Mingzhu flung his sleeve away. "Disgusting!"
Wu Zhenhai:???
How could he be so despicable?
"I just want a straight answer from you, how is that despicable?" Wu Zhenhai was so angry that his Zidu bulged out.
Trying to please her is always a thankless task.
Mingzhu sneered, "Whether you're capable or not, go ask your woman."
Wu Zhenhai: "... Look at what's going on in your head. Can't you keep it simple?"
Despite saying that, he was beaming with pride.
See? She clearly still has feelings for him.
"Don't worry, I've always been quite capable of handling that matter you're concerned about."
Do you know what I miss about you?
"Um?"
I want you to stay away from me.
Wu Zhenhai: "... Ruanruan, you heartless wretch. Tell me honestly, when you were with me, did I ever wrong you...? Did I wrong you more often? I've wronged the Zhou Family more, haven't I?"
"Then thank you. You're a little better off than the Zhou Family."
Wu Zhenhai: "..."
"Ruanruan, I'm begging you, please don't go to the capital. What's so good about the capital? You insist that staying in the Prince's Mansion is better, fine, I admit it, no one in the Prince's Mansion will bully you. But I feel sorry for you, you're always so busy. Aren't you just doing all the work for someone else?"
Now that he'd started, he decided to say everything at once.
"... I was afraid of upsetting you, so I didn't dare to say anything before." Wu Zhenhai looked into Mingzhu's eyes. "What are you after by coming to the Prince's mansion? Weren't you more comfortable in front of me before? Aren't you tired of putting on airs now?"
Do you think that just because I've entered the Prince's residence, I can do whatever I want?
Why not?
"You think that way because you're shameless. I can't; I have a sense of shame."
No one should expect something for nothing.
She felt honored and cared for in the Prince's mansion, and wanted to repay him tenfold; she saw nothing wrong with that.
"Well..." Wu Zhenhai said, "Anyway, I feel you've changed. Actually, I'm quite happy that you spoke to me like this today."
He felt that the little chili pepper had returned.
This is his Ruanruan.
His Ruanruan must have moments of carefree indulgence and pride.
Mingzhu laughed in exasperation. "I speak to you politely, treating you like General Wu, and you find me boring. It's only when I argue with you like this that you're happy. Even though it's harsh, what else is that but being a jerk?"
Wu Zhenhai: "I'm willing! It's none of your business!"
"That's none of your business, I'm not your mother. Let go, I have to go back to work."
"I won't let you go until you give me a straight answer," Wu Zhenhai said shamelessly. "Aren't you afraid that people coming and going will see and it will affect your reputation Miss Huo? If you ask me, let's just make it official and I'll marry you, so you can be this carefree all the time."
Little did he know that his eyes were now filled with joy at seeing her.
Mingzhu frowned, her gaze hardening.
But in Wu Zhenhai's eyes, this is what beauty is all about, and it has its own unique charm.
He just liked her, no matter what she looked like.
"Mingzhu, don't be angry," Wu Zhenhai said softly, with a hint of pleading. "Let's talk this out."
Am I talking to you or is it like casting pearls before swine?
"Ox, I am an ox, moo--"
Mingzhu was speechless.
Shameless and invincible, this is hardly the behavior of a general.
"Wu Zhenhai, tell me what's good about me, and I'll change, okay?"
"You're not good at anything, but my eyesight isn't good either, and I just love you, what should I do?"
Mingzhu turned her head away and ignored him.
This man is determined to pursue her relentlessly today.
"Ruanruan, don't go to the capital. Putting everything else aside, your face is a recipe for trouble."
This is a harsh truth that is not pleasant to hear.
If he had a choice, Wu Zhenhai would rather she had an ordinary face, so she would know that he loves her, not because of her appearance.
Now, it's all good; how many men who have seen Mingzhu aren't tempted?
His liking turned into lust at first sight.
Damn it!
"That won't affect you," Mingzhu sneered.
This person, I don't know what's wrong with him, his words are getting more and more offensive. Maybe he only brought his kidneys with him today, and forgot his brain.
"In the border town, you have the prince and me to protect you; no one is more powerful than us. But what if you go to the capital? What if the old emperor takes a liking to you? What if other powerful figures take a liking to you? Even if the prince is wholeheartedly protective of you, won't you just cause him trouble? And I won't be able to help you from so far away..."
"It's not that I can't leave everything behind and go to the capital with you; but who can leave this huge mess in the border town so that Your Highness can be free from worries?"
"Ruanruan, stay." Wu Zhenhai's voice was filled with sincere pleading, his eyes burning as he looked at her. "You're happiest when you're with me."
"I'm very happy by your side," Mingzhu's eyes darted around, revealing a hint of flirtation mixed with sharp words, "But that happiness is all too fleeting. I've always felt at peace in the Prince's mansion."
It took Wu Zhenhai a while to realize what she was saying—she was actually saying he was no good!
"Are you sure it's going to be short?" Wu Zhenhai practically ground his teeth to powder, his handsome face turning grim.
It's okay to slander his character, but it's absolutely unacceptable to slander his abilities!
"Want to give it a try?"
"I haven't even considered trying, and you've already shamelessly labeled me as one of yours; if I were to get involved with you again, wouldn't you be pushing your luck?"
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is, I'm just lacking men. With my current status in the Prince's mansion, why should I have to settle for an Old Cabbage Stalk like you? I'll follow Zhou Yanhui's example and find ten or eight men of lower status than me, pick and choose, and they won't dare to pester me. Wouldn't that be better?"
They really think they're something special.
"Soft! Soft! You, believe it or not, believe it or not..."
"What?" Mingzhu raised her eyebrows and tilted her head, revealing her graceful swan neck.
"Believe it or not, I'll resign!" Wu Zhenhai said through gritted teeth. "I'll tell the Prince I'm going to become a guard!"
Mingzhu's imposing manner was instantly shattered by those words.
She couldn't help but laugh.
Why is this person so shameless now?
"You want to find a son-in-law? I can."
"Bringing your child into the family?" Mingzhu sneered.
"You like Wu Yu too, don't you?" Wu Zhenhai said shamelessly. "Even if you don't, it doesn't matter. He's so old, does he need you to tell him what to do? The maids Zidu here, I can manage him myself."
He spoke more and more fluently, "But if I resign, what will happen to the Prince's rear? Don't you want to share the Prince's burdens? Then stay. I'll manage the border, and you manage me."
He was completely unconcerned about being used.
"Ruanruan, at our age, with our experiences, talking about love is too sentimental. Just live well and stay with me..."
Mingzhu: "If you're not here, someone else will. You can quit or not, it's up to you! Whether I leave or not isn't up to you. I'll stay wherever my mother, brother, and sister-in-law are."