Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 353

Chapter 353: Biased

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Yuwen Chu calmly said, “No.”

Imperial Consort Min couldn’t believe her ears, “No? Why not? Funing is your sister, her little aunt! Shouldn’t she help with Funing’s marriage? She has a good relationship with the Great Empress Dowager, who favors her the most! What’s wrong with saying a few words for Funing? Will she lose a piece of flesh or a strand of hair? Even if you’re biased, it shouldn’t be to this extent.”

Yuwen Chu frowned, “Doesn’t Royal Mother understand? This matter is caused by me and has nothing to do with Mingzhu. If begging could change it, I would have begged the Great Empress Dowager. Since we know it can’t be changed, why bother Mingzhu?”

The Great Empress Dowager was wary of his ambitions, so she didn’t want Liao Guang to become his person in this way, which would strengthen his power. That’s why she used such high principles to suppress him, while also warning him not to act recklessly. This time it was only about Funing’s marriage, but next time could be something else. It was already good enough that Mingzhu supported him. Why make things difficult for her again?

Imperial Consort Min originally understood the truth of the matter as Yuwen Chu described it, but she couldn’t accept the implicit favoritism towards Mingzhu in Yuwen Chu’s words. So, she retorted stubbornly, “You can think for her, but why not think about your sister? You don’t want to talk to her, right? Fine, if she comes over, I’ll talk to her myself. Whether it works out or not, she has to show her attitude.”

Thinking that Mingzhu should have arrived by now but she hadn’t, Imperial Consort Min became anxious, “Why hasn’t she come yet? The Great Empress Dowager kept her for so long. What will she say to her? Is she going to ask her to help deal with you?” The more she thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Mingzhu never really liked Yuwen Chu, torn between treating her own beloved aunt well and her newlywed husband, one could imagine where her loyalty would lie.

Yuwen Chu was really annoyed now, “The reason she hasn’t come is because I instructed Wei Tiande to wait outside the palace gates. If he sees her coming, he’ll ask her to go somewhere else. She’s not to come in!”

Imperial Consort Min was dumbfounded, “Why?”

“Why? Royal Mother, don’t you understand? If she comes in, she’ll see us arguing about this matter, or listen to us blaming the Great Empress Dowager. Or she’ll sit here awkwardly, endure your scolding, be forced by you to plead with the Great Empress Dowager to change her decision, and then be scolded by the Great Empress Dowager for being too outspoken. Do you want her to be put in such a difficult situation?” Yuwen Chu stood up, “I’ll go and talk to her about Funing. This matter started because of me, and I’ll take responsibility for it.”

Imperial Consort Min pointed at him tremblingly, wanting to curse him but couldn’t find the words. Instead, she just buried her head on the table and cried, “What kind of sin have I committed? Raising a son who doesn’t do work and doesn’t worry. And my daughter is so disobedient and foolish. Previous Majesty, I’m sorry.”

Seeing her crying so sadly, Yuwen Chu felt a bit sorry for her, but he also felt that shedding a few tears to vent frustration wouldn’t hurt. It might even help soothe the Great Empress Dowager’s anger. So, he didn’t try to comfort her much and just walked out.

Xia Yan Gugu stood outside the hall, watching Yuwen Chu walk past her before hurriedly entering to console Imperial Consort Min, “Your Highness, don’t be sad. It’s just a minor setback for Wangfei. His Highness has a solution; it’s just temporary.”

Imperial Consort Min was still crying, “Once he’s married, he forgets his Royal Mother.” Her tears were no longer about anything else but Yuwen Chu’s excessive favoritism towards Mingzhu, which made her heartache terribly. She had endured so much as a wife and now felt treated like a child by her own son.

Xia Yan Gugu sighed, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Men tend to be infatuated with someone they like. In this matter, Wangfei has to persuade him more.” In other words, if Mingzhu wasn’t sensible, there was no point in persuading Yuwen Chu. Provocation was a common thing.

Imperial Consort Min already thought Mingzhu wasn’t sensible and virtuous. Hearing Xia Yan Gugu’s words, though not openly agreeing, she somewhat agreed in her heart. But with her son having great ambitions and already reaching this point, she had to yield. So, she mustered her spirits and said, “Forget it. Things have come to this point, we can only endure. Go and see if the Great Empress Dowager has time. If she does, tell her I have something to discuss with her.”

Xia Yan Gugu had just reached the door when she heard a sharp scream from the side hall, followed by a clatter of things falling. Then, a loud cry rang out, indicating that Funing was having a fit.

Xia Yan Gugu sighed softly, shaking her head. The words she had spoken to Imperial Consort Min earlier were already polite; if she weren’t afraid of offending Imperial Consort Min, she could have been even more blunt. If Ying Wang had married a wise and capable girl like Second Miss Jiang, they wouldn’t have ended up in this situation. Their family would have been harmonious and happy.

Walking to the palace gate, Xia Yan Gugu saw Wei Tiande standing there, stretching his neck to look into the distance. She went over and asked him, “Who are you waiting for?”

Seeing her, Wei Tiande immediately smiled ingratiatingly, “Gugu, hello. What are you busy with?” He didn’t say who he was waiting for.

Xia Yan Gugu asked, “I am going to attend to Imperial Consort Min’s orders. Who are you waiting for?”

Wei Tiande replied, “I’m not waiting for anyone. His Highness didn’t let me in, so I’m waiting here for his summons.”

Xia Yan Gugu smiled knowingly. Wei Tiande was waiting for Mingzhu, not letting her come in to be scolded by Imperial Consort Min. Ying Wang really did favor Mingzhu too much, just as Imperial Consort Min had said.

Passing through the Imperial Garden on the way from Guangming Hall to Changxin Palace, a palace maid who had been squatting on the ground tending to flowers and plants stood up to greet Xia Yan Gugu respectfully. Xia Yan Gugu raised her chin arrogantly and said softly, “Pass a message for me. The princess’s engagement is about to be cancelled.”

If Second Miss Jiang could find a way to persuade the Great Empress Dowager to change her mind, then Imperial Consort Min and the princess would surely be grateful to her, and even Ying Wang would breathe a sigh of relief. She couldn’t help Second Miss Jiang much, but she could repay some of the favors she owed in this way.

The palace maid bowed and continued tending to the flowers and plants.

Xia Yan Gugu looked around and continued walking forward. After taking a few steps, she heard Wei Tiande calling her from behind, causing her to panic. She quickly stopped and, with a pale face, forced herself to remain calm, “Why are you here?”

“Get lost on the side, have you ever seen anyone squatting on the road tending to flowers and plants?” Wei Tiande ran over, panting, and kicked the palace maid squatting on the ground before saying to Xia Yan Gugu, “Her Highness ordered you not to go. Wait for her to dress up and then go directly to Changxin Palace.”

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