Chapter 300: Favor
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After the initial surge of anger, Yuwen Bai regretted it deeply. He ultimately didn’t dare to confront the Fu family head-on, nor did he want to incur the Great Empress Dowager’s wrath to the point where she would disregard everything and kill him.
But once the water is spilled, he couldn’t back down. It just so happened that Yuwen Chu came to his rescue in time, so he seized the opportunity to cry out and fell to the ground, seemingly bewitched, holding his head in his hands. Min Shixing immediately rushed over to protect him, loudly declaring, “Your Majesty, it seems like you’ve encountered some evil! Otherwise, how could you dare to offend the Great Empress Dowager and threaten your own siblings with a sword?”
With Zhongshan Wang watching closely, the balance within the court couldn’t be easily disrupted. After exchanging a glance with Fu Cong, the Great Empress Dowager agreed with Min Shixing’s words. Yuwen Chu calmly stepped forward, arranged for the court physician to check on injuries, invited a celestial master to dispel evil, and personally escorted the Great Empress Dowager and Yuwen Fu back to Changxin Palace.
Sitting in the phoenix carriage, the Great Empress Dowager scrutinized Yuwen Chu with curiosity. Ever since he wanted to marry Mingzhu, he had changed so much, and now he was blossoming with an extraordinary brilliance. Leaving aside his usual popularity and how well he performed his duties, just today, few people had his courage. Not only did he stay, but he also actively involved himself in this dispute.
Although he was indeed connected to the Fu family as the son-in-law, ruining his own reputation would not benefit him. But he got too deeply involved. His appearance was just right, very timely, allowing both sides to have a way out instead of letting things escalate to an irreparable point. Not only did she have to remember his favor, but Yuwen Bai would also have to remember his goodwill.
However, such ambitious, intelligent, decisive, and daring individuals were also ones to guard against. The Great Empress Dowager sighed and beckoned Yuwen Fu over, first checking if he was injured before saying, “You were frightened.”
Yuwen Fu’s eyes reddened. Tentatively grabbing her arm, he choked out, “I’m not afraid of pain, I’m just afraid you won’t want me anymore, Grandmother.”
The phoenix carriage moved quickly, but his legs were short, so he had to jog to keep up with its pace, crying as he ran, his face turning red from exertion, panting heavily, looking particularly pitiful and distressing. Seeing him reminded the Great Empress Dowager of her deceased son, Emperor Zhengqian. She couldn’t help but feel sad. If her own son were still alive, neither she nor this small child would suffer like this, nor would they be insulted like this. Why did Rong Ming have to die?
With wolves circling, Yuwen Chu looked good now, but what about when he ascended to the throne? Would he allow Yuwen Fu and the remaining children to live peacefully? As long as Emperor Zhengqian had sons alive, he would never be the legitimate heir, so he wouldn’t allow it. Yuwen Bai’s death was not a loss, but she couldn’t bear to let the other innocent children suffer. They were the only remaining flesh and blood of her own son.
The Great Empress Dowager covered her face and wept.
Yuwen Fu grabbed the Great Empress Dowager’s sleeve in surprise, stuttering, “Grandmother, what’s wrong with you?”
The Great Empress Dowager ignored him. Earlier, she couldn’t control her grief and pain, but now she wanted to make Yuwen Chu feel pity for her.
Yuwen Chu silently followed behind the phoenix carriage. Seeing that Yuwen Fu was struggling to keep up, about to fall, he grabbed his arm and steadied him. Yuwen Fu gratefully leaned on him for support and called out, “Sixth Uncle Sixth.”
Yuwen Chu smiled slightly at him, adjusting his collar for him.
Seizing the opportunity, Yuwen Fu held his hand and whispered, “I miss Sixth Aunt, when will she come to see me in the palace?”
“She’s already in the palace.” Yuwen Chu allowed Yuwen Fu to hold his hand, walking forward steadily. Each step he took was measured and dignified, just like a pine tree.
The cool breeze dried the tears on the Great Empress Dowager’s face, and Changxin Palace was already in sight. It was already dark, and Mingzhu stood outside the palace gate with a few palace maids, eagerly awaiting their arrival. As soon as they saw them, they hurried forward to greet them. They glanced at Yuwen Chu first, then bowed to the Great Empress Dowager and helped uù Gugu support her as she got off the carriage.
“Why did you still come?” The Great Empress Dowager was very weak, leaning heavily on Mingzhu as she spoke. She didn’t blame Mingzhu for entering the palace without permission and staying until now, but she did not call for Yuwen Chu, as if she had completely forgotten about him.
She didn’t speak up, and as an adult man, Yuwen Chu couldn’t enter the palace with her without permission, so he just stood still and said loudly, “It’s getting late, and your son can’t stay long. I have to bid farewell to my mother and leave the palace.”
Only then did the Great Empress Dowager stop. She tightly held Mingzhu with one hand and firmly held Yuwen Fu with the other, weakly saying, “Thank you.” Then she turned to Mingzhu and said, “Go back with your husband.”
How could she leave like this? Although Mingzhu didn’t know what had happened in the Chongzheng Hall, seeing Yuwen Chu personally escorting the Great Empress Dowager back, with her eyes swollen from crying and Yuwen Fu looking so frightened, it was obvious that something big had happened. How could she bear to leave?
“I’m worried about you. Let me stay to take care of you.” Mingzhu supported the Great Empress Dowager, apologizing to Yuwen Chu with a regretful look. She had discussed with him about visiting the Great Empress Dowager, but staying overnight without going home was not something they had discussed. However, she believed that Yuwen Chu would understand.
Yuwen Chu nodded as expected, showing no signs of unwillingness or reluctance. “Take care of yourself,” he said simply, then bowed and stepped back, quickly disappearing into the night.
The Great Empress Dowager watched until he disappeared from view, then squeezed Mingzhu’s hand. “Let’s go in.”
The Great Empress Dowager’s hand was icy cold, and Mingzhu had a very bad premonition. She was afraid that the Great Empress Dowager couldn’t bear the blow and would fall ill. If the Great Empress Dowager fell ill, the political situation would probably become turbulent again, moving in directions she didn’t know and couldn’t control.
That was a terrifying prospect.
Mingzhu quickly helped the Great Empress Dowager inside and instructed Sang Shen and the others to prepare hot water and hot meals. The Great Empress Dowager removed her cumbersome ceremonial dress and hairpins, laid back on the bed, closed her eyes tightly, and remained silent.
Yuwen Fu didn’t know what to do, standing quietly and lonely on the side. Mingzhu asked Mu Gugu, “Please take him downstairs. I’ll take care of the Great Empress Dowager here.”
Mu Gugu sighed, her eyes red, and led Yuwen Fu downstairs. Mingzhu twisted a hot towel, checked the temperature, and gently placed it on the Great Empress Dowager’s face to soothe her. Then she loosened her tightly bound hair bun and gently massaged her scalp.
After a while, the Great Empress Dowager let out a sigh and took off the towel from her face. Hoarsely, she said, “Rong Ming died wronged. I am not reconciled.”
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