Chapter 64 Yihe Palace
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Seeing how Yuwen Long was willing to go to any lengths for profit, including colluding with the palace maids around the Great Empress Dowager and being two-faced, Mingzhu knew he wasn’t an ordinary character. However, the thought of just escaping from the pit Yuwen You set for her and then jumping into the pit Yuwen Long dug made her feel sick to her stomach.
She couldn’t help but feel disgusted. How could she reconcile with that?
She couldn’t simply follow her Aunt and Father’s arrangements for everything. Empress Dowager Min and her son were unreliable, and the risks of rebellion were too great. So, why not compromise? Pick a suitable one among the princes left behind by her cousin and nurture him. Wouldn’t that work?
As Mingzhu thought about this, her heart leaped with joy, and she eagerly went outside. The Great Empress Dowager stood behind the window, frowning slightly. “What is she up to now?” she asked.
Mu Gugu smiled and said, “The young lady has always been unable to sit still. Perhaps she’s just going out to clear her mind.”
The Great Empress Dowager sighed. “The young girl cares too much about those things. Men, who isn’t polygamous? Who doesn’t have wandering eyes? Even I, when I was the Empress, had to manage the three palaces and six courtyards for the late Emperor. There were dozens of women in the palace, including the later Zhou clan… What can I do? It’s just a matter of who gets the last laugh, who laughs the best.”
Mu Gugu nodded knowingly. “In my opinion, the matter between Anyang Wang and Wan Ru should be related to the one in Zhaoyang Palace. She doesn’t want this marriage to happen and can’t stand seeing Xiao and Fu joining forces. That’s why she’s staging this drama. Linan Wang is not happy about it, but willingly becomes her helper.”
“People’s greed knows no bounds. I don’t want to bother with all of this, but let’s see if she has the ability. Look at the greedy and despicable behavior of her maternal relatives!” The Empress Dowager called Mu Gugu over and whispered, “Investigate who’s behind Wan Ru. This matter must be handled in a way that satisfies Anyang Wang. He mustn’t find any fault with it! Where to start? He’s so unrestrained. Shouldn’t we give him a taste of his own medicine? Also, give Consort Xiao a little push.”
Mu Gugu knew the order and left. As she walked outside the palace gate, she saw Yuwen Chu approaching with a determined expression. He said firmly, “Please inform the Great Empress Dowager that I wish to pay my respects.”
Mu Gugu had long been by the side of the Great Empress Dowager and was aware of many internal affairs.
Seeing Yuwen Chu’s determined look, she frowned, knowing that he must be seeking to revoke the marriage granted to him and Jiang Shanshan. However, the Jiang family of Changxing Marquis was a prominent family in the capital for generations, not easily manipulated. Moreover, this marriage was requested by Imperial Consortn Min herself, and the Great Empress Dowager had agreed at the time, also intending to win over the Changxing Marquis’s residence.
But words spoken by the sovereign were not to be taken lightly. Since the imperial decree had been issued, it was not so easily revoked. The Great Empress Dowager was in a state of wanting to win over Imperial Consort Min and Ying Wang but also being cautious. If the Great Empress Dowager had been willing to accommodate him, this marriage would have been cancelled long ago.
Mu Gugu kindly reminded, “Your Highness, the Great Empress Dowager has retired for the day.”
Yuwen Chu looked her straight in the eye and said firmly, “I have important matters to report to the Great Empress Dowager. Please accommodate me. I would be grateful.”
Having spoken to this extent, Mu Gugu could not refuse further; otherwise, it would appear disrespectful and arrogant. She sighed lightly and said, “In all frankness, Your Highness, the Great Empress Dowager previously had your best interests at heart. The Jiang family of Changxing Marquis is one of the distinguished families in the capital, and Lady Jiang is both beautiful and talented. Others envy her. Your Highness should reconsider.”
“I understand. Please convey my message,” Yuwen Chu said, looking ahead with a cold, firm demeanor.
Even if he couldn’t change the Great Empress Dowager’s mind, he wanted others to know he was dissatisfied with the marriage. Only then could he have more time to prepare and maneuver. He had waited too long and couldn’t miss this opportunity; otherwise, he might regret it for life.
“Please wait, Your Highness,” Mu Gugu bowed and reluctantly went inside to convey the message.
The Great Empress Dowager was reclining on the couch reading a book. She fell silent for a while after hearing the news and then sneered, “Summon him in. I want to see what this brat wants to do.”
Yuwen Chu politely thanked Mu Gugu and entered the main hall.
Mu Gugu stood in the corridor, listening attentively. At first, there was silence, then a crisp sound followed by the Great Empress Dowager’s fury, “Get out! You unfilial thing! How dare you defy your mother’s orders and disobey the imperial decree! Go kneel outside the palace gate until you come to your senses!”
Indeed, the Great Empress Dowager refused.
How many members of the royal family were satisfied with their marriages? Mu Gugu had seen it all too often, sighed, and quickly retreated.
Mingzhu walked out of Changxin Palace in high spirits and headed straight to Yihe Palace in the north. Emperor Zhengqian passed away early, leaving behind five sons and three daughters, all still young. Apart from the eldest son who had ascended to the throne, the other princes still lived with their mothers in the palace, and none had been granted titles.
Empress Dowager Min was not charitable, but due to the presence of the Great Empress Dowager and the influence of the Fu Family, she couldn’t harm these consorts and princes recklessly. However, she was not to be underestimated.
She used the excuse of having these consorts pray for Emperor Zhengqian’s blessings to gather them all in Yihe Palace. The living conditions were cramped, expenses were strict, and these consorts and princes were rarely allowed to go out or interact with ministers, nobles, or other members of the royal family.
Even if the Great Empress Dowager ordered the eligible princes and princesses to study and receive education, she reluctantly agreed. However, she arranged many spies around these people. Any slight movement would quickly reach her ears. If someone received praise, they would either suffer a minor illness or a major one, risking their lives. Over time, all the princes of this generation became either uninterested in studying or dull-witted.
The palace maid, Sang Shen, seeing that Mingzhu was actually heading to the Yihe Palace, hurriedly stopped her and advised, “That place isn’t fun. Why not go see Princess Changhua instead?”
Mingzhu ignored her and laughed, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen those little radishes. I miss them quite a bit.” Seeing Sang Shen about to stop her again, she glanced sideways, smiled lightly, and said, “What? As an aunt, am I not allowed to see my nephews?”
Being deeply favored by the Great Empress Dowager and supported by Fu Xiang, even Empress Dowager Min had to give her some face. In this palace, she could walk sideways, and that was reasonable.
Afraid of provoking her temper and incurring her displeasure, Sang Shen signaled to another maid to quickly inform the Great Empress Dowager, to avoid her causing trouble and getting involved in a conflict with Empress Dowager Min at the Yihe Palace.
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