Chapter 85: I’m Afraid of Him
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What she wanted was to protect her family for a lifetime, to prevent her father, brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews from dying tragically, to prevent her aunt from dying with resentment, and to prevent her mother from spending her old age in sorrow, wandering the world with her young nephew. Since Yuwen Chu couldn’t satisfy her, why should she marry him? Fighting against him might end up like last night, a futile effort that would only harm herself. It’s better to keep a respectful distance.
“You’re afraid of him?” Fu Cong calmly lifted the tea and took a sip, his eyes deep in thought for a long time before asking, “Tell me about the matter between you and him.”
As for the matter between her and Yuwen Chu, Mingzhu felt somewhat distracted. Speaking from this lifetime, it all began from that night at the Jade Emperor Temple; if speaking from the past life, the entanglement would be much less.
How to describe Yuwen Chu? The impressions he left before and after were completely different. In the past, he was like a faint shadow in a Chinese ink painting; although he was present, he failed to leave a lasting impression on her. In this life, however, he was like a bold stroke in a folk painting, unforgettable and deeply engraved in her memory.
If her father and aunt sought to arrange a stable marriage that could protect her, he probably met the criteria—according to him, he didn’t like Jiang Shanshan, yet he still treated her well after marriage. So even if he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t humiliate her like Yuwen You did. But he wasn’t the marriage partner she desired.
Mingzhu glanced at Fu Cong and calmly said, “I won’t hide it from father. Since I personally ruined the engagement with Linan Wang, I made a solemn vow that if I were to marry again, it must be to someone useful. Although our family is wealthy, we must guard against losses. If I were to marry someone who cannot bring benefits to our family and instead schemes against us, then what’s the point of getting married?”
Fu Cong hit the nail on the head, “Are you saying that Yuwen Chu is such a person?”
Mingzhu retorted, “Isn’t he? Father, you have been in a high position for so many years, you’ve seen all kinds of people. Can’t you see what kind of person he is? Besides, he already has an engagement. Is it worth it to antagonize the Marquis Changxing’s Mansion for such a scheming person?”
Fu Cong fell silent, rhythmically tapping the desk with his bony fingers for a while before saying faintly, “You may rise.”
Mingzhu stood up and stood quietly by the side, waiting silently. After a while, Fu Cong whispered, “You may go.”
Is that all? They hadn’t discussed how to handle this matter yet. Did he agree with her opinion that Yuwen Chu wasn’t suitable, or did he disagree? Mingzhu hurriedly asked, “Father, is there anything else you want to instruct your daughter?”
Fu Cong saw through her cunningness, “There is indeed something I want to tell you. I am not one who seeks fame or flattery, nor do I care about what others say about me. I only believe in the word ‘utility.’ I don’t need you to be pure. Although there are good people in this world, those who understand strategy and know how to use tactics always fare much better than others. As long as you can stick to your principles, I hope you become smarter and more skillful, so your mother and I can rest assured. But if you are brave but foolish, I would rather you be clueless and ignorant, so as not to outsmart yourself and end up harming yourself. The saddest thing in this world is those who outsmart themselves and suffer the consequences. Do you understand why I punished you earlier?”
Mingzhu sincerely thanked Fu Cong, “Father’s teachings are precious. Your daughter will remember them. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
Fu Cong sighed, “You may go.”
Mingzhu returned to her room and found that Su Lan and Su Mei hadn’t returned yet. She quietly sent someone to inquire about their whereabouts from Madam Cui’s side. She learned that they were just detained for questioning and hadn’t been tortured. She quietly asked Sun Momo, “Momo knows that they can’t do anything to me, and this matter has been decided by father. I just hope mother will forgive them and let them come back.”
Sun Momo understood her meaning. Since the matter had been decided by the master, and it was only a matter of time before the mistress forgave them, these two maids would return to Mingzhu’s side and shouldn’t be mistreated. So she replied, “Please rest assured, Miss. I understand.”
Mingzhu felt relieved. She pretended to be very obedient, studying, writing, and drawing quietly in her room, without going out. On the fourth day at noon, Su Lan and Su Mei were finally released. Both of them looked much thinner, and their monthly allowance was reduced. Su Lan still appeared calm and quiet, while Su Mei looked pale and frightened. Mingzhu comforted them and praised, “I know you didn’t say anything. Well done.”
Su Lan quietly said, “Miss didn’t tell us anything, so we didn’t know anything.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Very good. Just remember, if you protect me, I will protect you. Unless I die, then there’s nothing I can do. Go rest now, take good care of yourselves these days, and don’t come to serve me.”
Su Mei’s lips moved as if she wanted to advise Mingzhu, but Su Lan pulled her away, and she quietly retreated. With both maids back, Mingzhu felt relieved. She took a refreshing nap and then went to pay respects to Madam Cui. Madam Cui was still upset with her and ignored her. However, Mingzhu had a thick skin and kept pestering her.
After two days of nagging, Madam Cui finally acknowledged her, warning her with a pointed finger, “If there’s a next time, I’ll kill your maids first…”
Mingzhu hurriedly covered Madam Cui’s mouth, laughing, “There won’t be a next time. I won’t be foolish again.”
After pleasing Madam Cui for a while, she casually asked, “Father hasn’t been seen for the past few days. Is the Min family causing trouble again?”
Last time, she offended Empress Dowager Min, which led to a big commotion involving both Empress Dowagers. Eventually, the Great Empress Dowager, with her seniority and impeccable reasoning, forced Empress Dowager Min to admit her mistake, greatly improving the living conditions of several imperial princes.
It could be said that the Min family suffered a loss. Knowing Empress Dowager Min well, Mingzhu was sure that the Empress Dowager wouldn’t let it go, and they would seek retaliation from another angle. However, Mingzhu wasn’t asking about the Empress Dowager Min. She wanted to inquire about how Fu Cong and Madam Cui planned to handle Yuwen Chu’s proposal.
But Madam Cui didn’t mention Yuwen Chu. Instead, she said, “I heard that a delegation from Wusun has arrived, and the court has been busy with this matter for the past few days.”
The Wusun delegation? Mingzhu didn’t pay much attention to this in her past life and took a while to remember. Indeed, there was such a thing. She remembered that the Wusun sent a delegation of more than five hundred people, led by the younger brother of the Wusun king, Kundu.
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