Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 145 I Like You So Much
In order to avoid the heat on the road before dawn, Xue Sui packed up with Xiao Zhao and prepared to set off back to Beijing.

When Li Huan left the palace, he deliberately left behind the carriages and horses of Prince Duan's mansion. When they stepped out of the mansion, the carriages were already waiting in front of the steps outside the door.

Dong Xu held a savings box in his hand, and Wen Jia held Niuniu's hand, reluctantly seeing him off.

Wen Jia said, "My mother wanted to come and see the Sixth Miss off in person, but I advised her to rest in peace in the house. My mother asked me to tell the Sixth Miss to take good care of herself and have everything go well in the future."

Xue Sui bowed slightly, "Empress Zhaorong is kind-hearted, Xue Liu understands. Your Majesty is already weak, you need to rest and recuperate."

Wen Jia turned his head and called out, "Dong Xu."

Dong Xu hurriedly came forward with the box and said softly, "Sixth Miss, this is loquat cake made by our princess herself from loquats she picked herself. She got up just after the hour of Yin today and stared at the stove. It's still warm now. If you get hungry on the way, this will be a good snack to fill your stomach."

Xue Sui motioned Xiao Zhao to take the box from Dong Xu, raised his hand and gently stroked Niuniu's hair, fluttered his sleeves in the wind, and then stepped onto the carriage with a light figure and agile posture.

"Take care, Princess."

Wen Jia waved at her, and when he saw her bright smile, his eyes suddenly turned red.

"Sixth Miss, have a safe journey."

Xue Sui lifted the curtain, turned around, and gave him a playful look.

"Next time we meet, call me Ping An."

Wen Jia smiled and nodded heavily, "Take care."

Xue Sui smiled gently, and her dress fluttered in the breeze until the bamboo curtain slowly fell, covering her face.

The wheels rolled slowly over the bluestone road.

The sound of the bell from Puji Temple came from afar.

I don't know whose girl it is who is chopping wood, but she is singing a melodious tune in the mountains.

"The crescent moon shines on the red door, the embroidery needle hides the nine layers of grace, the lady of the east house is sewing a silk skirt... I want to ask my dear, which family are you waiting for..."
-
In Prince Duan's mansion, Xue Yuechen learned the news that Xue Sui had returned home, so he went out personally and walked down the steps to greet him.

"Sixth sister is finally back."

She smiled and invited Xue Sui in.

The group walked along the winding corridors of Yingyue Lake and slowly entered Tanqiu Courtyard.

It had only been three days since Xue Sui left the house, but Tan Qiu Courtyard had already been completely renovated.

Xiao Zhao took a quick look and couldn't help but exclaim: "How beautiful!"

Xue Yuechen leaned forward and held Xue Sui's arm, the hairpins on her temples swaying gently with her laughter.

"Since you haven't been at home for a few days, Tanqiu Courtyard has lost its luster. Yesterday, I sent someone to fumigate with Yurui Zhuyuexiang and thoroughly clean and decorate the house, hoping that you can live comfortably. Also, knowing that you are afraid of heat, I specially asked someone to put an ice basin in the house to cool you down. If I wasn't afraid of being too ostentatious and arousing the jealousy of those people, I would have moved the entire Qingliang Pavilion to you..."

Xue Sui bowed and said, "Princess, I am really sorry that you have taken so much trouble."

In the courtyard, jasmine, peony, crabapple and other flowers are placed among them. All the flowers are in full bloom, colorful like a brocade. The rich lotus fragrance drifts slowly from the lake, refreshing the heart.

Xue Yuechen looked very satisfied, "Sister, come and take a look. Do you like it?"

Xue Sui smiled and replied, "Of course I like it very much. But these flower decorations are too expensive. If others knew about it, I don't know how they would accuse me of being extravagant and wasteful."

Xue Yuechen smiled faintly and gave her a reproachful look.

"Who cares? As long as Sixth Sister is happy."

Xue Sui looked at her and said, "Big sister treats me so attentively and considerately, which makes me seem impolite. Leaving without saying goodbye is already an act of presumption, and I didn't bring anything back..."

Xue Yuechen gently held her hand, tears flickering in his eyes.

"Why are you saying that? You and I are sisters, real sisters. You don't know, but I heard that Sixth Sister met with danger on the road and was attacked by an assassin. I was so scared that I almost died."

She looked Xue Sui up and down again, her concerned eyes full of sincerity.

"Thanks to the blessing of the Bodhisattva, my sister was able to return safely."

Feicui smiled and said, "The princess has been restless these days. She recites scriptures and prays for Madam every day. She also personally brings people to carefully tidy up the courtyard, saying that she wants to give Madam a surprise..."

Xue Yuechen glanced at her and said with a smile: "You are the only one who talks too much, why don't you leave quickly."

Xue Sui was moved and said, "Big sister, you have been working really hard. Just send someone to do these trivial matters."

After that, she turned her head and scolded Jinshu, "You too, why do you just watch the princess suffer?"

Jinshu smiled and said, "The princess loves the lady, and no one can stop her."

Everyone laughed softly, and the yard was filled with a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Xue Yuechen sat in the Tanqiu Courtyard for a cup of tea, told Xue Sui to have a good rest, and then led the maids away.

Jinshu then leaned closer and whispered, "I don't know where the rumor came from, saying that the girl was a fake Xizi spy. The princess must be worried, so she brought people to check the courtyard carefully inside and out."

Xue Sui said calmly, "I left home when I was eight years old, how could she not recognize my features? She is just feeling uneasy and afraid of losing this person who can protect her from disasters."

Jinshu smiled lightly, "Just as the girl expected."

Ruyi hadn't seen Xue Sui for three days. She was as happy as a bee, chattering non-stop. She was busy tidying up the room and preparing clothes for replacement, and was extremely diligent.

That night, the master and his servants talked for a while and then went to bed late at night.

Early the next morning, Xue Yuechen sent Feicui to deliver a set of light blue silk dress with cloud patterns.

Jade said, "Tomorrow is the coming-of-age ceremony for the granddaughter of Duke Zheng. A coming-of-age banquet is being held and invitations are being sent out. The princess wants Madam to attend the ceremony with her."

"Duke Zheng's family?" Xue Sui raised his eyebrows and looked at Jinshu.

"But what about the Guo Silang family who is old friends with Eighth Sister?"

Feicui came from the Xue family and followed the eldest daughter, so of course she knew about the eighth daughter.

Originally, the Zhengguo Mansion and the Xue family were planning to discuss a marriage, but unexpectedly, Guo Zhaoxuan and Xue Yueman sneaked into the woods at the back of the Puji Temple and got involved in a murder case.

The Eighth Girl was disrespectful in her boudoir, causing a great disturbance in the city, and the Duke of Zheng refused to marry her. The Eighth Girl could not marry Guo Silang, and she missed Zhao Hong, the Young Master Zhao. She was neither high nor low, and she was unwilling to be a concubine, so she has not yet settled down...

Feicui couldn't help laughing as she thought about it, and covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief.

"Madam, your memory is probably better than that of the accountant. It is the Guo family of Duke Zheng. Guo Silang is from the second house, and his father is the second master Guo, the secretary of the Imperial Household Department. The granddaughter of the Guo family who will be coming of age tomorrow is the youngest daughter of the eldest house. She is lucky. Her mother's family is from the Luo family of Hui County, and her grandfather is Lord Luo, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. She will be coming of age this year, and according to the old rules, it is time to choose a husband's family..."

Xue Sui smiled slightly and said, "That's a coincidence."

In this capital city, there are complicated marriage relationships between the noble families.

It wouldn't hurt for her to join in the fun.
-
At noon, the high sun was scorching the earth, and the bricks and stones in front of the steps were shining with white light.

In the copper plate of Tanqiu Courtyard, the purple grapes were steaming and mist was rising. On the big locust tree outside the side hall, two spies were clinging to the branches of the locust tree and looking down. The green shorts on their backs, which were almost the same color as the leaves, were already soaked with sweat, and their faces were covered with sweat.

A spy rubbed his neck and complained: "This job is really terrible..."

After thinking about it, he happily weighed the purse around his waist.

"Fortunately, the reward is generous enough. If I work for another year or so, I can buy a small courtyard in Shangjing and marry a beautiful wife."

Another thinner spy glanced at him and said, "Are you stupid? Just enjoy yourself with the money you have. Marry a wife and have children? Your good days will be over. Look at me, your foolish brother..."

He rummaged through his purse and finally pulled out three copper coins. He said, "See? This is what happens when you marry a wife."

"..."

"Shh..."

The thin guard suddenly clenched the locust branch and said in a low voice, "Silence!"

"what happened?"

"Prince Duan is coming to Tanqiuyuan..."

The two looked at each other.

"Really, I was so scared that I broke out in a cold sweat."

Another spy squinted at the sun and said, "In this horrible weather, even if you're not scared, won't you sweat a lot?"

The cicadas are chirping non-stop.

Even though the two of them hid in the shade, it was still unbearable heat.

After holding their breath for a moment, the two exchanged glances again, and then they suddenly seemed to remember something and realized.

"Quick! Report to the prince——"
-
At this moment, Li Zhao had arrived outside the study of Tanqiuyuan.

Through the sparse shadows of the carved wooden window, Xue Sui was seen leaning slightly, examining a pot of orchids in front of the windowsill.

The air was filled with the fragrance of orchids. In the swaying light and shadow, she moved gently and her eyes were focused, as if she was whispering to the orchids.

Li Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, stroked his sleeves, and was about to go in when he suddenly heard a shrill bird cry in the sky.

A figure flashed by on the bluestone path outside the window.

Li Zhao quickly stepped sideways, his clothes flickered, and he quickly moved to the corner of the corridor behind the study.

Xue Sui was startled and turned his head subconsciously. Just as he was about to check what was going on, the maid Pei Lan ran in hurriedly.

"Madam, His Royal Highness Prince Duan is coming this way."

Li Huan left in a hurry at the Xishan Palace that day. Now that she came back, it was only a matter of time before she met Li Huan. It was always better to meet at noon than at night. Xue Sui glanced at the place where the figure disappeared and smiled happily.

"Prepare the tea quickly."

Li Huan came straight forward after the court session. He had not yet changed his court dress. He was wearing a luxurious dragon robe, with an upright posture, handsome features, and an imposing manner.

However, compared to when he was in the palace, he looked much colder now. After entering the house, he sat down on the rosewood armchair, keeping a proper distance from Xue Sui and not approaching him rashly.

Xue Sui sneered inwardly.

Yesterday, Xue Yuechen said that Li Huan had been staying in his own courtyard these days, neither visiting other ladies and concubines, nor staying overnight at her Muyue Residence.

People in the rear house spread the rumor that this was because the prince could not see Madam Ping'an and had lost his appetite.

Now that he had rushed here right after the morning court session, he was afraid that her reputation as a favorite concubine would be confirmed, and she would arouse even more jealousy in the future.

Xue Sui stood up and made tea for him.

"Your Majesty, you came here in such a hurry, is there something important?"

The gauze curtain swayed gently in the draft, and Li Huan's eyes swept across the old scar that was faintly visible under Xue Sui's sleeve.

The flesh there was slightly sunken, forming a sharp contrast with the fair skin.

"When did Ping'an get this injury?" His voice was slightly damp, and he lowered his head to drink tea, as if he was just chatting casually.

Xue Sui raised his arm, took a look, and said, "This, is it because I was naughty when I was a child? It's been too long, I don't remember it clearly."

Li Huan asked again: "Do you have any other scars on your body?"

Xue Sui replied: "Yes, there are quite a few."

Li Huan's dark eyes darkened slightly, "How did you do it?"

There was a sticky sound coming from the teacup.

The bracelet on Xue Sui's wrist hit the tea lid, making a jingling sound.

She smiled slightly and poured the boiling hot tea into the cup.

"Many. Some were beaten, some were cut with knives, and some were burned with irons..."

Li Huan suddenly grabbed her wrist and took the teapot away.

Xue Sui's sleeves slipped down, revealing the crisscross old scars on his wrists.

Li Huan's expression was stern, and he slowly lifted her sleeves, "Who is so bold?"

Xue Sui smiled and stared at Li Huan, "He is someone who was ordered by Princess Pingle."

Li Huan pulled her with a little force and his hand fell on her lower back.

"Is there a brand here, Ping An?"

Xue Sui raised his eyebrows and looked straight at him with his dark eyes.

high!
It’s really high!
Li Huan is a shrewd guy.

This expression seemed as if he really cared about her.

Xue Sui smiled brightly, without showing any nervousness at all.

"Yes. How did the prince know?"

Li Huan chuckled and slowly let go of her hand, behaving very appropriately.

"At that time, the people who often accompanied Pingle included You Zhimu, the son of You Zhu, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites; Yao Wei, the son of Yao Hong, the Minister of Internal Affairs; and Guo Zhaohuai, the grandson of Guo Pi, the Duke of Zheng..."