Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 368 Two Hearts

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the fifteenth year of Chongzhao.

The imperial edict appointing the Crown Prince as regent was promulgated throughout the land, causing a stir in the court and among the people.

Under Li Zhao's iron-fisted control, the Liang court maintained an eerie calm...

Undercurrents were flowing within the imperial court.

An invisible smoke of gunpowder permeated the space between the red walls and green tiles.

Various forces are still vying for power behind the scenes.

The people of the capital city, however, became more active amidst the tense atmosphere.

Lanterns were hung in the streets. Rabbit lanterns, lotus lanterns, revolving lanterns... all kinds of shapes and colors, shimmering and colorful. The vendors' cries also carried a touch of joy. The stalls were filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, mooncakes and pastries, a dazzling array of goods. People lined up in front of the mooncake stalls all the way to the alley entrance, creating a lively scene.

Every household got involved.

The women bustled about in the kitchen, their work surfaces sprinkled with snow-white icing sugar. The men brought ladders and, standing on tiptoe, hung large red lanterns above the doorways. Children, carrying paper lanterns, chased and laughed through the alleyways…

The Xue family sent a message, asking Xue Sui to return home for the festival.

Xue Sui politely declined, but asked Jinshu to take some pastries and tea cakes back with her to fulfill the proper etiquette, and then did not mention the matter again.

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, she had a simple reunion meal with Abbess Huiming and the nuns in the nunnery. The meal consisted of a few light vegetarian dishes, which was considered appropriate for the festival.

After the evening meal and the chanting of scriptures, everyone dispersed.

The nunnery was completely silent at night.

Far from the hustle and bustle, without the music and excitement of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Xue Sui couldn't bear to see Jinshu, Xiaozhao, and Ruyi end up as lonely and isolated as she was, so she sent them away early, telling them to go down the mountain together to the city streets, have some delicious food, and see the lanterns.

Then, under the pretext of admiring the moon, he went alone to the outside of the nunnery.

The old plum tree at the main gate of Shuiyue Temple has branches that are bent and twisted.

She leaned against the tree trunk, watching the moon gradually waxing in the sky, stroking the warm, lustrous jade pendant in her sleeve, lost in thought.

An inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage quietly drove up and stopped in the shadows.

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Li Zhaoqing's handsome profile.

"Come up."

His voice was low and gentle, with a smile on his face.

Xue Sui stepped forward as instructed.

Li Zhao reached out, firmly grasped her wrist, and with a slight pull, dragged her into the warm car.

A faint, comforting scent of pine wood wafts over you.

On the table sat a small bamboo basket containing delicate mooncakes, an unopened jar of osmanthus wine, and a uniquely crafted glass lamp, emitting a soft, hazy glow that warmed the small space.

"The Crown Prince, overseeing the state, actually has such leisure time?" Xue Sui joked.

Li Zhao held her hand, his fingertips cool to the touch.

No matter how busy I am, I should spend Mid-Autumn Festival with you.

Xue Sui remained silent.

The carriage slowly drove out of the mountain path, not heading to the bustling city, but instead following a quiet riverside path towards a secluded suburb.

As we crossed the stone bridge, we saw lanterns placed by the people floating on the wide river, their flickering candlelight drifting away with the current like scattered stars…

Instead of entering the city, the two found a high point on the riverbank with a wide view, sat on flat rocks, and gazed at the magnificent Mid-Autumn Festival scene.

The night breeze, carrying the moisture of the river and the lingering sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms from the riverbank, gently brushed against my cheeks, dispelling the heaviness brought by the palace and the court.

"The mooncakes in the palace are too sweet, and I thought you might not like them. So I specially went to that old shop on the corner of the south side of the city to buy them. Laifu said that their lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk filling is sweet but not greasy, and is most popular with young ladies..."

Li Zhao handed her a piece, his gaze fixed on her face.

Xue Sui took it and gently took a small bite.

The sweet lotus seed paste, mixed with the unique sandy texture of egg yolk, melts on the tongue.

"It's really refreshing and delicious."

Li Zhao smiled, and the weariness in his eyes seemed to have faded somewhat.

"I've wronged you these days."

She looked up at him, the lantern light casting a soft shadow on his face. "Compared to the open and hidden attacks you face in the Zichen Palace, what is my grievance? A quiet life with a lamp and a Buddha statue is quite peaceful and comfortable..."

Li Zhao picked up the glass lamp and adjusted the wick to make it brighter.

The halo instantly spread out, dispelling the surrounding darkness and enveloping them in a small patch of light.

He handed her the lantern. "When I was little, my nanny told me that the lanterns of Mid-Autumn Festival can reflect what you think in your heart. Look, the shadow in this lantern, doesn't it look like you and me?"

The glass lamp is engraved with intertwined branches.

The intertwined shadows really did resemble the two people cuddling together.

Xue Sui felt a warmth in her heart. Li Zhao then said, "After we're done with this busy period, I'll take you to Yuexi River outside the city. I've heard that the moonlight there is the best."

Xue Sui raised the glass lamp, his fingertips feeling a warm, gentle sensation.

"I am waiting."

Li Zhao suddenly leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead, carrying the refreshing scent of osmanthus wine.

“Ping An, I want to issue an edict to strip you of your Buddhist status, so that you can stand beside me with dignity.”

Xue Sui was startled.

She looked up and met the Crown Prince's deep eyes...

The room reflected the countless stars, and also clearly showed her own shadow.

"The court is not yet stable; this will only cause unnecessary trouble. Why bother?" "My mind is made up; who dares to stop me?"

Xue Sui did not answer him directly.

The night breeze rustled the hem of my robe, cool and refreshing.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the sparse stars in the sky.

Although the crown prince acts as regent on behalf of the emperor, he is not the emperor.

With his foundation unstable, many are eyeing him covetously, hoping he will make a mistake...

“Your Highness, there is plenty of time in the future,” she whispered.

It is both reassurance and a promise.

Li Zhao: "Xue Ping'an, you will eventually marry me."

His tone was firm, and he gently lifted her head to rest on his shoulder, his chin resting on the top of her head.

The autumn wind rustled through the reeds on the bank.

A distant, indistinct commotion drifted on the river breeze, faintly audible.

The warm light of the glass lamp flowed quietly, elongating the two figures nestled together, creating a serene and timeless scene, like an unfinished ink painting.

There was no noisy banquet, no complicated etiquette.

A plate of mooncakes, a lamp, and the warmth of each other's palms together create a cozy haven, enough to withstand the storms of this world.
-
Xue Mansion.

Xue Ji lay on the canopy bed, her face as white as a sheet of paper.

Her cough has become increasingly severe lately, and she often cannot sleep through the night. As a result, even the maids who serve her have dark circles under their eyes and look much more haggard.

"Aunt Xue, the medicine...the medicine is ready."

The little girl, holding the medicine bowl, timidly approached the bedside.

Yukihime seemed not to hear.

She stared blankly out the window, the autumn wind whipping raindrops onto the banana leaves by the window. Her eyes were empty and lost, as if she were thinking of nothing at all.

A series of footsteps passed through the courtyard gate, approaching from afar.

Xue Qingzhi walked in.

He wasn't wearing official robes, just a casual straight-cut robe, and his brows held an almost gentle smile.

"Why did you sit up again?"

He sat down on the edge of the tatami mat, speaking softly, and tucked the blanket around her.

"The doctor said that for your illness, you should avoid mental strain and worry, and you should rest and recuperate."

Yukihime's eyelashes trembled, and her gaze slowly fell on his face, with a hint of dazed inquiry.

“Master…” her voice was hoarse and dry.

"My body is so weak... I'm afraid it won't get better. If I pass away... I beg you, sir, to take care of Sixth Sister out of consideration for our many years of friendship..."

She took a breath, her chest rising and falling slightly, her voice even lower, "She's stubborn... but ultimately... she's the master's flesh and blood..."

Xue Qingzhi did not respond, but looked up at the maid holding the medicine.

"Is the medicine warm enough?"

The girl nodded hurriedly, her hands trembling slightly.

"Reporting to Master, this servant personally oversaw the cooking process. This is freshly cooked and has cooled down considerably."

Xue Qingzhi had the maid hand him the medicine bowl, took it himself, stirred it gently with a small spoon, blew on it, scooped up a spoonful, and brought it to Xue Ji's lips with unprecedented patience.

"Don't say such discouraging things. Take your medicine and get a good night's sleep."

The air was thick with medicinal aromas, and the sweet, fishy smell seemed even stronger.

Yuki stared at him intently, her lips pressed together until they turned white, and her body shrank back almost imperceptibly.

"What?" Xue Qingzhi frowned, then relaxed, his tone becoming gentler.

"Afraid of bitterness? I'll have someone prepare some candied fruit. Take one after you finish your medicine, okay?"

Yukihime's body stiffened slightly.

Suddenly, a glimmer of water appeared in his empty eyes, like a drop of rain falling into a dry well.

The man before her was the root of all her misery and wretchedness in her life, and also one of the few illusory lights in her quagmire-like existence.

"Master..." Her voice choked, her chapped lips moved slightly, and she was so vulnerable in the face of that moment of tenderness.

Why... are you suddenly treating me so well?

"Why are you acting like a child? I treat you well, so why do I have to nitpick?"

Xue Qingzhi smiled slightly and moved the medicine spoon forward a little more.

"Once this storm passes, I'll take you to Jiangnan. The environment there is good for you, and your illness... will surely get better."

Xueji coughed twice, seemingly oblivious to his words, then obediently opened her mouth and swallowed the spoonful of warm, strangely sweet and fishy medicine. She then looked up at him.

"Why hasn't Sixth Sister returned yet..."

Xue Qingzhi paused for a moment, then scooped up another spoonful of medicine and handed it over.

"I sent someone to the nunnery early this morning to tell you. Just rest and recover; she'll be back to see you soon..."

　Li Zhao: Readers, I proposed to you, did you see?
　　Reader: ? ? ? Oh, this...

　　Xue Sui: ? ? ? This is the Crown Prince's "expedient means"? It's certainly cheap enough.

　　(End of this chapter)