~ MALICIOUS CALCULATION ~
Mu Yunyao wiped her hands before letting Liu Liang enter, “Do you mean the Young Master of Cai Yue Pavilion, Tan Bawang?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but slightly retract her gaze, secretly pondering in her heart. What a coincidence. The person she saved was actually injured by Tan Bawang. Was this a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement?
“You cut off Tan Bawang’s follower’s finger. I think he knows you.”
“Yes. I saw you saving someone just now, so I did not report to you. Please punish me, Mistress.”
Mu Yunyao glanced at him. Since she asked about Liu Liang’s identity that day, this person has been exceptionally cautious with her. His expression and demeanor were respectful to the point where she wasn’t used to it: “I know, you go down and check what happens after he comes to Jingling City?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
After Liu Liang left, Mu Yunyao thought momentarily before heading to the East Wing.
Ding Yuelan’s wounds almost healed, but her personality was much quieter than before, and she would be in a daze occasionally. Su Qing had secretly advised her many times, but they were all fruitless. When Mu Yunyao arrived, she saw Ding Yuelan doing embroidering. Her embroidery technique is becoming more and more popular. Now, her embroidered patterns are comparable to those of Mu Yunyao.
“Miss Mu, why have you come?”
Mu Yunyao saw the peony she was embroidering and layers of realistic, lifelike flower petals. “Madam, you don’t have to be in such a hurry. If you take too long, your eyes won’t be able to take it.”
A wry smile appeared on Ding Yuelan’s face. “Only when working on the embroidery process can I feel slightly more at ease. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I do have some things that I want to ask Madam, but....” Mu Yunyao was a little worried, which touched her sore spot, but she couldn’t rest assured without asking.
Ding Yuelan immediately understood her hesitation and led Mu Yunyao into the room to sit down. “Please feel free to ask, Miss.” She had completely given up on the Ding family. Although she would still feel sad about it, she did not feel as heartbroken as before.
“I would like to ask, Madam, have you come into contact with anyone after the Ding family was taken down?”
Ding Yuelan carefully recalled, “The tree fell and became scattered. No one visited after the Ding family fell, especially my father. Lord Ding had a stroke, and his body was paralyzed on the bed. Even his relatives did not come to visit. I didn’t notice anyone coming into contact with the Ding family....”
Ding Yuelan thought carefully. After a pause, she suddenly added: “However, two days before Madam Ding decided to sell me into Ru Yi Pavilion, she changed her usual pained appearance and looked extremely happy. She even said that the heavens were kind enough to let her meet a noble person, and she would still have the chance to rise again when she comes to Huai’an City.”
“Thank you, Madam, for telling me the truth. After a few more days, Ni Yun Fang will open again. If you are interested, I’ll keep the shopkeeper’s position.” Seeing Ding Yuelan shake her head in refusal, Mu Yunyao said, “Madam, people have to keep looking forward. For some unworthy people, wasting the rest of their lives is not worth it. I hope Madam can think about it more carefully.”
“....Thank you very much, Miss. I will think about it again.”
Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded, “Then, I’ll be leaving first.”
After leaving the East Wing, Mu Yunyao’s expression became cold. The person who came from Huai’an City was definitely Tan Bawang, and when Ru Yi Pavilion came to stir up trouble, there’s a possibility he was the mastermind. Then what about Cai Qing? Was there any connection between him and Tan Bawang?
Cai Qing was taking care of Nan’er and Ah Mao. When she saw Mu Yunyao walk in, she hurriedly stood up and greeted, “Greetings, Miss Mu.”
Mu Yunyao sat down on a chair at the side. Her cold gaze fell on Cai Qing and carried a dense sense of scrutiny. “Cai Qing, I heard that Tan Bawang has taken a fancy to you and seems to intend to take you as his concubine?”
Cai Qing suddenly raised her head and met Mu Yunyao’s eyes. Then, she lowered her head as if frightened, her gaze swaying intensely. “It’s that Tan Bawang who deliberately picked a fight with Ah Mao. I went up to argue, but who would have known that he had ill intentions? That’s why....”
“Nan’er already told me about that. I know all of these things, but I think there are some things that I don’t know. What do you think?”
Cai Qing stood there, her hand on her dress, and beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. “I don’t understand what you mean....”
“I heard from Nan’er that you seem to care for a child called Li’er. I wonder where she is now?”
Cai Qing clenched her teeth and suddenly took two steps forward. She knelt in front of Mu Yunyao with a guilty look in her eyes. “I beg, please save me, Miss!”
Mu Yunyao’s eyes filled with cold intent. When Nan’er suddenly came up to warn her, she didn’t think much about it, but now that matters had come up one after another, she couldn’t help but feel that the conversation from before was more deliberate. Nan’er’s thoughts were pure, and he was timid. How could he have the courage to come forward and remind her? The only possibility is that someone teaches behind!
“Why should I save a liar?”
She used to see that extremely hypocritical Young Miss of the Su family, and after seeing Cai Qing, she felt full of loopholes.
Cai Qing quickly shook her head, “Miss Mu, I am not a swindler and have never thought of deceiving you. How would I dare to provoke you if others hadn’t forced me? Tan Bawang had framed Ah Mao and had dirtied his clothes before. He asked us to compensate him with a hundred taels of silver, and if we can’t pay him back, he wants to beat Ah Mao to death. Even if people like us get killed, it is nothing but a loss of money, and the government will not manage it. To save Ah Mao, I had no choice but to obey his orders and let Nan’er approach you.”
Mu Yunyao’s expression was cold as she heard this. She sneered, “Nan’er treats you as his elder sister and would rather starve himself to the point of eating nothing to bring the only two pastries back to you. How could you use a child who trusts you so much?”
“I was also forced to such a state. If I did not do this, they would have lost their lives. Although we are not blood-related, I have watched them since they were young in the Ci You Bureau. To save their lives, I have no other choice.”
Mu Yunyao frowned and didn’t make a sound.
Cai Qing took two steps forward and kowtowed to Mu Yunyao. “This morning, Tan Bawang brought Matchmakers Liu here and forced me to admit that I wanted to enter his residence as a concubine. He hinted that Nan’er would come and ask for help. He was sure that you would be merciful enough to save me, so he took Li’er away and gave me a packet of poison. When he came to the door later, I took the initiative to take medicine and die to smear Miss’s reputation. If I obey his instructions, he will let Li’er go. If I do not obey, he will do everything to kill all of us. I really have no choice. I beg for mercy, Miss....”
After speaking, she took a bag of medicinal powder and respectfully laid it on the ground. Her appearance was extremely humble.
Mu Yunyao looked at Cai Qing, who was lying on the ground, and she coldly smiled. “How would I know that what you said is true? Who knows if you and Tan Bawang are secretly plotting to trap me?”
“I won’t take the lives of Nan’er and the others as a joke. Miss Mu, every word I say is the truth, and I will not hide anything from you!”
“If I don’t come and ask you, what will you do?” Cai Qing’s face paled. Under Mu Yunyao’s gaze, she only felt that there was nothing to hide from the thoughts in her heart. “I will find a chance to tell Miss....”
“You won’t!” Mu Yunyao stood up. She would have almost believed her words if it weren’t for her flickering expression. “Besides using Li’er to threaten you, Tan Ban Wang probably promised you quite a few benefits, right?”
“No, he told me to take medicine and kill myself, so how could he possibly allow me any benefits? Even if there were benefits, I would not have any life to spend them....”
“You cut off Tan Bawang’s follower’s finger. I think he knows you.”
“Yes. I saw you saving someone just now, so I did not report to you. Please punish me, Mistress.”
Mu Yunyao glanced at him. Since she asked about Liu Liang’s identity that day, this person has been exceptionally cautious with her. His expression and demeanor were respectful to the point where she wasn’t used to it: “I know, you go down and check what happens after he comes to Jingling City?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
After Liu Liang left, Mu Yunyao thought momentarily before heading to the East Wing.
Ding Yuelan’s wounds almost healed, but her personality was much quieter than before, and she would be in a daze occasionally. Su Qing had secretly advised her many times, but they were all fruitless. When Mu Yunyao arrived, she saw Ding Yuelan doing embroidering. Her embroidery technique is becoming more and more popular. Now, her embroidered patterns are comparable to those of Mu Yunyao.
“Miss Mu, why have you come?”
Mu Yunyao saw the peony she was embroidering and layers of realistic, lifelike flower petals. “Madam, you don’t have to be in such a hurry. If you take too long, your eyes won’t be able to take it.”
A wry smile appeared on Ding Yuelan’s face. “Only when working on the embroidery process can I feel slightly more at ease. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“I do have some things that I want to ask Madam, but....” Mu Yunyao was a little worried, which touched her sore spot, but she couldn’t rest assured without asking.
Ding Yuelan immediately understood her hesitation and led Mu Yunyao into the room to sit down. “Please feel free to ask, Miss.” She had completely given up on the Ding family. Although she would still feel sad about it, she did not feel as heartbroken as before.
“I would like to ask, Madam, have you come into contact with anyone after the Ding family was taken down?”
Ding Yuelan carefully recalled, “The tree fell and became scattered. No one visited after the Ding family fell, especially my father. Lord Ding had a stroke, and his body was paralyzed on the bed. Even his relatives did not come to visit. I didn’t notice anyone coming into contact with the Ding family....”
Ding Yuelan thought carefully. After a pause, she suddenly added: “However, two days before Madam Ding decided to sell me into Ru Yi Pavilion, she changed her usual pained appearance and looked extremely happy. She even said that the heavens were kind enough to let her meet a noble person, and she would still have the chance to rise again when she comes to Huai’an City.”
“Thank you, Madam, for telling me the truth. After a few more days, Ni Yun Fang will open again. If you are interested, I’ll keep the shopkeeper’s position.” Seeing Ding Yuelan shake her head in refusal, Mu Yunyao said, “Madam, people have to keep looking forward. For some unworthy people, wasting the rest of their lives is not worth it. I hope Madam can think about it more carefully.”
“....Thank you very much, Miss. I will think about it again.”
Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded, “Then, I’ll be leaving first.”
After leaving the East Wing, Mu Yunyao’s expression became cold. The person who came from Huai’an City was definitely Tan Bawang, and when Ru Yi Pavilion came to stir up trouble, there’s a possibility he was the mastermind. Then what about Cai Qing? Was there any connection between him and Tan Bawang?
Cai Qing was taking care of Nan’er and Ah Mao. When she saw Mu Yunyao walk in, she hurriedly stood up and greeted, “Greetings, Miss Mu.”
Mu Yunyao sat down on a chair at the side. Her cold gaze fell on Cai Qing and carried a dense sense of scrutiny. “Cai Qing, I heard that Tan Bawang has taken a fancy to you and seems to intend to take you as his concubine?”
Cai Qing suddenly raised her head and met Mu Yunyao’s eyes. Then, she lowered her head as if frightened, her gaze swaying intensely. “It’s that Tan Bawang who deliberately picked a fight with Ah Mao. I went up to argue, but who would have known that he had ill intentions? That’s why....”
“Nan’er already told me about that. I know all of these things, but I think there are some things that I don’t know. What do you think?”
Cai Qing stood there, her hand on her dress, and beads of sweat dripped from her forehead. “I don’t understand what you mean....”
“I heard from Nan’er that you seem to care for a child called Li’er. I wonder where she is now?”
Cai Qing clenched her teeth and suddenly took two steps forward. She knelt in front of Mu Yunyao with a guilty look in her eyes. “I beg, please save me, Miss!”
Mu Yunyao’s eyes filled with cold intent. When Nan’er suddenly came up to warn her, she didn’t think much about it, but now that matters had come up one after another, she couldn’t help but feel that the conversation from before was more deliberate. Nan’er’s thoughts were pure, and he was timid. How could he have the courage to come forward and remind her? The only possibility is that someone teaches behind!
“Why should I save a liar?”
She used to see that extremely hypocritical Young Miss of the Su family, and after seeing Cai Qing, she felt full of loopholes.
Cai Qing quickly shook her head, “Miss Mu, I am not a swindler and have never thought of deceiving you. How would I dare to provoke you if others hadn’t forced me? Tan Bawang had framed Ah Mao and had dirtied his clothes before. He asked us to compensate him with a hundred taels of silver, and if we can’t pay him back, he wants to beat Ah Mao to death. Even if people like us get killed, it is nothing but a loss of money, and the government will not manage it. To save Ah Mao, I had no choice but to obey his orders and let Nan’er approach you.”
Mu Yunyao’s expression was cold as she heard this. She sneered, “Nan’er treats you as his elder sister and would rather starve himself to the point of eating nothing to bring the only two pastries back to you. How could you use a child who trusts you so much?”
“I was also forced to such a state. If I did not do this, they would have lost their lives. Although we are not blood-related, I have watched them since they were young in the Ci You Bureau. To save their lives, I have no other choice.”
Mu Yunyao frowned and didn’t make a sound.
Cai Qing took two steps forward and kowtowed to Mu Yunyao. “This morning, Tan Bawang brought Matchmakers Liu here and forced me to admit that I wanted to enter his residence as a concubine. He hinted that Nan’er would come and ask for help. He was sure that you would be merciful enough to save me, so he took Li’er away and gave me a packet of poison. When he came to the door later, I took the initiative to take medicine and die to smear Miss’s reputation. If I obey his instructions, he will let Li’er go. If I do not obey, he will do everything to kill all of us. I really have no choice. I beg for mercy, Miss....”
After speaking, she took a bag of medicinal powder and respectfully laid it on the ground. Her appearance was extremely humble.
Mu Yunyao looked at Cai Qing, who was lying on the ground, and she coldly smiled. “How would I know that what you said is true? Who knows if you and Tan Bawang are secretly plotting to trap me?”
“I won’t take the lives of Nan’er and the others as a joke. Miss Mu, every word I say is the truth, and I will not hide anything from you!”
“If I don’t come and ask you, what will you do?” Cai Qing’s face paled. Under Mu Yunyao’s gaze, she only felt that there was nothing to hide from the thoughts in her heart. “I will find a chance to tell Miss....”
“You won’t!” Mu Yunyao stood up. She would have almost believed her words if it weren’t for her flickering expression. “Besides using Li’er to threaten you, Tan Ban Wang probably promised you quite a few benefits, right?”
“No, he told me to take medicine and kill myself, so how could he possibly allow me any benefits? Even if there were benefits, I would not have any life to spend them....”
hm. i am not sure i like mr. tbw.
ReplyDeletethank you for translating!