On the Ghost Festival, people burn paper offerings and release floating lanterns to pacify the spirits. Even though Yuwen Chu was not at home, the festival had to be celebrated with great enthusiasm. Mingzhu busied herself with organizing everything in the residence, making sure everything was in perfect order. She also organized a grand and lively ceremony in the capital to honor and pacify the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the recent war and the heroic soldiers who sacrificed themselves for the country.
By the time the ceremony ended and Mingzhu returned home, it was already past midnight. Although there was no curfew in the capital that night, the streets were filled with smoke from incense and candles, guiding the spirits, and crowds of people returning from setting lanterns on the river, creating a lively atmosphere.
Initially, Mingzhu was enthusiastically watching through the curtain, but as time passed, she began to feel tired and leaned back to rest with her eyes closed. Seeing that she was asleep, Dong Hui gestured to the driver to drive carefully and not disturb her.
The driver slowed down and carefully maneuvered through the crowd towards the Regent’s residence. Suddenly, a cold arrow shot from a distance, striking Mingzhu’s carriage with a loud “thud.” The people inside were startled and surrounded Mingzhu’s carriage protectively. Ye Xiu shouted, “Catch the assassin!”
Mingzhu had not actually been asleep. As soon as the incident occurred, she opened her eyes and remained calm, asking, “What’s going on? Are there many assassins?” Her carriage had steel layers, making it strong and resistant to small crossbows. Ye Xiu’s guards were highly skilled and well-equipped, having experienced warfare, so they were not afraid of such minor disturbances.
“Temporarily, no enemies have been detected,” Dong Hui replied, picking up the arrow and examining it closely. “It’s just an ordinary arrow with the head removed. It seems like it might be just one or two people who dislike the Regent’s residence causing trouble.”
Mingzhu wasn’t too concerned, “Just find the person responsible, but don’t make a big fuss. It’s a festival after all…”
Suddenly, someone shouted loudly, “It was I who shot the arrow. I have grievances to voice!”
A young man in plain clothes holding a bamboo bow stepped forward, glaring at Mingzhu’s carriage. Ye Xiu coldly gestured, and the guards pounced on him like wolves. The young man showed no fear, casually throwing the bamboo bow on the ground and raising his hands high, shouting, “Regent Wangfei, I am here to voice grievances on behalf of my master. I have tried several times to see you but to no avail. In desperation, I had to resort to this method. The arrowhead is removed; I did not truly intend to harm you. It’s said you love the people like your children and stand for justice. Do you dare to hear my grievances?”
The surrounding crowd, hearing this, surged forward, surrounding them in layers. Mingzhu signaled to Su Mei to lift the curtain and carefully scrutinized the young man. She did not recognize him, but he had a strong northern accent and a sturdy, fierce appearance with a hint of defiance in his eyes. She thought for a moment and suspected he might be someone sent by Ji Hui. Ji Hui was of royal descent from the previous dynasty, with significant influence and resources, so raising a few death warriors was not difficult.
Dong Hui suggested, “This man’s gaze is hostile. He likely does not truly wish to voice grievances but to cause trouble. Shall we take him away and interrogate him privately?”
“You’re right. I guess he is someone close to Ji Hui. The Ji family is of royal blood from the previous dynasty and has substantial resources. Raising a few death warriors is not difficult,” Mingzhu smiled. “But given her high status and ambitious nature, she would want to maintain some dignity. Shooting an arrow to voice grievances is just to provoke me into anger and make me kill him to silence him. I bet he won’t dare to publicly reveal his master’s scandals. Let him speak!”
By then, Ye Xiu had already sneered, “Who shoots an arrow to voice grievances? Kneeling and shouting wouldn’t suffice? An assassin is still an assassin! Gag him and beat him thoroughly to teach him some manners!”
The guards were not to be trifled with. In no time, they beat the man until he had several broken ribs. They followed Mingzhu’s orders and immediately stopped once she relayed her command. They dragged the man, now like a lifeless dog, to Mingzhu’s carriage and forced him to look up at her, “The Regent Wangfei grants you permission to voice your grievances. Show your gratitude!”
The man, enduring the pain, glared at Mingzhu and gritted his teeth, “My name is Ji Feng. I come from the Ji family in the north and have a significant grievance to voice…” He deliberately paused and provocatively looked at Mingzhu, “The Consort should know what grievance I wish to voice.”
“How dare you, you insolent commoner! How dare you look directly at the noble Consort!” Wei Tiande shrieked, ready to discipline him, but Mingzhu smiled and waved her hand, “You all step back. I’ve never encountered something this interesting before. Let him speak.” She then looked kindly at the man, “Ji Feng, right? Your way of voicing grievances is quite unique. According to the law, you should be executed for treason. However, since today is the Ghost Festival, and I’ve just returned from pacifying the spirits, I don’t wish to kill more. I’ll give you a chance to voice your grievance. Speak.”
After she finished, Mingzhu looked at Ji Feng with a smile. Ji Feng stared back fiercely, but Mingzhu remained calm and composed. She had the upper hand; Ji Hui was on the defensive. What was there to fear?
After a moment of staring at each other, Ji Feng backed down, feeling parched and unable to speak. The situation had not gone as Ji Hui had planned. What should he do next? Everyone might know the truth, but it couldn’t be spoken aloud in public. In desperation, he lowered his head and cried, “Please, Wangfei, seek justice for my master.”
Ji Hui indeed has deep thoughts and considerations; she dares not completely lose face. Mingzhu knew that she had already won the first round; she had completely taken the initiative. She smiled and asked, “Who is your master?”
Ji Feng couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Wasn’t this a rhetorical question? The Ji family from the Northern Territory, the only person he knew and could relate to was their young lady, right? What was the point of pretending to be confused like this? He didn’t know whether he should mention Ji Hui’s name or not. But just this hesitation caused him to be overthrown again: “Where did this treacherous person come from? Clearly an assassin! Making excuses to escape punishment! You refuse to plead your innocence, you refuse to say who your master is! Truly treacherous and malicious!”
Mingzhu said lightly, “Send him to the military department. Perhaps he really has grievances, but we can’t be certain.” She then whispered to Donghui, “Tell Ye Xiu, no matter what is revealed during the interrogation, whether it implicates Ji Hui or not, pretend it has nothing to do with her. Don’t touch her. Also, make sure this person stays alive.”
She didn’t know what Ji Hui’s next step would be, but she was certain that maintaining composure and adapting to circumstances would be the most secure approach. Doing nothing at all was already sufficient.
