Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 739

Chapter 739: His Highness Knows Everything

---

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

---

The carriage swayed gently, with snow falling on the roof, creating a "swoosh" sound. Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu stared at each other, neither wanting to break the silence after their long-awaited reunion.

After a while, Yuwen Chu reached out to touch her face and said softly, “You’ve gained weight. I felt it just now; there’s more flesh around your waist and your face.”

Is there a worse way to hit someone’s soft spot? Mingzhu secretly fumed but smiled seductively, hugging his waist and feeling it over, “But Your Highness has gotten thinner. No wonder I noticed your face has become longer, and you look older, not as handsome as before. Turns out it’s because you’ve lost weight.”

Still holding grudges, she hasn’t changed a bit. Yuwen Chu was irritated by her provocation and almost reached out to touch his own face to see if it was true, but he restrained himself and replied disdainfully, “Do you think I didn’t look in the mirror before I left? I might believe you if you say I’ve become more dignified and solemn, but I won’t believe that I’ve aged. All I said was that you’ve gained a bit of weight. Was that worth such a retaliation?”

So, he did look in the mirror before leaving. Mingzhu held back her laughter but continued seriously, “Yes, Your Highness has only become more dignified and solemn, not older or with a longer face because of weight loss.”

Yuwen Chu’s face visibly lengthened. Did she see a lot of young men during her trip? Her eyes must have been dazzled, her heart wild, and her wings grown strong, daring to think he was not good-looking and old. No wonder she delayed coming back. She must have enjoyed the freedom, being adored wherever she went, feeling more comfortable than being watched for every move in the capital.

Mingzhu, noticing his displeased expression, immediately cupped his chin and whispered, “Come on, give Wangfei a smile to look younger and better.”

Yuwen Chu glared at her coldly, “Behave yourself. Do you think I’m like those men outside who would crawl on the ground to lick your shoes?” He realized he’d let something slip and looked even angrier.

Mingzhu was startled, “How does Your Highness know about that?”

This happened over two months ago. While passing through Ba County, she wanted to try the local famous snack. She only brought Dong Hui and Du Heng along and changed her clothes to go incognito. They encountered a playboy who, upon seeing her, lit up with excitement. First, he offered to treat her to a meal, and when she refused, he persistently praised her, refusing to give up. Not wanting to reveal her identity, and because his behavior wasn't too outrageous, she pretended not to hear him. 

Unexpectedly, the playboy suddenly stood up, knelt before her, and loudly declared, "Miss, marry me and be my principal wife..." Before anyone could react, he kissed the tip of her shoe and looked up at her with deep affection, saying, "I promise you'll be the only one..." 

Naturally, Dong Hui gave him a thorough beating and threw him out by the collar. Even then, he shamelessly followed them with a limp, and it was only with Du Heng's clever tactics that they managed to shake him off. Being harassed and proposed to in the street was not something Mingzhu wanted to be publicized, so she strictly ordered Du Heng and Dong Hui not to spread the word. However, she was surprised to find that Yuwen Chu knew about it. 

Was it Dong Hui or Du Heng who told him? Mingzhu felt quite uneasy. Seeing Yuwen Chu not answering, she asked again, "How did Your Highness learn of this incident?"

Yuwen Chu had quickly adjusted his expression and mood. He stared at her in surprise and said, "There really was such a thing!!" He then expressed his distress: "I guessed it, didn't I? I knew it! You came back being picky and choosy, clearly your heart has wandered! Who was it? I won't rest until I beat him to death!" He added, trying to make up for it, "And to think I was thinking about you every day! I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and have worn myself thin!" Well, whether he had really lost weight or not, it was all because of her. No matter how heartless she was, she couldn't criticize him over this, could she?

Yuwen Chu’s act was so convincing that Mingzhu couldn’t tell if it was a coincidence or not. Seeing his angry glare, she remembered the affectionate words he wrote in his letters and felt a soft spot in her heart. She cupped his face and gently said, “Alright, Your Highness got thin for me. You’re not old at all; you’re even more dignified and manly, unlike those pretty boys.”

That was indeed the truth. Yuwen Chu felt a rush of satisfaction but maintained a cool demeanor, “No, I’ve gotten old and ugly, unworthy of a young beauty like you.”

Mingzhu laughed, lightly biting his chin, “So petty. It was just a joke. Have you forgotten our marital banter?”

Yuwen Chu was frozen by her bite, barely able to move, and after a while, he growled, “What marriage? I’ve been alone all year. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to have a wife!”

Mingzhu gently laughed as she took the sleeping Millet and placed her on the small bed. "I've also forgotten what it's like to have a husband. But it seems it's not as hard for me as it is for you. Every day, there were so many things to do and so many people to meet. You wouldn't believe how many local officials and powerful figures were eager to see me along the way..." Before she could finish her sentence, Yuwen Chu grabbed her shoulder firmly, pulling her into his embrace. The faint agarwood fragrance of his incense mingled with a warm, dry scent that was all too familiar, the scent she had dreamed of countless times—Yuwen Chu's scent. 

"Mmm..." Mingzhu sighed softly, collapsing weakly into Yuwen Chu's arms. She instinctively held the back of his head, passionately responding to his kiss. They both seemed eager to absorb the air from each other's lungs, to meld their beings together after such a long separation. In this moment, they felt whole again. 

Yuwen Chu gripped the carpet on the seat, breathing heavily, barely able to restrain himself from taking Mingzhu right then and there. Mingzhu, knowing how much he was struggling, provocatively laid on her side, showcasing her alluring curves. She teasingly traced circles on his chest, her voice hoarse, "Your Highness, you're escorting me to the palace, but I suppose you'll be leaving soon?" 

Yuwen Chu glared at her fiercely, "You're asking for it."

Mingzhu smiled with her lips pursed and nudged his waist with her foot, “I wasn’t asking that, Your Highness. I was asking if you were leaving now?”

Seeing her crafty look, Yuwen Chu realized she had become even more charming than before. He felt as if he were being fried in hot oil, feeling hot, anxious, and uncomfortable. Glancing at the soundly sleeping Millet and listening to the horse hooves outside, he replied irritably, “Yes, I’m leaving right now! You wicked woman with no good intentions!”

---

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

---