Chapter 568: Very Good Character
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Zhuangzhuang hadn’t seen Mingzhu for nearly half a day. When he saw her, he pouted in grievance. Mingzhu laughed, “You’re so young and already know to stick to Mom.” After playing and coaxing him for a while, Wei Tiande came to invite her, “His Highness asks Wangfei to go to the torture chamber.”
Mingzhu had to hand Zhuangzhuang over to the wet nurse again. Zhuangzhuang started crying immediately. Mingzhu couldn’t bear it and went back to him. Zheng Momo stopped her, saying, “Your Majesty, go quickly. If the child gets used to this, he’ll do it again next time.”
“I’ll just hold him for a moment.” Mingzhu smiled awkwardly, feeling flustered. She couldn’t bear to hear Zhuangzhuang cry. She took Zhuangzhuang from the wet nurse and comforted him, “Just a quick hug, Mommy has to go.” After saying that, she quickly handed him back to the wet nurse and ran away as if her life depended on it.
Yuwen Chu was waiting for her outside the torture chamber. When he saw her running out of breath, her face red and her eyes watery, he couldn’t help but take a few more glances at her and jokingly asked, “Is there a dog chasing you from behind?”
At this point, Mingzhu saw the little wolf Iron Hammer squatting on the side, wagging his tail to please her. Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re not just any dog, you’re a wolf! A wolf that eats raw meat and hunts! Remember that, okay?”
Iron Hammer affectionately licked her hand, causing Yuwen Chu to furrow his brows. “So dirty, wash it quickly, and don’t let it lick you again,” he said. He often kissed Mingzhu’s chubby hands, but did he have to taste wolf saliva as well?
Mingzhu knew what he was thinking. “Hehe,” she smiled, washing her hands as instructed. “What’s the matter?”
“Lin Junyi wants to see you,” Yuwen Chu pushed the door open. “Don’t get too close to him, just listen to what he has to say.”
Mingzhu raised an eyebrow. “He wants to see me?” Even if they had a teacher-student relationship for a few years in the past, when Teacher Lin went to the manor in the Great Temple to find her, he should have forgotten about that teacher-student relationship.
Yuwen Chu nodded affirmatively. “There’s a hidden room in the torture chamber. I’ll be there watching you. Don’t be afraid.”
Seeing Teacher Lin in front of her, Mingzhu took a sharp breath. Teacher Lin was locked in a chair made of iron, unable to move freely and likely starved for a long time. His once handsome face had become emaciated, his eyes and cheeks deeply sunken, his bones protruding, looking very miserable.
This wasn’t her Teacher Lin, but the man of Zhongshan Wang. He had hidden in the Fu family to teach her for many years, not because he wanted to be her teacher, but because he had ulterior motives. With Madam Cui and Fu Mingzheng attacked, Teacher Lin couldn’t escape responsibility.
Thinking of this, Mingzhu hardened her heart and sat down about half a yard away from Teacher Lin. She said lightly, “I heard you wanted to see me.”
Teacher Lin had been staring at her since she entered, and when he heard her question, he said softly, “Yes, I want to see Wangfei.” Then he fell silent.
“Why?” Mingzhu and he stared at each other for a while, and she couldn’t help but ask first, “Back then, you came to teach me the pipa, not because you were touched by my father’s sincerity, nor because I had talent, right?”
Teacher Lin smiled faintly. “That’s right, I had ulterior motives.”
“What did you get then?” Mingzhu asked again.
Teacher Lin seemed a little confused, staring blankly for a moment before saying, “I didn’t get anything. My wife didn’t die of illness, she was poisoned to death, and my son was taught to be a fool. My parents didn’t even see me before they died. They said it was a grand funeral, but I know they would rather have grandchildren by their side.”
Mingzhu really wanted to know how Mrs. Lin was poisoned. Yuwen Chu probably knew, but she didn’t dare to look back, afraid that Teacher Lin would uncover the secret of the hidden room. So she endured it and waited for Teacher Lin to finish lamenting before agreeing, “Yes, I now understand that no matter how high-ranking or wealthy one is, it’s not as good as being together peacefully as a family.”
Teacher Lin smiled faintly. “I know I have committed grave sins and cannot survive. Since His Highness Ying Wang has the ability to find out the cause of my wife’s death and bring my son back, then I believe he can teach my son well again. However, although he has the ability, I don’t trust him. So I want Wangfei to make a promise.”
Mingzhu asked calmly, “What promise do you want?”
Teacher Lin looked at her and said word by word, “I want Wangfei to swear to keep my son safe until he becomes an adult, gets married, and has children, living a worry-free life. I heard you just had a son, so use this child to swear. If you agree, I will tell His Highness Ying Wang everything I know.”
To ask her to use Zhuangzhuang to swear? Mingzhu felt anger rising in her chest and coldly said, “Teacher Lin, you really know how to think. Your son is precious, so my son should be used for swearing? If your son turns out to be unworthy and causes trouble, should I still be responsible for him for the rest of his life? Whether you believe me or not is up to you. Anyway, I’ll do what I promise. If you don’t trust me, don’t come to me. Don’t bother me with men’s affairs. Goodbye.”
With that, she walked away without any hesitation. It was a joke. Since Teacher Lin had thought of finding her, it meant he was ready to surrender. Bringing her over was just to take advantage of her as a woman and get some benefits. She wasn’t going to fall for it. She left it to Yuwen Chu to deal with him.
Sure enough, as soon as Mingzhu took a few steps, Teacher Lin became anxious. “Wangfei, please wait!”
Mingzhu ignored him and continued to walk forward. “I can’t fulfill your request. Let His Highness and you discuss it.”
Teacher Lin was really anxious. “Please, Wangfei, can you make a promise? Anyway, if the child doesn’t behave and causes trouble on his own, it’s not your concern. I just hope you can treat him and this matter fairly and impartially with a mother’s heart. Lin Yuan’s hands are not stained with blood!”
Mingzhu finally agreed and solemnly raised her right hand to swear to the sky, “I, Fu Mingzhu, swear to the sky that as long as Lin Junyi reveals everything he knows to His Highness Ying Wang without reservation, and as long as Lin Yuan behaves himself, I will ensure his safety and prosperity for the rest of his life, and no one is allowed to harm or oppress him for any reason. If I violate this oath, may I die a miserable death!”
Teacher Lin closed his eyes, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He sighed, “Thank you, Wangfei. Please let His Highness Ying Wang come in.”
Mingzhu was puzzled. “Why do you trust me?”
Teacher Lin lowered his eyes and said calmly, “I have been a spy for many years, dealing with people’s hearts. I can see who is trustworthy and who is not. I can see it clearly.”
Was that a compliment? Mingzhu smirked and went out to find Yuwen Chu. Yuwen Chu smiled at her and went into the torture chamber.
By this time, the sky had already darkened. Mingzhu thought that Yuwen Chu wouldn’t come out for a while, so she decided to go back first and arrange dinner. Both of them were busy, especially Yuwen Chu, who worked hard. She had to arrange the meal for him.
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