Chapter 457: Dispelling Bad Luck
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When the carriage arrived outside Ying Wang’s mansion, Yuwen Chu wanted to get off, but Mingzhu quickly stopped him, removing his outer robe and replacing it with a new one she had brought. She murmured softly, “Dispelling bad luck, dispelling bad luck…”
Yuwen Chu chuckled, “Do you really believe in this?”
Mingzhu earnestly replied, “Whether you believe it or not, changing clothes won’t do any harm, will it?”
True. Yuwen Chu liked seeing her so earnestly and gently caring for him, so he let her do it. But as soon as they got off the carriage, they heard a series of firecrackers, loud enough and intense enough to scare anyone to death. Without any warning, even though he was usually calm and composed, Yuwen Chu was taken aback.
Mingzhu supported him and immediately noticed his condition. Afraid of being scolded, she quickly smiled flatteringly, “This is also to dispel bad luck.”
Yuwen Chu was amused and annoyed, “Are you challenging the palace with this? Are you ready with a scented bath?”
“Definitely prepared.” Mingzhu didn’t deny that she was challenging the palace. Smiling mischievously, she gestured for the sedan chair to be brought over and helped him up, whispering, “Your Highness has suffered grievances and can’t vent, shouldn’t we at least complain a little?”
Yuwen Chu let her do as she pleased. He had figured it out; Mingzhu was confused about trivial matters but clear-headed about major ones, and she had a sense of propriety.
After the bath, Mingzhu personally changed Yuwen Chu into new clothes from head to toe and dried his hair, then they laid on the bed together, chatting. Yuwen Chu was afraid of infecting her with his illness, so he refused to let her get too close. A pillow was placed between them, but they held hands and laughed, talking about what had happened around them these past few days. Gradually, they stopped talking, just looking at each other, holding hands and smiling.
Probably due to the medicine, Yuwen Chu soon fell asleep. Mingzhu wasn’t sleepy at all. She watched him for a while and felt satisfied, then got up quietly, put on her clothes, and walked out, instructing Su Jin, “Go call Wei Tiande, I have something to ask him.”
Wei Tiande also looked refreshed, sitting in the tea room with Su Lan and others, enjoying tea and snacks while chatting. When he heard Mingzhu calling him, he knew she wanted to ask something, so he hurried over. Mingzhu asked someone to offer him a seat, but he didn’t dare to sit, bowing and saying, “How does a servant like me have the right to sit in front of Wangfei?”
Mingzhu treated him very kindly. “You’ve served His Highness wholeheartedly, which is commendable. If I ask you to sit, just sit. Why refuse?”
Only then did Wei Tiande confess his fault and sat down awkwardly. Before Mingzhu could speak, he said, “Apart from the cold and inconvenience in the palace, everything else is fine with His Highness.”
Mingzhu smiled mysteriously at him. “Really?”
Wei Tiande felt a chill down his spine from her smile, shifting uncomfortably and whispering, “Yes, really.”
“I know you have to keep your mouth shut in front of His Highness, can’t speak casually. But that’s only for important matters, not everything. For example, whether His Highness has been mistreated in the palace, what those people have done, etc. These are things I should know. Even if His Highness doesn’t want to tell me at the moment, it’s just because he’s afraid I’ll worry. But I can handle it. If you don’t say, I can find out from others. It’s up to you whether you want to say or not. I’m afraid that if I find out later, it will delay His Highness’s recovery.” Mingzhu finished speaking softly and started to leave.
In this mansion, catching Wangfei’s eye and gaining her favor were completely different things. Wei Tiande thought quickly and took the opportunity to betray Yuwen Chu: “It’s nothing much, just throwing some small knives behind his back. Not to mention the rooms being drafty without charcoal or hot water, but after you left, he won’t be allowed to sleep at night. It’s not that people are not allowed to sleep openly, but there are ghosts. Ghosts have been making noise for three nights in a row.”
Ghosts? Mingzhu understood immediately what was going on. They were trying to take Yuwen Chu’s life while he was sick. When someone is sick, their spirits are low, their body weak, and they are most susceptible to external evils, especially poor rest and being frightened.
Trying to make her a widow? Mingzhu sneered, “What kind of ghosts are they making?”
Wei Tiande scratched his head. “It’s quite scary. I dare not look or listen. It’s just scary. His Highness asked me to cover my head with a blanket and leave only two nostrils and eyes outside. Occasionally, I accidentally heard a bit, it seems like someone is cursing the traitors and rebels, saying that it’s the late emperor seeking revenge on the traitors.”
Indeed, they were deliberately acting for Yuwen Chu to see. Mingzhu lowered her voice and asked Wei Tiande, “Have you seen if His Highness was frightened?”
Wei Tiande thought carefully but couldn’t be sure, shaking his head uncertainly. “It’s hard to tell. His Highness has always been quiet, but it’s really noisy. He can’t sleep at all.”
Mingzhu sent Wei Tiande to rest. “You’ve worked hard. Go rest. I’ll have the kitchen add more food for you. If you want to eat something, just say. Don’t worry about the chores, take a good rest for a few days.”
Wei Tiande thanked her profusely and left. Mingzhu went out for a walk and checked the evening meals in the kitchen, making sure Yuwen Chu was well fed and nursed back to health as soon as possible. Lady Su came with Wenwen to bid farewell. “Since His Highness has returned safely, our stay here will only be a burden to you. It’s better to go back. If there’s anything, we can come over anytime, it’s convenient since we’re nearby.”
Mingzhu thought for a moment and decided to leave Wenwen behind. “There are other children at home to take care of. I won’t keep my sister-in-law. Let Wenwen stay with me for a few days and help me with some errands. Our children should not be inferior in socializing compared to others.”
In fact, she wanted to give Wenwen a chance to find another suitable husband. Her second brother was often away from home, and her sister-in-law was not sociable, usually interacting only with a few families. Talking about children’s marriages, there were limitations. It was better to stay with her, where there were many relatives from noble families, providing more opportunities. Although Wenwen wasn’t as sharp as Zifei, she was indeed a good girl with good looks and character, and she wouldn’t have trouble finding a husband.
Lady Su thought Mingzhu was unhappy with the Great Empress Dowager favoring Zifei, so she wanted to cultivate Wenwen to compete with Zifei. She smiled and comforted her, “Sister, don’t worry too much. Everyone is different, and they have different paths to walk. There’s nothing to compare.”
Mingzhu didn’t explain and prepared many good things, personally escorting Lady Su to the door. Lady Su was worried that Wenwen might feel uncomfortable leaving, so she kept admonishing her. Unexpectedly, Wenwen was ecstatic, “Mother, stop nagging, go back quickly! I know what to do!”
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