Chapter 94: Apprehension
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Jiang Shanshan’s ability to unite everyone with her casual demeanor was truly remarkable. Not to mention becoming the consort of Ying Wang, even being an empress seemed possible for her! Mingzhu looked at Jiang Shanshan with mixed emotions, feeling that she and Jiang Shanshan were not on the same level and walking together felt mismatched. So she naturally withdrew her hand from Jiang Shanshan’s grasp, gracefully gesturing a farewell to her.
Jiang Shanshan was somewhat surprised but didn’t insist. She followed the Wusun princess back to their original place. Mingzhu returned to sit next to An Xiaogu, absentmindedly picking at her food.
An Xiaogu sighed as she looked at her, “Tsk, fear not recognizing true value, but fear comparing oneself to others. You, who have no skills and knowledge, merely rely on a pretty face. Compared to this truly talented woman, you’re nothing but rubbish! She’s guiding the nation, and you only know how to eat! Eat! Eat!”
Once again, she became a stepping stone for Jiang Shanshan. Mingzhu felt a bit annoyed and retorted, “Who asked you to meddle? I’m happy being ignorant and useless. What’s it to you?”
“Alright, young master likes you being ignorant and useless, a beautiful and well-endowed little wife.” An Xiaogu laughed, her eyes darting around. Suddenly, she poked Mingzhu, “Look, look at that person. He’s quite audacious, daring to stare at you like that!”
Mingzhu raised her eyes and saw the Wusun warrior who had repeated Jiang Shanshan’s words blatantly staring at her. His gaze was as if he were appraising valuable goods, very disdainful. Angered, she pointed a warning finger at him, making her intentions clear.
The Wusun warrior was slightly taken aback, then smiled and nodded gently at her before leading the other two Wusun warriors out. As they reached the palace gate, someone rushed in from outside and collided directly with the leading Wusun warrior. The Wusun warrior, tall and strong, barely flinched, but the person let out a cry and staggered backward, falling to the ground.
Mingzhu could see clearly that the person who collided and fell was none other than Yuwen Xue, who had previously confided in Jiang Shanshan. Could it be that the incident from years ago started from here?
Mingzhu played with her wine glass with interest, keeping her eyes fixed on Yuwen Xue.
Yuwen Xue, with red eyes, laid slumped on the ground, tears about to fall but not yet fallen, presenting a pitiful appearance as if even the slightest breeze could blow her down. The leading Wusun warrior was initially surprised, then immediately bent down to help Yuwen Xue, apologizing sincerely or something similar.
With a blink of her long eyelashes, two large teardrops rolled down Yuwen Xue’s cheeks. However, she quietly shook her head, took a step back, and gently bowed to the Wusun warrior, apologizing softly, “I’m sorry for my rudeness.” Then, without looking around, she limped into the palace and bowed to Empress Dowager Min, saying, “Your humble servant has been rude. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”
Empress Dowager Min, seeing that no harm had been done, didn’t want to publicly reprimand her. She simply said in a calm tone, “Why are you so impulsive? Since you’re injured, go back and rest.”
Yuwen Xue lowered her head, trembling, and bowed to Empress Dowager Min. Then, with one last sympathetic look at Jiang Shanshan, she limped away.
Something wasn’t right. Yuwen Xue had been with Jiang Shanshan earlier, so why did Jiang Shanshan return first while Yuwen Xue came back later? Moreover, Yuwen Xue was never impulsive, so why would she make such a big mistake? Mingzhu glanced at the three Wusun warriors retreating in the distance. The leader walked faster and more confidently than the others, holding his head high and looking around brazenly.
There was something fishy about him! Judging from his arrogant demeanor, even if he wasn’t from the Wusun royal family, he must be someone of great importance. Mingzhu couldn’t let Yuwen Xue marry off again, so she promptly stood up and bowed to Empress Dowager Min. “Your Majesty, just now a messenger from Changxin Palace came to summon myself.”
The Great Empress Dowager favored her, always finding excuses during palace banquets to call her aside for a private chat and to give her some rewards. Empress Dowager Min glanced at her, feeling unhappy inside, but she didn’t suspect or stop her, saying, “Make sure you don’t upset the Great Empress Dowager anymore.”
“Understood.” Mingzhu gracefully retreated. Once outside the hall, she quickened her pace to catch up. In just a short time, Yuwen Xue and the Wusun warriors were nowhere to be seen.
How could they have left so quickly? Yuwen Xue was limping when she left, so how did she get so far in just a few words? Mingzhu was anxious. She grabbed a palace servant by the gate and asked, “Where’s County Princess Xue of the Shou Wang Residence?”
The servant, trembling at her reputation, stammered, “The county princess went this way.”
Mingzhu hurried after them, and around two walls, she saw Yuwen Xue and the three Wusun warriors walking ahead. Yuwen Xue was still limping, not walking fast, and the Wusun men slowed their pace to match hers. The accompanying palace servant glanced around but said nothing.
What was going on? Mingzhu couldn’t understand. Even if Yuwen Xue didn’t want to be manipulated by her stepmother, why would she want to marry off to the Wusun Wang, who could easily be her father?
But regardless, Mingzhu wouldn’t let Yuwen Xue fulfill her wish. She caught up and coughed lightly, “Princess.”
Yuwen Xue, surprised that someone followed her, turned around, her voice trembling. “It’s you.”
Seeing Yuwen Xue stop, the Wusun warriors also paused, their leader glaring at Mingzhu. Mingzhu, impatient with him, ignored him and gently took Yuwen Xue’s hand. “I see your foot is injured. It’s not safe to walk like this. Let me take you to Changxin Palace to apply some medicine. What do you think?”
In Mingzhu’s mind, if Yuwen Xue could orchestrate such an “accident,” she must be intelligent enough to understand the implications of going to Changxin Palace. If she wanted support to right any wrongs, this was her chance. If she chose to abandon seeking help from the Great Empress Dowager and insist on marrying off, then it meant she had ulterior motives and couldn’t be spared.
Yuwen Xue looked at Mingzhu in disbelief, her face full of fear.
Even if I don’t love being as benevolent as Jiang Shanshan, it doesn’t mean I’m a villainous criminal, right? Is there a need to look at her with such fear? Mingzhu thought in her mind, and it showed on her face, she didn’t bother to conceal it, her tone carrying a hint of displeasure, “What? You don’t want to?”
Yuwen Xue pitifully closed her eyes: “Thank you for your kindness, I dare not disturb the Great Empress Dowager’s tranquility.”
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