Ji Hui covered her face and cried out loud. Mingzhu gave her a fierce glare before getting up and walking out. Fu Mingzheng bowed to Yuwen Guang and said solemnly, “The truth is now clear. The culprit is tied up outside. Whether you want to interrogate or execute them is up to you, Your Majesty. I’ll leave the remaining matters in your hands.”
Surprisingly, there was no relentless pursuit or total extermination… Yuwen Guang was somewhat surprised, but he was still pleased with the favor given: “Fourth Uncle is magnanimous. Ji Hui, come and thank Magistrate Fu.”
Ji Hui just cried with her face covered, and Fu Mingzheng said lightly, “If you want to thank someone, thank the Regent Wangfei. I acted according to her wishes. Beating a drowning dog is something I enjoy doing, but since she’s gone, let it be.” With that, he bowed to Yuwen Guang and quickly walked out to find Mingzhu.
Mingzhu stood under a tree and instructed Li Quanxin to prepare a gift for Mr. Meng. When he arrived, she said, “Fourth Brother, stay for dinner tonight. I’ll have the kitchen prepare duck blood vermicelli soup for you.”
“Alright.” Fu Mingzheng smiled, “Why wouldn’t you beat the drowning dog?”
Mingzhu sighed, “You can’t just kill her. This matter has its causes and consequences. Although she was greedy, the instigator was the Great Empress Dowager. I’m thinking, did the Great Empress Dowager regret before she died, or did she want to deepen my misunderstanding?”
Fu Mingzheng noticed a fallen leaf on her shoulder, smiled as he removed it for her, and said softly, “You can think whatever you want. Since her death, the outcome has been set. As long as you and His Highness trust and care for each other, things will get better.”
Mingzhu’s previously furrowed brows relaxed, “Then I’ll just assume she regretted before she died but didn’t have time to warn me. This way, I’ll feel much better.” Since the Great Empress Dowager was dead and she was still alive, she naturally wanted to live happily however she pleased.
Fu Mingzheng laughed heartily, “If Father knew you were thinking like this, he would definitely be delighted. What gift do you plan to give Mr. Meng? I’d like to hear it.”
Mingzhu smiled, “It’s nothing much. I’ll have Li Quanxin pick a few young and beautiful courtesans from Chunfeng Tower to serve him. It’s not in vain that he has worked so hard for His Highness for so long. Let him enjoy some good fortune.”
Fu Mingzheng raised an eyebrow, “Is what you’re doing appropriate?”
Mingzhu retorted, “Is it inappropriate?”
Fu Mingzheng stroked his chin, “It’s more than appropriate. ‘Fight fire with fire.’ This way is good. Li Quanxin, you must pick the best and most distinctive ones, clever, versatile, fierce, and playful!”
So he just had to pick a group of troublemakers? Li Quanxin’s face wrinkled with a smile, “I understand, I’ll do as instructed.”
Indoors, Ji Hui gradually stopped crying. Yuwen Guang signaled for Wetnurse Xiao and Jiang Youyuan to help her up, “It’s not suitable to stay here for long. Let’s go back to the other courtyard first.”
Ji Hui silently leaned on Wetnurse Xiao’s shoulder, and quietly left the Regent’s Mansion with Yuwen Guang. When they arrived at the other courtyard, Yuwen Guang wanted to accompany her inside, but she lowered her eyes and refused to look at him, whispering, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care all this time. It’s embarrassing for a commoner woman like me to see Your Majesty again. Please hand that person over to me, and then please return to the palace. Please don’t come again in the future.”
Yuwen Guang remained silent for a long time before softly saying, “Even if you were greedy, I don’t blame you. You… take good care of yourself. I’ll come to see you another day.”
Ji Hui shook her head and covered her face with her sleeve, “If Your Majesty insists on coming again, I’ll have to move out of here.”
Jiang Youyuan quietly tugged at Yuwen Guang’s sleeve, hinting that Ji Hui’s emotions were turbulent at the moment, so there was no need for him to force her to come. Yuwen Guang, feeling helpless, said, “Then what else do you request? As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll do it.”
Ji Hui whispered, “If possible, Your Majesty and the Regent Wangfei, please plead for me to spare Ji Feng. If the Wangfei agrees, I’m willing to do anything. And also, I want to ask, can I dispose of that person as I see fit, regardless of life or death?”
Yuwen Guang nodded, “I’ll send someone to handle Ji Feng’s matter immediately. Since Sixth Aunt has allowed you to return safely, she won’t care about such a trivial matter. As for that person, as mentioned earlier, it’s up to you. Your intentions are mine, regardless of life or death.”
Ji Hui extended her hand to Wetnurse Xiao and awkwardly bowed deeply to Yuwen Guang, “Your Majesty’s kindness will never be forgotten by this humble one. I pray for Your Majesty’s peace and joy.”
Yuwen Guang’s eyes became moist in an instant. Although they had a significant age difference, and although Ji Hui didn’t like him, and despite everything that had happened, Ji Hui was still the person who understood him the most. She knew that his greatest wish in this life was peace and joy. Although she had hidden some things from him, she had never lied to him. It took him a while to calm down the surging emotions a bit and said in a deep voice, “I also wish Sister Ji peace and joy.”
Since Ji Hui couldn’t get up, he had to get into the carriage alone and quietly instructed Jiang Youyuan a few words, leaving Jiang Youyuan behind, and then left on his own.
Ruan Momo had already left with her people, leaving only a few servants from the Ji family and some kitchen staff in the courtyard, making it very desolate. Jiang Youyuan first helped Ji Hui tie up the criminal and lock them in the woodshed, then took care of some miscellaneous matters before going to see Ji Hui.
Ji Hui had already washed and tidied up again, and her emotions had calmed down a lot. When she saw him coming in, she politely offered him a seat and poured tea for him, asking Wetnurse Xiao to bring silver coins to thank him.
“His Majesty has asked this old servant to convey two messages to you,” Jiang Youyuan said firmly, refusing to leave. “The young lady has been implicated and framed. The child is already at an advanced stage of pregnancy, and attempting to remove it could lead to serious consequences. His Majesty’s suggestion is to give birth to the child, and then he will send someone to take the baby away. The young lady should focus on recovering her health, and once the unrest in the northern regions is settled, return home. To the public, it will be said that His Majesty bestowed a marriage, but the husband fell ill and passed away. When the time is right, a suitable marriage can be arranged again. If you agree, His Majesty will take care of everything, and you only need to focus on your recovery.”
After a long pause, Ji Hui finally said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness, and thank you, Chief Steward Jiang, for your compassion. Please allow me some time to think it over before I give my reply to His Majesty, can I?”
Jiang Youyuan quietly withdrew, softly instructing the remaining attendants, “Be diligent and take good care of her. Make sure nothing goes wrong!”
Wetnurse Xiao threw herself at Ji Hui’s feet, crying, “Poor young lady, how has your fate become so bitter… Please listen to this old servant and let His Majesty arrange everything. There’s no need to ruin your life over something of such uncertain origin…” She had seen the attacker, who was quite decent in appearance and build, but his status was too low—merely a minor official from Gui County.
Ji Hui pushed Wetnurse Xiao away expressionlessly and walked to the bed, lying down. “I’m tired and need to rest. Call me when Ji Feng comes back.”
Wetnurse Xiao was afraid she might do something rash, so she sat down beside her, wiping tears from her eyes and guarding her carefully.
