Chapter 5 One Breath

"Zhang Huan, come back!"

Yuwen Chu lightly shouted, and the guard glared angrily at Mingzhu and hurried to catch up.

"You, stop! Pay for my shoes!"

Mingzhu couldn't provoke Yuwen Chu, but she could easily provoke Zhang Huan.

Then, Yuwen Chu's voice came from ahead, faint and ethereal, as he lectured Zhang Huan, "If a dog bites you, should you not bite back?"

Zhang Huan nodded in agreement, smiling foolishly and accepting the reprimand.

Mingzhu saw the mocking looks of the people around her and seethed with anger.

How could she not have known that Yuwen Chu was such a ruthless person?

She only remembered that in her previous life, the English King Yuwen Chu was a low-key person, and even his entire English King's Mansion lived very stably during those turbulent times.

Emperor Wen had nine sons, and Yuwen Chu was the sixth, born to the Empress Min, and was titled the English King.

She had little contact with this mother and son in her previous life, only knowing that the Empress Min was very smooth and calm, standing tall after three generations of emperors. She always smiled warmly at everyone, regardless of how intense the harem struggles were. The Empress Min always lived a relaxed and comfortable life.

Even when she was in a desperate situation, she happened to meet the Empress Min, who treated her very kindly and even sent her some much-needed items, including some medicines that her mother urgently needed, for which she was truly grateful.

As for the English King Yuwen Chu, she had never interacted with him. She had only seen him from a distance a few times in the crowd, so her impression of him was not deep.

She only remembered that his reputation was very good, just like his mother, the Empress Min, stable and considerate. In the later period, when the major mansions were fighting against each other, the English King's Mansion remained very stable.

The official wife of the English King, Lady Jiang, was a bit more familiar to her.

The English King and his wife were a very special couple in the royal family. They had been engaged for a long time but had not yet married. It seemed that they were the latest to marry in their generation. At that time, she and Yuwen You had been married for more than a year.

After their marriage, this couple became famous for their good relationship, and the women in the royal family always compared them to her and Yuwen You.

At first, she didn't care, but later, as things didn't go as well for her, she became increasingly frustrated and consciously avoided Lady Jiang, so she didn't know much about what happened to them later.

She died a little early, and many things were not clear to her. However, all these princes and grandsons were not easy to deal with, so there was no need to offend them all.

Yuwen Chu had just made it clear that he was deliberately trying to provoke her, so why should she fall for it?

Moreover, she had to rely on his help to put out the fire. It was a pity that the Lingkong Corridor was burned, and she didn't want to cause such trouble for no reason.

Mingzhu suppressed her anger and said to Sulan, "Let's go."

Sulan's shoes were much larger than hers, so she walked unsteadily. Mingzhu helped her walk slowly and said softly, "Don't argue with these rough people. Endure it for now, and when we get back, we can talk to the master or the lord in detail."

The mountain path was rugged and difficult to walk on, with uneven terrain. Mingzhu saw that Sulan was struggling to walk barefoot, so she found a sheltered place to sit down and considerately said, "Let's rest here. Our people should be coming to find us soon, and they can bring us some shoes."

Sulan thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your consideration, miss."

Mingzhu said, "When I can protect you, you can rest assured. If I can't, don't blame me."

In her previous life, Sulan had a bad ending. After the Fu family was wiped out, those who hated the Fu family still wanted her dead, but they didn't dare to act because of Yuwen You's strange temper. So they took the opportunity to kill Sulan when she wasn't paying attention.

She still remembered the tragic scene of Sulan's death, which was truly unforgivable.

In fact, if you really wanted to investigate, neither she nor her mother and nephew had done anything wrong. Sulan had never done anything wrong, but just because of the Fu family name.

As for her father and brothers, it was false to say that they had done a lot of evil. It was just that they had too much power and were too proud, which aroused the jealousy and resentment of others. They also naturally stood on the side of the Empress Dowager, and were more or less helpless.

It could be seen that in this world, no one really reasoned, and it all depended on anger, and it was all about who was more powerful.

Sulan felt that Mingzhu was acting strangely and said with a smile, "Miss, where can't I be protected? Because of serving you, those people outside have to look at me with respect. In the words of the people outside, I am even more precious than the girls from ordinary families. My parents outside are not to be trifled with. It's all thanks to your influence."

Mingzhu frowned and said, "I don't know how I offended the English King to make him so difficult for me. Even if I had offended him in my words, it's not entirely my fault. He had been secretly peeping and refused to reveal his identity, staring at people so unscrupulously and speaking disrespectfully. After several provocations, anyone would have cursed him. How can he blame me for being willful?"

Mingzhu fell silent.

She knew that she was quite spoiled and willful, and she enjoyed pleasure. She couldn't bear any grievances or hardships, but she felt that it couldn't be entirely blamed on her.

Her father, Fu Cong, was already in his forties when she was born. Before her, the Fu family had only boys, and she was born to her mother, who was the wife of her father. At that time, her father was successful in his career, and her cousin was named the crown prince. It was difficult for her not to be favored.

Later, her aunt became the Empress Dowager, her father became the Prime Minister, Grand Tutor, and one of the three highest officials. Her cousin, the Emperor Zheng Qian, passed away at a young age, and was succeeded by a young nephew as the emperor. As the young emperor could not handle state affairs, they were decided by the Empress Dowager and Fu Cong. The Fu family held immense power and glory, and she was even more favored.

She could have anything she wanted with just a glance or a word, and she was truly influential and powerful.

For someone who lived a carefree and easy life, how could she learn to be humble and considerate in everything?

So, it's not entirely her fault that she grew up spoiled. However, during those dark and depressing years, she had to bear the consequences herself.

For example, her doomed relationship with Yuwen You, and her despair and sadness, no one could bear the pain and hardship for her.

Neither her aunt, father, mother, nor her brothers could replace her.

Perhaps she should restrain her nature, turn over a new leaf, and become a better person.

As the saying goes, "If you can't endure small things, you can't accomplish great things." People always make mistakes and then change...

In the future, she must become a thoughtful and gentle person, generous and dignified, loved by everyone...

Mingzhu was lost in thought, when suddenly Sùlán said, "Miss, you have a bright and straightforward personality. Your emotions are written all over your face, and everyone in the family and even in the Empress Dowager's palace knows it. If one day you suddenly become inscrutable and don't show your emotions, then we will feel that you are no longer yourself."