Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 503 The Grand Finale (Part 5)

Xue Sui strode out of the room.

Lingyu fluttered its wings and gently landed on her outstretched arm, a familiar letter tube tied to its claws...

Xue Sui roused himself, took down the letter tube, and unfolded the thin piece of paper—

As soon as I scanned the first line, my heart sank, as if I had been doused with ice water, and my whole body stiffened.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Medical Bureau has changed the prescriptions several times, but there's been no improvement. Chief Physician Zhang said that His Majesty's worries have damaged his heart meridians, depleting his constitution. I'm afraid he won't be able to survive this winter..."

How could this happen?

When she left the capital, Li Zhao was perfectly fine. How did he suddenly fall so ill?

Xue Sui forced himself to calm down, turned around and went back into the room. He took out several letters that Xiao Zhao had sent him from the drawer, spread them out side by side by the dim light, and read them carefully again, word by word.

The first letter was written in fairly steady handwriting.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to report: His Majesty has brewed all the medicine you left behind and is taking it on time every day. His mood has become much calmer... However, I noticed that once, His Majesty was lost in thought, holding the jade teacup you used, and sat there for a long time. Eunuch Lai said that His Majesty does not sleep well at night and will call your name in his dreams."

The second letter already revealed anxieties between the lines.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has been acting strangely lately. Brother Guan said that the night before last, His Majesty sat alone in the Pifang Pavilion until the third watch of the night, muttering to himself in front of the empty inner palace. What he was saying was unclear. When the imperial physician came to take his pulse, His Majesty only said that there was nothing wrong and refused to say more. This servant noticed that His Majesty has become terribly thin."

The third letter was filled with obvious anxiety.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has become increasingly silent. Sometimes he barely utters a few words all day, and he's even too lazy to pay attention to Hei Shiba's advances. Eunuch Lai secretly wiped away his tears, saying that His Majesty is now indifferent to everything, has a poor appetite, and takes half an hour to finish a bowl of porridge. His health is deteriorating day by day."

The fourth letter was filled with unease.

“Something has been strange lately… His Majesty no longer mentions the Empress, and all the things you used to use have been taken away. Even the rouge and powder on your dressing table and the orchids on the windowsill have been given to the palace servants. His Majesty not only no longer likes anything related to the Empress, but even shows disgust. The young apprentice of Eunuch Laifu was even punished for mentioning the Empress. This servant really can’t understand why His Majesty… has suddenly become so cold…”

The fifth letter was even more ominous, foreshadowing an impending storm.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. The Ministry of Rites submitted the regulations for selecting imperial consorts yesterday, and His Majesty has selected ten noble ladies at once, saying that he will hold an investiture ceremony after the Mid-Autumn Festival to enrich the harem. Brother Guan suspects that His Majesty's haste... is probably to arrange his affairs after death, wanting to leave a bloodline for the country..."

Xiao Zhao wrote the most letters today.

The words are filled with anxiety.

"His Majesty coughed up blood in front of me after returning to Pifang Pavilion this morning after the court session. After examining his pulse, Imperial Physician Zhang said he looked very unwell, diagnosing that the illness was caused by emotional distress and internal organ damage, beyond the reach of medicine. However, His Majesty forbade any public announcement and continued to handle state affairs with great difficulty. I humbly beg you, please come back soon! His Majesty… he may truly not be able to wait much longer…"

After reading it, Xue Sui felt a heaviness in her chest and a wave of nausea rushed to her throat. She suddenly bent over and began to dry heave uncontrollably.

"Miss!" Ruyi quickly stepped forward to help her up.

Jinshu quickly brought over warm water and a towel, gently patting her back to help her catch her breath.

The room immediately descended into chaos.

Xue Sui rinsed his mouth, barely suppressing the churning in his stomach. Just as he sat down by the couch, he heard footsteps outside the door...

It's Second Master who's here.

The second master paused for a moment in front of the screen before slowly walking in.

Seeing her in this state, he couldn't help but sigh softly, full of pity and understanding.

"Thirteen, don't push yourself anymore. Go back to the capital."

"Second Master, what makes you say that?"

Xue Sui struggled to get off the bed and pay his respects, but his second master pressed down on his shoulder.

"Let's sit down and talk. You're not feeling well, so there's no need for formalities."

Xue Sui smiled faintly: "I said before that I came back this time to properly serve my two masters, so how could I leave so easily?"

The second master shook his head, sat down beside her, placed his dry palm on her cold hand, patted it gently, and his eyes revealed natural heartache and tenderness.

"What you're thinking, do you think you can hide it from me and your third master? Fine, the blood feud of the Old Mausoleum is a debt of the previous generation, it shouldn't be your burden, and it has nothing to do with you. We shouldn't put you in a difficult position..."

"Second Master..." Xue Sui's eyes instantly reddened, "This disciple has not forgotten his roots. The matter of the Old Mausoleum is this disciple's matter..."

"I know you're a good child." The second master smiled and sighed again, his tone gentle yet helpless. "Having someone in your heart is a good thing, but it's also a bitter thing. Since you've chosen this path, don't let yourself regret it."

Compared to the resolute and unyielding First Master Jingshan, the Second Master was always insightful and open-minded, often advising his disciples to look forward and not get stuck in a rut. The Third Master, on the other hand, was taciturn and quiet, usually hiding in the medicine hut to refine medicine and organize some classic texts.

Over the years, they have become family who rely on each other.

When she returned, neither of her two masters uttered a single harsh word against her because of the death of their eldest master. Despite the cold stares of Yuheng and the others, they silently protected her.

Hearing such intimate words, Xue Sui was filled with mixed emotions.

She slowly rose and knelt before her second master.

"I dare not lie to my master, I returned to the Old Mausoleum for his sake, but also for the sake of my fellow disciples there..."

The second master quickly reached out to help him up, his eyes full of tenderness.

"The ground is cold. Silly child, get up and talk..."

She remained kneeling, continuing, "My master's dying words were that I must never forget this blood feud. But I... cannot bear to see the people suffer, nor can I bear to see the world plunged into war again. I am even more unwilling for Li Zhao to die because of me. Torn between these two dilemmas, I can only return to the old mausoleum, hoping that time will resolve the enmity... If I must choose, I would rather bear the infamy of a traitor and be condemned by all than allow the old mausoleum to be destroyed by the court, leaving more people homeless and forced to endure the hardships of wandering..."

A complex emotion flashed across the second master's eyes.

After pondering for a while, he sighed softly and smiled with a kind look in his eyes.

"Now that your eldest brother has entrusted the Xuanzang Token to you, you are in charge of the affairs of the Old Mausoleum. Your third master and I are getting old, and we only hope that you younger generation can live peacefully and happily. Go, do what you should do, and don't worry about us."

Xue Sui was grateful and kowtowed three times.

Just as I saw my second master off, I saw Tian Shu standing quietly under the old tree in the courtyard. His figure was tall and lonely in the twilight. I wondered how long he had been listening.

"When did you return, Senior Brother?" Xue Sui strode forward. "It's chilly outside, come inside and let's talk."

Tian Shu didn't answer, but nodded slightly and went into the house with her.

After Jinshu served him hot tea, he took a small sip and said solemnly, "If Li Zhao takes the Forget-Me-Not herb and forgets everything, you will be nothing more than a stranger in his eyes if you go back now..." He paused, looking at her reddened eyes, and saw it clearly, "If you are really worried, your senior brother will accompany you."

Xue Sui looked up at him, "Senior Brother, haven't you found anything out about your trips to and from the capital these past few days?"

Tian Shu's eyes flickered slightly: "You mean Li Zhao's illness?"

"Hmm." Xue Sui looked at him quietly for a moment, and a vague idea became clear.

"Is my senior brother hiding something from me?"

Tian Shu stared at her for a moment, then suddenly felt a pang of tenderness.

He lowered his eyelashes and said in a low voice, "Give me your hand."

Xue Sui was taken aback, and then extended his right hand as instructed.

The three fingers of Tian Shu precisely placed on her wrist to feel her pulse, the fingertips slightly cool.

He lowered his eyes and focused intently, feeling the pulse beneath his fingers. His brows furrowed slightly before he released his grip, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, both clear and heavy.

“When you were in Xiz, I said that your illness might not be caused by the Love Silk Curse… I didn’t tell you the truth before because I was afraid that you would be upset and unable to make a decision…”

He slowly withdrew his hand, looked up at her, and spoke with a strained voice.

"Now, do you understand why I stopped you?"

He paused for a moment, then finally revealed the weighty truth.

"Ping An, you are pregnant."

Is she pregnant?
Xue Sui felt as if struck by lightning, and instinctively touched her lower abdomen, her limbs and bones instantly stiffening and turning cold.

Yes, due to childhood health issues, her menstrual cycles have always been irregular, sometimes only coming once every three months. These days, she's been exhausted and has indeed neglected her period; she hasn't had it for over two months and hasn't thought much of it…

Looking back now, she was a bit off. Besides morning sickness, she also kept craving sour foods. Jinshu made her some pickled apricots, and she ate a lot of them at once. Despite her restlessness, she had gained quite a bit of weight...

It turned out that those abnormalities were not due to the Love Silk Curse, but rather because a small life was quietly growing inside her.

After Li Zhao had broken off all ties, she actually... became pregnant with his child?
He wouldn't even want her anymore, so why would he want this child?
She stared blankly at Tian Shu, a chill running from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, leaving her feeling icy cold all over.

"Senior brother, could the love potion... harm this child?"

“This…” Tian Shu frowned, thought for a moment and said, “As long as you keep a peaceful mind, do not let your emotions get the better of you, and take good care of yourself, there should be no major problems.”

勿动情志……

Xue Sui clenched his palms tightly.

With Li Zhao's life hanging by a thread, how could she remain calm and composed?
Li Zhao treated her like a stranger, how could she remain unmoved?

How can she be at peace with a child born without a biological father?

The child is innocent.

He has the right to breathe in the sunlight and the right to know who his father is.

She took a deep breath, suppressed her turbulent thoughts, and said softly, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

After saying that, he turned to look at Jinshu beside him, his voice hoarse but resolute, "Go pack your luggage. We're going back to the capital first thing tomorrow morning."

"Your Majesty!" Jinshu said worriedly, "Your health is not what it used to be. How can you withstand such a long journey?"

Xue Sui glanced at Tian Shu, his eyes showing even more determination, "Some things can only be put at ease when you see them with your own eyes."

Tian Shu looked at her pale yet stubborn face and nodded: "Go ahead, I'll have someone prepare a carriage and horses, and bring some medicine to prevent miscarriage."
-
The carriage sped along the official road, traveling day and night.

Xue Sui's heart was like being repeatedly fried in a pan of oil.

She feared seeing him frail and sickly, feared hearing his cold and unfamiliar voice. She also feared that the forget-me-not would truly steal his feelings for her. Even more, she feared… that his illness was caused by the love curse, and that he would die from it.

A jumble of terrifying thoughts swirled around her, making her restless and uneasy.

As a result, her pregnancy symptoms became increasingly severe, with waves of vomiting and dizziness hitting her, but she just gritted her teeth and kept urging the driver to go faster.

Five days later, the carriage finally entered the capital city.

Xue Sui did not return to Yiyuan, nor did she disturb anyone.

She changed into a coarse cloth dress, slightly altered her skin tone and facial features with a potion, and disguised herself as a wandering female doctor. With the help of Guan Ya, she quietly infiltrated the palace.

Walking along the palace path, every step felt like stepping on a knife's edge.

She evaded the patrols and, with practiced ease, arrived at the familiar palace—Pifang Pavilion.

After the start of autumn, the temperature in the capital city has dropped considerably.

After an autumn rain, the wind, carrying a chill, rustled the leaves of the paulownia trees beneath the palace walls.

It was only late afternoon, and the sky was still bright, but the lanterns in Pifang Pavilion were already lit.

A dim, yellowish light shone through the window paper, creating a desolate scene.

Xue Sui held his breath, quietly moved to the window, and looked inside.

Li Zhao sat alone on a soft couch by the window, a plain blanket casually draped over him. His face was turned to the side; his jawline was noticeably thinner than he remembered, giving him an almost sickly pallor…

He closed his eyes, as if taking a short rest from exhaustion. A memorial was spread out beside him, and his wolf-hair brush lay aside, the ink on the memorial already dry.

Xue Sui clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly, his heart filled with indescribable bitterness.

Just as she was about to turn around in a daze, the person on the bed suddenly opened their eyes, their sharp gaze sweeping over her and staring straight in her direction...

"Who?" His voice was hoarse from a long illness, but his imperial aura remained undiminished.

(End of this chapter)