Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 111

~ A RETURN GIFT FOR THE EMPEROR ~

Mu Yunyao nodded firmly. “I’ve actually had this thought for a long time—I just never dared to hope for it. Now that such a tremendous blessing has fallen into my lap, I can finally make my wish come true.”

Hearing that, Madam Jin felt even more uneasy, as if Mu Yunyao were treating it too lightly. “Say it first. Let me hear.” If it was inappropriate, she could still persuade her to adjust it.

“I want to ask His Majesty for a piece of calligraphy,” Mu Yunyao said clearly. “Just the three characters: Ni Yun Fang. After I rebuild the embroidery workshop, I’ll make it into a plaque and hang it above the door. Then no petty villain would dare lay a hand on Ni Yun Fang again!”

Madam Jin immediately nodded again and again. “I was afraid you’d be too rushed to think of something suitable. Who would’ve thought you’d consider it even more thoroughly than I did? This is good—very good. When Lord Su speaks with you later, tell him this request.”

Yin Hong entered to report. “Madam, the Master sent word—he asks Miss Mu to go to the front hall.”

“Understood.” Madam Jin gave Mu Yunyao an encouraging look. “Go quickly.”

Su Qingwu sat beside Governor Zhang. When a servant announced Mu Yunyao’s arrival, his tea-drinking hand paused, and his gaze drifted toward the doorway before he could stop it.

Mu Yunyao stepped in slowly, posture flawless as she greeted them properly.

“Greetings to the Lords.”

She’d been recovering these past days and was much better, but her complexion still carried a faint pallor, and her chin looked slightly sharper than before. It only made her clear eyes appear even larger—when she lifted her gaze, a soft brilliance seemed to flow within them, unexpectedly captivating.

Su Qingwu withdrew his eyes, yet his mind flashed to that night—the warmth and softness his arms had held. She was so small, so light, almost as if her bones were made of softness. It made a person instinctively cautious, afraid of hurting her with even the slightest pressure…

“Lord Su?” Governor Zhang looked at him, puzzled. The message from the capital was naturally more appropriate for Su Qingwu to deliver.

Su Qingwu came back to himself at once and spoke evenly.

“Miss Mu’s Ni Yun Fang has rendered merit to Jingling City. His Majesty intends to reward you. Since gifts have already been bestowed before, His Majesty couldn’t immediately think of something more fitting, so a verbal decree was sent: Miss Mu may state anything she wishes to request.”

From the moment she entered, Mu Yunyao had noticed a middle-aged man seated near Su Qingwu. Though dressed plainly, his face was pale and hairless, with that faintly soft, yin aura—clearly a palace eunuch. This must be the one delivering the Emperor’s verbal decree.

Once she connected the dots, she turned toward the capital and bowed deeply, kowtowing with full reverence. Only then did she face Su Qingwu again.

“Lord Su, receiving His Majesty’s rewards, this common girl is filled with fear and gratitude. My mother and I only recently arrived in Jingling. We’ve received care from Jingling’s people and Madam Jin in many ways—I’m endlessly grateful. I thought there was no way to repay it. Only my embroidery skill was worth anything, so I openly taught it, merely to repay Jingling in some small measure. I dare not claim merit.”

Su Qingwu narrowed his eyes slightly. His peripheral vision swept over Eunuch Xu standing to the side, and the corner of his lips lifted faintly.

Earlier, Mu Yunyao had bluntly declared that she spread embroidery techniques for silver.

Now it had become “Repaying Jingling.”

Small as she was, she certainly knew how to adjust her tune depending on who listened.

“Miss Mu’s heart is rare,” Su Qingwu said calmly. “But His Majesty has spoken. Since he intends to reward you, you may speak boldly.”

Mu Yunyao’s face lit with delight and gratitude. She turned again to bow toward the capital, then hesitated as if embarrassed before speaking softly.

“In truth… this common girl does have one wish, though it feels rather bold.”

Su Qingwu’s attendant eunuch couldn’t help speaking. “Miss, whatever your wish is, speak freely.”

Mu Yunyao’s cheeks flushed, her shy look nearly spilling over. Eunuch Xu grew even more curious—was this little girl about to reveal some wild desire to serve by the Emperor’s side?

Mu Yunyao hesitated, then finally said, “I wish to request a piece of His Majesty’s calligraphy.”

Eunuch Xu froze.

Then, in his heart, he scolded himself hard—he’d been in the palace too long and had started thinking everyone’s intentions were dark. This girl was so young, and those eyes were so clear and bright… how could she be thinking anything indecent?

Su Qingwu, noticing the faint rise of goodwill in Eunuch Xu’s expression, examined Mu Yunyao more carefully.

Others might not know, but he did.

This Eunuch, Xu Li, was among the most likely candidates to become Chief Eunuch. Normally, he was airtight, impeccable—deeply trusted by the Emperor. Countless people tried desperately to earn his favor, yet he always remained ambiguous, unreadable.

And Mu Yunyao had somehow, as if by instinct, pressed the right spot.

Eunuch Xu’s eyes held surprise. “You want His Majesty’s calligraphy?”

“Yes.” Mu Yunyao’s smile was bright, her eyes shining. “His Majesty’s grace is vast, and as the true dragon, his presence is majestic. His calligraphy carries true-dragon aura as well, and will surely bless this common girl with peace, fortune, and health.”

Her smile was dazzling. Her eyes were so crystalline they practically glowed. Even Eunuch Xu couldn’t help staring for a beat.

This little girl… was something else.

In the palace, even the most upright censors had to flatter the Emperor sometimes. But Eunuch Xu had never seen anyone speak praise with such sincerity—so natural it made you want to believe it.

“Very well,” Eunuch Xu said with a faint smile. “When I return, I’ll report your words exactly as you said them.”

The light in Mu Yunyao’s eyes grew even brighter. “Thank you, Sir.”

Exactly as said—perfect.

That was the whole point. Mu Yunyao wanted Eunuch Xu to speak well of her in front of the Emperor.

Then Mu Yunyao continued, voice gentle but eager.

“Sir, my tea house opens tomorrow. I have a batch of tea leaves I personally pan-fired. May I ask Sir to present them to His Majesty? Consider it my return gift, expressing my gratitude.”

Eunuch Xu hesitated. He’d seen many receive imperial rewards, but he’d never seen anyone insist on giving a return gift to the Emperor.

“This…”

Mu Yunyao lowered her eyes slightly, fingers twisting together in anxious disappointment. Her voice softened, almost sad.

“What I’m best at is embroidery, but I injured my hand and can’t embroider a screen to repay His Majesty. So I can only offer the tea leaves I prepared earlier, hoping His Majesty might feel my gratitude.”

Eunuch Xu sighed, not unkindly. “To be honest, anything His Majesty consumes must pass through layers of inspection. Even tea must be designated tribute. Your personally prepared tea is heartfelt, but I fear it cannot enter the palace.”

Mu Yunyao’s eyes filled with disappointment—then a spark of hope flickered.

“Then… could I gift the tea to Sir instead? If Sir carries it back to the capital and drinks it there, then my heart will at least reach the capital, even if the tea cannot enter the palace.”

Eunuch Xu blinked, then burst into laughter.

“Alright.” His expression softened with real warmth. “I happen to love tea as well. I’ll gladly taste Miss Mu’s handiwork.”

This girl’s sincerity was rare indeed.

Edited by Little Kitty on 13/06/20

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