Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 298 The house is restless
Just after the Lunar New Year, a heavy snow fell in the capital.

The world was a vast expanse of white, and the rooftops were covered with a thick layer of snow.

Inside the Shou'an Hall of the Xue Mansion, the glowing red charcoal fire in the bronze stove could not dispel the heavy smell of medicine and bitterness that filled the room.

The Xue family daughters, who rarely gathered together, were now gathered around Old Madam Cui's sickbed. The girls who had returned to their parents' home stood outside the tent, clutching their handkerchiefs, while the unmarried girls stood respectfully by the brocade couch with their hands at their sides.

The Xue family has recently experienced a series of misfortunes, creating a tense atmosphere and causing everyone to fall silent.

Suddenly, the soft sound of a copper bell under the eaves was heard, and the maid outside the door curtsied.

"Princess Consort Duan has arrived!"

Everyone turned around at the same time, and saw Xue Yuechen, wearing a silver fox fur coat, lift the curtain and walk in gracefully. The tassels on the side of the cloak swayed lightly with her steps, making her face as bright as the moon, rich and majestic.

The stagnant air trembled slightly.

"Big sister is here." Xue Yue'e, who was nearby, quickly curtsied.

The others also stepped aside, their skirts brushing against the blue brick floor, creating subtle ripples in the medicine-scented hall.

The difference in social status and family background immediately reveals the proper boundaries between sisters.

Xue Yuechen walked to the bedside and carefully looked at the old lady's tightly closed eyes and weak breathing. Her eyes immediately reddened.

"What's wrong with Grandmother? She was in good spirits when I returned to the manor to pay my respects a while ago. How did she suddenly become so seriously ill..."

As she spoke, she dabbed her slightly damp eyes with a handkerchief.

"It's all my fault. I've been busy with the affairs of the Prince's mansion these days and haven't been able to come back to serve you more often. Otherwise, I would have noticed sooner..."

Grandma Cui seemed to hear a sound in her drowsy state; her eyelids twitched, but she made no sound.

Third Madam Qian hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, please don't blame yourself. The old lady is getting on in years and caught a cold in the winter, plus she has some worries on her mind, that's why..."

He hesitated for a moment, then called for a servant.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and offer the Princess a seat and serve her hot tea."

The servants immediately got to work.

Add charcoal to the bronze stove and move the brocade mat.

The room also seemed to have a lively atmosphere.

Just then, the curtain was lifted again—

The one who entered with a chill was the Fourth Miss, Xue Yueying.

She held her son Gu Yu's hand, who had just learned to walk, and was wrapped in a thick brocade cotton robe.

The crowd's gazes swept over the child's innocent face with complex emotions...

Each glance at the child brought a further silence.

Only Xue Yue'e, the ninth daughter of the Xue family, sitting in the corner, made no attempt to hide her pursed lips.

"Why is Fourth Sister back again? With such a heavy snow, and the Jingyuan Marquis's residence not being close, it's inconvenient to come and go. It would be better to stay at your parents' home as before."

Because of Li Yan, she already harbored resentment towards Xue Yueying. Seeing her with a child whose features resembled Li Yan's, she felt even more resentful.

Xue Yueying's face stiffened, then she raised her chin.
“Ninth Sister, what are you saying? Grandmother is seriously ill, and all her children and grandchildren should be by her bedside to show their filial piety. I am not an outsider, so why can't I come? It is Ninth Sister who speaks without thinking, and doesn't she care if people find out and laugh at her? The wedding date has been postponed time and time again by the Prince of Wei's mansion…”

Everyone's expressions changed slightly.

Although Xue Yue'e's marriage to the Prince of Wei had been arranged long ago, with the decline of the Xue family, the Prince's mansion found a reason to postpone the wedding until March of next year.

This was precisely Xue Yue'e's deepest concern, and now that it had been exposed in public, her face flushed and turned pale.

"Fourth Sister, why are you bringing up something that's hard to talk about? Are you deliberately trying to rub salt in my wounds?"

This is not only her weakness, but also a microcosm of the Xue family's downfall.

Has Xue Si gone mad?
Why would you deliberately cause trouble without choosing the right time? Aren't you afraid of upsetting your grandmother to death?

Xue Yueying scoffed dismissively, "Am I wrong? The wedding date has been postponed again and again, isn't that the truth?"

Xue Yue'e turned to Xue Yuechen, "Elder sister, please be the judge..."

"Alright." Xue Yuechen sat upright in the rosewood armchair, tapped the armrest with her fingertips, and finally spoke.

"Say less! Grandmother is ill and needs to rest."

These petty squabbles among the young women no longer affected her mood.

No one knows the helplessness she felt at that moment...

"Even if sisters have a quarrel, they should consider the occasion and the severity of the situation, and take into account Grandmother's health..."

After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Xue Yueying.

"Stop saying those nonsense things and upsetting Grandmother."

"Elder sister—" Xue Yueying hugged her son, looking at Xue Yuechen with a forced smile, "Look at how pale you are, are you tired? You've been managing the Prince's mansion for so many years, you should take good care of your health. Why are you meddling in these other people's business? If you ask me, if you had a little prince, I guarantee that Grandmother would be so happy that her illness would be half gone, and she wouldn't have to drink these bitter medicines every day..."

These words were as sharp as a needle's point...

Wasn't it said that Xue Yuechen couldn't have a son?

"Fourth sister, what nonsense are you spouting?" Xue Yuelou couldn't stand it anymore.

In the past, her father protected Xue Si, so she relied on his favor and always tried to outdo her sisters.

Now that the Xue family has lost power, she has given birth to a bastard child of the Prince of Wei, and she's already got the nerve to be arrogant...

"You're becoming more and more unruly. You have no sense of propriety or shame?" These words are quite offensive.

Xue Yueying, however, disagreed and raised her chin.

“What’s so undignified about me? My in-laws treat me politely, my husband doesn’t criticize me, and the Empress Dowager in the palace often gives me advice. I have plenty to look forward to in this life, and I’m quite content…”

Xue Yuechen's throat tightened, her chest felt heavy, and she almost couldn't catch her breath. She wished she could just walk away.

Xue Yuelou was also furious, but Xue Yuechen didn't lash out. Being of low status, she couldn't say anything, and only said, "Elder sister, why don't I accompany you for a walk outside?"

"Alright. The smell of medicine is strong in the room, and I do feel a bit tight in my chest." Xue Yuechen was, after all, born into the family of a legitimate daughter and the principal wife of Prince Duan. She always acted with consideration for appearances and could not afford to have a fit of anger in front of the old lady's sickbed.

She suppressed her displeasure, smiled slightly, and offered her hand to Emerald, gesturing for her to help her up.

"I'm going to the garden for some fresh air. Please look after Grandma here, Auntie..."

Xue Yuelou quickly agreed, "I'll accompany you, elder sister."

Xue Yuechen smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, Second Sister."

"Big sister, slow down. It's windy in the garden. Be careful not to catch a cold," Xue Yueying said loudly, then called to the maid.

"Qingzhu, go and take out the old ginseng I brought, and simmer it to nourish Grandmother..."

"Yes, young mistress."

Qingzhu acknowledged, bowed her head, and withdrew.

Others may not know Xue Yueying, but she does.

Despite her seemingly glamorous demeanor, she is actually in a difficult situation.

No one in the Jingyuan Marquis's mansion liked her. The Marquis and his wife pretended to be deaf and dumb. Gu Jie was afraid of being targeted because he helped the Crown Prince investigate a corruption case. Afterwards, he claimed to be sick and stayed at home. He never met with the young mistress in the mansion.

The so-called "advice" from the Empress Dowager in the palace was nothing more than a constant reminder to her to behave herself, keep a low profile, and not to cause trouble for Prince Wei and the royal family by taking advantage of her child...

She was alone and neglected.

Perhaps after realizing that she had given up and was willing to do anything, she became even more reckless. As long as she didn't look presentable, others couldn't do anything about it, so she became even more reckless and desperate...

"Fourth Sister is becoming more and more eccentric and mean-spirited. She looks at everyone as if they are her enemies..." Xue Yuelou looked at Xue Yuechen's haggard profile and felt very sorry for her.

"Take good care of yourself, big sister, and don't take it to heart."

Xue Yuechen wearily rubbed his temples and nodded.

"Life is tough at home, so please take good care of yourself. Don't take what people say to heart..."

Xue Yuelou gave a bitter smile. "As a widowed illegitimate daughter who has returned home, I should be content with having food to eat and a place to live. Why would I care about these things... Right now, I can only hope that my family will turn out well and get through this difficult time as soon as possible..."

Xue Yuechen nodded without saying a word.

As I walked under the corridor, a cold wind blew in, carrying snowflakes that hit my face.

Her worries could not escape Xue Yuelou's notice.

"Big sister, is there...some difficulty?"

Xue Yuechen frowned slightly.

"There are difficulties, of course. But... never mind, let's not talk about it."

Seeing this, Xue Yuelou wisely stopped asking questions.

Unexpectedly, Xue Yue remained silent for a moment, then spoke up on her own.

"Second sister, in your opinion... what are Sixth sister's thoughts now? How much affection does she truly have for the Xue family?"

Xue Yuelou was taken aback and thought about it seriously.

"The family has wronged Sixth Sister in the past, but she is kind enough to help without holding a grudge. Although she became a nun at Shuiyue Nunnery, blood ties remain, and there is still some affection between us. She never refuses to help when there is an emergency or difficulty in the family... You see, when Grandmother fell ill, it was she who called the doctor to come and see her..."

She looked up at Xue Yuechen and asked again:

"Could the matter that has put eldest sister in such a difficult position be related to sixth sister?"

Xue Yuechen couldn't say anything explicitly, so she sighed, avoiding the main point.

"Her actions were too outrageous. Some things are too deeply involved, and it may not be a blessing for the Xue family."

She didn't want to elaborate, and before she finished speaking, she patted Xue Yuelou's hand and forced a smile:

"Second sister is so thoughtful and considerate. If fourth, eighth, and ninth sisters were as sensible as you, I would have much less to worry about. After this period is over, I will keep an eye out for you and find you a stable and reliable family so that you will have someone to rely on for the rest of your life."

Xue Yuelou gave a bitter smile.

"Big sister, please don't tease me. Now I just want to stay by Ming-ge'er's side and live a peaceful life."

"That being said, a woman still needs a place to settle down, otherwise she'll be all alone in her old age, and Ming-ge won't be able to take care of her..."

She didn't explicitly say that Ming-ge'er was frail and sickly, unlikely to live a long life, and unable to support her in her old age, nor could she rely on her family for life. However, as they looked at each other, she thought of her daughter who had suffered so much, and felt a pang of sympathy for her, which made her feel even closer to Xue Yuelou.

As they were talking, a servant hurriedly passed through the moon gate.

Upon seeing the two, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Highness, Second Miss, Master Miaozhen has returned and just arrived at Shou'an Hall with Doctor Shu..."

Xue Yuechen and Xue Yuelou exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, they hurried towards Shou'an Hall.

(End of this chapter)