As the days to return to the capital approached, there was still no news about Fu Mingzhao. Neither Fu Mingzheng nor Shen Ruilin had sent any updates. Mingzhu felt increasingly uneasy and took out her anger on Liao Zhang: “Don’t let me see this person again. No matter how capable he is, I don’t want to see him. Seeing him makes me sick.”
Yuwen Chu did not think Mingzhu sympathized with Peng Liang and his family; he merely saw it as her empathizing as a sensitive woman. He laughed it off but did give orders to keep Liao Zhang away from her.
Mingzhu tried to hold onto their last moments of leisure, but their return to the capital came swiftly. The young emperor, Yuwen Guang, issued three edicts, summoning the Regent back to the capital to govern. Yuwen Chu declined all three, submitting three petitions to resign as Regent and return power to the young emperor.
Of course, this was all pretense, a staged performance everyone understood. Since ancient times, such acts had to be performed with earnestness, and the supporting actors had to be equally dedicated. To show sincerity, the young emperor traveled from the capital to the estate to personally invite his aggrieved sixth uncle back to the capital.
After making a sufficient show of propriety, the group finally returned to the capital. The first matter of business was, of course, to visit the gravely ill Great Empress Dowager. She was rarely awake, but this time she laid in bed, glaring at Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu, and sneered, “Since you can’t wait for me to die, why bother pretending? It would save us all the disgust of seeing each other.”
Since they had already torn off the pretense, there was no need for further niceties. Yuwen Chu, his face as calm as still water, responded coolly, “The royal family should be a model for the world, and filial piety must still be observed. Since the Great Empress Dowager is seriously ill, you should rest well and not worry about trivial matters.”
The Great Empress Dowager sneered, “No need for the Regent to worry. Just writing a few big characters on the Jiuzhou Terrace won’t kill me. It’s those greedy thieves who covet what isn’t theirs who won’t have a good end. If I don’t punish them, Heaven will.”
Yuwen Chu said nothing, just looking at her coldly with deep, icy eyes. The Great Empress Dowager stared back unflinchingly and smiled, “Or is the Regent thinking of killing me?”
Yuwen Chu returned the smile, “How dare a son kill his mother? Only the most unfilial would do that. I wouldn’t want to ruin my good reputation.”
The Great Empress Dowager’s eyes narrowed, “The Regent holds the power of the world, playing with the lives of widows and orphans, placing unfounded accusations on aunts, elders, and loyal ministers at will, killing whoever he wants, bestowing high office and great rewards as he pleases, playing as if the world isn’t his own. Killing an old, defenseless widow is a mere trifle.”
Yuwen Chu responded only with an “Oh.”
Fu Zifei and Yuwen Guang were very frightened. Both knew neither was a benevolent character, and their direct confrontation was terrifying. The young emperor called out pleadingly, “Sixth Uncle.”
Yuwen Chu pressed his lips tightly, acknowledging the young emperor’s plea.
Fu Zifei also tried to persuade the Great Empress Dowager, but being timid, she didn’t dare speak plainly. She only dared to tug at the Great Empress Dowager’s sleeve, pleading with her eyes, and whispered, “Grandmother, please be careful of your health, avoid anger and agitation.”
In truth, she wanted to say, “Don’t let yourself be angered to death, or others will benefit,” but she dared not say so, fearing she would completely offend Yuwen Chu. So she remained cowardly and indirect.
The Great Empress Dowager looked at her with disappointment and disdain, saying softly, “Short-sighted fool, with a knife at your throat, you still dare not speak.”
At this point, the Great Empress Dowager thought of Mingzhu, feeling a pang of pain. If it were Mingzhu, she would have bluntly reprimanded Yuwen Chu, unlike this cowardly behavior. But her Mingzhu had been taken by the scheming Yuwen Chu, who had now alienated her, abandoning her and drifting farther away. She looked at Mingzhu, who stood quietly, eyes lowered, gazing at the golden bricks as if she were an outsider.
No one can escape this! The Great Empress Dowager smiled and asked Mingzhu, “Zhu Zhu, your aunt is dying. Do you have nothing to say?”
Mingzhu raised her head and calmly asked, “How is the Great Empress Dowager’s health?”
Her tone was purely formal, as if their recent reconciliation had been an illusion.
The Great Empress Dowager dropped her smile and coldly looked at Mingzhu, “Oh, I forgot. When Old Six usurps the throne, you will be the Empress, no longer having to bow to others. How wonderful. But don’t forget, you are a Fu.”
At this, Mingzhu felt both aggrieved and angry, “I have never forgotten I am a Fu, but Aunt has forgotten her own surname!” The Great Empress Dowager had forgotten that Fu Mingzhao, her nephew who defended the borders and rendered great service to Great Xia, did not deserve such treatment.
“There is a saying, ‘Talking to someone who doesn’t understand is a waste of breath.’ You are no longer the Mingzhu of the past.” The Great Empress Dowager looked at the ceiling and said lightly, “You may all leave. I still want to live a few more days.” She added provocatively, “If someone wants me dead, come and take my life. As long as I live, you must bow before me!”
Yuwen Chu gave Mingzhu a look and walked out first. As the victor of this war, the pretense was torn off, and continuing it would only make everyone uncomfortable. It was better to lay things bare and be straightforward.
Mingzhu followed closely behind him. She saw Ji Hui standing demurely in the shadows outside the hall, her light blue dress fluttering in the breeze, looking like a quiet and beautiful bluebell flower.
Yuwen Chu walked past Ji Hui, who gracefully curtsied, her movements smooth and elegant. She didn’t call out to anyone, maintaining a serene and beautiful demeanor.
Mingzhu hadn’t walked far when she heard Sang Shen calling Ji Hui, “Niang Niang invites you in.”
She turned back and saw Ji Hui walking into the hall with poise, showing no guilt or fear despite having previously offered Yuwen Chu mysterious pigments. Truly, she was a rare and perfect talent.
Yuwen Chu noticed Mingzhu’s gaze and showed his first genuine smile since returning to the palace, “You’re not overthinking, are you?”
Mingzhu returned his smile, confident and bright, “Why think more when you can learn more.”
