of the city..."

"Sixth Sister is truly sharp-witted." Xue Qingxiu burst into a low laugh. "To tell you the truth, the General values ​​me highly, and often sends me to handle tasks for the Divine Arm Battalion. Have you heard anything about it?"

Xue Sui smiled and said, "I heard that recently a group of peddlers in the West Market have been stealing imperial supplies and possessing weapons. They also robbed and killed an official at the South Post Station. Is this true?"

Xue Qingxiu nodded solemnly, "Indeed, there are quite a few Xiz assassins causing trouble in the capital, waiting for an opportunity to behead members of the royal family and officials. Recently, two officials have been murdered, both related to the Xiz assassins..."

He paused, looking at Xue Sui with a hesitant expression.

"Actually, the general ordered me to procure provisions so that someone could secretly investigate... Last month, when the Ministry of War went to Shenbi Battalion to inspect the equipment, the commander Chen, who was in charge of receiving them, died suddenly. His death was extremely suspicious, and the general believed that there was more to the story..."

The window frame was suddenly rattled by the night wind, startling a flock of crows into flight.

The chirping of autumn insects among the cracks in the rocks made the night seem even more eerie.
-
At dawn the next day, Xue Sui had a carriage prepared at his residence, and then set off for Puji Temple with two maids and Jinshu.

Just as they turned the corner of Zhuque Street, they heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from afar. On the bluestone road, a troop of Xuanjia Imperial Guards rode up.

The man in the lead rode a black horse, his cloak fluttering in the wind.

It was Li Zhao, whom I hadn't seen for many days.

Xue Sui's hand, which was about to lift the curtain, stopped in mid-air, just as it met his cold gaze.

Li Zhao raised an eyebrow. "Is Lady Ping An about to leave the city?"

Xue Sui bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am going to Puji Temple."

Li Zhao reined in his horse and stopped. The black jade on his belt gleamed faintly in the sunlight. "Are you going to pray for my brother?"

After not seeing him for many days, he had lost a lot of weight, with dark circles under his eyes and slightly pale lips. Only the burning light in his eyes seemed to carry a scalding heat that pierced straight through the morning mist...