Chapter 113 Provocation
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Mingzhu was like a squirrel that had just stolen peanuts, hurriedly but lightly preparing to slip out from the door. Even without turning back, she could feel Yuwen Chu watching her from behind. She could also guess that her father, who was currently talking to Jing Song at the door, was very uneasy at the moment. This made her even more nervous and anxious, just like when she used to sneak out to do naughty things as a child.
“Mingzhu.” Yuwen Chu called out to her from behind. Mingzhu turned around, and he stood under the window, smiling at her. His smile was gentle, quiet, handsome, and refined, with bright eyes, devoid of the chill she felt when she first met him.
“What?” Mingzhu, even if she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t deny that the man in front of her was indeed very eye-catching. His peaceful and non-threatening smile was very comforting and pleasing.
“You haven’t told me yet whether you’re willing to marry me.” Yuwen Chu looked straight at her, smiling somewhat provocatively.
Not willing… Mingzhu swallowed the three words and retorted, somewhat provocatively, “Your Highness is so smart, why don’t you guess?” With that, she smiled and left.
Yuwen Chu was silent for a moment, then smiled and followed her out to bid farewell to Fu Cong. Since she hadn’t explicitly expressed opposition, he would assume she was willing. This was a very good start.
As Yuwen Chu and Jing Song walked away, Mingzhu couldn’t help but complain, “Why did father give him that thing? It’s our family’s secret!” It’s crucial for survival! Yet, he just casually took it out.
Fu Cong smiled gently and explained, “This is called sharing interests and sealing mouths. Since he had seen the drawings before and paid attention to them, we couldn’t hide it anymore. Why not give him a share and silence him, then pull him into the fray?”
Mingzhu stomped her foot, “But can he be trusted?”
Fu Cong replied very seriously, “I think he can be trusted. Otherwise, why would I marry you to him?”
People’s hearts are inscrutable. Having such thoughts is very dangerous. Mingzhu hurriedly corrected him, “Let’s agree to disagree, let’s agree to disagree!”
It was comforting to see his daughter, who never seemed to grow up, starting to remind him and worry about the family. Fu Cong smiled, “Okay.”
Empress Dowager Min’s birthday celebration was incomparable to Imperial Consort Min’s, despite the efforts. Being the Empress Dowager of the current dynasty, the emperor’s birth mother, no matter how simple the celebration, could not be compared to that of a consort. Therefore, the Zhaoyang Palace was extravagantly decorated, with gifts sent by the Empress Dowager being presented to her, allowing Imperial Consort Min to serve and allow the Empress Dowager showcase herself to her heart’s content.
Empress Dowager Min greeted the women from the Fu household with her usual warmth and amiability, completely ignoring the previous incident involving the Wusun people. In front of everyone, she awarded Mingzhu a jade ruyi and a pair of golden hairpins adorned with gemstones, offering several words of encouragement and congratulations. Mingzhu, pretending as if the scheming against her had never happened, graciously accepted the gifts and reciprocated with kind words.
After finishing her conversation, Empress Dowager Min paid no further attention to Mingzhu, smiling as she had someone arrange a seat for Madam Cui, saying, “My aunt will accompany me for a chat. Let the young ones go and enjoy themselves.”
Naturally, Mingzhu joined Changhua and An Xiaogu to chat. Changhua seemed somewhat subdued since receiving news of her upcoming marriage to Ji Country, but An Xiaogu comforted her, saying, “It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Lord Jiguo is young and promising, known for his wisdom. The customs in his country are quite different from ours, with the tradition of having both a left and a right queen. You’ll be the left queen, and the Great Empress Dowager has instructed the Court of the Imperial Clan and the Department of Ceremonies to give you the most lavish trousseau…”
Changhua smiled faintly. “Born into the imperial family and raised in luxury since childhood, my influence is probably limited. As long as it benefits the country, I have no complaints.”
Although her words revealed nothing, the loneliness in them was evident. Mingzhu thought about the person who arranged this marriage, her own aunt and father. Moreover, Changhua had previously confided in her handmaidens about her feelings, so she couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Glancing around, she lowered her voice and said, “Don’t worry too much. I only know one thing: the Ji Country Lord is fond of learning Han and is genuinely wise and tolerant. Someone like you will surely be appreciated..”
Changhua took it as her comforting herself, gently patting her hand and smiling, “The one who shouldn’t think too much is you. I don’t blame anyone, really.”
Furthermore, even if the outcome was favorable, it was still a journey to a distant land for someone unfamiliar with the place, and who knows how many hardships they would encounter. While the other two princesses had their mothers and brothers to rely on, Changhua was alone with no one to care for her.
Mingzhu felt somewhat sad, “I mean it. You’ll definitely be fine. If you ever feel wronged, remember to write to me. As long as I can help, I won’t stand idly by.”
Her words were sincere and reassuring, causing Changhua to smile, “Alright, I’ll take your words to heart. I’ll definitely be fine.” After a pause, she added, “I haven’t congratulated you yet. This marriage is excellent, better than the previous two. Although Sixth Brother may seem indifferent, he truly has no vices, never mistreating those around him, and he’s wealthy.”
Mingzhu couldn’t help but blush, “It’s nothing special. What else could I ask for?”
Before she finished speaking, An Xiaogu gave her a meaningful look. Mingzhu looked up and saw Princess Funing approaching rapidly, pointing at her with a cold sneer, “Fu Mingzhu, what do you mean? What do you mean by ‘nothing special’ and ‘what else could I ask for’? Does that mean my Sixth Brother isn’t good enough for you? Then why did you seduce him? Don’t act innocent after taking advantage. What’s with the pretense of being high and mighty? Shameless vixen! Pretending to be innocent? Disgusting!”
Princess Funing’s voice was not quiet, and almost everyone in the hall heard it. Consequently, many people looked over with puzzled expressions.
Madam Cui and others blushed with embarrassment, while Jiang Shanshan, not far away, lowered her head. Several people who were usually friendly with her hurriedly comforted her in low voices, occasionally casting disdainful glances at Mingzhu. Empress Dowager Min, however, remained calm and pretended not to have heard anything.
Princess Funing, seeing the situation, became even more pleased and provocatively said, “How’s that? Speechless because I hit the mark, right? What are you embarrassed about? We’ve known for ages that you’ve never been proper since you were little, always fond of flirting with men. You used to snatch things from me when we were kids, and now that you’re grown up, you’re snatching other people’s fiancés. Truly shameless.”
Mingzhu’s face turned crimson in an instant. She had lived for two lifetimes but had never felt so angry and humiliated. In her previous life, when she was down and out, all the cold ridicule and insults thrown at her couldn’t compare to Funing accusing her of seducing and snatching other people’s fiancés. She could only hear a buzzing sound in her head. Unconsciously, she stood up, staring directly at Princess Funing, her hands clenched into fists, as if she wanted to punch Princess Funing’s red lips flying.
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