Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 359 Love in the Play

The inner hall was indeed a hidden paradise.

Several oil lamps hung in the corridor, bathing most of the space in a hazy, yellowish hue.

The air was filled with the smells of wood, paint, and fabric.

Seven or eight out of ten onlookers sat on the simple long bench, including ordinary people, as well as well-dressed scholars, merchants, and minor officials.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes focused on the stage directly in front of them.

Xue Sui and Li Zhao found a corner to sit down.

At this moment, a performance of "Meeting at the Broken Bridge" is being staged.

A snake-woman puppet holding a cloth umbrella and a scholar puppet with a hat askew were carried on the stage, their features vividly drawn. The snake-woman puppet was shy and evasive, exuding an ethereal aura, while the scholar puppet looked somewhat clumsy, stumbling as he walked, his movements deliberately exaggerated and awkward, which drew even louder laughter from the crowd.

"Oh dear, you idiot!"

Someone made a sarcastic remark, which caused a burst of laughter.

The lighting was dim, with only a concentrated glimmer of light on the stage.

The snake woman and the scholar gaze at each other across the broken bridge, their postures both sorrowful and tender.

The singing style inside the hall was more delicate than outside, and it conveyed the pain of longing in a very vivid way.

Xue Sui watched quietly.

Suddenly, I felt that many things in this world were as absurd as this puppet show.

She, Li Zhao, Wen Jia, Li Huan, Xue Yuechen, the recently deceased Xue Yueying, the leg-broken Li Yan, Xiao Qing'er imprisoned in the cold palace, and even the high and mighty Emperor Chongzhao in the Zichen Palace, are they not all puppets being led by fate, performing their own involuntary dramas on their respective stages?
Xue Sui suddenly remembered what Li Zhao had said to her at the Moon-Viewing Terrace—

"You are a strong magnet, and I am the pointer that is drawn by you."

I didn't fully appreciate its meaning at the time.

Only now do I realize the hidden meaning behind the words...

He was originally an arrogant and aloof crown prince, and everyone said he was harsh, ungrateful, and cold-hearted...

But now he is willing to set aside his pride and soften his sharp edges...

So much so that she often forgot the stark white bones and infighting beneath the imperial power, indulging in this dangerous tenderness...

Li Zhao noticed her prolonged silence, turned his head slightly, and his warm breath brushed against her ear.

"Why would you watch me if not a play?"

In the dim light, his facial features appeared exceptionally handsome, and his eyelashes cast a small shadow on his face, softening his usual sharpness.

Xue Sui was scalded by the close breath, snapped back to his senses, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Perhaps... Your Highness is more pleasing to the eye than that scholar on the stage?"

"Smooth-talking," Li Zhao chuckled softly, with a hint of helpless indulgence.

And there's also a hint of pleasure from being pleased.

He stopped asking questions and turned his gaze back to the stage.

But the hand that was originally resting on her knees quietly approached, almost imperceptibly brushing against the edge of her small hand resting on the stool.

Extremely light, with a tentative warmth.

Xue Sui's fingertips twitched slightly, but he didn't move them away.

He then became bolder.

From the warm touch to the tight grip on fingers, ripples spread silently.

In this dimly lit corner where no one knew her, in this small space where etiquette was difficult to observe, their fingers secretly touched, carrying a forbidden tension, yet strangely soothing her weary heart.

On the stage, the snake woman and the scholar, after going through many hardships, finally embraced and wept.

The onlookers were filled with sighs of disbelief.

An old woman quietly wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

The wealthy businessman, satisfied, hiccuped and staggered as he prepared to leave...

at this time----

A soft beam of light suddenly fell from the ceiling.

Like moonlight, it shone precisely and directly upon Xue Sui and Li Zhao...

The two people holding hands instantly became the most dazzling focus in the darkness.

Caught off guard, Xue Sui narrowed his eyes slightly and subconsciously withdrew his hand.

Li Zhao turned his head, his handsome face showing a hint of surprise under the starlight-like halo, which quickly turned into calmness and a smile. He spread his arms and flicked his sleeves to protect Xue Sui's face, blocking the probing gazes from those around him.

The whole room was in uproar!

All the audience members were stunned by this sudden turn of events.

Especially the young couple at the center of the pillar of light, one handsome and upright, the other plain and aloof. Even though the woman was wearing a veil and her full appearance could not be seen, her demeanor was enough to take one's breath away. From a distance, they looked like immortals who had mistakenly entered the mortal world.

The audience assumed this was the "prize" the performer had mentioned, part of the magic trick, and erupted in even more enthusiastic applause and admiration than before.

"The White Snake Goddess has appeared..."

What a perfect couple!

Xue Sui's cheeks flushed slightly under everyone's gaze.

"Don't panic." Li Zhao patted her slightly cool hand, his voice reassuring. "It's just a magic trick."

"Congratulations to our two distinguished guests!" The old troupe leader's booming voice suddenly broke the silence.

Immediately afterwards, the lanterns in the four corners of the shed lit up one after another, their light intense.

"Heaven and earth unite us, and the lamp illuminates our auspicious union. Tonight, these two distinguished guests are blessed by heaven and receive the grand prize."

The old troupe leader, beaming with smiles, bowed deeply towards Xue and Li.

He then gestured to the servant to bring up the prizes that had been prepared in advance.

"This is a small token of my appreciation, a pair of intertwined jade pendants symbolizing eternal love. May the moonlight illuminate the bond of affection between you two. Congratulations to you both..."

The servant carried a red lacquered wooden tray and respectfully approached them.

On the tray, a pair of small and exquisite white jade pendants lay quietly.

The jade pendant is carved in the shape of intertwined branches, each branch bearing a round fruit, tied together with a red string. The jade is not of the highest quality, but it is warm and lustrous, gleaming softly under the light.

"Wow—" After a brief silence, enthusiastic applause and envious chatter erupted in the tent.

"He's truly a god-like figure!"

"What a perfect couple! No wonder they were chosen by God."

"Congratulations, congratulations!"

"A match made in heaven! A perfect couple!"

"..."

Xue Sui looked at the pair of jade pendants with intertwined branches, his eyes flashing slightly.

Li Zhao's eyes were filled with laughter. "Should we accept this prize?"

Xue Sui: "Since it's a prize, how can we refuse it?"

She reached out to take the jade pendant from the tray. Li Zhao also reached out at the same time, his fingertips accidentally brushing against hers.

Seeing this, the old troupe leader beamed with joy and loudly proclaimed, "A lucky charm bestowed upon this perfect couple, a match made in heaven. These two esteemed individuals are truly blessed..."

Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up at Li Zhao.

Li Zhao looked back calmly, the smile in his dark eyes deepening, "Thanks to your kind words, old man, we two have also received good fortune."

The crowd gradually dispersed, and the discussions were filled with envy for the two of them, as well as... exclamations of amazement.
-
After watching the puppet show, the night was even darker.

The streets were becoming less crowded, and the noise subsided considerably. Only a few pedestrians and vendors remained, and the glow of lanterns cast long shadows on the ground.

"What would you like to eat?" Li Zhao asked. "There's a wonton stall up ahead, shall we try it?"

Xue Sui did not refuse.

The two sat at a small table at the wonton stall.

Li Zhaoyang called out, "Boss, two bowls, please. One bowl of oil-free noodles, with little salt and bland flavor. The other bowl of thick, flavorful soup with plenty of ginger slices."

The owner happily agreed, and soon brought out two bowls of steaming wontons and noodles, sprinkled with chopped green onions, and the aroma instantly filled the air.

"Please enjoy your meal, sir..." he said, rubbing his hands together and looking at them with a simple, honest smile.

Li Zhao immediately looked at Xue Sui.

"She paid."

The shopkeeper was clearly surprised that a grown man, who looked dignified and noble, would let a woman pay the bill, and immediately showed a strange expression.

Xue Sui shook his head helplessly, took out a copper coin, and handed it over.

Li Zhao calmly scooped up a wonton, blew on it, and slowly put it into his mouth.

The warm soup slid down my throat, soothing away the dryness.

He sighed inwardly, and when he saw Xue Sui eating with small bites, his brows softened.

"Is it sweet?"

Xue Sui said, "How can savory noodles be sweet?"

Li Zhao: "He has no sense of romance."

Xue Sui lowered his eyes, poked at the dough in the bowl with his spoon, and spoke in a low voice.

"Her Majesty the Empress seemed unusually gentle today. She summoned me, asked a few casual questions, and then sent me back."

Li Zhao paused, then chuckled and asked, "Isn't gentle enough?"

Xue Sui put down his spoon and looked at him seriously: "I'm very curious, what method did Your Highness use to make the Empress suddenly become so kind to me?"

Li Zhao smirked and said, "It's easy for a son to make his mother happy. It's just a matter of saying a few words she likes to hear and giving her some things she likes."

Xue Sui squinted and stared at him...

Li Zhao coughed lightly.

"She will always let it go. The people I value... she will value in return."

Xue Sui smiled faintly and did not press the matter.

Some things are better left unsaid.

After she finished eating the wontons, Li Zhao escorted her to the back gate of the Xue residence.

The moonlight shone on the stone steps, its radiance as clear as frost.

Jinshu was already waiting in the inner room. When she saw her return, she quickly lowered her voice, bowed, and went inside to greet her.

Xue Sui nodded to her, then suddenly turned around and looked at Li Zhao.

"Thank you for today, Your Highness."

"Ok?"

"I know that the puppet show and the jade pendant as a prize are all Your Highness's wishes."

Looking at her profile outlined by the moonlight, Li Zhao didn't hesitate at all. He suddenly stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

"Safety."

His embrace was warm, the faint scent of soapberry mixed with the cool night breeze, enveloping her completely, firm yet gentle.

Even if the sky falls, you still have me.

Xue Sui opened his mouth, but his throat seemed to be sealed shut, and he couldn't make a sound.

Gradually, her body finally relaxed, and she gently leaned into his arms.

Upon seeing this, the guards and maids quickly lowered their heads and turned their backs, pretending not to have seen anything...

Li Zhao quickly released her, rubbed her cheek as if comforting a frightened little animal: "Go on. I'll watch you go in."

Xue Sui did not leave.

Standing on the steps, the moonlight reflected in my eyes was stunningly clear.

"Your Highness, I have something else to say."

Li Zhao squinted and smiled, saying, "I'm listening."

“Ping Le is back.” Xue Sui’s voice was very soft, each word like a block of ice being thrown into boiling oil, spitting out that detestable name: “She is in Shangjing. The poisonous lotus in the Wei Prince’s mansion, the poison in the incense burner, were all her doing.”

The gentleness on Li Zhao's face vanished instantly, his dark eyes becoming deep and unfocused.

"She has a lot of nerve."

“Not only are they audacious, but they've also gotten involved with the Prince of Wei. In that case, the Empress Dowager in the palace is likely an accomplice as well…” Xue Sui stared directly at him. “They're in cahoots, and they're bound to stir up trouble and plot against the Crown Prince…”

Li Zhao remained silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly.

"Perfect. Let's settle both old and new scores together."

Xue Sui suddenly stepped forward and gently touched his tense jaw.

"Be careful."

A rare moment of tenderness...

Li Zhao's eyes flickered slightly as he took her hand and kissed it lightly.

"rest assured."

Back in his room, Xue Sui took out the pair of intertwined branches from his sleeve and examined them closely under the lamp.

The vines on the jade pendant intertwine and cling to each other, like a snake demon and a scholar on a stage, vowing to never be separated.

She suddenly remembered Li Zhao's face, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

The road ahead remains bumpy, and the storms have never ceased.

But in this world, there was one person who was willing to accompany her through this long puppet show.

　Li Zhao: The author was quite good today, letting me experience a romance. Guards, there's a reward...

　　Erjin: What should we reward?
　　Li Zhao: Readers, please pay your tickets.

　　Xue Sui: Bah, shameless.

　　P.S.: Why isn't anyone leaving comments anymore? Is it because it's not good? The author writes about loneliness and solitude, even more so than the Crown Prince... and even colder.

　　(End of this chapter)