Fu Mingda gracefully saluted Empress Dowager Xu, then left the hall and ascended Jiuzhou Terrace. Dusk was falling, the night acting as the best cover, and the capital was truly in chaos. There were over twenty fires, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
Mei Yusi sighed, “Officials have guards and private troops; most of the unlucky ones are probably common people.”
Fu Mingda smiled slightly, “Not necessarily.”
Mei Yusi, knowing less than Fu Mingda, curiously asked, “Are these all officials’ homes?”
Fu Mingda shook his head, “No, among them are indeed innocent civilians, especially wealthy households, because they need money and have bigger plans.” He pointed out, “That family is next to the Regent’s mansion. If they want to attack the Regent’s mansion, the weakest point is there, so that family won’t sleep tonight. And that family is behind ours. Someone threw torches into Prime Minister Fu’s mansion, so collateral damage is inevitable. And there, and there…”
Mei Yusi frowned, “This is excessive. Why not burn the homes of the wrongdoers? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Fu Mingda replied, “Because the time is not right yet.”
As one of the fires started to die down, Fu Mingda explained to Mei Yusi, “An Zhengping is currently busy with his Divine Guards, putting out fires and rescuing people.”
Mei Yusi then understood Yuwen Chu’s strategy. While others were committing arson and murder, he was rescuing people and extinguishing fires. When the perpetrators had done enough evil, it would be time to settle accounts with them.
The “bang, bang, bang” of the battering on the gate grew louder. Mei Yusi frowned, “We can’t let this continue. If we don’t act soon, they’ll break through the palace gates and storm in.” Even though there were some arrangements in place, if Fu Mingcheng managed to capture the Great Empress Dowager and the young emperor, he could use them to issue orders, accusing Yuwen Chu of conspiracy and mobilizing everyone against him, which would be a huge problem.
Fu Mingda stopped him, “Be patient. Someone will deal with him.”
Mei Yusi was perplexed but trusted Fu Mingda as the heir and leader entrusted by Yuwen Chu. So, he waited patiently.
In Chongzheng Hall, Empress Dowager Xu and Yuwen Guang sat in silence. Suddenly, the Empress Dowager stood up, looked around, and whispered, “Your Majesty, you cannot trust anyone.”
Yuwen Guang nodded, “I know. But, Mother, what can I do?”
The Empress Dowager was at a loss, holding her face in despair. What could they do? She asked Yuwen Guang softly, “If the Regent really dies, what will happen to us?”
Yuwen Guang shook his head, “I don’t know.”
The Great Empress Dowager lamented, “Is there no loyal minister left in the whole world?”
Yuwen Guang replied quietly, “There are loyal ministers, but none can stand against the Northern Army and the Xiongnu. The best outcome is to live a few more years; the worst is to die a few years early.”
“Late Emperor…” the Great Empress Dowager was heartbroken and began to blame Yuwen Guang, “You shouldn’t have offended the Great Empress Dowager so early on…”
Yuwen Guang stopped her, “No point in saying that now. I don’t think Sixth Uncle is in trouble. Mother, don’t overthink. Go rest. Even if Fu Mingcheng breaks in, he is still my father-in-law and won’t do much to us for now.” He added softly, “Doing nothing and waiting quietly isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”
At that moment, the banging on the door suddenly stopped, meaning either the door was breached or someone had intervened. The Great Empress Dowager nervously instructed a servant, “Go see what’s happening.”
Mei Yusi walked in quickly and smiled, “Great Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, don’t worry. Fu Wang has stopped Fu Guozhang.”
Fu Wang, Yuwen Yuan, bravely stepped up, declaring his neutrality and offering to enter the palace alone to meet the Great Empress Dowager and the Emperor, asking Fu Mingcheng to cease his actions to avoid frightening the nobles in the palace, especially the young emperor.
This was perhaps the most assertive Yuwen Yuan had ever been. Supported by the royal clan and as the only uncle of Yuwen Guang left in the capital, Fu Mingcheng, claiming concern for the safety of the two palaces, had to compromise and allow Yuwen Yuan to enter the palace to assess the situation.
Mei Yusi asked Yuwen Guang, “Does Your Majesty agree to let Fu Wang enter the palace?”
Yuwen Guang had made up his mind, “Let Second Uncle and Fu Guozhang come in together.”
Mei Yusi was skeptical. While Fu Wang might dare to enter, Fu Mingcheng might not be as bold. However, since the emperor had given the order, he had to comply.
The Empress Dowager decided to face the two schemers alongside Yuwen Guang but first needed to tidy up her appearance.
Yuwen Nuo, sleeping in the back hall with his wet nurse, was restless due to the noise. Hearing that the Empress Dowager was coming, he quickly got up, greeted her with a smile, and tugged on her skirt for candy. When they were imprisoned in the North Garden by Empress Dowager Min, the Empress Dowager and Consort Jing often did needlework together and shared heartfelt conversations until rumors spread about the Great Empress Dowager considering replacing Yuwen Guang with Yuwen Nuo.
The Empress Dowager looked at the innocent Yuwen Nuo with complex emotions. She didn’t know the Great Empress Dowager was dying. She only knew that if Yuwen Chu really died, the Great Empress Dowager would regain power and might replace Yuwen Guang with the more obedient and unoffending Yuwen Nuo. If Fu Wang ascended, would he prefer the older, more intelligent Yuwen Guang or the younger, easier-to-control Yuwen Nuo?
Even if someone wanted to use the emperor as a puppet, there needed to be an emperor. With only Yuwen Guang, there were no alternatives.
The Empress Dowager’s hands trembled uncontrollably. She stared at Yuwen Nuo, trying to make a decision but couldn’t do it. She remembered holding and coaxing him before. She couldn’t bring herself to harm him.
Yuwen Nuo sensed something and slowly released her skirt, whispering, “Empress Dowager, do you no longer like me? I always listen to you and my brother. I won’t ask for candy anymore.”
“Of course, I like you,” the Great Empress Dowager took a deep breath and stumbled out. She couldn’t do it.
The wet nurse, who served the Great Empress Dowager, dared to approach now. Yuwen Nuo whispered to her, “Go, go, go, immediately leave here to find my mother.”
