Chapter 489: The Beauty Plan (Part 1)
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Mingzhu only focused on comforting Imperial Consort Min, saying some unrealistic words: “It will be fine, it will be fine. The palace’s doctors and medicines are the best.”
Empress Dowager Min saw that Mingzhu wouldn’t listen to her commands with the knife in her hand, and suddenly thought that Mingzhu might actually wish for Funing’s death. She couldn’t help but feel anxious and said, “Are you mistaken, Mother? I remember that the palace’s rule in the past was to immediately send those infected with an epidemic out of the palace and isolate them in other gardens until they recovered. This was to prevent the spread of disease to others. There are still many concubines and princes and princesses in the northern Palace!”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “Sending two young girls out to suffer in the cold is not without its risks. Besides, it hasn’t spread to others, so let them stay in the palace to recuperate. Daughter-in-law, you must have compassion and not drive people away just because you fear death. At the very least, they’re your little aunt and your close niece.”
These two had the same black heart, able to lie without hesitation, but fortunately, she had already planned for this. Empress Dowager Min sneered, seemingly acquiescing to the Great Empress Dowager’s words, then sat quietly to the side, no longer speaking.
Mingzhu whispered to comfort Imperial Consort Min, who gradually stopped crying and asked her, “Is the child still behaving? Not causing you trouble?”
The Great Empress Dowager, sitting high above, saw the harmony between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law and felt very uncomfortable. But when she looked at Fu Zifei, she steeled herself once more. Things had already reached this point; what else could she do?
As if to validate Empress Dowager Min’s words, one of Emperor Zhengqian’s concubines, who had been sitting at the end of the hall, suddenly stood up with red eyes after hearing the reports from the palace servants and hurriedly kowtowed to the Great Empress Dowager, begging, “Great Empress Dowager, please save us! The Fourth Prince has a fever.”
Mingzhu recognized this concubine as Consort Jing, the mother of Emperor Zhengqian’s fourth son. She had originally been praying with the Fourth Prince and others in the Yihe Palace and had only been released this New Year’s. Now it seemed that this move was made by Empress Dowager Min.
Since the Great Empress Dowager refused to spare Min Baoyun, Empress Dowager Min decided to take action against Emperor Zhengqian’s sons, to see who could endure the longest.
Min Baoyun was just Empress Dowager Min’s niece. If she was lost, there would be another to replace her. But the Great Empress Dowager only had four grandsons in total, one of whom, Yuwen Bai, had become an enemy, and Yuwen Fu had become the target of criticism. The remaining Third Prince and Fourth Prince who have not been bestowed a title yet were precious. Now that the Fourth Prince was sick, could the Third Prince be far behind? Once these two princes were gone and if something happened to Yuwen Fu, there would be no one left to succeed. The Great Empress Dowager would lose for sure.
The outcome was almost certain. The Great Empress Dowager couldn’t bear to risk the lives of her own grandsons for Min Baoyun and Princess Funing. So she immediately ordered Min Baoyun and Princess Funing to be sent out of the palace. Min Baoyun naturally went home, while Princess Funing went to Shangqing Yuan, and the sick Fourth Prince was sent to Guanglin Palace near Shangqing Yuan, to be escorted and taken care of by Mu Gugu and Consort Jing.
Except for the Great Empress Dowager and Consort Jing, almost everyone else was satisfied. Ming’s family could finally bring Min Baoyun back home and take care of her carefully. Imperial Consort Min was also happy that her daughter could finally leave the palace, and Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief and could continue with other programs.
Due to the impact of this matter, the Great Empress Dowager’s interest waned. However, since the morning court had ended, according to tradition, Yuwen Bai would lead the princes, dukes, and other relatives to pay their respects to the two Great Empress Dowagers and perform the New Year’s rituals. There would also be a family banquet later, so the Great Empress Dowager had to force herself to remain alert and accept the greetings of her children and grandchildren.
When Yuwen Bai entered, he was surrounded by everyone like stars surrounding the moon, with a festive expression on his face. First, he led everyone to pay their respects to the two Great Empress Dowagers, and then he eagerly said, “Grandmother, grandson has summoned a troupe to perform a variety show to entertain you. Shall I let them in?”
The Great Empress Dowager had known about this for a long time but had not opposed it before. Now she said calmly, “Emperor, there’s an epidemic spreading now, and several people in the palace have fallen ill one after another. It’s not appropriate to bring in outside troupes to perform. One, we are afraid of bringing in the disease, and secondly, the people in the capital are all infected with the epidemic. It’s not appropriate for us to continue enjoying ourselves. A wise ruler should share joys and sorrows with the people.”
Yuwen Bai was suddenly furious and sneered, “Royal Grandmother, everything you said makes sense, but can’t a grandson show his filial piety to the two Great Empress Dowagers and enjoy a little family happiness? Bringing in outside troupes may bring in the disease, so what about all the other relatives who come to the palace? If we’re going to stop, we might as well stop the morning court as well, seal the palace gates, and put up a big net so that birds can’t fly in!”
The Great Empress Dowager glared at him. “Is the Emperor defying me?”
Yuwen Bai said unyieldingly, “I dare not! But grandson just doesn’t understand what it means to be filial to the elders!”
This year should not have been celebrated! Everyone present had a bitter expression. Mingzhu found Yuwen Chu among the crowd; he was standing quietly behind Fu Wang, his face pale, his eyes as black as ink, supported by Hua Yang Wang, looking weak. When he saw Mingzhu looking over, he glanced at her nonchalantly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Mingzhu knew that he must have already learned about Princess Funing’s impending departure from the palace, so she slightly curled her lips at him and then glanced over Yuwen Long’s body. As expected, Yuwen Long was foolishly staring at Ping Nushi behind her. Mingzhu looked at Ping Nushi, who was frightened by the commotion just now and was now bowing her head like a quail.
Ping Nushi was carefully selected by Consort Zhou. She wasn’t from a decent family background in her early years and was trained in the brothels. She had a very captivating appearance and demeanor. When she seduced people, she was alluring, but when she was calm, those who didn’t know her well would think she was elegant and quiet. However, with just a casual glance, the seductive charm in her eyes would be revealed.
Mingzhu felt that the demure Ping Nushi wasn’t captivating enough, so she called her softly. Ping Nushi looked over, her innocent and confused look adding to her allure. “What does the Wangfei command?” she asked.
Mingzhu pointed to Yuwen Chu in the crowd and whispered, “My eyesight hasn’t been great these past few days. Can you check for me if His Highness’s complexion looks bad?”
Ping Nushi bashfully glanced over, coincidentally meeting Yuwen Long’s gaze. Having been confined to Ying Wang mansion for many years, Ping Nushi rarely encountered young men who looked at her with such direct and intense gazes, especially a noble prince like Yuwen Long. At first, she felt proud, but before she could react, she instinctively looked away.
Yuwen Long suddenly jolted.
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