Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 137

Chapter 137: The Owner of Caiyue Pavilion Arrives

Mu Yunyao had not expected Steward Qin to react so strongly.

“In truth, these are all ordinary seasonings. It only takes some care to roast and fry them. The cost is not much higher than ordinary grain. In fact, many merchants who travel to different places for business in winter carry some ginger tea with them. Has Steward Qin never heard of it?”

Steward Qin froze. Then he shook his head with a bitter smile.

“I have made Miss laugh at me. I accompanied His Highness out of the palace, so naturally, I never came into contact with such things while we were in the imperial palace. Later, after we arrived in Yuexi, the land there was poor in resources and sparsely populated. In winter, we often had to endure hunger and cold. Even His Highness himself had to be extremely frugal with a single basin of charcoal fire.

“There are some cities around us, but the prices of rice and flour there are far too high. The monthly military pay issued by the imperial court cannot even buy one sheng of rice. Moreover, now the imperial court is even withholding that military pay…”

Listening to Steward Qin’s account, Mu Yunyao grew increasingly surprised.

She had only met Yue Wang twice. The first time, she had fallen from a carriage and landed at his feet. At that time, she had only felt that the person before her carried a coolness like water all around him. His blade-like brows and eyes were filled with sharp coldness. One glance at him seemed capable of cutting through even the mind.

The second time was when Jin Wang sent her to Yue Wang’s Residence. She had only seen him hurriedly in the room before fainting.

Most of her impression of Yue Wang came from the complaints she had once heard from Jin Wang. At that time, Yue Wang had already taken charge of the imperial guards and guarded the palace city. His status could also be considered imposing and powerful. She had not expected that his life in Yuexi had been so bitter.

A dignified imperial prince, and the Empress’s legitimate son at that, actually had to worry about his livelihood. If this were said aloud, many people would likely hear it as a joke.

Steward Qin sighed heavily.

“His Highness went to Yuexi when he was twelve. In the very year he arrived, he became seriously ill and almost could not be treated. Later, His Highness did all he could to develop the place, but the conditions were limited. Even now, when winter comes, people still often starve to death.

“Those of us who accompany His Highness are truly useless. We cannot help him much. Fortunately, there is Miss Mu. If this ginger tea can be transported to Yuexi, it will truly be a great help.”

No wonder Steward Qin had hurriedly sent the silver to Yue Wang before. It turned out that he truly lacked money. Judging from this situation, that place likely lacked everything.

“In that case, I will make arrangements as soon as possible. I will first roast and prepare a batch of ginger tea, then have it sent to His Highness.”

“Good. Many thanks, Miss. If there is anything I can help with, please give your orders. I will return to Jinxiu Garden first and write a letter to tell His Highness this good news.”

“Mm.”

When Steward Qin left, he was still reluctant to part with the ginger tea in his hands. He directly carried the bowl away with him.

Mu Yunyao looked at his departing figure and could not help curling her lips into a smile.

She believed that Yuexi’s conditions were poor, but they were definitely not as miserable as Steward Qin had said. After all, if they truly did not even have food to eat, how would Yue Wang have the ability to cultivate his own forces?

However, these things had nothing to do with her. She only wanted to use the ginger tea to make Yue Wang owe her a favor. In the future, when he rose to power, she could borrow his influence and make her own affairs more convenient.

Mu Yunyao thought carefully for a moment, then called Liu Liang in.

“Master.”

“Liu Liang, do you have anyone under you who is good at business?”

Whether it was Liu Liang, Shopkeeper Qian, Ding Yuelan, or the others, too many people in Jingling City knew them. If they went to buy grain in large quantities, it would draw far too much attention.

“Yes. Qi Ming. He is good at doing business.”

“Good.”

Mu Yunyao nodded and handed over the paper in her hand.

“The things I need are written on this. Take it to Qi Ming and let him look at it. Have him investigate the prices and calculate the total amount of silver. Then report back to me.”

“Yes, Master.”

On the other side, Steward Qin carried a bowl of ginger tea back to Jinxiu Garden. The smile at the corners of his eyes and brows was difficult to hide, making Yu Yi, who saw him, extremely curious.

“Steward Qin, what are you carrying? It smells quite good.”

Steward Qin quickly dodged aside.

“This is a treasure. Hurry and go attend to the guests. Do not ask what you should not ask. Wait. I remember we have quite a few jewelry sets and hair ornaments here, do we not?”

“We do have quite a few, but those things were all left behind by that person. Although Master did not say anything, it would be better if we did not use them lightly…”

“Choose a set that does not reveal its origin and send it to Miss Mu.”

Yu Yi was startled.

“Steward Qin, should this not be discussed with Master?”

“If I tell you to send it, then send it. If Master asks about it, just say I told you to send it. It will not implicate you. Hmph.”

After Steward Qin finished speaking, he directly carried the ginger tea away.

After arriving at the study, he slowly finished drinking the ginger tea. Feeling the warm, full sensation in his stomach, Steward Qin could not help sighing. If they had met Miss Mu earlier, His Highness would not have had to suffer so much.

However, every drink and every bite was governed by fate. It was not too late now. His Highness’s fortune had finally arrived!

After finishing two letters, Steward Qin handed them to Yu Yi.

“Deliver them personally to Master. They are extremely important.”

Yu Yi’s expression became stern, and he quickly nodded.

“Yes.”

After Mu Yunyao finished instructing Liu Liang, she settled down and watched over the progress of Niyun Pavilion.

Now that there were several more storefronts given by the Governor’s wife, Niyun Pavilion’s scale had risen to another level. She did not plan to rebuild the shops below. They only needed to be carefully renovated, and for the time being, they could still be used as Niyun Pavilion’s storefronts.

The Niyun Beauty Catalog had already been completed. After Mu Yunyao carefully checked it and found no problems, she directly followed the usual practice and sent one copy to each residence.

Now, her status was different from before, after all. The booklets had only just been sent out when she received many letters ordering custom garments. It could be said that as long as she opened her mouth, nearly forty thousand taels of silver would immediately enter her account.

This was just right. Since she intended to bribe Yue Wang, this silver would be useful.

The newly released Niyun Beauty Catalog received great praise throughout Jingling City.

On the other side, Tan Lin, the owner of Caiyue Pavilion, hurriedly arrived in Jingling City. It was said that he brought generous gifts several times and requested to meet County Magistrate Zhao, but each time, he was driven out of the yamen. This drew many people to rush over and watch the excitement.

Mu Yunyao was directing the embroiderers in adjusting garment sizes when Jin Lan hurried in with an invitation card.

“Miss, Master Tan, the owner of Caiyue Pavilion, sent someone to deliver an invitation. He wishes to meet you.”

Mu Yunyao took the card and swept her eyes over it. Then she casually tossed it aside.

“Go reply to him. Say that only Mother and I live in this household, so it is inconvenient for us to receive male visitors. It is truly unsuitable for us to receive Master Tan.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jin Lan had not been gone for long before she came in again with another invitation card.

“Miss, Master Tan’s people said he wishes to invite Miss to Buxian Tower for tea…”

Mu Yunyao took the card. When she opened it, she saw banknotes tucked inside. After counting them slightly, she found a full twenty thousand taels.

“What a generous hand… However, since silver has been delivered to my door, there is naturally no reason not to take it. Go reply to him. Say that a guest who has come from afar should be treated with courtesy. Tomorrow morning, at the third quarter of the si hour, I will invite Master Tan to drink tea at Buxian Tower.”

“Miss, are you planning to let Tan Bawang go?”

Jin Lan could not help asking.

“I am only a merchant, not an official. Even if I speak, it does not count. How the case will be judged is still County Magistrate Zhao’s business. As for why I am meeting Master Tan, naturally, it is to discuss business.”

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