Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 689

Chapter 689: Your Skin Itches

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Censor Xiao, fully aware of his bleak prospects, fearlessly met Yuwen Chu’s gaze. “Yes, I know you well, Your Highness. If you truly intend to punish the Regent Wangfei, please wait until after the Great Empress Dowager is cured.”

There are people who truly aren’t afraid of death, not in the least, for the beliefs they uphold. Censor Xiao, is one of these people. Behind him, many orthodox faction members share this sentiment. It’s not just for their own interests; it’s their conviction that Yuwen Chu shouldn’t ascend the throne. That’s why they won’t support him and are willing to oppose him.

Intimidation alone couldn’t change their minds, nor could they all be killed. To gain their support, Yuwen Chu needed extraordinary achievements and moral authority.

Mingzhu fully grasped what Fu Cong had told her earlier. As someone not from the orthodox line yet with great ambition, Yuwen Chu’s path to the throne was long and arduous. This was just the beginning.

Yuwen Chu shouldn’t clash with these stubborn traditionalists. He was patient and capable, and if not for her, he would navigate these waters effortlessly. Since she was his Achilles’ heel, she needed to be his shield, actively protecting him.

Mingzhu slowly positioned herself between Yuwen Chu and Censor Xiao, blocking their hostile gazes. She smiled, “Thank you, Censor Xiao, for pleading on my behalf. Without it, today would have been disastrous and embarrassing for me.” She then turned to Yuwen Chu, softly imploring, “Your Highness, please allow me to complete this task before punishing me.”

Yuwen Chu’s dark eyes were filled with repressed anger and pain. He pressed his lips tightly, staring at Mingzhu in silence. She came for him, he understood and was moved, but as a man and husband, today was a humiliation. It meant he was powerless, unable to protect his wife. He married her to shield her from harm, not to let her face danger and fear.

The more considerate and understanding Mingzhu was, the more it pained him.

Mingzhu smiled at Yuwen Chu, feeling a small sense of pride. Finally, she could make her own decisions. She wasn’t the sheltered girl relying on him; she could take on great tasks independently.

Zhuangzhuang, unaware of the adults’ tensions, noticed the calm and saw his father was free. He immediately reached out to Yuwen Chu, babbling, with a trail of drool slipping down his chubby cheeks, impossible to refuse.

Yuwen Chu glared fiercely at Mingzhu, then picked up Zhuangzhuang. With a cold expression, he addressed Yuwen Guang, “Your Majesty, I need to speak with my wife privately. Please excuse us.”

With the situation momentarily stabilized, Yuwen Guang sighed in relief and hastily said, “Uncle, take your time. You’ve been tirelessly working; you deserve a rest. Go home and rest before returning.”

Yuwen Chu bowed and left without glancing at the others, carrying Zhuangzhuang and ordering coldly, “Follow me,” to Mingzhu.

The heavy atmosphere made Mingzhu shiver. She smiled helplessly at Yuwen Guang and quickly followed Yuwen Chu.

Yuwen Guang sighed deeply, dismissing the officials. He quietly remarked to his childhood attendant, Jiang Youyuan, “Strangely, I felt very cold sitting next to Uncle just now, but it’s better now that he’s gone.”

Jiang Youyuan, who had grown up with him, smiled. “Your Majesty, you speak like a child. The Regent King may be stern, but he respects and cares for you. He might have been upset, but it wasn’t directed at you.”

Yuwen Guang nodded. “Actually, the Regent Wangfei is quite brave and a good person.” As for the Regent himself, he refrained from commenting. After all, he was just temporarily helping Yuwen Chu sit in this position. He knew his own capabilities well enough and didn’t want to meet the same fate as his two older brothers. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty when he thought of his late father. 

Jiang Youyuan understood his concerns and reassured him, “If the late Emperor knew, he would surely understand Your Majesty’s predicament. Parents everywhere are the same; they can’t bear to see their children suffer. I believe the late Emperor would prioritize the peace and prosperity of the Yuwen clan over the throne. Since the Regent has the ability, let him worry about it. After all, he is also the son of the Wen Emperor and a descendant of the Yuwen clan, isn’t he?”

Yuwen Guang smiled happily. “You always understand me. Come with me to see the Great Empress Dowager. I believe the divine healer will enter the palace soon, and I need to be there to await his arrival.”

Mingzhu was feeling very uneasy at the moment.

After leaving the Chongzheng Hall with Zhuangzhuang in his arms, Yuwen Chu strode forward without waiting for her. She had to jog to keep up with him, all the while maintaining her composure because she was now the center of attention, and everyone was watching her every move. She couldn’t afford to lose her composure.

As a result, she quickly became exhausted and, feeling angry, she stopped walking. She was tired and decided to walk slowly. What could he do if she didn’t catch up? Was he planning to punish her in public?

Yuwen Chu, however, seemed to have eyes on the back of his head. When he noticed that she had stopped, he halted too, without saying a word, just silently staring at her. Being quite well-known in the palace now, people would often come up to greet him and exchange pleasantries. Therefore, the sight of the couple standing in the middle of the road with their child looked particularly strange and amusing. Unable to bear it, Mingzhu reluctantly followed him again.

Although Yuwen Guang had suggested that Yuwen Chu go back to rest, in reality, he needed to meet Jiang Zhouzi, who was entering the palace to treat the illness. Yuwen Chu couldn’t afford to go back and rest. He had to personally meet with this Jiang Zhouzi. So, he carried Zhuangzhuang onto the carriage to the Fu Mansion without paying any attention to Mingzhu. Once inside the carriage, he focused on playing with Zhuangzhuang, exuding a fatherly affection.

After waiting for a while and seeing that he didn’t speak, Mingzhu approached him with determination and reached out her hand, saying, “Give me my son back.”

Yuwen Chu finally looked up at her. “Your skin is itching.”

Mingzhu immediately leaned against him bonelessly. “Haven’t you received my confession, Your Highness?”

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