Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 454 The Pain of Losing a Beloved

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth day of the first month of the sixteenth year of Chongzhao.

The lantern market in the capital city seemed even more lively than in previous years, with dazzling lights and throngs of people.

The imperial court's deliberate creation of an atmosphere of prosperity diluted the bleakness and bloodshed of last winter.

Lanterns were also hung in Yiyuan Garden. They were made by hand by Xue Sui and several maids, including Xiao Zhao and Ruyi. There were rabbit lanterns and lotus lanterns. Although they were not exquisite, they were full of the warmth of everyday life.

At this time, the relationship between the Crown Prince and the court officials also became more stable. The Crown Prince became increasingly adept at handling government affairs, while the Emperor became engrossed in cultivation and gradually neglected state affairs...

The news that the Empress intended to arrange a marriage between the Crown Prince and Xue Sui, as well as the investiture of Princess Xizi, somehow began to circulate quietly among the people.

The Xue family reacted the fastest.

Old Madam Cui specially instructed Third Madam Qian to prepare generous gifts and bring Miss Xue to Yiyuan to offer her congratulations. Her words were extremely warm, as if she was afraid that others would not notice their close relationship.

Princess Xue Yue'e of Wei arrived uninvited and brought several precious tonics for Xue Ji, showing concern and being exceptionally attentive.

It's clear that the Xue family, seeing her rising status, intends to mend their old relationship.

Xue Sui made no special gesture, simply receiving them according to protocol, maintaining a superficial politeness without showing any particular closeness or distance.

After sitting for half a day, exchanging pleasantries, Madam Qian and Xue Yue'e left satisfied.

Xue Sui paid no attention to the Empress's bestowed marriage or the Xue family's courtesies, but it greatly shocked another person...
-
Inside the Prince Duan's residence, Li Huan was alone in his study, completely drunk.

Several wine jugs lay scattered on the ground, and the strong smell of wine filled the air.

He slumped on the soft couch, his usually neat hair and robes now slightly disheveled, his eyes bloodshot, like a trapped beast, revealing a pain he had never shown to anyone before…

This was the scene that Xue Yuechen saw when she pushed open the door.

She was holding young Aning's hand, and frowned upon seeing this.

"What's going on? Where are the servants? How dare they let the prince be so drunk and exposed to the wind like this..."

Seeing her usually gentle and loving father reeking of alcohol, Ah Ning pouted and began to sob softly.

"Father, what's wrong with Father... Father..."

The child was spoiled and immediately burst into tears.

Li Huan did not pick up his daughter to comfort her as usual. He forced open his drunken eyes, glanced at them, and scolded them in a hoarse voice.

"Get out of here and take the child back. Don't bother me."

Xue Yuechen's heart tightened.

She gestured for the wet nurse to take the child out first.

He closed the door, rolled up his sleeves, wiped the wine stains off the table with a handkerchief, picked up the overturned wine pot, and quickly walked to Li Huan's side, squatted down, and tried to help him up.

Unexpectedly, the moment her fingertips touched his arm, he suddenly shoved her away.

"roll--"

Li Huan's face was frosty, completely lacking his usual gentle and composed demeanor.

Seeing him like this, Xue Yuechen felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if it were being pricked by needles.

She suppressed a sob in her throat and tried her best to appear dignified and calm.

"Your Highness, why do you do this? She's just a princess in name only. She's still... someone from our household. Even if she's climbed the social ladder, she can't erase her past. If Your Highness feels ashamed, just keep your distance from her in the future..."

She thought that Li Huan couldn't stand that his former concubine, who had been divorced, had transformed into Princess Xizi and was about to marry into the Eastern Palace, making him, her ex-husband, lose face.

She wanted to give him, and herself, a way out.

Li Huan seemed to be completely ignited by these words. He suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at her. He abruptly picked up the wine jug from the ground and slammed it to the ground.

"Face? Do you think I care about face?"

He staggered to his feet, leaning on his body, and approached her. The smell of alcohol mixed with the fragrance of orchids on his body was particularly pungent.

"Heh... Do I care about that little bit of face? I... don't care..."

His voice grew louder and louder, until it was almost a growl...

It was as if it wanted to shatter Xue Yuechen's self-deceiving illusions.

She had known for a long time that Li Huan's concern for Xue Sui was unusual.

But Li Huan was a man who kept his true intentions hidden. He had the world in his heart and only had the country and the imperial power in his eyes. How could he be distracted by a woman? She thought that it was just a man's momentary interest, a thought that would fade away after a while.

Who would have thought he would be so distraught and lose all sense of propriety?
Xue Yuechen felt ice-cold all over her body, as if a huge hole had been torn open in her heart.

"Your Highness... still thinking about Sixth Sister?"

"Yes... I do have my eye on her! I do want her... so what?" Li Huan's voice was hoarse, as if he were talking to himself, heavily tinged with the effects of alcohol.

"She was originally mine...my concubine...Why? Li Zhao...why did he take her away?"

"The throne is his, the empire is his, and now even my woman is his! By what right?"

"She belongs to me, she belongs to me!"

His words were chaotic and intense, filled with resentment and pain, as if he were trying to unleash all his pent-up anger...

Ah Ning was so frightened that she cried outside the door, and Xue Yuechen was both shocked and terrified.

Watching his intense, unrequited love and madness over losing another woman, I felt like a joke.

She had never seen Li Huan so distraught, nor had she ever seen him in such pain.

All her virtues and generosity seemed utterly ridiculous at this moment.

“Even if Your Highness cannot let go of her, you should not demean yourself, demean this concubine, demean Aning…”

Upon hearing A-Ning's name, Li Huan swayed, collapsing onto the soft couch as if utterly exhausted. His eyes were vacant as he stared out the window, muttering, "Get out...all of you get out...leave me alone for a while..."

Xue Yuechen lowered her eyes slightly, slowly retreated, and closed the door behind her.

As the night deepened and all was quiet, the effects of the alcohol began to wear off.

Li Huan, alone, inexplicably found himself at the Tanqiu Courtyard of the Prince's Mansion.

This used to be Xue Sui's residence. Since she left, no one has lived here anymore, except for two old servants who clean it regularly.

He pushed open the door; the room was cold and empty, carrying a musty, dusty atmosphere.

The old furnishings were still there, and there was even an old hairpin she had left behind on the dressing table, as if the owner had only temporarily left.

He stood there silently for a long time. The cold wind blew in from the open door, making his clothes flutter. It was icy cold, but it was nothing compared to the chill and emptiness in his heart.

He once thought that she was nothing more than a pawn that had lost the support of her family and could be manipulated at will. Her humble origins and aloof nature made her perfect for keeping the Xue family in check and for testing Li Zhao.

He never truly cherished her, and never even properly loved her...

Until she resolutely left, until she stood beside the Crown Prince, becoming more and more dazzling...

He suddenly woke up.

That complex emotion, mixed with resentment and possessiveness, gnawed at him like a venomous snake, almost suffocating him.

What he lost was more than just a concubine.

He lost the love that had quietly taken root in his heart without him even realizing it.
-
Inside the Zichen Hall.

Emperor Chongzhao, dressed in a loose Taoist robe, sat cross-legged on a couch covered with brocade cushions, listening to Xuanjizi speak in a low voice.

"On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the moon is full and the Purple Star shines brightly. The energies of heaven and earth are in harmony, making it the perfect time for Your Majesty to cultivate the foundation of longevity... However, last night when I observed the stars, I saw that the Imperial Star was shrouded in a layer of dim light, and it seemed to be floating..."

Xuanjizi's voice was drawn out, carrying an air of unfathomable mystery.

"Your Majesty, this is a warning sign from Heaven."

Emperor Chongzhao coughed lightly, showing concern.

"Immortal Master, please tell me... how should I resolve this?"

"The Crown Prince's marriage..."

"Oh?" A hint of doubt flashed in Emperor Chongzhao's eyes. "I cultivate my own path to immortality, and the Crown Prince marries his Crown Princess. What do these two things have to do with each other?"

Xuanji Zi stroked his beard. “The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country, and his destiny is intertwined with the nation’s fate. His marriage should be in accordance with the will of Heaven. If the choice is right, he can draw upon the pure energy of Heaven and Earth to nourish His Majesty’s body. If the choice is wrong, the turbid energy will flow along the Crown Prince’s lineage and entangle His Majesty’s foundation of cultivation. This must not be taken lightly.”

After Emperor Chongzhao fell ill, he cherished his life very much.

Upon hearing that it was related to his lifespan, he immediately sat up straighter and urged, "Immortal Master, please explain in detail."

Xuanjizi said, "The Crown Princess must have an extremely noble destiny in order to bring prosperity to the country and protect the Emperor's health. Her character, family background, appearance and physique go without saying, but especially her birth chart—the Day Master must be strong and prosperous, receive the Qi of the Month Pillar, be nourished by the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, and have no signs of conflict. Only then can the auspicious Qi be stabilized."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhao frowned.

"In your opinion, Elder Immortal, is the Xue family inappropriate?"

“This is highly inappropriate.” Xuanjizi shook his head, his tone heavy: “That Princess Xue comes from the old mausoleum, and her evil aura is too strong, which will bring misfortune to her family. Her temperament is more like that of a tough man, which may cause the balance of yin and yang to be reversed, which will be very detrimental to the country’s fortune, the Crown Prince’s palace, and His Majesty’s peace. If we force a marriage, I’m afraid it may harm His Majesty’s lifespan and shake the foundation of the Great Liang Kingdom.”

The emperor's cloudy eyes were half-closed, and he coughed softly.

Li Zhao's power is currently growing, the Empress is also keen to arrange the marriage, and Xizi has even issued an imperial decree to congratulate him. He is currently in poor health and does not want to cause any further conflict with the Crown Prince over this matter unless absolutely necessary.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Does the Immortal Master have a suitable candidate?"

"Please let me carefully push it over."

Xuanji Zi closed his eyes and calculated, then opened them after a while, "I've got it."

Under the Emperor's probing gaze, Xuanjizi slowly said, "There is a woman in the capital, a member of a collateral branch of the Empress's family, the Xie clan. Her given name is Weilan, and her father, Xie Yanzhan, is known for his integrity. This woman's destiny is exceptionally noble. Her five elements flow smoothly, her official star shines brightly, and she is protected by the seal star. She is born with the Heavenly Nobleman and the Monthly Virtue Nobleman. She and His Highness the Crown Prince are a match made in heaven. Furthermore, she can draw upon the pure energy of heaven and earth to nourish His Majesty's dragon energy and solidify his foundation. She is truly the best candidate for Crown Princess."

Emperor Chongzhao pondered.

"Xie Yanzhan's daughter?"

He had a vague impression of her, a quiet and well-mannered young lady from a respectable family.

The Xie family also had a daughter who was once married to the Prince of Wei, but later died of illness.

But he couldn't remember anything more specific...

He found his mind was shrouded in a thin fog, and lately he was always confused, with many important things becoming blurry.

But Xuanjizi said that this was a sign of the disappearance of distracting thoughts and the gradual formation of the foundation of the Dao, which was a good thing.

"Your Majesty, time waits for no one; we must make a decision as soon as possible."

Emperor Chongzhao rubbed his temples, looking at Xuanjizi's resolute expression.

"The Xie family comes from a prestigious family and is well-educated and reasonable, so they are not disgracing the Crown Prince."

"Your Majesty is wise." Xuanjizi bowed. "This is the will of Heaven. Your Majesty follows the will of Heaven and the people, and will surely enjoy a long and prosperous life."

　Sisters, is anyone reading? If so... let me know!! This book is slowly coming to an end. If there's anything you're still upset about, or anything you want to see more of, feel free to tell Erjin~~ Love you all, sending hearts~~
　　(End of this chapter)