Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 406 Meeting an Old Friend

Xue Sui's arrival was ill-timed, as Li Zhao was preparing a banquet at the camp that evening to entertain Prince Xian, Li Shao, and his wife.

Her coarse cloth jacket was covered in grass clippings and dust, making it inconvenient for her to attend.

"I'm going to change," she whispered, turning her head to the side.

Li Zhao silently raised the corners of his lips, ordered hot water to be prepared, and invited her to the back tent to wash up.

Xiao Zhao followed and served her, opening the bundle she carried with her and taking out a set of blue lotus-colored satin jacket and skirt.

Xue Sui quickly washed his face with hot water, removing the soot from his face and revealing his handsome features.

She finished dressing, carefully tucking her short hair behind the curtain, straightened her clothes, and let down the semi-transparent gauze...

"Let's go."

"You look much better, young lady. You look so beautiful, why are you covering your face?" Xiao Zhao tied the cloak for her, a mischievous smile in her eyes. "Could it be that you're afraid His Highness the Crown Prince will be jealous?"

Xue Sui ran her fingertips across the cool gauze surface and gently scolded her, "You're so unserious."

She wasn't trying to cover up her flaws, nor was she afraid of Li Zhao's gaze.

However, the Shilipo camp was not quiet. The curtains and fences were lowered, blocking out the harsh winds in the camp and also blocking many inquisitive eyes, which would reduce unnecessary trouble.

Li Zhao was waiting in the outer tent. When he saw her come out dressed in plain clothes with a light veil covering her face, his eyes lit up slightly. He put down the military book in his hand and quickly stepped forward, naturally reaching out to take her hand.

"Ping An's outfit is very nice, elegant and graceful, with a unique charm."

"You're beautiful even without showing your face?" Xue Sui glanced at him through the veil. "Your Highness has been away in the army for so long that you haven't seen the beautiful women of the capital. You must have misjudged them. Where is there even a hint of elegance in this worn-out dress?"

Li Zhao chuckled softly and reached out to adjust her cloak. "In my eyes, you look good in anything."

Xue Sui pursed her lips, "I'd never believe you."

Li Zhao's smile deepened as he tightened his grip on her fingers, making it impossible for her to break free.

"Don't you know in your heart whether it's true or not?"

The two walked side by side, exchanging glances, with Xiao Zhao silently following behind.

Not far from the camp, a general in full armor strode over, his sword clanging against the armor plates with each step, making an impressive display of power.

When the man saw Li Zhao, he clasped his hands in a loud and clear greeting.

"Greetings, Your Highness. I have just finished inspecting the western camp, and all the sentry posts have been properly arranged. Please rest assured, Your Highness!"

Li Zhao nodded slightly, about to speak.

Then Xue Sui called out softly, "Third Uncle."

Xue Qingxiu looked up at the sound and then looked seriously at the woman beside Li Zhao.

He was taken aback at first, then raised his thick eyebrows, his tone revealing undisguised surprise.

"Sixth Girl? It's you! What are you doing in Western Xinjiang?"

He instinctively reached out to pat his niece's shoulder, but halfway there, he caught a glimpse of the Crown Prince's expression and sheepishly withdrew his hand. His gaze swept over her, full of an elder's concern, "In this chaotic world, you're incredibly brave..."

A smile appeared in Xue Sui's eyes.

Xue Qingxiu was tanned dark, and his former playboy extravagance had long been worn away, leaving only a ruthless and decisive demeanor.

"It seems Uncle San has been given a lot of important responsibilities lately?" she said casually. "That armor looks quite imposing."

"Haha, thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince's good fortune, I was able to serve in the Western Frontier with General Qi and earn some minor military merits." Xue Qingxiu laughed loudly, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Zhao, his words filled with respect, "If it weren't for His Highness's discerning eye, your third uncle would still be living a life of idleness in the capital, not worth mentioning at all."

Li Zhao smiled slightly: "Third Uncle is too modest. You are brave and skilled in battle, and your contribution to defeating the enemy this time is outstanding. General Qi has already asked me for your commendation, and the document to promote you to the rank of guerrilla general will be issued soon."

Hearing the familiar address, Xue Qingxiu's eyes lit up with even more joy, and he thanked him repeatedly.

Xue Sui was also happy for him: "Congratulations, Third Uncle! Third Aunt is worried about you day and night at home. When you have time, write back to let her know the good news and put her mind at ease."

"Yes, yes!" Xue Qingxiu nodded readily, then clasped his hands in a solemn manner and said, "Your Highness, there are distinguished guests in the camp tonight, so we cannot relax our defenses. I need to make another round of patrols in the East Camp. I shall take my leave now."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Xue Sui.

After Xue Sui walked to the side, he whispered his instructions in a voice only she could hear.

“Good girl, your third aunt in the capital must be worried sick. If you send a message back, don’t forget to put in a good word for your third uncle… Tell him that I’m eating and sleeping well here, I’m not injured, and I’ve even been promoted…”

"Why don't you say it yourself?" "How could she believe what I say?"

Xue Sui had just noticed that the armor on his left arm was a little loose, and a bandage was faintly visible at the cuff, clearly indicating that the injury had not yet healed.

"Third Uncle has made something of himself; Third Aunt will be happy."

"That's right! After the rebellion is quelled, I will accompany her back to her parents' home and let her arrogant sisters see that she didn't marry the wrong person..." Xue Qingxiu proudly raised his chin, then turned and bowed deeply to Li Zhao before disappearing into the flickering firelight.

Before leaving, he gave Xue Sui a wink, reminding her not to forget to cover for him in front of Madam Qian.

Li Zhao watched his retreating figure and laughed, "Your third uncle is a good soldier. After this battle, he's become much more composed than before."

Xue Sui recalled his third uncle, who used to only know how to raise birds, fight cocks, and race dogs, and couldn't help but sigh: "The battlefield really tempers people. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't have believed it was the same person."

Adversity tempers the true nature of a person.

As Li Zhao spoke, he took her hand; his palm was warm and dry.

"Let's go, the wise prince should be arriving soon."
-
The central command tent of Commander Qi Mingyang was brightly lit and more impressive than other places.

It was even much larger than Li Zhao's residence.

Seeing his calm expression, Xue Sui couldn't help but admire him.

This man used to act arrogantly in the capital, and everyone said that the Crown Prince was domineering and tyrannical. But this time, when he went to war, he did not put on any airs of the Crown Prince. He showed great respect to veteran generals like Qi Mingyang. He not only did not show any superiority, but was willing to serve as his deputy.

Xue Sui's appreciation for his composure and clarity of mind deepened.

"Sit down," Li Zhao said softly.

Xue Sui nodded and followed Li Zhao to his seat.

Thick felt blankets were laid inside the tent, and charcoal braziers were burning in the four corners, dispelling some of the bitter cold of the frontier.

She glanced around and saw several generals sitting in the tent.

On the left, at the head of the table, stood a robust middle-aged man with a resolute face, a short beard, and sharp eyes that conveyed a sense of composure and authority befitting someone who had long held a high position.

This must be the renowned General Qi Mingyang.

The man on the right wore a long blue cloth robe, was slender, and had a scholarly air about him. Unlike the distinct military bearing of the armored warriors, he sat there quietly, exuding elegance and composure, yet strangely blending into the clanging of the armor.

Seeing Xue Sui looking over, he was the first to stand up and cup his hands in greeting.

"Sixth Miss, how have you been?"

Xue Sui paused slightly.

This person is Lu Youan—

General Zhengxi, imprisoned by Xiao Yan in the water dungeon of Shaquan Fort, was already in grave danger.

Xue Sui subconsciously looked at Li Zhao beside him.

Li Zhao seemed to sense something, turned his head to meet her gaze, a hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.

Xue Sui suppressed his doubts and returned the greeting with a curtsy.

"General Lu, are you well?"

Lu Youan noticed the doubt in her eyes, smiled slightly, and said nothing more.

Just then, a message was sent from outside the tent.

"His Highness the Wise Prince and His Highness the Wise Princess have arrived!"

The tent fell silent instantly.

Xue Sui's gaze turned towards the doorway.

Prince Li Shao entered the tent.

He was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a neat short beard on his chin, a slightly plump figure, and a kind face. He wore a prince's everyday clothes without any luxurious ornaments. He walked with a slow but steady pace. His appearance did not have the sharp and flamboyant handsomeness of Li Zhao, but it revealed a cautiousness and calmness that he had cultivated over the years.

Half a step behind him followed a dignified and gentle woman, none other than Princess Wen, the wife of the Prince Xian.

(End of this chapter)