Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 338 A Woman's Hands Can Transform the World
Shuiyuean.

As dawn broke, Ruyi mixed the freshly drawn well water with warm water and poured it into a porcelain basin.

The crisp, cool vapors mingled with the warmth and rose, condensing into white mist in the morning light.

Jinshu was helping Xue Sui wash her face when she saw her fingertips tremble slightly as they touched the water.

"Miss, is the water too cold?"

Xue Sui shook his head, took the soft handkerchief, and gently wiped his cheeks with a smile.

"It's alright, it'll make you more alert."

She looked up at the polished bronze mirror on the table.

The person in the mirror had no makeup on, but their eyes shone brightly in the faint morning light streaming in from the window.

"Look at the sun, it looks like it's going to be sunny for a while."

Jinshu realized what she was saying and chuckled softly:

"The Empress's unborn child has greatly pleased the Emperor. Not only has he pardoned the Lu family, but he has also lifted Princess Wenjia's confinement. Now the whole city is talking about it, saying that this is a blessing from Heaven for the Great Liang, a sign of good fortune. Miss, this move is truly brilliant."

Xue Sui's lips twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

"It's just going with the flow. It's not exactly a brilliant move."

She put down the handkerchief, walked to the window, and pushed open the window frame.

The peach trees in the courtyard are in full bloom.

The pink and white petals were glistening with morning dew. A gust of wind sent a few petals swirling and drifting down.

"Miss." Ruyi brought in congee and side dishes. As she set out the bowls and chopsticks, she noticed the girl staring at the fallen flowers in a daze and suddenly spoke.

"You tell me, aren't the ladies in the deep palace like the flowers on this tree, looking bright and beautiful, but in reality, they fall with a gust of wind... and can never be picked up again?"

Xue Sui was taken aback, then burst into laughter.

"Why is our Ruyi so sentimental today? Could it be that she's looking for her ideal husband?"

Ruyi's round face flushed red, and she stamped her foot, saying:
"Who wants any ideal husband? What young man treats a maid as well as this young lady? Ruyi doesn't want to get married; she wants to spend her life following this young lady, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures..."

Xue Sui was amused by her and felt a rare moment of relief.

"Alright, alright, let's set out the dishes of pickles first, then we can eat."

She turned and walked to the table, sat down, and then, as if remembering something, whispered an instruction.

"Jinshu, after dinner, go to Youhuang Residence and take the scriptures we sorted out yesterday. Tell them that Shuiyue Nunnery has acquired a few new translations and would like to invite Your Highness to come to the villa this afternoon to review and give you some pointers."

After a brief pause, he raised his eyebrows again.

"Remember to bring a box of honeysuckle tea, freshly picked this spring from the mountain, to soothe Your Highness's throat..."

A knowing smile flashed in Jinshu's eyes.

"Yes. This servant will go and prepare it right away."

They all knew that delivering the scriptures was a pretense; the girl's real purpose was to see His Highness the Crown Prince.

As Ruyi served food to Xue Sui, she couldn't help but tease him.

"I think it's the young lady who's looking for her ideal husband..."

Xue Sui glanced at her, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and scooped up a spoonful of porridge on her own.

"In the pure land of Buddhism, one should refrain from speaking of foolish and entangled words."

Xiao Zhao glanced at her quickly, and for some reason, she inexplicably thought of the eldest son...

He's such a remarkable person, why isn't he the one the girl loves?
-
Before dawn, Li Zhao was helped by his eunuchs to change his clothes and prepare for court.

As I stepped out of the East Palace, the east was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

As was customary, he would first go to the Jiaofang Palace to pay his respects before attending court.

Unexpectedly, upon entering the palace, he saw Emperor Chongzhao.

Two bowls of rice porridge, a few side dishes, the emperor and empress sat facing each other, the atmosphere unusually peaceful.

Empress Xie leaned against the soft pillows, her face still pale, but her eyes held a gentle smile, and she murmured softly from time to time.

Emperor Chongzhao reached out to check the temperature of her forehead, then picked up two bamboo shoots and held them to her lips, just like an ordinary husband showing concern for his pregnant wife.

This heartwarming scene, so typical of an ordinary couple, was something Li Zhao had never witnessed in his twenties.

In the past, the Emperor always maintained an imperial demeanor in front of the Empress Dowager. When the two met, their greetings were brief and to the point. Such an intimate scene seemed like a dream, not real.

A slight ripple stirred in Li Zhao's heart, and he paused in his tracks.

When Empress Xie saw him, her smile deepened.

"Zhao'er is here."

Emperor Chongzhao raised his eyes and looked at his son, who was much taller than him, with a rare look of gentleness on his face.

"No need for formalities. Has the Crown Prince eaten yet? Please sit down and have some with us."

Li Zhaoyi bowed respectfully, saying, "Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

After he finished speaking, he sat down halfway down and looked at Empress Xie.

"Is Your Majesty feeling any better today?"

"Much better." Empress Xie's voice was weak, as if she were forcing herself to stay awake, yet it also carried a hint of satisfaction. "With His Majesty's favor and my own blessings, how could I not feel better?"

As she spoke, her gentle gaze fell on her still-flat stomach.

That's a mother's most natural posture.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Chongzhao's face even showed a rare, almost loving glow. He put down his silver chopsticks and said gently, "Heaven has blessed us with this son. It is a blessing for the Great Liang, and even more so for you, Empress."

He glanced at Li Zhao, then smiled at the Empress and said, "Look at the child you raised, he excels in everything. It's just that in the last two years, he's become too mature and has lost some of his youthful vigor. He's nothing like I was back then..."

This gentle tone and amiable attitude were clearly influenced by auspicious omens.

But beneath this intimacy, is there a deeper test and check?

Li Zhao dared not be careless and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty's instructions are to be heeded by your son."

Emperor Chongzhao nodded and casually said, "As a son, you should spend more time with your mother in your spare time, instead of worrying her all the time."

Li Zhao showed no sign of his illness and said softly, "Your subject will remember your teachings, Father. However, the matter in the Western Frontier is not yet resolved, and there are many doubts surrounding General Lu's rebellion. Your subject received the imperial decree in the palace to investigate the truth within a month and dares not slacken for a moment, lest I fail to live up to Your Majesty's grace."

Emperor Chongzhao's smile faded slightly, and he sighed.

"The affairs of the Western Frontier cannot be rushed; haste will only create chaos and jeopardize the overall situation. Matters of vital importance to the nation and the people must be carefully planned before taking action. Although the Xiao family is domineering, the Lu family is not necessarily entirely innocent. In the court, various factions are vying for power. As the Crown Prince, you must learn to remain calm, consult with the officials in the court, listen to the opinions of senior ministers, and pool your wisdom and efforts—this is the best course of action..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Zhao, his fingertips unconsciously twirling the bright yellow cuff of his sleeve, his tone now tinged with scrutiny and expectation.

"Speaking of which, you're not young anymore. When I was your age, I was already old enough to start my studies... As the crown prince, establishing a wife and continuing the family line is of paramount importance to the ancestral temple and the state. Choosing a crown princess as soon as possible to ensure the continuation of the royal family and the continuation of the imperial line is the way to stabilize the foundation of the country. This matter can no longer be delayed. Your mother and I also look forward to enjoying our grandchildren."

He meant something.

He unusually spoke a lot of heartfelt and intimate conversations, just like a father.

But with the turmoil still raging, Li Zhao dared not accept this as ordinary concern.

Li Zhao's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded and bowed again.

"My son understands."

"Zhao'er is a sensible person. He knows his place when it comes to marriage and will certainly obey His Majesty's wishes." Empress Xie keenly sensed Li Zhao's expression and gently smoothed things over, afraid that the emperor would bring up some inappropriate candidates for the crown princess again and cause trouble.

Emperor Chongzhao chuckled and raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly darkening for a moment.

He didn't continue the topic, but simply waved his hand at Li Zhao.

"Go on, it's getting late, don't neglect your business."
-
The turmoil that occurred at the end of March in the thirteenth year of Chongzhao's reign finally took a dramatic turn with a "divine fire descending from the sky," which was widely rumored to be miraculous.

The dust has settled.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the capital in an instant.

The sacred light spectacle at Wangshu Pavilion and the auspicious dragon embryo at Jiaofang Palace acted like two powerful magnets, releasing immense force that subtly shifted the balance of power in the capital, causing the pieces to move.

Even the weather seemed to echo this joyous occasion, with clear skies and sunshine.

The Imperial Household Department revised the ceremonial procedures for the Empress's morning and evening greetings, and the Imperial Medical Academy took turns on duty, not daring to slack off in the slightest. Various rare medicinal materials, silks and satins, gold and jade antiques... were sent into the Jiaofang Palace in a continuous stream.

Even Empress Dowager Chengqing, whose relationship with the Jiaofang Palace was always delicate, sent several auspicious bonsai trees, making them very elaborate.

With the Empress pregnant, the Crown Prince's position was secure, and he enjoyed unparalleled popularity.

Overnight, the wind direction changed abruptly.

Concubines and noblewomen came in droves to offer congratulations, express their loyalty, and curry favor.

Inside the palace and in the imperial court, everyone was celebrating the auspicious omen, but undercurrents were also stirring about this sudden change...

Everyone is weighing the winds and calculating the gains and losses, each with their own new plans.

The most detached person was Tuya.

When Princess Wenjia went to Hanzhang Palace to thank her, she was still studying those few lustrous jade stones, completely uninterested in the hustle and bustle of the palace...

Looking into her aunt's cold eyes, Wenjia felt a complex mix of emotions.

If her mother had been this insightful back then, would the ending have been different?
"Everyone in the palace is vying for the emperor's favor, but only my aunt remains calm and composed."

"Favor and disgrace are but fleeting illusions. Those favored concubines of the Xiz royal court back then, now even their bones cannot be found..."

Tuya glanced at her indifferently, her clear eyes full of understanding.

"You still look troubled. Are you worried about General Lu?"

Wen Jia smiled bitterly: "My aunt knows me. General Lu has been wronged, but I am helpless."

Tuya placed the water jade on the star chart and slowly moved it with her fingers. The light patterns refracted by the water jade jumped onto the palace pillars, which was quite beautiful.

“The star of Tian Shu has moved, and the injustice will be redressed. But…” Her veil fluttered slightly, as if hinting at something, “Those hands that manipulate the stars may not be willing to reveal their true faces.”

Wen Jia's heart skipped a beat.

For some reason, she had a strong intuition.

The turbulent changes within the palace were, in some mysterious way, stirred up by that woman named Ping An.

She changed many things and many people, yet she kept her achievements hidden, dressed in simple clothes, walking between the mortal world and beyond, like a wisp of unseen breeze...

"I only hope that my aunt's discerning eyes can see through my confusion."

(End of this chapter)