Chapter 672: Regent
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The Great Empress Dowager shook her head, “I’m not going.” After saying that, she resolutely turned around and walked away.
Fu Zifei quietly tugged on Yuwen Guang’s sleeve, implying that he should stop, as she had something to say to him. Yuwen Guang pretended not to notice and hurriedly caught up with the Great Empress Dowager.
Fu Zifei felt a little discouraged. She instinctively sensed that Yuwen Guang didn’t like her as much. This child was gloomy, silent, and introverted. Even if she deliberately found an opportunity to be alone with him, she couldn’t get a single response out of him after saying ten sentences, unlike Yuwen Fu, who was so lovable.
Thinking of Yuwen Fu, she felt guilty and anxiously glanced at the place where Yuwen Fu had once lived, only to see Mei Yusi standing there, pale and silent, like a wandering soul, staring at her. She was startled and then became angry, shouting, “Steward Mei, if you have nothing to do, don’t stand there scaring people, okay?”
Mei Yusi smiled faintly, bowed to her, and then walked away.
Fu Zifei stood still for a moment, deciding to see her father. She didn’t like Mei Yusi; she always felt like Mei Yusi was a lingering ghost, watching her all the time. It would be best to get rid of him.
Three days passed quickly.
On the morning of Yuwen Guang’s ascension to the throne, Mingzhu woke up very early, not because of stress but because the Changxin Palace was too noisy! In the middle of the night, palace servants were bustling in and out, followed by Empress Dowager Min who came in wailing, and then there were ceremonies and music. In short, they successfully woke her up.
Su Lan was afraid of waking Zhuangzhuang, so she cautiously brought a lamp to check on him. Mingzhu waved her hand, smiling and pointing to Zhuangzhuang, who was sleeping soundly, snoring softly. Indeed, he had a broad-minded personality; even such noise couldn’t wake him up.
Su Lan smiled, “Zhuangzhuang is the best. Is Wangfei going to get up?”
Mingzhu lazily stretched and yawned, “I don’t want to get up. It’s so cold, and I don’t need to attend the mourning rituals in court. It’s most comfortable in bed.”
Su Lan said, “Then you sleep well. I’ll be here.”
Mingzhu asked her to bring a blanket and join her. “Come and keep warm with me. It’s freezing outside. We haven’t had a chance to talk together for a long time.”
Su Lan happily brought a blanket over and spread it by Mingzhu’s feet, then got into bed to talk softly. They avoided discussing politics because they were worried about eavesdroppers and only talked about everyday matters.
Mingzhu was concerned about everything in Ying Wang’s mansion. “We’ve been away from home for so long, and I don’t know how Zhou Nushi and the others have managed the mansion. Have Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi had another fight?”
Su Lan laughed, “Of course! On the winter solstice, when the Wangfei entered the palace, the two Nushis were ordered to prepare dinner at home. They started quarreling, and Zhou Nushi, being sharp-tongued, had the upper hand. Ping Nushi didn’t argue much at the time, but after returning home, she pinned Zhou Nushi to the ground and pulled out a few strands of hair. Zhou Nushi fought back, injuring Ping Nushi’s buttocks with a hairpin. It was Li Quanxin who finally separated them…”
Mingzhu sighed, “Such idleness. Were you scared when it escalated at night?”
Su Lan said, “At first, we were a little scared, but Zhou Nushi sent word early on that the mansion guards were fully prepared and could hold out at least until you and His Highness returned. She insisted that we must protect Young Master Zhuang at all costs. At that time, I thought we would protect Young Master Zhuang even at the cost of our lives. Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi also behaved well and said they were willing to live and die together. Then, the Fourth Master and his wife came with people, took Young Master Zhuang, and asked us to follow them. They asked if the two Nushis wanted to leave with them, but they both said they would take care of your home for you and His Highness and refused to go. So, they stayed in the mansion.”
These two have been vying for attention for some time now, trying to prove themselves. Mingzhu thought that if these two really behaved well, they should be promoted in the future to give them some prospects and incentives.
As they talked, Mingzhu felt sleepy again. She yawned, “I’ll sleep a little longer. Listen for any developments. If everything is settled, wake me up quickly, and we’ll leave the palace.”
She slept until dawn, still not waking up on her own, but rather being awakened by Zhuangzhuang’s demands for milk and diaper changes. Wetnurse Tang was tidying up Zhuangzhuang, and she watched from the side. When Zhuangzhuang was full and sleepy again, she brought him over and laid him beside her to sleep.
Suddenly, Zheng Momo rushed in, her voice low, “Wangfei, it’s done.”
Mingzhu thought they could finally leave the palace and immediately instructed them to pack. Most of the things had already been packed yesterday, so now they only needed to tidy up some odds and ends that might be needed at any time. Everyone was happy, thinking they could leave the palace soon.
But Zheng Momo walked directly to Mingzhu and said, “Wangfei, it’s not urgent. There is another matter.”
Mingzhu frowned, “What’s the matter?”
Zheng Momo whispered, “Just now, the new emperor ascended the throne, and everyone thought it was over. However, after the new emperor finished the ceremonies and sat on the throne, he suddenly announced that he was young and unable to bear heavy responsibilities, and the Great Empress Dowager was old and in poor health. He wanted to appoint Ying Wang as the Regent, in charge of state affairs. No one expected that the Great Empress Dowager would almost faint with anger. Our Highness refused, but the new emperor stood up, went forward, and paid respects to the imperial uncle, then Mei Yusi unexpectedly produced an edict with the imperial seal. Therefore, our Highness is now the Regent!”
“How is the Great Empress Dowager now?” Mingzhu was shocked. How could Yuwen Guang have the audacity and courage to do such a thing? He actually dared to keep this from the Great Empress Dowager and collaborate with Mei Yusi on such a matter? Wait, Mei Yusi was Yuwen Chu’s person. Could it be that this matter was secretly instigated by Yuwen Chu?
Zheng Momo said, “The Great Empress Dowager fainted. At that time, she asked the new emperor if someone was forcing him to do this, and the new emperor said no. He had thought about it for a long time, and with the country lacking a capable ruler, and internal and external troubles, it couldn’t afford any disturbances. In order to live up to the ancestors’ expectations, he decided to do this.”
Mingzhu guessed that she probably wouldn’t be able to leave. Sure enough, not long after, the noise outside grew louder, signaling the return of the Great Empress Dowager. Mu Gugu’s voice was full of panic, and some palace servants were already quietly sobbing. Mingzhu made a quick decision, handed Zhuangzhuang over to Su Lan and the others for care, and asked Donghui to stay behind to look after him. She hurriedly packed up and took Xia Xue to see the Great Empress Dowager.
The Great Empress Dowager laid stiffly on the couch, lifeless, while Fu Zifei directed the imperial physician here and there. Upon seeing Mingzhu, she intervened: “The Great Empress Dowager did not summon you, so please return.”
Mingzhu gave her a shove, saying angrily, “Get out!”
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