Chapter 414: Journeying Together (Part Two)
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Mingzhu held Yuwen Chu’s hand. “Why did Your Highness take me with you at that time? You knew it was very dangerous, so why didn’t you tell me, a woman confined to the inner courtyard, to stay at home and enjoy a peaceful life? Your Highness once asked me, if I really wanted to hide at home and be treasured by you, it wouldn’t be impossible, but are you willing?
At that time, I replied to Your Highness, hoping that I could be your most trusted helper. This helper should be charging forward while you’re in the front lines, and I can be the one behind, shielding you from arrows so you can feel at ease. That’s what a truly trustworthy helper and support should be! I’m unwilling to be treasured in the domestic affairs by you. Please let me try! I want to walk alongside you.”
Yuwen Chu had nothing to say. He had never known that a person could be so contradictory. Previously, he hoped Mingzhu would grow up quickly, become strong, and stand by his side, so he wouldn’t have to worry about her all the time. However, at this moment, he began to worry that she might encounter various accidents. Because every time he thought about her getting hurt, suffering, or encountering trouble, he felt terrified.
Perhaps the longer they spent together, the more accustomed he became to her presence, and the less he could tolerate losing her. This was not right. He sighed and embraced Mingzhu, “Then you must be extremely careful at all times. Because you are not just yourself, you are also a mother and my wife.”
“I’m also the daughter of my parents, the sister of my brothers and sisters-in-law, and the aunt of my nephews and nieces.” Mingzhu emphasized to him once again, then smiled mischievously, proudly pulling him to see her sleeve arrow, “It has done a great job today! It was this arrow that pierced Jiang Shanshan’s foot and nailed her to the floor. I really hope she acts recklessly again so I can shoot her…”
She could shoot Jiang Shanshan blind. Mingzhu immediately closed her mouth and rolled her eyes. Most men probably wouldn’t like women to be so bloody and cruel, right? She decided not to say more. Although she was acting in self-defense and doing justice, these bloody acts were not conducive to moral education. She immediately left Yuwen Chu and ran to the desk to write.
The sudden transition from killing with a sleeve arrow to writing letters was too much! Yuwen Chu found it amusing and walked over, asking, “What are you doing?”
“I’m practicing calligraphy, cultivating morality, and educating our child,” Mingzhu said, annoyed by Yuwen Chu’s presence. “Stop bothering me. Wait until I finish this.”
Yuwen Chu had no choice but to wait silently until she finished writing. Then he said, “Although doing good deeds and listening to music during pregnancy are beneficial for prenatal education, I think the most important thing is for the mother to have a righteous heart, not to engage in crooked ways, to have a broad mind, to be calm and peaceful, and not to be fearful or worried. That’s enough.”
Mingzhu immediately praised herself, “I have a righteous heart, and I haven’t done anything crooked. As for having a broad mind, no one is more open-minded than me. In summary, this child will definitely be very, very good, with Your Highness being so smart and me being so open-minded. Our child’s moral character and conduct will be excellent.”
Yuwen Chu raised his hand to cover his eyes, indicating that he couldn’t bear to watch anymore.
Mingzhu giggled and asked someone to bring hot water for Yuwen Chu to wash his face and hands, as if to brush the matter aside. The two of them squeezed onto the white vine lounge chair and cuddled for a while. Then Yuwen Chu asked Mingzhu, “What did Jiang Shanshan come to see you for today? Why did it make you so angry?”
Mingzhu replied candidly, “She asked me to let her into the mansion to become your concubine. I told her that even if I didn’t want to be her mistress, I wouldn’t even let her pour the night feces for you. Then she threatened me, mentioning that incident with the drip dew pot.” At this point, she turned to look at Yuwen Chu, alertly asking, “She hasn’t found you, has she?”
Yuwen Chu shook his head gently. He planned to meet Jiang Shanshan tomorrow and settle this matter once and for all. According to Zhou Shuyi’s description, Jiang Shanshan behaved ruthlessly enough. Such people were usually very dangerous, and letting her stay would only invite trouble. It was better to get rid of her. He decided not to tell Mingzhu about this bloody matter.
Resting her head on Yuwen Chu’s shoulder for a while, Mingzhu said, “I want to find something to do.”
Yuwen Chu didn’t understand her meaning. “There are already plenty of things to do at home, and there are many social interactions in daily life.”
Mingzhu explained, “Not that. I’ve been busy these days, gradually getting the hang of things at home. After the autumn harvest, Zhou Changshi took me to see the accounts twice, and I’ve listened to the steward’s reports several times, so I have an idea. I mean, if Jiang Shanshan can open her own shop and do business, I can too.”
She knew Yuwen Chu was very wealthy, but climbing to that position would also cost a lot of money, and a lot of money. She wasn’t particularly smart and wasn’t good at meticulous calculations, but she thought she could do a little better, make the child have more reliance.
After thinking for a while, Yuwen Chu asked, “If you think it’s good, then do it. But there’s no need for small-scale antics. Think about what you want to do and tell me, and I’ll allocate money and people for you.”
What’s the point of that? It was his money, his people, and even if he wouldn’t lose money, it was still his business, and she had no say in it at all. Mingzhu didn’t directly refuse Yuwen Chu’s kindness, only saying that she needed to think about it.
Worried that she would overexert herself, Yuwen Chu said, “I have my own way of making money, so you don’t need to save money for me or make money for me. Just be happy.”
Mingzhu smiled sweetly at him. “Understood.”
The next morning, Yuwen Chu went to the yamen early and quickly finished his tasks, waiting for the appointed time to keep his appointment. Wei Tiande brought lunch quietly and slipped a note to him.
The note came from the palace, stating that Linan Wang Yuwen You wished to take Jiang Shanshan as his concubine, and both Empress Dowagers were inclined to support it. However, they were hesitant to announce it publicly due to the fact that the Wusun Princess had not yet entered the palace.
Yuwen Chu threw the note into the charcoal basin and burned it. It seemed that both Empress Dowagers had reached an agreement on dealing with him. They all wanted to support Yuwen You and oppose him, and Yuwen You himself also wanted to be that blade.
After finishing his meal, Yuwen Chu instructed a junior official from the Ministry of Rites and then went to the Mudan Pavilion.
The Mudan Pavilion was located at the end of Chunxi Street in the northern part of the city. It was a teahouse specializing in pastries, but there were not many customers at this time, making it very quiet. When Yuwen Chu’s carriage arrived, servants from the Changxing Marquis’s mansion guided him to a private room on the third floor.
The Marquis of Changxing and his daughter Jiang Shanshan were sitting there. After he entered, they exchanged greetings, and then the Marquis found an excuse to leave, leaving only him and Jiang Shanshan in the room.
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