Chapter 174: Sorting Through the Sands
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Que Er stubbornly tilted his neck, angering Zhu Changsheng. He wanted to give him another beating but considering that this person was recommended by Jing Song, he didn’t want to offend Jing Song too much. So, he tried to placate him, “You don’t understand. That person from the Fu family has some authority. If I don’t handle it personally, it might be seen as disrespectful. I should go back, but since there’s no news yet, I’m afraid he’ll spread rumors and delay His Highness’s affairs.”
Today, he planned to leave Fu Mingzhu hanging! Not for too long, just long enough for her patience to run out. It would be best if she caused a scene and went straight to the punishment hall. Even if His Highness favored her, he wouldn’t be happy if she embarrassed him in front of so many servants. Zhu Changsheng pretended, “I think Jing Song is with His Highness today. If anyone else goes, it won’t work, but it will if you go.”
After thinking for a moment, Que Er agreed and went to the punishment department.
Watching him leave, Zhu Changsheng smiled with narrowed eyes. He couldn’t make big moves, but he could still play some tricks. No matter how strong the bond, it couldn’t withstand constant erosion, right? He had seen many couples’ grievances caused by servants meddling.
“Great waves wash away sand, revealing true gold…” Zhu Changsheng hummed as he slowly walked away.
In the Watch Moon Pavilion, there were bookshelves with several volumes of poetry and idle books scattered around. Mingzhu grabbed a few and flipped through them casually. As the sun rose higher in the sky and Yuwen Chu still hadn’t arrived, Su Lan and the others became anxious, “Could His Highness be angry and refuse to come? Shouldn’t the Wangfei personally go over?”
“Not urgent. Didn’t they say it’s difficult to enter that place? If I go and they don’t let me in, wouldn’t that embarrass me? Besides, I’m sick, so he should come to see me.” Even if there was a dispute, she had to find the right opportunity. Mingzhu asked, “How long have we been here?”
Su Mei glanced at the sun’s shadow and replied, “Almost an hour.” Whether he returned or not, leaving someone waiting for so long would undoubtedly give the impression of anger.
“It’s definitely not because of His Highness.” Su Lan, the most clever one, had already guessed what was going on. She cursed Zhu Changsheng in a low voice, “Zhu Changsheng has such audacity! He dares to disrespect the Wangfei and play these tricks! Your Majesty, you mustn’t let him off lightly!”
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow, calmly saying, “What’s the hurry? Those who bring trouble upon themselves will have their day. Since he dared to leave me hanging, he must have made thorough preparations and have some valid reasons. Let’s wait quietly for His Highness to come.” This situation was different from when Yuwen Chu went to the North Court, so she would wait until he remembered her. Yuwen Chu couldn’t tolerate Zhu Changsheng repeatedly causing trouble in front of him.
Su Mei glanced at the tea, “The tea has gone cold. Let me bring fresh tea for the Wangfei.”
“No, I prefer it like this.” Mingzhu guessed correctly; soon, footsteps and announcements were heard outside, “His Highness has arrived.”
Mingzhu casually tossed the books onto the chair and hurriedly went forward to greet Yuwen Chu, maintaining perfect posture and tone, “Greetings to Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu pulled her up with a stern face, “Since you’re sick, you should be resting in bed, not running around!” Seeing the pile of books scattered on the rattan chair, his face twitched a few times. Enduring, he smirked, “When did the Wangfei become so studious? These books were gifts from the late Emperor. I’ve always treasured them and hesitated to read them. Even if I do, I make sure my hands are clean.”
Seeing that he was unhappy because she didn’t cherish the books, Mingzhu hurriedly walked over to push away Su Jin, who was intending to tidy up the books, and personally put them away neatly on the bookshelf, smoothing out the pages and covers carefully. She then smiled sweetly, “These books have been wronged. It’s all my fault. I got too excited when I saw Your Highness come in. Please don’t blame me, late Emperor. I’ll apologize to you.” With that, she clasped her hands and bowed to the books a few times.
Such a hypocritical woman! Yuwen Chu’s eye twitched. Sitting back on the rattan chair, he didn’t ask how long Mingzhu had been waiting or why she was here; he just dragged out the conversation.
Mingzhu wasn’t in a hurry either. She personally poured tea for him and said very kindly, “The temperature of the water is just right, Your Highness, quench your thirst.”
Yuwen Chu was busy for a while and also felt thirsty. He quietly picked up the tea and took a sip. As the bland tea touched his lips, his eyebrows furrowed in disgust. “Doesn’t the Ying Wang Mansion have any tea? Do you need to be stingy?”
“What’s wrong with this tea?” Mingzhu shamelessly picked up the cup he had drunk from and took a sip, then suddenly realized, “It’s not that the tea is bad, it’s just been brewed for too long and lost its flavor.” Then she shamelessly added, “I was so engrossed in reading that I didn’t even notice the tea was bad.”
Yuwen Chu glanced at her and said, “No need to pretend, I know what you mean. You’re just implying that Zhu Changsheng, that dog slave, is tired of living and wants to die, right? You’ve put it so delicately.”
“Your Highness is truly wise! I was actually going to come and complain to you, but I was afraid you’d still be angry with me, so I had to be subtle about it with the tea.” Mingzhu signaled for Su Lan and the others to leave, then grabbed Yuwen Chu’s sleeve and apologized with a small smile, “I was wrong.”
Yuwen Chu ignored her with a straight face, so she grabbed his arm again and rubbed it. Sensing that his arm had stiffened slightly, she smiled even more charmingly and pleasingly, prolonging her voice, “I was wrong. I really was wrong~”
This woman was so calculating and could really pull it off, but he couldn’t help but be moved. Yuwen Chu inwardly despised himself for a moment, then pushed Mingzhu’s hand away mercilessly and walked out. Mingzhu touched her nose, believing in the belief that successful people are persevering, broad-minded, and don’t bother with petty people. She followed behind him, persistently pulling at his sleeve and whispering, “I didn’t know you waited for me for so long. You must have been tired.”
“Are you tired?”
“Your Highness, you look very handsome today. No, it’s not just the clothes, it’s you who look good. The Imperial Consort is truly amazing, she has raised Your Highness to be so neat, handsome, intelligent, and extraordinary, captivating the hearts of others and making it hard to forget you.”
Nonsense! Yuwen Chu struggled to suppress his laughter, “I thought you didn’t know how to be considerate. Since you know I’m tired, will you stop causing trouble in the future?”
How could she be causing trouble for no reason? She was sincere! Mingzhu sighed and shook her head with a drooping face, “I promise not to pick a fight with you when you’re tired and exhausted. Whatever you say goes. Even if I feel uncomfortable or hurt inside, I will endure it and not complain!”
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