Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 269 Bestowal of Titles
"Liaochen..." The emperor chewed on the Buddhist name, his dragon eyes suddenly glaring at Prince Duan, Li Huan, below the steps, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Isn't this "Liaochen" the sixth daughter of the Xue family?
The former concubine of Prince Duan's mansion, the woman who stirred up a storm and then voluntarily became a nun...

“It is indeed her.” Li Huan saw the doubt in Emperor Chongzhao’s eyes and kowtowed deeply again.

"Your subject dares not claim credit for what is due to Heaven. Master Liaochen, though living in seclusion, cares deeply for the common people and understands the difficulties of the times, which is why he was able to offer this strategy for stabilizing the country. Your subject merely followed the strategy and cannot be credited as the greatest contributor."

The hall suddenly became dead silent.

The carvings on the dragon pillar seemed to hold their breath as well.

The entire Zichen Palace seemed to be encased in an invisible layer of ice, freezing the air...

Who could have imagined that the woman who stirred up the capital, caused the Crown Prince and Prince Duan to fight each other, and ultimately became a nun, would stir up this monstrous wave again under the dim light of the ancient Buddha?
Prime Minister Xiao Song's face was ashen, and the veins on the back of his hand, which was gripping his official tablet, were bulging.

"Your Majesty, although Lady Xue's plan was meritorious, the past matter is not yet settled. For her to receive such an honor as a convicted woman may invite criticism..."

Xie Yanzhan also stepped forward, cupped his hands, and shouted.

"If this precedent is set, the consequences will be dire. Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Li Huan suddenly turned around, his gaze sweeping over the two of them like lightning.

"Prime Minister Xiao, Your Excellency Xie! Merit is merit, and fault is fault. Master Liaochen's plan to resolve the crisis in the Western Frontier saved tens of thousands of soldiers and millions of civilians from suffering. This is an unparalleled achievement. How can it be erased because of his past or his otherworldly status? If so, wouldn't that chill the hearts of all loyal and righteous people in the world? Besides, how can we break the Emperor's word?"

Xie Yanzhan was speechless for a moment after being interrupted.

Xiao Song was so angry that his face turned red and his chest heaved uncontrollably.

This is the prince whom the Xiao family has wholeheartedly supported, his own grandson, yet now he is openly contradicting them and arguing for a criminal woman.

Li Huan stopped looking at Xiao Song, turned to face the throne, lifted his robe and knelt even straighter, his back as straight as a pine tree.

"Father, Prime Minister Xiao's concern for the court is understandable. However, I believe that clear rewards and punishments are the foundation of a nation! I beg Your Majesty to bestow additional favors upon Master Chen!"

Emperor Chongzhao stroked his beard. "Minister Xiao, what do you think?"

Xiao Song took a deep breath, almost crushing the scepter in his hand. "Your subject... dares not have any objections."

The hall was completely silent.

The emperor lightly stroked the imperial desk with his fingers, his robe sleeves swaying slightly.

"Draft an edict!"
-
In May, after a light rain, the mountain temple remained quiet and still carried a chilly air.

Lately, Xue Sui has been fond of sitting by the window copying scriptures. The brush washer on his desk is filled with freshly drawn spring water, and a few leaves of spring tea are brewing on the red stove. The faint aroma of tea condenses into a thin mist in the cool air...

She had become even thinner, her Zen robes were washed until they were almost white, and the plain sash around her waist rose and fell gently with her breath. The stubble of her newly grown hair had been shaved off by her own hands, which made her thin face look even more gentle and Buddhist.

Jinshu quietly placed a plate of freshly picked wild berries on the table and whispered:

"His Highness Prince Duan personally supervised the dredging of the grain supply lines and allocated military supplies to rescue the Crown Prince. This is truly commendable. People both inside and outside the court praise his benevolence, love for the people, and great sense of righteousness..."

Xue Sui continued writing, dipped his brush in ink, and spoke in a steady, calm voice.

"Li Huan... loves power, but also cherishes his reputation. He also knows how to use his reputation to achieve his goals."

Jinshu nodded, glancing at her expression.

"I wonder when the war in the Western Frontier will end..."

Xue Sui did not respond; his brow bone cast a faint shadow in the candlelight.

After Li Zhao left Chishui Pass, he never wrote again.

This is enough to prove that the love curse has been completely eradicated from his heart.

That's fine. From now on, we'll have nothing to do with each other and can do things without any worries.

Jinshu looked at her slender profile and was about to say something when hurried footsteps came from the corridor outside the meditation room.

Xiao Ni rushed in to announce the news, his shoulders wet with rain.

"An eunuch has come to deliver an imperial decree. He has just arrived at the main hall, and Abbess Huiming requests that you go to receive the decree immediately..."

Xue Sui continued writing, only giving a soft "hmm" before completing the final stroke.

A simple yet lively dove leaps off the paper, poised to take flight.

Jinshu held up a neatly folded, clean Zen robe and helped her change into it. She then carefully straightened the collar and cuffs of the robe and smoothed out the wrinkles.

“Miss, I’m afraid they’re up to no good…” Jinshu’s eyes were filled with worry.

"Let's go." Xue Sui walked to the window, patted Ling Yu's head, and stepped out of the room first.
-
Inside the main hall, Wang Chengxi held a bright yellow imperial edict, followed by several imperial guards. Their armor reflected the light of the drizzle, appearing cold, hard, and murderous, completely out of place in this quiet temple.

"Master Liaochen, please accept the decree." Wang Chengxi said with a smile on his face and a high-pitched voice.

Xue Sui knelt down beside Abbess Huiming, her eyes lowered.

Wang Chengxi unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud in a melodious tone:
"...Erni Liaochen, though living beyond the borders, cared deeply for the common people. He offered strategies to quell the rebellion and relieve disasters, resolving the crisis in the western frontier. His contributions to the nation are immense. I deeply commend him and hereby bestow upon him the title 'Miaozhen,' and grant him a purple brocade kasaya, one hundred taels of gold, and a set of sandalwood scriptures inlaid with palm leaves, to commemorate his virtues..." Wang Chengxi's high-pitched, drawn-out voice faded, and the hall fell silent.

The purple kasaya is regarded by Buddhists as the highest symbol of nobility, and even many eminent monks rarely receive this honor...

All the nuns turned their gazes toward Xue Sui.

There was shock, envy, and an indescribable mix of emotions.

After Wang Chengxi finished reading, seeing that Xue Sui did not move, he stepped forward a few paces, handed the imperial edict to Xue Sui, and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Master Miaozhen! I have never seen such an honor in all my years in the palace. Please accept the edict."

He bowed slightly, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Xue Sui slowly raised his head, his gaze calmly sweeping over the roll of bright yellow silk, without reaching out.

"This humble nun thanks Your Majesty for your great favor. However, having entered the Buddhist order, I dare not accept any worldly rewards or honors. Please tell His Majesty that my heart is devoted to Buddhism and I dare not seek personal gain."

Wang Chengxi's smile froze, and a look of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

"Master Miaozhen, what are you saying? Thunder and rain are both imperial grace. How can His Majesty's decree be withdrawn? Accept it, so that this old servant can go back and report."

After saying that, he lowered his voice again: "Besides, this was something that His Highness Prince Duan fought hard for in the Golden Hall, overcoming all objections... If we insist on refusing it, wouldn't that put His Highness in a difficult position and disappoint his good intentions?"

His tone carried a hint of anxiety and an almost imperceptible firmness.

Knowing he couldn't refuse, Xue Sui slowly clasped his hands together in prayer.

"This humble nun has only done her duty and dares not claim credit. Since His Majesty has bestowed such a generous gift upon me, I should offer it before the Buddha and pray for the well-being of the nation. You have come a long way and must be tired. Please come to the guest room for some light tea and light refreshments."

Her tone was gentle and polite, yet carried a hint of aloofness.

"I won't drink the tea."

Wang Chengxi smiled and put down the imperial edict.

Xue Sui raised both hands to receive it.

"I'll return to the palace to report first. Take care, Master Miaozhen. Farewell!"

After saying this, Wang Chengxi hurriedly left with his men.

Xue Sui rose, holding the heavy roll of bright yellow silk...

A mountain breeze blew by, lifting her wide Zen robe. The sleeves fluttered, making her appear slender, yet she remained steadfast.

Jinshu quickly stepped forward to support her arm, her brows furrowing as she gazed in the direction Wang Chengxi had gone.

Li Huan did not claim credit for himself; instead, he brought her to the forefront.

This seemingly flattering gesture actually puts her in the spotlight again.

"Young lady, this Prince Duan is probably up to no good..."

"It's alright. Put it away." Xue Sui handed the imperial edict to her and walked calmly towards the meditation room.

“Miss, it’s made of Yun brocade.” Ruyi was sorting through the rewards brought from the palace, praising it repeatedly. “This purple cassock is so beautiful. You’ll definitely look extraordinary in it…”

Xue Sui did not speak, but sat down and copied the scriptures.

The slanting sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on her grey robe.

"Don't you want to take a look, young lady?" Ruyi asked, tilting her head up.

Xue Sui closed the scripture in front of him, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Gold, silver, jade, fame, fortune, and titles are nothing but fleeting clouds that blind the eyes and passing breezes that whisper past the ears."

Jinshu looked at her calm profile and understood that these worldly honors and favors were never what the girl wanted.

On that secret "Yama's Picture Book," there are still people whose names have not been crossed out.

Although Princess Ping Le was demoted, her remaining followers and those who had aided and abetted her evil deeds were still at large.

On the chessboard, there are still pieces waiting to be removed...

This revenge, stained with blood and fought with lives, is far from over.

Half an hour later, the rain stopped.

After Xue Sui finished copying, he slowly put down his pen.

Jinshu brought over a copper basin, the warm water inside exuding the fragrance of mugwort.

Xue Sui stood up, reached into the basin, and stirred the water.

"Is there any movement from the Duke of Zheng's residence?"

(End of this chapter)