"Say something! Are you worried about me?" Xiu'er's sobs grew louder, but she didn't realize it herself.
"Don't worry, of course I'm worried." Tang Zhuyun forced back her tears. "I was just thinking, are you my long-lost sister?"
"You can't say things like that carelessly, I'm afraid my dad will crawl out of the ground and have a talk with my mom."
Tang Zhuyun was amused by her.
"Good Xiu'er, I trust you completely with you; even if I were gone, entrusting them to you would be the person I trust the most."
"Your Majesty, what are you saying!" Xiu'er cried, wiping away her tears in anger. "If you need anything, I won't care about anything else; I'll come to you!"
"Let's not talk about that," Tang Zhuyun said with a smile. "Our good fortune is yet to come. Let's think about something happy. I'm about to reunite with the Prince, and Song Jingyang is coming back too..."
"Hmm." Xiu'er sniffed.
"You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine in the capital. The Prince is here, my father is here, and Linlin and Yanran are here too. They're all protecting me very well. I'm good for nothing, and I eat everything, but I'm just lucky."
"Your Majesty," Xiu'er reached out and groped in the darkness to grasp her hand, "Promise me you'll be alright. When I return to the capital to find you, I'll serve you for the rest of my life."
"It'll definitely be fine," Tang Zhuyun said. "I haven't even become an empress yet! I'll give you a first-rank imperial title when the time comes, okay?"
"Your Majesty, don't be so stingy!"
"Huh? Grade One isn't good enough?"
"You didn't know there were also super-grade items?"
"Huh? What's that?"
"I don't know, I only heard of it when I was watching opera before."
"Then I'll arrange one for you too!"
"I'll remember that."
"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep my word." Tang Zhuyun laughed out loud, tears welling up in her eyes.
"There's one more thing I need to tell you."
"Um?"
"Mingzhu."
What happened to Mingzhu?
"Your Majesty, can I tell the truth?" Xiu'er sighed.
Tang Zhuyun immediately understood. "You still think she and Wu Zhenhai are a good match?"
"They can't escape," Xiu'er said. "I'm not taking sides, I just feel that these two won't break up. So, please don't object when the time comes."
Tang Zhuyun remained silent for a long time.
"I don't object. If Mingzhu ultimately agrees, then I won't object either."
She agreed that older men can be caring.
She was a little uncomfortable; he was an experienced old man.
But as long as Mingzhu is willing, that's fine.
"That's exactly what I mean," Xiu'er said. "Actually, Your Highness, Mingzhu stayed this time also with the intention of helping the Prince's Mansion win over Wu Zhenhai."
Tang Zhuyun sighed, "I know."
This is the reason why these two people have such a complicated and unresolved relationship.
With conflicting interests at stake, it's not so easy to completely separate them.
But when she brought it up with Mingzhu, the latter absolutely refused to admit it.
Mingzhu is such a pitiful child.
She expected to repay kindness tenfold; she originally thought that bringing her back to the palace would make her life more comfortable, but it turned into a series of perilous steps.
Even if it was caused by external forces, it was still a real source of worry.
"Look, aren't you overthinking it again? Mingzhu is willing herself; I've noticed she's become much more relaxed these past few days. You're new to this place, and you don't know the situation yet, so you have to put on an act!"
Tang Zhuyun laughed and scolded, "You can even pretend?"
"Of course I can! I feel like crying right now, but I'm holding it in!"
"Fool, are you really that happy to be made a top-tier wife?"
"You've made empty promises, and you're not happy about it? How can you be so disrespectful?"
The master and servant talked for most of the night before finally falling asleep at dawn.
On the day of her departure, Xiu'er didn't go out to see Tang Zhuyun off; instead, she locked herself in her room and cried her heart out.
Mingzhu then went out to see Tang Zhuyun off out of the city.
"Come here!" As soon as she stepped out of the second gate, Wu Zhenhai grabbed her sleeve and pulled her aside.
The maids behind them turned their heads away shyly, but couldn't help glancing at the two of them.
--These two have been acting like this lately, making everyone feel quite embarrassed.
Mingzhu: "Wu Zhenhai, let go! Are you out of your mind?"
"I'm sick, you have the medicine, it's just that you're standing by and watching me die." Wu Zhenhai gritted his teeth, glaring at her. "Do you really have to leave?"
It turned out that he had misunderstood and thought she was going too.
"I have to leave."
How can we not send a gift to my sister-in-law?
"So, not even the slightest bit of regret?"
Not even a little bit.
The light in Wu Zhenhai's eyes slowly faded, and he became dejected, looking as if he had aged several years.
"Then get lost."
Mingzhu turned and left.
This person has relapsed into his old habits, and is bossing her around again.
Even if she wanted to leave, she'd still have to put up with his attitude and put up with his temper.
"Stop!"
Just because you tell me to stop, does that mean I have to stop?
Mingzhu ignored him and continued walking forward.
Wu Zhenhai quickly stepped forward and hugged her tightly from behind.
Mingzhu felt like he was squeezing the air out of her chest, and couldn't help but reach out and punch his arms. "Wu Zhenhai, what's wrong with you!"
"Let me hug you, let me hug you one more time, just a little while, then I'll let you go." Wu Zhenhai buried his face in her shoulder.
Mingzhu: "... Don't cry, I just put on this new dress."
Wu Zhenhai: "You heartless bastard! Good riddance, good riddance, saves me from dying at your hands sooner or later."
Mingzhu remained silent.
Because she felt a chill on her neck.
Wu Zhenhai hugged her for a moment, then suddenly pushed her away as if he had been stimulated. He then took out a stack of things from his sleeve, stuffed them into her arms, and turned to leave.
He probably wanted to leave gracefully, but he tripped over something and almost fell flat on his face. He staggered a few steps before regaining his balance and leaving somewhat dejectedly.
Mingzhu looked down and then realized it was a stack of silver notes.
"Wu Zhenhai, I..."
"Here you go, this is your New Year's money, the last time," Wu Zhenhai said viciously. "I won't let you call me Uncle Wu for nothing. A gift from an elder should not be refused! Get out! Get far away from me!"
Mingzhu's eyes inexplicably welled up with tears. "... You're sick."
She needed to hurry and see her sister-in-law off, lest she be late; she could talk to him when she got back.
Hearing her footsteps fade into the distance, Wu Zhenhai gritted his teeth and said, "Go! Good riddance! And don't ever come back!"
This heartless woman showed no regret whatsoever.
Wu Zhenhai, Wu Zhenhai, what are you still thinking about!
Be as ruthless as she was, forget her, marry a good woman, and treat him like a king. Wouldn't that be better?
That was simply heavenly!
Yes, that's it.
Wu Zhenhai spat viciously, but still couldn't help turning around.
But all that could be seen were withered grass and trees.
She was still more ruthless than him.
"Whoever falls in love first loses," Wu Zhenhai said.
He was willing to accept defeat.
(Happy Year of the Tiger! Bonus chapter delivered! Wishing everyone all the best and may each year be better than the last! I'll keep working hard!)