Chapter 817: My Hand Hurts
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A maid brought the qin. Mingzhu had no choice but to play a tune. Seeing Yuwen Chu’s leisurely expression, she gave him a sidelong glance, “Your Highness is indeed cunning, even in coaxing someone, you have a plan.”
Yuwen Chu asked earnestly, “Do you like it?”
Of course, she liked it. But Mingzhu refused to admit it, “I’m still not in a good mood.”
Yuwen Chu handed her the tea, “Try this.”
The most important aspects of Qingfeng tea are the water temperature and timing. As soon as the tea touched her lips, Mingzhu couldn’t help but sigh. It was indeed good tea, brewed perfectly.
“Is it not good?” Yuwen Chu frowned, “Have I gotten rusty because I haven’t done this in a while?” He reached out with his long fingers to take her tea cup, casually sipping the rest of her tea, then commented, “Indeed, it’s not quite right. Let me make it again.” Before Mingzhu could say anything, he poured out the remaining tea and started the process anew.
Seeing his lips stained with her lipstick, Mingzhu gestured for him to wipe his mouth, “It doesn’t look good if someone sees.”
“What’s wrong with that? It’s from my wife. Why be afraid?” Yuwen Chu leaned forward with a playful expression, “Will you wipe it for me?”
Mingzhu refused, so he pretended to wipe it on her chest, prompting her to grab his chin and carefully wipe it off with a handkerchief. Halfway through, she found herself unable to continue. Yuwen Chu gazed at her intently, his eyes deep and passionate, making her feel very embarrassed. “Stop looking at me, or I’ll…”
“Strip my clothes off?” Yuwen Chu, satisfied with her reaction, straightened up and continued making tea.
“In your dreams.” Mingzhu, unconsciously moving closer, said, “Actually, the last brew was quite good.”
Yuwen Chu’s eyes revealed a subtle joy, “That wasn’t good enough. I want you to taste perfection. Not to boast, but few in this world can match my tea-making skills.”
“Go on, keep boasting. I’m quite a tea connoisseur.” Mingzhu placed some fresh pastries brought by the maids in front of him, especially his favorites.
Yuwen Chu smiled as he handed her the freshly brewed tea, presenting it proudly, “Try this one.”
Admittedly, he had the right to be a bit arrogant. Mingzhu drank the tea, unable to maintain her pretense. She suggested, “How about you play a tune on the qin, Your Highness?”
Yuwen Chu’s expression changed slightly, and he refused firmly, “My hand hurts.”
Hand hurts? He never mentioned it before. Mingzhu said, puzzled. “Do you need Tang Chunlai to take a look?”
“No, it’s just from writing too much,” Yuwen Chu evaded. “Besides, Cui Weiyou should be arriving soon. Let’s focus on our tea and not waste this beautiful moment.” He then started telling jokes about the infighting and jealousy among the concubines of court officials, making Mingzhu laugh heartily. They enjoyed the tea session in high spirits until someone reported that Princess Consort Cui had arrived.
Mingzhu discussed with Yuwen Chu, “Before confronting Longsheng, I need to borrow Third Master Cui from you.”
Yuwen Chu responded seriously, “Tell me more.”
Mingzhu shared her thoughts, “Longsheng has been against us for a long time. She hates us and wishes for our downfall. When she uses Third Master Cui to leak information, she knows that if things go wrong, it would mean Third Master Cui’s end. So ordinary threats might not work on her. We should focus on Third Master Cui instead.”
“What do you plan to do?” Yuwen Chu smiled, seeing they were getting to the crux of the matter.
Mingzhu didn’t reveal her plan, “Just lend me the person. You’ll see once it’s done.”
“Alright. You go see Cui Weiyou. I’ll have Third Master Cui brought up. He’s still being interrogated in our dungeon. It won’t take long.” Yuwen Chu held her hand, “We’re on the same path, let’s go together.”
They walked hand in hand until they reached the outside, where they separated. Donghui, watching Yuwen Chu leave, whispered, “Wangfei, you shouldn’t ask His Highness to play music anymore.”
“Why?” Mingzhu didn’t understand.
“His Highness is skilled in many arts but not in music. He understands and appreciates it, but he can’t play and dislikes others knowing that. Just keep it in mind, and don’t say it was from me.”
So that’s how it was. Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh. Finally, there was something she was better at than him, making her feel balanced.
Princess Consort Cui indeed wore a troubled expression. “Longsheng pretends to be mad and plays dumb, refusing to comply. Do Your Highness and Wangfei have any strategies?” In reality, Longsheng wasn’t pretending to be mad but rather acting recklessly, speaking harshly, and declaring that even in death, she wouldn’t let Yuwen Chu have his way.
This was close to what Mingzhu had anticipated. She decisively said, “His Highness has entrusted me with this matter. Uncle wants Third Master Cui to survive, for the family to be safe, and for the grandchildren to grow up safely, correct?”
“Of course,” replied Princess Consort Cui.
“Then follow my arrangements.” Ye Xiu poked his head in and signaled that Third Master Cui had been brought to the carriage. Mingzhu asked Princess Consort Cui to lead the way, “Let’s go to your residence.”
“Is there any preparation needed?” Princess Consort Cui was a bit uncertain. Longsheng was fierce and unreasonable, even he couldn’t manage her. Could Mingzhu handle it?
“No preparation needed for now. We’ll deal with it when we get there.” Mingzhu didn’t disclose her plan for Third Master Cui and directly got into the carriage.
They quickly arrived at the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess’s residence. Mingzhu then told Princess Consort Cui, “Please arrange a room and invite Aunt over.” She refused to go to the room where the Grand Princess currently resided, as this would make it seem like she was seeking a favor, making Longsheng even more difficult to deal with.
Princess Consort Cui immediately invited her to his study, “It’s quiet there.”
While Princess Consort Cui went to fetch Longsheng, Mingzhu signaled to Ye Xiu to bring the hooded and gagged Third Master Cui next door, instructing, “Make sure he hears every word his mother says.”
Not long after, the Longsheng Great Eldest Princess arrived. She no longer pretended to be mad, stood at the door with her chin held high, and sneered, “So it’s just you, a little girl. I thought it was Yuwen Chu himself.” She arrogantly walked in and sat beside Mingzhu. “Can you handle this? I might not be able to beat you in a physical fight, but you’re too inexperienced to outwit me. You should just go home!”
Mingzhu sipped her tea lightly, “I didn’t come here to fight or argue, I came to negotiate.”
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