Chapter 495: A Good Idea
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There were indeed many people surrounding him, but he only brought a little eunuch with him for hunting. Consort Xiao couldn’t express her grievances. With red eyes, she said, “I’m at my wit’s end.”
“Enough, it’s New Year’s Day. Anyone who causes trouble again will be kicked out.” The Great Empress Dowager sat down in the main seat and glanced lightly at Mingzhu.
Mingzhu didn’t show any arrogance and quietly lowered her eyes.
Empress Dowager Min was very disappointed that there was no disturbance. However, when she sent someone to instigate Consort Xiao to cause trouble again, Consort Xiao just cried and demanded this and that, refusing to listen to her instructions to cause trouble for Mingzhu.
Yuwen Chu was helped out by Wei Tiande and sat down beside Mingzhu, passing something to her under his sleeve. Mingzhu reached out and touched it. It was smooth and cool. It was the white jade plum blossom hairpin that Ping Nushi had dropped. She couldn’t help but smile and whispered, “How did it end up with you?”
Yuwen Chu sighed, “Aren’t I just specially cleaning up your mess?”
Bah, he made it sound so unpleasant. Couldn’t he say it more tactfully? Mingzhu gently scratched Yuwen Chu’s palm under his sleeve and whispered, “I’ll remember next time, to plan more carefully.”
“Mm.” Yuwen Chu responded seriously, “Women’s hearts are the most poisonous.”
“If he dares to take your life, I’m just borrowing half of his, what’s the big deal?” Mingzhu glanced at him. “Does Your Highness also think I’m poisonous?”
Yuwen Chu answered her solemnly, “No, if it were me, I would be even more poisonous and ruthless. Let him struggle for a few more days.”
Mingzhu smiled and looked at Consort Xiao, who was resentful. She whispered a few words to her confidante and then quietly left to take care of Yuwen Long.
Yuwen Bai watched the scene with interest and asked Yuwen You with a smile, “It’s quite lively, isn’t it? Ninth Uncle, what do you think?”
Yuwen You sat beside him, his posture straight and his expression meticulous. He respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, let them fight among themselves. As long as it doesn’t affect us, we won’t get involved. Dogs biting each other, the fiercer the better.”
“Indeed.” Yuwen Bai patted his shoulder lightly and whispered, “You say you have nothing to do with Jiang Shanshan’s matter, I believe it. But if I ask you to deal with someone, are you willing?”
Yuwen You showed no surprise at all, respectfully saying, “Your Majesty, although I have the will, I lack the strength. I have no manpower and no money to mobilize.”
Yuwen Bai smiled faintly, “Since I want you to work, of course, I will provide you with tools. Yang Yizun has passed away, and the position of Vice Commander of the Longlin Guards is still vacant. If you don’t mind the low rank and are willing to risk losing your face as a prince, you can take office after the festival. How about it?”
Without hesitation, Yuwen You performed a deep bow, touching his forehead to the ground, “I humbly obey Your Majesty’s command. For Your Majesty, I would give my all without hesitation!”
Yuwen Bai smiled and personally handed over a golden cup, saying, “Ninth Uncle, please drink this cup to the fullest. After drinking this cup, we will be the closest and most trustworthy.”
Yuwen You tilted his head back and downed the entire cup of imperial wine in one go. Yuwen Bai applauded him, “Ninth Uncle has a great capacity for alcohol! A true man should be like this! Don’t be like Sixth Uncle, so hypocritical, it’s really annoying!”
As the wine entered his stomach, a burning sensation erupted within Yuwen You. His eyes lit up with fiery determination as he whispered softly, “If Your Majesty finds someone displeasing, I also happen to find him displeasing. I have a plan that can both alleviate the immediate crisis and relieve Your Majesty’s grievances. Are you willing to hear it?”
“Speak.” Yuwen Bai was very interested and laughed, “This is the first time I’ve heard Ninth Uncle come up with a plan. You better come up with a good idea; don’t disappoint me.”
Yuwen You whispered softly, “There have been snow disasters everywhere this year, and relief efforts require a large sum of money. Moreover, the Great Empress Dowager is planning a birthday banquet, and various princes from around the country will be coming to the capital. The court cannot afford to belittle them. Everything requires money, so why not let Ying Wang share Your Majesty’s burdens?”
Yuwen Bai pondered for a moment and then smiled, “Good idea. Let me offer Ninth Uncle another toast.”
Yuwen You took another sip, his heart sneering slightly.
With the Great Empress Dowager holding the fort, Consort Xiao couldn’t cause any trouble. The matter of Yuwen Long being assassinated was quickly resolved, and after some commotion, everything quieted down. Everyone continued to enjoy themselves, making their own calculations and gathering their own people. The banquet lasted until the early hours of the morning before dispersing.
Even after the dispersal, Mingzhu didn’t see Fu Zifei come out to attend to the Great Empress Dowager. She probably didn’t want to face Yuwen Bai and found an excuse to avoid it. Everyone respectfully escorted the two Empress Dowagers out of their seats and then sent off Yuwen Bai. Yuwen Bai stopped in front of Mingzhu and looked at her abdomen, smiling softly, “Is Aunt doing well?”
Mingzhu lowered her head and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I’m fine.”
Yuwen Bai beckoned to Mingzhu, motioning her to come closer. He had grown taller since the beginning of the year, but he still only reached Mingzhu’s shoulder. Mingzhu had to bend down, “Your Majesty.”
Yuwen Bai leaned in close to her ear and whispered softly, “I know what you’ve done!”
Mingzhu pretended to be surprised and raised an eyebrow.
Yuwen Bai grinned and whispered, “Aunt, you’re getting more sinister, but I like it. You killed Yang Yizun, and I don’t blame you for it. But in the future, don’t blame me either. That way, the game will be more fun.”
The small child’s black pupils, reflecting the brilliant lights of the room, inexplicably sent shivers down Mingzhu’s spine. What did he mean? The game could only be played when they came and went, so she killed Yang Yizun, so who would he kill among her entourage?
Yuwen Bai saw her change in expression and grinned triumphantly, then turned to Yuwen Chu with a smile, nodding slightly, “Sixth Uncle, Old Minister Lu from the Ministry of Revenue is useless. The funds needed for the Great Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet and disaster relief efforts all have to be managed by you. The Court of the Imperial Clan isn’t very important; Seventh Uncle can handle it completely. After the festival, Sixth Uncle will go take charge of the Ministry of Revenue.”
Mingzhu immediately regained her composure and thought to herself, “Shameless! When he wants to trouble someone, he locks them in Zhaichuntai. Now, when he needs money, he sends them to the Ministry of Revenue? Without an official title, he still manages the Ministry of Revenue. He just wants to dig money from Yuwen Chu. Everyone knows the treasury is empty.” She was indignant, but before she could speak, Yuwen Chu had already agreed, “I will comply with your orders.”
Yuwen Bai laughed heartily, “I have several good uncles who come to share my burdens. Sixth Uncle, I must say this first: if you can’t handle the job, I’ll have to punish you according to the law.”
Yuwen Chu showed a pained expression, reluctantly agreeing.
Mingzhu couldn’t bear the pain in her heart and pouted.
“You have money, don’t you? I’ll make you use your money to help me!” Yuwen Bai felt very pleased just by looking at the expressions of the couple. Laughing, he left.
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