Chapter 177 Harmonious
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“Am I that foolish in your eyes?” Yuwen Chu pulled Mingzhu out of his embrace, took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but she still didn’t believe him. Knowing she had never experienced such danger before, all because she married him, softened his heart a bit more. He hugged her again, whispering, “It’s my fault for not being cautious enough and not protecting the household well, causing you suffering. Tell me, what would make you happy?”
Mingzhu’s eyes immediately lit up with tears, choked up, “The bath incident isn’t His Highness’s fault either. Anyway, I know you wouldn’t harm me. Enemies are everywhere, and the mansion is not like any other place. Many people are involved in every little thing, how can we discern each and every one? Even our own mansion isn’t entirely clean. Otherwise, Yuwen You wouldn’t have been able to sneak into my room so easily and harm me. So, it’s really not His Highness’s fault.”
This argument made sense. Yuwen Chu began to look at Mingzhu with new eyes, never expecting her to be so clear-headed in major matters.
But then Mingzhu, with tears in her eyes, looked at him pitifully, pouting her lips, “But on the first day, I didn’t soak for long. It was you who made me soak in the poison for so long on the second morning. What if I can’t have children because of that…?” She blushed with embarrassment and anger, “It’s all your fault! Otherwise, how could I have been poisoned so much? My heart wouldn’t hurt so much! You have to make it up to me!”
Why was her focus so peculiar? Almost being poisoned to death, yet she only cared about him taking advantage of her. He didn’t know if she was genuinely forgiving or just too cunning. Knowing that he wouldn’t let her suffer a loss, he couldn’t help but smile and say, “It’s my fault indeed. So, what do you want to make you satisfied? It’s still early for children, as long as it’s something I can do, I promise you.”
“Just remember, if I can’t have children for a while, it’s not my fault! It’s your fault!” Tears still hung on Mingzhu’s eyelashes, but her lips couldn’t help but curl up. Although she seemed to be making conditions, what she said next was, “His Highness also soaked in that poison water, are you okay? You must be okay.”
Yuwen Chu had already prepared himself to be mercilessly taken advantage of, but he never expected her to say something like this. Even if he knew she was probably only fifty percent sincere, it was enough to make him happy. He couldn’t help but smile and say, “I’m fine. The poison was mainly focused on the spices used on the first day, so the water on the second morning wasn’t poisoned. As for the child, it’s still early. I’m not in a hurry, and neither should you be. Sooner or later, it will happen.” He joked, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely wait for you to give birth to the eldest son.”
Mingzhu said seriously, “But what if the first child isn’t a son?”
“Let things develop first. You’re still young, why worry?” Yuwen Chu held her in his arms, comforting her, “We still have a long way to go to father-in-law’s house. Take a rest.”
The carriage rattled on, and the warm breeze with the smell of the market blew in through the window screens, brushing against the two of them. She could smell the faint and cool fragrance of agarwood on him, and he could smell the lingering floral scent in her hair. The two scents, originally not quite matching, mixed together in the wind, inexplicably harmonious and adding a touch of elegance.
The fragmented sunlight fell on them, adding more tranquility to this leisurely autumn afternoon. Mingzhu felt exhausted all over, and when she felt tired, she just wanted to rest. As long as Yuwen Chu didn’t take advantage of her, he was like a sturdy and comfortable support, like a big pillow. She leaned lazily against him, letting the breeze lift her hair and clothes, feeling like she hadn’t relaxed like this in a long time.
In her previous life, she had been married to Yuwen You for so many years, but she had never been able to have her own child. It couldn’t help but make her worry about whether she had some hidden illness. Now, this poisoning incident could be an opportunity for her. Even if she couldn’t have a child, he would probably be more lenient towards her because of this incident, right?
“Your Highness,” Mingzhu called out softly. After a while without hearing Yuwen Chu’s response, she turned to look, only to see him leaning against the carriage wall, peacefully asleep, but still holding her tightly. After enduring these few days, even a strong body couldn’t hold up… Mingzhu stared at Yuwen Chu for a while, then reached out to cover him with the thin blanket he had draped over her.
The warmth from the blanket seeped into his body, causing Yuwen Chu’s eyelashes to tremble slightly, then calm down again, even his breathing became more steady and peaceful. Mingzhu carefully moved aside, gently took down his arm that had been resting on her, and placed it in a comfortable position, so that he could sleep more comfortably.
The carriage stopped in front of the Fu Mansion, and only then did Mingzhu gently nudge Yuwen Chu, saying, “We’re here, wake up.”
Yuwen Chu blinked in confusion, but when he saw her, he smiled. He glanced at the thin blanket still covering him and chuckled softly, “Wangfei is indeed thoughtful and considerate, and I am delighted.” Without waiting for Mingzhu’s reply, he reached out his hand to her and said softly, “Let’s go. Let’s go and meet your parents-in-law and all your brothers and sisters-in-law together.”
The main door of the Fu Mansion was wide open, and Fu Cong and Madam Cui were standing in front of the mansion with their family, waiting respectfully. When they saw Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu coming together, a handsome man and a beautiful woman, they looked very pleasing to the eye. Moreover, seeing Yuwen Chu being so considerate, and Mingzhu smiling and obedient, the anxiety they felt because of their delayed arrival faded away, replaced by smiles as they approached to greet them.
Mingzhu quietly watched how Yuwen Chu would handle the situation. She remembered when she and Yuwen You returned to their home, Yuwen You had put on airs as if not doing so would make others forget his noble status. But now, looking back, that man was truly sick in the head.
Yuwen Chu reached out to support Fu Cong and Madam Cui before they had a chance to bow, smiling warmly and saying softly, “Please rise quickly, there’s no need for such formality among family.” He was completely warm and amiable, showing genuine joy and closeness.
Mingzhu immediately found him much more pleasing to the eye. Even though there was a distinction between ruler and subject, he deserved to receive such respect, but his attitude explained everything. If he had been arrogant or insincere, his smile would have been fake. At least, his attitude now matched his attitude when he first proposed to her.
However, Fu Cong and Madam Cui didn’t follow Yuwen Chu’s lead and stop there. They insisted on leading the entire family in a formal greeting. Mingzhu glanced at her father and then at Yuwen Chu, feeling that there was some secret between them that she didn’t know about.
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