The Great Empress Dowager asked Sang Shen, “Where has the Emperor gone?”
Sang Shen replied, “He has gone to see Lady Ji Hui.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled cryptically and asked, “Has Ah Shang arrived?”
Sang Shen responded, “His Majesty has summoned Mu Gugu, and she should be here soon. Do you have any other instructions?”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “My final wish is to see the Regent Wangfei when she returns to the capital.”
What if the Regent Wangfei refused to see her? Sang Shen, observing the Great Empress Dowager’s condition, kept this thought to herself and instead said, “Yes, I will inform His Majesty immediately.”
The Great Empress Dowager said meaningfully, “No need to rush. The Regent Wangfei won’t return for some time. Inform His Majesty when he’s free. For now, don’t disturb him.”
At that moment, in a civilian house outside the Jishan military camp, Mingzhu was feeding Millet and Jiajia. Nearby, Little Stone and Zhuangzhuang were fighting over a piece of meat. Fearful of Mingzhu’s presence, they didn’t dare make a big scene, only engaging in small scuffles. Both stubborn, they endured the pain and grievances without crying, instead continuing to fight over the meat.
Little Stone’s nursemaid, worried Mingzhu might dislike him for this, awkwardly said to Su Lan, “I don’t understand. They’ve never lacked meat before. Why fight over this one piece?”
Su Lan smiled and said, “Children always think others’ things are better. Let them resolve it themselves. Since Wangfei hasn’t spoken, you can relax.”
The nursemaid, seeing Mingzhu happily playing with Jiajia and Millet without showing any displeasure, felt reassured.
Jiajia and Millet finished their meals, but Zhuangzhuang and Little Stone hadn’t settled their dispute. Mingzhu finally spoke, “If you don’t finish your meal within the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, you won’t get any food.”
Zhuangzhuang and Little Stone didn’t believe her and continued fighting over the meat.
Mingzhu didn’t intervene. When the time was up, she had all the food removed, leaving only the contested piece of meat. She smiled and said, “Alright, this meat must be very good. It should be enough for both of you. Keep fighting.”
Zhuangzhuang was the first to react, realizing that a piece of meat wasn’t worth a whole meal. However, if he didn’t continue fighting, he wouldn’t even get the meat. He threw caution to the wind and lunged at Little Stone, snatching the meat and stuffing it into his mouth.
Little Stone, furious, bit him. Zhuangzhuang cried out in pain. Mingzhu easily retrieved the meat from his mouth and tossed it to Iron Hammer, who swallowed it in one gulp.
Both children cried loudly. Zhuangzhuang, tears in his eyes, pleaded with Mingzhu, “I want to eat! I want to eat!”
Little Stone also cried, “I’m hungry. I’m hungry. Aunt, I want to eat!”
Mingzhu smiled, wiped her hands, and casually instructed, “No one is to give them any food. Anyone who disobeys will also go hungry.” She then took Millet and Jiajia for a walk in the yard, ignoring the two troublemakers.
The house, owned by a wealthy local, was a temporary refuge for the children. Though not as grand as those in the capital, it was clean and well-maintained. The family’s young son had a litter of playful kittens climbing everywhere. Mingzhu sat with the two girls in the shade, watching the kittens and chatting with them.
Zhuangzhuang and Little Stone, led by Su Lan, came to apologize. Mingzhu smiled and asked, “What did you do wrong?”
The children couldn’t answer. Mingzhu said, “You two are brothers. Was losing a meal over a piece of meat worth it? You could have eaten many pieces of meat in the time you spent fighting. Understand?” She kept her explanation simple, knowing they wouldn’t grasp a deeper lesson.
The children nodded, somewhat understanding, and looked at her hopefully, “We want to eat.”
Mingzhu shook her head, “I mean what I say. Wait for dinner.”
Zhuangzhuang couldn’t hold back his tears, and Little Stone cried loudly, “No, Aunt, no, Aunt.”
Suddenly, Yuwen Chu’s voice came from behind, “What’s all this commotion?”
Zhuangzhuang found his support and immediately clung to Yuwen Chu’s leg, crying without daring to complain about Mingzhu. When asked what was wrong, he whispered, “Hungry.”
Little Stone, more fearful of Yuwen Chu, clung to Mingzhu’s clothes, shouting, “Aunt, I want to eat. I want to eat.”
Mingzhu smiled firmly and said, “There is nothing.”
Millet and Jiajia repeated after her, “There is nothing, there is nothing.”
Little Stone was distraught and also went to plead with Yuwen Chu. After hearing the story, Yuwen Chu frowned, “Fighting over a piece of meat for so long is one thing, but losing a meal over it is deserved punishment. You should either settle it quickly or share it; any method is better than acting foolishly. They were punished rightly!”
Another round of crying ensued.
Mingzhu stifled her laughter and signaled for the nursemaid to take the children away. She then turned to Yuwen Chu and asked, “Have you eaten? Are you preparing to go back?”
“I have eaten,” Yuwen Chu replied. “The situation in the capital is almost stabilized. It’s time to return and secure it; any further delay could lead to changes.”
“Today is much better than yesterday.” Mingzhu looked up at the scars on his face and then took his arm. “Should we take the children with us?”
“Yes, wherever we go, we should be together as a family.” Yuwen Chu briefly explained the situation in the capital to Mingzhu. “Once we return, the Great Empress Dowager will surely summon you. No matter what, do not meet her alone. I will go with you.”
Mingzhu felt nothing about Fu Mingcheng’s death, thinking it was inevitable retribution. However, she felt bad about Yuwen Nuo, an innocent child. She regretted not acting sooner: “If I had known, I shouldn’t have listened to Mei Yusi back then; I should have had someone watch over him.”
Yuwen Chu responded calmly, “If you had forcibly taken him then, the Emperor would have grown suspicious. It’s not your fault.” He paused and asked softly, “Everyone suspects I did it. What do you think?”
Mingzhu shook her head, “It wasn’t you. If you wanted him dead, you would have had many ways to make it look natural. After all, it’s not uncommon for young children to die of illness.”
“I’m glad you trust me,” Yuwen Chu’s eyes glimmered. “If I’m not mistaken, it was the Great Empress Dowager who took him.”
