Chapter 292: Maze
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The couple returned to the mansion. Zheng Momo was already waiting at the door. She personally went to help Mingzhu get off the carriage. “The person who went to the Marquis Changxing’s mansion with the deed to claim compensation has returned. The Marquis Changxing’s mansion didn’t say anything and directly took him in. According to the terms of the deed, they fully compensated him.”
So smoothly? Mingzhu originally thought it would take some time to deal with it, but she didn’t expect Jiang Shanshan to give in so easily. Sending the formula to Yuwen Chu, asking Empress Dowager Min and her son for help, and obediently compensating the money, she looked pitiful, but Mingzhu felt something was wrong. Because Jiang Shanshan was not the kind of person who gave up easily, especially when she was so persistent towards Yuwen Chu!
After dinner, Yuwen Chu didn’t stay to have tea with Mingzhu but went to the Tingxue Building for business. Mingzhu checked the account books and found that she had made a lot of money from her dealings with Jiang Shanshan this time, which made her very happy. She was generous by nature, so she immediately rewarded Zheng Momo and Li Bochun, not only her subordinates but also the leaders of various associations and big merchants who were involved in this matter, all received red envelopes. Fu Mingzheng also received a large red envelope and a letter full of praises, which Li Bochun personally delivered.
After distributing the rewards, Wei Tiande also came to deliver a message, “His Highness invites Wangfei to the Tingxue Building.”
Mingzhu had a premonition that something was wrong. Although Yuwen Chu had taken her to the Tingxue Building before and showed her the secret passages, this was the first time he had actively invited her there. Unable to wait for the sedan chair, she changed into a pair of thick-soled shoes and hurried over.
When she arrived at the Tingxue Building, it was already dark. Dong Hui was standing in the corridor watching the maids light the lanterns. When they saw Mingzhu approaching, they bowed to her and led her to a side room. “His Highness is discussing matters with Mr. Meng. Please have some tea and read a book while waiting, Your Highness.”
Mingzhu knew that Mr. Meng was one of Yuwen Chu’s most trusted aides, so when she heard this, she became even more convinced that something had indeed happened. She nervously went to the side room, where Dong Hui led a little maid to serve her tea and made sure all the lights in the room were bright before bringing her some miscellaneous books and then leaving.
Mingzhu casually flipped through a few pages of the miscellaneous books, and Dong Hui came to invite her again.
Mr. Meng had already left, leaving Yuwen Chu alone sitting behind the spacious desk, buried in his work. When he heard her footsteps, he didn’t lift his head and simply said, “Find yourself a place to sit, I’ll be done in a moment.”
Mingzhu looked around the room and, feeling self-conscious, distanced herself from his letters. She found a chair by the window and sat down, gazing at the newly added glass bowl of swimming fish, lost in thought.
Yuwen Chu put down his pen, dried the letters, folded them, put them in envelopes, sealed them with wax, and handed them to the demure Dong Hui. “Urgent delivery, send it out immediately.”
“Yes.” Dong Hui silently took the letters and left.
Yuwen Chu gestured for Mingzhu to come closer. “What are you thinking? Why are you sitting so far away? Come here.”
Mingzhu looked up and smiled at him, slowly walking over. “Isn’t it to avoid disturbing Your Highness’s official duties?”
Yuwen Chu tilted his head and looked at her for a moment, then smiled. He knew she was trying to avoid suspicion. Mingzhu was very considerate in this regard. She never asked about things she shouldn’t, and she never looked where she shouldn’t. He liked her obedience and self-awareness. As she said, her surname was Fu, and she always remembered that. Despite his indulgence towards her, she never forgot her roots, which was important. With self-awareness, no matter how arrogant she was, she wouldn’t go too far.
He stood up and held Mingzhu’s hand, whispering softly, “There seems to be trouble in the Great Empress Dowager’s palace. A palace maid named Huiru was found dead in her room this afternoon.”
Mingzhu remembered Huiru, a girl of eighteen or nineteen who was usually quiet and well-behaved. She had a round face, big eyes, and a high nose bridge, giving her a joyful appearance. She was well-regarded by the Great Empress Dowager, but unexpectedly, she suddenly died. Palace maids who served in front of noblewomen were usually carefully selected. Those with illnesses, poor looks, body odor, or speech impediments were not allowed to serve. So Huiru’s sudden death was unlikely to be due to illness.
Mingzhu frowned. “How did she die? Will it have any impact?”
“It’s suicide. She hung herself.” Thinking of the unpleasant rumors circulating in the palace, Yuwen Chu decided not to tell Mingzhu. He only mentioned the insignificant aspects. “There will be an impact, of course. If she were just an ordinary palace maid, it wouldn’t matter much. But she served the Great Empress Dowager regularly, so her sudden absence will attract attention. There must be an explanation for her death.”
Mingzhu felt he was downplaying the situation. A major palace maid serving the Great Empress Dowager had inexplicably committed suicide, and there was a hint of conspiracy. If it were just a normal death, the Great Empress Dowager wouldn’t refuse to see her and instead send Yuwen Chu to escort her home. That was abnormal in itself.
“It won’t be a big deal. The Great Empress Dowager has seen all kinds of storms. Father-in-law is also smart and capable, and he won’t be easily affected by such trivial matters. Let’s wait. News from the palace will come soon.” Yuwen Chu saw her heavy heart and wanted to treat her better. He led her into the inner room, and the two of them squeezed onto the small bed. He took out a delicate bronze box for her to play with. The box was unique, with a shallow lid, but inside were countless intersecting grooves made of brass. A shiny round ball rolled along the grooves, making a clattering sound whenever the box was tilted slightly.
Mingzhu had never seen such a thing before and was very curious. “What is this?”
“It’s called a maze, something from abroad that no one wanted. I found it interesting and brought it back. Look at this ball, only one path can lead it to the end. Try to find it, be patient, and keep your hand steady.” Yuwen Chu demonstrated eagerly to Mingzhu. When it came to killing time, this thing was useful. With something to do, Mingzhu wouldn’t worry too much about the Great Empress Dowager’s situation.
Yuwen Chu brought in official documents from outside and sat on the bed to review them, while Mingzhu played with the maze on his lap. They were both busy, but they both felt content and comfortable.
At the third watch of the night, Mingzhu sat up and listened intently. “It’s late.”
Yuwen Chu, amidst his busy work, reached out to stroke her hair and asked, “Are you tired? If you are, you can sleep first.”
Mingzhu shook her head, looking undecided as she gazed at the flickering candlelight. Footsteps approached, and Dong Hui stood outside and whispered, “Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived.”
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