Chapter 628: To Eat or Not to Eat?
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
There was only one brazier in the side hall, which was enough for one or two people but not for so many. Imperial Consort Min, Huayang Wangfei, and Mingzhu could sit around the brazier, but Dong Hui and the others would be left in the cold. Mingzhu discussed with Imperial Consort Min and Huayang Wangfei, “It’s so cold, I don’t know how long we’ll have to endure this. We rely on them to protect us, so we should let them warm up too. Otherwise, it’s not good for their morale.”
Actually, no matter what, she couldn’t bear to let Dong Hui and the others freeze. She was afraid that Imperial Consort Min and Huayang Wangfei, with their strict sense of hierarchy, would think it’s okay for servants to suffer hunger and cold, so she intentionally said this to avoid any objections or displeasure from them.
Imperial Consort Min, more concerned about Yuwen Chu and Funing than her own affairs, immediately said, “Whatever you arrange is fine.”
Huayang Wangfei also said, “I’ll listen to Sixth Sister-in-law.”
So Mingzhu arranged for the ten maids, including Dong Hui, to take turns warming themselves by the fire. However, even so, the brazier quickly went out, with no palace attendants coming to replenish the charcoal, water, or food. As the sky gradually darkened, frost formed in the side hall, and everyone huddled together for warmth.
Mingzhu walked to the window, poked a hole in the paper, and looked outside. She saw the flickering lights, the reflections of the soldiers’ weapons, and felt a chill in the air. A few white snowflakes drifted down, melting into water upon hitting the ground.
Sure enough, it was snowing. Mingzhu frowned, wondering how Yuwen Chu was doing outside, as well as the situation at home with Zhuangzhuang and at the Fu family residence. She knocked on the door of the side hall and spoke to the guard, “Could you bring us a lamp, some charcoal, and some food?”
The guard bowed deeply, his attitude extremely respectful. “I’m sorry, Ying Wangfei, but the Great Empress Dowager is grieving, and no one dares to speak to her about this. Shall I ask Chief Eunuch Mei and Mu Gugu?”
Mei Yuxi was likely busy organizing the defense against Zhaoyang Palace, and Mu Gugu would certainly be handling Yuwen Fu’s funeral. It seemed no one had the time to attend to them. Mingzhu changed her question, “Has the Emperor returned from offering sacrifices? Will tonight’s Winter Solstice banquet still take place?”
The guard replied, “I don’t know.”
He wasn’t willing to say anything. Mingzhu had no choice but to stop asking. Huayang Wangfei leaned over, secretly handed Mingzhu a gold ingot, and signaled her to bribe the guard. Mingzhu shook her head, refusing. Those assigned to guard them, the “criminals,” were certainly not ordinary palace servants. They had to be trusted by the Great Empress Dowager. Given her generous nature, these palace servants were already well taken care of. A small gold ingot wouldn’t be enough to bribe them. There was nothing they could do but wait.
The group, hungry and cold, huddled together for warmth. Huayang Wangfei whispered, “I miss my daughter. She must be looking for me now. By this time, her voice must be hoarse from crying.” She added, “I wonder if anyone has gone to our residence to arrest people…”
Mingzhu didn’t say anything, gently patting her back.
As the night fell completely, the hall became pitch black. Dong Hui suddenly pinched Mingzhu’s hand and whispered, “There’s someone by the window.”
Mingzhu cautiously approached the window and saw a blurry figure standing behind the hole she had poked earlier. She remained silent, alertly observing the situation. Then, she heard a faint sound as the window was pushed open from the outside, and a food box was handed in.
Mingzhu instinctively caught it, hearing the person outside whisper, “Is it Ying Wangfei? I am Cai Fugui from Changchun Palace. Master Fu instructed me to tell you that Ying Wang is fine, and everything is fine at home. He will come to pick you up later, so just stay calm.”
It was her father’s person! Mingzhu was relieved and whispered, “Where is Ying Wang now? What about Huayang Wang?”
Cai Fugui replied, “Rest assured, both highnesses were previously detained by His Majesty but have now been released.”
Imperial Consort Min, hearing the commotion, hurried over and asked, “Do you know how Funing is now?”
Cai Fugui whispered, “Princess Funing is locked in a side hall of Zhaoyang Palace. Empress Dowager Min still wants to negotiate with her and Ying Wang, so nothing has happened to her.”
Huayang Wangfei also approached to ask, but someone suddenly shouted, “Who’s there?”
Cai Fugui quickly closed the window and slipped away silently. Shortly after, footsteps approached, and someone said, “They went that way, block off that road.”
The women stood silently in the darkness, not knowing if Cai Fugui would survive. Su Mei took the food box from Mingzhu’s hand and whispered, “It’s still warm.”
Xia Xue lit the fire tongs and saw that the two layers of food boxes were filled with hot steamed buns and pickled vegetables. Normally, these things didn’t interest anyone, but now everyone thought they must be delicious.
Mingzhu sighed, “Let’s eat.” Regardless of whether Cai Fugui could escape, they should eat this food; otherwise, it would be a waste of his effort.
Each person took a steamed bun and some pickled vegetables, preparing to sit down and enjoy. But just then, the door was pushed open suddenly, and the light came on. Mei Yuxi and a few others stood at the door, glaring at the steamed buns in everyone’s hands. Mei Yuxi smiled and said, “Ying Wangfei has some magical powers to get food like this. But how can you eat and drink when Her Majesty the Great Empress Dowager hasn’t?”
Huayang Wangfei hurriedly said, “Sixth Sister-in-law, why bother with him so much, just eat quickly. Can he make you vomit out what you’ve eaten?” If they didn’t eat now, how long would they have to starve? Without food in their stomachs, they would feel even colder, especially without the brazier.
However, Mei Yuxi strode forward, rudely snatching the steamed bun from Mingzhu’s hand and then knocking the ones from Imperial Consort Min and Huayang Wangfei to the ground. Mingzhu stared at Mei Yuxi, who met her gaze fearlessly, his pale face looking cold and fierce.
“What’s going on?” Mu Gugu asked in surprise as she brought food, charcoal, candles, and other items. Seeing the tense situation, she couldn’t help but be shocked.
Mei Yuxi stepped on the steamed buns on the ground and waved his hand, indicating for the attendants to collect all the steamed buns from everyone and even took away the food box.
Huayang Wangfei was extremely angry and trembling as she said, “This person, I never expected him to be so despicable!”
Mu Gugu sighed and had the attendants light the charcoal and candles. She forced a smile and said, “There’s delicious food here, isn’t it better than steamed buns?”
Although she said it was delicious, it was just a few simple dishes. Imperial Consort Min and Huayang Wangfei dared not eat; just now, Mei Yuxi wouldn’t let them eat the steamed buns, so who knew if there was poison in the food now.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
