Ji Hui composed herself. “Let’s go back first.”
Wet Nurse Xiao helped her inside and whispered, “Thanks to Steward Mei’s help, we were able to deliver the message to Ji Feng. When Ji Feng received the letter, he immediately contacted the Master and he wrote a letter to His Highness, saying that His Highness and Wangfei have a deep affection, and he doesn’t want to trouble His Highness. He earnestly requests His Highness to send the girl back to the North, and he is willing to lead his men to follow His Highness, to quell the chaos and fight to the end. His Highness, upon receiving Master’s letter, will probably agree to take miss away.”
Ji Hui’s eyes were warm with excitement. “I knew Dad wouldn’t abandon me.”
Wet Nurse Xiao happily said, “Yes, yes, Master loves the miss the most.”
Ji Hui personally opened the box and handed a scroll to Wet Nurse Xiao. “Take this scroll to Steward Mei when you have a chance. Thank him for his cooperation and ask him to keep it secret. Don’t tell the Emperor until everything is settled.”
Wet Nurse Xiao took the scroll solemnly and quietly passed on the news she had heard, “Just now, I overheard the palace servants saying that the Second Brother of the Regent Wangfei, General Fu Mingzhao, has encountered a major incident, causing a rift between the Regent Wangfei and the Regent. It seems that she blames the Regent for not saving him, saying he’s cold-hearted.”
Ji Hui replied calmly, “We’re leaving. Don’t bother with these trivial matters.”
Wet Nurse Xiao cautiously said, “Oh.” Thinking about the Regent, who was about the same age as her mistress, she couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful. “With the appearance and talent of the mistress, I wonder what kind of person she will end up with.”
Ji Hui smiled faintly. “All people are the same to me. As long as they treat me and my father well.” She didn’t want to discuss this matter any further and urged Wet Nurse Xiao to leave. “I heard the Emperor say that the Regent will be leaving the capital to train troops today and won’t take Mei Yusi with him. It’s probably the idlest time for Mei Yusi right now, just after seeing off the Regent. The palace is most relaxed at this moment. Hurry and deliver this to him.”
Wet Nurse Xiao hurriedly took the scroll and left. Everything was going smoothly until they were almost at the Lansheng Pavilion. Suddenly, several palace servants walked out briskly and stopped her. Fu Zifei, draped in a red and gold embroidered imperial gown, walked over, towering over her, and smiled down at her. “Where are you going in such a hurry, Xiao Momo?”
Wet Nurse Xiao instinctively hid the scroll behind her, but a palace servant rudely grabbed her arm and forcefully snatched the scroll from her hands, presenting it to Fu Zifei.
Fu Zifei opened the scroll and looked at it, then smiled. “So it’s Master Gou Ye’s masterpiece. I’ve always wanted this painting since childhood. Father searched for it everywhere but couldn’t find it. I didn’t expect it to be in Miss Ji’s hands.”
Wet Nurse Xiao was nervous. She had a feeling that the mission might not be completed, and this precious painting might be taken away by Fu Zifei.
After admiring the painting, Fu Zifei asked, “Xiao Momo, where are you hurrying off to with such a precious painting?”
Leaving the capital was such a significant matter that Nanny Xiao certainly didn’t want to casually tell Fu Zifei. What if she caused trouble and prevented them from leaving? She didn’t dare say it was for Mei Yuxi, knowing that the person Fu Zifei feared most was the Regent Wangfei. So, thinking quickly, she said, “It’s for the Regent Wangfei.”
Fu Zifei’s smile turned peculiar. “I haven’t heard that the Regent Wangfei and Miss Ji are close.”
Since the lie had started, it had to be supported by another. Xiao Momo lowered her eyes and softly said, “That’s because the Regent Wangfei and our young lady usually don’t like to talk about it, but they are actually very close in private.”
“Oh…” Fu Zifei drew out her response, smiling as she handed the scroll back to Xiao Momo. “Since it’s for Aunt, we mustn’t delay. You should hurry along.”
Xiao Momo breathed a sigh of relief, bowed to Fu Zifei, and hurried away.
Just as Ji Hui predicted, Mei Yusi had just seen off Yuwen Chu and was at his most idle. Seeing Xiao Momo rushing in, he didn’t ask many questions, only saying, “His Highness has received your master’s letter. Though he hasn’t responded, I think there won’t be any issues. Prepare with peace of mind, and you’ll be informed when the time comes.”
Xiao Momo was overjoyed. “Thank you, Chief Steward. This is a token of gratitude from our young lady.”
Mei Yusi nonchalantly opened it, and for the first time, his perpetually cold face showed a trace of surprise. Before entering the palace, he had been an official with scholarly accomplishments, and he had a lifelong passion for the works of Mr. Gou Ye. After entering the palace, he had given up all other aspirations, which only intensified his love for those works. He had never mentioned this secret to anyone, yet the extraordinarily intelligent Ji Hui had somehow found out.
After some consideration, he decided to accept the painting. After all, he hadn’t done anything to wrong Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu. He was merely fulfilling the wish of a lonely girl wanting to return home. Besides, Ji Hui leaving voluntarily also removed a significant threat for Mingzhu. No one would want a talented and beautiful woman constantly eyeing their husband.
Seeing that he accepted the gift, Xiao Momo felt greatly relieved, like a weight had been lifted from her heart. She thanked him profusely before leaving.
When Xiao Momo returned, Ji Hui asked, “How did it go?”
Xiao Momo, feeling triumphant, replied, “It’s done. On the way, we ran into the Empress. I made up some excuses, and she didn’t inquire further.”
Ji Hui didn’t think much of it and continued flipping through the almanac, softly saying, “In my opinion, the army is likely to set out in winter, so prepare more winter clothes. But it’s not certain, so have Ji Feng and the others ready to leave at any moment.”
At the Fu residence, Fu Mingzheng, weary from a long journey, had a lengthy two-hour conversation with Mingzhu. He described his observations and the dire situation in Tongzhou, recounting his half-day and night spent with Fu Mingzhao. He detailed every word and expression of Fu Mingzhao.
“My name is Fu. I have a good father who, despite being vilified, still worries for the people and the country, a kind and loving mother, a promising elder brother and younger brother, a sister blessed with fortune and status, and a loyal and virtuous wife with respectful and intelligent children. How can I die a coward’s death in the vegetable market, covered in rotten vegetables, eggs, and spit? How can the eldest granddaughter-in-law of Qi Wang’s household have such a father? I don’t fear death, but I fear bringing shame to my parents, family, and children. So I won’t go back. I want to die here, on the battlefield. Go back and tell them you never saw me.”
This was Fu Mingzhao’s final message, resolute and firm, embodying the blood and dignity of a man and a soldier. Mingzhu covered her eyes with her hands, choking back sobs. Fu Mingzheng’s eyes were also red. He didn’t try to console Mingzhu but waited for her to calm down. “I originally wanted to take him away by force, but I changed my mind because I knew that even if he survived, he would never be happy in this life.”
