Chapter 485 Guan Jiapo
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The medical certificate Yuwen Chu submitted had not been approved for so long. Knowing Yuwen Bai’s character, it’s not hard to guess that he would suddenly have an attack on the thirtieth day of the month, forcing them to rush back to the capital overnight to celebrate the New Year. It was necessary to prepare early.
Mingzhu quickly got up to count the manpower and make arrangements.
As Yuwen Chu expected, on the thirtieth day, the palace really issued the medical certificate he submitted, with only two words on it: “Not allowed.” Not only were they not allowed, but they were also required to appear at the grand court assembly on the first day of the New Year.
There was nothing to say about this. They had gathered all their efforts to discipline others, so if they didn’t let them enjoy themselves, they would do it themselves. Mingzhu wrapped herself and Yuwen Chu tightly, then supported him as they walked to the outer courtyard—although Yuwen Chu was almost recovered, since he claimed to be ill, he had to maintain appearances.
The sky was lightly snowing, and everyone in the village came out to see them off. Wang Ahniu’s family also followed the crowd to bid farewell. Mingzhu saw Wang Ahniu shivering and shrinking, hiding in his mother’s arms, clearly unwilling to show his injured face to others. His mother forced him to turn his face and express gratitude to her and Yuwen Chu. Mingzhu couldn’t bear it and asked someone to bring a Buddha’s hand fruit for Wang Ajniu to play with, then let his mother carry him back, saying, “It’s too cold. Don’t make it hard for the child. Just focus on recuperating. I’ll find a skilled craftsman to make him a prosthetic hand.”
Wang Aniu’s mother thanked her with tears, hugged Wang Ahniu, and left.
She wasn’t the smartest, but she was the most lovable. Yuwen Chu quietly watched Mingzhu, her eyes full of genuine tenderness and compassion, without any hint of arrogance or self-satisfaction after bestowing kindness. It was exactly the adorable sincerity he liked.
Feeling a bit embarrassed by his gaze, Mingzhu tugged at his sleeve and whispered, “What are you doing? Let’s go.”
Yuwen Chu smiled, turned around and boarded the carriage. But then he heard a sobbing sound, and his robe was pulled twice with force. When he lowered his head to look, he saw a fluffy gray creature tugging at his robe with its small teeth, making whimpering sounds, its amber-colored eyes moist.
It was precisely that little wolf, which Mr. Lin had hidden away to lure the mother wolf into retaliation and kill someone, that survived by sheer luck. Originally destined to be killed, it managed to survive because of a single sentence it uttered.
“This little thing even knows gratitude.” Yuwen Chu became interested and bent down to pick up the wolf cub by its fur on the back. There were many children in the village, brave and unafraid, not caring that it was a wolf cub. They washed it clean and fed it until it was round and lively in just a few days. At this moment, it didn’t show any wildness, looking just like an ordinary puppy, silly and cute.
Others didn’t expect such a scene. Several older children who usually took care of the wolf cub were all scared and dared not speak up until they saw that Yuwen Chu showed no sign of anger. One of them bravely came forward to apologize, saying, “Wolves have human emotions, remembering both grudges and kindness. Your Highness, don’t be fooled by its small size. It knows who is good and who is bad. It must have known that Your Highness and the Wangfei are leaving today, so it specially came to bid farewell and express gratitude.”
Yuwen Chu glanced at the boy and said gently, “What’s your name? You’re quite clever.”
The boy immediately realized his chance and quickly reported his name, “Your Highness, I’m named Guan Jiabo. The head of the village, Zhu Shinan, is my cousin…”
Before he could finish speaking, a group of onlookers burst into laughter. “Guan Jiapo, Guan Jiapo*, that’s him…”
* same pronunciation but along the lines of calling him an old lady steward
Poor Guan Jiapo blushed, and angrily waved his hand at them, “Get lost, you bunch of losers, going to h*ll with your gossip. I bet you’re just jealous because His Highness appreciates me.”
Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu laughed at their antics, with Mingzhu teasing him, “They say people live up to their names. Is it because of your name that you’re so good at managing things?”
Before Guan Jiapo could respond, his friends chimed in, “Exactly, Your Highness, you may not know, but his father is in charge of the warehouse in the village, and his mother is the aunt in charge of managing money and rice in the kitchen. They never waste anything, even if it’s just a piece of wood chip, they won’t let it go to waste. His Highness even praised them.”
Guan Jiapo’s face turned red, his cheeks puffed with anger. “That’s His Highness’s money! That’s His Highness’s money! It’s right to manage the finances for His Highness. Is there anything wrong?”
“No one said it was wrong.” Yuwen Chu said gently, “Your parents are doing a great job. I’ve seen you since you were a child. Now that you’ve grown up, it’s time to give you a task. Take this little wolf and come with me to the capital.”
Guan Jiapo was almost knocked out by this sudden stroke of luck. Holding the wolf cub, he said dazedly to his friends, “Pinch me, see if I’m dreaming.”
His friends indeed pinched his face hard, pulling it so long that he screamed in pain, “You’re taking advantage of every opportunity to bully me. If I get rich, I’ll still help you out. Don’t be so jealous!”
The crowd burst into laughter at this pair of lively fellows. Guan Jiapo’s mother, feeling embarrassed, stepped forward and slapped him on the head, “You’re nothing yet, and you’re already showing off. You’re as light as a feather. Serving His Highness should be done properly. You better come back early and not embarrass us.”
Yuwen Chu smiled, “He’ll learn after a bit of training.” With that, he took Mingzhu and boarded the carriage, ordering the coachman to start the carriage.
Mingzhu had laughed so hard her stomach hurt just now. She rubbed her stomach and said, “It was so funny. I didn’t know there were such interesting people in this village before. Otherwise, I would have taken him out to talk and laugh long ago. I laughed several times a day.” Then she asked Yuwen Chu, “Does Your Highness want to keep that wolf?”
“Since we’ve encountered it, let’s keep it. It’s not bad to have a guard dog. Sometimes, speechless animals are more trustworthy than people.” Yuwen Chu said, “Guan Jiapo’s father is good at calculating, and this child is naturally good at keeping accounts. After we go back, train him well and you can use him. Whether it’s household accounts or external accounts, having someone like him to help you will make things much easier.”
It was planned for her. Mingzhu felt warm in her heart because she thought that sweet words alone were not enough to please him. So she silently handed the hand warmer she was holding to Yuwen Chu’s arms and tightened the collar of his cloak for him.
Yuwen Chu teased her, “Are you treating me like a patient?”
Mingzhu smiled, “Isn’t it because I don’t know how to treat you well?”
“It’s already good enough, and I believe it will be even better in the future.” Yuwen Chu handed the hand warmer back to her and tidied up the bedding and pillows for her to lie down comfortably. “The one who works the hardest is you, nurturing our child, taking care of me, worrying about household chores in the village, and sending New Year’s gifts to various places, helping me with acting, managing big affairs, and getting angry for me. If I’m not content, then I really don’t know what is good.”
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