Chapter 268: Someone Fell into the Water
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Qiuwen was taken away, and the stage was filled with splendid acrobatics, but no one had the heart to watch anymore. Everyone stared absentmindedly at the stage or at some dish in front of them, not daring to breathe too heavily.
Although Mingzhu had handled the unexpected humiliation impeccably, maintaining her composure and grace throughout, how could someone of her noble birth tolerate such insults? Even if she could endure it, Yuwen Chu couldn’t. Most likely, he was seething with anger inside, just barely holding it in. Anyone who accidentally crossed paths with him at this moment would be in big trouble.
Everyone was on pins and needles, wishing the banquet would end quickly. However, the two parties involved were enjoying themselves. Mingzhu ate while watching the show, praising the highlights and exchanging pleasantries with Dai Wangfei and others. Yuwen Chu sat there with a smile, seemingly indifferent, but in reality, he was watching Mingzhu rather than the acrobatics.
Funing stood up, indicating she needed to change clothes, but she didn’t ask Mingzhu, only asking Zhou Nushi. Zhou Nushi gritted her teeth and personally escorted Funing.
But as she took a step, her sleeve was grabbed by Ping Nushi. Ping Nushi, no longer acting coquettish and frivolous, coldly held her sleeve and said, “Are you trying to cozy up to Princess Funing because you offended His Highness and the Wangfei and want to seek refuge?”
Zhou Nushi frowned. “I suggested inviting the Wangfei and His Highness. It was my idea to have the Xianyin Troupe perform. I’m the eldest here, so if anything happens, it should be my responsibility. I won’t deny the wrongdoing, but now is not the time to discuss it. Serving the guests is the most important.”
Ping Nushi sneered, “Don’t always act righteous like this. Steward Li has already confessed, and His Highness and the Wangfei haven’t blamed him. The instigator has even received rewards. Let’s all sit here and enjoy ourselves. If Princess Funing wants to do something, couldn’t you inform the Wangfei first? Why do you have to take the lead? I know His Highness has always treated you differently, but don’t think too highly of yourself.”
Zhou Nushi was angrily saying, “I don’t understand what you’re saying!”
Ping Nushi sneered and leaned in close, speaking in a voice only they could hear, “Sister, such a clever person as you, really can’t understand? Momo once said that you are the most intelligent, with limitless prospects. You’ve waited for so many years, why be in such a hurry now? Is it because you see the young and beautiful Wangfei being favored, while you’re gradually aging? So you’re anxious?” She chuckled lightly, “I know, Your Highness not only neglects me and others, but you also haven’t been able to see His Highness for years, right? Feeling lonely? So you’re impatiently trying to force the Wangfei to confront you, hoping that His Highness will pity you? Remember your gentle acts and compensate you? Sister, what deep thoughts you have.”
Zhou Nushi became furious, forcefully pulling her sleeve from Ping Nushi’s hand, and angrily said, “Fufu, I’ll overlook this once because of the sisterhood we’ve shared for many years. But if there’s a next time, don’t blame me for not considering our sisterhood!”
Ping Nushi covered her mouth with the fan, chuckled, and said, “Who said we’re sisters? Don’t flatter yourself. When you’re in a good position, you never remember me, only when something bad happens do you think of me. Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve done today.”
Zhou Nushi’s lips trembled imperceptibly, her gaze icy as she took a deep breath and said softly, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
Ping Nushi whispered softly in her ear, “Someone saw Liansheng, the maid by your side, sneak into the dressing room of the Xianyin Troupe and hand something to this Miss Qiuwen, and even spoke to her…”
Zhou Nushi’s nails dug into her palm, but she still refused to show any weakness, fiercely pushing Ping Nushi away and sneering, “You talk nonsense with your teeth clattering, trying to twist the truth? Forget it!” With that, she turned around and walked briskly towards Princess Funing, who had been impatiently waiting.
Ping Nushi lowered her eyes, a cold smile playing at her lips, her fair fingers playing with the tassels on her fan. Catching a glimpse of Zhou Nushi’s personal maid, Liansheng, sneaking away, she gave a signal to her trusted maid, Aicao, who immediately followed Liansheng silently.
After two more acts, Zhou Nushi returned alone. She first greeted Mingzhu with a courtesy and said, “Princess is feeling tired and has retired to rest in the Fangling Pavilion.”
Mingzhu replied nonchalantly, “Is everything arranged properly?”
Zhou Nushi replied, “Everything is arranged properly.”
Princess Kangning, who had been quietly watching the play, spoke up, “Sister-in-law is so fortunate to have such clever people around to take care of everything for you.”
Mingzhu smiled and replied, “There are also many clever people around little sister. In the future, you’ll be even luckier than me.”
Her words were a reciprocal courtesy. If you say I’m lucky, then I’ll say you’re even luckier than me. Just like when you say I’m good, then I’ll say you’re even better than me; that’s the way it goes.
Unexpectedly, Princess Kangning’s expression changed slightly, and she awkwardly smiled, while Huayang Wangfei burst into laughter. Mingzhu didn’t understand their intentions and didn’t want to ask, so she just glanced at Zheng Momo. Suppressing her laughter, Zheng Momo took advantage of the opportunity to report discreetly, “Princess Kangning meant to say that there are many women in our Wangfei’s mansion. When the Wangfei said that, it seemed like you were implying that there would be many favorites for the future husband of the Princess.”
Oh. Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh. Kangning wanted to prick her, but inadvertently, she responded fiercely. But it serves her right! She couldn’t keep her mouth shut with so much delicious food around. It’s no wonder Huayang Wangfei was laughing so happily; she must have been pricked by Kangning many times in the past.
As for Kangning, Mingzhu didn’t have a deep impression of her. They didn’t interact much, and all Mingzhu remembered was that in another year, Kangning would be married to the eldest son of Wuyi Marquis, Yang Pinliang. Three years after their marriage, Kangning gave birth to a son, who was still in swaddling clothes when Yang Pinliang fell off his horse and died.
According to Yuwen You’s explanation, it was Yang Pinliang who helped Yuwen Long do something that caused a big mess. In order to avoid implicating Yuwen Long and Marquis Wuyi’s mansion, he became the scapegoat and was silenced. After that, Kangning became depressed and often claimed illness to avoid attending various activities in the palace. The last time Mingzhu saw Kangning was before the Fu Family incident. She went to pay respects to the Great Empress Dowager, and she saw Kangning, who had become thin as a skeleton, rushing through the palace. The maids around Consort Xiao were calling out to Kangning, but Kangning didn’t look back.
Speaking of which, she’s also a pitiful person. Mingzhu sighed softly, no longer paying attention to Kangning, and continued watching the play.
The performance had switched to storytelling, and as the storyteller stepped onto the stage and was about to strike the wooden board to begin, they heard a cry from nearby, “Someone fell into the water! Someone fell into the water!”
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