Chapter 267: Response
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Mingzhu saw Yuwen Chu’s slightly furrowed brows suddenly flatten, and the corners of his lips curled coldly. Before she could decide whether to let him explode or persuade him to deal with the matter calmly, she instinctively smiled and said cheerfully, “Your Highness, Qiuwen’s dance is indeed remarkable. How about letting Li Quanxin summon her?”
Yuwen Chu frowned at her. “I find it quite ordinary. Are you sure you want to see her? Aren’t you afraid of nauseating yourself?”
“I find her quite eye-catching,” Mingzhu tried to say in a cheerful tone. After the initial surprise, she increasingly felt she was right. Even Yuwen Chu, who usually remained calm and composed, was now furious. She shouldn’t let her temper flare up even more.
From this moment on, the more those who didn’t want her to be happy tried to make her angry, the more she refused to be angry. The more they wanted her to cry or feel wronged, the more she insisted on smiling and being happy. Wasn’t it just a slightly similar face? Qiuwen was Qiuwen, and she was herself. Just because someone put a monkey’s hat on a monkey, it didn’t turn the monkey into a human. Fish eyes couldn’t mix with pearls. It was just a harmless little joke. If she cared, she would lose.
Mingzhu’s attitude took everyone in the room by surprise. But undeniable, after she spoke, Dai Wangfei and the others all breathed a sigh of relief, even looking at her with a hint of appreciation. Her explosive temper, even murder, was expected, but her calmness was unexpected, especially compared to her usual behavior.
Yuwen Chu remained silent for a moment, but ultimately heeding Mingzhu’s wishes, he instructed Li Quanxin in a faint tone, “Since the Wangfei has ordered it, you shall comply.”
“Yes.” Li Quanxin made a round trip between life and death. His clothes were soaked with sweat as if they had been lifted out of water. With Yuwen Chu’s order, he immediately stood up, first gratefully glancing at Mingzhu, then using all his years of training to support himself, he loudly declared, “The Wangfei summons the Xianyin Troupe’s Qiuwen to meet her.”
The woman on stage was unaware of the many events that had just transpired at the banquet. She was led forward by the troupe master and the female steward of Ying Wang’s mansion, shyly smiling and following along. She dared not raise her head to look at the noble people sitting high up. She knelt down like a willow branch, her voice crisp and clear, “Qiuwen, a humble servant, pays respects to the nobles.”
Yuwen Chu remained silent, glancing at Mingzhu, indicating, “Do as you wish, even if you want this woman’s life, it’s up to you.”
Mingzhu glanced at Zheng Momo, who sternly commanded, “The Wangfei orders you to come forward.”
Qiuwen lowered her head and walked timidly to Mingzhu, kneeling down again, “The humble servant pays respects to the Wangfei.”
Zheng Momo approached, pinching Qiuwen’s chin and forcing her to raise her head to face the crowd.
Mingzhu propped up her chin and carefully scrutinized Qiuwen for a moment, then turned to Yuwen Chu, saying, “Her eyebrows weren’t naturally shaped like this, they were shaved and then drawn with eyeliner. Her eyes were also smaller before, also drawn on. She wears too much powder and rouge, and she’s not young. The only thing commendable is her plumpness.”
As if comparing herself to a child, but Yuwen Chu understood that she wasn’t comparing herself to Qiuwen, but rather telling him that Qiuwen didn’t really look like her, but someone deliberately dressed her up like this to disgust him and her. Therefore, she wouldn’t get angry, and she hoped he wouldn’t either. But honestly, this woman did resemble Mingzhu a little, especially her carefree and lovely demeanor on stage. But fake was fake, deliberate dressing up was even more disgusting and hateful.
At this moment, Qiuwen had realized that something was wrong. Trembling, she knelt on the ground, her chin pinched by Zheng Momo, struggling to lift her head. Sweat mixed with makeup dripped down her forehead, washing shallow grooves on her face. Her eyes were full of panic and fear, almost collapsing.
Fish eyes were fish eyes. Even if they were dressed in exquisite clothes, they could never emit the brilliance of pearls. Yuwen Chu looked at Mingzhu, who seemed somewhat distressed and deliberately indifferent, and suddenly didn’t feel angry anymore. If his little wife could be so tolerant, why should he bother himself and fulfill that person’s wish? It wasn’t difficult to vent his anger. This lowly woman was like an ant; she could be easily crushed.
But what about after killing her? Mingzhu’s reputation would really be ruined—just because this entertainer looked like her and was proficient in music and dance, she cruelly killed her. Although they all knew what had happened, the common people and those sour literati outside wouldn’t know. They would only remember that Qiuwen, the famous entertainer from the Xianyin Troupe, was killed by the cruel and overbearing daughter of Fu Family, Ying Wang’s official consort, Fu Mingzhu.
There was another possibility. If Mingzhu generously spared Qiuwen, it wouldn’t be long before rumors spread that the entertainer Qiuwen, who looked so much like Ying Wangfei, had been hired by someone or had something happen to her.
From then on, Mingzhu’s name would be constantly linked with this lowly Qiuwen, chewed and chewed by countless people, subjected to various insults and fantasies. Yuwen Chu couldn’t tolerate either of these scenarios happening. His consort, wife, and mother of his child should not be mistreated and humiliated like this.
Whether Qiuwen was an accomplice or an innocent person used by others, she had to die. It just shouldn’t happen now. There were many ways to handle it, slowly. No one should think they could take advantage of Mingzhu in any way in front of him, and no one should dare to bully his beloved woman in front of him.
Yuwen Chu glanced at Li Quanxin, and Li Quanxin immediately understood his meaning. He smiled and asked Qiuwen, “Your Demon Dance is quite impressive, and your pipa playing is excellent. Who was your mentor?”
Qiuwen couldn’t even articulate her words properly, “This humble servant started learning dance at the age of four, learned to play the pipa at five, performed on stage at ten, came to the capital at sixteen. This humble servant didn’t have a specific mentor; it was all based on a love for dance and the pipa, learning from others wherever possible…”
Mingzhu listened quietly and said, “It’s not easy to come this far. You deserve a reward.”
Li Quanxin smiled warmly at Qiuwen and said, “Please come with me, Miss.”
A reward was indeed necessary, and questions needed to be asked. For example, who instructed her to dress like this, and her background and origins were all questions that needed thorough investigation. Next, it was just waiting for His Highness to say a word. Choosing the right moment to send her away would resolve everything. As for the matter with the Wangfei, His Highness made it clear he wouldn’t inform her, so he just needed to keep his mouth shut.
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