Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Yue Wang Wants to  Spend New Year Together

After Su Qing left, Mu Yunyao leaned lazily back against the soft couch, carefully turning over Yue Wang’s expression from earlier in her mind.

Over the past half year, Buxian Tower and Niyun Pavilion had earned Yue Wang nearly a hundred thousand taels of silver. Even if that could not completely improve Yuexi’s circumstances, it should at least have relieved his most urgent need. Added to that were the several batches of ginger tea she had sent over. By all rights, he should have no dissatisfaction toward her. Yet just now, there had seemed to be coldness and distance in his manner. Could it be that he had secretly investigated her and Mother’s identities?

The more Mu Yunyao thought, the less she could find a thread to follow. It was only when Su Qing came in carrying the freshly cooked fen dumplings that she realized quite some time had passed.

“Yao’er, take these over quickly. Earlier, we had already agreed with Steward Qin that we would spend the New Year together here. But now that Fourth Master Ning, the owner of Jinxiu Garden, has returned, should we discuss it again? Go and ask Fourth Master Ning what he intends. If he is willing to spend the New Year with us, then it will be all the livelier. If he is not, ask what things he lacks, and we can send some over from our side.”

Invite Yue Wang to spend the New Year here? It had not been easy to gain a few days of ease. If he stayed here, no one would be able to enjoy the New Year properly.

“Mother, Fourth Master Ning came in such haste, so he must have his own arrangements. We can simply send over some of the things needed for the New Year. It would be better not to invite him rashly.”

“That is reasonable. Then Mother will go sort through the things and discuss it with Steward Qin. If anything is lacking, we shall make it up together.”

“Good.”

Mu Yunyao carried the dumplings through the side gate and saw Steward Qin waiting there. “The weather is terribly cold. Why are you waiting here?”

Steward Qin stepped forward and took the food box from Mu Yunyao’s hands. “I thought Miss had not yet told Jin Lan and the others His Highness’s identity, so you would have to carry the food box over alone. I came to receive you.”

“Many thanks, Steward Qin.”

“Miss is too courteous. His Highness is in the study. Please follow me.”

Yu Heng announced from outside the door, “Master, Miss Mu and Steward Qin have arrived.”

“Enter.”

Hearing Yue Wang’s cool voice, Mu Yunyao drew a faint breath. A smile appeared on her face as she slowly walked into the study.

“Greetings, Fourth Master.”

“No need for ceremony.” Account books were stacked upon the desk. Hearing her, Yue Wang set down the ledger in his hand.

Steward Qin opened the food box and took out the steaming fen dumplings, along with several small dishes, arranging them one by one on the side table. “Madam Su truly prepared a great deal. His Highness certainly cannot finish all of this alone. Has Miss eaten yet? Why not have some together?”

Mu Yunyao quickly shook her head. “These were all prepared by my mother for Fourth Master. How could I touch them? Besides, Mother is already waiting at home for me to eat.” So after delivering the dumplings, she ought to leave.

Yue Wang, however, seemed not to hear the meaning beneath her words. He walked straight to the table, sat down, picked up the chopsticks, and began eating.

Mu Yunyao’s brows moved slightly. “Then I shall not disturb Fourth Master’s meal. I shall take my leave first…”

“The filling in these fen dumplings is especially fresh. What was added inside?” Yue Wang suddenly asked.

Mu Yunyao could only stop and explain, “There are some winter bamboo shoots, winter mushrooms, and fresh pork. The pork was carefully minced with a bamboo knife, so the taste is particularly good.” These fen dumplings had been specially wrapped by Mother for her. To keep the flavor pure, Mother had worked with exceptional care, refining the filling again and again. Who knew how much time she had spent preparing it?

Steward Qin withdrew, leaving only Yue Wang and Mu Yunyao in the room. Silence settled for a time.

Mu Yunyao grew somewhat anxious. Mother was still waiting for her to return and eat. Yet Yue Wang would not let her withdraw. What exactly did he mean?

Yue Wang ate an entire plate of fen dumplings and even finished more than half of the small dishes before finally setting down his chopsticks.

Mu Yunyao felt a little more at ease. If Yue Wang had merely tasted one or two dumplings and stopped, would that not have wasted Mother’s painstaking effort?

“Have all the New Year preparations been made?” Yue Wang looked at Mu Yunyao. She wore a pale green dress edged with soft fur at the collar and cuffs, which made her skin appear luminous as jade. She looked fresh and delicate, like a new bud on a branch.

Although she did not know why Yue Wang had suddenly become inclined to talk, Mu Yunyao could not refuse to answer. “Replying to Fourth Master, everything has been prepared.”

“Has Steward Qin prepared as well?”

“Previously, we did not know Fourth Master would come to Jingling City. Mother had discussed with Steward Qin that we would spend the New Year together, so the things were prepared in one place. However, it will not be troublesome to separate them. After I return…”

“No need.” Yue Wang suddenly spoke.

Mu Yunyao paused. “You say there is no need… What does Fourth Master mean?”

“Since it was agreed that the New Year would be spent together, then we shall spend it together. Why go to the trouble of separating everything?”

Mu Yunyao’s heart tightened, but she could not allow it to show on her face. She could only reveal a smile. “…That is excellent. With more people, the New Year will be livelier.”

Seeing the smile on her face, Yue Wang’s fingers shifted faintly. His expression turned even colder. “Mm.”

Mu Yunyao’s smile nearly stiffened. Afraid that Yue Wang would see through her, she could only lower her head and salute. “In that case, I shall return and inform Mother. I take my leave.” Once she finished speaking, she did not wait for Yue Wang to answer before turning and leaving the study.

Not long after Mu Yunyao left, Steward Qin entered the study with a face full of smiles, carefully observing Yue Wang’s expression. “His Highness, why did Miss Mu leave in such a hurry?”

“I do not know.” Yue Wang furrowed his brows. She had clearly been smiling quite happily before. He had not said anything in particular, yet she had turned and left…

Steward Qin chuckled. “Young ladies are thin-skinned. Perhaps Miss Mu felt embarrassed.”

Yue Wang’s gaze shifted. Hearing Steward Qin’s explanation, he nodded as though it made perfect sense. “Mm.” No wonder she had left so hastily, and even lowered her head before departing. So she had been embarrassed.

“His Highness, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. What arrangements do you have?”

“Mu Yunyao just invited me to spend the New Year at her home. Since the things have already been prepared together, there is no need to separate them and go through the trouble again.”

Miss Mu had taken the initiative to invite His Highness?

Steward Qin felt happier than if it were already New Year’s. He nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. With so many things prepared together, separating them would indeed be troublesome. With more people, it will be livelier as well. Then should His Highness prepare a New Year's gift for Miss Mu? After all, it is the New Year, and Miss Mu has worked exceedingly hard over the past half year. Sending a gift to express thanks would only be proper.”

“Mm. Since Uncle Qin says so, then I shall prepare one for her.”

“Ah, Miss Mu will surely be very pleased.” Steward Qin knew that reaching this point was already rare enough, so he did not say more. “Then this old servant will withdraw and prepare a few more things.”

“Mm.”

Steward Qin left the study in high spirits. Once he returned, he immediately began writing a letter to Eunuch Cheng. From the look of things, His Highness had already misunderstood that Miss Mu admired him. Since that was so, let the misunderstanding continue. In any case, the goal was to invite Miss Mu back to the Wang residence. As for the process, there was no need to be so particular.

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