Chapter 431: Before the Wedding
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Mingzhu shivered. She remembered the palace maids who had died because they witnessed the Great Empress Dowager having an attack.
“After using all sorts of methods, I finally found out that this doctor told the Great Empress Dowager that there was something in her head. If it wasn’t treated, her vertigo would get worse and worse until she couldn’t get out of bed, her vision would blur, and her headaches would become unbearable.” Fu Cong’s tone was very solemn. “The Great Empress Dowager asked how it could be cured, and the doctor replied that unless her head was opened and the thing inside was removed.”
So the Great Empress Dowager killed the doctor without hesitation. Actually, what the doctor said was quite reasonable. Mingzhu remembered the Great Empress Dowager’s illness progressing in such a way, but the idea of opening the head was too terrifying. “The Great Empress Dowager definitely didn’t believe him.”
“Yeah, she thought someone wanted to take advantage of her, and she didn’t dare to gamble. She was afraid of the disease leaking out and causing turmoil, so she killed the man.” Fu Cong smiled bitterly. “Even I was suspected, because I recommended the person.”
At the time, the Great Empress Dowager accused him of being too selfish, not caring about the legitimate heir for personal gain, and also made a mistake in judgment. With differing political views, he had no way to explain himself, and the crack between them was irreparable.
Mingzhu knew that Fu Cong must be very sad. She placed her hand on the back of Fu Cong’s hand and suddenly realized that her father was already very old, with age spots on his hands. Her eyes became a little sore. “Father, don’t mind what others say. I know what kind of person you are.”
“Your aunt is weak and lonely, and she has been confined in the palace for a long time. Her temperament is inevitably eccentric. You should be considerate of her, but keep your distance from her. I’m afraid that one day she might not be able to accept it and won’t tolerate even you. Don’t provoke her either. If she suddenly passes away, it won’t be good for us. The decline and division of the Fu family will begin tomorrow. The reason I’m telling you these things is because I’m afraid you don’t know anything and only know how to be coquettish and stubborn, which will make people dislike you.”
Fu Zifei and her father had already entered the capital. The Great Empress Dowager would probably summon this father and daughter tomorrow, and then grant Fu Mingcheng a position, supporting him to confront the prime minister’s mansion. With support from both sides of the family, the fate of the family’s division was inevitable.
Mingzhu felt her eyes getting sore. She said softly, “Father, don’t worry, I won’t be willful anymore.” She wouldn’t let them suffer when they were so old, nor would she let her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, and niece suffer. She would do her best to protect her loved ones and the child in her belly, as well as herself.
On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month, Linan Wang married the Wusun Princess, formally allying with Wusun.
Mingzhu stayed at her parents’ house for two days. The rumors outside were flying all over the sky. Yuwen Chu sent her clothes and jewelry the night before, clearly afraid that she would refuse to show up at the wedding and embarrass Ying Wang Mansion.
Mingzhu got up early to dress up. On such occasions, she should wear the formal attire of a Wangfei to appear dignified. Before she could finish tidying up, Su Lan came in and whispered, “The eldest young lady is here. Should I tell her to wait outside?”
Su Lan mentioned the eldest young lady, who was Fu Zifei. Because she was the oldest among the girls in the Fu family, everyone in the mansion referred to her as the eldest young lady, while Wenwen was pushed back to become the second young lady.
As Fu Cong expected, the Great Empress Dowager couldn’t wait to summon this father and daughter yesterday, and even had Liang Youyi personally escort them back. At the same time, she gave Mingzhu a command to bring Fu Zifei to appear at Yuwen You’s wedding. The reason was that Fu Zifei grew up in Jiangnan and was not very familiar with the customs of the capital, so she should attend more such ceremonies and banquets.
As for why Fu Zifei couldn’t attend with the other ladies of the Fu family? Because in royal weddings, only members of the royal family could attend the most critical part, so Fu Zifei had to be with Mingzhu.
After Liang Youyi left, the ladies of the Fu family were somewhat low-spirited. They originally had plans to take Fu Zifei out to broaden her horizons, but now, with the Great Empress Dowager’s intervention, they had to follow her orders without any say in the matter. Especially since the Great Empress Dowager specifically named Mingzhu to bring her along, it felt like a slight to Mingzhu. This meant that from now on, the one who would be most favored by the Great Empress Dowager wouldn’t be Mingzhu, but Fu Zifei.
Su Lan was afraid that Mingzhu would feel uncomfortable, so she suggested not letting Fu Zifei come in.
Mingzhu didn’t mind. She still had this much tolerance: “Since she’s here, let her come in. There’s no need to make things difficult for her over such trivial matters.” They were already fighting among themselves before the enemy even made a move. Only someone really foolish would do that.
Fu Zifei came in wearing a silver-red fox fur cloak, shyly asking, “Aunt, am I late?”
“Not at all, in fact, you came too early.” Mingzhu smiled and looked Fu Zifei up and down. She was wearing a sky blue cloud brocade jacket and a pomegranate red cloud brocade skirt underneath. Her hair was styled in double buns, and she wore a gold-framed red coral phoenix hairpin, looking festive, beautiful, and cute, quite suitable for the identity of one of the future concubines.
Fu Zifei blushed slightly and lowered her head, saying softly, “It’s my first time attending such a banquet. I didn’t know when I should leave, so I got up early… I didn’t expect to come too early and disturb Aunt. Should I go back first?”
This girl had too many thoughts. Mingzhu’s earlier remark was just a joke, but it unexpectedly led her to say so much. Mingzhu didn’t explain and asked her, “Did you come here by yourself?” After getting confirmation, she smiled and instructed Su Lan, “Give the eldest young lady a cup of hot ginger tea to warm her up, and prepare an extra breakfast for them. I think the eldest young lady got up early and didn’t have time to eat.”
“Thank you, Aunt.” Fu Zifei’s eyes lit up. She was afraid that Mingzhu would be annoyed with her, find an excuse to trouble her, or leave her out, so she got up early to dress up. She heard that Mingzhu’s lights were on and hurried over. Naturally, she hadn’t had breakfast yet. She thought she would have to go hungry, but she didn’t expect Mingzhu to be so gentle and considerate.
“It’s nothing. We’re family.” Mingzhu motioned for her to come over, put a pair of head ornaments made of colorful gemstones and pearls on her, and let her look in the mirror. “This set matches the gemstone bracelet I gave you the other day. They were both rewards from the Great Empress Dowager back then. I still wear the bracelet, but I haven’t worn this head ornament. It’s more suitable for a young girl like you. Yesterday, I specifically sent someone back to the mansion to get it for you, to match you. It’s the most suitable.”
Fu Zifei looked in the mirror for a while, then turned to look at Mingzhu, a thin layer of mist forming in her eyes. “Aunt, you’re so good to me.”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
