Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 313 Heartless Man

Yingyue Residence.

Xue Yuechen dismissed the servants who were standing by, personally poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it to Xue Sui's side. Looking at the hastily bandaged wound on her wrist, she showed a heartfelt concern.

"Sixth Sister, is your injury... still very painful? The terrifying incident at Baohua Palace still makes me shudder when I think about it, and my heart keeps pounding."

She clutched the handkerchief to her chest, her voice softening further.
"I never expected Ruihe to actually dare to make a move, and Consort Li to be so ruthless... Alas, we are all women, why do we scheme against each other to the point of life and death..."

She had her own feelings to share.

Xue Sui did not touch the teacup, nor did he say anything more.

It's not that I think Xue Yuechen's sadness is fake.

Rather, it was the survival rules of noble ladies that differed from hers.

They come from good families, are well-educated, and come from powerful clans. They are adept at navigating their respective circles and possess everything that others envy, making it difficult for them to take risks...

In the past, Xue Yuechen, as the eldest daughter of the Xue family, was a precious and beloved daughter. Because she was engaged early on, she did not mingle with Ping Le, Xiao Qing'er and their group.

After marrying into the Prince Duan's mansion, she became known for her virtue, gentleness, and dignified composure. She was also blessed with the aura of the "Lucky Star of the Eighth Fortune" according to fortune telling. Apart from not being able to bear children, she could be considered a respectable person in the circle of noble ladies in the capital. Many people felt that she would definitely become the empress in the future.

Deep down, Xue Yuechen didn't really think much of Li Yuning and Xiao Qing'er, these supporters of Ping Le...

But lately, Ruihe has been pressing her relentlessly, and Li Huan's apparent tacit approval or even indulgence has cast a shadow over the Xue family's sudden loss of power. She thought her impregnable fortress had been breached, and her once proud spine had unknowingly bent more than halfway...

"If Sixth Sister has any difficulties, just tell your older sister. We're sisters, so let's not be estranged anymore..."

Xue Sui then spoke.

"Your Highness, there's no need for you to be so polite."

Her voice was flat and emotionless, yet it was like a bucket of cold water poured on the familial affection that Xue Yuechen was trying to create.

Xue Yuechen's smile froze slightly.

"My sister, is your visit here because of... those maids at Shuiyue Nunnery?"

"Your Highness is wise." Xue Sui simply peeled away the veil of warmth and went straight to the point, "This humble nun has come to seek an explanation from Your Highness."

Xue Yuechen felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at him.

That gaze was so sharp, it seemed to pierce through the skin.

Ever since she heeded Xue Sui's advice and slipped the purse into Xiao Qing'er's sleeve, that inexplicable unease had been haunting her...

It was as if they had become puppets in Xue Liu's hands, filled with fear and panic.

"It should, it should."

She forced herself to calm down, gave a few perfunctory words, and then changed the subject as if she had suddenly remembered something.

"Look at me, I've been so busy talking. Sixth Sister, it's rare for you to come back, would you like to go... to Sandalwood Courtyard? After you left, the Prince ordered that all the furnishings there be kept exactly as they were, not a single thing was touched. The crabapple tree that you transplanted under the window yourself bloomed beautifully this spring. It's just that the snow was so heavy after winter, I wonder if it got frozen..."

Sandalwood Courtyard.

The three words are like a rusty key.

Unable to resolve inner conflicts, one can stir up a rusty mess.

Xue Sui's lips twitched slightly upwards, not in a smile, but in a way that conveyed extreme aloofness.

"Your Highness's kindness is appreciated," she said. "However, I have already entered the Buddhist order, and yesterday's events are as if they were dead yesterday. The Sandalwood Courtyard is the inner quarters of the Prince's residence, and it is not appropriate for outsiders to set foot there, lest they cause gossip and trouble. This is not a good thing for either oneself or others."

In short, it was a simple statement, yet it was resolute.

By dispelling Xue Yuechen's probing, he also completely severed all ties between her and the Prince Duan's mansion, and with Li Huan.

She wasn't there to reminisce or reminisce about the past.

Xue Yuechen was met with a rebuff, and the forced smile on her face almost faltered.

Just as she was awkwardly unsure how to respond, the curtain outside moved, and Emerald hurried in, her expression subtly tense. She curtsied and whispered:

"Your Highness, the Prince has sent someone to summon him. He is waiting at Tingyu Pavilion and requests... Master Miaozhen to come and have a talk with him."

Xue Yuechen's expression changed slightly. She subconsciously glanced at Xue Sui quickly, then stood up and forced a smile.

"Since His Highness has summoned you, Sixth Sister, please come with me. Tingyu Pavilion is quiet and secluded, overlooking the lake to enjoy the snow scenery. It's peaceful and easy to talk to."

Xue Sui: "Thank you for your trouble, Your Highness."
-
Inside Tingyu Pavilion, the brazier emitted a refreshing scent of pine and cypress.

The window was half-open, facing the lake pavilion covered in thick snow. The snow and the cold wind blowing from the lake outside created a strange and beautiful scene, like a fairyland. The view was truly exquisite.

Li Huan, dressed in a dark cloud-patterned brocade robe and without a jade belt, sat leisurely in front of a sandalwood chessboard by the window.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

A game of chess in its final stages, the battle raging fiercely.

The black and white chess pieces were scattered across the board, making a crisp sound that carried an inexplicable sense of pressure in the silent air.

Xue Sui stopped outside the curtain.

Without waiting for an announcement, Li Huan spoke without even looking up.

"coming?"

It's not an inquiry, it's a statement.

With a hint of nonchalance, as if they had been waiting for a long time.

"come in."

Jade quickly stepped forward and lifted the curtain.

Xue Yuechen entered first, greeting everyone with a beaming smile.

Xue Sui lowered his eyes and followed behind her, stopping a short distance from the chessboard and putting his palms together in a gesture of respect.

"This humble nun, Miaozhen, greets His Highness Prince Duan."

His posture was respectful, but he also exuded a coldness that kept people at a distance.

Li Huan slowly raised his eyes. His gaze swept over her lowered eyelashes and pale cheeks, finally settling on her wrist. His eyes were deep and unreadable.

"Your Highness, please go and see Aning. Her wet nurse said that she has been having nightmares lately, and when she wakes up and doesn't see her parents, she cries incessantly..."

He said this to Xue Yuechen in a calm, even gentle tone.

But Xue Yuechen didn't feel good listening to this.

One was her husband's former concubine, her younger sister. The other was the man she loved, who, in turn, loved her sister—her husband…

They wanted to get her away from them.

They might even talk about that terrifying incident at Baohua Hall...

This delicate scene has an inexplicable sense of suffocation.

Xue Yuechen's face paled slightly, but she smiled and stepped forward, picking up the purple clay teapot that was simmering on the small clay stove and gently refilling the tea.

“What Your Highness says is true… but Sixth Sister braved the snow all the way here, and it’s so cold outside. I should keep her company, have some hot tea, and chat with her…”

Li Huan's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He was clearly displeased by her "lack of tact".

Before she could speak, a maidservant timidly lifted the curtain and entered, carrying A-Ning, who was wrapped up tightly, with only her big, dark eyes showing.

"Your Highness, the young lady has woken up and is crying for her father..."

The maid's voice was barely audible.

The moment Li Huan heard the word "father," his usually cold and hard face softened, as if the first snow of spring had melted, and a gentle warmth spread across his eyes.

"Does Aning miss her father?"

He spoke very softly, with a hint of doting affection.

Xue Yuechen felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly put down the teapot and took her daughter in a few steps.

"Ah Ning, be good, Mommy's here..."

She held her daughter, patted and coaxed her, and then sat down steadily on the embroidered stool below Li Huan, looking up at Xue Sui with an apologetic smile.

"Sixth Sister, please don't be offended. Aning cries easily when she's away from the Prince. While you talk to the Prince, I'll serve tea and take care of Aning..."

She intended to stay.

He lowered his head and kissed his daughter's cheek, his tone soft and loving.

“Ah Ning has grown up so much, but she has never properly met her own aunt... Ah Ning, look, this is your sixth aunt…”

As she spoke, she took Ah Ning's little hand and waved to Xue Sui.

"A-Ning, call her Auntie, Auntie..."

Ah Ning had just woken up and was still a little groggy. She opened her big, watery eyes and looked curiously at Xue Sui, who was dressed in a simple Zen robe. Her little mouth was pursed, and she couldn't call out to him yet.

Xue Sui's gaze lingered on A Ning's tender little face for a moment, his eyes flashing slightly.

His features resemble Li Huan's.

No wonder he likes it so much...

Xue Yuechen held her daughter on her lap and smiled gently, "Sixth Sister, please don't be offended. The child is shy... You can talk, I'm here, will that be a problem?"

Xue Sui withdrew her gaze, her expression indifferent: "Your Highness is too kind. There is nothing that cannot be said to others. With Your Highness present, perhaps the truth can be better discerned."

She had a clear understanding of her elder sister.

This open and honest statement indicates that he disdains having any private dealings with Li Huan.

Li Huan frowned, but did not say anything more to drive them away.

In front of his daughter, he deliberately toned down his usual seriousness, even smiling as he picked up an exquisite ruyi from the table to tease her, appearing every bit the loving father.

Xue Yuechen held the child, speaking gently and softly, displaying the demeanor of a loving mother.

At this moment, Xue Sui watched coldly, feeling somewhat helpless.

They were clearly there to collect a debt, but it looked more like a casual visit to relatives.

When the child is around, there are some things that are inconvenient to say.

The atmosphere was strangely harmonious. The food was prepared and served, and the three of them moved to the dining hall next door.

There was a fine vegetarian meal, which Xue Sui ate in silence.

Throughout the process, Xue Yuechen spoke and laughed gently with the child, trying to ease the awkwardness. Li Huan occasionally responded with a few words, while Xue Sui was very concise with his words.

Then a guard rushed in, leaned close to Li Huan's ear, and whispered a few words.

"what?"

Li Huan suddenly rose up.

His gentle face darkened, and veins throbbed at his temples.

He looked at Xue Sui.

"Miaozhen, come in with me."

After saying that, he turned and left with his hands behind his back.

Xue Sui glanced at Xue Yuechen and nodded in acknowledgment.

The air was heavy and viscous.
Xue Yuechen watched as she followed Li Huan to the guest hall, so nervous she was speechless. Even A Ning in her arms was so frightened by her father's unusually stern tone that she burst into tears.

"Don't cry, don't cry..."

She frantically patted and coaxed them, watching their departing figures, her heart sinking to the bottom.

(End of this chapter)