Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 455 The Rise of Yuxiu
No one expected that Emperor Chongzhao would suddenly issue an imperial decree to grant a marriage.

Including Xie Weilan herself.

Qing Xieyan has been suspended from his post and staying at home for some time now. Although it's called a suspension, everyone with discerning eyes knows that he will never return to the court. This state of leisure at home is just a way of putting him out of the limelight...

The current court is now governed by Lu Jing, with Lu Kefu assisting him in civil affairs, and supported by generals such as Qi Mingyang and Yu Qianshan in military matters. This is a far cry from the time when Xiao Song was in power and his faction was everywhere.

The rise of the poor and the decline of the powerful are underway; the purge continues, only in a more subtle and covert manner...

Xie Yanzhan himself knew that the reason he was able to save his life despite being involved in the Xiao Party case was because he shared the surname Xie—he was related to Empress Xie.

Empress Xie's father, brothers, and uncles all sacrificed their lives to quell the war. Countless men of the Xie family also died in battle; the entire family was loyal and valiant, making them the noble family that suffered the heaviest casualties since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty. It was for this reason that the late emperor designated a woman from the Xie family as the principal wife of Emperor Chongzhao, who was then a prince.

Empress Xie's maternal family line had long since dwindled in number.

Although he was from a collateral branch, he still bore the surname Xie, and his bloodline flowed with the merits of protecting the country...

Perhaps out of consideration for this relationship, the Crown Prince spared him and did not kill him.

When the imperial edict arrived at the Xie residence, Xie Yanzhan was stunned for a moment before reacting. He straightened his clothes and quickly went to greet it in the central courtyard.

The messenger was Wang Jin, the Junior Supervisor of the Inner Palace and Wang Chengxi's godson. Although young, he had already learned some of his godfather's shrewdness.

"Thank you, Your Excellency. Please accept the decree."

Xie Yanzhan knelt down, lifting his robe, followed by a line of family members and servants.

The scroll was unfurled, and Wang Jin read out the imperial decree in a clear voice.

When Xie Yanzhan heard the announcement, "The eldest daughter of the Xie family is to be the Crown Prince's principal wife, and an auspicious day will be chosen for the wedding," his mind went blank, and he almost thought he had misheard.

"Your Excellency, this... why would His Majesty suddenly..."

Wang Jin closed the scroll, smiled, and bent down to offer a helping hand.

"Lord Xie, this is an immense favor. The position of Crown Princess has been vacant for a long time, and now it has fallen into the hands of your esteemed daughter. It is a blessing for the Xie family, and even more so, a great favor from His Majesty to the entire Xie family for their loyalty and integrity. You should be happy, shouldn't you?"

"Yes, yes, yes. Your Majesty's grace is boundless... Your subject... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

Xie Yanzhan's throat was dry. He forced a smile, stood up with Wang Jin's help, and gestured for the butler to present the money pouch that had been prepared beforehand.

Wang Jin subtly concealed his embarrassment, his smile becoming even more genuine. "Don't worry, Lord Xie. Although His Majesty is ill, his mind is as clear as a mirror... The Xie family's good days are yet to come."

"Thank you for your guidance, Father-in-law." Xie Yanzhan bowed repeatedly.

After seeing off the procession that was delivering the imperial decree, Xie Yanzhan stood in the courtyard, as if in a dream, motionless for a long time.

Inside the inner courtyard, Xie Weilan heard the commotion and had already instructed her trusted maid to find out what was going on.

“Father…” She walked over quickly, grabbed Xie Yanzhan’s arm, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Just now... was what Xiuru said true? Did His Majesty really issue a decree that his daughter should marry into the Eastern Palace?"

Xie Yanzhan nodded and handed the imperial edict to her.

Xie Weilan unfolded the document with trembling hands, her eyes suddenly reddening.

Only I know how difficult these days have been.

From the fall of Ping Le to the downfall of the Xiao family, the Xie family's prestige plummeted. The noble ladies who once fawned over her all avoided her, and her marriage prospects were ruined. She often couldn't sleep at night, fearing that one day the Xie family would completely collapse, and she would suffer even greater humiliation...

Unexpectedly, there was a sudden turn of events.

In this way, she ascended to the top in one step, reaching the pinnacle that no woman in the world could ever achieve.

"Are you willing?" Xie Yanzhan looked at his daughter with mixed feelings.

Xie Weilan lowered her head shyly, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is handsome and extraordinary, and I naturally... admire him..."

"Didn't you say before that the Crown Prince was cold-hearted and almost frightening?"

“Father…” Xie Weilan interrupted him playfully, twisting her handkerchief between her fingers, “Times have changed.”

Back then, Crown Prince Zhao, aside from his handsome appearance, was far less popular than the favored Prince Duan, Li Huan, and his position as heir apparent was precarious. Under the malicious influence of Ping Le and others, Xie Weilan was terrified of Li Zhao and dared not have any involvement with him whatsoever.

Things are completely different now.

The emperor was seriously ill and frail, while the crown prince held immense power.

Marrying into the Eastern Palace as the Crown Princess is equivalent to sitting on the throne of Empress.
Wealth and honor are within easy reach.

Overwhelmed with joy, she didn't have time to think about why such immense wealth had fallen into her lap. She felt triumphant, as if all the cold stares and ridicule she had suffered because of her father's downfall had been washed away in this moment.

Overjoyed, she burst into tears and threw herself into Madam Xie's arms.

"Mother, we...we've finally made it through! Your daughter...your daughter..."

Madam Xie's eyes were also glistening with tears as she patted her daughter's back, repeatedly saying, "Good, good. My child, I knew you were destined for greatness... Heaven has eyes, Heaven has eyes..."

"Mother..." Xie Weilan's face flushed red, her shame mixed with a hint of unease and timidity, "I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince... would he be willing?"

She had long heard the rumors about the Crown Prince and Miss Xue.

Madam Xie, however, disagreed, patting her hand and saying, "My son is of such good looks and character, and was personally chosen by His Majesty. His Highness the Crown Prince must be satisfied as well. Besides, marriage is a major event, and it is the parents' decision and the matchmaker's words that children should follow."

Xie Weilan lowered her head shyly, "A daughter will listen to her father and mother."

"Quickly! Go to the accounting office and get the silver. Give bonuses to everyone in the household. Then open the treasury and pick out some good things to prepare for the young lady's dowry..."

Madam Xie and her daughter were immersed in the joy.

Only Xie Yanzhan's brow remained furrowed. The emperor, long ill, had suddenly intervened in the crown prince's marriage, choosing none other than the daughter of Xie Yanzhan, a disgraced and disgraced official…

What kind of danger lurks behind this sudden blessing?
Good fortune may be a harbinger of misfortune.

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for many years, he instinctively felt that this matter was far from simple.
-
The news came personally from Aunt Yu of Jiaofang Palace at Yiyuan Garden.

She stomped her feet as soon as she entered the room, her forehead beaded with sweat, her face full of indignation.

"...That sorcerer is utterly despicable. He spouted nonsense before His Majesty, saying that the second daughter of the Xie family has a birth chart that is one in ten thousand, capable of drawing upon the pure energy of heaven and earth to nourish His Majesty's body... He also said that the sixth daughter, you were born in the old mausoleum, with heavy evil energy, and would bring misfortune to your family. He said that if you were to marry into the Eastern Palace, you would shake the foundation of the nation and bring chaos to the court..."

Xue Sui was painting in his study.

Upon hearing this, without pausing, he finished the stroke beautifully.

She put down her pen, picked up a damp cloth, and slowly wiped the ink stains from her fingertips.

"Xie Weilan..."

She repeated the name softly, as if savoring something, her face devoid of anger, her calmness chilling.

Xiao Zhao, standing to the side, turned pale with anger and blurted out, "How can His Majesty be so muddle-headed? Doesn't the Empress do anything about it? And what about His Highness the Crown Prince? How can he let His Majesty... bully our young lady like this?"

Aunt Yu looked troubled and said in a low voice, "Her Majesty has just given birth and is still weak. She was so anxious and angry when she heard the news that she almost fainted... When I left the palace, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince had been urgently summoned to the Zichen Palace... But... His Majesty's current temperament may prevent him from listening to her."

Xiao Zhao was about to say something more when Xue Sui stopped her with a look.

She remained calm and gestured for Ruyi to fetch a purse to reward Aunt Yu.

"I'm sorry to trouble you with this trip, Aunt. Please inform Her Majesty the Empress that Xue Liu has learned of this and that Your Majesty should rest assured and not trouble yourself with such a trivial matter."

Little things?

Aunt Yu sighed, her anxiety subsiding somewhat.

“Young lady, please try to think positively. Her Majesty said that even if… even with His Majesty's decree, she will definitely fight for your rightful position and will never let you suffer any injustice…”

However, she is no longer the Crown Princess.

Xue Sui smiled faintly: "I understand. Don't worry, Aunt."

Aunt Yu wanted to offer a few more words of comfort, but seeing that her eyes were clear and she didn't seem to be faking it, she had no choice but to agree: "Then this servant will go back first, and will send a letter to the young lady if there is any news."

After seeing Aunt Yu off, Xue Sui walked to the desk, picked up the unfinished painting, looked at it, slowly tore it in half, and threw it into the wastebasket beside her.

He turned around and took out the picture book from a hidden compartment in the bookshelf.

"I didn't expect it to come in handy so soon..."

Xiao Zhao leaned over to take a look.

The drawing paper is new, the ink is still fresh, and it hasn't been bound into a book yet.

On the opened page was a slender and graceful woman with delicate features, but her expression carried a sense of timidity, which was quite different from her name "Wei Lan".

Xiao Zhao frowned slightly, still feeling indignant: "Miss, the Empress just arranged a marriage for the Crown Prince, and His Majesty immediately issued a decree. This is clearly aimed at you. Xuanjizi must have received a bribe from the Xie family..."

Xue Sui picked up a thin brush and dipped it in cinnabar.

Slowly write the three characters "Xie Weilan" in the blank space of the drawing paper.

"It's true that they came for me, but the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes are probably not just a charlatan."

The crimson was glaring, like fresh blood.

She smiled slightly, her tone becoming even more subdued, "It's true that Xie Yanzhan is suspended from his post and eager to make a comeback. But Xuanjizi's choice of Xie Weilan might not be something the Xie family can manipulate. Perhaps, it's just because she shares the Xie surname. Even if the Empress is dissatisfied, she wouldn't necessarily object..."

"Who is that?" Xiao Zhao asked, puzzled.

Is it the Empress Dowager? Or the Prince of Wei?

Are they remnants of the Xiao family who are still alive even after death?

Or... that unusually calm Prince Duan?
Xue Sui shook his head, gesturing for Xiao Zhao to put the picture album away.

"How long has Jinshu been gone? Has the eldest son not replied yet?"

Xiao Zhao hurriedly said, "Aunt Jinshu went out early this morning... She should be back by now. Miss, I'll go check ahead."

Xue Sui nodded: "When Jinshu returns, have her come to see me immediately."

"Then... what should we do, young lady?" Ruyi asked, counting on her fingers with a worried expression. "Are we just going to watch His Highness the Crown Prince marry that Miss Xie? How can we swallow this insult!"

Xue Sui glanced at her and said in a nonchalant tone, "Then marry her."

"Miss!" Ruyi stamped her foot, almost crying, "His Highness the Crown Prince clearly loves you..."

"What's the rush? If he wants to marry her, can I stop him?"

Xue Sui's lips curled slightly, the curve icy cold. "They're making a big fuss about putting on a show, why should we rush to sabotage them?"

"What's your idea, young lady?" Ruyi's eyes lit up, but she couldn't figure out what the young lady meant.

Xue Sui did not explain, but simply gave the order in a low voice.

"Prepare the car, I'm going out for a bit."

(End of this chapter)