Chapter 640: Escort
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Yuwen Chu squatted down, carefully holding Mingzhu lying on the ground, removing the cloth stuffed in her mouth, untying the rope binding her wrists, and using his hands to wipe away the bloodstains on her face. He then wrapped her tightly in a cloak and carried her into the guard room where they usually stayed at Donghua Gate.
An Zhengping, the father of An Xiaogu, and several generals were discussing matters inside. When they saw Yuwen Chu carrying Mingzhu in, they immediately tactfully stepped out. Wei Tiande was busy preparing a bed and took off his own cloak to lay it on top. Apologetically, he said to Yuwen Chu, “Your Highness, I know you dislike me being dirty, but this cloak is newly made, cleaner than these old ones the others have used. It should be sufficient to cushion for Wangfei, right?”
Yuwen Chu frowned, “Hurry up and get some hot water. Also, find a sedan chair.” He didn’t ask Wei Tiande to take away his cloak.
Wei Tiande knew this was his way of flattering him, so he eagerly ran out to fetch a large bucket of hot water. He found a snowy-white new cloth in the drawer, but unfortunately, there were no new basins. He washed the basin repeatedly until it gleamed before daring to bring it in.
Even so, Yuwen Chu still furrowed his brow and somewhat disdainfully chased him out, washing Mingzhu’s face with the cloth himself.
Mingzhu had suffered quite a bit this time. Her fur coat was long gone, and the formal dress she was wearing had been worn for several days. In the meantime, she had experienced several emergencies and had been dragged all the way here from the dusty secret passage. Later, she even got splattered with blood, making her look utterly pitiful.
Yuwen Chu looked at her messy bun, knotted hair, cracked lips, and bloodstains from the ropes on her wrists, and an inexplicable anger surged within him. He suppressed it, tidily washing Mingzhu’s face and hands, and quickly tying up her hair into a simple bun.
Wei Tiande whispered at the door, “Your Highness, I found a warm sedan chair. Where should we send the Wangfei now?”
Yuwen Cong had not yet been captured, and Imperial Consort Min and Huayang Wangfei were still missing. The Guangming Hall was not suitable for accommodation, so they could only send her to Changxin Palace where the Great Empress Dowager resided. Yuwen Chu said, “Go to Changxin Palace.”
Wei Tiande furrowed his brow, somewhat disapprovingly, “But what about the Great Empress Dowager…”
Yuwen Chu said, “At this point, she can’t cause any more waves. It’s still best for Wangfei to go to her place.” After saying that, he wrapped Mingzhu in the cloak and briskly walked out.
Outside the door, a group of people were crowded together, all craning their necks to look around. When they saw Yuwen Chu carrying Mingzhu out, they all stepped back half a step in unison. An Zhengping, Yue Guo Gong, chuckled and said, “Everyone is very worried about the safety of Wangfei.”
Yuwen Chu calmly said, “Thank you all for your concern. The Wangfei is fine, just hasn’t eaten for a long time, so she’s a bit weak.”
Everyone expressed their understanding and watched as Yuwen Chu placed Mingzhu on the sedan chair, wondering if he would personally escort her over. Some guessed that he definitely wouldn’t send Mingzhu over, after all, at such a critical juncture, there were many important matters to attend to. How could he leave them all unattended for a woman? However, Yue Guo Gong guessed that he must be sending Mingzhu over, and his reason must be very grand.
Indeed, after Yuwen Chu carefully placed Mingzhu down, he turned around to face them and said loudly, “The Emperor’s funeral is approaching, the Great Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and Prime Minister Fu is injured. Someone must step forward to take charge in the palace. I must go see the Great Empress Dowager and hear what she has to say. Otherwise, without a proper name, it will be extremely inconvenient to act.”
Yue Guo Gong quietly smirked at the person he had bet against, indicating that he had lost. Wasn’t this reason enough? Who would dare to criticize His Royal Highness, Ying Wang, for neglecting official duties for a woman?
Yuwen Chu had sharp eyes and noticed everyone’s expressions, but he pretended not to see, calmly ordering people to lift the sedan chair and assigning a team to escort Mingzhu to Changxin Palace.
Inside Changxin Palace, lights were bright, and the Great Empress Dowager laid on her side on the couch, softly instructing Fu Mingcheng and Liao Guang who knelt beside her, “…County Prince Yanping, Yuwen Guang, noble character, firm will, suitable to inherit the throne…”
Liao Guang hastily wrote, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his nose. The Great Empress Dowager read a few more sentences and then whispered to Mu Gugu, “Bring me my phoenix seal.” She then instructed Fu Mingcheng, “Ah Cheng, take a few people to Zhaoyang Palace and ask Min to give you her phoenix seal. If she refuses, I don’t want to see her again.”
Never want to see her again… Does that mean she wants to kill Empress Dowager Min? She was the mother of the nation and the current Empress Dowager. Fu Mingcheng trembled for a moment but quickly regained his composure, bowing and saying, “Yes.”
Mei Yuxi walked in quietly and said, “Your Majesty, Ying Wang is escorting Ying Wangfei here.”
“Have they found her?” The Great Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow. “Since they have, recall all the people we sent out before. Ah Shang, you take Ying Wangfei to where she used to live and take good care of her.”
Mei Yuxi said, “Ying Wang wants to see you.”
The Great Empress Dowager shouted loudly, “Who is he? If he wants to see me, then I want to see him? If he’s capable, let him lead his troops in! I want to see if he dares to bear this infamy for a lifetime!”
Mei Yuxi and Mu Gugu both bowed their heads and remained silent. Fu Mingcheng and Liao Guang stood up, took the imperial edict, and left. Yuwen Chu stood outside the hall and nodded lightly when he saw them coming out.
Fu Mingcheng gathered his courage and walked towards him, whispering, “The Great Empress Dowager is seriously ill and agitated due to Prime Minister Fu’s injury. She’s not really targeting you. Please don’t take offense, Your Highness. It’s better to take things slowly and handle them properly. Otherwise, with Your Highness’s wisdom, it’s not worth it to bear such a title.”
In other words, Fu Mingcheng was asking Yuwen Chu to temporarily endure the Great Empress Dowager’s behavior. After all, she would soon pass away, and people cared about legitimacy and leaving a good legacy. If he acted too hastily, it would be very disadvantageous. Many people would continue to resent and attack him if he was labeled as a traitor.
Yuwen Chu glanced at Fu Mingcheng in surprise, then smiled slightly. “Thank you for your kind intentions, Marquis Huaiyin. I understand.”
Standing close, Fu Mingcheng smelled a strong smell of blood on Yuwen Chu’s body. With the light, he saw dry bloodstains on Yuwen Chu’s armor in many places, even on his face, as if there were still a few dried bloodstains splattered on it. He was frightened and took a few steps back, laughing nervously, “You’re busy, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.”
Liao Guang stood aside and asked softly as he approached, “Why did Marquis tell him that?”
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