Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 403 Leaving the Capital in Wind and Snow
Xue Yuechen's expression changed.

"This... I really didn't know..."

Her voice was weak, avoiding Xue Sui's gaze, "Anyway, it's because the subordinates are muddle-headed. The prince has never cared about these trivial matters, so he may not know everything..."

"Your Majesty has a clear understanding of his actions." Xue Sui picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked calmly at Xue Yuechen.

"Since the Prefect of Jingzhao dared to come to our door, they must have some solid evidence. My elder sister has been married to the Prince for many years, so she should understand his character better than I do. How could such a cunning person be content with his lot?"

These words were like a needle, pricking Xue Yuechen's face, making her blush and turn pale, and her nose even felt a little sore...

A surge of embarrassment and resentment welled up inside me.

She was very unhappy.

Back in the Xue family, she was the eldest daughter, born of the principal wife, adorned in gold and silver, and surrounded by attendants. Xue Sui, on the other hand, was merely the daughter of a lowly concubine, who dared not even raise her head in her presence, remaining meek and submissive, merely striving to survive in the cracks of society…

She never imagined that one day she would have to be so humble and subservient in front of her sixth sister, who always had to be mindful of others' feelings.

And she, in turn, coldly criticized herself...

"Sixth Sister's status is different now... so she naturally speaks with more confidence." Xue Yuechen tugged at the corner of her mouth, with a hint of self-deprecation. "But we are all daughters of the Xue family, so why speak so harshly?"

Xue Sui seemed oblivious to her embarrassment.

He put down his teacup, his tone becoming even more detached.

"Elder sister is wrong. I'm telling you this not because I have anyone backing me up, but because I sincerely want to advise you. The prince chose his own path, and you can't stop him. But Aning is still young; she can't be dragged into his mess..."

Xue Yuechen's lips trembled.

The steam from the tea blurred the emotions in her eyes.

Xue Sui continued, “The Prince is a son of the dragon and a grandson of the phoenix, ultimately His Majesty’s own flesh and blood. Even if he makes a mistake for a time, as long as he is willing to correct his ways, there is always room for redemption, and it will not be difficult for him to have a peaceful end. But you and your daughter may not be so… If he goes down a dark path and causes trouble, the first ones to be dragged down will be you…”

Xue Yuechen's eyes turned completely red, tears welling up in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

"I am the prince's legal wife. How can I not care about his affairs?"

She sniffed, then suddenly leaned closer, affectionately taking Xue Sui's arm, and lowered her voice, "I was thinking... if I were to have another son to continue the Prince's lineage, perhaps I could win his heart. With a legitimate son, perhaps he would be more cautious in his actions?"

Upon hearing this, even the servant Jade quickly lowered her head, unable to bear to look any longer.

The princess's desperate desire for a child is perhaps bordering on obsession.

These days, the prince hasn't even stepped into the doors of his wives and concubines. His mind is not on these matters at all, so why would he care about the continuation of the legitimate son's lineage?
Xue Yuechen asked eagerly, "Sixth Sister, what do you think?"

Looking at Xue Yuechen's haggard face, Xue Sui thought of those women in their secluded mansions who spent their entire lives striving for offspring, only to end up with nothing but a miserable fate, and couldn't help but sigh.

"If you insist on doing this, then please take good care of yourself."

She had no intention of saying anything more, and got up to see the guest out, her tone resolute.

"But in this world, mountains crumble and rivers flow away. People are even less reliable, so it's better to rely on yourself and stand firm."

Xue Yuechen opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't utter a word.

"Sixth sister, please help your eldest sister again..."

"Ruyi, see the guests out."

When Xue Yuechen left Yiyuan, dusk had already fallen.

The gray sky, like torn cotton, scattered snowflakes, which fluttered and swirled, covering the vermilion gates and black tiles with a layer of pure white...

Xue Sui didn't see her off. Standing on the windy ledge under the eaves, he tightened his cloak, watching her retreating figure against the cold wind. The thought that had been lingering in his mind all day now became incredibly clear and unwavering.
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Afterwards, Xue Sui continued to take care of Xue Ji and handle trivial matters as usual, as if nothing had happened.

Xue Ji's mind was sometimes clear and sometimes not. Sometimes she would point at the bronze mirror and ask, "Whose old woman is this? How can she be so pitiful?" Other times she would hold Xue Sui's hand and say childish things, as happy as a three-year-old girl, completely unaware of the storms outside.

The next morning, as soon as she came out of the pharmacy in Yiyuan, she saw Tianshu standing by the plum tree in the courtyard.

He wore a moon-white scholar's robe with a dark blue cloak over it, his posture as upright as a pine tree in the snow, his brows and eyes serene, as if he had been waiting in the wind and snow for a long time, a thin layer of snow covering his shoulders. He was so cold that one dared not touch him.

"Senior Brother has arrived early today."

Xue Sui greeted him with a smile, exhaling a puff of white breath.

"It's just that my mother took medicine and is not feeling well. She's been sleeping a bit lately, and last night she was engrossed in watching the snow fall and playing around for a long time. She probably hasn't gotten up yet."

After saying this, she stepped aside to lead the way, then asked the maid in the courtyard, "The snow is so heavy outside, why don't you invite Doctor Shu into the warm chamber? You're becoming more and more ill-mannered..."

Tian Shu didn't respond to her words, his gaze fixed intently on her face. "You're going to the Western Frontier?"

His sudden words startled Ruyi, who was standing beside Xue Sui, causing her to nearly drop the medicine packet in her hand.

Xue Sui nodded without hesitation, "Yes."

She didn't tell anyone about this, not even Wen Jia, but she had already planned it a thousand times in her heart. She had also secretly asked Xiao Zhao to prepare her luggage, and she was just waiting to meet Tian Shu today before setting off.

Tian Shu seemed to see through her thoughts and remained motionless.

“Don’t be reckless.” His voice was colder than falling snow. “The Crown Prince has no shortage of people to serve him medicine. The situation in the capital may seem to be easing, but the Empress Dowager and the remnants of the Xiao family are all eyeing you covetously, not to mention His Majesty… How many eyes are watching you? If you go to the Western Frontier now, it will not only be of no use, but it will also give them a handle to use against you and increase the uncertainty.”

"I absolutely must go." Xue Sui raised her eyes to meet his gaze, her eyes unwavering.

“Senior Brother, now that I’ve been caught up in this monstrous wave, there’s no reason for me to back out halfway. Even if it’s just for the sake of the Old Mausoleum and the sect’s entrustment, I must go this way. Besides…”

Her lips curved slightly, carrying a hint of cold sharpness.

"Senior Brother underestimates me too much. When have I ever caused trouble for anyone?"

Tian Shu remained silent.

Was it for the old mausoleum or for Li Zhao? He knew perfectly well what was going on.

"Peace," he called out, his voice tinged with a slight bitterness, the coldness he had been trying so hard to maintain finally replaced by a hint of helplessness.

I can never win an argument with you.

"Hmm?" Xue Sui responded with a smile.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me, senior brother? I'm all ears."

The Heavenly Pivot remains silent.

Watching her eyes light up for another person, he felt a tightness in his chest.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke, "I know I can't stop you, but you must promise me that you will always prioritize your own safety. You must not act rashly and put yourself in danger, causing me... and my three masters to worry."

"I promise you." Xue Sui nodded solemnly.

"But once I leave, I'll have to ask my eldest brother to take good care of things in the capital, and also my mother..."

Tian Shu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over her newly grown downy hair, which trembled gently in the cold wind. Suddenly, he remembered many years ago, the little girl who broke her leg in the Old Mausoleum Marsh, but gritted her teeth and refused to cry...

She has always been like this: stubborn, tenacious, and unwavering. Once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it.

He silently took out a black iron token from his pocket.

The talisman is engraved with the Big Dipper, its sharpness concealed.

"Take this. Someone will meet you when you get to the Western Regions. If you encounter any trouble, someone will protect you."

Over the years, Tian Shu has been deeply involved in espionage and intelligence gathering. Its spies are spread throughout every prefecture, county, and county in the land, making it the most secretive force of the old imperial edict. Although Xue Sui is the edict's envoy, he has remained behind the scenes for many years, and very few people know his true identity. In some places, the edict's token may not be as effective as Tian Shu's.

She tucked the token into her bosom and bowed deeply to Tian Shu.

"I'll be leaving before dawn tomorrow, so I won't come to say goodbye to you, Senior Brother. Take good care of yourself, Senior Brother..."

Tian Shu's gaze was deep and unfathomable, as if he had a thousand words to say, but in the end, it all turned into a soft sigh.

"Go ahead, I'll go inside and sit for a while until Lady Xue wakes up."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother. We can talk again when I return from the Western Frontier." Xue Sui bowed again and turned to leave.

Tian Shu watched her retreating figure, his lips slightly pursed.

The snow fell silently, wetting his shoulders, just like the unspoken worries he carried, heavy and unknown to anyone.

The next day, before dawn, the side gate of Yiyuan Garden was quietly opened.

An unassuming blue cloth carriage drove out of the alley, quietly leaving the capital in the deepest darkness before dawn. The wheels rolled over the flying snow, carrying a carriage full of worries and an unwavering determination, speeding westward toward the war-torn western frontier...

　See you tomorrow! Sending you love!
　　(End of this chapter)