Chapter 57 Encounter with a Ghost
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The woman sobbed, “Don’t lie to me, I already know. I heard with my own ears the Great Empress Dowager and Fu Xiang discussing. They said Fu Mingzhu couldn’t marry someone inferior to Linan Wang, and after considering everything, only you are the most suitable. Even the Imperial Consort promised in front of the Great Empress Dowager that she would treat Fu Mingzhu well. Are you still denying it? It seems that everything you told me before was a lie.”
Mingzhu was surprised. Firstly, because her aunt and father had already chosen a husband for her behind her back, and secondly, because this woman claimed to have heard her aunt and father discussing matters. It seemed there was a spy in her aunt’s palace. She couldn’t help but wonder about the woman’s identity.
Yuweng Long sighed, “Don’t you know my intentions? What I told you before was true, but you also have to understand, with your status, you can never be my official wife. Wouldn’t it be the same regardless of the person? If I’m doing well, would you be doing poorly? I’m doing this all for you.”
The woman retorted, “Who are you trying to deceive?” She continued to cry incessantly.
Yuweng Long’s temper finally flared, “Rest assured, I don’t love Fu Mingzhu. Any normal man wouldn’t like her arrogant and spoiled demeanor. Such a woman should be disciplined daily, where does she compare to your gentle and lovely nature? I only married her because I was forced.”
He was forced and she looked down on him. He even dared to think of disciplining her daily? Mingzhu was furious. She looked around but couldn’t find a suitable weapon, so she bent down to take off her shoe, only to see a pair of black silk boots behind her.
Certainly, someone Yuweng Long had stationed there had noticed them. Were they here to silence her? Mingzhu’s heart raced, almost screaming out in fear. Before she could make a sound, the person moved swiftly, covering her mouth and nose. Mingzhu, acting on instinct, tried to headbutt them but missed. Failing to hit, she was about to retaliate with a kick when she heard a whisper in her ear, “Don’t be afraid, it’s me.”
A faint and soothing fragrance of agarwood drifted into her nose, calming her unwittingly. Mingzhu grabbed Yuweng Chu’s hand, trying to free herself, but he remained unmoved, holding her tightly in his embrace, softly shushing her.
His embrace was warm and comforting. Mingzhu felt a strange sensation. It was midsummer, and both of them were scarcely dressed. Their body heat transmitted through the thin clothes, even their heartbeats seemed synchronized. Mingzhu’s face flushed suddenly, and she silently struggled to free herself, but Yuweng Long whispered, “I think I heard something. Let me check.” Mingzhu was frightened, standing on tiptoes, clinging to Yuweng Chu, not daring to move.
The woman chuckled, “What noise could there be? This place is secluded. Who would come here for no reason?” Some “tsk tsk” water sounds followed, indicating something was happening.
Mingzhu, experienced, knew these sounds were not innocent. Feeling embarrassed, she blushed, not daring to breathe. Behind her, Yuweng Chu remained silent, still as ever.
After a while, the water sounds ceased, and Yuweng Long said, “I’m still not at ease, let me check again.”
Mingzhu took another step back in fright, afraid that Yuwen Long might notice her. She wasn’t afraid of Yuwen Long himself, but she was desperate to know who the woman was. As the space around them narrowed, Mingzhu realized that Yuwen Long would surely discover them if he was more careful. Just as she was at a loss, Yuwen Chu suddenly grabbed her waist and skillfully led her along the steep mountain rocks, flipping over to the other side and hiding behind another rock.
Faint footsteps approached the rocks then faded away. Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief. She tried to follow, but Yuweng Chu held her wrist firmly, refusing to let go. Annoyed, she glared at him, gritting her teeth, “Let go.”
Yuwen Chu’s thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, seemingly annoyed. Remembering how intimidating he was when she provoked Princess Funing earlier, she softened her tone a bit, not wanting to appear weak to him. She pretended to be indifferent and brushed off his hand.
One refusing to let go, the other insisting to be released, neither dared to speak. They both remained silent, holding their breaths. It was getting intense when suddenly, footsteps approached again. Clearly, Yuweng Long was still suspicious and came back. Mingzhu understood, thinking to herself that these two brothers were indeed cunning and sly.
Seeing her calm down, Yuweng Chu also relaxed. He saw her leaning against the rocks, listening attentively to the noises on the other side. Her long eyelashes drooped like flower petals, her lips were rosy and moist, slightly pursed. The neckline revealed a glimpse of her smooth neck, incredibly attractive. He quickly averted his gaze, looking coldly towards the other end, absentmindedly caressing the rocks with his free hand, his demeanor becoming even colder.
This spot was a bit far from where Yuwen Long and the woman were meeting privately. Mingzhu strained her ears but couldn’t hear anything. Feeling anxious, she looked at Yuweng Chu, “I want to go back.”
Yuwen Chu casually asked, “What are you going to do?”
Of course, she wanted to see who that woman was, so her aunt and father wouldn’t be caught off guard by someone. Mingzhu felt it wasn’t right to share such selfish thoughts with a stranger, so she said, “I just want to see how shameless Yuweng Long can be.”
Yuwen Chu frowned, “I advise you not to go.”
If he didn’t want her to go, should she just not go? Mingzhu still wanted to go, “Then Your Highness, wait here. I’ll go first.” Regardless of Yuwen Chu’s intentions, she used both hands and feet to climb the rocks gracefully, slipping down, lifting her skirt, bending and shrinking her shoulders and neck, sneaking forward like a thief. As she approached, she heard moans and the sound of impact from inside, realizing she shouldn’t have come. Blushing, she turned to leave hastily, only to bump into Yuwen Chu, who had followed closely. Feeling even more ashamed, she didn’t care about anything else and quickly pushed him away to escape.
Yuwen Chu stood expressionless for a moment, then a mocking smile appeared on his lips. He turned and followed Mingzhu out.
Afraid of attracting attention, Mingzhu didn’t dare to run after leaving the artificial rocks. She slowed her pace, pretending not to know anything, and walked forward. After a few steps, she heard Yuwen Chu’s footsteps behind her.
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