Chapter 747: Be Careful of the Empress
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Mingzhu couldn’t help but sneer.
When she and Yuwen Chu first entered the capital, they were welcomed by the people, and she worried Yuwen Guang might feel uncomfortable. Yuwen Chu had told her, “This is unavoidable. Whoever does more and better work will naturally be remembered by the people. It’s not something done intentionally. If it feels bad, there’s nothing to be done.”
Now the Great Empress Dowager used the same words, as if slapping her in the face. Either stop being the Regent to avoid trouble, or support the Emperor wholeheartedly, and unnecessary responsibilities won’t fall on you. If you want fame and glory, you must also bear the responsibilities. Wanting everything without any effort is just a dream.
The Great Empress Dowager heard Mingzhu’s sneer but remained unbothered, saying indifferently, “The Ji family isn’t greedy, offering their carefully nurtured eldest granddaughter, only asking for her to be a side consort. I’ve been holding off on the marriage decree because I didn’t want our relationship to be completely strained. I didn’t expect that Old Sixth wouldn’t even mention it to you.”
Mingzhu countered sharply, “Maybe he thought that unrelated people and matters don’t need to disgust me. After all, I’ve come from far away; even if it’s fake happiness, let me have it for a few days.”
The Great Empress Dowager sighed, “You do resent me. Fine, your love for your husband is deep. Whatever I say is wrong, always with ulterior motives. Fine, go, I won’t delay your reunion with your husband.”
Mingzhu felt a tightness in her chest, silently bowed to the Great Empress Dowager, and quickly left Changxin Palace.
The weather had dramatically changed from sunny to snowy, with rooftops and walls covered in white, and the cold wind mixed with snowflakes hitting her face, chilling her to the bone. A few unfamiliar palace servants came respectfully to greet her. Mingzhu didn’t recognize any of them. She walked silently along the long corridor, feeling both familiar and distant from the palace. After being away for so long, it seemed like many things and people were now veiled behind a hazy curtain.
The matter with Ji Hui had been ongoing for some time. Even if she told the Great Empress Dowager that Yuwen Chu had not mentioned it because he deemed it unimportant, it wasn’t that she was truly indifferent or unaffected. The Great Empress Dowager was telling the truth, but since Mingzhu had not yet been forced into a corner, she was resistant and unwilling to dwell on it.
The palace attendant leading the way suddenly stopped and respectfully bowed, “Greetings, Mu Gugu.”
Mingzhu looked up to see Mu Gugu standing by the path with a young maid, holding a small lantern, smiling at her. Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel her eyes redden, taking two steps forward and grasping Mu Gugu’s hand, “It’s so cold, and it’s snowing. Why have you come out, Gugu?”
Mu Gugu, who had grown noticeably thinner with strands of white in her hair, looked at Mingzhu tenderly and said, “I haven’t seen you in a long time, Wangfei. I’ve been thinking of you often. I had to ask a few old acquaintances to intercept you here to have a word.”
Mingzhu inferred from her words that Mu Gugu seemed to have her movements restricted and couldn’t come out freely. She probed, “I heard from Sang Shen that you’ve been moved to Zhaochuntai. I’ve been there; it’s desolate and rundown, drafty in cold weather. It’s really not a good place to live. How about I find a way to get you a better place to stay?”
Mu Gugu gently shook her head, “I chose it myself.” She glanced towards Changxin Palace and whispered, “Even though she doesn’t favor me, she can’t bring herself to cut me off completely. The days at Zhaochuntai aren’t hard. Since I moved in, Her Highness had it renovated, and the daily supplies are sufficient. I just have to strictly adhere to palace rules. It’s not a big deal.”
The people in the palace were skilled at trampling the lowly while exalting the high, employing countless overt and covert methods. Mu Gugu, having offended many, faced many small humiliations despite Yuwen Chu’s care. Even minor delays in her rightful supplies were enough to cause frustration. Mingzhu frowned, “Do you want to leave the palace, Gugu?” Though difficult, she should be able to manage it.
Mu Gugu shook her head, “Thank you for your kindness, Wangfei, but I don’t want to. I’ve been serving the Great Empress Dowager since I was thirteen. Over the years, though not as close as sisters, we have a significant bond. She is pitiable, and I accompany her from afar, watching over her, fulfilling this affection.”
Seeing no other way, Mingzhu could only say, “If you ever have any difficulties, just let someone come to me.”
Mu Gugu smiled softly, “I’m here to remind you, Wangfei, to be very careful of the Empress.” She glanced around and added, “I must return now.”
Sensing something unsaid, Mingzhu hurriedly asked, “Gugu, what do you mean by that?”
Mu Gugu apologized, “Please forgive me, Wangfei. Everyone has their own position. I can only remind you to this extent.”
Mingzhu bowed slightly, seeing Mu Gugu off, and turned a corner with a heavy heart. Suddenly, she saw a lantern bobbing gently in the distance. It was a palace attendant leading Yuwen You in her direction. She knew he was likely here to see the Great Empress Dowager, so she continued on her way without greeting him.
When Yuwen You saw her, he naturally stopped, “Sixth sister-in-law, just returning home at this hour?”
Mingzhu responded, “Ninth brother, just entering the palace at this hour?”
Yuwen You smiled faintly, “I had no choice. The Great Empress Dowager’s urgent summons required me to enter the palace late at night. Being a subject, there are many unavoidable duties.”
In the snowy ground, he stood upright, calm and collected, without the resentment and bitterness that used to show on his face, making him look much more agreeable. Mingzhu thought of how considerate he had been during their journey, never bothering her and organizing everything perfectly. He hadn’t once disgusted her, so she nodded slightly and walked away.
Yuwen You watched her retreating figure, noticing her anger, and asked the leading palace attendant in a low voice, “Were there any other guests in the Great Empress Dowager’s palace today?”
If he had openly inquired if the Regent Wangfei had quarreled with the Great Empress Dowager, the palace attendant wouldn’t dare answer. But asking this was less intrusive. The palace attendant smiled and said, “Indeed, there was. Miss Ji Hui from the North was summoned.”
Yuwen You had known about Ji Hui’s arrival in the capital and understood immediately. He couldn’t help but feel a bit gloating, curious about how Yuwen Chu would handle this matter and how Mingzhu would cope. He hoped they would argue fiercely.
As soon as Mingzhu reached the palace gates, the Regent’s carriage silently approached. The attending Momo lifted the curtain and placed a footstool. Dong Hui was about to help Mingzhu into the carriage when a pair of warm, steady hands reached out from inside. Yuwen Chu grabbed Mingzhu’s hand and swiftly pulled her into the carriage, “Finally out.”
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