As soon as she finished speaking, a small figure leaned against the door, timidly peeked at her, and then hesitated for a moment outside the threshold.
"I don't have many rules here; you can step in with whichever foot you want first," Mingzhu said.
Wu Yu blushed.
When Mingzhu leaned out to look, she didn't see Wu Zhenhai, but she unexpectedly saw Wu Yu peeking out of the window, though he quickly disappeared.
She knew he was hiding outside.
Wu Yu cautiously stepped in, then hesitated and took another step forward.
Mingzhu said knowingly, "Stop pretending, you're not that pitiful."
She wasn't the type to mistreat children, and besides, whether Wu Yu's biological mother slept with her or not was none of her business at the time.
Even without his birth mother, Wu Zhenhai wouldn't lack other women.
If we really start to hold grudges, will we even be able to live in the next life?
Wu Yu wasn't usually afraid of her, so his behavior today was quite unusual.
Wu Yu said, "I... I just wanted to ask you... you..."
"Just say it."
"Are you really going to marry my father?"
"Yes."
Disappointment flashed in Wu Yu's eyes, and he hesitated to speak.
Mingzhu was delighted.
Unexpectedly, the child objected to the marriage.
She wasn't angry—because Wu Yu was just a six or seven-year-old child and had no real decision-making power.
She was simply curious as to why Wu Yu would object.
Mingzhu asked herself, "Did I really act like a wicked stepmother?"
To everyone's surprise, Wu Yu asked, "Are you sure?"
Mingzhu was both amused and exasperated, but still nodded. "I'm sure."
She never expected that Wu Yu would be the first to raise such a question.
"Actually, he's not very good to women... Should you reconsider?"
"Who? Your father?" Mingzhu was extremely surprised.
Wu Yu's head was practically drooping to his chest. "Mmm."
"He treats me Shang Ke, I'd say," Mingzhu said with a smile, "But thank you for reminding me anyway."
She was actually very curious as to why Wu Yu thought his biological father was unreliable.
This kid is usually quiet, but I didn't expect him to have so many ideas.
"You two are doing just fine now..." Wu Yu said, "If I marry you, aren't you afraid he'll change his attitude?"
Mingzhu suddenly seemed to realize something, and without beating around the bush, she asked directly, "Wu Yu, are you worried that if I have a child, your father won't like you anymore?"
Wu Yu blushed, but waved his hands repeatedly. "No. That's not what I meant. I'm an illegitimate son, I know that. I just think you're very good... We're both doing well now, what if you two start fighting after we get married?"
Mingzhu finally understood.
It turns out that what this child wanted was to be content with the status quo.
He was afraid of change.
Furthermore, it seems that she has an unexpectedly clear understanding of men's inherent flaws!
"Don't worry, he can't beat me," Mingzhu laughed. "If he doesn't go easy on me, my family has connections. Yanran is quite good at fighting, isn't she?"
Upon hearing Yanran's name, Wu Yu looked up at Mingzhu with pleading eyes. "If I behave, can you take me with you when you go to the capital?"
Missing Yanran?
Wu Yu nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself, "Send me to the capital, so that you won't have to worry about raising your younger siblings."
But he didn't dare to say it.
What he feared most was that Mingzhu and Wu Zhenhai would have a falling out and break up, and he would never see Yanran again.
Although marriage might take things a step further, it could also make things worse, since in his eyes, neither his biological father nor his stepmother were easy to deal with.
However, he was certain that none of them were bad people.
Mingzhu said, "Yanran can't stay still, she'll come. When you're older, if you're not interested in martial arts, your father will send you to study at the Imperial Academy in the capital."
Wu Yu immediately replied, "I'm not interested in martial arts."
I beg to be sent away, immediately.
But Mingzhu clearly wasn't fooled.
She glanced at Wu Yu and said, "It has to wait until you're at least ten years old, and your father has to make the decision. I can only bring it up on your behalf at most."
Upon learning that he would have to be ten years old, Wu Yu immediately wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.
However, he still obediently bowed before taking his leave.
Mingzhu watched his dejected figure disappear, unsure of what to say.
Maybe... like father, like son? Too many cunning schemes.
If her Wu Di is like that in the future, it will be a headache.
Wu Zhenhai didn't return until midnight, and from what he said, he said he would talk to Mingzhu for a while before going out again to keep an eye on the preparations for the wedding.
Mingzhu: "... Is it really necessary? You're not a young man anymore, take it easy."
Wu Zhenhai, as if injected with adrenaline, retorted, "You don't understand."
He felt that if he didn't announce to the world sooner that Mingzhu was his wife, Mingzhu might be taken away from him at any time.
--Cui Run knew about Yuan's matter, and he shamefully concealed it from Mingzhu.
He felt he was fine.
Cui Run and Mingzhu- joo are completely unrelated people, so what difference does it make whether they pass or fail?
Mingzhu said, "Come, sit down. Yesterday, I acted impulsively and agreed to marry you..."
"What?" Wu Zhenhai's eyes widened instantly. "You want to back out? I knew it! You, you're not allowed to back out!"
He paced back and forth in the room, furious.
"Absolutely not!"
Mingzhu rolled her eyes at him. "I haven't gone back on my word. I just thought we should be upfront and agree on three rules."
"Three rules?" Wu Zhenhai's anger turned to joy. "Go ahead, I'm listening!"
What's three chapters?
Thirty chapters are fine.
As long as it's not a broken engagement, it's fine.
"First of all, you married Huo Mingzhu, not the Emperor's sister. The Emperor cannot have a sister with a different surname!" Mingzhu said sternly.
"That's not right," Wu Zhenhai said. "After you marry me, you'll have to take my surname, and you'll be Madam Wu!"
What's with all that "huo huo"? It just doesn't sound right.
Mingzhu said, "Stop interrupting. If you don't object, I'll take that as your agreement."
"In your eyes, am I that kind of opportunist?" Wu Zhenhai sneered.
Although he seemed to be true to some extent before, things are different now! Don't judge a book by its cover and underestimate someone.
Is it wrong for him to be attracted to her youth and beauty?
Mingzhu continued, "A good woman doesn't wear her wedding dress. Don't try to curry favor with the Emperor just because he's been kind to me."
Wu Zhenhai: "I have to be able to pull it too! Besides, I'm already a general, and with you by my side, what more could I ask for? Hurry up, what's the third point!"
That's all nonsense; it's unpleasant to listen to.
She simply doesn't trust his character!
Let's see how he behaves in the future, and make her regret it.
"Third, you're not allowed to change your mind." Mingzhu softened her tone, adding a touch of coquettishness.
Wu Zhenhai's bones were practically melting.
When she talks to him like that, even if she says one plus one equals three, he can only nod.
"I will never change my mind." Wu Zhenhai pulled her into his arms. "Ruanruan, wait, I'll let the whole world know that you are my wife."