A few days later, Mingzhu successfully hosted a banquet at the Regent’s residence. At this banquet, every lady present contributed either money or effort, joining in to make winter clothes. Halfway through the event, the Wusun Princess arrived. Although she still appeared fatigued, she tried her best to look cheerful. Mingzhu and Qi Wangfei warmly welcomed her without special treatment.
The Wusun Princess also took on some of the winter clothing tasks. Mingzhu knew that the Wusun Princess was short on money and wanted to ask more about it, but Qi Wangfei held her back, signaling her not to interfere. The Wusun Princess came to maintain her dignity; though Mingzhu meant well, it might be perceived as patronizing. Mingzhu lowered her eyes, realizing she had much to learn from experienced women like Qi Wangfei.
Afterward, Qi Wangfei had someone keep an eye on the movements at Linan Wang’s residence. They reported that the Wusun Princess, with the help of her maids, was working through the night, and there were no other disturbances. The Court of the Imperial Clan also sent people to repair her courtyard wall and provided some subsidies, calming any unrest. Everything proceeded smoothly.
Time flew by, and by mid-September, the troops Yuwen Chu had mobilized were already on their way, and he was also preparing to depart. Mingzhu gathered everyone to collect the last batch of winter clothes, and the Wusun Princess personally delivered them, staying until the end.
Mingzhu knew she had something to discuss and waited until everyone else had left before asking her. The Wusun Princess stood up and formally apologized for her past behavior, then requested Mingzhu to ensure that the winter clothes made by the Linan Wang’s household be sent to Yuwen You.
It’s only natural for a wife to personally make some winter clothes for her husband and hope to send them to him. The problem is that Linan Wangs residence has made over a thousand cotton-padded clothes. Once these clothes are given to Yuwen You, who should they be given to next? Naturally, they should go to the people around him and the Wusun guard unit.
Is it okay to form such a small faction? Having Yuwen You distribute the clothes and show his kindness—who is this for? Mingzhu felt quite annoyed, but after thinking it over carefully, she smiled and agreed, “Sure, I’ve got it. I’ll definitely have someone send them over. However, with thousands of clothes being transported together and then distributed by the logistics personnel there, it’s likely to get mixed up. Just in case, if you have any made specifically for Ninth Brother, they should be picked out and packed separately.”
The Wusun Princess caught the implication. It was unreasonable for a general to personally distribute winter clothes; each person had their duties, or else it would cause chaos. The Wusun Princess was a bit irritated, feeling that since she spent money and effort on these clothes, she should be able to give them to whomever she wanted.
She huffed, “Then I’ll deliver them myself.”
Mingzhu cheerfully instructed Zhou Nushi, to fetch the Wusun Princess’s clothes. “Of course.”
Zhou Nushi returned with an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Linan Wangfei. With so many clothes piled up, I couldn’t identify which ones are from your residence. Is there any mark on them? Perhaps one of your maids could come with me?”
The Wusun Princess actually sent Liuli. In the storage room, with countless piles of winter clothes, Liuli couldn’t identify them either. After a long search and many scornful looks from the packers, she returned dejectedly, “I couldn’t find them.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Maybe next time.”
The Wusun Princess was annoyed but couldn’t fault Mingzhu, so she reluctantly took her leave. Mingzhu politely escorted her to the door before returning inside.
Zhou Nushi met her at the second gate, showing her a winter coat made by the Wusun Princess. “We agreed on two pounds of cotton per coat, but she made them with three pounds.”
“Distribute them evenly. Whoever gets them, it’s theirs.” Mingzhu sighed. Contributing money or effort was acceptable, and no one was blamed for being unable to contribute. But causing potential division within the army was unacceptable. Otherwise, why would one soldier receive thicker coats than another?
That evening, Mingzhu recounted the incident to Yuwen Chu as a joke. Yuwen Chu also laughed, “It’s quite interesting. Her infatuation is genuine, but she can’t be allowed to disrupt things.”
For Wenwen’s wedding, Qi Wang’s residence asked Yuwen Chu to be the main officiant. The wedding was lively and smooth. When the news reached Yuwen Guang, he specifically sent gifts. Qi Wang wanted to enter the palace to thank him but was refused, citing his sorrow over Yuwen Nuo’s early death and poor health. This act was seen as a sign of Emperor Jianxing gradually withdrawing from power.
At the beginning of October, the army set off.
Ji Hui came to bid farewell to Mingzhu, bringing some unique and interesting gifts for Zhuangzhuang and Millet. Mingzhu invited her to stay for a meal, but Ji Hui declined and made a request, “I heard that the Frost Flowers in your residence are renowned in the capital. May I have the honor of seeing them? When I return to the north, if someone asks if I’ve been to the capital and the Regent’s residence, I’d like to be able to boast about it.”
Mingzhu immediately took her to see them and pointed out the halted construction of Ruyi Terrace. “The Frost Flowers are indeed splendid, but the water was drained for this terrace construction, so the picturesque reflection is missing. You can only take a casual look.”
Ji Hui stood by the pond, looking up at Ruyi Terrace. The sky was clear and blue, and the unfinished terrace stood solid and reliable. It was meant for the woman he loved. The sunlight was too glaring, and Ji Hui rubbed her eyes, smiling, “It’s truly majestic. Though it’s a bit rude, since coming to the capital, I haven’t had a chance to see the city from a high vantage point. May I trouble the Wangfei to let me go up and take a look?”
Mingzhu accompanied Ji Hui up Ruyi Terrace. Ji Hui walked around, then smiled, “Could you point out the landmarks for me?”
“That’s Tianquan Street, that’s Anding Gate…” Mingzhu pointed out each place. Her gaze suddenly fell upon one spot—Linan Wang’s residence was fully visible. She felt a sudden breathlessness. So this was it. Night and day, it was always there, but she had only been up here once with Yuwen Chu that night. If not for Ji Hui wanting to come up today, she might not have discovered it until years later when Ruyi Terrace was completed.
Ji Hui noticed Mingzhu’s silence and followed her gaze, asking casually, “What place is that?”
Mingzhu smiled brightly, “It seems to be Linan Wang’s residence. This is my first time up here during the day; I didn’t expect the view to be so clear. No wonder the court forbids commoners from building tall structures.”
Her smile was extraordinarily sweet and radiant. Ji Hui couldn’t help but glance at her a few more times before agreeing, “Indeed.”
