Chapter 621: A Complete Transformation
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Min Baoyun had a very bad feeling. “I know him. What happened to him?”
Huayang Wangfei casually replied, “He betrayed his master and was ungrateful. He dared to sabotage the Winter Solstice banquet, ruining many dishes, taking advantage of the Empress Dowager’s illness and inability to manage affairs. His crime deserved death, so Sixth Sister-in-law had him executed.”
Min Baoyun stood up from her seat in a state of agitation: “What? He’s dead? Who will cook now? My auntie loves his dishes the most! And His Majesty also loves the dishes he cooks! Ying Wangfei wants to execute someone, shouldn’t she at least inform the Empress Dowager? How dare she act on her own? She has gone too far!”
Mingzhu glanced at her sideways, “Are you accusing me?”
Huayang Wangfei laughed, “Baoyun, you really don’t understand. There are plenty of chefs in the world. If one dies, there are many more. You can’t just condone his wrongdoing because he cooks well. Otherwise, what’s the use of laws and rules?”
Min Baoyun was furious, “Even if he did something wrong, shouldn’t he be reported to the Empress Dowager before deciding whether he should die or not? What is this? Killing people without permission? Who gave you the authority? Where are the laws and rules?”
Mingzhu lazily said, “How do you know I didn’t report to the Empress Dowager? This matter is significant, and the Empress Dowager is ill in Zhaoyang Palace. I dare not disturb her, so I sent someone to ask the Great Empress Dowager in Changxin Palace. Do you want to verify it?”
Min Baoyun was speechless, but Mingzhu didn’t let her off, “If you want to talk about laws and rules, let’s discuss it thoroughly. Who do you think you are? How dare you dictate to me, the dignified Ying Wangfei? This is a serious disrespect, do you understand? Someone, slap her mouth!”
Min Baoyun covered her face in shock, her arrogance gone, and she screamed, “How dare you!” Her status was embarrassing. Although she was the niece of Empress Dowager Min and one of the designated future four concubines, she had never been officially conferred the title. Her status was incomparable to Mingzhu and others. Therefore, according to the rules, she deserved to be punished.
Mingzhu gave her a mischievous smile and casually touched her hand, “Do you think I dare?”
Min Baoyun, who had suffered losses at Mingzhu’s hands several times, immediately jumped behind the Wusun Princess to hide, “Ninth Shenniang, save me!”
The Wusun Princess actually hugged Min Baoyun, looking at Mingzhu warily, “Sixth Sister-in-law, don’t mess around. Is this fun?”
Mingzhu couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to her, rolling her eyes and turning her face away.
Min Baoyun, grumbling, sat down next to the Wusun Princess and whispered all sorts of complaints about Mingzhu to her, indicating how she would deal with Mingzhu later when she saw Empress Dowager Min. The Wusun Princess patiently advised her, showing great gentleness and consideration.
Around noon, someone came to invite Mingzhu and others: “It’s time for lunch, and the Great Empress Dowager has ordered lunch at Changxin Palace. Her Majesty wants to chat with her relatives.”
Most of the men followed Yuwen Bai to the outskirts to perform the ritual of worshipping the heavens. At this moment, the palace was filled with women. The Great Empress Dowager hosting a lunch at Changxin Palace was just a gathering of female relatives, like a small banquet. So everyone was very relaxed.
When Mingzhu and the others entered, several female relatives who were usually close to her warmly greeted her, including Qi Wangfei. Mingzhu smiled and greeted each one in return, then gracefully walked to the front of the Great Empress Dowager to pay her respects.
The Great Empress Dowager, draped in a heavy sable fur, silently inspected Mingzhu. Mingzhu was wearing the winter ceremonial dress of a Wangfei today, elegant and graceful. Her demeanor was calm and composed. As she walked, the eyes of many of the female relatives in the hall followed her. Some of these female relatives genuinely liked her, while others were curious, but no matter what, the current Mingzhu was completely different from the impulsive girl she used to be. It was like she had been reborn!
This was the girl she had raised as her own daughter. The Great Empress Dowager felt a mixture of heartache and a bit of pride. There was even a hint of jealousy. Was Yuwen Chu really that amazing? He had transformed a rough gem into a beautiful jade. She couldn’t accept it!
Mu Gugu reminded the Great Empress Dowager when she saw that she hadn’t let Mingzhu and the others rise for a long time: “Your Majesty?”
The Great Empress Dowager then woke up from her reverie, “You may rise.” Then she pointed not far away and instructed Mingzhu, “Your mother is over there. Go sit with her.”
Imperial Consort Min was seated on the side. When she heard this, she quickly got up to bow to the Great Empress Dowager, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
The Great Empress Dowager lowered her eyelids indifferently. Mingzhu smiled and walked over to sit beside Imperial Consort Min, whispering to her, “Mother, are you dressed warmly? It’s very cold today.”
Imperial Consort Min smiled, “I am. Is Zhaungzhuang doing well? I wish I could hug him.”
“He’s doing well. He’s fat and strong. He hasn’t been sick even though he’s so big now. He’s already grown two teeth.” Mingzhu reported on Funing’s situation in a low voice, “I’ve had fresh venison and lamb sent to her. I personally selected the food, winter clothes, blankets, and charcoal. His Highness and I visited her a few days ago. She promised His Highness to write twenty big characters every day, and she made a pair of shoes for you. They’re not finished yet, but when they are, they’ll be sent into the palace.”
“Making shoes is hard work. Tell her to stop. “Imperial Consort Min couldn’t help but tear up. She didn’t expect Funing to change so much. It seemed her son had a way.
“I said the same thing, but she said the soles of the shoes were made by the maids around her, and she just embroidered the uppers, so I didn’t interfere.” Mingzhu’s gaze swept over the seat on the left side of the Great Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Min hadn’t arrived yet.
Imperial Consort Min asked her, “I heard she’s ill. She probably won’t come, right?”
“Not necessarily.” Mingzhu’s words had just fallen when Empress Dowager Min, dressed gorgeously and solemnly, walked in from outside. Everyone in the hall, except for the Great Empress Dowager, stood up to bow to her.
“We’re all family. Stop being so formal and sit down.” Empress Dowager Min smiled and said to the Great Empress Dowager, “Mother, look who your daughter-in-law brought to see you?”
A young girl dressed in a light purple brocade and draped in a white fox fur was supported by palace servants from behind and then pressed to bow to the Great Empress Dowager.
It was actually Funing.
Mingzhu’s heart skipped a beat, and she tightened her grip on the teacup. Funing lived in Shangqing Garden, where there were arranged personnel by Yuwen Chu. Without her and Yuwen Chu’s tokens, no one could easily enter Shangqing Garden and take Funing away. Therefore, today Empress Dowager Min must have used a lot of effort to bring Funing into the palace.
Imperial Consort Min also thought of this issue, and in a state of panic, she tried to stand up. Mingzhu forcefully grabbed her hand, preventing her from rising. Empress Dowager Min looked towards Mingzhu with a cold sneer, her lips curling with a chilling intent.
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