Chapter 420: Night Exploration of the northern garden (Part One)
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Ping Nushi suddenly let out a sharp scream, “Is it Wangfei? Is it Wangfei? This servant is Ping Fufu, this servant knows her mistake, please forgive this servant, this servant is willing to serve you as an ox or horse.”
Li Quanxin went over and scolded her a few times before Ping Nushi stopped screaming and started crying, saying she regretted her actions.
Mingzhu looked at the small courtyard where Zhou Nushi lived, there were no trees, only two houses, with only one dimly lit lamp inside. Just as she was about to go in, Zhou Nushi stopped her, saying softly, “There is filth on the ground, I dare not dirty Wangfei’s shoes.”
It turned out that Ping Nushi had just thrown the chamber pot she had used over the wall because she was lonely and wanted to provoke Zhou Nushi.
A small Ying Wang’s Mansion could drive people insane. It was no wonder there were so many mad people in the palace. Mingzhu frowned and stepped back, instructing Li Quanxin, “Find another place for Zhou Nushi to live.”
Li Quanxin tentatively suggested, “Shall we return to the Zhenxia Residence?”
“Fine. Go to the Feiyan Pavilion,” Mingzhu gestured for Zhou Nushi to follow her. “You come with me.”
Ping Nushi began banging on the courtyard door frantically, crying out loudly, “Wangfei, Wangfei, what about me?”
Zhou Nushi suddenly said, “Wangfei, this servant wants to plead for Ping Nushi.”
Mingzhu stopped and turned around, staring coldly at Zhou Nushi. The light from the lamp and the snow made her eyes exceptionally bright, like the cold light reflected by a blade. Zhou Nushi couldn’t help but shrink back, not daring to meet her gaze, and whispered, “This servant spoke out of turn.”
Mingzhu said indifferently, “You did speak out of turn. You just wanted to show that you are magnanimous and kind-hearted, right? Don’t play these tricks in front of me. If you really sympathize with her, go and accompany her. I’ll have Li Quanxin open the door for you.”
Li Quanxin, afraid of chaos, smiled and said, “Zhou Nushi, please?”
Zhou Nushi immediately knelt down, touching her forehead to the snowy ground, and begged earnestly, “Wangfei, this servant won’t dare anymore, please spare this servant.”
Both women were living in isolation, but one was on the verge of collapse while the other remained calm and rational, not letting go of any opportunity to show off. Mingzhu looked at Zhou Nushi’s neatly arranged hair bun and felt that her trip here was very correct. This was how to deal with Jiang Shanshan. As for Ping Nushi, keep her locked up, let her envy Zhou Nushi to the point of madness, and then let her out to stare at Zhou Nushi. Let them bite and scratch each other. At least she could save half of her effort.
Mingzhu had never been so clear-minded before. She knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted Yuwen Chu’s unique love and favor, she wanted her family to safely get through the crisis, but if Yuwen Chu didn’t give it, she wouldn’t force it because she knew very well that emotions were the hardest thing to force and the hardest thing to get.
Having walked a hundred steps already, she couldn’t afford to retreat now, otherwise the ninety-nine steps ahead would be in vain. Just as Mr. Meng said, the Fus was now tied to the same boat as Ying Wang’s Mansion. She needed the means and abilities of Yuwen Chu as a help to protect her family. So she wouldn’t retreat, wouldn’t act impulsively, wouldn’t take reckless risks; she would calmly choose the most advantageous option for herself and everyone else.
If Yuwen Chu couldn’t give her purity and perfection, she would set aside her own pure and true flaws and give him a perfect Ying Wangfei. The good times of the past few days could be regarded as a beautiful dream, a dream that would eventually fade away. Mingzhu smiled faintly, placing her hand on her abdomen. The feeling of being connected by blood was truly wonderful, irreplaceable, and indestructible.
Feiyan Pavilion was completely different from the desolation of the Northern Garden. It was luxuriously furnished and comfortable. In the summer, there was a breeze passing through the hall, making it pleasantly cool, while in winter, there were floor heaters burning warm, ready to meet the needs of the master at any time.
Zhou Fuyan stood on the brightly lit golden brick floor, quietly sizing up Mingzhu who was sitting at the head of the table. Since entering, Mingzhu had been playing with the teacup in her hand, without any extra expressions or words. But it was this kind of firmness and calmness that gave her an invisible pressure. Zhou Fuyan could feel that this proud and arrogant Wangfei was completely different from when she first got married. Although her momentum was still domineering and intimidating, she seemed more calm and composed now.
The seclusion of these days completely cut off Zhou Fuyan from the outside world. She didn’t know what had happened outside, but she instinctively felt that her opportunity had come. She decided to speak up first, “Wangfei, did you summon me for something?”
Mingzhu put down the teacup and looked at her. “Do you harbor resentment?”
Zhou Fuyan quickly shook her head. “No, I dare not. I deserve my punishment.”
Mingzhu didn’t care whether she was telling the truth or not. “From today onwards, you are free. I will have your monthly allowance restored to its previous amount, and if you need anything, just send someone to ask.”
Although Zhou Fuyan had already guessed this when she walked out of the courtyard gate, she still made a pleasantly surprised expression, “Thank you, Wangfei, thank you. If you have any orders, I will definitely do my best to fulfill them.”
“I don’t want you to go through fire and water, just serve His Highness wholeheartedly,” Mingzhu walked up to her, reached out and held her chin, carefully observing her for a while, then said, “You haven’t been taking care of yourself these days, you’ve lost weight, and your complexion isn’t as good. But it’s okay, as long as you take good care of yourself, you’ll recover in a while. Come and greet me tomorrow.” Then she instructed Su Lan, “Bring a jar of Snow Cream that I use for Zhou Nushi.”
“Yes.” Zhou Fuyan was truly overjoyed this time. Was Wangfei arranging for her to serve His Highness? Although there would definitely be strings attached, no matter what, this was still a rare opportunity, and she must seize it.
Mingzhu walked out proudly.
Zheng Momo and Su Lan both hesitated to speak, and even Li Quanxin furrowed his brows into a zigzag shape. What kind of wind was blowing today? It felt ominous.
Mingzhu returned to the Yinghui Hall and saw Xiangli and Donghui standing guard at the door, knowing that Yuwen Chu had returned. She pinched her facial muscles, revealing a radiant smile, and walked into the room gracefully.
Yuwen Chu was sitting under the lamp reading a book. When he saw her come in, he looked up and smiled at her, “Why did you go to the Northern Garden so late at night?”
“Just too full, needed to aid digestion,” Mingzhu sat down at a distance from him, picked up a cup and drank water, without asking if he had had dinner.
The relationship between loving couples is the most sensitive. If one of them is upset, the other will quickly notice. Yuwen Chu immediately noticed that Mingzhu’s attitude towards him was a bit different, but he didn’t even think about what had happened, because Mr. Meng wouldn’t actively mention it to him, and the people in Yinghui Hall didn’t know what had happened either.
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