Chapter 419: Night Exploration of the northern garden (Part One)
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After Zheng Momo finished speaking, the candles were lit. Glancing back, she saw Mingzhu lying on the white wicker chair by the window, her eyes half-closed, looking calm and showing no signs of displeasure or heaviness. Relieved, Zheng Momo chuckled, “Your Highness, since His Highness is not coming back for dinner tonight, would you like me to have the meal sent in advance?”
Mingzhu felt a tightness in her chest and didn’t feel like eating, but she still agreed, “Okay.”
As long as she was willing to eat and talk, it was fine. Zheng Momo busied herself welcoming Su Lan and others in. In no time, dinner was served. The attendant maid had already sensed that the Wangfei was not in a good mood today, especially without His Highness present. Therefore, she was prepared to be scolded, but to her surprise, Mingzhu didn’t make things difficult for her. She ate whatever was served, not being greedy or willful, and cooperated very well.
The sudden change in the usually pampered and willful Wangfei made everyone feel uneasy. Not only did the serving maid feel nervous and uncomfortable, but others also felt the pressure. No one dared to joke or have fun, silently serving Mingzhu. After finishing dinner and tidying up, Zheng Momo finally dared to ask Mingzhu, “The snow hasn’t completely melted, and some places have frozen again. It’s dark and hard to see. Does Your Highness want to take a walk in the corridor and digest your food?”
Mingzhu shook her head, “Prepare the sedan chair for me. I want to go to the Northern Garden.”
Zheng Momo was very puzzled. Why would she go to the Northern Garden at this hour? She whispered, “Has Your Highness encountered any difficulties?”
Mingzhu shook her head; she did indeed feel very difficult. Whenever it came to national affairs, it seemed that there was always such a dilemma. Reality was always much crueler than imagination, as Mr. Meng’s words made clear. If she compromised and let Jiang Shanshan into the mansion, allowing Yuwen Chu to gain access to the methods of making firearms and gunpowder, it would benefit both the Fu family and Ying Wang’s Mansion. If she refused to compromise, then half of the risk would be due to her own ignorance.
If she hadn’t fallen for Yuwen Chu, she could have easily accommodated these people, let Jiang Shanshan into the mansion, and then waited for the right opportunity to eliminate her. But because she had feelings for Yuwen Chu, she couldn’t bear to compromise, and she wasn’t willing to give in. This was the tragedy.
But no matter how angry or unwilling she was to compromise, she still had to make the necessary preparations. She couldn’t just focus on being angry and realize she hadn’t made any preparations when things happened, only to passively suffer. This stolen ship wasn’t as easy to ride as she thought.
Seeing that Mingzhu didn’t want to talk about it, Zheng Momo had to go outside to prepare a warm sedan chair. Before leaving, she pulled Su Lan aside and whispered, “You grew up with Wangfei and are close to her. She usually confides in you. Try asking her if there’s anything bothering her. Even if you can’t help, at least let her vent. She’s pregnant and can’t keep things bottled up inside.”
Su Lan immediately refused Zheng Momo’s suggestion, “I know Wangfei’s temperament. If she doesn’t want to talk about it, there’s nothing I can do. That’s why I didn’t ask before. Just do whatever she asks, Momo, don’t be nosy.”
Zheng Momo sighed helplessly.
In the Northern Garden, most of the beauties had already been dispersed, leaving only the two female Nushis, Zhou and Ping, who were still under house arrest, as well as Su Ye, and the two beauties given by the Empress Dowager, Zhang and Luo, and a few other beauties. During the day, there were still servants coming and going, but now it felt desolate and lonely. The sparse light from the lamps reflected off the remaining snow, casting a slightly brighter light, but it was still bleak without anyone living there.
Li Quanxin had received the news early and was waiting inside. He greeted them, “Is Wangfei summoning all the beauties for a talk? The Feiyan Pavilion always has a fire burning, it’s warm there, let’s go.”
Mingzhu said, “I want to see Zhou Fuyan.”
Everyone noticed something unusual, especially Zheng Momo and Su Lan. Wangfei was pregnant, and unlike other families, she didn’t send her maids to her husband’s side, nor did she arrange for the beauties in the Northern Garden to serve him. Instead, she kept Wangye to herself all day and sent away the maids who could be sent away. Clearly, she had a jealous and possessive nature, but now she suddenly wanted to see Zhou Nushi, did this mean the wind was changing?
“Since Zhou Nushi made a mistake, she hasn’t lived in the Zhenxia Residence but moved to another courtyard, which is quite far from here,” Li Quanxin thought quickly and led the way. “The road isn’t easy, so those carrying the sedan chair should be cautious.”
After walking for a while, they arrived outside a small courtyard. The courtyard was divided into two halves by a brick wall, with Zhou Nushi living in one half and Ping Nushi in the other. Ping Nushi was cursing, “Zhou Fuyan! You’ve made me miserable! It’s so cold, I have nothing warm to wear, nothing to eat, and nothing to drink.”
Zhou Nushi remained silent, ignoring her.
Li Quanxin was about to step forward to stop them, but Mingzhu signaled him to stay still. They listened quietly as Ping Nushi cursed for a while until she finally ran out of breath and fell silent.
Mingzhu thought she wouldn’t curse anymore, so she signaled Li Quanxin to open the courtyard door. But as soon as the door opened, there was a muffled sound from inside the courtyard, as if something had been thrown over the wall, followed by a foul smell that made everyone cover their noses.
Zhou Fuyan finally got angry and threw something noisy and smelly into Ping Nushi’s half of the courtyard, while scolding, “Ping Fufu, are you still human? Always causing trouble, sickening to death…”
“If I don’t, you’ll play dead.” Ping Nushi laughed heartily. “How fun it is! The refined and elegant Zhou Nushi is actually behaving like a shrew, really eye-opening.”
Mingzhu looked meaningfully at Li Quanxin. “Are they always like this?”
Li Quanxin felt nervous and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “Not always. Most of the time, they get along fine. I don’t know what got into them tonight…” He usually only cared that they weren’t cold or hungry, so he didn’t bother whether they fought or not. The more they fought, the happier he was. This way, when they were released, they would be exhausted and obedient, which the master would like.
“Open the door,” Mingzhu didn’t inquire further. This was the law of survival in the backyard: the big fish eat the small fish, and the small fish eat the shrimp. Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi had offended her, so they deserved punishment. She wasn’t a saint, sparing their lives was already the greatest kindness she could show.
The door was opened, and both Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi instantly fell silent. Zhou Nushi stood in the narrow courtyard, nervously looking at Mingzhu and the others, forgetting to bow and greet them.
Li Quanxin frowned. “Is Zhou Nushi so happy that she forgot to bow and greet Wangfei?”
Zhou Nushi then walked over and respectfully bowed to Mingzhu, touching her forehead to the snow-covered ground, softly saying, “Not knowing Wangfei’s visit in advance, I have committed a breach of etiquette.”
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