Chapter 150 Reminiscence
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As Mingzhu entered the hall and saw the Mother and son looking at her as if they were thinking about something, she guessed that they had already received the news. Although she was very angry and wanted to burst out, she forced herself to suppress it and put on a carefree and bright smile, saying, “Is Royal Mother and His Highness having a conversation? I’m interrupting. How about I go outside again, and you continue chatting?”
Imperial Consort Min smiled gently. “What nonsense this child is talking. You’re part of our family, how could you possibly bother us? Look, your face is all flushed from the sun. Come over here and sit down to catch your breath. Let them bring you a mixed ice bowl.” Though Mingzhu had a proud and headstrong nature, she was rarely so bright and sincere. It’s not that she didn’t like Mingzhu at all, it’s just that liking someone and having them as your daughter-in-law are two different things. After having the daughter-in-law she had always thought suddenly change, it had to be somewhat regrettable.
Where was she sunburned? It was clearly from anger. Clearly, she preferred Jiang Shanshan, but she could still be so attentive and affectionate towards her. It turns out that Imperial Consort Min had such a good way with words. Some people really only know what kind of person someone is when they get close to them. You treat me well, and I’ll treat you the same.
Mingzhu sat down next to Empress Dowager Min with a smile, just as affectionately as before, holding her arm and saying with a smile, “When you say that, I suddenly feel like I’m back in the past. At that time, I was unstoppable in front of you, and you spoiled me so much that even Funing was jealous… I didn’t dare to be presumptuous in front of you in the morning, always thinking about adhering to filial piety. But human nature is hard to change, pretending is just pretending, I couldn’t help it.” Staring into Imperial Consort Min’s eyes, she said coquettishly, “Mother, you won’t mind my rudeness, will you?”
Imperial Consort Min instinctively followed her words with a smile. “How could I? You’ve grown up under my care, almost like my own daughter. You like being close to me, and I’m happy about it. Speaking of Funing’s jealousy, blame it on me spoiling you too much. Back then, didn’t you also make Funing jealous, blaming the Great Empress Dowager for spoiling Funing too much?”
Although it was already autumn, the heat had not yet dissipated. Mingzhu saw a few drops of sweat forming on Imperial Consort Min’s nose, so she casually took the silk fan from the palace maid’s hand and gently fanned her, smiling with curved eyebrows and eyes, “Isn’t it? I remember it was because of a grasshopper. It was sent as tribute from the northwest, beautifully woven into a straw cage. It looked so lovely, and I wanted it, and Funing wanted it too. So the two of us fought over it, saying whoever won the fight would keep it. In the end, I won, but Ning gave the grasshopper to Funing instead, which made me cry a lot and accused her of favoritism…”
Imperial Consort Min knew that Mingzhu hadn’t caused trouble with Funing and Jiang Shanshan in the Imperial Garden, so she was already in a good mood. Hearing her talk about the past, she wanted to give her face, so she smiled and said, “Funing saw you crying but deliberately teased you with the grasshopper. I made her give it to you, but you were stubborn and refused, only focusing on being mad at Niang Niang. You even foolishly asked me if Niang Niang didn’t love you anymore and wanted me to pamper you.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Now it seems that what I said to Royal Mother was not wrong.” She half-jokingly hugged Imperial Consort Min’s arm and swayed it, “Royal Mother, you must pamper me.”
Seeing her adorable demeanor, Imperial Consort Min also felt delighted, “I will pamper you. If someone bullies you, just come and tell me, and I’ll vent your anger for you.”
Trust you? Are you close to your son or your daughter-in-law? Mingzhu glanced back and saw Yuwen Chu lazily leaning against the table, his dark eyes half-closed as he looked at her, teasingly as if he saw through her. So the suppressed anger in her heart suddenly surged again. She squinted at him fiercely, turned her face away, and continued to coax Imperial Consort Min affectionately, intending to create a lively scene for Jiang Shanshan and Fu Ning who were coming later.
Just as the atmosphere became lively, a palace maid announced, “Wangfei and the Second Miss from the Changxing Marquis’s Mansion are here.”
Before the words had even fallen, Princess Funing had already brought Jiang Shanshan, who looked uneasy, into the room. Princess Funing first glanced triumphantly at Mingzhu, then pushed Jiang Shanshan towards Imperial Consort Min and said, “Royal Mother, the Great Empress Dowager ordered Second Sister Jiang to deliver the gifts to Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law. Second Sister Jiang is really something. Since she received the imperial decree, she should have come over, but she was so hesitant, standing idle in the garden under the scorching sun. If I hadn’t happened to bump into her and forcibly brought her over, who knows how long she would have stood there. Isn’t she afraid of getting sunstroke from the sun?”
The implication was that it wasn’t Jiang Shanshan’s own idea to come here but was done out of obligation due to the Empress Dowager’s command. At the same time, Jiang Shanshan was very considerate and afraid of causing displeasure to others, so she preferred to stand under the scorching sun in the garden rather than come over. Imperial Consort Min immediately restrained her smile and looked at Jiang Shanshan with pity, saying softly, “Good child, I heard you were ill a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?”
Jiang Shanshan kept her eyes down throughout and refused to look at Yuwen Chu even once. When she heard Imperial Consort Min’s question, she curtsied gracefully and replied in a gentle and pleasant voice, “Thank you for your concern, Imperial Consort. Shanshan has already recovered.”
“That’s good. You look much thinner. Come, take a seat.” Imperial Consort Min was about to signal Xia Yan Gugu to help Jiang Shanshan up, but Mingzhu had already walked over to Jiang Shanshan, smiling as she helped her up and said softly, “Second Sister Jiang just recovered from a serious illness and still insisted on coming over. It’s not easy. Please sit down quickly, and let me take care of you.”
Princess Funing looked as if she had seen a ghost, unable to believe it as she stared at Mingzhu and asked, “Are you really this kind?”
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow and smiled, “What do you mean, Little Sister? I’m just helping Royal Mother take care of the guests. Isn’t that appropriate?” As the Wangfei, it was most appropriate for her to do this, showing her warmth and generosity. She could be tough or gentle as needed, but it all depended on her willingness.
“You…” Princess Funing wanted to say more, but Imperial Consort Min interrupted impatiently, “Funing?”
“Thank you, Imperial Consort, and thank you, Wangfei, for your kindness. I won’t disturb you anymore.” Jiang Shanshan politely declined and sat down on the embroidered stool, taking a sip of tea and smiling gently at Imperial Consort Min, “It’s been a while since I last saw you, Niang Niang. You still look as good as ever.”
Imperial Consort Min happily touched her face and smiled, “Really?”
Jiang Shanshan said, “Yes. Niang Niang, you always look so cheerful when good things happen. Wangfei is lively and cheerful. Who wouldn’t like it?” She smiled, her words sincere but inevitably tinged with a hint of loneliness.
Imperial Consort Min couldn’t help but sigh inwardly again. What a good child she was, but why couldn’t her son appreciate her? Seeing Jiang Shanshan’s expression, Princess Funing laughed and said, “Royal Mother, I want Second Sister Jiang to accompany me in the palace for a few days. What do you think?”
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