Mingzhu trusted Fu Mingzheng the most, “Since she chose to return to the capital, she must have her reasons. If His Highness cared for her, she wouldn’t risk coming here. Seeking Fu Wang’s help to enter the capital means she wanted me to know, then informed His Majesty for protection. I believe she is waiting for me to act.”
Fu Mingzheng showed some interest, “Tell me more.”
Mingzhu explained, “If the child in her belly has nothing to do with our family, why should I care about her? If I intervene, it implies that she and her child are connected to our family. How can I burden His Highness with something he doesn’t even know about? I’ll just ignore it and continue as usual. The one who’s anxious is her. Let her make the first move, then I’ll respond.” Mingzhu yawned, “I thought about this half the night and still didn’t get enough sleep. I want to continue sleeping.”
Fu Mingzheng laughed, “You’re right. Isn’t she just over seven months pregnant? Write a letter, and I’ll find the fastest way to send it to the Weishui Camp. By the time it arrives, His Highness should be back. He’ll see the letter and respond, and if the timing is right, it won’t cause any delays.”
Mingzhu nodded, “Alright, I’ll write it. Brother, please help me review it. I’m afraid I might say something too harsh, and it would be bad if I wronged him.”
Fu Mingzheng replied, “What if you didn’t wrong him?”
Mingzhu said fiercely, “Then it wouldn’t be harsh enough!”
Fu Mingzheng sighed, “This is truly a dilemma. You can’t write two versions of the same letter, can you?”
Mingzhu’s eyes lit up, “I’ll write two letters. Have the messenger ask him, if he’s guilty, give him the first letter; if he’s innocent, give him the second one.”
Fu Mingzheng, wanting her to be happy, indulged her, “Alright, go ahead and write.”
Mingzhu fiercely wrote the first letter, then wrote the second one with great grievance. Feeling much better, she sealed them and handed them to Fu Mingzheng. He watched her expressions change from ferocious to aggrieved to angry and found it quite entertaining, “Just writing a letter and you make so many faces.”
Mingzhu responded, “Haven’t you heard that appearance is influenced by the heart?”
Fu Mingzheng put the letters away, “Mother wants to go out to a temple to pray for father. Staying in the mansion is boring; the weather isn’t too hot, so take the children out for some air.”
“Alright.” Mingzhu agreed and sent messages to Qi Wangfei, An Xiaogu, and Huayang Wangfei, inviting them to join. Fu Mingzheng, seeing that she was handling the situation well, left confidently, “I’ll keep an eye on her. Remember, no matter how others provoke you, just deny everything as if you know nothing about it.”
Mingzhu drawled, “Got it! Don’t let father and mother know.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled and left, feeling quite satisfied. He thought, “Whoever dares to mess with her had better be prepared.”
At this moment, a carriage stopped at the entrance of Fu Wang’s residence, sent by Yuwen Guang to fetch Ji Hui. The Consort of Fu Wang was overjoyed. Although she had planned to delay things, she didn’t actually want to get involved. Now that the young emperor was stepping in, it was perfect—no offense to either side.
She busied herself helping Ji Hui move, pretending to persuade her to stay, “Stay here; our residence is lively, and I can keep you company.”
Ji Hui smiled silently, merely bowing in gratitude, “I will always remember your great kindness. Please allow me to repay it in the future.”
The Consort, knowing not to offend anyone, warmly took her hand and whispered, “No need to be so formal. I see that you have a fortunate look about you. May you rise high and achieve your desires. Our highness and I will then be content.” She signaled, and the maids brought out many gifts, “You’re new here and might lack some things. These are just a small token; please don’t reject them.”
Ji Hui thought for a moment and did not refuse, bowing again, “Thank you.” She had arrived with just a few changes of clothes and a few servants, but now she left well-provisioned, quite different from before.
The carriage traveled conspicuously through the city, greeting people openly, unashamed of her pregnancy. Both Ji Hui and her servants were full of joy. At the villa prepared by Yuwen Guang, her nursemaid Xiao helped her down and whispered, “Is this place safe? I felt like we were being watched all the way here.”
Ji Hui calmly replied, “We were definitely being watched. She’s not the type to stay calm about such a matter. No reaction would be strange. I need her to react.” She looked at the young man beside her, “Jifeng, I’ll rely on you for everything.”
Jifeng bowed, “Rest assured, as long as I am here, I will protect you.”
Nursemaid Xiao worriedly said, “Surely that one must hate you deeply by now. This is bound to cause a lot of animosity.”
Ji Hui sighed, “I have no choice. Without doing this, my child and I wouldn’t survive. I’ve tried several times to reach him, but there was no response. Mr. Meng was scolded and beaten for trying to help me. If he doesn’t acknowledge us, what can I do? If it were just me, I’d accept my fate. But with a child, I have to do something for the child.”
Nursemaid Xiao said, “He must not know you’re pregnant. Otherwise…”
Ji Hui coldly interrupted, “Otherwise, what? He already has children. Does he need this one?”
Jifeng, listening quietly, suddenly asked, “Have you considered what to do if the Regent Wangfei also refuses to acknowledge you?”
Ji Hui replied, “If she doesn’t, I’ll find a way to force her to. I’ll wait half a month. If she doesn’t act, you will. Can you do that?”
Jifeng smiled confidently, “My life belongs to my master. There’s nothing I won’t do.”
Ji Hui said, “Good. Then just wait and see.”
She walked into the villa with composure, took a short rest, then brought out her sewing kit and began making baby clothes under the tree, her face full of tenderness.
Feeling someone watching her, she looked up and saw Yuwen Guang and Fu Zifei in disguise. Smiling, she stood and bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Niang Niang.”
Yuwen Guang approached, his expression complex, “Consort Jin said the Great Empress Dowager left something for you. I came with her to deliver it.”
Ji Hui was surprised that the Great Empress Dowager had left something for her.
Fu Zifei stepped forward and handed over a small box she had brought, saying, “This is from my great aunt to you.”
