Incurable Chapter 2 Part 2

Actually, Mu Wan got up this early because she had already decided to bring porridge for Lin Wei. Lin Wei was from Jingcheng. Her parents and younger brother were all there, so with no family in Xiacheng, she had no one to look after her in the hospital. Mu Wan also had no father or mother. If she ever got sick and had to stay in the hospital, Lin Wei would be the one to take care of her.

After they finished talking, Mu Wan heard cats meowing downstairs again.

She got up and walked to the living room window. Pulling back the curtain, she looked down to see several cats tangled together, roughhousing. She smiled.

“What are you smiling about? Sounding so indecent,” Lin Wei asked over the phone.

Letting the curtain fall, Mu Wan turned back toward the living room and said, “When I left last night, I ran into Daoist Liu at the hospital.”

She told Lin Wei everything that had happened the night before.

“Huh? And then? And then?” Lin Wei asked eagerly.

“I asked him if he liked cats. He said yes. So I meowed at him.” Mu Wan said it in a light, offhand tone.

“Ahhh!” Lin Wei shrieked.

Once she had calmed down, she said to Mu Wan, “Brilliant, Miss Mu. Truly unconventional. So many women have fallen for Daoist Liu, and you almost won him over with a single meow!”

“You can’t win him over. I was just joking around. I’m healthy. I’m not going to end up in an emergency, and the two of us might never meet again anyway.” With toothpaste still in her mouth, Mu Wan tilted her head back as she spoke, making her words come out in bubbly, garbled sounds. “All right, I’ve got to go rinse my mouth. I’ll get cleaned up and bring you your porridge.”

She hurriedly hung up.

The sink was in the bathroom. Holding the glass cup Mu Wan had left on the living room table while brushing, Mu Wan dashed toward it.

The moment she stepped inside, there was a loud bang. The sound of a body hitting the floor mixed with the crash of shattering glass. A long moment later, a woman’s low groan could be heard from inside.

Less than twenty minutes after declaring that she was healthy and would never end up in the emergency, Mu Wan was admitted to the emergency.

Twenty minutes earlier, when Mu Wan had stepped into the bathroom, her foot had slipped, and her body had gone flying forward. As she fell, she had instinctively tried to catch herself with both hands. But the glass cup in her left hand shattered, and she came crashing down right onto the broken shards, which stabbed into the left side of her chest.

She had immediately called Lin Wei. Lin Wei called an ambulance and rushed over in a panic, following it all the way back to Mu Wan’s apartment.

The moment Lin Wei stepped into the bathroom and saw the blood on the floor diluted by water, she started crying and stamping her feet at the doorway. “Holy shit, are you going to die?!”

Mu Wan, already being lifted by the medical staff, was in so much pain that her face twisted—but she almost laughed anyway.

She was taken to the emergency room. In the early morning, the emergency department felt damp and cold. People moved constantly around her, and as the chaos swirled by, Mu Wan’s sense of pain gradually sharpened. Her head buzzed as she heard Lin Wei say to the doctor, “Doctor Liu, please look at my friend! She stabbed her heart!”

When fate decided to show up, there was apparently no stopping it.

Mu Wan looked up and met Liu Qianxiu’s dark, bottomless eyes.

“Meow~” Mu Wan smiled. Her lips had gone pale from biting them, but her smile was still bright and beautiful.

The little nurse beside them had no idea what was going on and looked up at her in confusion, while Lin Wei, both angry and amused, said, “You’re still in the mood to joke around?!”

Liu Qianxiu remained calm. Lowering his lashes, he fixed his gaze on her wound and said flatly, “Move your hand.”

Mu Wan did.

Her wound was not bleeding heavily, which meant it probably hadn’t pierced her heart. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, but there were no signs of pneumothorax. For the moment, it appeared to be only a flesh wound.

After her shower that morning, Mu Wan had changed into a cream-colored camisole. Now the padded area over her chest was already soaked through with blood.

Liu Qianxiu moved the strap aside, pulled the fabric down, and began to inspect the injury.

The raw wound was exposed to the air. As the man bent slightly closer, he brought with him the cool scent of disinfectant. The pain made her suck in a breath. Beside her, Lin Wei took one look at the wound, clapped a hand over her mouth, and cried, “Oh my God!”

The injury on Mu Wan’s chest could only be described as a bloody mess.

Tiny cuts covered the area, and bits of glass were still embedded there. Fortunately, because the glass had shattered into so many fragments, the wounds were not deep.

While Mu Wan and Lin Wei focused on the injury itself, Liu Qianxiu’s gaze paused on a patch of red just beneath it.

It was a red “bamboo leaf,” brighter than the wound itself, half-hidden beneath the blood, vivid and strangely alluring.

There was more than one “leaf.” Besides the first, the other half could just be seen.

Liu Qianxiu’s expression did not change. His hand continued to pull the camisole downward. Before the second “bamboo leaf” could be fully revealed, another hand caught his wrist.

“That’s not part of the wound,” Mu Wan said.

Liu Qianxiu lifted his eyes. “A birthmark?”

The place where she was injured was awkward enough as it was. If Liu Qianxiu had kept pulling the camisole down, her entire left breast would have been exposed. He did not seem to care in the least about whether she was being revealed. What seemed to interest him far more was the birthmark.

Mu Wan was in too much pain to explain clearly, so Lin Wei answered for her. “It’s a birthmark, Doctor Liu. Does it affect the wound?”

“No,” Liu Qianxiu said.

His gaze rested on that half-hidden bamboo leaf. His black eyes remained as deep as ever as he said calmly, “I just think it’s quite beautiful.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 2 Part 2

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 189

~ THE RETURN OF YUE WANG ~ 

It had been spring for some days now, and although she still feels a little bit cold, the temperature had finally picked up at the end, which makes the greenhouse feel a bit stuffy.

Mu Yunyao changed into a light set of clothes before entering the greenhouse. The flowers she had collected were cared for very well by Jin Qiao. She walked in front of a few peonies and took a pair of scissors to prune some unnecessary branches carefully. Then she carried a bronze pot and carefully sprayed water on it.

Jin Qiao helped to cultivate the soil and fertilize on one side:

“Miss, although it is already spring, the weather is still too cold. Can the peonies really blossom?”

“Look at it carefully. From the looks of it, a flower bud will appear within a few days.”

Jin Qiao was curious and ran to the greenhouse for the next few days. On the sixth day, she finally couldn’t resist the urge to run up to Mu Yunyao with a surprised expression on her face. “Miss, you’re right. The peony really has a flower bud sticking out of it, and it looks like the bud is not small. It will certainly look good when it comes out!”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but be happy. “Let’s go take a look.”

Liu Liang also followed in Mu Yunyao’s footsteps to Jin Xiu Garden. When he saw the peonies with tender flower buds on them in the flower room, he couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, “Mistress, are you going to give these peonies to the salt merchant’s leader, Wu Minzhi, when he celebrates his birthday?”

“Hmm, didn’t you find that Wu Minzhi likes plants and flowers according to the information you gathered?” I presume that he would also like the peonies that bloom at this time of the year. He must like it when I give these gifts to him.”

“Mistress. The salt merchant’s leader is a seasoned veteran. I’m afraid he won’t let go just because of a few flowers and plants …” After all, the salt matter was of great importance. If Wu Minzhi had easily opened his mouth, it would be too difficult to deal with it in the future.

“These peonies are just a stepping stone. It’s better to get some good impressions from them than to be always on guard. Besides, the flowers and plants they grew were not all for him.” His wife also likes flowers and plants very much. So she wants to raise some to give her as gifts.

Just as Jin Qiao was about to ask Mu Yunyao who else she wanted to gift to, she saw a tall figure walk in from outside.

That person was wearing dark clothes with auspicious clouds floating above his sleeves. His embroidered blue cloak lightly touched the ground, bringing with it an intense chill.

Mu Yunyao seemed to have sensed something and couldn’t help but turn her head to look. She met the deep gaze of Yue Wang. “Fourth Master?”

A flash of warmth passed through Yue Wang before he gently nodded and said, “I’m back.”

Jin Qiao and Liu Liang retreat, leaving only Mu Yunyao and Yue Wang facing each other from afar.

The surrounding flowers and plants around were full of life, especially the peony bush that Mu Yunyao was standing on. The flowers were budded and ready to bloom, and the colors were all there. She was dressed in a snow-white dress and held onto a flower bouquet, looking like a charming beauty.

Yue Wang looked at the peonies she was holding and said: “When the flowers bloom, may I have one? I also like flowers and plants very much.”

Mu Yunyao was stunned as she did not expect that Yue Wang was actually someone who loved flowers and plants. “As long as Fourth Master likes it, it naturally won’t be a problem.”

The corner of his lips curved imperceptibly as Yue Wang looked at the surrounding flowers and plants with interest. “Do you want to give it to the leader of the salt merchant, Wu Minzhi?”

Mu Yunyao wasn’t the least bit surprised that he knew of this news. “Mn, I heard that he’s also a person who loves flowers and plants, so that’s why I gave it to him.”

“As the leader of the salt merchant, although he is not as rich as a nation, the silver in his hands is like flowing water. Although flowers and plants blooming in the cold spring air are rare, it is not necessarily enough to catch his eyes.” People like Wu Min usually receive many gifts that are more precious than those offered to the Imperial Palace, and their vision had naturally fostered to the point of being wily and crafty.”

Mu Yunyao smiled and didn’t say anything. She continued to water the peony flower with the kettle, “It’s just asking for directions. It would be good if I could ask, but it wouldn’t be a shame if I couldn’t.”

The green leaves had droplets of water on them, and each one of them was like a scattered pearl. When they lightly touched her hands, they trembled as they slid down. Some of them even landed on her hands, emitting brilliant rays of light.

Yue Wang twisted his fingers lightly and couldn’t help but think back to when he had touched her neck. Warm as jade, smooth as creamy, it was extremely enchanting. The touch of these hands is definitely not worse than the neck.

Yue Wang’s gaze was too obvious, causing Mu Yunyao to furrow her brows slightly. “It must have been hard on Fourth Master coming all the way, so I’ll head back first. I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Wait a minute.” Noticing that he had lost his composure, Yue Wang hurriedly said, “The last time I came back, I was in a hurry and didn’t have the time to prepare a New Year’s gift for you. Today, I want to make it up to you.”

“Didn’t Fourth Master already send us gifts?”

“That was for Madam Su. This time, it’s for you alone.”

Mu Yunyao didn’t know why, but she thought of the dozen or so ice lanterns that he sent over every night during the New Year. She couldn’t quite say anything to rejected him. “Fourth Master. There’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“Aren’t you curious about what I’ve brought for you?” As Yue Wang spoke, he walked to Mu Yunyao’s side. His tall body carried a strong sense of oppression, making Mu Yunyao seem even more petite and weak. Mu Yunyao stood on the spot, looking at the back of Yue Wang while she is frowning and tightening. Finally, she sighed and followed up. With salt tax there, she couldn’t make things awkward. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to bother himself.

Along the way to the study, Mu Yunyao’s face turned pale. She had been in too much of a hurry when she left the greenhouse, so she didn’t have time to change into a set of thick clothes. She only wore that thin white skirt, and the breeze made her body cold.

Yue Wang turned his head back to look at her, and his heart skipped a beat. He walked to her in long strides and took off his cloak to cover her body, “All this time, it was so cold. Why did you not make a sound just now?”

Because he was afraid that she would refuse, he did not look back along the way. Who would have thought that she would come over wearing such a thin and long skirt? If she gets cold again, what should he do? Yue Wang was tall and slender, his large cloak draped over Mu Yunyao’s shoulders, and many of them scattered on the ground. Mu Yunyao uncomfortably moved. The temperature of Yue Wang still remained on the cloak, which carried the chilly air of his body and transmitted it to her through her thin skirt, giving her the illusion of being hugged by Yue Wang and felt the trembling of her fingertips.

Seeing that Mu Yunyao’s cheeks were slightly red and her pale complexion had faded, Yue Wang let out a sigh of relief without leaving a trace of it, “Next time, you definitely can’t do this. Do you remember?”

“Yes, the study room is warm, so there’s no need for this cloak …” As Mu Yunyao spoke, she prepared to take off the cloak.

Yue Wang reached out his hands to pull the strap of his cloak and carefully help her fasten it. There was a slight crease between his eyebrows, and an undetectable rage in his words brought out: “Don’t try to be brave

Mu Yunyao pursed her lips and uneasily retreated, wanting to avoid Yue Wang’s hand. Unexpectedly, the cloak was too long, so the moment she stepped on it, she fell backward.

Yue Wang stretched out his hand and pulled her into his embrace. Mu Yunyao only felt a flash before her eyes, followed by the cold breath that belonged solely to Yue Wang entering her nose. Then, followed by a more obvious body temperature, which made her face suddenly flush red. She quickly lifted her cloak and retreated a few steps, “Yunyao is rude, please forgive me, Your Highness!”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 189

Incurable Chapter 2 Part 1

“Hahaha.” Mu Wan laughed. Still laughing, she rolled up the car window, started the engine, and drove away.

As expected of Daoist Liu, he really was detached from worldly desires.

Mu Wan drove home. She lived in the northern district of the city and had just bought a secondhand apartment in Qinghe Mengyuan Community two months ago. Qinghe Mengyuan was in Xiacheng’s old town area, and the buildings there were all more than thirty years old.

It was the very definition of an old, run-down neighborhood in the city center. The apartments might be shabby, but the location was excellent, the surrounding facilities were complete, and living there was still fairly comfortable.

Mu Wan had only graduated two years ago. The money she had earned from acting over those two years was only enough for a down payment, and she was still paying off the mortgage month by month.

The apartment was too old. The previous owner’s décor was stuck in the eighties, and both the furniture and appliances were worn out. Lin Wei worked in interior design, and since Mu Wan didn’t want to do any major renovations on such an old place, Lin Wei had simply helped her redecorate it a little. The style leaned toward Taiwanese country chic—fresh, cozy, and pastoral.

There were no parking spaces in the neighborhood, so Mu Wan left her car at the mouth of the alley and walked the rest of the way home.

Though the community was old, plenty of people still lived there. It was dinnertime now, and elderly men and women carrying grocery baskets walked by, chatting in dialect and making plans to meet up in the little park after dinner to dance. Ivy climbed halfway up the walls of the old apartment blocks and wound itself around the iron bars by the stairwell windows. In this aging, crumbling neighborhood, everyday life thrived everywhere.

There were only six apartment buildings in Mu Wan’s community, arranged in two rows. She lived in the first building of the last row.

Pushing open the entry door and stepping into the stairwell, Mu Wan climbed to the third floor, pulled out her keys, and unlocked the apartment on the left.

The light switch was right by the entrance. With a click, the milky-white light lit up the living room. The whole apartment was only about seventy square meters. The living room wasn’t large, but it was clean and tidy, making it especially comfortable to look at.

The moment she came through the door, the tension she had been holding all day finally dissolved. Mu Wan dropped onto the armrest of the sofa, then let herself fall back completely onto the couch and lay there.

She had spent the whole morning filming, taken the high-speed rail back at noon, and without even unpacking her luggage, rushed straight to the hospital to see Lin Wei. By now, she was completely drained.

Before long, rain began to fall outside again.

Through the soft patter of rain, Mu Wan heard two cats cry.

In neighborhoods like this, even pet cats were raised like strays. At night, cats were everywhere—under the trees, in the bushes. No one bothered to spay or neuter them, so once they were left to roam, they reproduced quickly. The whole neighborhood was overflowing with cats, big and small.

Lin Wei had once said Mu Wan was a lot like a cat herself—wild, lazy, and able to settle anywhere. She had even tried to persuade Mu Wan to keep one, but Mu Wan had refused.

She wasn’t lonely, nor did she need a cat’s companionship. Bringing a cat into the home would only mean one more thing to worry about. Neither she nor the cat would be free.

Thinking of cats reminded her of what had happened at the hospital: the man lifting his lashes slightly, tiny fragments of light scattered beneath his eyes.

Mu Wan raised a wrist to cover her eyes and laughed softly.

Exhausted from the day, she went to bed soon after dinner. She slept through the night without a dream, only to be woken in the morning by her phone ringing.

When she opened her eyes, the sky outside the window was a murky gray. It wasn’t raining, but it hadn’t cleared up either.

The rainy season brought heavy moisture. The air was damp and clammy everywhere. Mu Wan picked up her phone. The screen showed Li Nan. She answered, greeting him, “Hello, boss.”

Li Nan was Mu Wan’s agent. He was the only agent at Xinzhou Entertainment, and all seven or eight artists under him addressed him that way. Mu Wan had signed with Xinzhou right after graduation. The company wasn’t large, but it paid on time, had no exploitative clauses, and offered a modest but steady flow of resources. It suited her well.

“Tomorrow night at seven, Director Zhang Chengze is hosting a dinner at Qingsong Pavilion,” Li Nan said, getting straight to the point. “He’s preparing a TV drama. Mi Yu will be going for an audition, and the two of you will go together.”

An actress as young as Mu Wan didn’t have many social obligations in daily life, but that didn’t mean she had none. In a world driven by fame and profit, dinner parties and drinks were routine. Mu Wan attended about two or three such gatherings a month.

This dinner’s real focus was Mi Yu. She was the most popular artist under Li Nan and, at the peak of her career, had played the second female lead in a hit drama. Mu Wan’s role there was only to make an appearance—sit quietly in a corner, eat and drink a little, offer a toast, show her face, and maybe end up with a small role assigned to her later.

Mu Wan acknowledged each of his instructions. After a few more reminders, Li Nan hung up.

Once the call ended, Mu Wan took off her clothes and prepared to shower. The weather was cool and damp, and her skin felt covered in a layer of misty discomfort.

After showering, she picked up a glass cup and her toothbrush and began brushing her teeth. Before she had even finished, Lin Wei called.

Setting the cup down, Mu Wan clamped the toothbrush between her teeth and answered.

“Do you have work today?”

“No.”

“Bring porridge from Xu Ji and come see me!”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 188

~ THE SUPPRESSION OF CAI YUE PAVILION ~ 

 
After sending off Cao Yunnian and Lady Jin, Mu Yunyao and Su Qing felt a little sad in their hearts, but they soon got busy. 

After the reconstruction, Ni Yun Fang had become a six-story building. Looking at it now, it was even more awe-inspiring than Bu Xian Luo in Jin Xiu Garden. Mu Yunyao hung up the finished signboard. She picked an auspicious day and put a few sticks of firecrackers on it, treating it as a new business. Cai Yue Pavilion is becoming more and more popular. Aside from Jingling City, all the other cities and towns in the area had flocked to the extent that no one could compare to Cai Yue Pavilion. After Tan Ba Wang’s accident, Tan Lin did not appear again in Jingling City, but Mu Yunyao did not let down her guard. After all, Tan Bawang was the only child of Tan Lin, so he could only rely on him. With his temperament, he could never forget this grudge.

When Ni Yun Fang reopened, Mu Yunyao naturally sent a message to each of the residences. However, this time many people chose to have their people deliver the gift instead of personally visiting.

Looking at the desolate Of Ni Yun Fang, Su Qing felt a little uncomfortable in her heart, “Previously, they treated us very nicely. But now, after Lord Cao and Lady Jin left just a few days, they suddenly changed their attitude. It really makes one’s heart tremble.”

“Mother doesn’t have to worry about it. First, Li Mu Nian’s attitude towards us is uncertain. Also, with the pressure from Cai Yue Pavilion, it’s understandable that they didn’t come. After a few more days, when things are clear again, they will treat us as kindly as they did before. They come and go with us, but it’s just a matter of flowing water, so you don’t have to worry about it at all.”

Su Qing couldn’t help but sigh, “Alright, I understand.”

Mu Yunyao had prepared a few booklets of beauty. She originally wanted to take advantage of the opening hours to deliver the books. But before she could take action, Jin Qiao rushed in. “ Cai Yue Pavilion has sent invitations to all the residence, Miss. After the invitation, those misses and ladies have all gone to Cai Yue Pavilion.”

Mu Yunyao smiled slightly. “It seems like the opening time we’ve chosen today isn’t very appropriate. It doesn’t matter, since there aren’t any guests, we can just as well slack off.”

“Miss, this servant is worried that Cai Yue Pavilion will continue to target us like this. I heard that they have also prepared their beauty booklets, and it was very popular with the ladies in various residences.”

“Mm, I’ll raise the price of the clothes in our shop later. Every piece of clothing costs more than two hundred taels.”

“Miss, if it’s like this, won’t there be even fewer people coming here to buy clothes?”

“Just wait and see.”

Mu Yunyao had initially thought that no one would come to Ni Yun Fang, but unexpectedly, Lady Chen and Madam Zhao joined in. “Greetings, Madams.”

With the child still in her arms, Lady Chen said with a face full of smiles, “Since you’ve opened your shop today, we’ll come and join in on the fun. Is Little Boss Yunyao welcoming you?”

Mu Yunyao hurriedly let them in. “Since the two Madams can come, it brings light to our humble dwelling. Come in quickly and have a seat. Jin Lan will prepare some tea for you.”

Seeing such a desolate scene, Lady Chen and Madam Zhao looked at each other and felt somewhat regretful in their hearts.

The Governor’s wife comforted her, “Yunyao, you don’t have to take it to heart. Actually, this kind of thing is extremely normal. You’ll understand after you’ve been in contact with it for a while.”

Mu Yunyao’s smile was warm, and her eyes had a look of relief, “Thank you, Madam. Although I’m a bit sad, I can understand it. After all, it’s normal for people to go out and have tea in another place. The two of you being here already makes me happy.”

Seeing her expression, the two ladies heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s difficult for you to understand things so clearly at such a young age. We came here today to look at the clothes. What kind of nice clothes do we have here? Let’s broaden our horizons.”

“The two Madams are here. The new spring dress I have prepared will ensure that the two of you will be as beautiful as flowers and be able to suppress those young ladies.”

“Hehe, we don’t dare to accept your compliment.” The two Madams laughed at her, and the atmosphere in Ni Yun Fang suddenly became lively.

Mu Yunyao not only brought out spring clothes appropriate for the two of them. But, she also specially brought out a set of clothes suitable for children, causing Lady Chen to be stunned on the spot.

“This... Is this for my child? “

Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded, “Actually, I heard that Madam was giving birth earlier. It’s just that Lord Zhao is upright and has not invited anyone to the Full Moon Banquet, so I can’t send gifts forward. Now that I’ve finally met Young Master Lin, the clothes didn’t prepare in vain.”

Lady Chen took the clothes and looked at them. The more she looked at them, the more she was satisfied. The clothes were so exquisite, and even a thread is hard to find. The clothes were so soft to the touch, and the patterns on them were also wonderfully cute, which makes people love it, “Yunyao, you’re so considerate.”

“It’s good that Madam likes it.”

After taking a few clothes and testing them out, the two of them praised each other endlessly. They chatted for a long time until the child in Lady Chen’s embrace fell asleep. Only then did the two of them get up and take their leave.

After sending off Lady Chen and Lady Zhao, Mu Yunyao saw no one came to her door, so she directly ordered Ni Yun Fang’s door to be closed and go home to rest.
When the news reached Cai Yue Pavilion, the newly appointed shopkeeper of Cai Yue Pavilion revealed a proud smile, “The owner has ordered us to suppress Ni Yun Fang comprehensively. This situation is just the beginning. I hope that the little owner of Ni Yun Fang doesn’t cry at the end!”

“The owner has made wise decisions, and the shopkeeper has arranged everything in an orderly manner. It seems like even with all the skills, it would still be hard to turn the situation around Ni Yun Fang.”

“I really thought I would be able to ignore people just because I’ve learned some embroidery needle techniques and heard some flattery from people. Now, I want her to know that there are some people that she can’t afford to provoke.”

Hearing about the matter at Ni Yun Fang, Steward Qin couldn’t help but feel indignant. “Miss, you don’t have to care about those people. They will regret it in a while!”

“I might as well take a break now. It’s also the right time for me to busy myself with the greenhouse.” Mu Yunyao didn’t take it to heart at all.

Seeing that she was so understanding, Steward Qin heaved a sigh of relief. He then felt that he was overthinking about it. He understood Miss Mu’s temperament and knew that such a small matter wasn’t enough to make her impatient: “Steward Qin, it has been two months since Fourth Master has returned to Western Guangdong. Can you tell me when he will come back?”

Steward Qin’s face revealed a hint of worry. “I’m not sure either. Every time I send a letter to inquire about it, Wang Ye doesn’t have a clear answer. Would Miss Mu like to write to ask about it?”

Mu Yunyao slightly pursed her lips as her gaze moved. “Wang Ye still hasn’t returned. It seems that the matter in Western Guangdong hadn’t settled safely. I won’t rush him.”

“After all, this is a matter of great importance. It’s fine for Young Miss to urge Wang Ye.” Supervisor Qin suggested carefully.

Mu Yunyao smiled as she shook her head. “If I keep on urging Wang Ye, wouldn’t it seem that I’m very ignorant? Wang Ye must have a plan, and he will not delay the matters.” After finishing speaking, she walked directly to the greenhouse. Steward Qin shook his head helplessly. Previously, when he saw Wang Ye deliver an ice lantern to Miss Mu and injured his hand because of this, he thought that she would waver a little. Now, it seems that it will be a very long time before Wang Ye can bring the golden doll back to his residence.

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 188

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 187

~ TEST OUT ~ 

Zhou Ruihua is the Salt Transport Envoy Li Munian’s wife. She was born in the Zhou family, which was the Minister of the Military Department. Many people said that when she reached her prime, she became acquainted with Li Munian at first sight, so she decided to marry him even at the risk of her reputation. This result made the Zhou family and the Li family extremely unhappy, and in the end, it was the Emperor who decided to marry Zhou Ruihua to Li Munian.

However, the royal marriage didn’t improve the relationship between the two families. Even after so many years, the two families still didn’t interact much.

Lady Zhou said gently, “I had the intention to go to Bu Xian Luo, but I did not make an appointment in advance. I was afraid that I could not find a seat, so I took the liberty to invite Miss Mu. Could I make things difficult for Miss Mu?”

“There have always been some seats reserved in Bu Xian Luo for entertaining distinguished guests. Lady Zhou, of course, is one of the distinguished guests. If Madam does not dislike it, I will make a pot of tea for you personally. How about having a taste of it?”

“Of course, it’s good. In the Capital, I’ve heard that Miss Mu’s skills in making tea are exceptional, and even Eunuch Xu in the Palace has never stopped praising you. After hearing this, the Emperor said that if there is a chance, he would definitely recruit Miss Mu into the Palace and have a look at the amazing tea making techniques.”

Mu Yunyao looked surprised: “Did the Emperor really say that? Then I will practice hard of my tea-making techniques after I go back. If I am lucky enough to be summoned by the Emperor, I will certainly show it well.”

Mu Yunyao got into the carriage and followed Lady Zhou all the way to Jin Xiu Garden. She then led the way to the peony seat.

Steward Qin walked over and greeted her. He then took people to arranged the tea set.

Mu Yunyao personally brewed tea and served it for Lady Zhou. Looking at the wondrous scene that conjured from the tea, Lady Zhou praised it for a long time, “In the earlier years, I heard that the Jiangnan Tea Ladies was able to make tea with unparalleled craftsmanship in the world. They also can transform the scenery into a small teacup. I thought it was merely bragging at first, but today, I’ve seen Miss Mu’s craftsmanship. and I realized that there was someone outside the world and what they said were true.”

“Madam, you are too kind.” Mu Yunyao’s face turned slightly red, and she looked a little embarrassed, but her eyes carried a trace of pride and happiness.

Lady Zhou closed her eyes, and the smile in her eyes deepened. After tea, she strolled around Jin Xiu Garden a bit and left without a word.

Mu Yunyao accompanied Lady Zhou to the outside of the garden. Mu Yunyao waited for her to get on the carriage before turning around and returning inside.

Steward Qin came over and greeted her with a solemn expression, “Miss, is that the wife of the newly appointed Salt Transport Envoy, Li Munian?”

Mu Yunyao smiled and nodded. “That’s right. We met at the Cao family’s Full Moon Banquet. She specifically invited me over just now, saying that she didn’t want to come to Bu Xian Luo to having tea, so I brought her over.”

Steward Qin smiled, “What does Miss think of this person?”

Mu Yunyao curled her lips into a smile. “He is gentle and approachable. Even though we haven’t known each other for long, it’s still so easy for people to have a good impression of him.”

Hearing this, Steward Qin felt relieved. “Miss, you have seen through everything. I think Madam will wait for you anxiously. Please go home quickly, Miss.”

“Alright, then I’ll take my leave.”

Yu Yi was at a loss. After Mu Yunyao left, he asked Steward Qin, “Steward Qin, what did you mean by what you said to Miss Mu just now? Why can’t I hear any mystery behind it?”

“There’s no mystery behind it. How can you tell?”

“Then, is this Lady Zhou good or bad?”

Steward Qin shook his head. This person’s brain didn’t know how to react at all: “What about Lady Zhou? What about Miss Mu’s identity?”

“Lady Zhou was Li Munian’s wife and was from the Zhou family in the Capital. She is the legitimate daughter of the current Minister of the Military Department. Besides, the Emperor gave married her with Li Munian. Naturally, she has a different status. Although Miss Mu was now Lord Cao’s adopted daughter, her level of identity was very shallow. It was unlikely that Lady Zhou would take her seriously.”

Steward Qin nodded, “Didn’t you already say the crucial point?”

“A crucial point?” Yu Yi thought about it carefully and was suddenly stunned, “That’s right. Logically speaking, even if Lady Zhou was approachable, she shouldn’t have treated Miss Mu well! Furthermore, from what I’ve heard, this Lady Zhou has a calm appearance on the outside, and she is very arrogant on the inside. She even once said she was disdain for the royal family’s wife in the first place....”

“Looks like the wind is blowing again in Jingling City.” Steward Qin thought for a moment and said, “Recently, get someone to keep an eye on the Li family. After all, the Li family belongs to the First Prince’s lineage. Our current stall has not rolled out yet, and the First Prince must not be aware of it. Otherwise, I am afraid that all previous efforts will be in vain.” Li Qingzhou’s eldest daughter had been in the Palace for many years, and she was now in the position of an Imperial Concubine. Besides, she had raised the eldest son of the Emperor, which was highly respected by the Emperor. Now, the First Prince had married the daughter of a branch of the Li family, which makes the relationship firmer. In the past two years, it has been supporting the development of the First Prince’s party affiliation, which is an important reason why the Emperor began to reduce Li Qingzhou’s power.

“Yes.”

When Mu Yunyao returned home, Su Qing looked at her and let out a sigh of relief, “Yao’er, why did that Lady Zhou want to do with you?”

“It must be that Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo are too popular. She wanted to test it out, and I was just there to act with her.”

“What’s the effect?”

“Mother, you don’t need to worry. Lady Zhou has a noble background, and she married into a wealthy family like the Li family. Naturally, she disdains to make things difficult for me. Let alone a small thing like Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo, even the giants like Cai Yue Pavilion is nothing in their eye, it just merchants.”

“Sigh, I feel that I have lost some of my strength in my heart after Lord Cao and Lady Jin left.” Su Qing couldn’t help but sigh. She had a calm personality. It was not easy for her to feel that everything was in order, but she suddenly felt that something was off. She wouldn’t know what happen in the future?

Mu Yunyao took Su Qing’s arm and sat on the bedside. “Mother, you don’t have to worry. It’s good if the adoptive father and mother go to the Capital. This way, when we return to the Su family, we can meet with them in the Capital.”

“Yao’er, I also heard from Steward Qin about some matters regarding Lord Li. His background is deep and profound, and he is not someone we can afford to offend. In the future, we should stay as far away from him as possible.”

“Mother, I don’t want to have anything to do with him, but it seems impossible now. When Lady Zhou saw me today, she was probably trying to test out my character and personality. She might have some other motives.” Mu Yunyao thought for a moment before deciding to tell Su Qing the truth. She would have been exposed to some things sooner or later, and she will be able to prepare for something if she knew it early.

“The Li family has lots of assets, and the father of Lord Li is the Prime Minister. We are just commoners. What can they possibly get from us?”

“Mother had known Lord Li’s father’s identity. I presume that you know that he is the First Prince’s maternal grandfather. Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo have gained a great reputation in Jiangnan. If the First Prince could use them, it would be good.”

Su Qing couldn’t help but be nervous. “Doesn’t that mean we’re in danger?”

“Mother, you don’t have to worry too much. Since they want to use us, I will naturally use some methods to win us over. Besides, do you think they’ll go overboard with the golden signboard that the Emperor personally gave us? We’ll only need to treat it as not understanding.” If Yue Wang had not been there, their situation would have been much more difficult, but it was different now. If they had been able to get their hands on the salt tax according to plan, then Yue Wang’s power would have quickly expanded. With such a stable and reliable backer, she was not afraid of even a few princes!

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 187

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 186

~ FIRST MEETING WITH LI MUNIAN ~ 

Mu Yunyao hurriedly nodded. “Mother, please be at ease. I’m only live my life honestly. How would I have any relationship with this Lord Li?”

Lady Jin sighed. “If it weren’t for Bu Xian Luo and Ni Yun Fang, I really would have brought you and Sister Su into the Capital.”

“Mother, there’s no need to worry. After a while, I might even open Bu Xian Luo and Ni Yun Fang in the Capital. At that time, I’ll come to you.”

“That’s great. After I arrived in the Capital, all I hoped for was for this day to come.” Lady Jin really couldn’t bear to part with Mu Yunyao. Although they hadn’t spent much time together in the past half-year, it made her feel incomparably fresh and comfortable. She could even gradually put aside all of the sufferings.

“Mother, there’s no need to be sad. Once you and Father have settled down, I can also bring my mother to the Capital to see you, merely to see the prosperity there.”

“Well, I’ll write to you when I had settled down. When you have time, you must come to the Capital.”

Mu Yunyao didn’t know what to say, but after dispelling the sadness in Lady Jin’s heart, she got up and said goodbye.

A few days passed unknowingly, and it was finally the Full Moon Baquet of Lady Jin’s child. During the confinement period, Mu Yunyao came frequently and took care of Lady Jin very meticulously. On the day before the Full Moon Baquet, she specifically came in the evening to help Lady Jin perspire. So when Lady Jin finished bathing early in the morning, she felt relaxed all over. It was as if the delivery had not happened to her at all and no trace on her. Mu Yunyao accompanied Su Qing to the Cao family’s residence. Yin Hong was already waiting at the entrance and greeted them at the door. When she saw them, she hurriedly led them to the backyard with enthusiasm.

Soon, the guests gathered, and Mu Yunyao followed them to the front courtyard.

As soon as she walked in, she saw the man standing next to Cao Yunnian. He looked very young, about 25 or 26 years old, but his whole body was extraordinary. He had a warm smile, and his face was gentle, making people feel close to him.

However, Mu Yunyao discovered that his smile was floating on the surface, and it didn’t reach his eyes in the slightest. It was as if his smile had already become a mask that completely covered up his real emotions, making it impossible for others to notice. Mu Yunyao narrowed her eyes slightly, and a faint smile flashed through her eyes. This Li Munian was the youngest son of Prime Minister Li Yuanzhou, and he was very favored since he was young. Many people say that he was forced by Prime Minister Li to take an exam to gain fame. But people would have no thought that the most important thing for the Li family is not Li Muqiong, who is now a second-rank official and has a lousy literary skill. Or Li Mubai, who is brave and well-known good at fighting and has repeatedly made military merits. Instead, rather the inconspicuous Li Munian.

With the sound of the salute, Mu Yunyao stood beside Lady Jin with her eyes slightly lowered, her appearance respectful and quiet to the extreme. With a smile in Li Munian’s eyes, he glanced around. His gaze finally stopped on Mu Yunyao’s body. He was a little surprised in his heart. Mu Yunyao, at such a young age, had already received two rewards from the Emperor. Besides, as a commoner, she was adopted as an adoptive daughter by Cao yunnian and Lady Jin. No matter how indifferent her mind is, she should be a bit boastful at this time. However, he did not expect that she dressed elegantly, and her expression was tranquil. If it weren’t for the fact that her beauty was hard to conceal, it would have been easy for people to ignore her.

“You must be Miss Mu. I’ve heard of Miss Mu’s kindness in the Capital. She has exceptional craftsmanship and does not hide her skills, which is worthy of respect.”

LadyJin did not expect that the first person Li Munian asked was actually Mu Yunyao. She subconsciously took half a step to the side to replace Mu Yunyao as she replied, “Yao’er is still young and has yet to learn many of the rules. Lord Li praised her wrongly. Yao’er, why don’t you come forward and salute us quickly.”

Mu Yunyao didn’t raise her head. She followed Lady Jin’s words and went forward to pay her respects before returning to Lady Jin’s side.

Li Munian’s eyes moved, but the smile on his face didn’t change. He nodded and looked away, chatting gently with Cao Yunnian.

Although the arrival of Li Munian made the banquet a little bit different, it is still a Full Moon Banquet. Naturally, it is indispensable to carry the children out to lively and joyfully.

Cao Yunnian was about to enter the Capital, and his future prospects were limitless. Everyone had prepared a generous amount of gifts, and when they saw the beautiful boy carried out, they praised him continuously, which make Lady Jin smile.

Li Munian took off a jade pendant and placed it on a plate carried by a maid, “This jade pendant was given to me by my father when I was weak. It doesn’t mean anything valuable, but it means luck and peace. I hope Lord Cao and Lady Jin don’t dislike it.”

“How could that be? It is a gift from Prime Minister Li, and it is too precious to Lord Li. How could this child be able to bear it?”

“The child has just reached the full moon, and he already looks so exquisite and cute. When I saw him, I was also so happy. I wanted to carry him home and raise him. It can also regard as my fate and this child. I hope that this child will be lucky and safe in the future. Did the child have a name?”

Cao Yunnian nodded, “Yes. He has already taken it, and the name is Zhiwen.”

“What a good name. A gentleman wins when he’s civil, a man wins when he’s historical, and a gentleman becomes a gentleman when he’s cultured. The gentleman wears a jade. This gift of mine is really timely.” The banquet atmosphere is lively. Mu Yunxuan also gave her own present. The present she prepared had not considered being expensive. It was a pair of children’s clothes. The clothes were unmistakably small and exquisite, but the inner garments, outer garments, shoes, and hats were all complete. There were even belts and pockets. It is embroidered with a remarkably adorable pattern. Some ladies looked at it and couldn’t put it down and repeatedly praised her superb craftsmanship.

Mu Yunyao responded with a smile but didn’t say much.

The host and the guests enjoyed themselves, and the Full Moon Banquet was over. Just as Mu Yunyao was about to leave, she stopped by a maid. “This servant greets Miss Mu.”

“Miss doesn’t need to be so courteous. I wonder who you are …” The maid in front of her wears a lake-green dress. Her smile was sweet, and her manners were considerate. But there was a trace of imperceptible arrogance in her eyes.

“This servant is the maid by Lady Zhou’s of Salt Transportation Envoy’s wife. Madam appreciates Miss’s embroidery skills and would like to speak a few words with you.” As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently motioned to the carriage beside her.

Mu Yunyao turned her head and said to Su Qing, “Mother, you go home first. I’ll go speak with Lady Zhou and have my adoptive mother send someone to escort me home.”

Su Qing was a little worried, but she knew that it is not appropriate to say more at this time. She could only nod her head and shake Mu Yunyao’s hand firmly, “Alright.”

Mu Yunyao smiled as she nodded, then followed her with a frown as she walked towards the carriage at the side. “Mu Yunyao greets Lady Zhou.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the curtain of the carriage lifted, and a beautiful woman was smiling. She had beautiful eyebrows and a delicate face, and a tear mole under her left eye had perfectly blended in, causing her to feel a bit tender. “Miss Mu, I feel impolite, has taken the liberty to invite you over, has it delayed your return home to rest?”

“Madam is too polite. My home is also close to this place. If it earlier or later, there is no hindrance.” Mu Yunyao had a smile on her face. Her smile was specifically sweet and tranquil, and her eyes were clear without a trace of haze.

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 185

~ LADY JIN’S RED ENVELOPE ~ 

 
When she was at Jin Palace, she also had a greenhouse, but it was so small. However, she nurtured the flowers and plants with great vigor and vitality. During the new year, Jin Wang brought two pots of beautiful peonies to showing his big face.

“Really? It is the first time that this servant has heard of it.”

“In fact, it’s not that surprising. Greenhouses had built in many places in the Capital, but the cost is too expensive. Most of the flowers and plants raised are not as beautiful as the spring and summer. Even so, they are in short supply in the rich and powerful family.”

“When will Miss pack those plants? This servant will also learn a couple of moves from you. How about that?” Jin Qiao looked eagerly. Her embroidery skills were not bad, but it had lost a bit of its spirituality when compared to Jin Lan. In her heart, she did not have much love for embroidery. On the contrary, when she hears about raising flowers and grass, she gets full interest.

“Alright, if you like it, then learn from me. When you succeed, I can also get away and do other things.”

Mu Yunyao brought Jin Qiao around the greenhouse for a few days and taught her how to look after the flowers and plants. Then, she took off to help Lady Jin with the Full Moon Banquet.

Cao Yunnian had promoted again, which made countless people jealous. Within a year, he had advanced from a fifth-grade Zhizhou to a fourth-grade Capital Investigation, so how could anyone not be envious of him? His one year is worth the hard work of others for more than ten years. How can they not be envied?

Although Cao Yunnian wanted to enter the Capital after this Full Moon Banquet, he couldn’t let go of the connections he had been working hard to manage in Jingling City. Therefore, the arrangements for the banquet had to be extra meticulous, not letting others feel like they had forgotten their duty after they left. Otherwise, it would not be worth it.

Lady Jin was interested in training Mu Yunyao, so she asked her to help prepare the guests’ list, seats, and dishes for the banquet.

Mu Yunyao didn’t decline either. After such a long time, she finally thoroughly understands the complicated network of people in Jingling City. After a moment of thought, she started writing but intentionally left out a few less prominent people and passed the completed list to Lady Jin.

Lady Jin looked at it carefully, and she couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. As expected, Mu Yunyao had an exquisite heart. “Yao’er has arranged it very well. When I was your age, I only wanted to play around, but there are a few people that you need to pay attention to....”

“Thank you for your reminder, Mother. Otherwise, I really would have missed it.”

“You’re still young. This arrangement is already exceptionally comprehensive and meticulous. There aren’t any problems with the dishes, so I’ll send out the order and have someone prepare it according to your instructions.” After that, Lady Jin took out a red envelope from under her pillow: “When I was giving birth, I promised to give you a red envelope. However, I’ve been busy raising my body and taking care of your brother these past few days, so I forgot about this matter. I wanted to give you a red envelope at the Full Moon Banquet in a few days, but when I thought about it, this will inevitably cause some trouble for you, so I decided to give it to you today.”

Mu Yunyao heaved a sigh of relief. If Lady Jin really did give her a red envelope at the Full Moon Banquet, many people will definitely ask the motive. At that time, no matter how she explained, there would probably be some gossip coming out. Just in case, those rich people investigate deeply and learn that she is very good at helping people deliver babies. There are actually people who ask her to come, and it was hard to decide whether to go or not.

“Thank you, Mother. I’ve already said this before, so I will not be polite.” Mu Yunyao took the red envelope and weighed it heavily in her hand. “Mother, how many banknotes did you put in there? How come it’s so heavy?”

Lady Jin smiled and said, “You’ll know once you open it yourself.”

Mu Yunyao opened the red envelope and saw the contents inside. She couldn’t help but be taken aback. “Mother, how can this be?”

In addition to the tens of thousands of taels of silver in the silver notes, there were also several deeds of a few mansions, farmland, houses, and land deeds. There was also a list of all kinds of porcelain, jade artifacts, and accessories. It is to be a few times more generous than the dowry of Lady Jin in the first place.

“Mother, this is too precious. I absolutely cannot accept it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell you in detail.” Lady Jin pulled Mu Yunyao’s hand and sat down, “Since you called me Mother, then I’ll treat you as my own daughter. In my eyes, you and Zhiwen are my children, and I am sincere to you. However, your younger brother will be able to make a career for himself as a man. As a woman, you will marry someone else’s family in the future. You also will serve your in-laws, raise your children, and take care of your husband. The hardships and suffering that you’ve gone through are not worth mentioning to outsiders. If these extraneous things can help you live a better life, Mother would also feel comforted.”

Mu Yunyao’s heart trembled, and a strong feeling spread through her body. If it weren’t for the fact that they were really in her shoes, Lady Jin wouldn’t have said such words, “Mother, there are more places in the Capital where flowers are needed. I have Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo in my hands. I don’t lack silver taels. I can purchase other things slowly, but you are different. After such a long time, I have more or less understood a little bit. The Jin family is not an easy place to get along. If they find out that you have left everything for me, it’s hard to avoid a grudge...”

Lady Jin patted her hand: “Don’t worry. I have also saved a lot of personal money over the years. I don’t have much, and I’ll keep some for you. When the time comes for you to put on makeup, you can take care of it. As for the other shops, I’ll leave them behind. Since it’s inconvenient for me to manage them, so I’ll give them to you.”

Mu Yunyao still felt that she couldn’t accept it. “Mother....” She is afraid these things are most of the property of the adoptive mother. They were way too valuable.

“Alright, if you still refuse to accept it, I’ll be angry. Since Mother hasn’t given birth yet, the consequences of getting angry will be much worse than usual!”

Seeing that Lady Jin really had a stern face, Mu Yunyao thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright, then I’ll accept it. Thank you, Mother.”

Lady Jin then showed a smile: “That’s more like it. Shopkeeper Jin has followed me for many years, and he knows all the farms, mansions, and shops that I have. I’m not going to bring him with me when I return to the Capital. I will leave him by your side.”

“Okay, please be at ease, Mother. I will take good care of Shopkeeper Jin and ask for his advice when I have something on.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Lady Jin thought of another thing, “Oh right, I assume you’ve also heard that the person who came to take over your Father’s position is Li Munian from the Capital. His identity is extraordinary, so you should pay more attention and try not to provoke him.”

“I heard that he came from the Li family in the Capital. Although I was far away in Jingling City, I also heard about the prestige of the Li family. It was really amazing. It really makes one sigh in admiration.” Mu Yunyao revealed a surprised expression. 

Lady Jin nodded in agreement: “Father of Li Munian is the Prime Minister of the dynasty, Li Qingzhou. Although he is already old and the Emperor wants to reduce his power, in the end, he is still a veteran official who has followed the Emperor all the way. The Emperor has always been thinking of his old relationship with him. Thus, he considered being someone of high authority. In these past few years, the Su family has gradually developed. Although they can faintly compete with Li Qingzhou, I think the newcomers still not as powerful as the old ones. I’m afraid that Li Munian’s coming here has other purposes. After we leave, the influence will certainly not be as good as before. You must be more careful not to get involved in it.” 

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Incurable Chapter 1 Part 2

A few days ago, when Lin Wei had been rushed into the emergency by her studio coworkers, Liu Qianxiu had been the one who saw her.

At the time, she was in pain—but one look had lasted a lifetime. After the surgery, she almost grabbed a nurse’s hand and asked her every question she could think of.

“Daoist Liu” really was an unusual nickname. Leaning back in her chair, Mu Wan asked, “Why do they call him that?”

“He’s religious. Taoist. I heard he takes four days off every month for a quiet retreat at a Taoist temple. And if a patient in the emergency room doesn’t make it, he performs rites for them. But he’s personally very cold and distant. He barely interacts with anyone, almost like he has no worldly desires at all. Like some immortal.”

Only then did Mu Wan feel that her impression of Liu Qianxiu had become truly solid.

No wonder he seemed to carry that detached, transcendent air around him. So he really was religious.

“I guess Taoists are all like that—calm-hearted, free of desire, devoted to cultivation and immortality.” Mu Wan let the topic drop there. Talking about someone behind their back didn’t feel right. Besides, she had a good impression of Liu Qianxiu. He seemed like a person who had been cleansed somehow, especially pure. And as a doctor, he fought to save lives, and as a cultivator, he performed rites for the dead. Whether those rites had any real effect or not, they at least brought comfort and peace to the grieving family.

“Still, the name Liu Qianxiu sounds kind of familiar,” Mu Wan said, looking at Lin Wei.

“The head of the Liu family—one of the Four Great Young Masters of Xiacheng—is also called Liu Qianxiu,” Lin Wei said, ever well-informed, scooping up another spoonful of porridge. “But it’s probably just the same name. The head of the Liu family must be insanely busy. Why would someone like that come work as a doctor in a hospital? How much money could a doctor even make?”

“Maybe he doesn’t need the money. Maybe he’s here to heal people and seek spiritual redemption,” Mu Wan said.

Lin Wei rolled her eyes at her, as if to say, “Believe it if you want.” Mu Wan laughed.

She stayed with Lin Wei at the hospital until the rain stopped. Then, carrying her umbrella, she walked out of the inpatient building.

This rain had already lasted two full days, soaking the warm summer humidity through and through. The moment she stepped outside, the cool breeze after the rain brushed over her skin, carrying an unexpected chill.

Evening shadows had already begun to settle. The hospital buildings were all brightly lit, and the puddles on the ground reflected the lights in wavering patterns. Mu Wan stepped through one, shattering the reflection, then found her car and got in.

The instant she sat down, her phone chimed.

The screen lit up her face. After unlocking it, Mu Wan saw a transfer notification—her payment for the drama she had just finished filming.

She had chosen to attend film school for one simple reason: acting paid quickly.

Even if she never fought for attention and only played minor roles with little screen time, it was still enough to support herself.

She had grown up without a father, living with her mother in the Mu household. Later, after her mother passed away, Mu Wan moved out after finishing high school. Now she was truly alone in the world. She had signed with a small agency and played insignificant roles that no one noticed. Alone, but free. If she could feed herself, that was enough.

Actually, life like this wasn’t bad at all.

Not every drama revolved around the leads. Supporting roles were the reality for most actors.

She was probably the least ambitious actress in the entertainment industry.

After replying to the company accountant with a thank-you, Mu Wan set her phone aside and prepared to start the car. Her foot pressed the clutch, but before she could hit the ignition, she heard a dull knock against the window.

Someone was standing outside the dark glass.

His reflection on the window showed only a lean, tall silhouette; his features couldn’t be made out. Mu Wan stopped what she was doing and lowered the window.

As the black window slid down, it was like the curtain slowly rising on a stage play.

Outside stood the man.

He had already taken off his white coat, and without it, the polished, elite air of a doctor had faded, leaving behind an even stronger sense of something ethereal. He wore a linen shirt, loose and comfortable, yet somehow impeccably stylish on him. In one hand, he held a long black umbrella, folded shut, his fingers slim and his knuckles distinct around the handle.

The evening was cloaked in a thin layer of darkness, and beneath it his cool, pale skin almost seemed to glow.

Up close, his features were even more exquisite than they had looked from a distance—especially his eyes.

Dark, clear, and luminous, they looked transparent, yet their depth could not be seen through, like a still, bottomless pool.

When he saw that Mu Wan had opened the window, his expression remained quiet and gentle. He pointed beneath her car.

“Please wait. There’s a cat under your car.”

His voice was like clear spring water—low and cool.

It was Daoist Liu.

As Liu Qianxiu spoke, he had already moved to the rear of the car. A faint rustling sound followed. Resting her wrist on the window frame, Mu Wan tilted her eyes toward the rearview mirror.

In the small mirror, the man bent down, folding his long legs into a half-crouch. In his right hand, he held something that looked like a biscuit or a little snack. In the dim shadow, the outline of his profile was both blurred and distinct, like an unfinished watercolour.

Watching the space beneath the rear tyre, Liu Qianxiu called out in a calm, steady, gentle voice.

“Come here.”

In the narrow frame of the mirror, a cat emerged from beneath the car.

Mu Wan’s eyes flickered.

It was a calico cat, plump-bodied with a round belly, its fur grimy and dull with dust. The moment it came out, it lifted its head and meowed at Liu Qianxiu, soft and sweet, as though it knew him.

As soon as it was fully out, Liu Qianxiu did not hesitate. He bent down and picked it up in his arms.

The ground was still covered in puddles, and the cat’s paws were muddy. The instant it landed against Liu Qianxiu’s chest, it dirtied his shirt. Plum-blossom-shaped paw prints stamped themselves onto the linen fabric, but he did not seem to mind at all.

Lin Wei had said he barely interacted with people, yet with the cat, he was unexpectedly gentle.

Watching Liu Qianxiu holding the animal in his arms, his tall figure straight and elegant, Mu Wan suddenly felt as though she were looking at some immortal being half-hidden in misty heavens—vague, unreal, almost untouchable.

For one brief moment, she truly thought she might be looking at a god.

“Is that your cat?” Mu Wan asked, lifting her chin as she leaned both elbows on the window frame and looked at the man and the cat.

Liu Qianxiu turned back. The calico in his arms looked over, too. Inside the car, the woman was bright and vivid as flame, smiling at him with curved eyes and clear, sparkling pupils.

“No. It’s a stray.”

“It seems pretty close to you.” Mu Wan glanced at the cat. Its pupils had already dilated into dark round pools.

“I feed it sometimes,” Liu Qianxiu said.

Their conversation was simple.

She asked one question; he answered with one sentence. Never more than necessary.

He really was as detached as a chrysanthemum in clear water.

“You like cats?” Mu Wan asked with a faint smile.

“Mm.”

Again, just one brief reply.

After hearing it, Mu Wan lifted her shoulders slightly, her face scrunching up with a grin.

“Meow~”

The sound was light and short, neither too loud nor too soft. The sweetness in her voice mixed with her smile, like a marshmallow wrapped in chocolate sauce—soft, rich, and irresistibly charming.

The calico was startled by her imitation and twitched its ears, opening its eyes to look at her.

Behind the cat, the man’s lashes lifted slightly.

He looked at her with those eyes—silent and unruffled, vast and boundless.

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 184

~ NAMING ~ 

In the next few days, Su Qing went to the Cao family’s residence very frequently. The originally ugly child quickly grew up, becoming white and tender, which was especially attractive. 

Cao Yunnian flipped through the books, wanting to find a great name, but the words he chose were too unfamiliar. Lady Jin looked at it and disagreed. Instead, she found Mu Yunyao, “Yao’er, why don’t you help your little brother choose a name?”

Mu Yunyao was really shocked, “How is it appropriate for me to choose a name?”

“What’s wrong with it? If you didn’t come to help, can this child be born safely? Naturally, there would be no one more suitable for this than you.”

Thinking of Concubine Zhou and those two midwives, a cold light flashed through Lady Jin’s eyes. Although she didn’t want to kill the innocent, she will not be merciful when she meets people who want to murder her. If they dared to reach out, then don’t blame her for being merciless.

“This....” Mu Yunyao looked somewhat awkwardly at Cao Yunnian at the side, “Didn’t Father flip through a lot of books? Let him choose it.”

Cao Yunnian laughed dryly, “Your Mother despises me for finding such a strange name. I’ve racked my brains to come up with a name that doesn’t suit my son. But what your Mother said is right. It’s very appropriate for you to choose the name.”

Looking at the expressions of the two, Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Alright, since it’s like this, then I won’t decline any longer, this name....Let me think. A gentleman wins when he’s civil, a man wins when he’s historical, and a gentleman becomes a gentleman when he’s cultured. If not, let’s call it Zhiwen, Cao Zhiwen?”

“Then, a gentleman, not bad, not bad. It’s much better than your Father thought. I don’t want him to be rich or powerful, I only want him to be decent, to understand the ways of the world, to be a gentleman, and heaven will treat him well. He is called Zhiwen, Cao Zhiwen.”

Cao Yunnian nodded, “Well done.”

After talking for a while and discussing what to do with the full moon wine, Mu Yunyao got up and left.

After she left, Cao Yunnian asked Lady Jin, “Madam, what you’re doing seems to have a deeper meaning?”

Lady Jin smiled, “What is Old Master’s think of Yunyao?”

Cao Yunnian thought for a moment and sighed with emotion, “There is nothing to pick on in terms of looks, character, and temperament, especially in terms of intelligence. There is a sense of elegance in her body, and if I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I would not believe that an ordinary family could bring up such a child.”

“Besides these, how does Old Master think of her future?”

“Future?” Cao Yunnian thought for a moment before shaking his head. “Although she has been praised by the Emperor twice, business is not the right way. Scholars, farmers, commerce, and merchants are still in the lower ranks. She may live a rich life, but it is really complicated to predict what kind of future she will have.”

On the other hand, Lady Jin shook her head. “I’m thinking the exact opposite of Old Master. I think that in the future, she will make a great leap forward and make a great surprise!!”

Cao Yunnian stared at her and asked. “How do you know?”

“The words I said might not be pleasant, but please do not mind Old Master. In the past half-year, Old Master had first been promoted to an official, and you also received a reward from the Emperor. Now that your performance evaluation was excellent, the promotion was imminent. Although there was a reason why you were able to become an official, it was mostly due to you receiving rewards from the Emperor. That could also be a consideration due to Mu Yunyao’s influence. What she had done looked ordinary and unremarkable, but in reality, she has gradually laid a solid foundation for us, making Jingling City famous in the eyes of the Emperor. So how could such a woman be willing to be ordinary?” Lady Jin sighed. “Some people are born different from others. Even if they are from a humble background, they will definitely surpass tens of thousands in the future. I think Mu Yunyao is one of them. We are the ones who are leading her, but in the future, she can reverse this situation. We recognize her as an adopted daughter, and we have already made this good relationship. Now that she’s given a name for our son, it’ll stabilize our relationship for the next generation. Even if Yunyao’s future is not too good, with her helping me giving birth safely, it won’t be too much to ask her to choose the name.”

Cao Yunnian thought carefully and couldn’t help but nod his head repeatedly. He held Lady Jin’s hand and said, “Madam is so thoughtful. In the future, we will treat Yunyao as our own.” Lady Jin smiled and nodded. She knew that Cao Yunnian was not a pedantic person, so she dared to say what she said before. Otherwise, if she was a petty person, not only would she not be grateful to Mu Yunyao, but she would also have a grudge in her heart. “Look at how I’ve been taking care of my child these past two days. I’ve forgotten about the matter with Concubine Zhou. Back then, Yunyao was too worried for me, so she scolded her. Master, please don’t mind her.”

Mentioning Concubine Zhou, Cao Yunnian’s expression turned even worse. “I wanted to let her go to the manor to rest her heart for a while. Seeing that the Emperor’s promotion will pass down, we will live in the Capital in the future. Although she is a concubine, she can still influence the reputation of the Cao family. If she can raise her temperament, we can avoid any trouble in the future.”

“But no one has lived in the manor for a long time. Some things may not be complete, but if Concubine Zhou is not used to living in such a place....” Concubine Zhou always complained. If she directly sent people to the manor, she would write back and cry in two days. At that time, it would be hard for Cao Yunnian to be soft-hearted. It would be better to block the way for her now.

“How can you allow her to do so many things? Madam is calm and tolerant of them. In the future, when she entered the Capital, she must put more restrictions on herself. After all, those people are all nobles, and if she is to offend them accidentally, she will only cause trouble.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to Old Master.”

Seeing that Lady Jin was about to be out of confinement, the imperial government sent down the decree to promote Cao Yunnian. The order to transfer Cao Yunnian to the Capital, join the inspector’s office. His official position was the fourth rank, which was a big step forward.

At the same time, Li Munian also settled down in Jingling City. He came with the order to take over the position of the Jingling Salt Transport Envoy. In another month, after the handover of the things in hand, Cao Yunnian and Lady Jin would set off for the Capital. If they want to come to the Cao family’s residence in the Full Moon Banquet, they will meet the new Salt Transport Envoy.

When Mu Yunyao heard the news, she didn’t take it to heart. Recently, the items from Liu Liang have been coming back continuously. She had to carefully look through it a few times every day to organize the news. She just picked out what was useful to her. Jin Qiao helped stack the paper neatly and asked Mu Yunyao in confusion, “Miss, the flowers and plants you gathered have already been placed in Jin Xiu Garden’s greenhouse. The weather is still too cold now, the flowers and plants are already delicate and tender, not to mention raising them, it’s very troublesome to raise them, it’s also too difficult to make them blossom. Can you really use them?”

“I went to the greenhouse to take a look, and the person who once operated this Jin Xiu Garden was also very meticulous. The place has everything, and after a short rest, it will convert into a greenhouse. With a greenhouse, it’s much easier to raise flowers and plants, not to mention the fact that it’s already near spring, even if it’s windy and snowy outside, the flowers would still blossom brilliantly.” 

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 184

Incurable Chapter 1 Part 1

In Xiacheng, June meant the arrival of the rainy season.

Beneath the dark, heavy sky, the drizzle fell like a giant loom at work. The raindrops wove themselves into the earth with a soft rustling sound, and before long, the once-dry ground had been thoroughly soaked.

Across the wet pavement, the wheels of a gurney rolled past at high speed, splashing up a spray of water, accompanied by the anxious shouts of family members and doctors.

Mu Wan held an umbrella in one hand and a box of hot porridge in the other as she walked forward. Steam rose faintly from the paper container, dispelling some of the eerie chill in the hospital lobby.

“I’m here. What floor are you on?” Mu Wan asked as she folded up her umbrella and headed for the elevators through the crowd.

Lin Wei told her the floor and room numbers over the phone. Mu Wan repeated them, then looked up. The elevator had just gone up to the twelfth floor—it would be a while before it came back down.

Outside, the rain was growing heavier.

Rainy days often brought more traffic accidents. Several patients had just been brought in, their injuries obvious and their bodies stained with blood.

The groans of the injured, the cries of their families, and the urgent voices of doctors and nurses all mixed together, filling the lobby with a noisy sadness.

Lin Wei was still on the phone, and Mu Wan responded absently, her gaze following one of the patients into the nearby, large, chaotic emergency ward.

It was a spacious room with a heavy iron door left open. People moved quickly in and out, while doctors in white coats flashed through it like shooting stars across the sky.

Mu Wan looked a few times, but the tense atmosphere inside made her uncomfortable. She was about to withdraw her gaze and continue waiting for the elevator when she noticed something in one corner.

Amid the chaos, one place remained strangely quiet.

A man and a woman, both bandaged, stood next to a hospital bed. A young boy lay on the bed, covered in blood. His eyes were closed, his complexion ashen and bluish, utterly devoid of life.

On the other side of the bed stood a doctor and a nurse.

Neither of them was treating the boy anymore. The nurse looked down, her eyes red-rimmed. Beside her, the doctor bent slightly forward and took the boy’s mud-and-blood-streaked hand into his own.

The doctor was strikingly handsome.

He had sharp eyebrows, clear eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips. He was like rain-washed bamboo leaves hidden deep in a dense grove—quietly restrained, yet every line of him distinct and clear, refined to an almost translucent elegance.

There was something detached about him, something almost otherworldly. In the middle of all that chaos, he seemed like a still point of focus, or like a distant mountain standing apart from the turmoil—aloof, untouched by dust, proud and cold.

He held the boy’s hand as a few drops of blood stained his white coat. He didn’t seem to notice. His long fingers covered the boy’s hand, and he looked down with a calm expression.

The tense feeling in Mu Wan’s chest eased slightly. Her eyelashes fluttered as she suddenly remembered something from years ago.

Once, in a train station waiting area, a passenger had suddenly collapsed and died. A monk had held the man’s hand in the same way, performing rites for the dead.

Death was hardly rare in a hospital. But when the doctor finally released the boy’s hand and pulled the white sheet up over his head, the bandaged man and woman beside the bed broke into piercing cries of grief. Mu Wan felt a chill in her heart.

At that very moment, the doctor seemed to notice her gaze and looked up.

His eyes were calm 

and deep. The glance skimmed over Mu Wan as lightly as wind passing through a bamboo grove, yet it brushed straight across her heart. Mu Wan froze for a moment, then quickly looked away.

With a ding, the elevator arrived on the first floor.

Mu Wan lifted her eyes to glance at the three words above the ward—Emergency Room—then asked Lin Wei, “Do you have an emergency room upstairs too?”

“What emergency room? Which building are you in?”

“The one directly in front of the hospital entrance.”

“That’s the emergency building! I’m in the inpatient ward!”

“...”

When she finally reached Lin Wei’s room, Mu Wan set her umbrella aside. Lin Wei had already unfolded the little hospital tray table and was waiting to eat.

Lin Wei had her appendix removed two days ago and could only eat liquids. While Mu Wan was still out of town filming, Lin Wei had already been complaining nonstop about how awful the hospital’s plain congee tasted. So when Mu Wan returned to Xiacheng from filming, she dropped off her luggage and went straight to Xu Ji Porridge Shop to buy some for her.

“How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?” Mu Wan asked as she arranged the bowls and utensils, then pulled out a chair to sit down.

She had just come back from Wencheng, where it hadn’t been raining, and the weather was still quite hot, so she wore a black T-shirt and white shorts. When she sat, she crossed her long leg, her posture relaxed and languid.

Mu Wan was a little-known actress, not very famous in the entertainment industry, but her appearance was undeniably stunning.

She had a palm-sized oval face, a beautifully straight nose, vivid red lips, a delicate chin, and large, bright eyes—but not flirtatious. She was one meter seventy tall, with long legs, a slim waist, full breasts, and shapely hips. She was slender without being skinny, her frame evenly proportioned, her figure flawless.

Her beauty carried an untamed, vivid quality, the glamorous air of a 1980s Hong Kong film star. But it was not vulgar beauty—it was elegant, distant, the kind that inspired admiration from afar.

“It only hurts if I pull at the incision,” Lin Wei said, blowing on the hot porridge before taking another bite. Then she looked up at Mu Wan, who was staring out the window, lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Lin Wei waved her spoon in front of her face.

The rain outside had slowed. Large drops gathered on the window ledge, then rolled down the glass in winding trails, reminding Mu Wan of the doctors moving back and forth through the emergency room.

“When I was waiting for the elevator just now, I saw a doctor. It looked like he was performing rites for a little boy who had died.”

Mu Wan snapped out of her thoughts and told Lin Wei everything she had seen in the emergency ward.

Doctors were supposed to save the living, to bring people back from the brink. Performing rites for the dead belonged to an entirely different world. The two ideas sitting together sounded contradictory. Yet Lin Wei showed no surprise at all. Instead, her eyes lit up.

“Was Doctor Liu handsome?”

“So you know him? Yeah, he was pretty handsome.” Mu Wan smiled. Thinking back on his face, it was a very restrained sort of beauty—light, understated, yet unforgettable, especially that one glance when he had lifted his eyes to meet hers.

“Doctor Liu Qianxiu from surgery. His nickname is Daoist Liu. He’s basically the emotional pillar of every woman in Tang’er Hospital.”

Edited by Little Kitty on 19/09/20

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 1 Part 1