Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 430 Thoughts
The snow was falling even harder.

Xue Sui led Xiao Zhao back to Yiyuan without stopping.

As soon as the green-covered carriage stopped, Hei Shiba jumped down.

This young man was used to the wildness of the mountains and forests of western Xinjiang. When he arrived at the new territory, he did not show any fear. He cautiously sniffed around the base of the wall, then lifted his hind leg and boldly marked his territory...

The gatekeeper of Yiyuan Garden had already received the news.

The gate was open, and the lanterns under the eaves emitted a warm yellow light, which seemed especially cozy on this snowy evening.

"The girl is finally back."

Before they could even step through the gate, Jinshu and Ruyi hurriedly came out to greet them, holding umbrellas.

"Are you not cold?"

Jinshu took the bundle from Xue Sui's hands, her eyes slightly reddening. "Miss has been gone for months, and we haven't seen anyone. There's war and snow in the Western Frontier, it's truly worrying..."

Xue Sui smiled, "Didn't I come back perfectly fine?"

Jinshu then put away her worried expression, handed the bundle to the little maid behind her, and stepped forward to adjust Xue Sui's cloak collar before smiling and leading him into the house.

"It's good to be back. Ruyi just warmed up some ginger tea. Come inside and have a bowl to warm yourself up."

Ruyi also took Xiaozhao's arm and chattered on and on.

"Has the young lady lost some weight again? Xiao Zhao too, she looks thinner. The wind and sand in the Western Frontier are truly fierce; they've even managed to soften a robust person like our Xiao Zhao into a delicate figure..."

Xiao Zhao gently nudged her and said with a laugh, "You talk too much. Looks like you've been living too comfortably and are itching for a beating, aren't you?"

The two started laughing and playfully fighting.

The joy of a long-awaited reunion, mixed with lighthearted jokes, made them seem even closer than just exchanging pleasantries.

Xue Sui smiled and pinched Ruyi's cheek, his tone indulgent.

"Stop teasing Xiao Zhao, take your things back inside first."

The crowd ushered Xue Sui into the warm pavilion, where Jinshu and Ruyi busied themselves pouring hot tea.

Xue Sui sat down and asked Xiao Zhao to take out the small package from his luggage.

"I brought you some little trinkets, nothing valuable, just something new."

She handed a small wooden box to Jinshu.

"This is for you. It's a safety buckle made by an old craftsman from Dianzhou. The quality isn't the absolute best, but you can wear it for peace and safety."

Jinshu accepted it and quickly curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Miss."

Xue Sui then picked up a small wooden box and handed it to Ruyi, saying with a smile, "These are earrings from Dianzhou. I heard that girls there like these. Take a look and see if you like them."

Ruyi opened it with curiosity and saw a pair of jade earrings, greenish-blue, set in a silver wire holder, exquisite and unique. Next to them was a red jasper carved into the shape of a rabbit, with eyes inlaid with black agate, looking adorable.

"Oh, such a wonderful thing!" Ruyi exclaimed in delight. "You've gone to so much trouble, young lady."

"I just picked it up casually, it's nothing much." Xue Sui smiled faintly, and then asked Xiao Zhao to distribute some other small items to Pei'er and the other maids, so that everyone got a share and no one was left out.

Jinshu was busy making arrangements, laughing incessantly.

"Every time the young lady goes out, she always remembers everyone in the manor. No wonder everyone speaks highly of her."

Xue Sui picked up the hot tea, took a sip, and turned his gaze toward the main room.

"How is my mother? How has she been lately?"

"My wife just took her medicine and is resting for the afternoon." Jinshu lowered her voice. "The eldest son came to check her pulse the day before yesterday and said that my wife's health is much better. It's just that her mind... I'm afraid she can never go back to what it used to be."

Xue Sui paused slightly, his gaze becoming serious.

Jinshu, fearing she would worry, added with a smile, "But since my wife doesn't remember the past, it saves me a lot of trouble. She's usually quiet and peaceful when taking her medicine or playing with her toys..."

Xue Sui felt somewhat relieved and stood up, saying, "I'll go check on her."

She went to the main room and quietly entered the inner room.

Yukihime, wrapped in a quilt, leaned against the wooden couch by the window, holding a nine-linked ring in her hand, and was fast asleep.

Hearing the noise, she suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Xue Sui with a clear but blank gaze.

Who are you?

Xue Sui felt a pang of sadness in her heart and stepped forward, saying softly, "Mother, it's me, it's Sui Sui. Do you remember me?"

"Sui Sui..." Xue Ji tilted her head to look at her, thought hard for a while, and suddenly broke into an innocent smile: "Sui Sui is back? Is it the Sui Sui who went to fight in a very, very far place? Jin Shu said you went to fight bad guys, did you drive them all away?"

It seems Jinshu has been talking about herself to her quite a bit.

Xue Sui felt a lump in his throat, took her slightly cool hand, and sat down on the edge of the couch.

"Yes, the bad guys are all gone, I'm back. How are you feeling, Mother? Are you eating well?"

“Okay.” Xue Ji nodded, holding up the nine-linked rings in her hand like a treasure. “This was given to me by Doctor Shu. It’s so much fun… but I’m too clumsy, I can never solve it…”

Looking at the complex silver ring, Xue Sui understood that Tian Shu had given it to her to train her fingers and brainpower, which would help with her recovery.

“I’ll teach you…” She took the nine-linked rings and patiently demonstrated and explained each step.

As soon as the clasp came loose, Yukihime's eyes lit up, revealing a childlike wonder and adoration.

"Sui Sui is amazing! Even more amazing than Dr. Shu. He said he couldn't solve it either..."

Jinshu chuckled softly from the side: "My wife has been pondering this lately, sometimes sitting and playing with it by herself for quite a while. Doctor Shu said it's a sign that her mind is becoming more focused, a good omen..."

Xue Sui felt somewhat comforted.

She accompanied Yukihime through her practice sessions, again and again.

She was immediately impressed when Yuki managed to solve it on her own once.

"Mother is so smart and amazing."

Yukihime beamed with joy at the praise, leaned back contentedly against the soft pillows, and then focused intently on playing with other toys.

He seemed to have completely forgotten that his daughter, who had just returned from the western frontier, was beside him.

Ruyi brought out hot tea and snacks, and the group sat around in the warm pavilion talking.

Xiao Zhao recounted in detail what she had seen and heard on her trip to the Western Frontier.

From the attack on Jingbo Garden to the killing of Xiao Yan in Yunling, Ruyi covered her mouth and exclaimed in shock at the dangerous part, her eyes filled with lingering fear.

Hearing about the amusing story of Hei Shiba, she couldn't help but look at the black dog lying at Xue Sui's feet.

"Black Eighteen... that's a rather casual name. But... girl, it looks really fierce."

"Don't be fooled by it..." Xiao Zhao chuckled as she ruffled Black Eighteen's hair. "It's good at intimidating outsiders, but it's incredibly docile with its own people. Even when Guard Guan was seriously injured, it obediently stayed outside the tent and refused to leave..."

"Is Guard Guan's injury any better now?" Ruyi blinked and asked Xiao Zhao. "But... why does your face turn red when Guard Guan is mentioned?"

Xue Sui smiled slightly, lifting his eyes.

Xiao Zhao was immediately embarrassed and reached out to pat the Ruyi.

"You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Guard Guan is a trusted advisor to His Highness and once risked his life to protect you. Isn't it my duty to ask a question?"

"Even if you're a dutiful person, you don't need to watch over him while he changes his dressings, and you even specially made chicken soup to send over, do you?" Ruyi dodged away with a mischievous smile, "Could it be that you've taken a fancy to Guard Guan because you think he's so heroic?"

"I was just expressing my gratitude for his loyal protection of his master..."

"Look, look, I've been a loyal protector of my master too, but I haven't seen you make me any chicken soup?"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart..." Xiao Zhao's face turned red, and she leaned over to pinch her.

"Girl, look at her! She's so angry and embarrassed she's about to hit me. She'll pinch me again, pinch me again... You won't admit it, will you? But what if your guard Guan marries someone else? You'll have plenty to cry about then..."

"You dare say that? I'll beat you up, you believe I won't..."

The two girls immediately started laughing and wrestling together on the daybed.

Xue Sui looked at this scene, exchanged a glance with Jin Shu, and shook his head.

After days of running around, I seem to have relaxed a bit.

After a few laughs, Ruyi went to prepare the meal, and the warm pavilion became quiet for a while.

Xue Sui smiled slightly at Xiao Zhao.

"Ruyi's words may be rough, but the reasoning is sound... Guard Guan has rendered meritorious service this time, and he will surely be rewarded upon returning to the capital. Moreover, he has gained the favor of His Highness, and countless people want to marry him... Even his elders will urge him to arrange the marriage..."

Xue Sui spoke gently, looking at her intently.

"You may tell me what you are thinking."

Xiao Zhao walked over and sat down on the embroidered stool at Xue Sui's feet, her head slightly lowered.

"Please don't tease me, young lady. Guard Guan... is a proper head guard of the Crown Prince's Palace, with a respectable family background and a bright future. How could someone of my status... how could I possibly associate myself with him?"

Xue Sui put down his teacup and asked solemnly, "What's wrong with your status? In what way are you inferior to others?"

Xiao Zhao lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, her voice trailing off, "Orphaned, from the old Lingzhao... my origins are ultimately shameful. Besides, how much blood has I spilled on my hands? An ordinary man would probably have nightmares if he heard that... A man like Guard Guan deserves a lady from a respectable family, gentle and virtuous..."

“If he cares about this, then he’s blind and heartless, and not worth it,” Xue Sui interrupted her, his voice soft yet powerful.

"Women raised in the Old Mausoleum Swamp understand loyalty and righteousness better than anyone else, and live more freely than anyone else. Xiao Zhao, you are good, you deserve the best man in the world. Don't belittle yourself."

Xiao Zhao's eyes were slightly red, and her nose was sore.

The daughter often suffers from anxiety and insecurity due to love and relationships, which diminishes her ambition.

Only a girl who lives with clarity and integrity is willing to stand up for her...

She moved her lips, as if she wanted to say something, but then she saw the curtain move and Jinshu lean in.

"Young lady, the eldest son and the seventh son have arrived."

Xue Sui glanced at Xiao Zhao and then put aside his unfinished words.

"I understand. Please ask them to sit in the small flower hall for a while. I'll change my clothes and come over."

(End of this chapter)