Chapter 418: Please Think Twice Wangfei
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Mr. Meng looked at Su Lan and the others.
Mingzhu immediately waved for Su Lan and the others to leave. “Mr. Meng, you can speak now?”
Mr. Meng said, “I just received a letter. His Highness met the Second Miss from the Changxing Marquis’s Mansion at the Mudan Pavilion at noon today.”
Yuwen Chu hadn’t mentioned this to her. Why did he meet Jiang Shanshan? Mingzhu’s heart tightened slightly, but she smiled faintly, “So what?”
“Your Highness is remarkable. I know that the bed crossbow in the Great Temple was based on your design…” Mr. Meng carefully chose his words, “Now, the Second Miss Jiang also has a similar design. She threatened His Highness that if he didn’t let her into the mansion, she would give this design to his enemies. Moreover, she claims to have an improved formula for gunpowder and can modify firearms. You come from a family of statesmen and must know the power of firearms. If they fall into someone else’s hands, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
A thousand plans are inferior to a single calculation. Mingzhu’s mind was in turmoil. Perhaps because it was too confidential, or perhaps because she died too early, she didn’t know about Jiang Shanshan’s knowledge of the improved formula for gunpowder and firearm manufacturing. If in her past life, Yuwen Chu was the ultimate victor, then he must have had fierce battles with others, and what Jiang Shanshan provided must have been one of his winning trump cards.
He didn’t like Jiang Shanshan, but he always treated her as his proper wife because he needed her help in his grand plans.
Love was probably always the one that lost out in front of power and ambition.
Mingzhu almost knew what Mr. Meng was going to say next.
“I want to ask Your Highness, do you have this formula? Do you know how to modify firearms?” Mr. Meng cautiously asked, while nervously watching Mingzhu, afraid that she might be too stressed and affect her pregnancy.
“I don’t have the improved formula for gunpowder, nor do I know how to modify firearms.” Mingzhu smiled brightly at Mr. Meng, “Next, does Mr. Meng want me to take a step back voluntarily? To accept Jiang Shanshan into the mansion?”
Under the piercing gaze of her black-and-white eyes, Mr. Meng inexplicably felt a little guilty and embarrassed. However, with grand ambitions, there was no room for personal affection. So many people had given their lives to Yuwen Chu, and there was no room for hesitation. He awkwardly said, “She’s just a side consort. His Highness doesn’t like her, so naturally, he won’t favor her. She won’t bear him any children. The one who has the final say in this mansion is still Your Highness.”
“Exactly, Mr. Meng is correct.” Mingzhu nodded, “Jiang Shanshan is a fool. She won’t get anything out of this except running to Ying Wang’s Mansion to serve as a lackey and be satisfied with that.”
Mr. Meng didn’t expect her words to be so sharp, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He forced a smile and said, “Of course, she won’t, but this is just a delaying tactic. Once she enters the mansion, everything will be up to you, Your Highness.”
“This is His Highness’s idea or Mr. Meng’s idea?” Mingzhu asked calmly.
Mr. Meng hastened to say, “Of course, it’s my idea. His Highness doesn’t know that I’m already aware of this. This matter is confidential, known to only a few people. His Highness loves and values you deeply. He wouldn’t come to you with this, especially since you’re pregnant. As an adviser by His Highness’s side, I should think for him, select the most favorable path for him. If there’s something he can’t say, I should say it for him in advance. If there’s something he can’t do, I should do it for him. It’s just like how Your Highness takes care of His Highness’s daily life without him having to instruct you every time. We each have our own responsibilities, all for His Highness’s sake, all for the sake of the grand cause. Your Highness is intelligent and should understand this. Sometimes, stepping back means a broader sky.”
Mingzhu looked silently at Mr. Meng.
As an advisor, Mr. Meng had done nothing wrong; on the contrary, he was a diligent and conscientious advisor. It should be noted that such matters were very offensive; one small mistake could lead to condemnation from both sides and incur the displeasure of both Yuwen Chu and her.
But as the person involved, she really disliked Mr. Meng’s self-righteous behavior. If she didn’t agree, she would be seen as ignorant of righteousness, selfish, shortsighted, narrow-minded, and a burden to Yuwen Chu. If Jiang Shanshan really gave those powerful weapons to others, causing Yuwen Chu’s failure and the loss of many lives and fortunes, then it would be her fault.
“Now that the Fu family and Ying Wang’s Mansion are closely related, they rise and fall together,” Mr. Meng stood up and bowed deeply to Mingzhu. “Please, Your Highness, think twice. I will take my leave.”
Mingzhu sat upright in her chair, silently watching Mr. Meng’s departure. She was not happy, very unhappy indeed. She regretted not nailing Jiang Shanshan to death at the Fanying Hall when she had the chance.
She couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Meng came on his own or if he was testing her on behalf of Yuwen Chu? Yuwen Chu was extremely strict with his subordinates. For such a confidential and important matter, even if Jiang Shanshan intentionally leaked the information to Mr. Meng, Yuwen Chu wouldn’t turn a blind eye and allow Mr. Meng to probe her, right?
After all, she had repeatedly told Yuwen Chu before that she and Jiang Shanshan were incompatible, that there was no place for Jiang Shanshan if she was there. There couldn’t have been a more suitable person than Mr. Meng to convey this message to her.
As night fell, Zheng Momo hurried in from outside. She had just received news from the Fu Residence that Fu Mingcheng and his daughter, Fu Zifei, from the main branch of the Fu family in Jiangnan were about to enter the capital. They had only sent a message when they reached Dafeng County outside the capital, saying they would arrive early the next morning. Mingzhu had already instructed to attend the welcoming banquet, so she had to inform Mingzhu of this news promptly.
There were no lights lit in the main hall, and it was silent as the grave. Su Lan and the others were quietly waiting at the door, looking anxious. Zheng Momo immediately sensed that something was wrong and asked in a low voice, “What’s going on? It’s dark, why isn’t there any light or food?”
Su Lan whispered, “Mr. Meng came to talk to Her Highness just now. After he left, Her Highness became like this, not allowing anyone to enter, saying she wanted to be alone. You know her temper, who would dare not listen?”
Was something wrong with His Highness? No, if something had happened to His Highness, Wangfei would have rushed over in a hurry. Did Mr. Meng upset Wangfei? Normally, Mr. Meng wouldn’t have the audacity to do such a thing. It must be something important. If it were a usual situation, they wouldn’t have to worry, but since Wangfei was pregnant, it couldn’t be compared to normal times. Zheng Momo cleared her throat and whispered, “Your Highness, I have something to report.”
“Come in.” Mingzhu’s voice came from inside, slightly hoarse from not speaking for so long, but otherwise normal.
Zheng Momo entered as if nothing was amiss, lighting candles as she spoke with a smile, “A messenger came from the household. Master Cheng and Miss Zifei from the Jiangnan family have already arrived in Dafeng. They will enter the capital tomorrow morning. A welcoming banquet has been prepared at home, inviting the Wangfei to come back for dinner and meet them.”
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