The osmanthus flowers in the Marquis Runan’s mansion were not yet in full bloom, but that didn’t matter because these two weren’t here to pick flowers. Otherwise, with so many maidservants, they could pick any flowers they wanted.
“It smells nice.” Li Shumei picked a few osmanthus flowers and put them in Mingzhu’s palm, whispering, “His Highness visited our house this morning and met with Father.”
“What did he go there for?” Mingzhu felt a surge of anger. Yuwen Chu had already irritated her enough, what was he doing going to see her father? Was he afraid her father wouldn’t be angry enough?
Li Shumei shook her head, “I don’t know what the Regent and Father discussed, but Father sent for me afterward and asked me to come see you when I had the chance. Since An Xiaogu was hosting, I came. Did you have a falling out with His Highness?”
Mingzhu felt that what happened between her and Yuwen Chu was more than just a simple falling out. She had a knot in her heart that, if left unresolved, would make her feel uncomfortable forever. She knew the reason, and she didn’t need anyone to reason with her. So she didn’t answer Li Shumei’s question because she didn’t know how far Yuwen Chu had gone with her father, and she didn’t want her family to see Yuwen Chu as the murderer of her Second Brother.
Seeing her silence, Li Shumei sighed, “Actually, your Fourth Brother wrote a letter home before. Eldest Brother and I know the details, and Father probably knows too, but he pretends not to, just to put us at ease. I’m Fu’s daughter-in-law, and I also respect Second Brother. I hope he can escape disaster, but I understand his thoughts and actions, as well as His Highness’s response. Father asked me to pass on a message to you: Do what you can and accept fate. Everyone has their own way of living and choices. As long as he is on the right path, it is his way.”
Mingzhu remained silent. She understood that when the incident happened, Father had told her that the instigator was the Great Empress Dowager, and he didn’t want her to lose happiness after losing his son. In other words, he didn’t want her and Yuwen Chu to have a rift because that’s what the Great Empress Dowager wanted most. But she couldn’t get past the hurdle in her heart, at least not now.
Seeing her not speak, Li Shumei sighed again, “Your Fourth Brother will be back at the latest tomorrow. Listen to what he has to say then.” With that, she changed the subject completely, forcing Mingzhu to join the gambling team.
Everyone had a great time. An Xiaogu had the children sent home first, then brought out a twenty-year-old pear blossom wine. She and Li Shumei couldn’t drink, so they watched Mingzhu and Huayang Wangfei drink. With Huayang Wangfei’s poor health, she dared not drink much, but that didn’t stop her from getting Mingzhu drunk. She even gleefully sent someone to inform Yuwen Chu, saying, “Your wife has been drunk by us. Do you want to come and get her?”
Yuwen Chu really came. An Xiaogu seemed to be afraid of not causing trouble, not only personally sending Mingzhu to Yuwen Chu’s carriage but also boldly advising him, “Don’t go to bed angry.”
Yuwen Chu understood An Xiaogu’s meaning but only smiled faintly. This strategy might work with others, but with Mingzhu, it would only backfire. Right now, he could do nothing but wait.
Mingzhu, usually arrogant and domineering, became very obedient when drunk, quietly lying in the carriage sleeping, hands and feet very disciplined, and without any crying or fussing. Yuwen Chu carried her out of the carriage, then changed to a sedan chair, and personally escorted her all the way to Yinghui Hall, without going anywhere else. He fed her sobering soup, helped her change clothes, and let her lie down. He then sat aside, lit a lamp, and continued with his paperwork.
Mingzhu slept until midnight, waking up only because she needed to relieve herself. Seeing Yuwen Chu sitting next to her, working on his papers, and seeing her own appearance, she understood everything. She silently got up to deal with her needs, then silently returned to lie down, pretending not to see him.
Yuwen Chu didn’t speak to her either, but calmly continued with his work. Mingzhu turned her head quietly and saw a face under the candlelight that looked particularly determined and cool. If it weren’t for Second Brother, she would have to go up and give him a hug, ask if he was hungry or tired, and coax him to go to bed early. Working day and night like this, even a strong body couldn’t hold up.
Mingzhu bit her lip, turned her head firmly. With a splitting headache, no sleepiness, she laid on the bed, back to Yuwen Chu, feeling uncomfortable all over, in pain and fatigue but unable to relax.
If this continued, she would go crazy. Mingzhu turned over and sat up, calling out to Xiutao, who was on night duty, “Have the kitchen prepare some food. I’m hungry.”
Xiutao obeyed and left. Yuwen Chu put down his pen and looked up at Mingzhu, his eyes bright. Mingzhu ignored him, put on her clothes, and went to check on the children.
The children were fast asleep, both siblings with chubby round faces, holding their chubby little fists, sleeping peacefully and comfortably. Mingzhu loved them dearly, quietly watching for a long time before leaving. She asked Su Mei if she had settled Su Lan, and Su Mei smiled and said, “Time was too tight. Su Lan’s original place hasn’t been vacated yet, so I let her stay with me. At least she has company.”
Mingzhu knew that since the death of Su Ju, Su Mei had been lonely and in pain, so she let her be. Soon, Xiutao brought food. Mingzhu didn’t even call for Yuwen Chu and just started eating on her own.
Perhaps Xiu Tao was too clever, or too presumptuous, she had prepared two sets of tableware and even went to invite Yuwen Chu herself. Yuwen Chu didn’t hesitate either and put down his pen to come and eat. Neither of them spoke, just buried themselves in eating.
In fact, Mingzhu couldn’t eat at all. She wasn’t used to eating supper, but she took a few bites and then put down her chopsticks. Yuwen Chu saw her put down her chopsticks and silently glanced at her, lips curling slightly, then lowered his head to continue eating.
Mingzhu could see clearly, inexplicably angry that her thoughts were being seen through. She pushed the bowl away and quickly returned to the bedroom.
Not long after, Yuwen Chu came in, as usual, sitting at the table to continue his paperwork. Mingzhu was never one to hold her tongue, so she decided to pick a fight. “Are you so busy, Your Highness? Must you finish urgent military matters tonight and bring them to the bedroom?”
Yuwen Chu put down his pen, looked at her, silent and inscrutable, his eyes deep as a well.
Mingzhu felt uncomfortable being stared at by him and turned her head, facing away from him again.
At this moment, Yuwen Chu spoke, “I am indeed very busy because I will be leaving the capital to train troops after my fourth uncle returns tomorrow. It will probably take more than half a month to return. The reason I brought the work to the bedroom is because I am worried about you and want to be with you.”
