Mingzhu chose a quiet, charming courtyard near His Highness’s residence for Ji Hui, thinking it would be convenient for her to seek help if needed. To her surprise, Ji Hui declined, explaining she had her own property in the capital.
Ji Hui said, “When I first came to the capital, my father was worried and had someone escort me and set up a property. I can move in right away.”
Mingzhu didn’t press further, only asking, “Please inform someone of your address, so we can find you if necessary.”
Ji Hui smiled, “Once I’m settled, the first thing I’ll do is inform Wangfei. If you have time, please come visit to deter any troublemakers.”
Mingzhu smiled back, “I’ll come to congratulate you on your new home.”
A palace servant hesitated nearby, wringing their sleeves. Ji Hui asked gently, “What is it?” Though her tone was kind, the servant was respectful and reported, “His Majesty is visiting the Great Empress Dowager.”
Next would be tea and conversation, as both Mingzhu and Ji Hui knew well. Mingzhu excused herself, “I need to see the Great Empress Dowager too. Goodbye for now.”
Ji Hui escorted her to the door and then returned to prepare. Mingzhu was aware that the young emperor visiting Ji Hui might feel awkward if he ran into her, so she deliberately took another path.
However, midway, she encountered Yuwen Guang, who was also trying to avoid running into her. Both were slightly embarrassed. Mingzhu greeted Yuwen Guang, who returned her greeting warmly, and they went their separate ways.
Yuwen Guang saw a trunk by Ji Hui’s desk and understood she was leaving. The trunk was a subtle message. He wanted to ask her to stay, despite the age difference, feeling it didn’t matter if they both didn’t mind.
He said, “I remember you mentioned the palace’s winter snow is beautiful. It’s autumn now, and soon it will snow. When it does, I’d like to invite you for grilled venison.”
Ji Hui hesitated briefly and then replied with difficulty, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but I must decline. My mother is gravely ill, and my father has summoned me home to fulfill my filial duties.”
Yuwen Guang said no more. Though young, he wasn’t naive. He understood she was refusing him and didn’t want to stay by his side. Previously, he hadn’t heard of her plan to return to the north. Yuwen Chu likely considered it a minor issue or simply forgot to mention it. Ji Hui had never brought it up either, which was unusual.
She was well aware of his affection for her but was unwilling, even afraid, he will have her stay because of it, so he ended up being the last to know. It was embarrassing and painful.
Seeing Yuwen Guang remain silent, Ji Hui knelt before him without hesitation, saying, “I hope Your Majesty will grant your consent.”
Yuwen Guang lifted his head to look out the window, calmly saying, “If I must keep you, it might not be impossible. Sixth Uncle will surely give me that face. But forget it, you should not have been dragged down by someone like me, confined within high walls for a lifetime.”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” Ji Hui said with a sense of shame but no regret.
Yuwen Guang, disinterested, rose and walked away. “There’s nothing to apologize for. People climb higher, water flows lower. It’s human nature. I wish you all the best. I’m just…” He carefully chose his words: “Just treating Ji Sister as a learned teacher.”
Ji Hui wanted to call out to him but kept silent. Yuwen Guang walked further and further away until he was no longer visible. Ji Hui turned back, calmly instructing Wet Nurse Xiao, “Continue packing up, the sooner the better.”
Fu Zifei stayed in the courtyard, boiling medicine for the Great Empress Dowager. Normally, this task would be delegated, but she feared someone might tamper with it and send the Great Empress Dowager away, leaving her without the last barrier. Therefore, she kept a tight grip on this task, even Sang Shen and Mu Gugu could not be trusted.
Seeing Mingzhu approaching, she instinctively shrank back, turned around, and faced away from her. She thought Mingzhu would come over to kick her and humiliate her, but to her surprise, Mingzhu walked past her without even a glance and headed straight for Mu Gugu.
This made Fu Zifei very frustrated. It was annoying to be pursued and attacked, but to be despised and ignored was even more damaging to her pride. It meant the other party didn’t even consider her an equal opponent and had completely kicked her out, even denying her the qualification to retaliate. She fiercely fanned the fire, tears streaming down her face. Why should she be so unlucky?
Mingzhu stood by the bed, watching the Great Empress Dowager unconscious. The Great Empress Dowager had exhausted her last bit of energy and was basically waiting for that moment to arrive. Jiang Zhouzi said that the thing growing in her head was actually very painful, but she refused to take the full dose of medicine, which meant she was actually fighting against pain every moment, painful and uncomfortable, inevitably temperamental, violent, biased, and extreme. Of course, her methods were also more sinister.
Mingzhu strongly disapproved and resented the tactics the Great Empress Dowager had used in the latter stages, but she admired the Great Empress Dowager’s forbearance. This patience was very similar to Fu Cong’s. She remembered her great uncle who would rather return to his hometown to retire than yield to his siblings, gambling for decades, and felt that the three of them were really worthy of being siblings.
Mu Gugu brought Mingzhu her favorite green phoenix marrow. Mingzhu, as usual, inquired about the Great Empress Dowager’s daily life and condition, whether there were any problems to be solved, and so on.
“Everything is here, Your Highness, no need to worry,” Mu Gugu said calmly. Yuwen Chu did not withhold the Great Empress Dowager’s expenses, nor did he send anyone here to disturb her. On the contrary, Changxin Palace was well-provided for, with everything being the best. He was very good at keeping accounts. He wouldn’t do such petty things that would invite criticism and resentment.
Mingzhu didn’t drink tea and left.
Mu Gugu saw the Great Empress Dowager’s hand resting on the outside of the blanket and carefully tucked it in. Suddenly, she saw the Great Empress Dowager open her eyes and stare blankly at Mingzhu’s back. Mu Gugu sighed softly, asking in a low voice, “Shall I call the Wangfei to stay with you for a while longer, Your Majesty?”
The Great Empress Dowager barely audible, shook her head. Mu Gugu leaned over to hear her lips, and tears came to her eyes. “Why, Your Majesty?”
The Great Empress Dowager had no strength to shake her head, and tiredly closed her eyes again.
