Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 762

Chapter 762: The List (II)

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Third Master Cui clenched his fists, his neck veins bulging. How could he not hate? Once a promising young man, now his life was ruined, his reputation destroyed, his brothers shot in the street, wealth and glory vanished like smoke. Living in constant fear, he often dreamed of being beheaded. How could he not fear and hate?

The Great Eldest Princess, seeing his expression, continued slowly, “Now there’s a chance to avenge your brothers, vent your anger, and perhaps find a way out. Do you want to try?”

Third Master Cui asked suspiciously, “How? I’m crippled and can’t even leave the house. Why not have Father do it?” The only one who could move freely was Princess Consort Cui, which was odd considering their blood feud with the Fu family and Yuwen Chu, yet both the palace and the Regent trusted him.

Longsheng Great Eldest Princess smiled, “What were you and your father talking about outside just now?”

Third Master Cui recounted his conversation with Princess Consort Cui to the Great Eldest Princess, saying, “I have a feeling Father is planning something.”

The Great Eldest Princess replied, “I can guess what he’s planning. Do you know why, despite the enmity over your brothers’ deaths, that old witch and that ravenous wolf haven’t done anything to him? It’s because they have him completely under their control. Now, I ask you, are you willing to take on this task? If you are, I’ll teach you how to do it.”

Third Master Cui remained silent for a long time before saying, “If I can use my crippled body to avenge my brothers and carve out a path for our family to survive, then I’m willing to die.”

The Great Eldest Princess smiled with satisfaction, “That’s my son! Let me tell you, over the years, with the help of your uncle, I have accumulated some connections and wealth. In the early years, your imperial grandfather taught me the principle of ‘a cunning rabbit has three burrows,’ so I kept some of these people and wealth in the open and some hidden. This recent misfortune cost us everything that was out in the open, but what I hid is still intact.

Do you know why they haven’t given me a cup of poison to end it all? It’s because they want these people and this wealth. This time, Fu Zifei and Fu Mingcheng want to gain power, but what they lack most are people and money. Today, Fu Mingcheng told your father that if I hand over these resources and let these people follow his orders, he will grant our family a way out. If we refuse, he will kill us immediately!”

Third Master Cui was shocked and exclaimed, “What should we do then?”

The Great Eldest Princess said, “A wise man doesn’t suffer immediate losses. Of course, I agreed, so I gave your father the list.”

Thinking of his father’s strange behavior, Third Master Cui slapped the armrest hard, “No, Father will probably take it to Yuwen Chu, won’t he?”

The Great Eldest Princess sneered, “Not probably—definitely! He even wanted to kill me, so why would he think about avenging your brothers? He’s just afraid of being dragged down! As long as he’s alive, he can still have more sons, even if our whole family dies now!”

Third Master Cui was silent, and the Great Eldest Princess handed him another list. “The list your father has is fake. Let him give it to Yuwen Chu. This one is real. Tomorrow, pretend to be sick and ask your father to bring Doctor Kong. When he comes, give him this and ask him to hand it over to Fu Mingcheng!”

Third Master Cui was confused by the real and fake lists. His mother seeing this expression couldn’t help but cry. “I have always loved you, the only wrong I did was falling into Yuwen Chu’s trap! Do you want to watch your father kill me, or see that old witch and Yuwen Chu torture me to death? Or see your widowed sister-in-law and nieces and nephews become homeless, losing their lives and property?”

Third Master Cui, his head aching from the turmoil, took the list and hid it close to his body. “I’ll do as you say, Mother.”

The Great Eldest Princess smiled with satisfaction. Yuwen Chu, no matter how clever you are, you won’t expect this—a scheme set by the Great Empress Dowager and me. There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. Since Yuwen Chu is now the common enemy of the Great Empress Dowager and me, why not join forces against him?

Princess Consort Cui, cloaked and hooded, slipped out of the Great Eldest Princess’s residence under the cover of night, glancing around like a thief. When he finally saw the lights of the Regent’s residence, he let out a sigh of relief, approached the door, and knocked softly. “I must see the Regent.”

Mingzhu had already had dinner, put Millet to bed, and was now playing games with Zhuang Zhuang on the couch. Yuwen Chu was extremely busy tonight and had sent word that she need not wait up for him, so she planned to sleep with Zhuang Zhuang to foster some mother-son bonding.

Zhuang Zhuang was playing happily, occasionally looking up at Mingzhu with eyes full of satisfaction and joy. Mingzhu’s heart melted at the sight, and she hugged and kissed him repeatedly. “Tonight, Momo will sleep with you, do you like that?”

Zhuang Zhuang tentatively hugged her neck, kissed her back, and whispered, “Like.”

Mingzhu, overjoyed, rolled on the couch with him, making him giggle.

Su Lan entered and said, “Wangfei, someone is here to see His Highness. Zhou Changshi received him and said that since His Highness is not home, he must see you, and it can’t wait.”

Mingzhu was slightly taken aback. “Who is it?”

Su Lan shook her head gently.

Whoever it was, since Zhou Shuyi had sent the message, it must be important. Mingzhu immediately composed herself and gently told Zhuang Zhuang, “Momo has something to do. You play with Su Lan for a while. If you get sleepy, go to bed first. Momo will come to you when I’m done, okay?”

Zhuang Zhuang, having grown accustomed to Yuwen Chu’s busyness, was already quite understanding. Although reluctant, he obediently let go and allowed Su Lan to take his hand, watching Mingzhu leave with longing eyes.

Zhou Shuyi was waiting outside the flower hall for Mingzhu. When she arrived, he greeted her and spoke softly, “It’s Princess Consort Cui from the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess’s residence. He says he has something extremely urgent to discuss with the Regent, and if not him, then with you. It can’t wait.”

How timely. She had just passed by the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess’s residence today. Mingzhu walked into the reception hall unhurriedly and greeted the guest, “Uncle.”

Princess Consort Cui, looking haggard and with a bitter smile, said, “I’m sorry to disturb you so late, but I have no choice but to come to you.”

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