Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 428 Returning to the Capital for Debate

The closer we got to the capital, the colder the weather seemed to become.

A heavy snow fell, and the snow on the official road was compacted by the passing carriages and horses, and covered with a thin layer of ice, making the road surface extremely slippery, and the carriages and ceremonial processions moved slowly.

Xue Sui had been indulging in sleep lately, and even while the carriage was bumping along, he fell asleep on a soft pillow.

Li Zhao let her be, occasionally raising his hand to tuck the thin blanket that had slipped off, afraid of disturbing her sweet dreams.

On their journey back from the western frontier, they spent their days traveling under the stars and moon, but they stayed together and enjoyed a peaceful time.

Li Zhao was engrossed in watching when Xue Sui suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright.

"Why is Your Highness staring at me like that?" She turned slightly to the side, a smile playing on her lips. "Are you afraid I'll run away, or have you suddenly realized I'm prettier than the beauties of the capital?"

Li Zhao smiled, poured some warm tea from the small table, and handed it to her.

"I'm wondering whether, after we return to the capital, I should let you rest at Yiyuan Garden or bring you directly to the Eastern Palace."

Xue Sui paused in his hand as he took the tea, then looked up at him.

"His Majesty is ill, and His Highness is also 'ill.' Is he sending me to the Eastern Palace at this time because he thinks the censors are too idle, or because he's afraid I'm too comfortable?"

Li Zhao smiled slightly.

"Then let's go to Yiyuan first. I'll have Laifu tidy up the courtyard of Youhuangju. You can keep your mother company. If you feel bored, you can stay at Youhuangju for a couple of days, tend to the love flowers, and calm your mind."

"No need for that." Xue Sui lowered his head and blew on his tea, his tone indifferent. "I'm going back to the Xue family."

There was a moment of silence inside the car.

Li Zhao stared at her: "You know what state the Xue family is in now. Going back now, is it because you think you haven't suffered enough?"

“It’s precisely because times are bad that we need to go back. We can’t let people think that I, Xue Liu, have become estranged from my family and forgotten my roots just because I’ve taken advantage of the Crown Prince’s power.” Xue Sui raised his eyes, his gaze clear and sharp. “Besides, there are some respectable things that need to be done. After visiting my grandmother, I will return to Yiyuan and will not stay long.”

Li Zhao suddenly laughed, unable to discern whether she was telling the truth or not.

"You always have your reasons, and I can't argue with you."

He reached out, bent his knuckles and rubbed them against her cheek, then lowered his voice.

"But the Xue family is full of eyes and ears, so I need to have someone keep an eye on them to prevent them from tripping you up in secret."

"Your Highness is so kind, why not keep Black Eighteen by my side?" Xue Sui smiled slightly, "It's alert and fierce, it can embolden you and scare away any villains..."

Li Zhao chuckled and patted the dog's head that was lying at his feet.

"Black dog, are you willing or not?"

He asked the dog.

Xue Sui glared at him and handed Hei Shiba some dried meat.

Black Eighteen whimpered, shook its fur, sat up, and wagged its tail even more enthusiastically.

Upon seeing this, Xue Sui couldn't help but laugh, "It seems she's willing."

Li Zhao laughed and cursed, "Spineless bastard."

Xue Sui lowered his head, sipped his tea, and smiled silently.

The tea was sweet and refreshing, brewed by the Princess Consort of Dianzhou, carrying a hint of wildness that reminded her of the leisurely two days she spent in Dianzhou.

Returning to the capital would be a rare opportunity.
-
With the capital region in sight, news was being delivered to the carriage one after another.

The Emperor's condition has been fluctuating. He had previously been able to review memorials while leaning on soft pillows, but recently he has developed a low-grade fever and is feeling lethargic. Thanks to the efforts of veteran officials like Lu Jing, the court remains relatively stable. The vacancies left by Empress Xiao have been filled by upright officials recommended by Lu Jing. Prime Minister Lu carefully selects all memorials submitted to the Emperor.

Most of the palace guards have been replaced, and they are all trustworthy people. It won't be so easy for the Empress Dowager to interfere in politics anymore. The wind in the court is gradually shifting towards the Eastern Palace, and some officials who were waiting to see what would happen have begun to actively curry favor with the Emperor.

"Your Highness, a letter from Doctor Shu." Lai Fu whispered outside the carriage window, passing a thinly rolled-up piece of paper through the curtain.

Li Zhao unfolded the note, his gaze quickly sweeping over it, and his expression darkened.

Seeing that his expression was off, Xue Sui quickly asked, "What did Doctor Shu say?"

Li Zhao handed her the note, his voice low and somber: "His Majesty's vital energy has been severely depleted; he is on the verge of death. Even with the use of rare medicinal herbs to keep him alive, he can only last for a maximum of six months..."

Xue Sui looked at the fine, small characters, remained silent for a moment, and then looked up.

"What are Your Highness's plans?"

Li Zhao burned the letter to ashes, his face expressionless.

"Six months is enough."
-
The day the carriage entered Beijing, the sky was overcast, and the heavy snow pattered against the carriage roof.

As the twelfth lunar month approaches, Beijing is already filled with the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year.

The people crowded both sides of the official road, standing on tiptoe and craning their necks, eager to catch a glimpse of the crown prince's triumphant return.

The windows of taverns and teahouses facing the street were also crowded with people. The men, dressed in brocade robes, huddled their hands in the braziers and talked in hushed tones, while the women, wrapped in thick cloaks and protected by their servants, craned their necks in anticipation.

However, they were ultimately disappointed.

The prince's carriage, escorted by a group of solemn-looking guards, silently entered the city gate. The curtains were drawn tightly, and not even a corner of his clothes was visible.

The news quickly spread through the crowd...

His Highness's old illness has relapsed, and he is exhausted from his journey. He has returned to the palace to recuperate and has declined all visits.

Almost simultaneously, another expeditionary force heading west entered the city through Deshengmen and was greeted by crowds lining the streets.

Lu Youan led the Western Expeditionary Army back in triumph, their military bearing impeccable and their banners fluttering in the wind.

The gleaming armor reflected the bleak winter weather, and although the soldiers' eyes showed weariness, they could not hide the glory of their triumphant return.

Princess Wenjia, accompanied by Niu Niu and Lu Youan's two children, dressed in their finest attire, went out to greet them at the long pavilion outside the city.

Today she wore a scarlet cloak with gold brocade, the collar and cuffs trimmed with white fox fur. The worry between her brows had vanished, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were bright.

Young Niu Niu, dressed in a light red jacket and with her hair in two buns, looked like a lucky doll, peering around curiously. Guan Chen and Tong Tong were also dressed neatly, their little faces full of anticipation.

They stood with the elders of the Lu family under the pavilion, their eyes gazing eagerly at the end of the official road.

When that general in silver armor, his weary figure standing tall in sight...

Wen Jia's eyes instantly reddened.

"Guanchen, Tongtong, your father is back."

The children immediately jumped for joy.

Niu Niu was more anxious than anyone else, craning her neck and asking in her childish voice, "Uncle Lu is back, I wonder if he brought me a present..."

The elders of the Lu family all smiled upon hearing this, creating a warm atmosphere.

These days, Wen Jia's meticulous care for the children has been seen by them, and they are grateful and tacitly acknowledge her relationship with Lu Youan.

"Here he comes! General Lu is here!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Look! It really is General Lu..."

"Top scholar general, a great hero!"

"Our fine young men from the capital... have all returned!"

"Heavens, that's my son..."

"My son, my son has returned..."

The sound is endless.

The elders of the Lu family crowded forward, their eyes brimming with tears of emotion.

Looking at the person she had been longing for day and night, whose silver armor was still covered in snow and whose face bore the marks of time, Wen Jia felt a surge of bittersweet unease. She silently stepped back and pushed the children forward...

"Father!" the two children cried out joyfully.

Lu Youan immediately dismounted and strode over. He first bowed deeply to Wen Jia, then embraced the two children, and then paid his respects to the elders.

"The son is unfilial and has caused his mother and grandmother worry."

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back," Madam Lu said repeatedly, wiping away her tears.

Tongtong excitedly called out "Daddy!" Guan Chen maintained his composure as a little man, though his eyes were also wet with tears.

Niu Niu then became shy, called out "Uncle Lu," and hid behind her mother.

Lu Youan laughed heartily and instructed his attendants to open the bundles they had brought back.

He gave Guan Chen an exquisitely carved little wooden horse, and Tong Tong a fluffy white fox doll.

Finally, he took out an exquisite painted clay figurine from his pocket and handed it to Niu Niu.

"Niu Niu, take a look, do you like it?"

"Thank you, Uncle Lu..."

The children jumped for joy when they received their gifts.

Amidst the surprised laughter, Lu Youan looked up at Wen Jia, his gaze tender yet apologetic.

"Your Highness, you've worked hard. You'an... is back."

The two exchanged a glance, and a thousand words were condensed into that silent gaze.

Wen Jia lowered her eyelashes, softly hummed in agreement, and her ears turned slightly red.

Seeing this, Old Madam Lu quickly changed the subject with a smile: "Let's not talk in this windy place, let's go home, let's talk at home... You'an still has to go to the palace to meet the Emperor, right?"

Lu Youan nodded, his gaze still fixed on Wen Jia: "Yes, I still need to go to the palace to report back and pay my respects to His Majesty. After I'm done with this, I'll return to my residence to apologize and properly compensate the princess for her hard work these past few days..."

The old lady scolded, "Look how anxious you are. We'll have plenty of time to get along in the future. Go and take care of important business."

Lu Youan's ears turned slightly red, and he quickly replied, "Yes."

Wenjia's face turned even redder, and she lowered her head.

Cheers and good-natured laughter erupted around them.

This scene of a long-awaited reunion moved all the onlookers.

In the crowded throng, a figure wrapped in a gray cotton-padded coat approached silently and stood in an inconspicuous corner, her large hood almost completely obscuring her face.

Nobody noticed her.

No one noticed that the pale face under the hood belonged to the once arrogant and domineering Princess Ping Le.

She stared intently at the dazzling family reunion, at the blush of happiness on Wen Jia's face, at Lu Youan's gentle smile, and then at her own two children... Her heart and lungs felt as if they were being boiled in hot oil.

All of this should have belonged to her...

A wife gains status through her husband, and her children surround her, sharing in her glory.

But now, her children regard her as a disgrace and avoid her like the plague.

Wen Jia took her place, enjoying the respect of the Lu family and the tenderness of Lu Youan, while she was like a rat in a gutter, hiding everywhere, unable to even recognize her own flesh and blood.

Why?
Why is it that Wen Jia, a widow who is said to bring bad luck to her husbands, can occupy her position so peacefully?

Why should Lu Youan be willing to go to war in the Western Frontier rather than divorce her and betray her...?

Why should I, a princess of the emperor, end up like this?
Extreme resentment and jealousy twisted her nerves.

She coldly raised her chin, gave the happy family one last look, slowly turned around, pushed through the crowd, and disappeared into the cold wind and snow.

(End of this chapter)