Chapter 469: Working Together
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In Mingzhu’s memory, there was a small-scale epidemic in the capital this winter. Similar to Yuwen Chu’s cold, but it was more common among the poor. Not many people died, and the spread was not wide, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be exploited.
Mingzhu remembered this because at the end of the year, a property under Yuwen You’s name couldn’t deliver enough New Year goods. Yuwen You wanted to punish the steward, but the steward used the excuse of the epidemic to resist.
She remembered that Yuwen You was very angry at the time, scolding the steward, saying that people only got sick in winter, and it wasn’t as if there was an epidemic all year round. He couldn’t tolerate being bullied like a fool. In order to vent his anger, she deliberately went back to find her father to inquire about it, so she remembered it deeply.
It was also a recent event.
Mingzhu whispered, “A few days ago, I heard that there were people in several places in the capital who were suffering from the same illness. The Ancestral Hall is crowded every day. Although no one has died yet, there will always be people dying from other acute illnesses. They say that these people died because of this illness, but no one has verified it, right? I remember, since I was a child, the palace has always feared epidemics the most. Whenever someone got sick, unless they were important figures like the emperor, empress, or crown prince, they would be sent out of the palace to recuperate.”
“You are truly my lucky star.” Yuwen Chu’s eyes lit up. According to Funing’s identity, she might be sent to another palace to recuperate. The conditions in other palaces were very poor, but as long as she could leave the palace, it would be a good thing. He sat up, kissed Mingzhu’s belly through her clothes, and shouted for Wei Tiande, “Wei Tiande, please invite Zhou Changshi to discuss matters.” Then he happily went to the study next door.
Since Yuwen Chu fell ill this time, he no longer went to the Tingxue Building for discussions but stayed in the study of Yinghui Hall. It was actually very inappropriate for his advisers to come to the inner house, but Mingzhu found that their attitude towards her had changed significantly.
Before, her interactions with them were limited to sending them delicious late-night snacks when they worked late, inquiring about their well-being during joyous or sad occasions, or when someone fell ill, and sending them lavish gifts. Sometimes, she would send a few beautiful women to take care of their daily lives. In addition, she would greet them politely when they bowed to her from a distance.
Usually, everyone seemed to get along harmoniously, and Mingzhu found their company very enjoyable. It wasn’t until Mr. Meng came to persuade her to compromise and let Jiang Shanshan into the mansion that she felt these people were all hungry wolves with insatiable appetites, which made her very upset.
These days, they often interacted here, and the opportunities to meet increased. Sometimes they would exchange a few words without needing to avoid it, and Mingzhu clearly felt that the sense of unfamiliar distance had disappeared.
Unlike memorizing their names and backgrounds, in her eyes, they were living, breathing individuals. In their eyes, she was a dignified, brave, and kind-hearted Wangfei who fully deserved the identity of Fu Cong’s daughter, the legitimate Wangfei of the Ying Wang, and the mother of the future heir.
Relationships are cultivated over time, and the longer you spend together, the deeper they become.
Sitting by the window and watching the advisers come and go, Mingzhu suddenly understood Yuwen Chu’s intentions. He would scold her harshly and often punish her, accusing her of being disobedient and acting on her own, but he always seemed indifferent to the words she shouted back at him. In reality, he remembered everything and created opportunities for her.
Yuwen Chu couldn’t stay here forever; sooner or later, he would move back to the Tingxue Building for discussions. Therefore, she had to seize this opportunity. Mingzhu jumped up and enthusiastically discussed with Xiangli and Zheng Momo about the food that was about to be sent to the neighboring room and the various New Year gifts to be prepared for the advisers this year.
At times like this, the historical texts she had memorized came in handy. Reviewing the stories of joy and sorrow, separation and reunion of empresses and emperors throughout the ages, she concluded an important rule.
That rule was that no matter how friendly and caring she appeared towards Yuwen Chu’s advisers and subordinates, there was always a line she couldn’t cross. The one vying for that position was Yuwen Chu, and the one who would eventually sit on that throne and rule the country was also Yuwen Chu, not her, not the Fu family. Therefore, she couldn’t stretch her hand too far, but she had to be able to extend it when he needed her to.
She could kill Yang Yizun, do something on her own, act a bit, occasionally gamble with Yuwen Chu, making him pay attention to her and please her. But she couldn’t let Yuwen Chu’s subordinates think she was more important than Yuwen Chu. She started to inquire about the advisers’ hobbies, their family difficulties and needs, quietly solving problems for them, but not taking credit, only saying it was Yuwen Chu’s arrangement and orders.
Yuwen Chu soon noticed Mingzhu’s change because he used to brag about how good his Wangfei was from time to time, and the advisers would flatter him accordingly. Now, from time to time, he would hear the advisers praise Wangfei for her virtue and goodness, saying she was a good helpmate to His Highness, and His Highness had a good eye, and so on.
Yuwen Chu quite liked this feeling. Working together with someone made the effort feel more secure and warm than working alone.
Another night of heavy snowfall passed, and the dispute caused by Jiang Shanshan’s disappearance came to an end.
Under the manipulation of Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng, Jing Song’s murder case naturally turned into Yang Yizun framing for private revenge. Why did Yang Yizun seek revenge? Because he was dissatisfied with the Great Empress Dowager and the Fu family, so he took advantage of Ying Wang’s entry into the palace to bring troops into Ying Wang’s mansion intending to assassinate Ying Wangfei.
You might say there are many loopholes in the middle? That’s not a problem. The Dali Temple and the Central Army found many eyewitnesses, and Yang Yizun’s relatives were all accusing him, saying he was insane and narrow-minded. He had bragged after drinking, saying he would do something earth-shattering to teach Fu Mingzheng a lesson. He even deceived the Emperor! He really betrayed the Emperor’s trust.
All the charges fell on Yang Yizun alone. Then, with the help of informants and witnesses, those who resisted were all implicated and imprisoned, those who deserved death were executed, those who deserved exile were exiled, and those who deserved confinement were confined.
Ying Wangfei’s self-defense killing was justifiable.
As for the courtyard being burned down and the lotus pond being turned upside down in Linan Wang’s Mansion, it finally breathed a sigh of relief because nothing incriminating was found. Linan Wangfei tried her best to prove that on the night of their wedding, Yuwen You had been with her the whole time and had not left halfway; and Ying Wangfei, who had been witnessed leaving by many people, was also confirmed to have just taken a break and went for a walk.
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