Chapter 245: Haggling over price
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After listening to this, Yuwen Chu was silent for a while, then suddenly burst into laughter, making Mingzhu puzzled and embarrassed, “Your Highness, what’s so funny? Even if you’re reluctant to let me handle it, you should just tell me straightforwardly. Why make fun of me like this?”
“It’s nothing, just feeling good.” Yuwen Chu finished laughing, gently patting her on the back of her head, his eyes filled with a smiling expression as he ordered, “Set the table.” He originally thought that with her temperament, it would take some time for her to want to manage the household affairs of the mansion. He didn’t expect her to volunteer so quickly. This was indeed a sign of her determination to live well with him, which made him very happy.
During this meal, Mingzhu ate nervously. She felt that Yuwen Chu opposite her was like he was sick. Whenever he took a sip of alcohol, he would gaze at her affectionately. Even when she deliberately criticized this dish as not tasty and that dish as bad, he didn’t get angry at all, and kindly asked the kitchen to remake them according to her requirements. So she had no temper, and could only watch him be overly happy, not knowing what he was happy about.
Was it really something to be happy about that she wanted to manage the household affairs of the mansion? Although it was right for the Wangfei to manage the household affairs, she knew best that the higher the status of the family, the more secrets there were, and it was impossible to easily hand over the household affairs of the mansion to a newlywed bride. Moreover, she and he both knew that there were so many uncertainties involved in their marriage, and when their interests were aligned, it was naturally excellent, but once their interests clashed, it would be difficult to end well. Therefore, it was normal for both parties to have reservations.
So in these days since entering, Yuwen Chu hasn’t actively mentioned handing over the household affairs of the mansion to her, and she didn’t have any objections either. As long as she has enough to eat and wear, and the servants don’t dare disrespect her, it’s fine. If it weren’t for some planning and coincidentally encountering Yin Momo’s matter, she wouldn’t have easily brought it up.
After finally finishing the meal, Yuwen Chu gestured to Mingzhu, “Brew a pot of your best tea for me.”
Mingzhu refused, being stubborn, “Where do I have any good tea? Even if I did, it wouldn’t be better than yours, Your Highness, who is a wealthy and powerful prince.”
Yuwen Chu smiled, “Don’t be stingy. I know that when you entered the palace that day, the Great Empress Dowager secretly gave you a packet of premium Sparrow’s Tongue tea. This stuff is only available from the Empress Dowagers and the Emperor, it’s not something you can buy with money.”
He knows this too? He knows that she wanted to stay in the Great Empress Dowager’s palace for a few days, and he even knows that the Great Empress Dowager gave her good things. What else does he not know? Mingzhu immediately felt a sense of crisis and firmly denied, staring wide-eyed, “No. I’ve already finished it!”
“Just a few days, and you finished it already? Don’t be stingy. Share hardships and share blessings.” There was a hint of coaxing and threat in Yuwen Chu’s tone, “Give me some good tea to drink, and I’ll let you manage my money.”
Mingzhu immediately ordered Su Lan, “Go brew some tea!”
“By the way, I haven’t had tea made by the Wangfei herself yet.” Yuwen Chu sighed softly on the side, and Su Lan dared not approach, looking eagerly at Mingzhu.
Mingzhu immediately took charge, took out her favorite tea set, washed the tea leaves and warmed the cups, respectfully brought a cup to Yuwen Chu, and emphasized, “There really isn’t much left, I haven’t even drunk any yet.”
Yuwen Chu took a sip, half-closing his eyes and praised, “Truly good tea.”
After waiting for a while and not seeing any further developments, Mingzhu gently hinted, “It would be even more interesting if we had some Tiao Tou cakes to go with it.”
Yuwen Chu gestured for Su Lan and the others to leave, then said, “I’m sure Wangfei has noticed that this mansion is not unified. From the beauties in the northern garden to the various servants, everyone has their own thoughts and tricks, and there are many backers behind them. Since Wangfei is not afraid of trouble, then help me with this favor. But Wangfei needs to think carefully, managing household affairs is very tiring and stressful. It’s not something you can just decide to do on a whim and then decide you’re tired of it and not do it anymore.”
“Otherwise?” Mingzhu heard the implication that if she didn’t manage well, she would be punished.
Sure enough, Yuwen Chu glanced at her and said, “If you don’t manage well, you will be punished.”
Punished? Mingzhu rolled her eyes and smiled, “How will Your Highness punish me?” Fine? That’s not a big deal. Scolding her? If it’s not too severe, it’s okay. After all, he couldn’t possibly hit her.
Yuwen Chu smiled, lightly tapping her nose, “For example, if we as a couple only have intimate relations ten times a month, then if the Wangfei does something wrong, she’ll have to do it one more time.”
There’s no such thing! They’ve been married for nearly a month and not even ten times have occurred, it’s quite clear! Even if we exclude the days she was recovering from poisoning, there were only three or four times during her cycle. Where would we find ten times? Mingzhu immediately retorted, “We don’t have that many! Clearly, it’s much less than that…” Suddenly realizing, she thought, has there ever been a new bride like her? If she says there aren’t that many, wouldn’t it be like indirectly reminding him that the number is too low? So she lifted the teacup to her lips, pretending to sip and exclaimed, “The tea is truly excellent.”
Yuwen Chu refilled her cup with a smile, “Is it delicious? Then drink a bit more.”
To cover up her earlier words, Mingzhu had to drink the entire cup of tea. Seeing her finish, Yuwen Chu refilled it again, urging, “If you’re thirsty, drink a bit more. It’ll make our conversation easier.”
Silently, Mingzhu drank the tea again, and he refilled her cup once more, saying, “This year, it’s unavoidable, but next year, I’ll find a way to get you some of that Sparrow’s Tongue.”
Reluctantly, Mingzhu drank half a bellyful of tea under his persuasion, feeling that if she drank any more, her stomach would start rumbling. Yet, Yuwen Chu persisted in refilling her cup.
This devious man, even if it’s just about managing the household, having a cup of tea, he can turn it into something else. Finding so many excuses to make her drink tea, isn’t it just to force her to discuss that matter with him? Well, she couldn’t keep up with this anymore, she admitted defeat! Mingzhu reached out and held Yuwen Chu’s hand, saying resignedly, “I’ve had enough! No matter how good the tea is, it’s just water, and it will make people bloated.”
Yuwen Chu raised an eyebrow, smiled without saying a word, but his hand continued to pour water into the teacup.
Mingzhu, with a determined attitude, said firmly, “I understand Your Highness’s intention, please don’t force me to drink more tea.”
Finally, Yuwen Chu put down the teapot and asked, “What do you mean?”
Mingzhu lowered her head, blushing furiously, and after a moment of silence, she quickly leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Ten times is too much, let’s make it five.”
Yuwen Chu shook his head firmly, pressing his lips together, and extended nine fingers.
Mingzhu hesitated for a moment, then silently extended one more finger, totaling six fingers.
Yuwen Chu forcefully pressed her finger down, indicating ten fingers.
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