Chapter 213: Taking Matters into One’s Own Hands
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Mingzhu followed Yuwen Chu to the homes of the deceased and the injured. Due to their identities, staying too long made people uncomfortable, so they didn’t linger. They expressed their condolences briefly and then took their leave.
Throughout the process, Yuwen Chu was as polite and considerate as ever, while Mingzhu was gentle and considerate, without any airs. Even in the home of the deceased, she shed tears with the deceased’s Mother and wife, speaking very appropriately. When they left, the women praised her for being noble and kind, even stuffing some chestnuts and pomegranates from their own homes into her hands.
Being praised and liked by others like this, Mingzhu was not unhappy. She sat in the carriage, feeling pleased with herself, wanting Yuwen Chu to praise her a few words. But she was too embarrassed to ask, so she said to Yuwen Chu, “Did Your Highness think I did well just now? Is there anything I need to improve? If Your Highness says so, I will improve next time.”
Yuwen Chu looked at her and saw her sitting next to him properly. Her hair was tied up in the simplest bun, and she wore the cleanest white jade hairpins. She didn’t even wear any head ornaments. She was wearing a simple blue cloud-patterned dress, without any makeup. Her big, slightly upturned eyes were dark and expectant, her plump lips pursed slightly, both delicate and pure. So all the worries in his mind vanished, and he smiled as he stroked the back of her head, whispering, “No, Zhuzhu did extremely well, very well, much better than I imagined. Your Father-in-law and Mother-in-law have taught you very well.”
What’s with calling her “Zhuzhu” so affectionately? Only her parents and older brothers would call her that. And he started calling her that too… Mingzhu’s heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her eyes, making a soft “mm” sound from her nose. She used the sweet words she usually used to coax the Great Empress Dowager and her parents, saying, “At home, I follow my Father, and after marriage, I follow my husband. My parents have entrusted me to Your Highness, so I will trouble Your Highness to teach me how to be a good wife. If I do something that displeases you, please instruct me.”
Thinking that she had said this very nicely, with a humble attitude, she heard Yuwen Chu chuckle and look at her incredulously, “Do you really want to listen? If you do, tonight I will teach you well. By then, you, Wangfei, must remember, after marriage, you should do as I say, and never refuse…”
Mingzhu immediately thought of the night of their wedding, when he tossed her around, as well as those strange actions and preferences. She quickly said, “Although I follow my husband after marriage, if Your Highness does something inappropriate, I will definitely speak up! Because apart from me, no one else cares about Your Highness.” Seeing Yuwen Chu struggling to suppress his laughter, she couldn’t help feeling a little embarrassed and annoyed, and pushed him hard, saying, “Don’t laugh at me!”
Yuwen Chu hugged her tightly, kissed her forehead heavily, and laughed, “Wangfei looks so serious, but always thinks of such improper things?”
Where did she think of anything improper? The one who always thinks of that is him, right? Mingzhu didn’t want to bear this accusation. Unable to resist, she retorted, “What improper things did I think of?”
Yuwen Chu glanced at her with a smile and whispered softly in her ear, “Of course, it’s a matter between you and me as husband and wife. Actually, I understand. You don’t really dislike me. You just don’t understand the beauty of it and got frightened. As long as you’re willing to give me a chance, I can make you like me.” After speaking, he gently blew a breath into her earlobe.
Mingzhu’s body stiffened from the breath, and it took her a while to react. “Your Highness, you’re being too frivolous and improper!”
Yuwen Chu lazily leaned back in his seat, smiling as he glanced at her. He teasingly scratched her palm with his fingertips. Seeing her sitting there stiffly, looking particularly obedient and pitiful, he felt in a good mood and instructed the coachman, “Let’s go, back to the mansion.”
Upon returning to the mansion, Yuwen Chu watched Mingzhu enter the gate before attending to the preparations for the engagement ceremony between Yuwen You and the Wusun Princess.
When Mingzhu woke up from her nap, Zheng Momo was already waiting by her side. Seeing her get up, Zheng Momo stepped forward to take the comb from Su Jin and began to comb her hair, smiling as she said, “Your Highness, there were a few merchants who came by while His Highness and Wangfei were out earlier.”
Mingzhu gestured for Su Jin and the others to withdraw before asking, “What’s the situation?”
Zheng Momo smiled and said, “It is said that the manager of the Bo Lai Wu store was initially very happy, but when he heard that the requested goods were many, he had some difficulty. He only allowed them to buy dozens of items first, and then they could only pay a deposit to order the goods. The price was only twenty percent lower than the price in the shop. As for those soap pieces that cost ten wen each, he has plenty of inventory, but he didn’t sell them openly. He said he wanted to keep them to match the shop’s inventory. Otherwise, if someone bought them and there were no goods left, he would be scolded by the owner because he wasn’t originally there to make money, but to facilitate everyone.”
It’s true that he never stops boasting about his virtue and kindness. Mingzhu chuckled and said, “That’s it then. Let them place large orders, don’t hesitate with the deposit, but the contract must be written clearly.”
“Yes.” Zheng Momo couldn’t guess what she was up to. After hesitating for a while, she said, “Even if the Wangfei wants to expand this business beyond the capital, isn’t the cost of goods too high? After considering transportation costs, labor costs, and shop rent, there’s basically no profit, and it’s like giving her a reputation for free.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Momo, don’t worry, I have my own plan. Even if it’s a loss, I can afford it.” She had originally wanted Yuwen Chu to take care of this matter, but after hearing the conversation between Yuwen Chu and her about whether she was willing to be treasured at home, she decided to do it herself. This was a battle between her and Jiang Shanshan, and she had to win it herself. If Jiang Shanshan was really involved in the downfall of the Fu family, then she had to rely on herself even more.
After hesitating for a while, Zheng Momo said, “Why not ask the Wangye’s opinion? The Wangye has several stewards who are good at business and have extensive connections and abundant funds. Wouldn’t it be better to use their dowry rather than your own?”
After saying so much, she still didn’t trust her, thinking that she would lose money. Mingzhu comforted Zheng Momo and patted her hand, “Momo thinks very thoughtfully, which is good. His Highness knows about this matter, and when I need him to take action, I will naturally tell him. Go ahead, make sure to arrange the deposit and contract properly, and remember not to leak any news, letting others know that we are doing this.”
The reminders had been given, and Zheng Momo had fulfilled her duty, so she didn’t say much more and left to take care of the matter after helping Mingzhu with her hair. Mingzhu drank a cup of tea, practiced a few stretching exercises, feeling a bit sweaty, and then went for a stroll in the garden.
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