Chapter 478: Seeking Help from Old Friends (Part One)
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Mingzhu slowly recounted Li Bochun’s words to Yuwen Chu, then asked for his opinion, “I know this kind of thing is thankless, but considering the benefits it can bring, I feel it’s worth a try. What does Your Highness think?”
Yuwen Chu thought carefully for a moment before saying, “It’s not impossible, but it will be very tiring. If you want to build a good reputation, there are other ways. As long as I want to, and when necessary, people in the world will soon know about the wisdom and talent of Ying Wangfei.”
Mingzhu shook her head, “I know it’s tiring and difficult, but I feel more at ease this way.” She leaned on his lap, looking up at him, “Sometimes I feel like I’m actually in a dream, and when I wake up, I’ll have nothing. You don’t belong to me, you don’t like me, I don’t have children, and I don’t live as well as I do now.”
“What are you talking about? Childish.” Yuwen Chu didn’t want to listen to her, with a stern face, he said, “You don’t remember what I said during the day? In the first month, avoid the beginning, in the twelfth month, avoid the end, we must observe the taboos.”
Mingzhu stuck out her tongue, assuring him, “Although it will be busy, I will prioritize our children and our mansion. I won’t force myself to do what I can’t. If I find it too difficult, I’ll stop immediately.”
“Okay, go to sleep. I trust you.” Yuwen Chu replied, getting up to blow out the lamp and sleep. Suddenly, he heard Su Jin asking softly outside, “Has His Highness and Wangfei gone to bed?”
Yuwen Chu raised his voice, “What’s the matter?”
Su Jin whispered, “Someone came from outside, claiming to be a friend of the Wangfei. They encountered some trouble and wanted the Wangfei’s help to save someone.”
Mingzhu was curious, “Did he say who he is?” She really couldn’t remember who her old friends might be who would come to the mansion in the middle of the night asking for her help. But given how many things had changed since her rebirth, it wasn’t surprising for an old friend to suddenly appear.
“Teacher Lin,” Su Jin reminded her in case she didn’t remember, “He’s the one who was finally brought back by Xiangye to teach you the pipa a few years ago.”
“Oh, him? Su Jin, you go out first to entertain him, ask what’s the matter, and help if you can. I’ll come out soon.” Mingzhu was quite surprised and hurriedly dressed and got up, explaining to Yuwen Chu, “This is the one my father spent a lot of money to bring back to teach me the pipa, and he was the one who finally agreed after sending Yang Zisu’s authentic works from the previous dynasty as a gift. A few years ago, he said that with my identity and conditions, reaching this level of skill was already the limit, and there was no point in continuing to teach. Just then, his wife fell seriously ill and he had to go back to accompany her, so he resigned and went back. After that, I also sent someone to inquire about his news, and it was said that his wife had passed away, and he took his wife’s ashes to travel the world. I didn’t expect him to suddenly show up here. Would Your Highness like to come with me to see him?”
A person who had been away for several years suddenly appearing here was somewhat intriguing. It would be better to observe the situation. Yuwen Chu lazily smiled, “I’m afraid of the cold wind, so I won’t go. Let Donghui accompany you.”
“Then I’ll be back soon. Your Highness, you can sleep first, don’t wait for me.” It was normal for aristocrats to look down on musicians and the like. When Teacher Lin was at home, Fourth Brother also looked down on him, let alone someone with Yuwen Chu’s noble status. Mingzhu didn’t force Yuwen Chu and hurried out.
The hall where guests were received was brightly lit. Su Jin and Su Mei were talking softly to a middle-aged man sitting in the guest seat. In the cold weather, the man was only wearing a thin black cotton robe, without a cloak. His white hair was not covered, and he looked very thin.
Seeing Mingzhu coming, the man stood up and turned around, a surprised light shining in his beautiful phoenix eyes. His lips moved, as if he wanted to call Mingzhu by her name as usual, but he quickly stopped, respectfully saluting Mingzhu, “The humble one greets Wangfei.”
“Mister is still the same.” Mingzhu was also delighted to see the old friend, quickly returning his salute, and said with a smile, “Once a teacher, always a father. Mister taught me the pipa for several years, and I have always respected you. There’s no need to be so formal. Mister, please sit.”
“I’ve gotten old.” Teacher Lin smiled and sat down, carefully scrutinizing Mingzhu for a moment, and said, “Wangfei has grown up, much more sensible than before, and has made progress in dealing with people.”
Mingzhu smiled and sat down opposite him, “Thanks to Teacher Lin’s teachings.” Without beating around the bush, she straightforwardly said, “I heard Teacher Lin has something to discuss, please speak directly. We can catch up later, but it’s important to deal with the matter at hand.”
Teacher Lin’s smile faded, “Here’s the situation. I’m getting older and want to settle down, so I returned to the capital this winter. A few days ago, I suffered severe back pain from the cold, and knowing there’s a good hot spring in the mountains here at the Great Temple, I packed my bags and came here to soak. I’m staying with a nearby farmer, and his son, Ah Niu, the only child in three generations, was taken by a wolf this morning.”
Mingzhu was shocked, “What can we do? Should I send people to search the mountains for the child?”
Teacher Lin sighed, “No need. Fortunately, they found him in time and rescued him, but he’s severely injured. Without a good doctor and medicine, he won’t survive.” He hesitated, “I didn’t want to bother the Wangfei, but I couldn’t bear to watch the child suffer… You know, I don’t have children of my own, so I always like other people’s children.”
“Where is he?” Mingzhu couldn’t help but place her hand on her own belly. She was a mother herself, and even if she weren’t, she couldn’t ignore it. If she could help, she must.
“He’s outside near the haystacks because he didn’t know if he could see the Wangfei and it’s New Year, so he didn’t dare to come in.”
Mingzhu immediately instructed Zhu Shinan, “Clear out a room, bring people to bring the child back, and then go and get Doctor Tang. Also, call the kitchen staff and prepare some hot meals.”
Zhu Shinan agreed and immediately lit torches to go outside. However, Su Jin rushed over and whispered, “Wangfei has instructed to bring a knife and be cautious. Also, don’t just bring the child back and leave him in the room. Be considerate and don’t let people think we’re heartless.”
“Got it.” Zhu Shinan was one of Yuwen Chu’s capable men, usually an honest and capable steward. But when needed, he could immediately transform into a bandit. Hearing this, he understood what the Wangfei meant. It was normal to help someone who hadn’t been seen for so long and suddenly came for help in the middle of the night, but precautions were also necessary. That was the right thing to do.
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