Chapter 743: Ben Gong*
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
*Formal way of referring to yourself; usually used by royalty
Indeed, worrying about every little thing would make it impossible to get anything done. Besides, that day would come sooner or later, and it was good for Yuwen Guang to be prepared in advance. Mingzhu decided to stop worrying about such matters, happily lifting the curtain to wave at the crowd outside, eliciting a wave of cheers.
Inside the imperial carriage, Yuwen Guang sat upright with a serious expression, but his alternating tight grips on his hands betrayed his nervousness. Seeing this, his attendant, Jiang Youyuan, sighed inwardly and whispered, “Your Majesty, you’ve done very well.”
Yuwen Guang replied with a hint of sorrow, “I know, but I still feel scared and uncomfortable.”
Just then, a palace attendant hurried over and knelt before the carriage, announcing, “Your Majesty, the Great Empress Dowager has issued a decree, summoning Regent Wangfei to the palace immediately.”
Yuwen Guang frowned, “Another idea of the Empress, I suppose?”
The attendant was frightened, “This servant does not know.”
Ultimately, Yuwen Guang couldn’t control the Great Empress Dowager. He waved dismissively in disgust, “Go and deliver the decree.”
The attendant retreated, and Jiang Youyuan softly advised Yuwen Guang, “Your Majesty, do not worry. The Great Empress Dowager and Regent Wangfei are close family. Moreover, Regent Wangfei went on this mission for her sake. It is only natural for her to summon her immediately upon return. No one will be displeased.”
Yuwen Guang said, “You don’t understand my thoughts. I’m worried the Empress will cause trouble.”
Indeed, the newly appointed Empress was not an easy person, but with the Great Empress Dowager backing her, what could be done? Jiang Youyuan opened his mouth, but could only say, “Your Majesty, don’t worry. They are family. No matter what happens, it won’t be a big issue.”
Mingzhu was not surprised to receive the Great Empress Dowager’s decree; she had expected it. Even if the Great Empress Dowager didn’t want to see her, she would definitely want to see Jiang Zhouzi and that book.
The book, “Complete Pathology,” had been written hastily, and she had re-copied it during her journey. Now, she planned to present the first handwritten copy to the Great Empress Dowager. As for the copy she made, she intended to keep it. She wouldn’t allow such a valuable resource to be monopolized by certain individuals as a private possession.
Yuwen Chu was momentarily stunned but then smiled slightly, “I won’t accompany you. Go early and come back early. Don’t get angry. Zhuangzhuang and I will wait for you to come home for dinner.”
Seeing his demeanor, Mingzhu realized that the relationship between him and the Great Empress Dowager had probably deteriorated to the point of mutual avoidance. She didn’t insist, smiling, “Alright, say some good words on my behalf to Zhuangzhuang.” The child was now aware of things, and she feared he would be upset and ignore her.
Yuwen Chu smiled, “Don’t worry. Whenever I had the chance, I would show him your portrait. He knows what you were doing.”
“My portrait?” Mingzhu pretended to ponder, “I didn’t know I had a portrait.”
Yuwen Chu casually replied, “I drew it. After you left, to make sure the child wouldn’t forget what his mother looked like, I took the time to draw one.”
Mingzhu moved closer, “Are you sure it wasn’t because you were afraid of forgetting what I looked like, or to comfort your loneliness during sleepless nights?”
“Stop messing around.” Yuwen Chu gave her a glance, unceremoniously pushed her away, and got off the carriage. Before leaving, he turned back and said seriously, “I know what you look like better than you do.” With that, he walked away solemnly.
Mingzhu touched her nose, feeling sweet inside. She really needed to take a good look at that painting when she got back.
The carriage soon arrived outside the palace gates. Seeing the splendid banners and flags ahead, Donghui whispered, “It’s the Empress coming out to greet His Majesty and Wangfei.”
Such a grand display. Mingzhu didn’t believe for a second that Fu Zifei genuinely came out to greet her. It was more likely she wanted to be seen receiving her bow under the public’s eye.
Donghui also realized this and immediately thought of the letter the Great Empress Dowager had sent to Mingzhu before, making her face look extremely displeased. “Her scheming is getting deeper and deeper. On the surface, she acts humble, but in reality, she harbors ill intentions. The worst part is that you can’t find any fault with her. She stays in the palace, enjoying the best food and drink, playing her little games, and she dares to demand the Wangfei’s bow?”
“It’s nothing. It’s all about rank and position. Just like before, I also enjoyed the best food and drink, acted spoiled, and bullied others, yet many people still had to bow and greet me. I never felt oppressed.” Mingzhu was quite calm. From the day Fu Zifei was made empress, she had anticipated this moment. She truly didn’t feel oppressed because she knew she would make Fu Zifei pay for it eventually.
Seeing Mingzhu’s response, Donghui couldn’t say much more and quietly assisted her out of the carriage and helped her walk forward.
Fu Zifei had already performed the grand ceremony for Yuwen Guang. The two stood side by side on the red carpet, looking extremely mismatched. Fu Zifei was several years older than Yuwen Guang and had already grown into a graceful young woman, while Yuwen Guang, though composed in his demeanor, was still undeniably a child. Standing together, they looked more like partners than a married couple, and partners who were visibly unhappy with each other at that.
Yuwen Guang’s face was particularly gloomy; he didn’t even want to look at Fu Zifei and stood slightly apart from her. Meanwhile, a faintly sarcastic cold smile lingered on Fu Zifei’s lips.
Mingzhu saw it clearly and walked forward with a gentle and dignified smile, neither hurried nor slow, neither humble nor arrogant. When she reached the emperor and empress, she stopped. A palace attendant quickly laid out a brocade cushion. Without looking at Fu Zifei, Mingzhu gazed at the high sky, at the palace bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, and solemnly knelt down.
She was bowing to heaven and earth, to the ancestors of the Yuwen clan, and to the emperor’s title carried by Yuwen Guang, not to Fu Zifei.
Fu Zifei’s face twisted with excitement. She had fantasized about this moment many times, even dreamed of seeing Mingzhu kneel before her. That’s why she had begged the Great Empress Dowager, claiming she wanted to thank her aunt for her great virtue and filial piety, insisting on going out of the palace to greet her personally as a sign of gratitude.
Now, this moment had finally arrived. How could she not be overjoyed? She wondered how Fu Mingzhu felt at this moment. No matter how famous and proud you are, you still have to kneel at my feet.
Staring at the hairpins and ornaments on Mingzhu’s head that symbolized her status as a Wangfei, Fu Zifei spoke with a tone of delight, “Aunt, there’s no need for such formalities. You have come a long way, and it must have been hard. The biggest regret of ben gong’s* life is that you weren’t there on my wedding day. It’s really a pity.”
*Formal way of referring to yourself; usually used by royalty
She kept saying pleasant things but didn’t let Mingzhu get up. With so many people watching, she didn’t believe Mingzhu would dare stand up without permission.
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
