Chapter 633 An Incomplete Person
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When they returned to Guangming Hall, the atmosphere was a bit scattered. Everyone knew that Yuwen Chu had encountered something, and the Great Empress Dowager had ordered Imperial Consort Min and Mingzhu to be imprisoned. Funing had also been taken away by Empress Dowager Min. Therefore, many people were looking for a way out. Fortunately, there were a few people arranged by Yuwen Chu in Guangming Hall who kept things under control, so there was no situation of embezzlement and fleeing.
Imperial Consort Min’s first task was to deal with several people who had spread rumors and acted out of line. After Mingzhu had arranged Huayang Wangfei properly, she instructed Xia Xue to contact all the people related to Ying Wang’s mansion. It was said that Yuwen Bai had been running a high fever since being injured by an arrow. Empress Dowager Min was definitely very angry. In such a situation, she had to find a way to get Funing out. At the very least, she needed to find out where Funing was being detained and whether she had suffered greatly. Otherwise, if conflict arose later, Yuwen Chu would be greatly constrained.
Xia Xue quickly brought back a thin and short old eunuch named Jin Youfu. He looked very inconspicuous but controlled about one-third of the people in the palace on behalf of Yuwen Chu.
He was very submissive to Mingzhu and explained the situation as soon as he arrived: “The old slave heard earlier that the Princess was taken away by Zhaoyang Palace, so we have been keeping an eye on it. At this moment, the Princess is being held in a room in the corner behind Zhaoyang Palace. The room is usually inhabited by the maids who serve the Empress Dowager. There are six people in total watching her. Four of them never leave her side, while two only watch from outside. There are also more than ten Longlin Guards patrolling around. They patrol every time an incense stick burns out. It’s not too difficult. As long as we act quickly, we can deal with these six people during one incense stick’s time and take the Princess away to avoid them.”
Mingzhu listened and took notes while drawing a layout map of Zhaoyang Palace on the side. Having a good memory had its advantages. It made it easy to draw out these complex roads and house layouts, even marking where people could hide and where they could pass through, making planning easier.
When Jin Youfu saw the map, his eyes sparkled: “The old slave was worried that some people were not familiar with the layout of Zhaoyang Palace. With the map drawn by the Wangfei, things will be much easier.” However, he frowned, “There’s one more thing. I don’t know who suggested to Empress Dowager Min to hang a bronze bell outside the princess’s room door. As long as the bell rings, all the Longlin Guards stationed in the palace will rush there. This is a bit troublesome.”
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, “Can’t we just take the bell down first?”
Jin Youfu smiled bitterly, “That is the Feng Tiao Yu Shun bell cast when Emperor Wen ascended the throne.”
When Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he specifically ordered ten Feng Tiao Yu Shun bells to be cast and hung in various places in the palace. Each bell weighed nearly four hundred and twenty pounds. Even if they had the ability to remove the bell, they would have to find a suitable place to hide it. Mingzhu thought for a moment and drew a circle on the map, “I remember there’s a room here where we can hide the bell. I have a way to transport it. It depends on whether you have someone who can get this thing out.”
She quickly drew a board and then drew four pulleys underneath it, “As long as we have the materials, anyone who knows a little bit of carpentry can make it. Lay some quilts on top, and it will be easy to move the bell. As for how to remove the bell without making any noise, you certainly know better than me.”
Jin Youfu pondered for a moment and said, “We can do this. It depends on when Wangfei plans to make her move.”
Of course, the sooner, the better. Mingzhu asked him, “How long will it take for you to prepare all these things? When is the least guarded time at Zhaoyang Palace?”
Jin Youfu calculated and said, “It will take half an hour to prepare everything. Empress Dowager Min usually takes care of the emperor in the morning at Chongzheng Hall and returns to Zhaoyang Palace to rest at noon. She has a strange habit of not allowing anyone in the palace to make any noise during her nap, so the palace staff usually don’t move around during that time, which is most favorable for us.”
Mingzhu nodded, “Then go and prepare. We’ll make our move at noon.”
Jin Youfu immediately went to prepare, and Mingzhu called Dong Hui and the others over, “Who is most familiar with the terrain of Zhaoyang Palace among you?”
Dong Hui reluctantly said, “I’ve been in Zhaoyang Palace for a year.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Then it’s you. I haven’t had any contact with Jin Youfu and the others before and don’t know how capable they are. Also, there are many of them, and I don’t know if they will hinder each other. But Funing must be rescued, so Dong Hui, you quietly go and do what needs to be done, protect Funing as much as possible, and bring her out safely.”
Dong Hui frowned, “But the Wangye ordered me to protect Wangfei, not the Princess.”
Mingzhu knew the reason for this, “The situation is different. I am here right now and there is no danger. You just need to follow my arrangements and do as I say.”
Dong Hui could only agree and repeatedly instructed Su Momo and others to be careful.
Around noon, news came from Jin Youfu’s side that everything was ready and they were only waiting for Empress Dowager Min to return to the palace to rest. Not long after, news came from Chongzheng Hall that Yuwen Bai had regained consciousness and that Empress Dowager Min would return to the palace to rest. Mingzhu urged Dong Hui to get up, while she went to see Imperial Consort Min.
Imperial Consort Min had already finished her affairs and knew that Mingzhu had arranged for someone to rescue Funing. She said, “My eyelids are twitching. I need to chant some sutras. You go and rest for a while. You didn’t sleep all night yesterday and must be exhausted.”
Mingzhu came out of the warm main hall, feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous when the cold wind blew. Su Mei said, “Wangfei, go and rest for a while. Let me go ask Liu Gugu for two pills for you to take.”
Any medicine of this kind had a calming effect. Mingzhu didn’t want to sleep, so she said, “No need. I’ll just walk around here. I’ll be fine in a moment.”
Su Momo and the others accompanied Mingzhu as they walked around. At this time, the snow had just stopped, and the thick clouds dispersed a bit. A few rays of sunlight shone down from above, making the clouds shine brightly. Su Momo looked up and whispered, “There’s still a blizzard coming.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Even Momo knows about the weather.”
Su Momo smiled, and her face, which had originally seemed harsh and stern, softened and became more lively, “Of course, those who grew up in hunting households can understand a little bit.”
Suddenly, a palace maid rushed over, almost bumping into Mingzhu. Su Momo grabbed her and scolded, “You’re so reckless. What’s wrong?”
The palace maid was flustered and knelt down to apologize. Mingzhu frowned, “What’s got you so flustered?”
The palace maid said, “There’s a woman over there who’s terrifying. She has no ears, no legs, and a scar on her forehead. I don’t know how such an incomplete person could appear in the palace…”
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