Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 299 Involvement
Inside Shou'an Hall, the atmosphere became slightly tense due to the arrival of Tian Shu.

This Dr. Shu was dressed in a moon-white robe, with clear and bright features like distant mountains, and a cool and aloof demeanor, as if he were above worldly concerns.

She seemed to emanate a tranquility that isolated her from the noise, causing the several restless girls in the room to subconsciously quiet down.

Even the Third Madam, Madam Qian, couldn't help but secretly admire him as she looked at his focused profile.

This Dr. Shu is really handsome.

If you didn't know better, you'd think he was some kind of celestial being banished from the Jade Terrace...

“Phlegm and blood stasis obstruct the meridians, and pathogenic wind enters the internal organs.” Tian Shu sat on the embroidered stool in front of Old Madam Cui’s bed, his fingers resting on her withered wrist through a plain handkerchief, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

After a long while, he withdrew his hand and looked coldly at Xue Sui beside him.

"This pulse is floating, large, hollow, thin, and weak, as if it has been forcibly reviving the vital energy with strong and potent medicines."

Qian's hand trembled, and her expression changed.

"A potent medicine? Dr. Shu, this old lady's medicine was prepared according to the doctor's prescription..."

Tian Shu is concise and to the point.

"Third Madam, I, Shu, will not make a mistake."

Madam Qian's face darkened, and she glared angrily at the maids and servants inside the room.

"You bunch of scoundrels, how did you take care of the old lady...?"

She was in charge of the household's finances, and with the Xue family facing a crisis, she had used a lot of her own money to buy good medicine for the old lady. If she were to be accused of neglecting her care, she would be truly wronged.

In a moment of desperation, Madam Qian grabbed the ear of the maid next to her.

"You brat! Did you slack off and doze off while brewing the medicine? Or did you overcook it because you didn't keep an eye on the heat? If you dare to be negligent, you'll be in for a beating!"

The girl was so frightened that she knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.

“Third Madam, please have mercy. This servant would never dare to neglect the old lady’s medicine… The medicine was brewed by Granny Wu herself, with this servant assisting her, not daring to leave for even a moment, much less steal or replace the ingredients…”

Xue Sui glanced at the girl's rough fingers without showing any emotion.

"I've looked at the doctor's prescription. The dosage of aconite is only three-tenths of an ounce, and it's decocted with licorice and ginger to neutralize the toxicity. It's not an excessive amount..."

She glanced up and swept her gaze over the trembling servants in the room.

"Where are the dregs?"

Mrs. Qian hurriedly sent someone to fetch it.

At this moment, the curtain was lifted, and Xue Yuechen and Xue Yuelou entered.

Xue Yuechen took off her fox fur coat and handed it to Emerald, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling maid and the solemn-faced crowd.

"What's wrong, Aunt? I heard it from outside."

When Qian saw her, she immediately began to complain.

“Your Highness has arrived just in time. Doctor Shu said there was something wrong with the old lady's medicine... Isn't this a huge injustice? This time, I can't clear my name even if I jump into the Yellow River…”

Xue Yuechen frowned and glanced at Xue Sui.

"Sixth Sister hasn't returned for many days, so you may not know. Since the beginning of winter, Grandmother has been unwell and has been taking medicine without interruption. We are extremely worried and just hope that Grandmother will recover soon. All the medicinal materials used are of the highest quality, so there will be no problem..."

Her tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.

Xue Sui smiled slightly but remained silent.

Soon, the dregs of the medicine were retrieved.

The girl spread it out on a tray.

Xue Sui stepped forward, rummaged through the dregs of the medicine, and precisely picked up a piece of black, scorched root.

"This is a fragment of processed aconite root. Aconite root is a potent medicine for restoring yang and rescuing from collapse, but if it is not processed properly or used in excess, it becomes a deadly poison! Forcing it to invigorate is like draining a pond to catch all the fish..."

She threw the dregs of the medicine back onto the tray.

"At my grandmother's age, her health is declining, so she should be even more careful... Even the finest medicinal herbs can be harmful if they are not properly combined or prepared..."

Xue Yuechen's expression stiffened slightly.

"Does Sixth Sister suspect that someone is deliberately trying to harm Grandmother?"

"That's not necessarily true." Xue Sui clasped his hands together, his Zen robe with wide sleeves hanging down, his expression calm as still water.

"Sending tonics is certainly a commendable act of filial piety, but it is even more important to distinguish the properties of the medicine to avoid doing more harm than good and damaging the root cause. For example... those so-called century-old ginseng."

Her gaze indifferently fell upon a brocade box on the table beside her.

Inside lay two ginseng roots of excellent quality.

"Your Highness is accustomed to fine things; why not take a closer look at the earthy aroma of this ginseng..."

She gestured for the maid to bring the ginseng closer.

“Genuine wild ginseng from Liaodong grows in the black soil of pine forests deep in the mountains, and its aroma should be clear and crisp with the scent of pine. But this one has a strong, pungent earthy smell, which is more like ordinary garden ginseng that has been fumigated with sulfur to enhance its color and then deliberately rolled with a layer of Changbai Mountain humus to pass it off as something else.”

The entire room was filled with astonishment!

All eyes turned to Xue Yueying.

That "century-old ginseng" was precisely the "filial piety" she brought...

"Humph!"

Xue Yueying hugged her son tighter, unable to save face, she forced a cold laugh.

"Sixth Sister, have you been cultivating in seclusion at Shuiyue Nunnery for so long that you've developed the ability to see through things? Or is it because the nunnery isn't very popular that you've come up with the idea of ​​making a living by appraising scholars? What kind of nonsense are you spouting, trying to sow discord?"

"This humble nun merely reads a few more medical books than the young mistress in her spare time."

Xue Sui was too lazy to waste words with her, and turned to Madam Qian, his tone returning to its usual calm.

"I'd like to trouble you, Third Aunt, that from now on, Grandmother's medicine must be prepared by a reliable person according to the prescription given by Dr. Shu, and the medicinal materials must be carefully inspected. Grandmother's illness cannot be rushed; gentle care is the key."

Qian readily agreed.

In a daze, cold sweat broke out.

"Thank you for prescribing the medicine, Dr. Shu..."

Tian Shu nodded slightly, walked to the table outside the screen, picked up his brush, and carefully considered the prescription...

Just then, an unusual commotion suddenly erupted from the front yard, accompanied by hurried footsteps.

Startled by the noise, the old woman frowned and let out a painful groan.

"You're arguing again... What are you arguing about... Do you think I'm too old... living too long... Do you only stop when the King of Hell takes my life...?"

Xue Yuechen quickly stood up and gestured for everyone to be quiet.

After a moment, he led everyone to retreat to the outer room.

A stewardess from the Prince Duan's residence rushed into Shou'an Hall, walked up to Xue Yuechen, curtsied, and then reported in a hurried tone.

"Your Highness! News has come from the palace... His Majesty has urgently summoned Prince Duan to the palace. The Prince said that Your Highness should also return to the residence immediately to make preparations..." Xue Yuechen's heart skipped a beat.

"So rushed? What's the matter?"

"It is said that... Consort Xiao has been diagnosed with pregnancy. His Majesty was overjoyed and immediately promoted her to the rank of Consort Li. He also issued an edict to grant a general amnesty—to be promulgated along with the New Year's sacrificial ceremony, as a sign of divine blessing upon the royal family..."

The old woman's voice trembled slightly with nervousness.

"The Empress Dowager set up a prayer ceremony in the Baohua Hall, ordering all members of the imperial family and their wives to attend... to fast for three days, pray for the imperial heirs, and share in the auspicious blessings..."

At this point, she glanced at Xue Yuechen with difficulty and lowered her voice.

"Your Highness, please hurry and set off. Princess Ruihe has been waiting at the manor since early this morning. She made a warm hat for the Prince and said she would accompany Your Highness to choose a formal dress..."

It's Li Yuning again.

She was still trying different ways to get closer to Li Huan...

Xue Yuechen's expression instantly became extremely complicated.

The Xiao family now supports Prince Duan, Li Huan...

However, the emperor is in his prime. If Xiao Qing'er gives birth to another prince, the Xiao family's foundation in the palace will be even more solid. Will this be an aid to Prince Duan or a variable?
"Oh my! This is an extremely auspicious omen!" Xue Yueying's voice suddenly rang out.

With exaggerated surprise and a barely perceptible smile.

"Congratulations, elder sister! The Prince Duan's Mansion and the Xiao family are closely related. With Consort Xiuyi's pregnancy, His Highness Prince Duan and elder sister are also beaming with joy..."

"presumptuous."

Xue Yuechen clenched her fists tightly in her sleeves and suddenly turned around.

"A pregnancy in the harem is a great blessing for the nation. How dare you presume to speak ill of us and curry favor? Who do you think you are?"

This virtuous consort of Prince Duan was always dignified and gentle, and had always been tolerant and forbearing. She had never shown such a stern expression in the mansion.

Everyone was as silent as a cicada.

Xue Yueying stiffened and awkwardly shut her mouth.

"Today, considering that Grandmother is ill and needs to accumulate good karma, I will not punish you for your mistake. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will ask Father to punish you according to family rules." Xue Yuechen gave her a cold glance.

He hurriedly gave Qian a few instructions, then left with Emerald and the others in a hurry.

Inside Shou'an Hall, a subtle silence fell due to the sudden news and Xue Yuechen's departure.

Xue Sui watched coldly from the sidelines.

It's like watching a play that has nothing to do with you.

After the servants left, she walked to Tian Shu's side and whispered to him about adjusting the prescription, shutting out the noise.

Then he gestured for Xiao Zhao to pick up the medicine box and left the mansion with him, without staying there.

The Xiao family has held power for many years, only slightly restraining their influence due to the Crown Prince's checks and balances. Now, Xiao Qing'er has won the Emperor's favor and is pregnant with his child. The Emperor's deliberate promotion and amnesty are not merely for personal gain; they are an elevation of the Xiao family...

The battle for the reserve position will only intensify in the future.
-
The warm pavilion of Zichen Palace.

Emperor Chongzhao leaned against the heated kang, unconsciously twirling two warm, moist walnuts in his hands.

The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner blurred Li Huan's somber and unrecognizable face.

"What do you think about the Crown Prince's matter?" The Emperor's voice was not loud, and it sounded sickly and hoarse, but every word struck a chord.

Li Huan lowered his head and closed his eyes, his back ramrod straight.

"Your Majesty, I believe that rumors circulating in the marketplace are not to be believed and should not be used to disturb Your Majesty's hearing. However, the celestial phenomenon of Venus clashing with Ziwei has been reported by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for three consecutive days, which is an indisputable fact..."

He glanced up at the emperor's expression, carefully choosing his words, his tone becoming solemn.

"Master Qingyang said that this omen signifies war and slaughter, with its sharp edge pointing directly at the Purple Palace Imperial Palace, which may harm... the foundation of the nation and shake the foundation of the state."

The sound of walnuts being rubbed stopped abruptly.

Emperor Chongzhao's cloudy eyes slowly turned to him, his gaze sharp.

"In your opinion, how should this be handled?"

Li Huan bowed deeply, saying, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you temporarily close the 'Investigation Box' to quell rumors and reassure the people. It is not too late to investigate these long-standing problems once the celestial signs have calmed. This matter should be addressed gradually..."

Once the secret box was closed, those impeachment letters became worthless, and the Crown Prince could no longer use them to stir up trouble.

The political situation could then be stabilized within a range that he could control...

The warm room was very quiet.

Emperor Chongzhao's gaze lingered for a long time on the lowered nape of Li Huan's neck...

It was as if he was weighing the truth and depth of his words.

Li Huan unconsciously clenched his fist in his sleeve.

After a long while, the emperor sighed wearily.

"I understand. From now on, the overall command of the defense of the capital region and the reports from the Censorate will also be placed under your jurisdiction..."

A huge weight was lifted from Li Huan's heart.

Military power and supervisory power were indirect controls over the defense of the capital region, and also served to cut off the Crown Prince's avenues for criticism...

This is a covert attempt to undermine the Crown Prince's power.

"Your subject obeys the decree and will certainly not fail the Emperor's trust."

Emperor Chongzhao closed his eyes and leaned against the brocade cushion, his voice gradually softening: "You may leave now. Think things through carefully before you act... Your father is old and only hopes that you brothers will live in harmony and that the world will be at peace..."

Li Huan remained prostrate on the ground for a long time before raising his head.

"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your son, and he will spare no effort!"

He respectfully kowtowed and took his leave. As he came out of the Zichen Palace, he bumped into Li Zhaotuo coming through the snow in the west corridor.

A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the shoulders of his dark cloak, making his features appear even more cold and profound in the wind and snow.

The two walked towards each other under the vermilion pillars, meeting on a narrow path.

Li Huan was the first to bow with his hands clasped in greeting, his smile gentle.

"His Highness the Crown Prince braved the snow to pay his respects to the Emperor; his filial piety is commendable."

“I am not as good as my elder brother, the Emperor.” Li Zhao walked slowly, his boots landing heavily on the ground, and stood in front of Li Huan.

"Consort Xiao is pregnant; Your Majesty's auspicious omen is timely."

Before the words had even faded, he strode away.

Li Huan's smile froze on his lips, and in the instant they passed each other, he clearly saw the mockery in Li Zhao's eyes.

　Li Zhao: Xue Ping'an, you see? I've committed far more sins than you...

　　Xue Sui: Eldest brother, no matter who the second brother is, they're pretty much the same.

　　(End of this chapter)