Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 47: Alone in the Game

East Palace.

Li Zhao picked up the chess piece and gently stroked the black pieces with his slender fingers. Before he landed on the chessboard, Guan Ya knocked on the door and came in.

"Your Highness."

He bowed respectfully and presented a secret letter with both hands.

Li Zhao pretended not to hear it, looking at the chessboard intently, slowly placing the black piece at the center, then looked up to receive the letter.

The edge of the envelope is sealed with wax and stamped with the scout's private stamp, making it secretive in style.

Li Zhao seemed to have a premonition of something, and frowned before tearing open the letter paper, but there was not a single word on it. His expression became more serious, and he glanced at Lai Gonggong beside him, waiting for him to find the potion, dip the letter paper in it, and take it out after a while...

The words became visible.

Everyone in the room held their breath.

For a long moment, no one spoke, only the candle flame occasionally flickered.

The person sitting opposite Li Zhao and chatting with him was a middle-aged man wearing a blue shirt and with a two-inch long beard.

He was Mei Ruhui, an official of the Eastern Palace and a guest of the Crown Prince.

The duty of the Crown Prince's guest is to admonish the Crown Prince and provide him with advice on etiquette, morality, and governance concepts. Therefore, he is also Li Zhao's trusted think tank and strategist.

Compared with other attendants, Mei Ruhui was also more calm.

"Your Highness, what happened?"

Li Zhao looked stern and pushed the letter in front of him.

A neat piece of paper with a few words on it, talking about the sixth young lady of the Xue Mansion...

"What a big show at the Xue Mansion." Mei Ruhui raised his eyebrows slightly, with some interest in his eyes.

"Miss Xue Liu is meticulous and a master of strategizing. Anyone who falls into her hands will probably have a bad ending. Yao Wei is so self-righteous that he fell into the trap without knowing it. In my opinion, even if he doesn't die this time, he may be doomed."

Mei Ruhui sighed slightly, with both admiration for Xue Sui and a hint of fear in his heart.

"What a pity that Miss Xue Liu is going to marry Prince Duan. After marriage, women usually regard their husbands as their gods. If she surrenders to Prince Duan, she will be a tough guy who is difficult to deal with."

Li Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly and snorted.

Picking up a chess piece and spinning it back and forth between his fingertips, he couldn't help but think of Xue Sui's words that day.

"When chess is at its most dangerous, it is best to use it well. Whether it is a chess piece or a chess player, why should we be too clear about it?"

I have to say that Xue Liu's hands are quite long.

But she is still far from being qualified for the imperial court...

Therefore, Li Huan, and even he, were all intermediaries in her plan.

Mei Ruhui looked at the secret letter on the chessboard, was silent for a moment, and suddenly asked in confusion: "This woman has such means, why doesn't she just kill Yao Wei? What's the point of keeping him alive?"

The smile on Li Zhao's face slowly faded, "Set up a game."

Mei Ruhui asked: "What is the game?"

Li Zhao: "The human heart is the board, and the world is the chessboard."

After he said that, he turned around and motioned for his father-in-law to bring him paper and pen.

The white paper was spread flat on the chessboard. Li Zhao picked up the pen, his wrist suspended, and the tip of the pen moved like a dragon.

A string of names slowly appeared in front of Mei Ruhui.

The name Yao Wei is connected to his father, the Minister of Internal Affairs Yao Hong, and Princess Pingle Li Yushu. Surrounding them are a number of court officials and names of people with whom they are related, some closely or some distantly. It is like an invisible net that affects the entire body...

Li Zhao wrote a heavy dot on Li Yushu's name, and the ink blurred the word "玉".

"Princess Pingle has been enclosing land and running horses, occupying good farmland privately, selling official positions and titles, and bullying the people. She must find a way to make a breakthrough..."

Mei Ruhui's eyes dimmed and there was surprise in his voice.

"What a big game. A woman's tactics are like this. I've never seen it with my own eyes, or even heard of it..."

Li Zhao raised his eyes and looked at him.

"Tell me, what role do I play in this game?"
-
When the second brother-in-law of Yao got into trouble, someone from the Yao residence came to take Xue Yuelou back to take care of him that day.

A wife follows her husband, so Xue Yuelou no longer has any reason to stay in her parents' home.

Before leaving, she came to Lixiangyuan to say goodbye to Xue Sui. Before she could say anything, tears fell.

Xue Sui didn't know how to comfort her for a moment.

For a moment, she saw her former self on Xue Yuelou's face, the weak and helpless child who was worried about the future. Even if she had tried her best, it was still difficult to survive...

"Sixth sister, you must take good care of yourself after I leave."

Xue Yuelou only said this one word in the end, and choked up with sobs for the rest.

"I will." Xue Sui looked at the tears in her eyes and smiled gently, "Second sister, you have to believe me. The law of heaven is clear and retribution will come. Just hold on a little longer and you will get through it soon."

Xue Yuelou smiled sadly.

She thought that Xue Sui was just trying to comfort her and nodded while crying.

She didn't know why, but the words "believe me" suddenly gave her a sense of strength in her heart, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw in the darkness and had someone to rely on.

The way back to Yao Mansion was not that difficult.
-
As night fell, the sky became gloomy.

In the middle of the night, there were a few loud thunders, and then the sound of rain could be heard on the eaves.

The ticking sound accompanies me as I fall asleep. The whole world becomes quiet, distant and peaceful. The hustle and bustle of the world is blocked out by the rain.

Xue Sui was lying on the bed, thinking over carefully everything that had happened since he returned to the capital. He finally felt sleepy when he suddenly heard the clear sound of a flute.

It’s neither far nor near, and it’s melodious and just right for the ears.

She seemed to be struck by an electric current. She sat up subconsciously, put on her clothes, got up from the bed, and opened the window.

The entire Xue Mansion was immersed in the rainy night, and the sound of the flute disappeared, like an illusion...

Xiao Zhao pushed the door open and said, "Girl..."

The two looked at each other, and Xue Sui nodded at her, motioning for her to turn on the light.

Lixiangyuan is located at the northernmost part of Xue's mansion. It is a remote courtyard and close to the wall, which gives Xue Sui great convenience. Xiao Zhao was guarding below, and Xue Sui easily jumped over the wall and jumped down. He saw a figure standing in the alley. The alley was dim and dim in the rain and fog. The man was dressed in white, his face shrouded in rain and fog, like a banished immortal covered in moonlight. He had no weapons on his body, only a Lingqiong Xiao hanging around his waist.

"Big Brother!" Xue Sui called softly.

Their eyes met, and through the light of the drizzle, Xue Sui felt as if he had seen a long-lost relative. His eyes became warm and he pursed his lips to avoid losing his composure.

Tianshu said nothing.

After a long while, he nodded to Xue Sui without a smile on his face.

The eldest senior brother always has a stern face. Although he is handsome, he is as serious as a little old man. He is not as gentle as the "Lingqiong Xiao" in his hand.

But Xue Sui was used to it and knew that he was a person with a cold appearance but a warm heart.

"What's the emergency that brings you to me now?"

Seeing his wet clothes, he frowned and said, "Why don't you hold an umbrella? If you get caught in the rain, you'll probably get a headache again."

Tianshu looked at her without saying a word and stood quietly for a moment.

"Senior Brother?" Xue Sui called him again.

Tianshu then said, "Master has sent a letter asking you to return home."

Xue Sui was slightly startled. "When I left the Old Mausoleum Swamp, I had already told Master that the imperial edict had been handed over... Why did Master suddenly summon me?"

Tianshu said: "The East Palace has set its sights on you, and there are many ill intentions. Li Zhao is a very cunning man, and his actions are even more treacherous and unpredictable..."

After a pause, a hint of worry appeared on his face, and his voice was filled with the coolness of the rainy night.

"Ping An, what is more terrifying than Prince Duan's Mansion is the Eastern Palace."

Xue Sui curled the corners of his mouth and smiled slightly, feeling relieved after hearing this.

How could she not know?
Those who try to get the skin of a tiger will often be injured by it.

She was already prepared for this.

"If you, Senior Brother, come to persuade me, you will be disappointed. You understand me. I will stick to this path until the end. I will live my whole life with this thought in mind. Even if I reach the end of my rope, I will not turn back."

Tianshu said: "I am not here to persuade you, I am here to help you."

Xue Sui was slightly startled.

Looking at Tianshu's serious face, my heart suddenly softened.

It has been like this since she was a child. No matter what she does, the eldest senior brother will stand on her side.

There was a hint of happiness in her dark eyes. "Thank you, Brother. Don't worry, I will keep myself safe. I will ask for your help when I need you."

The corner of Tianshu's lips twitched, as if he wanted to laugh, but he suppressed it again.

He won't laugh.

Xue Sui had never seen him smile.

His eyes seemed to be filled with countless worries, but he never said much.

However, in Jiuling Swamp, everyone has a past. Since he didn't talk about it, Xue Sui didn't ask.

Ultimately, we all have demons in our hearts.

Xue Sui said: "When you are alive, you have to do something, otherwise your heart will be empty. I like myself now."

Tianshu looked at her quietly.

She is so close.

After a moment, he said, "I'll wait for your news on what to do next."

Xue Sui curled his lips and said, "On February 24, the fourth young lady of the Xue family will get married. Everything will go according to plan and everyone will celebrate."
-
February 24, the 13th year of Chongzhao.

An auspicious day is suitable for getting married.

Although the Xue Mansion has been shrouded in gloom recently and many unpleasant things have happened, they still held the wedding banquet in a dignified manner.

On both sides of the vermilion gate, brand new red couplets shine brightly, and the high-hanging red lanterns are like ripe red persimmons, one string after another, stretching from the gate all the way to the inner courtyard.

Xue Yueying's dowry was even more staggering.

Boxes of silks and satins were stacked up, sets of gold and silver utensils, any one of which was worth a fortune, and there were also rare antiques and calligraphy and paintings, exquisite boxes, and carved screens, all of which demonstrated the strong financial strength.

Anyone who sees it will have to sigh at how grand the Xue Mansion is.

If the mansion wasn't big enough, I'm afraid it wouldn't be able to accommodate all of them.

Xue Qingzhi and Mrs. Fu were both greeting the guests and showing them enough courtesy. The old lady also sat in the main hall and talked to the ladies who had arrived, looking very happy.

Ruyi went to the front yard early in the morning to take a look at the wedding banquet arrangements, and came back complaining in dissatisfaction.

"It's very grand! The fourth young lady is going to be proud again. Thinking of her look, I feel upset."

After staying with Xue Sui for a long time, she became more and more courageous, and also learned some of Xiao Zhao's temper. She wished she could take action as soon as possible to remove the thorn in her eyes.

Xiao Zhao was even more so, his palms itched with anxiety.

"Girl, why don't you do it?"

Xue Sui smiled and said, "Today is a good day with a gentle breeze. It's a good day to start."

Xiao Zhao's eyes widened, and his eyebrows were full of joy. "Are you serious? Who are you going to kill?"

These days, she and Ruyi have suffered a lot of bad luck from Liuli Pavilion, and they have long wanted to see them get into trouble.

Xue Sui laughed and said, "Wait for the fish to take the bait."

Xiao Zhao was deflated, "We have to wait."

Xue Sui glanced at her and said, "The fish pond is so big. You put so much effort into casting a net, and you only catch two small fish?"

This time, she's going for a big one.

Li Zhao: She wants to do something big, could it be that she wants to do... me?

Xue Sui: ...

Reader: What are you thinking about, yellow waste! ?