Chapter 452: Seeking Husband (One)
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Mingzhu left Changxin Palace and headed straight for Zhaichuntai. Donghui couldn’t help but ask, “Is it effective? Won’t the Great Empress Dowager become even more furious?”
Mingzhu whispered, “Of course it’s effective. I’ve already spoken to the Great Empress Dowager about this. Since the Great Empress Dowager didn’t deny that I was attacked, others won’t dare to trouble me further.”
She had already raised the banner of ancestral law and etiquette, and the Great Empress Dowager couldn’t continue to hide behind pretense. This matter was originally caused by Yuwen Bai’s excessive actions. If the Great Empress Dowager allowed it to continue, she would seek alliances with other royal families after leaving the palace.
Even if other royal families acted to protect their own interests and safety, they would form an alliance with the Ying Wang Mansion to resist. This was not what the Great Empress Dowager wanted to see. To avoid such a situation, she had to take action. Therefore, it was highly unlikely that anyone would dare to casually enter the Ying Wang Mansion to arrest people.
Zhaichuntai was near the Cold Palace, desolate and dilapidated. It was where the last emperor of the previous dynasty was killed by rebellious palace servants. Although the founding emperor had ordered the reconstruction of Zhaichuntai, it was still considered an ominous place, and no one was willing to live there. Over time, it fell into disrepair, and usually only two or three disgraced palace servants were stationed there as guards.
It wasn’t until Yuwen Chu was detained there that more than twenty palace servants were temporarily assigned to serve him, ostensibly to attend to his daily needs, but actually to monitor him. In such a situation, Mingzhu couldn’t easily enter. She stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and shouted, “Your Highness!”
Yuwen Chu was quietly sitting on a very old pallet, lost in thought. He had been enduring the cold wind all night, and the food he had eaten was brought in secretly, barely enough to fill his stomach. He hadn’t had hot water or charcoal for a day and a night, which worsened his lingering cold. His hands and feet were cold, and he felt dizzy.
Wei Tiande felt sorry for him and hugged Yuwen Chu’s feet, trying to warm them. He complained, “Your Highness, you should have accepted the bedding and other items sent by the Imperial Consort earlier. Now you have a fever!”
“The Imperial Consort is having a hard time. If I accept what she sent, she will be even more distressed. I can’t let her be criticized for a bed, can I?” Yuwen Chu smiled bitterly. He rarely fell ill, but unfortunately, he fell ill at such a time, and his condition seemed to be worsening.
He thought of Mingzhu. He usually had smooth communication channels in the palace and knew that Yuwen Bai and his mother wouldn’t sit idle; they would definitely use this opportunity to cause trouble for the Ying Wang Mansion. He immediately made arrangements, informing the Fu family to rescue her and also notified Jing Song to avoid trouble. Originally, he just wanted to avoid startling Mingzhu, but he didn’t expect her not only to remain composed but also to surprise him.
But with the Great Empress Dowager as the pusher, the people of Zhongshan Wang’s Mansion might also be stirring up trouble. The matter wouldn’t be easily resolved. No matter how uncomfortable he was, he had to plan the next step.
Wei Tiande suddenly turned his head, listening intently. A soft female voice drifted in with the cold wind, “Your Highness…”
Wei Tiande’s eyes lit up, “Your Highness… it seems to be the Wangfei!”
Yuwen Chu was stunned for a moment, then pulled his feet back from Wei Tiande’s embrace and jumped off the pallet, rushing out. Wei Tiande quickly picked up the boots and followed, “Your Highness, Your Highness, you haven’t put on your boots yet!”
Yuwen Chu immediately realized that this behavior was inconsistent with his usual aloof demeanor, so he stopped and stood still, with a straight face, looking towards the courtyard. He didn’t say a word, just lifted one foot, indicating for Wei Tiande to quickly and quietly help him put on his boots.
Wei Tiande smiled and swiftly helped Ying Wang put on his boots. It was indeed out of character for His Highness, who he had served since childhood. He had never seen His Highness behave like this before. But not to mention His Highness’s joy, he was also happy. Who would have thought that the Wangfei would come to the palace to see them?
“Your Highness! I’m here to see you! Come out!” Mingzhu’s voice became clearer, crisp, sweet, and playful, as if she were smiling and talking, making the mood very good.
Yuwen Chu’s lips curved upwards, and he strode through the desolate courtyard of Zhaichuntai towards the door. Mingzhu, with Donghui and Su Lan, stood there. She herself was dressed elegantly, looking fresh and beautiful, smiling at him. Her eyes were so tender that they seemed to overflow with warmth. The two maidservants carried large and small packages, also wearing smiles.
It was really good. The feeling of being cared for and cherished by someone was really good.
“Why did you come?” Yuwen Chu suddenly felt that his illness had improved by half. He glanced coldly at the several palace servants blocking the way. The one in front, a eunuch, smiled awkwardly and said, “It’s not that this servant isn’t flexible, but it’s, it’s…”
“Am I a criminal? If I recall correctly, you are only here to serve me. Since when did you start meddling in my affairs?” Yuwen Chu extended his hand to Mingzhu. “Come in.”
Indeed, no one dared to say that Ying Wang needed to be closely guarded as a criminal. These palace servants also realized that His Royal Highness Ying Wang didn’t care about their neglect. Even if they didn’t provide him with food and hot water or offered cold food and water, he didn’t mind. But the truth was, he wasn’t starving at all. No one knew how he managed to get food inside. It was better not to offend such a person too much. The leading eunuch gestured to the others with a smirk, “Aren’t we doing this for His Highness and the Wangfei?”
Mingzhu smiled and held Yuwen Chu’s hand as they entered Zhaichuntai. Glancing around, she couldn’t help but feel disgusted, but she didn’t say much. She signaled Donghui to hand over the tiger-skin blanket she brought and said to Wei Tiande, “Spread this out for His Highness. This is the best thing to keep out the cold.”
There were also several sets of spare clothes and lightweight cotton shoes for indoor wear. Wei Tiande led the two maids inside to tidy up. Yuwen Chu whispered to Mingzhu in a low voice, “Didn’t I tell you to stay at home? Why did you come out?”
Mingzhu widened her eyes, pretending to be surprised. “So Your Highness doesn’t want to see me?” Then she frowned and pretended to be on the verge of tears. “I’m so sad! I’ve been hurt.”
“You…” Yuwen Chu looked at Mingzhu’s antics, unable to say anything serious. All he felt was joy and warmth.
“Your Highness, take this.” Mingzhu discreetly handed him a box. “Inside are the pills that Tang Chunlai made for you overnight, specifically for your illness. Remember to take them, don’t let your condition worsen. Keep it close to you first in case you forget later.”
The box was warm from Mingzhu’s touch. Yuwen Chu smiled and squeezed Mingzhu’s hand tightly.
“I missed you, Your Highness.” Mingzhu didn’t boast to him. Time was pressing, and she needed to say what he wanted to hear. “Everything is fine at home, so you don’t need to worry. After I leave here, I’m going to Qi Wang’s Mansion. Do you think it’s appropriate?”
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