Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 274 Triumph
The Mid-Autumn Festival has passed, but its warmth lingers.

Outside Chengtian Gate, banners fluttered and armor gleamed.

Before dawn, the streets were already packed with people watching the ceremony.

In teahouses and taverns, private seats facing the street were incredibly rare, their windows open to reveal figures in fine clothes. Vendors weaved through the crowds amidst the hustle and bustle, the aroma of sesame cakes and almond tea mingling with the scents of sweat and cosmetics filling the air. The peddler's windmill whirred on his shoulder pole, its clay figurines, sugar paintings, and newly made rabbit lanterns eliciting squeals and jumps from children, only to be pulled back by their parents.

"Dad, hurry up! If we're any later, we won't get a good spot."

"Why are you pushing? You're stepping on my new embroidered shoes..."

"Oh dear, sister-in-law, I'm so sorry! I'm really so sorry."

"It's alright, it's alright. Today is the grand occasion of the Crown Prince's return to the capital. I've lived most of my life and I've never seen anything like this before..."

"I heard that when His Highness was in Chishui City, it was as if a god descended to earth, and with a single spear, he toppled Ashina's wolf-head banner..."

“That’s right!” someone immediately chimed in, spitting as they spoke. “My cousin’s brother-in-law’s nephew is in the Western Frontier camp. He wrote in his letter that the night His Highness attacked Chishui City, it was like a divine army descending from the sky… scaring Ashina’s wolf cubs so badly they were scared out of their wits…”

The streets were bustling and noisy.

The guard listened with a smile, straightening his back even more.

After all, they were a victorious army, and they had glory on their faces.

"They're here! Look! The palace gates are open!"

"It was His Highness Prince Duan who led the imperial family and officials to greet them..."

The heavy, vermilion-lacquered gates swung open with a rumble in the morning light, revealing the imposing royal guard.

Golden gourds, axes, and banners fluttered in the breeze, and the canopy shimmered with dazzling gold in the rising sun.

The Imperial Guards' armor gleamed, and their horseshoes clattered rhythmically on the water-splashed flagstones, drowning out the clamor of the crowd.

Led by Prince Duan, Li Huan, members of the imperial family, nobles, and civil and military officials, all dressed in court attire, walked out of the long street according to their rank and waited outside the majestic city gate to welcome the triumphant army.

Li Huan was standing at the very front.

Dressed in a prince's everyday robe, with a purple robe and jade belt, he exuded an air of elegance and wore an impeccable smile.

Duke Guo Pi of Zheng was also among the officials. He tried his best to straighten his back and maintain his dignity, but the haggardness between his brows was hard to hide.

The son is in prison, and the grandson is unfilial.

The Guo family is already in dire straits.

He only hoped that the joy of the Crown Prince's triumphant return would dilute some of the criticisms leveled against the Guo family, even if it only allowed him a temporary respite.

Guo Zhaohuai stood behind the officials, his fingers repeatedly stroking the jade thumb ring.

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, I subconsciously glanced to the east.
-
On the east side of Imperial Street, there is an inconspicuous teahouse.

The bamboo curtain on the second floor facing the street was half-rolled up.

Behind the curtain, Xue Sui was dressed in an ordinary fine cloth shirt and dress, with a light gauze hat covering most of her face, revealing only her cool-featured jawline and a touch of pale lips.

She stood quietly by the railing.

The massive crowds below seemed to go unnoticed.

Jinshu and Xiaozhao stood behind her, holding their breath.

Ruyi nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, peering down.

"Miss." Jinshu's voice was extremely low, almost swallowed up by the sound waves outside the window.

"Everything is arranged. We just need to wait for the Crown Prince's procession to reach the Jishan Archway, and then the Seventh Prince's men will 'present' a grand gift."

Xue Sui nodded slightly.

The veil of the hat swayed gently with her movements, her gaze piercing through the veil and into the crowd...

"Miss," Xiao Zhao's voice carried a hint of nervousness, "His Highness the Crown Prince is here. Look..."

Xue Sui slowly raised his hand and stroked the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived—Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Welcome Your Royal Highness!"

Someone downstairs shouted, and countless eyes turned towards the city gate.

Smoke and dust approached on the horizon.

The first thing that catches the eye is the fluttering dragon flag and the "Li" character banner.

Immediately following was a torrent of Xuanjia cavalry advancing.

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached, like thunder shaking the earth.

The man at the head, riding a magnificent black horse and wearing black armor and a dark cloak, was none other than Crown Prince Li Zhao!
He wasn't wearing a helmet; his deep-set brow bones and gaunt face were even more stern and imposing than before the campaign. Sunlight fell on his face, clearly outlining his taut jawline and tightly pursed thin lips, giving him a chilling, blood-soaked look and an invisible pressure.

This is the Crown Prince of Daliang who fought his way back from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood.

The former aloofness and arrogance have been tempered into coldness and composure.

He pulled on the reins and slowly rode forward, his eyes sweeping over the cheering crowd and the welcoming officials, his gaze calm and unwavering.

A wave of cheers surged forth.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"

"May Heaven bless the Great Liang!"

The sound reached its peak, deafeningly loud.

Xue Sui's gaze pierced through the gauze curtain and landed on the approaching black armor.

Across the throng of heads and waving arms, unexpectedly, their eyes met in mid-air with the cold, hard figure on horseback…

In that instant, time seemed to stretch out and stand still.

Li Zhao paused very slightly.

The cloak draped over his back fluttered in the morning breeze.

Looking across the bustling crowd, my gaze carries a deep, unfathomable dim light.

Too heavy, too sharp, even though you can't see her, it seems to burn through the thin veil on her face...

Xue Sui clenched his fist tightly in his sleeve.

"pat..."

The sandalwood prayer beads on my wrist snapped without warning.

The smooth beads rolled haphazardly and landed on the teahouse floor.

Almost simultaneously, Li Zhao's black horse seemed to be startled by something, snorted uneasily, and slightly raised its front hooves.

He immediately tightened the reins, but his gaze remained fixed on the reins.

"Your Highness Chitose!"

"Long live the Crown Prince!"

Li Huan led his officials forward to greet him according to protocol.

"Your Majesty's decree has commanded us to welcome His Highness the Crown Prince's triumphant return. His Highness's western expedition has defeated the enemy, enhancing our nation's prestige and bringing great merit to the country. This is a blessing for the Great Liang and a boon for its people..."

Li Zhao raised his right arm slightly, his voice cold: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."

He then glanced at the imperial family and officials, and nodded in acknowledgment.

"My lords, you may dispense with the formalities. I was ordered to suppress the rebellion, and fortunately, I have not failed in my mission. This is entirely due to the protection of the late emperor, the wisdom of Your Majesty, the valiant efforts of the soldiers, and the unity of the court and the people."

All the civil and military officials stood solemnly, bowed in unison, and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

"We respectfully invite His Highness the Crown Prince to enter the city—"

The female relatives of the imperial family and nobles were on the west side of the viewing platform. Xue Yuechen, holding a handkerchief, watched Li Huan and Li Zhao, the brothers, being insincere and nonchalant, her lips slightly pursed, clearly distracted.

The wet nurse beside her was holding several-month-old A-Ning in her arms.

The little girl clutched her wet nurse's clothes, wearing a soft little hat adorned with pearls. She was exquisitely beautiful, but for some reason, her little mouth twitched and she burst into tears.

"Oh, oh, good boy, don't cry, don't cry..." The wet nurse hurriedly coaxed him.

Xue Yuechen glanced coldly at the wet nurse, her exquisitely made-up face unable to conceal her fatigue and irritability.

"Perhaps the crowd startled them. Take them further away!"

Her words carried an undeniable air of aloofness.

The child seemed to sense his mother's impatience and the oppressive atmosphere around him, and his cries suddenly rose in pitch, becoming so sharp they almost pierced his eardrums!

The baby's shrill cry was like an abrupt signal.

At this moment of universal celebration and great anticipation—

Something unexpected happened!

Amid the chaotic crowd, several masked men in black suddenly darted out like venomous snakes.

Their target was extremely clear: the poisoned crossbow bolts in their hands were not aimed at the Crown Prince Li Zhao, who was the center of attention, but directly at the gray figure at the window of the teahouse private room—Xue Sui!
"A bewitching woman who has corrupted the country... to avenge Consort Xiao and Princess Ping Le."

A hoarse voice broke through the chaos.

"Brothers, follow me and kill this vixen who has brought ruin to the country."

"Do it!"

At the same time, the hidden weapon tore through the air, shooting towards Xue Sui with a deadly whistle.

"Be careful, young lady!" Xiao Zhao shouted sharply, her hand flashing with cold light as she knocked away the three hidden weapons that were suddenly launched at her. The weapons landed with a "whoosh" on the window frame, their tail feathers still trembling.

Jinshu quickly threw out her teacup and spun around to block Xue Sui.

A thin arrow flew silently past Xue Sui's arm, leaving a trail of blood.

Jinshu was both shocked and furious.

"Why would the remnants of Ping Le choose this time to launch their attack?"

Xiao Zhao's pupils also widened.

How did she know we were here?

Xue Sui clutched his wound, his face slightly pale, but his voice was frighteningly calm.

"It might not be her."

Amidst the surging crowd, a gaunt woman dressed as a servant of the princess's residence, her eyes bloodshot, rushed into the teahouse like a madwoman, clutching a gleaming dagger in her hand, her voice filled with a destructive madness.

"Xue Liu! You vile woman, you caused my whole family to die unjustly in prison. Today, I will die with you..."

"Stop him! Protect the people!" the Imperial Guard commander roared.

But the woman, like a trapped beast, unleashed astonishing power.

In the midst of extreme chaos, he managed to break through the outer perimeter of the defenses...

"Girl!" Xiao Zhao exclaimed, eager to speak.

Xue Sui raised his hand to stop her.

He gave a cold laugh, his eyes icy and piercing.

Ten years of blood feud, all concentrated in his eyes.

Just as the woman roared and lunged forward, raising her dagger high in the air...

Xue Sui made a move...

A jade hairpin emerged from the wide sleeve of his robe with his right hand.

"call out--"

A silver hairpin pierced the air! Faster than lightning...

It pierced the acupoint on the side of the woman's neck with perfect precision.

The woman froze abruptly, and the dagger she had been holding high fell to the ground with a clang.

The madness on his face froze instantly, replaced by extreme terror and disbelief.

Xue Sui calmly withdrew his hand. "This is an old acquaintance, Ping Le's maidservant. She's been by her mistress's side since she was a child. I just don't know why she's still so muddle-headed at her age and being used by others."

The woman wanted to roar and curse, but only a series of wheezing sounds came from her throat; she couldn't utter a single word.

Several imperial guards rushed over and captured her.

"Assassins! Protect His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Chaos erupted on the Imperial Street.

The imperial guards were on high alert, drawing their swords and forming a protective formation to guard the emperor.

The people screamed in terror, pushed and trampled each other.

In the chaos, no one noticed that a disheveled man, looking like a beggar, was being swept along by the crowd in a panic, heading straight for the Imperial Guards in front of the Crown Prince's procession.

"what--"

"Stop him! He's a madman! Don't offend His Highness!"

The man staggered and fell to the ground, letting out a hoarse, distorted howl.

"I am innocent, Your Highness! I was a courier in the supply corps transporting grain to the western frontier. I was lucky to survive and have a great injustice to accuse."

"The Duke of Zheng's family are a den of wolves, drinking the blood of soldiers and eating the flesh of commoners. They treat human life like dirt! They deserve to die a thousand deaths—"

His roar sounded like a mournful cry.

Before the words had even faded, three red ribbons suddenly fell from the tall stone archway of "Jishanfang" in the middle of the Imperial Street ahead, unfurling in the wind like a blood-red waterfall hanging before everyone's eyes.

Large characters, written in thick ink, were arranged in rows on the silk cloth.

"Minister of Agriculture Guo Mingyuan embezzled military rations and resold military supplies, causing soldiers in the western frontier to freeze and starve to death..."

"Guo Zhaohuai, an assistant secretary in the Ministry of War, embezzled military pay and enriched himself..."

"The Duke of Zheng's mansion has been plagued by parasites for generations, sucking the blood of the people and gnawing on the bones of the soldiers..."

Every word was like a red-hot branding iron, searing into the eyes of the people.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted into an even louder and more surging roar.

"Good heavens! My nephew froze to death."

An elderly woman with white hair suddenly rushed out of the crowd, threw herself under the archway, and kowtowed to the red silk, crying out.

"My grandson is only seventeen! He wrote that he was so hungry he was eating tree bark... It turns out that these corrupt officials embezzled his life-saving food..."

"My son contracted the plague at Chishui Pass, coughing up blood until he died..."

"You corrupt official, give me back my son's life!"

More people surged forward, most of them wearing patched clothes and with weathered faces.

Some people held memorial tablets wrapped in rags, while others held up the names and ranks of their children and grandchildren. They all knelt in the middle of the Imperial Street, kowtowing in the direction of Li Zhao. Their foreheads hit the stone slabs with a dull thud.

"Your Highness! Avenge my son!"

"Kill these bloodthirsty wolves! Pay for the lives of our fallen sons!"

(End of this chapter)