Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 100

Chapter 100: And What’s Wrong with the Pleasure Quarters?

Seeing the expressions on their faces, Mu Yunyao felt quietly satisfied. She rose, bent slightly, and helped them to their feet. With rare patience, she explained, “In a few days, the tea house will open. I will entrust Niyun Workshop to my mother’s care. She must have capable people at her side, those who can carry themselves with authority and ensure her safety. The four attendants are the helpers I have chosen for her. As for the two of you, you will follow me in managing the tea house. There must not be the slightest negligence. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Miss. Please rest assured, we will do our utmost.” Jin Lan and Jin Qiao were filled with excitement. Mu Yunyao still valued them and even intended to cultivate them further. Nothing could have pleased them more.

“Very well. Go and arrange their rooms. Furthermore, send over clothing and monthly stipends for Si Qin and the others. In half an hour, we will go to Jinxiu Garden.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After they left, Mu Yunyao’s smile faded.

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao were obedient, diligent, and loyal. She had no intention of replacing them. Yet their experience was limited, and they lacked a certain commanding presence. They would need to be trained as quickly as possible. Otherwise, in a place like the Su family, not only would they fail to assist her, but they would also become a distraction she would have to constantly guard against.

Once the arrangements were complete, Mu Yunyao went to Jinxiu Garden.

Taking the thick letter, Steward Qin paused in surprise, then allowed himself a quiet smile. Miss Mu must have had much to say to Fourth Master—the letter would not be so substantial. He should also write to Lao Cheng and have him urge the Wangye to study properly under Miss Mu.

After sending off the letter to Yue Wang, Mu Yunyao felt as if a burden had been lifted from her heart. Having corrected those people’s tea-brewing again and again without result, she finally sought out Steward Qin.

“Steward Qin, I intend to send those fifty people elsewhere for a time.”

Steward Qin was startled. “Miss, is there something you require? I can have others assist you.”

Mu Yunyao shook her head and called Wei Yi and Yun Chun over. Without further explanation, she said only, “Brew a pot of tea. Steward Qin will understand once he sees.”

Still puzzled, Steward Qin watched closely. The longer he observed, the more his brow furrowed.

He had seen Mu Yunyao brew tea. Her expression had been serene, her movements fluid and effortless, like drifting clouds and flowing water. Simply watching her brought a sense of quiet harmony.

But although Wei Yi and Yun Chun followed the same steps, their movements were stiff and rigid, entirely devoid of grace.

“I understand,” Steward Qin said at last. “Where does Miss intend to send them?”

“The Qinhuai stretches for ten li, its beauty without equal. I want them to spend some time along its banks.”

Steward Qin’s expression changed at once. “Miss Mu, the Qinhuai is indeed beautiful, but that place…”

Along the famed ten-li Qinhuai, the greatest spectacle lay not in its scenery, but in its pleasure houses. What drew the eye there was not the landscape, but the beauties within.

Was Miss Mu truly planning to send those fifty people into such places?

“I only wish for them to remain there for a while and see something of the world’s warmth and coldness,” Mu Yunyao said evenly. “They all possess martial skills, so nothing serious should occur. If Steward Qin remains concerned, you may arrange for someone to watch over them in secret.”

Though unease lingered in his heart, Steward Qin saw her composed expression and did not object. “As Miss arranges.”

A faint note of satisfaction passed through Mu Yunyao’s eyes. “Please rest assured. I mean to temper them, not destroy them.”

“Yes. Miss has always known her measure.”

Since the decision had been made, Mu Yunyao did not delay. She summoned all fifty at once.

“Today, you will go to the banks of the Qinhuai. Fifteen days from now, at this same hour, return to Jinxiu Garden.”

The group was at a loss. Wei Yi could not help but speak. “Miss, are we not to learn tea-brewing? Why must we go to Qinhuai?”

“You will understand once you return.”

She then called Liu Liang forward.

“I will have Liu Liang arrange for you to be sold in batches into the pleasure houses along the Qinhuai. Ten taels of silver per person. If you are capable, the tea-brewing skills I have taught you will suffice for you to serve as refined attendants. You are to remain there for half a month. During that time, unless your lives are in danger, you are not to use force. Can you do that?”

“Miss, we do not understand.” Anger surfaced on many faces. To send them to such places, was that not humiliation?

Yun Chun also stepped forward. “Miss, is this because we showed you disrespect when we first met? Is this your way of deliberately humiliating us?”

Mu Yunyao remained composed. She lifted her gaze and swept it across them. “You believe going to the pleasure quarters is humiliation?”

“Is it not?”

“The pleasure houses live by skill no less than any other trade. A farmer reaps what he sows. An official receives his stipend. They earn their living by welcoming guests and seeing them off. What is there to be ashamed of? And I am not asking you to abase yourselves. You are only to serve as refined attendants. You call that humiliation? If you cannot endure it, then refuse. I will report to Fourth Master and have you replaced.”

The resentment on many faces deepened, yet none dared to speak openly. Their anger showed only in their eyes.

Mu Yunyao saw everything clearly.

Outwardly, they appeared respectful, but inwardly, they still held her in disdain. It was only Steward Qin’s authority that had suppressed it. Now, stirred by anger, those hidden thoughts had surfaced.

They were not her people. No matter how she used them, things would never sit smoothly. If it had been Steward Qin or Yue Wang who gave the order, they would not have felt humiliated. They might even have gone willingly.

“Is there anyone who cannot accept this?” Mu Yunyao asked, her gaze cool and pale as the moon before dawn.

Many turned toward Steward Qin, hoping he would intervene. Yet he kept his eyes lowered and remained apart.

After a moment, Mu Yunyao spoke again. “Since no one objects, depart at once. Liu Liang, take them.”

Liu Liang stepped forward, sword in his arms, his expression cold. Though he stood alone before fifty men, his bearing did not yield in the slightest. If anything, it pressed down upon them.

For the first time, Steward Qin regarded him closely. He had noticed him before, always silent at Mu Yunyao’s side, never speaking. He had assumed him to be no more than an ordinary guard.

He had been mistaken.

This one man was worth more than all fifty before him.

Someone could no longer hold back and seemed ready to act, but before Liu Liang moved, Wei Yi spoke first to restrain him. “Miss, we will go.”

Mu Yunyao glanced at Wei Yi with mild surprise. At last, a trace of approval entered her expression.

“Then go. Take in the mist-veiled willows and painted bridges of Qinhuai, the gauze curtains and emerald halls. Watch the coming and going, the laughter and bright revelry of the pleasure houses. When you return, you will understand what must be done.”

Wei Yi and Yun Chun both nodded and led the others after Liu Liang out of Jinxiu Garden.

Even Steward Qin had not expected matters to proceed so smoothly. He had thought they would resist and had already prepared for the worst. Yet after their anger, they still agreed to go to Qinhuai.

“Steward Qin, in the coming days, tea sets and tea leaves will be delivered one after another. I must trouble you to arrange them. In half a month, I will return to receive them. Farewell.”

“Take care, Miss Mu.”

After Mu Yunyao left, Steward Qin hurried to the study. Once he finished writing the letter, he had it sent overnight to Yuexi. By the time the Wangye read it, the matter would already be settled. Still, it had to be said. He only hoped the Wangye would not be too angered.

The Qinhuai is historically famous for elite courtesans who were valued for their arts and cultivated skills

Edited by Little Kitty on 05/06/20

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