Chapter 510: Promise
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Yuwen Chu glanced at her sideways, then pinched her nose forcefully. “I’m worried sick about you.”
Mingzhu laughed, somewhat dismissively. If he really ascended to that position in the future, there would be so much for him to worry about. With so many people above and below him, needing to eat, dress, and handle the country’s affairs, how could he even think of her every day and night? It would be good if he thought of her once every three days.
“What’s that expression?” Yuwen Chu was sharp and caught a hint of disbelief in Mingzhu’s eyes. “You find it funny, so you don’t believe me?”
Mingzhu hugged his neck and said seriously, “I don’t doubt Your Highness, but I’m thinking, when that day comes, with so many things to handle, Your Highness’s temperament, you’ll probably want to work on state affairs day and night, how could you think of me? I’m not greedy. As long as you come to accompany me once every three days, I won’t go find trouble with you.”
Yuwen Chu smiled and teased, “You’re the troublesome one. Okay, I promise!” Although it was a joke, he was usually very steady and cautious. Being able to joke like this showed his determination and dedication.
The glaring ambition and determination needed to be applauded. Mingzhu blinked, turned over, pressed her forehead against the pillow, pretended to bow, and said respectfully, “I obey. Your Majesty, please don’t break your promise in the future.” After speaking, she looked at Yuwen Chu with a smile.
Yuwen Chu put down the book in his hand, looked down at Mingzhu, and said in a deep voice, “Pressing forward, living or dying. Have you thought it through?”
“I have, I and the child will always be by Your Highness’s side. If you die, I’ll accompany you; if you live, I’ll also be with you.” Mingzhu also looked back at him very seriously, without any hesitation. Up to now, all her bets were on him. The situation was about to erupt. If Yuwen Chu couldn’t make it, the entire Fu family wouldn’t make it either. There was no room for hesitation.
Yuwen Chu held Mingzhu’s hand, intertwined their fingers, and sighed softly, “No, if I really can’t make it, I hope you and the child can continue to live. Get up and eat, take your medicine.”
Mingzhu wanted to get out of bed, but Yuwen Chu wouldn’t let her. He brought a blanket and a pillow for her to lean against, had someone bring a small kang table, and let her eat in bed. Mingzhu didn’t dare to act strong and obediently ate, leaning against the head of the bed to listen to him read and help her digest.
The spring breeze outside blew intermittently. Mingzhu felt very peaceful and reassured. She had this tall and strong man to rely on, providing her with a broad shoulder and a solid chest. It felt like those chaotic and sad years were gradually drifting away from her. She put one hand on Yuwen Chu’s left chest and the other on her own belly, whispering softly, “We are a family, he is the blood of both of us, and he will receive the best inheritance from us.”
Yuwen Chu put down the book in his hand, looked down at Mingzhu, and said with a heavy voice, “Yes, we are a family, he is the blood of both of us, and he will receive the best from both of us.”
This is a promise, a promise he made to Mingzhu. If it’s a daughter born first, she will receive the most tender love from her father; if it’s a son, he will receive his father’s dedicated nurturing and become the heir.
Mingzhu didn’t say anything more. She climbed into Yuwen Chu’s arms, resting her head against his chest, in a posture of attachment, trust, and joy. She was very grateful that she met Yuwen Chu in the Jade Emperor Temple. She was so lucky that he persistently sought to marry her. She almost made a mistake in choosing another path in life.
Yuwen Chu leaned over and blew out the candle, then fell asleep with Mingzhu in his arms. “Don’t think about anything, just take care of yourself and the child. You and the child must not have any accidents anymore. From today on, minor quarrels are acceptable, but I forbid you to worry about external matters anymore. Leave them all to me; that’s what a man should do.”
“Okay.” Mingzhu tightly grasped his clothes and closed her eyes peacefully, falling asleep. Yuwen Chu waited until she was asleep before carefully freeing his clothes from her grip and turning over.
Recently, Mingzhu had been fond of holding onto his clothes while sleeping. He didn’t quite understand why she didn’t have this habit during their honeymoon, but it had become more and more serious recently, as if she were afraid of being abandoned and forgotten by adults. So even though she smiled every day on the surface, was she actually very worried inside? Yuwen Chu felt very sorry for Mingzhu. He promised to let her enjoy peace and happiness, but there were always continuous problems, even when it came to pregnancy and childbirth.
He had insomnia for the first time in his life.
Wei Tiande lightly tapped the window twice, and Yuwen Chu got up and walked to the window, asking softly, “What’s the matter?”
“There’s an urgent decree from the palace. Her Majesty the Great Empress Dowager commands His Highness to enter the palace immediately to inquire about today’s events.”
“Understood.” Yuwen Chu glanced at the sleeping Mingzhu and quietly went out, ordering the startled Su Lan and others, “Get me dressed.” He changed into a full set of prince’s attire and instructed Su Lan, “Guard the Wangfei well. Don’t let outside matters disturb her.”
Su Lan couldn’t hide her worry. “Your Highness…”
Yuwen Chu said calmly, “No need to panic. I’ll be back before dawn.”
Seeing his calm and determined demeanor, Su Lan relaxed most of her worries and didn’t sleep either. She brought a blanket and laid on the floor in the inner room, guarding Mingzhu’s bed closely.
In the Palace of Changxin, the lights were bright. Her Majesty the Great Empress Dowager sat on a high phoenix chair, her intricate and luxurious palace attire unable to conceal her thinness and exhaustion. Beside her sat Yuwen Bai and Empress Dowager Min. Both of them had grim faces and looked very unpleasant.
Especially Yuwen Bai, his face was pale, and he looked frightened, as if he had been scared out of his wits.
Empress Dowager Min cried until her eyes turned red like walnuts. “Royal Mother, it’s unbelievable! Since the founding of our dynasty, it’s the first time an imperial prince has attempted to assassinate the eunuch steward in front of the emperor! He even dared to disarm the emperor’s two hands. If it’s not regicide, what is it? Old Six must give an explanation! Otherwise, everyone will imitate him, what about the laws of the country? What about the imperial law?”
She wanted Yuwen Bai to take off his clothes and show them to the Great Empress Dowager, but she also knew that there were no bruises on Yuwen Bai’s shoulders at all, so she could only be resentful.
The Great Empress Dowager remained noncommittal and looked at Yuwen Bai. “Emperor, what do you have to say?”
Yuwen Bai glanced at her and squeezed out a sentence from his thin lips, “What can I say? Both the left and right are now under the control of the Great Empress Dowager. Whatever the Great Empress Dowager wants, that’s what will happen. No one regards me, the emperor, with any importance.”
The Great Empress Dowager pretended not to hear his words, drooping her eyelids and saying, “Ying Wang disrespected Your Majesty, of course, he should be punished.”
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