Chapter 311 Not Minding
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A thin and petite figure, with sparse hair, an ordinary appearance, hands hidden in the sleeves of a bluish-gray garment, the hem of the skirt revealing a pair of big feet wearing coarse cloth shoes, slightly hunched back, half-lowered head, holding a heavy large bundle, the skin of the bundle was the most common coarse cloth, wherever placed, she was just an inconspicuous little maid.
Mingzhu stared at the little maid left by Lady Qian for a moment, without asking her name or anything else, just instructing her, “If you need anything, just tell Zheng Momo, don’t be shy.” She also specifically cautioned, “If you’re bored and want to go for a walk, you can walk in the garden. You can also go to the north. The south is where His Highness handles affairs, there are many men there, it’s not good to cause trouble, so it’s best not to go there unless necessary.”
Mingzhu didn’t know who this maid was, but she knew she was the one Fu Cong had sent to the Eldest Princess’s mansion earlier. Sometimes it was better to know certain things than not, she didn’t ask for details, but she had to make sure what needed to be said was said clearly. The place where Yuwen Chu handled official business was off-limits, otherwise, if she got involved and ended up dead, it would be her own fault.
She believed that Fu Cong must have a way to control this maid, who wouldn’t dare to neglect her task and do other things. Sure enough, the little maid solemnly bowed to her and whispered, “Please rest assured, Your Highness, I won’t go anywhere these days, just stay in the room. It’s just that I would trouble Your Highness to send a reliable person to bring me three meals a day. When it’s time, please send someone to call me.”
Mingzhu agreed and called Zheng Momo over, whispering, “Take her down quietly, try not to let anyone know, take care of her properly, and don’t mess up.”
Zheng Momo smiled, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I know what to do.” She quietly led the maid downstairs, arranged everything properly, and didn’t mention it.
Mingzhu had been bedridden for a few days, during which time rewards from the Great Empress Dowager flowed out of the palace like water, and many people she had dealings with in the past came to see her. Even Dai Wangfei, who was most afraid of offending people, personally came to visit, and An Xiaogu and Princess Changhua also sent people to express their condolences.
An Xiaogu sent her wet nurse, who chattered on and on, passing on a message to Mingzhu, “You know, it’s not that I didn’t come, it’s just that my mother nags too much. She always scolds me for being lazy and useless, saying that I’m so old but still don’t know anything, insisting on restricting me to do embroidery and writing characters, and not allowing me to eat if I don’t complete my tasks. I brought your favorite crispy candy, which I made myself. Wait a few days, and I’ll definitely find a way to come see you.”
Embroidery was An Xiaogu’s least favorite needlework. She was impatient and would go crazy if she couldn’t finish a petal or leaf of a flower and randomly stabbed the needle into the fabric. No one dared to say anything if she was okay, but if someone said even a word to her, she would take the opportunity to throw away the embroidered fabric and embroidery frame and cut it off. Although Mingzhu didn’t like needlework either, she couldn’t help but admire her every time she stabbed the needlework with her.
The wet nurse felt a little embarrassed and said, “Our young lady said that she has made progress in embroidery recently and the first purse will be given to Your Highness.”
“That’s good, I’ll wait for her purse.” Mingzhu ordered a heavy reward for An Xiaogu’s wet nurse. She actually knew what the Yuegong Madam meant. Now, there was fierce competition in the court and the palace. Her identity was too sensitive.Yuegong’s family was an old prestigious family, and their greatest wish was to maintain the honor of their family. They wouldn’t blatantly favor anyone.
If An Xiaogu came to visit her, it would be equivalent to Yuegong’s mansion favoring the Fu family and Ying Wang’s mansion, and opposing the Min family. Yuegong’s mansion was a big family with a big business and couldn’t afford to take this risk. But although they were cautious and wary, Yuegong Madam still turned a blind eye and allowed An Xiaogu’s wet nurse to come to see her, which also indicated Yuegong’s mansion’s intentions—they didn’t favor Yuwen Bai and the Min family, nor did they really oppose An Xiaogu’s association with her.
Mingzhu understood this very well in her heart and didn’t blame the Yuegong Madam for restraining An Xiaogu. She instructed An Xiaogu’s wet nurse, “There are many things going on recently, it’s appropriate for Auntie to restrict Xiaogu. Tell her not to wander around aimlessly. Everyone knows she’s close to me, and there may be trouble if she stirs up trouble. It’s best to stay at home and learn some skills. It seems like she’s going to leave home soon.”
An Xiaogu’s wet nurse understood Mingzhu’s hint and knew that she didn’t really blame her own lady, so she gratefully said a lot of good words and took the return gift with a smile back.
Mingzhu finally had some free time and called Zheng Momo over to ask, “What news has there been from Marquis Changxing’s mansion these days?”
Zheng Momo had been busy all along and respectfully replied, “The magistrate’s office has already accepted the murder case at Marquis Changxing’s mansion. The third son of the Jiang family stood up to take the blame, saying that the Bo Lai Wu was actually organized by him, and Second Miss Jiang only gave him ideas and helped. Originally, the whole capital was discussing this matter, but because of the incident of Min Shilang embezzling military funds, fewer people paid attention to it. These days, Marquis Changxing’s mansion has been tightly closed. It is said that Miss Jiang’s condition has worsened again, and the medicine is ineffective. Not only has Marquis Changxing’s mansion posted notices seeking medical treatment, but also went everywhere to pray to gods and Buddhas.”
“In my opinion, no matter how famous doctors are, they are useless. A wedding is all it takes.” Mingzhu chuckled, Jiang Shanshan was lucky, she just caused trouble with the manor and then encountered Eunuch Rong’s incident, followed by the infighting between Min’s and Fu’s families, which gave Jiang Shanshan a breathing room. But there was no rush, she would wait patiently here to see how many tricks Jiang Shanshan could still play.
On the day when Longsheng Great Eldest Princess married her daughter-in-law, Mingzhu got up early to dress up. She specifically had someone apply a light yellow powder to her face, without drawing her eyebrows, looking very spirited but only about five or six points left. Su Lan smiled and said, “This looks about right.”
Mingzhu looked at her waistline in the mirror, dissatisfied, “Not good, not good, it would be better if I were a little thinner. I’ve been lying down these days, it seems like I’ve gained some weight.”
“You eat and sleep all day long, and every meal is different, how can you not gain weight?” Yuwen Chu walked in and pinched Mingzhu’s waist naturally, feeling satisfied, “I think it’s very good.”
Mingzhu happened to be pinched in a sensitive spot, shivered, and didn’t want to say anything to him in front of Su Lan and others. She had to pretend to be serious, “As long as Your Highness doesn’t mind me being fat.”
Yuwen Chu inserted a gold-threaded phoenix hairpin into her hair and whispered in her ear, “I don’t mind, this texture feels the best.”
Mingzhu blushed instantly and pushed him away to change clothes, “It’s already this hour, Your Highness hasn’t changed yet. We’re the younger generation, if we go late, we’ll be criticized for being arrogant.”
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