Chapter 247 Compensate me!
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Yuwen Chu saw the two big tears about to fall from her eyes, feeling heavy, both angry and amused. But he didn’t dare to say anything else, just gently grabbed Mingzhu’s hand, rescued the door curtain from her hands, and said softly, “Don’t you know how much effort Mother-in-law spent picking out such a good door curtain for us. How can you bear to ruin it like this?”
Mingzhu lowered her eyes, staring motionlessly at her toes.
She was wearing ordinary soft satin shoes, finely crafted with stories from the Classic of Mountains and Seas embroidered in gold and silver thread. The tips of the shoes were still adorned with shining pearls. She suddenly remembered the pair of shoes she lost because of Yuwen Chu, and a mix of new and old grievances surged in her heart: “Compensate me for my shoes.”
Compensate her shoes? Yuwen Chu followed Mingzhu’s gaze to her feet and understood what she meant. Was she trying to settle an old score with him? Such childishness… The more he thought about it, the more amusing it became, but he dared not laugh. He could only sincerely hold Mingzhu’s hand and say, “Alright, I’ll compensate. The Wangfei can have as many pairs of shoes as she wants, however she wants them—amber, pearls, cat’s eye stones, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, jade. Whatever you want, you’ll have it. Alright?”
Mingzhu, with red eyes, said, “I only want that one pair! The one you threw down from the Jade Emperor Temple Linkong winding walkway! That pair of shoes was handmade by my elder sister-in-law, and the pearls were attached by my Mother! I just want it, I don’t want anything else.”
This was typical of a child picking faults. When someone breaks or loses something, they refuse to forgive that person. Even if the person offers a replacement, they insist on having the original. Yuwen Chu had seen this trick played by favored children like Funing and Yuwen You when he was young, but he had never played it himself, always sneering at it as the spoiled antics of ignorant children. But he didn’t expect his little wife to play the same trick in front of him now.
He could have many reasons to refute Mingzhu. For example, how could she be so reckless with something so precious? Not only did she wear it on mountain roads, she even used it to hit someone? But Yuwen Chu knew that if he really said this, he would be in trouble tonight. So he simply and decisively said, “Alright, we’ll just get that one pair, and nothing else.”
Mingzhu, who was originally indignant, felt that she was being toyed with and made a fool of, while he remained calm and composed. Did he think that if he didn’t provoke her, she wouldn’t get angry? She would get angry and not forgive him, she had to let him know that she wasn’t easy to mess with. Who knew that Yuwen Chu would actually agree to compensate her for those shoes, which caught her by surprise.
The first shoe, she saw him throw it down the bottomless abyss herself, and she knew that he had the second shoe in his hands. So even if he really could produce a pair of shoes, one of them must be a fake. Mingzhu said aggressively, “Alright, Your Highness, give it to me. If you can’t produce it…”
Yuwen Chu said, “If I can’t produce it, you can handle it as you see fit.”
“Your Highness won’t say anything else?”
“A gentleman’s word is as weighty as a thousand catties.” Yuwen Chu raised his palm and smiled at Mingzhu. “Do you want to seal it with a handshake?”
Mingzhu was skeptical and incredulous, but she heard Yuwen Chu continue, “But what if I do produce it?”
Mingzhu wouldn’t fall for his trick. She immediately said, “It originally belonged to me! It’s only right for me to have it back. What else can be done? Your Highness, don’t bully an honest person!”
“Alright.” Yuwen Chu pretended to shake his head sorrowfully. “I didn’t know if all men who marry little wives are as morally loose as I am.”
“Alright.” Yuwen Chu pretended to shake his head with great sorrow, “I wonder if all men who marry young wives are like me, unable to fulfill their duties as husbands.”
Mingzhu wanted to laugh but immediately suppressed it, putting on a serious face, “Where are the shoes?”
“Servants! My wife and I are going to the Tingxue Building,” Yuwen Chu shouted. Su Lan and the others quickly gathered around to help them dress and change shoes, lighting lanterns. Just as Mingzhu was about to leave, she suddenly felt a bit bloated. She quickly made up an excuse, went to the bathroom again behind Yuwen Chu’s back, then sneakily returned. Seeing Yuwen Chu still there putting on his boots, seemingly unaware of her little trick, she calmed her embarrassment and quietly followed him out.
There was no moon in the sky, the weather was cool, and the wind blew down the yellowed leaves, rustling as they fell on the bluestone pavement. The old woman carrying the lantern walked ahead, Su Lan and the others followed not too far behind, carrying lanterns as well. Mingzhu looked up at the sky, wondering if it would rain. She hoped the magnolia wouldn’t be damaged.
“Almost half a month without rain, perfect for autumn harvest and drying grains,” Yuwen Chu seemed to know what she was thinking, gently holding her hand as they walked forward. “After you entertain the guests, I’ll take you to the countryside to play at the estate.” He whispered in her ear, “We’ll go try the bed crossbow.”
Try the bed crossbow! Does that mean the big thing is finally built? Mingzhu suddenly became happy, “Really?”
Yuwen Chu replied with a smile, “Of course.”
Mingzhu was happy for a moment, then suddenly remembered she was still mad at him. She glared at him, whispered, “Even so, I still want you to return my shoes! Enough to cover a family’s expenses for a year! How can I let it go?”
She actually remembered what he said back then. Yuwen Chu smiled but didn’t say anything, holding Mingzhu’s hand tighter. Mingzhu struggled a bit but couldn’t break free, reluctantly letting him hold her hand. What a troublemaker, so dark-hearted and thick-skinned, and yet frighteningly petty. Only someone like her could tolerate him with such magnanimity.
Yuwen Chu noticed Mingzhu’s little movements, gently curling his lips. He felt that the night was filled with a sweet and fragrant osmanthus scent, intoxicating and indescribable.
The Tingxue Building in the night was quiet and peaceful. Because there was no one in the room, there were no lanterns. Only one side room was lit, no different from an ordinary study in an ordinary household. But as Mingzhu followed Yuwen Chu into the room, she could feel many differences.
Just like the study of her father and brothers at home, it seemed quiet and unguarded, but in fact, there were guards stationed every few steps. Countless eyes hid behind rocks and trees. If someone attacked, they would be shot with hidden crossbows. She felt that Yuwen Chu’s study was similar to her family’s.
As the two approached the Tingxue Building, Dong Hui, who was already leading the staff working in the Tingxue Building, came out to greet them. Lanterns were lit inside and outside the building, illuminating the Tingxue Building brightly. Su Lan and the others stopped at the door, knowing not to step inside without permission. The study was strictly off-limits without permission, and this rule had been warned by Mingzhu early on.
Dong Hui silently observed the actions of Su Lan and the others, forming a new opinion about the supposedly arrogant and rude Wangfei.
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