Realizing today’s conversation would yield no results, Mingzhu regretted coming. She said coldly, “There’s no turning back. Initially, it was Emperor Shang who forced us; then fate played its part. Stopping now would mean no good ending for His Highness, my children, my father, or my brothers. I came today with a final hope, and now that you’ve answered, I can let it go.”
She rolled up her sleeve, took a small knife, and cut it hard, tearing off half a sleeve and throwing it in front of the Great Empress Dowager: “From now on, you are no longer my aunt. If my second brother dies, I will hold you accountable.”
The Great Empress Dowager looked at the half sleeve on the ground, smiling slightly: “You married and didn’t learn the good things, but you’ve learned all the bad. Shifting the blame, especially, you’ve learned quite well. Clearly, it’s you who refuses to help Ah Zhao, and it’s Old Six who won’t let him go. Yet, you want to blame me. What a grievance I have.”
Mingzhu ignored her and walked out quickly.
“If you blame me, do you want to kill me? When will you come? I’ll be waiting for you…” The Great Empress Dowager’s voice gradually faded. She stared at the sleeve, smiling indifferently: “She never liked reading, yet now she’s learned to sever ties…”
As an onlooker to the entire scene, Sang Shen felt extremely uncomfortable. She racked her brains to find something to say to ease the awkward atmosphere, but as soon as she started, the Great Empress Dowager suddenly coughed up blood, staining the half sleeve red.
“Your Highness!” Sang Shen rushed over, frantically wiping the blood. The Great Empress Dowager’s eyes widened as she tightly grasped Sang Shen’s hand, her expression fierce: “Don’t call anyone. Clean this up quietly; no one must know.”
Sang Shen knelt, crying as she cleaned the blood, choking back sobs: “Your Highness, you can’t go on like this. Please focus on getting better.”
The Great Empress Dowager said nothing. She knew she was dying but not yet. She had to wait.
Mingzhu walked quickly out of Changxin Palace. The cool breeze on the palace path and the sparse stars in the sky made her feel cold all over, unsure where to go. The Great Empress Dowager’s words lingered in her mind, making her feel that her second brother’s situation was somehow her fault. She was saddened that what should have been a happy situation had turned out so differently.
Xia Xue, who hadn’t accompanied Mingzhu inside, didn’t know what the Great Empress Dowager had said. Seeing Mingzhu’s dejected state, she suggested, “Wangfei, since you’re already here, why not go to Lansheng Pavilion to see His Highness?”
Mingzhu was tempted. At that moment, all she wanted was to hide in Yuwen Chu’s arms, share her grievances and sorrow, and hear his comforting words. She immediately acted on this thought. “Let’s go.”
As expected, Lansheng Pavilion was brightly lit. Yuwen Chu was gathered with some people discussing countermeasures. He didn’t yet know about Fu Mingzhao, so the main focus was on the sudden incident with the Wusun and how to handle those involved in Longsheng Great Eldest Princess case—who to win over and who to deal with mercilessly.
Mei Yusi saw Mingzhu and quietly led her to Yuwen Chu’s temporary resting place. “His Highness is busy right now; Wangfei may have to wait.”
Mingzhu understood: “I’ll wait.” Since she couldn’t sleep after returning anyway, she might as well stay and accompany Yuwen Chu a bit longer. Knowing he was nearby would make her feel more at ease.
Unable to stay idle, she and Xia Xue tidied up Yuwen Chu’s bed. When Yuwen Chu entered, he saw her directing others to lay a mat of dragon beard grass. Dragon beard grass mats, produced in the southwest, are bright white like silver, soft like silk, cool, sweat-free, and comfortable. They have been tributes throughout the dynasties. Although the bed already had one, Mingzhu seemed dissatisfied and had it replaced with a new one.
Yuwen Chu laughed: “You really can’t stay idle. Come here. I only have the time for a cup of tea. I came out under the pretext of using the bathroom.”
Mingzhu dismissed the servants, then hugged his waist without a word, burying her head in his chest.
Yuwen Chu gently patted her back, chuckling softly: “What’s wrong? Who bullied you? Could it be the children? If so, I’ll spank them when I get back.”
Mingzhu’s nose tingled, and tears welled up, but instead of finding it funny, she felt even more distressed. She longed to tell him everything about Fu Mingzhao and the Great Empress Dowager’s words, but when she tried to speak, she couldn’t. She didn’t know how to ask Yuwen Chu not to kill her brother. Both her eldest brother and the Great Empress Dowager had asserted he would definitely kill her second brother, as nothing less would satisfy public outrage and command respect among the generals.
This matter had to be handled by herself, with as few people involved as possible.
Mingzhu hugged Yuwen Chu tightly around the waist and whispered, “I just want to tell you that I love you very much, and no matter what, I can’t bear to hurt you.” Therefore, she wouldn’t harm him because of the Great Empress Dowager’s words, not even a slight stab.
Fu Mingzhao had his faults, but he was still her brother. She couldn’t stand by and watch him die. Yuwen Chu, in upholding the law, was not wrong either; it was just the way things were. To ensure her fate wasn’t controlled by others, she had to solve this problem herself. No one could make her live the rest of her life in discomfort.
“I understand,” Yuwen Chu said softly, feeling the faint fragrance emanating from Mingzhu, which made him feel tender and soft. “I don’t want you to be sad either.”
Mingzhu quietly wiped away her tears, hugged him tightly once more, and then pushed him away. “Go now, or Geng Shangshu and the others will think you fell into the toilet.”
“How rude!” Yuwen Chu pinched her cheek, pretending not to see the remaining tears in her eyes, and smiled, “I’ll be off then. If you miss me, stay here tonight. I’ll come to you after I’m done.”
Mingzhu was tempted, but considering the gossipy censors who had nothing better to do, she shook her head. “No, I’ll go back. I worry about the children at home.”
Yuwen Chu then let her leave. “If you’re going back, don’t delay. Go quickly, I’ll watch you leave.” After Mingzhu left, his expression turned serious. He instructed Mei Yusi, “I want to know what happened just now.”
