Chapter 354: Not Being Fooled
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Nowadays, the Great Empress Dowager’s dissatisfaction with Imperial Consort Min and her son has naturally strained their relationship compared to before. Previously, when Imperial Consort Min wanted to pay respects to the Great Empress Dowager, she could first inquire about the situation and then go directly without waiting. In the current situation, doing so would seem ungrateful; she must lower her stance. She must let the Great Empress Dowager vent her frustration. However long the Great Empress Dowager makes her wait outside, she’ll wait.
Xia Yan Gugu had suspicions, fearing that Wei Tiande might find out about her connection with the palace maid who tended to the flowers and plants. She quickly led him away, saying, “Should I wait here, or should I go back to serve the Consort Mother?”
Wei Tiande said, “Just wait here. Imperial Consort Min should be coming out soon.” Seeing the palace maid frequently looking in their direction, he became annoyed and said, “What are you looking at? Who do you work for? Haven’t you been taught manners? Don’t eavesdrop or look around randomly?”
The palace maid quickly lowered her head and dared not say a word.
Xia Yan Gugu hurriedly pulled Wei Tiande aside and said, “Don’t cause trouble.”
Indeed, the palace was not peaceful nowadays, so it was better to be honest. Wei Tiande stopped and started talking about other things with Xia Yan Gugu, “Aunt, you should have seen it. A few days ago, when I was outside doing errands for His Highness, I ran into your little brother and sister-in-law. They were all dressed in gold and silver, and even had little maids and old servants serving them. It’s no different from the master and mistress.”
It was all thanks to Second Miss Jiang’s arrangements. How did she end up encountering this cunning little brat? Xia Yan Gugu’s heart thumped nervously. She pretended to be unhappy and said, “Nonsense! Just a few days ago, they sent someone to ask me for money. They said they had big expenses at home and no money to spend, and the children were starving.”
“How is that possible! You’ve been deceived!” Wei Tiande kindly said, “I’ll say something unpleasant, but you need to hear it. Although they rely on their nephew outside to support them, they also need to save some money for themselves. Otherwise, if they keep spending money like this, they’ll have nothing left in the future and you’ll be the one to suffer.”
“Really?” Xia Yan Gugu felt slightly relieved that he believed her excuse. She thought she should quickly send someone to inform her nephew outside to be more restrained.
“How could it not be? People like us have to pity ourselves.” Wei Tiande sighed, then looked back and said, “Imperial Consort Min is here!”
Xia Yan Gugu hurriedly went to serve Imperial Consort Min as they walked towards Changxin Palace. Mingzhu also arrived shortly after. As they met, Mingzhu couldn’t avoid her, so she had to greet Imperial Consort Min, “Royal Mother, where are you going?”
Imperial Consort Min’s face didn’t look good, and she replied coldly, “To Changxin Palace.” With that, she led the way forward.
Xia Yan Gugu fell behind and kindly whispered to Mingzhu, “Wangfei, don’t take it to heart. Imperial Consort Min is both sad and afraid, and there are things she’s worried about. You shouldn’t mind.”
Mingzhu felt uncomfortable hearing this. Although Xia Yan Gugu’s words were well-intentioned advice, they were still unpleasant. It was as if she was being stubborn and had to do something to Imperial Consort Min. She replied, “Gugu, you worry too much. Imperial Consort Min is my elder, how could I argue with her?”
Xia Yan Gugu smiled, “I was too talkative. Imperial Consort Min is the most timid. She’s afraid of being blamed by the Great Empress Dowager. If Wangfei has nothing else to do, why not accompany Imperial Consort Min on this trip?”
“Is this Imperial Consort Min’s idea or Gugu’s?” Mingzhu looked at Xia Yan Gugu disdainfully. Was she treating her like a fool? If it really endangered Imperial Consort Min’s safety, of course she would have to help. But it was just about canceling Funing’s engagement. Not only did she not approve of Funing’s marriage to Liao Guang, but she was the least suitable person to intervene in this matter. If she went, the Great Empress Dowager would go crazy—her precious daughter had just been married for a short time, and she was already siding with her Royal Mother-in-law against her own aunt, what an ungrateful person!
Then not only would the decree not be revoked, but it would also exacerbate Imperial Consort Min’s embarrassment, and she would be embarrassed along with her. Then, if the Great Empress Dowager is angry with her, Imperial Consort Min will be even angrier with her. After all, she’s surnamed Fu, the Empress Dowager’s own niece. Funing would certainly not sympathize with her. Where could she voice her grievances then?
Xia Yan Gugu didn’t expect Mingzhu to be so straightforward, so she smiled awkwardly and said, “I’m worried about Imperial Consort Min. I think the Great Empress Dowager loves Wangfei the most, so it’s best if Wangfei accompanies her.”
Mingzhu stared at her and said bluntly, “It’s not your place to meddle in the affairs of the masters. Mind your own business. People who gossip in the palace never end well.”
Xia Yan Gugu didn’t expect Mingzhu to leave her no face, so she smiled awkwardly, dared not retort, and bowed her head silently to Mingzhu.
After thinking for a moment, Mingzhu decided to remind Imperial Consort Min, “When I came, Zhaoyang Palace had just gone in, so there may be something to discuss. Should Royal Mother wait a while before going?”
Imperial Consort Min didn’t look at her and shook her head lightly, “No need. It’s a matter of time. Waiting a little longer won’t change anything.”
Feeling that her duty was done, Mingzhu had no intention of staying here and being a hindrance. After bidding farewell with a bow, she walked a few steps and saw Yuwen Chu coming towards her, “Why didn’t you talk to Changhua for a while before coming over?”
Seeing that he knew where she had been, Mingzhu guessed that he must also know her thoughts, which made her feel embarrassed, “I was afraid of coming too early and saying something inappropriate to Royal Mother.”
Yuwen Chu shook his head, “I’m not blaming you. I’m just afraid you’re too straightforward and will get involved awkwardly if you come too early. So I specifically asked Wei Tiande to wait outside and tell you to go elsewhere if he saw you coming.” He then praised her with a casual smile, “But you, not only have you grown taller, but you’ve also become more clever. You didn’t need me to worry, you handled it yourself.”
Mingzhu was still growing taller, although it wasn’t very obvious, but she knew it herself. She felt warm in her heart when she realized that Yuwen Chu had also noticed it. She smiled sweetly at him, “Thanks to Your Highness for taking me out for rides and eating coarse grains.”
Seeing her sweet smile, Yuwen Chu’s somewhat irritable mood gradually calmed down, “What did Xia Yan Gugu and Royal Mother say?”
Mingzhu told him everything without hiding, explaining, “It’s not that I don’t want to accompany Royal Mother, but I feel that if I go, it will not only be useless but will also make the Great Empress Dowager angrier.”
“You’re right to think so. Things will only get worse if you go.” Xia Yan Gugu, heh… Yuwen Chu sneered inwardly, then turned to see the parcel in Su Lan’s hand and couldn’t help but be curious, “What’s this? A reward from the Great Empress Dowager?”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
