Chapter 265: Unexpected Guests
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In fact, these things weren’t so difficult to handle. As long as one thought more and paid more attention, they weren’t that challenging. It’s better to be vigilant now than to have casualties in the future. Mingzhu felt that she was truly wise and kind-hearted. So, she loudly asked Yuwen Chu to start the banquet, “Your Highness, it’s almost time. Shall we begin?”
“Mingzhu is young and doesn’t know the importance of things. In the future, I trouble all the sisters and brothers to take care of her more. This Wang is deeply grateful,” Yuwen Chu stood up, respectfully toasting each of the ladies. Mingzhu obediently followed behind him, pouring alcohol for everyone. Husband and wife sang together, making it look like a harmonious scene.
Dai Wangfei, being the eldest, naturally had to make a statement, “Rest assured, Sixth Brother, we will definitely take good care of her.”
Hua Yang Wangfei and Fu Wang Concubine also made their statements one after another. After three rounds of toasts, the music and dance began, and the atmosphere gradually became lively. Suddenly, Wei Tiande ran in and whispered a few words in Yuwen Chu’s ear. Mingzhu looked towards Su Lan who was waiting nearby. Su Lan stepped forward and whispered, “There’s a message from outside saying that Princess Funing and Princess Kangning have arrived together.”
Mingzhu suddenly felt unhappy. Princess Kangning could be tolerated, as she was clever and would understand the situation. But as for Funing, she was really like a rat dropping. Given her temper, she would never want Funing to enter this door. However, Yuwen Chu didn’t express his stance, and since she was still the hostess, she couldn’t say such things in front of so many people.
Yuwen Chu listened to Wei Tiande’s words, turned to look at Mingzhu, and smiled, saying, “It’s Funing and Kangning. They heard that we were playing together in the mansion, so they wanted to come out to join in the fun. Both Empress Dowagers agreed and even let them pick a few drunken lotus flowers to take back.”
“Hehe…” Mingzhu chuckled a few times, pretending to get up to greet, “Then I’ll go and welcome the two princesses.”
However, Yuwen Chu said, “No need, they’re younger, they’re little sisters. The ones sitting are their sisters-in-law, they should come in and greet by themselves. You just accompany fourth sister-in-law and the rest.” After saying that, he turned back as if nothing had happened and continued to watch the singing and dancing.
Since he had found such a grand excuse for her, Mingzhu naturally settled down, smiling and saying to Dai Wangfei and others, “It’s my oversight, almost neglecting the sisters-in-law and younger sisters.”
Dai Wangfei didn’t care about these trivial matters, Fu Wang Concubine had no say, but Hua Yang Wangfei was extremely jealous of Mingzhu. They were all experienced people; how could she not understand the situation here? Mingzhu didn’t want to greet Funing, so Yuwen Chu carried Mingzhu and pressed down Funing. There couldn’t be a more considerate husband than this.
As soon as the seats were arranged, Funing and Kangning came in hand in hand. Kangning smiled and greeted everyone, while Funing casually squatted down, looking displeased as she glanced at Mingzhu, saying, “Sixth sister-in-law has so much fun, but didn’t even think about sending me an invitation, letting me come out and have some fun too. You even kept it from me. If someone hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known you all were having such a good time.”
Oh, at least she remembered to call her “sixth sister-in-law.” Mingzhu didn’t bother to argue with Funing, smiling falsely and echoing, “Yes, I didn’t think it through.”
With this sentence from Mingzhu, Funing immediately became proud, walking over and sitting down arrogantly, saying, “Let it go this time, but remember to invite me next time.”
Mingzhu simply ignored it, but Yuwen Chu frowned slightly and said calmly, “What did you just say to your sixth sister-in-law? I didn’t hear clearly.”
Funing had been scolded by him several times before and was somewhat afraid of him. Seeing him unhappy, she quickly stood up and tried to please him, saying, “Nothing, just asking the sixth sister-in-law to play with me more.”
Yuwen Chu said sternly, “That’s almost enough of what you said. If you continue to neglect your sixth sister-in-law like before, don’t come to me anymore. You’re a princess, representing the dignity of the royal family, remember?” In front of so many people, he didn’t give Funing any face at all.
Funing’s face changed drastically. With a “hmph,” she stood up abruptly. Even Mingzhu thought she was about to lose her temper and leave. Unexpectedly, Funing just pouted and stood there, her eyes red, not saying a word.
Dai Wangfei quickly intervened, saying, “Oh dear, it’s rare to gather together. Let’s speak nicely and not ruin the harmony. Funing is young and naive, doesn’t understand things well. Sixth brother is straightforward. For the sake of your sister, quickly call for the performance of the illusion dance from the Purple Qi Pavilion. I’ve been wanting to see it.”
Kangning, having seen enough of the commotion, finally pulled Funing to sit down and whispered, “You know your sixth brother’s temper. Why do you always provoke him? Isn’t it just asking for trouble? We’re all family, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Come on, we’re here to have fun. Didn’t you say that the illusion dance is good? Let’s watch it quickly. You can’t see it in the palace.”
Only then did Funing reluctantly accept the wine poured by Zhou Nushi, gulping it down. She glanced at Mingzhu coldly and snorted. If it weren’t for her wanting to see someone, why would she endure this humiliation? After glaring at Mingzhu for a while and seeing no response, she turned her eyes and waved to Zhou Nushi, “Zhou Nushi, come here. Mother mentioned you to Xia Yan Gugu yesterday, saying she hasn’t seen you in a while. Next time when sixth sister-in-law goes to the palace, she’ll take you with her.”
“As a lowly concubine, I dare not trouble Her Highness.” Zhou Nushi couldn’t help feeling annoyed when she heard Funing’s words and gave Funing a bow with a difficult expression. It seemed she was afraid of not having enough trouble; the new Wangfei seemed rough and careless, but when the knife came down, she was ruthless and narrow-minded, very difficult to deal with. She had already made up her mind to keep a low profile and avoid her sharpness. Yet, Funing had to push her out again to bother others. Of course, she would resent her.
However, Funing seemed to completely misunderstand Zhou Nushi’s annoyance, just wanting to make trouble for Mingzhu, “Sixth sister-in-law, did you hear that? Mother wants you to take Zhou Nushi with you next time you go to the palace.”
“Alright.” Suddenly noble when entering the palace? Mentioning Xia Yan Gugu, Funing’s words reminded Mingzhu. Wasn’t Zhou Nushi’s nickname “Fuyan”? It sounded somewhat related to Xia Yan Gugu. Both of them were about the same age, one serving in front of Imperial Consort Min, the other picked out and rewarded to Yuwen Chu as an education and guidance Nushi. There seemed to be some connection between them.
Funing punched into cotton, feeling empty and boring. She could only mutter softly, “What a pretense of virtue, you know who you are.”
Due to this incident, everyone lost their previous ease and comfort. The side concubine of Fu Wang wanted to change the topic and said, “I heard that the music and dance of the Xianyin Troupe are extraordinary. There’s someone called Qiuwen in there, and her performance of the ‘Rebound of the Pipa Demon Dance’ is especially outstanding. They say it’s unparalleled in the world. I wonder if she’s here today.”
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