Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 341 Old Stories Resurface

Xue Sui remained silent.

She knew his personality; the more she refused, the less likely he was to give up.

Rather than getting caught up in the hype, it's better to go along with his wishes.

She nodded slightly, said nothing more, and jumped off the car first, going up the stone steps.

The mountain path was slippery, and Li Zhao had to pick up his horse. He lagged behind for a while, and his gaze fell on her slender back. He watched as the hem of her monk's robe swayed gently in the night wind, and her steps were steady as she stepped into the deep darkness. It felt as if a fire was burning in his chest.

"Safety."

"Ok?"

Don't walk too fast.

"..."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up."

“…Okay, okay.”

Li Zhao caught up with her in a few steps and stood beside her.

Suddenly hearing the light, airy response from her lips, my throat tightened and my heart stirred slightly.

"Ping An can also use the word 'repetition' now."

"……annoying!"

Their eyes met briefly in the dim light, and the smile in Li Zhao's eyes deepened.

"You little nun, when will you ever get rid of this habit of saying one thing and meaning another..."

He scolded her verbally, but his tone was full of indulgence.

Xue Sui suddenly stopped, composed himself, and stood quietly on the stone steps in front of the mountain gate.

"Your Highness, please wait. You cannot go any further. The nunnery is mostly frequented by women. Men and women should be kept separate. If you are seen by others, it may cause gossip."

The turmoil in Li Zhao's eyes quickly subsided, and he smiled easily.

"Okay. Go back and get some rest."

"You too."

Li Zhao did not press the matter further.

He slowly released Xue Sui's hand, his gaze fixed intently on her face. Whether he was still savoring the moment or enjoying the tranquility, his dark eyes were exceptionally deep in the night.

"Go in. I'll watch you enter and then leave."

Xue Sui nodded, entered the courtyard but stood quietly inside the wall until he heard the sound of horses' hooves sound again outside. Only then did he walk to the high eaves and watch the lone man and his carriage disappear into the quiet night, shimmering in the moonlight...

a long time……

She sighed softly, turned around, and walked back to the east wing.

Once inside, she opened the window and peered out for a moment, just about to lower the curtains...

A figure emerged silently from the shadow of the old plum tree.

Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, and he looked closely: "Senior Brother?"

Tian Shu stood there quietly, moonlight filtering through the dense leaves of the old plum tree, casting dappled shadows on his handsome face.

His gaze fell on Xue Sui, with a hint of scrutiny that was barely perceptible.

"Thirteen would never have been so careless before, actually losing... vigilance."

Xue Sui pursed her lips slightly.

She was usually alert, but because she and Li Zhaocai were relaxed, they didn't realize that their senior brother was lurking nearby.

"It was my oversight, I'm ashamed." With a smile, she met Tian Shu's gaze and said frankly, "Thank you for waiting so long, Senior Brother."

She knew that Tian Shu had seen it all.

They have no intention of explaining or covering anything up.

Tian Shu also knew that she knew he had seen it.

But she wasn't going to explain or cover anything up.

Some things are better left unsaid and need no further explanation.

Tian Shu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before turning towards the window.

He saw it all just now...

The green-curtained carriage of the Eastern Palace was not ostentatious, but it had its own solemn air.

Thirteen sat smiling beside the Crown Prince, the night breeze lifting their robes, their bodies intertwined as if rooted to the spot...

The sound of hooves faded away—

The Crown Prince personally drove him home; in all the world, perhaps only the person before him could receive such special treatment.

Tian Shu calmly withdrew his gaze, slowly walked into the house, and sat down to the side as if nothing had happened.

"The new king of Xiz, Turgutai, sent envoys to pay tribute, and they arrived at the post station on the outskirts of the capital three days later."

Xue Sui's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She walked over and sat down beside him before regaining her composure and pouring him tea.

"We are one step closer to what we have planned for the old mausoleum."

"Just a puppet supported by Amon Rakh." Tian Shu's tone was indifferent, his emotions as calm as a still well.

"The main delegation has not yet arrived, but the spice merchant named Alimu has already entered the capital."

“Alim?” Xue Sui remembered him.

He was Amonlah's confidant, a shrewd and cunning merchant. Seeing her understanding, Tian Shu nodded slowly, a chilling glint in his eyes.

“I received a secret report that after Alimu entered the capital, he continued to stay at the Tianshui Inn and frequently contacted some old acquaintances and merchants… Among them were people from the Jingyuan Marquis’s mansion.”

"Gu Jie?" Xue Sui raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Hmm." Tian Shu's gaze swept across her face, as if observing her reaction. "Young Master Gu is the clerk of the Court of State Ceremonial. He will be in charge of liaison for the Xizi delegation's visit to the capital... Moreover, he has recently shown great interest in the medicinal herbs, spices, and fur trade, and has also taken the initiative to manage the business of the Marquis of Jingyuan's residence. He and Alimu are also old acquaintances..."

Xue Sui remained calm and composed.

"It seems that Young Master Gu has figured it out. Rather than getting stuck in the quagmire, he might as well grab onto something."

She paused, then smiled, "Doing business with the people of the Xiz Royal Court, you've become much bolder than before."

“When people are in dire straits, they naturally become bolder.” Tian Shu’s voice was neither praise nor criticism, but rather straightforward and methodical. “His wife is now a frequent visitor to the Prince of Wei’s residence. Ever since the Princess of Wei married into the family, she has often brought the children to visit, and sometimes even stayed overnight at the residence… The Princess of Wei was so angry that she cried and made a scene several times, but there was nothing she could do.”

"Shameless!" Xue Sui said with disgust.

Tian Shu nodded silently, which could be interpreted as agreement.

“Alim’s sense of smell is even sharper than a fox’s. His early arrival in the capital was definitely not just for spices and furs…” Xue Sui analyzed the situation calmly, his brows furrowing slightly, before suddenly changing the subject.

"Senior Brother, is there something you're hiding from me?"

Tian Shu sat quietly for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Xue Sui's serene profile before finally settling on the faint, flickering light deep within the nunnery. His voice was lowered even further.

"They seem to be secretly inquiring about someone..."

"Who?"

"A woman who had long since disappeared from the capital was the beloved daughter of the old King Xiz..."

Xue Sui felt a slight chill and looked up at Tian Shu.

Under the moonlight, the senior brother's eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if they held untold turmoil.

"Does Senior Brother have any leads?"

"Yes." Tian Shu's eyes darkened slightly, and his voice was so soft that it was almost blown away by the night wind.

“A name—Aynur.”
-
Xue Mansion.

The courtyard where Yukihime lived was so secluded that it seemed to be isolated from the world.

Xue Qingzhi stepped inside with a furrowed brow. Looking at the sparse flowers and trees and the old window frames, his brows furrowed unconsciously, and his steps became slightly uneasy.

Yukihime sat on the veranda, gazing absently at a small plate of freshly delivered pastries.

The pastry was crescent-shaped, golden in color, and smelled of nuts. It was the one Xue Qingzhi had bought for her years ago when he came to the building to coax her...

"Xue Niang." Xue Qingzhi cleared his throat, his voice much gentler than usual.

Yukihime trembled violently and raised her head like a startled fawn.

Upon seeing who it was, she hurriedly stood up, knocking over teacups on the small table in her haste. She frantically tried to tidy up the mess, rambling incoherently.

"Master? You...you're here again..."

His voice trembled uncontrollably, carrying a sense of overwhelming gratitude and unease.

Xue Qingzhi sighed inwardly, stepped forward and gently supported her arm, avoiding her gaze on her weathered face that had long lost its youthful beauty, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate pity.

“Over the years, it has been the master’s negligence that has neglected you and Sixth Sister. Xue Niang, there’s no need to be nervous or stand on ceremony. Sit down and let’s talk.”

He sat down by himself and looked at the plate of pastries.

"This snack... I remember you used to love it. Why didn't you touch it? Does it not suit your taste anymore?"

Yukihime's eyes instantly reddened.

She never expected that after so many years, he would still remember this trivial old story.

“Master…” A surge of bittersweet emotion welled up in her heart, but she forced it back down.

"I have no grievances, nor any particular liking... I just dare not cause you any more worry, sir... This pastry is very good."

She picked up a piece and took a small bite.

Looking at her cautious demeanor, Xue Qingzhi tried hard to recall the past, his tone carrying a hint of uncertain gentleness.

"It's been a long time since I've heard you sing... I have nothing to do today, so why don't you sing one for the master?"

Even he himself felt that his words came out abruptly and awkwardly.

Back then in the pleasure quarters, she was a stunningly beautiful Hu woman, and he was a high-spirited patron.

Now, in this desolate courtyard, what does it mean for him to ask her to sing?

Xue Qingzhi noticed her embarrassment, and the forced smile on his face faded.

"If you don't want to sing, then don't sing."

“Sing…” Xue Ji lowered her eyelashes, her voice lowered, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused.

His expression seemed to pierce through a heavy past and land in a distant place.

Unconsciously, a string of soft, melodious syllables with a distinctly exotic accent hummed from her lips, like the wind on the grasslands, or a mother's lullaby, with a melancholy melody.

Xue Qingzhi's heart skipped a beat.

The tender memories have long since faded.

Before him stood a haggard woman with vacant eyes, humming a song he couldn't understand.

In a daze, he suddenly realized that this woman, who had been in the mansion for more than ten years, was so unfamiliar...

He had never truly known her past or where she came from.

　See you tomorrow!
　　(End of this chapter)