Chapter 372: Let Her Go
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Funing’s engagement fell through, and she cried all day long. Xia Yan Gugu, who had always been highly regarded, inexplicably offended the misfortune of the Zhaoyang Palace and was ordered by Imperial Consort Min to receive twenty slaps, loosening her teeth and falling ill upon her return.
With the unfortunate turn of events, Imperial Consort Min’s mood had been quite sour lately. When Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu arrived, she only managed to curl her lips and say, “You’re here.”
As the instigator, Yuwen Chu naturally knew why she was unhappy. Pretending as if nothing had happened, he smiled and said, “We’re here to share good news with Royal Mother.”
“What good news?” Imperial Consort Min exploded, half of her gums swollen, and several ulcers formed, causing her intense pain whenever she spoke, making her grimace.
Yuwen Chu first found a comfortable seat for Mingzhu and then approached Imperial Consort Min quietly, saying, “Mingzhu is pregnant.”
“Ah!” Imperial Consort Min was genuinely happy this time. She didn’t particularly like Mingzhu, but she had no grudge against her grandson. With news of a grandchild on the way, her toothache had alleviated significantly, and her smile relaxed. “Since you’re pregnant, you should be careful and rest well at home. Why did you come to the palace? During the first three months, the fetus isn’t stable, so you must be careful.”
Yuwen Chu took the opportunity to say, “That’s what I originally thought, but Mingzhu said that such big news must be personally shared with the elders. This is also her filial piety.”
Imperial Consort Min truly believed Yuwen Chu’s words. Seeing how he was protecting Mingzhu, she felt sour in her heart but couldn’t ignore Mingzhu’s feelings. “If you’re tired, come over here and rest for a while. What would you like to eat? I’ll have someone prepare it for you.”
The treatment was completely different after she became pregnant! Imperial Consort Min had been warm and polite to her only during the time when she and Yuwen Chu had just gotten married. After the incident with the sheep-fat jade bracelet, their relationship had soured, and even when they smiled, there was a grudge between them. Mingzhu understood this very well and didn’t dare to act spoiled. She replied gracefully, “I’m not tired yet. We haven’t gone far, so how could I be tired? We already had breakfast before we left.”
Seeing that she refused to come over, Imperial Consort Min let it go and smiled warmly. “I made some small clothes and shoes when I was free earlier. Let me find them for you to take back. Xia Yan Gugu…” She suddenly remembered that Xia Yan Gugu was still lying down and couldn’t get up, so she sighed in frustration and signaled to another court lady named Cui Lan, “Go and find them.”
Yuwen Chu casually asked, “What’s wrong with Xia Yan Gugu?”
“She’s sick.” Imperial Consort Min sighed, “I sent her on an errand, and she encountered some trouble at Zhaoyang Palace. She was slapped twenty times and even lost some teeth. She fell ill as soon as she returned.”
Yuwen Chu furrowed his brows. “That’s too much! Didn’t Royal Mother go ask what happened? If it was our people who made a mistake, they should be punished, but if it was unreasonable trouble, it’s not acceptable.”
“Forget it, it’s a troublesome time. Just endure it and it’ll pass.” Imperial Consort Min looked at Mingzhu. She wasn’t Mingzhu and couldn’t confront Imperial Consort Min. With the Great Empress Dowager not protecting her anymore and even giving her a hard time, and with Empress Dowager Min being so cunning, how could she let this opportunity pass? It’s better to endure internal and external troubles.
Yuwen Chu suggested, “Then I’ll find someone to come and take care of her. It’s very inconvenient for Royal Mother without her by her side.”
Imperial Consort Min was satisfied with this approach. “That’s fine. Find a good imperial physician for her.”
Yuwen Chu agreed, but Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel that there was something suspicious in his gaze. Yuwen Chu noticed her staring at him and rubbed his chin, asking, “What are you looking at?”
Mingzhu shook her head. Why did she feel that it would be better for Xia Yan Gugu if Yuwen Chu didn’t ask the imperial physician to come? But since she didn’t like Xia Yan Gugu, and Xia Yan Gugu didn’t like her, she didn’t bother with this matter.
Cui Lan Gugu came in with a large bundle, and Imperial Consort Min asked Mingzhu to come and take a look. “I made all of these myself. There are a few things that Funing made. Take a look and pick out what you like. If you don’t like something, just leave it behind.”
Mingzhu was interested in these things, especially since someone had worked hard on them. She eagerly sat down to look through them, even fantasizing about making some herself.
Imperial Consort Min saw her engrossed in looking at the items and gave Yuwen Chu a meaningful glance. “I heard that the Great Empress Dowager has arranged another marriage for Liao Guang. This news will inevitably reach Funing’s ears sooner or later. Since you’re here, why don’t we persuade Funing together? Otherwise, when you’re not around, I might not be able to handle her.”
It seemed like there was something she wanted to discuss behind her back. Mingzhu immediately facilitated the Royal Mother and son, saying, “I’ll wait here for Your Highness to return.”
Yuwen Chu was worried and signaled to Zheng Momo and Wei Tiande to take good care of Mingzhu before following Imperial Consort Min.
As they approached where Funing lived, Imperial Consort Min looked around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered her voice. “The wet nurse of County Prince Sien, Lady Han, died. The little eunuch who poured night fragrance in my palace saw it this morning. She was wrapped in a blanket and taken out of the palace. It was said that she died suddenly in the middle of the night.”
“I see.” Yuwen Chu remained calm. He had already known about Lady Han’s situation when he was waiting for Mingzhu and the Great Empress Dowager to talk, but he didn’t know the reason behind it. However, he assumed it was related to power struggles and intrigue.
Imperial Consort Min was very anxious. “I saw her yesterday, and she was lively and energetic. How could she have fallen ill? You must be careful.” She actually wanted to say that Lady Han must have fallen victim to the Great Empress Dowager’s machinations, and she wanted Yuwen Chu to be more careful with Mingzhu. After all, Mingzhu was surnamed Fu and was the Great Empress Dowager’s niece. But considering that Yuwen Chu didn’t like her saying that Mingzhu would help the Great Empress Dowager harm him and he had scolded her last time for this, she held back.
“In this troublesome autumn, Royal Mother should also be careful. If necessary, pretend to be ill using Funing’s illness as an excuse, close the palace gates, and manage the people under your command well. If there’s really big trouble, don’t be afraid.” Yuwen Chu instructed Imperial Consort Min before pushing open Funing’s door.
A white silk rope hung from the ceiling beam, and Funing stood on a stool, preparing to put her head through it. When she saw them coming in, she shouted, “Don’t stop me, let me die! Being alive is worse than being a dog, what’s the point?”
The maids and palace servants attending to her were in chaos, clamoring incessantly. Seeing this scene, Imperial Consort Min was both furious and sad. “What have I done wrong?” Because she was afraid of causing a scene and letting others in the palace know, she dared not cry out loud.
Seeing her distressed, Funing became even more agitated. She kicked the stool directly, and the palace servants panicked, rushing to hold her legs and lift her up.
Yuwen Chu said calmly, “Let her go, let me see how much she really wants to die.”
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