Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Would You Like to Discuss a Business Deal? 

The next day, as soon as Steward Qin heard that she intended to meet Tan Lin, he immediately had Xiaoxiang Bamboo Court cleared out for her use. He even reassigned Wei Yi to assist with the tea service. Wei Yi’s tea-making skills were not the finest, but his martial ability was the best. If Tan Lin dared to show the slightest insolence, he could be thrown straight out on the spot.

Upon hearing it, Mu Yunyao felt warmth rise in her heart. Whatever might happen in the future—whether she and Yue Wang might someday turn against one another or not—she truly found Steward Qin and the others very agreeable to deal with for now.

“Many thanks, Steward Qin.”

“There is no need for courtesy, Miss. This is not Huai’an City. If that Six-Finger Tan wishes to strut about and throw his weight around here, he had best weigh things over several times first.”

“I understand.”

Tan Lin arrived precisely on time. He was in his forties, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, and he carried himself with a striking air of refinement.

A faint flicker passed through Mu Yunyao’s eyes. It was genuinely difficult to imagine Tan Lin raising a son like Tan Bawang.

“Greetings, Miss Mu.”

“Greetings, Master Tan.”

“Every step within Jinxiu Garden opens onto another scene. Walking in, one cannot help but linger and forget to leave. Miss Mu’s exquisite ingenuity truly inspires admiration.”

Had she not possessed such “exquisite ingenuity,” she would never have destroyed his son so thoroughly.

Mu Yunyao smiled faintly. She knew full well that the “ingenuity” in his words concealed mockery, yet nothing showed on her face.

“The original scenery of Jinxiu Garden was already fine. I merely made some slight adjustments and added a few tables and chairs. When the foundation is good, the scenery is naturally good as well.”

And when a man’s conduct is rotten from the beginning, as with Tan Bawang, then whatever miserable end he meets can only be called his due.

Tan Lin’s smile stiffened, and a trace of chill entered his eyes.

“I have been in Jingling City only two short days, and yet Miss Mu’s reputation already thunders in my ears. All say that you are kindness itself.”

“There is no such thing as being particularly kind-hearted. Cai Qing and the others were pitiable, so I happened to lend a hand. But if someone rides roughshod over me, I am by no means gentle in striking back. I imagine Master Tan must have heard of the Ding family. When they ruined the good name of my Ni Yun Fang, I retaliated without the slightest softness.”

Tan Lin’s anger surged.

He had only one son, Tan Bawang, and from childhood, he had spoiled him excessively, indulging him until his nature became lawless. So long as he kept him in Huai’an City, no matter what trouble he caused, things could still be smoothed over. Who could have expected that he would make a scene all the way in Jingling City and even be thrown into jail by Magistrate Zhao? If not for the sake of his only heir, why would he ever have lowered himself to speak so mildly to a little girl like Mu Yunyao?

“Miss Mu, I will not hide the truth from you. I came this time for the sake of my disappointing son. His temperament is usually mild and peaceable. Who could have imagined that after arriving in Jingling City, he would be misled by servants below him, and then further enticed by that shameless maid Cai Qing? Only then did he commit so grave an error. Might I ask Miss to show a little magnanimity and spare him this once?”

As he spoke, he actually bent in a full bow toward Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao quickly rose and stepped aside rather than accept the courtesy.

“Master Tan, though this matter does concern me, what truly happened in the middle of it still needs to be clarified by Magistrate Zhao’s investigation. If you have come to ask this of me, then I fear I am quite unable to help.”

“Miss has ties with the Governor’s Wife and with Madam Jin. So long as one sentence from them were to pass downward, my son could surely emerge safe and sound. If Miss is willing to speak on his behalf, then both I, Tan Lin, and Caiyue Pavilion will owe Miss a great debt of gratitude, and there will most certainly be ample repayment in the future.”

“I have made a few garments for the Governor’s Wife and for Madam Jin, but that hardly counts as deep acquaintance. They are, after all, women of the inner quarters. How could they possibly speak into the ear of Magistrate Zhao? Besides, from the meaning of Master Tan’s own words just now, your son’s wrongdoing was brought about by special circumstances. If so, then under Magistrate Zhao’s impartial judgment, surely nothing too serious should come of it.”

A muscle twitched in Tan Lin’s face, and anger swirled in his eyes.

“So, in other words, Miss Mu intends, no matter what, not to let my son off?”

Mu Yunyao’s expression cooled as well.

“I have already made myself clear, Master Tan. Questions of right and wrong are for Magistrate Zhao to determine. If your son is without guilt, who could possibly frame him?”

“You clearly accepted my silver, and now you turn around and deny your word—”

Mu Yunyao cut him off at once.

“Was not the silver Master Tan sent intended for discussing business with me?”

“Business? What business could I possibly have with you?”

“Then it seems I misunderstood.”

She turned to Jin Lan.

“Bring Master Tan’s silver over.”

Mu Yunyao held the banknotes out toward him.

“Earlier, I had assumed that Master Tan had heard I was seeking to cooperate with embroidery houses and had come specially to discuss that matter. It seems I misunderstood, and for that I must apologize. As for your son’s case, I truly am powerless to help. Jin Lan, see Master Tan out.”

“Wait.”

Tan Lin’s heart gave a sharp jump.

“Miss Mu just now said she was seeking embroidery houses to cooperate with? What exactly did you mean?”

Ni Yun Fang, after all, had received an imperial reward, and its reputation was dazzling. Countless embroidery workshops had long been envious of the profits it brought in. If word were spread that Ni Yun Fang sought partners, the embroidery houses that came begging to cooperate would likely trample one another flat at the threshold.

“Ni Yun Fang has now gained a firm footing in Jingling City, and the embroidery techniques have already been widely taught. Lately, many outsiders have been coming to Jingling City hoping to learn them. Seeing their sincerity has moved me deeply, and so I thought I ought to expand the range in which these techniques are passed on. Yet my strength is limited and my heart willing though my power is not enough. So I can only look for embroidery houses to cooperate with. Naturally, Caiyue Pavilion would be the first choice.”

Tan Lin suppressed the excitement rising in him and carefully studied Mu Yunyao’s face over and over. Then his expression suddenly turned mournful.

“Miss Mu, my anxiety just now truly ran away with me. I am already advanced in years and have only this one son. If anything were to happen to him, I would have no one to bury me when I die. If I spoke discourteously, I beg Miss Mu to forgive it.”

If Ni Yun Fang could earn imperial favor merely through spreading embroidery techniques, then Caiyue Pavilion—whose branch houses were found throughout the prosperous cities of the Great Li—would be another matter entirely. If used properly, that merit alone would be enough to send Caiyue Pavilion soaring to the heavens.

Mu Yunyao’s face still showed traces of displeasure as she pushed the invitation card, with the banknotes tucked inside, back toward Tan Lin.

“Master Tan’s feelings are something I can understand, but then you should hurry and go rescue your son. I would not wish to delay your time further.”

Tan Lin immediately pushed the silver back once more.

“I came in haste today and had no time to prepare a proper gift for Miss Mu. Tomorrow I shall come again formally to pay my respects.”

Mu Yunyao considered for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

“In that case, I shall receive Master Tan tomorrow.”

Hearing her agree, Tan Lin’s heart leaped with joy.

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Jin Lan, see the guest out.”

Once Tan Lin had gone, Steward Qin entered at once.

“Miss, did Tan Lin come to trouble you?”

Mu Yunyao smiled broadly and tapped the invitation card on the table.

“This Master Tan is a true God of Wealth. Look here—the silver for buying grain for Yue Wang has arrived.”

At last, the silver earned from making garments could be spared.

Steward Qin stared, then suddenly broke into delight when he saw the banknotes that had slipped out from the center of the invitation card.

“This… there must be twenty thousand taels here. Tan Lin sent this?”

“Yes. At first he wanted me to plead on Tan Bawang’s behalf. When I refused, he left the silver as a gift instead.”

“After being refused, he did not fly into a rage, but instead sent silver as a gift?”

Steward Qin could not help thinking to himself that perhaps this Tan Lin was a fool after all.

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