Chapter 435: A World Full of Malice (One)
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Indeed, she was worried. She realized she was too concerned and forgot about Yuwen Chu’s capabilities. Since he said he would deal with Jiang Shanshan, there must be other people arranged in the mansion. But still, she worried… Mingzhu stared at Suiyu Pavilion not far away, unable to maintain her previous calmness. Even if it was anger, it was still gripping her heart.
The surroundings were silent, with only the sound of the night wind rustling through the dry lotus leaves, echoing in the pavilion. Mingzhu stood up, and in the sound of the wind, she heard a faint, contemptuous laughter, full of smugness.
It was the voice of Fu Mingzheng.
Fourth brother is here too! Mingzhu tightened the window, feeling a slight warmth in her eyes. She finally understood why her fourth brother would say such words to her, “Don’t be afraid, you have your father and brothers.”
Someone outside quietly called for Mingzhu, “Ying Wangfei, Ying Wangfei…”
It was Xia Yu, the maid serving beside Hua Yang Wangfei.
Mingzhu gestured to Su Lan, “You go out and see.”
A moment later, Su Lan returned and whispered, “Someone noticed that you were missing and insisted on finding you. It’s causing quite a stir. Hua Yang Wangfei asked Wangfei to hurry back. Should we go back first?”
Staying here wouldn’t help. Lingering would only arouse suspicion from those with ill intentions, causing unnecessary trouble for Yuwen Chu and the others. Mingzhu made a prompt decision: “Let’s go, let’s go back first.”
The three of them left the warm pavilion, with Xia Yu having already gone ahead. Mingzhu calmly took another path, making several turns before appearing in front of everyone from a different direction.
The first to speak was Madam Min, the mother of Min Baoyun. As soon as Madam Min saw Mingzhu, she pretended to care and went up to greet her, “Oh! Ying Wangfei, where did you go just now? You disappeared suddenly, and your niece was so scared she cried. Everyone was alarmed, thinking something happened to you! Fortunately, you’ve come back safely, or else this joyous occasion would have turned into a disaster. Linan Wang would surely feel guilty.”
Every word was filled with malice, making Fu Zifei’s face flush with anger. She stood up bravely and said, “Madam, you’re joking. My aunt was only gone for a moment. How could I have been so scared that I cried?”
Madam Min looked disdainfully at Fu Zifei and said contemptuously, “Hasn’t the Fu family of Jiangnan taught you that you shouldn’t interrupt when your elders are speaking?”
Fu Zifei was furious. Mingzhu held her hand, smiled at the people around her, and then turned to Madam Min, saying, “I’m sorry to have worried Madam Marquis Pengcheng. In fact, there was nothing wrong with me. I just went to the restroom for a while, and then, coincidentally, I met a female ghost there and had a few words with her. She asked me to send her regards to you! She said she would visit you again soon and asked you to prepare some delicious food for her.”
Min Shixing’s reputation was ruined due to the incident of the illegitimate daughter attempting to assassinate at Longsheng Great Eldest Princess Mansion. He was forced to stay at home, so Madam Min was no longer the wife of the Shangshu. This time, she came to the banquet only under the name of Madam Pengcheng Marquis. The title of Pengcheng Marquis was bestowed upon the Min family by Emperor Zhengqian of the former dynasty, thanks to Empress Dowager Min becoming the empress.
Mingzhu’s words not only hit a sore spot for Madam Min but also brushed over the reason for her disappearance.
Recalling the incident where Madam Min was supposedly frightened by a so-called female ghost, everyone chuckled knowingly, except for Madam Min, who was red-faced with anger, exclaiming, “Ying Wangfei, how could you say such things? You’ve taken my good intentions as a joke! How could there be someone like you? A crooked branch will produce crooked fruit. Aren’t you afraid of corrupting the younger generation?”
Mingzhu pulled Fu Zifei closer and said with a smile, “Zifei, never learn from this lady. A true noblewoman shouldn’t behave like this. She should be dignified and elegant, not provocative and irritable everywhere. People will avoid inviting you, and it will also affect the younger generation in the family.”
Fu Zifei looked admiringly at Mingzhu and replied with a smile, “Yes, Aunt, I will remember everything.”
Min Baoyun couldn’t bear to see her mother insulted and said tearfully, “Ying Wangfei, please forgive others as you would yourself. Isn’t it too overbearing to be so aggressive?”
Mingzhu smiled gently, “You can learn from me.” If you can’t learn, then leave early!
Dai Wangfei and others hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, separating the two sides. Mingzhu sat back absentmindedly, wishing she could grow wings and fly into Suiyu Pavilion to find out what was happening.
Meanwhile, in Suiyu Pavilion, Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng were locked in a stalemate.
“Who allowed you to act?” Yuwen Chu was almost driven mad. He had just barely restrained his nausea to knock Jiang Shanshan unconscious, and then out of nowhere came Fu Mingzheng, who rushed over and tried to slit Jiang Shanshan’s neck with a knife. If he hadn’t noticed in time, he would have accidentally harmed Fu Mingzheng.
Harming Fu Mingzheng would be fine; he deserved it! But Mingzhu would definitely cause more trouble. She might even come up with some false accusations like “The adulterer and adulteress were caught in the act by Fourth Brother.” It’s really disturbing! They were all such unreliable people!
Fu Mingzheng was surprised, “Wasn’t it this woman trying to force herself on Your Highness? I came to save Your Highness from danger.” Then, he lowered his voice and said, “Could it be that Your Highness actually wants her to take advantage of you? Is that why you’re hesitating?”
You’re the one who wants to take advantage! Yuwen Chu glared at Fu Mingzheng in silence, even though he knew Fu Mingzheng couldn’t see his anger. He still wanted to use his gaze to strip Fu Mingzheng’s skin. He was so hateful!
In the darkness, Fu Mingzheng felt the deep malice conveyed by Yuwen Chu and immediately glared back without showing any weakness. He wasn’t as kind-hearted as Mingzhu. What did he care if others lived or died? What did it matter to him if Yuwen Chu’s men died as a result? He only cared that his own family was safe. Since Mingzhu couldn’t take action, he would eliminate this trouble for her.
Once Jiang Shanshan was dead, everything would be clean. Whether Yuwen Chu was greedy or not, wanted to change his mind or not, be loyal or not, it would all be settled.
After a long while, Yuwen Chu sighed, “You’ve disrupted my plans.”
Fu Mingzheng showed no sincerity, “I’m really sorry, I was just too concerned about Your Highness’s safety. You know, if something happened to you, Mingzhu would be very pitiful. As you know, my sister is naive, infatuated, and soft-hearted. Even if I don’t want to care about her, I can’t ignore the child in her belly.”
Yuwen Chu had nothing to say. Even if he was really angry, he couldn’t do anything to Fu Mingzheng for the sake of Mingzhu’s face, although he was truly annoyed. After thinking for a moment, he changed the subject to vent his anger, “How did you know I was here?” If he found out who leaked such crucial information, he would definitely skin them alive.
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