Mingzhu almost spit out her tea. She wanted to laugh but couldn’t, only sighing, “She is truly devoted. Well, as long as you resolve it and there’s no trouble, don’t hold it against her.”
Yuwen Chu nodded. “In these turbulent times, stirring up trouble over such minor issues is harmful. I won’t hold it against her. Besides, I need Wusun’s military support while negotiating between Great Xia, Zhongshan, and Xiongnu. I hope she succeeds in helping me.”
Mingzhu smiled. “Then we should publicly announce the aid from Wusun, promoting the eternal friendship between Great Xia and Wusun.”
“Exactly.” Yuwen Chu rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought. “Is Old Nine really that good? People are willing to sacrifice everything for him.”
Mingzhu paused, realizing he included her in the “people” sacrificing for Old Nine. She stood up angrily, glaring at him, and threw a book at him.
Yuwen Chu skillfully caught the book and pleaded, “My bad, my bad.”
“Hmph,” Mingzhu snorted and walked out with a cold expression.
Yuwen Chu thought she was really angry and quickly chased after her, trying to make amends. “I was just curious,” he said, still a bit defiant.
Mingzhu decided to tease him, “He’s good-looking.”
This time, Yuwen Chu was genuinely displeased. Although he was still smiling, his eyes showed his anger. “Being good-looking doesn’t put food on the table! Look at how poorly he’s doing! By your logic, he started as a freeloader, then became an ungrateful scoundrel, and finally, a brainless idiot. This time, he’s still just a freeloading failure.”
Mingzhu turned her head and smiled at him. “So what? The Wusun Princess likes him, likes him a lot. Even ordinary foolish men and women can find admirers. Moreover, he is young and handsome, and somewhat talented.”
Yuwen Chu ground his teeth with a smile. “Yes, I understand. Just like I fancy you, even though this doesn’t make much sense upon deeper consideration.”
Mingzhu put her hands on her hips. “What’s wrong with me? Where am I lacking?”
Yuwen Chu crossed his arms and looked her up and down, then suddenly said, “You’ve gained weight, your waist has gotten thicker.” He leaned in, pointing at her face, “And you’ve got a new freckle here.”
This really set her off. Mingzhu, furious, poked his eyes, “When was the last time you looked in the mirror? You stay up late every night, your face is full of wrinkles, and your eyes are red like a bull’s. Last time we went out incognito, an old lady asked me if you were twenty years older than me. I didn’t have the heart to tell you, and now you dare to tease me?” She then pinched his waist, “How long has it been since you shot an arrow or rode a horse? All I feel is fat. You wobble when you walk. To lead troops to battle, you’d need a strong horse to carry you, or else it wouldn’t be able to bear your weight.”
Yuwen Chu, deeply hurt, felt dejected. He thought she was exaggerating and being petty but knew he had started this quarrel. Seeing he had provoked this goddess on his rare day off, he quickly sought peace. “Alright, my fault. You’re young and beautiful, unparalleled in the world. Let’s not fight.”
“Okay, no more fighting. I don’t want anyone calling me a shrew,” Mingzhu smiled as she pushed his hand away and continued walking out.
Yuwen Chu became anxious. “Where are you going?”
“I’m going back to my parents’ house,” Mingzhu waved him off. “If you’re free, you can have the beauties of the northern garden sing and dance for you, or take a nap. Maybe you’ll wake up with fewer wrinkles. I’ll take the kids, so they won’t disturb you.”
Yuwen Chu felt deeply troubled. “It was just a joke, is it worth all this?”
Mingzhu laughed. “Of course not, but remember: first, never call a woman old; second, never call a woman fat; third, never point out a woman’s freckles or any other blemishes.”
“I’ll remember that. Can you stay? Let’s just relax,” Yuwen Chu pleaded with a grin.
Mingzhu shook her head. “No, I must go.” She then left resolutely.
When she got into the carriage, Yuwen Chu followed her in. Mingzhu was puzzled. “Did you get in the wrong carriage? Yours is over there.”
Yuwen Chu pretended to pinch her cheek and said in a deep voice, “Don’t be silly, it’s not good for the kids to see. I realized I haven’t visited my in-laws for a long time, so I’m catching a ride with you.”
Mingzhu puffed her cheeks. “No way, you have to pay for the ride.”
Yuwen Chu untied his pouch, took out an emerald, and placed it in her hand. “Is this enough?”
Mingzhu almost laughed but held back. “Not enough, only covers half the journey.”
“That’s too expensive. Even a golden chariot pulled by heavenly horses wouldn’t cost this much.” Yuwen Chu frowned and took out another similar emerald. “How about now?”
“Almost now,” Mingzhu said bluntly, pulling at his pouch and emptying it into her palm. “What else do you have?”
Yuwen Chu watched her antics with a smile and gently patted her back. “Nothing left. Good things like these don’t come easily.”
Mingzhu didn’t seem disappointed. She put the two emeralds away and took a few pills from her own pouch, placing them into Yuwen Chu’s.
Yuwen Chu was curious. “What are these?”
Mingzhu replied seriously, “I asked Jiang Zhouzi to make these for clarity. If you ever find yourself drugged or a woman trying to seduce you, just take a whiff to clear your head.”
Yuwen Chu, seeing how serious she was, believed her and let her tie the pouch back onto his waist. Noticing she had more pills left, he joked, “You didn’t give me all of them. Who else are you guarding against? Is someone drugging your drinks too?”
Mingzhu responded earnestly, “Of course. I use them to repel mosquitoes.”
It was autumn, and mosquitoes were plentiful. Yuwen Chu remembered being bitten a few nights ago, which kept him awake. Mingzhu hadn’t mentioned it then but had now brought mosquito repellent. His heart warmed, and he hugged her tightly, making her scream, “My waist is going to break!”
Yuwen Chu laughed and whispered in her ear, “I was wrong earlier. You haven’t gained weight; your waist is even slimmer and firmer. That spot on your face isn’t a freckle, just my imagination.”
Mingzhu burst into hearty laughter and said, “I was just teasing Your Highness earlier. In fact, Your Highness should know how handsome you are just by seeing how wary I am of other women around you.”
