Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 491 Mystery
Looking into Ang's pure and bright eyes, Xue Sui felt a slight stirring in his heart.

Princess Tuya was designated a saint at the age of three and sent to the sacred mountain to cultivate. Although she later married into the Liang Dynasty for a political marriage, her orthodox bloodline still had a considerable influence among the old-school nobles and common people of Xiz, especially her brother Morile...

This young man is of noble birth and simple-minded; perhaps...

Just as she was about to speak, General Balu's gruff voice came from the doorway.

"Young Master! What are you doing here? Prince Morel has returned and is looking for you."

Ang stuck out his tongue, made a face at Xue Sui, and with the lotus-shaped pastry in hand, nimbly mounted his horse, his movements as swift as a little leopard.

"Auntie—I'll come visit you another day."

Having said that, he spurred his horse and galloped away like a gust of wind.

Balu walked in and bowed to Xue Sui.

"Please forgive me, Your Highness. The young prince is young and mischievous and offended you."

"It's alright, the young prince is very cute, I like him."

After Xue Sui finished speaking and saw that he had not left, she smiled faintly and asked, "Is there anything else, General Balu?"

Balu bowed again, his attitude even more respectful than before.

"His Majesty is hosting a banquet tomorrow to welcome the princess and the noblewoman, and has specially ordered me to inform them."

"Understood." Xue Sui nodded. "Thank you for conveying this message, General."

After Balu withdrew, Xue Sui looked towards the courtyard gate with a distant gaze.

Ang's words were like a pebble thrown into a seemingly calm lake.

The court of Siz was not monolithic.

Turgutai was installed as emperor by Amenlah, but he was clearly unwilling to remain a puppet forever. Under his rule, the relationship between him and the old royal forces, such as Moril who held some military power, was delicate. Meanwhile, the attitude of High Priest Amenlah was even more ambiguous.

At night, the air in Chishui City suddenly turned cold.

Under the lamplight, Xue Sui carefully examined several tattered ancient books he had found in the dusty study of the old palace, trying to find any trace of the "forget-me-not"...

However, nothing was gained.

Yukihime lay asleep on the tatami mat beside her, her breathing shallow, but her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she were having some unsettling dream...

All was silent except for the mournful sound of the wind blowing through the eaves.

Suddenly, there was a very soft "tap" sound outside the window, like a small pebble hitting the window frame.

Xue Sui alertly blew out the lamp, gripped the short blade under his pillow, and silently moved to the window, letting out a low shout.

"Who?"

The moonlight outside the window was as clear as water, and the courtyard was deserted.

Only the rustling of leaves in the night wind could be heard.

Her gaze swept across the ground, her pupils narrowing slightly—there was a folded note pressed under the windowsill.

She quickly picked it up and examined it closely under the oil lamp.

The handwriting on the paper was illegible, clearly an attempt to conceal the writing style:

"Be careful of Turgutai, he's got his eye on you. Be careful with the food and drink at tomorrow's banquet."

Xue Sui clutched the note tightly, his mind filled with doubt.

Who was secretly reminding her?

Amon Rakh?

Then he doesn't need to hide his true intentions like that.

This city of Chishui is indeed rife with undercurrents.
-
The following evening, a grand banquet was held at the royal palace.

The king's tent was brightly lit, and the burning butter lamps emitted a unique aroma.

The rich aroma of roasted mutton and the tangy flavor of mare's milk wine filled the tent.

Turgutai sat high in the main seat. He was about thirty years old, with a tall and strong build. His face was etched with rough lines by the wind and sand. He wore a magnificent royal robe of the Siz Kingdom. His laughter was loud and clear. He looked honest and generous.

High Priest Amenlah sat to his lower right, looking even older and thinner than when Xue Sui had met him in the capital. His hair was sparse and white, his face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes were clear beyond their years, as if they could see into people's hearts. Moirel and Ang were also present.

When Xue Sui came in, Angge's eyes lit up, and he secretly winked at her.

Xue Sui smiled calmly, neither impolite nor overly flamboyant.

"My mother is unwell and unable to attend the banquet, so she has sent me to apologize to the King..."

She bowed slightly, her tone neither humble nor arrogant.

Turgutai waved his hand, "It's alright. Your health is the most important thing; just rest well. Now that you're back, you're honored guests of Xiz. If you and your daughter need anything, just ask..."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Xiz is my mother's clan, and Chishui City is my home. I dare not trouble Your Majesty with too much concern."

Xue Sui placed his hands in front of his abdomen, bowed again to express his gratitude, and then, guided by a servant, took his seat diagonally opposite Amonlah.

Amonlah smiled and looked at Xue Sui.

"Princess, are you getting used to your homeland? The sandstorms in Chishui City are much harsher than the misty rain of Daliang..."

Xue Sui smiled and replied, "Thanks to the High Priest and the protection of the Wolf God, everything is fine. Although the wind and sand are fierce, it is the scent of our hometown, and my daughter and I are very comfortable."

"Well said." Turgutai raised his cup and exclaimed, "Come, drink this cup to the brim to welcome the princess! May the wolf god of Mount Ulan bless Xiz and the royal bloodline..."

Everyone inside the tent raised their glasses in agreement.

Xue Sui picked up the gilded wine cup in front of him, glanced at Amonrah out of the corner of his eye, and then raised his sleeve to cover his face...

He didn't touch the rim of the glass with his lips, and quietly poured the wine into his large sleeve.

She had already prepared a cotton cloth to absorb alcohol in her sleeve.

She did it without anyone noticing...

One delicious dish after another was served, and the singing and dancing began.

The robust Siz warriors performed a powerful sword dance, while the dancers, veiled and with jingling silver bells on their ankles, moved with unrestrained passion...

Waiters carried roasted meat and moved about busily.

The atmosphere was lively with toasts and laughter.

Xue Sui responded politely, but his eyes subtly observed everyone in the tent.

After a few rounds of drinks, a waiter bent down and gently placed a plate of sliced ​​honeydew melon in front of her, with something seemingly hidden under the oil paper underneath.

Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, but she remained expressionless. The moment she picked up the melon, she quickly hid the crumpled paper in her palm, and then, under the guise of adjusting her clothes, she quietly unfolded the paper.

There were only a few hastily written words on it.

"To worship at the royal mausoleum temple."

Xue Sui's heart raced.

It's that mysterious person's handwriting again...

What does he want to do?
Her intuition told her that this person was helping her.

But he might not know too much...

Xue Sui calmly put away the scroll of paper, his mind racing.

When the music ended and everyone was laughing and talking, she stood up and bowed to Turgutai.

“Your Majesty, since my mother returned home, she has been missing her deceased relatives day and night, often waking up in terror from nightmares, her clothes soaked with tears. I humbly beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to accompany my mother to the royal mausoleum temple to pay my respects, so as to fulfill my filial duty and also to pray for Your Majesty and for the blessings of Xiz…”

The request is reasonable.

Turgutai had no reason to refuse.

His smile remained unchanged, and he readily agreed.

"Sister Wang has spent half her life wandering abroad, enduring countless hardships. Now that she has returned to her homeland, it is only right that she should fulfill her long-cherished wish..."

He then turned to Balu and ordered, "Balu, dispatch a team of elite soldiers to escort the princess and the county princess to the royal tomb for worship. There must be no mishaps."

"Yes!" Balu stood up and accepted the order.

(End of this chapter)