Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 343 Two Threads Connected

After the meal, Xue Qingzhi sat for a short while, then said he had official business to attend to and got up to leave.

Xue Sui followed Xue Ji back to the small courtyard where she lived.

Sure enough, there were two clever-looking little girls, around twelve or thirteen years old, sweeping under the eaves.

The interior furnishings remained simple, but a few new items had been added.

A pair of nearly new celadon vases, a cushioned armchair, and fresh fruit on the table...

Xue Sui looked around for a moment, then instructed Ruyi and Xiao Zhao to neatly arrange the fabrics, perfumes, embroidery threads, several boxes of bird's nest, and calming herbs they had brought back from the pharmacy, and place them on the table.

"These materials are plain in color, just right for Mother. The bird's nest and medicinal herbs are for Mother to nourish her body. Stew them according to the recipe and eat them. Don't be stingy, there will be more if you eat them."

Yukihime looked at the pile of objects on the table and waved her hands repeatedly, her eyes showing both joy and unease.

"This is too much. Sixth Sister, Mother doesn't lack anything, really! You're all alone in the nunnery, you need money for everything, you should be more careful with yourself..."

"Keep it." Xue Sui said in a neutral tone, and personally opened a small lacquered box, taking out a pair of simple earrings.

"There are quite a few things inside, all entrusted to me by Princess Wenjia. She's worried about your health and afraid you're not doing well..."

When Xueji heard her mention Wenjia, she was deeply moved.

"Princess Wenjia was a kind and loyal girl... Young Master Lu was such a good person too, how could this happen..."

She suddenly realized her slip of the tongue, stopped abruptly, and stole a glance at Xue Sui, her eyes filled with guilt and worry, "I wonder how they are doing now?"

"The princess has lost a lot of weight because she is thinking about General Lu."

Xue Sui did not answer directly, but said indifferently, "I heard that Father has been coming often recently, but has he mentioned anything about the capital?"

Yukihime's face turned red again.

She shook her head, her voice weak and tinged with embarrassment and unease.

"I don't come here very often... I just come every now and then, sit for a while, chat, and bring some things..."

She seemed to want to emphasize Xue Qingzhi's concern, but she clearly lacked confidence.

Xue Sui smiled. "Mother, don't you find it strange? For over a decade, this man has never cared about you, always treating us mother and daughter as nothing. How come he suddenly changed his nature overnight, becoming so considerate?"

Xueji's face paled, her fingers clenched the handkerchief tightly, and she spoke very slowly.

"...So you want to take me to Shuiyue Nunnery because of this?"

Xue Sui didn't want to scare her.

Looking at that suddenly pale face, he softened his tone.

"The higher you lift someone up, the harder they'll fall. I wanted to warn my mother. Some relationships shouldn't be taken too seriously. Sweet words and caring words are the cheapest... Who knows if they're poison coated in sugar? Indulging in them will only hurt yourself..."

Xue Ji opened her mouth, as if she wanted to refute her daughter and defend Xue Qingzhi, but when she met Xue Sui's calm and sharp eyes, the words stuck in her throat and she couldn't say them.

She felt lost and helpless.

It looks almost clumsy.

"Think about it again." Xue Sui looked away, no longer looking at her.

"It's up to you whether you stay or leave; I won't force you."
-
That night, Xue Sui stayed at Pear Fragrance Courtyard again.

Officially, she returned to the mansion to visit Old Madam Cui.

However, after spring arrived, the old lady's health improved considerably, though her speech became somewhat unclear and her temperament became increasingly stubborn. She didn't concern herself much with the affairs of the household, and apart from the old servant who served her personally, she didn't pay much attention to anyone else, which saved Xue Sui a lot of trouble.

As the lamps were lit, Madam Qian came over to sit idly, holding a plate of freshly roasted melon seeds in her hands.

As the two chatted about their recent situations, a hint of melancholy crept into their conversation.

"Your third uncle won't be coming back today again."

Mrs. Qian grabbed a handful of melon seeds and started cracking them open, her tone a mix of complaint and worry.

"With the arrival of the Xiz delegation in the city, the entire Jingji Camp is on high alert, patrolling day and night, fearing the slightest mishap... Your third uncle is now in charge of the western city's defenses, and the camp conducts daily drills and checks on all comings and goings. He's been staying at the camp for several days in a row, and you can't see a soul in sight..."

She sighed, stroked her swollen belly, and then winked mischievously at Xue Sui.

"If I didn't know he was busy with a legitimate job, I would have suspected that he was keeping a mistress on the side... or that he was being held back by some vixen!"

Xue Sui smiled, amused by her.

"Doesn't your third aunt know what kind of person your third uncle is?"

"What's there to understand? As a father, he doesn't even ask about family matters. He's busier than a high-ranking official in the imperial court, always running around doing nothing..."

Although Madam Qian was sharp-tongued and constantly complained about Xue Qingxiu, her eyebrows and eyes were relaxed, with the special radiance of a woman talking about her reliable husband.

This couple bickered and argued, yet they cared for and supported each other, which was quite rare in such a secluded mansion.

Xue Sui looked at her, a hint of warmth in his eyes.

"Third Uncle is working so hard because he wants to win an imperial title for Third Aunt..."

Because she was the daughter of a merchant, Ms. Qian was often looked down upon, and she became somewhat flustered upon hearing the voice.

She put down the melon seeds, leaned over and grasped Xue Sui's hand, which was resting on his knee, with a firm grip and a sincere voice.

"Speaking of this, Sixth Sister, Third Aunt still has to thank you properly..." She thought of the past, and her eyes reddened slightly.

“Your third aunt understands everything. Your third uncle is able to get to where he is today and gain a foothold in the camp, all thanks to you for protecting him back then... Your third aunt and your third uncle will remember this kindness for the rest of their lives.”

Xue Sui gently patted the back of her hand, "We're family, no need for formalities. Third Uncle is diligent and capable; he earned all this through his own hard work..."

Madam Qian dabbed at the corner of her eye with a handkerchief to calm herself down. She chatted with her for a while longer before remembering the important matter at hand.

"Sixth girl, you came back at this critical moment not just for the old lady, right?"

Xue Sui knew that this third aunt was very shrewd and straightforward.

"There is something I would like to trouble my third aunt to keep an eye on for me."

“Speak!” Madam Qian immediately sat up straight, her expression serious. “As long as Third Aunt can do it, I will not dare to refuse in the slightest.”

Xue Sui looked at Madam Qian, remained silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to the window, lowering his voice slightly, sounding somewhat worried.

"Father's change in attitude is no accident. There are many people and eyes in the mansion, and it is inconvenient for me to keep an eye on things all the time. I would like to ask Third Aunt to keep a closer eye on things for me. If there is anything extra or missing in her yard, or if Father does anything unusual, please inform me immediately."

Qian's expression hardened, and she immediately understood the deeper meaning behind Xue Sui's words.

"No wonder you wanted to take her to stay at the nunnery for a while. What, your aunt won't allow it?"

Xue Sui smiled bitterly, "I didn't say I refused, but I was worried about my father and hesitated... Everyone has their own destiny, and you can't force it."

“That’s true…” Madam Qian nodded solemnly, her eyes sharpening.

"Aunt Xue is soft-hearted and easily influenced, making her easy to manipulate. But don't worry, as long as I'm here, I won't let anyone cause trouble under my nose. Tomorrow I'll send my most capable maid, Liu Mama, to her room to look after her for a few days. Any disturbance will be noticed by us..."

A faint smile appeared on Xue Sui's lips.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Third Aunt."

"Why bother?" Madam Qian playfully slapped her, then sighed softly, with a hint of melancholy, "Your mother... sigh, if she can't stand on her own two feet, no matter how hard others pull her, it will be difficult..."

Xue Sui nodded, smiled, and stood up.

"I see it's still early. I brought back a few little trinkets for Tenth Sister and Yi-ge this time. I'm going with Third Aunt to the West Courtyard... to see them..."

A smile immediately spread across Qian's face, and she repeatedly said yes, but in her heart she sighed softly.

This sixth girl is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. She does everything perfectly, but only shows a fraction of her true feelings.

Whether carrying too much burden is a blessing or a curse is unknown.
-
The following afternoon, Xue Sui changed into a worn-out cotton dress, covered his face with a veil, and quietly left the mansion with Xiao Zhao.

Our destination was the Tianshui Inn, a place in the west of the city known for its diverse and sometimes chaotic atmosphere.

The second-floor window was half-open, allowing a glimpse into the activity in the alley behind the inn.

Xue Sui ordered a pot of the most ordinary coarse tea.

He drew on the rough wooden table, using his fingers to trace the water stains in the cup.

Without the "Yanluo Pictorial," she used water as ink to sketch the layout of streets and alleys to pass the time while waiting...

"Miss," Jinshu said softly.

"Look..."

Xue Sui raised his eyes and looked out the window.

The merchant from Xiz, who had been wearing a gray turban yesterday, was seen talking quietly with a waiter dressed in a short outfit from an inn in the back alley.

“Alim.” Xue Sui recognized him.

After a brief conversation, Alimu took out a money pouch from his sleeve and handed it to the waiter.

The waiter carefully tucked it into his sleeve, then turned and left in a hurry.

Alimu straightened his cuffs, looked around warily again, and then quickly returned to the Tianshui Inn.

Xue Sui signaled to Xiao Zhao to keep an eye on where the waiter was going.

Then sit quietly and wait.

Time passes little by little,
Alimu never left the inn.

The room where Xue Sui was located was unusually quiet.

Apart from the breeze ruffling the corner of the curtain, the only other sound was the soft simmering of tea.

As night fell and the lights inside and outside the inn slowly came on, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance of the back alley.

He looked around, then quickly slipped through the side door of the inn.

"It's here," Xue Sui whispered, his fingertips pausing slightly on the rim of the cup.

Gu Wulang...

I hope I won't disappoint Aunt Chun.

The Yama's Album may be gone, but her hatred remains.

　See you tomorrow! Thank you sisters for subscribing to the official version and voting for me, sending you love!
　　(End of this chapter)