Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 111

Chapter 111: A Return Gift for His Majesty

Mu Yunyao, however, nodded firmly.

“In truth, I have long had an idea in my heart. I simply never dared to hope for it. Now that such heaven-sent fortune has fallen upon my head, perhaps my dream may finally come true.”

Hearing her say this, Madam Jin felt even more that she was treating the matter like child’s play.

“Tell me first.”

If it was inappropriate, she could still persuade Mu Yunyao to change it.

“I wish to request a piece of calligraphy from His Majesty. I would ask him to write the three characters Niyun Pavilion. Then, once I rebuild the embroidery pavilion, I will have it made into a signboard and hang it above the entrance. In the future, I imagine no petty villain would dare lay a hand on Niyun Pavilion again.”

When Madam Jin heard this, she could not help nodding again and again.

“I was afraid that in your haste, you would not think of anything suitable. I did not expect you to have considered it even more thoroughly than I. Indeed, this is good. Later, when Lord Su speaks with you, you may tell him this request.”

Yin Hong entered to report, “Madam, Master has sent someone to say that Miss Mu is invited to the front hall.”

“I understand.”

Madam Jin nodded toward Mu Yunyao.

“Go quickly.”

Su Qingwu was seated at Governor Zhang’s side. Hearing the servant’s report, the motion of his hand as he drank tea paused, and his gaze turned toward the doorway before he could stop himself.

Mu Yunyao walked in slowly and performed a perfectly proper curtsy, each movement without the slightest error.

“This common girl greets the lords.”

These past few days, she had been nursing her injuries, and her body had already recovered by more than half. Only her complexion was still somewhat pale, and her chin had grown a little sharper than before, making that pair of clear eyes seem even larger. When she lifted her gaze slightly, light seemed to flow slowly within them, exceptionally moving.

Su Qingwu withdrew his gaze, yet his heart could not help thinking of the soft warmth he had felt in his arms that night.

She was small and slender, yet even her bones seemed soft. It made one feel that even touching her required the greatest care, for fear that the slightest carelessness might leave a bruise.

“Lord Su?”

Governor Zhang looked at Su Qingwu with some doubt. The news from the Capital would naturally be most appropriate coming from Su Qingwu.

Su Qingwu quickly returned to himself and spoke.

“Miss Mu’s Niyun Pavilion has rendered merit to Jingling City. His Majesty intends to bestow a further reward upon you. However, because rewards had already been granted before, for a time, His Majesty could not think of what else would be suitable. Thus, he specially sent an oral decree to ask whether Miss has anything she wishes for.”

From the moment she entered, Mu Yunyao had noticed a middle-aged man seated beside Su Qingwu.

Although he wore the clothing of an ordinary person, his face was pale and beardless, and there was a faintly soft, feminine air about him. At a glance, he was clearly from the palace eunuchs. Presumably, this was the person sent to Jingling City to convey His Majesty’s oral decree.

Once she understood the connections within this matter, she first turned toward the direction of the Capital and gracefully bowed. Only after respectfully kowtowing did she face Su Qingwu.

“Lord Su, having received His Majesty’s rewards, this common girl feels both honored and afraid. When Mother and I first came to Jingling City, we received much care from the people of Jingling City and Madam Jin. My heart is filled with endless gratitude. Thinking that I had no way to repay them, and that only my embroidery skill was presentable, I publicly taught it to others, merely to return a little of what Jingling City had given me. I would never dare claim merit for myself.”

Su Qingwu narrowed his eyes slightly. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Eunuch Xu standing at his side, and the corners of his lips lifted faintly.

Earlier, Mu Yunyao had clearly said that she spread embroidery skills in order to earn silver. Now, it had become repayment to Jingling City. Though she was young, she certainly knew how to serve different dishes to different guests.

“Miss Mu’s intentions are truly rare. However, His Majesty’s golden word is as weighty as law. Since he has said he will reward you, you may boldly speak.”

Mu Yunyao’s face filled with surprise and gratitude. Those clear eyes of hers made one’s heart tremble to look at them.

She turned again and bowed toward the direction of the Capital. Only then did she speak, appearing somewhat hesitant.

“Speaking of it, this common girl does indeed have a wish, though it is a most presumptuous one.”

Eunuch Xu, who stood at Su Qingwu’s side, could not help speaking.

“If Miss has a wish, there is no harm in saying it.”

This little girl’s eyes were truly born clever and bright. One glance at her made a person unconsciously feel a few parts of joy along with her.

Mu Yunyao’s face flushed slightly. The bashfulness and embarrassment in her eyes seemed almost about to overflow, making Eunuch Xu even more curious.

He could not help wondering inwardly. Looking at her expression, could it be that she had given rise to the thought of entering the palace to serve beside His Majesty?

After hesitating for a moment, Mu Yunyao finally spoke.

“I wish to request a piece of calligraphy from His Majesty.”

Eunuch Xu froze. Then he inwardly gave himself a slap.

He truly had spent too long in the palace to have thought so darkly of people’s hearts. Never mind that the little girl before him was still young. Just looking at her clear and limpid appearance, she could not possibly harbor those messy, improper thoughts.

Sensing the goodwill Eunuch Xu had developed toward Mu Yunyao, Su Qingwu could not help examining her more carefully.

Others might not know, but he knew very clearly.

This Eunuch Xu was named Xu Li, and he was the person most likely to be promoted to Chief Eunuch. In ordinary times, he handled matters so flawlessly that not a drop of water could leak through, and he was deeply trusted by His Majesty. Countless people had racked their brains hoping to receive even one favorable word from him, only to receive vague, ambiguous responses that left them unable to grasp his meaning.

Yet Mu Yunyao seemed to have struck directly at his pulse in a single move.

A trace of surprise flashed through Eunuch Xu’s eyes.

“Miss wishes to request His Majesty’s calligraphy?”

“Yes. His Majesty’s grace is vast and mighty. As the true dragon incarnate, His Majesty’s majesty is awe-inspiring. His calligraphy must also carry the breath of the true dragon and will certainly be able to bless this common girl with fortune, longevity, peace, and health.”

Mu Yunyao’s smile was radiant, her eyes bright as stars. That little face of hers, scarcely the size of a palm, seemed almost to glow.

Even Eunuch Xu could not help staring for a moment.

This little girl was not simple.

He served His Majesty in the palace. Even the most upright censorial officials sometimes had to offer flattering words to His Majesty. Yet he had never seen anyone speak praise with such sincerity.

“Since that is so, when I return, I will report Miss’s words exactly as they are.”

The smile in Mu Yunyao’s eyes grew even brighter.

“Many thanks, my lord.”

Reporting them exactly as they were was good. Had she not put on such a performance precisely so that the eunuch before her would speak a few favorable words for her in front of His Majesty?

“My lord, my tea house will open tomorrow. I have a batch of tea leaves that I personally roasted. May I ask whether I might trouble my lord to present them to His Majesty on my behalf? Let them be regarded as my return gift, to express this common girl’s gratitude.”

Eunuch Xu paused.

He had seen many people receive rewards from His Majesty, but he had never seen anyone who, after receiving a reward, still wished to send His Majesty a return gift.

“As for this…”

Mu Yunyao lowered her eyes slightly. Her fingers twisted together uneasily, and her voice carried a touch of dejection.

“What I am most skilled at is embroidery. Unfortunately, I injured my hand and cannot embroider a screen to repay His Majesty. I can only bring out the tea leaves I roasted earlier with my own hands. I hope His Majesty might understand this small piece of my gratitude.”

“To be honest with Miss, anything that enters His Majesty’s mouth must pass through layers upon layers of inspection. Tea leaves, too, must be designated tribute items. The sentiment behind the tea leaves Miss roasted by hand is indeed rare, but I fear they cannot enter the palace city.”

Mu Yunyao’s eyes filled with disappointment. Then a thread of hope flashed within them.

“So that is how it is? Then, may I give the tea leaves to my lord instead and ask my lord to bring them to the Capital to drink? In that way, it could still count as my intention being sent to the Capital.”

Eunuch Xu froze. Then he could not help smiling.

“Very well. As it happens, I also love tea. I can taste Miss’s skill.”

The little girl before him possessed such a sincere and innocent heart. It was truly exceedingly rare.

Edited by Little Kitty on 13/06/20

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