Chapter 381 Winter Solstice (One)
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Mingzhu was bored, so when her relatives came to see her, she was as happy as anything, naturally entertaining them with the best food and drink. Madam Cui saw that her morning sickness had improved a lot and that she had gained some flesh on her face, so she was very happy. She tactfully brought up the matter of Mingzhu sending gifts to the ministers’ wives: “You should cover it up somehow.”
Mingzhu was unrepentant, “It was done at His Highness’s behest. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought of it. I’m busy nurturing the pregnancy. Where would I find the time to bother about such trivial matters?”
Madam Cui couldn’t do anything with her and didn’t want to upset her, so she discussed, “Your cousin is about to arrive in the capital. You have to find her a good place to stay. We didn’t expect her to come, so it’s not easy to prepare in such a hurry.”
As soon as Mingzhu heard this, she knew what Madam Cui meant. She generously said, “Let her stay in the courtyard I lived in.” Fu Zifei was going to marry Yuwen Bai and become his concubine, which was already very unfortunate. She might have some grievances, and she didn’t have any affection for the family of the Fu’s. Great Empress Dowager also had other thoughts. If Fu Zifei developed more negative feelings toward the people in the mansion because of the lack of hospitality, it would not be worth it.
Madam Cui was pleased, “Let her stay first. We’ll tidy up the other courtyards immediately. After they’re cleaned up, we’ll let her move in. You can return to your family’s home.”
Mingzhu shook her head, “No, I’ve never heard of a family’s daughter-in-law keeping her original residence when she gets married. I’m not marrying far away. Ying Wang’s Mansion is close to home, so I can run back and forth several times a day. If she stays here, she won’t have to move. Let’s just do good deeds to the end.”
Madame Cui couldn’t help but sigh sadly when she thought of the Great Empress Dowager. “How did it come to this?” She and the Great Empress Dowager had always had a good relationship, but now, although the Great Empress Dowager still treated her kindly, she could clearly feel the distance between them.
Mingzhu was still concerned about persuading the Great Empress Dowager to order the various princes from around the country to come to the capital to congratulate her birthday, and she had some other plans. So she asked Madame Cui, “When will Zifei come to the capital?”
Madame Cui calculated, “It’s been a while since the letter was sent out. Even if she receives the letter and packs her bags to come to the capital, it will still be by the end of the year.”
Mingzhu said, “Anyway, try to treat her a little better. On the day of the Winter Solstice, His Majesty will perform the ceremony of sacrificing to the heavens, and according to custom, there will be a banquet in the palace. Mother, find a way to connect with Mu Gugu, and let her find some time to talk to me that day.”
“What do you want to do? Adults’ matters are not for children to meddle in.” Madame Cui became nervous all of a sudden. In her impression, Mingzhu was still just a naughty child. Even though she had become more sensible recently, she was still only at a normal level of maturity. As for getting involved in political affairs, Madame Cui couldn’t even imagine it.
“It’s nothing, just asking Mu Gugu to take care of the Great Empress Dowager a bit more.” Mingzhu suppressed a smile. Her Mother still saw her as a child, unaware that she had long since grown up. Even though she had acted immaturely in the past, what she had done from start to finish was not something a child would do.
Madame Cui finally relaxed and after giving Mingzhu some advice about pregnancy, she saw that it was getting late and took a few daughters-in-law back home. Mingzhu escorted them back and carefully reviewed the things she needed to do recently, made a plan, and then went for a walk with a sense of relief.
In the blink of an eye, it was the Winter Solstice.
There has always been a saying in the dynasty, “The Winter Solstice is as grand as the New Year.” On this day, the court was on holiday, colleagues, relatives, and friends congratulated each other, and offerings were made to ancestors and elders. Yuwen Bai was going to sacrifice to the heavens outside the city, and Yuwen Chu was supposed to follow him, so a bunch of things in the mansion, such as attending the banquet in the palace to congratulate fell on Mingzhu’s shoulders.
Although the gifts were prepared long ago, and suitable people were arranged around her, Yuwen Chu was still worried. Before going to bed, he spent a long time instructing Mingzhu, and before leaving, he woke her up again to give her more instructions.
Mingzhu knew he was worried, so she got up to help him dress properly. Then shamelessly praised him, “Our Highness looks really good. This robe suits him so well. It’s majestic and dignified. I’ve never seen anyone wear these clothes so well.”
Yuwen Chu had a serious expression on his face, but he couldn’t keep it up after her teasing. “Stop talking nonsense. Remember what I told you. Don’t leave Donghui.”
Mingzhu blinked, “I remember it all. Your Highness, do you want me to recite it again?”
Yuwen Chu pinched her cheek and only left when he couldn’t delay any longer. Mingzhu called Su Lan and the others to give her proper makeup. Now that the situation was complicated, she couldn’t rely on anyone else to protect her and her unborn child. She had to rely on herself.
“Donghui is here.” Su Lan came in quickly and asked Mingzhu, “Does the Wangfei want to see her now or later?”
“Let her come in now.” Mingzhu finished fixing the Five Phoenixes and Rising Sun hairpin on her hair, walked to the couch, and sat down, then took the chicken soup delivered by the serving maid.
Donghui was dressed neatly and walked in confidently, bowing to Mingzhu and then standing quietly on the side.
“Have you had breakfast?” Mingzhu quietly assessed Donghui. Donghui was in charge of the Tingxue Tower, and they had interacted before. Mingzhu’s impression of Donghui was limited to being smart, capable, and disciplined. Until Yuwen Chu mentioned that Donghui was a hidden martial arts master, she had no idea. According to Yuwen Chu, even three or four ordinary men were no match for Donghui. It was hard to believe that such a fragile-looking person like Donghui was so powerful.
“In response to the Wangfei, this servant had breakfast early in the morning and all the preparations have been made.” Donghui smiled and a shallow dimple appeared on her right cheek.
A beautiful woman who could knock a man down with her hands. Mingzhu’s mind flashed with a scene of Donghui knocking down her future husband, and she coughed, then smiled, “Today there will be many people in the palace. There are few people I can take into the palace, just you, Zheng Momo, and Su Lan. Everything will depend on you three. After entering the palace, you can’t sit or rest, and there won’t be anything to eat. Dress warmly and eat more. When it’s time to go out, I’ll have someone call you.”
Donghui bowed and retreated, Mingzhu put down her spoon, and took the various gifts lists and business cards handed to her by Su Jin, carefully checked them one by one, confirmed that there were no mistakes, and smiled, “Tell Zhou Changshi, there are no problems, just send these out according to this.” Then, with a serious expression, she instructed, “The people who send the gifts must remember to promote the drip dew pot.”
Jiang Shanshan’s new store was probably opening these days, and she was waiting for Jiang Shanshan’s joke. Thinking about it carefully, in these difficult days, she could only rely on Jiang Shanshan to relieve her worries.
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