When Wu Zhenhai arrived, Xiyou was standing in the courtyard holding a book. Mingzhu was carrying a basket and talking to him. In the basket was a pure white kitten with its head resting on the edge of the basket, its clear eyes looking around.
The harmonious scene stung Wu Zhenhai's eyes and heart.
"I heard you were looking for a cat last time," Mingzhu said with a smile, "And I just happened to find one."
Wu Zhenhai clenched his fist.
--She never gave it to herself.
Isn't this kind of gift-giving just about pleasing someone and making conversation out of nothing?
That's just how he is.
Xiyou took the basket. "Thank you so much."
As soon as he finished speaking, two orange cats emerged from the house one after the other and nimbly jumped onto the stone table.
Mingzhu was immediately embarrassed and said, "I didn't know, you already have some here."
Xiyou said, "I'm a raccoon dog, and I like to have a lot. I used to keep more than a dozen."
As he spoke, he reached into the basket, scooped the Xiaobai into his arms, gently stroked its head, and knelt down, saying, "Go play with your older brothers and sisters."
Mingzhu watched as the Xiaobai was placed on the ground, and after a moment's consideration, she said, "I've come here today because I have another request to make."
Xiyou stood up and said with a smile, "Miss Huo, there's no need to be so polite. I'm in the Prince's residence; I don't consider myself a guest."
Mingzhu reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
This is actually a very normal action, but Wu Zhenhai felt that such charm was rare in the world.
It's a pity it's not for myself.
This left him feeling both bitter and aggrieved.
The most painful thing in life is not wanting something and not getting it, but getting it and then losing it.
"Actually, it's about Wu Yu," Mingzhu said. "He was a little unhappy before he left, and my sister-in-law is worried that he'll get sick again when he gets back... You're close to him, so I'd like to trouble you to talk to him."
Wu Zhenhai was startled, and then a faint sense of anticipation welled up inside him.
Could it be that she... still cares about him?
But in fact, Mingzhu had already made it very clear that it was Tang Zhuyun who was worried about Wu Yu.
Firstly, Tang Zhuyun genuinely liked children and cared for them; secondly, Prince of Jin had also said that Wu Yu should be treated well and that Wu Zhenhai should be won over.
Unfortunately, some people are so preoccupied with worry that they become distracted and overthink things.
"Alright," Xiyou said. "I was thinking that there's no one in the Wu Family to keep him company. I'll ask Lord Wu later if he'd be willing to let Wu Yu continue living in the Prince's mansion. My grandfather also likes Wu Yu very much."
"I do," Wu Zhenhai said, striding in.
As long as Mingzhu still cares about him even a little, he will not give up.
He's already this age; it's hard for him to open up to another person.
"New clothes are worse than old ones, but old friends are worse than new ones"—that's probably the idea.
Mingzhu was somewhat surprised, but then bowed slightly to him with a normal expression.
But Wu Zhenhai himself noticed the smile on her face.
Mingzhu said, "Now that Lord Wu is here, I won't presume to do the work. You two continue your conversation; I'll head out first."
As she spoke, she walked out with light steps.
Wu Zhenhai stared at her figure in a daze for a long time, which made Xiyou laugh mischievously.
Xiyou cleared his throat and said, "Lord Wu."
Wu Zhenhai then came to his senses, cupped his hands, and said, "You flatter me. Young Master Kong should have heard something about my affair with her..."
Xiyou laughed, "I've heard quite a bit. With such a beauty before you, Lord Wu still has much to strive for."
Judging from his tone, he showed absolutely no interest in Mingzhu. Wu Zhenhai was overjoyed and quickly said, "That's for sure."
He "sold" his son.
Being able to study under the tutelage of Great Confucian Scholar Kong and Xiyou was something most people wouldn't even dare to dream of; moreover, it gave him an excuse to run off to the Prince's mansion.
My good son, with your help, will send me to marry my beautiful bride.
Mingzhu, however, was busy helping Tang Zhuyun and had no time for such things.
After the war, many wounded soldiers needed medical treatment and recovery, so Tang Zhuyun invited all the reputable doctors from the border town to come.
On the one hand, it helps treat the wounded; on the other hand, it aims to encourage everyone to share their strengths and experiences, and to cultivate future talents.
The difficulty lies in sharing.
Mingzhu said to Tang Zhuyun, "Sister-in-law, not everyone can share as selflessly as you."
Who doesn't have selfish motives?
Moreover, for many doctors, their expertise is a skill that they rely on to make a living and pass down through generations; they are unlikely to teach apprentices easily.
Tang Zhuyun had also considered this issue.
It is indeed difficult, but this is the only way to improve efficiency, treat more wounded soldiers, and eventually promote its use to benefit more people.
While writing something down on a piece of paper, Tang Zhuyun said, "What if I shared it with them too?"
"They'll definitely be happy, but they'll also keep their own things to themselves."
After all, everyone's learning it, so why not learn it if you can?
But to teach others the skills that allow me to make a living, I'd rather not; learning from someone else will only lead to the student starving themselves.
This is only human nature.
Tang Zhuyun put down her pen, blew the ink off the paper, rolled it into a thin roll, stuffed it into the hollow, thin-walled iron tube, and then sealed both ends with wax.
Mingzhu smiled and asked, "Is Sister-in-law writing a letter to my elder brother?"
Tang Zhuyun said, "Judging by the days, we've already traveled more than half the distance. I always report good news and never bad news. I'm worried about his injury, and I'm also worried that Yanran might get into trouble on the way."
"I hope your journey was smooth, brother?"
"Successfully," Tang Zhuyun said, "You're even meddling in other people's business!"
Xiu'er came in carrying a box of pastries and asked, "What's the matter?"
Tang Zhuyun then recounted the contents of the letter she had just received.
On their way back to the capital, Yanran and her companions encountered a man who looked like a scholar and appeared somewhat frail.
Yanran glanced at them a few more times; after all, whether it was a beautiful woman or a handsome man, they were all pleasing to the eye.
However, Cui Xiaoqiu discovered that he knew this handsome man.
Actually, we're all related.
Wen Heng, courtesy name Zi'an, was the husband of the only daughter of the Third Princess, but he was driven out of the house.
Yanran secretly asked Cui Xiaoqiu, "How do you know him?"
Cui Xiaoqiu said, "Although this person comes from a humble background, he is quite talented."
Yanran was immediately delighted upon hearing this.
Since Cui Xiaoqiu claims to be talented, he must be truly gifted; therefore, he must be brought under my father's command.
She was a woman of bold ideas and actions; she ran over and explained her purpose directly to Wen Heng.
Wen Heng was stunned for a moment.
This rosy-cheeked little girl has exceptionally beautiful features, with bright, dark eyes that are lively and mischievous. Her voice is also crisp and clear, making it impossible not to turn one's head to look at her.
Then Wen Heng agreed.
However, he did not go to the capital, but instead went to the border town.
Yanran wrote a letter to Tang Zhuyun, excitedly expressing that this was a talent she had recruited for the Prince of Jin with her keen insight and decisive action, and asked Tang Zhuyun to treat such a person with respect.
"So much for being respectful to scholars," Xiu'er rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Cui Xiaoqiu polished this letter for me."
Yanran's idiom skills are not up to par to support such an appropriate phrase.
Tang Zhuyun was amused.
"However," Xiu'er said, standing by the table with her chin resting on her hand, "Since this person was kicked out, we should find out more about him to make sure he doesn't have any problems."