With the army funds secured for the second half of the year, Yuwen Chu and Zhongshan Wang regained their momentum. With negotiations breaking down, they openly resumed hostilities. At the beginning of July, Yuwen Chu’s forces recaptured the remaining cities south of Weishui occupied by the rebels, completely reclaiming Weishui, and reestablished the Weishui defense line, training sailors for future battles.
The Weishui defense line, now fortified with new ships and cannons, was impregnable. Zhongshan Wang’s repeated attacks failed, resulting in heavy losses, including the death of his most capable son from cannon fire. Meanwhile, the Xiongnu, accustomed to plunder, continued their raiding habits in the north, causing severe internal conflicts and chaos.
Simultaneously, Yuwen Chu issued a land reclamation order, granting ownership of reclaimed land and exempting taxes for five years, encouraging displaced refugees to return, farm, and rebuild. Many risked returning to their hometowns, revitalizing the desolate fields and ruined homes, bringing new life to the Weishui area and significantly boosting Yuwen Chu’s reputation.
That year, the weather was favorable and everything prospered, making Mingzhu’s life quite pleasant. Zhuangzhuang had turned three, and Millet was nearly two. Mingzhu began teaching them to read, though mainly focusing on Zhuangzhuang, with Millet accompanying them and absorbing whatever she could.
Her expectations for Zhuangzhuang weren’t high. If he could remember a simple word for two or three days, she thought it was already impressive. The main focus was on subtle influence. Zhuangzhuang didn’t disappoint her; he showed great talent in this regard. His memory was excellent, and he had a lot of patience. Occasionally, he would say something surprising, full of childlike innocence yet profound meaning. This brought great comfort to the ailing Fu Cong. He would often stroke Zhuangzhuang’s head and tell Mingzhu that Zhuangzhuang was doing well and must be taught well, especially by choosing a good tutor for his education.
After much thought and consultation with Jiang Zhouzi, Mingzhu decided to send Zhuangzhuang to accompany Fu Cong. The child was still young and couldn’t learn much, but it would help Fu Cong alleviate his pain and add joy to his life. Moreover, the child could learn useful things. Knowledge could be gained through effort, but vision, strategy, and breadth of mind couldn’t be acquired simply through diligence. With Fu Cong’s guidance, Zhuangzhuang would surely develop differently.
Grandparents often spoil their grandchildren, and Zhuangzhuang, usually strictly disciplined by Mingzhu, enjoyed a comfortable and joyful time with Fu Cong. Fu Cong would amuse him with stories, and Zhuangzhuang loved his company so much that he was reluctant to leave when Mingzhu came to pick him up. Their relationship brought a special joy to the family, making them feel that there was nothing more fulfilling in the world.
In early August, Fu Wang safely returned to the capital. The next day, his consort visited Mingzhu mysteriously. After some pleasantries, she asked Mingzhu to dismiss her attendants and said in a low voice, “His Highness wanted to visit you personally, but he didn’t dare.”
Mingzhu, puzzled, played along, “You’re joking, sister-in-law. As the elder brother just returned from Wusun, I should visit him with the children to pay my respects. I planned to visit soon as I was busy these past days and had prepared the gifts.”
The consort smiled, “As a disgraced person, he doesn’t deserve such respect. It’s generous of you both to overlook it. But he didn’t come because there’s another matter.”
Mingzhu, growing impatient with her roundabout way of speaking, asked directly, “What is it, sister-in-law? Our Highness doesn’t mind, so why should I?”
“Since you asked, I’ll say it directly. Don’t blame us for meddling. It’s a delicate matter, and we wouldn’t do it if we could avoid it,” the consort said worriedly, “But we can’t avoid it. If you’re angry, you can scold or hit me.”
Mingzhu, anxious, pressed, “What is it? If you don’t tell me, I’m leaving.”
The consort, looking into Mingzhu’s eyes, whispered, “Ji Hui is back. She came back with His Highness.”
Mingzhu felt a chill and asked with a forced smile, “Didn’t she return to the north? Did something happen to the Ji family that forced her back?”
The consort sighed sympathetically, “It’s not the Ji family, it’s her. Ji Hui is seven months pregnant.”
What reason could there be for Ji Hui, who is unmarried and pregnant, to return to the capital? Mingzhu’s smile faded as she silently looked at the Fu Wang’s Consort, who dared not meet her gaze. The Consort spoke softly, “According to what our Highness told us, it happened during the New Year. Kangning was with the wedding procession in Gui County during the New Year, wasn’t she? The welcoming envoy from the Wusun tribe had also arrived. It’s said that the King of Wusun personally came and wanted to see Sixth Brother. When Sixth Brother went to meet him, the King of Wusun wanted to drink with him. They both drank five barrels of wine and got heavily intoxicated…”
The Consort paused, her gaze avoiding Mingzhu’s as she continued, “At the time, this matter didn’t cause a scene. Sixth Brother stayed in Gui County for three days before leaving. We didn’t hear of anything unusual. However, after the snow melted, Ji Hui refused to continue with the wedding procession and stayed in Gui County. At the time, she told our Highness that she was about to reach the northern region and it would be inconvenient for her to continue with the wedding procession. She wanted to wait in Gui County for someone from her family to come and pick her up, and our Highness didn’t interfere. But unexpectedly, when we returned, we encountered her again on the outskirts of the capital. She insisted on returning with our Highness, and fearing it might cause a major incident, our Highness had no choice but to bring her back. Now she’s staying at our residence. What should we do about this… um, how should we handle it?”
So, the last words of the Great Empress Dowager before her death were referring to this? Mingzhu’s hands and feet turned cold as she looked at the Fu Wang’s Consort firmly and said, “This person was brought back by second brother. He should have an idea of how to deal with it. Why ask me?”
The Fu Wang’s Consort became anxious, “Oh, why didn’t I ask you? Whether that wild child acknowledges it or not, isn’t it just a matter of one word from the head lady? If you acknowledge her, then bring her back and settle her properly. If you don’t acknowledge her, it’s up to you how to handle it. We haven’t made any noise about it. Whatever you decide, no one else will know.”
Mingzhu calmed her mind as much as possible, trying to remain composed. “In that case, I must thank my second brother and sister-in-law for their consideration. However, this child has nothing to do with me, and our Highness has never mentioned this matter to me. He surely wouldn’t be unaware of whether he has done it or not. Since our Highness hasn’t done it, it’s Ji Hui’s private matter, and it’s none of my concern.”
