Chapter 100: Softness
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Yuwen Chu noticed Mingzhu’s gaze and lifted his head to meet her eyes unflinchingly, smiling faintly. “I can know that Hei Mo is the Wusun Wang, and so can your father and others. It’s just that they underestimated Empress Dowager Min’s determination, and also underestimated your courage and foolishness. Originally, they didn’t intend to act so soon, but you went straight to the point, giving others the opportunity. Do you still think that what I said just now was a lie?”
“Whether it’s a lie or not doesn’t matter. My father won’t stand idly by and let this happen.” Mingzhu raised her head proudly. She was no longer interested in analyzing whether what she had just done was right or wrong. She only knew that she had to maintain this confidence in front of Yuwen Chu.
This confidence represented the Fu family and herself. Even if she knew in her heart that she couldn’t be as noble as princesses and county princesses, no matter how much favor she received, she should pay the corresponding price. If princesses marry into the Wusun, she would do the same. Otherwise, who would believe in the Great Empress Dowager and her father’s words in the future? No one would want to serve a selfish person blindly.
It was such an awkward moment—she had just broken off her engagement with Yuwen You, and Yuwen You had even lost half his life because of her. Although the imperial family members wouldn’t necessarily blame her for it, they would definitely resent her and the Fu family. Once the envoy from the Wusun spoke up and the Emperor agreed, it was likely that no one in the imperial family would speak up for her. They might even help Empress Dowager Min and her son force the Great Empress Dowager. In the past, she might have stubbornly refused to go no matter what, but now, how could she bear to help others force her elderly father?
Yuwen Chu shook his head. “You’ve misunderstood Prime Minister Fu.”
Mingzhu was confused and didn’t understand what he meant. “Please elaborate.”
“Although Prime Minister Fu loves you dearly and spoils you, he won’t let you have your way in this matter. Before the matter is settled, he will do everything he can to persuade the envoy from the Wusun to change his mind. But once the matter is settled, even if it pains him as if his heart has been cut out, he won’t let the envoy from the Wusun be dissatisfied.”
Yuwen Chu’s gaze was calm, and his tone gentle. “Forming an alliance with the Wusun to resist the Xiongnu has been Prime Minister Fu’s plan for many years. The previous Wusun Wang refused to cooperate, and it was not until the new king ascended the throne that he saw an opportunity. He won’t disregard the well-being of the people of the world. You know better than I do, Prime Minister Fu bears a bad reputation but has the welfare of the world at heart.”
Bearing a bad reputation but caring for the welfare of the world, this comment was fair to her father. But she didn’t want to care about the world, she just wanted her family to live in peace and harmony. Mingzhu couldn’t help feeling bitter and a glimmer of tears welled up. “Should the fate of the country be built on the pain and tears of women? How can you men talk so casually about such grand principles?”
Listening to her, Yuwen Chu was somewhat surprised. He lowered his eyes and said softly, “Rest assured, such things will become less and less frequent in the future. There will come a day when they won’t happen at all.” At least not under his control.
In any case, if she truly couldn’t escape this tragic fate, she might as well help her father and brothers. Any place could support life. Mingzhu lowered her eyes to hide the glimmer of tears and said lightly, “Your Highness’s words are truly enlightening. If I’m not mistaken, you were saying just now that my father is not merely a selfish and power-hungry minister, but also has some concern for the world and the people?”
Being frightened by him for so long, an ordinary woman would have cried and begged for comfort, and asked him for a way out. But her focus was different, as if she cherished her father’s reputation more. If she had raised such a daughter herself, she would surely feel relieved and not regret spending her efforts on her.
Yuwen Chu suddenly felt very soft in his heart and sighed lightly. He said seriously, “I have never said that Prime Minister Fu is such a minister. On the contrary, I have always believed that Prime Minister Fu has worked hard for many years, loyal and dedicated, which is rare.”
Whether he was sincere or not, Mingzhu felt much better after hearing these words. But with her good memory, she persisted, “But you were threatening me just now, saying that our family wants to rebel.”
“You said it yourself, that was a threat. How can you take a threat seriously?” Yuwen Chu smiled and looked at her affectionately, “If you agree to marry me, I won’t say such things again.”
For a moment, Mingzhu thought she had misinterpreted him. Did he really look at her with such affection? She blinked in disbelief. “I…”
Yuwen Chu interrupted her with a smile. “If you agree to marry me, I have a way to make the envoy from the Wusun change his mind.”
Just like that, he wanted her to relent? Then she was too easy to deal with. Mingzhu quickly relied on her good memory. “Your Highness, you actually thought too much just now. You already pinned County Princess Xue to Hei Mo, if he refuses to take responsibility, it would be disrespecting our Great Tang! No one would let him off!”
Yuwen Xue was still on Hei Mo’s carriage at this time. If they wanted to establish an ugly reputation, wasn’t this a ready-made target? Moreover, Yuwen Xue was originally a candidate for a political marriage in her previous life. In times of crisis, Mingzhu couldn’t care less about her previous plan to sabotage this marriage. It was better to help her father and brothers. Who knows where life could take her.
“Yuwen Xue?” Yuwen Chu saw through Mingzhu’s thoughts in an instant and said mercilessly, “Yuwen Xue disobeyed Empress Dowager Min’s orders and colluded with the envoy from the Wusun. Just based on this, she deserves to die several times over.”
Empress Dowager Min’s attempt to frame her failed, so naturally, she would hate Yuwen Xue, who acted recklessly and meddled. However, Empress Dowager and her father and brothers are not easy to manipulate. Would they just let Empress Dowager Min have her way? It’s just that Yuwen Chu wanted to scare her. Mingzhu didn’t believe it, she just wanted to get off the carriage quickly and deal with this matter with her father and brothers.
But Yuwen Chu seemed to be like a monster who could see through people’s hearts, effortlessly puncturing her thoughts again: “You only remember Empress Dowager Min, but forget about the Wusun people. Do you think the Wusun people are ignorant fools? Between marrying an unpopular county princess and the favored jewel of the Great Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister, who do you think will bring more benefits?”
Mingzhu unwillingly retorted, “The Wusun people provoked Yuwen Xue themselves! It shows they’re interested in her too!”
“Don’t you understand yet? The reason why Yuwen Xue was able to get on Hei Mo’s carriage is because she has become the bait to lure you! Do you think anyone cares about her life or death? There are plenty of ways to make her disappear.”
Yuwen Chu looked at her with a “how naive can you be” expression, sighing lightly. “Although the Emperor is still young, and although the Empress Dowager is enthusiastic, everyone knows that when it comes to important matters, the real decision-makers are the Great Empress Dowager and the Prime Minister. At least for the next ten years, marrying you is a very profitable deal. As for after ten years, when the new Wusun Wang has firmly established his position and grown stronger, he won’t care who’s in power here.” He emphasized to scare her, “If you please him, you will naturally have a good life. If you don’t, then you’ll be miserable. You might even be handed over to someone without a second thought.”
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