Chapter 286: Plain Hands Setting the Stage
You Huang Ju.
Xue Sui leaned against the bolster by the window, her left arm bandaged with fine white cloth. The wound no longer hurt much, but as it healed, it produced a deep, bone-marrow-piercing itch.
Strands of it disturbed her mind.
Jinshu brought the medicine in, and seeing her holding a Buddhist scripture and gazing absently at the Love Silk Flowers blooming in the courtyard, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
“Young Lady, it’s time for your medicine.”
Xue Sui nodded slightly, gently took the warm medicine bowl, stirred it a few times with a small spoon, blew away the rising steam, and then sipped it slowly.
The bitter medicine spread on her tongue, her expression unchanged.
“What’s happening outside?” Xue Sui swallowed the last sip, handing the empty bowl back to Jinshu.
Jinshu took it and replied in a low voice.
“The Duke of Zheng’s Mansion is in chaos. Old Duke Guo is gravely ill, said to be within these few days… The Ministry of Justice has interrogated Eldest Young Master Guo several times. He initially cried injustice, but later fell silent, refusing to confess anything. As for Second Master Xue and Director Zhang…”
She paused, lowering her voice further, “It’s spread all over the streets, with all sorts of rumors. Some say the Guo family, cornered, tried to silence someone, while others say… it was the Crown Prince’s cruel methods to eliminate rivals. In short, people are in a state of panic.”
Xue Sui’s expression was calm, her fingertips unconsciously fiddling with her sleeve cuff.
“As expected. It’s a pity for Second Master Xue. He could have been a stable local official in Jiangzhou, but was inexplicably dragged into this and became a ghost who died in vain…”
“Young Lady.” Jinshu hesitated, a hint of worry in her brow.
“Do you think… the Crown Prince might suspect us?”
The corners of Xue Sui’s lips curved upward faintly.
“If he can’t figure this out, he’s not Li Zhao.”
“But…”
Jinshu was still worried, “Our dealings with the Crown Prince are like playing with fire. If, one day, the Crown Prince achieves his ambition, he might feel that Young Lady knows too much, or… is in his way…”
Life is unpredictable, and Jinshu’s worries were not unfounded.
Li Zhao today appears to be loyal and righteous.
But whether he will remember their past relationship once he wears the Dragon Robe is unknown.
How can an Emperor’s heart be swayed by personal feelings?
Xue Sui stood up and walked to the half-open window.
The crisp, cool breeze carrying the scent of earth rushed towards her, clearing her muddled mind.
“There are no lasting enemies or friends in this world, only tangible interests. Li Zhao needs me now, and I need him. That is enough.”
She paused, her gaze falling on the distant Palace Wall.
“Life is like a game of chess; no regrets after a move. We take it one step at a time. Li Zhao, this person…”
What about him?
Jinshu listened attentively.
Xue Sui did not continue, but sighed softly.
“What about Prince Duan’s side? Any news?”
Jinshu said, “Prince Duan has been in a frenzy these past few days. His Consort Zhang’s family, due to Director Zhang’s incident… is in an uproar. Madam Zhang cries daily, saying Director Zhang was framed, forced by Master Wang Qinian of the Ministry of Works and Master Ma Yuankui of the Ministry of Revenue to discuss business at Ruan Yu Tower, only to drown inexplicably in a bathtub, dying so ignominiously, which has made her daughter unable to hold her head up in Prince Duan’s Mansion. The Zhang family has even gone to the Wang and Ma families to cause trouble, almost to the point of becoming sworn enemies… Several families are all dependent on Prince Duan, and Prince Duan is in a very difficult position caught in the middle…”
“Oh?”
Xue Sui’s smile was extremely cold and faint.
“Li Huan is worldly-wise; he will know how to take advantage of the situation.”
Jinshu was startled and was about to ask something else.
Then, the sound of Ru Yi’s deliberately light footsteps came from outside the door.
“Young Lady, the Crown Prince has arrived…”
Xue Sui was slightly taken aback.
It had been more than half a month since Li Zhao last left, and not a single word had been heard from him.
His sudden visit today must mean new developments.
She lowered her head, stroking the scar on her wrist.
“Help me change.”
Ru Yi stepped forward and added in a low voice, “Young Lady… Third Miss Guo is also here…”
Xue Sui’s movements paused.
Ru Yi observed her expression, her tone tinged with a hint of apprehension, “She… arrived just after the Crown Prince. His Highness asked Third Miss Guo to wait in the side hall. I saw that her eyes were swollen from crying…”
A hint of understanding flashed in Xue Sui’s eyes.
Then, her expression returned to calm.
“I understand. Let’s go and see her.”
–
The side hall’s windows were tightly shut, and the heater radiated warmth, preventing any cold wind from entering.
Xue Sui, wrapped in a plain silk jacket, was supported by Jinshu as she went out.
Guo Yunrong sat on a low stool by the couch, clutching a crumpled handkerchief. Her nose was red from crying, and her light green silk skirt accentuated her slender waist, making her appear delicate.
She was alone in the hall; Li Zhao was nowhere to be seen.
Xue Sui calmly clasped her hands together.
“Third Miss Guo.”
When Guo Yunrong looked up and saw her, her eyes immediately turned red.
“Sister Xue…”
Her voice was choked and broken, and she couldn’t say anything more, only tears rolling down in large drops…
Xue Sui walked closer and patted her comfortingly. Guo Yunrong, however, grabbed her arm and was about to kneel.
“Yunrong is truly at her wit’s end and has shamelessly come to beg Sister…”
Xue Sui frowned slightly, signaling Jinshu to help her up.
“The floor is cold. Whatever you need to say, let’s sit down and talk slowly.”
Her voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying the weakness of a recent illness, but still gentle.
“Jinshu, serve the County Princess a cup of hot tea.”
Guo Yunrong felt a little more at ease seeing her kindness.
Jinshu quickly placed a cup of piping hot ginger jujube tea on the low table beside Guo Yunrong and said softly.
“County Princess, warm yourself up…”
Guo Yunrong cupped the warm teacup in her hands, her fingertips trembling slightly. She dared not meet Xue Sui’s gaze, her eyes fixed on her own shoes.
“Sister Xue, Yunrong should not have bothered you…”
She was thin-skinned, and the words she was about to speak caused her inner torment.
Xue Sui did not rush her, but waited patiently.
After Guo Yunrong’s emotions had somewhat calmed, she offered a piece of almond shortbread.
“Eat something sweet, and it won’t be so bitter.”
Guo Yunrong took a few deep breaths before raising her tear-filled eyes and speaking with a thick nasal voice, sobbing.
“Sister Xue… Yunrong begged the Crown Prince to bring me here to see you today, so I hope you will forgive my presumption. I also heard that you are not feeling well, which makes me feel even more ashamed. But Yunrong truly has no other recourse…”
She choked, tears falling uncontrollably into the tea.
“Grandfather has been coughing blood and hasn’t eaten for days. The doctor says he’s at the end of his strength and won’t last much longer… Eldest Brother is in the Ministry of Justice prison with no news, and we don’t know if he’s alive or dead… The friends I used to have now avoid me like a plague… Yunrong knows Sister is kind and benevolent… I can only come to you…”
Xue Sui watched her quietly. When her crying subsided slightly, she spoke slowly.
“How do you want me to help you…”
Guo Yunrong looked up abruptly, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
“Yunrong wants to beg Sister to remember our past relationship and speak a good word for me to the Crown Prince, asking him to be lenient and spare the Guo family…”
Her voice trembled with humble pleading. In her desperation, she even cautiously tugged at Xue Sui’s sleeve.
“As long as my parents and family can be protected, Yunrong will do anything. Whatever Sister asks, I will do…”
Xue Sui looked at her impassively.
After a moment, she sighed heavily and removed her sleeve.
“Third Miss Guo, if you only want me to go to the Crown Prince to plead for the Guo family, I cannot do that.”
The light in Guo Yunrong’s eyes instantly dimmed.
Xue Sui continued, her tone plain but sincere.
“The Crown Prince is investigating the case by imperial decree, with His Majesty’s authority behind him and all the officials watching… As an outsider, how much weight would my plea carry? Why should His Highness listen to me? Third Miss Guo, you should know clearly what crimes your elder brother Guo Zhaohuai and your uncle Guo Mingyuan have committed…”
Guo Yunrong’s lips moved, wanting to argue but feeling powerless.
“My mother said… those were all tricks by subordinates. My uncle and elder brother… were just negligent in their supervision… Besides, which noble family in the capital doesn’t have some muddled accounts…”
Her voice grew softer and softer.
Because Xue Sui’s gaze became increasingly stern.
“I know it’s difficult for you…”
“It’s not difficult,” Xue Sui’s gaze was sharp, piercing the heart. “It’s the unburied corpses of soldiers who died of cold and starvation in the Western Frontier. Their parents and children are still weeping… This blood debt, involving the grave crime of military supply corruption, cannot be glossed over with a few muddled accounts or negligence?”
Every word was a stab to the heart, every sentence dripping with blood.
Guo Yunrong’s face turned ashen, only shame and helpless tears silently falling. She twisted the silk handkerchief, her body trembling uncontrollably.
“But as the legitimate daughter of the Guo family, I grew up protected by the family, living in luxury and eating well, never suffering any hardship. I cannot stand by and watch the Guo family decline, my father, brothers, and uncles imprisoned, and do nothing… Sister Xue, please teach me what I should do now…”
A suffocating silence fell upon the warm pavilion.
The crackling of the charcoal fire made the silence even more profound.
After a long while, Xue Sui’s expression softened slightly, and she sighed softly.
“We have known each other, and Third Miss Guo has shown me kindness in the past. Since you have come all this way today, if it is only to plan for yourself, I will naturally do my best…”
Guo Yunrong’s eyes lit up.
Like a drowning person grasping a life-saving raft, she looked at Xue Sui with full hope.
“Sister Xue, tell me. As long as I can save my family, Yunrong will do whatever Sister says…”
Xue Sui picked up the lukewarm tea in front of her, took a sip to moisten her slightly dry throat, and said persuasively.
“This matter is not entirely without hope. The Guo family is now mired in trouble and has become the target of public criticism, making it easy for everyone to push them down… But as you said, the noble families in the capital are deeply entrenched, with long-standing problems. Muddled accounts involving military supplies and provisions are not unique to the Guo family alone. If the Guo family can produce some concrete evidence at this time, even if they cannot prove their innocence, they can drag others down with them…”
Guo Yunrong was stunned.
“Sister, Yunrong is dull and doesn’t quite understand.”
Xue Sui leaned forward slightly, tapping her fingertip on Guo Yunrong’s hand, her words clear.
“The law does not punish the masses. Reporting wrongdoing is meritorious.”
