Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 105 The storm is coming

The next day someone came from the palace.

It was Wang Chengxi who was beside Emperor Chongzhao.

It was he who came carrying the plaque of "Benevolence, Kindness and Benevolence" and it was still him who came to deliver the good news today. He was very good at smiling, and whoever saw him would suddenly have a smile in their eyes.

Such people are generally likable.

Xue Yuechen smiled and ordered his servants to prepare generous gifts and welcome him in.

"Eunuch Wang, please come in quickly. Lady Xue will be here soon..."

Cheng Xi bowed slightly and said with a smile: "Excuse me. I am here to convey His Majesty's oral instructions. I dare not delay the work. I will leave after a few words. I will not disturb you, my princess..."

He was very polite and never put on airs just because he served in the imperial court.

"Why should you be polite to me, eunuch?" Xue Yuechen smiled and personally stuffed the bag full of silver and money into Wang Chengxi's hands.

"My father-in-law is busy, so I can't keep you here. It's only right that I treat you to a cup of hot tea."

Wang Chengxi no longer refused.

When serving in the imperial court, sometimes not accepting money would make people suspicious, so it was better to follow the customs of the world. He knew this well, so he smiled and greeted them.

Xue Sui's "illness has not yet recovered", so his steps are much slower.

When she entered the house, everyone was already there.

Wang Chengxi suppressed his smile, stood at the head and announced the decree loudly.

"In compliance with His Majesty's order, Mrs. Xue from Prince Duan's Mansion is gentle, respectful, frugal, virtuous, and has served Prince Duan wholeheartedly and with outstanding virtues. She is hereby promoted to Lady of Prince Duan's Mansion and given the title of 'Ping An'. I hope that you will abide by the virtues of a woman, stick to your original intention, be diligent, and share the Emperor's grace. I decree--"

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

Everyone knelt down and kowtowed in unison.

After reading the edict, Wang Chengxi bent his straight back, as if he had become a different person. He kept bowing in front of Xue Yuechen with a smile on his face.

"Princess, Madam Ping'an, congratulations, congratulations, I will go back and report now."

With the title, there is a world of difference between "Lady Ping'an" and "Lady Ru" as Li Zhao mentioned.

Madam is equivalent to Madam, and her status is not much higher than that of an ordinary concubine. However, "Madam Ping'an" is an official title, with the emperor's oral order, which at least puts her half foot into the ranks of noble ladies.

Xue Sui had known about this beforehand, so there was no surprise on his face and he returned the gift calmly.

This calmness and composure made Wang Chengxi look at him a few more times.

"Madam, you must take good care of yourself and give birth to a grandson for Your Majesty as soon as possible. By then, you will surely receive rewards and grace..."

Xue Sui: "Thank you for your advice, eunuch."

Wang Chengxi waved his hand, "Madam, you are being polite. You are welcome."

Xue Yuechen looked at Wang Chengxi's smiling face, his expression stiffened for a moment, and the hand holding the handkerchief unconsciously clenched slightly.

She was filled with joy and honor when her sixth sister was given a title.

However, when she learned from Wang Chengxi that it was Li Huan who personally went to the palace to ask for the decree, her mood instantly plummeted. She felt a little lightheaded when she stepped on the ground, as if she couldn't touch the ground, and her head was heavy...

The last time Li Huan personally spoke to Concubine Xiao was for Concubine Zhang.

She said that she had known him since childhood and they had a childhood sweetheart relationship, but after so many years, she didn't see any deep affection between them.

Because Li Huan never showed favoritism to other women in the harem, her position was stable and unshakable, and she was always tolerant and generous, and she did not fight with the world...

At this moment, the tightness in her chest told her...

In fact, she is not as generous as she thinks.
-
The news that Miss Xue Liu was promoted to "Lady Ping'an" was quickly passed back to the Xue family.

So Qian prepared a few more tables for the feast.

She seemed to be full of energy, busy as a whirlwind, as if her own daughter was favored and she wanted to tell the world about it.

Old Mrs. Cui's face was flushed and she was smiling from ear to ear.

"I saw that the sixth girl had a promising future, and now it has come true. I am an old lady, and my eyes are not blurred. I chose the right person..."

Fu sat aside, with the corners of her mouth curled up, sneering in her heart.

What a bunch of sycophants, disgusting!
When did the old lady ever have the slightest bit of good expression towards Xue Liu?
Wasn't she also afraid that the "Seven Evil Stars" would affect her son's future and ruin the Xue family's reputation? But now she pretended to be a good person.

Disrespecting the elderly!
She only dared to complain about these words in her heart. Her face was like that of a puppet, cold and hard. She sat there in silence, looking at the delicacies on the table, not wanting to move her chopsticks.

Qian smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, do you think you are not very happy?"

Fu showed a barely perceptible mockery and responded slowly.

"I think there are some promising girls in our family. But is it worth making such a big fuss about a concubine being made a lady?"

Qian saw the disdain in her eyes and twitched the corner of her mouth.

"Of course, you can't compare to my eldest sister-in-law who gave birth to a highly respected royal wife. You are the mother of the lucky star of eight fortunes, and you have brought honor to the family... Who in Shangjing City doesn't know this? If it weren't for God's will, the sixth girl would have died outside long ago. Her life was so miserable, how can it be compared with the eldest girl's?"

Fu's face turned pale and pointed at her face: "You..."

Qian raised her eyebrows and smiled slightly, "Sister-in-law, why do you look so bad? Is it because the food is not to your taste? I heard that sister-in-law has been suffering from nightmares recently, and she has to take the ten taels of silver a dose of nourishing medicine every day to calm down. Would you like to ask the kitchen to make a new portion for you?"

Qian took over the power to manage the family, and Fu had always disliked her. The sarcasm in her words made Fu so angry that her face turned red and she was burning with anger.

But before he could respond, a violent cough started from his throat...

Upon seeing this, Qian gave instructions to the steward with a forced smile.

"I'll ask Doctor Zhang if he has any good medicine or prescription. No matter how much it's worth, just send it to Qinglan Courtyard. Don't let a minor illness turn into a major one. People will say that I, as the sister-in-law of my brother, am too harsh on my sisters-in-law..."

Murder and kill!
Qian really knows how to curse.

He didn't utter a single curse word and his expression didn't change at all.

Seeing that Fu was coughing violently and gasping for breath, Xue Qingxiu glanced at Qian, signaling her to stop, and then turned around to pour wine for Xue Qingzhi.

"Brother, let's drink together and don't worry about women's affairs. Let them talk about theirs and we drink ours..."

Xue Qingzhi sat there, looking unhappy.

No matter which daughter is favored, it is a good thing for the Xue family...

But the Sixth Miss's actions were unpredictable, and everything that had happened in the Xue Mansion in the past was like a huge rock blocking his heart, pressing down on him, making him feel heavy and indescribably awkward.

As the Minister of Justice, Xue Qingzhi knew the details of several cases more thoroughly than anyone else. He had no evidence to suspect Xue Liu, and there was no need to implicate his own daughter...

But for some reason, every time I saw Xue Sui, I felt uncomfortable.

He used to think it was guilt.

Come to think of it, it’s not.

He was speechless, so he silently picked up the wine cup and accepted his congratulations.

Xue Qingxiu was all smiles, genuinely happy for Xue Sui. He was enjoying himself, drinking until his tongue was tied, his cheeks flushed, and he felt tipsy.

"Wife, it won't be long before the mansion prepares another banquet to celebrate."

Qian's eyes lit up instantly.

"What good news is there, my husband?"

Xue Qingxiu sat up straight, his shoulders and back straight, and it was difficult to hide the smugness on his face.

"During the military exercise last month, I, your husband, showed my prowess and led a hundred men to break through three formations in a row! General Yiwu gave me a golden arrowhead in public and wanted to promote me to the rank of Yihui Captain."

He patted his chest as he spoke, "From now on, your husband will command 500 brave cavalrymen and be a seventh-rank official of the imperial court..."

The rank of Yihui Xiaowei was not very high, but it was a real military position.

It is obvious that General Yiwu trained Xue Qingxiu as his trusted subordinate and really appreciated him.

Qian was extremely happy to know that her husband had a bright future, and she was so excited that she stroked her sleeves and applauded.

"Then let's hold a grand ceremony and invite all those powerful relatives who have always looked down on our Third House to come and let them have a good look at the majesty of our Third Master..."

"No, no!" Xue Qingxiu was horrified and quickly held Qian's arm. "A tall tree attracts the wind, so don't act ostentatiously... Let's just stay in the room and have fun."

Qian also knew the pros and cons of the matter. She just said that to take the opportunity to provoke Fu and vent old grudges.

Mrs. Cui was pleased to see him being so cautious. Sanlang had really grown up!

He is no longer the reckless boy he used to be.

The Xue family celebrated with joy, but Xue Yueying, who returned to her parents' home after noon to announce the good news, felt as if she had been slapped in the face.

She made a fool of herself on her wedding day, and not long after she got married, Gu Jie was thrown into prison.

The fourth daughter, the most favored one in the Xue family, married into a high-ranking family and thought she would live a glorious life, but ended up in a miserable state.

During this period, she did not go back to her parents' home to show off.

Now that Gu Jie has been released from prison, and a doctor has found out that she is pregnant with a boy, she thought she could be proud of herself when she returns to her parents' home today...

When I came back, I heard that Xue Liu was promoted...

Not only that, Prince Duan also took pity on Xue Liu's frail health and wanted to put aside his duties in the capital and take her to another garden to escape the summer heat...

Listening to the old lady praising Xue Liu, the third lady even said that she was a lucky star without repeating herself...

Xue Yueying clenched the handkerchief in her hand, feeling as uncomfortable as if she had eaten a fly.

She was the one who should be in the limelight, praised by everyone and enjoying all the honors. How could Xue Liu, an abandoned girl and concubine, compare to her, the wife of the marquis' mansion?
She felt greatly humiliated.

Blame Gu Jie for being a coward and not striving for success...

Blame the elder sister for being partial and protecting Xue Liu.

It’s strange that the lady is so cold-hearted and vicious.

It’s strange that Marquis Jingyuan only has the title but no ability.

It was also her father's fault for not supporting her...

As the Minister of Justice, he held great power. If he had been willing to lend a hand, how could Gu Jie be thrown into prison? How could he have ended up in such a miserable situation?

Of course, the person she hated the most was Xue Liu.

"Why? Why does she?"

She couldn't hold back any longer, tears welled up in her eyes.
-
At the end of May, the heat became more intense.

The sun shines through the treetops, as if it wants to steam people.

Xue Sui and Jinshu were flipping through a newly acquired cookbook, thinking of some drinks to cool off, when Yuzhui, a maid from Muyue Residence, came over to report.

"Madam Ping'an, the princess sent me to inform you that the date for going to the villa with the prince has been set, which is May 26th. There are only a few days left. Madam, if you have anything to bring, please pack it up early, so as not to be in a hurry and delay the time. The princess also ordered the carriage clerk to prepare three carriages for you. Madam, take a look, are three carriages enough? If not, just let me know."

Xue Sui smiled. "That's enough. Thank the princess for me."

Yuzhui bowed respectfully.

"Then I will report this to the princess..."

Xue Sui said, "Young lady, please wait."

Yuzhui stopped and asked, "Madam, do you have any other instructions?"

Xue Sui looked at Jin Shu with a smile.

Jinshu understood what he meant and took out a red coral hairpin.

"This is a gift from our lady. Look at this hairpin, it seems to be tailor-made for Miss Yuzhui."

She turned around again and took a sandalwood food box from Ruyi.

"The snacks here were made by our Madam herself for the princess. I hope the young lady will tell the princess that Madam will always remember her kindness. If it weren't for the princess's protection, how could Madam live peacefully in this mansion?"

Yuzhui understood what she meant and smiled stiffly.

"Thank you for the reward, Madam. I will report back word for word."

Xue Yuechen felt uncomfortable because of Li Huan's favor, and Xue Sui naturally felt it.

Otherwise, she would tell her the news in person and ask her about those trivial matters in person, and would not send a maid to convey it verbally.

As soon as Yuzhui left, Jinshu sighed.

"Princess, you know that the young lady has no intention of competing for your favor, but you still insist on competing with her. You are really asking for trouble."

Xue Sui lowered his head, looked at the black bowl of medicine on the cabinet, and frowned slightly.

"It's a crime to possess a treasure. She was afraid that I wouldn't be favored by the prince, and she was also afraid that I would be too popular and steal her favor... In this deep mansion, she put a lot of thought into it, so it's inevitable that she would be on guard against others, which is normal."

It wasn't just Xue Yuechen who felt fearful.

All the women in the royal palace and the backyard will keep their eyes on her.

Jinshu nodded.

"Prince Duan's favor comes inexplicably, don't you find it strange, young lady?"

What's so strange?
It’s just that Li Huan suspected her.

Xue Sui smiled.

"Praise to kill."

It is both praise and criticism.

Jinshu asked, "How does the girl deal with it?"

Xue Sui: "Conquer others with virtue."
-
When Xue Yueying got the news, she went to the palace to meet Xue Yuechen.

At noon, beads of sweat appeared on her forehead and she looked anxious.

"I heard that Prince Duan's garden is quiet and elegant, with several ice cellars, lotus ponds, waterside pavilions, water wheels, bamboo buildings, and flowing wine cups, which are the best way to cool down. My sister is pregnant and has difficulty moving. She has also been feeling heavy recently. It's really hot and unbearable. I would like to ask for your mercy, so that I can go with you to cool down..."

She spoke, and as the eldest sister, how could Xue Yuechen not respond?

What's more, she knew what kind of person the Fourth Girl was like. If she didn't agree to her request, she might hold a grudge against her and might even say something exaggerated in front of her father.

Xue Yuechen smiled and said, "The prince wants to take advantage of these few days of rest to invite some relatives and friends to go to the other garden to make tea and discuss poetry. It would be nice if you can come along and join in the fun."

The people invited by Prince Duan were usually relatives of the royal family or princes and nobles. Usually, they would find an excuse to gather some literati and scholars together to show off their elegance and recite poems and compose couplets. It was not a particularly uncommon thing.

But no one expected that Crown Prince Li Zhao was also among the invited guests.

Moreover, Li Zhao did not refuse but agreed readily.

When Aji came to reply, Li Huan was in the study discussing the implementation details of the criminal law reform with his aide Liu Yin. Hearing the voice, he looked up and remained silent for a long time.

"Have you asked His Royal Highness the Crown Prince if he is feeling better recently?"

As we all know, not only Princess Pingle fell ill a while ago, but Li Zhao also had been ill for many days.

The servant Aji said, "In reply to your question, Your Highness, I have asked. Doctor Zhang is taking the pulse of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He said that His Royal Highness is just suffering from the heat and his body is weak, and his liver yang is a little hyperactive. Your Highness's villa has pleasant scenery, is cool and comfortable, and is the best place for recuperation."

After a pause, he bent down slightly and said with his head down: "His Royal Highness also said that he was very grateful for the prince's concern, and he was very pleased. Even if he was not feeling well, he would definitely accept the prince's invitation."

Li Huan thought for a moment and smiled slightly.

"You have done a good job. Come down and claim your reward."

Aji thanked him repeatedly and went down with a smile on his face.

Liu Yin knelt on the bamboo mat opposite Li Huan. Seeing a rare hesitation in the eyes of His Royal Highness Prince Duan, he couldn't help but frowned and bowed, saying:
"It is unusual for the Crown Prince to attend the appointment despite his illness. Your Highness must be careful in dealing with it..."

There was a loud "boom" from the sky.

A muffled thunder seemed to fall from the eaves.

Li Huan smiled calmly, stood up and walked to the window. The wind in the courtyard rustled, and the leaves rustled. It was originally a sunny and beautiful day, but in an instant it was covered with dark clouds, revealing an inexplicable weirdness.

"A storm is coming!"

On the first day of the Lunar New Year in 2025, I wish you all prosperity and everything goes well!
Xue Sui: Today is also a long chapter, but I will only update one chapter.

Li Zhao: It’s a pity that I have nothing to do with it…

Xue Sui: Although the prince passed away early last night, he still lives in the hearts of his readers.

Li Zhao: Thank you, Xue Ping'an.