Chapter 15: A Joke
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Yuwen You frowned and looked at Yuwen Chu. He didn’t know when his sixth brother had become so fond of beauty, especially when the object of his affection was Fu Mingzhu, known for her wilfulness. Being unrelated by blood to the royal family, Yuwen You couldn’t help but suspect that Yuwen Chu had some ulterior motive.
Yuwen Chu didn’t evade or hide anything, allowing Yuwen You to look at him openly and straightforwardly. He said calmly, “You’ve gone too far.”
Yuwen You felt somewhat disheartened. Even without Yuwen Chu’s reminder, he knew he had gone too far. However, he hadn’t intended to go this far. Previously, he thought that Mingzhu’s tantrum was just to prove her importance and force him to yield. As long as he showed up and used both hard and soft tactics, she would retract her words of breaking off the engagement and obediently follow him. But he didn’t expect her to be truly determined to break off the engagement. As soon as they met, she pushed him into a corner, causing an irreparable mess.
Although he was proud and didn’t like her, he understood the logic of marrying her to avoid risks. He remembered when his father arranged the marriage, he was reluctant and privately pleaded with his father, saying he didn’t want this arrogant and ignorant woman as his wife. His father, with a meaningful look, said, “She is the only daughter of the Fu family, and also the only niece of the empress. The empress loves her as if she were her own daughter, and her wilfulness ultimately stems from being overly indulged. Although she’s a bit willful, she is actually a rare gem inside, loyal and innocent. Treat her well, and she will repay you a hundredfold.”
At that time, he didn’t understand. He desperately pleaded with his father, but his father refused to revoke the decree and even pushed him away. Not long after, his father fell seriously ill, and the crown prince took over as regent. He found it harder to see his father than to ascend to the heavens. People around him became colder towards him day by day, and the younger brother of the Crown Prince Consort, Lady Min, openly mocked and insulted him. Others stood by and watched, unwilling to speak up for him. Fu Mingzhu, for some reason, rushed out and forced the Crown Prince Consort’s younger brother to apologize to him publicly. Even the Crown Prince Consort, fearing the power of the Fu family, slapped her own brother in public and apologized on his behalf. After that incident, no one dared to treat him so recklessly in public.
Later, his Royal Father passed away, the crown prince ascended the throne, and Empress Fu was promoted to Empress Dowager. The palace concubines and princes who had offended the Fu family before met tragic ends, and his status plummeted even further. Even the slightly respectable palace servants dared to show him a cold attitude. It was Fu Mingzhu who occasionally sent him things and protected him in front of others, not allowing anyone to speak ill of him. His situation didn’t worsen further because of her actions. He understood his father’s intentions and felt even more humiliated and resentful.
But why did Fu Mingzhu, who used to only have eyes for him, suddenly change her mind, and in such a strong manner? Yuwen You didn’t understand. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to him, he discreetly glanced at Mingzhu.
Mingzhu stood sideways by the courtyard wall, the setting sun casting a faint golden red glow on her. Her face was bruised and swollen, with traces of mud on it, making her look quite ridiculous. However, she didn’t seem to mind, quietly staring at the old peach tree by the wall. There was a wormhole at the base of the old peach tree, oozing out a lot of sticky sap, which looked a bit disgusting. He didn’t understand what was so attractive about it, but Mingzhu was staring at it intently, with a hint of loneliness and sadness between her eyebrows.
Yuwen You’s brows furrowed tighter. This didn’t seem like the Mingzhu he was familiar with. Mingzhu should be beautiful, proud, lively, and delicate. When did she ever have such lonely moments? He remembered several imperial sisters admiring Mingzhu behind her back, saying that she lived more freely than a Princess, getting whatever she wanted, enjoying herself, unlike them who had to abide by palace rules and worry about pleasing the Empress Dowager and the Empress. But now Mingzhu did indeed seem lonely and sad. Could it be that although she was making a fuss about wanting to cancel the engagement, she was actually feeling uncomfortable inside?
A thought flashed through his mind, and Yuwen You turned to Yuwen Chu with a sincere tone and whispered, “Sixth Brother, you’re right. Please help me.” Regardless of what plans Yuwen Chu had, only Yuwen Chu could help him now. He and Mingzhu had already reached an irreparable situation. It would be too difficult for him to directly swallow his pride and beg Mingzhu to change her mind. However, if Yuwen Chu intervened on his behalf, it would be different. Yuwen Chu was considerate, humble, and eloquent. Perhaps he could resolve the situation.
Yuwen Chu glanced at him and straightforwardly said to Mingzhu, “I have some newly produced Spring Tribute Mengding Sweet Dew in my place, with a delicate taste. Would Miss Fu like to come and taste it?”
Drink tea with them? Mingzhu sneered inwardly. She had had enough and had gone mad to argue and fight with Yuwen You, and now she would sit with him and drink tea and chat? If word got out, not only would outsiders think she was crazy, but her family would think so too. Her parents didn’t believe that she really didn’t love Yuwen You anymore. If they heard about this, how could they believe her again? Then what was the point of canceling the engagement? She would be out of her mind.
Mingzhu lowered her eyes, brushed off the dirt on her sleeves, and said lightly, “Thank you for Ying Wang’s kindness, but I’m not presentable right now. It would be rude. Let’s do it another day.”
Yuwen You, seeing Mingzhu unmoved by both soft and hard tactics, couldn’t help but provoke her, saying, “Sixth brother, spare the lecture. The Fu family is highly regarded, and their residence is filled with everything. How could she possibly look up to your modest offerings?”
Mingzhu looked up at Yuwen You, her face filled with mockery, and said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “In your eyes, have I always been so foolish? Am I foolish enough to fall for your words so easily?”
Yuwen You, seeing his intentions exposed by her, couldn’t maintain his composure, angrily turning his face away, refusing to look at her again. Mingzhu silently bowed to Yuwen Chu and then turned to leave.
Yuwen You, seeing her resolute departure, felt anxious and couldn’t help but threaten, “Fu Mingzhu, I won’t let you have your way.”
Without even turning her head, Mingzhu coldly replied, “I’ll accompany you to the end.”
As they watched the people from the mansion escorting Mingzhu away, Yuwen Chu withdrew his gaze happily and said gently to Yuwen You, “You’re not young anymore, why are you still acting so impulsively?”
Yuwen You was so angry his liver hurt. He showed Yuwen Chu the arm that Mingzhu had bitten, angrily saying, “Sixth Brother, would you be willing to marry such a vicious shrew?”
Yuwen Chu remained calm and said, “If it were me, if I could exchange this piece of flesh for a lifetime of peace, I would. As for being vicious, didn’t you strike first? She bit you, and you dislocated her jaw. She scratched your face, and you choked her neck. It’s tit for tat.”
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Thanks for keeping this up !