Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 727

Chapter 727: Let’s not entangle ourselves any further

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In just a few days, both Yuwen Cong and Yuwen Qiang were dead? Mingzhu couldn’t quite process this. She wanted to ask more but was too impatient to speak with Yuwen You.

He glanced at her and continued, “I know you hate me, though I don’t understand why. But I know it’s genuine hatred. Given that I saved you from Yuwen Cong and am about to safely return you to the capital, could you at least tell me the truth?”

Mingzhu didn’t agree with his first statement since Du Heng had already told her that Yuwen You’s rescue was largely due to Yuwen Chu’s efforts. As for his second statement, she smiled and asked, “Have you changed your mind?”

Yuwen You was surprised by her sharpness. Although he had never told her his true intentions after rescuing her from Yuwen Cong and bringing her to this house, she seemed to understand. However, he wouldn’t admit it and, with downcast eyes, said, “I’ve always had this intention. Do you think I have other plans for you?”

Reluctantly glancing at Mingzhu’s belly, he sarcastically curled his lips, “You don’t think I still have feelings for you, do you? Your habit of overthinking needs to change.”

Mingzhu wasn’t embarrassed at all. She felt good and cheerfully said, “You know, I used to overthink a lot, but I’m lucky I woke up from that dream. That’s why I’m here now. Don’t worry, I won’t think you have feelings for me. I know you never did. As for my habits, my highness will take care of those now and in the future, not you.”

Her words were a bit convoluted, but Yuwen You understood. He remembered Jiang Shanshan’s words and Mingzhu’s explanations. He suddenly smiled, realizing many things. The one who couldn’t move on wasn’t Fu Mingzhu, but himself. She had moved on, and he hadn’t. Continuing to entangle himself would only bring more disgrace.

He felt a sense of shame and frustration and softly said, “If someone doesn’t care about me, I won’t care about them. If you discard me like an old shoe, I won’t see you as a treasure.”

In truth, he had never really cared about her or seen her as a treasure, had he? Mingzhu sighed inwardly and quietly said, “So, let’s just go our separate ways from now on. You have your path to follow, and I have mine. Let’s not entangle ourselves any further.”

Yuwen You didn’t respond and silently sat under the veranda, looking up at the drifting clouds. His heart was filled with sadness, regret, pain, and a sense of unwillingness. After a while, he finally made up his mind, “I will quickly send news of your safety back to the capital. If they want you to return, I will personally escort you. If they want you to go forward, I will also personally take you there.”

Escorting her back could be seen as a mere formality, but what did he mean by personally escorting her to find medical books? Did they have that kind of relationship? Or was he looking to share in the glory, to curry favor with Yuwen Chu, and seek benefits? Mingzhu smiled at Yuwen You and said, “Thank you very much.” She neither accepted nor rejected his offer to escort her.

Her indifferent attitude made Yuwen You feel disinterested. He didn’t ask Mingzhu for that so-called truth anymore because he already knew the answer and didn’t want to humiliate himself further. He stood up, “I brought two people to see you. I hope you’ll be happy to see them. Until we hear back from the capital, you should stay here and not go out, to avoid any leaks that might jeopardize your safety.”

After speaking, he clapped his hands lightly, and two young women walked in one after the other. The first was Donghui, followed by Meimei. Both were tearful when they saw Mingzhu and rushed forward to greet her warmly.

Seeing Donghui reminded Mingzhu of the deceased Jing Song. She fought back her tears and asked Yuwen You, “It seems Linan Wang has forgotten someone. Where is Jiang Zhouzi?”

Yuwen You, with his head held high, walked out, “I’ll have him sent over shortly. If you have any requests, just ask, and I’ll do my best to fulfill them.”

Donghui and Meimei, both crying and laughing, talked with Mingzhu for a long time, “We thought we’d never see you again, Wangfei. It’s really unexpected, but it’s thanks to his highness’s strategic planning that frightened them into submission.”

Mingzhu looked them over, “Are you alright? They didn’t trouble you, did they?”

Donghui smiled silently, while Meimei softly said, “Compared to Jiao Jiao, we were very fortunate.”

From this, Mingzhu understood they had faced difficulties but saw they seemed in good spirits, so she didn’t press further, “Anyway, you’re back now. Let Mr. Jiang examine you both carefully and make sure you recuperate well.”

Donghui looked around, “Where are the others?”

Feeling guilty, Mingzhu knew she was asking about Jing Song, so she changed the subject, “Let them find you a room to settle in first. Have you eaten? Are you thirsty?”

Donghui understood everything.

She lowered her head and after a long time, asked softly, “Did he die when leaving Qi County? What about Su Momo?”

Seeing she could no longer hide the truth, Mingzhu recounted what had happened, and the three of them cried bitterly, their eyes swollen like peaches. Du Heng watched and shook his head, silently fetching a bucket of cold water from the well, wringing out a cloth, and handing it over, “The dead are gone. They wouldn’t want you to be so sad. Live happily and let them rest in peace.”

Donghui, sobbing, covered her face with the cloth, unable to stop crying. Meimei, thinking of the deceased Jiao Jiao, cried too.

“Why are you crying again?” Du Heng didn’t understand why his comforting words made them cry even harder. Mingzhu indicated for him to stop. Everyone understood the situation but couldn’t help their emotions. Grief is something one must slowly come to terms with. Just like her, she had thought of Jing Song and Su Momo every day since their passing, even dreaming of them at night but never seeing them. Only with time did she gradually come to terms with it.

“My dear Meimei, you finally came back safely. Poor Jiao Jiao…” Jiang Zhouzi was helped in, and upon seeing Donghui and Meimei, started crying again. In just ten days, he seemed to have lost five or six pounds and looked very haggard.

Mingzhu, wiping her tears, asked in surprise, “Why do you look like this?”

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