Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 501 The Grand Finale (Part 3)

The next morning, drums and music filled the air in Chishui City.

Ulidulan, dressed in his finest attire, completed the ritual, bid farewell to his relatives, and, with the help of his maids, boarded a lavishly decorated carriage.

The wedding procession marched out of the city gate in a grand procession, with colorful horses at the front and camel caravans carrying the dowry at the back, forming a long, colorful dragon that displayed the grandeur of royalty.

Xue Sui, accompanied by a group of attendants, was part of the wedding procession.

The convoy traveled eastward, with backup along the way, and the journey went smoothly.

After two days of this bumpy, stop-and-go travel, Princess Dulan complained of dizziness and discomfort. Xue Sui, claiming to be knowledgeable in medicine, boarded the carriage and rode with her.

To the outside world, they only said it was to make it easier to take care of the princess...

On the fifth day, they arrived at a river valley with abundant water and grass. As night was falling, the group decided to set up camp and rest there.

The coachman jumped down from the carriage and respectfully said to the noble lady inside, "Princess, we have arrived at the valley. The vanguard has set up camp and is preparing to cook a meal. Please rest for a while."

Dulan responded.

The curtain was gently opened by a pale white hand.

Xue Sui's gaze swept across the camp, and he saw that Xiz's wedding procession had all stopped. Huo Muli was not far away, pretending to adjust his saddle, but his eyes kept glancing in their direction.

"Aunt, what should we do next?" Dulan sat on the cushion, twisting her skirt with her fingers, her breathing rapid with tension.

Before Xue Sui could answer, Du Lan's cousin, Su Mu, came over.

He was the royal leader in charge of the wedding procession, wearing light armor and holding a riding whip, looking very serious.

Upon approaching, he first bowed to Xue Sui.

“Princess Ulan, once we cross the valley, we will be in the territory of Daliang. Envoy Lu is in charge of the journey ahead, so I will return to report. Dulan is a bit naive and doesn't understand the rules of the capital. I hope Your Highness will guide and take good care of her…”

Xue Sui smiled slightly, "Chief Su Mu, rest assured, I will definitely protect her."

Su Mu bowed to Xue Sui, then looked up and turned to Du Lan.

"Dulan, once you arrive in the capital, be careful with your words and actions, listen to Princess Ulan, be tolerant in all matters, and don't be willful..."

Ulidulan gripped his sleeve, his movements slightly stiff, his eyes filled with reluctance and tension.

“Brother, be careful on your journey. When you return, tell Father and the King that I… I will be fine, and that they need not worry about me…”

Su Mu nodded, bowed, turned around, and led several servants away.

Dulan bit her lip and remained silent for a long time before slowly lowering the curtain and looking at Xue Sui.

"Aunt, they've left."

Xue Sui looked calmly toward a secluded spot deep in the valley, where a huge rock provided cover.

She winked at Xiao Zhao, who understood and quietly came over.

"Change into these." Xue Sui tossed a bundle to Du Lan.

"Thank you for your kindness, Aunt." Dulan changed into the clothes of an ordinary maid, her face showing both excitement and a hint of unease.

"Time is of the essence, so let's get straight to the point." Xue Sui lowered his voice and handed Dulan a heavy money bag. "Go south along the valley for three miles, and you'll find a Xiz caravan waiting for you. Follow them and stay at Angge's villa for a while. Two months later, once the predicament is resolved, return to Chishui City and live a peaceful life. You don't need to go anywhere, and you don't need to hide..."

Dulan was stunned and puzzled.

Xue Sui offered no explanation.

"You just need to do as I say and be obedient."

Despite her doubts, Dulan bit her lip and nodded in agreement.

"Dulan will listen to her aunt..."

Xue Sui looked sharply at Huo Muli, who was walking quickly forward.

"I'm entrusting Dulan to you. If you dare to betray her, I won't forgive you."

Huo Muli kowtowed deeply: "Your Highness, I have no way to repay your great kindness..."

Xue Sui waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Go on, don't delay."

That evening, Xue Sui changed into Dulan's wedding dress, put on a heavy headdress, and sat in the princess's carriage.

Since the princess didn't need to appear in public frequently during the journey, no one noticed this clever scheme.

However, Xiao Zhao was greatly puzzled.

"If Your Majesty does not wish Princess Dulan to go to the capital, you only need to send a message to His Majesty. Why go through all this trouble?"

Xue Sui didn't explain, but asked her calmly, "Where is Guan Ya?"

Xiao Zhao hurriedly said, "Brother Guan is waiting outside..."

Xue Sui looked at her and gently tapped the table in front of her.

"Xiao Zhao, please keep this a secret for now."
-
Li Zhao received the news when the wedding procession was still three days away from the capital.

Laifu came in carrying a thin letter, his voice brimming with undisguised joy:

"Your Majesty, the Empress's entourage has already passed Luoxia Pass. Judging by their pace, they will arrive in the capital in three more days!"

Li Zhao put down his brush, the ink accidentally spreading everywhere, but he didn't care and got up to walk towards the inner hall.

"Find all the new robes I made, as well as the tassels and sachets that the Empress made last year. Oh, and that jade pendant with intertwined branches, bring those too." Laifu was stunned for a moment, then quickly agreed and went to fetch them.

When he returned with the clothes, he saw Li Zhao adjusting his collar in front of the bronze mirror.

His long, jet-black hair, carefully combed with osmanthus oil by the young eunuch and bound with a golden crown, was impeccably styled, making him look as handsome as an immortal descended to earth…

Lai Fu approached with a smile.

Unexpectedly, Li Zhao reached out and stroked the cloud-patterned hem of the dress, his fingertips pausing slightly.

"Has this clothing been ironed? Has it been scented? If the Empress dislikes it, you'll be in for a beating..."

"Your Majesty, this old servant personally supervised the Imperial Wardrobe's ironing, and it was scented with the Empress's favorite orchid fragrance. It's perfectly smooth and sure to fit perfectly," Lai Fu replied with a smile, then picked up the sachet embroidered with plum blossoms. "These have also been carefully washed, Your Majesty. Look, they're very clean."

Li Zhao tied the sachet to the jade belt at his waist, looked at himself in the mirror from left to right, and suddenly frowned: "Aren't the bruises under my eyes a bit too heavy? My complexion doesn't look very good either?"

"His Majesty is very handsome," Laifu quickly reassured him. "In the entire capital, there is no young man more dashing than His Majesty..."

“No.” Li Zhao shook his head and suddenly waved to Lai Fu.

"Go and fetch the Jade Complexion Cream that Your Majesty uses. I need to take good care of myself for the next three days."

Lai Fu sighed inwardly, and actually took the creams and ointments. He scooped them out with a small jade spoon and carefully applied them to the emperor's cheeks and neck, especially around his eyes, massaging them for a few extra moments.

Li Zhao closed his eyes and listened, not forgetting to give instructions:

"I'll have the Imperial Kitchen prepare more of the dishes Her Majesty likes. She doesn't get to eat anything good in Xiz, she'll be craving it when she gets back."

For the next two days, the scouts reported twice a day.

Li Zhao was even more restless.

After the morning court session, Mei Ruhui and others came to the Imperial Study to report on the military supplies for the Northwest. As he listened, he blurted out a question:
Where is the wedding procession today?

The officials looked at each other, almost losing their composure.

After reviewing the memorials, Li Zhao went straight back to Pifang Pavilion without going anywhere else.

Examine the brush washer that Xue Sui used, flip through the book she was halfway through reading, and then supervise the palace servants to clean and tidy up, making sure that everything was placed exactly as it had been when Xue Sui left.

"Laifu, do you think she'll be happy to see all this?"

Seeing that he was so absent-minded, Laifu couldn't help but comfort him, "Your Majesty, please don't worry, the Empress will surely be delighted to see you."

Li Zhao shook his head, a hint of sadness flashing in his eyes.

“You don’t understand. She’s perfectly comfortable in Xiz. I’ve gone to such lengths to force her back, and she might harbor some resentment.”

Laifu stood to the side, his lips twitching awkwardly, not daring to reply.

The capital city was fully aware of the twists and turns that had occurred in Chishui City.

From Wulidulan's tearful plea at the door late at night to Xue Sui's secret help in leaving, and then her silent journey home, Lu Youan reported everything.

For every day the Empress traveled, His Majesty's heart was filled with anxiety.

How can it not be considered going to great lengths?
Li Zhao's gaze drifted to the window, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Never in my life have I felt like this...like a young boy, longing for a woman."

He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, regaining his composure.

"Go and convey my decree: increase the number of Imperial Guards along the route, and ensure there are no mistakes. Report back immediately when the Empress arrives, without delay."

"Yes." Lai Fu bowed in response, sighing inwardly.

Over the past three days, Pifang Pavilion has been cleaned inside and out no less than ten times.

The incense the Empress usually used, the books on her desk, the pot of orchids on the windowsill... everything was arranged exactly as it was, striving to make sure not an inch was out of place.

If this continues, he will lose his way of doing his job.

Finally, after countless moments of eager anticipation, the wedding procession arrived in the capital.
-
On this day, the capital was deserted as everyone flocked to catch a glimpse of Princess Xiz. Li Zhao also personally ascended the city wall, dressed in casual clothes, calmly watching the approaching entourage.

The guard whispered, "Your Majesty, the princess's carriage has arrived at the city gate."

Li Zhao hummed in agreement, his gaze falling on the most luxurious carriage, his heart beating a little faster.

Below the city gate, the people cheered and talked about the new concubine's beauty. He, however, only felt that the autumn wind was particularly cool.

Safety……

You're finally back.

The marriage procession entered the city and, according to protocol, first went to the post station to be settled in preparation for their audience with the emperor the next day. Li Zhao, however, could not wait any longer. He went down from the city wall and headed straight for Xue Sui's carriage.

“Your Majesty…” Guan Ya was the first to step forward, “The Empress… she has disappeared.”

Li Zhao's expression changed.

He quickened his pace and abruptly lifted the carriage curtain—

Inside the carriage, only Xiao Zhao was there, dressed in the wedding gown of Princess Dulan, her head bowed, trembling.

Li Zhao sneered, and the air pressure around him instantly plummeted to freezing point: "What's going on?"

“Your Majesty…” Xiao Zhao knelt inside the carriage, not daring to raise her head, and presented a plain note and a sandalwood box with both hands: “Her Majesty asked me to give these to Your Majesty. Her Majesty said… she first went back to the Old Mausoleum to pay respects to her master, and then dealt with some old matters… and told Your Majesty not to look for her.”

(End of this chapter)