Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 401 Childish Words
The first snowfall in Yiyuan fell quietly.

Fine snowflakes drifted down, landing on a few plum trees in the courtyard, dotting the flower buds.

Xue Sui looked out of the window of the warm pavilion. The snow light made her eyes clear, but it could not dispel the deep thoughts in her eyes.

"Miss... Master Alimu has sent someone to deliver hair care cream." Jinshu smiled and lifted the curtain to enter, carrying a red lacquered wooden box in her hands, bringing in a trace of the chill from outside.

"I heard that the young lady found it good, so I sent some more from the Xiz Royal Court by fast horse, along with a few Xiz specialties, sea buckthorn and camel milk, saying they're for Lady Xue to nourish her body..."

The box opens.

The cream has a delicate and smooth texture with a subtle floral fragrance.

"Please thank Master Alimu for me." Xue Sui gestured for Jinshu to put the box away, then, noticing Ruyi passing by in the corridor, called out, "Is the medicine ready?"

"Replying to you, Miss, it's ready." Ruyi stopped and replied through the window, "I was just about to take it to Lady Xue."

"Take it away to cool first, I'll come over later." Xue Sui put down his pen, stood up and tidied the books on the table.

It has been half a month since Xue Ji moved from the East Palace to Yi Garden.

While in the Eastern Palace, she spent most of her time asleep. When she was occasionally awake, her eyes were vacant, as if shrouded in an impenetrable fog. She refused to utter a single word, quietly watching others wipe her face and feed her medicine, as if she were in a different world, unable to hear or see.

Xue Sui made a decisive decision and ordered his men to prepare the Yi Garden, which Li Zhao had bestowed upon him before his campaign, and have Xue Ji move there.

She also moved into Yiyuan to take care of Xueji's daily life and keep her company.

Yiyuan Garden was secluded and quiet, far from the strictness and oppression of the palace. With fewer prying eyes around, Xueji was noticeably more relaxed.

Although still naive, her eyes were clear and bright, lacking the timidity she had shown in the Xue family mansion and the numbness and dullness from the poisoning. Her gaze was much more lively, but she still couldn't speak...

The days flowed slowly in the steamy aroma of herbal medicine.

On the day of the winter solstice, good news came from Yongding City.

Crown Prince Li Zhao personally led his elite Xuanjia cavalry across the icy Wei River under cover of night, stormed Xiao Yan's central command tent, killed 30,000 enemies, and captured countless provisions and weapons.

Xiao Yan led his remaining troops in a hasty westward escape.

The official gazette announcing the great victory at Yongding spread throughout the streets and alleys.

The official gazette detailed how the Crown Prince used his military skills to achieve a victory against overwhelming odds. Storytellers in teahouses enthusiastically described the surprise attack as if it were a divine intervention.

Li Zhao's reputation soared to unparalleled heights with the added boost of the victory report.

Consequently, Emperor Chongzhao's ability to recognize and appoint capable people and his ability to turn the tide were widely praised among the people, and everyone lauded the emperor's wisdom...

The situation in Beijing is gradually easing.

As Li Zhao sent back several reports of victory from the western frontier, the capital city, which had been in a state of panic for months, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Rice prices have stabilized somewhat, and shops that had been closed for many days have gradually removed their doors. There are fewer homeless people wandering the streets, and even the cold wind seems less biting.

Xue Sui's long-held anxiety eased slightly.

In contrast, Tian Shu entered the palace to examine the emperor's pulse more and more frequently.

Under the careful care of Tian Shu, Emperor Chongzhao's health miraculously improved. As if experiencing a final burst of energy before death, his complexion became rosier, and his spirits were high. He began to review some important memorials and even summoned a young and beautiful concubine to his bedchamber the day after the winter solstice...

Xue Sui watched coldly, his doubts snowballing and growing larger.

She naturally trusted her senior brother's medical skills, but his willingness to extend the emperor's life without regard for the cost inevitably raised suspicions...

What are the three masters of the Old Mausoleum up to?
These days, her correspondence with her master is mainly through messengers from the Tian Shu Sect. Her former close friend, Senior Sister Yu Heng, has also lost contact with her...

Even Li Zhao, who was frequently reporting victories, had not written for a long time. And the letters she sent to the Western Frontier seemed to have sunk without a trace…

The thick fog before her eyes made her restless and unable to eat or sleep.

That afternoon, Xue Sui had just stepped into the bedroom where Xue Ji lived when he heard Ruyi's clear voice.

"Lady Xue, Her Highness the Princess...it's time for your medicine. Taking the medicine will help you recover faster...and put your mind at ease..."

Ruyi laboriously brought the medicine spoon to Xueji's lips.

Xueji frowned, childishly turned her face away, and clearly uttered two words: "I won't eat."

Xue Sui paused, almost holding his breath, pushed open the door, and gently walked to the edge of the couch to sit down.

"Mother... what did you just say?"

Upon hearing the sound, Xue Ji turned her head, her gaze falling on Xue Sui's face with a hint of innocent curiosity, like that of a newborn fawn.

After looking at it for a while, she raised her hand and pointed to a small dish of candied plums on the Ruyi tray.

"I don't want this bitter medicine... I want that... sweet one..."

"Mother?" Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, and his fingertips instinctively touched Xue Ji's slender wrist.

His pulse was steady and stronger than it had been in recent days.

Since things have improved, why can't you recognize people all of a sudden?
"How are you feeling, Mother? Is there anything that's bothering you?" she asked.

Startled by her movement, Xueji forcefully pulled her hand back, her eyes wide with a mixture of wariness and confusion as she looked at her: "Why did you grab me? Who are you? And who am I?"

"Mother, it's me, Ping An!" Xue Sui's heart skipped a beat, startled by this sudden turn of events.

"You don't recognize me anymore?"

Yukihime stared at her blankly, and just like when she was frightened, she curled up slightly and lowered her voice.

"...Are you a bad person?"

Xue Sui's heart sank.

Ruyi watched from the side, feeling a little panicked. "Miss, what's wrong with Lady Xue?"

Xue Sui carefully examined Xue Ji's pulse again, then looked closely at her eyes, and asked softly, "Do you really not know who I am?"

Yukihime shook her head, then nodded as if she had thought of something.

"You're a doctor! The doctor who helps me take my medicine..."

Her temples were streaked with premature white hair, sparse and withered, which made her face look haggard, but her eyes were as clear and innocent as a child's.

Xue Sui felt as if he had been pricked by a needle.

“Mother, it’s me, Ping’an, your daughter. Xue Sui, Xue Ping’an…”

"Daughter?" Yuki tilted her head, trying to process this unfamiliar word. "Do I have such a beautiful daughter? You look like a fairy from a painting..."

Xue Sui was both surprised and distressed.

Afraid that her emotions would further upset her, she could only go along with her words, coaxing her like a child, "Then... Mother, if you drink this medicine, I'll give you candied fruit, okay? It'll be sweet." "Really?" Xue Ji's eyes lit up.

“Really.” Xue Sui nodded vigorously, suppressing the tears welling up in her eyes. “As long as Mother drinks her medicine obediently, you can eat as many candied plums as you want.”

Yukihime quieted down and obediently let her feed her the medicine, but her eyes still held a wary and unfamiliar look.

She only cheered up after tasting the candied fruit. She carefully touched Xue Sui's short hair and asked curiously:

"Why don't you have long hair? You look like... a little novice monk..."

Xue Sui choked up.

He was speechless for a moment.

"Oh, so Lady Xue has finally spoken up?"

Upon seeing this, Zhang Huaicheng, who had just entered, paused slightly and hurriedly stepped forward to take the pulse.

He examined her carefully for a long time before whispering, "Sixth Miss, Xue Niangzi's pulse... is improving. The remaining poison is gradually being eliminated, and her qi and blood are recovering. However, her mind... is probably affected by the poison, or perhaps she was too frightened and her mind is impaired. She has forgotten everything from her past."

Xue Sui looked at her mother's bewildered and curious face, nodded slowly, and said in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Doctor Zhang also believes that this is... a case of soul separation?"

Zhang Huaicheng stroked his beard and sighed: "That can be interpreted as such. Miss, you don't need to worry too much... Perhaps, this is Heaven's mercy? Madam Xue is clear-headed, and although she is like a child, she is not afraid or sad... Forgetting the past suffering is not necessarily a bad thing."

Xue Sui stared blankly at Xue Ji.

She was fiddling with her sash, looking rather nervous.

Xue Sui held her hand, humming softly the lullaby he had heard in his childhood, and then looked up at her and asked.

"Mother, can you sing?"

Yukihime's eyes lit up, "I can!"

She seemed to have found a sense of belonging, and excitedly sat up straighter, humming along with the melody Xue Sui had just hummed.

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, gently falling on her pale face, which was no longer filled with panic or fear.

The tune is sparse, carrying a sense of naive ease and earnestness.

Xue Sui could no longer hold back the tears welling up in her eyes...

She leaned down and gently pressed her cheek against her mother's cool hand.

"Yes," she said softly, almost as a sigh, "it's a blessing."

Yuki stopped humming, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her, then pointed to the dish of candied plums, "I'm done singing... I don't eat bitter ones... I eat sweet ones..."

"Okay." Xue Sui picked up the largest candied plum and stuffed it into her mouth.

"We'll listen to Mother, from now on we'll only eat sweets and not bitters."
-
After seeing off Physician Zhang, Xue Sui had just stepped out of the courtyard when he saw Tian Shu standing quietly by the moon gate under the corridor.

His moon-white robes gleamed like cold jade in the snowlight, his face was handsome yet aloof, he held an oil paper package in his hand, gazing at the snow-covered ground, lost in thought, motionless for a long time...

Xue Sui coughed lightly to call him, and he came back to his senses, slowly walking towards her.

"I just bought some sweet cakes; you used to love them."

As his fingertips touched the warm oiled paper, Xue Sui felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother."

"Just doing it." Tian Shu's gaze fell on the window frame of Xue Ji's residence. "It's good that Lady Xue is like this."

Xue Sui nodded, tore open the oil paper, and the sweet aroma became even stronger.

She picked up a small piece of still-warm sweet cake, but had little appetite. After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked, "Has there been any new news from the Western Frontier these past few days?"

Tian Shu has been frequently seen walking before the Emperor lately.

The emperor not only treated his illnesses but also often sat down with him to discuss philosophy. As a result, there was nothing he didn't know about inside or outside the palace, or in the court.

Upon hearing this, he frowned almost imperceptibly, then quickly returned to normal.

"The military report sent back three days ago said that Xiao Yan led his remaining troops into the Yunling Mountains, and the Crown Prince is leading his army to pursue and annihilate them. The mountains are high and the forests are dense, and the roads are treacherous, so the news is inevitably delayed."

He raised his eyes and looked calmly at Xue Sui.

"There is no need to worry about peace. The Crown Prince has a noble destiny and is protected by capable people. He will surely quell the rebellion and return in triumph."

The sticky sugar coating on his fingertips made Xue Sui's heart tighten inexplicably.

The more casually Tian Shu spoke, the more restless she became.

On that day, Xue Sui prepared a simple feast at Yiyuan Garden to celebrate Xue Ji's "rebirth"...

Wen Jia brought Niu Niu, Xue Yuelou led Ming Ge'er, and Tian Shu and Yao Guang also arrived...

The snow under the eaves was swept clean, and the makeshift charcoal brazier was burning brightly, adding a rare liveliness and warmth to the small courtyard. There were no formalities at the meal; a few simple home-style dishes were laid out on the table, creating a relaxed and cozy atmosphere...

Niu Niu sat next to Xue Ji, telling her funny stories she had heard in her childish voice, which made Xue Ji smile from ear to ear.

Yao Guang, always eager to liven things up, would playfully argue with the children over a wine glass. Tian Shu, with his indifferent expression, frequently glanced at Xue Sui…

Watching her gently peel shrimp for Yukihime with a smile, her fingertips glistening with broth, a softer look seemed to appear in her eyes as well…

The room was filled with the aroma of food mixed with laughter.

Xue Ji was like a child just beginning to explore the human world, filled with curiosity about everyone and every dish. She clumsily held the spoon, and when she tasted something she liked, she would scoop up a spoonful and tremblingly bring it to Xue Sui's lips.

"Delicious... Sui Sui, be good... Eat fish..."

Xue Sui's heart warmed, and he opened his mouth to accept it.

As Xueji watched her eat, a small hint of pride appeared on her face, her pure smile as flawless as the first snow.

Tian Shu finished his meal in silence, then got up to say goodbye.

Xue Sui escorted him to the second gate, watching his tall, slender figure gradually disappear into the snow, her brows slowly furrowing...

After a moment of silence, he rushed back to the flower hall and pulled Yaoguang off the mat.

"You tell me."

　Just one chapter today, but it's still quite long...

　　Li Zhao: Without me, even a long life is useless.

　　Reader: ? ? ? Why is Your Highness so confident?

　　Li Zhao: I'm hungry!
　　(End of this chapter)