Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 326 Trapping the Madman

She adopted an extremely humble attitude and distanced herself from the situation as much as possible.

This tact, composure, and sense of propriety brought Empress Xie both comfort and a strange sense of regret.

"Good child, I'm sorry you had to go through this. If you encounter any inconvenience in the future, just send a message to Granny Zhou, and I will take care of it for you." Empress Xie's tone softened, filled with genuine comfort.

Then, glancing sideways, she instructed, "Granny Zhou, take Master Miaozhen to the side hall to get the prescription, and while you're at it, take a look at the medicinal herbs and have her analyze them. If there are any adjustments or additions needed, write them down."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhou Mama replied respectfully.

"This humble nun obeys."

Xue Sui bowed again and followed Granny Zhou to the side hall.

She carefully examined the tonifying prescription issued by the Imperial Medical Bureau, confirming that it contained no ingredients that would harm the fetus or cause any adverse reactions. She then carefully added a few mild herbs, personally oversaw the preparation of the decoction, and finally took her leave.

When I stepped out of the Jiaofang Palace, it was already late.

The palace gates were already locked, and Granny Zhou took the token and escorted her to the palace gates.

Xue Sui politely declined Zhou Mama's offer to arrange a sedan chair, and after the guards' routine inspection, she went straight to the blue cloth carriage waiting in the corner.

Jinshu came forward, bowed, and helped her to a seat.

The heavy, vermilion doors slowly closed behind them.

Xue Sui leaned against the carriage wall, closed her eyes, feeling as if two heavy stones had been placed on her heart. Her mind was filled with the Empress's good news and her meaningful advice, and her fingers clenched gently in her sleeve.

The waters of this deep palace have become even more murky...

The three, master and servants, did not return to the Xue residence immediately. Instead, they walked along a secluded alleyway toward the Hongfu gambling den in the west of the city.

Having not heard from her for quite some time, she needed to find a way to see Tian Shu, as there were some things that needed to be discussed in person.

The carriage lurched as it rolled over the bluestone slabs.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a corner by the night wind.

Xiao Zhao suddenly lowered her voice, "Girl, there's a tail. Two horses, they've been following us for three blocks."

Xue Sui discreetly approached and peered out from a corner of the carriage curtain. About twenty feet behind him, two strong and healthy horses were following.

The person on horseback had their hat brim pulled low, making it impossible to see their face in the dim streetlights...

But the style of the saddle and the glossy coat of the horse gave it an air that was different from that of ordinary people in the city.

Her gaze turned slightly cold, and her fingertips unconsciously rubbed against her knees.

"Avoid Hung Fook Casino and head to the back street of the ghost market in Kwong Chak..."

The carriage bypassed the market's archway and gradually turned into a narrow, winding alleyway. On both sides were low, cluttered mud-brick houses, and the air was filled with the stench of swill mixed with cheap cosmetics.

The sound of horses' hooves behind them faded into the distance...

Xue Sui gestured to Xiao Zhao to prepare the short knife in her sleeve, while he quickly took out a handkerchief from a hidden compartment in his medicine box and tucked it into his sleeve.

Then he lifted the curtain, spotted a dead-end alley filled with old firewood and miscellaneous items, and said to the driver, "Stop the carriage."

As soon as the car came to a stop, she jumped out.

"Wait for my news."

A hint of excitement flashed in Xiao Zhao's eyes, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

Xue Sui lowered his head, pretending to straighten his clothes, glanced around, and then walked straight into the depths of the alley without turning his head, deliberately slowing his pace...

Finally, she stopped in front of a tightly closed wooden door, looked up at it, and remained motionless.

After a moment, a flirtatious and sticky voice came from the shadows behind them.

"What are you doing running into this dilapidated alley all by yourself, young master? Could it be... you're here to have some fun too?"

Xue Sui seemed not to hear the foul language, turned around and walked past the man with a hint of panic in his steps.

"Stop!" The man's voice reeked of alcohol and carried a malicious laugh.

Immediately afterwards, two other men who appeared to be attendants quickly surrounded them.

The three men formed a triangular formation, blocking Xue Sui's retreat.

Unlike what I saw on the street earlier, all three of them now covered their mouths and noses with black cloths, leaving only their eyes exposed, clearly to avoid revealing their identities.

"Why are you walking so fast, little master? Are you feeling guilty?"

Xue Sui turned to the side, pulled his hood down, and quickened his pace.

The man in the lead seemed to look down on the squalid alley and covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve.

"Don't let her go."

Two servants immediately surrounded Xue Sui, their eyes brazenly scanning him.

"Look at this young nun, so slender and graceful, with such delicate skin. Isn't it a waste of her talent to keep her in this nunnery?"

"Why not follow our young master? I guarantee you'll be adorned in gold and silver, enjoying endless riches and glory. Why waste your life in solitude and devotion?"

"That's right. Why be a nun, bound by strict rules and suffering? It's better to eat and drink well with me."

As he spoke, a hand adorned with a large ruby ​​ring, reeking of alcohol, grabbed Xue Sui's shoulder, as if to forcefully pull her into his arms...

In that split second...

Xue Sui suddenly looked up, and a cold glint flashed in his calm eyes under his hood; there was no trace of panic left.

She moved with ghostly speed, swiftly covering the leader's mouth and nose with the medicine-soaked handkerchief. The movement was so fast it was just a blur…

No one saw how she made her move before the man was already kneeling on the ground.

"thump!"

After inhaling a small amount of the powder, the man's movements became slightly sluggish, and he uttered indistinct curses.

"You lowly...you lowly servant...how dare you..."

Seeing their master subdued, the two attendants were terrified. They disregarded everything else, roared, drew their swords, and lunged at Xue Sui...

Xue Sui was prepared and dodged the incoming blade, then struck the man in the ribs with his elbow...

The man groaned and doubled over in pain.

Xue Sui blew a short, sharp whistle as a signal to Xiao Zhao, and immediately put his arm around the neck of the man under his command.

"Get out of my way, or I'll kill him."

The two attendants were hesitant to act, seeing their master struggling in pain, and were caught in a dilemma.

"Your Majesty..."

He took the words back as soon as they left his mouth.

Xue Sui sneered and glanced at the person holding the hostage.

"You're not leaving, huh? Fine, loosen your belt, take off your pants, and throw them over here along with the sword..."

As he spoke, he took advantage of their momentary hesitation and pushed off with his feet.

"Ah—" Li Yan screamed in agony.

A piercing, excruciating pain suddenly exploded from his groin.

Cold sweat poured down his back, and he screamed hoarsely:

"Take it off...take it all off...throw it all over here..."

The two attendants dared not move again, and retreated step by step as instructed, looking at the ruthless little nun with fear in their eyes.

"Take off!"

A rustling sound.

Xue Sui made them retreat to a safe distance with their bare buttocks exposed, squat down against the wall with their heads covered, and then slightly loosened his grip, getting close to the man's wrist and grabbing the tendon.

"Tell me, who sent you? Why are you following me?"

Li Yan was in so much pain that sweat beaded on his forehead.

My mouth and nose area is a little itchy.

He instinctively reached out to scratch it.

However, unable to reach it with fingertips, an even more indescribable itch surged through the pores straight to the brain, like ants burrowing into the flesh and frantically crawling along the meridians...

"It itches! It itches so much! You daring Xue Liu, what have you done to me?"

"It's just some insect powder sprinkled on a handkerchief. It'll make you a little itchy, but it won't kill you..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan no longer cared about his dignity and growled in a low voice, his voice fierce but his heart weak.

"I...I am Prince Li Yan of Wei! You...you lowly servant, how dare you..."

A mocking glint flashed in Xue Sui's eyes, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Ha, how could the dignified King of Wei engage in such a heinous act as abducting women in the slums of the ghost market? You are not the King of Wei, you are a shameless madman."

"Let me go!" Li Yan cried out in terror, but the deep-seated itch not only did not lessen, but intensified with his movements...

He was in pain and itchy, his face contorted in agony, and he didn't hesitate to reveal his identity.

"Xue Liu, I really am... I really am the King of Wei... Pull off my veil, you'll see... I was just joking with you, trying to get closer... Please give me the antidote..."

Seeing that Xiao Zhao had arrived, Xue Sui tied up the two attendants and then winked at her.

"Do you really think I can't see people in the dark? Xiao Zhao, this shameless madman dares to impersonate the King of Wei, beat him to death."

Xiao Zhao understood immediately.

With swift movements, he pulled a few strips of rag from the nearby woodpile, crumpled them into a ball, and stuffed them into Li Yan's still-shouting mouth. He then deftly untied Li Yan's belt and tightly bound his hands, which were tied behind his back.

Then, she took off Li Yan's outer robe and quickly covered his head and face. She also grabbed a tattered sack that had been discarded by someone and used to hold chaff, and put it over his head.

"You filthy scoundrel, how dare you impersonate Prince Wei and commit such atrocities... I'll beat you to death..."

Xiao Zhao raised her voice and shouted with a righteous and awe-inspiring tone.

They punched and kicked the face and buttocks inside the sack without any mercy...

At this moment, dusk enveloped the humble alley.

Between the houses, prostitutes and drunkards joked and laughed amidst the smells of alcohol and perfume, the sound of dice clashing rising and falling. No one heard the muffled thuds and faint groans of pain from the dead end.

Xue Sui stood quietly, letting Xiao Zhao beat him to her heart's content, before stepping forward to hold her hand. Together with Xiao Zhao, they dragged Li Yan, who was bound like a dumpling, to the woodpile and quietly left...

The drunken laughter that drifted from afar still echoed in the alley.

　See you tomorrow! Thanks for the votes, sisters! Sending love!
　　(End of this chapter)