Chapter 786: I Am Fu Mingzhu
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Yuwen Chu had high standards for his subordinates. Wei Tiande’s actions, if discovered, could have led to a fatal beating. Causing such a commotion, dirtying memorials, and affecting his master’s clothing were minor offenses, but touching official documents was serious.
Today, Wei Tiande acted confidently, knowing he had implicit permission.
“Wangfei’s original plan would have made the Empress suffer, but this was more effective. His Highness allowed it, so I took more liberties,” Wei Tiande said, trying to please Mingzhu. “Don’t be upset. His Highness cares deeply for you and doesn’t want you to be wronged.” He added, “Ji Hui only reported from a distance, accompanied by several officials, maintaining her propriety.”
Mingzhu felt a mix of melancholy and amusement. “Do you think I’m that petty?”
Wei Tiande laughed, “Really, I’m fine. Wangfei, you should go back. If you overexert yourself, His Highness might really cane me.”
Mingzhu instructed her people to summon a good doctor for Wei Tiande and to take good care of him, then returned to Yinghui Hall. Unable to sleep, she picked up the county gazetteer of Tongzhou, particularly interested in it due to her concern for her second brother. Before she realized it, it was already midnight.
Zheng Momo brought in a bowl of bird’s nest porridge and said softly, “Wangfei, eat something and then rest. His Highness probably won’t return tonight.”
Mingzhu took the porridge. “I know. I’m not waiting for him.” She was just enriching herself, trying to keep up with him. She didn’t want to be left behind. This way, even if she couldn’t walk beside him, she could still go far on her own and be independent, not needing to rely on anyone.
Zheng Momo helped her rinse her mouth and then stood by, hesitant to speak.
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, “Do you have something to say?”
Zheng Momo spoke softly, “Wangfei, do you remember what I told you before?”
“I remember. It’s better to be cautious than blindly trust,” Mingzhu smiled. Early in her marriage, unsure of Yuwen Chu’s true feelings and how to handle their relationship, she had sought advice from Zheng Momo. Zheng Momo had told her that their relationship was not an ordinary one, entangled with deep interests, and it was better to be cautious.
She had held onto that advice for a long time until she was certain that Yuwen Chu truly loved her and had always been silently persistent in his own way. So, during the New Year when she was pregnant with Zhuangzhuang, she gave him an improved crossbow design as a gift. From then, they had worked together seamlessly through many challenges and shared many sweet moments.
Over the past year, as she roamed outside the capital with Jiang Zhouzi, the distance between them grew, and they had Millet. She had initially thought they would quickly return to their previous closeness. In reality, he was too busy with state affairs, taking up most of his energy and time, while she was preoccupied with their young children and caring for her aging, ill parents. As the Wangfei of the Regent’s residence, she also had to manage the household and social duties flawlessly.
Thus, inevitably, they grew apart. Good relationships require careful maintenance. Neither Yuwen Chu nor she was at fault; the challenging circumstances required them to be more considerate and open-hearted towards each other.
Mingzhu, resting her chin on her hand, spoke softly, “Being the Regent is not easy for His Highness. Many things are harder to do than to imagine. With so many people in Daxia, complex relationships, and intentional opposition, he’s done well in just over a year.”
Zheng Momo nodded, “Wangfei, you’re right. His Highness has it hard, and so do you. But he will get busier, and more people will try to place someone by his side. You can’t be entangled in trivial matters forever. As the saying goes, those who are naive and kind-hearted are always the ones most easily taken advantage of.”
Are the naive and kind-hearted always taken advantage of? Mingzhu raised her book and smiled, “No, he will eventually have downtime. He can’t always be at war. When it’s over, his workload will more than halve. Let them send people; there will always be younger and more beautiful ones, but they are not me. I am Fu Mingzhu. I am no longer naive and will not become a resentful woman caught up in trivialities. I will be stronger and more brilliant than them, impossible to ignore. No one can take advantage of me.” Even if he stopped loving her, she could still love herself.
Seeing the determination in Mingzhu’s eyes and the book in her hands, Zheng Momo couldn’t bring herself to say what she had planned. She smiled lightly, “If that’s the case, then I’m relieved. Wangfei, rest early; I will keep watch.”
Mingzhu put down her book, “How have you been getting along with Donghui recently?”
Zheng Momo stiffened, carefully replying, “We have some differences in opinion and stance, sometimes leading to arguments, but nothing that affects your affairs, Wangfei.”
“That’s good. You are my specially chosen Momo, in charge of personnel, different from other Momos. I’ve always trusted you; don’t let me down. No need to keep watch, you’re getting older. Let Su Mei and the others handle it.” Mingzhu dismissed Zheng Momo and laid down, closing her eyes.
Zheng Momo quietly blew out the candles and tiptoed out.
Mingzhu opened her eyes, staring into the darkness, sighed, and then clenched her fists, whispering, “You are Fu Mingzhu, the Fu Mingzhu who can live again after dying, the mother of the smart and adorable Zhuangzhuang and Millet. With such fortune, how can you not strive? With both luck and effort, you are invincible! Invincible!”
After saying these words, she smiled slightly, feeling her unease dissipate. She hugged her quilt, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
At the same time, the lights in Lansheng Pavilion finally dimmed. Yuwen Chu, exhausted, slumped in his chair, rubbing his forehead. Mei Yusi handed him a bowl of hot soup, “Tonight’s soup is pigeon broth. Your Highness, drink it and then rest.”
The soup was prepared by Mingzhu’s arrangement. The residence had someone who made various health soups for him, and Mingzhu had asked Imperial Consort Min to ensure he received it in the palace when he couldn’t return home. Holding the warm soup bowl, Yuwen Chu felt the irritation in his heart gradually smooth out. He asked Mei Yusi, “Was Wei Tiande sent back?”
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