Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 505 Finale (End)

Inside the inner hall, the warm fragrance lingered.

The gauze curtains on the couch were half-drawn, and a sticky, sweet-smelling scent filled the air...

Yuan Cang walked lightly, but still broke the enchanting atmosphere of the room.

He dared not raise his head, but knelt on one knee and briefly reported the news of Prince Duan's serious illness.

The curtain was gently lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles.

Li Zhao got up, wearing a loose-fitting nightgown. His dark hair was casually draped over his shoulders, and a thin layer of sweat clung to his forehead. His dark eyes still held a hint of displeasure from just leaving the lovemaking, but his face was expressionless.

"How did you suddenly become so seriously ill?"

Yuan Cang bowed deeply, "Your Majesty, the guards came to report that Prince Duan suffered a sudden and severe illness last night..."

Li Zhao's face darkened, and he let out a cold snort as he gently tied the belt of his nightgown.

"Don't I know his temperament? He's afraid I'll live too peacefully—telling Princess Duan to go back to where she came from, I won't fall for that."

Yuan Cang responded with a muffled "Yes," and though he wanted to say something more, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he ultimately didn't dare to say anything more, turning and leaving.

"I'll go take a look." Xue Sui lifted the curtain and sat up, pulling the light robe draped over his shoulders closer, his voice still a little hoarse from just calming down.

"After all, they are sisters. Aning is still so young. She shouldn't have to see her parents like this."

Li Zhao looked displeased. "Are you doing this for Xue Yuechen, or for Li Huan?"

Xue Sui gently tugged at his sleeve.

A small, intimate gesture, carrying a silent comfort.

Li Zhao looked down at the small, fair hand, frowned, and strongly disagreed, but his tone softened considerably: "This couple won't be content even when they're about to die, why bother inviting this bad luck?"

“It is precisely because they are restless that we must go.” Xue Sui’s gaze was calm.

"Some things need to be settled. For them, and for us."

She paused, then spoke even softer, "This will also prevent anyone from using this as a pretext to say that His Majesty mistreats his brothers, which would not look good."

"So what if I'm mistreated?" Li Zhao raised an eyebrow. "I don't care about those few meaningless words of posthumous fame."

"Li Zhao." Xue Sui reached out and grasped his wrist, pressing lightly on his protruding knuckles, her voice full of gentle stubbornness. "Reputation may be illusory, but in the eyes of the people and the court officials, it carries real weight. You are the emperor, how can you truly ignore it?"

"Fine, go if you want."

With that gentle press from her and hearing his own name come out of her mouth, Li Zhao's bravado dissipated by most.

He slowly leaned down, pressed his ear against her still flat stomach, and suddenly pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice incredibly soft.

"Go early and come back early. I'll be waiting for you for dinner. Don't let our children go hungry..."

Xue Sui was startled by him.

Thinking about what he hadn't finished, he subconsciously glanced at the bulge under his robe that hadn't completely subsided, feeling both amused and annoyed.

"I think it's His Majesty who's hungry."
-
The desolate courtyard of the Imperial Clan Court was far less grand than the Prince Duan's mansion.

A corner of the courtyard wall had collapsed and no one was repairing it. Withered vines climbed the broken wall, and the autumn sun shone through the sparse branches and leaves, casting some mottled shadows on the steps. Even birds were too lazy to land here.

Li Huan lay motionless on the cold couch in the inner room.

The once gentle and refined Prince Duan is now emaciated, his cheekbones protruding, and his lips are an unnatural bluish-black. Only his eyes, when they see Xue Sui enter with Xue Yue, brighten and flash with an unusual gleam.

"You came……"

Xue Sui's skirt swept across the broken porcelain shards on the ground as she slowly approached. "Your Highness, Prince Duan, how have you been?"

Li Huan twitched the corners of his mouth, a mocking smile masking an unyielding bitterness.

“It’s rare… for the Crown Princess… no, for Her Majesty the Empress… to come and see me off…”

Before he could finish speaking, he started coughing again.

He curled his fingers, his chest rising and falling with shallow breaths, a slight smile playing on his lips, and a hint of nonchalant languor spreading across his eyes. In that instant, his demeanor vaguely resembled that of the gentle and refined Prince Duan of yesteryear.

"The fate of these losers has provided the Empress with quite a spectacle."

Xue Yuechen's eyes were already red from crying. She rushed to the bedside and grabbed his hand. "Your Highness, you must hold on. Sixth Sister has summoned the imperial physician to see you... You will get better..."

She glanced at Xue Sui again, her eyes pleading like a drowning person grasping at the last piece of driftwood.

"Sixth Sister, please save the Prince... He was just confused for a moment. From now on, we'll just live as ordinary people and never get involved in court intrigues again..."

Xue Sui ignored Xue Yuechen, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and instead focused her gaze on Li Huan's face.

"I'm not here to give you a gift, I'm here to give you a choice."

"The victor is king, the loser is villain. What choice do I have?" Li Huan coughed as if he had heard a huge joke, his shoulders trembling, but he still managed a forced smile. "Poisoned wine, a white silk noose, or a three-foot-long sword?"

"Neither." Xue Sui bent down, getting closer to the bed, staring at him intently, her voice clear and almost cold.

"His Majesty said that if you are willing, you can change your identity and take your family to live in the south. As long as you never set foot in the capital again and live a peaceful life, you can live to old age."

This was a decision she made after discussing it with Li Zhao.

Killing Li Huan would have been easy, but it would have given people ammunition to criticize him, and history would have inevitably added a stain of infamy to his record as "cruel to his own brother and cruel and ungrateful."

If we can secretly send him away, we can preserve the reputation of a benevolent ruler and eliminate future troubles. This is the most worry-free way to handle the situation.

Li Huan was stunned, then let out a hoarse, bitter laugh.

"Li Zhao...would he really be so kind? It's a pity...I, Li Huan...don't need his charity and pity!"

He looked at Xue Sui and said, "Do you know what I regret most? It's not fighting for the dragon throne, it's marrying you back then... but not having you sooner!"

He was panting, his eyes swirling with resentment and obsession.

"If you had become mine sooner... how much of a thorn in Li Zhao's side would he have borne throughout his life?"

Xue Sui's face turned cold.

Xue Yuechen was terrified and threw herself at him, sobbing uncontrollably: "Your Highness! You've lost your mind... Sixth Sister came to save you out of kindness, how can you say such nonsense..."

Li Huan shoved Xue Yuechen away with surprising strength.

He stared intently at Xue Sui, his breathing slightly rapid.

“Go back and tell Li Zhao… I would rather die than accept his kindness.”

After saying that, he suddenly pulled out a small celadon bottle from under his pillow, uncorked it, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Their movements were so fast that no one had time to react.

"Your Highness!" Xue Yuechen rushed forward, but it was too late.

The poison was deadly upon contact with blood; within moments, Li Huan's body began to convulse violently, black blood gushed from the corner of his mouth, and his eyes slowly began to glaze over...

"Safety……"

His lips moved, and his gaze finally settled on Xue Sui's face before he breathed his last.

Even with a million other options to survive, he chose the most resolute way to leave the final mark on her heart.

Xue Yuechen rushed over and hugged him tightly, crying her heart out.

Xue Sui stood there silently, looking at the once noble and proud Prince Duan, now a withered corpse, and felt an indescribable mix of emotions...

Li Huan's stubbornness and extremism may have sealed his fate.

After a long silence, Xue Yuechen raised her tearful eyes and looked at Xue Sui, her voice trembling: "Sixth Sister... The Prince once said... if anything happened to him, he would have me take Aning to seek refuge with you... He said... you would give my daughter and me a way to survive... Will you?"

Xue Sui looked at her and asked softly, "Are you sure you want to take A-Ning with you and rely on the enemy who drove your husband to his death? You see me so often, how can you not feel resentment in your heart? When A-Ning grows up and becomes sensible, how will you tell her about the past?"

Xue Yuechen was stunned by the question and stood there, her face turning pale.

There were things Xue Sui didn't say aloud, but she understood them.

No one would keep the wife and daughter of their enemy by their side...

As expected, Xue Sui smiled and said, "I am not willing to take you and your daughter in."

Xue Yuechen's lips twitched a few times, and she smiled blankly as she bent down to pick up the small porcelain bottle that had fallen to the ground.

"Then... I have no choice but to go with the prince... and end it all..."

Xue Sui kicked the porcelain bottle away and stared at her distraught appearance.

"If you die, what will happen to Aning? She's an orphan with no parents. Even if I raise her out of blood ties, what good future can she have? Her marriage, her future, will all be burdened by this cruel past. Can you bear it?"

Xue Yuechen's face turned deathly pale, and her lips trembled.

What else can I do?

"Live," Xue Sui said gently. "Take Aning away from the capital to a place where no one knows you. I will give you enough money to live a peaceful life. Let Aning grow up in a clean environment, learn to read and write, and find her a stable marriage so she can live a peaceful and smooth life. This is what you, as a mother, should do for her now."

Xue Yuechen felt as if all her strength had been drained away, and collapsed to the ground. Looking at Li Huan's tragically dead body on the bed, she finally broke down and burst into tears.
-
Li Huan's death did not cause much of a stir in the capital.

Li Zhao buried him with the rites due to a prince, but publicly stated that Prince Duan had been ill for a long time and died in a separate residence.

At the same time, he also issued a decree, stating that out of consideration for kinship, the Prince Duan's lineage would be treated well, and that they would be granted generous sums of money and allowed to leave the capital to live out their days in luxury, thus demonstrating the Emperor's boundless grace.

The handling of the situation was extremely lenient and just.

Even if there were some criticisms and speculations among the court and the public, they were quickly submerged under the new emperor's increasingly solidified authority.

After finishing these chores, the weather turned a bit cooler.

Inside Pifang Pavilion, the underfloor heating had been lit early in the morning, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

After Li Zhao finished reviewing the last memorial, he rubbed his temples and his gaze fell on the figure leaning against the soft couch.

She held a book in her hands, her eyes lowered, her expression serene, and she was reading very attentively.

Perhaps because it was warm inside the palace, she was only wearing a moon-white soft satin nightgown. Her half-length hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands hanging down her neck, which made her neck look slender and her skin fair, making him even more restless...

Li Zhao got up and walked over, pulling the person into his arms without saying a word. "All the irrelevant people have been sent away, and it's finally quiet."

His tone was languid, and he affectionately nuzzled the top of her head with his chin, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"This time, no one will bother us..."

Xue Sui closed the book, looked up at him, and smiled.

"Hasn't Your Majesty already selected ten noble ladies? I am currently pregnant and unable to serve you. If Your Majesty is lonely, it would be better to let them enter the palace sooner rather than later, so as not to leave them unattended and invite gossip..."

Li Zhao raised an eyebrow: "Still thinking about this? I assume you've long forgotten about it."

Xue Sui snorted, but did not break free from his embrace.

"You're petty." Li Zhao's smile deepened as his fingertips traced the bridge of her upturned nose, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to send the list to Prince Chun's residence so that he can take a look and see if there are any that catch his eye. He spends his days idly and has few children. This is a good opportunity to enrich his harem and do his part to help the royal family continue its lineage."

Xue Sui: "..."

Seeing his "I handled this so well, why don't you praise me?" look, Xue Sui held back for a while, but finally couldn't help it. The corners of his mouth slowly turned up, and he spat at him softly.

"You know the truth."

"When have I ever been ungrateful?" Li Zhao chuckled, embracing her even tighter, his arm inadvertently wrapping around her lower abdomen. When he spoke again, his tone was even more serious and solemn.

"Ping An, after everything we've been through, can we promise each other that from this day forward, we will be one husband and wife, and there will be no more deception? Let's not allow our prince to suffer the pain of separation from his own flesh and blood again..."

"You knew it was a prince?"

"Princess is fine too." Li Zhao stroked her lower abdomen and kissed her cheek with great tenderness. "As long as it is your child, whether it is a boy or a girl, it is a precious gift from heaven to me."

Xue Sui frowned slightly and subconsciously touched his lower abdomen.

Li Zhao immediately became anxious, holding her shoulders and asking repeatedly, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Is the baby bothering you?"

"..." Xue Sui couldn't help but laugh when she saw him like this, "How could it be so fast? It's only been three months."

She took his hand and gently placed it on her still flat stomach. "If this child isn't a prince, and the court officials pressure you to take in more concubines to continue the royal bloodline, what will you do?"

"Let Prince Chun give birth." He squeezed her palm, speaking as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "The Li clan has many members; they won't miss one more like me..."

Seeing that he was speaking seriously, Xue Sui nodded vigorously and stretched out her arms to hug his lean waist.

"I hope you keep your word."

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, illuminating the silhouettes of two people leaning on each other.

"And another thing." Li Zhao stepped back slightly, lifted her face, and looked at her with eyes as deep as the sea. "I owe you a grand ceremony to be crowned empress. When the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives and the fragrance of osmanthus fills the capital... I will announce to the world that I will welcome you into the empress's palace with the most solemn ceremony."

Xue Sui looked at him, a gentle smile spreading across her eyes: "Okay."

Outside the window, the autumn wind swept through the fallen leaves, making a soft rustling sound, but it couldn't dispel the warmth inside the hall.

Li Zhao lowered his head and kissed her forehead, a gesture that seemed both a sigh and a word of comfort.

"Throughout my life, I have schemed against people's hearts, but only with you, at first I failed to scheme, and then... I no longer wanted to scheme."
-
Mid-Autumn Festival of the first year of Yongjing.

A banquet was held in the Linde Hall of the palace, under the moonlight as clear as water, where the emperor and his ministers celebrated together.

Li Zhao attended the banquet with Xue Sui. In front of all the civil and military officials and members of the imperial family, he solemnly announced that Xue Sui would be made empress, and ordered the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day for the empress coronation ceremony.

When the news spread, although some people in the government and the public were still dissatisfied, no one openly opposed it.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, he has been decisive and swift in his actions, no longer the Crown Prince who had to carefully navigate the complexities of various factions...

He wanted to make his beloved his empress, and no one dared to question him to his face.

On the afternoon of the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, the sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on the golden brick floor of the Imperial Study.

Li Zhaozheng was engrossed in reviewing memorials at his desk.

Xue Sui brought in a bowl of lotus seed soup. Seeing that His Majesty's brows were slightly furrowed, she said softly, "Your Majesty, please rest. State affairs are important, but you cannot neglect your health."

Li Zhao looked up and saw that she was dressed in plain clothes, without any makeup, but her eyes and brows exuded natural charm. He couldn't help but relax his brows, put down his pen, and reached out to pull her to sit down on his knees.

"You've come at the right time; I have something to tell you."

He grasped her slightly cool hand. "The Imperial Observatory has chosen an auspicious day—the ninth day of next month—for the investiture ceremony. What do you think?"

Xue Sui smiled slightly, his expression calm, showing little joy or excitement. He simply said, "Why the rush? The flood season has just ended, and there are many matters to attend to in the court. Your Majesty need not hurry for me..."

"I've waited long enough." Li Zhao tightened his arms slightly, pulling her into his embrace, and gently sniffed the crook of her neck.

She carried a faint fragrance of orchids, which always brought him peace of mind.

"From Xiz to Shangjing, from the Eastern Palace to the Zichen Palace, you should give me a proper title before I can feel at ease."

Xue Sui found it amusing and slapped him hard on the shoulder, "You're so annoying!"

Li Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed as he took her hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. His voice was low and husky, full of doting affection, "I can wait, but my child can't wait either... How can I let the child suffer?"

Xue Sui smiled and scolded him, then presented the porcelain bowl, saying, "Eat it while it's hot, it won't taste good when it's cold."

Li Zhao took a bite from her hand, then seemed to remember something, and his tone softened.

"I need to go out this afternoon to meet someone. I'll be back later to have dinner with you."

Xue Sui's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't ask any further questions.

"Have Guan Ya take a few more guards with him, and be careful on the road."

Li Zhao chuckled and pinched her cheek. "I know. Ping An is always so thoughtful."
-
Li Zhao left the palace without a royal procession, only accompanied by Guan Ya and a few personal guards, traveling lightly to a small courtyard surrounded by mulberry and willow trees on the outskirts of the capital.

The courtyard gate was closed, and a half-strand of dried mugwort hung on the door knocker; it was an old item from last year's Dragon Boat Festival.

Guan Ya stepped forward and knocked on the door. Footsteps soon came from inside, and a young boy in blue robes opened the door. Upon seeing Li Zhao, he quickly bowed and said, "The master is brewing tea inside. Please come with me, Your Majesty."

The old mulberry trees in the courtyard had lost all their leaves, only the wild chrysanthemums in the corner of the wall were still in full bloom.

Tian Shu sat at the stone table, fiddling with the kettle on the charcoal stove. The hem of his plain white robe was stained with a little charcoal ash, but he did not look disheveled at all. His temperament was as aloof as the snow on distant mountains.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and stood up with composure and humility.

"Your Majesty's presence at my humble abode is an honor, and I have failed to greet you properly."

Li Zhao sat down on the stone bench opposite him, his gaze sweeping over the medicine box not far away—a worn-out cowhide box with shiny edges, clearly having accompanied him on many journeys.

"Sir, are you going on a long trip?"

Tian Shu poured the brewed tea into a porcelain cup, his cool and indifferent expression remaining calm.

"I wonder what brings Your Majesty here to see me?"

Li Zhao got straight to the point: "I have already issued an edict to pardon all the surviving families of the old imperial tombs and marshes, allowing them to return to their hometowns and register as citizens, just like ordinary people. Among them, there are talented and ambitious individuals who may also serve as officials, and I will treat them all equally."

Tian Shu pushed the teacup in front of Li Zhao, his voice calm, "Your Majesty's benevolence is deeply appreciated by everyone in the old imperial mausoleum."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhao smiled faintly, touched the warm cup with his fingertips, and said again:
"I have reserved the position of Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy for you, sir."

Tian Shu gently shook his head, his expression unchanged, his eyes still as calm as still water.

"Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated. However, we are country folk, accustomed to a carefree life, and cannot bear the constraints of palace rules. The Imperial Medical Academy is full of talented people, and we do not need another Tian Shu."

Li Zhao picked up his teacup and took a small sip. "Sir, are you unwilling to enter officialdom, or are you unwilling to serve me?"

Tian Shu remained silent and removed the kettle from the fire.

After the steam dissipated, he said, "I should finish this cup of tea and then I should take my leave. Your Majesty's timing is perfect; you can see me off..."

Li Zhao remained silent, then put down his teacup. "Have you made up your mind, sir?"

Tian Shu said, "The way of practicing medicine is to benefit all people. The world is vast, and there are still countless difficult and complicated diseases to be solved, and countless poor and sick people to be saved. Once this matter is settled, I will have no worries and can travel around to fulfill my duty as a doctor."

Li Zhao stared at him for a moment.

This man is his rival in love, but also an irreplaceable figure in Ping An's heart...

However, when this senior brother, whom he had been somewhat wary of, withdrew from their lives in such an open and honest manner, Li Zhao felt a great deal of respect for him.

"In that case, I cannot force you to stay. The journey is long and arduous, please take care."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Tian Shu carried his medicine chest on his back and bowed to Li Zhao.

Without further ado, he turned around, gently closed the courtyard door, and, along with Qingfeng and Guanhai who were standing by, resolutely boarded the green-canopied carriage that was waiting outside...

The wheels rolled over the cobblestone path, raising a little dust that quickly disappeared from sight...

Li Zhao stood there for a long time until Guan Ya reminded him, then he turned back to the palace.
-
When they returned to Pifang Pavilion, Xue Sui was feeding Hei Shiba in the corridor.

The dog was now as strong as a calf. When it saw Li Zhao, it wagged its tail and pounced on him, rubbing its furry head against his palm.

"Why are you back so early?"

Xue Sui smiled and stepped forward, roused the dog, and handed him a clean handkerchief.

“He’s gone.” Li Zhao took the handkerchief and wiped his hands. “He refused to accept my good intentions, saying he was going to save the people of the world. I couldn’t keep him.”

Xue Sui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Who is it that His Majesty would personally send off?"

Li Zhao naturally took her hand and they walked together into the hall.

The two sat down on the soft couch by the window, and Li Zhao told her in detail about his visit to Tian Shu.

Xue Sui remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "Our eldest brother's heart is not in this; forcing him to stay is pointless. It's a good thing that he can let go of his obsession and travel the world."

Li Zhao nodded and said, "Regarding the matter of the old mausoleum, I have already issued an edict that those surviving members can return to their hometowns and register their residence. They will no longer need to hide. Your long-cherished wish has been fulfilled."

A hint of emotion flashed across Xue Sui's eyes.

This decree signifies the end of decades of bloody persecution and hatred, and means that countless orphans like her, Yaoguang, and Yuheng, who have suffered hardship and displacement, can finally live in the sunlight.

She said softly, "Your Majesty's actions are enough to appease the spirits of the dead, dispel resentment, and demonstrate the magnanimity of the emperor."

"What kind of emperor's magnanimity?" Li Zhao squeezed her palm and smiled faintly: "If it weren't for your mediation, those people might not have believed me. The peace in the world is half thanks to you."

"It is His Majesty's benevolence and compassion for the people that has resolved the conflict. I merely did my duty and have no merit whatsoever..."

Xue Sui smiled and shook his head, then got up and walked to the table, saying softly, "After talking for so long, Your Majesty must be hungry. I have prepared some chestnut cakes today, which have been carefully seasoned with freshly harvested osmanthus honey. They are not too sweet or greasy. Your Majesty, please try them and see if they suit your taste."

Li Zhao took a bite, gazing at the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, his eyes softening with tenderness.

"Did you make it yourself?"

Xue Sui turned around and smiled, his eyes curving slightly: "Consider this a thank-you gift."
-
At dinner time, a small table was set up under the osmanthus tree in Pifang Pavilion.

A few light seasonal dishes, a pot of warm tea, and no palace servants to attend to them.

Xue Sui personally served dishes to Li Zhao, and Li Zhao also bent down to pour tea for him.

The afterglow of the setting sun, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus, drifted over. The two occasionally whispered a few words, the atmosphere peaceful, as if they were just an ordinary couple in the world.

Li Zhao loved her scallion-mixed tofu the most, so he ate more than he could.

"It tastes very good. If you have time in the future, please make it more often. I really love this..."

Xue Sui smiled slightly, stood up, took out a yellowed booklet from his sleeve, and handed it to him.

Li Zhao took it, opened it, and his expression slightly hardened.

That was the roster of personnel from the old imperial mausoleum, densely packed with countless aliases, code names, infiltration locations, and contact methods. This roster was once the vessel of the obsession with restoring the kingdom, a sword hanging over the head of the Li family's regime.

“Ping An, what’s wrong with you…” He looked at her.

Xue Sui did not answer directly, but instead took a tinderbox, tore off pages of the roster one by one, lit them, and threw them into the brazier.

Flames leaped, the paper quickly curled and charred, eventually turning to ashes...

Her face was calm, her gaze distant, as if she could see through the burning flames and witness the struggles, sacrifices, and pain of the past.

"Peace and stability throughout the land, and tranquility across the seas and rivers, are far better than a thousand obsessions. Old grudges are now put to rest."

Li Zhao gazed at her profile illuminated by the firelight, reached out and took her slightly cool fingers in his hand, gently embraced her from behind, and rested his chin on the top of her head.

"You've let go of everything?"

Xue Sui glanced at him sideways.

Under the lamplight, his features were deep-set and well-defined...

She gave a soft "hmm," overwhelmed with mixed feelings and a sense of unease.

"But the love curse remains unresolved, and it will always be a thorn in my heart..."

"Ping An, do you trust me?" Li Zhao turned her shoulder, his gaze intense.

Xue Sui nodded without hesitation: "I believe you."

"Then let me be your doctor and heal your heartache." Li Zhao stood up, took her hand, and said, "Come, come with me to a place."

He didn't summon the imperial carriage; instead, he took her hand and led her through the deepening twilight and the towering palaces to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

The Imperial Ancestral Temple was eerily quiet.

The incense smoke lingered, and the candlelight on the ever-burning lamp flickered, casting the ancestral tablets on and off, creating an atmosphere of solemnity and tranquility. Li Zhao took out a slender silver needle, heated it over the candlelight, took Xue Sui's hand, and pointed to his own heart.

His hands had distinct knuckles, and were steady and strong...

A hint of surprise flashed across Xue Sui's face as he watched him gently pierce the left side of the chest, drawing out the heart's blood.

“You can just use your fingers…” He handed her the silver needles.

Xue Sui took it and gently pricked it with his fingertip.

A slight stinging sensation came, and blood slowly seeped out.

Li Zhao pinched her fingertips, letting the blood drip slowly, causing their blood to mingle and become indistinguishable.

"Do you remember how the Love Silk Gu was planted?" he asked in a low voice.

“Using blood as a catalyst, the two Gu worms coexist,” Xue Sui replied softly.

“Then let us break the curse with blood and resolve the grudge with love.” Li Zhao gazed at her, his voice hoarse and deep, carrying an unyielding coldness, “Ping An, I am willing to merge my blood with yours. Your life is my life, and my life is your life. We will overcome life and death together.”

Xue Sui was shocked. "No, I don't want you to die."

She raised her eyes and looked into his deep gaze, "I want you to live, and to be a good emperor..."

Li Zhao looked at her, gave her an incredibly gentle smile, and lightly stroked her cheek.

“Silly Ping An, without you, what use is this vast empire to me? I would just be a lonely man, guarding the cold dragon throne, spending the rest of my life.”

"Your Majesty..." Xue Sui wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Lai Fu's announcement from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty and Your Highness, Guard Guan has come to report that a young lady named Yuheng is requesting an audience outside the palace. She has important matters to report to Your Highness."

Li Zhao frowned, about to refuse, but Xue Sui pressed his hand down: "Please let her in."
-
Yuheng was soon led to a side hall of Pifang Pavilion.

She was still dressed in plain clothes, without any makeup, and looked a little more haggard than when we last met. The sharpness between her brows had softened, and the fierceness of the past was gone.

Xue Sui ordered tea and snacks to be served, dismissed his attendants, and then spoke.

"Senior sister, what brings you here today?"

Yuheng lowered his eyes and stared at the cup. After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "I have come today to tell you something. It concerns... the Love Silk Gu."

Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, and her gaze sharpened: "Senior Sister, please speak freely."

"That Love Silk Gu... ah..."

Yuheng spoke slowly but clearly: "There is no such thing as being bound by fate. At first, it may indeed stir one's emotions and lead one to become addicted... but as time goes by, the poison will gradually fade, and in the end, it will only leave a slight tingling or tingling sensation when emotions fluctuate, without endangering one's life..."

Xue Sui suddenly stood up, his expression changed drastically, and he looked at her in disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Yuheng met her surprised and suspicious gaze and continued, "Your master has raised you since you were a child, treating you like her own daughter. She would never want you to suffer, so how could she use such a vicious thing to control you and harm your life?"

"Senior Sister? Is this true?" Xue Sui's voice trembled slightly.

"The idea of ​​the Love Silk Gu being bound by fate is something I made up. The things my master said before he died were also false... Even though my master hated the Li family to the bone, he never thought of harming you in the slightest..." Yuheng's eyes welled up with tears.

"She was tormented by love her whole life and suffered countless betrayals. She was afraid that you would follow in her footsteps and be blinded by Li Zhao, so she resorted to lies to force you to sever your ties with him..."

She looked directly at Xue Sui, speaking each word clearly.

"From beginning to end, this Love Silk Gu was just a facade. The reason you and Li Zhao had such a strong reaction was because you had genuine feelings for each other, and it had nothing to do with the Love Silk Gu."

What? Xue Sui felt a tightness in his throat.

A myriad of thoughts surged into my mind, and for a moment I was unsure whether to feel sorrow or joy.

It turns out that all those worries that kept me up day and night, all that tossing and turning in bed, were just a hoax...

Yuheng slowly stood up, her hands hanging at her sides slightly curled up, her voice choked with emotion.

"And I... I hate you for killing Master and then turning around to help the Li family's enemies. My resentment is hard to quell... That's why I've refused to tell you the truth, and even deliberately misled my senior brother, deepening your fear of Gu poison... It was my selfishness that led me to keep the truth hidden until today..."

Xue Sui stood frozen in place, his whole body ice-cold, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head.

"Then why are you telling the truth now?"

Yuheng wiped the moisture from the corner of his eyes, his expression bitter.

"Firstly, after the imperial court issued an edict to provide preferential treatment to the remnants of the old mausoleum clan, most of them chose to return to their hometowns and settle down. Therefore, my continued attachment to hatred is meaningless. Secondly..."

She paused, her voice even lower, "Guanhai sent me a message the day before yesterday, saying that while searching for the antidote to the Love Silk Gu in the Southern Frontier, my eldest brother accidentally entered the miasma, aggravating an old injury. He remains unconscious and his condition is critical..."

Xue Sui was struck dumb, staggered, and only managed to steady himself by holding onto the edge of the table.

Yuheng closed his eyes, tears silently streaming down his face. "Only now do I understand that no matter how deep the hatred, it can't compare to the life of a loved one... The best way to comfort the deceased is for the living to live well."

Xue Sui stared at her blankly.

It felt as if a huge rock was pressing on my heart, and my voice shattered.

"Senior Brother, he..."

"He has always had feelings for you." Yuheng bowed deeply, said no more, and turned to leave.

Upon learning the truth about the Silkworm Gu and the news of Tian Shu's peril, Li Zhao was equally shocked.

He held Xue Sui's trembling shoulders tightly and said in a deep voice, "I will immediately send people to the southern border and spare no effort to rescue Tian Shu."

Xue Sui leaned against him, her eyes burning, unable to speak for a long time.
-
The days that followed were far from peaceful for Xue Sui.

Aside from reading and doing some simple needlework every day, she spent most of her time recuperating in Pifang Pavilion, quietly waiting for news from the southern border.

Li Zhao devoted himself to political affairs and used an iron fist to rectify the court.

He ordered a thorough investigation of the hidden agents left behind by Prince Duan, an inventory of the military equipment secretly stored in the Prince's residence, and a redeployment of the capital's defenses. At the same time, he secretly dispatched imperial guards to monitor the movements of the court. He was ruthless, demoting or transferring several officials who had most enthusiastically used the selection of imperial concubines as a pretext, thus discouraging other officials from sending their daughters to the palace…

For safety reasons, the news of Xue Sui's pregnancy was strictly kept secret. Apart from a few close confidants, only the imperial physician Zhang Huaicheng knew about it.

Zhang Huaicheng would take the baby's pulse every few days and personally prepare medicine to ensure a safe pregnancy.

Xue Sui, however, was preoccupied with Tian Shu and found it difficult to maintain a cheerful disposition...

Knowing her worries, Li Zhao would always return to Pifang Pavilion, even if he was extremely busy, to dine with her.

At night, he needed to hold her in his arms to fall asleep. Even if he couldn't do anything, he would always whisper tenderly to her for a while, making up for the months they had been apart.

That afternoon, Yaoguang entered the palace by imperial decree.

He went to Pifang Pavilion to see Xue Sui.

He wore a long blue robe, his hair was neatly tied up, and he looked much more composed than before, having lost some of his former arrogance.

After taking his seat, he took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"A letter just arrived from the Southern Frontier. Thirteen, the eldest brother has awakened. However, the miasma has damaged his lungs and internal organs, severely depleting his vital energy. I don't know if he can... recover to his former state..."

He spoke calmly and casually.

But the words that were stopped in time made Xue Sui understand a few things.

She concealed the worry in her eyes and calmly asked, "The southern border is hot and humid, making it difficult to recuperate. Have you managed to bring the person back?"

Yao Guang shook his head. “Guan Hai and Qing Feng are looking after him, and Yu Heng and Kai Yang have also gone there. Senior Brother specifically instructed us not to disturb too many people.” He paused, then raised his clear eyes and looked at him deeply. “You know his feelings. Rather than returning to the capital, it’s better to let him be free.”

Xue Sui nodded silently.

Amidst the fragrant aroma of tea, the two remained silent.

Outside the window, the sycamore leaves fall, making a rustling sound.

A few days later, Xue Sui received a letter from Tian Shu sent from the southern border.

The letter contained not a single word, only a withered daylily tucked inside the plain paper.

Xue Sui held the letter, stood by the window for a long time, gazing at the desolate courtyard, and finally smiled softly before carefully placing it into a sandalwood box.

Besides the forget-me-not, there was also a small booklet in the box.

The booklet's pages were yellowed and the edges were worn. It was covered with countless names, just like the one that had been burned in the brazier.

The only difference is that this book has Tian Shu's annotations...

Her fingertips lightly traced the page, and she pursed her lips slightly.

Then she closed the box and locked it, and slowly walked into the courtyard, stopping in front of the few jujube seedlings she had planted herself.

This was brought back to her by Tian Shu.

This flower is drought-resistant and resilient, with a tenacious vitality, just like the people of the old mausoleum, and just like her.

After finishing his official duties, Li Zhao came to find her. He saw her gazing at the seedlings in a daze, so he gently embraced her from behind, looking at the new green shoots.

"Missing your senior brother?"

Xue Sui turned and glanced at him: "How many spies has Your Majesty planted around me?"

Li Zhao chuckled and leaned in to kiss her earlobe. "Why do I need spies? If I can't figure out what's on your mind, I'm no good as emperor."

“You’re such a chatterbox…” Xue Sui glanced at him, and couldn’t help but smile.

Li Zhao tightened his arms around her waist, looked at the jujube seedlings, and his tone became serious.

"Once the world is at peace, I will definitely make time to accompany you to Xiz, to see the sacred mountain of Ulan that you mentioned, and to see the starry sky and the desert there."

Xue Sui leaned against him, but did not respond immediately.

Li Zhao looked down at her.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Looking at the smile on his face, Xue Sui suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.

Seeing her silence, Li Zhao did not press her for details, but instead took out a brocade pouch from his bosom and handed it to Xue Sui.

"Take it."

Xue Sui took it and curiously opened it to take a look.

Inside lay a warm, smooth seal with a dragon pattern.

Why did you give me this?

"This is my private seal. It can be used to mobilize the secret guards of the capital, to freely enter and leave the palace, and to open my private treasury and take away the valuables inside. If you encounter difficulties in the future, or feel lonely in the deep palace, you can go anywhere in the world."

In other words, holding this small seal was equivalent to holding Li Zhao's lifeline. And while it wasn't a powerful tool for controlling the court, it was the greatest promise a husband could give his wife—

Let her always retain the freedom and confidence to leave.

"Why..." Xue Sui's throat tightened slightly.

"I want you to understand," Li Zhao said, looking at her. "My heart is not made of stone, it cannot be changed."

"Li Zhao..."

"Keep it safe." He chuckled gently, patting the back of her hand. "While I'm here, it's your plaything. If I'm gone, it will be your talisman. Can you rest easy then?"

Xue Sui's fingertips were burning hot.

The small seal felt incredibly heavy; she almost couldn't hold it.

Li Zhao understands her.

She grew up amidst betrayal and scheming, witnessing the fickleness of human nature, and possessed a deeply calculating and ever-vigilant mind. Now, as Empress, she fears the fleeting nature of the Emperor's favor. Once she loses his heart, not only will she be punished, but the orphans of the old imperial tombs will also be purged, leaving her with no way out.

Therefore, she kept the core roster given to her by Tian Shu, but burned the copied copy in front of him.

So he knew everything...

I still chose to let it go.
-
The coronation ceremony was scheduled for the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.

Before dawn, Xue Sui was awakened by a warm touch.

"Black Eighteen...stop fooling around." She reached out in a daze to slap him, but touched a face with sharp features.

"You shrew, how dare you hit me..." Li Zhao had already lit the glass lamp by the bedside.

Xue Sui opened her eyes and saw his smiling eyes.

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Your Majesty, it's time to get up and do your hair."

"What time is it?" She nestled lazily closer into his arms, her nose brushing against the slightly open collar of his nightgown. She breathed out soft, warm breath onto his warm, firm skin, her voice soft and alluring, tinged with languid sleepiness.

"His Majesty is even more anxious than the palace servants."

Li Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his dark eyes deepened. "Xue Ping'an, if you keep making a fuss, I won't tell you to get up."

He had been very restrained and patient these days because of her pregnancy.

With a soft, fragrant body in my arms, and it being the time of morning arousal, it's hard not to feel restless...

Xue Sui felt her ears burning from the sting of his words...

"Don't……"

Li Zhao bent down and pulled her into his arms. "The imperial physician said that the pregnancy is stable after four months... It's alright to be a little gentle."

Xue Sui felt a chill run down his spine when he thought of what happened last time. He tried to push him away, but Xue Sui easily grabbed his wrist and said in a hoarse voice, "Trust me, I won't hurt you."

The kiss landed softly, from her brow to her lips, tenderness tinged with an almost unbearable longing...

Her throat was dry, and she gripped his nightgown tightly, her breathing becoming erratic. He chuckled at her sight, avoiding her lower abdomen as he wrapped his arms around her, his hand firmly supporting her lower back, his other hand intertwining with hers, caressing her inch by inch.

"Let me pamper you this once..."

"Everyone outside is waiting... How could you be so reckless..."

"It'll only be for a short while, it won't delay anything."

The glass lamp shone brightly, its light blinding her. Her ears burned, and she covered her face with a handkerchief, deciding to hide like a turtle in its shell...

Li Zhao chuckled softly and gently pulled it open.

In the bright light, her eyebrows were tinged with a light pink, and even her gaze towards him was soft and sticky, like sugar soaked in honey, so sweet that it made his heart tremble.

She was the one he was most infatuated with.

Whenever he saw her moved, his heart would swell violently.

Her pleasure brought him satisfaction and joy far surpassing his.

He was the one who made her let down her guard; he was the one who shattered her restraint; he was the one who turned her breath into soft, delicate moans. He loved her like this, almost to the point of addiction…

At the moment they made love, his burning fullness and passion were almost overflowing...

The bedchamber was filled with a warm, fragrant aroma, and the curtains swayed gently.

Outside, a group of female officials and palace maids carried phoenix crowns and ceremonial robes. Hearing the faint, tender moans coming from inside, they all blushed with embarrassment, yet couldn't help but look at each other and smile.

On this day, the sky was clear and the wind was gentle.

When the auspicious hour arrived, bells and drums sounded in unison.

Empress Xue Sui was dressed in elaborate and magnificent imperial robes, with a crown adorned with nine dragons and four phoenixes, its tassels swaying. The phoenixes held pearls in their mouths and spread their wings as if about to take flight. Her brocade skirt trailed more than ten feet long on the ground. She was slowly led by eight female officials as she spread out on the white marble steps, exuding elegance, nobility, and unparalleled solemnity.

Li Zhao, dressed in a black imperial robe, stood on the steps of the palace, her figure clearly reflected in his eyes.

The deep, resonant chanting of the master of ceremonies echoed across the square.

"I have heard that the way of Heaven and Earth lies in the mutual support of Heaven and Earth. The essence of human relations lies in the harmony between husband and wife. You, Lady Xue, are gentle and virtuous by nature, and kind and gentle by character. Your wisdom comes naturally, and your perseverance is honed through trials. You have assisted me in times of hardship and maintained your integrity amidst turbulent times. You have always been concerned about the country and have repeatedly offered strategies for the peace and stability of the nation. Your plans are well-structured and your decisions are clear. Your virtuous example has been established, and you are praised by the court and the people. Now, I bestow upon you the golden book and the golden seal, establishing you as Empress, placing you in the central palace, and making you the mother of the nation. You should further cultivate your virtue and conduct, assist in the management of the inner palace, uphold the sacrifices of the ancestral temples, and bring peace to the people of the four seas. Respect this!"

Under the watchful eyes of the officials and nobles, Li Zhao personally descended the steps and extended his hand to her.

"Empress, come with me."

Their hands were clasped tightly together.

As Xue Sui listened to the official's chanting, he stepped onto the white marble steps.

The steps were long, seemingly endless.

On either side stood solemn ceremonial guards, and behind them knelt a dense mass of court officials.

Xue Sui gazed calmly ahead, images flashing before his eyes...

"Thirteen, why are you walking so slowly? Are you still complaining about your teacher?"

Xue Sui looked up in surprise and saw Jing Shan, her gray-blue robes sweeping across the steps, slowly walking towards him.

She smiled, her face gentle, a stark contrast to her usual stern demeanor.

"You chose this path yourself. Even if it's difficult, don't give up or regret it."

"Sixth Sister, Mother, don't be afraid." Another gentle voice came from behind, it was Xue Ji.

She wore Princess Sisz's old robe, with her favorite jujube flower tucked behind her ear, and her fingertips extended as if to brush against her cheek.

"You will walk the path your mother couldn't finish."

"Sixth Sister, don't follow my example..."

Xue Sui's steps grew heavier, and the pearl on her phoenix crown swayed gently, reflecting the moisture in her eyes.

"Sixth Sister, you now enjoy all the honors and are worshipped by thousands. Do you still remember how you were pushed into the mud pit and forced to kneel in the ancestral hall when I was in the Xue family?" Another voice rang out, filled with resentment and complaint.

It is Xue Yueying.

She said, "In the end, you still... got your revenge for what happened back then, and became the person I was jealous of."

Xue Sui's back stiffened, and he stopped in his tracks.

The wind blew along the jade steps, carrying Li Huan's gentle yet cool voice.

“Ping An… The Empress is cold and distant. You’ll understand sooner or later. You may not be able to hold onto Li Zhao’s love… I’ll be watching you from below…”

As soon as the words fell, Ping Le appeared out of nowhere, sneering, "Xue Liu, you think you've won? How long can you be so smug in this dog-eat-dog world? The emperor's favor is all just a mirage. One day, you'll become a laughingstock too."

Xie Weilan also sighed and said, "Lu Xi and I have been working so hard, but I never expected that in the end it would be you who benefited."

Lu Xi also came: "We always think about climbing up by stepping on other people's shoulders, but she has kept her true self, which makes her better than us."

The wind picked up, whipping up a fallen leaf that brushed against her elaborate skirt.

As the steps ascend, the view becomes increasingly expansive.

The jade steps and palace walls gleamed brightly, dazzling the eyes.

She seemed to see, in the crowd, unfamiliar faces clad in lamellar armor, their eyes filled with tears—

Those were two hundred thousand soldiers who died unjustly, silently bowing before the steps.

"Young lady, the old case has been cleared, and the injustice done to 200,000 brothers has been redressed."

"Our descendants are living good lives, and we can rest in peace in the afterlife."

“Girl, walk forward, we’ll be watching you.”

"And I."

"And there are us, the two hundred thousand people of the Old Mausoleum, all remembering your kindness..."

"Sixth Sister, don't stop." Xue Ji's voice softened, and her figure gradually faded into a thin mist. "Your good days are ahead, and I am very happy... happier than anyone else."

Jing Shan paused for a moment, her voice carried on the wind, "Keep moving forward, walk carefully, and don't look back."

Xue Sui felt a tightness in his throat and steadily walked upwards step by step...

She saw the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp at Puji Temple, the old pear tree at Lixiangyuan, the mutton soup hotpot at Qingshiyi in western Xinjiang, and countless faces, some clear and some blurry...

Lu Xi, Ping Le, Xie Weilan, Yao Wei, You Zhimu...

Faces, some clear and some blurry, flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern, interwoven with power struggles, bloodshed, tenderness, betrayal, and redemption.

They are the paths she has walked, the debts she has borne, and the cocoon she has broken free from.

In the end, all the light and shadow and faces transformed into the solid steps beneath my feet and the warm palms of the people around me.

The wind gradually subsided.

Even the longest staircase eventually comes to an end...

The two walked hand in hand to the highest point.

He turned around, looked down at the officials, and received the worship of the masses.

"Long live your majesty!"

"The Queen is a thousand years old, a thousand years old!"

The sound was deafening, and the momentum was magnificent.

Not far away, a few excited barks from Blackie XVIII could be heard, adding a touch of human warmth to this solemn moment.

(End of the book)

　Li Zhao, peace, goodbye.

　　Sisters, this story has finally come to an end.

　　As I typed "The End" again, my heart was filled with turbulent emotions, as always.

　　The writing process for this book was not smooth. I fell ill several times along the way and am still taking medication. Sometimes I would sit in front of the computer and stare at a blank document for most of the day.

　　But every time I open the backend and see the warm messages, those difficult moments seem to be gently soothed.

　　Writing has never been a burden for me.

　　Just knowing that the characters in the story are still alive and that you, the viewers, are still waiting, will give my hands the strength to type, even if I'm not feeling well.

　　Because I know there is a group of people like me who are looking forward to a perfect ending.

　　Of course, the ending may not satisfy you, and neither will I.

　　Every book has its regrets, or rather, it didn't present its best version; every review also brings frustration...

　　I hope I can do even better with my next book.

　　There's a high probability that a side story will be written for this book.

　　If you have any scenes you'd like to see, a character's daily life, or details of a story, feel free to let me know in the comments. Perhaps your idea will become a page in the bonus chapter…

　　As for my new book, I haven't decided yet, but I won't stop writing unless you all abandon me, hahaha...

　　Once I've adjusted to my new situation, I'll definitely come back to see you all.

　　Finally, I want to say sincerely: Thank you all.

　　Thank you for your understanding of my occasional delays in updating, and thank you for sending me your blessings when I was sick.

　　May we meet here again when the next story begins.
　　(End of this chapter)