Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 358 The Puppet Meets the Emperor

When Xue Sui emerged from the palace gates, dusk had already enveloped the entire imperial city.

Today's meeting with Empress Xie in the palace is flashing before my eyes.

She walked slowly with her eyelids down.

Ruyi and Xiaozhao followed half a step behind her, carrying lanterns.

The shadows on the ground were stretched long and thin by the lamplight, swaying in the wind as if they were about to dissipate.

"Miss," Xiao Zhao said, noticing her worried expression, "Should we return to Shuiyue Nunnery or go to the Xue residence?"

Xue Sui paused slightly upon thinking of Xue Ji, his voice wavering, "Return to the manor."

"Yes." Xiao Zhao and Ru Yi exchanged a glance and followed.

Since Xue Yueying's funeral, the girl has been somewhat depressed.

They didn't quite understand.

The annoying fourth sister is dead, shouldn't we be happy and celebrating?

Why did the girl suddenly become so preoccupied?
The three walked forward in silence. As soon as they stepped out of the Imperial Street, the hustle and bustle of Zhuque Avenue surged in like a tide.

The night market had already opened, with the lights of the vendors forming a sea of ​​light. The aroma of food, the sweetness of cosmetics, and the slightly sour smell of sweat mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

"Freshly baked sesame cakes—they smell amazing!"

"Fresh plum juice—iced down to beat the heat! You won't regret checking it out!"

"The finest silk—the color is perfect. Would you like to take a look, my lady?"

"..."

Shouts in various accents rose and fell in a cacophony.

Xue Sui frowned.

My chaotic thoughts only added to my agitation; all I wanted was to leave quickly and find some peace and quiet.

She was sent to the palace by a palanquin arranged by Granny Zhou, and she did not ask the Xue family to pick her up, intending to walk back on her own two feet.

As her thoughts wandered, a vendor carrying a straw basket adorned with candied hawthorns passed by. The crowd jostled the basket, and the candied hawthorns nearly brushed against her veiled hat…

Xue Sui was about to turn to the side...

"Be careful."

Just as Xiao Zhao was about to step forward to block it, a slender arm came across and firmly supported Xue Sui's arm, blocking the straw target in front of him.

Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.

Li Zhao stood half a step to his side.

He arrived at some unknown time, dressed in a dark casual robe with a jade belt that accentuated his slender waist. His tall and graceful figure blended into the dimly lit cityscape at night, handsome and eye-catching.

"Your Highness?" Xue Sui subconsciously tried to pull his arm back.

Li Zhao looked at her with dark, deep eyes, like eyes filled with the stars of a summer night.

"Watch where you're walking."

The vendor bowed and scraped, then hurried away.

Before I could even catch my breath, a woman carrying large and small bags and leading a child barged in.

Li Zhao pulled her to his side, using his body to separate her from him...

The warmth of his body seeped through the thin fabric of his clothes, and Xue Sui felt a slight warmth in his heart.

"From the palace?" he asked.

Xue Sui nodded slightly: "I have checked the Empress's pulse to confirm her well-being."

Li Zhao's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, as if confirming something, before he slowly released her hand, a very slight smile playing on his lips. "You don't look too well."

It's not a question, it's a statement.

Xue Sui avoided his overly focused gaze, "Perhaps it's because I've been cooped up in the palace for too long..."

Li Zhao chuckled softly, "The night is still lovely, shall we take a walk together?"

Xue Sui looked up and met his unfathomable eyes.

It lacks its usual sharpness, but possesses a gentle, persistent quality.

The taut string in her heart was gently plucked by something; the words of refusal rolled on her tongue, but ultimately turned into a soft "hmm".

A hint of a smile flashed across Li Zhao's eyes, as if he was certain she wouldn't refuse.

"Come with me."

He stepped aside to make room for her, glanced at the two slightly nervous maids behind her, and then gave instructions to Guan Ya and the other guards.

"Just follow from a distance."

Ruyi looked at Xiao Zhao.

Xiao Zhao pursed her lips and stared at Li Zhao warily.

Then, he glanced at Xue Sui and silently stepped back.

Xue Sui and Li Zhao had known each other for a long time and had interacted countless times, even having more intimate moments, but never before had they walked together in the bustling city like this.

They walked one after the other, just inches apart, silently merging into the crowd.

Instead of choosing a secluded corner, Li Zhao walked along the busiest street towards the brightest lights. His tall figure parted the crowd, his steps steady, yet he deliberately slowed down, glancing back every now and then, as if afraid she wouldn't keep up, or as if to make sure she was still by his side.

Xue Sui watched his broad back and followed silently. The clamor of the crowd seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier; all the noise and disturbances were blocked outside by that figure.

After walking a short distance, there was a colorful tent set up ahead.

The crowd was packed three or four deep, with loud cheers and laughter mixed with the crisp sound of bells and the lively beat of drums.

"Puppet show..." A toddler, carried on his father's shoulders, clapped excitedly and pointed to the center of the crowd.

"Father, I want to see a puppet show, to see that big-bellied general..."

Li Zhao turned his head to look at Xue Sui, his eyes reflecting the flickering lamplight.

Have you ever seen a puppet show?

Xue Sui looked over the throng of people.

In the crowd, there was a stall where an old man in a loose theatrical robe was skillfully manipulating several palm-sized puppets. The puppets were roughly carved, but their features were extremely lifelike. Dressed in various small clothes, they tumbled and jumped on the makeshift wooden platform, making all sorts of comical movements, as the old man's fingers trembled.

Life is full of suffering; we must find our own way through joy and sorrow!

"On stage, drums and gongs; off stage, tears and lamentations; all the joys and sorrows of life are ultimately blessings."

The old man's powerful singing voice pierced through the bustling crowd, carrying a sense of desolation as if he had seen through the ways of the world.

Beside him, a young servant boy, in sync with the old man's movements, struck a small drum and shook a string of bells, playing the rhythm quickly and accurately.

Every aspect of life in the city is condensed here.

As Xue Sui watched the puppet performing against its will, yet with all its might, something seemed to gently bump into his heart.

She shook her head slightly: "I haven't looked at it closely."

Li Zhao took in her momentary daze.

"This is the first time I've seen this before—"

He paused, his voice low, "It does look somewhat interesting."

As they were talking, the puppet general was making comical chopping motions when he suddenly stumbled and fell flat on his back, the paper sword flying out of his hand, causing the onlookers to burst into laughter.

The old man's finger twitched, and the puppet general scrambled to his feet again, dusted himself off, and continued to stand tall and proud.

"Bravo!" The crowd erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers.

A portly, drunken merchant squeezed through the crowd, tossed a small piece of silver to the side, and slurred, “Old man, put on a show for me like ‘Passing the Imperial Examination and Our Wedding Night.’ Make it funny. If you amuse me, there will be a big reward.”

The old man glanced at the silver, a humble smile spreading across his face, and bowed repeatedly.

"Please forgive me, sir. My skills are rudimentary and I only know some rustic folk tricks. They are not worthy of being presented in a formal setting. The elegant and wonderful things you mentioned can be found in the inner hall, which is a hundred times more refined than what is outside here... I guarantee you will have a good laugh."

The young boy stood guard in front of the stall, banging on a gong.

“The inner hall is a refined room, thirty coins per person, fair and honest to both young and old.”

The wealthy merchant was somewhat dissatisfied, but seeing the old man's respectful attitude, he waved his hand and paid the money.

"Then let's go take a look inside."

"Honored guest, please come in..."

The old man breathed a sigh of relief, then added mysteriously, "When the performance ends in the inner hall and people leave, they can draw a lucky prize for good luck."

Upon hearing that there was a prize, everyone became interested and began to peer into the small door behind the old man, which was covered by a cloth curtain.

Li Zhao looked at Xue Sui's calm face, "Shall we go in and take a look?"

Xue Sui was taken aback at first, then suddenly saw the old man's puppet wiping its face in a comical manner and bowing exaggeratedly to her.

Her tightly clenched lips couldn't help but curl up slightly.

"Okay, there's no harm in taking a look."

Several onlookers rushed forward to pay.

Li Zhao naturally reached out and tentatively protected Xue Sui at her side. The two were pushed forward by the crowd.

Upon closer inspection, the mottled paint on the puppet, the worn threads, and the deep wrinkles on the old man's hands are all clearly visible.

Xue Sui couldn't help but take another look, and the young servant, seeing this, shouted loudly.

"Thirty copper coins per person in the inner hall. Pay first, then watch the play."

"No credit allowed. Leave and enter a raffle – it's all up to luck!"

Before Xue Sui could speak, Li Zhao said, "I didn't bring any money."

He spoke frankly, a hint of a smile hidden in his eyes.

Xue Sui glanced at him, took out sixty copper coins from his sleeve, and handed them to the servant.

In the lamplight, her cool and aloof features softened quietly, as if starlight had fallen upon them.

"Excuse me, sir, it's just the two of us."

The two of us...

Li Zhao's heart stirred slightly.

Looking at her profile as she focused on counting the money, an indescribable tenderness welled up in my heart.

The servant quickly collected the money, lifted the curtain, and loudly announced.

"Alright! Please come in, esteemed guests..."

(End of this chapter)