Mostly Heartless Spring (Part 7)
In the evening, in the side hall of the East Palace, the inner room was lit in advance. The candlelight flickered, making the gold thread patterns on Zhu Liji's robes appear and disappear.
Wang Miaoxiao, clutching the tiger bone fan at his waist, burst out laughing as soon as he stepped through the door, his voice tinged with barely suppressed excitement: "It's been so long, I thought Your Highness had forgotten me. This sudden search, surely you don't want me to keep an eye on some foolish rebel again?"
"Or is it that the young general who went to Siam needs my protection?" After all, he was his own brother, so it was normal to worry about his safety. Wang Miaoxiao sat down and poured himself a pot of tea without any hesitation.
Zhu Liji didn't reply, his fingertips tracing the edge of the teacup. Wang Miaoxiao wasn't annoyed, but stared at Zhu Liji's face.
"Things aren't peaceful in Siam," Zhu Liji finally spoke, his voice flat.
Wang Miaoxiao's eyes lit up: "Your Highness really wants me to keep an eye on things? Don't worry, if anyone dares to touch a hair on the young general's head, I'll make sure they don't even have bones left!" He laughed arrogantly, tapping the fan with his knuckles, "I've said it before, Your Highness can use this knife anytime you want."
Zhu Liji gave him a cold glance, and was about to say something when a loud thud came from outside the window. Shao Zhao exclaimed, "The box! To the left! Raise it to the left! The things inside are very valuable!"
Several guards from the Eastern Palace carried a huge box. Shao Zhao shouted and gave orders, while Zhi Wei had her hands behind her back, looking like a hands-off manager.
Wang Miaoxiao raised an eyebrow, closed the curtain, and winked at Zhu Liji: "Your Highness's Eastern Palace has a few adorable mice."
Zhu Liji's face darkened, and he slammed his teacup on the table: "Who gave you permission to move your things here?"
This was clearly said to Zhiwei.
Zhiwei saw that Zhu Liji was standing alone by the window, so he went forward to greet him.
Summer had already arrived, and she did nothing, her forehead glistening with sweat, like a carefree wild camellia, striking yet vibrant.
“Of course I asked them to move it.” Zhiwei put one hand on her hip. “There are many rules in the palace. I took half a month’s leave. I can’t stay in Jingfang Garden.”
"I heard there are empty rooms in the Eastern Palace, and the Crown Princess has invited me. It's perfect that I'm staying here; I can also take care of the Crown Princess while I'm at it..."
"Is the Eastern Palace a place you can come and go as you please?" Zhu Liji's tone was even colder. "Move out."
Before Zhiwei could finish speaking, he was choked up, and his face darkened: "Why do you think I came here?"
"Because some wives have just lost their children and are heartbroken, but their husbands still have the mind to sit here and drink tea."
Zhiwei stared at Zhu Liji's face, her words laced with sarcasm: "I think your heart is cold enough, it's probably frozen solid. Go drink your iced tea!"
Zhiwei rolled up her sleeves, swung her forearms in circles, and looked extremely agitated.
Wang Miaoxiao watched with amusement, fanning herself without saying a word, but keeping a close eye on Zhu Liji's expression.
Zhu Liji's breathing became noticeably heavier. He suddenly grabbed a teacup and smashed it at Zhiwei's feet.
The porcelain cup shattered on the ground with a crash, splashing tea onto Zhiwei's skirt. A shard bounced off the tip of her shoe, leaving a shallow mark.
Zhiwei was startled and took half a step back, looking at the broken pieces on the ground.
"My affairs are none of your business!" Zhu Liji grabbed the curtain. "Get the hell away from me."
Zhiwei and his group quickly disappeared into the distance.
Wang Miaoxiao opened her mouth as if to speak, but then stopped herself.
Zhu Liji turned around.
The curtain was half closed, leaving him in a dimly lit space.
"You should head to Siam and Ying as soon as possible. Remember, don't let anyone know you're there. Just keep an eye on things—I'll take care of the rest. If anything goes wrong, you know the consequences."
Wang Miaoxiao dared not say more and bowed in agreement.
——
The next day.
After Zhiwei carried all the items she had inventoried into the west wing, she had just caught her breath when Shaozhao came over and asked, "Sister, are you still angry with Brother Zhu now that you've left the palace?"
Zhiwei told Zhu Liji that Cheng Yuzhi had invited her to the Eastern Palace, but Shao Zhao knew that Zhiwei's reason for coming here was not just an invitation. Part of the reason was probably that she was still angry with Zhu Mingyu.
Zhu Mingyu is gone, but his spirit lingers. He repeatedly sent messengers to Zhiwei to reassure her that he was safe. In the letters, he made no mention of his reasons for going to Siam and Ying without permission, acting as if nothing had happened and instead recounting the scenery and anecdotes he encountered along the way.
Knowing that the other party was pretending to be stupid and trying to muddy the waters, Zhiwei simply burned the opened letters to avoid getting angry.
"Who's angry with him?" Zhiwei retorted stubbornly. "He insisted on going to Siam and Ying, could I stop him?"
“I don’t think he’s ever treated me like one of his own. This marriage doesn’t need to be postponed; it’s better to call it off.”
Zhiwei folded several layers of clothes in her hands. She was speaking from the heart. After calming down, she carefully considered their relationship and admitted that she and Zhu Mingyu were not actually the same kind of people.
Zhu Mingyu grew up with a strong sense of patriotism, while Zhiwei had no grand ambitions and preferred managing her own family to protecting the country. Her way of caring for people was simple: keep them around and pass the risks on to others.
The incident in Siam was merely the trigger for their argument; the deeper issue was that they had never truly communicated with each other. When conflicts arose, they would either endure or appease each other. If things continued this way, even if they got married, they would not find happiness and peace.
If the ending is predictably tragic, she might as well cut her losses early. Ultimately, what matters most in life is inner peace and contentment.
Zhiwei's visit to the Eastern Palace was also to find an answer regarding the relationship between the two. Of course, she also needed to discuss this matter with Zhu Mingyu, whether as a partner or a friend.
"Alright, stop thinking about it." Shao Yang handed over a glass of water. "Didn't you say you were going to visit Consort Wan? She lives in the next room, so you can go and say hello."
Zhiwei picked up a small jar of candied fruit and walked to the next room.
As soon as I reached the door, I heard Sun Wei's voice from inside: "The frame of this lantern needs to be tightened more, otherwise it will hang crooked."
“I think it’s great.” Wan Zhen’er’s voice was filled with laughter. “Look at these rabbit ears, aren’t they cute?”
Zhiwei was taken aback for a moment, then pushed open the door and went in. She saw Wan Zhen'er and Sun Wei sitting around a table with several bamboo strips and colored paper on it. Sun Wei was helping to make the frame of the lantern, while Wan Zhen'er was cutting colored paper next to him. The afternoon sun shone through the window and fell on the two of them, creating a warm atmosphere.
"Sun Wei? What are you doing here?" Zhiwei was shocked, not expecting the two of them to be so bold. She carefully closed the door of the room, almost dropping the candied fruit jar in her hand.
Sun Wei was also stunned, and quickly stood up: "I..."
“I sent him,” Wan Zhen’er interrupted. She gestured for Zhiwei to sit down and opened the jar of candied fruit.
Wan Zhen'er puffed out her cheeks: "Sun Wei is so clumsy, even when he pastes the lamp, it's crooked and uneven. You're so skillful, come and help me see how to adjust it."
Zhiwei's gaze shifted back and forth between Sun Wei and Wan Zhen'er, then she glanced meaningfully in the direction of the courtyard gate.
Wan Zhen'er waved her hand dismissively, chewing on a candied fruit, and mumbled, "What's there to be afraid of? That man's mind is entirely on the court, how could he have time to concern himself with such trivial matters in my backyard? Besides," she winked slyly and pointed to her trusted maid standing in the corner, "Siyu is guarding the door for me."
Zhiwei still felt it was inappropriate: "But what if someone sees it and it gets out, it won't be good for your reputation."
"Reputation?" Wan Zhen'er scoffed, sticking colored paper onto the lantern. "I've been married to Zhu Liji for so long, and apart from our wedding night, he's never stepped foot in my room. Whether my reputation is good or bad is completely unimportant to him; let others say what they want."
Zhiwei was speechless. He walked to the table, sat down, and looked at the rabbit lantern that was almost finished: "You seem to take it all in stride."
"Otherwise what?" Wan Zhen'er picked up a piece of candied fruit and put it in her mouth. "Begging him to come see me while crying and wailing? There's no need. By the way, have you seen the Crown Princess? She just had a miscarriage, and she's probably still not well."
When Cheng Yuzhi was mentioned, Zhiwei's tone softened: "I was just planning to go see her later. Speaking of which, her pregnancy wasn't going well, partly because she didn't take good care of herself."
As the Crown Princess, Cheng Yuzhi had many and varied matters to attend to. She moved into the Eastern Palace before it was fully decorated, and such an environment was not suitable for recuperation.
Wan Zhen'er listened to Zhiwei's pity, but shook her head: "Pity? I think it's a good thing."
Zhiwei was puzzled: "What do you mean?"
“Zhu Liji’s mind is not on the child.” Wan Zhen’er’s voice softened as she stroked the lantern with her fingers.
"What he wants now is someone who can help him consolidate his position. As for the unborn child, he has no time to care. Besides, the Crown Princess comes from a humble background and is gentle in nature. It would be difficult for her to raise a smart and well-behaved child. Even if the child is born, he may not receive his father's love and may even become a pawn of Zhu Liji. It would be better if he didn't have one."
Wan Zhen'er looked at Zhiwei with a clear and cold gaze: "If my child doesn't get his father's love, how pitiful would he be if he were born? It would be better if he didn't come into this world to suffer."
Zhiwei was speechless, but felt a tightness in her chest. She clenched her hands: "You didn't mention these things in front of the Crown Princess, did you?"
“What can I say to her? It’s better to avoid trouble.” Wan Zhen’er raised an eyebrow. “She’s a good person, but too old-fashioned. I don’t like her.”
Wan Zhen'er's words were true. Cheng Yuzhi had been ill for some time after her miscarriage, and she only asked Siyu to pick out some tonics to send over, without ever intending to make a proper trip.
Zhiwei grabbed Wan Zhen'er's wrist: "Go and see her at least once, just to go through the motions."
Living under the same roof, and with Cheng Yuzhi being a good person, it's always good to visit her more often.
Zhiwei forcibly pulled and dragged Wan Zhen'er out of the room.
Before leaving, Zhiwei said worriedly, "When you get there, don't say those things you just said, or I'll tear your mouth apart."
Wan Zhen'er smiled and raised her hand: "I know, I know, I'm mute."
As the two walked to the outside of Cheng Yuzhi's room, they heard Jiang Mama's voice from inside: "Your Highness, please have some more porridge. You haven't eaten anything all day."
Zhiwei pushed open the door and entered. Cheng Yuzhi was leaning against the soft couch, with faint dark circles under her eyes.
When she saw Zhiwei, she forced a smile and said, "You've come."
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