Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 249 Affair on the Lantern Festival
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the lanterns on Zhuque Street lit up one after another before dusk.

After the snow cleared, the lanterns stretched out in a continuous line, looking like a burning galaxy from afar.

Xue Sui led Xiao Zhao and Ruyi slowly along the bluestone path. He wore a gray monk's robe with a plain cloak given to him by Tuya, revealing only half of his face. His thin jawline appeared particularly soft in the warm light of the lanterns.

Xiao Zhao carefully protected her from the side, remaining very vigilant.

Ruyi, on the other hand, was lively and energetic, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the stalls along the street.

"Look, girl! It's a rabbit lantern!"

"Look, girl! It's a hydrangea lantern!"

"Look, girl! It's a Pisces Water Lantern!"

Xue Sui and Xiao Zhao exchanged a glance, then smiled and shook their heads.

The days spent at Shuiyue Nunnery stifled this lively and active girl.

"Girl, come and take a look!" Ruyi suddenly tugged at her sleeve and stood on tiptoe to reach a hanging octagonal lamp.

"This bamboo lantern is so exquisitely woven, I've never seen anything like it before..."

Xiao Zhao stood behind her, arms crossed, laughing at her.

"How old are you? You're still thinking about these kids' toys."

Ruyi puffed out her cheeks defiantly, "I picked out a pretty lamp for the young lady to put in the meditation room."

Xue Sui stood at the head of the Nine-Bend Bridge, watching the lotus lanterns floating on the river, letting them laugh and play.

"Girl, almond milk." Xiao Zhao squeezed through the crowd, holding an oil paper package, a snowflake still clinging to the tip of her nose.

Upon hearing this, Xue Sui chuckled and said, "You, still laughing at Ruyi for being childish. Look at the sesame seeds on your clothes..."

Xiao Zhao stuck out her tongue and wiped her clothes. "You're criticizing me, aren't you? I still remember that year in the first month of the lunar calendar, when you sneaked out to see the lanterns and came back with sugar candy crumbs on your skirt. You were caught red-handed by the young master and looked even more disheveled than me..."

Xue Sui recalled the expression on his senior brother Tian Shu's face when he left, and shook his head with a smile.

"I suspect you were sent by my senior brother to spy on me."

"No, that's not it..." Xiao Zhao stuffed a piece of sesame candy into her hand, then quickly withdrew it as if burned. "The young master said that the young lady has weak blood and qi and should eat less sweet and greasy food. Shouldn't she eat this pastry...? But the vegetarian food in the nunnery has no oil at all, and I can hardly eat any meat..."

She squinted and shook the oil paper package, her eyes full of cunning.

"Girl, let's go to the Misty Rain Pavilion and have some fun."

Xue Sui glanced at Xiao Zhao's bulging arms and couldn't help but chuckle.

"You and Ruyi go, I'll wait for you by the bridge..."

"How can we eat in peace without the young lady here?"

"I am a monk..."

“It’s not like you’re really becoming a nun. It’s fine to abide by the rules and regulations in the nunnery. Now that you’re out, why be so hard on yourself…” Xiao Zhao pestered her.

Ruyi tugged at her sleeve and shook it, her eyes full of pleading.

"Girl, go ahead, Ruyi is practically drooling with hunger..."

Xue Sui was pushed around and turned to walk forward. He was chatting and laughing with them when he suddenly noticed that Xiao Zhao beside him paused slightly.

"It's Miss Guo and His Highness the Crown Prince..." Xiao Zhao whispered a reminder.

Xue Sui suddenly looked up and saw a young girl walking over with a smile on her face. Her scarlet cloak made her cheeks look delicate and beautiful, like peach blossoms in March.

Beside her stood Crown Prince Li Zhao, dressed in a brocade cloak and with his hair tied up in a jade crown. His upright figure was like a jade branch shining in the snow, exuding unparalleled elegance and nobility.

His Highness the Crown Prince actually agreed to accompany people to watch the lanterns.

She pulled her cloak tighter and turned to retreat into the dark alley.

"Sister Xue!" Guo Yunrong, with her sharp eyes, called out softly and chased after her, lifting her skirt. The pearl hairpin in her hair shimmered under the lamplight, and her fair face flushed as she ran, her eyebrows and eyes curving.

"It really is you. Yunrong had been planning to visit you at the nunnery in a few days, but I never expected to meet you here!"

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Guo. I am well."

Xue Sui bowed and looked up, meeting Li Zhao's gaze.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his brows slightly furrowed. His eyes, like jade tempered in a cold pool, suddenly froze when they met her gaze. He turned his face away, looking at the distant lantern tower as if she were a stranger…

"It's been a long time since I've seen you, sister. You've gotten thinner."

Guo Yunrong looked her up and down, and wanted to take her hand.

Since she began practicing at Shuiyue Nunnery, she always wore Zen robes to chant scriptures and do morning prayers. Unconsciously, she had truly gained a more otherworldly air about her, appearing even more aloof than when she wore fine clothes before.

"But my sister is still so beautiful... and her charm is even greater than before."

Xue Sui smiled.

Looking at that face, which was beautiful even without makeup, Guo Yunrong felt a pang of envy.

"Is Shuiyue Nunnery really that nurturing? I'd like to go there with you to cultivate too..."

Xue Sui shook his head and chuckled, "Simple meals can erode ambition; how could Miss Guo possibly endure such hardship..."

After saying that, he added, "Go quickly, don't keep His Highness the Crown Prince waiting too long..."

Guo Yunrong turned around shyly and glanced back.

Li Zhaoli stood ten paces away, his eyebrows and eyes as black as ink beneath his black jade crown. Although men and women bustled around him, shoulder to shoulder, no one could steal away his noble and refined aura. He stood proudly among the crowd, like a crane among chickens.

In fact, Li Zhao did not come with her. He was going to the palace to pay his respects, but the Empress dragged him out under the pretext of "observing the lives of ordinary people." However, when they reached the entrance of Zhuque Street, the Empress returned to the palace early, citing physical fatigue and discomfort.

However, since the Crown Prince has already performed the betrothal ceremony, and the six rites have begun, the two can be considered an engaged couple...

Guo Yunrong twisted her handkerchief, trying to remain calm and maintain her composure, and said with a light laugh, "His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't usually like to join in this kind of fun, but I had to ask Her Majesty the Empress for permission..."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice lowered.

Xue Sui glanced at the man standing like a stone statue in the lamplight.

"Miss Guo and His Highness are a perfect match, a truly wonderful couple."

Guo Yunrong tugged at her hand again.

"The lantern market is really lively this year, why don't you come and take a stroll with us?"

Xue Sui took a half step back and clasped her hands together, saying, "This humble nun is dressed in plain clothes and it would be inconvenient to spoil the elegant mood of the young lady and His Highness."

"Why are you being so formal, sister..."

Guo Yunrong was completely unaware of the undercurrents between her and Li Zhao, and spoke sweetly about her happy news.

"His Highness the Crown Prince may seem aloof, but he is actually very kind and thoughtful. The other day, during the royal winter hunt, His Highness hunted a white fox in the North Garden. Its fur was so shiny and white that I suggested making a scarf for it, and he immediately sent someone to deliver it to me..."

Xue Sui chuckled knowingly, "Your Highness's sincerity towards the young lady is truly commendable."

"When Yunrong gets married, will you be able to come and have a drink at her wedding?"

"Has the wedding date been set?"

Guo Yunrong shook her head, "The auspicious day has not yet been chosen, but I am eagerly hoping that my sister can come. If it weren't for your help that day, how could Yunrong have worn a wedding dress and married into the Eastern Palace..."

She paused mid-sentence, then turned to look at Li Zhao.

"Is my sister a little afraid of the Crown Prince?"

"Your Highness is so noble that this humble nun naturally holds you in awe."

Xue Sui followed her gaze and caught a glimpse of Li Zhao lowering his eyes to adjust his cuffs...

Clearly, he was growing impatient. He had always disliked noise, but now he seemed even more melancholy.

"The riddle-guessing platform is about to open! I need to grab a good spot. Miss Guo, until we meet again sometime. Farewell..."

Xue Sui clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect and prepared to take his leave.

"Then it's settled. I'll come to see you at Shuiyue Nunnery after the New Year, but you mustn't hide from me..."

As Guo Yunrong spoke, she waved and walked toward Li Zhao, turning back every few steps.

Li Zhao stood silently the entire time, without uttering a single word.

"Miss?" Xiao Zhao took Xue Sui's arm. "Why are your hands so cold?"

"It's nothing, probably just windy." "So...are we really going to try the riddles?"

"Let's go. The lantern towers over there are packed with people." Xue Sui took a deep breath and smiled slightly. "I heard that this year they have glass lanterns from Persia, so clear you can see your reflection in them. Wouldn't it be a pity not to go see them?"

In the center of Zhuque Street stands a lantern tower three zhang high, with hundreds of revolving lanterns displaying various patterns.

Xue Sui followed Xiao Zhao and Ruyi, squeezing through the crowd...
-
The city lights shone like stars falling from the sky, and the long street resembled a winding Milky Way.

Li Zhao stood with his hands behind his back on the high railing of the flying bridge, watching Xue Sui's departing figure...

Guo Yunrong looked up at him.

"Why is Your Highness always so cold to Sister Xue? She is a very good person, but she has a rather aloof personality and seems unapproachable..."

Li Zhao's eyebrows twitched slightly, and a hint of obscurity flashed in his eyes.

"Miss Guo, I have come today to tell you something."

Guo Yunrong felt a little uneasy and revealed her doubts with unease.

"Your Highness, please speak..."

Li Zhao: "I cannot marry you."

Guo Yunrong's pupils contracted sharply, her face turned pale, and her lips trembled slightly.

"Why..."

Li Zhaodao said, "The war in the Western Frontier is critical. Ashina has personally led an army of 100,000 to invade the border. General Lu has sent an urgent message from 800 li away to request reinforcements. I wish to request permission to go to Chishui Pass to supervise the battle. This trip will take at least one or two years, and possibly three or five years. My fate is uncertain, and my return date is undetermined. I urge you, young lady, to find another suitable match and not waste your time..."

Guo Yunrong's eyes were red-rimmed, and she bit her lower lip and shook her head.

"Yunrong and His Highness are returning..."

"No need!" Li Zhao looked up at the lights in the sky, his handsome face as cold as frost. "The engagement with the young lady was just a temporary measure for me. The marriage certificate has been burned and is now invalid. I will inform my father and mother to dissolve the engagement between our two families."

Tears welled up in Guo Yunrong's eyes and fell in large drops.

"If Your Highness says you don't want it, how can Yunrong face the criticism of the world..."

"I'm sorry!" Li Zhao clasped his hands and bowed deeply to her. "Regarding the annulment of the engagement, I will explain to the outside world that the Crown Prince has lost his virtue, handle the matter properly, preserve the dignity of the Duke of Zheng's mansion, and will not damage the young lady's reputation."

He turned around after speaking, and a gust of cold wind rose from his wide sleeves.
The dappled lights streamed across the bridge railings, casting his lonely and slender shadow...

Guo Yunrong trembled uncontrollably, her clothes soaked with tears.

"Your Highness..."

Seeing him walk further and further away, she steeled herself, mustered her courage, ran up to him, and grabbed his sleeve.

"Your Highness dislikes me so much, is it because you have other things on your mind? Or has Yunrong done something wrong that has made Your Highness dislike her? Yunrong is not considerate enough, clumsy, and too impatient... Yunrong can change, all of these things can be changed. Yunrong will be careful in her words and deeds from now on, and learn to be a virtuous and gentle woman, considerate of Your Highness's feelings... Can, can you give Yunrong another chance..."

Li Zhao's body stiffened slightly, and the fingers behind his back curled up slightly.

How ridiculous?

He saw his own reflection in Guo Yunrong's face.

The words he had kept hidden in his heart, swallowed a thousand times but could not utter, were revealed by this girl, each word spoken for him, like needles piercing his lungs.

He closed his eyes and brushed Guo Yunrong's hand away.

"You are a good person, but not the one I want. Forcing things will only lead to hurt, so why hurt both of us?"

Guo Yunrong looked up at him, tears streaming down her face.

"Your Highness..."

Before the sobs had even subsided, a ghostly blue flame, like a will-o'-the-wisp, suddenly shot up from the lantern tower not far away. One by one, the high-hanging lanterns suddenly exploded, sparks flying into the crowd, igniting small flames as they touched their sleeves...

Screams came and went.

The broken bamboo frame collapsed with a loud crash, filling the air with a pungent, burnt smell.

Amidst the billowing smoke, someone shouted.

"The Persian glass lamp exploded! Someone deliberately poured saltpeter on it and killed someone..."

"Help me—"

Li Zhao's expression changed, and he suddenly bypassed Guo Yunrong, running quickly towards the lantern tower. His dark eyes were filled with undisguised panic...

The distant sound of a wooden clapper shattered the night sky.

The firelight illuminated half the sky, and the crowd scattered and fled like headless flies.

It was a complete mess.

Ignoring the burns on his hands from the sparks, Li Zhao pushed through the crowd and rushed in. He saw a string of Buddhist prayer beads lying on the ground, bent down to pick them up, and a hint of pain flashed in his eyes.

"Xue Liu!"

No one responded.

No one stopped walking.

Amid the shoving and pushing of the crowd, he pushed aside several panicked pedestrians, his eyes searching frantically.

The unfamiliar faces were filled with fear and confusion.

Xue Sui was not present.

She's not here...

Li Zhao was completely unaware that his clothes were being scorched by sparks. He stood there like a clay sculpture, utterly lost and bewildered.

"His Royal Highness!"

Several guards surrounded him to protect him, and Li Zhao slowly turned around.

Xue Sui was seen standing at the entrance of an alley not far away, holding an injured little girl. His cloak was covered in soot, and he was looking at Xue Sui through the crowd.

His back was straight, and his eyes were distant, like a bamboo stalk that had been touched by frost.

A sudden night breeze swept through the lantern market, blowing open the hood of her cloak...

Li Zhao saw her smooth, white hair and felt his Adam's apple bob slightly. Just as he was about to take a step, Guo Yunrong pushed through the crowd and rushed over, crying.

"Your Highness is injured..."

Li Zhao frowned to avoid her touch, his gaze still fixed on the direction Xue Sui had left in, subtly slipping the Buddhist beads into his sleeve.

"I am fine."

Guo Yunrong looked at the fierce energy surging in his eyes, which was completely different from how he had looked when he stood on the flying bridge.

There was a glint in his eyes, like a burning flame, but it wasn't for her.

"Your Highness," Guo Yunrong suddenly felt a pang of heartache, and almost urgently assured him, "I have thought carefully about what you said earlier. I will wait for you to return, no matter how many years..."

"My mind is made up!" Li Zhao turned around with a flick of his sleeve, and saw the guards walking over.

Guo Yunrong stood there, stunned, her fingertips clenching the handkerchief until they turned white.

Every year during the Lantern Festival, the government would deploy patrols in advance and assign yamen runners to maintain order. It was quite unusual for such an incident to occur at the Lantern Festival. The Five City Garrison quickly arrived and the fire was gradually brought under control.

Guan Ya looked around, quickly approached Li Zhao, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Highness Qi..."

He glanced at Guo Yunrong beside Li Zhao, but did not continue speaking.

Guo Yunrong tactfully wiped away her tears and curtsied gracefully.

"Yunrong will take her leave now. Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."

Li Zhao nodded, lowered his eyes to conceal his sharpness, and walked with Guan Ya to a dark corner of the street.

"How's the check going?"

Guan Ya bowed and said, "Your Highness, the arsonist cut the lantern rope and used phosphorus powder to ignite the fire. A scimitar from the Xiz Wolf Guard was left under the lantern frame. Yuan Cang has led his men to follow the blood trail and should have a response tonight."

Two-in-one, see you tomorrow!

Li Zhao: Can we be alone together tomorrow?
Xue Sui: ...That's too much.