Chapter 248: Treasure
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Like everyone else, when visiting a new place for the first time, there is always a sense of novelty. Mingzhu stood in Yuwen Chu’s study, curiously looking around. In her impression, her Father’s study was not large but very neatly arranged, with flowers and plants. It was especially warm and comfortable in winter, giving no indication that it was the study of a current prime minister, exuding an air of leisure.
Yuwen Chu’s study was different. Spacious, clean, and elegant were all necessary. There were also many flowers and plants, but unlike her Father’s, they were not placed on the desk during the flowering season. Instead, they were placed where they wouldn’t obstruct anyone. Books were everywhere, and a large cylindrical container was filled with scrolls of various lengths. A large and elegant rosewood desk stood tall, with two rows of chairs and a tea table underneath, giving the feeling that this room was often crowded with people.
Mingzhu believed that Yuwen Chu was truly busy, and this room must usually be crowded with people. Ying Wang was wealthy, and wealth meant being able to support many people. She wondered if there were any unsavory characters among his entourage. Lost in her thoughts, she walked up to the cylindrical container and looked inside, her gaze fixed on the longest and thickest scroll, unable to look away.
Was this a Kanyu map? She remembered when she intercepted Yuwen Xue, riding home with Yuwen Chu, he had dipped his hand in tea and drawn a map for her, showing her where the Wusun were, where the Xiongnu were, and how they couldn’t do without the Wusun. The Xiongnu had caused them so much trouble and threat over the years. At that time, she thought to herself that this person must have the entire Kanyu map memorized, which is why he could draw it so accurately on the spot. She had thought he would hang the Kanyu map, but she didn’t expect him to roll it up and hide it like this. Why?
Yuwen Chu smiled, “How does Wangfei feel about my study?”
Mingzhu withdrew her gaze and praised, “Not bad. It’s very spacious and grand, very fitting for Your Highness’s status.”
Yuwen Chu approached and gently flicked the scroll, saying lightly, “This is the Kanyu map of our dynasty. Would the Wangfei like to see it?”
Mingzhu shook her head, “I’m not interested in that. I just find it strange that everyone else hangs it up, why does Your Highness want to roll it up and hide it?”
Yuwen Chu didn’t answer her question, just smiled faintly, “I don’t like the smell of this parchment.”
Mingzhu believed him. Much later, she finally had the opportunity to open this Kanyu map. She then understood why Yuwen Chu had rolled it up and hidden it, because in this Kanyu map, he had added many cities and territories that he wanted to incorporate into the country. Some of these cities and territories were split from the previous dynasty, some were lost from the hands of the Yuwen family’s ancestors, and some were vital strategic locations for the current dynasty.
But at this moment, neither of them paid attention to this Kanyu map, which would shine brightly in a few years, becoming a treasure. Mingzhu chased after him, asking, “Your Highness, what about my shoes?”
Yuwen Chu took her hand, indicating for her to follow him into the inner room. Only a small lamp was lit in the inner room, making it very dim. Mingzhu immediately saw the couch placed against the wall. Above the couch hung a bed curtain shimmering with pearls, giving it a very seductive feeling. It didn’t look like a place just for sleeping! Mingzhu couldn’t help but frown, “Does Your Highness often rest here?”
“Used to, but since you entered, it’s only occasionally. Is there a problem?” Yuwen Chu walked to the side of the couch, bent down, and fiddled with the low table next to it for a moment. With a light “click,” a small drawer slowly popped out from the low table. He took something out from inside, motioning for Mingzhu to follow him.
Not knowing where else there was to go in the room, Mingzhu stood still, puzzled. Yuwen Chu grew impatient, grabbed her arm, and led her around to the back of the couch. Behind the couch, the bed curtain hung low, and the space was narrow, only enough for one person to stand sideways. On one side was the couch, and on the other was the wall. With any slightly bigger movement, elbows and legs would inevitably collide with each other. Mingzhu couldn’t understand what medicine he was selling in this gourd and said, “Your Highness, are you playing hide-and-seek with someone? Or did you take some treasure that you have to hide here to be able to see it?”
“Yeah, I have a night pearl(Mingzhu). It’s better to hide it here to look at.” Yuwen Chu lowered his head and smiled at her, his tall figure pressing her tightly against the wall. The coldness of the wall seeped through her clothes to her back, while in front was Yuwen Chu’s warm and strong chest. Between the cold and warmth, Mingzhu’s heart suddenly pounded like thunder, and she could hardly catch her breath. She struggled to stand upright, her voice only slightly louder than a mosquito’s, “Stop lying. What kind of strange night pearl is this, that you can’t see it without blowing out the lamp and hiding in the corner? If you want to take advantage of me, just say it…”
Before she could finish her sentence, she started to regret it. How could she be so foolish? Stirring up trouble where there was none, this time even if Yuwen Chu hadn’t thought of it, she reminded him. Mingzhu’s mind was in chaos, just as she was trying to find something to say, Yuwen Chu bumped into her forcefully twice, hitting her chest the first time, then separating, and just as she relaxed, he bumped into her again.
The two of them were entangled in each other’s breaths, their ears rubbing against each other. The air was very dry, as if it contained many tiny flammable particles. It felt like if they weren’t careful, a spark from the small lamp would ignite the air, leaving them both scorched. Mingzhu couldn’t remember if it was her who initiated it or if it was Yuwen Chu, but in any case, she held onto his neck tightly, clinging to him. Her legs, originally caught in the gap, automatically wrapped around his waist, saving her from the painful agony of her shin bones being knocked against the edge of the bed.
She forgot everything else, only remembering how his kisses left her breathless, as if another part of her inside was being sucked out by him, unable to be pulled back in. But she refused to yield entirely. With one hand free, she grabbed his hair fiercely, returning his kisses with equal force. She wasn’t very skilled at this, relying solely on instinct and her good memory. Mimicking his actions, she kissed him fiercely, teasingly chasing his tongue, and when he tried to retaliate, she quickly withdrew, biting down on his earlobe.
He always bullies her because she’s sensitive to his teasing! Mingzhu gleefully noticed that Yuwen Chu’s whole body was trembling, tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead, mingling with the faint, cool scent of agarwood, a scent that permeated bone-deep, lingering and entwining, yet quickening the heartbeat and drying the mouth.
“Zhuzhu!” Yuwen Chu closed his eyes slightly, pressing his forehead tightly against hers. He suddenly tightened his grip on her arms as if he wanted to crush her. Mingzhu felt like she was on fire, dizzy. She pushed him back hard, and they both fell onto the couch.
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