Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 451 Reward
Upon entering the inner palace, Empress Xie was indeed awake, with soft pillows behind her back, leaning against the headboard.

Her complexion was still not good, but her eyes were much clearer. When she saw Xue Sui come in, she struggled to sit up straight.

"Your Majesty, please don't move." Xue Sui quickly stepped forward and supported her shoulders.

"Your body is still weak, don't waste any more energy..."

"Good child, I really owe you a lot this time." Empress Xie held Xue Sui's hand, her voice weak but sincere. "You snatched my life from the jaws of death. If you hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it through the New Year, let alone seen the little princess."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is Your Majesty's great fortune that enabled us to overcome this difficulty..." Xue Sui bowed slightly, her tone respectful but not obsequious. "This humble woman has only done her bit and does not deserve Your Majesty's generous thanks."

"Of course I deserve it, why wouldn't I?"

Empress Xie gently patted the back of her hand, her loving gaze sweeping between her and Li Zhao, her tone becoming increasingly gentle.

"I've been on the brink of death, and I've seen through everything. Fame and fortune are fleeting; what truly matters is having someone who understands and cares for you by your side..."

After a pause, she suddenly changed the subject.

"You two are not young anymore, and I can see your feelings for each other... Zhao'er is cold-hearted and thoughtful, so it is his good fortune to have the Sixth Miss by his side."

Xue Sui was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously looked up, only to meet Li Zhao's gaze. Those eyes seemed to hold a burning heat.

Her heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she subconsciously lowered her gaze, her ears burning slightly.

Empress Xie took in their expressions and smiled slightly, "Once I'm out of confinement and feeling better, I'll properly arrange things for you two..."

"Your Majesty!" A palace servant suddenly announced softly from outside the hall.

"Eunuch Wang from Zichen Palace has arrived, saying he has been ordered to deliver rewards to the Empress and the little princess..."

The warm atmosphere froze instantly.

Empress Xie and Li Zhao exchanged a glance, their expressions turning cold.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Please let him in."

Wang Chengxi hurriedly entered, bowed deeply, and was more respectful and cautious than usual.

"This old servant greets Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince. Congratulations on the birth of your princess..."

Li Zhao frowned: "Is it because Eunuch Wang made this trip in person, or does Father have any other instructions?"

Wang Chengxi hurriedly said, "His Majesty was overjoyed to hear that the Empress and her daughter were safe and sound, and specially sent this old servant to bring some auspicious items to add to the joy."

He gave a wink to the eunuch behind him, who then presented him with a gilded lacquer box.

A jade ruyi scepter, a pair of longevity locks inlaid with gemstones and gold, and a stack of swaddling clothes and baby clothes embroidered with the character "福" (fortune)—the gifts were neither too extravagant nor too stingy; they were neither particularly generous nor flawed, just a perfunctory gesture.

Wang Chengxi glanced at the Empress's face, then bowed with his hands at his sides. "His Majesty also said that Your Majesty's birth of the princess is a meritorious act, and the new year is a blessing for the nation. Please, Your Majesty, rest and recuperate, and do not overexert yourself."

Empress Xie hummed in response, her tone flat.

"Take it and record it in the palace accounts. Please trouble Eunuch Wang to go back and report to His Majesty, saying that I kneel to thank His Majesty for the generous reward."

"Yes, I save you the trouble."

Wang Chengxi agreed, but did not leave immediately, his face showing a hint of hesitation, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Looking at his expression, Li Zhao understood what was going on.

"Is there anything else, Eunuch Wang?"

When Wang Chengxi was exposed, he seemed to have suddenly made up his mind. He stepped forward half a step, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "Your Highness, this old servant... this old servant has a few important words to say, but I don't know if I should say them... May I ask Your Highness to speak to me in private?"
-
A chilly wind was blowing under the eaves.

Wang Chengxi followed Li Zhao to the outer room, to the pillars away from the doors and windows, where the palace servants had already tactfully retreated a distance.

“Your Highness…” Wang Chengxi’s usual smooth smile disappeared, his brows furrowed, and his eyes revealed unconcealed anxiety.

"This old servant has no other choice; I'm terribly panicked, which is why I dare to swallow my pride and speak out in front of you—"

He leaned closer and lowered his voice considerably.

"His Majesty now... completely believes in Xuanji Zi's words and won't listen to anyone's advice. Last night, he ate a 'miracle pill' and was very energetic in the latter half of the night. He paced back and forth in the palace, saying that he felt light and healthy, with bright eyes and sharp ears, and that he would definitely live another fifty years. He also said that he wanted to gather the world's finest materials to refine some kind of longevity elixir... This old servant was really alarmed and dared to offer a few words of advice. Guess what His Majesty said?"

Li Zhao's expression shifted slightly. "Did Father scold you?"

"It's more than just scolding," Wang Chengxi sighed, his old face contorted with bitterness.

"His Majesty said that this old servant has been bribed by the Crown Prince, that he can't stand to see him doing well, and that he's deliberately blocking his path to immortality. He also said that this old servant has served him for decades, yet he's not as loyal as a mere foreign official—alas! This old servant has served His Majesty since the time of the Prince's birth, and has never seen His Majesty so…so arrogant. This old servant isn't afraid of anything else, but he's afraid that those dubious elixirs might harm His Majesty's health…"

Li Zhao's eyes darkened.

"Who else has Father met recently?"

"Besides Xuanji Zi and his several disciples skilled in alchemy, Consort Zhen was always by his side. In addition..."

Wang Chengxi hesitated for a moment before saying, "His Highness Prince Duan once visited the palace to inquire about my health."

"say something……"

“This…” Wang Chengxi was the emperor’s confidant and knew which words could be conveyed and which could not. Facing the crown prince’s sharp gaze, he did not flinch and said calmly, “His Highness Prince Duan was just inquiring about His Majesty’s health. This old servant sees… sees nothing wrong with it.”

Li Zhao did not entirely believe it, but he did not press the matter further.

"How did Xuanjizi enter the palace? He couldn't have just appeared out of thin air, could he?"

“This old servant knows,” Wang Chengxi hurriedly said. “It was Eunuch Liu from the Empress Dowager’s palace who introduced him. He said that Xuanji Zi had once cultivated in seclusion on Mount Emei and was skilled in the method of observing qi to diagnose calamities. He could help His Majesty purify his body and prolong his life. His Majesty did not believe it at first, but Xuanji Zi performed a divination for His Majesty and said some mysterious words. He then concluded that His Majesty had stagnant qi in his body and offered him a pill… After His Majesty took it, he felt better and his body felt less heavy. So he believed it even more and kept the man by his side, almost obeying his every word…”

Li Zhao's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"I see?"

The Empress Dowager has always favored Prince Wei and harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince, her legitimate grandson. Already displeased by Prince Wei's imprisonment, her use of Xuanjizi to control the Emperor reveals ulterior motives.

Wang Chengxi pondered these things, and said anxiously in a low voice, "This old servant is of lowly status and his words carry little weight. His Majesty will not listen to what I say. I really don't know what to do..."

Li Zhao raised his hand and patted his tense arm.

"I understand. I will keep your words in mind today. Please keep a close eye on my father. If there are any unusual movements, please send someone to report to me immediately."

Wang Chengxi quickly replied, "This old servant understands. This old servant will protect Your Majesty even at the cost of my life..."
-
After seeing Wang Chengxi off, Li Zhao gazed in the direction of the Zichen Palace, stood there for a moment, and then turned back to the inner palace.

The little princess woke up, crying softly, and the wet nurse gently held and comforted her.

When Empress Xie saw him return, she told the wet nurse to take the child away and dismissed the servants, leaving only her trusted aunt, Aunt Yu, to guard the door.

"What did that old fox Wang Chengxi whisper to you about?"

Li Zhao glanced at Xue Sui, sat down on the embroidered stool in front of the couch, and briefly recounted Wang Chengxi's words, omitting the details that would worry the Empress.

"That alchemist is using elixirs to bewitch the Emperor, and there are others pulling the strings behind the scenes. He won't be so easy to deal with..."

Empress Xie closed her eyes, her gaze cold and indifferent.

"Your father is becoming increasingly confused and muddleheaded." She gently stroked the phoenix pattern on the brocade quilt, her voice low and hoarse.

"First, he indulged the Xiao family, which led to disaster. Then he spoiled Ping Le, causing her to become lawless and meet a tragic end. Now it's these charlatans... Throughout his life, he always felt that everyone else was on his side, except for us, his mother and me, who never wished him well..."

“Mother Empress…” Li Zhao frowned.

Empress Xie gave a bitter smile, waved her hand, and looked very dejected.

"Mother is fine. After living for so many years, she should be used to it by now. He is the king and also your father. We can't really break ties with him and end up with a reputation for being unfilial and disloyal."

She turned her gaze to Xue Sui, who was sitting quietly to the side, and her eyes softened.

"Therefore, your affairs need to be settled as soon as possible. While I'm still alive, I can still make arrangements for you..."

Xue Sui curled her fingertips slightly and subconsciously looked up at Li Zhao.

Li Zhao was also looking at her.

Their eyes met, and deep emotions welled up in his eyes.

Seeing this, Empress Xie asked directly, "Zhao'er, what do you think?"

Li Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Your subject could not ask for more."

As he spoke, he looked at Xue Sui, his eyes filled with cautious discussion, "However, the Empress Dowager's health has not yet fully recovered, and there are many matters to attend to in the palace, so this matter is not urgent..."

"Why aren't we in a hurry?" Empress Xie glared at him, a rare occurrence, but her tone softened. "As long as one is alive, one must seize the good days ahead. I think we should find an auspicious day to finalize the engagement... Once the court situation has stabilized somewhat, we can welcome the Sixth Miss in a grand and glorious ceremony..."

She paused slightly and looked at Xue Sui gently.

"However...Sixth Miss's identity is special. She is not only a daughter of the Xue family, but also a descendant of Princess Xiz. I'm afraid the wedding ceremony cannot be entirely based on the old customs...Or, do your mother and the Xiz royal court have any special arrangements?"

Xue Sui pursed her lips, then smiled faintly.

She knew in her heart that what Empress Xie meant by "special status" was not just these things.

She also mentioned the past story of how she was once taken as a concubine of Prince Duan.

Li Zhao may not care about these empty titles, but he has ultimately given others ammunition to criticize him. The officials in the court who dare to speak out, and the old fogies in the imperial clan, may not let this opportunity pass.

She needed a more legitimate identity so that she could stand openly beside Li Zhao...

Xue Sui bowed slightly. "Your Majesty's thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. However, I have grown up in the old mausoleum and have been raised and taught by three masters, whose kindness is akin to giving me a second life. As for my marriage, regardless of the Xue family or Xizi, I must inform my three masters and seek their approval in order to be in accordance with proper etiquette."

Empress Xie nodded repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Respecting teachers and valuing the Way is a fundamental principle of human relations. That is right, that is right. Then it is settled. I await your reply."

　Watching the military parade today stirred up a lot of emotions in me. How about you?

　　And so, the story is drawing to a close. That's all for today. Let me organize the outline and finish tomorrow...

　　Than heart!

　　(End of this chapter)