Chapter 103: Su Qingwu
At the Governor’s residence, the Governor’s wife came forward with a bright smile to greet Madam Jin and Mu Yunyao.
“Why have you two come so late? If you delayed any longer, I would have sent someone to fetch you. No need for formalities—come in and sit.”
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Madam Jin, the Governor’s wife turned her attention to Mu Yunyao. Compared to their previous meetings, her attitude was noticeably warmer.
“These past days have been busy, and I haven’t chanced to visit Niyun Workshop. Miss Mu, you seem to have grown thinner.”
Mu Yunyao wore a gentle, obedient smile.
“Thank you for your concern, Madam. My appetite has been poor these days, so I’ve been eating less.”
“At your age, you must take better care of yourself. The medicinal cuisine prepared by my household chef is quite good—I’ll have someone send you a portion shortly.”
Mu Yunyao quickly rose, her expression showing both surprise and gratitude.
“How could I possibly accept such kindness?”
“I find you very pleasing—there’s nothing improper about it. When you leave later, I’ll have the recipe copied for you. Prepare it daily, and in no time, you’ll be as radiant as before.”
Mu Yunyao immediately curtsied.
“Thank you, Madam. I will certainly prepare it every day.”
Her bright eyes and sincere tone made it impossible to refuse. The Governor’s wife clearly intended to befriend her.
Both the Governor’s wife and Madam Jin seemed slightly distracted, their gazes drifting toward the doorway from time to time.
After about half an hour, a maid hurried in.
“Madam! The Emperor’s reward has arrived. The Master requests that you, Madam Jin, and Miss Mu proceed to the front courtyard to receive the decree.”
“Very well—we’ll go at once.” The Governor’s wife rose, her face glowing with excitement. “Quickly, quickly—you two are the key figures today.”
Madam Jin wasted no time and followed her toward the front courtyard.
Before the main hall, incense tables and ceremonial items had already been arranged.
Governor Zhang stood at the head of the officials, who were lined up according to rank beneath the incense table. Upon it rested a scroll of imperial decree, its golden-yellow surface gleaming with solemn authority in the sunlight.
Mu Yunyao followed Madam Jin into the courtyard, her gaze lowered, her expression outwardly anxious—but her eyes calm.
She heard Governor Zhang speak:
“Lord Su, everyone has arrived. You may now read His Majesty’s decree.”
At the mention of the surname Su, Mu Yunyao’s brows twitched. Almost instinctively, she lifted her head—and in that instant, it felt as though a thunderbolt had struck her.
She froze.
Beside the incense table stood a young man in light armor. His features were refined as a painting, his phoenix eyes bright as stars. He stood like a pine tree standing firm against frost and snow—upright, proud, and naturally imposing.
Mu Yunyao stared at him.
Hatred surged violently within her, rushing into her eyes until her dark gaze froze like a thousand-foot glacier—cold, merciless, devoid of all warmth.
Su Qingwu.
It was Su Qingwu!
Holding the imperial edict in both hands, Su Qingwu waited for the crowd to kneel. Suddenly, he felt a sharp, piercing gaze directed at him.
He immediately looked up—but saw only the kneeling crowd, nothing out of the ordinary.
“The Emperor decrees…”
Mu Yunyao knelt with the others, her hands folded, forehead touching the ground in utmost respect—
Yet within her heart, hatred surged like a raging tide.
Su Qingwu—the most favored grandson of the Su family.
At only twenty years old, he had already been exceptionally promoted to First-Class Imperial Guard. Even princes and nobles praised him as a rare talent.
In her previous life…
To take revenge on that “good elder sister,” she had schemed her way into Prince Jin’s bed.
This so-called noble young master had kicked her square in the chest, causing her to spit blood three times.
She would never forget the look in his eyes
Cold.
Disdainful.
As if she were nothing more than filth on the ground.
Later, she entered Prince Jin’s residence as a concubine.
To please the Emperor, Prince Jin was to personally copy one hundred volumes of Buddhist scriptures for blessings. She accompanied him to Huguo Temple and imitated his handwriting to copy them in his stead.
But Su Qingwu discovered her.
On the charge of disrespecting the Emperor, he had her dragged into the courtyard and beaten.
She had been four months pregnant at the time.
After ten strokes, blood flowed.
That very night, the child was gone.
That child had been unexpected—and yet it had also been something she had truly longed for.
Had it not been for those ten strokes, perhaps it would have been born safely…
“…Mu Yunyao, benevolent in heart and worthy of commendation. Bestowed with a pair of jade ruyi, ten bolts of brocade, one hundred taels of gold…”
The decree continued for nearly a quarter of an hour.
Mu Yunyao suppressed the storm of hatred within her, forcing herself to calm down. She followed the others in bowing and expressing gratitude.
Governor Zhang rose and placed the decree within the main hall, then warmly invited Su Qingwu to a banquet.
“Lord Su has traveled far. I have prepared a modest feast to welcome you and the guards.”
Though Governor Zhang outranked Su Qingwu in official rank, he did not dare act arrogantly.
Not only was Su Qingwu favored by the Emperor, but his background in the Su family alone commanded respect.
And at just twenty years old, his future was boundless.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Zhang.”
“Please, this way.”
Su Qingwu remained where he stood, his gaze shifting toward Mu Yunyao.
“Speaking of which, I have a personal matter. Is Miss Mu—the one who spread embroidery techniques throughout Jingling—present?”
The hatred Mu Yunyao had just suppressed surged once more.
She clenched her palms tightly, forcing herself to remain composed.
Seeing all eyes turn toward her, she stepped forward.
Step by step, the violence in her heart intensified—yet her expression softened into a gentle, graceful smile.
“Commoner Mu Yunyao greets Lord Su.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Su Qingwu’s eyes.
He had not expected her to be so young.
She wore an apricot-colored mamian skirt, embroidered with a lotus pond beneath moonlight. Standing there, she resembled a budding lotus—delicate, graceful, filled with the spirit of Jiangnan’s landscapes.
Su Qingwu quickly concealed his thoughts and spoke warmly:
“No need for such formality, Miss Mu. I have heard that your embroidery skills are unmatched. May I request a screen from you as a birthday gift for my grandmother?”
Mu Yunyao lowered her gaze.
“Since Lord Su has asked, I should not refuse. However… I cannot handle needlework at present. I must disappoint you.”
“And why is that?”
Su Qingwu studied her.
Her gaze remained lowered, her long lashes casting shadows like small fans. Sunlight shimmered faintly across them, lending her an almost ethereal brilliance.
At such a young age, she already possessed such rare charm.
His displeasure at being refused softened.
Mu Yunyao extended her hand.
A scar ran across her palm, stark against her pale, jade-like skin.
“I injured my hand some time ago. I ask for Lord Su’s understanding.”
“I see. Then I was too abrupt. What a pity…”
Mu Yunyao curtsied, then stepped back behind Madam Jin, lowering her head and saying no more.
Su Qingwu glanced at her once more before withdrawing his gaze.
A faint crease formed between his brows.
For some reason, when facing Mu Yunyao just now, he had felt an inexplicable sense of discord—one that lingered in his mind.
Thanks for the chapter! Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThankyou, hanamooi-san 💞
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