After breakfast, Mingzhu planned to visit An Xiaogu, but someone came from the palace. It was Ah Mei, a maid from Empress Dowager Xu’s side, sent to report on Princess Kangning.
Princess Kangning was not doing well, and Ah Mei did not dare to hide it: “The Princess has been ill for a long time, eating only a little porridge daily and losing a lot of weight. The servants said she hasn’t spoken a word in three days. When she saw the items bestowed by Niang Niang, she asked me if she was now of use. I replied that Niang Niang mentioned her during a casual chat, and Niang Niang felt sympathy. The Princess said she was glad to still be of some use and not to spend her life confined within the palace walls.”
Mingzhu was silent.
There were no fools in the palace. The victors wrote history, and though Princess Kangning had lived miserably without anyone’s concern, she now suddenly received much care. It wasn’t because those in power had suddenly grown compassionate. Kangning, although not as favored as Funing, had lived far more comfortably than Changhua. She wasn’t overbearing, but she was shrewd, often stirring trouble and avoiding losses. Her biggest crime was being the daughter of the restless Consort Xiao and Yuwen Long.
Mingzhu and Kangning had never been close. Furthermore, both she and Yuwen Chu detested Consort Xiao and Yuwen Long. So after the palace coup, apart from preventing the palace staff from excessively humiliating Consort Xiao, they did not involve themselves in Kangning’s affairs.
Now that Yuwen Xue was dead and the Wusun incident had occurred, it was understandable why Yuwen Chu suddenly inquired about Kangning. Mingzhu believed that Yuwen Chu intended to push Kangning forward. She remembered Yuwen Chu once ambitiously telling her that if given the chance, he would never let a daughter of the Yuwen family marry off to a foreign land; daughters shouldn’t bear such burdens.
But now was an extraordinary time. During such chaotic times, the court couldn’t simultaneously wage war against Wusun, the Xiongnu, and Zhongshan Wang. The new ships and firearms were not yet ready, and the court needed to buy some breathing room. No one could question Yuwen Chu’s decision—not even another person in his position would do differently.
“Kangning is sensible. This is good for her and for others.” Mingzhu asked Ah Mei to convey to Empress Dowager Xu: “Please ask the Empress Dowager to take good care of her and help her recover as soon as possible.” Although Yuwen Chu might not ultimately make Kangning take this path, it was best to prepare early.
After Ah Mei left, Mingzhu hurried to Marquis Runan’s residence. An Xiaogu was playing with her eldest son, Fengde, and upon seeing Mingzhu, she chided her, “Why didn’t you bring your two children? Fengde has been asking about them so many times!”
Mingzhu quickly picked up Fengde and apologized with a smile, “Next time. I’ll invite you all to the estate so the children can play together.”
An Xiaogu sighed, “Alright, you’re busy. I won’t hold you up. What’s the matter?”
Mingzhu handed Fengde to his nurse, pulled An Xiaogu inside, and whispered, “I need your help. Please ensure this letter reaches my fourth brother as quickly as possible, and this one to Shen Ruilin.”
An Xiaogu dismissed it lightly, “Is that all? I’ve always done that for you. Don’t worry, it’ll be done without fail.”
Mingzhu, however, was serious. “This time is different. These letters must be delivered without any mishap, or people might die.”
Seeing Mingzhu’s solemn expression, An Xiaogu stopped smiling, took the letters earnestly, and said, “Sit tight. I’ll arrange for their delivery immediately.”
Mingzhu stayed in An Xiaogu’s house, drinking tea and repeatedly thinking through her plan. She confirmed that this was the best she could do. It wasn’t foolproof, but as long as luck wasn’t too bad, it shouldn’t cause too much trouble.
An Xiaogu soon returned, “The letters are sent. As always, once we get news, I’ll bring it to you immediately.” She tried to comfort Mingzhu, “You look worried and unwell. Is there something else troubling you? Can I help?”
Mingzhu was deeply grateful, holding her hand and shaking her head, “Don’t ask anything, I’m fine. You’re already helping me now, that’s enough.”
An Xiaogu sighed, “If you think this is best, then so be it. But remember, no matter what you encounter, I’ll always stand by your side.”
Mingzhu smiled mischievously, “What if what I did was against the rules or even illegal?”
An Xiaogu disdainfully replied, “What rules and laws have to do with me! All I know is you’re Mingzhu, my sister Mingzhu.”
Mingzhu felt warm in her heart, grabbing her hand and swinging it, “Well, actually when my mother gave birth to me, she had an elder sister too, but she gave my older sister to Madam An as Zhaodi.”
Madam An had a difficult pregnancy in her early years of marriage, and it was only after several years that An Xiaogu was born. Both she and Yue Guo Gong were extremely delighted, but the old Madam was not satisfied. She gave An Xiaogu a nickname, “Zhaodi,” meaning to attract a bunch of younger brothers. An Xiaogu did indeed live up to the old Madam’s expectations and brought along a string of younger brothers. However, both Madam An and An Xiaogu privately disliked this nickname, considering it uncultured and uncouth. After the old Madam passed away, they forbade anyone from calling An Xiaogu by that name.
Not many people knew about An Xiaogu’s nickname, Mingzhu being one of them. By bringing it up now, aside from showing closeness, it was also teasing. An Xiaogu herself had almost forgotten about this name. After a moment of confusion and then realizing, she wouldn’t let Mingzhu off easily and chased after her to beat her.
Mingzhu quickly called for Hua Momo, “Momo, someone’s misbehaving again, running and jumping around while pregnant!”
Hua Momo, who was originally enjoying the dessert Mingzhu brought, heard this and rushed out, tears streaming down her face, “Madam, I’m sorry…”
“Alright, alright, I won’t make a fuss.” An Xiaogu sat back somewhat sullenly, glaring at Mingzhu, “Fu Mingzhu, look at you, so smug!”
Mingzhu’s gloomy mood improved a lot, “Look at your big belly, staying indoors all day, isn’t it boring? Tomorrow, it’s my treat. I’ll specially invite you and Huayang Wangfei to our house for a visit, and let’s invite Fourth Sister-in-law too, bring the children along, and have a gathering.”
An Xiaogu said, “Three big bellies, and you’re enjoying yourself alone?”
Mingzhu laughed, “Huayang Wangfei is about to give birth. She’s eager to have some fun before her confinement. I have to fulfill her wish.”
Suddenly, someone came in to report, “Huayang Wangfei has gone into labor, but it’s difficult. Huayang Wang is training troops outside the city and can’t come back for a while. The midwife by her side has come to find Wangfei, asking her to help.”
