Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 757

Chapter 757: A Familiar Melody

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In the hall, the Wusun Princess, with a pale face and a forced smile, was dryly narrating stories of the customs and culture beyond the Great Wall to the Great Empress Dowager. The Great Empress Dowager listened quietly for a while before kindly saying, “You don’t look well. Did you catch a chill on the way here? Have some hot ginger tea and rest. I’ll have Ji Hui play the qin for us.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Having suffered a great blow, the Wusun Princess was on her last legs. She was deeply grateful for the Great Empress Dowager’s kindness.

The Great Empress Dowager smiled, “No need for formalities. Publicly, you traveled a long way from Wusun to Daxia, promoting an alliance between our nations, which is commendable. Privately, you are my daughter-in-law, and I am your mother-in-law. I should treat you well.” She smiled again, “Just now, Mingzhu brought her two children to see me. You and Old Nine are not getting any younger. When will we hear good news from you?”

The Wusun Princess’s face turned pale, her heart aching, and she forced a smile, “I am not as fortunate as Sixth Sister-in-law.”

The Great Empress Dowager patted her hand, smiling, “Nonsense, you are just as blessed. It’s only that your good fortune might arrive a little later. Where is Ji Hui? Why hasn’t she come yet?”

“Your Majesty, I am here.” Ji Hui, dressed in a water-blue silk gown, gracefully entered carrying a qin, bowed deeply to both of them, then washed her hands, burned incense, and sat by the window to play.

The melody was not a sophisticated classical piece but a folk song from the northern regions, depicting the northern landscapes, the vast snowfields, the cries of wild geese, and the galloping wild horses. The Wusun Princess’s eyes reddened upon hearing the familiar tune, but with the Great Empress Dowager present, she dared not show her emotions.

Before the piece ended, Sang Shen signaled Ji Hui to stop, “The Great Empress Dowager has fallen asleep.”

Seeing the Great Empress Dowager dozing off, Ji Hui and The Wusun Princess had no reason to stay. They silently bowed and left. As they walked, The Wusun Princess glanced at Ji Hui’s delicate profile and felt a stirring in her heart, “Miss Ji Hui, would you mind if I visited your place for a while?”

Ji Hui smiled kindly, bowed with the qin in her arms, “It would be an honor to have you as a guest, Wangfei. Please come in.”

They entered the room, and Ji Hui handed the qin to a maid, washed her hands, and prepared tea. The Wusun Princess looked around and commented, “So, this was the Regent Wangfei’s early residence. It’s truly luxurious. The Great Empress Dowager must have been very fond of her.”

Ji Hui smiled but did not respond.

The Wusun Princess took a sip of tea and continued, “Speaking of luck, the Regent Wangfei is the luckiest. She was cherished from a young age, and even after marriage, she is her husband’s only love. I heard that the Regent prepared a residence for her where even the floor tiles are made of gold, and he hired the best chefs from all over the country for her. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her.”

Ji Hui offered a plate of water chestnut cake, “Please try this, Wangfei. It’s sweet and soft, very good.”

This was clearly a way to politely tell her to stop talking. The Wusun Princess smiled, put down her teacup, and suddenly switched to Wusun language, “I heard that Miss Ji Hui’s biological mother was Princess Ruidan?”

Ji Hui was momentarily stunned, then lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, “Why did the Princess suddenly speak in Wusun? Although I grew up in the north and met Wusun people, I am not proficient in Wusun language.”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand Wusun.” The Wusun Princess’s eyes were bright as she switched back to the common language, “Princess Ruidan was my aunt. When I was young, I often played in her tent. She was as beautiful and charming as you. Don’t worry, I don’t intend to use you for anything. It’s just that being in a foreign land can be very lonely. Hearing your qin song today reminded me of home and my relatives, making me feel particularly close to you. After all, we share the same blood.”

Ji Hui said coldly, “The Wangfei is mistaken. I am the eldest granddaughter of the Ji clan, and we have no familial ties to you. No elder in my family has ever mentioned a connection to the Wusun, and I don’t know any Princess Ruidan.”

The Wusun princess smiled, “Yes, I was mistaken.” She warmly took Ji Hui’s hand. “Then let’s just be two northerners sharing our homesickness and easing our boredom.”

This time, Ji Hui did not withdraw her hand but smiled slightly, “I’m not good at conversation. I hope Wangfei won’t find me clumsy.”

The Wusun princess replied, “If we’re talking about clumsiness, no one here can beat me to first place.” She lost because she fell in love with Yuwen You but couldn’t win his love. Although she knew it was foolish, she couldn’t help but want to try. So, no matter how dangerous, she had to fight for it.

After visiting several elderly concubines in the palace, Mingzhu saw that it was getting late. She decided to wait at the palace gate with her child and sent someone to inform Yuwen Chu. She indicated that if he could leave soon, they could go back together. Jiang Zhouzi had already been sent back to the prime minister’s residence after leaving Changxin Palace, likely having already seen Fu Cong. Mingzhu thought it would be good for her and her husband to visit him together.

Wei Tiande hurried out, apologizing profusely, “I’m really sorry, Wangfei, but His Highness is still busy. There are several ministers waiting. If he can return by the third watch tonight, it would be good.”

Mingzhu felt disappointed but more heartbroken for Yuwen Chu. She instructed Wei Tiande, “Make sure His Highness eats when it’s mealtime, no matter what. Say it’s my request. Also, keep an eye on things, add water, and change the charcoal brazier as needed. Do well, and there will be a reward. Do poorly, and you’ll get a reward too—bamboo shoots fried with meat.”

Wei Tiande agreed, smiling as he ran back.

Mingzhu returned straight to the prime minister’s residence. Jiang Zhouzi had indeed already seen Fu Cong and was discussing his condition with Fu Mingda and others. When Mingzhu arrived, he said, “This is the kind of aftereffect I mentioned earlier. It can’t be cured, only relieved with medication. The rest depends on careful nursing.”

In other words, doing one’s best and leaving the rest to fate. The Fu siblings fell silent. Jiang Zhouzi, scratching his head in frustration, said, “The medical compendium isn’t that miraculous, or maybe my understanding isn’t deep enough. Perhaps Wangfei could have Tang Chunlai give it a try? He’s younger and might have other ideas.”

Mingzhu gave a bitter smile. Tang Chunlai was already studying it, but he too had said after a brief review that there wasn’t a good solution for Fu Cong’s illness.

Fu Cong, however, was optimistic, “I should have died last time. This extra year is a gift. I’m quite happy, so don’t be ungrateful.” He then called Fu Mingzheng, “Mr. Jiang can’t stay out too long. He still needs to give acupuncture to the Great Empress Dowager tonight. Escort him back.”

“Yes.” Fu Mingzheng respectfully escorted Jiang Zhouzi out, then turned sour and snarled, “Once outside, Mr. Jiang knows what to say and what not to, right?”

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