Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 448 Ambiguous Daily Life
Li Zhao straightened the hem and sleeves of her dress, then casually withdrew his hand, turned around, straightened his clothes, and sat upright with a dignified expression, as if he were the man who had just been passionately kissing her, only an illusion under the flickering lamplight.

When Tian Shu, dressed in a plain white brocade robe and exuding a chilling aura, pushed open the door, this was the scene that greeted him.

The enchanting atmosphere still lingers in the air.

An unusual ambiguity lingered between the two.

Almost instinctively, his cool gaze fell on Xue Sui's face...

Her cheeks were still flushed, her lips appeared fuller than usual, and there was still lingering affection in her eyes...

His intrusion was particularly abrupt.

Tian Shu paused slightly before stepping forward and giving a curt bow with a cool expression.

"Your Highness."

"Senior Brother, there's no need for such formalities." Li Zhao raised his hand in a gesture of support, his tone natural and familiar, his demeanor as natural as the host of the place.

"sit down."

Tian Shu frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping quickly over Xue Sui.

These days, he's been too busy to have a deep conversation with Xue Sui, so he doesn't know the extent of her feelings for Li Zhao, nor how much Li Zhao knows about Xue Sui and the old mausoleum...

But that one "senior brother" was enough for him to see things clearly.

In Thirteen's world, he was no longer the closest person to her. Li Zhao had become someone she could share secrets with and weather storms with, someone who had earned her complete trust and reliance...

That position used to belong only to him.

A subtle silence fell over the room.

The two men, one noble and elegant like snow-capped mountain jade, the other aloof and detached like a pine tree on a cliff, briefly met in the air. Their gazes were calm and indifferent, yet inexplicably made Xue Sui, who was standing to the side, feel a sense of suffocation... crowded.

She slightly curled her fingertips, breaking the silence first.

"Senior Brother, you've come through the snow so late at night. Is there something urgent?"

Tian Shu's eyes remained unchanged, and his voice was as calm as ever.

"His Majesty's condition is fluctuating, and his pulse is extremely unstable. Signs of internal liver wind have already appeared... Your Highness, we need to make plans as soon as possible."

Did he come just to say this?

Xue Sui was puzzled.

Tian Shu calmly placed the medical case gently on the table.

Her fingertips were long and slender, almost the same color as the paper.

"Please take a look at it, Your Highness."

Xue Sui picked it up and looked at it, then handed it to Li Zhao, saying in a low voice, "Excessive worry has caused liver fire to rise... This has damaged the foundation..."

Li Zhao's expression darkened slightly: "It's happening sooner than Dr. Shu expected?"

Tian Shu said, "Your Majesty suffered a shock during the day and has been unable to sleep. He has vomited seven out of ten doses of medicine, and his body is already extremely weak..."

Li Zhao pondered for a moment, then looked up at Tian Shu and said, "Please take good care of Father. When administering medicine and acupuncture, don't worry about the potency of the medicine; let him live one more day at a time. Make sure... he suffers as little as possible and passes away peacefully."

"It's my duty," Tian Shu said calmly, his gaze falling on Xue Sui's face. "Ping An is not fully recovered yet, so he should rest and recuperate properly and worry less."

Li Zhao took over the conversation quite naturally, and looked at Xue Sui with concern, "What Senior Brother said is absolutely right. I also feel that she has been overworking herself lately... but with her personality, she can't stay idle."

Tian Shu nodded expressionlessly, "Since Your Highness knows she is worried, you should shield her from the storms of life instead of making her constantly anxious."

This statement is direct, and even somewhat presumptuous.

Li Zhao was not annoyed by what he heard, but smiled slightly and met Tian Shu's gaze.

"I will protect my people."

"I hope Your Highness will always remain so," Tian Shu replied, seemingly in response yet also as a warning, showing no regard for the Crown Prince's authority, before nodding slightly to Xue Sui.

"I'm heading back now. If you need anything, just let Jinshu call me. You... get some rest."

Having said that, he turned and left without waiting for Li Zhao's response.

A figure in white gracefully swept across the threshold, like a lone crane in flight, disappearing into the deep snowy night...

Xue Sui saw Tian Shu to the door, watched his departing figure, sighed softly, and before she could look away, she heard Li Zhao's voice behind her.

"How come someone as outstanding as your senior brother hasn't found a woman to marry and settle down?"

The tone was flat, but the sourness seemed to be overflowing...

Upon hearing this, Xue Sui couldn't help but laugh.

"My senior brother's ambitions lie elsewhere."

She turned and closed the door, shutting out the wind and snow.

Li Zhao took the opportunity to pull her into his arms, his tone carrying a hint of dissatisfaction and a strong sense of possessiveness.

"What were you sighing about just now? Did you think that my presence was disturbing your meeting with your senior brother?"

Xue Sui looked up, his eyes clear and bright, with a hint of mockery.

"Your Highness is becoming increasingly unreasonable. Senior Brother is here to discuss serious matters, can't you hear me?"

Li Zhao chuckled, narrowing his eyes half-jokingly, "Ping An, you senior brother, aren't you a little too concerned about your junior sister?"

Xue Sui glanced at him, pursing her lips in displeasure.

"Your Highness, what kind of jealousy is this? Which of the fellow disciples who came from the Old Mausoleum Swamp are not family members who have been through thick and thin together? My eldest brother is not only a brother to me, but also a father to me, and even more so, a comrade-in-arms who has risked his life for me. This bond is naturally different from that of others."

"I believe in you." Li Zhao lowered his head and lightly kissed her lips, his tone domineering, "But in your heart, you are only allowed to have me. Don't even think about anyone else."

The two exchanged a few jokes, and the atmosphere warmed up.

Xue Sui leaned against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, her thoughts drifting away.

"His Majesty is probably thoroughly enraged by this incident. We don't know what he'll do next..."

Li Zhao toyed with her slender fingers, his eyes slightly cold.

"The arrow has left the bowstring, there's no turning back. I can no longer retreat..."
-
After that night, Li Zhao indeed followed Tian Shu's advice, quelled the turmoil in the court, and did not mention Xue Sui.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the capital city is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the festive atmosphere grows stronger day by day.

Xue Sui suddenly found himself with nothing to do.

She no longer went out frequently, spending most of her time in Yiyuan Garden. After practicing her exercises in the morning, she would carefully scent the newly tailored spring clothes with a light orchid fragrance, choosing colors that were brighter than usual.

When the mood strikes, she'll go to the small kitchen and make some snacks herself, sometimes crispy sesame cakes, sometimes soft and chewy plum blossom cakes. She'll even drag Ruyi along and try to recreate some lost-to-life dishes by referring to ancient recipes she's found somewhere. Although she fails eight out of ten times, she never tires of it.

She suddenly became cheerful...

She smiles more often now, as if she's melted away by the warmth of human life. Watching the snow fall outside the window or teasing Hei Shiba, she'll unconsciously hum a few tunes... Xiao Zhao is the person who's been with her the longest and was the first to notice her changes.

In private, she murmured to Jinshu.

"Why has the young lady changed her personality? Could it be that she has been possessed by some unclean thing?"

Jinshu just smiled.

She knew in her heart that the "unclean thing" gave the girl enough peace of mind, which allowed her to let down her guard and burdens.

"You're just talking nonsense. Isn't the girl good the way she is now? I think this is what a real young lady should be like..."

"It's good, but it looks... kind of strange, it makes me a little uneasy..."

"You're just itching for a fight, aren't you? You only feel happy when the girl is giving you a cold shoulder?" Jinshu said with a laugh, and stuffed a stack of cut red paper into her hands. "Stop thinking about it, hurry up and take it down. Everyone, let's cut some paper-cuts and get ready for the New Year."

Xiao Zhao stuck out her tongue, took the red paper, and ran away.

In Yiyuan Garden, a lighthearted atmosphere permeated the entire place thanks to Xue Sui's change of heart. The barking of Blackie Shiba and the laughter of the maids could often be heard in the courtyard, creating a festive atmosphere. The conflicts and gloom of the past few days seemed to have been buried and dissipated by the festive spirit…

Li Zhao remained busy, but whenever he had a spare moment, he would ride out of the palace to sit for a while in Yiyuan Garden.

Sometimes it was midday, and he would bring a chess manual or a rare book to play a game with Xue Sui, or he would play the zither and paint himself. Occasionally, he would look up and exchange a glance with her, earning a word of praise in return.

Sometimes it was late at night, and he would rush over, chilly as he was, to drink a bowl of hot soup simmering on the stove, to hold her icy hands in his palms, to chat for a few intimate moments, before hurrying away again.

Sometimes it was early morning, when he would sneak out as soon as the palace gates opened, and hold the sleeping woman, along with her blanket, on his lap. Like coaxing a child, he would whisper lazily about interesting things in the court, enjoying the tenderness and tranquility of their time alone.

Clearly, Li Zhao was pleased to see Xue Sui's change, and in private, he became increasingly affectionate and tender with her. Although they adhered to the rules of propriety, when their emotions overwhelmed them, whispering sweet nothings became commonplace...

Steal the floating life for half a day.

This tranquility lasted until New Year's Eve.

Just as Tian Shu announced that the emperor's condition had improved and he was able to eat, a sudden uproar broke out in the palace.

Because the emperor was ill, the New Year's Eve ceremonies were simplified this year.

Li Zhaodai presided over the banquet, which was held in the Eastern Palace. After drinking and socializing with his relatives and important officials, he rode his horse through the snow to Yiyuan Garden.

Xue Sui left the door open for him as usual.

He dismissed his servants and entered alone. He drank some wine, his eyes slightly red. Dressed in casual clothes covered by a black fox fur cloak, he stood under the flickering candlelight, his features and demeanor even more dashing.

"What is Ping An doing? He's busy even on New Year's Eve?"

"What am I doing to you?"

Xue Sui was sitting by the window, threading a needle in the light.

The sachet that was promised to Li Zhao was finally being made.

On the dark blue brocade, intricate kui dragon patterns are embroidered with gold and silver threads, already taking shape. The stitches are fine and even, showing that some real skill has been put into it.

Li Zhao strolled up behind her, bent down to look at her, and couldn't help but laugh, "Didn't you say sachets were troublesome? Why are you willing to go through all this trouble again?"

His tone revealed an undisguised joy.

Xue Sui didn't even raise his head. "If Your Highness doesn't like it, I'll take it and give it to Hei Shiba to hang on his collar."

"I dare!" Li Zhao chuckled, wrapped his arms around her from behind, took her hand that was holding the needle, and put down the unfinished sachet. "I am very pleased. Just don't overexert yourself, take your time."

"Why did Your Highness arrive so early today?"

"I've been thinking about you," Li Zhao said with a smile.

"Weren't you supposed to be exchanging pleasantries with the elders of the royal family? Why did the palace banquet end so quickly?" Xue Sui glanced at him.

"Those old men are so talkative. I just dealt with them briefly and then found an excuse to leave. How can all that empty formalities compare to keeping me company during the New Year's Eve vigil?"

The crown prince, having shed his imposing demeanor, spoke with a tone full of doting affection.

The sound of firecrackers echoed from the streets to the alleys of the capital, rising and falling in waves. Snowflakes fell on the eaves, reflecting the red light of the lanterns and turning the green tiles a pale red...

The two embraced and spoke in hushed tones.

There are no national or political affairs, only the gentle passage of time.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the window, followed by Lai Fu's slightly panicked voice coming from behind the door.

"Your Highness, an urgent report from the palace."

Li Zhao frowned, released Xue Sui, and said in a deep voice, "Come in and talk."

The person who pushed open the door was the guard Qingming.

He bowed respectfully, his breath unsteady, and said hastily:
"Your Highness, after the New Year's Eve dinner, His Majesty insisted on summoning Consort Zhen to his bedchamber... The Empress went to dissuade him, which angered His Majesty, who rebuked her for interfering in palace affairs... The Empress was worried about His Majesty's still-unwell health and refused to give in. His Majesty actually... actually said he would draft an edict to depose the Empress..."

Li Zhao's expression suddenly hardened, and he abruptly stood up.

The air suddenly became stagnant.

"If you can't depose the crown prince, then you'll have to depose the empress? Father is really getting more and more regressive as he gets older..."

Xue Sui frowned slightly.

Emperor Chongzhao's actions were utterly insane...

He probably became confused after falling seriously ill, and was even willing to destroy his own defenses in order to vent his anger through reckless behavior...

On New Year's Eve, the Emperor and Empress should have stayed up together to symbolize harmony throughout the land. His forced summons of his concubines was already a grave breach of decorum, and his threat to depose the Empress was not only a slap in the face to the Empress and the Crown Prince, but also a threat to the very foundation of the nation…

In the end... he still chose the most unbearable path...

"Change your clothes and prepare your horse," Li Zhao ordered in a deep voice.

He turned back to Xue Sui, his gaze complex, "I must go to the palace immediately and will not be able to keep watch over Ping An for the New Year."

Xue Sui stepped forward and straightened his clothes, her gaze calm. "Go. Be careful in everything you do."

Li Zhao gave her a deep look, nodded emphatically, said nothing more, and strode away.

The curtains swayed, bringing with them a gust of cold wind.

Outside the window, the wind and snow rose again, pattering against the windowpane.

Xue Sui stood by the window, watching his figure disappear into the wind and snow. She picked up the unfinished sachet and examined it closely, her shoulders and back ramrod straight.

The discord between the emperor and empress, and the controversy surrounding the empress's deposition, are unlikely to subside easily...

She stood quietly for a moment, then called out to Jinshu.

"Go and fetch the ginseng slices I prepared earlier, and have Ruyi open the storeroom to get some high-quality moxa floss and hemostatic and qi-stabilizing pills. Pack them all in the medicine box for future use..."

　Li Zhao: We're celebrating the New Year here. Are you celebrating the New Year?
　　Reader: I was hoping to see you celebrate the New Year, but alas, we have to wait for your wedding night... Your Highness is truly exhausted!
　　(End of this chapter)