Do you still remember your maid Jianchun?
Mingzhu's little finger curled slightly as she placed her hand on the table.
This is an unconscious reaction she has when she is emotionally stressed.
"I remember," Mingzhu said, "She should be married by now."
Wu Zhenhai, who was still pondering the matter, suddenly had a flash of inspiration upon hearing this and said, "She is already married, but that maid doesn't look like you..."
"What makes you unlike me?"
"Unlike you, who's so difficult to deal with." Wu Zhenhai started the lie, and the rest flowed smoothly. "So she was abused by her husband's family, and later, she set herself on fire... I just found out; it happened a month ago."
He said it that way on purpose so that Mingzhu wouldn't have to go see people again.
He could tell Mingzhu the truth directly, but what would that get him in return?
Did Mingzhu realize that she had never truly experienced the few lights that illuminated her life before?
No, Wu Zhenhai couldn't bear to part with it.
While this benefited Jianchun by concealing her crime, the most important thing was to spare Mingzhu the resentment of being betrayed.
In this world, being loved is far more blissful than being betrayed.
Even if it was just a mirage, Mingzhu continued to believe it.
The color drained from Mingzhu's face instantly.
Jianchun, surprisingly...
Wu Zhenhai stepped forward and hugged her, gently stroking her back, saying, "I know you love her, but she's already gone. I've already ordered her husband's family to be severely punished and her family to be appeased, so you don't need to worry about it. If you're really upset, just have a good cry..."
"Wu Zhenhai, you're lying to me," Mingzhu said, emphasizing each word.
Wu Zhenhai's body trembled.
He gave himself away?
"No, why would I lie to you? Do you think I would have anything going on with that maid?"
"Jianchun to see me about two weeks ago."
Wu Zhenhai, however, said that she had been dead for a month.
Wu Zhenhai: "..."
To everyone's surprise, Jianchun actually dared to come to Mingzhu's door after recognizing her.
"What exactly happened to her?" Mingzhu asked. "Tell me the truth."
As long as they didn't turn against each other, Wu Zhenhai breathed a sigh of relief, feeling an indescribable joy in his heart.
Mingzhu's attitude towards him had improved so much, and he was content.
Before Wu Zhenhai could figure out how to talk to her, Mingzhu said, "Jianchun, is that the person who betrayed my portrait?"
Wu Zhenhai was stunned. "How did you know?"
Mingzhu closed her eyes, her face showing signs of fatigue.
Wu Zhenhai was heartbroken and quickly said, "It's her fault for being so inconsiderate. She's not worth being sad for. Don't cry, Ruan Ruanruan."
"I didn't cry," Mingzhu said calmly.
It's just that I inevitably feel sad inside.
How did you guess that?
"You don't need to lie for her," Mingzhu said, hitting the nail on the head.
If she could only choose to believe one of Jianchun and Wu Zhenhai, she would still believe Wu Zhenhai.
She never tested her maids with their lives, because she never demanded or expected anyone to risk their lives for her.
But Wu Zhenhai has already proven to her that he can give everything for her, including his life.
Why did Wu Zhenhai lie?
There must be something wrong with Jianchun.
Then Mingzhu naturally thought of the recent "headless mystery".
Wu Zhenhai held Mingzhu tightly before telling her everything, but he didn't mention Jianchun's motives or his ruthless methods.
"I've already taken care of the person for you."
"Okay." Mingzhu didn't ask any further questions, but her face showed obvious signs of fatigue.
Wu Zhenhai stayed with her all night.
The next day, Mingzhu told him not to tell anyone about this and not to make things difficult for Jianchun's family.
That's the end of it.
Wu Zhenhai felt a pang of sadness.
His Ruanruan actually reveals the softest side of his heart.
"I'll write to the Prince to avoid him having to investigate and suspect anything," Wu Zhenhai said.
Mingzhu nodded, and seeing that his clothes were wrinkled, she stood on tiptoe to pat them off for him, and watched him leave.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Prince of Ding obtained the "Mingzhu" and treasured it greatly. He kept the person hidden in his outer residence, lingering there and reluctant to leave.
Poor Consort of Prince of Ding, she thought that her fake pregnancy had been exposed and had displeased the Prince of Ding, so she racked her brains to make up for her mistake.
However, someone delivered the message to her.
Tang Zhuyun asked, "Consort of Prince of Ding cause a scene?"
Nanxing scoffed, "Do you think she has that kind of backbone?"
He vented his anger by beating and scolding his servants, but when he saw Prince of Ding, he still had to greet him with a smile, only to be met with Prince of Ding's cold indifference.
Tang Zhuyun shook her head. "This is truly disappointing."
She's so energetic and lively in front of me, but when she's with a man, she becomes a hopeless mess.
Just then, Yanran entered.
Tang Zhuyun looked at her, who was dressed neatly and cleanly today, and couldn't help but laugh, "Why have you changed your personality today? Why are you dressed so obediently and neatly? What are you going to do?"
Did he make an appointment with Cui Xiaoqiu?
But Yanran just hasn't figured it out yet.
Yanran said, "Jiang Ruo has arrived. I heard Nanxing was here, so I didn't come in to pay my respects."
"You two, are you heading out?"
"Yes, she's going to the Imperial Academy. You know why..." Yanran was speechless. "I'm just taking food to my brother and Cui Xiaoqiu. The food there is awful..."
"Your brother told you that?" Tang Zhuyun raised an eyebrow.
"No, that's not true. Cui Xiaoqiu said so."
"Go ahead," Tang Zhuyun agreed with a smile.
After Yanran left, Nanxing inevitably asked her about her relationship with Cui Xiaoqiu.
"Your Majesty," she pointed to the sky, "I think that man is senile. He's capable of messing around with Yuanyang. If he seems suitable, let's make it official."
"How are they similar?"
To put it bluntly, if Cui Xiaoqiu were wiped out, leaving only him, what would Tang Zhuyun be hesitating for?
It's not that I dislike the child, it's just that I'm annoyed by his whole family, especially his unreasonable mother.
They are clearly very different.
Nanxing said, "Then only the prince can prove himself."
Get to the top quickly, lest things get complicated.
Tang Zhuyun: Really?
The one you want to prove yourself to is currently "recovering from illness."
After returning to the capital, Prince of Jin took leave from work and stayed at home, citing a recurrence of his old injury.
The problem is that he doesn't just rest and recuperate properly; he's causing trouble for everyone.
However, today, the Prince of Jin left early in the morning, and no one knows where he went.
Prince of Jin: Let's get rid of those who dare to defy us!