Chapter 53: Mutual Pinching
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Mingzhu felt strange. While Yuwen Long and Lady Cui were happily talking, she whispered to Lady Qian, “When did he become my father’s disciple? Why didn’t I know?”
Lady Qian smiled at her and whispered, “It happened these days. You were ill, and your parents didn’t want to disturb you with outside matters. Didn’t your mother fall ill a while ago? Noblewomen in the palace sent people to inquire about her health, and Consort Xiao also sent a hundred-year-old snow lotus to help your mother. Since the Eighth Prince happened to enter the palace, he took it out with him. Your father happened to be at home and received him personally. I don’t know how he saw the painting your father made, and then he got the idea of paying respects to your father as his mentor…”
“Did Father agree then?” Mingzhu didn’t know if Consort Xiao had ever sent snow lotus and Mingzhu to her mother, but the event of Yuwen Long apprenticing hadn’t happened. Could it be that this was another chain reaction caused by her broken engagement? Mingzhu couldn’t help but speculate with the darkest thoughts about Yuwen Long and Consort Xiao. How could things be so coincidental? Yuwen Long happened to drop by to deliver medicine, and Father happened to be home, and he just happened to catch Father’s attention? If he wanted to apprentice, why wait until now?
Lady Qian chuckled, covering her mouth. “Otherwise, wouldn’t it be strange? The distinguished scion of the literary lineage, the county prince, refusing would be inappropriate. Look, he refers to your mother as Master’s Wife, and your mother didn’t say it’s wrong.”
Mingzhu pursed her lips, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable. She wasn’t foolish. Yuwen Long hadn’t been married yet, and he wasn’t much older than her. Suddenly coming over to curry favor with her family’s full cooperation, what was it for? Most likely it was because of her; everyone thought it was very suitable. Suddenly, Yuwen Long turned his head and asked her, “What does Little Sister Mingzhu think?”
Mingzhu had no idea what he had just said, so naturally, she couldn’t respond. She simply replied, “Your Highness has great insight. Mingzhu admires it.”
Yuwen Long didn’t know if she was just being polite or genuinely admired him. He laughed heartily, “I’ve heard that Little Sister’s painting skills are also outstanding. I’d like to learn from you sometime.”
Well, “Little Sister Mingzhu” had directly transitioned to just “little sister.” Mingzhu chuckled awkwardly, “Your Highness is too kind. My skills are nothing compared to yours.”
Yuwen Long leaned in, lowering his voice affectionately, “You don’t need to be reserved around me. You know what kind of person I am. I never lie. If I say you’re a good painter, then you truly are.”
Who knew who he was! Mingzhu shivered inwardly. Without showing any change in expression, she stepped aside, wanting to keep a distance from this familiar and shameless Anyang Wang. But unexpectedly, Yuwen Long seemed oblivious and followed her closely, even getting closer, almost walking side by side and brushing against each other. Mingzhu chuckled, took two steps back, and said, “Please forgive me, Your Highness. I’ve overstepped my boundaries.”
Yuwen Long raised an eyebrow, no longer insisting, but continued to speak to her amiably, “I wonder what kind of gift you’ve prepared for the Imperial Consort?”
Mingzhu genuinely felt that he was being too shameless, which was beneath the dignity of a prince. However, she didn’t want to make him look too bad, nor did she want to embarrass her father and brothers. So, she just chuckled and replied, “Just some ordinary things, to express my goodwill.”
Yuwen Long chuckled, “Indeed, the Imperial Consort values sincerity above all else. It’s the thought that counts.” Pausing for a moment, he continued, “However, when I happened to visit my mother’s palace earlier, I overheard the Imperial Consort mentioning how much she enjoys the dance you perform.” His gaze sharpened as he observed Mingzhu for a moment. “She mentioned the exquisite performance of the ‘Startling Swan’ that you performed at the Great Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet in the past. This prince had the privilege of witnessing it myself, truly remarkable. I wonder if I’ll be fortunate enough to see it again.”
Mingzhu felt annoyed. She didn’t practice dancing for anyone else but herself. It was because she had been delicately nurtured since childhood and lacked physical activity, which affected her appetite and vitality. Despite trying various doctors and medicines, it was only when a renowned pediatrician, who traveled far and wide, said that children should move more to improve their appetite and health, that her father hired a master to teach her dancing to strengthen her body. It worked, and she regained her appetite and vitality. She had been dancing for many years for her own enjoyment. Dancing at the Great Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was simply to show filial piety. How could Yuwen Long twist it into something else? It was uncomfortable to hear it from his mouth. In other words, did he want to see her dance publicly just because of a casual remark he made? How audacious! Was being a prince so remarkable?
In the past, Mingzhu would have retorted immediately, but now she just remained cold and silent. Lady Qian, who had been watching closely, was afraid that Mingzhu’s indifferent attitude would offend Yuwen Long, so she quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, “Your Highness, please forgive her. Mingzhu was injured internally last time and hasn’t fully recovered yet. Her tendons and bones were also injured, and the doctor advised her not to move around recklessly.”
Yuwen Long then showed concern, “Is she feeling better now?”
Lady Qian pinched Mingzhu hard, and Mingzhu endured and said, “Much better.”
Yuwen Long put on a look of righteous indignation, “Ninth Brother has gone mad, becoming more unreasonable. Even if you didn’t treat him well, he shouldn’t have done such a crazy thing. Even though he’s my own brother, I must say he lacks conscience. I’ll scold him every time I see him…”
Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen You’s cold voice came from behind, “Eighth Brother, are you planning to discipline your little brother?”
Yuwen Long’s expression froze instantly. He glared fiercely at his attendant first, then turned calmly to Yuwen You and said, “Yes, I’m talking about you. Ninth Brother, it’s not just your Eighth Brother scolding you; you, a grown man, can’t get along with Mingzhu, a weak woman? Didn’t she treat you well? How could you resort to such ruthlessness? Truly despicable!”
Yuwen You looked at Mingzhu expressionlessly. She stood aside, looking into the distance, her jade-like face extremely cold, refusing to even glance at him. He suddenly felt indescribably uncomfortable. He straightened his chest slightly and sneered, “Eighth Brother is not me. How would he know about the private matters between me and Mingzhu? Our quarrels are our own business. You don’t know, so don’t meddle.”
Their engagement had not been officially annulled yet; they were still nominally engaged. Although Yuwen Long was reluctant and had countless plans, he couldn’t openly refute Yuwen You’s words. So, he became even more angry, his face turning cold as he sneered, “Is that so? I thought you two had already become enemies. I’ve never heard of such a thing where two people draw blood with knives, cause a scene in court, and still remain husband and wife.” He glanced meaningfully at Mingzhu, then bid farewell to Lady Cui and Lady Qian and left.
Lady Cui and the others naturally didn’t have any good expressions towards Yuwen You. Yuwen You didn’t bother to join in the commotion and whispered to Mingzhu, “Stop daydreaming about climbing the social ladder. I’ll stick with you to the end!”
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