Chapter 352: The Weeping Imperial Consort Min
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“I can rest assured then.” Mingzhu forced a smile, afraid that the Great Empress Dowager might see through her expression, and hurriedly retreated.
She knew it wasn’t as simple as that. The Great Empress Dowager looked so frightening at the time, and Mu Gugu immediately found the medicine, even dealt with the informed palace maids. Empress Dowager Min even moved at the sound of the wind, immediately coming to her door to test her. It shows that this illness had been going on for a while, and it’s not light. Coupled with her memories from her past life, the Empress Dowager’s illness always started with syncope, so even though the timing wasn’t right, she knew the Empress Dowager’s condition was serious.
But since the Empress Dowager chose to conceal it, she could only choose to believe.
Just as Mingzhu stepped out, Empress Dowager Min’s procession arrived outside Changxin Palace. Unable to avoid it, she had to stand by the road and salute Empress Dowager Min.
Empress Dowager Min sat high on the phoenix carriage, looking down at her with a sinister smile and suddenly laughed, “Isn’t this Ying Wangfei? This Highness thought you were almost at death’s door. Otherwise, you would have to stay in bed recuperating for three to five years. But here you are, lively and kicking so soon.”
The incident at the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess’s mansion last time had completely embarrassed the Min family. Although they had handled it cleanly at the time, a thief’s bite goes to the bone. Under scrutiny, Min Shixing’s reputation was tarnished. He hadn’t been attending court lately, instead hiding at home and not daring to go out. Not to mention her greedy and corrupt younger brother, Min Shiwang, who was still sitting in jail and couldn’t easily get out.
Min Baoyun’s Empress path has been cut off. The court has been discussing the selection of the Empress for the past few days. The Great Empress Dowager ordered the registration of daughters from prestigious families with comparable backgrounds, looks, and ages for consideration, but there was no mention of Min’s daughter. Without even reasons to cry and plead, her family’s reputation has been completely ruined. How could she be fit to become an Empress again?
The instigator behind all this was the Fu family, with Mingzhu also playing a part. Empress Dowager Min felt like her heart was being ripped apart by Mingzhu. However, this was the Great Empress Dowager’s territory. After narrowly escaping last time, she became even more ruthless. Empress Dowager Min couldn’t afford to confront her directly and could only say a few harsh words, making Mingzhu kneel a bit longer.
Mingzhu calmly said, “I’ve disappointed the Empress Dowager.”
Empress Dowager Min was speechless, sneering, “Let’s wait and see.” With that, she got off the phoenix carriage and went into Changxin Palace solemnly. The Great Empress Dowager called her to discuss the selection of the future Empress. She had to gather her spirits to deal with this matter; it wasn’t suitable to cause trouble with Mingzhu at this time.
Mingzhu stood up, smoothed her skirt, and left. Thinking that Yuwen Chu would probably talk to Imperial Consort Min about Funing’s marriage for a long time, she deliberately took a detour to visit Princess Changhua.
“The items you’ve sent me are very practical, and I like them very much.” Princess Changhua was happy to see her and expressed concern, “The situation in the palace is quite chaotic. I dare not go out now, and I don’t allow the people below to go out casually. Unless it’s necessary, we shouldn’t ask for things.”
Mingzhu held Princess Changhua’s hand, “If you have any difficulties, let someone send a message to me. You’re about to get married; don’t get involved. It’s best to go out peacefully.”
Princess Changhua took her to see the dowry she embroidered herself and took out a bundle. Opening it, she showed Mingzhu, “I’m leaving next spring. I probably won’t see my nephew born. These are some clothes, shoes, socks, and swaddling clothes I made for him. Don’t dislike them.”
They were all made of the softest fabric with exquisite workmanship. Mingzhu remembered receiving a similar gift from Princess Changhua in her past life, feeling a bit emotional. Then she felt embarrassed, “I can’t do needlework, so I can’t make clothes for my nephew.”
Princess Changhua chuckled, “I knew you couldn’t. I’m not counting on you! Here, this one is for Xiaogu. Take it with you and give it to her.”
Mingzhu exclaimed, “Oh no, I can’t! She’s not married yet. If you ask me to give this to her, the Madam Yueguo Gong will definitely scold me to death when she finds out!”
Princess Changhua was amused by her exaggerated expression, “Come on, Ying Wang protects you fiercely. Who dares to scold you!”
The two joked around for a while, and Mingzhu’s mood finally lightened. She held Princess Changhua’s hand and said, “We’re still the same as when we were young. Let’s go sunbathe, drink tea, eat melon seeds, and chat.”
Princess Changhua arranged for her attendants and brought out two rocking chairs. They each sat on one, basking in the sun and chatting without mentioning politics, only sharing anecdotes.
In Guangming Hall, Imperial Consort Min’s face was gloomy, “Are you suggesting that I should take the initiative to ask the Great Empress Dowager to withdraw this marriage?”
Yuwen Chu frowned, “The Great Empress Dowager’s intentions are clear. It’s better for us to take the initiative and leave some room for ourselves than to wait for her to find another excuse to deal with Funing. But we can’t directly confront her here. Let’s just wait a bit and see.”
Imperial Consort Min was furious, “It’s easy for you to say! Funing has already been seen having an affair with Liao Guang. Now this marriage is about to be ruined. What are we going to do with her future? What am I supposed to do?”
She felt extremely embarrassed because of Funing’s secret relationship with Liao Guang, especially since Liao Guang was originally meant for Jiang Shanshan. Just as she had accepted the reality, this marriage was about to be overturned. Her face was completely lost. How could she face anyone now? She could almost imagine how Consort Xiao would look at her. But all of this was secondary; what about Funing’s future?
Yuwen Chu calmly said, “Let’s wait and see. There may still be a solution.” They couldn’t confront the Great Empress Dowager directly now, but it didn’t mean they had to ruin this marriage. Liao Guang was someone he had set his eyes on, and he couldn’t easily let him fall into someone else’s hands.
Imperial Consort Min couldn’t help but cry, “Wait? Until when? Should Funing never marry? Even if she’s willing to wait, will Liao Guang wait? Everything is chaotic because of your marriage to Mingzhu, then the Min’s targeting us, and now even the Great Empress Dowager is picking on us. I have to maintain a gentle and graceful demeanor in front of others, but not in front of my son. Now he only remembers Mingzhu. As a mother, when should I cry if not now?”
Yuwen Chu didn’t try to comfort her. He patiently handed her a handkerchief and asked Xia Yan Gugu to bring hot water for her to wash her face.
After crying for a while and seeing that Yuwen Chu wasn’t moved, Imperial Consort Min had to wipe away her tears and discuss with him, “They’re starting to target you now, so they want to vent their anger on your sister and punish us. You can’t go beg her, or she’ll definitely vent her anger on you. Why not let Mingzhu plead with her? “
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