Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 61: Love

The Imperial Garden is divided into the East Garden and the West Garden, and the East and West Gardens are further divided into inner and outer areas. There are countless palaces and houses. Walking through the entire garden is like entering a vast painting, and no matter how you walk, you will never reach the end.

Changchun Pavilion is located by the lake in the West Inner Courtyard. It is three stories high and is built in a graceful and beautiful style. Its pavilions and towers have the style of Jiangnan gardens.

The banquet and delicacies were placed in a scene of flourishing flowers, the ground was covered with thick brocade carpets, in addition to exotic flowers and plants, there were also various exquisitely shaped bonsai, giving off a royal style at first glance.

At banquets in the palace, people are divided into different classes, and the seating arrangements are also of different ranks, with strict distinctions of rank.

The female official who led the way did not recognize Xue Sui. She was not dressed like a maid and could not tell from which family she came, so she felt quite embarrassed.

"Princess Duan, how do we arrange a seat for this young lady?"

Xue Yuechen said: "The lady from Prince Duan's Mansion, just come with me, no need to bother Aunt."

The female officer who guided her was slightly startled, then smiled and bowed.

"Princess and Lady, please take your seats."

Sisters who married together had a much higher status than ordinary concubines, and a lady with a formal status could accompany the mistress to banquets and social events. However, Xue Sui had not yet married, so it was inappropriate for Xue Yuechen to say this.

Xue Yuechen didn't hear what Xue Sui said, and turned back and smiled slightly.

"Does your sister mind?"

She could have said that Xue Sui was her sister.

But in Xue Yuechen's heart, the sisters of the Xue family are inferior to her.

Xue Sui smiled slightly: "Of course not."

Xue Yuechen patted her hands and said, "Follow me."

The banquet was arranged in an orderly manner.

Empress Xie hosted the ladies of the imperial court at this end, while the Emperor hosted the officials and princes at Lingyan Terrace opposite Changchun Pavilion.

There is only a river in between, and they are all outdoors, so they can be seen from a distance.

Xue Sui took his seat and looked around quietly.

In the center of the banquet, there was a magnificent golden nanmu banquet table.

Empress Xie sat at the head of the table with a smile on her face.

The seat at the lower right was prepared for Concubine Xiao, but the seat was empty as Concubine Xiao did not show up.

Sitting at the table on the lower left is Princess Pingle.

The pampered oval face is as exquisite as a painting, with a straight nose, eyebrows as dark as distant black, lips that are neither curled nor upturned, and a face that seems to be happy but not happy. He is so aloof that it seems as if he doesn't take anyone seriously.

It has to be said that Pingle was born with a good-looking face. If it weren't for her cold eyes, it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was a beauty. No wonder Emperor Chongzhao doted on her more than any other prince.

Next came other royal relatives and some high-ranking ladies from both the inner and outer courts.

Xue Sui noticed Lu Xi's position.

She sat not far to the Queen's right. Apparently because of her grandfather, she was Queen Xie's favorite candidate for Crown Princess.

Queen Xie glanced at the empty seat and asked Pingle gently.

"Is the imperial concubine not feeling well? She is usually the most active in the flower competition."

Pingle smiled awkwardly, his face respectful, but his words were not very pleasant to the ear.

"Please forgive me, mother. Last night, my father was in high spirits and played chess with you. We played one game after another until late at night. I think you were sleepy after waking up in the morning and wasted time..."

Empress Xie smiled and sighed, "You still have to take care of yourself. You are no longer a young girl, so you can't just do whatever you want."

Ping Le said: "What the Queen Mother said is absolutely right. If my mother could be as free as the Queen Mother, she could also take good care of her body and not have to worry about my father's happiness all day long."

Empress Xie still smiled, "Your Highness, you have worked hard."

The two of them exchanged pleasantries, and everyone else listened quietly, smiling, watching the show with trepidation. Everyone present knew the affairs of the palace like a mirror, the royal family would not interfere, and the other ladies did not dare to say anything.

Whoever the emperor treats well can win the hearts of the people. Right now, not only is Prince Duan in power, but even Concubine Xiao's family holds great power and is highly relied upon by the emperor.

Who dares to offend such a noble family?

The queen only has the status of the legal wife.

Perhaps Pingle noticed Xue Sui's gaze, but he suddenly glanced over.

He looked at her and examined her, but quickly passed by and asked the maid something.

Then, as if confirming Xue Sui's identity, he looked over again, but his gaze did not stay on him for too long.

In Pingle's heart, Xue Liu is no match.

He is not worthy of being considered her opponent at all.

What is a little shrimp that you played with when you were young?
Xue Sui smiled slightly and looked into the distance subconsciously.

Li Zhao walked over the railing bridge over the lake alone and paid his respects to the empress. The mother and daughter exchanged a few words in a low voice, obviously thanking the empress for wanting him to come and see the girl. However, Li Zhao did not seem to appreciate it. He turned around and went to the Lingyan Pavilion without even glancing at the women at the table.

Instead, it was Empress Xie who caught Xue Sui's gaze, and her eyes met hers in the air. She was stunned for a moment, then smiled slightly.

A very gentle smile.

This was also the first time Xue Sui saw Empress Xie so closely.

She is graceful and elegant.

According to legend, she was a coward, which was why Concubine Xiao rode on her neck. With the dignity of the Queen, she was suppressed by Concubine Xiao, and even the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was implicated.

But in this imperial city, how could a truly cowardly and incompetent person survive?

Xue Sui withdrew his gaze, sat beside Xue Yuechen with his head down and remained silent, but he noticed a beam of cold light suddenly coming from above his head.

It’s Li Zhao.

Li Zhao was very malicious towards her.

He even takes a look at her before leaving. Is he thinking about how to kill her?

"Everyone..."

Seeing that the time had come, Empress Xie stopped waiting for Concubine Xiao and raised her glass to start the party with a smile.

"The world is just beginning to settle down, and the four seas are at peace. This is really a blessing for Daliang. In this spring, everything is reviving, and this garden full of spring scenery is just like the grand scene of our dynasty. Today, I invite you all to come and accompany me to appreciate the beauty and celebrate the beautiful scenery. I wish Daliang good weather, peace and prosperity."

All the women raised their glasses.

"I wish my country Daliang good weather, peace and prosperity."

Empress Xie looked at them gently, pressed her palms, and motioned for everyone to sit down and talk. "I summoned you here so that you can talk and look at the flowers together. There is no need to be formal. You can drink to your heart's content and celebrate the joy of the spring banquet together."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Another round of responses and greetings.

Once we sat down again, the atmosphere became relaxed and waiters came forward to serve the food.

Halfway through the banquet, someone mentioned the theme of this event - flower fighting.

Today, each family brought flowers and placed them next to the table for people to admire and comment on.

What we are competing for is flowers, but also literary talent and elegance, to see who can speak as beautifully as flowers.

Eating and appreciating flowers is a beautiful thing, but it will be troublesome if there is too much intrigue.

There were fine wines and delicacies on the table, but they tasted a little astringent when they went down his throat. Xue Sui frowned and put his hands on the table. He felt that the voices in the hall became inexplicably distant, and his throat felt slightly hot.

"What's wrong?" Xue Yuechen glanced at her and asked in a low voice.

Xue Sui lowered his eyebrows and smiled: "Nothing."

Xue Yuechen looked at her with concern for a moment, "Sister, you seem a little absent-minded? You look bad too."

Xue Sui placed his palm on his lower abdomen, frowned, and smiled bitterly.

"Maybe it's because my country belly can't enjoy the royal blessings. I have a stomachache and want to go to the bathroom..."

Xue Yuechen nodded: "Go ahead."

Everyone at the banquet was enjoying the flowers and drinking wine, and no one paid special attention to them.

Xue Sui led Xiao Zhao and Ruyi out and went to the small pavilion prepared for the guests.

It was clearly the beginning of spring, with a warm sun in the sky and the weather not too hot. But after she took a few steps, she felt sweat on her back and her forehead was inexplicably wet.

She knew what was going on and asked Xiao Zhao and Ruyi.

"Are you hot?"

Ruyi shook her head.

Xiao Zhao looked at her expression and suddenly came to his senses.

"Is there something fishy in my diet?"

Anyone who dares to make trouble at a banquet like this is really brave.

Xue Sui smiled lightly: "It's the thread of love..."

"How despicable!"

Xiao Zhao cursed under her breath while gritting her teeth, but was slightly relieved when she saw Xue Sui's calm expression.

"No wonder the young lady asked the fifth young lady and the eldest young master to come in advance."

Xue Sui didn't look at her, nor did he answer, but walked faster and faster.

Xiao Zhao was worried about her, "Miss, be careful with your steps and walk slowly..."

Xue Sui said, "If you're any slower, Ping Le will be proud of himself."

Before the voice fell, a familiar figure appeared in the flower path of the waterside pavilion. His tall figure was much taller than the flower stand, and he walked quickly through the rows of neatly arranged flowers, looking steady but anxious.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince?" Xiao Zhao was surprised.

"He seems...not quite right?" Ruyi also said.

Xue Sui also saw it.

When passing by a white jade lion statue on the bridge railing, Li Zhao reached out and pressed the head of the jade lion. When he applied force, one could see a slight tremor in his elbow.

"No wonder!"

No wonder Pingle told Lu Xi that after today, her grandfather would no longer force her to marry into the Eastern Palace...

Apparently, Pingle specially prepared a great gift for Li Zhao...

Just find a girl who is not presentable, have sex with Li Zhao, and then use the grand occasion of the Spring Flower Banquet to attract people to watch, so that Empress Xie and the Crown Prince will be embarrassed. After the embarrassment, Lu Kefu will be very proud and will naturally not force his granddaughter to marry the Crown Prince...

But she didn't expect that she would end up watching such a joke...

She was the gift that Pingle prepared for Li Zhao, the "girl who was not presentable".

Kill two birds with one stone.

Xue Sui watched as Li Zhao forced himself to leave the table and head towards the small pavilion at the West Garden. For some reason, there was no servant around him. He had a hunch that this man was about to fall into Ping Le's trap.

It's a trap everywhere.

Why not let him dance his own one?
Xue Sui's brows relaxed slightly, a smile playing on his lips.

"You guys wait for me here."

Xiao Zhao and Ruyi were stunned, "Girl?"

Xue Sui said in a deep voice, and gave Xiao Zhao a look, "I will follow your instructions."

"……Yes."

Xiao Zhao and Ruyi waited there, while Xue Sui went over alone and opened the small pavilion in the Imperial Garden where people could take a rest and change clothes...

She pretended to be uncomfortable, slowly covered her chest, and staggered slightly.

As soon as I lifted the curtain, a figure flashed before my eyes...

Someone is plotting!

She did not resist and let the man cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.

"It takes no effort at all."

The two old women laughed sinisterly, not without pride.

"I was originally wondering how to deal with you, but now you've come to me on your own accord..."

Xue Sui fainted and let the man lift her up like a dead person...

　Xue Sui: On the predation chain of mantis, cicada and yellow bird…

　　Li Zhao: It is better to talk about the relationship between the cat and the scabby cat…

　　ps: Does anyone know what animals the latter two are?

　　(End of this chapter)