Chapter 536: An Innocent Mistake (Part Two)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Su Lan discreetly adjusted Zhuangzhuang’s swaddle to block Fu Zifei’s hand. It wasn’t that Su Lan was overly suspicious, but everyone understood the current situation. The Great Empress Dowager and Fu Mansion seemed amicable on the surface but were actually distant, especially toward Ying Wang Mansion and Mingzhu. During this time, Fu Mingcheng had gathered a group of people with the Great Empress Dowager’s help and occasionally made veiled criticisms against Ying Wang Mansion. In such a situation, being cautious around Fu Zifei was entirely reasonable.
Fu Zifei felt embarrassed and unwillingly said, “Let me hold him for a moment. It’s for when I report back to Royal Grandmother.”
She raised the Great Empress Dowager’s banner, so Su Lan couldn’t refuse outright. Mingzhu raised her hand and asked Su Lan to bring Zhuangzhuang to her, then called Fu Zifei over to look. “You’re a little girl, clean and tidy. Don’t get any baby smells on you. If you want to see, I’ll hold him for you to look at.”
Fu Zifei blushed and said, “Aunt, do you not trust me?”
Mingzhu was surprised. “Why would you think that? Everyone knows that newborns have soft bones and are not easy to hold. Even when I was at home, I was careful not to hold your younger siblings too often for fear of hurting them or startling them, let alone disturbing them when they poop or pee.”
This was a reminder to Fu Zifei of her lack of understanding. Fu Zifei’s eyes reddened, and tears welled up. “Aunt, do you still not trust me? Are you afraid I won’t treat my brother well? Or is it because of what I said to you on New Year’s Day? I was frightened at the time and didn’t mean to hurt you. I regretted it afterward and have been looking for a chance to apologize to you.”
Mingzhu smiled slightly, pretending not to see her distress, and patiently explained, “There’s another reason. I’ve just become a Mother and feel especially attached to him. You’ll understand when you become a Mother yourself. Don’t overthink it.”
Fu Zifei forced a smile. “I see. I’ve been too sensitive.”
Her maid, Yingluo, whispered to her, “Miss, we need to visit Madam Fu and Fourth Master Fu at the Fu Mansion soon. It’s about time we left.”
Mingzhu heard it clearly, and her heart suddenly tightened. She looked at Fu Zifei firmly. “Why do you need to visit them both?”
Fu Zifei was about to speak when Su Lan interjected, “Eldest young lady!”
Fu Zifei was first surprised, then angrily glared at Yingluo and sternly scolded, “If you have nothing to say, don’t play dumb. Go wait outside!”
Her voice was sharp and piercing, frightening Zhuangzhuang into crying. Mingzhu sneered and, trembling, looked at her coldly. “If you keep making noise, don’t blame me for having someone throw you out!”
“Aunt, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Fu Zifei was at a loss, her face full of apology. At the same time, she glared fiercely at Yingluo, who lowered her head and quickly left.
Hearing Zhuangzhuang cry, Mingzhu suddenly felt a surge in her chest, as if countless small needles were rushing forward along her blood vessels, followed by a dampness in her chest. Without much thought, she turned to loosen her clothes and awkwardly breastfed Zhuangzhuang. Covered in sweat, she asked Su Lan for help, and finally managed to calm Zhuangzhuang down.
Zhuangzhuang’s sucking strength was indeed impressive. Mingzhu held him, feeling his tiny body pressed against hers. The fear and apprehension from Yingluo’s words had gradually turned into strength. She gently cooed to Zhuangzhuang, completely ignoring Fu Zifei standing on the side. After feeding him on one side and then switching to the other, she stopped when Zhuangzhuang had finished sucking and signaled for Su Jin to take him to the wetnurse.
Su Lan brought a hot towel to wipe her. Mingzhu turned her back to tidy up before turning around again, saying lightly, “Please have a seat.”
Fu Zifei bit her lip, lowered her head, and sat down on the brocade stool beside her. She whispered, “Aunt, Yingluo didn’t mean it. Please don’t be angry.”
Mingzhu said, “Yingluo followed you from Jiangnan to the mansion and then into the palace. Whether she meant it or not, or was just impulsive and thoughtless, you know it best. I don’t care about that. I only want to know, how are my Mother and Fourth Brother?”
Fu Zifei hesitated, whispering, “Aunt just gave birth and is in confinement. I heard that new Mothers shouldn’t worry or be sad during this time, as it may leave behind health issues. It’s better not to ask, or it might be my fault if something happens in the future. It’s my fault. Please don’t ask.”
That hypocrite! Su Lan wanted nothing more than to strangle Fu Zifei right then and there. Is this what she calls an apology? It seemed like she wanted to cover up the past, but each word she said was full of hidden meanings, like implying that Madam Cui and the others caught a cold or something like that.
This behavior was just like Jiang Shanshan’s back then. Mingzhu was very annoyed. “It seems like you didn’t listen to anything I said to you before. Everyone has their own aspirations, and I can’t force you. If you don’t want to talk, then I won’t ask anymore. Please leave.”
Fu Zifei, still young and not very shrewd, stood up immediately when Mingzhu asked her to leave, grabbing Mingzhu’s sleeve and pleading tearfully, “Aunt, I really didn’t expect Yingluo to do this. Please don’t blame me. I remember everything you said to me before and dare not forget. But the situation is like this, and I have no choice.”
Mingzhu said indifferently, “Stop crying. I don’t want you to go back from here and spread rumors that I humiliated you for a maid’s carelessness. I don’t want to hear what you have to say now. Please leave.”
Fu Zifei refused to leave. “Aunt, promise me you won’t be angry, and then I’ll leave. If you’re not angry, I’ll deal with Yingluo for you.”
Mingzhu was so annoyed that she felt a dull pain in her lower abdomen, and blood flowed heavily. Her head also throbbed. She ordered Su Lan, “Escort Miss Fu out. I’m exhausted.” In her heart, she no longer wanted to treat Fu Zifei as her niece but as Miss Fu from Marquis Huaiyin’s Mansion.
Seeing Mingzhu’s pale face, Su Lan was frightened. She didn’t care about Fu Zifei’s identity and immediately helped Fu Zifei, saying, “Miss, please go back first. Let’s leave each other some dignity.”
Fu Zifei cried breathlessly, “Aunt, I was wrong, I really was wrong. I’ll get rid of Yingluo to make it up to you… Please don’t ignore me.”
“Oh, who’s this? How disgusting, not knowing their place.” Suddenly, the voice of Ping Nushi came from outside, followed by Ping Nushi and Zhou Nushi walking in one after the other. They both bowed to Mingzhu with a smile and said, “We came to congratulate the Wangfei and visit the young master. Originally, we didn’t dare to come in without being announced, but we heard a mad dog barking inside and couldn’t help but want to scold someone. Please don’t blame us for being rude.”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
