Chapter 670: Borrowing Your Sedan
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Since the Imperial Guards were already there, Mingzhu had no choice but to comply. Hugging Zhuangzhuang tightly, she said to Fu Zifei, “It’s proper for Zhuangzhuang to greet the Great Empress Dowager. However, I haven’t fully recovered from my past ordeals, and moving too much causes me pain. So, I’ll need to borrow your sedan.”
Fu Zifei had expected Mingzhu to refuse or make a fuss but hadn’t anticipated her straightforwardly asking for her sedan. As her elder, Mingzhu was entitled to it, but the thought of sitting high while Fu Zifei followed like a maid was uncomfortable.
With a forced smile, Fu Zifei pretended not to understand, refusing to yield. Mingzhu, unfazed, instructed Donghui, “Help her out of the sedan.”
Donghui, with a mocking smile, approached Fu Zifei, “Miss, please?” If polite words didn’t work, she wouldn’t hesitate to use force.
Fu Zifei, disliking Mingzhu’s rough servants, stepped aside before Donghui could touch her. Smiling, she said, “As a niece, giving up my sedan to my aunt is only proper. Aunt, you’re too polite.” She endured, knowing that arrogance had no good end in the palace, as shown by Yuwen Bai and Empress Dowager Min. She waited to see Mingzhu’s downfall.
Mingzhu unceremoniously sat in the sedan chair and waved to the almost frantic Imperial Consort Min. “It’s cold, Mother. You should go back inside.”
Imperial Consort Min watched as Mingzhu and her group were escorted away by the Imperial Guards, feeling dizzy. She had to hold onto the door frame to steady herself, and with shaking hands and feet, she ordered Liu Gugu, “Hurry, go and tell His Highness that Mingzhu and Zhuangzhuang have been taken away by the Great Empress Dowager’s people.”
Mingzhu, however, remained calm. She believed the Great Empress Dowager wouldn’t harm her. The Great Empress Dowager likely had plans to establish Yuwen Guang for a long time. The timing of her actions, when Mingzhu’s father was severely injured and unable to intervene, and when Mingzhu herself brought Zhuangzhuang into the palace, seemed designed to prevent Yuwen Chu from causing sudden trouble. Once Yuwen Guang successfully ascended the throne, the Great Empress Dowager would probably let her go.
Sure enough, when they arrived at Changxin Palace, Fu Zifei rushed ahead to subtly complain, while Mei Yuxi took the opportunity to whisper to Mingzhu, “Ying Wangfei, don’t worry. The Great Empress Dowager just wants you to stay for a few days. Once County Prince Yanping ascends the throne, she won’t keep you here.”
“Thank you,” Mingzhu replied, glancing at Mei Yuxi. He had a fair face, a square jaw, raven-black eyebrows, a straight nose, broad shoulders, and a tall stature. He was quite pleasant to look at, and she suddenly realized he bore a striking resemblance to Eunuch Rong.
Mei Yuxi was Yuwen Chu’s man, who had remained low-key until Liang Youyi’s death, after which he suddenly became a trusted confidant of the Great Empress Dowager. His appearance likely played a significant role in this. Despite Yuwen Chu’s cunning, Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel pity for the Great Empress Dowager—she must have had a deep affection for Eunuch Rong to fall for such a trick.
Noticing Mingzhu’s gaze, Mei Yuxi discreetly glanced at her, then respectfully lowered his head and stepped back, saying in a deep voice, “Ying Wangfei, please. Her Highness has been waiting for you.”
The Great Empress Dowager was observing Yuwen Guang trying on the imperial robe. She no longer had her former grace and appeared as a frail, elderly woman. However, her eyes sparkled when she looked at Yuwen Guang. Mingzhu believed the Great Empress Dowager wasn’t really seeing Yuwen Guang but rather the imperial robe itself.
In the Great Empress Dowager’s mind, that robe belonged to her son, Emperor Zhengqian. Therefore, it was only natural that Emperor Zhengqian’s sons should inherit it. For her, a concubine’s son seizing power was equivalent to robbing her of her beliefs and treasures. This narrow mindset had likely worsened after Eunuch Rong’s death. Poor health and unfavorable circumstances further fueled her opposition to Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu.
Reflecting on the fact that the Great Empress Dowager hadn’t handed her over to Empress Dowager Min and Yuwen Bai even in the most critical moments, Mingzhu thought they might be able to find a different way to coexist. They could maintain their own paths and principles without being at each other’s throats.
Mingzhu approached and greeted the Great Empress Dowager, “Aunt, I brought Zhuangzhuang.”
The Great Empress Dowager had already noticed Mingzhu enter with Zhuangzhuang, and knew she had taken Fu Zifei’s sedan. Pretending not to see initially, she wanted to observe Mingzhu’s reaction. To her surprise, Mingzhu greeted her with a friendly attitude and natural tone, catching her off guard. Although she wanted to respond, she couldn’t let go of her pride and replied coolly, “Good. Come and help me check if County Prince Yanping’s robe fits properly.”
This was also a test to see if Mingzhu harbored deep resentment towards Yuwen Guang and wanted him dead.
Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu had already discussed this matter, viewing it as an inevitable process. She wasn’t petty enough to hold a grudge against Yuwen Guang. Carrying Zhuangzhuang, she walked over and carefully examined the embarrassed Yuwen Guang, pointing out, “This part is too wide and long; it needs to be adjusted slightly.”
The Great Empress Dowager looked closely and agreed, “Indeed. My old eyes missed it. Let’s have it altered.”
The chief eunuch of the Imperial Wardrobe quickly came forward to mark the adjustments, while Yuwen Guang stood there like a puppet, eyes downcast. The Great Empress Dowager noticed his discomfort but had no intention of comforting him. She instructed the chief eunuch, “Alter the other robes similarly and have them ready in three days.”
Mingzhu realized that Yuwen Guang was set to ascend the throne in three days, meaning she would stay in Changxin Palace until then.
After dismissing the eunuchs, the Great Empress Dowager sternly told Yuwen Guang, “You should go back now. Don’t wander around these days. Memorize the booklets I gave you, and don’t make any mistakes.”
Yuwen Guang humbly agreed and respectfully withdrew.
The Great Empress Dowager then turned to Fu Zifei, “You may leave as well.”
Every time she saw Mingzhu, she felt annoyed. Fu Zifei pursed her lips, bowed, and quickly left.
“Bring the child over for me to see,” the Great Empress Dowager said, raising her hand towards Mingzhu.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
