Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Another Side of Yue Wang

When Su Qing heard Si Qin’s report, she quickly brought the others out to receive their guest. At the sight of Yue Wang in dark robes, she could not help praising him inwardly. As expected, his bearing was truly extraordinary.

“This common woman, Su Qing, greets Fourth Master Ning.”

Yue Wang stepped forward and made a light gesture to help her up. “Madam need not be so courteous. This one is surnamed Ning, courtesy name Huaijin. You may simply call me Huaijin.”

Su Qing had originally felt a trace of apprehension upon seeing Yue Wang’s cool expression. Yet now, observing his distinguished manner and hearing his modest, respectful speech, she could not help smiling. “How could I directly call Fourth Master by his personal name?”

“Madam is my elder. If you address me as Fourth Master, that would truly place me in an undeserved position. As a junior, allowing an elder to use such a respectful form of address toward me would only diminish my own fortune.” Yue Wang’s face still showed little expression, but the air around him had softened considerably.

Seeing this, Su Qing knew it would be improper to keep refusing. She smiled and said, “Since that is so, I shall call you Young Master Ning. I heard your hometown is in the capital. It just so happens that most of the food we prepared for the New Year this time is northern fare. I imagine it should suit your taste.”

“Many thanks, Madam.”

Seeing Mu Yunyao standing there in a daze while holding a snowball, Su Qing cast her a mildly reproachful glance. “How old are you already, yet you are still so playful? Hurry and lead Young Master Ning to the main hall to warm himself. I will go to the kitchen and see whether everything has been prepared.”

Steward Qin quickly followed Su Qing’s steps. “I shall go with Madam to have a look.”

“Steward Qin has labored for more than half a year. You should go rest in the Flower Hall.”

“It is no trouble, no trouble at all. Once people grow old, they cannot remain idle. Buxian Tower has not opened these two days, and I was just feeling restless. It is perfect timing for me to lend Madam a hand.”

“In that case, very well.”

As Steward Qin walked beside Su Qing, he quietly explained, “I hope Madam will forgive him. When our young master was little, misfortune struck the family. He grew up without his mother by his side, so his temperament inevitably became somewhat cold. But please rest assured. Though he may appear distant, in truth, he is exceedingly gentle.”

After hearing this, sympathy stirred in Su Qing’s heart. So Young Master Ning’s lack of expression was because he had grown up without a mother’s companionship. He must also be a filial person; otherwise, he would not still be so affected by it. “That truly was not easy for him.”

“Indeed…”

Only after Steward Qin and Su Qing had gone some distance away did Mu Yunyao finally come back to herself. She stepped forward and saluted Yue Wang. “Fourth Master, please follow me.” As she walked, she kept recalling the way Yue Wang had spoken to Su Qing just now. She had thought Yue Wang would show no warmth to anyone, yet unexpectedly, he had such a mild side as well.

The moment they entered the flower hall, waves of warmth greeted them. After handing their cloaks to the maidservants, the two walked into the main room. Jin Lan brought in tea, then stood side by side with Liu Liang behind Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao found herself uncertain what to say. With others, she had no lack of ways to make the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Yet when facing Yue Wang, she could not explain why an indescribable dread always lingered in her heart. Perhaps it was because her death in her previous life had been connected to him.

Just as she was racking her mind for something suitable to say, Yue Wang spoke first. “I heard you acknowledged Lord Cao as your Godfather?”

“Yes. During this time in Jingling City, Madam Jin has taken great care of me. In addition, she and Mother are especially congenial, so we acknowledged this god-kinship. For Mother and me, it gives us another support to rely on, and life can be a little steadier.”

Yue Wang’s brows lifted faintly, his gaze deep. “Why seek what is far when what is near is at hand?” Was he not far more worthy of reliance than a mere Salt Transport Commissioner?

Mu Yunyao quickly turned Yue Wang’s words over in her mind. Did he think she had grown too close to the Cao family?

Cao Yunnian had always remained relatively neutral. Even later, when the various imperial princes fought for power, he had not openly taken sides with anyone. Moreover, his current rank was only in the lower fourth grade. Yue Wang should not be wary of him.

“Fourth Master supported me in opening Buxian Tower and even specially lent Jinxiu Garden for my use. Naturally, you are also someone I can rely upon. But for minor matters, it would not be proper to trouble you constantly.”

Yue Wang nodded. Lifting his teacup, he took a sip. Then, remembering how Steward Qin had once written to him to boast about this matter, he said, “I heard you are especially skilled at brewing tea.”

With him asking one thing after another, Mu Yunyao could not grasp what he truly wished to know. She could only meet change with constancy and nod. “I know a little. If Fourth Master wishes to drink tea, I shall brew some specially for you another day.”

“Good.”

Just as the atmosphere in the flower hall was growing increasingly awkward, Nan’er came trotting in with small steps and bowed respectfully to Mu Yunyao. “Greetings, Miss.”

“What is it?”

“Miss, the snowmen have already been built. Would you like to go and see them?”

Mu Yunyao could not have wished for anything more. Given Yue Wang’s temperament, surely he would not be interested in going to see some snowmen, and she could use the opportunity to avoid him for a while. “Fourth Master, I would like to go look at the snowmen. Please…”

Yue Wang rose and walked toward the door. Seeing that Mu Yunyao had not followed, he turned back, his eyes carrying a trace of question. “Did you not wish to see the snowmen?”

“Yes. I did not expect Fourth Master to like such little amusements as well.”

Yue Wang nodded without speaking. Seeing Mu Yunyao walk straight toward the doorway, he frowned and looked toward Jin Lan. “Why have you not brought your mistress’s cloak and gloves?”

Swept by Yue Wang’s gaze, Jin Lan felt a chill rise along her spine, as though a winter gale had scraped over her entire body. She shivered and quickly gathered the cloak and gloves, hurrying after Mu Yunyao. Without allowing any protest, she dressed her properly.

Mu Yunyao watched as Jin Lan prepared to tie the straps of her gloves. She blinked. “It is only a few steps. Surely the gloves are not necessary?”

“How could they not be necessary? It is so cold outside. It would be terrible if Miss caught a chill.”

After Jin Lan finished dressing Mu Yunyao, she secretly glanced at Yue Wang. Seeing no further displeasure on his face, she finally released a breath. That look just now had truly been frightening.

In the courtyard, two large snowmen had already been built. Round pieces of polished charcoal served as eyes, chilies as mouths, and one wore a light straw hat. Altogether, it looked rather comical.

The other was smaller and more slender. A length of red silk had been wrapped around it, and from the look of it, it was the same piece Mu Yunyao had used yesterday when dancing on the ice.

Nan’er pointed to the shorter snowman as though presenting a treasure. “Miss, look. Does this snowman look like you?”

Mu Yunyao could not help laughing softly. “It is not bad. I will reward you with a red packet later. Next year, build one that resembles me even more.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

Jin Qiao, Jin Pei, and the others also crowded forward one after another. “Miss, we helped too! Miss must reward us as well!”

Su Qing walked over. Seeing such a lively scene, her face was full of smiles. “If your Miss does not reward you, then I shall. Whoever helps me carry dishes later will receive a large red packet!”

“This servant will do it!”

“Madam, this servant is clever and nimble. Carrying dishes suits me best.”

“Madam, do not listen to her nonsense. She broke a plate just last month. This servant has had an affinity with carrying dishes since childhood!”

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