Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 287 Tacit Understanding and Unity
Guo Yunrong was startled.

"Sister Xue means..."

Xue Sui slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze unfathomable.

"So much grain and salary went missing. Did it all really end up in your elder brother's and second uncle's pockets? Isn't there a bigger figure, a deeper hand, pulling the strings behind the scenes?"

She paused, looking at Guo Yunrong's surprised and uncertain expression, and spoke even softer.

"If we can thoroughly investigate the key figures involved in this case, especially those high-ranking officials who still wield considerable influence in the court, and uncover their every move... we can prove that the Guo family was merely a puppet, not the ringleader, and also expose the real corrupt officials for the court. At that point, even if the sky falls, there will be someone taller to hold it up. For the sake of stability, His Majesty will have to consider whether it's worth shaking the foundations and dragging the entire court of nobles into this turmoil..."

Guo Yunrong understood.

Instead of standing there and taking the beating, we should burn our bridges and drag everyone involved into this mess.

"But...where does the Guo family have any evidence?"

Xue Sui smiled slightly.

"That's all I can say. How the Guo family chooses to proceed is their own fate. The only way I can think of is to protect themselves... As for your grandfather, the Duke of Zheng..."

She gave Guo Yunrong a meaningful look.

"Having weathered many storms, he surely understands the importance of preserving one's life better than we younger generations..."

Guo Yunrong seemed to be awakened, or perhaps she was struggling, and bit her lower lip without making a sound.

Xue Sui suddenly gave Jinshu a look.

Soon, Jinshu took out a piece of paper with half-faded ink from her sleeve, on which was a prescription with annotations in cinnabar.

“I’ve heard about your grandfather’s illness. It’s a stubborn rheumatism, probably caused by a long-standing ailment that has blocked the lung meridians. I have an ancient prescription here that I found in an old mausoleum. Have him get the medicine according to the prescription and take it for half a month... If it can stabilize his qi and blood and clear his meridians, he may be able to live a little longer…”

Guo Yunrong stood up, her face full of emotion, her hands trembling as she took the prescription and bowed deeply to Xue Sui.

"If Sister Xue can save my grandfather's life, she will be the savior of my entire Guo family... Yunrong bows deeply to you, Sister Xue..."

Xue Sui quickly helped her up.

"Hurry back and make arrangements. Your grandfather's illness cannot wait. The affairs of the Duke of Zheng's mansion also need to be planned as soon as possible, without hesitation."

Guo Yunrong nodded, her eyes filled with fear and unease, yet she was much more determined than when she arrived.

"Thank you for your guidance, sister. Yunrong will go back now... and will definitely convey your words..."

The curtains rustled.

Then, all was calm.

Jinshu opened the window and peeked out. Only after Guo Yunrong's slender figure disappeared from sight did she quickly step forward, support Xue Sui, and whispered:
"Is the young lady's body still able to hold on?"

"I'm not that delicate. Come on, help me to the inner room to rest." Xue Sui patted her hand.

Jinshu breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned and said, "Miss, if the Guo family really brings up those old grievances, it will inevitably involve the blood debts of the Old Mausoleum... Once it blows up, it will no longer be just a matter for the Duke of Zheng's family... I'm afraid it will cause a catastrophe that will shake the heavens and the earth..."

Xue Sui supported her arm, smiling to hide the weariness in his eyes.

"But this is indeed the only way to save the Guo family. I didn't lie to her. Only by putting them in a desperate situation can they be saved."

Jinshu nodded, her throat slightly choked.

"The wronged souls of the old mausoleum have been buried for far too long. It's time for those erased names to come out and bask in the sunlight..."

Xue Sui looked out the window. The love flowers in the courtyard swayed gently in the cool breeze, their red color dazzling.

"Someone has to play this game. We just gave it a push."

Jinshu looked at her with concern.

"The young master always says that the young lady is always prudent in her actions and has a clear mind. I know that the young lady is never wrong... but I'm still worried. Will stirring up the old mausoleum at this time cause a lot of trouble?"

Xue Sui walked into the inner room, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

"Don't be afraid of high winds and rough waves, just be afraid... that the waves aren't high enough to stir up this old case..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

The two stopped talking.

A moment later, Ruyi came in again, carrying a tray of medicine with a bowl of freshly brewed, steaming hot medicine on it.

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

The single word "again" perfectly encapsulates the agonizing pain of this prolonged illness...

She used to endure all kinds of hardship, even swallowing bitter herbs and bile, but now she's become quite pampered and even wants to resist taking medicine.

Xue Sui frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Girl, close your eyes and drink. If you close your eyes, you won't see it. If you can't see it, it won't be bitter... Be good..."

Ruyi spoke softly, her voice tender and gentle, as if she were comforting a child…

Xue Sui couldn't help but chuckle at her words, and obediently closed his eyes and picked up the medicine bowl.

The thick, bitter medicine slid down my throat, leaving my tongue numb and aching, and my stomach churning...

She suppressed her discomfort and drank it all in one gulp.

Before she could even open her eyes, a translucent, honey-preserved plum with a cool, sweet fragrance was shoved into her slightly parted lips without warning.

"As one wishes……"

The sweet and sour juice diluted the bitterness, and Xue Sui subconsciously took it in his mouth, his tongue touching the plump plum flesh, and he was slightly taken aback.

This taste...

This is not what Ruyi usually prepares.

She opened her eyes suddenly.

Before I knew it, Li Zhao was already standing in front of me.

Dressed in a moon-white robe with subtle patterns, his jade belt tightly fastened, his tall figure almost blocked the light from the doorway. His handsome face was sharply defined, his features refined and elegant...

Ruyi and Jinshu stepped aside, heads bowed in resignation.

"The craftsmanship of Liu's Old Shop." Li Zhao's gaze fell on her lips, which were moistened by the medicinal juice and stained with the plum, giving them a rare hint of color. That rosy hue looked somewhat...delicious.

She's just too thin.

Wrapped in a large cotton robe, it looked as if a gust of wind could blow it away.

Li Zhao's heart skipped a beat, and he cleared his throat.

"I've heard that Liu's candied plums are the most authentic and have a good ability to mask bitterness. Why don't you try some and see if you like them?"

I heard it from whom?

Why did he have to prepare all these snacks?

Xue Sui looked at him quietly without answering immediately. She simply used the tip of her tongue to slowly push the plum to her cheek and gently held it in her mouth. The way her cheeks were puffed out made her look like a child who had just received candy, a rare softness and innocence.

"Why don't you swallow?" Li Zhao's fingertips seemed to brush against her lips unintentionally, leaving a slightly cool touch.

"The plums were bought by my men, not stolen... Or are you afraid I'll poison them?"

Xue Sui's eyelashes trembled slightly as she suppressed a laugh.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is wise and intelligent; how could he possibly commit such a childish act as poisoning..."

"Then you're a child?"

She was ruthless when she poisoned people.

She wasn't shy about her words, only giving him a smile.

“I am a woman, a woman who has been ill for a long time.”

Li Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying its usual harshness.

"You've used all your cunning to scheme against people, and you've exhausted all your energy on it. No wonder you're not in good health."

Xue Sui ignored his sarcasm, lowered her eyes, and gently wiped away the dark brown water stain left by the medicine bowl on the smooth rosewood table.

"Your Highness brought Miss Guo here today, does that mean you already have a plan in mind? Are you planning to... show leniency towards the Guo family?"

Li Zhao: "I brought her here only because she wanted to see you. Considering that you two have a long-standing friendship, I brought her along on my way."

He immediately distanced himself from Guo Yunrong, which sounded as if he was in a hurry to explain...

Xue Sui looked at him with clear, sharp eyes, and suddenly the corners of her lips curled up slightly.

There was a hint of amusement in his smile, but he said nothing.

Li Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he poked her forehead hard.

"What are you thinking about now? Stop thinking such nonsense!"

Xue Sui chuckled, then dipped his finger in the remaining residue on the rim of the bowl and clearly traced a few words on the smooth tabletop—

"King Ma should be executed."

The handwriting was messy, yet it conveyed a cold and resolute determination.

Li Zhao's gaze suddenly froze.

The cold glint in his eyes instantly erased his languid demeanor, replacing it with a focused and intense scrutiny of her.

They stared at each other for several breaths before his aura gradually calmed down.

"That suits my purposes perfectly."

He stretched out his hand.

Instead of using a pen, he took the bowl of leftover medicine from Xue Sui, dipped his fingertip into the thick, dark liquid, and wrote a steady, powerful line below where Xue Sui had just written.

"We should act quickly."

The medicine dripped freely, each word as sharp as a knife.

It was filled with a tense and intense atmosphere of killing intent...

Ma Yuankui and Wang Qinian were not only Prince Duan Li Huan's moneybags and capable henchmen, but also the biggest rats in this Western Frontier military supplies case, and the key fulcrum to pry open the major case of the Old Mausoleum Swamp...

The two were key figures in Prince Duan, Li Huan's, and they checked and balanced each other, playing crucial roles in the entire corruption chain.

Eliminating them would not only cripple Li Huan's power, but also drive them to tear each other apart in their despair, creating an even bigger wound...

This unearthed long-buried case in the old mausoleum, shocking the world...

Their eyes met, and it felt as if invisible sparks were colliding in the air...

Outside the window, the wind rustles the bamboo shadows.

The silence inside was palpable.

The two didn't need to say a word; their understanding was already tacit.

They were accomplices, but more like confidants.

"Xue Ping'an".

Li Zhao then took a candied plum and slowly brought it to Xue Sui's lips, gesturing for her to open her mouth.

Xue Sui pursed her lips and remained silent, looking at him.

Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, making her small face appear even paler and more translucent, cold and delicate, like a fragile piece of porcelain.

Li Zhao leaned closer, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow over her head, almost enveloping her entirely in his arms.

His scrutinizing gaze held a strange, almost sighing helplessness that firmly locked onto her misty eyes.

"How could there be a woman in this world like you... who understands my heart so well? You call me 'I', it's quite a dilemma..."

Reader: What's the problem? Kiss her!

Xue Sui: Which side are you helping?
Li Zhao: This place is full of lonely people!

Reader: Bah...you unfilial son!