Chapter 225: Ill Intentions
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The Great Empress Dowager helped Mingzhu up, wanting to say a few words of intimacy with her but it wasn’t convenient, so she just looked her over from head to toe. Mingzhu didn’t need to pretend; she just stood there smiling broadly at the Great Empress Dowager.
Yuwen Chu had been taking good care of her these days, inviting several famous chefs to the mansion in succession, and every day they ate different dishes. The serving maids dared not voice any complaints, and she did as she pleased, eating whatever she wanted. Even during their activities at night, after that night, he had shown great restraint, stopping each time, just a few kisses and cuddles, taking advantage of her a bit but not excessively harassing her. She was really living comfortably. Even if she gained a bit of weight after the poisoning incident, it didn’t matter; she was eating well, sleeping well, and had put on a bit of weight around her waist.
Mingzhu actually suspected that Yuwen Chu had been so well-behaved with her for so many days just for this moment, to let the Great Empress Dowager and others see how he had fattened her up, reassuring those who wished her well and disappointing those who didn’t.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was true, and her smile became even brighter. Seeing Mingzhu’s radiant smile and lively appearance, the Great Empress Dowager’s heart relaxed, and she pinched Mingzhu’s chubby hand, saying, “You’ve gained weight.”
Although she knew she had indeed gained weight, Mingzhu didn’t feel happy hearing it. Pouting, she said, “No, I haven’t.”
The Great Empress Dowager lightly tapped her nose and whispered, “There are many young relatives from the royal family here today. Have you prepared any gifts for them?”
“I have.” Mingzhu thought about when Jiang Shanshan would come back to report later, once she saw the glassware and incense she had sent out, she would surely be delighted. Let her be happy first, and then she would have some disappointment later!
Seeing her so considerate, the Great Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction. “I should have known. Even if you didn’t think of it, your maids should have, and if not them, then Old Six. He always considers these things more carefully than anyone else.”
At first, it was just a normal sentence, but Mingzhu inexplicably felt that the last sentence of the Great Empress Dowager seemed to imply something else, but she couldn’t figure it out when she thought about it. Because this was the truth, Yuwen Chu did indeed help her pick out the gifts, and he had always been very considerate in matters of interpersonal relationships.
“Go ahead.” The Great Empress Dowager gently pushed Mingzhu, reminding her, “Go and greet your Royal Mother, don’t argue with Funing again.”
“Okay.” Mingzhu obediently responded, smiling as she walked over to greet Imperial Consort Min, affectionately calling her “Royal Mother,” and then smiling warmly at Funing. “Sister.”
In front of everyone, and because of the punishment she had received last time, Funing didn’t dare to be too excessive. She just snorted and turned her nose and eyes up, considering it an answer. Mingzhu didn’t argue with her either, smiling as she took Imperial Consort Min’s hand and said, “I haven’t been to the palace to see you these days, Royal Mother. How have you been? His Highness said you’ve been a bit restless lately and haven’t been sleeping well at night, so I specially found some good calming incense for you to try later.”
Even if she hadn’t been poisoned and couldn’t move around freely, it wasn’t good to enter the palace casually when her health was fine. Imperial Consort Min held Mingzhu’s hand and sighed, “I know everything. I know you’re filial, but you should take care of yourself first when you’re like this. Why are you sending me incense when you’re sick? And those furs you sent me a few days ago were rare; I really like them.”
Furs? Mingzhu was puzzled. When did she ever send any furs? She still remembered being resentful about the sheep-fat jade bracelet incident. Even this calming incense was reminded and prepared in advance by Yuwen Chu for her to bring into the palace. Where would she have thought of sending furs?
But then she thought that only Yuwen Chu would send gifts to please Imperial Consort Min in her name. Since the gifts had been sent, and pulling a long face and saying harsh words would be a waste, she smiled and said, “The weather is getting colder, and I know the palace can be chilly in the winter. You need good fur clothes. Royal Mother, you’re getting older, and we can’t be by your side for long, so we can only express our intentions.”
The words sounded decent enough, and Imperial Consort Min didn’t know whether to believe them or not. Anyway, she smiled with curved eyebrows and eyes, and turned to Consort Xiao beside her, saying repeatedly, “Look at my good daughter-in-law. They say she’s careless, but isn’t she exceptionally considerate? I noticed it back when she was taking care of Niang Niang’s illness. She’s filial, considerate, meticulous, and attentive.”
It’s all about mutual flattery in this social game, isn’t it? Mingzhu smiled, pretending to be shy, “Royal Mother, please don’t praise me so much, I’ll feel embarrassed.”
Funing covered her mouth, making a gesture of disgust, but Mingzhu ignored her as if she hadn’t seen it, leaving Funing feeling like she had punched the air, utterly powerless.
As a former prospective mother-in-law, Consort Xiao was very regretful to see Mingzhu running off just as the marriage was about to happen. Seeing the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law performing filial piety in front of her made her feel uninspired. She said with ill intentions, “Isn’t that right? Sister’s luck has always been extremely good. Both the previous and current daughters-in-law are good girls.” Then, she suddenly covered her mouth, feeling embarrassed, and lightly patted her own mouth, “Look at me, I’m getting old and still keep saying the wrong things. I should say, Second Miss Jiang is also a good girl. Why not accept her as a concubine alongside Old Six, following the example of Ehuang and Nuying? Wouldn’t that be a timeless tale?”
This is deliberately provoking their relationship. It seems that the incident with the sheep-fat jade bracelet has leaked out. Imperial Consort Min’s face suddenly turned ugly, looking at Mingzhu with some concern, but Funing was genuinely delighted, “Today, Second Miss Jiang has finally taken all the limelight! She has been accompanying the Wusun Princess, helping her deliver messages, and no other family’s young lady is as capable and glamorous as her.”
Mingzhu completely ignored Funing and instead looked directly at Consort Xiao and said, “A few days ago when I returned home, I heard from my family that the snow lotus you sent earlier was a good thing, but unfortunately, it wasn’t properly stored and got infested with bugs and dirt inside. In my opinion, when giving gifts, we should offer good items. How can we give things that have already become dirty and infested with bugs? This isn’t making friends; it’s making enemies!”
Consort Xiao’s face changed drastically. “You…” This was too disrespectful! It sounded like she was referring to that snow lotus, but in reality, they both knew she was talking about Yuwen Long’s indiscretion. But to say it so bluntly was too domineering!
Why should you give me trouble but not let me retaliate? If I don’t release this frustration now when I still can, do I have to save it for later when I can’t vent it and just lie on the ground crying? Mingzhu smiled lightly. “I’m not very good at speaking, but you’ve made a simple statement sound so exaggerated. What I meant to say was, although that snow lotus is no longer usable, my Mother said that your intentions were good, and everyone makes mistakes sometimes. We can’t get upset over such trivial matters. Do we still want to live our lives happily in the future?”
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