Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 154

Chapter 154: A Heart Still in Mourning

Cao Yunnian could not help laughing aloud. He reached out, his palm full of tenderness, and gently stroked Madam Jin’s belly. “This is the first child between Madam and me. Naturally, I wish I could hold him in my palms and place him at the very tip of my heart to cherish him… Ah! The child kicked me! Madam, did you feel that? He kicked me!”

Cao Yunnian’s eyes widened, wonder spreading across his face as his smile refused to fade.

Watching him, Madam Jin felt her heart soften. “That is the child greeting his father. Speaking of which, in a while, I should begin preparing some clothes for the child…”

“You must not tire yourself, Madam. I remember that Concubine Zhou is quite skilled with needlework. She has little to occupy her on ordinary days. Why not have her prepare some?”

Madam Jin smiled and nodded, though a glimmer of satisfaction passed through her eyes. Since Concubine Wang was gone, Concubine Zhou’s arrogance had grown rather unchecked. This would be a fitting opportunity to press her down a little, so she might learn what it meant to restrain herself. “Then in two days, I shall send someone to inform her.”

Soon, the guests who had received invitations arrived at the Cao Residence one after another.

On the men’s side, when the guests saw Cao Yunnian personally receive them, they could not help but feel secretly relieved. It seemed Cao Yunnian and Madam Jin valued Mu Yunyao greatly. Fortunately, the gifts they had prepared this time were sufficiently generous.

On the women’s side, however, it was Mu Yunyao who stood outside to receive the guests. Madam Jin was with child, and as the months had grown heavier, it was only reasonable that she would not come out to greet everyone in person. Yet for Mu Yunyao to stand in her place carried an unmistakable implication.

Cao Yunnian and Madam Jin were clearly treating her as their own daughter. From this day on, she would be a young lady of the Cao Residence—someone they could no longer afford to offend lightly.

Many silently sighed over it. Mu Yunyao could be said to have overturned her fate in a single morning, flying from an ordinary sparrow onto a high branch. Though one could not say she had become a phoenix, at the very least, she could now be called a peacock. It was an opportunity countless people longed for day and night, yet might never obtain.

Whatever they thought inwardly, no one was foolish enough to let their true feelings show. Every face was bright with congratulatory cheer.

The guests politely exchanged greetings with Mu Yunyao. After a few words of courtesy, they entered the hall and took their seats. Once seated, they could not help observing her in secret, and many nodded inwardly. No wonder Madam Jin held Mu Yunyao in such regard. Her composed and graceful bearing alone was something many families could not cultivate even after years of effort.

After all the female guests had been welcomed into the Cao Residence, Mu Yunyao first stepped forward and curtsied. Only then did she withdraw to the rear and support Madam Jin as she came out.

As soon as Madam Jin appeared, the ladies rose and offered their greetings. After another round of polite exchanges, everyone returned to their seats.

“Many thanks to all the madams and young ladies for coming to today’s banquet,” Madam Jin said. “Once the kinship ceremony is completed later, Yunyao will also be my daughter. In the future, I hope you will all look after her and offer her guidance.”

“Congratulations, Madam. Yunyao is obedient and considerate, and she observes propriety so well. Even if we wished to offer guidance, we would be hard-pressed to find any fault.”

“Miss Mu is pleasing at first glance. With Madam’s careful teaching in the future, she will surely grow even more lovely and graceful.”

As praise came one after another, Mu Yunyao lowered her head slightly. A faint blush rose on her face, lending her a bashful softness that made her even more endearing. Madam Jin kept holding her hand throughout, the closeness between them plain without needing a single word.

Before long, Yin Hong entered and reported, “Madam, Miss, the auspicious hour has arrived. It is time to go to the front courtyard.”

Madam Jin rose and nodded lightly to the gathered guests. “Everyone, please come forward to observe the ceremony.”

“Of course. How could we miss such a moment?”

Madam Jin patted Mu Yunyao’s hand, signaling for her to go change first. Mu Yunyao curtsied before withdrawing.

In the rear courtyard, Su Qing hurried forward when she saw Mu Yunyao arrive. “Yao’er, how was it?” Though Madam Jin had given repeated assurances, Mu Yunyao’s origins were still plain for all to see. Su Qing had worried that while Yunyao greeted the guests, someone might deliberately make things difficult for her.

“Mother, do not worry. Everything went smoothly. Nothing happened.”

“That is good. The auspicious hour is nearly here. Hurry and change your clothes.” Su Qing had looked over the garments for quite some time and felt the red gauze dress was the most splendid, so she brought it over directly.

Mu Yunyao stroked the red gauze dress at her side, hesitation flickering through her expression. “Mother, although it has been more than a year since Father passed away, I still do not wish to wear red.”

Su Qing paused, and a trace of sorrow crossed her eyes. “Our Dali Dynasty does value filial piety, but the rites are not considered overly strict. Among ordinary people, observing mourning for one year is already sufficient.”

Mu Yunyao shook her head. “That may be true, but in great families where rules are strict, it would still become something others could criticize. I shall wear the light purple one instead. I believe Madam Jin will understand.”

“…Very well. We shall do as you wish. Your father would surely be moved to know you have such filial devotion.” Mu Cheng, if your spirit truly watches from above, then protect Yao’er. Let the road ahead be safe and peaceful for her. Do not let her suffer as bitterly as she did in her previous life.

After Mu Yunyao changed, she carefully chose her jewelry. Just as she finished dressing, Si Qin came in to pass along the message. “Miss, Madam Jin has sent someone to urge you.”

“I understand. Mother, let us go.”

In the main hall of the front courtyard, all the guests had already taken their seats. Cao Yunnian had just finished speaking at length in praise of Mu Yunyao and, unsurprisingly, received another wave of approving compliments.

He was about to have someone invite Mu Yunyao forward when a guard hurried in. “Reporting to Lord Cao: Governor Zhang and the governor’s wife have arrived. They are alighting at the entrance now.”

Cao Yunnian’s face lit up. “I will go to receive them at once.”

The guests’ expressions became even more delighted. There were not many opportunities in ordinary times to see Governor Zhang and his wife. Attending today’s banquet had certainly not been in vain.

Very soon, Governor Zhang and the governor’s wife were escorted inside. Everyone exchanged greetings and courtesies once more. It took nearly two quarters of an hour before calm returned to the hall.

The governor’s wife wore a warm smile as she turned toward Madam Jin. “I am also very fond of that girl Yunyao. She is gentle by nature and exceptionally filial. You are truly blessed.”

“Is that not so? These past two days, I have nearly laughed aloud even in my dreams. Since Madam has come today for the kinship ceremony, I must be shameless and ask you for a gift on Yao’er’s behalf.”

The governor’s wife laughed. “It was prepared long ago. Where is the need for you to ask?”

“Then I shall first thank Madam on Yao’er’s behalf. Later, I will have her offer you tea.”

“In that case, I shall not stand on ceremony.”

When the auspicious hour arrived, Cao Yunnian rose and once again thanked the guests. Then he had Mu Yunyao invited forward.

Everyone could not help looking toward the entrance. They saw Mu Yunyao enter slowly with Su Qing at her side.

She wore an upper robe of Bixia gauze patterned like ancient mist, paired with a violet gauze skirt embroidered in emerald tones. Light purple was clearly a cool, restrained color, yet on her it seemed to gain a fresh vitality. As she walked, the gauze skirt moved in soft waves, stirring the thin outer layer of mist-like fabric so that she appeared as graceful as drifting clouds and flowing rosy light.

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