~ EVEN HEAVEN IS HELPING HER ~
After Mu Yunyao’s words, some of the people below looked thoughtful, while others still seemed lost.
Mu Yunyao didn’t rush them. She only instructed them to practice whenever they had free time, then went with Steward Qin to the front courtyard’s flower hall.
Steward Qin quickly ordered someone to bring over nourishing tonics—bird’s nest, ginseng, and more. Mu Yunyao thanked him and had Jin Lan and Jin Qiao pack everything away carefully.
“Today, aside from welcoming Wei Yi and Yun Chun back, there’s something else I want to discuss with Steward Qin.”
“Miss, please speak.”
“Ni Yun Fang was destroyed by the fire, but with the credit of spreading embroidery techniques, it can be rebuilt anytime. Our tea house, on the other hand—we’ve been preparing for so long. It’s time to open.”
“You’re right,” Steward Qin agreed. “Has Miss chosen a name for the tea house?”
“Not yet. I’ll think carefully these next two days and have a plaque made and delivered. I’ll also trouble Steward Qin to keep urging Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the others to practice hard. When the time comes, we’ll be relying on them to hold up the scene.”
“Rest assured, Miss.” Steward Qin nodded firmly. “After seeing your tea-brewing skill twice, I understand the standard. I’ll supervise them using you as the model—until they truly learn to carry themselves properly.”
“Good. Then I’ll leave it to Steward Qin.”
“Miss is too polite.”
Far away in Yuexi, at Yue Wang’s residence, two letters from Mu Yunyao arrived in succession. The light in Yue Wang’s eyes turned increasingly cold—especially after the second letter.
Ni Yun Fang had suffered trouble again and again.
Yu Heng presented another box that had come with the letter. “Your Royal Highness, Miss Mu also sent this.”
Yue Wang opened it.
Inside were banknotes worth twenty thousand taels.
To others, twenty thousand might not be worth blinking at. But to Yuexi, it was enough to relieve an urgent crisis.
Yuexi was harsh and bitterly cold. On top of that, his imperial father had always disliked him. The Ministry of Revenue’s attitude toward Yuexi was even more indifferent and perfunctory. Now they even dare to delay military funds at will.
Who would believe it?
A prince of the empire—held in check by petty officials.
A hint of ridicule flashed through Yue Wang’s eyes. He spread the banknotes on the table.
“Yu Heng,” he said coldly, “if I can’t even protect what’s mine, then what is the point of being a wang? Pass down the order. Use our people at court. Help Mu Yunyao seize control of Jingling City. Ni Yun Fang—this wang will protect it.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” A chill rolled off him like frost. Yu Heng’s heart shuddered. “This subordinate will handle it at once.”
Mu Yunyao had no idea her letter had stirred Yue Wang’s anger. Right now, she was still mulling over what to name the tea house.
Su Qing carried in a bowl of bird’s nest porridge. Seeing Mu Yunyao still lost in thought, she couldn’t help but ache for her.
“Stop thinking so hard. The more you force it, the more you won’t find it. Rest a bit—maybe inspiration will strike.” When she’d named Ni Yun Fang back then, it had been exactly like this.
Mu Yunyao casually tossed the book aside and leaned close to Su Qing, sniffing with exaggerated greed. “Mother’s cooking is the best. This bird’s nest porridge smells amazing.”
“You have a tongue sharper than a puppy’s nose,” Su Qing scolded fondly. “The slightest thing off and you taste it. Your mother has been forced into it—when I cook now, I’m careful even lifting the lid, afraid it’ll pick up smoke and ruin your appetite.”
“Mother is the best to me.” Mu Yunyao burrowed into Su Qing’s arms, acting spoiled. Her senses were keen—if the flavor were even slightly wrong, she would notice. But she was never picky. Even if it didn’t taste great, she would still eat it.
Su Qing was the one who refused to let her suffer, fussing over every detail until the food was just right.
And truly, lately, Su Qing’s cooking had been getting better and better.
Su Qing smiled as she watched Mu Yunyao finish the entire bowl, then urged her, “Stop exhausting yourself over that name. If you really can’t think of one, Mother will help.”
“Alright.” Mu Yunyao nodded obediently. “I’ll rest.”
Su Qing looked satisfied. After seeing Mu Yunyao settle into bed, she went out and quietly closed the door.
After waiting a bit, Mu Yunyao sat up, retrieved the book she’d tossed aside, and returned to the window to keep flipping through it.
A shadow appeared.
Liu Liang stood silently outside the window.
Mu Yunyao looked up without thinking—and met his cold eyes.
Her heart jumped so hard it nearly flipped. She shivered, forced out a breath, and glared.
“Liu Liang! Are you trying to scare someone to death?”
A trace of awkwardness flickered in Liu Liang’s eyes. “Master… I’m sorry…”
Mu Yunyao patted her chest. “Forget it. I haven’t asked you yet—was the Qinhuai trip smooth?”
“Mhm.” Liu Liang’s gaze dropped to Mu Yunyao’s hand. “Miss… you’re injured?”
“It’s nothing. Just a small cut. It’s mostly healed.” If she hadn’t done a few things to deal with Su Qingwu, her hand wouldn’t still hurt now.
“You just got back. Go rest for two days—otherwise I’ll look like a harsh master.”
Liu Liang looked at her again. Under the clear light of her eyes, he somehow couldn’t squeeze out a single word. He only flashed away from the courtyard like a shadow.
Mu Yunyao blinked, opened the window wider, propped her chin up, and looked around thoughtfully.
Martial arts really were convenient…
She should learn a couple of moves from Liu Liang, too. At least then, if danger came, she could protect herself a bit more.
And also—
In such a short time, Liu Liang seemed… a little more talkative.
Two days later, the Emperor’s reply reached Jingling City. Madam Jin sent Yin Hong to invite Mu Yunyao over.
During this period, Madam Jin had been busy working on connections and hadn’t had time to visit Mu Yunyao. Today, seeing Mu Yunyao’s complexion looking much healthier, Madam Jin felt relieved.
“How are the injuries on your body and hand?”
“Thank you for your concern, Madam. I’m much better.”
Mu Yunyao greeted properly and added, “But Madam’s complexion doesn’t look very good. These days have been chaotic—Madam must take extra care. The first three months are the most unstable.”
Seeing Mu Yunyao still thinking of her, Madam Jin felt warmed. It proved her effort running around these past days hadn’t been in vain.
“These two days I’ve had some nausea. It’ll pass.” Madam Jin waved it off, then got straight to the point. “I called you here mainly because of Ni Yun Fang. His Majesty learned what happened in Jingling and was furious. The Assistant Prefect and the Pacification Commissioner will soon be escorted to the capital for trial.”
“And His Majesty intends to compensate you. Do you have anything you wish to request?”
Mu Yunyao froze, then lifted her head, eyes wide with disbelief.
“Madam… do you mean what I think you mean?”
Madam Jin’s smile was bright as she nodded. “The censors have been pestering His Majesty nonstop, so this message was released. The one who benefits is you—but you must know where the line is.”
Mu Yunyao nodded hard.
Inside, her heart was already blooming into wild joy.
Wonderful.
Truly wonderful.
It was as if even Heaven was helping her.
“Madam,” Mu Yunyao said quickly, voice steady despite the excitement in her chest, “I’ve already decided.”
Madam Jin’s expression tightened. “This isn’t a game. You must think carefully. His Majesty’s words are gold—but if you ask beyond what’s appropriate, even if he agrees now, his later thunderous wrath could leave you without bones. You decided so quickly… it makes me uneasy.”
A very rare appearance from Yue Wang. Thanks for the update!
ReplyDeletethat was a lot of action! yw got bought, the mother-daughter interaction is so cute, i suspect LL of having a crush, and i'm hyped to find out what myy is planning!
ReplyDelete