Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 427 Warm Moon over Yunnan
After the banquet, Xue Sui and Li Zhao took a walk under the corridor of the guest courtyard.

The moonlight was as clear as water, and several tuberose bushes were in full bloom.
The sweet fragrance filled the air, making one feel dazed.

Xue Sui suddenly asked, "Does Your Highness truly believe that the Prince Xian has never had any connection with Xiao Yan? Did he really know nothing about the siege of Shaquan Fort or the predicament at Heishi Ferry?"

Li Zhao stopped and gazed at the moon with his hands behind his back.

"It's just a matter of assessing the situation."

He smiled faintly, his profile appearing even more composed in the moonlight.

“I don’t believe he had no connection whatsoever. But he spent more than ten years in Dianzhou, with the court above him being suspicious and the local chieftains below him. He lived in the cracks all year round. Weighing the pros and cons is the way to survive, and it’s only human nature. If it were me, I might not have been able to do it as well as he did.”

He turned his head to look at Xue Sui, his eyes clear and deep.

"As long as he ultimately chooses me, I will believe him."

"Your Highness is indeed kind and generous..." Xue Sui said.

Li Zhao's lips curled up slightly, and his tone softened, "A man who truly loves his wife can't be too bad-hearted. He has endured poverty with her for more than ten years, and he can't bear to drag his family down a dead end."

Xue Sui recalled the undisguised dependence and affection in Wen Shi's eyes when she mentioned Li Shao during the day, and couldn't help but smile. "It's not Your Highness's style to act based on the affection between husband and wife. How come you're being so humane this time?"

Li Zhao hummed, the moonlight falling into his eyes, delicate and warm.

"You can't write two Lis with one stroke."

He paused, his voice softening, as if he were thinking of something and feeling sentimental.

"It's better for me to let him live a peaceful life in Dianzhou than to let someone else come and cause chaos here. I'm giving him a way out, and also leaving a stable barrier for the southern border of Daliang."

The Tian family brothers have already achieved something remarkable.

Xue Sui looked up at him and found that he had changed a lot.

Indeed, the bloodshed on the battlefield and the power struggles in the imperial court are the best tests of a man. Today, Crown Prince Zhao has long since shed the sharpness of his youth, and his brows now bear a more mature and shrewd air, and his every move exudes composure and dignity.

She smiled slightly, and the smile deepened.

"Your Highness is thoughtful and considerate, and is becoming more and more like a monarch."

"And what about you?" Li Zhao lowered his head, his nose almost touching the top of her head, his breath warm. "Don't you look like the future king's empress?"

Her ears burned, and she turned to leave, saying, "Who wants to be empress?"

Li Zhao watched her slightly hurried figure, chuckled softly, and did not rush to catch up. Instead, he put his hands behind his back, looked at the moonlight, and slowly followed behind, enjoying this moment of tranquility and warmth.
-
Over the next few days, Li Zhao accompanied Xue Sui on a tour of Dianzhou.

Unlike the elegant and solemn atmosphere of the capital, Dianzhou was full of lively and bustling life.

Along the bluestone-paved road, small stalls and shops are packed tightly together.

The aroma of food, mingled with the scents of various spices, wafted towards me, and the groceries looked quite different...

Strange rattan-woven animal figures, colorful tie-dyed fabrics, and people dressed in various ethnic costumes, shoulder to shoulder.

They went to the market to eat grilled tofu.

The tofu cubes were roasted until golden brown and puffed up, making one's mouth water, but they were too hot to eat.

Li Zhao personally took the bamboo skewer, blew on it to cool it, and then handed it to Xue Sui's lips.

"Haste makes waste; take your time."

Xue Sui carefully took a bite, and his eyes lit up.

"Your Highness, please try it, it's delicious."

Before she finished speaking, she excitedly pulled Xiao Zhao to look at the stall selling colorful ropes next to her, picked up a vermilion rope, and compared its length in her palm.

"For me?" Li Zhao followed and asked.

She shook her head, "I want to make a collar for Black Eighteen."

Li Zhao chuckled, "It's luckier than me."

"Of course. After all, it's His Highness's dog."

That sounds a bit odd.

He wanted to say something more, but seeing Xue Sui's smiling face, like a child who had stolen candy, relaxed and joyful, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.
-
It just so happened that there was a local festival, so Wen led them to a nearby village.

It was very lively at night.

The girls, dressed in brightly colored clothes, sang and danced around the bonfire.

Xue Sui was pulled inside by several enthusiastic girls. He tried to imitate their steps, but his clumsy movements drew good-natured laughter from the crowd.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she turned back to find Li Zhao.

He stood outside the firelight, hands behind his back, gazing at her with a smile on his lips, warmer than the flickering campfire.

Lady Wen said from the side, "His Highness the Crown Prince truly cherishes the young lady."

Xue Sui smiled faintly and blinked: "Doesn't His Highness the Prince also dote on his Princess Consort?"

Wen lowered her head, smiled with her lips pursed, and said nothing more.
-
On the way back to the manor, Xue Sui was a little tired and unconsciously leaned against Li Zhao's shoulder.

Life here is quieter than in Beijing.

"You like it?" Li Zhao's voice was low and gentle.

"Hmm," she responded softly, then muttered, "It's just that the wig is too long, such a hassle. If it weren't for His Highness's sake, I wouldn't bother wearing it..."

Li Zhao chuckled softly and naturally reached out to unfasten the clasp on her wig.

"Turn around."

Xue Sui was taken aback, and turned around slightly as instructed.

He carefully removed the wig.

Xue Sui's real hair only reached his ears, lying loosely on the top of his head, making his face appear small.

"Feeling better now?" Xue Sui turned around and chuckled, "Your Highness's skills are not very good."

Li Zhao looked at her with a smile, his gaze tender: "It's alright. Anyway, I'm only tying your hair up for you."

He paused, then said softly, "If you don't want to wear a wig, then don't. I don't care how long or short your hair is. Ping An, you don't have to force yourself for me."

Xue Sui's heart stirred slightly.

Silently, she took the wig back.

"Put it on, Your Highness has a face..."

Li Zhao was both amused and exasperated: "???"

When did he lose his face?
-
That night, the lights in the wise king's study were on until late into the night.

Li Zhao and Li Shao sat facing each other, with a pot of tea between them.

"The last time I sat down for a late-night talk with my elder brother like this was more than ten years ago. I was young then, and I never imagined that after my brother went to Yunnan, he would stay there for so many years and never return to the capital..."

Li Shao sighed, his eyes filled with melancholy, "Time waits for no one. I am already over thirty, and my temples are already streaked with white..."

Back then, they were all princes disliked by their father. As a child, Li Zhao couldn't hide his feelings; he would often pull him aside after palace banquets to share a snack, or sit around the stove whispering silly youthful musings…

But times have changed, and we are no longer the same as we were back then.

He was no longer the immature crown prince, nor was he the eldest brother with a youthful spirit.

Li Xun said, "His Highness the Crown Prince has grown up, possessing great talent and ambition, and achieving remarkable political accomplishments. He has lived up to the high expectations of his late grandfather, and is truly a blessing to the nation..."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty." Li Zhao picked up his teacup and took a small sip. "The situation in Dianzhou has been stabilized, and the thirty-six villages have calmed down after this incident. They should be fine for the next few years."

Li Shao said, "It's all thanks to Your Highness's skillful management."

Li Zhao waved his hand slightly, looking at him calmly: "Your Majesty has been here for more than ten years and is well-versed in the people's conditions, so I am at ease. I just wonder what Your Majesty's plans are for the future?"

Li Shao remained silent for a moment.

The candlelight illuminated his face, revealing him to be kind and honest, but not dull-witted.

"I have no other requests than to guard Dianzhou, protect the people of this region, and ensure the peace and tranquility of my home..." Li Shao thought for a moment, then added tactfully, "I have no desire to get involved in the struggles in the capital, and I dare not even harbor thoughts of looking north..."

Li Zhao looked at him, his gaze lingering for a long time, before slowly saying, "If I am fortunate enough to take control of the overall situation, I will grant you the right to govern Yunnan forever, ensuring peace and stability for generations to come. The court will not appoint another governor, and you will be in charge of military and political affairs. The annual taxes will also be levied according to the old system, without any additional levies."

Li Shao suddenly looked up, his dark eyes seeming to surge with emotion.

"His Royal Highness..."

He stood up, straightened his robes, and bowed deeply to Li Zhao.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust! Dianzhou will forever remain the rock of the southern frontier and will not fail Your Majesty's kindness today."

Li Zhao waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

“We are brothers, there’s no need for this. Just remember to protect this land and educate our children. Only by being content and law-abiding can we prosper.”

Li Shao nodded emphatically and solemnly raised his teacup.

"Your Highness, I will certainly keep your words in mind."

"Brother, there are no outsiders here, just call me Xiao Wu."

"Xiao Wu?" The unfamiliar yet familiar address made Li Xun's eyes slightly hot, and his voice instantly became hoarse, "Your subject... dares not."

“The eldest brother will always be the eldest brother, so let him stay in his position.” Li Zhao smiled.

Two teacups gently touched, tea instead of wine, a promise drunk, and also each person's best future.

When Li Zhao returned to his room, Xue Sui was already asleep.

A ram's horn lamp was left on inside, casting a dim, soft light.

Li Zhao walked quietly to the window and stood there for a moment.

The moonlight was perfect. He recalled his conversation with Li Shao earlier, and the storms he would face upon returning to the capital, and sighed almost inaudibly.

"Ping An, it's time to go back to Beijing."
-
The next day, when they left, Madam Wen filled their carriage with Yunnan specialties, then stepped forward and held Xue Sui's hand tightly. Thinking of her family home in the capital that she could not return to, her eyes reddened, and she was very reluctant to leave.

“Yunnan is a remote place, so it’s rare for family members to come, and even rarer to get along with such a girl…”

"Whenever you have free time in the future, you must come and stay often. Consider it as... visiting a distant relative."

"Alright." Xue Sui grasped her hand in return. "Your Highness, please take care of yourself. If you have some free time in the future, I hope you will come to the capital for a visit."

The two were reluctant to part.

Li Shao also bid farewell to Li Zhao solemnly.

The two brothers didn't say much, but their understanding was perfectly in sync.

The carriage had driven quite a distance when Xue Sui turned back and saw the couple leading their three children standing outside the city gate. Their figures gradually shrank into blurry dots, yet they remained standing firmly.

She looked at Li Zhao, who was deep in thought beside her, and said softly, "This place is really nice."

Li Zhao hummed in agreement and took her hand.

"I'll bring you here again when I have time."

When will they be available again?

Xue Sui smiled slightly but did not reply.

The road ahead is long, and the journey to the capital will surely bring more turmoil. They are adrift in the whirlpool of fate, and no one knows what the final outcome will be.

But at this moment, with green mountains in front of me, a warm breeze on my face, and the most important person by my side, that is good.

　Li Zhao: Actually, what I wanted to say was... could I sleep peacefully?
　　Xue Sui: ? ? ? How many bowls did Your Highness eat?

　　Reader: Just bury him, this person is beyond saving.

　　(End of this chapter)