Chapter 613 – Poisonous Snake
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Consort Xiao raised an eyebrow, “I wrote the note, what about it? The Empress Dowager instructed me to lead you in your tasks, so I have the authority to assign them. This is how things are done in the palace, it’s not favoritism towards anyone. This is drawing lots, whoever draws it, it’s their task. If you find the task too heavy, I’ll help handle it. Seventh Daughter-in-law, if you’re unwilling and insist on following your Sixth Sister-in-law, then that can also be arranged.”
Then she glanced at Mingzhu and said, “Sixth Daughter-in-law, the drawing of lots was agreed upon by everyone. It’s luck-based, not based on individuals. You wouldn’t change your mind just because you drew a heavy task, would you? Of course, if you insist on changing your mind, we have no choice, no one can afford to provoke you. I’ll just inform the Empress Dowager early on that I can’t handle this task and ask her to assign someone else.”
“I haven’t said anything yet, how does Consort Xiao know that I’m unwilling? Your words are so harsh, not at all loving.” Mingzhu smiled and pulled Huayang Wangfei aside. She knew that Consort Xiao harbored a deep hatred for her because of what happened to Yuwen Long’s descendants and then Xu Meier running away, so she deliberately joined forces with Empress Dowager Min to deal with her. This deceitful and provocative approach was to ensure she wouldn’t dodge. Even though she knew it was a trap, she had to jump into it with her eyes wide open because everyone has their dignity. If she backed down today, she might as well stand aside for similar major events in the future.
“I mean to be loving, but it depends on the recipient. Some people have a heart of a wolf and lungs of a dog. No matter how good you are to them, they don’t appreciate it.” Consort Xiao hated Mingzhu to the bone. If it weren’t for Mingzhu’s scheme that led to the downfall of Yuwen Long’s descendants, she and her son wouldn’t have ended up like this.
Mingzhu smiled and agreed, “Indeed, when it comes to having a heart of a wolf and lungs of a dog, no one understands better than Consort Xiao. Some people are naturally greedy. They haven’t even swallowed what’s in their own bowl yet, but they dare to think about what’s in the pot, and end up with a stomach ache, right?”
Consort Xiao was infuriated, and Dai Wangfei, seeing the argument escalating, quickly stepped in to mediate, “Let’s calm down, don’t be upset. There are still two paper balls left. At least pick one, so that Ninth Sister-in-law can see what she should do.”
Huayang Wangfei picked up one of the paper balls and then sneered as she threw it to the ground, “Dance? How would I know anything about dancing!”
The Wusun Princess smiled and picked up the last paper ball, then handed it lightly to Min Baoyun, “I can’t read. Baoyun, please see what it says.”
Min Baoyun’s eyes flickered, “It’s coordinating the dishes and food.”
This time, Consort Xiao felt proud, “I told you, I’m fair in my actions. How could I burden one person with all the heavy tasks?”
Mingzhu couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to her. She pointed directly at Anle County Princess and said, “Ninth Sister-in-law is not familiar with our dishes and food. Since she’s not enough, let Anle County Princess assist me.”
Min Baoyun was already resentful towards Anle County Princess. Now, seeing Mingzhu directly appointing Anle County Princess to manage the dishes and food with her, she thought of this as the focus of the banquet. Mingzhu had many tricks up her sleeve, and Anle County Princess would definitely benefit from it. So she burst out sarcastically, “Wasn’t it decided by drawing lots? How can Ying Wangfei just directly assign tasks? Consort Xiao, please come and explain.”
Mingzhu looked at her and asked, “Do you want to join me?”
The more specific the matter, the more likely it was to go wrong. Min Baoyun felt that something was wrong and instinctively wanted to back down. Suddenly, Anle County Princess said, “Ying Wangfei, I’ll do whatever you arrange.” With her blood boiling, she added, “I want to follow Ying Wangfei.” Then she looked provocatively at Anle County Princess.
Anle County Princess didn’t argue with her, just smiled faintly and lowered her head.
Mingzhu smiled and said, “Alright then, let’s go with that.”
Because Consort Xiao hated the Fu’s so much, she also gave Fu Zifei a bad task of managing the drinks. There were many eunuchs and palace maids in the palace, and the little eunuchs and maids had their supervisors. These people only needed to give orders to their supervisors, but whether the supervisors would listen to them was another matter. There were often things done in secret, such as serving the wrong wine, or the servants accidentally spilling it. It was all embarrassing.
In the palace, reputation was everything. For someone like Fu Zifei, who was showing her face for the first time, losing face on her debut would be a lifelong disgrace.
Min Baoyun saw that Fu Zifei didn’t have it easy, feeling quite pleased with herself.
Fu Zifei remained silent, but between her brows, she was filled with determination. This time, she was going to show these people that she wasn’t useless at all.
Finally, after allocating the tasks and questioning the supervisors and eunuchs, it was almost dark. Mingzhu tightened her fur cloak and left the warm pavilion with Huayang Wangfei and the others. Huayang Wangfei’s firstborn was a daughter, but she was deeply loved by Huayang Wang. The two exchanged experiences in parenting and felt that all the troubles were nothing.
Yuwen Bai stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the corridor of Zhaoyang Palace, speaking quietly to Yuwen You. He would turn back whenever he heard movement, smiling faintly at Mingzhu and the others.
No matter what, he was still the person sitting in that position. Everyone greeted him respectfully, and Yuwen Bai arrogantly raised his hand slightly, “No need for formalities.” He had grown much taller, thin as a bamboo pole, with a voice still clear and childlike, but he looked different. No one would see him as a child anymore.
When Fu Zifei saw him, she couldn’t help but hide quietly behind Mingzhu. Anle County Princess remained expressionless, while Min Baoyun enthusiastically approached, “Your Majesty, the nightingale you had sent to me the other day sings so beautifully.”
“Is that so?” Yuwen Bai’s gaze swept over Mingzhu, smiling sweetly, “Aunt Mingzhu, ever since Zhuangzhuang was born, I haven’t had the chance to reward him with something good yet. Today, it just happens that I have something, I’ll give him a nice gift.” He then took out a bulging sachet from his sleeve and handed it to Mingzhu.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Mingzhu lowered her head to accept it, feeling the weight of the sachet in her hand. She didn’t know what it was and felt a bit reluctant to take it out, so she just held it in her hand.
“Why don’t you open it and take a look? This is a gift I personally picked out for Zhuangzhuang. I’m sure he’ll love it.” Yuwen Bai raised his delicate eyebrows, eyes full of expectation.
Mingzhu thought that what he took out from his sleeve couldn’t possibly be poison or anything like that. So she gently untied the sachet. But before she could fully open it, a bright green snake head suddenly popped out from inside and darted towards her wrist like lightning.
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