CH 77

~End of chapter 76

Ming Ru had invited her to go on a outing with her, in order to precisely taunt and mock her. She wasn’t going to be a soft bag for her to bully.

The next day, Ming Zhu took the carriage that had been arranged in advance for her and went to the lakeside where the rendez-vous was made. When she got off the carriage, several pairs of eyes stared at her all at once.

With this kind of beauty, no wonder the crown prince favored her.

Chapter 77

(26.4)

In front of other people, Ming Ru was very conscientious of her image: “When I heard you fell sick some days ago, I was anxious in my heart, but now that I see you are well, I, as a sister, can rest assured.”

Among the people present today, some of them were also the legitimate daughters of high officials. Usually, the relationship between them and Ming Ru was quite good.

They felt that Ming Ru was being really kind to this vixen-like sister of hers.

Ming Zhu didn’t seem to be listening to her. She picked up a fallen branch on the ground and her pair of skilled hands easily wove a beautiful flower garland.

This time, the purpose of Ming Ru’s invitation to this spring outing wasn’t simple.

A gentle breeze was blowing inside the pavilion, as Ming Ru said, “Third uncle was framed by a treacherous man, has been dismissed from his post and is now at home. You can also be considered as a person half-close to His Highness, since you can talk to him, then you plead for him.”

Ming Zhu picked up the pastry in front of her and tasted it, “I can’t talk to him, he doesn’t listen to me.”

If she asked Zhao Zhi a request, he would definitely want something excessive in return.

This kind of losing deal, she wouldn’t do it.

Ming Ru expected that she would not agree, so she held back her temper as she said, “Third uncle is involved in the case of the Jiangnan relief silver. If you wait until the matter is thoroughly investigated and don’t plead for him, he can hardly even save his life.”

Ming Zhu raised her head, “I don’t have this ability.”

He had been so greedy as to even touch the relief silver, after years of extorting the common people’s hard earned money, her third uncle deserved to be dismissed from his post.

Ming Ru drank a mouthful of cold tea to calm the burning anger in her heart. After a while, she said with narrowed eyes: “Wei Chiyu also handled that silver. Let’s have a guess, whether or not the crown prince will take the opportunity to carry his personal revenge in the name of public interest, and use this excuse to directly kill him.”

Ming Zhu’s eyes turned cold. Those words were most likely what Ming Ru had really intended to tell her today.

She was not as stupid and dumb as Ming Ru thought she was. Besides, she did not believe Wei Chiyu would do such a thing.

She asked, “Are you trying to have me get him killed?”

(27.1)

Ming Ru was rendered speechless by her words. Having her intention exposed like this in front of everyone, she felt somewhat uneasy and froze for a moment, before saying, with no change on her face: “I am kindly reminding you.”

Ming Zhu took a sip of the flower tea, whose aftertaste was sweet. She said, “No need.”

There was some irritation in Ming Ru’s heart that she couldn’t speak out. This stupid and easy to bully concubine-born sister seemed to have grown smarter, she actually didn’t fall for her trap.

If Ming Zhu was really stupid enough to plead on behalf of Wei Chiyu in front of the crown prince, the crown prince’s rage would only be even more ardent and, maybe in a fit of rage, he might personally kill Wei Chiyu. Adding to that the fact that Ming Zhu couldn’t forget her old lover, the animosity between these two people would only become bigger and bigger.

With the beginning of spring, the weather outside was sunny. On the lakeside, the spring breeze was sweeping over Ming Ru’s face, carrying a cool air, which barely lowered the burning anger in her heart.

Ming Ru’s gaze fell on her body with a scrutinizing intent, she didn’t seem to have lost much weight, she mustn’t have suffered very much during the half month where she was being locked up, unable to see the sun. His Highness was really very tolerant with her. If it was anyone else, how could a concubine who had run away still live a good life afterwards?

A light breeze swept by and her layers upon layers of aqua blue skirts also swayed along with the wind. She looked like a floating fairy. A white jade hairpin was inserted in the young girl’s hair bun. Its jade was pure-transparent and exquisite, its quality was outstanding.

(TL’s note : this passage above is about Ming Zhu, but Ming Zhu is supposed to be wearing red today according to previous chapters, maybe the author made a mistake)

Inside the pavilion, it was cool thanks to the shade. Ming Zhu’s complexion was looking extremely well, as bright as peach blossoms, white and rosy, her palm-sized face appeared delicate and beautiful. The red corners of her eyes added a light seductive charm to her beauty.

Since Ming Ru was able to understand things, she just couldn’t stand to see this seductive face of hers. When they were children, Ming Zhu looked very cute, like a white and soft small ball and was very well-liked by people. Before her mother passed away, it could be said that their father was quite doting towards Ming Zhu.

Ming Ru took a deep breath and took a step back: “I shouldn’t have mentioned these things in front of you in the first place.”

Ming Zhu hummed absentmindedly.

“Isn’t sister Ming Ru going to the embroidery workshop this afternoon?” The Liu family’s second young lady suddenly said as she covered her mouth and laughed.

The Liu family second young lady was Ming Ru’s close friend, so she had to speak up for her.

Ming Zhu could hear from her words that she was hinting at something. She raised her head to see what they were trying to get at.