The Great Empress Dowager let out a mournful cry, clawing at her clothes in silent agony. Even though Fu Cong was right there, she grabbed Sang Shen’s hand, repeatedly saying, “Hurry, hurry, hurry…”
She wanted to say, “Contact those carrying out the task immediately and bring Yuwen Nuo back to the palace,” but Sang Shen shook her head and whispered, “It’s too late, Your Majesty. There’s no word from them.”
The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes, “Tell the Emperor I surrender. Have him send people to search the city for His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng.”
Telling Yuwen Guang meant telling Yuwen Chu, but she refused to admit defeat openly, even if it meant dying right away.
Sang Shen ran out and saw Mu Gugu speaking quietly with Jiang Youyuan. A bad feeling arose in her, and she hesitated to go forward. Jiang Youyuan saw her, waved, and said with tears in his eyes, “His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng was found in the well at Xicui Palace.”
Sang Shen’s lips trembled, unable to speak. Jiang Youyuan sighed, “Should we tell the Great Empress Dowager? I’ll report back to the Emperor. He is deeply saddened.”
Mu Gugu resolutely grabbed Sang Shen, “We can’t tell the Great Empress Dowager; it will kill her.”
Sang Shen trembled, “What should we say then?”
“Just say there’s no news,” Mingzhu said, appearing behind them. She walked past them calmly and waited quietly outside the hall for Fu Cong. Some might call her hypocritical, some might call her soft-hearted and boring, but she felt that the wall that once sheltered her from storms shouldn’t be abandoned in its collapse.
Sang Shen quietly asked Mu Gugu, “What does she mean?”
Mu Gugu shook her head, “She means no harm, just doesn’t want to kick someone when they’re down. Follow her instructions. Say the Emperor and the Regent are searching. Later, say news came from the north that His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng is with His Highness Zhongshan Wang.”
Sang Shen wept, “That’s our only option.”
Inside the hall, Fu Cong bid the Great Empress Dowager farewell, “I’m here to say farewell. We may not meet again. We’ll see each other in the afterlife. Do you have any last wishes? If I can fulfill them, I will, for the sake of our sibling bond.”
The Great Empress Dowager coldly said, “I do not wish to be buried with the late Emperor.”
“I’ve noted it.” Fu Cong understood. Emperor Wen had caused the Great Empress Dowager much suffering; her unwillingness to be buried with him was natural.
“Go now.” The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes.
Fu Cong clapped, signaling the servants to carry him out. Mingzhu entered, bowed silently to the Great Empress Dowager, then directed the servants to handle Fu Cong gently. The Great Empress Dowager didn’t look at her, only saying, “Congratulations, you won the bet.”
Mingzhu thought for a moment, realizing she had nothing more to say, and softly replied, “Thank you.”
The father and daughter smoothly exited the palace. Someone approached Fu Cong to report on the latest political developments: “The censors have submitted petitions demanding a thorough investigation into Fu Mingcheng’s treasonous assault on the palace. Others are calling for an inquiry into the fires and robberies in the capital. The Emperor has agreed and appointed Qi Wang to oversee the matter.”
Fu Cong nodded, “I understand.” The traditionalists would lose their final chance. Once the capital’s situation stabilized, it would be time for Yuwen Chu to march to war.
The initially gloomy mood of the father and daughter lightened a bit. Fu Cong even joked with Mingzhu, “Winter is approaching. Do you want to mobilize the women of the capital to make a batch of cotton clothes?”
Mingzhu took it to heart, “It’s better than doing nothing. I’ll go ahead.”
Fu Cong struggled to raise his hand to pat her on the back of her head, “Weren’t you very resentful of your aunt? Why didn’t you tell her about His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng? She intended harm but ended up harming herself. If she knew the truth, she would die instantly.”
Mingzhu lowered her eyes, “She has already harmed herself. I don’t want to be like her.” She added softly, “Other matters aside, His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng’s situation makes me feel terrible. Let it go.”
Fu Cong sighed, “Good girl.”
Feeling a lump in her throat, Mingzhu leaned against Fu Cong and refused to get up. She knew why Fu Cong had to go to the palace to see the Great Empress Dowager—they had little time left together. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to stay by her father’s side, just like when she was a child.
Fu Cong didn’t push her away. He patted her back slowly and sighed, “You never grow up.”
Three days later, the turmoil in the capital was quelled. Yuwen Chu resolved the matter swiftly and efficiently, maintaining the same policy as before: punishing the main culprits and pardoning the accomplices. Those who had participated in the rioting and looting were dealt with according to the law, with compensation provided for significant losses.
The soldiers recorded for their misconduct were given an alternative: join the upcoming military expedition. If they distinguished themselves in battle, their past transgressions would be forgiven. Repeat offenses would be met with severe punishment. Their families were also monitored closely to maintain stability on the home front.
Fu Mingcheng was charged with treason and stripped of his rank and titles. Some officials demanded the empress be deposed, arguing Fu Zifei was unworthy of her position. Yuwen Chu handed the memorials to Yuwen Guang, who decreed two days later to depose the empress, demoting her to Concubine Jin and relocating her to Changxin Palace to attend to the Great Empress Dowager.
The death of His Highness County Prince Xiangcheng didn’t cause much of a stir. A group of palace servants was purged, some executed and others expelled. His Highness was posthumously elevated to the rank of a Wang, and his funeral was conducted according to royal rites. The Great Empress Dowager, upon hearing the news, fasted for a day and then fell into a coma. Yuwen Guang ordered Jiang Zhouzi to continue treating her and often visited her at Changxin Palace, where he would also spend time with Ji Hui, drinking tea and conversing.
With everything settled, life returned to normal. The city buzzed with talk of the upcoming military campaign and the recent victories of the Xiongnu and His Highness Zhongshan Wang. Mingzhu, finding Yuwen Chu with some free time, mentioned Ji Hui’s situation. Yuwen Chu agreed without hesitation, “The palace has been busy lately. If she wants to leave, let her go. Find her a suitable place to live.”
