Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 764

Chapter 764: About to be Sour to Death

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

Dong Hui frowned, "Although it was Ji Hui, there's nothing strange about it. His Highness might have asked her to come and talk about the situation in the North and ask important questions. If there were really something important, he wouldn't have chosen to have her come when those two adults were present."

Zheng Momo said solemnly, "Indeed, that's true. I also think so. But, since Donghui knows this truth, why did she deliberately hide it from Wangfei?"

Donghui was pressured into sighing, "I know that Momo is loyal to Wangfei, but for such trivial matters, I thought it unnecessary to cause trouble for Wangfei. What do you think?"

Zheng Momo smiled faintly, "For me, it's important that Wangfei knows everything and is not kept in the dark or deceived."

The conversation didn't seem to align, and Donghui turned her face aside decisively. "I believe His Highness is not that kind of person."

The room Yuwen Chu used for handling state affairs wasn't large, nor was it as cozy as the Warm Pavilion, but it was as tidy as ever. When Mingzhu entered, he was standing in front of a geomantic map, writing and drawing with charcoal. Upon hearing her footsteps, he didn't turn around but said, "Find a place to sit, I'll be done soon."

Mingzhu prepared the Purple Lingzhi Chicken Soup she brought for him and had Wei Tiande prepare hot water. Yuwen Chu washed his hands after setting down the charcoal, smiling as he approached, "It smells great. I heard you were coming, so I guessed you brought something delicious. Where's Zhuang Zhuang? Why didn't you bring him over?"

"He's asleep. If you want to see him, you can go to the Warm Pavilion." After serving Yuwen Chu, Mingzhu handed him the list Princess Consort Cui had given her. "...Princess Consort Cui was very anxious, so I had to come."

Yuwen Chu teased, "So, does that mean if it weren't for this matter, you wouldn't have wanted to see me?"

"Who says that? It's not because I thought you'd find me annoying, right? Did this chicken soup magically appear?" Mingzhu sensed his good mood and smiled, "Have you encountered something good?"

Yuwen Chu laughed, "We were discussing a major problem just now. With the spring famine and the Wusun seeking assistance, we couldn't transport food to them. Just as I was troubled, someone suggested Ji Hui, and she indeed had a solution. She recommended a major grain merchant in the area, and the Ji family was willing to help."

Mingzhu felt sour inside immediately. Although she knew Yuwen Chu deliberately told her this to prevent her from overthinking, she couldn't help but think more. She could brazenly act spoiled and stubborn in front of someone like Jiang Shanshan, who was aggressive and clear in her intentions, but she found it difficult to speak up to Ji Hui. Firstly, Ji Hui didn't actively approach her, and secondly, their meetings were formal and focused on business matters. She couldn't say, "I'm jealous and uncomfortable, so you can't see her or listen to her ideas, and you can't accept her help and kindness," could she?

Yuwen Chu understood Mingzhu's feelings almost instantly, so he grabbed her hand with a smile and whispered, "Is there something bothering you?"

Mingzhu grunted, "Everything is bothering me. Clearly, I'm not a magnanimous and sensible person, but I have to pretend to be so magnanimous and sensible. My eyes are green with envy, my heart is filled with sourness, yet I have to endure and not say anything. Do you think you can still be comfortable, Your Highness? I'm going to be eaten away by jealousy."

Yuwen Chu couldn't help but laugh, "I knew you'd react like this. Don't worry, I remember everything I promised you. You have to trust me."

"What else can I do if I don't trust you? A pot of incredibly fragrant braised pork is placed in front of you. Anyone would want to take a bite. You can prevent those who walk from taking it, but you can't prevent those who fly. You can prevent those who reach for it, but you can't prevent those who sneakily steal it." Mingzhu hummed while glancing at Yuwen Chu.

Yuwen Chu's heart swelled with pride and joy, "Do you value me that much?"

Mingzhu rolled her eyes at him, "One day, I'll invite people to discuss matters in my place, and see if you feel comfortable then?"

"As long as it's a serious matter, I'll definitely support it. Besides, I believe you won't overthink," Yuwen Chu said.

Mingzhu snorted, "Stop it, as if I don't trust you."

"Shh..." Yuwen Chu looked at the list in his hand, his brows furrowing tighter and his smile fading. He even let out a cold laugh, "I never expected this."

Seeing that he was busy with official duties, Mingzhu didn't interrupt anymore, just waited quietly until Yuwen Chu finished reading the list before gently reminding him, "I've roughly looked through it, and I feel that some of these people are really unexpected. They don't seem like it at all in ordinary times."

"I'll handle it cautiously. It's getting late, and it's not good to keep you and Zhuang Zhuang in the palace. You should go back earlier." Yuwen Chu rubbed his temples, hugged her, and whispered softly, "You've worked hard. Let's go see Zhuang Zhuang and then I'll escort you out."

Mingzhu carried Zhuang Zhuang and turned onto the main road, only to see Sang Shen with a palace maid holding a lantern waiting by the side of the road. It was impossible to turn back now, so she had to continue walking forward. Sang Shen came forward and greeted her with a bow, "The Great Empress Dowager is feeling unwell and refuses to take medicine. She insists on seeing Wangfei. If Wangfei isn't in the palace, I would have suppressed it, but since Wangfei happened to be in the palace, I have to ask Wangfei to go and see her, and persuade her."

Mingzhu had no choice but to let Donghui take Zhuang Zhuang back to the Lansheng Pavilion and bring Zheng Momo with her to Changxin Palace first.

The Great Empress Dowager laid lifelessly on the couch, silent when Mingzhu arrived. She gazed at her quietly for a while before speaking slowly, "So, you've come."

"I've come," Mingzhu replied quietly.

The Great Empress Dowager suddenly burst into tears, "I had a dream just now, dreaming of your cousin and Fu Er. Your cousin blamed me for not treating you well, for not taking care of Fu Er and them, and for not taking care of your father. He said that the country belongs to the Yuwen family, not him."

Mingzhu didn't know if it was true or false, nor could she guess her intentions, so she could only listen quietly, occasionally handing her a handkerchief. After crying enough, the Great Empress Dowager didn't trouble her anymore, wiping her tears and saying, "Alright, it's getting late. You should go back and rest."

Just that? Mingzhu couldn't believe it.

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but sneer when she saw her expression. "Do you think I'm going to do something to you? It's just that I don't have long to live, so I always reminisce, always thinking of the old days. Among all the people in the world, you're the only one who can quietly listen to me talk about these things. Go on, go on."

"You take care." Mingzhu bowed and left. Suddenly, she heard Sang Shen shouting from behind, "Your Highness!"

She turned around to see the Great Empress Dowager vomiting blood, her face covered in blood, looking extremely ill.

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>