Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 57: Crown Prince He Yi
Although the imperial court did not want the matter to become a big deal, since Shangjing was sitting at the feet of the emperor, it would be difficult for any disturbance not to be known to the people.

Gu Jie was imprisoned, and other officials including the Treasurer of the Ministry of Finance and the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue were also implicated. The matter soon became a hot topic in the imperial city.

At this critical juncture, the Xue family was stepping up preparations for the wedding banquet for Miss Xue Liu.

Red silk and green satin were flowed into the mansion like water, and servants were coming in and out. It was a festive and lively scene, as if it had nothing to do with the "corruption case" that was widely rumored outside.

"The more you try to cover it up, the more there is something fishy. If I were to say, the Xue Mansion should be the first target."

Sitting in front of Li Zhao was the prince's guest Mei Ruhui.

He watched the prince calmly playing with a brightly colored and delicately glazed Ru kiln porcelain vase in a leisurely manner, and couldn't help but sigh.

"With His Royal Highness Prince Duan as his guardian Buddha, no one dares to investigate him."

This corruption case was led by the Ministry of Justice and jointly supervised by the Dali Temple, the Censorate, and the Ministry of Personnel. However, the Minister of Justice Xue Qingzhi requested to avoid suspicion, so the emperor appointed the Dali Temple Minister Xie Yanzhan to take charge.

Mei Ruhui said: "I sent someone to inquire. Gu Jie has been in jail for three days and has not been properly interrogated. He has an easier time in jail than anyone else..."

Li Zhao didn't look up and spoke in a calm tone.

"What can come out of his mouth?"

Mei Ruhui said: "This old fox Xie Yanzhan is very good at guessing His Majesty's intentions. He clearly doesn't want to conduct a trial and doesn't want to involve more people and bring trouble upon himself..."

"Ah."

The prince did not attend court today. He was only wearing a moon-white brocade robe with wide sleeves. The fabric was soft and smooth, exuding a sense of coolness. His hair was tied up with a black jade hairpin, and he had no ornaments on his body. He looked a little different from usual, but he looked very noble.

Mei Ruhui has been with Li Zhao for many years, but he often cannot figure out what he is thinking.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Your Highness, how do you think this matter will end?"

Li Zhao lowered his eyes, "Xie Yanzhan will report whatever Your Majesty wants to hear."

Mei Ruhui watched him turn the porcelain bottle over and carefully examine the seal on the bottom of the bottle.

He added: "Your Majesty naturally wants to close the case quickly and not cause any more trouble that cannot be resolved. But Miss Xue Liu may not be willing to give up..."

Li Zhao's fingers paused slightly.

He chuckled softly, "Who would have thought that the situation in the capital could be stirred up by a delicate hand."

Mei Ruhui asked: "How should the Eastern Palace respond?"

Li Zhao said: "If it is available, use it. If it can be used, use it to the fullest extent."

Mei Ruhui said: "Prince Duan's birthday is approaching, and Miss Xue Liu's wedding date is also approaching."

After a pause, he did not see any emotion in the prince's eyes, and continued, "A woman should obey her husband after marriage. The Sixth Miss wants to marry Prince Duan, and Prince Duan is not an ordinary person. He clearly wants to use the power of the Old Mausoleum Swamp. If these two people appreciate each other, it may not be a bad marriage."

If they join forces at that time, it will not be a good thing for the prince.

Li Zhao was silent.

After a long while, the porcelain bottle made a crisp buzzing sound when it hit the table.

His voice poured into my ears, like the sound of a plucked string.

"What a shame for such a good thing."

Mei Ruhui was shocked.

Looking up, I saw a crack on the fine porcelain.
-
Xue Mansion.

Fu and Xue Qingzhi had another big quarrel over Xue Sui's marriage and parted on bad terms.

Everyone in the mansion knew that the master no longer went to the eldest lady's Qinglan Courtyard. The eldest lady was also a stubborn person and would never give in.

At noon, Jinshu came to Lixiangyuan and told Xue Sui about this matter.

Xue Sui looked indifferent, as if he had no interest in anything. "Let them be."

Jinshu felt a little worried seeing her like this.

"This is Sixth Miss's marriage, Sixth Miss, please consider it carefully..."

Marriage is a big deal for any woman.

The Sixth Girl is the only person Jinshu has ever met whom he doesn't take seriously.

Xue Sui smiled, "Aunt understands me."

Jinshu sighed and said no more, then took out a folded letter from his sleeve.

"Someone sent a message to the girl."

Xue Sui glanced at her, wiped his hands with a clean towel, and then took the sealed note.

"Where did it come from?"

"Hongfu Casino."

Xue Sui opened it and saw that the handwriting was wild and unrestrained, a bold and vigorous cursive script. If she had not had some attainments in calligraphy, she would not have been able to recognize a single word.

"It is a secluded bamboo forest. In this secluded bamboo forest, do not be arrogant, drunk, or wild."

It looks like a love poem.

In fact, it was to conceal the truth and prevent it from falling into the hands of others.

This was Li Zhao's naked warning and threat, telling her not to be so arrogant...

At the same time, he made an appointment to meet him at Youhuangju.

Jinshu asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Xue Sui took a deep breath, slowly tore the note into pieces, and lit them in the stove.

I have neglected Li Zhao recently.

The Eastern Palace monitored Prince Duan's every move, of course, including the Xue Mansion and her.

Summoning him to meet me at this time is definitely not a good thing...
-
The last ray of light in the sky disappeared into the clouds, and the sky gradually fell into darkness as if covered by a curtain.

The two girls walked to the back corner door of Youhuangju, one in front and one behind. They looked around to see if there was anyone, and then knocked three times.

The door opened.

It’s still the chubby smiling face of Eunuch Lai Fu.

"Miss Xue Liu is here. Please come in!"

Xue Sui glanced at him and saw some sweat on Lai Fu's face.

The weather gets warmer this season, but it's far from being warm enough to sweat at night.

Xue Sui stopped and bowed to Lai Fu, "Are you feeling unwell, eunuch?"

Lai Fu was slightly stunned.

Can you see this?

What was unwell for him was not his body, but his mood.

I told you not to provoke His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Now, if the Crown Prince tears up the contract and doesn't want to play with her anymore, Miss Xue Liu will be in trouble!

It’s a pity for Eunuch Lai Fu.

He had never felt this way before. He could watch with a smile even if a horse or a cow died. Miss Xue Liu was not very close to him, and she was not even very enthusiastic. She never tried to please him like others did just because he was the prince's attendant...

But he just couldn't bear to see this girl die at the hands of His Highness.

Was it her scars that burned his eyes?
Ever since he saw it, he could no longer ignore it.

However, facing Miss Xue Liu's frank eyes, Lai Fu could not say anything.

"No, no, no, I just walked in a hurry and I'm sweating all over."

Xue Sui glanced at him and walked straight towards Ronghua Hall.

It was there that Li Zhao summoned him last time.

Lai Fu led the way for her. Maybe it was because the surroundings were too quiet. He listened to his own breathing and always felt that it was not smooth enough. Finally, he couldn't help but sighed, "Miss, when you see His Highness, please be more obedient to him. His Highness... is a good prince... but sometimes it is inevitable... it is inevitable that he will act on impulse..." He couldn't say anything bad about the prince, and was afraid that Xue Sui wouldn't understand. He was full of worries and didn't say anything for a long time.

Xue Sui smiled and said, "Thank you for your advice, eunuch."
-
The lights in the room illuminate the glorious hall.

The prince sat alone in the palace, his expression calm and his features so handsome that he looked like a beautiful painting blessed by God.

"Your Highness, someone brought it."

Lai Fu's usual respectful tone broke the silence.

Li Zhao said: "You go down."

The prince's voice was light and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.

Lai Fu glanced at Xue Sui, sighed slightly, and then led everyone to retreat.

Xiao Zhao refused.

She watched Xue Sui with a fierce look in her eyes, and did not back down because of the pressure coming from Li Zhao.

Xue Sui nodded at her, and Xiao Zhao responded reluctantly.

When he left, his fists were clenched tightly, as if he was ready to pounce at the slightest sign of trouble.

Xue Sui felt a little warm in his heart, and when he looked up, he saw Li Zhao's figure bathed in the light of the lamp...

The firelight could not clearly see the eyebrows and expression.

She walked in slowly and saluted.

"Your Highness summoned me so late at night. What is the reason?"

Li Zhao raised his eyes and looked at her indifferently for a moment. His slender figure, like the breeze and the bright moon, slowly came over from his seat and stood in front of her.

"Good question."

His cold eyes fell, more serious than before.

The corners of his lips curved slightly, and his tone was gentle, but it sounded like an imperial decree.

"Listen to my words, don't marry into Prince Duan's mansion."

Xue Sui was slightly surprised, "Your Highness, are you afraid of him? Or do you want to keep me?"

She is calm.

Li Zhao looked equally calm.

The two looked into each other's eyes, but there was no trace of smile in their eyes.

"Your Highness knew that I was going to Prince Duan's Mansion, so why did you come to stop me now? Are you afraid that I will be attracted to Li Huan and surrender to him?"

Li Zhao looked at her and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Do you think you can change Pingle by doing this?"

Xue Sui thought about it and said truthfully: "It is impossible to change it, so I want Prince Duan to be a springboard and also to conspire with the crown prince."

Her eyes were determined, expressing loyalty but also making people hate her.

Li Zhao seemed impatient. He smiled sarcastically, lifted the corner of his robe, and sat lazily on the chair facing her.

"At the Spring Flower Banquet, the Queen is choosing a concubine for me... You need a stepping stone, and I am no worse than Li Huan."

Xue Sui couldn't help but laugh.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants to compete with Prince Duan in everything.

Have you lost yourself in the competition? Even this kind of thing is worth fighting for?

She looked at Li Zhao in some disbelief and told him calmly and seriously.

"The position of the Eastern Palace is noble, and Xue Liu's daughter is not up to it at all. What's more, there are too many people, which will cause trouble."

According to the custom of the Eastern Palace of this dynasty, there is one Crown Princess, two Liangdi, six Liangyuan, eight Chenghui, sixteen Zhaoxun and twenty-four Fengyi.

When Li Zhao gets married, these concubines will probably be gradually assembled. I can't imagine how much flowers and splendours will be in the East Palace by then. It will be much more lively than Prince Duan's Palace...

After saying this, she sneered like Li Zhao.

"I have never had any intentions towards Your Highness, so rest assured."

Li Zhao laughed, "Are you really going to do it your own way?"

Xue Sui bowed and said, "Xue Liu always acts according to his heart."

Li Zhao seemed to be amused by her words.

"Then you will have to bear the consequences of opposing me."

Xue Sui said nothing.

Dealing with Li Zhao is far more terrifying than dealing with people like Xue Fu and Gu Jie.

Just like the snakes he kept in the cellar of Youhuangju, they seemed dormant and silent, lurking quietly, but in fact they were harboring murderous intent and would take a person's life at any time.

But if she wanted to accomplish something, she had to get around this scheming Crown Prince of the East Palace.

After a long time, Xue Sui sighed softly.

"Although it is not my wish, if Your Highness is unwilling to allow it, then I will consider that I came here in error that day. The gentleman's agreement between you and me is canceled."

Gentleman's agreement?

Who is a gentleman? He is not one anyway.

Li Zhao responded nonchalantly, "Get lost!"

The first time I came to Youhuangju, the word I got was "roll".

There is also a poisonous Luban box.

I don’t know what it will be this time…

Xue Sui hesitated for a moment and bid farewell to him.

"Your Highness, I will always remember your kindness in helping me recently. If the prince asks for anything in the future, I will do my best to help him. Goodbye!"

She was generous, her eyes were full of light, and she acted decisively, leaving as soon as she said she would. In contrast, Li Zhaojun's face was cold and grim, and his expression was extremely ugly.

Li Zhao watched Xue Sui leave and remained silent for a long time.

"Since it is of no use, I will not keep it."

Lai Fu and Guan Ya heard these words as they stepped into the house.

The two looked at each other, and their hearts skipped a beat.

Miss Xue Liu is finished!

What His Royal Highness the Crown Prince cannot tolerate the most is betrayal.
-
The night they left Youhuangju, Xue Sui asked Jinshu to make an appointment with Yaoguang.

Yaoguang still met him at Hongfu Casino, and smiled warmly as soon as they met.

"Junior sister, are you missing me again?"

Xue Sui ignored his teasing and said with a stern look, "I want to see my senior brother."

Yaoguang frowned, "What happened?"

Xue Sui shook his head and said calmly: "Remember to invite Senior Sister Yu Heng along as well. I have a request for her."

Yaoguang snorted in dissatisfaction: "Don't think that I will help you just because you ask Yuheng. I have to make it clear to you that it is not easy to invite the eldest senior brother. Every time I invite him, I will be scolded, which will hurt my muscles and bones and waste my energy..."

"The prince wants to kill me." Xue Sui suddenly spoke up, interrupting Yao Guang's words. He looked at her in astonishment, looking at her incredulously, "Why? Is Li Zhao crazy?"

Xue Sui smiled slightly, "Maybe."

Li Zhao was a paranoid and crazy person. Asking her to come today was more of an ultimatum than a discussion. If he felt that the situation was out of control, he would rather destroy it than let it go, and he would not show mercy to her...

Ah, I've been feeling groggy and confused these past two days after taking the medicine. I'll take another look at this chapter and maybe make some corrections. Thank you for subscribing, voting, and reading. I give you a big heart...

Welcome to catch bugs!