Chapter 243: Broad-minded
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Yuwen Chu made up his mind and said, “Send my message: those kneeling outside crying for injustice will each receive ten slaps to teach them a lesson in manners.” Regardless of whether the mistress was right or wrong, running to his study and crying injustice in front of him was going against the mistress, it was offending. If he didn’t suppress the arrogance of these people today, Mingzhu wouldn’t be able to manage this household in the future.
As expected, Dong Hui took the order and retreated. These people, in front of His Highness, were relatively honest, but towards newcomers, those who had come out of the palace together with them, they always relied on their old qualifications, extensive networks, and arrogant demeanor, forming a united front. No one dared to offend them, or else they would be collectively victimized. Taking advantage of the fact that the new Wangfei wasn’t familiar with the situation in the mansion, and her reputation wasn’t very good, and her relationship with His Highness wasn’t deep, they dared to provoke. Now, things had turned out like this. Isn’t this hitting a nail on the iron plate?
Others didn’t understand, but Dong Hui, who had long served in the Tingxue Tower, knew best. Every day, His Highness would return to the Yinghui Hall no matter how late it was, change his clothes there, and have meals with the Wangfei unless there was something urgent. If it wasn’t because he really liked her, what else could it be? It’s really stupid, these fools.
Dong Hui conveyed the order and watched as those crying for injustice were each slapped, silenced, and then returned to report. Wei Tiande stood in the corridor watching the excitement, and when Dong Hui came back, he laughed, “Aunt Dong, wasn’t that imposing just now?” Then he cursed, “These old b*stards should have been dealt with long ago. People who come out of the palace are amazing, right? I also came out of the palace! They’re really brainless. Even if the Wangfei did something wrong, His Highness would still protect her. Are they closer to His Highness or the Wangfei? How dare they be so foolish.”
Dong Hui gently said, “Perhaps they’re not trying to seek justice from His Highness, but to let the outsiders know about the Wangfei’s arrogance and cruelty?”
Wei Tiande hit the pillar and cursed, “That’s even courting death!” He finally understood. Half of Wangfei’s arrogance came from His Highness’s indulgence. Only the Wangfei could make the wise and mighty His Highness do such things as staring at a pomegranate for half a day. When he was young and hadn’t entered the palace, he often heard his old Father say that women can’t be too arrogant or domineering. No matter how fierce a woman is, she can’t be fierce or domineering. Look at this, His Highness is just too indulgent towards the Wangfei!
Suddenly another little eunuch came out and said, “Brother Wei, His Highness is calling for you.”
Wei Tiande hurriedly adjusted his hat and ran in. Yuwen Chu called him over, “Let Li Quanxin clarify this matter for me. Don’t let the Wangfei suffer.”
There are two meanings to “clarify” in this context. First, His Highness must know the absolute truth without any manipulation; second, regardless of the truth, the “truth” must be favorable to Mingzhu, so that those people will all keep quiet.
As the chief eunuch by Yuwen Chu’s side, Wei Tiande naturally understood this meaning and hurriedly went to inquire.
The intelligence network developed by Zheng Momo quickly reported the situation at the Tingxue Tower. Zheng Momo was somewhat worried. She had known that things would turn out like this. As the saying goes, it’s hard for a strong dragon to suppress a local snake. These old palace servants, with no family or descendants, usually lived well if they were allowed to stay in the mansion. These people, in front of the mistress, were respected and well-connected. In order to have a good life in their later years, they usually bought and bribed people everywhere. Then they formed a united front, conspiring and supporting each other, making them difficult to deal with. They were full of sinister thoughts and gossip. If they weren’t careful, they would tarnish the mistress’s reputation.
The methods used by the Wangfei before were indeed satisfying, but they couldn’t withstand someone deliberately putting her on the spot. Of course, the key to this matter depended on Ying Wang. If Ying Wang said the Wangfei was right, then naturally she was right. But what if Ying Wang didn’t say anything on the surface but was actually unhappy in his heart? Couples who had been married for more than ten years might have discord because of their servants, let alone newlyweds like them who didn’t know each other well.
If His Highness were to say a few words and the Wangfei were to become discontented and start arguing, that would be really unfortunate. Seeing there was nothing going on, Zheng Momo looked around and decided to advise Mingzhu. To her surprise, Mingzhu seemed unaffected. She had just taken a bath, her jet-black hair hanging straight down her back, playing with the red jade pomegranate in her hand. In front of her was a plate with half a piece of “Tiaotou Cake” . She was barefoot, standing on a small stool, allowing the maids to apply nail polish to her toenails.
Seeing her so unconcerned, Zheng Momo felt a little relieved and a little emotional. Really, the Wangfei was too broad-minded!
Mingzhu even invited Zheng Momo to see the rouge painted on her toenails, “Isn’t this light red pretty?” She also asked Zheng Momo to smell it, “Autumn is dry, so I just had someone prepare a new kind of ointment. After bathing, applying it on the body makes it fragrant, smooth, and moisturized. Does it smell good? If you think it’s good, I’ll have more made and bring it back for my Mother, sister-in-law, and niece to use.”
“The Wangfei is still in the mood to dress up.” Zheng Momo wanted to scare her a little, “Yin Momo’s godson gathered a group of people to cry injustice outside the Tingxue Tower.”
Mingzhu said, “Are these people all from the palace?”
“Yes,” Zheng Momo replied.
Mingzhu didn’t even lift an eyelid, “How many slaps did each of them receive?”
She actually guessed it right? Or had someone told her about it beforehand? Suspicion arose in Zheng Momo’s heart, but she answered honestly, “His Highness rewarded them each with ten slaps, and they were all silenced.”
“That’s right,” Mingzhu picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the ruby pomegranate, saying lightly, “The Great Empress Dowager and my Father and brothers usually handled such matters like this. Even in the yamen, those who went to cry injustice would be beaten with a stick. These people forming a gang, disrespecting the master, and crying injustice in front of His Highness are asking for trouble.” These were servants kept in the mansion, not ordinary people outside. If she dealt with one person today, and someone dared to cause trouble by gathering in front of His Highness tomorrow, wouldn’t they dare to question Yuwen Chu if he dealt with someone? In this way, where was the master’s authority? Were these servants kept to cause trouble and challenge themselves?
Zheng Momo had nothing to say.
People learn from their family background, and such matters are understood without the need for a teacher. So, one is the master, and the other is the servant. Just as Zheng Momo was feeling this way, Mingzhu smiled sweetly at her again and said softly, “Thank you for worrying about me. Next, you need to find out who is leading the troublemaking and if there is a mastermind. Also, make sure to take care of Xiangli and the others. As long as Xiangli and the others are well, some rumors will naturally be debunked.”
Zheng Momo solemnly agreed and left to handle the follow-up of this matter.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>