Chapter 792: Aftertaste
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One moment she was being tough, and the next, her eyes were red. Yuwen Chu sighed, feeling extremely guilty. He held her hand to his face and said, “I’ve been so busy…” He hesitated and then softly said, “I felt quite embarrassed after losing the battle.”
Mingzhu took a small breath.
“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” Yuwen Chu looked at her hand, noticing a cut on her index finger, white and swollen from water, revealing tender flesh underneath. It looked painful.
Yuwen Chu’s face darkened, “What happened?” He glared at the maids and Momos around them. With so many people serving her, how could they let her get hurt? What was their use?
Mingzhu withdrew her hand and said lightly, “I accidentally cut it while cutting paper. The wound was small, so I didn’t pay much attention, and it got soaked.”
Yuwen Chu blurted out, “If you were hurt, why were you handling water? What’s the point of having so many people if they don’t help?” Seeing the subtle expressions on Mingzhu and the others’ faces, he suddenly remembered that it was he who had asked Mingzhu to wash his hair. He was the one who insisted despite her reluctance, feeling a wave of guilt, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Mingzhu smiled faintly, “It’s just a small cut, nothing significant. It’s rare for you to be home, so what’s the harm in washing your hair?”
Yuwen Chu was at a loss for words. He had thought the same at the time—he seldom returned and wanted to be close to her, and got angry when she refused.
Then Mingzhu asked, “Since I didn’t know you were coming back today, the kitchen didn’t prepare anything special. You probably didn’t eat well. Shall I have them prepare some of your favorite dishes now?”
“Whatever you say.” At this point, Yuwen Chu’s irritation had completely dissipated. Although Mingzhu was angry and stubborn, it was understandable since he had been in the wrong. Her anger, however, was always mixed with care and concern for him. If she didn’t truly love him, how could she be so thoughtful? He recalled all her kindness and the hardships she had endured for him, feeling both ashamed and moved.
This feeling was different from the passionate desire of youth; it was deeper and more enduring, like a fine wine. Initially, the fragrance tempted him, but upon tasting, it was both spicy and fragrant. He thought that was all, but it had an aftertaste—rich, long-lasting, and unforgettable.
Yuwen Chu looked at Mingzhu and softly said, “Next time, don’t hide anything from me. If you’re uncomfortable, you must tell me. I’m not just anyone; I’m your husband, someone you can rely on and trust.”
Mingzhu didn’t respond but lowered her head, her eyes red as she looked away. Yuwen Chu’s heart softened even more. He waved off the maids and Momos and hugged Mingzhu tightly, whispering, “It’s all my fault. I won’t do it again.”
Mingzhu’s voice was thick with emotion, “I know you have your difficulties. I just regret that I can’t help you and only hope not to be a burden to you.”
Yuwen Chu frowned, “Why would you say that? Who said you and the children are a burden? I don’t dislike you.” He thought for a moment and added angrily, “Nonsense! Who put these ideas in your head? Did you believe them?”
Mingzhu glanced at him, sniffed, and cautiously said, “I misspoke. Don’t be angry. Let’s not talk about the past, okay?” Hmph, not seeing her and not coming home—what else could it be but treating them as burdens? If he didn’t think that way, then great. But he made her feel that way, so she had to voice it out. Why hold it in? Still, there’s an art to saying things. Her father said that even between husband and wife, being subtle can lead to a more enduring relationship.
Mingzhu had always been vibrant and expressive, her emotions clear on her face. This careful and aggrieved look was a first. Yuwen Chu felt truly ashamed and wanted to swear an oath, “I…”
Mingzhu cut him off, “I understand. Let’s not talk about it.” She pulled him to the small table by the couch, poured him a glass of wine, and served him food, “Eat more. You’ve lost weight.”
Yuwen Chu felt a bit embarrassed since he had previously claimed to have lost weight just to soften Mingzhu’s heart. He poured her some wine and served her food, “You should eat more too. You’ve also lost weight.”
Mingzhu replied earnestly, “I haven’t lost weight. Even if I did, it would just mean my muscles have firmed up.”
Previously, when he had said she gained weight, she had insisted that she hadn’t. Yuwen Chu laughed out loud, his eyes curving with amusement, “I must have been seeing things and was mistaken.”
Mingzhu also smiled, casually changing the subject. She didn’t bring up her second brother’s matter, nor the heavy political issues and various schemes. Instead, she talked about their two children, “Zhuangzhuang is very sensible. He knows how to protect his sister and cares about me. The other day, I came back and said I was tired and my back hurt. He ran to get a lumbar pillow for me, which I didn’t expect… Millet is really lazy though. I’ve never seen such a lazy child, but she’s also very clever, excelling at everything. I don’t dare to praise her in front of her, fearing she’d become even lazier if she gets proud.”
“Of course, look who their father is,” Yuwen Chu said proudly. He enjoyed listening to Mingzhu talk about such lighthearted and warm topics. It could bring his increasingly cold heart, hardened by the taste of blood, back to its original state and completely relax his constantly tense nerves, offering him a moment of relief. Here, he was completely unguarded because this was his home, with the woman he loved most and who loved him most, and their children.
After a few more cups, Mingzhu set down her wine glass first, “It’s getting late. If Your Highness doesn’t need to attend to any affairs, you should rest early.” She thought that since Yuwen Chu often stayed up late and worked hard, he should take the opportunity to sleep early for a change, or else his health would deteriorate from the constant strain.
Yuwen Chu misunderstood her intentions, looking at her with a meaningful smile, “Indeed, it’s getting late. We should rest. The bed at Lansheng Pavilion is cold and hard, not comfortable at all compared to the soft and warm one at home.”
Seeing the desire in his eyes, Mingzhu smiled slightly without explaining, arranging for the room to be tidied and for Yuwen Chu to wash up. She first went to check on their two children before washing herself. By the time she returned to the room, Yuwen Chu was already asleep, not even having had time to pull up the covers.
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