News of the Regent Wangfei being attacked and the assassin proclaiming innocence spread quickly throughout the capital. Wetnurse Xiao hurried into the room, her face pale. “Miss, Ji Feng has been taken to the military department.”
Ji Hui knelt in front of the Buddha statue, counting prayer beads. She stopped when she heard this. After a moment of silence, she asked in a hoarse voice, “What did Ji Feng do at that time? What did he say? And what did she say and do? Tell me everything.”
Wetnurse Xiao quickly recounted the events, crying, “Ji Feng only said he was from the Northern Territory’s Ji family, never mentioning you, Miss. Please save him, Miss. Once he’s in the military department, he’s likely doomed. If those people play any tricks and frame you for attempting to assassinate the Regent Wangfei, what should we do? This plan was too risky. I’ve always felt it was improper, but you wouldn’t listen.”
What was the point of saying this now? It was impossible to pressure Fu Mingzhu to intervene using public opinion. Ji Hui felt irritated and distracted. “Stop crying. Let me be alone for a while.”
Wetnurse Xiao wiped her tears and dared not speak further.
Ji Hui calmed down and continued counting the prayer beads. After another three shifts, she finally finished. She signaled for Wetnurse Xiao to help her up, and as she stood, she massaged her numb thighs from kneeling for so long. She whispered, “She’s smarter than I imagined. Ji Feng risked his life for me. I can’t ignore him. Since it’s come to this, I have no choice but to personally visit her and plead. Tomorrow, you’ll deliver a letter to the palace, asking His Majesty to make time to see me.”
Yuwen Guang didn’t come until the third day, still accompanied by Fu Zifei. He had already heard about Ji Feng’s situation. Although Ji Feng remained tight-lipped at the military department, refusing to disclose Ji Hui’s involvement, those who knew the circumstances could guess what had transpired. Therefore, he didn’t have a pleasant expression as he faced Ji Hui. “Why did you do this?”
Ji Hui knelt down and whispered, “This humble woman was not aware beforehand. We people from the Northern Territory are straightforward. Ji Feng was loyal to me, thinking he was acting in my best interest, seeking justice for me. But he didn’t realize this is the capital, and she is the Regent Wangfei, not an ordinary person.”
Yuwen Guang fell silent for a moment before saying, “What do you want me to do?”
Ji Hui cried, “Although there was chaos that day, the child in this humble woman’s belly is indeed the regent’s. This humble woman has suffered enough since childhood. She doesn’t want her child to suffer the same fate. As long as she acknowledges him and gives this child a status, even if this humble woman dies, she will have no regrets. When the child is born, this humble woman will die on her own. Please, Your Majesty, lend this humble woman a hand!”
Yuwen Guang remained seated in silence. Wetnurse Xiao was anxious, while Fu Zifei watched coldly, believing that Yuwen Guang would surely agree. The Great Empress Dowager’s words were right; Yuwen Guang was indeed a soft-hearted person. Thinking of the Great Empress Dowager, she felt regretful. If the Great Empress Dowager were still alive, how would this matter have turned out?
Sure enough, Yuwen Guang stood up quietly. “Let’s go. This will be the last time I help you.”
Fu Zifei subtly curled her lips. “The Regent Wangfei dislikes seeing me. I’ll wait here for Your Majesty to return.”
Yuwen Guang’s mood was extremely bad. “Mmm.”
After seeing off Yuwen Guang and Ji Hui, Fu Zifei sat down in the corridor, staring blankly at the flowing clouds in the sky. After a long time, she calmly adjusted her sleeves and called the steward responsible for the secondary palace. “Do you still remember the Great Empress Dowager?”
The steward knelt down, reverently saying, “This servant has always remembered.”
“Do you remember the oath made in front of the Great Empress Dowager?” Fu Zifei smiled faintly, revealing a small seal. It wasn’t large, just the size of a pinky fingernail, engraved with a dancing phoenix, remnants of bright vermilion mixed with dazzling gold dust, shimmering in the sunlight.
The steward only glanced at it before lowering his eyes. “Seeing the seal is like seeing the person; this servant remembers.”
Fu Zifei put away the seal. “Nowadays, there are few people like you with a conscience. Come here, I have something for you to do. This is the Great Empress Dowager’s last wish. Once you’ve completed it, you’ll be relieved…”
At the Regent’s Mansion, Mingzhu smiled and had someone bring a stool for Ji Hui. “When did Miss Ji return to the capital? When did you get married? Why didn’t you send someone to inform me? I should prepare a generous gift to congratulate you.”
Ji Hui’s face alternated between red and pale as she lowered her eyes and said softly, “Why does the Regent Wangfei ask knowingly?”
Mingzhu stopped smiling. “I truly don’t know.” If Ji Hui wanted to do it, she would say it. Her politeness was only for the old Ji Hui, not the pregnant, aggressive Ji Hui in front of her.
Ji Hui was forced into a very difficult situation by her. She whispered softly, “This humble woman had no choice but to act as she did. I hope the Regent Wangfei can be magnanimous and understanding.”
Yuwen Guang coughed awkwardly and said, “Sixth Aunt, calm down. There’s a misunderstanding here, all for the good of Uncle Six. Let’s hear Ji Hui’s account first, and then you can decide.”
Mingzhu was thoroughly disgusted. What was a child doing getting involved in such matters? She also smiled, “I truly don’t understand what our Highness has to do with this. I hope Your Majesty can clarify.”
Yuwen Guang braced himself and said, “The child in Ji Hui’s belly belongs to Sixth Uncle.”
Mingzhu became angry. “I thought it was mine. Whoever’s child it is, go find them.”
Both Yuwen Guang and Ji Hui were speechless. Seeing the unfavorable situation, Wetnurse Xiao quickly said, “The regent is busy with military affairs and couldn’t come. As the Regent Wangfei, you are his wise helper and the mistress of the mansion. Such matters should naturally be handled by you. After all, won’t this child also call you ‘mother’ in the future?”
Even before Mingzhu could speak, Donghui and others sneered disdainfully. Someone outside even laughed loudly, “Whose illegitimate child can’t find their father and insists on forcing recognition? Even the stepmother has been found. Oh my, this is truly eye-opening.”
Ji Hui was ashamed and angry. Her face flushed, and she sternly scolded Wetnurse Xiao, “Withdraw!”
Wetnurse Xiao went pale and retreated to the corner, not daring to speak further.
Fu Mingzheng helped the Qi Wangfei and entered, smiling as she greeted Yuwen Guang, “I didn’t Your Majesty was here. Please forgive this official’s boldness.”
Yuwen Guang immediately realized he had come at the wrong time. With his limited experience, he could have delegated this matter to other royal members, such as Qi Wangfei. He shouldn’t have intervened personally. But now, there was no turning back. He awkwardly gestured for Fu Mingzheng to rise. “Ignorance is no crime.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled and said, “Your Majesty is wise.” After helping Qi Wangfei to sit down, he said with a smile, “The royal bloodline must not be confused. This matter is significant. I ask Qi Wangfei to bear witness. Miss Ji has no objections, right?”
Ji Hui, feeling both embarrassed and angry, suddenly burst into tears. “I am also a victim! It’s not like I intentionally did this. Am I really so shameless? If it were just me, I would never endure such humiliation. But, but now that I have him in my belly, do you want me to die?”
