Chapter 816: A Different Taste
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Yinghui Hall couldn’t be without attendants. Donghui and Xia Xue’s responsibilities were only to protect her, not to take care of her daily needs, so Mingzhu decided to keep these maids. She changed into a light blue gauze dress with lotus patterns and only adorned her hair with a white jade lotus hairpin. She applied cherry-colored lipstick and a bit of powder, making her originally tired-looking face instantly radiant.
Mingzhu carefully put on a pair of white jade earrings. She was still so young, not even twenty years old yet. There were many things she could learn and do. No matter how others treated her, she couldn’t treat herself poorly.
Wei Tiande entered with a half-bloomed pink lotus, smiling sheepishly. “His Highness asked me to inquire if Wangfei is feeling better now?”
Yesterday, when Mingzhu took the children for a boat ride on the lake, the lotus flowers were only in bud, and she estimated they would bloom in a few days. She hadn’t expected them to bloom today, and Yuwen Chu had found one. This man was truly infuriating yet lovable, shamelessly trying to please her.
Even if Mingzhu still didn’t want to deal with Yuwen Chu, she couldn’t be rude to Wei Tiande. She had the lotus placed on her desk and said, “Tell His Highness that it will take a little longer for me to feel better.”
Wei Tiande smiled awkwardly. “His Highness asked how much longer exactly?”
Who pursues someone like this? Don’t they know the process is key in such matters? You have to take things one step at a time. Mingzhu replied haughtily, “I don’t know.”
Wei Tiande laughed dryly, rubbed his nose, and said cheekily, “Then I’ll wait at the door for Wangfei.”
“Get out,” Mingzhu couldn’t help but throw a comb at him. “Whose side are you on?”
Wei Tiande protested, “Whoever treats me well, I’m on their side.”
Mingzhu sneered, “Are you saying I’m wrong?”
“No, His Highness said that if I could make Wangfei happy and reconsider, I could go back to serve him. Wangfei, please have mercy on me, and let me succeed?” Wei Tiande winked at Mingzhu and motioned towards the door, indicating that Yuwen Chu was just outside.
“I don’t want to help you.” Mingzhu turned to look at the account books, ignoring Wei Tiande.
Wei Tiande smiled helplessly at Donghui and the others, then turned and left.
Mingzhu sneaked a peek at the door, curious to see what Yuwen Chu would do next. It had been a long time since she enjoyed being pursued and pampered like this—it felt quite good.
“Mother!” Zhuangzhuang ran in, hugging Mingzhu’s neck and kissing her cheek. He whispered, “Father sent this.”
Mingzhu’s face turned red instantly. How shameless! But thinking that Zhuangzhuang was still young and didn’t understand the implications, only knowing it as a sign of affection, she felt relieved.
Zhuangzhuang snuggled into her arms, not wanting to leave, excitedly chattering, “Dad said we are going to the manor to play with water.”
Mingzhu had been smiling earlier, but upon hearing this, she became serious. “Did your father say when?” she asked. It was clear that they couldn’t leave in the next few days. If Yuwen Chu was trying to appease her by deceiving the child, it would only worsen her mood.
Zhuangzhuang, still not understanding the concept of time, said, “Tomorrow, tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” That was clearly a lie! The day after tomorrow was the three-court trial; how could they leave? Mingzhu’s face darkened.
Millet wobbled in, following Zhuangzhuang, and immediately ran towards Mingzhu, who quickly caught her to prevent her from falling. Millet excitedly shouted, “Play, play, play!” She grabbed Mingzhu’s hand, indicating she wanted to go out to play. Mingzhu hesitated a bit, and Millet started to cry.
Mingzhu held her head in her hand, frowning. “Your Highness.”
Yuwen Chu stood at the door with a smile. “I’m here, at your service.”
Mingzhu took a deep breath. “Your Highness, Zhuangzhuang said you plan to go to the manor tomorrow?”
Yuwen Chu smiled. “Yes.”
Mingzhu was skeptical. “You’re lying to us, aren’t you?”
Yuwen Chu came in, took Millet into his arms, and sat opposite Mingzhu. He spoke tenderly, “I’m not the best, but I haven’t lied to you, have I?”
That was true. Mingzhu pressed further, “Can we leave? We won’t be called back halfway or just after settling in?”
“No. Today is enough to handle the remaining matters. This concerns both of us, and after the abdication event, it’s better for us to avoid the spotlight for a bit.” Yuwen Chu suggested, “Instead of guessing here, why not start packing? We can leave as soon as we’re ready, and I can make it up to you all.”
Donghui eagerly encouraged, “Wangfei, let’s go. We can also check on how their sweet potatoes are growing.”
Yuwen Chu made the decision. “It’s settled. Go pack your things.” Seeing Mingzhu didn’t object, he invited her for a walk in the garden, saying, “You wouldn’t want to disappoint the children, would you?”
Mingzhu thought that no matter what was going on between the adults, it shouldn’t affect the children. So, she agreed silently. She held Zhuangzhuang’s hand, and Yuwen Chu carried Millet. They left, with Yuwen Chu watching Mingzhu for a moment before sincerely complimenting, “You look beautiful in this outfit.”
Mingzhu smiled, feeling a different kind of emotion.
It was like when they were newlyweds. She had feelings for him, had expectations. She dressed herself up every day to please him, experimenting with various foods, clothes, jewelry, spices, and flower powders. Her favorite moment was when he came home and looked at her with amazement, joy, and desire in his eyes, even though he pretended not to notice or care. As they grew closer, he eventually expressed his feelings clearly.
Mingzhu sighed, “I can’t stay like this forever. Someday I will get old.”
“I’ll get old too. Young couples grow old together. Don’t despise me when I grow old,” Yuwen Chu responded. He signaled to Wei Tiande, who immediately started coaxing the children. “Qi Wang’s mansion brought in some monkeys that perform tricks. They wear clothes, hats, and play football. Would you like to see?”
Zhuangzhuang immediately followed him, and Millet, eager to join, went along too. In no time, only the couple was left. Yuwen Chu reached for Mingzhu’s hand, “The scenery over there is nice. Shall we take a walk?”
Under the lilac trees, a mat and low table were set up, along with exquisite tea utensils and the tribute tea from this spring. Yuwen Chu went to fetch water and smiled, “Stealing a half-day of leisure, it’s been a long time since we had tea together. Wangfei, would you do me the honor of tasting my tea-making skills?”
“Why not?” Mingzhu sat down by the low table. He then suggested, “Given the setting, why not play the qin to liven things up?”
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