~ TRACE OF DING YUELAN ~
After returning from the Cao family’s residence, Mu Yunyao told Su Qing about Lady Jin’s situation. After hearing her words, Su Qing praised her for doing the right thing. “If Lady Jin had not supported us back then, we would not have been together today. After spending so much time together, I know we will inevitably use something to take advantage of each other. People’s feelings are not easy to change overnight. We have been with Lady Jin for a long time, know her character, and have a real relationship with her. We will stop thinking about gains and losses but care for them more.”
Mu Yunyao was stunned for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, Mother is right.” In this new life, her heart had become cold and hard. She could meticulously scheme for the sake of achieving her goal. However, she did not want to become someone who did not care what methods she used. Otherwise, what difference was there between her with the Su family and Jin Wang, whom she hated?
Ni Yun Fang was burned down and naturally needed to be rebuilt. Lady Jin gave her the original contract of the house. After Mu Yunyao thanked her, she did not decline anymore. Mu Yunyao waited for Bu Xian Luo to get on the right track, and then she would come to Ni Yun Fang to see how Ni Yun Fang’s reconstruction had progressed over time.
After interacting with many female embroiderers, she had already paid attention to many people. She arranged for Jin Lan and Jin Qiao to ask around. Besides three people who had already signed the agreement with the other families, more than a dozen agreed to come to Ni Yun Fang to work.
With Bu Xian Luo making money these days, Mu Yunyao became wealthy, so she bought silk threads and clothes for the female embroiderers to try making clothes. Not to mention, they have really decent talents and skills. If any clothing matched her appearance, she would sell it as soon as they modified it.
After Lady Jin heard Mu Yunyao’s suggestion, she visited Jin Xiu Garden daily. It was unknown if it was because she was relaxed, but she actually managed to eat what Su Qing cooked for her and continuously praised Su Qing’s craftsmanship. Within a few days, the two of them had become familiar.
After learning that Su Qing would be in charge of Ni Yun Fang in the future, Lady Jin casually revealed the other family’s situation through idle chatter, allowing Su Qing to benefit significantly.
Seeing her mother and Lady Jin harmonize, Mu Yunyao naturally feels overjoyed. She focused her attention on the female embroiderers who were making clothes for her. Seeing that Ni Yun Fang was about to have a golden signboard, she knew she couldn’t do anything to damage her reputation. The clothes must be exquisite and gorgeous.
After dinner, Mu Yunyao designed her clothes in the study room. Suddenly, she hears a knock at the door.
“What’s wrong?”
“Mistress, I found traces of Lady Ding!”
Mu Yunyao hurriedly raised her head. Xuan Fu and Jingling Tongzi had been escorted to the Capital, and the Ding family had also been plundered. Since she didn’t receive any news from Ding Yuelan, she thought Lady Ding had already left Jingling City with Lord Ding and Madam Ding. “Where is she?”
“Ru Yi Pavilion.”
“Ru Yi Pavilion?” Mu Yunyao thought about it carefully. She had never heard of this place.
Liu Liang’s expression became unnatural for a moment. “...”
“In Cross Lane.”
Mu Yunyao’s face suddenly changed. Cross Lane was where all of Jingling City’s brothels and villas gathered. Presumably, this Ru Yi Pavilion was one of those kinds of sites. “Take the silver notes with you and redeem her.”
“Mistress, the procuress asked for 10,000 taels of silver.”
Mu Yunyao’s face became even more unsightly. “I’m afraid that the procuress had already figured out the relationship between Lady Ding and me, so she dared to make such a big request. Isn’t it just 10,000 taels of silver? Give it to her!”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Liu Liang walked out with silver banknotes. But in less than an hour, he was back alone. “The procuress said that the price was 10,000 taels of silver before, and now the price she asking for is 20,000 taels of silver.”
Mu Yunyao laughed coldly: “They know how to raise the price. I didn’t want to cause any trouble at all. But since Ru Yi Pavilion is too greedy and they won’t let her go, then go ask Steward Qin for two people to snatch Lady Ding out!”
“Yes.” He immediately turned around and left.
After over an hour, Jin Lan and Jin Qiao support Ding Yuelan to walk over.
“... Thank you, Miss Mu.” Once Ding Yuelan entered, she tried her best to stand firm on her own, but unfortunately for her, she was covered with injuries and directly fell to the ground.
Mu Yunyao immediately went forward to help her up: “Madam, how did you become like this?”
Ding Yuelan was too skinny, her entire body covered with wounds, her hair was messy, and her face was pale white. Where did the slightest trace of her usual elegance?
Upon hearing Mu Yunyao’s question, Ding Yuelan laughed miserably. “I had originally thought that even if they weren’t my biological parent, after living together for so many years, there would still be endless affection for me. But who would have thought their hearts had darkened for a long time …?” As she said this, her tears continued to flow down her face, and her bloodstained clothes became a mess.
“Jin Lan, you go prepare some food. Jin Qiao, prepare some hot water and clean clothes.” Mu Yunyao could roughly guess what had happened and couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. Ding Yuelan thought about how they had raised her, but who would have thought that Lord Ding and Madam Ding had treated her as a media to gain a profit. So, how could they care about the life and death of their tools?
Ding Yuelan was like a puppet whose soul had been plucked out. Her entire person had a dazed look. After being washed by Jin Qiao, she slowly returned to her senses.
Mu Yunyao took the medicine bottle. When she applied it on Ding Yuelan, she could not help but frown, the wounds on her body were too severe, and it looked new and old scar. She probably suffered a lot.
Mu Yunyou said something to Lady Ding, “I’ll help Madam to apply for the medicine. After recuperating for a while, you will be fine.”
Ding Yuelan’s face was still pale white. She said in a hoarse voice to express her gratitude. “Thank you, Miss Mu.”
Jin Lan brought up the plain porridge and small dishes.
Mu Yunyao pushed something in front of Ding Yuelan, “I heard from Liu Liang that you’ve been locked up for a long time and haven’t eaten, so I let Jin Lan stew some porridge. Eating less food first is best so your body doesn’t get damaged later. Even though this is a study room, I separate the inner space, and all the bedding is new. After eating, you can rest here for the night, and I will ask someone to tidy up your room tomorrow.”
After Mu Yunyao finished talking, she saw Ding Yuelan nod her head, and she stepped back slowly.
Jin Lan and Jin Qiao were guarding the door, and when they saw her come out, they could not help but ask with concern. “Miss, is Shopkeeper Ding alright?”
“The injuries on her body are easy to treat, but there is no cure for the wounds on her heart. I am afraid that her heart had been broken by Lord Ding and Madam Ding. I hope that she can get it over with as soon as possible. Jin Qiao, you can stay here. If Lady Ding needs anything, you can help me take care of it.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Mu Yunyao had just finished breakfast with Su Qing the next day when Jin Lan quickly walked in and reported: “Miss. Ru Yi Pavilion’s people have come to cause trouble. They said that they want to bring Shopkeeper Ding back.”
Su Qing had also heard of Ding Yuelan’s matter and was furious: “Yao’er, you must not send Lady Ding back to that fire pit.”
“Mother, don’t worry. I know what to do.” As Mu Yunyao walked towards the door, she instructed Jin Lan, “You go and guard the door. It’s almost time for Lady Jin to come over. Don’t let Ru Yi Pavilion’s people bump into her.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Ru Yi Pavilion’s procuress looked around forty years old but still charming and dressed exceptionally beautifully. Many people can see that she was also beautiful when she was young.
When she saw Mu Yunyao, she did not cause a commotion, but her words were laced with thorns as she said, “Greetings, Miss Mu. In recent days, Miss Mu has taught the women in Jing Ling City the embroidery needle technique. However, our statuses are low, and we are unable to come to learn from Miss Mu. We are also very respectful to you, but no matter how much you have done for Jingling City, it cannot be any more significant than a decree. Since Lady Ding has signed the contract and entered Ru Yi Pavilion, she is my person. So why did you directly take action to seize her? What is the reason?”