Chapter 1228 Willing but powerless
Mistress? Lifelong career?
Although it wasn't the first time Bingbing had heard such novel phrases from the Crown Princess, this statement still surprised her. She didn't quite understand what "mistress" meant, but judging from what had just happened in the hall, the Crown Princess seemed to be scolding Madam Yu. However, the two had a long-standing personal grudge, so it wasn't surprising.
But that phrase, "a lifelong career," is something else entirely...
Yu Mingyue originally wanted to hit someone to vent her anger, but seeing Bingbing's attentive fanning and wiping her sweat, she couldn't bring herself to do it. However, she couldn't get rid of the resentment in her heart, so she sneered and said, "Never heard of the word 'career'?"
Bingbing hurriedly shook her head: "No, I've heard about it."
"Oh?" Yu Mingyue looked at her with disdain: "Where did you hear that from?"
Bingbing said cautiously, "In my hometown, there is a winery. The owner is a widow from a neighboring village. It is said that she has married three times, and each of her husbands did not live for more than half a year."
Upon hearing this, Yu Mingyue frowned: "What bad luck! How can there be such a widow?"
Bingbing glanced at her in surprise and said softly, "She's so lucky, those men can't handle her."
These words surprised Yu Mingyue.
Bingbing said in a serious tone, "That's what people in my hometown say. I heard that some high-ranking officials felt they deserved such good fortune and wanted to marry her, but she was tired of being married and refused to marry any of them. Later, she opened a winery in town and said that wine is more reliable than men and is her lifelong career."
Yu Mingyue frowned as she listened, staring at Bingbing in silence.
Bingbing was usually very careful when speaking in front of her, afraid that if she didn't say a word correctly, she would be scolded and beaten. Fortunately, Yu Mingyue was not angry when she said these words today, but the look in her eyes was not kind.
Bingbing hurriedly said, "This servant is ignorant and speaks nonsense. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Yu Mingyue snorted coldly: "Good that you know."
After saying that, she closed her eyes and stopped talking. Bingbing breathed a sigh of relief and continued to carefully fan her with her fan.
A short while later, the carriage stopped in front of the Crown Prince's residence.
Yu Mingyue got off the carriage and was walking inside when she saw a familiar figure coming out – it was Shang Shoufei.
After returning from the battlefield in Luoyang, he remained as the Left Guard Commander of the Crown Prince's residence, but he rarely visited. This was the first time Yu Mingyue had seen him, and he was wearing unfamiliar armor. She couldn't help but frown and ask, "Is it you?"
Shang Shoufei hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "This humble general greets Your Highness the Crown Princess."
Yu Mingyue waved her hand dismissively: "What are you doing here?"
Shang Shoufei, beaming with joy, immediately replied happily upon hearing her question, "This humble general was recommended by the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, and promoted by the Emperor to the position of Left Thousand Ox Guard General. I have come here to express my gratitude to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess."
"Left Thousand Bull Guard?"
Yu Mingyue narrowed her eyes, realizing that this was one of the Twelve Guards, the emperor's inner circle of personal guards. In the end, they were still under Yuwen Ye's command. However, the emperor's move was clearly not to allow Yuwen Ye to completely control the Twelve Guards. Not only the Left and Right Valiant Guards, but also some of his own people and the crown prince's people were placed elsewhere to prevent Yuwen Ye from becoming too powerful.
So he smiled faintly and said, "That's good."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something and asked, "Then, how many people are in the Thousand Bull Guard?"
Shang Shoufei said, "There are probably around a thousand people."
Upon hearing this, Yu Mingyue immediately frowned again: "Only a thousand people?"
Shang Shoufei was stunned for a moment, not understanding what she was angry about. The Left and Right Thousand Bull Guards had never led the local troops, but only commanded the emperor's personal guards. In fact, the number of a thousand people was just a figure on paper. The number of people actually under his command in the Left Thousand Bull Guard was less than five hundred.
But seeing Yu Mingyue like this, he couldn't say anything, and could only force a smile and say, "There aren't many guards in the inner perimeter to begin with."
Yu Mingyue was unaware of the intricacies of the situation. She only heard that Shen Tu Tai's five thousand men had been given to Su Changjing, while the people from the Crown Prince's residence could only command a thousand men. This made her feel extremely humiliated. However, she couldn't vent her anger on Shang Shoufei as freely as she could on her maids and servants. She could only grit her teeth and say, "You're someone who's been through the wringer on the battlefield. How come you're not as good as someone who stayed in Chang'an and ate the fruits of others' labor?"
Shang Shoufei was taken aback. What the Crown Princess was saying was—
He subconsciously glanced at Bingbing, the maid following behind the Crown Princess. Bingbing gave him a meaningful look, and Shang Shoufei then glanced at the carriage that had just driven away outside the gate, immediately understanding. Actually, he had heard in the army about the fate of Shen Tu Tai's five thousand men, and was also dissatisfied that they hadn't received any benefits. However, he hadn't said much because of the apparent relationship between Su Changjing and the Crown Princess's family. But seeing that Yu Mingyue had almost clearly expressed her dissatisfaction, he decided not to be "polite."
He immediately replied, "What the Crown Princess says is true. It's all due to my incompetence, but—"
"Just what?"
"However, His Majesty's will is firm, and with the Left General of the Valiant Guard as guarantor, this humble general is powerless to change it."
"..."
Upon hearing these words, Yu Mingyue's face darkened. She walked step by step to Shang Shoufei, staring intently into his eyes. Shang Shoufei subconsciously lowered his head to avoid her intimidating gaze, and then heard Yu Mingyue's cold voice ring in his ears: "You are already a great general, how can you be willing but powerless?"
"..."
"If that's the case, then why did His Highness the Crown Prince promote you people?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Shoufei's heart stirred, and he immediately bowed and said, "This subordinate understands."
Yu Mingyue snorted in annoyance and walked inside.
Shang Shoufei stood at the door, bending down and waiting for her figure to disappear in front of him before slowly straightening up. He was overjoyed and swaggered out.
Five days later, a major incident suddenly occurred in the imperial city.
When the news reached the Prince of Qin's residence, Yuwen Ye was having dinner at home. It was a rare occasion for him and Shang Ruyi to be together, and with their son, Xiao Yuangan, who always made a ruckus during mealtimes, the three of them were enjoying a harmonious family time. Shang Ruyi laughed so hard she could hardly breathe, especially when she saw Xiao Yuangan covered in rice porridge, looking like a little kitten. Yuwen Ye, on the other hand, shook his head and pinched his son's cheek, saying, "Don't waste this food, understand?"
"Hmm—"
Xiao Yuangan pinched his mouth so hard it cracked, and he could only nod vaguely, "Mmm."
The family of three was laughing when Mu Xian walked in from outside, gave a perfunctory bow to the group, and said, "Your Highness, the Left Thousand Bull Guard and the Right Valiant Guard are fighting at the palace gate."
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