Chapter 407: The Feeling of Someone Waiting
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Yuwen Chu took the metal tube handed to him by Jing Song. The metal tube was thin, sealed tightly with wax on both ends, it was the special envelope used by Ying Wang Mansion’s carrier pigeons. After verifying it, he opened the wax seal and took out a neatly folded sheet of paper.
There was not a single word on the paper. Jing Song respectfully handed over a pen wash filled with specially made liquid, and Yuwen Chu threw the paper into it. After a moment, he took it out and unfolded it, quickly reading the words on it, then threw the paper into the brazier and burned it to ashes.
“Jing Song, do you remember the maid from before of Zhou Nushi’s?” Yuwen Chu’s eyes gleamed with a light, the kind of light that was stirred up by finding a worthy opponent and being driven by competitiveness.
“I remember, her name is Liansheng.” Jing Song certainly wouldn’t forget. This little maid deceived a popular performer into impersonating Wangfei, causing embarrassment at a banquet after Wangfei married over, and even after being exposed, not only did she not repent, but she also pointed fingers at Wangfei and cursed at her, calling Fu Xiang a treacherous minister who ruined their entire family. Later, even under his severe torture, she wouldn’t open her mouth, until His Highness discovered her background and used her younger brother, who was hiding outside, to threaten her before she revealed the truth.
At that time, Liansheng confessed that she and her younger brother were saved by a person named Mr. Zhu in the floods of Cangzhou. They were taken to a big mansion to learn manners and literacy. Hundreds of orphans were kept in different places, separated by courtyard walls and forbidden to communicate or meet easily. After learning, they were sold to different places until someone contacted them to do things, then exposed, and finally died.
“That Mr. Zhu, he looked very young and handsome, sang very beautiful songs, played very beautiful tunes, and never cursed at anyone in normal times.” This was Liansheng’s exact words.
Yuwen Chu whispered, “Du Heng’s letter says that this Mr. Zhu has come to the capital. But Du Heng couldn’t describe any characteristics about him, so you’ll have to work hard, Jing Song. No matter the cost, find this person for me. I want him alive. Otherwise, kill him!”
The capital was vast, inhabited by countless nobles and wealthy people, as well as many common people, foreign merchants. With just a code name and a vague description, it was not easy to find an old and cunning person. However, Jing Song had no doubts or excuses. He knew this person meant a lot to His Highness, the eyes and ears of Zhongshan Wang. He responded resolutely, “Yes, I will do my best to find this person, no matter what it takes!”
After Jing Song left, Zhou Shuyi, the Changshi of Ying Wang Mansion, walked in, followed by a person dressed like an old woman. Upon seeing this person, Yuwen Chu raised his hand slightly, “Speak.”
The old woman vividly recounted how Yuwen You helped Jiang Shanshan speak and resolve the situation today, and then described how Jiang Shanshan was beaten, whispering, “Linan Wang asked Miss Jiang for money or something, Miss Jiang refused, and then he beat her up. At that time, Miss Jiang didn’t allow anyone to serve her, so this servant couldn’t know very clearly.”
“You’ve worked hard.” Yuwen Chu signaled Wei Tiande to give some silver to the old woman, “This is a reward for you.”
The old woman shook her head, “As a servant, having so much silver for no reason can easily cause trouble. It’s better for His Highness to send me back home as usual.”
“Alright, I’ll take care of your home for you. You may go.” After the old woman left, Yuwen Chu instructed Zhou Shuyi, “Starting tomorrow, report any movements from the Changxing Marquis Mansion and Linan Wang Mansion immediately.”
Yuwen Chu finished handling official business near the third watch of the night. Wei Tiande brought supper, “Wangfei sent it over, asking His Highness to drink less strong tea.”
Only then did he remember that he had promised Mingzhu earlier to go back early and accompany her. Without eating supper, he rushed to Yinghui Hall.
Yinghui Hall was quiet, the lights had dimmed, and Su Mei and Su Jin, who were on duty, greeted him and helped him change clothes. They whispered, “Wangfei has been waiting for Your Highness to come back. Later, she felt so tired that Zheng Momo told her that early pregnancy is like this. If you feel sleepy, just sleep. It’s not good for the child and the mother’s body. Wangfei went to bed first.”
“Zheng Momo did a good job. You should advise Wangfei more in the future.” Yuwen Chu quietly walked into the inner room. He saw a sheep horn palace lamp left in the corner of the room, and the bed curtain was not completely lowered, leaving half of it, just blocking the light. He knew the lamp and the bed were left for him. There was a warm feeling in his heart, the feeling of being waited for was really good.
He hesitated to blow out the lamp, sat down gently by the bed, and looked closely at Mingzhu. She slept soundly, still holding his pillow in her arms, her face pressed tightly against his pillow, her lips slightly open like a child’s, looking delicate and obedient, melting one’s heart, making one unwilling to let her suffer the slightest grievance or injustice. This was probably what they called loving everything about someone. When you like someone, you think everything about them is good, everything is lovely, everything is pleasing to the eye.
Yuwen Chu lowered his head and gently kissed Mingzhu’s forehead. Seeing her eyelashes trembling slightly, fearing she would wake up, he quickly stopped moving, his hands propped on the bed, maintaining the same posture until she fell asleep again, then he carefully got up and found another pillow, blew out the lamp, and laid down beside her with the bed curtain down.
As soon as he laid down, a warm and soft body skillfully slipped into his arms. Mingzhu curled her legs on him, and whispered softly, “You came back late, so I’m punishing you to kiss me.”
She was wearing very little, rubbing against him in his arms. Wherever she touched was like igniting a fire, if not careful, it could make people lose their reason. Yuwen Chu breathed heavily, firmly grasping her restless hands, hoarsely saying, “Don’t provoke me!”
But Mingzhu was addicted to playing, lowered her head to lick his chest, imitating his manner, bit and sucked, proudly listening to him inhale the cool air, curling up, all over his body burning hot, then she laughed, “I provoke you, what will you do?”
What would he do? Yuwen Chu wished he could crush Mingzhu into pieces to vent his anger. He gnashed his teeth and said in a low voice, “Fu Mingzhu, you’ll be pleased first, but there will be a time when you’ll suffer.”
Mingzhu crawled up and straddled him, extremely wicked, “If you dare, do it now!” She knew he had strong self-control and knew he wouldn’t do anything to her, but she just wanted to play like this, otherwise, the long night would be too boring.
Yuwen Chu was itching with hatred, reached out and pinched her chest, “You wicked thing!”
Mingzhu smiled slightly, slipped down, and got into the quilt.
Yuwen Chu couldn’t help but let out a low roar, all resentment gone.
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