~ Su Qing Is Injured ~
After returning to Ni Yun Fang, Mu Yunyao immediately noticed that Su Qing was restless, unable to sit still.
“Mother, what’s wrong?”
“Yao’er, you’re finally back. There’s something I want to discuss with you. Come—we’ll speak upstairs in private.”
Mu Yunyao signaled for Jin Lan and Jin Qiao to stay where they were, then followed Su Qing upstairs.
“Mother, what do you think of Si Qin and the others?”
Su Qing’s brows were tightly drawn together.
“It’s precisely about those four that I wanted to speak. I am only one person—how could I possibly need so many attendants? And… I always feel they are not ordinary maids. I don’t know from whom Liu Liang purchased them…”
“Mother,” Mu Yunyao replied gently, “all four signed death contracts. Their indenture deeds are in our possession. There is no need to worry about their loyalty. Whatever their background, it makes no difference.”
“That’s not what I mean,” Su Qing said softly. “It’s just… their bearing is extraordinary. Being around them makes me feel strangely uneasy.”
Mu Yunyao led her to sit down and began lightly kneading her shoulders.
“Mother, I can now let you live more comfortably. Naturally, I must arrange more attendants to serve you so that you may enjoy your blessings in peace. This is your daughter’s filial devotion—you mustn’t refuse.”
“Yao’er…”
“Besides, they are not merely maids. I mentioned before that I fear the Xuanfu Envoy and others may cause trouble in secret. These four know some martial skills. They can ensure your safety.”
Su Qing hesitated before finally nodding.
“Very well… then we shall keep them.”
Mu Yunyao made a silent note to herself. She would have to help Su Qing grow stronger. If they ever returned to the Su family, even verbal barbs alone would leave her mother weeping day after day.
The following days were unusually quiet at Ni Yun Fang.
Yet throughout Jingling City, a strange fervor had taken hold.
Suddenly, embroidered goods appeared everywhere—handkerchiefs, garments, decorative pieces. Though the quality varied, the stitching techniques and patterns were distinct and innovative. Visiting merchants found it remarkable.
Sensing an opportunity, several merchants began openly purchasing embroidered goods at reasonable prices, provided the craft met a certain standard. For a time, countless people beamed with gratitude toward Ni Yun Fang.
Mu Yunyao, however, became even more low-profile. Unless necessary, she did not step outside the workshop.
About eight or nine days later, Lady Jin sent Yin Hong to invite her to the Cao residence.
“I’ve heard you haven’t stepped outside for quite some time. Are you preparing the Ni Yun Beauty Catalogue?”
“You truly see through everything, Madam,” Mu Yunyao replied with her usual frankness before Lady Jin. “This edition is not easy to prepare. Many ladies have sent word in private. Choosing whom to include—and whom to leave out—risks offending someone.”
“I care not about the others. There must be a page for me.”
As she spoke, Lady Jin gently stroked her abdomen. After years of longing, her wish had finally been fulfilled. Even in her dreams, she feared it might dissolve like mist upon waking.
“Then I must release the catalogue quickly,” Mu Yunyao teased lightly. “In another two months, once the garments are ready, you may not be able to wear them.”
Lady Jin laughed, her joy unmistakable. These days, her greatest concern was the child she carried. She even paid less attention to overseeing the teaching of embroidery techniques. Unexpectedly, this had earned her praise for being ungreedy and unconcerned with power.
“You tease me again. I invited you today because I have good news.”
Mu Yunyao allowed a trace of curiosity to surface.
“And what might that be?”
“You’ve always been clever. Guess correctly, and I’ll send you two plates of the kitchen’s newest pastries.”
Mu Yunyao’s tone carried playful reproach, though her smile was bright and pure.
“Madam grows stingier by the day—only two plates? Could it be… some reward falling from the heavens?”
Lady Jin covered her mouth and laughed.
“Indeed—a reward from above.”
She pointed upward deliberately, emphasizing the word.
Mu Yunyao froze. Then she abruptly rose to her feet, nearly overturning the teacup beside her.
“Madam—could it be an imperial reward?”
“I thought you were steady by nature,” Lady Jin said with amusement. “Yet you grow so excited at the mention of the Emperor.”
Still, she was secretly pleased. In the end, Mu Yunyao was young. Hearing of an imperial reward naturally stirred her heart.
“The reward should arrive within a day or two.”
Joy bloomed uncontrollably across Mu Yunyao’s face.
“Then… do I need to prepare anything? Aren’t imperial gifts meant to be enshrined?”
As she spoke, her expression grew troubled.
Lady Jin raised a brow. “What troubles you?”
Mu Yunyao lowered her voice.
“There is something I do not understand. If the Emperor rewards me with silver… am I meant to spend it, or enshrine it?”
Seeing her distressed over the thought of unusable silver, Lady Jin burst into laughter.
“You, when you are clever, none can compare. When you are foolish, you are truly foolish. Silver may naturally be spent. Even with other gifts, you need not enshrine them all. Select one or two items to display in reverence—that is sufficient.”
Mu Yunyao’s face flushed faintly. She truly did not know. Every time the Su family received imperial gifts, they held a grand ceremony to enshrine them in the ancestral hall.
Lady Jin was in high spirits and refused to let Mu Yunyao leave at mealtime. She insisted she stay for dinner and chatted with her for nearly another hour before finally having Yin Hong escort her back to Ni Yun Fang.
The moment Mu Yunyao stepped down from the carriage, Si Qin hurried toward her.
“Miss, Madam is feeling unwell. Please come upstairs.”
Mu Yunyao’s face went pale at once. Without asking for details, she lifted her skirts and ran upstairs.
Si Qin was startled by her reaction and quickly followed.
Mu Yunyao’s heart pounded like a drum. By the time she reached the third floor, a thin layer of cold sweat covered her back. She bit her lip and pushed the door open.
“Mother, what happened—”
Su Qing sat at the edge of the bed, brows furrowed. At the sight of Mu Yunyao’s ashen face, she was startled.
“What is this? Why is your complexion so pale?”
She tried to rise, but Si Qi quickly supported her.
“Madam twisted her ankle. Please be careful.”
Seeing that Su Qing was merely pale rather than gravely ill, Mu Yunyao let out a heavy breath. The heart that had leapt to her throat slowly settled.
She stepped forward and helped her mother sit properly.
“I heard from Si Qin that you were unwell. I was frightened.”
Su Qing took a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from her daughter’s forehead.
“It was nothing serious. On the way back, the carriage was startled. I was jostled and twisted my ankle. That is all. You, on the other hand, rushed up here looking as though you had seen a ghost.”
Si Qin hurried in and bowed apologetically.
“It was this servant’s fault for not explaining clearly and causing Miss to worry. Please punish me.”
Mu Yunyao shook her head.
“It is not your fault. I did not ask carefully enough. But how did the horse become startled in the first place?”
Thank you for translate this chapter 💞
ReplyDeleteThank you for translate this chapter 💞
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! Love this story
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