Chapter 780: The Third Move
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You old hag, you obviously believe it, so why pretend? Fu Zifei didn’t dare to confront the Great Empress Dowager directly and instead echoed her words, “Yes, I think so too.”
The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes and spoke very slowly, “This is a warning from the heavens to the Great Xia.”
“A warning?” Fu Zifei didn’t understand. How could a military defeat be a warning?
The Great Empress Dowager glanced at her with disdain. Foolish and malicious wretch. Mingzhu might not be smart, but at least she has a pure heart. This girl, on the other hand, compensates for her lack of talent with malice.
Fu Zifei felt a surge of anger under the Great Empress Dowager’s contemptuous gaze. She didn’t dare show it and feared her expression would give her away, so she changed the topic. “His Majesty has just summoned Ji Hui again.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled slightly. “The Emperor seems to like Ji Hui quite a bit, doesn’t he?”
Fu Zifei felt a twinge of discomfort. “Indeed, he does.” Then she pretended to be magnanimous. “Ji Hui is very nice. Even I like her a lot.”
The Great Empress Dowager suddenly asked, “Has Linan Wangfei visited the palace since her leg injury healed?”
Thinking of this made Fu Zifei grind her teeth in frustration. She had carefully orchestrated events for so long, finally pushing Princess Wusun to make a scene, but it had all been for nothing. Instead, it seemed to have made Princess Wusun suspicious of her.
When she learned that Princess Wusun was injured, she was the first to send someone with medicine and well-wishes, but Princess Wusun had remained indifferent. After such a long recovery, the leg injury had healed, and she wanted to reengage Princess Wusun as a useful pawn. She arranged for her mother to host a flower-viewing party at Marquis Huaiyin’s residence and specifically invited Princess Wusun, but she claimed illness and didn’t attend. Despite repeated attempts to make amends, Princess Wusun still hadn’t come to the palace to express her gratitude.
Wasn’t she being guarded against or even resenting her?
The Great Empress Dowager said indifferently, “Tell your father it’s time to make the third move.”
Fu Zifei was startled. The third move? What were the first and second moves? She had no idea. She wanted to ask the Great Empress Dowager, but the Great Empress Dowager had already turned away, showing no intention of engaging further.
Fu Zifei had no choice but to respond reluctantly and leave with her head bowed obediently.
Inside Lansheng Pavilion, the atmosphere was solemn and filled with grief. The chief eunuch led Mingzhu into a side room and served her hot tea. “His Highness is currently busy and doesn’t know when he will be able to see you. His Highness has instructed that if the Wangfei can’t wait, she should return first.”
Mingzhu shook her head. “I can wait.”
She waited for two hours, watching people come and go outside. Just as her impatience reached its peak, she finally saw Fu Mingda. She hurriedly ran out to him. “Eldest Brother.”
Fu Mingda came rushing in and was slightly surprised to see Mingzhu there. He sighed silently. “You know everything?”
Mingzhu nodded with a choked voice. “Second Brother, he…”
Fu Mingda’s brow furrowed tightly, and he hesitated. “The news is still uncertain. He might still be alive.”
Seeing Fu Mingda’s expression, Mingzhu had a sinking feeling that he was hiding something important from her. She remembered Fu Mingzhao’s death in her past life and felt a chill of fear. “How could this happen? Our bed crossbows are clearly superior to theirs.”
Back then, although Jiang Shanshan had given the crossbow designs and the formulas for gunpowder and firearms to Yuwen Cong, their side had also been developing rapidly. The crossbow designs had given them an initial advantage. While their gunpowder and firearms were indeed a step behind, Yuwen Chu had told her that those weapons were costly and only suitable for critical moments and occasional use. They were not meant for all battles. Logically, they shouldn’t have suffered such a severe defeat.
Fu Mingda smiled bitterly and tried to comfort her. “Who can say for sure about war? It’s not just about having superior weapons.” He looked towards the distant palace walls and said softly, “The human heart is the most terrifying and the hardest to guard against.”
Mingzhu fell silent. “Go on, Eldest Brother. His Highness must be eagerly waiting for you.”
“Don’t overthink it. We will handle everything. Your Second Brother has a good fate and will be fine.” Fu Mingda patted her shoulder reassuringly before turning and walking inside.
Mingzhu was about to walk back when she saw Mei Yusi leading Ji Hui from the direction of Chongzheng Hall. She stopped and waited quietly.
Mei Yusi came over and greeted Mingzhu respectfully, “Your servant greets Wangfei Regent.”
Since helping Yuwen Chu ascend to the position of Regent, he had been assigned to work closely with him. Mingzhu hadn’t been around much lately and hadn’t seen him in a while. She remembered how he had saved her life from a poisoned bun, and she always treated him with extra kindness and respect. “No need for formalities, Steward Mei. You’ve worked hard.” She then turned her attention to Ji Hui, who was silently following and bowing, and asked gently, “Miss Ji Hui, where are you headed?”
Ji Hui stood up and replied calmly, “The Emperor has summoned me.”
Mei Yusi added, “There are a few matters the Emperor and His Highness need to discuss with Miss Ji Hui in detail.”
“Then don’t delay, please go ahead,” Mingzhu said, trusting Yuwen Chu implicitly. He wasn’t the type to indulge in frivolous pursuits, especially during a national crisis. Besides, her elder brother was still inside; what could possibly happen?
Ji Hui bowed again and walked forward unhurriedly, her moon-white gauze dress trailing like a light cloud over the ground. Mingzhu watched her back, thinking about recent events.
She knew that Ji Hui wanted to befriend her, but for various reasons, she had always been polite but distant. Ji Hui gradually understood this attitude and stopped asking about music and painting unless Mingzhu initiated the conversation.
Dong Hui whispered, “Ji Hui is very intelligent. She seems to know a lot about the northern regions.”
Mingzhu absentmindedly acknowledged with a “Hmm,” watching Ji Hui’s light-colored dress disappear into Yuwen Chu’s study.
Suddenly, Dong Hui said, “Wangfei, if His Highness decides to personally lead the army, what will you do?”
Mingzhu was startled. She had never considered that Yuwen Chu might leave the capital to lead the army himself. Given the current situation, it wasn’t impossible. She softly asked Dong Hui, “Have you heard something?”
Dong Hui shook her head. “No, it’s just that I vaguely remember that His Highness used to admire the great generals who led troops into battle and enjoyed military strategy.”
Mingzhu recalled a time when she had chased after Yuwen Xue to sabotage her marriage alliance with the Wusun. She had ended up sharing a carriage with Yuwen Chu, who had drawn a map on the table with tea. It was incredibly accurate, a testament to his thorough knowledge.
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