Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 485 Leisurely Pursuits
The next day, before dawn, Xue Sui got up and went to the small kitchen.

She rolled up her sleeves, steamed the yams, mashed them into a paste, added honey and kneaded it well, then wrapped it with jujube paste and shaped it into small pastries.

She was very focused when cooking, not caring that her cheeks were covered in rice flour. Occasionally, she would raise her hand to wipe the fine sweat from her forehead, showing no trace of the spoiled or arrogant air of a noblewoman...

The palace maids and cooks watched silently from the sidelines, wanting to lend a hand but not daring to step forward rashly.

After steaming for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a sweet aroma began to fill the air.

The pastries are fresh out of the steamer; each one is plump, soft, and glutinous, a delightful sight to behold.

Xue Sui packed the food in a food box and took it to the Jiaofang Palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.

As she passed through the palace garden corridors, several palace servants, who had placed mugwort and hung calamus swords under the eaves, quickly bowed to her upon seeing her…

Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and the palace is filled with the festive atmosphere.

The Jiaofang Palace was very quiet, filled with the bittersweet aroma of mugwort.

When Xue Sui entered, she saw Empress Dowager Xie reclining on a cool couch by the window, with a pillow behind her back, her eyes gazing intently at the pomegranate tree outside the window, unaware that she had even entered.

However, after just over a month, she seemed to have lost even more weight.

"Mother," Xue Sui called softly, placing the food box on the small table.

Empress Dowager Xie then came to her senses, straightened her body with difficulty, and gave a faint smile.

"Peace has arrived."

"Is Mother feeling any better today?" Xue Sui handed the food box to the palace maid standing by, sat down on the embroidered stool next to the couch, and naturally took her pulse.

"The same as always, I feel a tightness in my chest, like I can't breathe properly, and I toss and turn all night, unable to sleep soundly." Empress Dowager Xie sighed, her gaze falling on her focused profile.

"Your medical skills are even better than those old men in the Imperial Hospital..."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

Xue Sui withdrew his hand and looked closely at her tongue coating. "Mother, you have lost your qi and blood after childbirth and have not been able to recuperate. You have also been worrying too much, which has caused your heart to be filled with depression. Medicine alone is not enough. The most important thing is to calm your mind. Overthinking is the most harmful thing to your health."

Empress Dowager Xie chuckled softly, her voice filled with bitterness.

"The thing I've never been able to learn in my life is to be at peace. When the late Emperor was alive, I was afraid of upsetting him, so I pondered everything and dared not do anything wrong. Now that the late Emperor is gone, I'm afraid that Zhao'er is young and impetuous, and his impulsive actions will cause trouble. My heart is like a pot of boiling oil, and I can never have a moment of peace."

Xue Sui remained silent for a moment, then reached out and grasped her cold fingers.

Those fingers were long and slender with distinct knuckles, but they were so thin they were almost painful to look at.

From the difficult birth of her little princess to the sudden death of the late emperor, the Empress Dowager suffered a series of misfortunes, both physically and mentally, and her spirit visibly declined.

"Even if Mother doesn't think of herself, she should think of His Majesty and the little princess... The little princess is still an infant and cannot be separated from Mother. His Majesty has only recently ascended the throne, and many eyes are watching him. He needs Mother to remain firmly in the palace to stabilize the rear for him..."

These words seemed to have struck a nerve with Empress Dowager Xie.

Her throat tightened slightly, and her eyes suddenly reddened.

“I’m sorry to my daughter, and even more sorry to my son. My daughter lost her father right after she was born, and Zhao’er has had it even harder… He’s never had an easy life since he was little… The late emperor didn’t love him, his brothers weren’t close to him, and even I, as his mother, don’t know how to get close to him… What I say most often is that he should be sensible, that he should strive for success, and that he should be considerate…”

She seemed to suddenly open up and release her pent-up feelings.

It is said that when Li Zhao was young, he contracted smallpox and was moved to a separate garden for isolation. When he was delirious with fever, he could only call out for his mother. However, due to the late emperor's taboo, she endured the pain and dared not go to visit him.

He said that when he was seven years old, he shot a rabbit for the first time and ran to tell her excitedly. Seeing the late emperor's cold expression, she could only harden her heart and tell him to be humble and learn from his elder brother...

As he grew older, his literary and military talents began to emerge. She was afraid that he would be too outstanding and arouse the late emperor's suspicion, so she always warned him to keep a low profile and conceal his abilities...

“It’s not that I don’t love him… I just… don’t know how to love him…” Empress Dowager Xie was in tears, her fingers unconsciously clenching Xue Sui’s hand.

"Looking back now, I realize I treated him with less than half the affection the late emperor showed to Ping Le... What kind of mother am I..."

Xue Sui listened quietly without interrupting.

Childbirth already depletes a woman's vital energy, and this sudden change in her life only exacerbates the emotional turmoil. As a result, her pent-up emotions become trapped in her heart and meridians, lingering and difficult to heal... It is actually somewhat better that she can express so much suppressed guilt and self-blame.

Only after the Empress Dowager finished speaking did she hand over the handkerchief.

"Mother, it's not too late now."

Empress Dowager Xie shook her head, tears welling up again.

"It's too late. He's grown up. He doesn't need his mother's love anymore, and he certainly doesn't need a weak and useless mother like me..."

"No," Xue Sui said gently. "No matter how old a child grows or how far he goes, he will always need his mother in his heart. If Your Majesty is willing, please show more love to His Majesty... He actually remembers all your kindness and has never complained."

Empress Dowager Xie looked at her, her eyes seemed to tremble, then dimmed.

"Peace. It's Zhao'er's good fortune to marry you."

She paused, as if she had made a great decision.

"I always feel sad staying in this palace... I want to take the little princess to the hot spring palace outside the city for a while, to recuperate in peace and quiet, and... to avoid being here and having my heart stirred by the scenery, which would only cause you worry. From now on, I'll leave the affairs of the palace to you." Xue Sui was taken aback: "Mother..."

"Don't try to persuade me," Empress Dowager Xie sighed.

“I’ve thought it through. I’ll set off after the Dragon Boat Festival. You… take good care of Zhao’er. He’s cold by nature, but warm at heart. Once he sets his mind on a woman, it’s for life. You two… must be well.”

Xue Sui smiled and said slowly, "I'm not advising Mother Empress, but I think this is a very good idea. The palace is quiet and the hot springs are good for you. It would be very beneficial for Mother Empress to go out for a walk and relax. However, the journey will be tiring, and the little princess is still young. All arrangements for the carriages and entourage must be made properly."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xie choked up and patted the back of her hand.

"Ping An, you really are... what can I say?"
-
On the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, the sun was blazing overhead.

Xue Sui personally cooked red bean paste pancakes, and together with the maid, they wrapped some jujube and cured meat dumplings. Li Zhao also set aside his official duties for a rare two-day rest.

Various snacks, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), and iced drinks were displayed in the waterside pavilion.

As soon as Xue Sui approached and sat down, Hei Shiba immediately pounced on him, nearly knocking over the food plate.

"Slow down! You're so unruly..." Xue Sui chuckled and patted its head.

Li Zhao followed, sat down calmly, took the damp cloth to wipe his hands, and then picked up a piece of still-steaming soft cake. But instead of eating it, he first offered it to Xue Sui's mouth.

"It's fresh out of the pot, be careful it's hot."

Xue Sui took a small bite from his hand.

The sweet aroma mixed with the fragrance of noodles spread in her mouth, and she shook her head.

"It's not too hot, it's just right. Your Majesty, please try it..."

"What Ping An does is naturally the best."

The two shared snacks in the dappled sunlight.

Hei Shiba also received a large meat-filled rice dumpling, which he ate with great relish.

With the festival approaching, the palace servants and guards also received rewards, and their faces were all filled with relaxed smiles.

Ruyi and Jinshu huddled together, whispering and laughing.

Xiao Zhao tiptoed, holding a delicate embroidered ball, and teased the spirited Ling Yu on the wooden frame.

Guan Ya stood upright under the corridor, sword in hand, his gaze occasionally following that lively figure.

Xiao Zhao noticed his gaze, turned around and gave him a sweet smile.

Guan Ya immediately tensed his cold and stern face, stiffly turning his head away, but his ears turned red uncontrollably.

"Did you see that?" Ruyi nudged Jinshu beside her with her elbow and chuckled in a low voice, "Guan and Xiao Zhao's eyes... they're exchanging knowing glances. I think our Xiao Zhao's good news is just around the corner."

Jinshu glanced at her sideways, "What's wrong? Are you envious? Or has our Miss Ruyi also fallen for someone?"

Ruyi blushed and said shyly, "Auntie, don't talk nonsense! I just want to stay with you, Miss. I didn't think about these things at all."

Jinshu couldn't help but tease her: "What's there to be shy about? Now that Your Majesty is better, can't we find a good match for ourselves? Just wait, Your Majesty knows what's going on and will definitely find you a good marriage."

Ruyi blushed deeply and turned to run towards Xiao Zhao.

"Xiao Zhao, something terrible has happened! Aunt Jinshu said that when autumn comes, the Empress wants to marry you off..."

Xiao Zhao heard the noise, turned around, and started playfully wrestling with her.

In the pavilion by the water, Li Zhao watched the lively scene, broke off a piece of soft cake and fed it to Xue Sui. After watching her eat it in small bites, he asked, "Did you hear what they were whispering about?"

Xue Sui smiled and said, "Does Your Majesty listen to the idle gossip of young ladies?"

“I am doing this to share your burdens.” Li Zhao’s gaze swept across the pavilion. “Guan Ya has been with me for many years. He is a reliable and down-to-earth person. If Xiao Zhao is interested, he would be a good match for you.”

Xue Sui felt a warmth in his heart.

I know he's just extending his affection to everything related to the house.

"Xiao Zhao is lively and impulsive, while Guard Guan is calm and loyal. The two are indeed a good match. With Your Majesty's approval, I can rest assured."

Li Zhao felt something was off about what he was hearing.

Just as he was about to respond, a eunuch hurried over with a solemn expression. He stood outside the pavilion and whispered a few words to Laifu.

Lai Fu's expression changed drastically, and he immediately turned around, bowed, and approached.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something has happened."

"What is it?" Li Zhao's smile faded.

"News just came from outside the palace: Madam Fu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xue family... committed suicide by jumping into a well this morning."

(End of this chapter)