In the blink of an eye, it was already August, and the first fallen leaf drifted down from the treetops. Ji Hui laboriously bent down to pick it up, frowning as she looked at the yellow spots on the leaf, “Autumn is coming.”
Wetnurse Xiao whispered, “Miss, let’s go inside.”
Ji Hui said, “I heard that His Majesty has been summoning monks to the palace to lecture on scriptures recently.”
Since the day Yuwen Guang left, he hadn’t visited her again, and there had been no news of Fu Zifei. She had previously doubted that Ruan Momo was truly there to ensure the safe birth of her child, but now she had to believe it—the Fu family was indeed determined to make sure she gave birth to the child safely.
She had considered the worst possible outcome and knew that the last chance was fleeting: if this child was truly not Yuwen Chu’s, once born, she would have no way out. She would only face more suffering, forced to endure humiliation and swallow her pain. The safest option was to have a stillbirth, leaving no evidence. However, as she repeatedly placed her hand on her abdomen, feeling the child kicking and turning inside, her eyes brimmed with tears. She couldn’t bear to do it. Her life was already ruined, but maybe this child could accompany her for life, preventing her from being too lonely.
Wetnurse Xiao babbled incessantly, “By now, the Regent’s reply should have arrived. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge it, it doesn’t matter. I have inquired thoroughly and heard that the descendants of the Yuwen family all have a distinctive nose. Once this child is born, it will be clear at a glance whether or not he is of the Yuwen family.”
Ruan Momo came in cheerfully, “Oh my, great news! People have come from the Weishui camp! The Regent has sent someone with a letter, and our Fourth Master has sent a carriage to fetch the two of you. Oh, and the gentleman you mentioned, Mr. Meng, has also arrived. Hurry and get ready to board the carriage!”
Ji Hui stood still, but Wetnurse Xiao was overjoyed. “Miss, Mr. Meng is here too, let’s go quickly.”
Ji Hui took a deep breath, turned around, and motioned to Wetnurse Xiao. “Let’s go.” She then casually asked Ruan Momo, “Is His Majesty coming?”
Ruan Momo laughed, “Of course, His Majesty handles everything thoroughly. Our Fourth Master ensures that his judgments leave everyone convinced.”
At the Regent’s mansion, Mingzhu repeatedly read Yuwen Chu’s letter, confirming several times that he indeed denied involvement in the matter. Finally, she felt relieved.
Zhang Huan stood cautiously nearby and explained, “His Highness had been in the north negotiating a peace treaty with the Xiongnu. The north is perilous, surrounded by enemies, and revealing his whereabouts could be dangerous. Therefore, unless it was a military emergency, messages were not sent. Only after the treaty was signed did His Highness cross the Weishui and return to camp. Upon reading the letter, he was furious and immediately responded, ordering these people to be escorted back. Despite our best efforts, the journey was slow, but luckily we didn’t miss the crucial moment.”
Fu Mingzheng smiled, “No worries, we have always trusted His Highness. Whether sooner or later, the child must be born safely. If the child is indeed His Highness’s blood, he will be raised with care and will be a companion to Zhuang Zhuang. If not, the child is innocent and will be provided for, not abandoning an acquaintance.”
“Your Highness and Fourth Master are very understanding.” Zhang Huan, seeing Fu Mingzheng’s sinister smile, felt uneasy. Wasn’t it said that Fourth Master Fu was most terrifying when he smiled? This remark was truly insincere and deceptive!
Fu Mingzheng smiled at Zhang Huan and warmly invited him to sit down. Then he looked at Mr. Meng, who had lost significant weight and was barely hanging on. Sweetly, he said, “Mr. Meng, I hear you are a crucial witness. When you speak before His Majesty and Miss Ji, make sure to tell the truth without any reservations.”
Mr. Meng had already suffered enough at the Weishui camp and had a rough journey, constantly being hurried along like livestock. Hearing Fu Mingzheng’s words, he shivered and bitterly said, “I was deceived! It’s all the fault of the wicked! The wicked are to blame.”
“Oh…” Fu Mingzheng drawled with a smile, “I thought Mr. Meng had a grudge against my sister, always trying to make things difficult for her. So, you were deceived? If I remember correctly, Mr. Meng was a trusted advisor to His Highness. How could you be so easily deceived? Unbelievable! Haha!”
Mr. Meng’s face flushed and then paled, and he suddenly erupted, “Yes! I deliberately turned a blind eye and allowed Ji Hui into His Highness’s room. But so what? His Highness is destined for greatness. How can he be entangled in petty romances, controlled by a woman? If the Wangfei were truly virtuous and magnanimous, she would have voluntarily helped His Highness take in concubines and bear children. Exclusivity is a grave mistake!”
Fu Mingzheng raised his eyebrows, “Oh, so that’s what Mr. Meng truly thinks.” He turned to Zhang Huan and asked, “What did His Highness say about sending him back?”
Zhang Huan whispered, “His Highness said, ‘The temple is too small to accommodate such a big Buddha like Mr. Meng.’” Actually, that was a polite way of putting it. Yuwen Chu’s exact words were that Mr. Meng was too fond of making decisions on his own, which was akin to betrayal. Considering his past contributions, His Highness wanted to balance the merits and demerits and, after resolving this matter, send him home to retire. As long as he didn’t die, it was fine.
Fu Mingzheng laughed and turned to Mingzhu, “Alright, now it’s your turn. He has openly disrespected you. How do you plan to handle it? This is your family’s matter; I won’t interfere.”
Mingzhu slowly asked Mr. Meng, “You accuse me of being exclusive. I admit it, but I ask you, have I ever harmed His Highness’s concubines or children? Have I ever quarreled with His Highness over this? Have I ever forced him to do anything unjust? Have I ever sought personal gain for myself or my family?”
Mr. Meng, with his neck stiff, retorted, “A teapot should have multiple cups. I am doing this for His Highness’s sake! Even if I die, I won’t change my mind! If you punish me, it will only prove your pettiness and that you crush dissenters!”
Mingzhu smiled, “Alright, I understand. I have a special gift for you later. Please don’t refuse.”
As they spoke, Yuwen Guang and Ji Hui arrived. Fu Mingzheng set the stage by reading Yuwen Chu’s letter aloud: “His Highness said that on that night, due to the presence of the Wusun people, he did not return to his camp but stayed with Zhang Huan. Zhang Huan, is this true?”
“If I speak falsely, may I be shot by arrows.” Zhang Huan stepped forward and swore without blinking, “No one knows how complicated the situation was in Guixian. His Highness had narrowly escaped assassination several times, surviving only by keeping his whereabouts unpredictable. That night, after drinking heavily with the Wusun king, how could he return to a known location? Fourth Master Fu, would you do that?”
