Chapter 139: Speaking Truthfully
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Yuwen Chu saw Mingzhu getting anxious, and a glint flashed in his eyes. He pointed to his own lips and said softly, “If you want it, come and take it yourself.”
After a moment, Mingzhu understood what he meant. She cursed the scoundrel in her heart but was driven by her indomitable spirit. Boldly, she grabbed his neck, fiercely kissed his lips, and mischievously licked them with her tongue, saying maliciously, “Is Your Highness satisfied?”
Whether it was the high temperature in the hall or not, a faint blush rose on Yuwen Chu’s face. He looked at Mingzhu steadily, then fiercely pulled her over, pressing her against his chest. He grabbed the back of her head and passionately kissed her back. Unlike Mingzhu’s previous fleeting kiss, he bit her lips, forced her to open her mouth, and kissed her deeply, as if he wanted to possess her soul, fervent and passionate.
Mingzhu was left dizzy and confused by his kiss. Before she could figure out what was happening, the neatly dressed, seemingly upright hypocrite had already jumped into the bath and pinned her against the bathhouse wall, poised to make his move.
Mingzhu was so embarrassed that she couldn’t even look him in the eye. She had never imagined that such a thing could happen at this time and in this place. It was just too embarrassing. She wanted to protest, but Yuwen Chu didn’t give her a chance to object. He didn’t even let her speak, easily overwhelming her with the gentle ripples of the water. With many maids still outside the hall, Mingzhu didn’t dare to make a sound. All she could do was pound his back as hard as she could, feeling as helpless as a floating weed in the water.
Fortunately, considering that they were about to enter the palace, Yuwen Chu didn’t linger too long. After satisfying himself to some extent, he looked at Mingzhu with a satisfied smile and a hoarse voice, “More comfortable than last night, isn’t it?”
Mingzhu hated him to the core, glaring at him with a red face, “Shameless.”
Yuwen Chu laughed heartily as he lifted her out of the bath, instructing someone to prepare water carefully to attend to her, and then went to bathe and change himself. Mingzhu couldn’t help but feel embarrassed under the ambiguous and smiling gazes of Su Lan and the others. She wished she could hide her head under the water.
The journey from Ying Wang’s Mansion to the Imperial City was nearly half an hour by carriage. The two of them didn’t share a carriage; each had their own. When Mingzhu climbed into the carriage, she buried herself in the blankets, closing her eyes and yawning, “Wake me up when we arrive.” But before she knew it, she had fallen into a deep sleep, oblivious to everything.
Li Quanxin, the steward of Ying Wang’s Mansion, was ordered to bring a box of carefully made pastries to Mingzhu’s carriage. Just as he was about to announce himself, Su Lan raised a finger to her lips and gestured “shh.” “The Wangfei just fell asleep. What are Wangye’s orders?”
Li Quanxin was a eunuch. Because the backyard of Ying Wang’s Mansion was too simple and quiet, his role as the steward was usually not significant. He was always suppressed tightly by the steward in charge, Zhu Changsheng. Now that the Wangfei had finally arrived, he could finally show his worth as the steward. He smiled broadly, showing his teeth as he said, “Miss Su Lan, His Highness was worried that the Wangfei hadn’t eaten breakfast and might be hungry on the way to the palace. So, he had this box of lotus seed cakes prepared specifically for her. Feel it, it’s still warm.”
Su Lan took the box and indeed felt the warmth, feeling very pleased inside. Ying Wang cherished the Wangfei, and as her servant, she felt some glory. She spoke especially politely, “Thank you on behalf of the Wangfei for His Highness’s kind intentions. I’ll tell her when she wakes up.” Then she took a heavy purse and stuffed it into Li Quanxin’s hands. “You can keep this for tea.”
Eunuchs loved nothing more than power and wealth. Li Quanxin happily received the heavy bag of silver, feeling satisfied, and ran to report to Yuwen Chu with added embellishment, “The Wangfei is starving. Hearing that His Highness sent lotus seed cakes over, she seemed so happy, rewarding me with a big purse.”
Yuwen Chu glanced lightly at him, asking, “The Wangfei hasn’t fallen asleep?”
Was the Wangye endowed with supernatural abilities? How did he know the Wangfei was sleeping? Li Quanxin’s heart sank, his face fell, and he knelt down, saying, “Forgive me, Your Highness. The Wangfei is indeed asleep. Miss Su Lan said she’ll tell her when she wakes up.”
“Get up.” Yuwen Chu smiled, “Take good care of the Wangfei in the future.”
Li Quanxin almost thought he had misheard. Ying Wang seemed very easygoing and friendly, but in fact, he was very perceptive. He couldn’t fool him today by trying to be clever. He had thought that he wouldn’t be able to leave unscathed, but unexpectedly, he received such an order? That meant that he would be half a person by the Wangfei’s side in the future. Seeing how much the Wangye cherished the Wangfei, there would be benefits in the future. He was overjoyed. “I will follow Your Highness’s orders.”
“Go.” In order for the wedding to proceed smoothly, Yuwen Chu hadn’t slept well for several days and felt quite tired. But he was excited and couldn’t sleep. He was like a child, frequently pulling back the curtain of the carriage to look at the red lacquered carriage carrying Mingzhu behind him, feeling a sense of satisfaction. The most precious thing in the world wasn’t rare treasures but the fulfillment of one’s desires after striving for them.
As they approached the palace, Su Lan woke Mingzhu up. The first rays of sunlight happened to fall on the highest glazed tile of the palace, and Mingzhu looked at the magnificent palace with a sense of being in another world. She shook her head, shaking off the memories of the past, reminding herself that she had nothing to do with Yuwen You in this life. She was walking on a broad road, not a dead end of self-inflicted humiliation.
Su Mei busied herself fixing Mingzhu’s hair, adjusting her jewelry, and straightening her dress. Su Lan poured a cup of strong tea and picked up a piece of lotus seed cake, placing it on a delicate porcelain plate in front of Mingzhu. “This was sent over by His Highness through Li Quanxin. He said it was prepared especially for you, and it’s just the right temperature now.”
Humph, how did he know she liked lotus seed cakes? Mingzhu took a bite absent-mindedly, closing her eyes in satisfaction. It was just the right sweetness, soft and refreshing, not sticking to her teeth. It was really good.
With food in her stomach, Mingzhu’s mood noticeably improved. When the carriage stopped, she saw Yuwen Chu walking to the front of the carriage to greet her. Seeing him made her slightly more pleased. She smiled and reached out her hand, using Yuwen Chu’s assistance to step down from the carriage. She gave him a charming smile and whispered, “Your Highness indulges me so much. Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?”
“I pamper my wife. What does it matter to others?”
In the morning light, the man stood tall and elegant, with black hair, dark eyebrows, a high nose, and a square forehead. His eyes were bright and spirited, with a hint of green on his jaw. With just a smile, he could captivate anyone.
Mingzhu’s heart fluttered, but she dared not look too much. She quickly looked away and said with a smile, “Your Highness is so eloquent. Your charm was unknown to me before.”
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