~ THICK SKIN, BLACK HEART ~
The carriage rolled steadily out of the capital. Poisonous Lady finished fussing with the brazier, replaced the charcoal in Mu Yunyao’s hand warmer, then finally sat down and let out a long breath.
“Yunyao, why did you suddenly decide to go back to Xiayan Village?”
Mu Yunyao shifted the warmer in her hands and shook her head slightly. “It wasn’t sudden. When we left, my father had only just passed. The year after that, we were far away in Jingling City, and nothing had settled yet. I didn’t feel safe going back. The second year, we returned to the capital, but the Su family persecuted Mother and me again and again. I couldn’t leave her behind and go alone, so it was delayed. This year, Mother and I are back by Grandmother’s side, and Father’s cause of death has been investigated clearly. Everything has finally come to rest. Also, I’m about to leave my mourning period, so I should properly pay my respects.”
She had lived through too much. Her father already felt very distant in her memories, yet every time she thought of him, the care and indulgence from her childhood still lingered in her heart. Each time, she could not help smiling softly.
Seeing the faint sadness in Mu Yunyao’s expression, Poisonous Lady leaned against the carriage wall and sighed. “Let me tell you, fathers only want their daughters to be happy. Back then, I was so childish that I made the old man stomp in rage, but when Medicine Immortal Valley fell, he still left me enough to live on. All these years, I thought I survived in the jianghu by my own medical skill and poison craft. Only after I went back did I learn he had quietly arranged so many things for me behind the scenes.”
Warmth rose in Mu Yunyao’s eyes. “Yes. I was the only child in the family. Grandmother Li never liked my mother, and because of that, she thought I, her daughter, was nothing but a money-losing burden. But Father treated me like a treasure. When I was little, my body was weak. I envied the other children running wild all over the village, so Father would take me everywhere to play. Climbing trees, wading into the river, catching birds, fishing… thinking back now, more than half my childhood was spent being carried and pampered by him like that. It’s just… before I could be filial to him, he was already gone…”
Poisonous Lady opened the hidden drawer in the carriage, took out a small white rabbit-shaped soft cake, and shoved it straight into Mu Yunyao’s mouth.
“Thinking about the past and missing him is fine, but you absolutely cannot cry. I hate it when people shed tears, especially when we’ve just set out. Crying is bad luck. If you dare cry, I’ll dust you with itching powder. I guarantee you’ll laugh until your stomach hurts.”
Mu Yunyao had been feeling a little heavy-hearted, but hearing that, she did not know whether to laugh or cry. She pulled out some snacks from the hidden compartment and ate with Poisonous Lady, the two of them chatting back and forth in high spirits.
Outside the carriage, His Royal Highness Yue Wang rode alongside them with an expression colder than winter frost.
Yu Heng cautiously slowed his horse, keeping a bit more distance from his lord. Only then did he feel the air around him warm slightly.
After Mu Yunyao finished her cake, she grew worried about Yue Wang riding out in the cold. She quickly lifted the curtain and looked over.
“Fourth Master, do you want to come in and drink some hot tea?”
Yue Wang met her gaze and could not help smiling. “It’s fine. I’m not cold.”
The moment he said it, he gave a very convincing shiver.
Mu Yunyao’s worry deepened. She held her hand warmer out to him. “Fourth Master, keep this inside your clothes.”
Yue Wang took it at once. “Yao’er, close the curtain quickly. It’s too cold outside. Don’t let yourself get chilled. It’s inconvenient inside the carriage so I won’t go in.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. She had only stretched her hand out for a moment, and her fingertips were already icy, let alone Yue Wang, who had been riding the whole time. Just thinking of it made her heart ache.
“Fourth Master, it won’t be long before we can take the boat. You…”
“I’m fine. Yao’er, don’t worry.” Yue Wang’s voice was gentle, his smile warm, and that only made Mu Yunyao feel even more tender toward him.
From the narrow gap in the curtain, Poisonous Lady squinted at Yue Wang. So this was the cold, taciturn man people talked about? Nonsense. He was a big-tailed wolf with a fox’s heart, finding every way to needle her. Hmph. She had been planning to leave as soon as they were out of the capital, but now she had changed her mind. She would stick around until they got on the boat.
When the curtain fell again, Yue Wang tucked the warm hand warmer against his chest and sighed in contentment.
Yu Heng quietly withdrew his gaze and recorded the lesson in his heart.
If you want to coax the one you love, remember this: your skin must be thick, and your heart must be black like his lord. With internal energy, His Royal Highness did not fear the cold at all. In a place like Yuexi, he could ride through wind and frost in thin clothing without blinking. Yet in front of Miss Mu, he insisted on acting as if he were shivering from the chill. Also, when you lie, you cannot blush. You have to hold steady. Your expression must look natural, more natural, and even more natural.
Yes. This move was very useful. I could try it in other situations, too.
The carriage traveled all the way to the river pier. Guards halted it, and Mu Yunyao, Yue Wang, and the others boarded a boat.
Poisonous Lady hauled out her luggage, then waved at Mu Yunyao with breezy confidence. “I’ve got something to handle, I’m going back to Medicine Immortal Valley for a bit. You and His Royal Highness Yue Wang, be careful on the road. If you meet bad people, throw a handful of poison powder first and drop them where they stand.”
Mu Yunyao stared. “So that’s why you packed so fast when leaving the palace. You were already planning to slip away.”
As she spoke, she suddenly noticed someone on the opposite bank, waving excitedly.
Poisonous Lady’s face changed. She instantly pulled up her veil to cover her face. “I’m going. Be careful on the road. I’ll definitely return to the capital before your wedding.”
With that, she turned and hurried off.
The person across the river panicked and leapt straight over the water, skimming across the surface and landing on the bank in a flash.
Only when he drew close did Mu Yunyao see him clearly. He looked just over twenty, tall and straight, yet he had a baby face that made him seem younger. His eyes were especially clear and bright.
Seeing Mu Yunyao and Yue Wang standing by the river, he stopped, straightened his clothes, and bowed properly.
“Thank you, County Princess, for taking care of my Senior Sister.”
A thought flashed through Mu Yunyao’s mind, and she remembered the pouch she had once seen on Poisonous Lady. A smile tugged at her lips. “No need to thank me.”
The young man bowed again, then turned and chased after Poisonous Lady. “Senior Sister, Senior Sister, wait for me…”
Poisonous Lady walked even faster, as if she could not flee quickly enough.
A moment ago, the young man had crossed the river with superb lightness and skill. Now, he did not use any martial arts. He ran after her on foot. When he caught up, he did not dare get too close, only trailing behind while calling again and again.
“Senior Sister, Little Senior Sister, wait for me. We haven’t seen each other in so long, I have so much I want to tell you properly. Little Senior Sister, Medicine Immortal Valley only has the two of us left now. We should care for each other. Senior Sister, you’re walking so fast, aren’t you tired…”
When their figures finally disappeared from view, Mu Yunyao looked away.
“Fourth Master, what do you think of those two?”
“They’re very good,” Yue Wang said calmly.
Very good, as long as they kept entangling each other like this and did not come back to interrupt him and Yunyao.
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