Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 124

Chapter 124: A Gift from the Governor’s Wife 

Steward Qin hesitated for a moment, then nodded faintly.

“Miss is indeed clever. Fourth Master is Yue Wang.”

Mu Yunyao wore an expression that said, “Just as I thought.” She drew out the dagger Yue Wang had once left with her.

“After receiving this dagger, I examined it carefully. Along one edge I found a faint, easily overlooked pattern. To most people it would mean nothing, but I recognized it for what it was: the character Yue.”

Steward Qin froze. He took the dagger from Mu Yunyao and studied it closely. On one side, there was indeed a pattern personally engraved by Yue Wang. Yue Wang had always been particularly fond of this design and had left it on many of his belongings, so Steward Qin had seen it often enough. It looked unusual and finely wrought, but he had never detected any special meaning in it. How had Mu Yunyao managed to see the character Yue hidden there?

“Miss Mu, I have looked closely, yet still cannot make anything of it.”

Mu Yunyao took the dagger back.

“If it were so easily recognized, then Wang Ye would never have engraved the pattern onto the dagger in the first place.”

Since he had dared display it, he must naturally have been certain that ordinary people would see nothing in it.

Steward Qin did not pursue the matter further.

“Now that Miss has guessed Wang Ye’s identity, may I ask what Miss intends to do?”

“What intentions could I possibly have? Wang Ye’s status is noble beyond compare. I am merely a commoner, so naturally I shall think of ways to curry favor with and please Wang Ye.”

Hearing her say so, Steward Qin felt even less certain. If another person had spoken those words, perhaps he might have believed that Yue Wang’s status alone would suffice. But if the speaker was Mu Yunyao, that was far less certain. Looking at the Ding family, and then at the Assistant Magistrate of Jingling and the Xuanfu Commissioner, none of them had been people an ordinary person could afford to provoke. Yet Mu Yunyao had not feared them in the least and had pulled them down all the same.

Mu Yunyao was in a good mood and did not continue pressing Steward Qin.

“By the way, my mother says tomorrow is Mid-Autumn. Since Steward Qin has no family in Jingling City, and Wei Yi, Yun Chun, and the others likewise have no one to rely on, why not all join us for a meal and celebrate together?”

“Yes, we will follow Miss’s arrangements.”

Naturally, Steward Qin would not refuse. Now that Mu Yunyao already knew Yue Wang’s identity, and as her connection with Wang Ye would only grow closer with the future development of Bu Xian Lou, building a good relationship early with Su Qing could only be of great advantage. Over this period of observation, he had long since seen how deeply Mu Yunyao cared for her mother.

“Then Steward Qin may go about his work. I still need to go back and help Mother make mooncakes.”

“I respectfully see Miss Mu off.”

The moment Mu Yunyao left, Steward Qin hurriedly began writing a letter. Inwardly, he resolved that he must find some way to speed up the delivery of correspondence; otherwise, one round trip would take a full month, and everything would be delayed.

Take this matter, for example. Wang Ye had sent orders that he was to find a way to preserve Ni Yun Fang, yet before Steward Qin had even made a move, Mu Yunyao had already secured two golden signboards for Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Lou. When he compared himself to that, he felt increasingly useless.

Early the next morning, Mu Yunyao rose and dressed herself carefully to wait. Before long, someone arrived from Governor Zhang to invite her over.

As soon as she reached the Governor’s residence, she was received inside at once and brought before the Governor’s wife.

“Greetings, Madam.”

“Quickly, get up. There is no need for such formality. I have heard that Ni Yun Fang is presently being rebuilt. But the old Ni Yun Fang was only an ordinary embroidery workshop. Now that it bears a name bestowed by His Majesty himself, it can naturally no longer be spoken of in the same breath as before. Its scale, at the very least, must be made larger. As it happens, the few neighboring shopfronts belong to me, so I thought I might as well give them to you.”

Mu Yunyao immediately shook her head.

“Madam, this is far too valuable. I absolutely dare not accept it.”

“What is there to speak of, valuable or not? They do not bring in much income in ordinary times anyway. The garments you made for me solved a great problem. I ought long ago to have sent a substantial gift to thank you. Now that Ni Yun Fang is being rebuilt, I shall simply present those several shops to you as a congratulatory gift. Whether you wish to demolish and rebuild them, or use them to sell garments, it shall all be as you please.”

“Madam, you truly must not.” A trace of fluster and helplessness appeared on Mu Yunyao’s face. “Being able to help Madam already makes me very happy. It was never for the sake of thanks or gifts.”

The Governor’s wife gave a light sigh, though the smile on her face remained unchanged.

“Your temperament truly is just as Madam Jin said. Very well, then—I shall speak plainly. Spreading embroidery techniques was a great deed of instruction among the people, and both Governor Zhang and I have benefited from it as well. You may accept these things without the least shame. Only if you take them can we feel at ease.”

Just then, someone outside announced Madam Jin’s arrival. The Governor’s wife made no attempt to avoid the matter and simply ordered her to be shown in at once.

“You have come at the right time—come and help me persuade this stubborn girl.” The Governor’s wife looked toward Madam Jin with a face full of amusement.

Madam Jin’s eyes swept once across the deed papers and property titles on the table, and she immediately understood.

“Yunyao has always been this sort of person. What seems of no consequence to others will trouble her for a long while. Yunyao, since this is a congratulatory gift from the Governor’s wife, then accept it. And if you truly feel uneasy in your heart, then make two extra garments for Madam.”

Mu Yunyao still seemed troubled.

“How could the garments I make ever compare to several shopfronts?”

“But your garments are precious as well. One robe costs a thousand taels or more. If you keep making them for two years, perhaps it will end with the Governor’s wife being the one who has benefited from you.”

The Governor’s wife laughed at that and nodded repeatedly.

“Exactly so. If you keep dressing me for two years, then would it not indeed be I who have profited?”

Mu Yunyao could not help laughing too. Seeing that it would no longer do to refuse, she nodded firmly.

“Then from now on, all of Madam’s garments are mine to make. I guarantee that through all four seasons, Madam will always have beautiful clothes to wear.”

“Excellent. Then I shall look forward to it.”

Seeing Mu Yunyao finally gather up the deed papers and property titles, the Governor’s wife’s smile turned all the more sincere.

“It is nearly time now. Let us go to the front court. I imagine Yunyao can hardly wait to receive the two pieces of imperial calligraphy.”

Mu Yunyao smiled with a little embarrassment.

“To speak honestly, from the moment I received the news, I have thought of nothing else. Last night I did not sleep at all—only waited for today.”

The Governor’s wife laughed.

“What a silly child. From now on, you shall be able to sleep each night with His Majesty’s calligraphy in sight.”

At once, Mu Yunyao’s cheeks flushed red, which only made the Governor’s wife and Madam Jin laugh all the more.

Much like the last time they had received an imperial reward, an incense table was set out. After everyone had knelt, bowed, and given thanks for the Emperor’s grace, Su Qingwu placed the two pieces of calligraphy into Mu Yunyao’s hands.

“This common girl offers thanks for His Majesty’s boundless grace.”

Mu Yunyao rose and handed the two inscriptions over to the guards appointed by Governor Zhang to escort them safely. Then she bowed to Su Qingwu.

“Many thanks, Official Su.”

Su Qingwu gave only the slightest nod. His expression was markedly colder than before.

“Miss Mu, Eunuch Xu asked me to bring you one sentence. He said that the tea leaves you sent have already been presented before His Majesty.”

Joy flooded Mu Yunyao’s face.

“I never imagined I should possess such fortune...”

“The message has been delivered, and His Majesty’s calligraphy has also been duly handed over. Governor Zhang, Official Cao—I must now return to the capital to report back.”

Governor Zhang seemed somewhat surprised.

“Official Su, today is Mid-Autumn. Why not rest one day at my residence before returning to the capital?”

“Many thanks for Governor Zhang’s kindness. But once I return to the capital, many matters await me. It would not do to delay further. Farewell.”

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