Chapter 744: Unworthy
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Mingzhu understood Fu Zifei’s petty intentions very well, but she no longer engaged in impulsive quarrels. The one who laughs last laughs best. She smiled, lowered her head slightly, and silently planned how to reconnect with Zhuangzhuang when she got back. She wondered if the novel things she had painstakingly collected on her journey would win his favor.
Seeing this, many onlookers thought the young empress was arrogant and immature, facing the elder and highly meritorious Regent’s consort with such a haughty attitude. The once rebellious Wangfei now accepted everything calmly with a gentle smile, showing she had grown into a mature and profound Regent’s consort, no longer the proud and willful girl she used to be.
This was unexpected for many. They had hoped to see a drama, where the Wangfei would lose her temper and scold the empress, confirming the Regent couple’s arrogance and ambition. But now, it was the opposite, revealing the empress’s shallow understanding.
Followers of the Fu clan and supporters of the Regent’s residence couldn’t help but feel indignant. Is this how you treat and humiliate a hero? She comfortably sits in the palace, enjoying luxury, while others risk their lives to stabilize the country, yet she dares to humiliate them?
Yuwen Guang noticed this, and his face turned grim. Meanwhile, Fu Zifei, unaware of the situation, continued her happy chatter. She hadn’t had enough of this yet and wanted to savor it more.
Peng Liang, standing in the crowd, couldn’t help but shake his head and whispered to Yuwen You, “Truly foolish. With no merits and no credentials, where does she get the confidence?”
Yuwen You had a cold smile on his lips, “His Majesty is not foolish.”
Indeed, the next moment, Yuwen Guang stepped forward and personally helped Mingzhu up, his face showing displeasure as he scolded Fu Zifei, “Why can’t the empress wait to speak inside? Why must you stand at the palace gate, talking endlessly in the cold wind? Sixth Aunt has traveled a long way and suffered much. Even if you don’t know how to care for your elders, you should at least consider her hardships.”
Fu Zifei’s smile froze on her face. She forced a laugh and stepped forward to take Mingzhu’s hand, “I was so happy I forgot. Aunt, you won’t blame me, will you?”
Her hand was cold and clammy. Mingzhu quickly withdrew her hand after a brief touch, stepped back, and respectfully curtsied, “The etiquette of monarch and minister should not be taken lightly. I dare not accept.”
Fu Zifei’s hand lingered awkwardly in the air. Just as she was about to complain, Yuwen Guang coldly said, “The empress is young and ignorant, but what about the Momos and Gugus around her? Didn’t anyone remind her? Drag them out and slap them!”
The palace attendants around Fu Zifei were terrified and immediately begged her for mercy, “Your Highness, save us!”
“Your Majesty, Aunt has just returned. On such a joyous day, it’s not good to spoil the mood,” Fu Zifei’s face turned red and white with anger. She hated the young emperor for not siding with her. She was doing this for him, wasn’t she? Yet, now the whole country knew only about the Regent couple, not the emperor and empress, because of his constant retreat and cowardice. This spineless boy was even worse than Yuwen Bai!
Yuwen Guang stood straight, coldly staring at Fu Zifei without saying a word but refusing to budge an inch.
If her attendants were punished today, it would be like slapping her in the face publicly! Was she supposed to feign illness and stay out of sight again? Fu Zifei had no choice but to turn to Mingzhu for help, tears streaming down her face, “Aunt, it’s all my fault. Please forgive them.”
How did it become her responsibility to forgive the palace attendants? Mingzhu looked confused, “What happened? I didn’t say or do anything.” She then gently addressed Yuwen Guang, “Please, Your Majesty, spare them. Otherwise, it would be hard to explain.”
Yuwen Guang’s expression grew even darker, but he slowly relented, “Since Sixth Aunt is generous and does not hold a grudge against you, why don’t you thank her?”
The attendants hurriedly knelt to express their gratitude, while Mingzhu took a few steps back, standing beside Yuwen Guang to show her humility, “Thank His Majesty and the Empress. I dare not take the credit.”
The more she acted like this, the more Fu Zifei hated her. Fu Mingzhu had become more adept, feigning ignorance. But despite her anger, she could only swallow it.
Jiang Youyuan stepped forward to ease the tension, “Your Majesty, it’s time to go inside. The Great Empress Dowager is getting impatient.”
So the group proceeded into the palace. Sang Shen stood outside the Changxin Palace to greet Mingzhu, smiling, “Wangfei, you have finally returned. The Great Empress Dowager has been talking about you. Yesterday, upon hearing of your return, she was so eager to summon you that she lost her appetite.”
Mingzhu glanced at the official attire on Sang Shen with a calm smile, “Congratulations on your promotion to chief attendant, Gugu. I will send a gift later.”
Sang Shen felt a bit embarrassed and said softly, “I am not. It’s because Mu Gugu is sick, and the Great Empress Dowager has no one else to use, so…”
Mingzhu patted her hand reassuringly, “I have no other intentions, just happy for Gugu.” Then she changed the subject, “How is the Great Empress Dowager? And Mu Gugu?”
“The Great Empress Dowager is the same. Mu Gugu no longer resides in Changxin Palace. She has moved to Zhaochuntai to recuperate in a quieter place,” Sang Shen explained, leading Mingzhu into the Changxin Palace.
The Great Empress Dowager could no longer rise from her bed and had poor eyesight. She reached out, “Is that Mingzhu? Bring her here quickly.”
Mingzhu stepped forward and took the Great Empress Dowager’s hand, kneeling, “Your subject greets the Great Empress Dowager. May you live a thousand years and enjoy good health.”
The Great Empress Dowager held her hand tightly, squinting to look at her for a long moment before saying, “Why did you take so long?”
Mingzhu found it hard to answer and lowered her eyes in silence.
Yuwen Guang softly explained, “The Empress held up Sixth Aunt with some conversation.”
Fu Zifei, feeling wronged, put on a very aggrieved expression.
The Great Empress Dowager understood but pretended not to, “It’s good that you’re back! I heard you gave birth to a daughter on the way? You’ve had a hard time! Did you bring the child? Let me see her.”
Mingzhu replied, “Millet has a slight fever, and I didn’t dare bring her here and risk passing the illness to you, so she’s resting at home.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled, “I have prepared many gifts for her. Take them back with you later.” Then she asked Mingzhu about her journey and health before changing the subject, “The medicine from Jiang Zhouzi hasn’t been effective lately. Have him adjust the prescription.”
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