Chapter 728: Letters
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Jiang Zhouzi, still crying with Meimei, ignored Mingzhu’s question.
Du Heng coldly explained, “Linan Wang didn’t like him, so he was given only spoiled food and leftovers. At night, he wasn’t allowed to sleep. If he did, they banged gongs next to him. Honestly, I’m surprised he only lost five or six pounds and didn’t get tormented to death.”
His tone suggested regret, and Jiang Zhouzi, with sharp hearing, immediately retorted, “You knew? From the way you speak, it sounds like you’d be satisfied if I died.”
Du Heng, his previous gentleness gone, showed a cold gaze, “What do you think? How did Old Yang and Su Momo die?” Jing Song was one of his best friends, and he had known Su Momo well. Though he hadn’t shown much sorrow, it didn’t mean he wasn’t grieving.
Jiang Zhouzi realized that Du Heng’s identity seemed unusual and, recalling Jing Song and Su Momo, he became dispirited. He softly said, “You aren’t me, and you don’t understand me. Just like your highness loves the kingdom and the Wangfei, a drunkard loves wine, and a gambler loves gambling. My life’s only love is medicine. I can live without a wife, food, or even my life, but I cannot live without medicine.”
Mingzhu held onto Du Heng, “Don’t argue with him. It’s pointless. Now that the crisis is over, please tell me the details.”
Du Heng ignored Jiang Zhouzi and invited Donghui to join him and Mingzhu inside, “There are things we shouldn’t discuss in front of outsiders. Let’s go inside.”
Once inside, Mingzhu thoughtfully poured a cup of hot water for Donghui, handed her a cloth, and pushed a plate of snacks towards her before letting Du Heng speak.
Du Heng used tea to draw a diagram on the table as he explained, “This matter started over a month ago when news of your danger reached the capital. His Highness did several things: first, he sent me and my best men to Yicheng; second, he ordered Shen Ruilin to capture Xinzhou within a month at all costs; and finally, he mobilized everyone in Qi County and Yicheng to find and protect you.
It took us a whole month to arrange our weapons and men. After careful planning, we executed the plan. We managed to manipulate Linan Wang to snatch you from Yuwen Cong and then forced Yuwen Cong into a dead end step by step…”
After detailing the events of that day, Du Heng admired, “Yuwen Cong and Yuwen Qiang’s reactions were all anticipated by His Highness. The team that came to intercept Yuwen Cong was actually led by General Shen himself. We spent over a month preparing for this ambush, involving more than ten thousand people both overtly and covertly. With His Highness’s precise arrangements and command, combined with the perfect coordination of all parties, we achieved this result.”
Mingzhu, feeling excited, still had questions, “Then where was the real team supposed to intercept Yuwen Cong? They couldn’t have just disappeared.”
Du Heng smiled, “The team never appeared because the leader owed a huge favor to the third son of Zhongshan Wang. To repay this favor, he pretended not to receive the dispatch order.”
Mingzhu suddenly understood, “So, Yuwen Cong indirectly died at the hands of his own people.”
Du Heng nodded, “Exactly. He was too fond of showing off his cleverness. He was once the beloved youngest son of Zhongshan Wang, but he didn’t understand that ‘a clever person may become the victim of their own cleverness.’ He schemed to kill his elder brother and then plotted to have Zhu Wenhan die at the hands of His Highness. This made his father and brothers wary and resentful of him, causing him to lose their favor and support, leading to his ultimate downfall.”
Mingzhu pursed her lips, “Our Highness is quite the strategist.”
Du Heng agreed, “Indeed. His Highness understands human nature and excels at strategizing. Not only did he resolve your predicament, but he also broke the alliance between the North and Yicheng, completely upsetting the balance of power. Quelling the rebellion is now just a matter of time.”
Mingzhu felt a bit disheartened, “In all this, I seem to have been the most useless person, right? Being heavily pregnant, I couldn’t even run fast and was a burden wherever I went. Especially compared to someone like Yuwen Chu, I’m like nothing, a world of difference.”
Du Heng shook his head, “That’s not true. Everyone has their strengths. You shouldn’t compare your weaknesses to others’ strengths. For example, His Highness doesn’t compare his strength with Huan Wang. I believe that having self-awareness and not causing trouble for your subordinates is your greatest strength.” As for being heavily pregnant, could he blame Her Highness for that? Their love was too deep.
Mingzhu reluctantly accepted this comfort because she had no choice. She couldn’t change her condition, so she could only read more, learn more, and do her best to raise her children well.
Du Heng suddenly remembered something and smiled, pulling a letter sealed with wax from his sleeve and handing it to Mingzhu, “I almost forgot. General Shen wanted to visit you but couldn’t due to military duties. So, he wrote you this letter and asked me to deliver it.”
Mingzhu didn’t think much of it and used her hairpin to open the letter. Shen Ruilin’s writing was as neat as ever, and though his words were few, each one was heartfelt.
He wrote that he received the sleeve arrow she sent and found it very handy. He also expressed his sincere happiness for her harmonious relationship with His Highness and congratulated her on the birth of her child. He advised her not to push herself to do dangerous or impossible things because her happiness and safety were more important than anything else to her loved ones. He regretted being so close yet unable to visit her but believed they would meet in the future. He wished her and the child safety and health.
Mingzhu’s eyes reddened, and she smiled, “Cousin Shen is as kind and genuine as ever. I’m really grateful to him this time.”
Du Heng smiled and extended his hand, “Is that so?”
“Yes,” Mingzhu instinctively tried to hand him the letter, but realizing it was inappropriate, she quickly withdrew it, carefully folded it, and asked, “Are we to wait here for news from the capital?”
Your Highness, you can’t blame anyone else for this. It’s not that I don’t want to help you see what General Shen wrote, but the Wangfei won’t allow it. Du Heng said casually, withdrawing his hand. “Indeed, as per his instructions, he wishes for the Wangfei to return to the capital.”
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