Chapter 27. The Prime Minister is truly moved.
Mingwu's heart skipped a beat, followed by an overwhelming sense of desolation that instantly engulfed her.
Want a child?
She once longed for a child, a child with his blood, whether a boy or a girl, she would be happy as long as it was given to her by him.
But how did he do it?
After each tender moment, he would promptly order Granny Qin to bring him a bowl of thick, dark, and bitter contraceptive soup.
She didn't want to drink it.
However, before he could even utter a word of protest, his face turned cold.
Chunnan quietly comforted her:
He said he pitied her frail body and feared she wouldn't be able to endure the pain of childbirth.
She actually believed it; she naively believed it.
So even though her stomach ached terribly every time she drank that bowl of medicine, she gritted her teeth and swallowed it all down.
She always comforted herself:
It's okay, they still have a long life ahead of them.
Once she has recovered, there will come a day when she will be able to bear children for him openly and honestly.
"vomit……"
Memories and reality collided violently, causing a familiar churning in my stomach.
Mingwu suddenly turned to her side and began to dry heave over the edge of the bed.
Her stomach was empty, and she couldn't vomit anything. Only the sour bile burned her throat, choking her and bringing tears to her eyes.
Her slender shoulder blades trembled like fallen leaves in the autumn wind.
Lu Yuan's hand, which was resting on her shoulder, stiffened slightly.
His sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and a complex emotion flashed across his eyes, so fleeting it was almost an illusion.
"Call Physician Qin."
Someone answered from outside the door and hurried away.
Lu Yuan's hand then landed on her back, applying very light pressure and gently patting her.
He deliberately softened his voice: "Are you feeling any better?"
Mingwu did not respond.
At this moment, she felt completely drained and was even less willing to face this man. She simply raised her sleeve haphazardly and hastily wiped the stain from her lips.
He lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
Lu Yuan was a germaphobe, and his gaze was fixed on Ming Wu's sleeve. His brows furrowed, and his thin lips pressed into a stiff line.
After a moment, his gaze slowly moved upwards, lingering for a moment on her pale, tightly closed face. Finally, he got up and got out of bed.
He whispered an instruction to the person outside the gauze curtain.
Soon, a maid entered, her footsteps very light.
A moment later, a corner of the gauze curtain was gently lifted, and the familiar scent of agarwood once again filled the room.
It was him.
Mingwu did not open her eyes; her slightly closed eyelashes trembled slightly.
Immediately afterwards, the edge of the bed beside me sank heavily.
Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the oppressive presence of that tall figure looming over me in the cramped bed curtains.
"Give it to me."
Mingwu heard Lu Yuan's deep voice.
The cool rim of the cup suddenly pressed against her lips, startling her so much that her eyelashes trembled. The warm water flowed into her mouth, carrying a hint of sweetness, which diluted the bitterness in her mouth.
It's honey water.
Mingwu slowly opened her eyes.
Lu Yuan's magnified handsome face was inches away. At such close range, his skin was so smooth and flawless. No wonder in his younger days, some busybodies had described him as having the appearance of a beautiful woman.
Later, that busybody, while out and about, encountered robbers who gouged out his eyes and cut out his tongue.
Of course, she heard this from Song Yuxuan.
Mingwu keenly sensed that the matter was related to Lu Yuan.
Mingwu had a deep understanding of how vengeful he was during the six months or so of their marriage.
"Why is my wife looking at me like that?"
Mingwu snapped out of his reverie. The candlelight reflected on his face, enveloping him in a warm glow. Especially his eyes, illuminated by the candlelight, gave him a gentle, almost tender appearance.
Oh!
How could someone like that possibly be gentle? Especially towards her?
She lowered her eyes and reached out to grasp his wrist. His hand was hard, as hard as if she were holding a stone.
"I wouldn't dare trouble you, Prime Minister. I'll do it myself."
Lu Yuan's gaze fell on her soft, boneless hand that was holding his wrist. The warm, soft touch sent a slight shiver through him.
His fingers tightened around the teacup, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged out.
Mingwu felt his skin harden, like a branding iron. It burned her heart, and she was about to let go.
Lu Yuan lowered his long eyelashes and cooperated by letting her pull his hand away.
Mingwu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly hid her hands under the covers. Then, feeling that she was being too cowardly, she took her hands out again and placed them neatly on the covers.
She looked up at him.
He remained in the same position, leaning over to look at her.
This feeling of looking up at her, of being confined, made Mingwu very uncomfortable. So, she thought of getting up, but she only had one thought in mind.
Lu Yuan placed the teacup on the bedside table. He leaned down, one arm around her waist, the other steadying her shoulder.
Before Mingwu could react, she was picked up and placed against the headboard.
Then, he picked up a teacup from the table and handed it to her.
Mingwu accepted it.
When Lu Yuan released her hand, his fingertips brushed lightly across the back of her hand, sending a slight shiver down her spine.
Mingwu's eyelashes trembled, and she silently lowered her head to drink water.
Finished the glass of water.
Lu Yuan took the empty cup and asked, "Do you want more?"
Mingwu shook her head, about to tell him to leave. Just then, Lu Yuan got up and came out of the gauze curtain.
"Help the lady change her clothes."
Chunnan, who was waiting in the outer room, hurriedly brought in a copper basin and a clean towel. The hot water in the basin was steaming with thin white vapor.
As Chunnan helped Mingwu change her clothes, he asked in a low voice, "Madam, would you like some food? There's still some chicken soup warming on the stove."
"I have no appetite." Mingwu shook her head, glancing outside the tent. "What time is it?"
"Reporting to Madam, it is already 7 PM."
Mingwu nodded, feeling a little dizzy, and then interrupted her sleep to continue.
Faint whispers could be heard coming from outside.
"Your Excellency, Imperial Physician Qin is in the Lan Courtyard, and the Old Madam..."
After a moment of silence, Lu Yuan's voice rang out: "Go and fetch the Imperial Physician."
"yes."
Then came two sets of footsteps. One hurried away, while the other walked steadily into the inner room.
Chunnan looked at Mingwu with concern: "Madam, you..."
Mingwu shook her head: "I'm fine."
Didn't she already know?
When it comes to Qi Lan, he always protects her unconditionally. Even when Qi Lan wanted to drain her blood, he only imprisoned her in the Lan Courtyard.
If it were her who attacked Qi Lan...
He probably would have killed her long ago.
That's true, Qi Lan is the apple of his eye, how could he possibly bear to part with her?
His gentle demeanor towards her these past few days was probably just a ploy to get her to donate blood to Qi Lan. She remembered Lu Cang mentioning that the Gu seed had been interrupted that day, and Qi Lan had suffered a backlash, which wasn't good for her.
We need her blood.
As for why they didn't forcibly take it? Perhaps it's because the Gu poison requires her to be willing.
Mingwu sneered inwardly.
Then I thought of something else.
The way this man acted this morning, if you didn't know the situation, you'd think he was jealous.
He not only accompanied her back to the Ming Mansion.
He had just said he wanted to have a child with her and personally feed her water.
Oh.
For a high-ranking official like him to condescend to this extent shows how deeply he cares for Qi Lan.
The Imperial Physician arrived very quickly.
Through the gauze curtain, Mingwu could hear the faint rustling of fabric.
A moment later, a wrinkled hand reached into the tent and touched her cold wrist. The fingertips carried a faint, cool medicinal scent.
Outside the tent, Lu Yuan's deep voice rang out: "Examine carefully."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
The tent was completely silent. The only sounds were the faint breathing of a few people and the weak pulses under their fingertips.
The Imperial Physician's fingertips lingered on her wrist for a long time. So long that Mingwu almost sank into boundless exhaustion.
suddenly!
The fingers resting on her wrist trembled almost imperceptibly.
Mingwu's closed eyelashes cast a small shadow in the candlelight, remaining perfectly still.
Lu Yuan's gaze fell on the slightly changed profile of the Imperial Physician.
"how?"
The Imperial Physician slowly withdrew his hand.
"Reporting to the Prime Minister..."
"Let's talk outside."
"……yes"
Watching the two figures leave, Mingwu lowered her eyes and said, "Chunnan, lock the door."
Chunnan's eyelids twitched: "Madam, the Prime Minister, he..." Meeting Mingwu's calm and unwavering eyes, Chunnan swallowed back the rest of her words.
He turned and went to the outer room.
Lock the door.
-
The next morning, the air was still slightly cool from the dew.
As soon as Ming Wu finished her breakfast, the steward, as if timing it perfectly, led several servants in one after another, presenting a row of exquisite brocade boxes.
The lids were opened one by one.
Precious donkey-hide gelatin is as smooth as amber, bird's nest is translucent and lustrous, and the roots of old ginseng are gnarled and full... all of them are precious products for nourishing blood and qi.
The butler stood with his hands at his sides, his posture even more respectful than usual, his waist almost bent into an arc.
“Madam, the Prime Minister instructed us early this morning that these are the best for nourishing blood and qi, and ordered this old servant to personally deliver them to you. This old servant can see that the Prime Minister’s affection for you is truly etched into his very bones.”
After he finished speaking, he cautiously glanced at Mingwu's face out of the corner of his eye.
However, not a trace of joy could be found on that beautiful face.
The butler continued.
"The Prime Minister specially exempted the Madam from her morning and evening greetings. The Old Madam values rules the most, and she was quite angry about this. But the Prime Minister managed to stop her."
Chunnan suddenly felt enlightened.
No wonder!
Since the lady woke up, she has not gone to the plum garden to pay her respects. The old lady's side has also been calm, and no one has been sent to urge her to come and inquire.
In the past, as long as the lady could still get out of bed, the rules had to be established on time, even if it was windy and rainy.
She had initially thought it was the old lady who had taken pity on her, but it turned out that the prime minister was shielding her from the abuse.
Chunnan was overjoyed, feeling that his wife had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mingwu said calmly, "Thank you for your trouble, Steward. Please convey my thanks to the Prime Minister."
As for the butler's words about how Lu Yuan protected her, she seemed not to hear them.
The butler's smile faltered, and he eagerly took half a step forward, making a suggestion with a smile.
“Madam, the Prime Minister is currently in his study in the East Courtyard handling official business. Why don’t you go and express your gratitude in person? If I may be so bold as to presume to speak, the Prime Minister will surely be even more pleased if you go.”
"Prime Minister, you have important business to attend to, so I won't disturb you."
The butler grew anxious and tried to persuade her further: "Madam..."
Mingwu interrupted, "I'm tired, Chunnan, see the housekeeper out."
Seeing that Mingwu had turned and gone into the inner room, the butler's lips twitched a few times, but he swallowed back the rest of his words.
Shaking his head and sighing softly, he silently left the room with Chunnan.
Previously, whenever the lady went to the East Courtyard to request an audience, the Prime Minister would pretend not to hear her, and even forbade her from ever stepping into the East Courtyard again. Now, he wants to see the lady.
They were both sending him gifts and sending him messages.
But the lady remained unmoved.
It really is true that fortunes change every thirty years.
The butler sighed inwardly.
The door closed softly, and the room returned to silence.
Mingwu's fingers brushed over each of the brocade boxes.
She really needs these.
She had already made her plan: once she obtained the household registration document for women, she would leave Lin'an.
Of course, she also knew that she and Chunnan, two weak women, were facing many difficulties on their journey alone.
But she couldn't stay in Lin'an.
Lu Yuan goes without saying. Even the Ming family—she couldn't escape them. Therefore, she had no choice but to flee to a distant land.
She had thought it through; she was going to Qingzhou to find her sister. She wanted to see how she was doing all these years.
Therefore, she must have good health.
Chunnan returned shortly afterward, put away all the brocade boxes, and then specially picked out a fine old ginseng root before hurrying to the small kitchen.
They said they were going to make ginseng soup for Mingwu to nourish her body.
The sun rose higher and climbed to the treetops.
The early summer sun was already quite warm, filtering through the layers of branches and leaves in the courtyard and casting shimmering spots of light on the ground, each the size of a coin.
As the wind blows, the branches and leaves sway and dance, and the dappled sunlight on the ground sways and flows, like scattered gold dust.
Mingwu leaned against the window alone.
In the flower garden, the peonies are in full bloom.
Large, vibrant purple and yellow flowers bloom unrestrainedly, almost arrogantly.
Layer upon layer of petals, wrapped around shimmering golden stamens, resemble a magnificent palace gown meticulously crafted from countless layers of silk and satin, dazzlingly beautiful.
These were all transplanted here by Lu Yuan a few days ago. He originally thought these delicate flowers wouldn't survive, but to his surprise, they all did.
Mingwu was lost in thought when a pale yellow figure slowly walked in from the moon gate.
It's Song Yuxuan.
Her steps were no longer as agile and light as before, but rather sluggish and burdened with a heavy heart, even the swaying of her skirt seemed powerless.
Mingwu frowned slightly.
Song Yuxuan's thoughts are very simple. Her joys and sorrows always revolve around only one person: Lu Cang.
Could it be yesterday...?
Song Yuxuan entered the house and only called out softly, "Sister-in-law."
He sat silently in the chair opposite Mingwu, his head down, his eyes, which were usually full of star-like smiles, now seemed to be shrouded in a thin layer of gloom.
His eyes were noticeably red, clearly indicating that he had been crying not long ago.
"Princess?"
Mingwu softened her voice: "What's wrong? You don't look well."
She reached out and gently covered Song Yuxuan's hand, which was resting on her knee. The girl's fingertips were cold and trembling slightly.
When Song Yuxuan was touched by Ming Wu's warm palm, the mist in her eyes instantly thickened, almost condensing into teardrops that rolled down her cheeks.
She abruptly turned her head to avoid Mingwu's probing gaze, sniffed hard, and tried to suppress her surging emotions.
He spoke in a low voice, his tone thick with nasal consonant and slightly hoarse.
"No...it's nothing serious."
Seeing that Song Yuxuan was unwilling to say more, Mingwu did not ask any further questions, but simply held her hand reassuringly.
The warm touch, like a gentle current, flowed into Song Yuxuan's heart.
When Lu Cang told her yesterday with absolute certainty that he wanted her to give up completely and that he would never love another woman in his life...
She did hate Mingwu.
I hate her. She's already married, why does she still provoke the man she loves?
She hated herself even more; as a princess, she had given everything, yet she couldn't earn even a shred of pity from the one she loved.
At that moment, she even had some dark thoughts.
Using the dirty tricks she was used to in the inner quarters of the Prince's mansion, she ruined Mingwu's face and destroyed her innocence.
Let's see how Lu Cang will still love her when he arrives!
The moment this thought flashed through Song Yuxuan's mind like a venomous snake, she was so startled that a chill ran down her spine.
really.
Can't you change what's in your blood? She, too, carries the cold and heartless blood of the Song family.
Boundless self-loathing nearly overwhelmed her.
But now.
Looking at the genuine worry in Mingwu's eyes, and feeling the real warmth coming from her palms.
The hatred born of jealousy in Song Yuxuan's heart quietly melted away, replaced by deep shame.
What did my cousin's wife do wrong?
She had no idea how Lu Cang felt about her. How could she blame it all on her?
Song Yuxuan gripped Ming Wu's hand tightly in return, as if drawing strength from it. Then she took a deep breath and forced herself to stay focused.
"Sister-in-law, I'm here to deliver a message from my brother."
She paused, seemingly trying her best to steady her voice, but it was still choked with sobs.
"Brother, let me tell you something. The matter you entrusted to him has been accomplished."
The household registration documents for the woman have been processed?!
Mingwu's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of immense joy rushed through her.
However, before this overwhelming joy could bloom on his face, it was forcibly suppressed by the girl's suppressed sorrow and tearful appearance.
She's been through it all; she understands all too well the pain of unrequited love.
She held Song Yuxuan's hand tightly: "...Thank you, Princess."
Song Yuxuan shook her head blankly, her gaze unfocused on the interlacing shadows of the window frame, as if her soul had drifted elsewhere.
"My brother said the documents have been completed and are with him. He wants you to go there in person when you have time."
Mingwu could clearly feel the pain in every word Song Yuxuan said.
Mingwu felt a pang of pain in her heart, and looking at Song Yuxuan was like seeing herself not long ago.
He changed the subject, trying to temporarily pull her out of her painful vortex.
"Your Highness Prince Ning, did you say anything else?"
Song Yuxuan seemed to be pulled back to her senses by the question. After thinking for a moment, she added in a low voice.
"In a few days, it will be Mother's birthday. Although Mother doesn't like to be ostentatious, she still holds a small gathering at the manor every year. However, there's a relationship between Mother and my aunt..."
Mingwu knew that the aunt Song Yuxuan mentioned was Old Madam Lu.
Song Yuxuan paused for a moment: "The relationship isn't very good. I don't think they'll send invitations to the female members of the Prime Minister's family for this birthday banquet."
The deep-seated resentment between the Dowager Consort and Old Madam Lu went far beyond mere "discord"; they were practically sworn enemies.
If it weren't for Lu Yuan's high position and great power, the two families would probably never have any contact with each other. The so-called interactions now are nothing more than the younger generation maintaining a meager amount of face.
"But my second cousin is the current prime minister, and my mother will not offend him."
Song Yuxuan raised her eyes and looked at Ming Wu.
"Therefore, sister-in-law, you must find a way to come to the Prince's Mansion with your second cousin that day."
Mingwu nodded solemnly: "Okay, I understand. Please thank His Highness Prince Ning for me."
Seeing Song Yuxuan's still red and swollen eyes and the unyielding sorrow between her brows, Mingwu felt even more pity for her.
“I will definitely go that day. But if you feel really down today, why don’t you sit here a little longer, have some tea, and we can talk?”
Upon hearing this, Song Yuxuan forced a smile, but it looked worse than a grimace.
Every inch of the air in the Prime Minister's residence seemed to retain that person's presence, making her think of Lu Cang involuntarily every moment.
I remember his heartless words that day...
"No, sister-in-law." Song Yuxuan stood up abruptly. "I... I have some things to attend to and need to return to the Prince's Mansion first."
Before the words were even finished, the person had already turned around.
They walked away as quickly as if fleeing, as if an unseen demon was chasing them.
The pale yellow skirt stumbled awkwardly at the threshold before disappearing into the blinding sunlight outside.
-
The sun had already set, leaving only a faint blush of rouge in the western sky.
The meal is ready.
Just as Mingwu was about to sit down, familiar footsteps came from outside, mixed with the servants' low greetings.
It's Lu Yuan.
Her heart skipped a beat. Why would he be here at this hour?
The curtain was lifted, and Lu Yuan walked in.
His dark-colored casual clothes made his figure appear even more upright.
He walked straight to the chair next to Mingwu and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the greasy chicken, duck, fish and meat on the table, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Your body is still weak, so you need to avoid greasy food."
In a low voice, without turning his head, he instructed Xu Ming, who followed him in, "Change to some plain porridge and side dishes."
Xu Ming acknowledged and withdrew.
In a short while, the maids quietly removed the meat dishes and set out a new menu. Several delicate vegetarian dishes, a bowl of jade soup, and a few seasonal vegetables were served—almost too lightly.
Mingwu looked at the uniformly plain white space in front of her.
Her face turned green. She's not a rabbit; she doesn't eat grass.
But under Lu Yuan's lewd power, he dared not retaliate, and could only grip his chopsticks and stab the rice in his bowl repeatedly.
Before, she longed for him, begged him to have dinner with her, but he ignored her completely. Now, she doesn't know what's gotten into him, but he actually wants to have dinner with her.
As a result, she didn't even have meat to eat.
Because she didn't eat well as a child, she has an almost obsessive fondness for meat.
Perhaps that's just how people are; the more they lack something, the more they care about it.
Lu Yuan caught a glimpse of her face scrunched up in a frown.
A slight smile played at the corners of his lips, a faint hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. The boredom of waiting for her in the study all day had strangely vanished.
I picked up the serving chopsticks, took a slice of stir-fried mushroom, and placed it steadily into her bowl.
"Try this." He said casually.
The meat and vegetables had all been removed, and she was hungry. She couldn't just not eat; food was the most important thing in the world. So, she sullenly picked up a piece of mushroom and put it in her mouth.
Fresh, sweet, crisp, and tender, with juice bursting on the tongue.
Mingwu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Delicious."
Xu Ming muttered to himself.
How could it not taste good?
The Prime Minister specially sent him to Tianxiang Restaurant today with a token, and he insisted on cutting in line so that the head chef would prepare the dishes according to the lady's preferences.
He had followed the Prime Minister for so long, and he had never seen the Prime Minister treat any woman with such care.
The Prime Minister is truly tempted.
But the lady seems to have already…
Xu Ming sighed deeply in his heart, as if he could already foresee the arduous road ahead for the Prime Minister to win back his wife.
"Use more if you like."
Lu Yuan then placed another piece of sweet and sour lotus root on her plate.
Seeing that Mingwu had finished eating, Lu Yuan also put down his chopsticks. The maids, noticing this, cleared away the food and replaced it with delicious pastries and tea.
Lu Yuan poured a cup of tea and handed it to Ming Wu, speaking as if it were casual.
"Did the princess come today?"
Mingwu tightened her grip on the teacup.
Song Yuxuan often came to visit, but he never asked her about it.
Could it be... that he knows?
No, no, Mingwu, don't scare yourself. He may be the Prime Minister, but he's not a god. Besides, he's been busy with state affairs lately; how could he have the time and energy to pay attention to such a trivial matter as hers?
I must be being too sensitive.
"Yes, I sat for a while."
She steadied her voice and looked up at him.
He lowered his eyes and stared at the teacup, his profile cold and hard, revealing no emotion, as if he had really just asked casually.
Mingwu's tense nerves relaxed.
"The princess mentioned that the Dowager Consort's birthday is in a few days. I wonder... has the Prime Minister received an invitation from the Prince's residence?"
Lu Yuan gently lifted his eyelids.
Those deep eyes were like a bottomless, icy pool, staring straight into her eyes as if trying to see through all her thoughts.
Mingwu's eyes flickered, and her gaze drifted to the window behind Lu Yuan.
The darkness spread little by little, like silt suspended in a turbid stream, gradually eroding the entire world.
The lanterns on the eaves lit up one after another, their dim yellow light swaying in the twilight, casting the branches and leaves by the window in shifting light and shadow.
Lu Yuan put down his teacup, picked up a plain white handkerchief, and slowly wiped his fingers.
"Received." The voice was flat and emotionless.
Mingwu's heart jumped into her throat instantly.
Her body involuntarily leaned forward slightly, her fingertips curling up.
"Then... when Your Excellency attends the banquet, could you... take me with you?"
Lu Yuan's movements were slightly sluggish, and he said calmly.
"Mother and the Dowager Consort have a long-standing feud. The Dowager Consort will not invite the women of the Prime Minister's residence to her banquets. If you go, Mother will not be pleased."
Mingwu's heart sank straight down.
If Lu Yuan didn't help, the old lady definitely wouldn't let her go to the Ning Prince's residence. Moreover, even if she did go, she wouldn't be able to get Lu Yuan's protection.
Based on the "friendship" between the Dowager Consort and the Old Madam.
They might kick her out.
But she absolutely had to get the household registration document for the woman. Of course, she couldn't blame Prince Ning for giving her this difficult task, since he was the one who could help her get the document processed.
We are already grateful.
She cannot push her luck.
Mingwu reached out and gently grasped the corner of Lu Yuan's dark robe.
"I want to go."
The voice was very soft, yet unusually stubborn.
Lu Yuan remained unmoved.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed on her slender, fair hand that was clutching his sleeve.
The fingertips twitched.
Even though he knew she had ulterior motives, he suddenly couldn't bear to refuse her.
So be it.
Anyway, no matter what she does, she can't escape his grasp.
He slowly bent down.
His tall figure instantly enveloped her completely, and his cool, refreshing aura wafted over her.
They were so close they could feel each other's warm breath.
His gaze was deep, like a bottomless whirlpool, locking her in. His voice was deliberately low, with a drawn-out ending, like a fine feather brushing against her most sensitive nerve.
"Oh? Awu wants to go?"
"Then..." His breath brushed against her ear, burning hot, "Awu...how will you beg me?"
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