Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 320 Returning Home
A gentle breeze and warm sunshine slanted across the newly painted vermilion gate of the Xue residence.

The two imposing stone lions in front of the gate, with red silk hanging around their necks, exuded an incongruous festive air.

Xue Sui glanced at the two characters "Xue Mansion" on the lintel, then stepped onto the spotless bluestone steps in his gray cloth shoes, his steps light and slow, like a frosty leaf that had strayed into the bustling city.

The old gatekeeper, Xue Zhong, rubbed his eyes several times before confirming that the thin, pale nun under the hood was the sixth young lady of the manor. He hurriedly bowed and greeted her with a long-lost respect.

"Sixth Miss has returned to the manor! Quickly, inform the Third Madam."

Upon entering the mansion, the interior scene becomes even more festive.

Servants and maids carried stacks of brocade and lacquer trays as they hurried about, their steps quick but their voices barely audible, leaving only the rustling of fabric and the muffled thuds of trunks falling to the ground.

Red silk ribbons hung everywhere under the covered walkway, and even the old, leafy trees in the courtyard were wrapped in bright red brocade, swaying flamboyantly in the wind...

The air was filled with the smell of fresh paint, the rich aroma of incense, and a tense atmosphere, as if everyone was afraid of making a mistake...

"Sixth Sister. My dear Sixth Sister! You're finally back..."

Third Madam Qian hurriedly emerged from behind the screen...

The person arrived before the voice.

Because of her pregnancy, she wore loose clothing, revealing a fuller waist and rounder cheeks, but the weariness from the stress of her busy life was still evident in her eyes.

Upon seeing Xue Sui, Madam Qian was as if she had seen a savior. She rushed forward, ignoring Xue Sui's clasped hands in greeting, and grabbed her hand, hurriedly pouring out her grievances.

"Look at this mansion, it's in complete chaos..."

Before she could finish speaking, the sensation on her hand startled her.

Xue Sui's wrists are too thin; they're so thin it's heartbreaking.

Her heart ached, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"Why hasn't the flesh grown back yet? That nunnery was so deserted; it's definitely not a place to nourish a person. Never mind, now that you're back, I have to give you some proper nourishment. You can't let your body fall apart..."

Xue Sui smiled slightly and withdrew his hand without making a sound.

“I appreciate your kindness, Aunt. As long as I am in a Buddhist monastery, I must abide by the precepts. Simple meals are also a form of spiritual practice, and I dare not indulge in my appetite.”

Upon hearing this, Qian fell silent for a moment.

Instead of being displeased, he became happy.

Because Xue Sui only said "one day," he left room for maneuver.

She won't be a nun forever.

Madam Qian stopped insisting, patted Xue Sui's hand, and then, pointing to the joyful faces around her, continued her previous words with a worried expression.

"There's been no rest from morning till night. The storeroom is taking stock of the dowry, the accounting office is handling expenses, the sewing room is rushing to make clothes, and we're buying all sorts of things outside... everything is piling up in front of me..."

"But this baby in my belly is causing me so much trouble. And now the old lady's energy is waning, she doesn't care about anything anymore. And your stepmother, sigh, let's not even talk about her... She's really quite capable, she's a very carefree and hands-off manager..."

"Sixth Sister, if you don't come back and lend a hand, I, your third aunt, am really going to fall headfirst into this pile of red silk."

As she spoke, she stroked her slightly protruding belly, her brows furrowed.

"The sight of all this red made me dizzy and anxious, and my heart was pounding."

Xue Sui smiled, his voice as calm as ever.

"Third Aunt, please take care of yourself. As for the trivial matters, instruct the managers to handle them according to the old rules and regulations. You are in charge of the headquarters, so don't do everything yourself... Now that I'm back, if there are any errands or messages to be delivered, just send me."

Upon hearing this, Ms. Qian felt as if the tangled mess in her mind had been smoothed out a bit, and she breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Good, good. With you saying that, your third aunt feels at ease. You are such a sensible child."

She pulled Xue Sui towards the main hall, and then loudly instructed the maid.
"Go to Pear Fragrance Courtyard and check carefully again. Is anything missing or out of order? Have all the window screens been replaced? Are the charcoal brazier and bedding neat and clean? Sixth Miss is frail and can't stand the cold. We can't be careless in the slightest." The maid replied crisply and hurried off.

Xue Sui simply nodded slightly in thanks and said nothing more.

Mr. Qian liked her calm and sensible demeanor, and affectionately took her hand, leading her to sit down in a rosewood armchair by the window.

“The other day, my third aunt had someone clean up Pear Fragrance Courtyard, thinking that it would give you a quiet place to go when you come back…”

There was no one else in the room, and several young maids stood at attention in the corner, holding their breath.

Madam Qian had hot sachets served to her, and then dismissed the maids outside the door before lowering her voice to inquire about what had happened at Baohua Palace that day.

"There are all sorts of rumors. Consort Li... is she really finished? Princess Ruihe is also under house arrest..."

She clearly knew little, only having heard rumors but not the full story, and her tone was filled with curiosity and nervousness.

Xue Sui picked up the teacup and looked down at the emerald green tea.

The rising steam blurred the emotions in her eyes, and her voice was as indifferent as if she were talking about other people's business.

"Thunder and rain, all are the emperor's grace. The fortunes and misfortunes of the royal family are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

She paused, then looked at Madam Qian with a meaningful smile.

"However, for the Xue family, the dust has settled and the storm has subsided, so all that's left is good news."

Madam Qian sighed, "Who can argue with that? Ever since the Second Master was assassinated, this family has felt like half the sky has collapsed, and everyone is filled with fear. Now that Ninth Miss has been able to marry into the Prince of Wei's mansion, even though she is a second wife, it is still a great honor. It can at least dispel the bad luck in this mansion..."

Her face bore a mixture of bitterness and helplessness.

"Fortunately, taking advantage of the military supplies case, the imperial court finally gave a clear explanation, posthumously rewarding the Second Master for his loyalty and bravery, and appointing the Third Master to a substantive post. This has comforted his soul in heaven."

Clearly, what she said was not the same as what Xue Sui said.

Xue Sui didn't say much, just smiled calmly.

Xue Qinglian's death was classified as a martyrdom while investigating corruption.

The imperial court posthumously awarded him the title of Fengzhi Dafu, and also provided funeral expenses for Master Xue, and secured a position as a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue for his son, Xue Zuan…

It's definitely a good thing...

As the two were talking, a soft tinkling of jade pendants came from outside, accompanied by the crying of a child and an impatient coaxing from a woman.

"Little darling, stop crying... watch your throat..."

A young maidservant came in to announce the news.

"Third Madam, Fourth Miss has returned to the manor."

Xue Sui's hand paused almost imperceptibly, then returned to its calm, and she lowered her head to take a light sip.

Madam Qian's brows immediately furrowed, and her face darkened.

"She only calmed down for a few days, and then she rushed back. It can't be anything good."

A moment later, Xue Yueying swayed her hips as she entered.

She wore a brand-new pomegranate red dress with gold trim, and her hair was adorned with a red gold hairpin. Behind her were several demure, well-dressed wet nurses and maids. Her whole demeanor was imposing and ostentatious.

Holding two-year-old Gu Yu's hand, she was squirming and crying.

As Xue Yueying stepped across the threshold, her gaze immediately fell precisely on Xue Sui.

"I was wondering why the manor was so quiet today. It turns out that Sixth Sister, this great Buddha, has arrived."

(End of this chapter)