Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 738

Chapter 738: Long Time No Coddling

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Yuwen Chu, dressed in a cyan prince’s robe with a black sable cloak and a golden crown, stood solemnly by the road. He exuded an aura of “Do not approach, keep your distance; show respect, I am not someone you can casually look at.”

Mingzhu had been smiling, but seeing his demeanor, she restrained her smile and greeted him with a stiff formality, “This wife, Fu Mingzhu, greets the Regent King.”

Yuwen Chu responded seriously, “No need for such courtesy.” He reached out to help her up. As his hand touched her arm, Mingzhu felt warmth and a strange sensation penetrating her thick winter clothes, spreading through her veins and hitting her heart, momentarily taking her breath away.

She looked up at Yuwen Chu and met his gaze. His half-lidded eyes were fixed on her, his hand gripping her arm, growing warmer and tighter.

In that silent moment, Mingzhu inexplicably blushed.

Yuwen Chu slowly released her hand, his expression still stern and composed. “Wangfei has traveled far and endured much hardship.”

Mingzhu coughed lightly, maintaining her own composed and righteous demeanor, “It is a blessing to serve the Emperor, the Great Empress Dowager, and Your Highness. I dare not speak of hardship.”

She could even fake it, and quite convincingly at that. Yuwen Chu raised his thick, dark eyebrows, scrutinizing Mingzhu. She appeared slightly fuller than before she left, her skin more radiant and her complexion healthier, glowing with a jade-like luster. Her posture was upright, suggesting she had grown taller. Her eyes carried a new depth, reflecting her experiences and hardships. Yet, overall, she remained joyful, warm, simple, and endearing. 

Yuwen Chu resisted the urge to pull her into an embrace and instead nodded lightly. “It’s cold and snowy; you don’t need to follow. Go back to the carriage. I’ll check on Huan Wang.” 

Obediently, Mingzhu climbed into the carriage. Through the rear window, she watched Yuwen Chu walk steadily towards a nervous young Huan Wang and his retinue, who were standing anxiously by the roadside, watching him expectantly. Yuwen Chu then gave a slight, kind smile. “Huan Wang, traveling from afar in such cold weather must have been hard.” 

Huan Wang bowed low, performing the customary gesture of a nephew to an elder. Yuwen Chu quickly helped him up, speaking kindly and urging Huan Wang to lead his younger siblings back into their carriage. 

Nearby, Yuwen You stood silently by the roadside. He neither approached to pay respects nor left; he just stood there, looking somewhat lonely and desolate. 

Mingzhu frowned. Was Yuwen You doing this on purpose? It looked as if Yuwen Chu was intentionally neglecting and bullying him. Despite being brothers, was it necessary to make things look so bad? Just as she thought this, she saw Yuwen Chu turn and walk towards Yuwen You. She was too far away to see Yuwen Chu’s expression, but she saw Yuwen You silently bow to him. Yuwen Chu did not return the gesture or help him up; instead, he stood with his hands behind his back, silently staring at Yuwen You.

Donghui pulled down the curtain and whispered, “They’re preparing to camp at the palace in Gui County. We should get going. Please sit properly, Wangfei.”

Zheng Momo sighed, “His Highness’s dignity has grown over the past six months. I thought he might lose composure at the reunion, but he’s maintained his decorum, putting duty before personal matters. He didn’t even come to see our little Millet.” She chuckled, “His Highness is doing this for Wangfei’s sake. If he acted improperly, the censors would have something to say tomorrow.”

Mingzhu felt a bit odd and glanced at Zheng Momo, who seemed unaffected. Mingzhu smiled, “You’re afraid I’ll take it to heart, get angry, and argue with His Highness?”

Zheng Momo smiled and bowed, “Indeed, I’m worried Wangfei might be petty and cause trouble right after returning.”

“Don’t worry. I understand. His Highness now manages court affairs and must be dignified to maintain authority.” Mingzhu took Millet from her nurse, pressing her face against the baby’s cheek, “We’re going home, Millet. Wake up soon.”

Millet slept soundly, ignoring her completely.

After traveling for a while, the carriage stopped abruptly. Someone outside shouted excitedly, “Greetings to the Regent!”

Yuwen Chu’s clear, cold voice followed, “No need for formalities. You’ve all worked hard. You will be rewarded upon return.”

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Yuwen Chu stepped inside. Zheng Momo and the others quickly exited, leaving only Mingzhu and Millet inside.

“Ah, Millet, Father is here,” Mingzhu said, holding Millet and standing up, pretending to bow. Yuwen Chu pulled her into a heavy embrace along with Millet, whispering, “You act as if you’re out of breath as soon as I call you fat. What are you pretending for?”

Mingzhu felt her whole body boiling with heat but stubbornly smiled, “I wouldn’t dare to be presumptuous after seeing your increasing dignity. I don’t want you to think I’m disrespectful. Why, are you no longer afraid of the censors?”

“Do you want me to pull and tug at you in public? Do you think someone else couldn’t have delivered the decree, and I had to come myself? Ungrateful one.” Yuwen Chu pinched her waist hard, then sat her down next to him, taking Millet from her arms and planting a kiss on Millet’s cheek.

Millet finally woke up, lazily looking at her father. She suddenly frowned, her face turning red. Mingzhu thought she was going to cry because Yuwen Chu was unfamiliar to her, but instead, she strained and let out a fart, then yawned, giving Yuwen Chu a lazy smile before putting her chubby hand in her mouth and starting to chew, drooling profusely.

Yuwen Chu laughed, “Is she hungry?”

Mingzhu shook her head, taking Millet’s chubby hand away, “She’s teething; her gums are itchy.”

Millet, happily chewing, was suddenly interrupted by this newcomer and immediately got angry. She frowned at Yuwen Chu and swung her wet chubby hand at him.

Yuwen Chu found it amusing and didn’t dodge, letting her hit his face. He then kissed her chubby hand and said, “She’s indeed your daughter. Look at that little temper, so lazy and bossy.”

Mingzhu was surprised, “She’s never acted like this before! It must be because you didn’t come to see her first!”

Yuwen Chu gave her a meaningful look, “Is it you who’s blaming me or her?”

Mingzhu’s face fell immediately, “You don’t like me as much as you used to. You even treated me with that official face and called me lazy and bossy!” It had been a long time since she acted spoiled, and she needed to do it to rejuvenate herself.

“Don’t find fault with me. I came especially for you. If I didn’t act seriously, people might think I’m abusing my power for personal gain.” Yuwen Chu shifted Millet, who was focused on chewing her hand, and praised, “This little girl is quite sturdy. You’ve raised her well, and she’s not as lazy as you say.”

Mingzhu, intrigued, asked, “Why have we been told to camp in Gui County? I thought I’d see Zhuangzhuang tonight, but this happened instead, making me really…”

“Zhuangzhuang is with his grandfather. The weather is bad, so I didn’t bring him,” Yuwen Chu smiled slightly. “You’ve traveled a long way, enduring countless hardships, to find this medical book for the Empress Dowager. Such pure filial piety and deep understanding deserve a grand reward and a warm welcome.”

Did this mean they were staying here to await a grand welcome ceremony? Mingzhu blinked, “Does Your Highness think I need such a grand welcome?”

Yuwen Chu gently pressed Millet’s chubby hand to his face, “Don’t you need it? I want to tell them you and Millet are back and remind them of your efforts and sacrifices!” He paused, looking at Mingzhu, “I don’t want your hard work to go unnoticed. Anything I can fight for you, I will fight for. I must!”

Isn’t this exactly abusing power for personal gain? Mingzhu felt a soft, indescribable warmth in her heart. She leaned her head on Yuwen Chu’s shoulder and softly asked, “This past year must have been tough for you too?”

Yuwen Chu patted her head, “No matter how tough it was for me, it wasn’t as hard as it was for you. You, a woman pampered since childhood, never enduring any hardship, yet you went through such trials, escaping death. That’s truly difficult. I only regret that I couldn’t spare you from such suffering.”

Mingzhu said, “No, leaving the capital made me realize I was a frog in a well, thinking the world was only the people and events in the capital and the palace. Now I understand human suffering, the hardships of soldiers, and I’ve gained much knowledge and seen magnificent landscapes. It’s truly a rare experience. When our children study these things in the future, I can share my insights with them and not be looked down upon as their ignorant mother.”

“So, you’ve actually profited from this journey,” Yuwen Chu said, loving her bright disposition. He embraced her affectionately and suddenly laughed, “No wonder you say this child is lazy; she’s fallen asleep again.”

Mingzhu leaned over and saw Millet with one hand still in her mouth, fast asleep. She gently took her hand out, whispering, “This child looks a lot like you. Daughters who resemble their fathers are considered lucky.”

For a long time, she didn’t hear Yuwen Chu respond. When she looked up, she saw Yuwen Chu gazing intently at her, his eyes filled with tender affection and intense focus. That breathless feeling came over her again.

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