Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 140

Chapter 140: Repaying Resentment with Virtue?

“Although Niyun Pavilion has a resounding reputation in Jingling City, it has also drawn no small amount of secret jealousy. I spread the embroidery stitches because I want the golden signboard above my head to become even more stable. Therefore, I will help Master Tan train embroiderers and teach everything I know without holding anything back. When Master Tan passes the embroidery stitches down, you should tell everyone where these stitches came from.”

Tan Lin frowned.

“I can publicize Miss’s contribution, but how can I make sure that Miss has taught everything she knows?”

“In the future, when it comes to embroidery, Master Tan may keep an eye on Niyun Pavilion at all times. If you see me using a new embroidery stitch, you may bring people to my door, or even report me directly to the authorities.”

“Then one more point must be added. Miss may only cooperate with Caiyue Pavilion.”

“Very well. Other embroidery workshops do not have Caiyue Pavilion’s strength either. Why should I abandon what is near and seek what is far?”

Seeing Mu Yunyao agree, a trace of joy appeared on Tan Lin’s face.

Mu Yunyao continued, “Cai Qing and her younger brothers and sister have already signed life-sale contracts. From now on, they are servants of my household. I hope your son will not trouble them again.”

Although she had not agreed to help, Caiyue Pavilion’s influence still could not be underestimated. After some investigation, Tan Bawang would most likely be locked up for only two months before being released. Even if the punishment was heavier, Tan Lin had enough silver to help him offset the crime.

“Good.”

Tan Lin agreed readily. A few servants were not worth placing in his eyes.

The smile on Mu Yunyao’s face deepened.

“Since that is the case, please have Master Tan draft the contract. That way, I imagine you can feel more at ease.”

Tan Lin thought about it. This would only benefit him and cause no harm. It would also prevent Mu Yunyao from drafting the contract and hiding loopholes inside that he could not discover. The young girl before him was not old, but her thoughts were extremely deep. Otherwise, how could she have risen so smoothly in Jingling City within such a short time?

Fearing that delay would bring trouble, and because Tan Lin had already considered the matter carefully before coming, he asked for paper and brush and began drafting the contract on the spot.

Mu Yunyao quietly sipped her tea. Tan Lin had inherited his father’s business and expanded Caiyue Pavilion step by step. If not for his refined calculations and excellent methods, Caiyue Pavilion would have long since vanished among the crowd. Therefore, seeing him write the contract on the spot did not surprise her much.

Tan Lin spent nearly an hour before finishing the document and handing it to Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao took it and carefully read through it. Then she nodded.

“Master Tan has written it thoroughly and thoughtfully. Since that is the case, let us make two copies. After the contract is signed, you may send the embroiderers to Jingling City.”

“If I send the embroiderers over so openly, and the other embroidery workshops find out, will they interfere?”

Although there was a contract, he could not stop others from trying to insert themselves into the matter. He had offered such a generous gift, and for the moment, had even set aside his own son, all because he wanted to hold this fat piece of meat firmly in his mouth. He would not allow anything to go wrong again.

“How about this? Recently, I have been preparing to count the people from other places who have come to Niyun Pavilion to learn embroidery stitches. Master Tan may select a portion of Caiyue Pavilion’s best embroiderers and send them over. I will treat them as ordinary outsiders and teach them together with the rest. This way, it should not attract attention.”

“That is the only way. I wonder how long Miss will need to finish teaching the embroidery stitches?”

“That will depend on the aptitude of the embroiderers Master Tan sends. If they are talented and intelligent, half a month will be enough.”

“Good. I will return and make arrangements now, so I will not disturb Miss any further.”

Mu Yunyao stood and personally escorted Tan Lin out.

“Master Tan, take care.”

“Miss, please stay.”

After Tan Lin left in high spirits, Jin Lan entered to tidy the tea set. Yet her eyes kept looking toward Mu Yunyao.

Seeing her expression of wanting to speak but holding back, Mu Yunyao felt uncomfortable on her behalf.

“Do you think I should not have handed such a good opportunity to Tan Lin?”

“Yes. This servant has followed Miss for quite some time. I always feel that, with Miss’s temperament, you have always been clear about kindness and grudges. Tan Bawang had malicious thoughts and framed you. Even if Caiyue Pavilion is powerful, you would not repay resentment with virtue like this!”

Mu Yunyao smiled. A flash of light passed through her lowered eyes.

“Until the very end, no one can decide whether something is good or bad. Just watch slowly.”

Three days later, Jin Qiao entered and reported to Su Qing and Mu Yunyao.

“Madam, Miss, County Magistrate Zhao held court and concluded Tan Bawang’s case of forcibly seizing a common woman. Because Tan Bawang’s servants insisted that they had egged him on from the side and caused him to have wicked thoughts, they also said that they were the ones who injured A'Mao, Nan’er, and the others. Li’er was also abducted by them. The false accusation against Miss was also their crooked idea and had nothing much to do with Tan Bawang. Therefore, only some silver was confiscated, and Tan Bawang was locked up for three months.”

Su Qing could not help frowning.

“That Tan Bawang nearly beat Nan’er and A'Mao to death. And it is settled just like this?”

Mu Yunyao did not feel surprised.

“Mother, there is no need to be too angry. Those two servants shouldered most of the crimes and instead protected Tan Bawang. I imagine Tan Lin must have operated behind the scenes. However, good and evil receive their reward in the end. The punishment he deserves will not be escaped.”

Su Qing nodded and instructed Jin Lan, Cai Qing, and the others.

“Then in the future, we must be more careful in how we act, lest Tan Bawang come looking for trouble again after he comes out.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After lunch, Jin Lan quickly ran over to report, “Miss, Madam Jin has arrived.”

Mu Yunyao quickly stood and straightened her skirt.

“Hurry and invite Madam in.”

Madam Jin wore a pale lotus-purple silk skirt, matched with a red jadeite tortoiseshell hairpin. She looked especially bright and beautiful.

“Greetings, Madam.”

“Quickly rise. These past few days, seeing that you were busy, I did not come over every day. I did not expect so many things to have happened here.”

As Madam Jin spoke, her tone carried a little reproach.

“When something happened, why did you not come find me?”

Mu Yunyao quickly supported her arm and led her inside to sit. Then she instructed Jin Lan to brew a cup of flower-fruit tea.

“They were only small matters. How would I dare trouble Madam? Right now, the most important thing for you is to calmly nurse your body. That is far more important than my small matters.”

Madam Jin could not help smiling.

“You always speak reasonably. Yesterday, County Magistrate Zhao’s wife came to visit me. She told me about Tan Bawang’s matter and asked me to come here and inform you, fearing that you would hold a grudge in your heart.”

“Madam Chen truly worries too much. County Magistrate Zhao handled the matter impartially. How could I hold any grudge?”

“I told her the same thing. The days ahead are long. Nothing is decided in one morning or one evening.”

Madam Jin’s tone carried deep meaning.

Mu Yunyao could not help smiling.

“Is it not exactly as Madam says?”

Seeing that she understood her meaning, Madam Jin did not say more. Instead, she stretched out her wrist for Mu Yunyao to take her pulse.

“Come quickly and take a look for me. I feel very well these past two days. It is all thanks to the delicious food your mother made for me. Even now, thinking of it makes me terribly greedy.”

Mu Yunyao was just about to speak when Su Qing walked in.

“Greetings, Madam Jin.”

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