Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Madam Jin Pays a Visit

That night, Governor Zhang and the officials of Jingling City nearly worried their hair white. They mobilized every person they could command to investigate the cause of the fire at Niyun Pavilion.

At the time, so many common people were present. Everyone had seen the heavy bronze lock on Niyun Pavilion’s main door. Now, the discussion had already spread everywhere. They all said that someone had deliberately tried to kill Mu Yunyao. Setting a fire in the middle of the night was one thing, but locking the main door to prevent anyone from escaping was another.

More than half the people of Jingling City had benefited from learning the embroidery stitches. At such a time, if the matter were not investigated clearly as soon as possible, the common people alone would not agree to let it rest.

Early the next morning, Madam Jin hurried to Mu Yunyao’s home.

Su Qing had just finished cooking eight-treasure rice for Mu Yunyao. Seeing Madam Jin, she quickly put on a look of joy. Though it carried a trace of strain, it was sincere.

“Greetings, Madam Jin. I heard from Yao’er that your condition is delicate at present, yet we have still troubled you to come all this way. On Yao’er’s behalf, I thank Madam.”

Madam Jin stepped forward and took Su Qing’s hand. Her face was full of distress and urgency.

“Yunyao is clever and considerate, and she has helped me many times. Now that such a great disaster has suddenly befallen her, how could I not come to see her? Is Yunyao awake now?”

“She has just woken. She kept asking to eat eight-treasure rice, so I had just finished making it and was about to bring it to her.”

“Then that is perfect. I will go and see her.”

Mu Yunyao was leaning against the bedside, staring blankly at her own hand. Hearing footsteps at the door, she quickly put on a sweet smile and called toward the entrance in a spoiled tone.

“Mother, is the eight-treasure rice ready? Your Yao’er is about to starve to death!”

Su Qing smiled at Madam Jin with some helplessness.

“Yao’er’s nature has always been like this. Please do not laugh at us, Madam.”

Madam Jin was somewhat startled. She had not expected that Mu Yunyao, who was always meticulous and thoughtful on ordinary days, would also have such a childish side. Seeing the indulgent smile on Su Qing’s face, she could not help feeling a little envious.

If she herself had such a daughter, she feared she would spoil her all the way to the heavens.

Only after hearing Su Qing’s voice did Mu Yunyao realize that Madam Jin had also come. A few traces of embarrassment immediately appeared on her face, and she moved as though to get out of bed and pay her respects.

Madam Jin hurried inside and stopped her.

“Quickly lie down. At a time like this, why still fuss over ceremony? I heard from Lord Cao that you were badly injured and nearly fell from a great height. Merely hearing it made my heart leap in fright. You, who experienced it yourself, must have been terrified.”

Mu Yunyao did not force herself to rise.

“I have caused Madam to worry. I am not seriously hurt. They are only flesh wounds. After resting and nursing them for a while, they will heal.”

At this moment, her face was pale, and she wore snow-white inner garments, making her seem even smaller and more delicate. In particular, that little face of hers, scarcely the size of a palm, had not the slightest color in it. It made one’s heart ache at the sight.

Madam Jin looked carefully at her hand. It was wrapped entirely in white cloth, with faint traces of blood still seeping through. Heartache could not help appearing on her face.

“My residence has ointment for treating burns. If you use it for some time, it can lighten the scars. When I return, I will have it prepared and ask Yin Hong to send it over. For now, do not think of anything at all. There will naturally be others to seek justice for you.”

Mu Yunyao lowered her head slightly, and the light in her eyes dimmed.

“Last time someone set a fire, we never found out who did it. This time, it happened in the middle of the night. I fear it will also be difficult to find any trace.”

“Rest assured. This time, even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we will certainly find the culprit.”

Madam Jin’s tone was exceptionally firm.

Mu Yunyao nodded and gave Madam Jin a grateful smile.

“Many thanks, Madam.”

“Rest and recover properly. I am still waiting to wear the clothes you make for me.”

“Yes. For Madam’s sake, I must recover from my injuries as quickly as possible.”

“Rest well. I will come to see you another day.”

Madam Jin stopped Mu Yunyao from rising to see her off, and Su Qing escorted her out instead.

After leaving the courtyard and boarding the carriage, Madam Jin’s face still carried a look of distress. At her side, Yin Hong helped arrange the carriage cushion behind her. Seeing her expression, she could not help saying, “Madam truly treats Miss Mu extremely well.”

Madam Jin gently stroked her belly, her tone carrying a sigh.

“That is because she is worthy of it.”

Because the Cao family’s Residence was closest to Niyun Pavilion, Governor Zhang, Su Qingwu, and the others had all gathered there. Seeing Madam Jin return, anxiety appeared in everyone’s eyes.

“Greetings, Lord Zhang. Greetings, Lord Su…”

“Madam need not stand on ceremony. We have troubled Madam to make this trip so early in the morning. May I ask how Miss Mu’s condition is?”

Governor Zhang was the first to ask.

Madam Jin’s expression turned solemn. Before she even spoke, she shook her head.

“Such a delicate and fragile young girl suffered through a great fire in the middle of the night and nearly fell from upstairs. Between shock and fright, half her life has been frightened away. Her condition is truly not good.”

When Governor Zhang heard this, his expression became even more anxious.

“Then I must trouble Madam Jin to make a few more visits. Find the best physician in Jingling City and send him over. We must ensure that Miss Mu is safe and sound.”

“Yes. Only, Miss Mu’s hand is truly badly injured. She already had an injury on her hand before this. This time, escaping down the cloth rope left that hand almost too terrible to look at. Even if we invite the best physician in Jingling City, I fear…”

Madam Jin did not finish speaking, but everyone present understood the meaning behind her words.

What Mu Yunyao excelled at most was embroidery, and embroidery depended entirely upon the hands. If her fingers were injured, how could she hold a needle and thread in the future?

Sweat broke out across Governor Zhang’s forehead.

“First, do everything possible to treat her. To whatever extent she can recover, let it be that.”

Su Qingwu’s face showed not the slightest change, but the hand hidden within his sleeve slowly closed tighter.

Before his eyes, the scene of Mu Yunyao falling from upstairs and dropping into his arms appeared of its own accord.

She had been in such a sorry state, her complexion pale. Even that pair of eyes, usually bright with cunning light, had been especially dim. Seeing her like that made a person feel heartache despite himself.

“Governor Zhang, Lord Cao, this matter must certainly be reported to His Majesty. I ask the two of you to find out the full truth as soon as possible.”

“Lord Su, rest assured. We will certainly investigate clearly as quickly as we can.”

As they were speaking, the constables sent out to investigate hurried in to report.

“Reporting to the lords, this subordinate and the others have found some clues. The bronze lock used to lock Niyun Pavilion’s main door was bought from a shop belonging to the Ding family.”

“The Ding family?”

Governor Zhang immediately stood, an unreadable light flashing in his eyes.

“If one carefully considers it, in recent days, the only one to have had conflict with Niyun Pavilion is the Ding family!”

Su Qingwu asked, “Conflict with Niyun Pavilion? What sort of people are this Ding family?”

Governor Zhang immediately recounted in detail the events involving the Ding family. In his tone, he faintly mentioned the Jingling Assistant Prefect and the Xuanfu envoy. Though he did not say it outright, everyone present understood his meaning.

Cao Yunnian remained silent at the side.

He had no particular dealings with the Jingling Assistant Prefect, but with the Xuanfu envoy Zhou Ao, there had been deep grievances between them for a long time. At present, he stood on the same side as Governor Zhang. Governor Zhang clearly intended to borrow this opportunity to remove dissidents. Cao Yunnian was already being more than benevolent by not taking the chance to kick a man while he was down.

Su Qingwu lifted his teacup and took a small sip.

“Since Governor Zhang already has suspects in mind, you should investigate the truth as soon as possible. That way, there will also be an explanation for His Majesty.”

Joy stirred in Governor Zhang’s heart.

Su Qingwu’s attitude was equal to tacit approval of his idea.

“I will investigate as quickly as possible. Within three days, I will certainly give Lord Su a result.”

After leaving the main hall, Madam Jin returned to the rear courtyard. The smile in her eyes grew even deeper.

“Madam, this servant heard that some clues seem to have been found?”

“It is not merely that some clues have been found. It seems a conclusion is already within sight.”

“Master handles matters with such swift decisiveness. It truly inspires admiration.”

“This time, it is not Master’s credit. Rather, it is Lord Zhang’s excellent guidance.”

Madam Jin curved her lips, her mood exceedingly good.

Governor Zhang, you said it yourself. Within three days, you will give Su Qingwu a result. In other words, either you investigate the matter clearly within three days, find the true culprit, and close the case, or the Jingling Assistant Prefect and the Xuanfu envoy will be the result you hand over.

Moreover, Governor Zhang was clearly more inclined toward the second option.

Without the Xuanfu envoy, her husband could be said to have removed one of the worries lodged in his heart.

Edited by Little Kitty on 11/06/20

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