Jiang Youyuan entered the Chongzheng Hall like a ghost and whispered to Yuwen Guang, who was sitting in the shadow, “Your Majesty, according to your orders, Surname Fu has been moved to the Yihe Palace. Do you have any other orders?”
Yuwen Guang tightly grasped the small seal in his hand and asked in a low voice, “What did you say? Surname Fu refused to hand over the item given by the Great Empress Dowager, and she felt too ashamed and fearful, so she committed suicide?”
Jiang Youyuan opened his mouth, then immediately lowered his eyes and said quietly, “Yes, Your Majesty, Surname Fu felt ashamed, fearful, and full of guilt, so she committed suicide. Her personal palace maid, Ling Er, followed her in death.”
Yuwen Guang whispered, “Such loyal maids are rare. For the sake of the Great Empress Dowager, bury them generously. Also, reward the Fu family with a thousand gold coins for settling down.” I’m sorry, the seal left by the Great Empress Dowager is too important to him. Perhaps it will be his last line of defense in the future. If Fu Zifei doesn’t die, he won’t be able to explain to Fu Mingzheng. He can only try his best to take care of Fu Zifei’s natal family as a reward.”
“Yes.” Jiang Youyuan quietly withdrew, taking only his two disciples with him, and quickly headed to the Yihe Palace in the dark of night.
A waning crescent moon hung on the willow branches. Yuwen Guang used tea as a substitute for wine, slowly pouring it onto the ground. His eyes were filled with tears, which then began to fall in large droplets. He squatted down, burying his head in his knees, and silently cried.
Life is filled with suffering, and this is one form of it.
In the distance, Jiang Youyuan’s light footsteps approached. Yuwen Guang immediately stood up, wiped his eyes, adjusted his clothes, and asked calmly, with his back to Jiang Youyuan, “How are the arrangements for Surname Fu’s funeral?”
Jiang Youyuan replied softly, “Your Majesty, rest assured. Surname Fu passed away peacefully, with no resentment.” The truth was, he would never forget the look in Fu Zifei’s eyes and her venomous curse before she died, but there was no need to tell Yuwen Guang this, as he would eventually forget it too.
“Shall this old servant assist Your Majesty to rest?” Jiang Youyuan stepped forward to support Yuwen Guang, who quietly said, “No, I want to go to the Empress Dowager’s palace.”
Empress Dowager Xu was reciting scriptures in front of the Buddha to pass the time. When she saw the pale-faced Yuwen Guang entering, she couldn’t help but be surprised, “What’s wrong with the Emperor?”
Yuwen Guang trembled, “Mother, I’m not feeling well. Tonight, I want to sleep with you.”
Empress Dowager Xu wanted to ask urgently, but Jiang Youyuan quickly gave her a signal. Empress Dowager Xu suppressed her questions and hurriedly arranged for Yuwen Guang to lie down. She comforted him softly for a long time before Yuwen Guang finally fell asleep. Empress Dowager Xu breathed a sigh of relief, instructed a trusted maid to watch over Yuwen Guang, and then pulled Jiang Youyuan aside, her face stern, “What’s going on?”
Jiang Youyuan softly explained the events of the day, but he didn’t know that Fu Zifei had once given the small seal to Yuwen Guang, so he couldn’t mention it.
Empress Dowager Xu cried sadly, “It’s the Fu family forcing my son to do things against his will!” If not for this, why would Yuwen Guang have to decree Fu Zifei’s death?
The maid rushed over in panic, “His Majesty has a high fever!”
Empress Dowager Xu felt tormented, “What’s all this about? Quickly send for the imperial physician!”
When news of Fu Zifei’s death reached the Regent’s Mansion, Mingzhu was sorting out account books. Upon hearing the news, she paused briefly before continuing with her work. She didn’t believe that Fu Zifei had committed suicide because someone like Fu Zifei would never commit suicide unless pushed to desperation. So who would harm Fu Zifei? Could it be Fourth Brother?
Fu Mingzheng lazily walked in from outside, “Have you heard?”
Mingzhu put down her pen, “I’ve heard.”
Fu Mingzheng said indifferently, “It wasn’t me. It’s said that His Majesty asked her for the seal, but she refused. His Majesty said she should figure it out herself, and then she committed suicide, and the seal is gone too. His Majesty is also ill, delirious with fever. From what Empress Dowager Xu said, he was scared by Fu Zifei’s death, thinking we pressured her too much. It’s best if you invite Qi Wangfei and them to come and see.”
Mingzhu furrowed her brow, “I’ll go with Jiang Zhouzi to see.”
Fu Mingzheng smirked, “The seal brings calamity. I don’t believe it. Now that she’s dead, and everything that should be dispersed has already been, can that seal still change anything?”
Mingzhu whispered, “Perhaps he’s afraid. Since the seal is useless, let it go. Don’t pursue it further.”
Fu Mingzheng nodded, “That’s what I think too.”
Yuwen Guang leaned back on the soft couch, staring blankly at the green leaves outside the window. Jiang Youyuan came in and whispered, “Your Majesty, Qi Wangfei and Regent Wangfei are here to visit. Would you like to see them?”
Yuwen Guang turned back, expressionless, “Let them in.”
Mingzhu and Qi Wangfei entered with Empress Dowager Xu’s company. They bowed three times and kowtowed nine times, paid their respects, and then Yuwen Guang smiled lightly as Jiang Youyuan helped them up and offered them seats, “It’s just a minor illness, and I’m almost recovered.”
Empress Dowager Xu said solemnly, “Your Majesty is saying it’s nothing now, but do you know how worried I was that night? Regent Wangfei brought Jiang Zhouzi and wanted him to see Your Majesty.”
Jiang Zhouzi came in and carefully examined Yuwen Guang. He smiled, “It’s just a common cold. The imperial physician’s medicine is excellent. Take another dose, and you’ll recover completely. Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, please rest assured.”
Empress Dowager Xu was overjoyed and wanted to reward Jiang Zhouzi heavily, but Jiang Zhouzi declined politely and withdrew respectfully.
Yuwen Guang signaled to Empress Dowager Xu, and Empress Dowager Xu reluctantly found an excuse to take Qi Wangfei away, leaving Mingzhu behind. Mingzhu guessed that Yuwen Guang had something to say to her and smiled, “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
Yuwen Guang said, “I had a dream. I dreamt that I died and my soul wandered by my mother’s side. I saw her with white hair, heartbroken and frail, and she died. I was extremely sad, wanting to show filial piety and love to her, but I couldn’t do it at all. I felt endless regret, realizing that I hadn’t fulfilled my duty as a son, but instead, I became a burden. I woke up feeling sick.”
Mingzhu felt uncomfortable in her heart. After pondering for a while, she whispered, “Your Majesty’s concerns, I understand. Please rest assured.”
Yuwen Guang smiled faintly, “I have been weak and sickly since childhood, and I truly cannot bear the great responsibilities of the country. The day my Sixth Uncle returns triumphantly will be the day I abdicate. While I was ill, I listened to Great Empress Dowager reciting scriptures, and I suddenly felt enlightened by the Buddhist teachings. In the past few days, I have gained a profound understanding. I want to invite some enlightened monks to the palace to lecture on scriptures. Does Sixth Aunt have any suitable recommendations?”
Mingzhu apologized, “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, I do not know.”
“Then it has troubled Sixth Imperial Aunt. I will have someone investigate further. It’s getting late, please return.” Yuwen Guang casually picked up a Buddhist scripture from beside his pillow and gradually became absorbed in it.
Mingzhu respectfully performed a deep bow before leaving. Seeing Mei Yusi waiting by the path, she softly instructed, “Make sure there is no trouble in the palace.”
Mei Yusi nodded solemnly, “I understand.”
