Chapter 133: Happy
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Yuwen Chu’s eyes flickered with interest. “If it’s fear, there’s no need at all. I’ve promised to treat you well, so I won’t let you suffer. If it’s shyness…” He paused deliberately, gazing intently at Mingzhu.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Mingzhu asked eagerly, “What then?”
Yuwen Chu fixed his gaze on Mingzhu, gently saying, “If it’s shyness, then everything is forgivable.”
Mingzhu shivered, as if waking from a dream. She looked up at Yuwen Chu, who remained gentle in tone, but she could still sense a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. Who would want their wife to fear and loathe them? If she couldn’t win his heart, how could she make him willingly help and protect her family? She immediately put on a shy smile and softly said, “It’s shyness.”
Yuwen Chu placed both hands neatly on his thighs, smiling at her. “Although it’s shyness, this hurdle must be crossed. Otherwise, what’s the point of us being husband and wife? Some things must be experienced together to move forward.”
He was absolutely right. Mingzhu smiled as she sat up, slowly undoing her dress and neatly folding it aside. She hesitated before reaching for her inner garment, then pitifully looked at Yuwen Chu, “I want to bathe.”
Yuwen Chu smiled at her and lightly clapped his hands. Servants entered quietly and waited by the side. Mingzhu got out of bed and quietly looked at Yuwen Chu. He remained in the same posture as before, kneeling with a straight back, as stable as a pine, as firm as a rock.
He was not someone easily deceived. Even if he didn’t show his anger, Mingzhu knew he wasn’t very happy.
Mingzhu lowered her eyes, accompanied by the maids, and entered the side chamber. Inside was a bath made of white jade, with mist rising from the water and a faint fragrance in the air. Mingzhu was surprised and reached out to touch the water. She looked at the maid and asked, “What’s this?” She hadn’t heard of any hot springs in the capital, not even in the palace.
The maid smiled and said, “Your Highness, it’s not a hot spring, but hot water heated by ourselves.”
Such a large pool of water, even without considering the firewood needed to heat it, required a lot of manpower. Who said Yuwen Chu was indifferent and frugal? He was so extravagant! Mingzhu thought to herself, but secretly couldn’t wait to get into the water and soak.
The maid smiled and helped her tie up her long hair before assisting her into the water, explaining gently, “Your Highness, although the prince usually practices frugality and rarely uses this pool, today’s wedding is extraordinary, so the prince specifically ordered it to be prepared.”
Mingzhu understood. Yuwen Chu, such a frugal person, went to such lengths to indulge her, just to make her happy. She should be grateful. She looked at the maid and smiled, “You’re clever. What’s your name?”
The maid continued to smile softly and replied, “I’m called Xiangli.”
Mingzhu didn’t say anything more and quietly immersed herself in the water. The water was smooth and fragrant, and she could tell that many precious spices had been added to it, all of which she liked. The warm water surrounded her, making her feel safe and comfortable. If only Yuwen Chu was not here waiting for her in bed, that would be even better.
“Your Highness, it’s time to get out. Although the scented bath is pleasant, it’s not good to soak for too long.” Xiangli reached out to help her, and Mingzhu had to get up. The maids dried her off and changed her into a light and comfortable sleeping robe.
It’s time for battle! Mingzhu took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and walked proudly towards the bedchamber. Who’s afraid of whom? If he dares to mistreat her, she’ll bite him! Castrate him! As she walked to the bed, ready to call out to Yuwen Chu, she saw that he was no longer there, and even the clothes and hat he had taken off earlier were gone without a trace.
The entire hall was quiet, with only a few maids standing by, lowering their eyes. Mingzhu felt a bit bewildered and apprehensive. Yuwen Chu was such a clever and formidable person; he could surely see her resistance and caution towards him. If he was displeased, he might not even need to do anything. Just leaving her alone and not entering the bridal chamber would be enough to embarrass her thoroughly. She couldn’t go back crying and shouting about how he refused to do this or that with her, right? That would be too humiliating, especially since it was her own fault.
After some thought, Mingzhu felt that although she was a bit resistant towards him, she hadn’t really done anything substantial wrong, like cursing at him or hitting him. She had already told him that she was actually shy and a bit scared. If he continued like this, then it would truly be petty and unwarranted! It had nothing to do with her.
Mingzhu immediately felt justified in her reasoning and sat down at the dressing table, instructing the maid to comb her hair. Perhaps, once her hair was done, he would come in. She kept glancing back at the mirror, hoping that Yuwen Chu would suddenly appear, quietly sitting by and waiting for her, smiling as before.
Finally, the door to the hall softly creaked open. Mingzhu’s heart raced with excitement. She almost didn’t turn around, but she managed to restrain herself, staring straight at her reflection in the mirror.
Yuwen Chu walked slowly towards her and stopped behind her. He took the comb from the maid’s hand and smiled as he leaned down to whisper softly in her ear, “Was the consort looking for me just now as she gazed around in the mirror?”
His handsome face sparkled in the bronze mirror, incredibly dazzling. Mingzhu looked at that face and instinctively wanted to say “no,” but in the end, she changed her mind and said calmly, “Yes.”
Yuwen Chu smiled softly, his expression very pleased. “So straightforward? That’s rare.”
There was a clean, just-bathed scent emanating from his body, with a faint, cool fragrance of agarwood slowly invading the air. It was very aggressive, making people unable to help but have some inappropriate thoughts. Mingzhu couldn’t help feeling a bit dizzy. She bit her lip and saw all the maids leave the bedchamber. The dragon and phoenix candles on the opposite side were burning just right. The bright red wedding canopy had been lowered, and outside the window, insects were chirping among the flowers and grass.
“It’s truly a wonderful night.” Yuwen Chu placed the comb on the dressing table and gracefully bent down to help her up. Seeing Mingzhu unwilling to get up, he simply turned his face to the side, his eyes shining brightly as he looked at her, full of expectation, sincerity, and patience.
Regardless of whether it was genuine or not, she had never seen anyone look at her with such eyes before… The subtle radiance in Yuwen Chu’s eyes seemed to enchant her. Mingzhu unconsciously placed her hand in his palm and stood up with his help.
Yuwen Chu smiled slightly and naturally leaned down to lightly kiss her forehead. The night air was cool, but his lips were warm and fragrant, without any hint of aggression, only affable gentleness, making it impossible for anyone to feel repulsed.
Mingzhu looked up at him, wanting to say something, but found herself at a loss for words.
Sensing her hesitation, Yuwen Chu looked at her gently and said softly, “I’m happy to have married you.”
Mingzhu blinked, inexplicably feeling a slight soreness in her eyes. What did Yuwen You say to her back then? He was drunk and unconscious, and she angrily grabbed his hair and slapped his face, even splashing cold water on him, but couldn’t wake him up. By the time dawn came, she woke up from pain and exhaustion, realizing that she had become a woman from a girl.
The past was too painful to look back on.
Yuwen Chu suddenly stopped in his tracks and stared into her eyes. “Don’t think about anything else. This is our wedding night, so you can only think of me. Otherwise, I won’t be happy.”
It’s all in the past; she must try her best. Mingzhu smiled, shaking her head, and took the initiative to hug his neck, whispering softly, “I’m happy too.” Not having to marry Yuwen You, not having to deceive the honest Shen Ruilin, and being a match for him, each taking what they needed, neither owing the other, this marriage was really not bad.
Can’t wait until next week to see more? Want to show your support? Come to my Patreon where you can get up to 10 more chapters of Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix right away ! Or go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
