The items the Great Empress Dowager left for Ji Hui were not gold, jade, or other treasures, but two rare and valuable music scores. Fu Zifei explained, “My great aunt said that you accompanied her during her illness for a long time. Hearing your music every day relieved much of her pain. She was very grateful. For someone like you, ordinary trinkets would be unworthy. Only these match your worth.”
Ji Hui, clumsily supported by her nursemaid Xiao, bowed to express her gratitude. She took the music scores inside to place them on display and then invited Fu Zifei and Yuwen Guang to sit and have tea. Yuwen Guang glanced at her belly with a frown and said, “Since I rarely go out, I want to take a walk and see what interesting things are around. You two chat. If you need anything, just tell Consort Jin; she will handle it for you.”
Ji Hui understood that he couldn’t stand seeing her in her current state. Truthfully, she felt very ashamed of her wretched return. However, what could she do? The situation had already happened, and there was no undoing it. She couldn’t just end her life over it. Therefore, she didn’t try to keep Yuwen Guang and instead invited Fu Zifei to sit.
Fu Zifei stared intently at Ji Hui’s belly with a complex expression. What she had only dared to imagine, this cunning woman had managed to achieve. Indeed, it took going out on a long journey, catching him off guard, to seize such an opportunity. She lost her virginity, became pregnant before marriage, and then, with a simple gesture, managed to have Yuwen Guang protecting her again. What kind of luck was this? Fu Zifei felt a mix of jealousy and hatred, her heart soaking in bitterness and envy.
Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Ji Hui instinctively used her sleeve to cover her belly and said, “Please have some tea, Niang Niang.”
Fu Zifei withdrew her gaze and smiled, “I once heard that a pointed and tight belly indicates a male fetus. From what I see, you’re probably carrying a son. You’re quite fortunate.”
Ji Hui’s heart tightened, “Whether it’s a boy or a girl, as long as it’s healthy, that’s all that matters. I hope your blessing comes true.”
“Even though His Majesty is young, if he really wants to protect someone, he can do it. The fact that he’s protecting you already shows you’re very fortunate,” Fu Zifei said, taking a sip of tea and suppressing her inner resentment. A bold idea took root in her mind, as persistent as a venomous thorn. She casually asked Ji Hui, “Has the Regent Wangfei not sent someone to take you back? After all, it’s the Regent’s blood; it shouldn’t be left outside.”
Ji Hui felt their relationship wasn’t close enough for such a conversation and replied awkwardly, “I’m not sure what’s going on.”
Fu Zifei wanted to lash out but restrained herself, smiling instead, “I was confused. She probably doesn’t know yet or hasn’t figured it out. Once she does, she’ll certainly come to fetch you and your child. Let me see the clothes you made. I’m quite good at needlework; you need to sew it this way for the baby to be comfortable…”
Ji Hui, grateful for the smooth transition, didn’t mind and joined Fu Zifei in discussing sewing. When Yuwen Guang returned, he found them sitting together peacefully, Fu Zifei, usually combative, was now gentle and smiling, happily interacting with Ji Hui. This change delighted him, thinking his recent good treatment of Fu Zifei had not been in vain.
Seeing his satisfaction with Fu Zifei, Ji Hui seized the opportunity to praise her, “I didn’t know that besides being good at needlework, you are also very knowledgeable. Truly a person from a scholarly family.”
Her praise wasn’t misplaced. Fu Zifei was chosen by the Great Empress Dowager for her beauty and talents. Yuwen Guang, in turn, said, “If you like her company, she can visit you often.”
Fu Zifei immediately knelt and thanked him tearfully, “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Her heartfelt gratitude left Yuwen Guang with no choice but to keep his promise, so he allowed Fu Zifei to visit Ji Hui frequently.
The day for Mingzhu and the others to visit the temple came soon. Early in the morning, Mingzhu got up, took along two attendants, Zhou and Ping, and carried her children Zhuangzhuang and Millet. They met with other ladies at the city gate, and together they set off.
Everyone had heard about Ji Hui’s situation and was careful not to slip up and upset Mingzhu. Mingzhu tried to enjoy herself, and everyone had a good time. On the way back, Qi Wangfei invited Mingzhu to ride with her and seriously inquired about the matter, “There are rumors that Ji Hui’s child is a boy. I sent someone to check, and it’s likely true. What are your plans?”
A son, unlike a daughter, posed a greater threat, especially a resourceful woman like Ji Hui. Mingzhu believed that even if Ji Hui had Yuwen Guang’s protection, she could succeed if she acted, but it depended on whether the cost was worth the outcome. After careful consideration, Mingzhu found it wasn’t worth it. If the child wasn’t Yuwen Chu’s, she would only drag herself into a mess. If the child was Yuwen Chu’s, killing it would damage her reputation and do no good for Zhuangzhuang. There was plenty of time; revenge didn’t have to be immediate. Striking later could be just as satisfying.
Smiling, Mingzhu told Qi Wangfei, “Even if it’s a golden egg, it has nothing to do with me. Our highness isn’t someone who shirks responsibility. I trust that, and so should you.”
At that moment, a sense of calm settled within her. Yes, Yuwen Chu was not someone who acted recklessly or irresponsibly. Whether he did it deliberately or unintentionally, he would handle it properly, hiding or silencing as needed. Ignoring it only meant he was truly innocent. Taking action would be like admitting guilt, just as she would be implicating herself by intervening.
So, what exactly was the situation back then? Mingzhu was very curious about the twists and turns in this matter. She sincerely invited Qi Wangfei, “Even though there are rampant rumors outside, Ji Hui hasn’t come to find me. If she does, I would like to ask you, Aunt, to be a witness. Together, we can clarify this matter. Otherwise, this will greatly affect our lord’s reputation.”
Qi Wangfei asked sternly, “Let me ask you, if it turns out to be true, what will you do?”
Mingzhu sweetly smiled, “I will grandly and ceremoniously invite her into our home.”
Qi Wangfei smiled, knowingly patted the back of Mingzhu’s hand, and said, “That’s the right attitude. There’s a long road ahead.”
