Chapter 24 She would never share her husband with anyone…
—How about we name this person, so he can spend more time with you and Mingzhang from now on?
Yunzhu's body stiffened, and she clenched her fists tightly to prevent herself from directly grabbing Ying's neck.
She turned to look at Xiao Mingzhang and threw Ying's question at him: "What does my husband think?"
Her voice trembled as she spoke, and her eyes, which were wide and round, were a hundred times more bloodshot than usual as she stared at Xiao Mingzhang.
Clearly, if Xiao Mingzhang agrees to this matter today, he will soon face a huge storm.
Yunzhu couldn't understand it. Even though she was so angry that her whole body felt cold, she still couldn't understand it. She had taken care of Xiao Mingzhang in the government office for so many days. Even if she hadn't done anything meritorious, she had still worked hard. She thought she could finally rest when she got home, but instead, she was met with such humiliation from Ying Shi and Xiao Shao.
Even if it's someone insignificant, they should at least be given basic respect for taking care of their son for so many days.
And what did they do? They gave her nothing, only constant attacks.
She was only waiting for Xiao Mingzhang's answer. If Xiao Mingzhang kept this person today, then Yunzhu thought that her fate with Xiao Mingzhang would be over.
Xiao Mingzhang was also caught off guard by Ying's actions.
He asked absurdly, "What is Mother Consort doing? Yunzhu from the Western Regions has her own maidservants who accompany her every day. As for me, does the Prince's mansion lack manpower? Does it need a foreign woman who knows nothing to take care of me?"
"I……"
Ying had known this would be the outcome, but looking deeply at Xiao Mingzhang, she was helpless; it was all Xiao Shao's idea.
Since returning from Jinling, Ying Shi had noticed that Xiao Shao was becoming increasingly ambitious for the throne. However, at this time, Xiao Mingzhang was becoming more protective and affectionate towards Yunzhu.
She knew Xiao Shao very well; he was relentless in achieving his goals. Tolerating Xiao Mingzhang for two years was already enough. Moreover, he could only tolerate Xiao Mingzhang choosing to keep Yunzhu because of his conscience. If it was because of feelings... that would be a different matter.
This beautiful woman is, in a way, a test from Xiao Shao for Xiao Mingzhang. If he accepts her today, it at least shows that he isn't deeply in love with Yunzhu. But if he doesn't…
Amidst a sea of stares, Ying abruptly pulled Xiao Mingzhang aside.
She pleaded with him earnestly, "Mingzhang, listen to your mother. No matter what, accept this person today. We can deal with the rest later. At worst, you can keep her in the room as a decoration. Otherwise, your father..."
"Is this a test from my father?" Xiao Mingzhang easily saw through the truth.
Ying paused for a moment, then nodded helplessly.
Xiao Mingzhang gave a bitter laugh. He turned to look at Yunzhu and saw that her round eyes were still wide open, unblinking, filled with anger.
He turned to Ying and said, "I will explain to my father, but I don't want this dancer today."
Ying became anxious: "If you don't want to, do you know what will happen in the future..."
“I know,” Xiao Mingzhang said calmly, “but Mother, this is Father’s test of me. If I compromise this time, then Father will have a thousand more tests waiting for me in the future, won’t he? Moreover, even if I pass Father’s test this time, won’t he still try to take advantage of Yunzhu? You and I both know what Father wants. Since I can’t please Father in everything, I must at least hold my bottom line.”
"Bottom line? What is the bottom line?" Ying couldn't help but raise her voice. "It's normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. As long as she doesn't get pregnant, how can she affect Yunzhu?"
“It’s normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, but how come my mother has never offered anyone to my father’s bedside all these years?” Xiao Mingzhang’s words were like pearls, leaving Ying speechless.
"you……"
"You bastard!"
She raised her hand, intending to slap Xiao Mingzhang across the face, but because he was her own son, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
But Madam Ying already knew that if Xiao Mingzhang continued like this, she would be caught in the middle of the father and son and would eventually be driven to her death by anger.
Xiao Mingzhang is right. The main reason why Ying Shi has been able to manage the household affairs so comfortably in the Prince Huan's mansion for so many years is that the mansion has no concubines. But this is not because she or her family has the ability to restrain Xiao Shao, but because in the heart of this Prince Huan, the desire for power has surpassed everything else.
Since coming of age, Prince Huan, Xiao Shao, has devoted almost all his time to his ambition for the throne. As for whether there are people in his harem or how many there are, he doesn't care at all. He is already very satisfied with having a son and a daughter as his heirs and doesn't need anything more.
But Xiao Mingzhang's situation is completely different now. Ying wanted to persuade him again, but Xiao Mingzhang had already turned around and said to his subordinates, "Take the people out and send them back to the Zhang family. Then clean the house inside and out. The Crown Princess and I have just returned, and everything should be clean."
"Yes." The subordinate reacted quickly, and before Ying could say anything more, he had already started working diligently.
"You, you all..." Watching helplessly as the dancer was taken to the courtyard, Ying Shi was powerless to help Xiao Mingzhang, no matter how much she wanted to.
She could only angrily turn and leave.
—
Although she had driven away Ying Shi and the dancer, Yunzhu returned to her room with a stern face, showing no sign of joy.
Xiao Mingzhang silently followed behind her and closed the door.
"Are you angry?" He walked over to Yunzhu, wanting to talk to her.
Yunzhu didn't answer. Even though she knew Xiao Mingzhang had already done enough and rejected her, she still couldn't help but feel angry with him. She pushed Xiao Mingzhang away and turned her face away.
Xiao Mingzhang paused for a moment, then didn't press the matter further, simply continuing to follow Yunzhu closely. She walked to the table and sat down, and he followed suit.
The room was eerily quiet for a moment. The two faced each other, and it seemed they could hear each other's breathing.
Finally, Yunzhu spoke up and asked, "Xiao Mingzhang, why did you refuse her? Don't you think it's better to have someone else with you?"
Xiao Mingzhang was almost thrown off his train of thought by Yunzhu's question. He looked at Yunzhu with amusement, not understanding what kind of question she was asking. She clearly didn't want him to take in anyone, yet she turned around and asked him why he refused?
Yunzhu didn't speak the truth, so Xiao Mingzhang remained silent as well. He said, "Yes, why should I reject her? She looks quite good, and she might be gentle, patient, and capable. She could even keep me company while I read at night..."
As they were talking, a teacup flew towards him.
Xiao Mingzhang caught the item with lightning speed, finally managing to suppress the expression on his face.
He smiled and looked at Yunzhu, noticing that her once round and bright eyes were now welling up with tears, and she instantly became solemn.
"Alright, I know you've been wronged again today." He walked up to Yunzhu, squatted down, and caught the first tear that fell from her eyes.
Yunzhu lowered her eyes and looked at Xiao Mingzhang, who was squatting in front of her.
"It's my fault." Xiao Mingzhang grasped Yunzhu's hands with his soaked palms. "I didn't expect them to do this. I apologize to you, okay?"
Is it just an apology? Yunzhu sniffed uncontrollably. He had promised himself that he would never let her suffer again, but why was she always suffering?
She didn't want things to continue like this. She would be living in this house for a very long time to come. Did she have to keep going like this forever?
Yunzhu didn't know that even though Xiao Mingzhang had given her enough security, she always felt it wasn't enough, not enough, no matter what.
Perhaps it was because, despite spending so much time together, she had never heard Xiao Mingzhang express his affection for her even once. Or perhaps it was because she simply didn't trust Xiao Mingzhang and didn't believe that one day she would hold a place in his heart that surpassed that of his family.
He refused this time, but what about next time, and the time after that? There will always be a time when he can't refuse.
"Xiao Mingzhang, if one day you ever truly betray me, I will leave immediately, go far away, make room for you, and never see you again. I will never share my husband with anyone else in this life!"
This was the first time in two years that Yunzhu and Xiao Mingzhang had a direct conversation about the issue of concubines and maids.
Xiao Mingzhang smiled; Yunzhu's frankness had always been one of the things he admired most.
“Okay.” He raised his head and promised, “I promise you, there will never be another woman in my life. Having a crybaby princess by my side every day is enough.”
Who is the crybaby?
Upon hearing this, Yunzhu immediately slapped Xiao Mingzhang's hand away and looked up, trying to hold back her tears.
But if tears flow backwards, will they really flow back into the eyes? Of course not, their final destination is still Xiao Mingzhang's palm.
He cupped Yunzhu's face in his hands, gently wiping away her tears, then carried her to the bed and removed her outer garments.
"Get a good night's sleep and rest. I'll take care of everything, okay?" he said to Yunzhu.
Yunzhu nodded, and Xiao Mingzhang left her, straightened his clothes, and prepared to go out.
Just before he was about to leave, Yunzhu tugged at his sleeve again. Xiao Mingzhang turned around and found Yunzhu staring at him intently, as if she wanted something.
He was somewhat puzzled and tilted his head to look at Yunzhu.
Yunzhu didn't speak, but just pursed her lips and stared intently at him.
Gradually, Xiao Mingzhang leaned down and tried to touch Yunzhu's lips, and Yunzhu finally let go of him.
Xiao Mingzhang chuckled helplessly, then bit her lips again as if as punishment before leaving.
Yunzhu leaned back on the bed, looking at his back. He was so tall and reliable, but she inexplicably had a bad feeling.
“Xiao Mingzhang…” Yunzhu murmured softly.
You'd better keep your word and never let me down in this lifetime.
—
The arrival of Xiao Mingzhang was already expected by Prince Huan, Xiao Shao.
Inside the camp outside the city, he looked at his son standing in front of him, who was already taller than him, his face calm and dignified.
"I know what you want to say." Before Xiao Mingzhang could speak, Xiao Shao's deep and heavy voice rang out first.
Xiao Mingzhang pursed his lips, not in a hurry to speak.
The authority in Xiao Shao's eyes gradually turned into disappointment. He curled his index finger and slammed it heavily on the table, asking slowly and deliberately, "Xiao Mingzhang, tell me honestly, you've actually fallen for that woman from the Western Regions a long time ago, haven't you?"
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Author's Note: Hello everyone! Update! Because this novel will be listed on the "New Books Thousand Words Ranking" (the one in the top left corner of your bookshelf) on the 3rd, and the earnings per thousand words are directly linked to the ranking, I will be taking a break tomorrow. The next chapter will be released at 11 PM on the 3rd!
We'll release both chapters as a single, combined post! Thank you for your understanding!
Thank you again for your support, sob sob! [Let me see!] Let's climb the charts! [Let me see!]
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