Chapter 212: Two Nushis
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“What’s so difficult about that? As long as it pleases the Wangfei, I can afford to spend a little money.” Yuwen Chu pushed a bowl of yellow millet porridge over. “Eat this, and I’ll hire famous chefs for you.”
“Your Highness must keep your word,” Mingzhu said stubbornly, quickly finishing a bowl of millet porridge she usually hated, feeling the taste of millet in her mouth, then hurriedly eating a piece of duck breast to cover the bland taste.
Yuwen Chu then instructed Wei Tiande to tell Li Quanxin, “Let him inquire carefully and find some good chefs for the mansion, preferably with various tastes and cuisines, especially snacks. Don’t skimp on the money.”
Wow, Ying Wang, who usually doesn’t care about such things, is actually willing to spend so much money! This is all to please the Wangfei. Wei Tiande took a deep breath and quietly glanced at Mingzhu, this “femme fatale,” but then retreated.
“I’m done eating, shall we go?” Mingzhu had only casually mentioned it, not expecting him to actually do it, so she couldn’t help but feel elated, coquettishly extending her hand to Yuwen Chu.
Yuwen Chu took her hand as expected, and Mingzhu leaned over coquettishly, pretending to be a shy bride, following him closely out of the door. She kept talking, “I’ve prepared cloth, grains, oil, meat, silver, medicinal herbs, Your Highness, what do you think? Fifty taels of silver for the injured, offerings for the deceased, and an additional two hundred taels of silver. In the future, we’ll give two taels of silver every month to the bereaved families. Of course, Your Highness needs to approve of the silver…”
Before she could finish speaking, she saw two elegant ladies standing neatly in the corridor. One was Zhou Nushi and the other was Ping Nushi. Both were dressed elegantly and exquisitely. Being disturbed so early in the morning made Mingzhu instantly annoyed. She smiled stiffly and said, “Why didn’t the two Nushis send someone to inform me?”
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi glanced at each other, bowed, and then Zhou Nushi stepped forward to reply, “Your Highness and Your Majesty are having their meal, so we didn’t dare to disturb.” She also mentioned about preparing a banquet to invite the two hosts, quietly bowing her head and waiting for the response.
Mingzhu was annoyed that they had gone to invite Yuwen Chu without informing her first. She naturally wanted to show her authority: “It’s not a good time to agree to you two right now.”
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi were both shocked. Even if the Wangfei didn’t want them to interact too much with Yuwen Chu, it was not appropriate to refuse them in front of Yuwen Chu like this, right?
Mingzhu casually said, “We have urgent matters to attend to, and recently, there should be no banquets in the mansion! It’s not appropriate!” There was no need to find excuses. The guards in the mansion had died and been injured for Yuwen Chu. As the master, he naturally had to show condolences. Otherwise, while others were mourning, if he were here having fun with a group of concubines, wouldn’t that be heartless?
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi were not just shocked; they were speechless. There should at least be a reason, right? But to outright refuse in such a rude manner without even giving an excuse, directly saying it’s not suitable recently, what should they do about that?
Zhou Nushi saw that Yuwen Chu remained calm and did not object, knowing that he fully agreed with Mingzhu. She quickly lowered her head quietly and obediently.
Ping Nushi, however, didn’t see this clearly. She looked at Yuwen Chu affectionately, just about to say a few sweet words, but Mingzhu frowned and rebuked, “Why haven’t you left yet?”
Ping Nushi immediately looked pitiful and frowned. Mingzhu coldly said, “Don’t you know your manners? We have urgent matters to attend to, but you’re blocking the way. If there’s no sufficient reason, are you asking for punishment?” This was not the time to show leniency. She had already spoken. If she dared to say more, it would be a contempt for her authority as the mistress. If Ping Nushi dared to say more, Mingzhu would dare to have someone take action.
Zhou Nushi quickly pulled Ping Nushi away, bowed, and said softly, “Wangfei, please calm down. Ping Nushi is a bit straightforward and doesn’t mean any harm.”
Straightforward? It means Ping Nushi is stupid, right? You’re quite eloquent. Mingzhu glanced at Zhou Nushi, hooked her arm around Yuwen Chu’s, and proudly followed him down the steps, heading forward.
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi waited until the two had walked away before they dared to stand up. Ping Nushi stood on tiptoe, gazing affectionately at Yuwen Chu’s back, and murmured, “The Wangfei is really powerful. His Highness actually likes this kind of woman.”
Zhou Nushi didn’t answer, glanced at the maids and Su Mei standing at the door, and whispered, “Let’s go. Since His Highness and the Wangfei can’t attend the banquet, let’s temporarily stop the purchases in the kitchen, or the fresh ingredients will go bad.”
Although Ying Wang usually didn’t withhold anyone’s food and clothing, it was just enough to get by. To prepare for such a banquet would require spending quite a bit of money. Judging by the look of the new Wangfei, she must be picky and critical. It was necessary to have more money on hand, and there could be no waste at all.
Ping Nushi glanced at her and smiled, “Sister, you are always so considerate. No wonder the late emperor chose you from among so many people. His Highness has entrusted the entire northern garden to your care, and the Imperial Consort also has a high opinion of you. This time they said they wanted to entrust the money to us to arrange, and I said it would all be at your disposal. I only have a mouth to eat with, unlike you, who can read, write, and plan.” The last sentence, “can read, write, and plan,” was said in a melodic and meaningful tone.
Zhou Nushi looked at her calmly and said, “Considering that we both came out of the palace together and have been in this mansion for many years, I’ll remind you: don’t worry about others. Take care of yourself.” Finally, she added, “His Highness doesn’t like frivolous people, don’t you know?”
Ping Nushi also became annoyed, “But I am such a person. Born with such a face, I can only stay alone every day. Am I supposed to die alone in the northern garden without ever experiencing the taste of a man?”
Her words were crude, and Zhou Nushi’s face turned red. She impatiently turned and walked away, “Take care of yourself.”
Ping Nushi looked at Zhou Nushi’s back indifferently, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips. Then, turning to the maidservants accompanying her, she adopted a frivolous and dissatisfied demeanor, “What’s with the pretense? If she was really serious, how could she have attracted His Highness’s attention in the first place?”
The maidservant advised, “Nushi, be cautious. Walls have ears.”
Ping Nushi walked forward coquettishly, “What’s there to be afraid of? I’ve always been like this. I was chosen by Consort Zhou, destined to never win His Highness’s favor in this lifetime. Since it’s already come to this, do they expect me to endure it silently? It’s ridiculous!”
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