Chapter 111: Father-in-law
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The setting sun shone through the carved window lattice into the dimly lit hall, casting a half-light and half-dark atmosphere inside.
Yuwen Chu’s eyes sparkled like stars in the cold night, determined, jubilant, and content. Sensing his gaze, Imperial Consort Min couldn’t help but recall the same expression the late Emperor had when looking at Consort Zhou. Her heart clenched, and she closed her eyes, whispering hoarsely, “As a mother, how could I not wish for my child’s desires to be fulfilled? But what I want most is for you to live safely and peacefully, away from these troubles.”
Yuwen Chu chuckled softly, “Mother, you’re too naive. In the imperial family, who can remain unaffected? The Great Empress Dowager can marry Mingzhu off to Old Eight and Old Nine, so why is she reluctant to marry her to me? Is it because she sees something special in me and knows her niece is trouble, so she’s unwilling to let Mingzhu bring trouble to me? Why does the Changxing Marquis’s residence insist on this marriage despite being embarrassed by me several times? Why is Empress Dowager Min starting to trouble you?”
Imperial Consort Min was startled, her face pale as she stammered, “That’s… that’s…”
Yuwen Chu whispered softly, “Yes, the Great Empress Dowager has always been wary of me. In her heart, no matter how obedient I am, I’ll never be as trustworthy as her own grandson. Changxing Marquis’s Mansion has more than just the simple intention of making their daughter a Wang Consort.”
The young emperor is young and tyrannical. Sooner or later, the throne will be turbulent, and it’s a matter of who is the most powerful.”
Imperial Consort Min steadied her mind and said with difficulty, “But the Great Empress Dowager has always agreed, and Fu Xiang hasn’t said anything…”
“Yes, they both agreed to it, so I will remember their kindness.” Yuwen Chu smiled, “Alright, I came to the palace today specifically to visit you. Let’s not mention those unpleasant matters anymore.”
Imperial Consort Min sighed, grasping his hand gently, “Alright, let’s not mention it. I always hope for peace between you two. Mingzhu is a good child, but she’s fierce and proud. I want you to indulge her, but I also worry about you. I don’t want you to indulge her, but I’m afraid of offending the Great Empress Dowager and Fu Xiang. Your days aren’t easy…”
“Don’t worry. I know what to do.” Yuwen Chu helped her sit down, “I heard Zhaoyang Palace was looking for you?”
Imperial Consort Min’s heart tensed again, “They insisted on me bringing someone over. Otherwise, it would be seen as opposing them and looking down on them. Although the Great Empress Dowager asked me to call Mingzhu, I still can’t relax.”
Yuwen Chu thought for a moment, “Then let her come. I will keep an eye on her. Nothing will happen.”
Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, who can discern them? If it weren’t for Zhaoyang Palace coming up with that plot to send Mingzhu away for marriage, he wouldn’t have caught such a good opportunity so quickly, forcing the Great Empress Dowager to agree to this marriage. Without this opportunity, who knows how long it would have taken to achieve his goals.
“No, my eyelid has been twitching.” Imperial Consort Min looked at the blood-like sunset above the palace, her expression solemn, “I feel like something big is going to happen.”
In Changxing Marquis’s Mansion, after Jiang Shanshan received the message relayed by Hai Momo, she expressed her gratitude very politely and rewarded the servant generously. Then she instructed her maid, Mu Di, “Escort the nobleman for me.”
After sending off the person, Mu Di returned with concern, “Miss, do you really want to…” Do you really not want to be the main wife of Anyang Wang but are willing to be the side consort of Ying Wang?
Jiang Shanshan said lightly, “Anyang Wang? What kind of thing is Anyang Wang! He’s not even good enough for Fu Mingzhu, and he’s worthy of marrying me? What’s wrong with being a side consort? I want to defeat Fu Mingzhu myself and make her utterly defeated!”
One day, she would make Yuwen Chu see who the person standing side by side with him truly is. Jiang Shanshan lowered her eyes, drew a heavy stroke on the scroll in front of her with charcoal, then picked up the scroll and looked at it against the light, finally feeling it was perfect. She tore off half of the scroll and burned the other half.
Mu Di was greatly surprised, “Miss, you’ve been staying up late to draw for so many days, and it was finally finished. Why tear it up and burn it?”
“You don’t understand, don’t ask.” Jiang Shanshan coldly rolled up the remaining half of the paper and carefully sealed it with wax. Drawing this bed crossbow was much more difficult than she had imagined, and it would probably be difficult to manufacture as well. But as bait to tempt Yuwen Chu, it was more than enough. She wanted to see if, compared to the divine weapon that could conquer the world and Fu Mingzhu, who was more important.
Jiang Shanshan coldly curved her lips, staring at the rosy light in the sky, and said softly, “I can’t wait for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.” Presumably, with her scheming, this banquet would be exceptionally exciting. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, and people experience joys and sorrows, it speaks of such unpredictable matters.
Three days later, Mingzhu received this message. Madam Cui said, “Your father and I originally intended for the wedding to be earlier, but we didn’t want any more complications. However, since Ying Wang himself personally delivered the letter and it’s also your aunt’s intention, in that case, you should go.”
Mingzhu had attended this birthday banquet in her past life, so she was familiar with the general situation, even remembered the congratulatory words drafted by Court of the Imperial Clan. Therefore, she wasn’t too afraid, “I know what to do.”
Madam Cui tidied her hair for her, sighed, and said, “Although the Great Empress Dowager is protecting you, and Ying Wang said he will take care of you, I’m still worried. You mustn’t vie with others. If anything happens, yield first, okay?”
“Okay.” Mingzhu didn’t want to worry her, so she agreed to whatever she said. Sun Momo came in from outside and whispered a few words to Madam Cui. Madam Cui frowned slightly, feeling somewhat unhappy, “Your father wants you to visit the Guanhai Residence.”
Seeing her strange expression, Mingzhu asked curiously, “Is something wrong?”
Madam Cui shook her head, “Not really, you’ll know when you go.”
When Mingzhu arrived outside the Guanhai Residence, she saw Jing Song standing on the corridor from a distance, realizing that Yuwen Chu wanted to see her, and surprisingly, her father agreed.
This was their first meeting after the marriage was settled. Mingzhu didn’t think there was anything to be shy about, but she just didn’t want to see him. Hesitating at the door, she saw Fu Cong come out of the house with a stern face, “Why are you dawdling? Go in!” Then, without even looking at her, he walked away and talked to Jing Song.
Mingzhu rubbed her nose, took a deep breath, and finally pushed open the door.
Yuwen Chu was sitting by the window, deeply engrossed in something, and when he heard Mingzhu come in, he casually gestured to the chair beside him, saying, “Sit.”
Mingzhu walked over stiffly, wondering whether she should greet him casually and ask how he was, or if she should just sit down without a word. As she pondered, her eyes caught sight of the item in Yuwen Chu’s hand, and she couldn’t help but ask urgently, “Who gave that to you?”
Yuwen Chu smiled gently and replied, “Of course, it was from my father-in-law.”
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