Chapter 216: Candlelit Conversations
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That night, Yuwen Chu and Fu Mingzheng talked late into the night. Mingzhu sat aside listening at first, occasionally pouring them some alcohol. But as the night wore on and she felt that these two were deliberately hiding something from her, although she was curious about what they were up to, she knew that some things were not suitable for her to know. For example, no matter how much her Father doted on her, he wouldn’t casually tell her about the secrets of the court. It was a matter of principle. So she got up to bid farewell, had someone arrange a place for Fu Mingzheng to stay, and left first.
Seeing her leave, Fu Mingzheng couldn’t help but boast a bit, smiling as he said, “Mingzhu has been spoiled at home, she’s curious and competitive, she doesn’t tolerate nonsense, and she’s very possessive of the people and things she likes. Is she causing trouble for Your Highness?”
Yuwen Chu knew he was speaking ironically, and he understood that Fu Mingzheng was tactfully speaking up for Mingzhu. Jealousy and dominance were all because of liking oneself. Being possessive was also a sign of affection. So even if she made some mistakes, she should be forgiven. These two siblings were really interesting. He had never seen such affectionate half-siblings. One day Mingzhu would defend her concubine brother, and the next day the brother would defend his main wife’s sister, considering each other’s feelings more than he and Funing did for each other.
With a slight smile, he said, “It’s okay, she has a strong temper. I’ve known that for a long time. Spoiled? Maybe not, she knows when to advance and when to retreat, she’s intelligent and eager to learn. Being competitive is a good thing. I don’t like weak people.” As for possessiveness, he liked it too. What he hated most was when she pushed him away. Only those he didn’t like or didn’t care about would he not mind.
He didn’t like weak people? Fu Mingzheng played with the alcohol glass in his hand and jokingly looked at Yuwen Chu, “Now it’s just the honeymoon period, the novelty hasn’t worn off yet. So even if she glares at you, it feels charming, scolds you, it feels intimate, and if she hits you, it feels like your bones are melting. But when the day comes and you suddenly don’t like it anymore, all of this will become a sin, deserved to be chopped a thousand times to relieve your anger. By then, not to mention glaring, scolding, or gentle affection, it will all be annoying. Your Highness, men throughout history have been fickle, isn’t that so?”
Yuwen Chu frowned and looked at Fu Mingzheng in silence. Although it was a joking tone, as if two men were innocently joking and discussing between themselves, they both understood what was going on. Fu Mingzheng didn’t believe that he sincerely cared about Mingzhu. He felt that all his current tolerance and indulgence were for a hidden purpose. When he no longer needed the Fu family in the future, he would drag Mingzhu down into the mud. Even though he was caring for his beloved sister, Fu Mingzheng was still too bold. It was undoubtedly offensive. Were all the children of the Fu family so arrogant, thinking they were above everyone else?
Seeing that Yuwen Chu didn’t respond, Fu Mingzheng, with some understanding, smiled and put down his alcohol glass, spreading his hands. He sighed, “Your Highness, don’t be angry. I’m just that kind of person. If I don’t speak my mind, I’ll feel uncomfortable. Anyway, I’m just a small b*stard in the family. I’m neither talented nor outstanding. I don’t need to inherit the family business or shine on the family’s glory. Even if I make some mistakes, if I’m kicked out or killed, it won’t have much impact on the family. My Father doesn’t lack sons, my birth Mother passed away early, and I have no maternal relatives. I’m a bachelor, so I’m especially bold. If I die, I die. For someone like me, who’s disliked for my temperament, I don’t know how many times I’ve been scolded by my Father since I was a child. But character is hard to change. I just can’t change it.”
In other words, he only represents himself, not the Fu family.
Yuwen Chu’s anger subsided slightly. He withdrew his gaze, raised his hand to pour a glass of alcohol for Fu Mingzheng, and said calmly, “If that’s the case, feel free to speak your mind. I am not a narrow-minded person. I can listen to the truth.”
Fu Mingzheng propped his chin with his hand, lowered his eyes to the flames dancing in the alcohol, and said softly, “Your Highness is a wise person, and I know that Father and Brother actually highly respect and value you. Logically speaking, I should bow down and serve you, and only then will I have a better future. But I have no ambitions. I just feel that this only sister, although she’s not likable, is not a bad person either. Since she cares about me, as her fourth brother, I have to consider her. Your Highness, don’t indulge her too much. If she does something inappropriate, you should discipline her. By doing so, she will get used to it and know what she can and cannot do. Don’t wait until she’s spoiled by you in the future and then suddenly pushed down from a high place. She won’t be able to bear it and might be shattered.”
“How do you know I would do that? How do you know I am that kind of person?” Yuwen Chu stood up, wanting to explode, but he felt it was undignified to get angry over a few words. However, he was truly uncomfortable with these words, especially Fu Mingzheng’s bold and fearless expression, which made him resentful. Did he think he was Mingzhu? Even if she was arrogant, he couldn’t bring himself to hate her.
“Don’t be angry, Your Highness. I’m just talking about the common problem among men, not saying that Your Highness is that kind of person. I hope that Your Highness and Mingzhu can live in harmony, as I sincerely wish.” Fu Mingzheng smiled and bowed deeply to Yuwen Chu. “Your Highness has an excellent demeanor, which is admirable. If I have offended you just now, I hope Your Highness will forgive me for Mingzhu’s sake.”
Yuwen Chu couldn’t bear to turn his face anymore. He sat down silently, took the apology alcohol Fu Mingzheng handed over, and said softly, “It’s great that you can protect her. I don’t deny that marrying Mingzhu will bring me many benefits, but even if she can’t bring me benefits, I would still marry her. I’m not someone who relies on women to eat. What I want, I dare to take it myself.”
Fu Mingzheng said seriously, “Your Highness is admirable. My Father often praises you.”
Yuwen Chu glanced at him and drank the alcohol in his cup. “Stop flattering. You’re not good at it. Speak up, what exactly do you want to tell me?”
Fu Mingzheng rolled up his sleeves, showing the sleeve arrows tied to his arm, and said, “Your Highness, please take a look at this. This sleeve arrow can hold twelve specially made short arrows made of fine steel. Since they are rare, I usually retrieve the arrows I shoot out for reuse. But last night, I shot out seven arrows, and only recovered two. The other five are probably lost forever.”
Yuwen Chu’s expression became serious. “What do you mean?”
Fu Mingzheng smiled gently. “Previously, Mingzhu was poisoned, and someone went to the Jade Emperor Temple to find Ban Jian. I was curious, so I made a list of people who could benefit from this incident, eliminated them one by one, and then left those who were suspicious for further investigation. It seems that someone couldn’t tolerate it, or I accidentally touched upon some truth, so, like you, I was attacked.”
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