Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 208 Sun Tzu’s Art of War
After the White Dew solar term, the sky over the capital city became increasingly clear.

The servants in Prince Duan's mansion had moved the chrysanthemums to the corridor early in the morning, and their colorful golden stamens stretched their petals freely under the sun. The faint fragrance of osmanthus lingered in the air.

Xue Sui'an sat on the balustrade in Tanqiu Courtyard, his fingertips gently stirring the incense powder in the incense burner, lost in thought.

Jinshu carried the lacquer tray and tiptoed in. As soon as she lifted the lid, a bitter medicinal smell filled the air.

"Young lady, it's time to administer the medicine."

"Leave it there." Xue Sui looked up at the window.

Several maids were kneeling on the bluestone slabs, wiping the pillars of the corridor.

Sunlight shone on their indigo-colored clothes, the light and shadow dancing and shimmering, making them look, in a daze, just like the girls washing clothes in the old marshland.

Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and she misses the old mausoleum.

I miss those familiar mountains and rivers, and even more so, I miss my three masters…

After she left the Old Mausoleum Swamp, the relay of messages was handled by the eldest and seventh senior brothers. Master did not give her many instructions or admonitions; everything seemed to happen silently.

However, she strongly felt that her master was never absent, always behind her, and never far away.

Jinshu pushed the medicine bowl onto the table, moved closer, and her expression became somewhat solemn.

"Miss, news has come from the eldest son..."

She looked around to make sure no one was around before lowering her voice.

"Erzi, the envoy from Xiz, will be entering the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow."

Xue Sui nodded slightly, his expression calm.

"After such a long stalemate, things are finally starting to look promising."

Jinshu's eyes flickered slightly as she continued, "In the post station, there is a princess of Xizi, who is said to be the half-sister of King Ashina of Xizi. Tomorrow she will be entering the palace with the tribute carriage..."

Xue Sui paused, his fingertips pausing.

At this critical juncture, Princess Sis suddenly appears. What are Amonrah's intentions?

When Jinshu saw a maid passing by the window, she smiled as if nothing had happened, like she was coaxing a child.

"Young lady, this medicine must be taken while it's hot..."

After the maid walked over, Xue Sui spoke softly again.

"Still no news from Senior Sister Yuheng?"

Jinshu shook her head helplessly, "I wonder if Miss Yuheng will return to the Old Mausoleum this Mid-Autumn Festival..."

Xue Sui nodded silently.

Just then, the sound of tinkling jade pendants suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Supported by Emerald, Xue Yuechen slowly crossed the courtyard. Her honey-colored dress swept across the bluestone pavement, and the pearl pendants on her hair ornaments shimmered and sparkled in the sunlight, making her even more radiant.

"Sixth Sister has such a leisurely life."

She stepped into the warm pavilion with a smile, her tone carrying a hint of warmth.

"The embroidery shop has made some new autumn clothes. I was thinking of you, so I specially sent them over. It's autumn now, and the drafty wind is really annoying. Please wear more clothes, sister."

As soon as he finished speaking, four maids filed in and gently placed the trays they were carrying on the wooden table.

The satin, bathed in sunlight, shimmered with a warm and gentle light, making the autumn colors in the room appear somewhat dim.

Elegant attire, exuding natural nobility.

Upon seeing this, Xue Sui quickly stood up and respectfully curtsied.

"Such precious fabric is most suitable for Her Highness the Princess. I am born with little fortune and I am afraid I cannot bear such a precious aura, and would only ruin this fine thing."

"My sister is now the concubine of Prince Duan, personally appointed by the Emperor. What kind of fabric can't she wear?"

As Xue Yuechen spoke, her fingertips brushed across the satin surface, then she suddenly pressed lightly against it, lowering her voice at the same time.

"The Mid-Autumn Festival banquet is just around the corner, and everyone in the capital is watching the Duan Prince's residence closely. The censors and officials are especially keen to find fault..."

He paused, then glanced at Xue Sui.

"My sister's new appointment as a concubine is a sign of the dignity of the Prince's mansion. I must not lose face and allow people to spread rumors that I, as the mistress, am petty and intolerant."

Xue Sui lowered her eyes and quietly looked at the new clothes on the table, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"My sister is six months pregnant and needs to rest more than ever. Why should she worry about such trivial matters? Even if others have a thousand opinions, they can't overstep the dignity of a princess."

These words clearly struck a chord with Xue Yuechen, making her feel much better.

She turned her gaze to the medicine bowl on the table, concerned about Xue Sui's health.

"Is my sister staying up all night copying medical books again? What kind of medicine is she drinking...?"

"It's an old ailment. I get a cough and shortness of breath every autumn and winter." Xue Sui casually pulled his shawl tighter around his shoulders, picked up the medicine bowl, and took a small sip.

A bitter taste rose in her throat, but she smiled calmly.

"If it weren't for Princess Consort's concern, I don't know where I would have found these good medicines with my frail body..."

Xue Yuechen listened with a look of pity on her face, and a hint of sympathy appeared in her eyes.

"My younger sister had a difficult childhood and suffered a lot. In the future, with your older sister's care in the Prince's mansion, you must take good care of your health. Do you understand?"

Xue Sui said, "Sister has treated me so well, how can I ever repay her..."

"Silly sister! Why say such formal things? You are now a member of the Prince's mansion, and your dignity is my dignity." Xue Yuechen held her hand, smiling gently, but her feelings were very complicated.

Ever since Xue Liu married into the Prince Duan's household, she had felt a mix of emotions...

Sometimes, when she saw that Li Huan treated her with special care, she would feel jealous and couldn't help but overthink, her heart filled with suspicion.

But sometimes, when she thought of the suffering Xue Liu had endured in her childhood, and saw that she never competed for favor and always protected her, her heart softened and she felt more sympathy.

More importantly, since Xue Sui arrived, the Prince Duan's residence has become noticeably quieter.

The two concubines from before, one went to a nunnery to cultivate themselves, and the other, influenced by her family, claimed to be ill and did not come out. The other concubines dared not act recklessly.

She had never been this carefree before.

Xue Liu can play the bad guys; she just needs to be dignified and kind, and her virtuous reputation will spread far and wide.

The manor needs Xue Liu, and she can't do without Xue Liu either.

Especially now that she's pregnant, she faces many inconveniences and needs assistance. With such a thoughtful and understanding younger sister by her side, she feels much more at ease...

Comforting herself in this way, Xue Yuechen's concern for Xue Sui became even more sincere.

She held Xue Sui's hand tightly, smiling softly.

"Sister, have you heard? Princess Ping Le has caused trouble before His Majesty again. She desperately wants to bring back the Lu twins, but the old Prime Minister and his wife are vehemently opposing it. The two children are even huddled in the old lady's arms, crying uncontrollably, calling Princess Ping Le a monster and referring to the princess's residence as a demon's abode..."

Ping Le was arrogant, and Xue Yuechen couldn't help but feel schadenfreude when he saw her suffer such humiliation.

Xue Sui curled her fingertips on the satin and smiled.

"What does your sister think about this?"

Xue Yue pondered for a moment, then finally let out a soft sigh.

“After all, blood is thicker than water… No matter how absurd and domineering Princess Ping Le is, those two children came from her womb; they are her own flesh and blood. It’s somewhat unreasonable for the Lu family elders to refuse to let us take the children. His Majesty has always doted on Princess Ping Le, so I’m sure he won’t stand idly by…”

Seeing that Xue Sui remained silent, she gently shook her hand again.

"Sister, you must stay away from this matter and not get yourself into trouble."

Xue Sui smiled faintly and shook her head, "Sister, you overestimate me. How could an ordinary woman like me have the ability to interfere in the royal family's internal disputes?"

Xue Yuechen also laughed.

As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently fell upon a volume of "The Three Strategies of Qingping" lying open on the table, and then she looked around at the books and porcelain displayed on the antique shelf, full of admiration.

“My sister’s room has a scholarly atmosphere. Every time I come here, I feel at ease. And the plum wine and osmanthus wine are even more tempting... If I weren’t unwell, I would definitely ask for a jar to take home and have a few sips.”

Xue Sui smiled, suddenly recalling what Lord Lu had said in the chess room of the Lu residence yesterday: "The struggle for chess pieces is never a struggle for power."

But black and white chess pieces are born to be blades that divide territories; how can they avoid the struggle for power?
For example, Li Huan and Li Zhao, the Eastern Palace and the Prince Duan's residence...

She glanced at Xue Yuechen, picked up a piece of sugar cake, gently put it in her mouth, and touched her fingertips with sugar frosting, responding modestly.

"It's just something I did to kill time when I had nothing else to do. My sister always praises me..."

The maid Peilan lifted the curtain and walked over, glanced at Xue Sui, and reported:

"Your Highness, Concubine, the Prince has arrived."

Immediately afterwards, a series of steady and powerful footsteps came from outside.

The two exchanged a smile, then straightened their clothes and went out to greet them.

As soon as he stepped out the door, he saw Li Huan coming over. He was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, with a jade pendant at his waist swaying gently with his steps. His eyes held a gentle smile and his gaze was deep.

"Have all the gifts been prepared?"

Xue Yuechen curtsied in agreement, then turned back and squeezed Xue Sui's wrist affectionately, saying, "I'll be busy during the Mid-Autumn Festival and probably won't be able to go back. I already arranged with the Prince yesterday to go back early today to visit our elders. Why don't you come along too, little sister?"

Visiting relatives and friends before the Mid-Autumn Festival is an unwritten rule of the Xue family.

At this time of year, married daughters would return to their parents' home with their husbands and children, making it a lively day.

In previous years, Li Huan did not accompany Xue Yuechen back home. Although the gifts were generous, they lacked a certain prestige. This year, however, he took the initiative to mention that they were traveling together. When Xue Yuechen spoke of it, he felt proud.

Upon hearing this, Xue Sui respectfully bowed to the two of them, then excused himself to prepare medicine for his grandmother, indicating that it was inconvenient for him to travel with Prince Duan and his wife.

Li Huan glanced at it calmly, without much expression.

Xue Yuechen's eyebrows and eyes visibly relaxed, and she beamed with a happy smile.

"Thank you for your trouble, little sister. No wonder Grandmother always praises you for being filial."
-
The prince's carriage swayed and rattled as it drove out of the mansion gate.

Under the old locust tree across the street, two spies from the Eastern Palace, wearing faded short jackets, squatted on a stone platform, munching on sesame seed cakes.

They ate while casually wiping their mouths with their sleeves, looking rather disheveled, clearly laborers.

After the carriage passed, a scout hurriedly said:

"Quickly! Report to the master immediately, Prince Duan has taken Consort Xue back to the Xue residence!"

Another spy nearly choked, "You dare to disturb His Highness over such a trivial matter?"

“How can this be considered a trivial matter? In His Highness’s eyes, every strand of Consort Xue’s hair she combs is a scheme! Every melon seed she eats is a calculation! Every sneeze she sneezes is a trap! Every fart she lets out is laced with conspiracy…”

"Alright! Got it, bro!"

The scout patted his shoulder, vigorously rubbed the oil stains on his clothes, and bowed.

"Your Highness seems to regard Consort Xue as a living embodiment of 'The Art of War'... Brother, I'll go collect my reward now!"