Chapter 406: Finding a Companion for Fourth Brother
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The couple complimented each other as they ate dinner. The maidservants brought tea and fruits. Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu discussed, “Fourth Brother-in-law is not young anymore, right?”
Mingzhu said, “Yes, he’s about the same age as Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu said, “It’s not good for him to always be alone, not because of what others might say, but it’s not good for him. When he was young, he didn’t realize it, but when he gets older, other brothers and friends will all have wives and children, enjoying happiness together, but he would be alone. It’s sad during festivals and holidays. If he gets sick or old, although there are servants to take care of him, it’s not as good as having his own wife and children to take care of him.”
Mingzhu felt a bit sad hearing this and nodded, “That’s true.” She couldn’t wait to complain to him, “Your Highness, you don’t know how stubborn he is. I’ve heard my parents talk about arranging marriages for him since I was little, but he would always act up. He would be obedient before the matchmaker came, pretending he didn’t know anything. But as soon as the matchmaker arrived to inspect, he would immediately act up, either pretending to have epilepsy, lying on the ground foaming at the mouth and convulsing, or asking for rouge and cuddling up to the maidservants to eat; or he would just talk nonsense, without any reason.
Just a rough count, there have been five or six marriage proposals that he’s ruined. Just think, who would dare to marry him like this? My father has beaten him, my mother has scolded him, but he just won’t change. When he was forced, he said he wanted to become a monk, and the family had no choice but to let it go. Later, when he grew up and took up a post at the Dali Temple, he did his job well, and he looked good, so people came to propose marriage again, but he still refused, making a villainous face and scaring away many people.
His reputation deteriorated, and suitable families were picky about him, leaving only those who were not suitable, either because their family background was too low or because they had defects. My mother and sister-in-law were worried, afraid that he would marry someone not him good, and people would say they treated their b*stard sons and brothers unfairly. After this happened repeatedly, it was delayed until now.”
Yuwen Chu listened quietly and asked, “Has he ever told you why he refuses to get married? Or what kind of person he’s looking for?”
Mingzhu recounted Fu Mingzheng’s requirements for the woman to be as beautiful as a flower, with a pure family background, proficient in qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, strong-willed, intelligent, and capable. “Where can you find such a perfect person? It’s obviously just an excuse.”
Yuwen Chu laughed, “As long as he doesn’t dislike women, that’s fine. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this matter. His requirements are not a problem. The key is whether the woman can handle him. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone carefully investigate. As long as we find a suitable one, no matter whose family she’s from, we’ll find a way to marry her over!” He wanted to find a mother tiger to take care of Fu Mingzheng and see if Fu Mingzheng still had time to run to Mingzhu to talk bad about him.
Mingzhu knew he had many ways, so she quickly thanked him.
“We’re husband and wife, no need to be polite.” Yuwen Chu really took this matter to heart and immediately instructed Wei Tiande to inform the Zhou Changshi to remember to send someone to investigate tomorrow.
As night fell, the charcoal in the brazier burned brightly, and the water in the copper kettle bubbled continuously, emitting a mist of steam that rose upwards. The room was warm and quiet, with Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu sitting on the couch playing chess.
Yuwen Chu was quiet by nature, while Mingzhu was more lively, always wanting to take back moves. Yuwen Chu didn’t mind, just smiled and let her play around. After all, he played chess with her not to win or lose, but to make her happy and entertained. As long as she was happy, what did it matter if he let her win?
On the side, Su Jin knelt and brewed tea, then respectfully handed the most fragrant and mellow second brew of tea to Yuwen Chu. Mingzhu watched, feeling thirsty and joked about wanting to taste some. But before she could, Yuwen Chu ruthlessly tapped her hand, saying, “No drinking!” Then he told Su Jin, “Get Wangfei a cup of plain water.”
“Tightwad,” Mingzhu pouted, picked up a chess piece, and triumphantly declared, “You’ve lost!”
Yuwen Chu just conceded defeat, “Alright, you win. Wangfei plays chess well; our future child will surely be very clever.”
Mingzhu, with a hint of conscience, said with a smile, “Let’s not count this round, let’s start over.”
Yuwen Chu, in a good mood, helped her put away the chess pieces, “Are you still going to play as white?”
“Yes.” Mingzhu placed her first chess piece, but Wei Tiande surreptitiously approached, “Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu didn’t even turn his head, “Yes?”
Wei Tiande smiled kindly at Mingzhu, “Yang Dianjun is looking for you.”
Wasn’t it just the aides at the Tingxue Building fearing that Yuwen Chu would indulge in comfort? They always had to call him out at this time, even if there was nothing to do, they would still drag him out for tea and talk, fearing that this vixen would make Yuwen Chu infatuated with her and cause trouble. No amount of delicious food could shut their mouths. Mingzhu thought to herself, somewhat displeased, “Your Highness, you should go quickly. It’s not good to miss important matters.”
Yuwen Chu saw her pouting and reluctantly pretending to be generous, which was quite amusing. He stood up and, as he put on his boots, whispered, “I’ll be back soon.”
Mingzhu cheered up, “I’ll be waiting for you.” She gave him a flirtatious glance, pouted, and hinted subtly.
Yuwen Chu was amused by her antics and smiled, “Mischievous!”
Mingzhu followed him to the entrance of the Yinghui Hall and still refused to leave, standing at the door reluctantly watching him leave. The short distance felt like a lingering separation. However, Yuwen Chu was completely taken by this act, which showed how much she cherished him, not wanting to part with him at all!
Wei Tiande chuckled inwardly, sincerely feeling that His Highness and Wangfei were too affectionate. But Yuwen Chu was shrewd, he glanced at him and smiled, “Do you think Wangfei and I are too affectionate?”
Wei Tiande refused to admit to such a thing, firmly denying, “Your Highness and Wangfei have a deep affection, and the servants are only happy. Where would we think too much?”
“I’m not blaming you.” Yuwen Chu was in a good mood, so his temper was good too, “You are a rootless person, you have never experienced love, you don’t know the love between men and women. True love is a matter of life and death. Although the ancient poems say, ‘If love is deep, it’s not about day and night,’ in reality, when love is deep, there is no room for others, only wanting to stay together forever.”
“I can see that Wangfei truly admires you, so she is unwilling to be apart from you for even a moment.” Wei Tiande drooped his head, feeling sad. “Your Highness, is it appropriate to talk so openly and affectionately with a eunuch like me? Aren’t you just trying to show off and hurt someone’s heart? It’s so sad to be hurt.”
As the two walked outside the Tingxue Building, Jing Song greeted them, whispering, “A letter from Du Heng has arrived.”
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