Chapter 51: Interactions
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Mingzhu bit her lip, deeply hating Yuwen Chu. If he had always been as imposing and indifferent as when he appeared in the Lingkong winding walkway, she would have naturally avoided him and not provoked him. Who asked him to take the initiative to lower her jaw, and arrange a midnight meeting? Dressed in light clothes and a wide robe, leaning against the table, with such a graceful and beautiful posture, saying inexplicable things, lifting her veil, deliberately provoking and teasing her several times, she subconsciously became a bit arrogant. But then he suddenly changed his attitude, it’s simply insane!
Su Lan and Su Mei were both knocked unconscious by Yuwen You on the day. Just a few days later, they heard that they were going to personally go to the Dali Temple for trial, and they were terrified, anxiously surrounding Mingzhu asking, “Miss, will they use torture?” Another wise one asked, “Will Ying Wang be unhappy and cause trouble for Xiangye?”
She had said that this time she was going to help her family, not cause trouble for them. Mingzhu stamped her foot fiercely, gritted her teeth, and chased after them. What’s so hard about speaking a few soft words? She wasn’t afraid of death, so why fear this?
It was just over a dozen steps from the room to the corridor. Mingzhu rushed out like the wind and saw Yuwen Chu standing outside, talking earnestly and amiably with Fu Cong and Fu Mingzheng who were waiting. When she chased out, he only gave her a faint glance. It was Fu Mingzheng who gave her a resentful look.
Seeing her father and brother there, Mingzhu felt embarrassed to go over, so she just grabbed her sleeve and stood in the corridor waiting, sneakily observing Yuwen Chu. He wasn’t like the people she knew: like Yuwen You, she knew he despised her, and the only reason he wouldn’t annul the marriage contract was to take advantage of her; like her father and brother, she knew they were clever and capable, but they both cherished her deeply; and like those noble youths who tried to please her, they just liked the Fu family behind her.
Yuwen Chu didn’t like her and had opinions about her, she had known that for a long time, but that didn’t matter. There were plenty of people who didn’t like her, and she didn’t need to win everyone’s favor. What worried her was that he clearly disliked her but always found fault with her, yet he also kept interfering in her life, sometimes affectionate and sometimes cold. She didn’t know what he wanted to do or what he wanted to get from her. That was what worried her the most. Mingzhu racked her brains, trying to recall the interactions they had in their past life. What were they?
Yuwen Chu and Fu Cong were chatting happily, and for the time being, there was no plan to tear their faces apart, so she just thought about it quietly. After thinking for a long time, she finally remembered that there were indeed several intersections between them.
Mingzhu clenched her lips, feeling very resentful towards Yuwen Chu. If he had always been as formidable and indifferent as he was in the Lingkong winding walkway, she would naturally be afraid of him and avoid provoking him. But why did he actively seek her out, challenge her in the dead of night, and provoke her multiple times? Mingzhu felt puzzled and angry.
Su Lan and Su Mei were both knocked out by Yuwen You that day. Just a few days later, they heard that they were going to testify in person at the Dali Temple, which frightened them. They nervously surrounded Mingzhu, one asking, “Miss, will they torture us?” Another wisely asked, “If Linan Wang is unhappy, will he make things difficult for Master Xiang?”
She had said she wanted to help her family this time, not cause trouble for them. Mingzhu stomped her foot in determination, gritted her teeth, and chased after him. Saying a few soft words was not a big deal. She wasn’t afraid of anything but this, was she?
It was just a dozen steps from the house to the corridor. Mingzhu rushed out like the wind and saw Yuwen Chu conversing pleasantly with Fu Cong and Fu Mingzheng who were waiting outside. When she caught up, Yuwen Chu just glanced lightly at her, while Fu Mingzheng gave her a resentful look.
Seeing her father and brother, Mingzhu felt embarrassed to approach them, so she stood on the side of the corridor, pulling her sleeves and waiting silently, secretly observing Yuwen Chu. He didn’t seem like the people she knew: like Yuwen You, she knew he disliked her, and the reason he didn’t annul the engagement was just to save his own life. Like her father and brother, she knew they were intelligent and formidable, but they loved her very much. Like those aristocratic youths who tried to please her, they just liked the Fu family behind her.
Yuwen Chu didn’t like her, that was clear, but it didn’t matter. There were many people who didn’t like her, and she didn’t need to please everyone. What worried her was that he clearly didn’t like her but always found fault with her, yet also interfered in her life constantly, sometimes warm, sometimes cold. She didn’t know what he wanted to do, what he wanted to get from her. That was what worried her the most. Mingzhu racked her brains, trying to remember their interactions from her past life. What were the moments they shared?
Yuwen Chu and Fu Cong were chatting happily, with no intention of tearing each other’s faces apart for the time being. Mingzhu thought to herself. After a long time of thinking, she finally remembered that there were indeed a few encounters between them.
When she was young, she had seen him several times in her aunt’s palace, but the number of words exchanged between them could be counted on one hand. He was nearly seven years older than her, already attending school, while she was still an ignorant little child. By the time he was fourteen or fifteen, he was considered an adult and began to assist in official duties. She was just a seven or eight-year-old girl, so they were fundamentally different and had little to talk about; they were almost like strangers.
Later, it seemed to be two days before she was about to marry Yuwen You. Thinking about marrying and becoming a wife was less comfortable and free than being a girl. She disguised herself as a boy and sneaked out to roam around, causing trouble and being chased through the streets. She happened to encounter his escort, and he helped her. She went to thank him, but he remained hidden in the carriage the whole time, not uttering a word to her. He only let the attendant beside him say, “No need for thanks.” She felt he was too arrogant. Coincidentally, Yuwen You came from the other side, and she forgot everything, chasing after him.
Later on, she also saw him during the palace banquets on festive occasions. Many details were forgotten, but she remembered one time when she was being troubled by Empress Dowager Min, feeling very angry, and Yuwen You was also angry with her; they had a very unpleasant scene in front of the palace gate. Just then, he and Ying Wang Consort Lady Jiang came out of the palace together. He took Yuwen You away, and Lady Jiang advised her.
The last time was when her father and brother were in trouble, and she met him when she went to collect their bodies. He seemed to have said “condolences” to her and some other words, but she couldn’t remember. She only remembered that she hated anyone with the surname Yuwen extremely, even hating herself, so she didn’t even look at him.
“Mingzhu, come here,” Fu Cong suddenly spoke, interrupting Mingzhu’s thoughts.
Mingzhu exclaimed and quickly put on a pleasing smile, approaching, “Father.” She glanced at Yuwen Chu, who had an indifferent expression, unable to discern his emotions. She then coquettishly tugged Fu Cong’s sleeve, silently asking for his help.
Fu Cong sternly scolded her, “Let go!”
Mingzhu was stunned for a moment, then pouted unhappily and withdrew her hand.
“Stand properly! Look at you, such a big girl, not understanding manners or social etiquette, only knowing how to eat, drink, and play around, acting coquettish and silly. Fortunately, it’s Ying Wang who doesn’t hold it against you. Try it with someone else?” Fu Cong scolded, every sentence biased in her favor.
Although Mingzhu was willful, she wasn’t stupid. She immediately straightened up and sincerely bowed to Yuwen Chu, saying softly, “I know my mistake, please forgive my ignorance and stubbornness, Your Highness.”
In front of Fu Cong, Yuwen Chu didn’t make things difficult for her much, just gave a faint “hmm,” and then said, “Follow Fu Xiang’s arrangements and let those who witnessed or were involved in the incident in the front courtyard of the house testify.”
Mingzhu looked up and happened to see his cleanly shaven chin and Adam’s apple, as well as the simple patterns and jade-colored inner garment on his collar. There was also a faint and cool agarwood scent that lingered, seeping into her heart and soul, unforgettable.
Yuwen Chu noticed her gaze, slightly raised his chin, and said lightly, “Miss Fu, do you have anything else to say?”
Caught staring at him by him! Mingzhu felt embarrassed and took a step back, whispering, “No.”
Yuwen Chu turned and left without a word. Fu Cong accompanied him out, while Mingzhu grabbed Fu Mingzheng’s sleeve and whispered, “Fourth Brother.”
Fu Mingzheng asked, “What’s the matter? I’m busy. If you’re bored, have someone bring your nephews and nieces over to play with you, or play dice with the maids.”
Mingzhu shook her head and let go of his sleeve, “It’s nothing, just worried that things might turn around again.”
“Don’t worry.” Fu Mingzheng wanted to comfort her a few more words, but then Fu Cong said, “Old Four, come here, His Highness has something to ask you.”
“I’ll come to see you later.” Fu Mingzheng hurried forward, and Mingzhu looked over, only to see Yuwen Chu standing there, looking over with an expressionless face, meeting her gaze without flinching, truly resembling an iron-faced, indifferent person.
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