Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C130 pt1

"This Emperor came to see you."

Mei Wushuang watched him sit on the edge of the bed as if he were completely at home. She thought of how he had worn a stern face during the day when he spoke of sending her out of the palace, and a myriad of complex emotions welled up within her.

"It's already dark. Is it alright for Your Majesty to come out of the palace?"

"What could be the hindrance?" He noticed her hair was loose and she was wearing her nightclothes, and added, "Are you about to sleep? Let's sleep together."

Mei Wushuang couldn't understand what he was thinking. He had just flown into a rage, but now he was acting as if nothing had happened. He might not think anything of his volatile temper, but it left her feeling anxious and unsettled.

She lowered her eyes slightly and said, "This concubine still needs to apply medicine."

"Bring it here, this Emperor will help you apply it."

Hearing this, Linglong quickly presented the medicine bottle and then quietly retreated.

Wushuang glanced at him, then at the medicine bottle in his hand, and walked over to get on the couch.

"Why are you unhappy? Who bullied you?"

Wushuang was silent. Who bullied her? Did he not know? Then she thought that perhaps he was speaking ironically, and quickly said softly, "No one bullied this concubine. This concubine is just sleepy."

"Rest after applying the medicine."

Afterwards, it was time to apply the medicine. As before, she took off her nightclothes, wearing only an upper undergarment and short underclothes, and lay on her stomach on the couch for him to apply the medicine.

In truth, with the passage of time, most of the bruises on Mei Wushuang's body had healed, leaving only the one on her back looking frightening.

Lying there on her stomach, unable to see behind her, and with her back bare, she was particularly sensitive. She could feel the slightest movement of air, and the fine hairs on her skin stood on end involuntarily, her waist stiffening.

"Why are you so nervous just from applying medicine?"

He lightly patted her hip, and then a warm, large palm covered her back.

It was naturally painful, but not so painful. His palm was warm, and combined with the medicine, the pain carried a warmth, and within that warmth, there was a trace of coolness.

By the time the medicine was applied, her face was flushed red, and her eyes seemed to have been washed with water.

'"Does it still hurt?" He embraced her as he asked.'

She nestled against him, shaking her head. "It doesn't hurt as much anymore."

He placed the medicine bottle on the bedside table, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and then lowered the bed curtains before lying down.

Of course, he didn't forget about her, letting her lie prone in his arms, her back facing him. Even as he held her, his arm deliberately avoided pressing against her injured area.

'"Your Majesty, is it alright for you to be away from the palace?"'

'"Who said this Emperor must be in the palace? Besides, if this Emperor doesn't stay with you at night, will you be able to sleep?"'

She nestled against him, murmuring, "Of course I can sleep."

'"Then who was it that was startled awake by a nightmare last night, and insisted that this Emperor hold you to sleep?"'

'"I didn't."'

'"Then shall this Emperor leave?"'

He made a show of getting up, and she hastily wrapped her arms around his neck.

He chuckled softly, teasing her. Since she buried her face, he couldn't see her embarrassment, and Wushuang wasn't quite so flustered. Who would have thought he would turn her face up, pinch her cheek, and kiss her small mouth while teasing her?

She tried to dodge but couldn't, and was held in his arms for a thorough kissing.

'"Why isn't the injury on your back healing yet?"' he complained.

She understood what he meant, and her face flushed even more.

The next day, he left very early.

In any case, Wushuang was still asleep when he left.

When she woke up, she found herself all alone.

She called for Linglong and asked about the events of last night, only to learn that he had come alone, without even bringing Fusheng.

She couldn't help but think how dangerous it was for him to travel alone, but since it had already happened, she could only resolve to tell him not to travel alone in the future when they met again.

After rising, and barely having finished her breakfast, a servant came to report that Second Young Master Zhao had arrived.

Mei Wushuang was taken aback, wondering what he was here for.

Seeing Linglong and the others appearing as usual, yet with a hidden wariness in their eyes, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. They were nominally husband and wife, yet meeting now felt like a clandestine affair.

But she couldn't refuse to see him either. It was rare for Zhao Jianzhi to seek her out, and if he came, it must be for a reason. Could it be that he was here to discuss their divorce?

With complex emotions swirling within her, Wushuang instructed that he be let in, and met him in the main room of the hall.

It had been quite a while since they last met. Exactly how long, Wushuang couldn't recall, nor did she care to.

This time, Wushuang noticed a great change in Zhao Jianzhi.

In her memory, Second Young Master Zhao Jianzhi was aloof and proud, yet gentle and distant. Now, he exuded a heavy melancholy, like the dense twilight of autumn, or the leaden clouds shrouding the winter sky.

"You—is there something you need?"

Zhao Jianzhi saw that her eyes were half-lowered, not meeting his gaze directly. He also noticed that she had shed her usual listlessness, becoming vibrant and radiant, and a mix of complex emotions welled up within him.

After a long silence, he finally said, "I heard you were injured, so I came to see how you were."

Wushuang had intended to exchange a few polite words, but found herself unable to. The silence between them made the whole scene extremely awkward.

She thought for a moment and said, "Thank you for your concern."

But these words only made the situation more awkward.

They were husband and wife, yet they had reached such a state that even a simple polite greeting could be so awkward. She wondered whose fault it truly was.

"Since you are well, that is good."

Zhao Jianzhi stood up. "I simply came to check on you."

As he was about to reach the door, he finally stopped, but did not turn around.

"I actually came to say that no one in this mansion wishes you harm. Yunshang wouldn't either. Your injury was not caused by anyone in the family."

Wushuang was stunned. She wanted to say something, but saw his figure hurrying away.

Perhaps his arrival was solely to utter those words; that was his primary reason for coming.

Who exactly sent him? And why would he, who was always so proud and aloof, be willing to say such things? Mei Wushuang no longer wanted to ponder it, nor did she care to.

It is already thus; let it be.

In the days that followed, she entered the palace less frequently, while he came to find her at night more often.

At first, she dared not speak of it, but later, she cautiously mentioned it. He listened, and on his next visit, he no longer came alone, but brought Fusheng and guards, which only made the situation more unmanageable.

She was a woman of the Zhao family, yet he disregarded public opinion. It would have been one thing if he came secretly, but he insisted on making such a grand display. How could he possibly conceal it from the Zhao family?

But she had created this situation, and she dared not voice her regret, nor could she tell him not to bring guards, as his safety was paramount.

Mei Wushuang no longer wished to contemplate what the Zhao family thought.

Each day, she went to pay her respects to Chen shi, who sometimes wore a blank expression, sometimes glared at her, and sometimes looked at her with resentment. Fortunately, it was a brief formality, and Mei Wushuang was not greatly affected.

As of today, Mei Wushuang hoped that the residence next door could be completed soon.

In that case, she could avoid further awkwardness.

Rushing to get it done before the new year and the arrival of spring, the residence was finally completed.

Mei Wushuang went to see it once and finally understood why renovating a residence could take so long. The interior was almost entirely new, making it impossible for her to recognize its former appearance.

Now that the residence was renovated, it was time to move.

Generally, moving to a new residence involves certain customs, such as choosing an auspicious day, hanging red silk and colorful decorations, and making offerings to the Kitchen God, and so on.

These matters were arranged by others, requiring no concern from Mei Wushuang. However, he bestowed upon her a plaque inscribed by his own hand, leaving her melancholy for half a day, yet utterly helpless.

A golden plaque hung high above the main entrance of the residence, bearing the inscription 'Lady Fengtian's Mansion.'

Wushuang did not attend the unveiling of the red silk covering the plaque; it was handled by the servants of the mansion. However, she heard the deafening sound of firecrackers outside.

She knew without needing to imagine the scene, and what the Zhao family's feelings must be upon hearing the firecrackers. Yet, the few servants in her courtyard who were originally Zhao family servants seemed very pleased.

Granny Gao, the mother of Zhuzi, was particularly happy, sending a errand girl to check the situation outside and report back to Mei Wushuang.

It was said that the red paper from the firecrackers covered the entire street in front of the gate, and many passersby were watching.

In truth, Mei Wushuang knew what Granny Gao was thinking. As that residence was gradually being renovated, several servants in her courtyard had more than once expressed their desire to follow and serve her there.

They had secretly run over there more than once, using her name as an excuse, and returned to relay to her how the residence was being renovated, how good it was, and so on.

The Zhao Duke's Mansion being sealed up that time had frightened many of the Zhao family's servants. No matter how long they had been in service, no one wanted to share the master's misfortune and die with them. Now that there was a high branch to climb, a chance to escape this precarious existence, they naturally didn't want to let it go.

But Wushuang heard from Linglong that the servants there would all be transferred from the palace.

However, that Granny Gong did say that if Madam wished to take in these few people, it was permissible. In any case, they would be placed in lower positions to serve, and would not be allowed to get close to Madam again.

At first, Wushuang didn't understand the meaning, but after listening to Granny Gong's subtle explanation, she understood.

According to Granny Gong, a master should learn to use both kindness and authority. Kindness meant rewards, and authority meant punishments. This was an act of bestowing kindness, and it was being bestowed upon all the servants of the Zhao family, informing them that those who were sensible and served well might have a chance to change their fate.

With these few as examples, the other Zhao family servants would naturally know how to conduct themselves in the future, and would not dare to be disrespectful to her again. Although servants were insignificant, one would inevitably encounter them from time to time, so it was better to subdue them, and life would be more smooth and pleasant in the future.

Granny Gong had only recently arrived and would be the managing granny in that residence in the future.

Wushuang thought about it and felt that what she said made a lot of sense, so she agreed.

As for the matters that followed, they were all left to Granny Gong to handle.

Wushuang didn't know the specific process, but in short, after Granny Gong's training, Granny Gao and the others became even more disciplined, and their gazes towards her became even more respectful.

She didn't just take them away, but also their parents. This included Zhuzi, who had been implicated before and had been recuperating at home for more than a month after being hit with a stick.

In fact, Wushuang's intention to take in these few people was mostly because of Zhuzi.

Regardless of what intentions Granny Gao's family had in trying to please her, Zhuzi usually escorted her, treated her with respect, and handled matters conscientiously and appropriately. Moreover, since he was injured because of her, she still had to acknowledge a debt of gratitude.

Within a few days of moving over, the Zhao family sent over the contracts of sale for these families.

Granny Gao revealed a smile and said that they were sensible, indicating that the Zhao family's reaction was within her expectations.

After that, Wushuang began her life of establishing a separate residence.