In the end, they were both losers and winners, turning what was supposed to be a competition into a harmonious symphony of souls. They embraced and danced in each other’s worlds, intertwining and forgetting their origins and destinations, only wanting to devote themselves completely to this moment.
Blissful and fulfilling.
Yuwen Chu felt that this was the perfect description. He smiled and hugged Mingzhu beside him, admiring her beauty intently—the moonlight, like silver yarn, shining through the window onto her, her black hair as abundant as seaweed, her skin more beautiful than the moonlight, her eyes brighter than the stars, and the smile on her lips gentler than spring.
He buried his head in her chest and murmured softly, “You are the most beautiful and lovely woman I have ever seen in this life.” Then he added after some thought, “No, in two lifetimes.”
Mingzhu didn’t even want to move her fingers, but she still struggled to hug his head tightly, inserting her fingers into his hair and pressing them against his scalp. She smiled gently and asked him softly, “Two lifetimes? Which two lifetimes?”
Listening to her heartbeat, Yuwen Chu felt more peaceful and content than ever before. He answered her, “This lifetime and your previous one.”
Mingzhu suddenly felt a pang in her heart. “In this lifetime, you’re here, you know, but in my previous life, you didn’t know.”
“No, I’m here, and I know. You may think I don’t know, but I do know, I know, I know.” Yuwen Chu’s words were like a tongue twister, but Mingzhu instantly understood his meaning. She hugged him tightly and whispered in his ear, “Yes, you know, and I know too. I’m really lucky.” She was truly fortunate to be reborn and to meet him.
Yuwen Chu whispered softly, “I’m lucky too. If I ever offer sacrifices to the heavens in the future, I’ll definitely offer more sacrifices.”
Mingzhu smiled, “You should.”
Yuwen Chu felt it was a good time to bring up the matter of Fu Mingzhao to Mingzhu. He tentatively began, “Yesterday when you went back to your parents’ house, did you see Wenwen?”
“I did, she’s quite sensible.” Mingzhu rolled over, not wanting to continue the conversation. She yawned, “I’m so tired. Your Highness isn’t getting up early tomorrow, right?”
Yuwen Chu smiled and didn’t pursue further, “I will. If you’re tired, go to sleep. You’ve been through a lot these days.”
Thinking about what she was about to do, Mingzhu felt a little guilty for keeping it from him, but she had no regrets. She couldn’t think of a better way. So she sincerely hoped that Yuwen Chu wouldn’t ask any more questions, absolutely not.
Yuwen Chu fell asleep soon, as Mingzhu had hoped.
Three days later, Huayang Wangfei emerged from the danger period, and Yuwen Xin came to take Niuniu home. He not only brought generous gifts but also paid a formal visit to Mingzhu, saying, “It was Sixth Sister-in-law who saved Yuanyuan and Ah Fu’s lives. She asked me to bow down on her behalf to thank you for saving her life.”
Mingzhu was too embarrassed to accept such a grand gesture, trying to evade, but Yuwen Chu held her back, saying, “He’s sincere, just accept it. Sister-in-law is like a mother, you deserve this.”
Mingzhu had no choice but to accept.
Yuwen Xin hugged Niuniu and sighed, thinking about how he and his daughter had almost become widowed and orphaned. His eyes reddened, “I have already punished Lady Yang severely, she is no longer a concubine…”
Mingzhu waved her hand, “Don’t talk to me about that. Talk to Seventh Sister instead. When I came back that day, your Sixth Brother scolded me continuously, saying I was rude and disrespectful, not giving Seventh Brother face. After all, she is the concubine of your household, someone who has received the jade tablet, she shouldn’t be treated like this. Seventh Brother, don’t blame me.” And if there will be a next time, I will continue, and it will be even harsher.
Yuwen Chu gave her a disdainful glance, indicating that she was also resorting to such diplomatic language now. Mingzhu pretended not to notice, looking serious and embarrassed.
Yuwen Xin was eager to swear and pledge, expressing his genuine gratitude towards Mingzhu. He also praised Mingzhu for managing things well. Yuwen Chu then shifted the conversation to the main topic, “Ninth Brother has been a great help in this matter. Take some time to visit him.”
Yuwen Xin had already been thinking about this, just waiting for Yuwen Chu to speak. He immediately agreed.
Yuwen Chu added, “Ask him if he’s willing to help with military training.”
They all knew that Yuwen You had obtained military training techniques from Jiang Shanshan, and with Yuwen Bai’s support, he had formed a new army. But they had more reason to believe that Yuwen You controlled the elite part of it. If Yuwen You had no ulterior motives or conspiracy, he should be willing to contribute this elite part, disperse it among various locations to assist in military training, and enhance the combat effectiveness of the imperial army.
Yuwen Xin immediately took Niuniu to have a heart-to-heart talk with Yuwen You.
Yuwen You seemed to have anticipated this, calmly accepting Yuwen Xin’s suggestion, and handed over the few hundred people he had in his hands, leaving himself with only a guard of fewer than fifty people.
Yuwen Chu was satisfied this time. He immediately dispersed these few hundred people and integrated them into various army units, launching a vigorous military training campaign.
Yuwen You finally got the opportunity he had longed for. He was sent to the front lines to assist his old comrade Shen Ruilin in military training. Yuwen You was filled with enthusiasm, seeing this as a reward from Mingzhu. Therefore, before leaving, he specifically went to the Regent’s Mansion to bid farewell. Unfortunately, he chose a time when Yuwen Chu was not at home. He originally wanted to reconcile with Mingzhu, but Mingzhu, after careful consideration, declined to meet him. At the same time, she told Yuwen Chu about this as soon as he returned home.
Yuwen Chu remained calm on the surface, but he was actually very angry. Was this kid not afraid of death or something? Why was he so despicable? After pondering for a while, he decided to host a banquet openly to bid farewell to Yuwen You.
This banquet did not attract too much attention; only Yuwen Chu, his surviving brothers, and their families attended. Since there were family members present, the seating was naturally divided into two sections. The Wusun Princess probably still remembered what happened before and did not appear. No one asked about her, and everyone focused more on Huayang Wangfei and her newborn baby, as well as the new surgical techniques performed by Jiang Zhouzi. Everyone tactfully avoided the topic related to the Great Empress Dowager and expressed their admiration for Huayang Wangfei’s luck.
But there were also discordant voices. Consort of Fu Wang sighed, “It’s fortunate that Seventh Brother is broad-minded, otherwise, encountering someone narrow-minded, I’m afraid they would have found fault.”
Everyone fell silent, understanding that she was referring to Jiang Zhouzi, who was still a man after all, and the childbirth situation was not very appropriate for him.
