Chapter 24: At the Time
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In her previous life, Fourth Brother never talked to her so much. Mingzhu only remembered that when she was about to marry Yuwen You, he sent her a gift. At that time, she was admiring her wedding dress and, on a whim, asked him if it looked good. Fu Mingzheng replied coldly, “Of course it looks good, red as blood. It suits you, you fool.”
Geng Momo scolded him angrily and threatened to tell their parents about his behavior. Mingzhu, feeling resentful, didn’t stop Geng Momo and watched as he was humiliated. In the end, he sarcastically bowed to her, “Since you want to hear pleasant things, I’ll say it. Congratulations, may you live happily with him, without constant quarrels.”
She was so angry she didn’t want to see him again. After that, their relationship became even more distant, almost like strangers. Until later, when the young emperor grew uncontrollable, the situation at home worsened, and she still couldn’t conceive, her heartache deepened. Once, at a palace banquet, she was humiliated by Yuwen You and cried alone in a corner. He silently handed her a handkerchief and only asked when she stopped crying, “If you’re unhappy, you can divorce him.”
At that time, she already sensed the storm brewing outside. Divorce wouldn’t be simple, she thought, so she asked him, “It might not be easy. Can it be done?”
Fu Mingzheng smiled grimly, “What’s the difficulty? It’s a small matter, as long as you want it.”
At that time, she hadn’t given up on Yuwen You yet. When she was angry, she would threaten to divorce, but Yuwen You always threatened back, “You can only divorce me over my dead body.” Although she was angry, there was a part of her that felt pleased—he must have feelings for her. Otherwise, why didn’t he find another woman during all those years she couldn’t conceive? His refusal to divorce her proved his affection. So, after much deliberation, she refused.
Fu Mingzheng sighed lightly, sarcastically, “Then there’s no other way. Keep crying until you’re all cried out! When you regret it later, don’t blame me for not warning you.”
She angrily threw her handkerchief at him, saying she never wanted to see him again. Fu Mingzheng smirked, “You will regret it.” With that, he left. That was the last time she saw him. Three days later, he was attacked on his way home at night, hacked to death in the middle of the street, his body mutilated. Their father, upon seeing his body, fainted from sorrow, falling ill thereafter.
That night, Yuwen You was very happy, hosting a grand banquet and rewarding the servants generously. He even said to her, “You’ve never liked your fourth brother, have you? From now on, you don’t need to be angry with him anymore.”
That was when she truly felt the pain in her heart, but he could never come back to life. People are strange like that. They hate those who speak the truth because it’s unpleasant, but only realize the value of that truth when they’ve suffered greatly.
Mingzhu rubbed her sore eyes, holding back the tears about to burst forth. She choked softly, “I understand, I’ll listen to Fourth Brother. What should I do next, Fourth Brother?”
“Why cry?” Fu Mingzheng’s cold expression gradually softened, a rare touch of gentleness in his voice. “It’s not a big deal, not worth getting upset over. Next, you’ll come back to the capital with us, make a big fuss about it, let everyone know how Yuwen You left you in such a state. That way, your previous decision to call off the marriage will have a legitimate reason. Who would dare marry such a beast? Isn’t that right?”
“Okay.” Mingzhu obediently agreed, clutching the crumpled paper in her hand, taking a deep breath, and softly said, “But I must still visit Yuwen Chu. It would be disrespectful otherwise. Our family has always been walking on thin ice. We can’t afford any mistakes.” In fact, her father and brothers had always been on the edge, she just didn’t know. She suddenly regretted how she had treated Yuwen Chu so recklessly before.
Fu Mingzheng was genuinely relieved, “You’ve grown up. Very well. Of course, we must visit, but you don’t have to go, I will.”
“Going alone might seem a bit too casual, don’t you think? I heard Yuwen Chu is very petty and holds grudges.” Mingzhu was very anxious. She also had to go, it was clearly stated in that letter, Yuwen Chu wanted to force her to meet him. This time, regardless of whether fate would follow its previous course, she wanted to use all her strength, not for anything else, but just to prevent her loved ones from suffering such cruelty again.
Fu Mingzheng looked at her coldly and said, “Are you suggesting that I’m just a lowly b*stard, too insignificant in status?”
Mingzhu felt choked by his words and had to explain hastily, “That’s not what I meant.”
Fu Mingzheng continued, “That’s the implication in your words.”
Mingzhu had to retreat, “Alright, think whatever you want.”
Only then did Fu Mingzheng soften his stern expression, “Go rest. Your current appearance is truly worrying. Even if you’re really interested in Yuwen Chu, wait until your face heals before pursuing him.”
Mingzhu couldn’t even find words to respond. She retreated awkwardly, sneaking a glance at Fu Mingzheng from behind the window. She watched as he called a group of servants to carry a pile of gifts away before sitting back at the mirror, staring at her “worrisome” face. It wasn’t just Fu Mingzheng criticizing her; her face really was ugly, swollen and discolored, like a paint shop explosion.
Seeing her lost in thought in front of the mirror, Su Lan assumed she was worried about her appearance and stepped forward to comfort her, “Miss, don’t worry. The ointment I gave you is excellent. By tomorrow, the swelling will go down, and in two or three days, the bruising will disappear.”
Mingzhu said, “Don’t bother using it anymore, keep it.” Fu Mingzheng was right; she had to show up at the palace with this face and plead her case to the Empress Dowager. Just thinking of that person, Su Mei came in to report, “Linan Wang has arrived again. This time, he brought many things with him, and Madam has already invited him in.”
Mingzhu “huffed” as she stood up and walked to the window to look outside. Not long after, Yuwen You walked out with an unpleasant expression on his face, followed by Sun Momo and others carrying many gifts. They repeatedly insisted that they shouldn’t accept the gifts and asked him to take them back. Yuwen You was very angry, clenching his jaw tightly, and the veins on his neck bulged.
He didn’t look any better, sporting two black eyes and several bloodstains on his face, which was quite satisfying to see. Mingzhu was very pleased, feeling that she hadn’t really suffered much this time. Suddenly, Yuwen You turned his head and looked in her direction with a stern gaze. Mingzhu couldn’t avoid it and met his gaze directly. After a moment’s thought, she provocatively curled her lips into a mocking smile, showing a contemptuous expression.
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