Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 484 Imperial Favor
After the meal, everyone dispersed.

After leaving the waterside pavilion, Madam Qian led Xue Sui to Pear Fragrance Courtyard for tea and a midday rest.

Along the way, she chattered on about the recent situation in the manor.

"Nowadays, this mansion is only being kept afloat by your third uncle's meager salary and past savings. The eldest and second sons... well, let's not even talk about them. The fact that the Empress is willing to return today is already a huge favor. Hopefully, outsiders will make things less difficult for her, and the younger generation will have a smoother path in finding spouses in the future."

Xue Sui stopped and took off the translucent jade bracelet from her wrist, placing it in Qian's hand.

"Third Aunt, please take this first..."

Madam Qian was taken aback and declined, saying, "How can this be... Her Highness's things are too precious..."

"What's so valuable about it?" Xue Sui smiled. "The things His Majesty bestowed upon us are overflowing the storerooms... Besides, my third aunt took good care of me back in the manor. It's only right that I repay her in kind."

Qian's eyes suddenly reddened, and she choked up, "Sixth Girl...you..."

Xue Sui waved his hand to interrupt her thanks and said seriously, "I have something to discuss with my third aunt today."

Madam Qian hurriedly replied, "Really. If there's anything you need, just tell me. If it's something I can do, I'll do it for you even if it means going through fire and water."

Xue Sui smiled slightly, walked slowly to the old pear tree in Pear Fragrance Courtyard, and looked up.

The wind blew, and the leaves rustled.

She said, "I suppose my third aunt doesn't know much about my childhood experiences in the mansion?"

“This…” Madam Qian hesitated for a moment, looked at Xue Suiqing’s cold profile, her eyes reddened, and stepped forward to take her hand.

"I only vaguely heard about your troubles later... Your Highness, you've suffered so much... How did you manage to survive at such a young age... If anyone bullies my tenth daughter like that, I'll fight them to the death..."

As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

Xue Sui shook his head and withdrew his hand.

"Whether it was bitter or not, it's all in the past. It's just that some people have done evil and should always pay the price."

Madam Qian was taken aback. "Most of those servants and tormenting women who used to lay a hand on Madam Xue and Sixth Sister are gone. Some were sold off, some were beaten to death, and some were driven to the estate..."

“But how can it be acceptable for the person who gives the orders to be alive and well, enjoying a life of leisure?” Xue Sui smiled and turned to look at her quietly.

Madam Qian was taken aback, her palms immediately breaking out in a cold sweat. She lowered her voice and said, "I know Your Highness is angry. But my sister-in-law... is, after all, Your Highness's legal mother. Your Highness's status is different now. If you were to take action yourself, it might damage your reputation..."

"Who said I was going to take action myself?" Xue Sui's lips curled up, his eyes icy cold.

"Third Aunt, tell me, with Master Xue losing the Emperor's favor, what is the state of the eldest branch of the family now? The First Madam is overwhelmed with worry and depression, and suddenly fell seriously ill, with no cure. Isn't that quite common?"

Ms. Qian gasped, her heart pounding.

Looking at the woman before her, whose features were aloof and who could decide life and death with a smile, she even softened her breathing.

"Your Majesty means..."

"Third Aunt." Xue Sui's voice was low, calm, and cold.

"You manage the household affairs, the kitchen purchases, the medical appointments and medicines—all of it goes through your hands. I won't make things difficult for you. I'm telling you this today so you know what I mean. Fu's family was implicated in the Xiao faction's case and has already fallen from grace. She's now all alone. If I want her dead at midnight, she won't live past dawn."

Qian gripped the jade bracelet tightly in her hand, her mind racing.

She was perfectly clear about the pros and cons.

Madam Fu had caused her no small amount of trouble in the past, and now she was a burden on the Xue family...

If this can be used to demonstrate loyalty to Xue Sui, it will only benefit the third branch of the family.

"Your Highness need not trouble yourself with this matter," Madam Qian said softly, regaining her composure. "Third Aunt knows what to do; she will definitely avenge you..."
-
After sitting for a while and drinking a cup of tea, Xue Sui got up to take his leave.

When they left, Madam Qian saw Xue Sui off at the gate, and Xue Yuelou followed beside her, looking quite reluctant to part.

Xue Sui stood beside the carriage, his gaze sweeping over the somewhat desolate gate of the mansion, and sighed softly.

"Third Aunt, Second Sister, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can send a letter to the palace."

Qian and Xue Yuelou readily agreed, their attitude becoming increasingly respectful and friendly.

Little Ten, Yi-ge, and Ming-ge also chased after her, looking at her expectantly.

"Sixth Sister, please come back often..."

"Sixth Aunt, please bring us some palace snacks next time..."

Xue Sui smiled and nodded without saying a word. He gently patted Qian Shi's hand, then turned and got into the carriage.

The carriage curtain fell, blocking out the view from outside.

She leaned lazily against the car wall, her eyes slightly closed, her fingertips unconsciously pressing against her chest.

Lately, Li Zhao has been inexplicably clinging to her at night, as if he wants to devour her whole. Each tender moment is longer and more intense than the last, and the love potion seems to be throbbing more and more frequently under his passionate influence...

Every now and then, a sharp prick would remind her of her unresolved fate.

All grudges and debts must be settled... She needs to hurry...
-
It was already afternoon when they returned to the palace.

Li Zhao was already waiting for her at Pifang Pavilion. He had changed into a moon-white casual dress, his black hair tied up with a crown. He looked less imposing in the court and more like a refined and elegant young master from a noble family, with a graceful demeanor.

He was holding a few strips of meat, which amused Hei Shiba to keep jumping up and down and circling around him.

Black Eighteen is now well-fed and plump, even more ferocious than when it first returned to the capital.

Because of its meritorious service in protecting the emperor, Gouzi was given the nickname "Loyal and Brave Marquis". Although it was a joke, the Imperial Household Department actually allocated meat and salary to it according to the prescribed amount, making it the first imperial dog in the palace.

Upon seeing Xue Sui enter, Hei Shiba let out a howl, swished its tail, and pounced over, affectionately rubbing against the hem of her skirt.

"You're back?" Li Zhao tossed the meat strips to Laifu, wiped his hands with a towel, reached out and pulled Xue Sui closer, lowering his head to sniff her hair.

"You've been drinking? You smell a bit of alcohol."

"How come your nose is even more sensitive than a dog's?" Xue Sui said with a smile, her tone slightly tired.

The palace servants and eunuchs around them all lowered their heads and smirked.

Throughout the entire palace, only the Empress dares to call His Majesty a dog.

"I only drank two cups of plum wine." Xue Sui let him hold her, her fingers unconsciously twirling the jade belt around his waist, and sighed softly.

"I met some people, said some things, nothing new."

"Did they come to you to plead for them?" Li Zhao asked directly.

"Hmm," Xue Sui said calmly, "Looking at them now, and recalling many things from the past, I feel somewhat dazed..."

The world changes, and human relationships become cold and indifferent.

These words sounded calm, but they were all reflections of her painful past.

"It seems the meal wasn't very enjoyable."

Li Zhao helped her to sit on the couch in the inner room and personally poured her a cup of warm water.

"My heart is kind and compassionate; I cannot bear to see a dog in distress."

"Who said that? I can make it."

Xue Sui looked up at him, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "I did something else today... something that might be ruthless and even deadly. I didn't inform His Majesty beforehand. Will His Majesty punish me?"

Li Zhao chuckled softly, his fingertips brushing across the bridge of her nose.

"He's become wicked; he's learned to trick me with words."

He sat down next to Xue Sui, and Hei Shiba immediately jumped up and squeezed between the two of them, resting his big, furry head on Xue Sui's lap. Li Zhao gave him a disgusted push, and he reluctantly moved away.

"Go ahead and do it with confidence, I'll back you up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xue Sui smiled and let him pull her into his arms.

"In court today, several senior ministers brought up the matter of selecting concubines again." Li Zhao toyed with her fingers, sighing with feigned distress, his fingertips swirling in her palm. "They say my offspring are few, which is detrimental to the country—it seems I'll have to work harder tonight..."

Xue Sui slapped his arm hard, and when he heard him cry out in pain, she asked, "What did His Majesty say?"

"I say—" Li Zhao drawled, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his tone teasing.

"My loyal and brave Marquis is not yet married and has no children. Let them worry about it and find some good female mastiffs. I want to find a good match for Black Eighteen Fingers."

Xue Sui was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"You're so irresponsible. Aren't you afraid those bosses will faint on the spot from anger?"

"I am very serious," Li Zhao said solemnly, pinching Hei Shiba's ear. "Hei Shiba has made great contributions. Its marriage is a matter of royal dignity, and I must consider it carefully..."

Xue Sui glanced at him, then laughed so hard his shoulders trembled slightly.

Li Zhao looked at her and smiled, his eyes filled with tenderness, but his expression became serious as he held her hand tightly.

"Ping An, my words will always stand. This empire was forged by us together through blood and fire. Who else is worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with me but you?"

Sweet words may not be the most pleasing to the ear, but every word carries weight.

Xue Sui felt that subtle throbbing in her heart again, like being gently stung by something. It didn't hurt, but it had a slightly numb, itchy, and aching sensation, along with a hint of indescribable panic.

The master's dying words lingered like a curse.

She lowered her eyes and softly hummed in agreement.

Li Zhao noticed her mood suddenly change, assuming she had been wronged at the Xue family or was upset about something from the past. He simply pulled her into his arms and gently rubbed his chin against the top of her head.

"If you're tired, take a rest. I've had your favorite dishes prepared for dinner, so eat as much as you like."

The cicadas chirped noisily outside the window, but they couldn't drown out the gentleness in his voice.

Xue Sui leaned against him, listening to his steady heartbeat, and gradually calmed down...

(End of this chapter)