Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 483 Showing coolness

In just a short time, Xue Yuechen had lost a lot of weight. She wore an elegant dress, her face was bare of makeup, and her eyes were filled with an inescapable melancholy. She was completely different from the dignified and graceful Princess Consort of Duan she once was...

She held Ah Ning's hand tightly. The little girl seemed to sense that something was wrong and timidly leaned against her mother, not daring to look up at anyone.

Xue Yueman also looked much more haggard.

Guo Silang was dismissed from his post due to his involvement in the Xiao Party case. He then spent his days drinking heavily and almost squandered his family fortune.

She gave birth to a daughter at the end of last year, but her in-laws do not like her, and life is difficult. The spoiled look she used to have is gone, and only bewilderment remains in her eyes.

Xue Yue'e was dressed up in a bright and beautiful outfit, wearing a rose-red dress sprinkled with gold and surrounded by pearls and jade. However, her former competitive spirit had faded, and she had replaced it with a cautious and ingratiating attitude.

"Sixth Sister..." Xue Yue'e stepped forward first, her voice cloyingly sweet, "Now you should be addressed as Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

He then prepared to perform a grand salute.

Xue Sui did not stop her, and waited without moving for her to kneel down.

Upon seeing this, Xue Yuechen's lips moved slightly. She led her daughter closer and curtsied slightly to Xue Sui, but her throat felt like it was blocked by something, and she couldn't utter the words "Your Majesty, may you be well" for a long time...

In the past, they were all the proud and successful daughters of the Xue family's eldest branch.

One woman married Prince Duan and was on the verge of becoming the Empress, but she fell to her death.

She had lofty ambitions and went to great lengths to marry into the Prince of Wei's household as his second wife, but now her husband is imprisoned, and she spends her days in tears.

She thought she had married into a prestigious family, but due to her husband's family's decline, she suffered endless mistreatment and lost all face...

There was another one who had long since passed away, whose funeral was meager, who wasn't included in her husband's family genealogy, and who didn't even have a proper memorial tablet...

Xue Liu, the abandoned girl they once regarded as worthless, rose to the top in one step and stood on the clouds.

There is nothing more cruel than fate.

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Xue Yuelou quickly tried to smooth things over.

"We're all family, Your Majesty is so kind, let's not stand on ceremony. Please take your seats, the food is getting cold."

"Please sit down." Xue Sui took the lead and sat down in the main seat.

She had Xue Yuelou and Mingge sit beside her, and casually inquired about Mingge's recovery and studies, speaking to him gently and smilingly.

When she looked up, she saw that Madam Fu, Xue Yuechen, and the others were still standing there, so she said again, "Sit down, why aren't you sitting down?"

Everyone then took their seats as instructed, but there was complete silence.

The maids and servants filed in and served the dishes, filling three whole tables.

Xue Qingzhi stood up, holding his wine glass, an unnatural smile plastered on his face, his tone extremely respectful.

"Today, the whole family is here, and Your Majesty has also graced us with her presence. As your father, I would like to offer Your Majesty a toast first."

Xue Sui raised his eyes and casually raised his hand.

"Minister Xue is currently in a sinecure position, so there's no need to adhere to the rules of the court. Let's sit down and talk."

One sentence made the atmosphere even more tense.

After Li Zhao ascended the throne, his first target was his father-in-law, Xue Qingzhi. He was promoted in name only but demoted in reality, stripping him of his real power as Minister of Justice and leaving him with only the honorary title of Grand Master of the Palace.

As a result, Xue Qingzhi became depressed and aged considerably.

The atmosphere at the table suddenly turned cold.

Fu almost shredded her handkerchief under the table, but still had to force a smile on her face.

Xue Yueman and the others also lost their appetite and felt extremely uncomfortable.

Only Xue Yuelou and Madam Qian tried their best to liven things up, occasionally serving food and pouring wine, and chatting about trivial family matters. Xue Qingxiu would occasionally chime in, mostly talking about interesting things in the Beijing garrison, but he dared not mention a word about the imperial court.

Xue Yue'e, seizing every opportunity, flattered Xue Sui, praising His Majesty's extraordinary demeanor and wisdom, her words revealing her intention to inquire about the Prince of Wei.

"Your Highness, your return to the manor today should be a joyous occasion, but please forgive me for saying something that might spoil the mood."

As soon as Xue Yue'e opened her mouth, she heard Xue Qingzhi cough.

"Let's not talk about spoils the mood—"

Xue Yue'e glanced timidly at her father, but still couldn't hold back.

"Your Majesty, I... I really have no other choice."

She gently pressed her handkerchief to the corner of her eye. "Prince Wei... he was indeed a bit frivolous before, offending His Majesty and the Empress, but he was just a pleasure-seeking fellow with no brains or wits... Now he's imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, his fate unknown. His family has lost its pillar, and his concubines and maids in the inner quarters are crying and arguing every day, and his children are causing chaos... I... I really... can't go on living..."

She choked up as she spoke, her eyes brimming with tears as she sobbed.

Xue Yuechen raised her head, clenching her fists tightly, maintaining a dignified expression.

"Sixth sister, we are sisters, and now that I am in such a state, I dare not ask for anything else. I only beg you, for the sake of the children who are still young, to plead with His Majesty..."

Ah Ning seemed to understand. She pouted, her eyes filled with tears, and looked at Xue Sui, sobbing softly, "Sixth Aunt... save Father... Ah Ning misses Father..."

Xue Sui put down his teacup without expression.

The porcelain clinked against the table.

The pavilion fell silent instantly.

Even the sound of the wind blowing through the lotus leaves could be heard clearly.

Her gaze swept calmly over Xue Yue'e and Xue Yuechen, each word cold and detached.

"The laws of the court are set in stone. Prince Wei plotted rebellion, Prince Duan forced the emperor to abdicate—which of these wasn't a capital offense punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family? If His Majesty didn't care about brotherly affection, would you all be sitting here today, living in luxury and comfort? Be content. His Majesty clearly decreed to the world at the beginning of his reign that he would not punish those involved. You should just behave yourselves; why do you want me to risk this?"

His words were utterly merciless.

Xue Yue'e said urgently, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. We have no other choice. Only Your Majesty can speak on our behalf to His Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, say a few kind words and ask His Majesty to have mercy and spare the prince..."

"I can't say nice things. If I were to speak, not a single word would be pleasing to the ear." Xue Sui's tone was icy. "Does Ninth Sister not know what state the Xue family is in now? Keep a low profile and you can protect yourself. Stop dreaming about things you shouldn't be thinking about."

Xue Yue'e shuddered at her gaze and awkwardly shut her mouth.

Xue Yuechen's face turned pale, and she tightened her grip on A Ning's arm, whispering, "We were presumptuous... Your Majesty, please forgive us."

Looking at her pale and haggard face, Xue Sui recalled the dignified and gentle princess of the Duanwang Mansion who always put her husband first, and felt no sense of triumph.

"His Majesty is not a bloodthirsty person. Since he spared their lives, he will not let them suffer inside. Eldest sister only needs to take good care of Aning and raise her to adulthood; that is better than anything else."

Tears welled up in Xue Yuechen's eyes.

She had heard many stories of fratricide during dynastic changes.

Li Zhao outwardly said he would spare Li Huan's life, but she was never sure what he might do behind the scenes.

Now that she had heard Xue Sui's words, the weight on her heart lifted slightly, and she rose to give her a curtsy.

"Thank you... Your Majesty."

The meal was eaten in a rather bland and unappetizing way.

With Old Madam Cui gone and Xue Qingzhi unable to stand firm, the household ultimately lacked a pillar of support. Although the people in each household appeared harmonious, their hearts were actually scattered.

(End of this chapter)