Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 461 A Bloodstained Night

Li Zhao's pupils suddenly contracted, and his breath caught in his throat.

Xue Sui's hand was still pressed on his bleeding wound, his fingertips slightly cool, soothing his burning skin.

He was in a lot of pain...

His ears were ringing, and he instinctively grabbed her wrist. The wound bled again from the force, staining the freshly bandaged cloth red, but he seemed not to feel the pain.

Outside the door, Xuanjizi paused, slowly pressed his ear close to the door, listened carefully for a moment, and then revealed a lewd and knowing smile on his face.

"Ha... what kind of true gentleman remains unmoved by a woman's charms? In the end, even heroes can't resist the allure of a beautiful woman..."

He scoffed and stepped back.

"Your Highness is pleased, and I will not disturb your good time."

"You all, guard this place well."

"Yes."

Silence returned outside the palace.

Inside the hall, Xue Sui leaned against the cold, heavy hall door, his body pressed very close to Li Zhao's.

She could clearly feel the rise and fall of his chest, and the astonishing heat emanating from the muscles beneath his clothes.

Their breaths mingled, their eyes locked.

One was restrained, the other was hasty; in the air thick with the stench of blood and the sweet scent of perfume, their encounter created a strange and dangerous ambiguity.

Under this extreme tension, the Love Silk Gu seemed to become even more restless.

It's not torment, but a longing and pull that penetrates to the very marrow of one's bones.

Li Zhaolue turned around, wrapped his arm around her waist, and lightly supported himself against the door, enveloping the two of them in a small space.

"Peace." He called her name silently, his forehead pressed against hers, his breath heavy and hot, his eyes filled with surging desire and a desperately suppressed madness.

"I truly...can't hold on any longer..."

His voice was hoarse and out of tune, strained and restrained.

"Your Highness, your wound has reopened..."

Xue Sui turned her head away, avoiding his overly piercing gaze, and got up to pick up the medicine bottle that had rolled to the side.

"I'll help you apply the medicine."

A large hand covered her and took the medicine bottle from her hand.

“I’ll do it.” Li Zhao’s voice was terribly hoarse.

Xue Sui looked up at him.

His eyes were still bloodshot, but his gaze was unusually focused, gentle, and restrained, concealing a turbulent undercurrent.

“Your Highness, let me help you… to make things easier…” she tried to take back the medicine bottle.

Li Zhao held on tightly, his fingertips brushing against hers unintentionally. He leaned closer, gently lifted her chin with his other hand, and gave her a peck kiss without warning.

Leaving in an instant.

Xue Sui froze.

"Don't move," he commanded, his breath hot yet strangely alluring.

"If you move again, my wounds won't heal..."

"..."

Xue Sui was speechless for a moment, and actually froze.

He then stepped back slightly, lowered his head, and clumsily sprinkled medicine powder on the wound on his arm.

Every movement was tinged with hesitation and pause, as if invisible tentacles were stimulating her nerves.

The morning light was dim at this time.

Their restrained breathing seemed to drown out the howling of the wind and snow outside the window...

The powder fell onto the wound, causing a slight stinging sensation, and Li Zhao couldn't help but gasp softly.

Xue Sui frowned slightly: "Does it hurt a lot?"

"It hurts," he answered crisply.

Looking at Xue Sui, his eyes were dark and his face was very close. The emotions and suppressed pain between his brows were like a god who had fallen to the mortal world, stained with desire, and had a breathtaking attraction.

"Give me a hug?"

Xue Sui's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, and he instinctively turned his head away. "Your Highness... this is not the time for jokes..."

Just now, she was calm and bold in acting closely with Xuanji Zi.

Once the outsiders left, she reverted to being the withdrawn and defensive Xue Ping'an she always was when it came to love.

Li Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, pinched her chin, and turned her face back.

Their eyes met again.

His eyes were deep and unfathomable, almost as if they could devour a person.

"Why did you come?" he asked, his voice low and hoarse, each word seeming to carry a burning hook, scraping across her heart.

"Do you know where you are? How dangerous is this place?"

"I know." Xue Sui met his gaze, trying her best to remain calm, "but I couldn't not come."

"Why?" he persisted, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the skin of her chin.

Xue Sui remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "If Your Highness were to be harmed, who would take charge of the case at the Old Mausoleum? Who would I seek revenge against?"

She listed reasons in an attempt to dispel the dangerous ambiguity in the air.

Li Zhao chuckled softly, "Just because of these?"

Before Xue Sui could answer, he lowered his head, his burning forehead touching hers again, their breaths mingling.

"Xue Ping'an, you're lying," he accused hoarsely, his eyes blazing. "You have me in your heart. You're afraid I'll die, afraid I'll touch other women."

Xue Sui's heart clenched, and he wanted to retort, but no sound came out.

"Don't be afraid..." He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her forehead, slowly moving downwards, his hot breath covering her eyelashes and nose, finally lingering on her slightly trembling lips, touching them almost imperceptibly.

"I will not die, nor will I touch anyone else."

Xue Sui narrowed his eyes slightly and placed his palm against his chest.

That heart was beating wildly and powerfully.

She didn't push him away, but slowly moved up to wrap her arms around his neck, responding silently and tremblingly.

Their bodies pressed close, fingertips threading through sweat-dampened hair, reason teetering on the edge of passion...

At this moment, Xie Weilan, who had been knocked unconscious on the ground, seemed to be disturbed by their commotion, or perhaps the effects of the drug finally broke through the barrier of unconsciousness.

She suddenly let out a muffled groan, her eyelashes fluttering, and struggled to open her eyes, her gaze unfocused as she looked around...

Then, it landed on Xue Sui.

“You… Xue Liu…”

Her eyes widened suddenly, filled with disbelief and terror.

"Ah... help..."

Just as Xie Weilan was about to cry for help, a cold glint flashed in Xue Sui's eyes.

Whoosh!
A flick of the wrist.

A very thin silver light flashed by, so fast that it was almost invisible.

Xie Weilan's body suddenly stiffened, her mouth agape in vain, staring at her in terror, unable to utter a clear sound.

A shiny, bone-piercing nail was driven right into her chest, with only a small tip protruding. Blood gushed out quickly, staining her crimson nightgown red.

“You…” Xie Weilan opened her mouth, her pupils dilating in pain and fear.

Xue Sui stepped forward, covered her mouth with one hand, and supported her limp body with the other, gently leaning her against the couch, his eyes coldly looking down at her terrified face.

“Fool.” Her voice was low, yet crystal clear.

"My man, how dare anyone else lay a finger on him?"

She leaned down and whispered in Xie Weilan's ear, her voice as soft as a ghostly whisper.

"You think you can steal my things just because you have the title of Crown Princess? It wasn't thirteen years ago... Miss Xie."

Xie Weilan trembled violently, shaking her head desperately, and muffled sobs escaped from her covered mouth.

Xue Sui lowered his eyes, "Thirteen years ago, when you laughed as you poured swill over my head and watched Ping Le make me kowtow for your amusement...did you ever imagine that this day would come?"

The fear in Xie Weilan's eyes intensified.

Looking at the woman before him, who resembled a demon, tears mingled with sweat, his eyes filled with pleading and helplessness, yet he could no longer utter a sound.

"I wanted you to live a few more days, but you insisted on running into this mess yourself, so let's set off early."

(End of this chapter)