Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Su Qingwu

At the Governor’s Residence, the Governor’s wife came forward to welcome Madam Jin and Mu Yunyao with a face full of smiles. “Why have the two of you come so late? Had you delayed any longer, I would have sent someone to invite you myself. Come now, no need for excessive courtesy. Rise and come inside to sit.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Jin, the Governor’s wife turned her gaze toward Mu Yunyao. Compared with the previous two times they had met, her warmth today was plainly much greater. “These days have been so busy that I have not had time to visit Niyun Pavilion. Miss Mu, why do you look as though you have grown so much thinner?”

Mu Yunyao wore a well-behaved smile. “I have troubled Madam to keep me in mind. My appetite has been poor these days, so I have eaten a little less.”

“At your young age, you must take better care of yourself. The cook in my residence prepares excellent medicinal meals. In a while, I shall have someone stew a bowl and send it to you.”

Mu Yunyao quickly rose, her expression touched with flattered surprise. “How could I dare accept such kindness?”

“The moment I look at you, I feel fond of you. What is there to dare or not dare? When you leave, I shall have someone copy the medicinal meal recipe for you to take back. Have it prepared every day and eat some. In no more than a few days, you will be as fresh and tender as before.”

Mu Yunyao hurriedly bent her knees in a curtsy. “Many thanks, Madam. I shall certainly have it stewed and eaten every day.” Her eyes were bright, and the sincerity in her voice was unmistakable. Since the Governor’s wife had clearly formed the intention to befriend her, there was naturally no reason to refuse.

Both the Governor’s wife and Madam Jin seemed somewhat distracted. From time to time, their gazes drifted toward the doorway. About half an hour later, a maid rushed in in a fluster. “Reporting to Madam, His Majesty’s reward has arrived. Master has sent someone to inform you, Madam Jin, and Miss Mu to proceed to the front courtyard to receive the imperial decree.”

“Good. We shall go at once.” The Governor’s wife immediately rose, her face radiant. “Quickly, quickly. The two of you are the important ones today.”

Madam Jin did not stand on further ceremony either and followed the Governor’s wife toward the front courtyard.

Before the main hall in the front courtyard, the incense table and all other necessary items had already been arranged.

Governor Zhang stood respectfully below the incense table with the officials according to their respective ranks. Upon the table rested a roll of bright yellow imperial decree, its surface gleaming beneath the sunlight with solemn brilliance.

Mu Yunyao followed Madam Jin into the front courtyard. Her eyes were lowered slightly, fixed upon the ground. The depths of her gaze were quiet, while her face carried just the right measure of reverent unease. Then she heard Governor Zhang say, “Lord Su, everyone has arrived. You may now read His Majesty’s decree.”

At the word Su, Mu Yunyao’s brows shifted almost imperceptibly. She lifted her head by instinct—and in that single glance, it was as though a thunderbolt had split through her.

Beside the incense table stood a young man. He wore light armor, his features fine as a painting, his phoenix eyes bright and clear. His entire figure was like a green pine standing proud against frost and snow, all unyielding bone and natural distinction.

Mu Yunyao looked at him. A dark tide surged beneath her chest, rolling upward until it flooded into her eyes. Those black pupils seemed to freeze over like ice hanging a thousand chi from a cliff, not a trace of warmth or light remaining.

Su Qingwu.

It was actually Su Qingwu!

Su Qingwu held the imperial decree in both hands, waiting quietly for everyone to bow. Suddenly, he sensed an unusually sharp gaze fall upon him. He immediately raised his eyes to look, but all he saw was the crowd kneeling in reverence. Nothing appeared out of place.

“By imperial decree of the Emperor, Jingling City…”

Mu Yunyao knelt with the others. Her hands were folded, her forehead touching the ground, her posture impeccably respectful. Yet within her, waves rose high enough to overturn the heavens.

Su Qingwu—the eldest legitimate grandson of the Su family, their greatest pride. At only twenty years old, he had been exceptionally promoted to First-Rank Imperial Guard. Even the sons of princes and nobles, when mentioning Su Qingwu, had to praise him as rare indeed.

In her previous life, in order to take revenge on that good elder sister of hers, she had used certain means to climb into Jin Wang’s bed. This noble young master, praised by all under heaven, had kicked her in the chest, forcing her to cough up three mouthfuls of blood. She remembered, at every moment, the look in his eyes then: contemptuous, disdainful, as though he were looking at a clump of filth on the ground.

Afterward, she entered Jin Wang’s Residence as a concubine. To please the Emperor, Jin Wang had to personally copy 100 scrolls of Buddhist scripture to seek blessings. She accompanied Jin Wang to Huguo Temple and imitated his handwriting to help him copy the scriptures. Unexpectedly, Su Qingwu discovered it. In the name of disrespect toward the Emperor, he had dragged her into the courtyard and had her beaten. At the time, she had already been four months pregnant. After ten strokes of the plank, blood had appeared. That very night, after she returned, the child was gone…

That child had come beyond her expectations, yet she had awaited it with all her heart. Had it not been for those ten strokes, perhaps it could have been born safely.

As her thoughts churned, Su Qingwu had already reached the part of the decree concerning her reward.

“…Mu Yunyao, benevolent of heart and worthy in conduct, is hereby rewarded with one pair of jade ruyi, ten bolts of brocade, and one hundred taels of gold…”

The imperial decree was read for roughly a quarter of an hour before it finally came to an end.

Mu Yunyao gathered back the dark tide in her chest and forced the surface of herself into stillness, following the crowd in bowing to give thanks for imperial grace.

Governor Zhang rose and received the imperial decree, respectfully enshrining it inside the main hall. Then, with a face full of smiles, he invited Su Qingwu to the banquet. “Lord Su has come from afar and must be weary from travel. I have prepared a modest feast in the residence to welcome Lord Su and the honored guards, and to cleanse you of the dust of the road.”

In terms of official rank, Governor Zhang naturally stood above Su Qingwu. Yet he did not dare put on the slightest air of superiority. Leaving aside the fact that Su Qingwu was currently favored by the Emperor, his birth from the Su family alone made him someone no one dared underestimate. Moreover, he was only twenty years old. His future could be said to be bright beyond measure, his prospects vast and limitless.

“Many thanks for Governor Zhang’s gracious hospitality.”

“Please, this way.”

Su Qingwu remained where he was, his gaze turning in Mu Yunyao’s direction. “Speaking of which, this humble official also has a private matter. Might the Miss Mu who spread embroidery stitches throughout Jingling City be present?”

The calm Mu Yunyao had only just forced into place was nearly torn open again. Her nails pressed hard into her palm as she made herself appear as still as windless water.

Seeing everyone turn to look at her, she walked step by step to Su Qingwu. With every step, the violence in her heart deepened by a fraction. Yet her face moved in the opposite direction, gradually softening into a gentle, graceful smile. “This common girl, Mu Yunyao, greets Lord Su.”

Upon seeing Mu Yunyao, a flicker of surprise crossed Su Qingwu’s eyes. He had not expected her to be so young.

She wore an apricot-colored mamian skirt, embroidered with moonlight over a lotus pond. Standing there with delicate grace, she was like a lotus bud rising slender and upright from the water. Around her lingered a charming, limpid spirit, as though all the refined beauty of Jiangnan’s mountains and rivers had gathered in her.

Su Qingwu quickly restrained the trace of unusual feeling in his heart and spoke in a warm voice. “Miss Mu, there is no need for such courtesy. I have heard that your embroidery skill is unmatched. May I ask whether I might request a screen embroidered by your hand, to present to my grandmother as a birthday gift?”

“Since Lord Su has made the request, I should not refuse. However, recently I cannot touch needle and thread. I fear I must disappoint Lord Su.”

“Why is that?” Su Qingwu studied Mu Yunyao. From beginning to end, her eyes remained lowered. Her long lashes were like two little fans. When sunlight fell upon them, they seemed almost to shimmer with seven-colored light. For one so young to possess such delicate spirit and beauty—the displeasure of being refused lessened considerably in his heart.

Mu Yunyao extended her hand. A blood mark lay across her palm, startlingly vivid against skin like white jade. “Some time ago, I injured my hand. I ask Lord Su’s forgiveness.”

“So that is the case. It was Su who was presumptuous. What a pity…”

Mu Yunyao bent her knees in a curtsy, then withdrew behind Madam Jin. Her head lowered slightly, and she spoke no further.

Su Qingwu glanced at her once more. After withdrawing his gaze, his brows moved faintly. He did not know why, but when he faced Mu Yunyao just now, there was an indescribable sense of discord, something that made him unable to keep from taking notice.

Ru Yi means “as you wish.” The additional meaning of Ru Yi is beneficial luck and protection, with a reputation for helping its owner find a clear way to fulfill his path or destiny.

Edited by Little Kitty on 05/06/20

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠