Chapter 740: Grinding Teeth
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Feigning ignorance, Mingzhu asked, “How am I not well-intentioned?” She sighed, “It’s such a pity. I wanted to chat with Your Highness by candlelight, but you’re so busy with state affairs that you have to rush back.”
Yuwen Chu glared at her, and she smiled back at him. Gradually, he smiled too, “Fine, I won’t go back. I’ll stay at the palace tonight and chat with you until dawn. I’ll head back early tomorrow and return in time to escort you.”
Satisfied, Mingzhu sat up, hugged his neck, and kissed him loudly. Leaning against him, she softly recounted her recent experiences and inquired about home and the palace. Yuwen Chu mostly avoided palace and court matters, focusing on her father’s estate: “Father-in-law and mother-in-law are well. Your eldest brother returned safely, and Fu Lin is learning from me. Your fourth brother had a daughter, just half a month older than our Millet. I mentioned this in my letter.”
“I know, her nickname is Jiajia,” Mingzhu said. “I want to hear the details, though. You wrote all this in your letters.”
Yuwen Chu fondly ruffled her hair, “You’re still so impatient. I’m busy with work and rarely visit your family. Even Zhuangzhuang often stays there for their care. I only know the important things, not the daily details.”
Feeling a pang of guilt, Mingzhu sincerely said, “Thank you for your hard work, Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu shook his head, “It’s alright. The hardest times are behind us.”
The most challenging period was when he first became Regent, amidst wars and suffering people. He had to manage battles and aid disaster victims while the Great Empress Dowager and orthodox factions hindered him at every turn. Mingzhu was forced to leave the capital to find medical texts, and young Zhuangzhuang, missing his mother, cried and fell ill. Yuwen Chu had to juggle his duties and care for his sick son, pacing the empty house with the crying child in his arms.
Once Zhuangzhuang was asleep, Yuwen Chu still had a mountain of documents to handle, with advisors waiting for his decisions and the Great Empress Dowager watching for any missteps. He was constantly battling with the orthodox faction, utterly exhausted.
Yet he chose not to burden Mingzhu with these stories. The hardships were over, and sharing them would only evoke regret. Mingzhu already felt guilty for leaving their young son. Telling her about Zhuangzhuang’s illness then would have only increased her guilt. Reunions should be joyous, not marred by past sorrows.
However, Mingzhu sensed he was hiding something, which made her feel even more distressed. She hugged him tightly, resting her head on his back, and whispered, “I’m back now. I’ll take care of you, be by your side, handle the small tasks, cook for you, and weave silk for your clothes. I won’t let you suffer anymore.”
Yuwen Chu held her hand and laughed softly, “You’ve always been with me.” He pointed to his heart, “No matter how hard or tiring, thinking of you and the children gave me strength. Seeing how hard you worked, how could I slack off?”
Content, they leaned against each other as they arrived at the Gui County palace. The palace staff, well-informed, had cleaned and prepared everything. Yuwen Chu had to greet Huan Wang and meet the local officials, so Mingzhu took Millet to their quarters.
The room was warm, with new bedding that felt familiar. Mingzhu realized these were her usual items from their home, probably brought by Yuwen Chu for her one-night stay.
Su Mei and the others were thrilled, chatting non-stop, “It feels like home here.”
Mingzhu nodded, “Yes, even though it’s not home, it smells like home.”
Millet woke up, nursed, stretched, and lazily looked around. Noticing the difference, she became alert, her black eyes roving until they fixed on a silver scent ball. She stared intently at it.
Mingzhu handed it to her, “Poor thing, born and raised on the road, hasn’t seen many nice things. Even a scent ball fascinates her.”
“She’ll have more toys than she can play with soon,” Yuwen Chu said, entering, stamping snow off his boots and handing his cloak to Su Mei. He warmed his hands by the brazier before picking up Millet.
Millet, seeing the stranger again, stopped playing with the scent ball and stared at Yuwen Chu. He smiled at her, affectionately touching her forehead, “Millet, I’m your daddy. Remember, I’m your daddy.”
Father and daughter gazed at each other, both with long eyelashes and bright black eyes. Mingzhu watched contentedly, unable to help but smile. Millet yawned, and Yuwen Chu chuckled, “Already sleepy again? Eat and drink, then sleep?”
Suddenly, he felt a soft, wet sensation on his cheek. Millet had put her mouth on his face. He was delighted and was about to praise her when he felt a sharp pain. Millet was grinding her teeth on his cheek.
Mingzhu laughed heartily, clapping her hands, “That’s hilarious.” She then said joyfully, “Millet is growing up, understanding more, even knows how to bite now.”
Zheng Momo and the others laughed, “She’s bonding with her father. Little Princess is so affectionate with his highness.”
Yuwen Chu affectionately pinched Millet’s nose and whispered, “Millet is afraid that daddy doesn’t love her, so she wants daddy to remember her, right?”
Millet stared at him for a moment, then seemed to understand and grinned. The couple played with Millet for a while until night fell. The nanny took Millet to bed, and someone brought up food and drinks. They enjoyed their first meal together after reuniting.
The palace was not as convenient or refined as the capital. Despite the careful arrangements, there were still many inconveniences. Mingzhu, moving quickly, found the bathwater turning cold fast. Shivering and wrapped in a fur coat, she rushed out, landing in Yuwen Chu’s arms, demanding he dry her hair.
“Is it really that cold?” Yuwen Chu asked, gently combing her hair with a look full of tenderness.
“Of course, it’s freezing,” Mingzhu replied, lying on his lap and enjoying his care. Suddenly, she remembered Du Heng: “Du Heng must have been a daughter of a wealthy family, right?”
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