Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 662

Chapter 662: Inviting You for Tea

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At this moment, the remaining snow had not yet melted, adding a touch of bleakness to the resplendent palace. Yuwen Chu, dressed in plain clothes, stood with his hands behind his back, looking as though he wore the finest garments, drawing all the color of the world onto himself.

Mingzhu gazed at him, knowing in her heart how much she loved this man. She didn’t want to see the look of disdain or suspicion in his eyes, nor did she want to drift further apart from him. The determination she had made earlier wavered again in this moment.

“If you’re unsure how to face him, then avoid him for now,” her fourth brother had advised her. She decisively averted her gaze, pretending not to see Yuwen Chu standing there, and stealthily tried to slip away along the wall.

“Stop.” Yuwen Chu seemed to have eyes on the back of his head and caught her easily. “Where are you going?”

“You scared me!” Mingzhu pretended to just notice him, feigning surprise. “Your Highness, you’re here! Why didn’t you say something earlier? I was lost in thought and didn’t see you.”

“Really? What were you thinking about?” Yuwen Chu gave her a deep look, his eyes conveying many emotions that Mingzhu didn’t want to delve into. She instinctively tried to look away, gazing into the distance to avoid his stare.

“Since you’re so confident, you should show it. Otherwise, if you’re feeling guilty yourself, how can you blame others for seeing you as suspicious?” 

Mingzhu recalled her brother’s words, then met eyes with Yuwen Chu, her chest out proudly, showing no signs of guilt. “I just calmed down Funing and was about to go to Zhaoyang Palace to put out the fire. I was thinking about how to deal with Empress Dowager Min!” 

Yuwen Chu lingered on her ample chest for a moment before reluctantly withdrawing his gaze, smiling. “Well, you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I’ve already taken care of it over there. It’s no big deal, just a fuss over nothing because Mother hasn’t been through such matters before.” 

Realizing she had no excuse, Mingzhu continued, “Zhuangzhuang is in the main hall. I’m going to pick him up. Would you like to come along, Your Highness? You haven’t seen him in days, right?” 

Walking alongside her, Yuwen Chu replied, “Of course, I’d like to go. But I just saw him earlier. Mother is currently busy with him, so let’s not disturb the grandmother and grandson. I have a rare half-hour break. Will you join me for a cup of tea?” 

He wants to have tea with her! This is more than just a casual invitation. Mingzhu’s vision blurred momentarily, and she discreetly twisted her handkerchief until it almost tore, but she smiled boldly, “Sure, where shall we go for tea?”

“Let’s go to Qingyu Pavilion,” Yuwen Chu said, leading the way. “That’s where I lived as a child; you haven’t been there yet.”

Mingzhu, feeling guilty, started babbling, “That’s because you never invited me. Otherwise, I would have definitely gone.”

Yuwen Chu noticed her unusual behavior but didn’t comment on it. Instead, he asked about Fu Cong’s health and the situation at the Fu residence.

Mingzhu breathed a sigh of relief and reported everything in detail, also mentioning Huayang Wang’s matter. Yuwen Chu nodded repeatedly, “You’ve handled everything very well. Old Seventh is timid but sincere. If he’s genuinely willing to help me, it will save me a lot of trouble. Others aren’t as close as true brothers. When you get a chance, visit Seventh Sister-in-law.”

“I’ve already had gifts prepared before leaving. I plan to visit when I have time,” Mingzhu said, relaxing. She then recounted her encounter with “Jiang Zhouzi,” noting, “It seemed miraculous, though I’m not sure if it was real.”

Yuwen Chu pondered for a moment. “Actually, the technique of cesarean delivery isn’t unheard of. Historical records mention such instances, like when Lady Wang of Runan bore a son who was delivered through an incision in her side and both mother and child survived. It’s just that over the centuries, few have mastered this skill, and even fewer dare to practice it, so it’s been forgotten.”

Mingzhu praised, “People say I have a photographic memory, but in reality, Your Highness is the truly knowledgeable one.” While she remembered what she read, she didn’t always understand it fully, unlike Yuwen Chu, whose knowledge was profound.

Yuwen Chu accepted her praise gracefully and stopped in front of a palace room. “This is where I lived when I was a child. Come in.”

Although it had clearly been uninhabited for a long time, Qingyu Pavilion was warm and welcoming, and the servants were quite perceptive. Mingzhu wondered, “How could this be?”

Yuwen Chu smiled lightly. “Knowing I am in charge of the palace, some assumed I might revisit old places, so they prepared this place in advance.” Such are the perks of power: what you think of and what you don’t, others will handle for you.

A clean, handsome young eunuch approached and bowed. “Following His Highness’s instructions, a red clay stove and this year’s Qianfeng tea have been prepared by the west window. Do you need someone to stay and serve?”

Yuwen Chu waved his sleeve dismissively. “No, you may all leave.”

He smiled at Mingzhu and performed a hand gesture of invitation. “Please, Wangfei.”

Mingzhu, realizing she couldn’t avoid the situation, walked inside decisively, saying with a smile, “Since His Highness has invited me so graciously, I must accept.”

The view from the west window of Qingyu Pavilion was beautiful. A quiet stream flowed beneath the window, and not far away, an artificial hill covered in snow stood shyly, while a few ancient bamboos rustled in the wind. Mingzhu knelt by the window, gazing at the scenery, and praised, “What a beautiful place. But for a child, it must have been too lonely.”

“Indeed,” Yuwen Chu smiled faintly. “But this place was chosen by Emperor himself. Perhaps he thought that being born into the royal family, one could easily be dazzled by luxury, so a place of solitude was necessary.” He carefully rinsed the teapot and cups with hot water, then brewed the tea. After waiting for about fifty or sixty breaths, he poured tea for Mingzhu. “With all the recent events, it has been a long time since we sat down for tea and a chat. Try it and see if my tea-making skills have improved.”

Mingzhu resignedly reached for the tea but was gently stopped by Yuwen Chu. Confused, she looked at him, and he said softly with his eyes downcast, “You haven’t washed your hands. Impure hands will affect the tea’s aroma. This is part of the tea ceremony, have you forgotten?”

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