“How could I forget?” Madam Xiao recalled with lingering fear. “Your father was away, and I had no one to turn to. It scared me to death. Just when I was at my wit’s end, your uncle finally brought you back. You were soaked through, such a mischievous little girl, nothing like a lady. You dared to catch fish in the lake. Your father gave you a good scolding, but you never admitted you were wrong.”
Ji Hui said flatly, “No, I didn’t go to the lake to catch fish. The elder thought that my existence was a great shame to the Ji family and had someone throw me into the lake. I didn’t say anything because no one would believe me, and speaking out would make my father’s life even harder, so I endured it. Sixteenth Uncle didn’t really like or pity me; I begged him repeatedly and told him that my father would repay him. Only then did he help me.
Another time, during the Lantern Festival, my father took me to see the lights, and I got lost. It wasn’t because I was being mischievous; it was because Second Uncle took me away. My father found me and broke Second Uncle’s leg, for which he was confined at home by the elder for a whole year. As the price for ensuring my safety, he agreed to marry the Rong family. Everyone thinks I don’t know, but I know everything.”
Wet Nurse Xiao was stunned. She threw away the fan and hugged Ji Hui, crying uncontrollably, “My poor girl.”
Ji Hui stopped her from crying, “This isn’t any other place. Momo, please be quiet.”
Wetnurse Xiao barely managed to hold back her tears, choking as she spoke, “Heaven bless us, our girl has finally grown up. The elder is old now, and your father will take charge one day. Your good days are just around the corner.”
Ji Hui responded with a soft “Hmm” and said quietly, “No matter what the Great Empress Dowager meant, she wasn’t wrong about one thing: someone wants me dead, definitely. I don’t want to die here inexplicably. I want to go back. No matter how beautiful love is, it has to be experienced while alive. Otherwise, what good is it for the dead? A beautiful shroud and a luxurious tomb? To h*ll with that!”
Wetnurse Xiao fiercely wiped away her tears, “Whatever you say, my lady, I’ll go pack our things right away.”
Ji Hui smiled, “It’s not time yet. We two weak women, even with Ji Feng and the others, can’t fight against the desperate refugees and bandits. It’s safer in the capital than outside. Think about Wangfei Regent. Even with so many people protecting her and His Highness’s meticulous arrangements, she almost lost her life.”
“Then what should we do? Should we let the master come and fetch us?” Wetnurse Xiao was at a loss.
Ji Hui shook her head, “No, Father is burdened with family duties and can’t leave. I can’t add to his troubles. I must leave with the army. It’s the safest way, and I can help Father as much as possible. I will never let him be humiliated again in my lifetime.”
Wetnurse Xiao looked at Ji Hui with admiration, “Good girl, we’ll all follow your lead!”
Sunlight cast a long shadow of a person onto the window paper. Ji Hui raised a finger to her lips to signal for silence and closed her eyes to sleep. Wetnurse Xiao glared angrily at the shadow outside but didn’t dare make a sound. She just fanned vigorously until the person left out of boredom, then finally breathed a sigh of relief.
In Guangming Hall, Imperial Consort Min was discussing with Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu, “I miss the two children. How about bringing them into the palace in a few days so I can see them?”
The situation in the palace was no longer as dangerous as before. The Great Empress Dowager could no longer easily harm the children, so Yuwen Chu readily agreed, “Of course. They should come and pay their respects to their Grandmother. It’s just that with today’s travel and the heat, I didn’t bring them.”
Imperial Consort Min reproached him, “As if I don’t care about the children. It’s precisely because of this that I suggested bringing them in a few days instead of tomorrow, to let them rest more.”
Princess Funing, kneeling nearby and arranging flowers, laughed, “Mother, if you miss the children so much, why not leave the palace with Sixth Brother and Sister-in-law and spend a few days at His Highness’s residence?”
Imperial Consort Min immediately refused, “This is not the time! It’s bad enough I can’t help your Sixth Brother, how can I add to his troubles? Who knows what people would say about him.”
“What’s the big deal? They’d just call him arrogant, and if they don’t dare say it to his face, just pretend you didn’t hear it!” Princess Funing put down the silver scissors, ran over, and clung to Mingzhu, “Sister-in-law, if Mother won’t go, let me go! I’m going crazy cooped up in the palace. Let me take care of the children for a couple of days; it’ll be easier for you.”
Funing was not someone who could take care of children. She liked them, but her patience lasted no more than half an hour. She required that they not cry and always listen to her, otherwise, she got annoyed. Mingzhu knew it was just an excuse but didn’t refuse. The reason was simple: Funing was getting older, and it was indeed boring to be confined in the palace. Going out would do her good.
Seeing Mingzhu’s tacit consent, Funing immediately went to Yuwen Chu, “Sixth Brother, Sister-in-law agreed, so you won’t refuse, right?”
It wasn’t a difficult matter, and Yuwen Chu was about to agree when Mei Yusi walked in quickly, presenting a wax pill in both hands. This signified an urgent matter. Yuwen Chu immediately crushed the pill and read it, his brows furrowing slightly. He asked Funing, “Have you seen Kangning recently?”
Funing raised her meticulously groomed eyebrows, “Kangning? Who remembers her? Who knows where she’s off to.”
Yuwen Chu’s frown deepened, “She’s still your sister. Even if her mother and brother have done wrong, she hasn’t harmed anyone. If you don’t want to help her, fine, but why speak so harshly?”
Funing scoffed, “Why lecture me? She’s your sister too. If you really cared, why haven’t you asked before? If I meddle too much, I cause trouble, but for you, it’s just a word.”
Imperial Consort Min immediately reprimanded Funing, “Funing! How can you speak to your brother like that!”
Funing pouted, “Mother, you’re biased! It’s the truth.”
Mingzhu didn’t get involved in their family issues, just watched with a smile. Yuwen Chu said, “Mingzhu, go ask Empress Dowager Xu if she knows anything.”
Sensing the seriousness, Mingzhu stood up immediately, “I’ll go right away. I should pay my respects and check on her.”
Imperial Consort Min said, “I’ll go with you.” The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left together, leaving Funing with Yuwen Chu. Funing tried to escape but was held back by Yuwen Chu and given a stern lecture, “You’re too reckless! You’ll suffer for it one day!”
