Chapter 222: My Territory, My Rules
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After selecting her attire, Mingzhu began to handle household affairs one by one. First, she listened to the reports from Zheng Momo and Li Bochun regarding the confrontation with Jiang Shanshan’s Bo Lai Wu. Then, she proceeded with the arrangements discussed previously with Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng. Next, she instructed someone to send a letter to Fu Mingzheng, asking Ban Jian to make a sleeve arrow for her father, brother, and Yuwen Chu respectively. Suddenly, she remembered the kind-hearted Shen Ruilin. Considering his contributions on the battlefield, a sleeve arrow would be most practical for him. Therefore, she decided to include one for him as well, as a gesture of goodwill.
Finally, she instructed someone to inform the various beauties in the northern garden that she would be inspecting the territory, instructing them to quickly clean and prepare properly. Any grievances or dissatisfaction could be reported to her, and if they wished to leave the mansion and seek another path, she would fully support them.
Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi led a large group of maidservants, respectfully waiting at the front of northern garden to welcome her. When they saw Mingzhu sitting in the sedan chair, they all bowed down respectfully to greet her. Mingzhu smiled and gestured for them to rise, especially focusing her gaze on the Su sisters, Su Zi and Su Ye, who were received gifts from the Great Empress Dowager. Sensing her intention, the two approached her with affection and eagerly introduced the customs and people of northern garden.
Who lives where, who loves what, who gets along best with whom, where are they from, how old are they, what are their talents, and how do they usually spend their time for leisure, etc. These two sisters have been specially trained. They spoke eloquently, were witty and quick, charming and likable. It’s obvious that they were diligently revealing everyone’s details to Mingzhu, but when they spoke, they appeared particularly sincere and enthusiastic. Even flattery was not evident, only sincere and pleasing.
Talented indeed! No wonder the Great Empress Dowager introduced them to herself with such solemnity. Mingzhu was satisfied with what she heard and smiled, saying, “I heard that you two sisters are skilled in music. When I come up with something fun in the future, you can come over and help me with the music, play some instruments or accompany me.”
This is paving the way for them so they can come to her and report things to her openly. Since all the beauties in the northern garden have extraordinary backgrounds and could potentially be someone else’s spies, she could also plant her own spies in the northern garden. Su Zi and Su Ye are the most suitable for this.
Su Zi and Su Ye were overjoyed and immediately bowed down to thank Mingzhu for her guidance, expressing their loyalty in a flurry of words. Ping Nushi exchanged meaningful glances with a few of the maids who were close to her, then made faces at Zhou Nushi, indicating that someone was about to fall out of favor. After all, the northern garden used to be under Zhou Nushi’s control, but seeing the new Wangfei’s attitude, it was obvious she wasn’t giving Zhou Nushi face and intended to support Su Zi and Su Ye to oppose her.
Zhou Nushi kept her eyes lowered, looking calm and indifferent, seemingly unaffected, but from her position on the sedan chair, Mingzhu could see the knuckles of the hand holding the handkerchief, as if she was exerting all her strength.
Mingzhu withdrew her gaze and, accompanied by the crowd of beauties, toured the northern garden, then sat down in a picturesque pavilion with them to drink tea and chat.
Seeing that everyone looked nervous, knowing that she had scared them a few times with her actions, she was in a very good mood. “His Highness is busy with official duties. I just arrived and I’m not familiar with the situation in the mansion yet. Even if I want to share His Highness’s worries, there are times when I’m powerless. You are all veterans of the mansion, and you understand His Highness’s preferences and rules better than I do. I won’t repeat them here. I came here today to have a heart-to-heart talk with everyone, to live in peace and harmony, and not to cause trouble for His Highness and me. Your food and clothing won’t be affected. If anyone has difficulties or grievances, feel free to tell me. I won’t turn a blind eye. If not, I will feel guilty, and His Highness won’t show mercy.”
This was too domineering! What did she mean by saying that the mansion’s rules and His Highness’s preferences were clearer to them than to her, to live in peace and harmony, not to cause trouble, and not to affect their food and clothing? It was clearly a warning to them that His Highness belonged to her alone, and they shouldn’t try to climb high branches. Those who obeyed would be rewarded, and those who didn’t would be in trouble.
Everyone understood, feeling particularly bitter in their hearts. Even Su Zi and Su Ye, the two sisters, felt a sense of despair. The noble and virtuous Ying Wang was actually handed over to such a rude, selfish, jealous woman who didn’t even know how to conceal her intentions!
While everyone was still feeling sad, Mingzhu spoke again, “I heard that His Highness is the most just and ruthless. Is that right, Zhou Nushi?”
Zhou Nushi was lost in thought with her head bowed, suddenly named, she raised her head in surprise, unable to conceal the sadness and resentment in her eyes, but it was only for a moment. She quickly regained her composure and whispered, “Indeed, it is so. His Highness’s wet nurse, who followed him from the palace to the mansion to take care of him, was greatly respected by His Highness for her hard work. But she attempted to meddle in His Highness’s private affairs, committing a heinous crime. Although His Highness was reluctant, he still dealt with her justly. Even when the Imperial Consort pleaded for her, His Highness ignored it. It can be seen that His Highness is indeed the most just and ruthless.”
So he had experienced the same thing as herself. But people are different. If she hadn’t benefitted from her reincarnation, she would probably have been manipulated by Geng Momo without realizing it. But as for this Momo, what private affairs of His Highness did she intervene in? She really wanted to know. Mingzhu couldn’t help but want to ask Zhou Nushi, but seeing Zhou Nushi’s calm and indifferent appearance, she felt annoyed. The calmness and indifference on this person’s face were exactly the same as Yuwen Chu’s. She didn’t like this resemblance.
Upon careful thought, even Zhou Nushi’s seemingly flattering words just now seemed to have a hint of showing off her experience. Everyone else doesn’t know, but I know, because I came here with His Highness right after the establishment of the mansion. Don’t you love to show off your experience? I’ll fulfill your wish then. Mingzhu smiled and said, “So Zhou Nushi is quite old, and she knows about these things.”
Ping Nushi burst into laughter and said, “That’s right, Sister Zhou is two years older than His Highness.”
Zhou Nushi’s eyelids twitched slightly and she said calmly, “Indeed, I am twenty-six years old this year.”
Mingzhu looked at Zhou Nushi and said slowly, “Zhou Nushi has worked hard, so add an extra portion to her share.” If she could wait so many years and come out quietly, and even give birth to the eldest son, she must not be a simple person. Patience was certain, intelligence was certain, but she didn’t know about her character. She didn’t need to do anything about this potential threat. She just needed to wait quietly. Zhou Nushi can’t afford to wait as long as she can. Being honest means having a meal to eat, being dishonest means seeking death. As long as she is here, the eldest son won’t be born.
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