Chapter 622: Startled Horse
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The Great Empress Dowager, seeing Funing, was evidently somewhat surprised but didn’t say much: “Since you’re back, just enjoy the celebration.”
Funing looked up at Mingzhu, her expression pleading. Mingzhu casually said, “Funing, come sit with me.”
Funing immediately walked towards Mingzhu, but after just a few steps, she was stopped by Empress Dowager Min. Empress Dowager Min smiled unnaturally, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Funing. I’d like to sit with her for a while.” Then she asked Mingzhu, “Sister Mingzhu, you don’t mind, do you?”
Mingzhu replied, “Mother hasn’t seen Funing in a long time either, and she misses her. Empress Dowager, wouldn’t you sympathize with them as mother and daughter?”
Empress Dowager Min directly pulled Funing to her seat, then grabbed Funing’s shoulder and made her sit down, saying, “No need to rush. First, sit with me and catch up. There will be plenty of time later for you two to talk.”
Empress Dowager Min suddenly made a move, seizing Funing as a hostage threat. It wasn’t a sudden impulse but a well-prepared plan for something big. Everyone could sense trouble. Imperial Consort Min, trembling, grabbed Mingzhu’s hand nervously, her lips quivering as she whispered, “I feel like something bad is going to happen. Did Ah Lang take enough people with him when he went out today? And Zhuang Zhuang, can we trust the people around him?”
“Don’t worry, Mother. His Highness has always been cautious.” Mingzhu understood too, but she couldn’t panic now. Although there were arranged personnel from Ying Wang Mansion here, compared to Empress Dowager Min and her son, they were still guests and didn’t have the upper hand, especially with the unpredictable Great Empress Dowager above them. If the Great Empress Dowager teamed up with Empress Dowager Min and her son against her and Yuwen Chu, she would be in great danger, as well as Zhuang Zhuang at home…
She couldn’t think about it anymore. Thinking more would only make her more flustered. Mingzhu decisively refused to worry about things beyond her control, focusing solely on dealing with the current situation.
Empress Dowager Min had felt downtrodden for a long time, but now she finally had a moment of triumph. Her smile was radiant as she said, “Funing has really suffered these days, living alone in such a place, cold and lonely. Now that she’s back, she shouldn’t have to go out again. Come, your sister-in-law will fill your cup. Go offer a toast to the Great Empress Dowager.”
Funing, her hands trembling, walked slowly to the Great Empress Dowager and said, “Mother, please drink this cup to the fullest. I wish you long life and good health.”
The Great Empress Dowager, without showing any emotion, raised her cup, touched it lightly to her lips, and said, “Let’s start the feast. Everyone, please eat.”
No one had any appetite. Even the wine in Mingzhu’s cup tasted bitter to her. She glanced at Xia Lu, signaling her to quickly inform Yuwen Chu of the situation here and to alert all palace personnel, ensuring they were prepared. This way, when Empress Dowager Min decided to act, they wouldn’t be caught off guard.
Xia Lu understood her intent and began to slowly inch backward along the wall. Suddenly, Empress Dowager Min smiled and said, “Mingzhu, the little maid behind you looks familiar. Have her come over; I have a few questions for her.”
Mingzhu realized that everyone around her was being monitored by the opposition and that it wouldn’t be easy to get away today. She smiled and signaled Xia Lu to go over, “Since the Empress Dowager wants to speak with you, go ahead.”
Empress Dowager Min merely wanted to use this as an opportunity to warn Mingzhu; she had no real intention of talking to Xia Lu. After asking a few perfunctory questions, she let Xia Lu go.
Mingzhu didn’t want to sit and wait for death. This was Changxin Palace, and she wanted to see what attitude the Great Empress Dowager would take. She stood up and raised her glass to the Great Empress Dowager, “Another Winter Solstice has arrived with the cold weather. The Great Empress Dowager must take extra care.”
The Great Empress Dowager fell silent for a moment before saying, “You must also be careful. Don’t think you can get away with things just because you’re young.”
Mingzhu relaxed. In dealing with Empress Dowager Min and her son, the Great Empress Dowager was still her ally. As long as the Great Empress Dowager was on her side, Empress Dowager Min and her son couldn’t make waves.
Empress Dowager Min smirked slightly. The real show was just beginning. Did these two think today’s matter was so simple to resolve? She couldn’t wait to see the drama unfold when these two tore each other apart.
As the wine flowed, Empress Dowager Min became more and more excited. She singled out each female relative present and either mocked or praised them, depending on her relationship with them. Those who didn’t get along with her were ridiculed, while those who did were praised extravagantly and almost rewarded on the spot.
Taking advantage of her complacency, Xia Xue slipped away quietly.
Empress Dowager Min raised her glass to toast the Great Empress Dowager, “Mother, I’ve been through a lot these years.”
The Great Empress Dowager said lightly, “What are you suffering for?”
Empress Dowager Min put on a show, saying, “I’m a foolish person who always wants to please the Great Empress Dowager, but things never go as planned. I often unknowingly offend the Great Empress Dowager. Fortunately, the Great Empress Dowager is forgiving and doesn’t hold it against me. I offer this toast to the Great Empress Dowager, hoping you won’t be displeased.”
The Great Empress Dowager took a sip of wine and said, “I don’t expect much from you; I just hope you can focus on doing your duties properly.”
Was she implying that she hadn’t been doing her duties properly? Empress Dowager Min smirked, pretending to be respectful as she said, “You’re right, Great Empress Dowager. I will keep your words in mind.”
Everyone in the room had their own thoughts and couldn’t eat. With the cold weather, the dishes were cooling quickly, forming a layer of white oil on top. Mingzhu pushed aside the dishes she didn’t like and left only a few vegetarian dishes in front of her, urging Imperial Consort Min, “Please have some, Mother.”
Imperial Consort Min had just picked up her chopsticks when a palace maid rushed in, looking panicked, and exclaimed, “Great Empress Dowager, County Prince Sien is in trouble!”
The chopsticks in the Great Empress Dowager’s hand dropped onto the table with a clatter as she looked at the messenger in astonishment, taking a while to respond, “What did you say?”
The palace maid knelt before her, trembling as she spoke with her head pressed to the ground, “County Prince Sien accompanied Your Majesty to the outskirts to offer sacrifices to the heavens. As they approached the sacrificial hall, his horse was startled by Ying Wang, causing him to fall from the horse. Then he was trampled by the hooves of Huayang Wang’s horse and began spitting up blood on the spot.”
The chopsticks in Imperial Consort Min’s hand also dropped onto the table. She stared wide-eyed at Mingzhu, whispering in disbelief, “This can’t be true.”
The Great Empress Dowager stood up in agitation, pointing fiercely at the maid, “Nonsense! How could such a thing happen?”
The maid desperately kowtowed, “It’s true, it’s true! It’s a serious matter, and I dare not speak falsely. County Prince Sien is already on his way back to the capital. His Majesty has ordered all court physicians to be summoned immediately, and suitable palace chambers to be prepared for use.”
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