Chapter 606: Judging People by Their Plates
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Xu Meier’s intentions were not good. Mingzhu handed Zhuang Zhuang to the wet nurse and joked, “Envious? It’s too late now.”
Xu Meier chuckled, “It is indeed too late. Even Ninth Sister-in-law arrived too early to have a chance. As the last to come, I have even less of a chance.” The implication was clear: if Mingzhu didn’t revoke her broken engagement and married Yuwen You as planned, maybe the Wusun Princess could marry Yuwen Chu. It was a blatant attempt to sow discord.
Even if she hadn’t married Yuwen Chu, there was nothing for the Wusun Princess. Yuwen Chu had been engaged to Jiang Shanshan for many years! Just as Mingzhu was about to retort, the Wusun Princess lifted her eyelid and said bluntly, “Thank you, Eighth Sister-in-law, but I’m not interested. I think His Highness is good enough for me. Thank you.”
Since they had already started their own quarrel, Mingzhu didn’t intervene and just watched Xu Meier’s response. Xu Meier showed no embarrassment and said, “Ninth Sister-in-law, it was just a joke. You took it too seriously. You, you’re always so serious, never knowing how to joke around.”
The Wusun Princess sharply retorted, “Sorry, Eighth Sister-in-law, I’m just that serious. I never knew I could joke around about my husband. What would he think if he heard?”
Xu Meier reluctantly touched her nose, “Okay, my bad. I apologize to Ninth Sister-in-law.”
The Wusun Princess coldly looked at her, actually waiting for her to apologize.
Mingzhu, eager to see how it would unfold, chimed in, “Eighth Sister-in-law, quickly apologize to Ninth Sister-in-law and clear up the misunderstanding so we can talk properly.”
Forced into a corner, Xu Meier reluctantly got up and hastily apologized to the Wusun Princess, “Ninth Sister-in-law, you’re so protective of His Highness. I apologize.”
The Wusun Princess sneered, “Isn’t it the duty of a wife to protect her husband? Unlike Eighth Sister-in-law, I’m not so broad-minded to accommodate so many people and ideas.”
Xu Meier’s face darkened instantly, raising her voice, “What do you mean, Ninth Sister-in-law?”
The Wusun Princess replied, “Exactly what Eighth Sister-in-law thinks.” Then she ignored Xu Meier and turned to Mingzhu, “Sixth Sister, count me in for the charity organization you’ve set up.” Though she didn’t want to see Mingzhu like this, and she loathed Xu Meier, since Yuwen You wanted her to join, she would. After all, she couldn’t let Mingzhu and Xu Meier hog all the glory and benefits.
Mingzhu gave a slight smile and said, “Of course it’s possible, but you have to pay an entrance fee, and the initial fee is not small. Moreover, you’ll have to continue adding money in the future if it’s not enough, just like a bottomless pit. Wangfei should think carefully before entering.”
“I know, it’s one thousand taels of silver, right?” The Wusun Princess had already inquired about the rules and knew that she had to pay at least one thousand taels of silver to enter. Although she felt distressed about the money and worried about how to fill this bottomless pit in the future, she had already reached this point and couldn’t retreat.
Mingzhu grinned, showing her white teeth. “No, it’s one thousand taels of gold.”
The Wusun Princess’s expression changed abruptly. “Others only need to pay one thousand taels of silver, why should I pay one thousand taels of gold? Even if Sixth Sister-in-law looks down on people, she shouldn’t be so excessive.”
Mingzhu calmly said, “Because others were invited by me, so there’s a discount. That’s my face. If Ninth Sister-in-law wants to enter on her own, she’ll need to pay one thousand taels of gold. This is called a risk fee. Otherwise, if you suddenly quit one day or cause trouble, it would harm me. By paying more money, in case something happens, I can use that money to compensate others. Don’t you think so?”
The Wusun Princess was so angry her face turned red. This was clearly targeting her. She impatiently stood up and walked out.
Mingzhu didn’t detain her, instructing the steward to see the guest off. “I won’t see off Ninth Sister-in-law, someone come, escort Linan Wangfei out.” What joke was this? She was doing serious business here. If they wanted to join, they could join. Knowing they had ill intentions, she wouldn’t allow them to disrupt. Was she stupid?
The Wusun Princess said angrily, “No need to trouble, I know the way myself.”
The steward smiled, “This is about rules and etiquette. We dare not let people say our Ying Wang Mansion is arrogant and rude. Please understand, Your Highness.” Ignoring the expression of the Wusun Princess, he smiled and escorted her out.
Xu Meier watched the Wusun Princess leave and said, “Ninth Sister-in-law speaks Mandarin quite well. Even such idioms as ‘looking down on people’ she knows. It surprised me.”
Mingzhu took a sip of hot tea and said straightforwardly, “Eighth Sister-in-law isn’t here to have tea with me, right?”
Xu Meier smiled faintly, “Of course not. I also want to join the charity organization Sixth Sister-in-law is leading. It’s one thousand taels of gold, right? I’ll have it sent over immediately.”
Mingzhu also smiled faintly, “Sorry to trouble you, Eighth Sister-in-law, but for you, it’s ten thousand taels of gold.”
The difference between one thousand taels of gold and ten thousand taels of gold was huge! Xu Meier couldn’t help but chuckle, “What’s Sixth Sister-in-law’s reason?”
Mingzhu said calmly, “Because Eighth Sister-in-law is richer than the Ninth Sister-in-law. She’s the Wusun Princess, coming from a distant country, and even her luck isn’t good. There have been successive incidents in the mansion, and even her dowry was burned. If I asked her for ten thousand taels of gold, wouldn’t that be unreasonable?”
Xu Meier stared at Mingzhu, her gaze cold and unyielding, saying nothing.
Mingzhu looked calmly at Xu Meier, also saying nothing. If she could bring ten thousand taels of gold, she would dare to let Xu Meier join. Now, Yuwen Long’s power and influence were much smaller compared to the previous life. Adding her recklessly would only get it swallowed up. She wasn’t afraid!
But Xu Meier suddenly smiled brightly, “Sixth Sister-in-law really dares to ask for a high price.”
Mingzhu calmly said, “I’m doing charity. None of this money will go into my pocket. What’s there for me to be afraid of?”
Xu Meier suddenly leaned closer, lowering her voice, “Then let me ask Sixth Sister-in-law one more thing, would you dare to answer? “
Mingzhu said, “That depends on what it is. If it’s something I don’t know, of course, I won’t dare speak.”
Xu Meier gritted her teeth and whispered, “I heard that at last year’s New Year’s banquet, there was an assassination attempt on my Highness, and this assassin was related to Sixth Sister-in-law. How does Sixth Sister-in-law explain this?”
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, “I have no explanation. First, you’re not qualified to question me; second, just because you say it’s related to me, does it mean it’s related to me? Whoever told you such nonsense, go ask them.”
Xu Meier said angrily, “No one knows the truth more than Sixth Sister-in-law! You’ve harmed me! Do you know?”
Mingzhu looked at Dong Hui calmly, who immediately stepped forward. Xu Meier quickly stepped back, “Don’t touch me, I know what you want to do. Gentlemen speak but don’t move their hands.”
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