Chapter 184: No Face Given
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Time flies when busy, and Mingzhu, lying on the pillow, found herself unable to sleep. She had never imagined that she would be so diligent and industrious one day. What was she doing at this time in her past life? Burying her head in her Mother’s arms, crying and complaining about Yuwen You. Whenever she thought of her Mother’s helpless and caring look back then, she felt choked up. She would never be like that again; her parents had raised her all these years not to make them sad in their later years.
Su Jin came in to report, “His Highness is here.”
“The banquet hasn’t dispersed yet?” Mingzhu immediately signaled for Su Jin and Su Lan to help her up to greet Yuwen Chu. If he was willing to give her face in public, she couldn’t afford to neglect him.
“The banquet hasn’t ended yet, but His Highness drank too much, and Xiangye stopped others from toasting him anymore. He was brought over early to rest. Xiangye and the others are still entertaining guests outside.” Su Jin replied and, along with Su Lan, helped Mingzhu tidy up her hair and clothes.
Just as everything was settled, the Momos in the side room who were sitting, drinking tea, and eating fruit had already started to exaggerate their fussing: “Hurry, have someone fetch the sobering soup! Get the Wangye’s clothes! Where’s the hot water? Who’s in charge of heating the water? Why hasn’t it been brought yet? Is there someone in the room to burn incense and serve? Has the princess woken up?” The voices were so loud that the entire courtyard could hear them.
“Su Lan, go out and tell them, whoever dares to shout and make a fuss, making people think that the people of Ying Wang’s mansion are uncivilized and embarrassing, don’t blame me for being rude to them.” Mingzhu couldn’t help but frown. It seemed that the scolding she gave those Momos just now didn’t scare them enough. Her arrogance and dominance were not sufficient to make them remember who was in charge here. They really treated her like a shy new bride. What’s the point of pretending to be competent in front of her? The moment they step out of line, they’ll be crushed!
Su Lan went out and sternly rebuked a few times, and the noise outside finally subsided. Only then did Mingzhu, from the support of Su Jin, walked out, scanning the Momos standing on both sides with a dignified gaze before looking towards the courtyard gate.
Although the weather was sunny, there was a slight chill in the evening air. The setting sun cast its rays on the treetops, causing the yellowing leaves to rustle gently in the breeze. Yuwen Chu, supported by a servant, stood in the middle of the courtyard, quietly watching Mingzhu as she approached. A faint blush adorned his white-as-jade face, and his eyes, as gentle as water, were focused solely on her. All the surrounding noise seemed to fade away in his ears, and none of it registered in his eyes. All he saw was his new bride, smiling as she walked towards him step by step.
Even a fool could understand such obvious gazes and expressions. While thinking that he must be drunk, Mingzhu couldn’t help blushing. As she took him from the servant’s hands, she whispered softly, “Why are you looking at me like this?”
She had expected him to be heavily intoxicated, so when she supported him, she thought his weight would lean entirely on her. However, contrary to her expectations, he stood there straight and didn’t require her support. Instead, he gestured to Wei Tiande, the eunuch serving him closely, “Help me inside.”
Mingzhu was quite surprised. Was he displeased?
“Your health is not good; you can’t bear it.” Yuwen Chu whispered softly in her ear, “I could have let Su Lan and the others help, but I was afraid you wouldn’t like it.” With that, he went inside without paying attention to Mingzhu’s expression.
Mingzhu stood in the middle of the courtyard dumbfounded for a long time. Intuitively, Yuwen Chu was indeed drunk; otherwise, he wouldn’t look at her like that or say such things. He usually loved to tease her with frivolous words or pretended to be serious and upright. When had he ever been so sincere? Why didn’t he take advantage of her? They say drunk words are sober thoughts, so what exactly was he thinking?
Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly noticed several attendant Momos from the Wang Mansion standing aside, looking at her with strange eyes, as if saying, “See, you’re so arrogant and domineering that even the Wangye doesn’t want you to support him. You’ll have a good life in the future.” Feeling annoyed, she gave them a fierce glare and pointed at one of the Momo’s who looked particularly displeased, “You, go to the kitchen and bring the sobering soup for the Wangye.”
Which dignified Momo would do such a trivial task? Usually, it was assigned to the young maids. That Momo immediately wanted to express that she had more important duties to perform. Mingzhu raised her chin and sneered, “What? Are your legs too precious? You dare not go and fetch the sobering soup for Wangye? If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to work here anymore. Someone less ‘precious’ can do your job.”
No one expected her to be so shameless and not afraid of these old Momos who came from the palace. Just like the rumors described, she was indeed arrogant and unreasonable. The Momo tried to smooth things over quickly, “This servant is not unwilling to go, but I am unfamiliar with the way.”
Mingzhu glanced at Su Lan beside her. Su Lan smiled and waved to call over a young maid, “You go and show this maid the way.”
Seeing the reluctant Momo leaving, Mingzhu then pointed at another Momo who seemed to take pleasure in her misfortune, “You go back to the Wang Mansion and inform them that the Wangye is drunk and will return later. Let Su Jin and the others prepare everything necessary.” Seeing the Momo’s apparent reluctance, she raised her eyebrows and said lightly, “Is your legs also not working? When you get back, just retire.”
The Momo dared not argue further and left with her tail between her legs. The remaining two Momos didn’t dare to make a sound. Without waiting for Mingzhu to speak, they took the initiative, “This servant will go and fetch clothes for the Wangye, and then I’ll make sure the return gifts from the Xiangye Mansion are properly arranged.”
Mingzhu nodded in satisfaction and called Su Lan, “The two Momos have worked hard. Give each of them two embroidered purses filled with gold coins from what I prepared earlier.” It was a reward for obedience; those who didn’t obey would be suppressed. People all had a sense of mutual advance and retreat. Those who came together naturally asked, “Why did you receive a reward while I didn’t?” or “Why did I get punished while you didn’t?” They must have tried to please the Wangfei behind our backs! You and I are not on the same page!
With resentment and suspicion in their heart, naturally, they couldn’t continue to be united. The person who was ostracized could only come to her for refuge to have a good life. Wasn’t she familiar with the background of these people? Then let these people who sought refuge with her deal with those who dared to disrespect her. It’s better for everyone to know each other’s bottom line before they start fighting. When they create chaos, she would come out and subdue them all.
Humph, did they think she was young, pampered at home, and didn’t understand the intricacies between them? Did they think she would casually give these old people control and then endure for many years, bear a son to please her husband before she could control the backyard of the mansion?
She couldn’t wait for that year.
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