Chapter 102: Niyun Workshop Catches Fire
“Madam went out today to purchase silk threads. On the way back, a child suddenly rushed in front of the carriage—and even threw a firecracker at the horse.”
“A child?”
“Yes. I went forward to ask. He was just a child from an ordinary farming family. His parents rushed over and kept kowtowing in apology, so Madam did not pursue the matter further.”
A flicker passed through Mu Yunyao’s eyes. Setting aside why the child had rushed in front of the carriage, the firecracker alone was suspicious. Though Jiangnan was prosperous, ordinary families would not casually give children firecrackers outside of festivals.
Seeing that she was still worried, Su Qing tried to reassure her:
“It was only a slight twist of the ankle—nothing serious.”
Mu Yunyao immediately crouched down to examine her ankle. Seeing only slight redness and swelling, she let out a breath of relief.
“Mother, try not to go out for the next few days. This matter may not be simple.”
“Alright.”
With Liu Liang absent and her trust in Siqin and the others not yet complete, Mu Yunyao kept her suspicions to herself for the time being, only reminding everyone in Niyun Workshop to remain especially vigilant.
That night, she suddenly woke with a start.
A faint burnt smell lingered in the air.
She hurriedly threw on her outer robe and rushed outside, calling Jin Lan and the others awake. By the time she reached downstairs, flames were already visible.
Jin Lan and the others had long been warned by Mu Yunyao and remained relatively calm. Grabbing basins of water, they quickly extinguished the fire.
The blaze was not large—it had only ignited a hanging curtain, blackening a section of the wall.
Mu Yunyao frowned deeply, her heart turning cold.
Over the past few days, she had been especially cautious, instructing Jin Lan and the others to store all flammable fabrics and silk threads safely in their rooms, precisely to prevent arson.
And yet—she had still been right.
No one dared speak. It was Su Qing, limping slightly down the stairs, who broke the silence.
“Yao’er, it’s just a small matter. There’s no real harm. Why did you come downstairs?”
Seeing the charred curtain and water-streaked floor, Su Qing clutched her chest.
“These people… their methods are far too vicious.”
“Do not worry, Mother,” Mu Yunyao said, her voice calm and cold, her dark eyes unfathomable. “In a couple of days, I will make them repay everything.”
Hearing this, Su Qing grew uneasy again.
“Yao’er, don’t act rashly. Fortunately, the fire didn’t spread.”
“Rest assured, Mother. I know my limits.”
When Madam Jin heard about what had happened at Niyun Workshop, she personally came to visit.
“Yunyao, is everything alright?”
Mu Yunyao stepped forward to greet her.
“Madam, thank you for your concern. We discovered it in time—only the curtain was burnt. It can be tidied up easily.”
Madam Jin frowned. “Where is your mother? Is her injury serious?”
“She only twisted her ankle. It’s nothing serious.”
As she spoke, Mu Yunyao guided Madam Jin to sit and had Jin Lan serve fruit tea.
“Madam is with child—fruit tea would be more suitable.”
Madam Jin relaxed slightly.
“Seeing how composed you are, I’m reassured. It’s only these few days—once they pass, things will settle.”
Mu Yunyao nodded.
“I’ve kept your words in mind, which is why I can remain calm.”
She was not someone who endured losses quietly. Those who had harmed Su Qing—this debt would be repaid. But such thoughts could not be spoken to Madam Jin.
“I will send more people to guard the surroundings of Niyun Workshop over the next few days,” Madam Jin said. “You must remain vigilant as well. There’s no better solution for now.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
After seeing Madam Jin off, Mu Yunyao leaned back in her chair, deep in thought.
After a moment, she suddenly stood and returned upstairs, taking up a brush and paper to write a letter to Yue Wang.
Yue Wang held a thirty percent share in Niyun Workshop. Now that trouble had arisen repeatedly—nearly even ending in fire—it was only appropriate to inform him.
Moreover, she should send silver along with the letter. Only by seeing real silver would Yue Wang take greater notice.
Yuexi was a harsh and desolate place. It was said that even military provisions were insufficient.
In that case, she would send more silver this time—and make it back over time.
Steward Qin was a little taken aback upon seeing Mu Yunyao. Her face showed fatigue, tinged with faint pallor.
“Steward Qin, I have a letter and some items I wish to send to the Fourth Master. Would that be convenient?”
“Of course it is. Miss—what has happened?”
Mu Yunyao gave a bitter smile.
“It’s nothing major. Just so you know, a lot has happened at Niyun Workshop lately. Last night, someone tried to set it on fire. Fortunately, we discovered it in time.”
“Such a thing actually happened?” Steward Qin’s expression sharpened.
Regardless of whether Mu Yunyao would grow closer to Yue Wang in the future, at present, she was helping to establish the tea house, allowing Yue Wang to openly place informants in Jiangnan.
He could not allow her to be bullied.
“Do not worry, Miss. I will have someone investigate immediately. If we find anything, you will be informed at once.”
Mu Yunyao let out a quiet breath.
“Thank you, Steward Qin.”
The next two days passed peacefully. The tension in Su Qing’s heart finally eased slightly.
Madam Jin summoned Mu Yunyao early to the Cao residence on the third day.
“Yunyao, we’ve received confirmed news. The Emperor’s reward will arrive today. Governor Zhang has already gone to receive it with the officials. We will head to the Governor’s residence shortly—go tidy yourself again. There must be no impropriety.”
Mu Yunyao knew Madam Jin meant well. She followed Yin Hong inside and checked her appearance repeatedly before the mirror.
Though her face showed excitement, her heart remained calm.
She had worked long for this day. Now that it had arrived, it felt only natural—there was none of the imagined nervousness or overwhelming joy.
Outside Jingling City, a procession of one hundred men escorted two carts swiftly toward the gates.
Officials had long been waiting at the entrance. The streets had been cleared—no commoners were allowed through.
Governor Zhang stood at the head of the officials. Seeing the procession stop, he stepped forward at once.
“Lord Su, you have traveled a long way. You must be wary.”
“Greetings, Lord Zhang. I have received His Majesty’s grace and have the honor of escorting these imperial rewards. I consider it a privilege.”
A young man in light armor dismounted and returned the greeting. His features were refined like carved jade, his posture upright and imposing. His phoenix eyes shone like stars. Even travel-worn in armor, he appeared as elegant as a jade tree—exceptional and striking.
Standing among the officials, Cao Yunian observed the young man and sighed inwardly.
As expected of someone raised by the Su family, only twenty years old, yet already promoted to First-Class Imperial Guard. To be entrusted with escorting imperial rewards—such a responsibility was no small matter.
Unlike him, who had struggled in officialdom for ten years just to reach a fourth-rank position.
Some people simply could not be compared.
Governor Zhang led the young man and the imperial convoy to the Governor’s residence. The other officials followed attentively, all smiles—yet their eyes could not help drifting again and again toward the two carts carrying the Emperor’s rewards.
Thanks for picking up this series! I'm really glad someone is working on it again! I read ~10 chapter via MTL before giving up, so I'm getting weird flashbacks as I read these translations haha "Didn't that already happen? Isn't XXX going to happen next? Wait a second, how do I know this? Oooooohhh, it must have been because..." is my general thought process haha
ReplyDeleteI hope you continue to stick with this series if you have the motivation!
Stay safe!
I did that too....hehe~
DeleteThank you 💞
ReplyDelete!!! the su family is here!!!
ReplyDeletethank you so much for translating!