Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 790

Chapter 790: Smile

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Dong Hui was worried, sensing the undercurrent between the couple. The root cause was their long separations and numerous intervening issues. She couldn’t help but remind Mingzhu, “Wangfei.”

Mingzhu gave her a reassuring look, adjusted her hairpin, and calmly followed Yuwen Chu into the bathhouse.

Inside, the room was filled with steam and a faint fragrance. Yuwen Chu slowly took off his outer robe and, seeing Mingzhu still standing by, glanced back at her, “Aren’t you here to help? Why are you just standing there?”

Mingzhu pressed her lips together, stepped forward, and began to undo his belt. Yuwen Chu, with arms outstretched, looked down at her, inhaling the faint scent from her hair and seeing the fine beads of sweat on her nose. All his memories and feelings about her came rushing back, overwhelming him.

Mingzhu quickly finished untying his belt and said, “All done.”

Yuwen Chu grasped her shoulders and softly said, “I missed you, I really missed you.”

Mingzhu stood still, smiling at him. Because you failed, because you felt down, you avoided facing me, afraid I might plead or be angry. So, you stayed away for over ten days, sending a message now and then. Now that you miss me and can’t bear it, you come home to say you missed me? She did miss and love Yuwen Chu, but she refused to let him take advantage of her feelings right now.

Yuwen Chu saw the hidden emotion in her eyes and awkwardly tried to find an excuse, “You seem to have gained weight.” He slowly undressed and stepped into the bath, “Everyone says I’ve lost weight. What do you think?”

Mingzhu, eyes downcast, replied calmly but firmly, “Qie Shen hasn’t gained weight.” He indeed had lost weight from poor eating and sleeping. She softened for a moment but quickly steeled herself again. She wouldn’t let him do as he pleased; even now as Regent, he was bound to become arrogant in the future. She too had her pride, persistence, and ambitions.

Sensing her resolute tone and unmoved by his words, Yuwen Chu instinctively took a step back, “Alright, I was wrong. You haven’t gained weight. But could you stop using ‘Qie Shen’ so formally? It sounds like you’re angry with me.”

Mingzhu poured a ladle of water over his head and scrubbed his face with a cloth, smiling warmly, “Why would Your Highness think that? If you don’t like me saying ‘Qie Shen’, I won’t say it. You’ve finally come home; I’m too happy to be angry with you.”

Here it was again, now avoiding “Qie Shen” but using “Your Highness” instead. Yuwen Chu felt powerless; all his romantic thoughts vanished, even though she drenched his head with water.

Mingzhu diligently washed his hair and head, focused as if performing an important task. Yuwen Chu grew increasingly frustrated. She hadn’t done anything wrong, wasn’t overtly upset, yet he knew she was angry.

After dressing, Mingzhu called for the maids to clean up, but Yuwen Chu pulled her into his arms and softly said, “Don’t be angry.”

Mingzhu laughed, “I’m not angry. Why would Your Highness think I’m angry? Have I done something wrong? Tell me, and I’ll change it immediately.”

Well, she used to oppose him openly, now she had grown smarter. Yuwen Chu released her and smiled faintly, “If you’re not angry, then let’s eat.”

Mingzhu expected him to persist, but he let go so quickly, which annoyed her. Over ten days without coming home, and now he couldn’t stand a short while of her resistance. She also smiled lightly, “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Zhuang Zhuang and Millet hadn’t seen their father for a long time. Though not seated at the table, they had a small table nearby. Millet, eating in her small chair, made a mess with her food, even getting pumpkin puree in her hair.

Zhuang Zhuang frowned in distaste, eating some food himself and having the wet nurse feed him some. Mingzhu occasionally directed the wet nurse to give Zhuang Zhuang certain dishes. Though she also served Yuwen Chu, her attention was clearly not on him.

Halfway through the meal, Yuwen Chu’s stomach hurt. This woman was avenging herself on him. He looked at the two children beside him, both beautiful with bright eyes and rosy mouths. Despite wanting to send them away, he found it impossible, only wanting to hug them and kiss them.

He sighed, deciding to endure, and reached for Millet, “Let Daddy feed you.”

The wet nurse was surprised. Though the Regent loved the children, he kept a certain distance, busy and particular about propriety. Yet today, he didn’t mind Millet’s mess and wanted to feed her himself?

Mingzhu recalled how he previously forbade her from playing horsey with Zhuangzhuang and maliciously said, “Your Highness, I know you love Millet, but we must adhere to certain rules. Meals should be eaten while seated. Millet usually doesn’t like to move much, so now that she’s found something she’s interested in and wants to do herself, let her be.”

Millet indeed started to struggle, and Yuwen Chu awkwardly put her back. Zhuangzhuang, having finished his meal, looked at his parents with bright eyes and said in a childish voice, “I’m full.”

Mingzhu bent down to praise him, and Yuwen Chu, after a moment’s thought, also touched Zhuangzhuang’s cheek and smiled, “Later, Daddy will take you horseback riding.”

Zhuangzhuang was overjoyed, put down his spoon, stood up, and hugged Yuwen Chu’s leg, “Daddy is the best! I missed you!”

Yuwen Chu was almost moved to tears, feeling the closeness of the child he personally raised. He glanced at Mingzhu and picked Zhuangzhuang up, “Since it’s still early, let’s go now.”

Mingzhu lightly coughed, elegantly wiped her mouth with a napkin, and smiled gently at them, “Riding right after eating will cause a stomachache, especially for children. Zhuangzhuang, as the older brother, you should set an example for your sister. Rest for a while first, and if Daddy is busy later, I’ll take you myself. You know, Mommy is also good at riding.”

Zhuangzhuang was a bit disappointed but obediently agreed, “Okay.”

Yuwen Chu couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment. The saying was true: “Only petty men and women are difficult to raise.”

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