Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 108

Chapter 108: Madam Jin Visits

That night, Governor Zhang and the officials of Jingling City nearly worried their hair white. Every available hand was sent out to investigate the cause of the fire at Niyun Pavilion.

At the time, so many commoners had been present. Everyone had seen the heavy copper lock hanging on Niyun Pavilion’s main door. By now, talk had already spread through the city: someone had deliberately tried to murder Mu Yunyao. It was not enough to set the fire in the dead of night—they had even locked the door to keep those inside from escaping.

More than half the people of Jingling City had profited from learning the embroidery stitches. At such a time, if the matter were not investigated swiftly and clearly, the common people alone would not let it pass.

Early the next morning, Madam Jin arrived at Mu Yunyao’s home. Su Qing had just finished preparing eight-treasure rice for Mu Yunyao. Seeing Madam Jin, she hurriedly brought a smile to her face. Though a trace of strain remained, the sincerity was real. “Greetings, Madam Jin. I heard from Yao’er that your body is inconvenient at present, yet you still troubled yourself to come all this way. On Yao’er’s behalf, I thank Madam.”

Madam Jin stepped forward and took Su Qing’s hand. Concern and worry covered her face. “Yunyao is clever and considerate, and she has helped me more than once. Now that such a disaster has suddenly befallen her, how could I not come to see her? Is Yunyao awake now?”

“She has just woken. She insisted on eating eight-treasure rice, so I have only just finished making it and was about to bring it to her.”

“Then that is perfect. I shall go see her.”

Mu Yunyao was leaning against the bedside, staring absently at her own hand. Hearing footsteps at the door, she quickly put on a sweet smile and called toward it in a spoiled tone, “Mother, is the eight-treasure rice ready? Your Yao’er is about to starve to death!”

Su Qing smiled helplessly at Madam Jin. “Yao’er has always had this temperament. I have made Madam laugh.”

Madam Jin paused for a moment. She had not expected Mu Yunyao, who was always so meticulous and thoughtful in ordinary times, to have such a childlike side. Seeing the indulgent smile on Su Qing’s face, she could not help feeling a little envious. If she had such a daughter herself, she feared she would also spoil her to the heavens.

Only after hearing Su Qing’s voice did Mu Yunyao realize that Madam Jin had also come. A touch of embarrassment immediately appeared on her face, and she made as if to get out of bed to greet her.

Madam Jin quickly entered and stopped her. “Lie down properly. At a time like this, what is there to fuss over etiquette for? I heard from Lord Cao that you were gravely injured and nearly fell from a great height. Merely hearing of it made one’s heart leap in fear. You, the person who suffered through it, must have been terribly frightened.”

Mu Yunyao did not insist on rising. “I have made Madam worry. It is nothing serious, only some superficial wounds. After a few days of nursing them, they will heal.”

Her complexion was pale, and she wore snow-white inner garments, making her seem all the more small and delicate. Especially that palm-sized little face, without the slightest color in it, made one’s heart soften at the sight.

Madam Jin examined her hand. It was wrapped thickly in white cloth, with faint traces of blood seeping through. Distress crossed her face. “There is ointment in my residence for treating burns. If used for a period of time, it can lighten the scars. When I return, I will have it prepared and ask Yin Hong to send it to you. For now, do not think about anything. Someone will naturally seek justice for you in the other matters.”

Mu Yunyao lowered her head slightly, and the light in her eyes dimmed. “Previously, when someone set a fire, we still could not find out who did it. This time it happened in the middle of the night. I fear it will be difficult to trace anything.”

“Rest assured. This time, even if they have to dig three chi into the ground, they will certainly drag the culprit out.” Madam Jin’s voice was unusually firm.

Mu Yunyao nodded and gave Madam Jin a grateful smile. “Many thanks, Madam.”

“Focus on recovering properly. I am still waiting to wear the clothes you make for me.”

“Yes. For Madam’s sake, I must recover as soon as possible.”

“Rest well. I shall 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 getting into the carriage, Madam Jin still carried that look of concern. Yin Hong, who was beside her, helped arrange the soft cushion behind her. Seeing her expression, she could not help saying, “Madam treats Miss Mu truly well.”

Madam Jin lightly stroked her abdomen, her voice carrying a sigh. “That is because she is worthy of it.”

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

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

“Madam need not stand on ceremony. We have troubled Madam to make a trip so early in the morning. May I ask how Miss Mu is now?” Governor Zhang was the first to ask.

Madam Jin’s expression turned grave. Before speaking, she shook her head. “Such a delicate young girl suffered through a great fire in the middle of the night and nearly fell from the building. Shock and fright alone have taken half her life. Her condition is truly not good.”

At those words, Governor Zhang grew even more anxious. “Then I must trouble Madam Jin to make a few more trips. 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. There was already a wound on her hand before, and this time, escaping down the cloth rope… that hand can hardly be looked at now. Even if we invite the best physician in Jingling City, I fear…”

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

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

Sweat gathered on Governor Zhang’s forehead. “For now, do everything possible to treat it. Whatever extent it can recover to, let it recover to that extent.”

Su Qingwu’s expression showed not the slightest change, yet the hand hidden inside his sleeve slowly tightened. Before his eyes, the image rose unbidden: Mu Yunyao falling from the building and dropping into his arms.

She had been in a wretched state, her face pale, and even those eyes that usually carried a clever, foxlike brightness had been exceptionally dim. One could not look at her then without feeling something stir in the chest.

“Governor Zhang, Lord Cao, this matter must certainly be reported to His Majesty. I ask both officials to investigate the cause and sequence of events 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 officials, we have found some clues. The copper lock used to lock Niyun Pavilion’s main door was purchased from one of the Ding family’s shops.”

“The Ding family?” Governor Zhang immediately stood, a strange light passing through his eyes. “If one truly considers it, the only family that has recently had conflict with Niyun Pavilion is the Ding family!”

Su Qingwu asked, “Conflict with Niyun Pavilion? Who are this Ding family?”

Governor Zhang immediately explained the Ding family’s recent affairs in detail. In his tone, he faintly mentioned the Jingling Assistant Prefect and the Pacification Commissioner. 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 his grievances with Pacification Commissioner Zhou Ao ran deep. Now that he and Governor Zhang stood on the same side, Governor Zhang clearly intended to seize this chance to remove dissenters. For Cao Yunnian not to add stones to the man fallen in the well was already benevolence and righteousness to the utmost.

Su Qingwu lifted his teacup and took a small sip. “Since Governor Zhang already has suspects in mind, it is best to uncover the truth as soon as possible. That will also provide an explanation to His Majesty.”

Joy stirred in Governor Zhang’s heart. Su Qingwu’s attitude was as close to tacit agreement with his thinking as possible. “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 deepening.

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

“Not merely some clues. It seems the matter is almost ready to be settled.”

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

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

Madam Jin’s lips curved, her mood quite good. Governor Zhang had said that within three days, he would give Su Qingwu a result. In other words, either the matter would be investigated clearly within three days, and the true culprit found, or the Jingling Assistant Prefect and the Pacification Commissioner would be the result he handed over.

Moreover, Governor Zhang clearly leaned more toward the second option. Without the Pacification Commissioner, one of the stones pressing on her husband’s heart would also be removed.

Edited by Little Kitty on 11/06/20

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠