Chapter 191: Beauty
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
Li Quanxin was frightened and immediately withdrew his hand, nodding and bowing, “I’ll go right away.” With that, he wiped a cold sweat and hurried away.
Yuwen Chu walked alongside Mingzhu and said lightly, “Eunuchs aren’t women. No matter what, they’re still men.”
“What’s the matter?” Mingzhu looked at him strangely. She had seen eunuchs since she was young and was used to them, although she didn’t treat them as women. There was never a strong sense of gender difference between them. For example, Eunuch Rong in the Great Empress Dowager’s palace, had always been kind to her since she was young, and was loyal and considerate to the Great Empress Dowager. Similarly, the Great Empress Dowager never treated him with caution either. Therefore, when Li Quanxin came to help her, she didn’t find it strange, as eunuchs existed to facilitate service to women in the palace.
Yuwen Chu continued indifferently, “What’s with all the questions? Just listen, I have my reasons.” Did he have to tell her about the scandalous rumors between the Great Empress Dowager and Eunuch Rong, and then tell her that he felt uncomfortable seeing other men touch her?
“Oh.” It was just a trivial matter. With so many people serving and flattering her around her, she quickly pushed it out of her mind and began to focus on another important matter, “Are all the women from the mansion coming today?”
Yuwen Chu replied calmly, “Mm.”
Mingzhu blinked, “Does Your Highness have anyone special you like?”
Why did she suddenly bring this up? Was she trying to pick a fight again? Yuwen Chu was surprised and looked at her questioningly.
Mingzhu’s smile became brighter, “You know, I have a bad temper. If you tell me first, I’ll have a bottom line, so as not to accidentally hurt someone and ruin the harmony between us.”
Yuwen Chu stared at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “Wangfei’s suggestion is excellent. Let me think about it first.”
Mingzhu’s heart jumped. Was there really someone? She thought he was cold and unfeeling, no, emotionally complicated! But when she thought about it, she felt a little uncomfortable. Her mouth pouted involuntarily, “Is there really?”
“Otherwise?” Yuwen Chu took her arm, cautioning her to watch her step on the stone steps, “Does Wangfei think that I should only live a celibate life?”
Mingzhu snorted. Of course not! Otherwise, how did Zhou Nushi, the concubine’s son, come about! Thinking of Zhou Nushi, she quickly grabbed his arm with a sly look and tentatively asked, “That Zhou Nushi bestowed by the late Emperor, not only has a beautiful name but also truly beautiful. She’s been with Your Highness for the longest time, right?”
“It’s not accurate to say she’s been with me the longest, but she has been here for quite a while.” Yuwen Chu’s lips curved into a faint smile, “I think, among all the women I’ve met in my life, the most beautiful one should be Wangfei. I haven’t paid attention to anyone else.”
“You smooth talker, who would believe you?” Mingzhu couldn’t deny that she felt somewhat pleased by the flattery, but she couldn’t help but smirk. She remembered meeting Zhou Fuyan that year. It must have been three or four years after she had just given birth to her child. It seemed that there was no connection between them now.
Today’s meeting was arranged in the Dezhang Hall. A large group of people stood densely inside the room. Concubines stood in the hall, while stewards stood below the steps, all with bowed heads, silent and solemn. With a smile, Mingzhu followed Yuwen Chu to the main seat, and without saying a word, she smiled at Zheng Momo and Su Lan, indicating that they should pay attention and remember clearly. Whoever dared to be disobedient would face her wrath!
Yuwen Chu glanced at Zhu Changsheng and Li Quanxin standing nearby. Li Quanxin felt that this was a matter for him as the internal steward, and he was about to step forward to take charge of it. But just as he took a step forward, Zhu Changsheng swiftly moved past him and stood in front, smiling obsequiously at Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu. Then, clearing his throat, he loudly suggested, “Your Highness and Wangfei are celebrating, and our people in the mansion haven’t congratulated Your Highness and Wangfei yet.” Before his words had even finished, he was already kneeling on the ground, spouting auspicious words without reservation.
This fat pig! Always eager to take credit for himself! Li Quanxin was seething with anger but didn’t show it on his face. He smiled and followed behind Zhu Changsheng, bowing to Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu. Everyone congratulated them, and even Mingzhu felt a bit of joy. She immediately ordered rewards, then glanced at Yuwen Chu and whispered, “Your Highness, should this money come from the public funds or my private treasury?”
Yuwen Chu smiled faintly and whispered back, “Regarding matters in the rear court, the Wangfei can decide. Naturally, it should come from the public funds.”
That’s fine. Mingzhu was satisfied. Suddenly, she saw Zhou Nushi and a young woman in a lake-blue dress walking towards them with lowered heads. They bowed to her and Yuwen Chu and offered some flowery congratulations.
Mingzhu graciously said, “No need for formalities, please rise.”
The woman in the lake-blue dress raised her head and smiled charmingly, “Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Wangfei.” There was a hint of flirtation in her eyes, adding a touch of elegance to her beauty.
Oh!
Unexpected!
There’s such a stunning beauty in Yuwen Chu’s mansion!
Why hasn’t anyone told her before???
Since this woman can sit on an equal footing with Zhou Nushi, she must be the Ping Nushi bestowed by the late Emperor, and she’s not inferior in looks at all. In fact, she’s even more delicate and charming. Mingzhu was caught off guard and turned her head to look at Yuwen Chu, only to see him indifferent, as if he hadn’t noticed the stunning beauty in front of him at all.
Is he blind? How can he not see how beautiful this Ping Nushi is? Mingzhu was a little angry and gave Su Jin a fierce glare. This girl had previously falsely informed her, saying that Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi were older and less attractive than her. It turns out she was lying! Deceiver!
Su Jin nervously shifted her tiptoes backward, then glanced discreetly at Mingzhu, smiling ingratiatingly to convey that even if others were born better-looking than her, she shouldn’t worry because there are other factors to consider—such as family background or even sheer audacity.
Well, she couldn’t be jealous just because someone else is more attractive, could she? That would be too petty. Mingzhu smiled generously and sweetly, “I met Zhou Nushi first, so this must be Ping Nushi, right?”
Ping Nushi immediately gave her a respectful salute, “In response to Your Highness, I am Surname Ping.” Then, she glanced at Yuwen Chu with a tender look and said in a melodious voice, “My maiden name is Fufu.”
<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>
