Moonlit Reunion

Upon hearing that Wu Zhen would also be attending the autumn hunt this year, Her Majesty the Empress immediately summoned her to the palace.

Wu Zhen knew exactly what her elder sister wanted to say. The moment she saw her, she raised her hand obediently and declared, "I promise not to draw my bow or shoot arrows, to ride slowly without galloping, and to avoid anything dangerous. This time, I’m just taking the little ones out for fun and enjoying the autumn scenery with my husband. Don’t worry, Your Majesty. Look, I haven’t been out causing trouble lately, and it’s rare for me to have a chance to leave the city and get some fresh air. You can’t keep me cooped up forever."

With all her excuses laid out upfront, the Empress was left speechless, her words stifled before she could voice them. She glared at her sister and warned sternly, "You’d better keep your word. Don’t think I won’t find out if you misbehave. I’ll have eyes on you, and if you act recklessly, you’ll face the consequences when you return."

"Yes, yes, of course," Wu Zhen agreed readily.

Only then did the sisters sit down to chat. The Empress suddenly recalled something and asked, "I’ve heard from my attendants that Mei Zhuyu has been quite popular in the Ministry of Justice these days. Did you know?"

Wu Zhen certainly knew. Just yesterday, bored and idle, she had transformed into a cat and wandered around the Ministry of Justice, witnessing firsthand how a group of officials had been trying to win over her husband. It was utterly shameless, and she had nearly burst out laughing—had they seen a cat laughing like a human, it would have caused quite the scandal.

"I know," Wu Zhen replied, unable to suppress her smile as she casually bragged about how her husband had been bringing home all sorts of delicacies lately.

The Empress listened at first with approval, but as the details unfolded, her expression darkened. Finally, she raised a hand to stop Wu Zhen, her voice dangerously low. "Mei Zhuyu fed you giant softshell turtle, bear bile, and even hawthorn?!"

Wu Zhen blinked. "What’s the problem?"

What’s the problem? The Empress nearly laughed in exasperation. Consort Mei, who was present, took the opportunity to explain gently, "Zhuyu truly acted without thinking. How could he give you such things? None of those are suitable for a pregnant woman. Even a small amount could lead to a miscarriage if one isn’t careful."

The Empress took a deep breath, her face still stormy. "I always thought that between the two of you, though Mei Zhuyu is younger, he was at least steady and reliable. But it turns out he’s just as reckless as you! Feeding you everything you shouldn’t eat—thank heavens we found out early. If you two had kept this up, who knows if this child would even make it to birth!"

Wu Zhen remained unruffled, even swinging her foot playfully. "It’s not that serious. I didn’t eat much of it anyway."

"And you still have the nerve to laugh!" The Empress fumed at her sister’s carefree attitude. Consort Mei patted her hand soothingly. "Don’t be angry. Zhuyu was simply overeager, likely having heard some misguided folk remedies and not knowing the taboos. He only wanted what was best for Zhen. They’re a young couple expecting their first child—they know nothing, and without elders to guide them, oversights are bound to happen."

Hearing this, the Empress thought of their long-deceased mother, and her anger subsided considerably. After a moment’s consideration, she said to Wu Zhen, "In that case, for the duration of your pregnancy, you and Mei Zhuyu will move back to Duke Yu’s estate. The place is spacious, with plenty of attendants, and the kitchen is staffed by experienced servants. They’ll ensure your meals are properly managed."Wu Zhen didn't hesitate to refuse, "No, I'm used to living in Changle Lane and can't be bothered to move back."

The empress frowned at this, while Consort Mei could only sigh helplessly at the sisters' interaction. Softly mediating, she suggested, "How about this—there are some elderly palace maids in the court who are skilled at caring for pregnant women. We can send two to accompany you back and look after you."

Wu Zhen considered it. Since she never knew when her husband might bring back some unpalatable food again, having these old maids around could serve as an excuse to refuse eating it. So she readily agreed.

The two women in their fifties followed her into the Mei residence, but Wu Zhen soon forgot about them. The next day, upon returning home, she was shocked to find one of the old maids scolding her husband.

Her formidable husband, who could draw his sword to slay demons, now stood stiffly in silence, lips pressed together as he endured the reprimand from this ordinary woman. Seeing him like this only emboldened the maid, who spoke with undisguised arrogance and not a trace of respect, her face even bearing a hint of disdain.

"Such vulgar fare is unfit for a noble lady's palate. The Lady of Yi State hails from Duke Yu's household—how refined and precious she is! How could you, sir, bring such things for her to eat?" Her tone was as if she were lecturing a junior or a lowly palace servant. Wu Zhen's expression darkened instantly. Stepping forward, she lashed out with her riding crop, sending the haughty woman sprawling to the ground.

The maid clutched her head, rolling on the ground in pain. When she saw who had struck her, her initial shock and anger turned to terror. She began pleading for mercy, but Wu Zhen flicked the tip of the whip across her mouth, silencing her. Fortunately, Wu Zhen stopped after just two strikes. Aside from being covered in dust from rolling on the ground and a red mark on her lips, the maid was unharmed. Trembling, she scrambled to her knees and dared not make another sound.

"Who gave you the audacity to scold my husband?" Wu Zhen pointed the whip at the woman, her voice icy. She was not known for her patience—if someone offended her, she wouldn't hesitate to strike, even in the palace. Over the past year, with Mei Zhuyu by her side, she had unconsciously mellowed, rarely losing her temper. But seeing this scene today, she couldn't hold back. If not for Mei Zhuyu standing nearby, she might have whipped this presumptuous old hag all the way from the residence to the streets.

"My lady, spare me! I—I was only following Her Majesty the Empress's orders to care for your meals. I merely spoke up when I saw the master bringing back unsuitable food—"

Before she could finish, Wu Zhen sneered, "Spoke up? Who allowed you to speak up to him?" She should have realized—these old palace maids, often bestowed upon princesses and noblewomen, would typically assert their authority by belittling the husbands to elevate their own status. Flaunting their palace background, they carried themselves with unbearable arrogance.

Wu Zhen had heard of such behavior, but she never imagined her own husband—a respected official in the Ministry of Justice and a formidable Daoist capable of lifting a thousand pounds—could be bullied by such a lowly servant.

Too irritated to waste words, she summoned attendants to bind the cunning woman and send her back to the palace.

At this, the maid panicked in earnest. If she were truly sent back, even if the empress said nothing, Consort Mei would never let her off. But no amount of pleading stopped the attendants from dragging her away.

Still seething, Wu Zhen tapped her whip and ordered, "Isn't there another maid? Fetch her too—send them both back to the palace."

Mei Zhuyu, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. "Keep one."Wu Zhen looked at him with a stern tone, "What, haven't you been scolded enough?"

It was rare for her to speak to Mei Zhuyu like this, but he didn't seem to mind and replied earnestly, "I truly don't know which foods you can or cannot eat. I need someone to teach me."

Wu Zhen kept a straight face, not a hint of a smile. "She wasn't teaching you—she was deliberately making trouble for you. Can't you see that?"

Mei Zhuyu looked ashamed. "It's nothing. I was indeed at fault before, giving you things you shouldn't have eaten."

Wu Zhen grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house. "What does it matter if I should or shouldn't eat it? You went to the trouble for me, so even if it wasn't suitable, I'd still eat it." This statement conveniently ignored how much she had privately complained about the strange-tasting foods before.

Seeing her temper flare, Mei Zhuyu moved his fingers slightly, holding her hand and gently touching her stomach. "Don't walk so fast, and don't be angry."

Wu Zhen glared. "Do you even know why I'm angry?"

Mei Zhuyu lowered his head to meet her gaze. "I know. But to me, this really is a trivial matter. Your health is what concerns me more."

Wu Zhen sighed. "Before I married you, many people called me Wu Er Niangzi. After we wed, some still referred to me as Madam Wu at first, but later I made them call me Madam Mei."

"I've heard plenty of people slander you in private, saying your family background and favor at court are inferior to mine. You must have heard it too."

Mei Zhuyu answered candidly, "Yes, I have. But I don't care."

Wu Zhen was even more forthright. "I care, and it makes me furious."

"If I hadn't seen or heard it, fine. But if I ever find out someone belittles or slanders you, I won't let them off easy." She snorted and strode back into the house. Mei Zhuyu remained outside, listening as she ordered someone to send the other woman back to the palace.

Mei Zhuyu couldn't stop her. That night, Wu Zhen remained angry and refused to speak to him. The next day, while working at the Ministry of Justice, Mei Zhuyu couldn't stop thinking about it—while copying major case files, while interrogating prisoners, even when summoned by Consort Mei for questioning.

Consort Mei said, "Eldest Nephew, you should try to persuade Zhen when you return. I know her temperament—she doesn’t anger easily and is usually cheerful, but once she’s truly upset, it lasts a while. This time, she’s angry because you were wronged. Go back and talk to her properly—don’t let her harm her health with anger."

After a long pause, Mei Zhuyu asked his aunt, "Then what should I do?"

Consort Mei replied, "She’s your wife. Just coax her."

How? With a meaningful "The Wu family is easy to coax," she sent him on his way.

On the way home, Mei Zhuyu pondered the matter the entire time, even considering whether he should go looking for Wu Zhen if she didn’t return home and instead went to the Demon Market. But when he arrived, all the methods he’d painstakingly thought of proved unnecessary. Wu Zhen was already home, smiling brightly, with no trace of last night’s coldness.

"Husband, come quickly! Today at the West Market, I saw some fine horse gear and bought a set for you. We’ll go autumn hunting in a couple of days—you can use it then."

Mei Zhuyu glanced at the gear, then turned to her, tentatively asking, "You’re not angry anymore?"

Wu Zhen looked puzzled. "Why would I be angry with you?"After inspecting the horse gear, she called over a kindly-looking elderly woman and said to Mei Zhuyu, "This is a family servant who watched me grow up and once assisted in my mother's childbirth. I've asked her to stay here for a while to oversee my meals."

The elderly woman was gentle and kind, treating Mei Zhuyu with great respect. After exchanging a few words, she smiled and bowed to them before leaving. Once she was gone, Wu Zhen remarked, "With an experienced woman keeping an eye on things, you can rest easy now, right? It's just that I dismissed two caretakers—it's not like I can't manage without them. You were so worried last night you kept tossing and turning."

Mei Zhuyu wasn’t worried about that. He just felt that Wu Zhen was upset, and it weighed on him so heavily that he couldn’t sleep. There were many things he wanted to say, but in the end, all that came out was, "I thought you fell asleep early last night."

Wu Zhen inwardly scoffed. This young man had spent the whole night staring at her with such anxious eyes—how could she possibly have slept?