Chapter 454: Alone and Vulnerable
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
There are established rules for entering and leaving the palace, and it’s not as simple as deciding where to go. Mingzhu thought she would have to exchange a few words and persuade the old eunuch to achieve her goal, but unexpectedly, the steward eunuch opened the palace gate without saying a word. He even said, “Is the Wangfei’s carriage not here? If you don’t mind, this old slave has a private carriage made of green cloth, and I can give the Wangfei Consort a ride.”
Was it too good to be true? Mingzhu looked at the old eunuch vigilantly, wondering if it was a trap.
The old eunuch smiled faintly and whispered, “This old slave received grace from His Royal Highness Ying Wang in his early years. If the Wangfei Consort trusts me, then please take the ride. If not, then don’t. However, once this servant sends you off, I won’t be able to return to the palace. Please give this servant some food to eat.”
Better to leave the palace gates first! Mingzhu nodded to the old eunuch, quickly walked out, and said as she walked, “Please have someone bring the carriage out. Thank you very much.”
In no time, an inconspicuous green cloth carriage was indeed driven out by a young servant. Mingzhu glanced at Donghui, who jumped onto the carriage to inspect it. After confirming it was safe, she leaned close to Mingzhu’s ear and whispered, “It’s okay to ride. He’s one of us.”
Mingzhu got on the carriage and instructed the servant, “To the Dali Temple.” She looked back at the old eunuch guarding the palace gate, who closed the gate slowly without another glance at her.
Not long after the three left, Hutong rushed over under Yuwen Bai’s orders to catch them. Seeing this, he angrily slapped the old eunuch guarding the palace gate and cursed, “Get someone to drag this old dog out and beat him to death!”
Mingzhu didn’t know what happened behind her. The green cloth carriage safely delivered her to the outside of the Dali Temple. Before she could go in search, she saw Fu Mingzheng hurriedly coming out with people. The servant ran over quickly and said a few words to Fu Mingzheng. Fu Mingzheng looked suspiciously in her direction, and Mingzhu lifted the carriage curtain and nodded to him.
Fu Mingzheng then approached and directly took the place of the servant, picking up the reins. “Where are you going?”
“To Qi Wang’s Mansion.” Mingzhu watched Fu Mingzheng’s back, feeling very relieved and at ease. “My carriage attendants are waiting outside the palace gate. Fourth Brother sent someone to inform them to go back first.”
“Okay.” Fu Mingzheng replied and urged the horse carriage forward. “Did you encounter something strange?”
“I did.” Mingzhu quietly described the situation to him and expressed her concern. “I wonder what will happen to the old eunuch who guarded the palace gate.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled. “These people are all experienced. They’re gatekeepers and know how to handle dirty things. They owe many people favors. He’ll be fine. At most, he’ll suffer a bit and lose his position. Didn’t you see the Great Empress Dowager?”
“I did.” Mingzhu felt a bit frustrated. “I heard that an edict will be issued to let Zifei accompany her into the palace. Has our family received the news?”
The speed of the carriage slowed down, and Fu Mingzheng lifted the curtain and glanced at her, smiling slightly. “Are you jealous?”
Mingzhu did feel a little uneasy, but she refused to admit it. “What does it have to do with me? Didn’t we know that such a day would come sooner or later?”
Fu Mingzheng smiled. “Good to know. The family already knows the news, and they also know that our eldest cousin will officially become an official at the latest the day after tomorrow. He’ll also be rewarded with a mansion and title. This is to prevent people from staying in our house for too long and changing their minds. “
Once Fu Mingcheng was rewarded with a title and mansion, and Fu Zifei was brought into the palace, it would be equivalent to a formal announcement to the outside world that another branch of the Fu family had risen. Moreover, this branch was the one that the Great Empress Dowager truly trusted and relied on. Then, those who had followed the Fu family in the past would definitely split, weakening the power of the Fu family.
Mingzhu whispered, “Today, I asked her if she was happy to help outsiders disturb her own family. She yelled at me, told me to leave, and said I wasn’t allowed to go to Changxin Palace in the future. She didn’t want to see me, calling me an ungrateful thing.”
Seeing her eyes red, Fu Mingzheng felt a bit sorry for her but didn’t know how to comfort her, so he sarcastically remarked, “Wow, you’re really bold. Offending the Great Empress Dowager like that and still coming out unscathed, meeting your own people wherever you go, and having a carriage to ride. Isn’t it just fool’s luck being bold and daring?”
Mingzhu collected her composure and cheerfully said, “Indeed, I’m the luckiest.” She added ingratiatingly, “Especially because I have a good fourth brother.”
“Cut it out! You can’t buy me with that.” Fu Mingzheng suppressed a smile and sternly instructed her, “Don’t come out wandering around tomorrow! I’ll ask Second Sister-in-law to come and accompany you when I get back. Get a room prepared for yourself.”
Mingzhu frowned, “Are you sure you want to trouble Second Sister-in-law like that?”
“Absolutely sure.” Fu Mingzheng said seriously, “Even a cow needs rest and sleep, even if this cow is no ordinary cow.”
“You’re the cow!” Mingzhu lightly kicked Fu Mingzheng’s leg and emphasized, “You’re the one who’s alone and vulnerable!”
“Shh… You’re being disrespectful if you say that. Silly cow!” Fu Mingzheng pretended to be serious. “Stop talking, you’re making my ears buzz.”
In fact, he just wanted her to rest. Mingzhu relaxed completely, lazily leaning on Su Lan, complaining, “Today really exhausted me.” She praised Donghui and Su Lan for being capable. Fu Mingzheng couldn’t stand seeing her try to win people over even when idle. “Shut up!”
Mingzhu pouted, finally keeping her mouth shut.
Soon, they arrived outside Qi Wang’s Mansion. It was getting dark. Fu Mingzheng got off the carriage and spoke quietly to the gatekeeper of Qi Wang’s Mansion. The gatekeeper glanced at the green cloth carriage, unable to hide his surprise, and dashed inside.
Before long, the side door of Qi Wang’s Mansion opened, and the green cloth carriage drove straight in. The steward gugu, Shuangxi, of Qi Wangfei was waiting by the road. She went forward to help Mingzhu out of the carriage, smilingly explaining, “Sorry for the delay, Your Royal Highness. Our mistress is changing her clothes. She asked me to come out first to welcome you. Please come this way, Your Royal Highness.”
Mingzhu had interacted with Shuangxi a few times before and knew she was graceful and courteous, and she was also Qi Wangfei’s confidante. Therefore, Mingzhu was particularly polite and friendly to Shuangxi. The two entered the backyard of Qi Wang’s Mansion, where Qi Wangfei and her attendants came forward to greet them. “Rare guests, rare guests!”
After entering the main reception hall, they sat down as hosts and guests, and tea and fruits were served. Qi Wangfei dismissed the attendants and left only Shuangxi and another maid to serve on the side. She asked Mingzhu, “Hasn’t my niece-in-law just come out from the palace?”
“That’s right.” Mingzhu didn’t hide anything from her and went straight to the point. “Auntie must have heard about the incident in our mansion today, right?”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
