Chapter 56: Self-awareness
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After such a commotion, those who had originally wanted to spectate lost interest. Seeing Jiang Shanshan sitting alone lost in thought, looking dejected, those who were close to her naturally approached to offer comfort.
Mingzhu stood alone on the side, feeling like everyone regarded her as a ferocious beast, which left her feeling somewhat lonely and bored. Just as she was about to leave, the Great Empress Dowager’s attendant came to summon her, and she took the opportunity to follow along.
Seeing her leave, the noble ladies whispered, “Look at her arrogant demeanor! Is it glorious to regret the engagement and resort to such drastic measures? With her around, there’s never a moment of peace. She’s constantly stirring up trouble. Look at what she’s done to Second Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Shanshan lowered her eyes and softly replied, “It’s not her fault; blame it on my meddling.”
Someone interjected, “Sister was just trying to help her out; who would have known that the Princess would happen to see it?”
When the conversation turned to Funing, everyone fell silent. The person who had spoken felt they had said too much and hurriedly tried to remedy the situation, saying with a smile, “The Princess is just straightforward and can’t tolerate any nonsense.”
Jiang Shanshan worriedly remarked, “If the Princess is too straightforward, I wonder if she’ll be punished.”
Everyone chimed in, “She won’t be punished. His Highness, Ying Wang, is known for his good temper. At most, he’ll just scold her a bit. What else could happen? Besides, there’s still the Imperial Consort.”
Just then, laughter erupted from the main seat, drawing everyone’s attention. They saw Mingzhu chatting animatedly with the two Empress Dowagers and the other ladies, causing them to burst into laughter. They all looked on with envy and disdain. Only Jiang Shanshan sat expressionless, lowering her head, her eyes filled with intense hatred.
She knew that Yuwen Chu didn’t like her. He had been repulsed by this marriage from the beginning.
To make this marriage happen, she didn’t know how much effort it took to convince her father, and how much thought it took to win the favor and support of the Empress Dowager. She had used countless efforts to obtain this marriage.
Yuwen Chu had tried to break off this marriage multiple times before, and she knew it was because of someone else.
In the past, she wasn’t worried because Mingzhu would never have Yuwen Chu in her eyesight, but now the situation seemed to be getting worse. He would probably act again soon, and this time, it would probably be severe.
What should she do? Jiang Shanshan looked towards the Empress Dowager with a pitiful expression, feeling anxious and uneasy.
Imperial Consort Min, who was smiling at Mingzhu’s antics, didn’t notice anything amiss. However, Aunt Xiayan, who was beside her, noticed and gave Jiang Shanshan a reassuring look, then leaned down to whisper something in the Imperial Consort’s ear. Only then did the Imperial Consort turn to look at Jiang Shanshan, smiling kindly at her before instructing Aunt Xiayan.
Aunt Xiayan then approached Jiang Shanshan and whispered softly, “Her Majesty said to wait for a moment. She has something to discuss with you.”
“Yes, I will abide by Her Majesty’s decree,” Jiang Shanshan replied gently, gratefully squeezing Aunt Xiayan’s hand and whispering, “Thank you, Aunt Xiayan. I won’t forget your kindness.”
Aunt Xiayan shook her head with a gentle smile. “It’s nothing compared to how you have cared for my parents at home.”
The two clasped hands and shared a smile.
Meanwhile, Mingzhu didn’t mention her altercation with Princess Funing, and the Great Empress Dowager didn’t inquire further. Instead, she rewarded her with a fine inkstone, saying, “I heard you’ve been writing and painting at home recently. Here, use this.”
Mingzhu thanked her for the gift and, seeing her mother and sister-in-law looking somewhat worried, approached them with a carefree smile. Lady Cui whispered, “Did she harm you anywhere?”
Mingzhu shook her head. “She never could beat me. She’s always been my defeated opponent. She’s just learned to behave now, not wanting to appear too arrogant in front of so many people. Otherwise, how could we wait for Yuwen Chu to intervene?”
Lady Cui scolded her, “Why do you always cause trouble? Look at others, they’re all happily together like good sisters. Why do you have to be so annoying?”
Mingzhu retorted, sticking out her tongue coquettishly. “Who says I don’t have good sisters? It’s just that they’re not here.” She did have a few close friends, such as Princess Changhua, Cai Mingshu from the Wuning Marquis’s family, and An Xiaogu from the Yue Guogong’s family. Princess Changhua caught a cold, Cai Mingshu got married and moved to Jiangnan, and An Xiaogu hadn’t arrived yet. As for those who tried to curry favor with her, she looked down on them, so she ended up alone.
Seeing her stubbornness, Lady Cui was at a loss. “Stop causing trouble! The Imperial Consort is usually kind to you, and Ying Wang just did you a big favor. Can’t you give in to Funing for a bit?”
Mingzhu pouted playfully. “I know!”
While they were talking, the banquet began. The two empress dowagers drank a few cups of wine before finding excuses to leave one after another, leaving the venue for everyone else to enjoy.
Imperial Consort Min was easygoing and, seeing the young ladies sitting there bored, instructed the palace servants to take them out to play.
Mingzhu was impatient to join them, so she consulted Lady Cui, “I’ll go see Changhua. She is sick and must be bored.”
Seeing that she couldn’t sit still and considering the recent incident, Lady Cui didn’t want her to wander around in public, so she informed Imperial Consort Min, who arranged for a reliable and familiar palace maid, Ning Zhi, to accompany her.
As Mingzhu walked away, the laughter and chatter from Jiang Shanshan and the others could still be heard, but gradually it faded away.
As they approached the deserted Lotus Palace, Ning Zhi suddenly smiled and said, “A few days ago, this servant found a nest of wild duck eggs by the reeds near Clearwave Lake. They should have hatched by now. It’s just a few steps away. Would the young lady like to take a look?”
Mingzhu was familiar with them, so she didn’t doubt them. “Okay, if they’re real, I’ll take two to raise for Changhua so she won’t be bored alone.” Princess Changhua’s mother had passed away early, and she didn’t have any siblings, so she didn’t live very well.
The two walked to the lake, and Ning Zhi took off their shoes and tucked up their robes before wading into the lake to search for wild ducks.
Mingzhu sat on the shore and waited.
The lotus leaves had grown about half a person tall, and a few pale pink lotus blossoms were tremblingly blooming. Dewdrops rolled on the petals.
Mingzhu wanted to pick one, so she bent down. As she did, she heard someone sobbing softly from the nearby artificial rockery, “You heartless person, just because you see that Fu Mingzhu is younger and more beautiful than me and has a capable father, you want to abandon me?”
Mingzhu originally didn’t want to bother with such trivial matters, but hearing someone mention her, she couldn’t help herself. She abandoned the lotus flowers and disregarded the wild ducks, quietly lifted her skirt and approached the artificial rockery, pressing against it and peeking inside.
She faintly glimpsed a corner of a light pink chiffon skirt, so she stopped in her tracks and listened intently.
She only heard a male voice saying, “Don’t believe everything you hear. Fu Mingzhu just had that falling out with my good ninth brother, in a state of uncertainty. Neither the Great Empress Dowager nor Minister Fu would easily propose breaking off the engagement. How could I get involved in this?”
The voice was very familiar, unexpectedly that of Anyang Wang, Yuwen Long. Shameless, Mingzhu thought of his disgusting appearance when he had previously approached her, trying to ingratiate himself. She couldn’t help but curl her lips in mockery and listened quietly to see how this drama would unfold.
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