Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 376 The smoke rises

Xue Ji was placed in a quiet room in Xue Sui's side hall.

At this moment, the hall was filled with the aroma of medicine and brightly lit. She lay on the couch, her breathing much more stable, but her brows were still furrowed and her lips were chapped, as if she were trapped in a nightmare from which she could not escape, and her whole being exuded an aura of death.

Tian Shu is administering acupuncture to her.

He was tall and straight, with steady and precise movements, and looked quite like a chivalrous immortal.

Li Zhao gestured for the palace servants to be quiet, and they stood silently by the door watching without disturbing him.

Only after Tian Shu had inserted the last needle and slowly finished his work did he speak in a deep voice: "How is Lady Xue?"

Upon hearing the voice, Tian Shu turned around, saw Li Zhao, and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."

His voice was weary, yet tinged with a sense of relief: "The most dangerous hurdle... we've made it through..."

Li Zhao looked at the beads of sweat on his forehead: "The Boiling Blood Powder is so potent, how could she have endured it until now?"

Tian Shu bowed slightly, took the handkerchief handed to him by the medicine boy, wiped his hands, and then said, "Fortunately, Miss Xue Liu identified the nature of the poison beforehand, which is why Physician Zhang and I thought of using the cold poison to counteract its extreme yang power... We unexpectedly controlled the spread of the poison. However, Madam Xue's body has been weakened for a long time, and the clash between cold and heat has damaged her fundamental health... Whether she can wake up depends on herself..."

Li Zhao nodded, "Thank you for your trouble, Dr. Shu."

"Your Highness is too kind. It is a physician's duty." Tian Shu hesitated for a moment, then his gaze fell on Xue Ji on the bed, and his tone suddenly changed.

"Your Highness, this poisoning incident is highly suspicious and cannot be as simple as a woman in the inner quarters venting her anger over vying for favor..."

Li Zhaodao said, "Doctor Shu, what are your insights? Please speak freely."

Tian Shu straightened his expression and said, "Boiling Blood Powder is not a common poison in the Central Plains. Its raw materials are rare, its production is scarce, and its preparation method is a closely guarded secret... This is definitely not something that someone from the Xue family could easily do. There must be a powerful person manipulating things behind the scenes... Madam Xue is just a sheltered woman who doesn't fight with anyone, so why would she be targeted..."

Tian Shu's words reminded Li Zhao of Ye Xiao's report.

Is that sickly woman on the bed really the missing princess of Siz?

If this is true, everything seems to be connected by an invisible thread.

The search for relatives, poisoning, revenge, the massacre at the old mausoleum... form a startling closed loop.

"Thank you for your frankness, Dr. Shu. I will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Tian Shu nodded and said, "I have heard that His Majesty's health is critical and he is still unconscious. I am not capable, but I would like to humbly request to examine His Majesty and share the Crown Prince's burden."

The light in Li Zhao's eyes dimmed for a moment.

Tian Shu's identity is unknown, and he has a deep connection with the Old Mausoleum Swamp, yet his background remains unclear...

Was his volunteering at this moment purely out of a doctor's compassion, or... did he have ulterior motives?
"Does Doctor Shu understand the implications? Taking the emperor's pulse is a serious matter; the slightest mistake could have unimaginable consequences."

"Doctors don't concern themselves with politics, they only with the patient's condition."

"How sure are you?"

“Not a single bit…” Tian Shu said, “His Majesty has been ill for a long time, his vital energy is exhausted. This sudden anger has affected his heart, causing blood stasis and obstruction of his meridians. He is already showing signs of exhaustion. This examination may find a glimmer of hope to delay his condition, or it may be in vain. Perhaps…”

He paused, then spoke frankly, "If anything goes wrong, it will bring Your Highness a great deal of criticism and give others a handle to use against you."

Li Zhao fell silent.

He understood the consequences of this choice better than anyone else.

If the emperor were to meet with misfortune in Tian Shu's hands, regardless of the truth, Li Zhao would bear the eternal infamy of murdering his father and imprisoning the emperor.

Li Zhaochen stared intently at Tian Shu.

Their gazes met in the air, calm and serene.

"Father's health is deteriorating rapidly, and the imperial physicians are helpless... Doctor Shu's medical skills are profound and his insights are unique. Perhaps... there really is a glimmer of hope?"

"Guan Ya!" His voice suddenly rose.

"Your humble servant is here," Guan Ya replied, his armor reflecting a cold, hard light.

"You shall immediately lead Physician Shu to the Zichen Palace to examine His Majesty's illness. All members of the Imperial Medical Academy shall assist him and shall not be negligent or obstructive in the slightest. Except for Wang Chengxi, no other unauthorized persons shall approach."

"Yes, sir!" Guan Ya clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.

Tian Shu's expression was complicated. "Does Your Highness trust me that much?"

Li Zhao met his gaze and gave a deep laugh.

"I trust you in peace, and I trust you in peace."

Having said that, he didn't linger, turned around and strode away, his robe sleeves stirring up a cool breeze.

Tian Shu watched his retreating figure disappear through the door, took a deep breath, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He then composed himself and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Guan Ya.

"Thank you for leading the way, Guard Guan."
-
Shaquanbao, a thousand miles away in western Xinjiang.

The cold wind howled across the vast, desolate land, whipping against the rough fortress walls, producing a mournful, howling sound.

The main hall inside the fort was brightly lit.

Xiao Yan, clad in heavy black iron armor, sat imposingly on the main seat covered with tiger skin, his helmet placed aside. His face, filled with ferocity, was ashen and iron-like, with a raging fire burning in his eyes.

At the lower end of the hall stood several trusted generals.

Everyone held their breath and lowered their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

"What a ruthless brat from the Li family!" Xiao Yan slammed his fist on the hard table, making the cups and saucers jump around. Still not satisfied, he lifted the tablecloth and swept the cups and saucers to the ground.

"They cut off my eyes and ears, dulled my blade. My elder sister, Consort Xiao, died with resentment, her life ending in the palace. My father, the dignified prime minister, was framed and imprisoned, his life hanging by a thread. And my elder brother, Xiao Jing, my nephew, Zheng Yuan… My Xiao family, a family of loyal martyrs, has come to such a end. This hatred, this grudge… is irreconcilable!"

Everyone in the hall was terrified by his anger, their bodies tensing up.

A bearded general clasped his hands in a fist salute and, forcing a smile, advised, "General, please calm down... The Crown Prince is overseeing the state, and His Majesty's fate is uncertain. News from the capital is cut off, rumors abound, and it's difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. We..."

"Is it hard to tell the difference between real and fake?" Xiao Yan interrupted him with a cold laugh.

"The nine gates were locked, the imperial guards changed their flags, and all officials fell silent in fear. The Xiao family members were imprisoned and flogged in court. The Crown Prince's edict was above all else—wasn't this real enough? Wasn't this clear enough?"

"This……"

"Li Zhao, you little brat, is trying to purge the court and wipe out my Xiao family completely, cutting off all roots of our clan..."

He glanced at everyone, then suddenly stood up and strode to a large map of the Liang Dynasty hanging in the hall, pressing his finger heavily on the location of the capital city.

"Li Zhao, that brat, imprisoned his father and persecuted loyal officials. How is his behavior any different from treason? This traitor to the nation! Everyone has the right to kill him!"

The hall was dead silent.

The generals' expressions changed, and the air seemed to freeze.

“What does the general mean…” A general swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, and he tentatively began to speak.

"Execute the traitors to cleanse the court of corrupt officials!" Xiao Yan said, each word distinct and resonant, his voice like a booming bell, carrying a resolute determination to destroy everything.

He suddenly drew his sword from his waist, a flash of cold light, the tip of the blade pointing towards the capital city on the map.

"Issue my order—all troops in the garrisons, prepare immediately. Accelerate the transport of provisions and weapons. Be assembled within ten days… I, the general, will personally lead my iron cavalry to the capital… to punish the traitors, purge the court of corrupt officials, and restore peace and order to our Great Liang!"

"General, please reconsider!" The bearded general knelt down with a thud, clasped his hands, and said urgently, "Without His Majesty's decree or the imperial warrant for mobilizing troops, to raise an army without authorization is tantamount to treason! This is a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire clan..."

"Extermination of the entire clan?" Xiao Yan thought to himself that he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"Isn't sitting and waiting for death, offering your neck to be slaughtered, the same as exterminating your entire clan? Li Zhao's butcher's knife is already hanging over the heads of my Xiao clan! At this point, to show any womanly compassion would be laughable!"

He stared at the general with a sinister look in his eyes, his facial muscles twitching with excitement.

"Once our army is at the city gates, we will purge the treacherous officials and rescue His Majesty. What need will we have for an imperial edict?"

The generals remained silent.

Xiao Yan looked around at everyone, his voice excited, filled with seductive incitement and blatant threats.

"History will judge our merits and demerits. But at this moment, only the swords in our hands can save our lives..."

"You have all followed me, Xiao Yan, for many years, sharing both glory and hardship, as close as brothers. Today, the Xiao family faces a great calamity, which is also related to your future and lives—follow me in raising an army, sweeping away the treacherous officials, and establishing unparalleled merit... In the future, you will be ennobled and appointed prime ministers, sharing wealth and honor! If anyone hesitates, clings to life and fears death..."

His tone turned cold, and he slashed down with his long sword.

"Crack!"

There was a loud bang.

The perfectly intact pear wood low table was actually split in two.

Wood chips flying everywhere!

The air was filled with murderous intent.

"Don't blame me for being merciless; I'll use him as a sacrifice for the flag!"

A chilling killing intent filled the entire hall, and all around was silent.

The generals' faces drained of color, and their inner shirts were soaked with sweat.

Struggle, fear, desire for power, and instinct for survival ultimately transformed into submission under Xiao Yan's enticement and coercion.

A general knelt on one knee and shouted.

"This humble general...is willing to follow the general, to purge the court of corrupt officials and punish the traitors!"

"This humble general is willing to follow the general, raise a righteous army, and eliminate the treacherous officials!"

"This humble general swears to follow the general to the death, to conquer the capital, and to restore order to the court!"

One after another, gradually.

All the generals in the hall knelt down.

"The general will go where he wishes!"

"This humble general is willing to follow the general!"

The voices of loyalty to the Xiao family rang out amidst the howling wind, like a death knell in a chaotic world, echoing for a long time in the cold watchtowers of Shaquan Fort, soaring straight to the sky.

　Xue Sui: See? I told you not to act rashly.

　　Li Zhao: How can I not move if I want to get married? If I don't move, the enemy won't move. If the enemy doesn't move, then I'll move...

　　Xue Sui: ...

　　(End of this chapter)