Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 398 The Depths of Human Hearts
Xue Sui's figure quickly appeared in the light and shadow.

She wore a padded jacket and skirt, with a plain cloak over it, and the brim of her veiled hat was slightly upturned, which made her face look small and pretty, yet she had a calm and powerful presence.

"This commoner, Xue Sui, greets Your Majesty the Empress." Xue Sui approached and gave a deep curtsy in accordance with etiquette.

"No need for formalities." Empress Xie raised her hand to help, her palm unconsciously resting on her abdomen, her tone still gentle. "You've come at an inopportune time. The golden chrysanthemums in this garden were in their best bloom a few days ago, but now... they're all fading."

Xue Sui followed her gaze and smiled calmly.

"Flowers bloom and fade in their own time. They are magnificent in their prime and graceful in their decline. The charcoal fire in the Empress's palace is strong, the tea and food are warm, and the servants on both sides are well taken care of. There are no dirty and chaotic things. It is a rare peaceful and blessed place in this deep palace."

Empress Xie slightly raised her eyelashes.

He stared at her for a long time without saying a word.

When the news arrived that Li Zhao had decreed that she should return to secular life and insisted on making her the Crown Princess, Empress Xie was extremely conflicted.

On one hand, she felt that her son, a chosen one of heaven, should not marry a woman who had been married to Li Huan and then became a nun after being poisoned. It was unfair and not worth it. On the other hand, seeing Xue Sui's resolute determination to do anything for her son, she, as a mother, felt a faint sense of... peace of mind. At least, her son had a good man by his side who could treat him with all his heart and was willing to give everything for him.

Perhaps it was her age, or perhaps it was the presence of a new life growing inside her that softened her heart. Seeing Xue Sui's open and honest smile, her obsession with "face" and "rules" suddenly faded.

If one can find a sincere daughter-in-law who can stand by Zhao'er and support this turbulent country, what do those external vanities matter?
"Cloud Eyebrows".

She snapped out of her reverie, supporting her waist as she slowly turned around.

"Bring the freshly made chestnut pastries from the small kitchen and place them by the south window of the warm pavilion. I will have a chat with the Sixth Miss; no one else needs to come and serve us."

"Yes." Yunmei bowed and withdrew.

Empress Xie led Xue Sui towards the warm pavilion.

Xue Sui keenly noticed the subtle change on Empress Xie's face. Her heart stirred slightly, but she did not show anything. She simply placed a soft pillow behind the Empress's back as she sat down.

The palace servants served hot tea, the fragrant aroma filling the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Soon, delicate pastries and two steaming bowls of bird's nest soup were placed on the kang table, their sweet aroma filling the air.

"Try the chestnut pastry." Empress Xie pointed to the pastries on the table, picked up her teacup, and gently blew away the foam, as if casually asking, "Is things not peaceful outside the palace? I heard there are more refugees than before?"

"Your Majesty, the capital region is relatively stable, but people are restless and rumors are rampant. Some villains are taking the opportunity to cause trouble..." Xue Sui sat upright, not touching the pastries, and looked at Empress Xie with clear eyes, getting straight to the point.

"I have come today to discuss matters concerning His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Empress Xie's hand holding the cup trembled slightly.

"What happened to the Crown Prince? Do you have any news?"

"It's good news, and it's bad news." Xue Sui recounted the news that Yao Guang had just brought in a clear and organized manner. From Li Zhao burning the enemy's grain, to Xiao Yan taking refugees and the 300,000-strong allied army rushing towards Yongding, to Qi Mingyang being entangled by the chaotic soldiers, and finally, it all came down to the crucial point that Ma Kun held back his troops, insisting on waiting for an "imperial edict".

"...The garrison in Yongding City numbers less than 50,000, and their supplies of food and weapons are insufficient. The Wei River, a natural barrier, has now been largely captured by the enemy. General Qi is too far away to reach them, and Ma Kun is the closest and only reinforcement capable of relieving the immediate crisis. If he hesitates and observes any longer..."

Xue Sui's voice was calm, yet every word was like a heavy hammer blow.

"Yongding City will undoubtedly fall!"

"That Ma Kun is utterly heartless!" Empress Xie's face flushed with anger, her voice trembling slightly. "Back then, he was just a lowly military officer in a border town. If it weren't for my brother's promotion, where would he be today? After he was transferred to the capital, his mother fell seriously ill, and it was my brother who took pity on her and begged me to summon the imperial physician, saving her life. I never imagined... that less than five years after my brother's passing, he would be so ungrateful..."

The depths of the human heart are immeasurable.

Ungrateful people are the best at kicking someone when they're down.

Xue Sui did not respond.

Once her breathing had calmed down a bit, she leaned forward slightly.

"Your Majesty, I have dared to come here today because I wish to ask for Your Majesty's permission to speak a word of justice for the Crown Prince..."

"What do you want me to do?" Empress Xie raised her eyes and looked directly at her.

“Go find His Majesty—issue a decree.” Xue Sui’s tone was solemn.
"Alas." Empress Xie put down her teacup, remained silent for a moment, and then sighed. "Sixth Miss, you may not know this, but His Majesty and I are estranged and have many disagreements... He may not be willing to listen to me."

Xue Sui nodded slightly, glancing at the withered autumn chrysanthemums outside the window, his voice clear and strong.

"Your Majesty is the Crown Prince's mother, His Majesty's first wife, and the Empress of the Great Liang. This is a matter of principle, not personal feelings. If anything were to happen to the Crown Prince, the court would be thrown into chaos. At that time... who would protect this empire, and the little prince in Your Majesty's womb? His Majesty is wise and will surely be able to weigh the pros and cons."

She paused, her tone becoming slightly harsher.

"Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince has ventured deep into the enemy's lair, burning their supplies and establishing such a monumental achievement. Your Majesty... shouldn't you issue a decree to His Highness the Crown Prince and the soldiers who fought valiantly on the walls of Yongding to boost morale?"

She was reminding Empress Xie that Li Zhao's achievements were the best bargaining chip to force the emperor to make a statement.

The emperor may be suspicious of the crown prince, but he cannot deny this undeniable merit. Nor can he bear the eternal infamy of watching a meritorious official fight alone, only to have the city fall and his people perish. "Very well! For Zhao'er, for the sake of this Great Liang empire, I... will go and make this trip." Empress Xie's tone was solemn. "If Your Majesty insists on refusing... I will kneel and die in the Zichen Palace."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xue Sui rose, bowed deeply, and her eyes were filled with genuine emotion.

Empress Xie looked at her drooping neck and the new hair, as if she could see through the girl's character—fragile, stubborn, and resilient in a way that was truly admirable.

She reached out and personally helped Xue Sui up, her tone gentler and more solemn than ever before.

"Sixth Miss, you have devoted yourself to the Crown Prince, running around and dealing with danger at all costs... I have seen all your efforts."

After saying that, she gently patted Xue Sui's hand.

"Take care of yourself and wait for the Crown Prince's triumphant return."

Xue Sui was taken aback.

Meeting her gaze, he softly said "Yes," then curtsied again, took a half step back, and said, "I have disturbed Your Majesty, this humble woman takes her leave."

"Go." Empress Xie waved her hand, her gaze falling on the withered chrysanthemums under the eaves, with a resolute air of desperation.

"Wait for my good news."
-
The Zichen Palace was filled with a strong smell of medicine.

After a brief silence, the emperor's coughing resumed, intermittent and irregular...

Empress Xie stopped, took a deep breath, and slowly stepped inside, curtsying with her robes drawn.

"I am here to see your Majesty..."

She greeted him softly, her gaze sweeping over the figure before the bed.

Emperor Chongzhao leaned against the soft couch, his face pale. His shoulders and back rose and fell slightly from coughing under the brocade quilt. Beside him sat Consort Zhen, Wang, dressed in a light red palace gown, with gentle eyes and eyebrows, who was carefully feeding him medicinal food.

Upon seeing Empress Xie's arrival, Consort Zhen's expression changed slightly, and the smile on her lips froze...

A while ago, the Crown Prince took control of the harem, and she hadn't seen the Emperor for a long time. She finally had a chance to do her best in front of the Emperor and win his favor, but the Empress came to disrupt things again.

She paused, holding the soup spoon, before putting down the bowl and bowing to the Empress.

"See the Queen."

Empress Xie nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the emperor's pale face. "Consort Zhen, please step down. I have a few words to say to His Majesty."

Consort Zhen was somewhat unwilling.

She looked at the emperor with pleading eyes, "Your Majesty..."

Emperor Chongzhao slightly raised his eyelids, glanced at Empress Xie's waist, and a very faint ripple passed between his brows.

"Go down."

Consort Zhen bit her lip, not daring to disobey, and reluctantly curtsied to Empress Xie before slowly retreating.

Empress Xie suppressed the bitterness in her heart, walked to the bedside, naturally took the bowl of porridge, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to the emperor's lips, "Your Majesty, please have some more."

Emperor Chongzhao let out a muffled "hmm" from his nose, which was considered his response.

"Leave it there, I have no appetite..."

Empress Xie's hand froze in mid-air.

Emperor Chongzhao took a breath, his fingers resting on the brocade quilt, his eyes fixed intently on her, "I know you've never been one to sit idly by, so just say what's on your mind..."

After being married for so long, the warmth and intimacy of ordinary families have long since faded.

Emperor Chongzhao also knew her character.

There's no reason why someone would have the patience to take care of him.

He was feeling unwell and too lazy to engage in polite formalities.

Empress Xie curtsied and gently placed the bowl of porridge on the tray beside her. Without saying anything more, she directly stated her purpose.

"Your Majesty, I have come regarding the Crown Prince's affairs..."

Emperor Chongzhao coughed twice, his eyelids half-drooping, and said casually, "The Crown Prince is a brilliant strategist, as evidenced by the Battle of Eagle's Sorrow Gorge... As for Yongding... he... has his own strategies to defeat the enemy. Why should the Empress say more?"

　See you tomorrow!
　　(End of this chapter)