Incurable Chapter 2 Part 2

Chapter 2 (2/2)

“What are you laughing at? Feeling all lovey-dovey?” Lin Wei’s voice crackled through the phone, still connected.

Dropping the curtain, Mu Wan turned back to the living room.

“When I was leaving last night, I ran into Daoist Liu at the hospital.”

She quickly filled Lin Wei in on the stray cat, the muddy paw prints, and the brief, quiet exchange in the parking lot.

“Ah? And then? And then?” Lin Wei was practically vibrating with intrigue.

“I asked him if he liked cats. He said ‘mm.’ So I meowed at him,” Mu Wan said casually, rinsing her toothbrush under the tap.

“Ah!” Lin Wei shrieked so loudly that Mu Wan had to pull the phone away from her ear.

Once Lin Wei finally calmed down, she gasped.

“Brilliant, Miss Mu. Taking the unconventional route! Daoist Liu, who has made countless women swoon, was actually won over by your single meow!”

“I didn’t win him over. I was just joking around.”

Mu Wan tilted her head, toothpaste still foaming at the corners of her mouth, her words slightly garbled.

“I’m in perfectly good health. I won’t be ending up in the ER, and we probably won’t even see each other again. Now stop talking. I need to rinse. I’ll get ready and bring you your porridge.”

Mu Wan hung up in a hurry. The sink was in the bathroom. She grabbed the glass she had been using from the living room table and rushed toward the bathroom door.

The moment she stepped inside, her sock hit the wet tile.

Loud bang.

The sound of her body hitting the floor mixed with the sharp, crystalline shattering of glass. A beat of silence. Then, a low, pained groan drifted out from behind the closed door.

Twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes after declaring she was in perfectly good health and would never end up in the ER, Mu Wan found herself flat on her back in one.

Twenty minutes earlier, her foot had slipped on the damp tile, and she had pitched straight forward. Instinctively, she tried to break her fall with her hands. The glass cup in her left hand shattered on impact, and she landed directly on the jagged shards. The broken pieces sliced through her skin, piercing the soft flesh just below her left collarbone. Blood welled up instantly, hot and startling against the cold tile. Through gritted teeth, she had managed to call Lin Wei, who screamed into the phone, called an ambulance, and rode with the paramedics straight to Mu Wan’s apartment.

The moment they entered the bathroom and saw the blood diluted in pink swirls across the wet floor, Lin Wei stood frozen at the doorway, stomping her foot and crying.

“Holy crap, Mu Wan, are you going to die or something?!”

Mu Wan, being carefully lifted onto a stretcher by the medical staff, grimaced through the pain and almost laughed out loud.

Now, she lay in the emergency room. The morning ER exuded a damp, antiseptic chill that seeped into her bones. Amidst the comings and goings of nurses and the distant beeping of monitors, Mu Wan’s sense of pain gradually sharpened into full, throbbing awareness.

Her head buzzed as she heard Lin Wei’s frantic voice say to the approaching doctor.

“Doctor Liu, hurry and look at my friend! She pierced her heart!”

You just can’t run from fate.

Mu Wan looked up and met Liu Qianxiu’s deep, unfathomable eyes.

“Meow.” Mu Wan smiled.

Her lips were pale from biting them, but her smile was still radiant, still teasing.

The little nurse beside her blinked, thoroughly confused by the situation, and shot Mu Wan a strange look.

Lin Wei, hearing this, groaned with a mix of fury and relief.

“You still have the mood to joke around?!”

Liu Qianxiu’s expression remained perfectly calm. His eyelashes lowered slightly, his gaze fixing on her wound as he said, his voice light and steady.

“Move your hand away for a moment.”

Mu Wan shifted her hand.

Her wound wasn’t bleeding as heavily as it had looked. It probably hadn’t pierced anything vital. Her breathing was rapid and shallow, but there were no signs of a pneumothorax. For now, it appeared to be a superficial—albeit messy—injury.

After showering that morning, Mu Wan had put on an off-white camisole. Now, the chest pad area was completely soaked through with blood, the fabric clinging to her skin in a dark, wet patch.

Liu Qianxiu reached for the strap of her camisole, gently sliding it down to expose the wound for examination.

Raw flesh met the cold air. The man leaned over slightly, bringing with him a faint gust of cool air laced with the clean, sharp scent of disinfectant.

The sting made Mu Wan suck in a sharp breath through her teeth.

Lin Wei, catching sight of the wound from the side, clamped a hand over her mouth.

“Oh, my god.”

The injury on Mu Wan’s chest could only be described as a bloody mess. Fine, jagged cuts fanned out across the skin, still dotted with tiny fragments of glass. Fortunately, the glass had shattered into small pieces on impact, so none of the wounds were dangerously deep.

But while Mu Wan and Lin Wei were focused on the cuts, Liu Qianxiu’s gaze had fixed on something else.

Just below the cluster of injuries, half-hidden beneath the smear of blood, was a patch of vivid red. A birthmark shaped like a delicate bamboo leaf—redder and more vibrant than the wound itself, carrying a quiet, almost seductive charm against her pale skin.

It wasn’t just one leaf. The edge of another half peeked out beside it, curling further down.

Liu Qianxiu’s expression remained composed. Without a word, he pulled the camisole strap down a fraction further, his long fingers steady and clinical.

Before the second bamboo leaf could be fully revealed, his hand was caught by another.

“That’s not a wound,” Mu Wan said.

Her voice was thin with pain, but firm.

Liu Qianxiu raised his eyes.

“A birthmark?”

The location of her injury was, to put it mildly, awkward. If he had pulled the strap down any further, her entire left breast would have been exposed. He didn’t seem flustered by the near-exposure. If anything, his gaze lingered on the half-revealed shape with a quiet, unreadable interest.

Mu Wan was in too much pain to string together a proper sentence.

Lin Wei, ever the translator, jumped in.

“It’s a birthmark. Doctor Liu, does it affect the treatment of the wound?”

“No.”

Liu Qianxiu looked at the half-revealed bamboo leaf one last time. His dark eyes remained as deep and still as ever, betraying nothing.

Then, in a voice as calm as still water, he said,

“I just think it’s quite beautiful.”

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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

Chapter 2 (1/2)

Mu Wan burst into laughter.

Still chuckling, she rolled up the car window, started the engine, and drove off.

Truly worthy of the name Daoist Liu—completely detached from worldly desires.

Mu Wan drove home. She lived in the northern district of the city. Two months ago, she had bought a resale apartment in the Qinghe Mengyuan community, nestled in the old town of Xia City. The buildings there were over thirty years old.

These were typical small, weathered apartments in the city center. Run-down, yes, but the location was prime, surrounded by well-developed facilities that made daily life unexpectedly comfortable.

Mu Wan had only graduated two years ago. The money she had scraped together from minor acting roles was just enough for the down payment, and now she was paying off her mortgage month by month.

The apartment itself was a relic. The previous owner’s decor was stuck in the 1980s, the furniture and appliances worn to their bones. Lin Wei, being an interior designer, had stepped in. Since Mu Wan didn’t want to do any major renovations, Lin Wei gave it a simple redesign with a lean toward Taiwanese pastoral style—warm wood tones, soft fabrics, a rustic, lived-in charm that softened the building’s age.

The community didn’t have dedicated parking spaces, so Mu Wan left her car at the alley’s entrance and walked the rest of the way.

Despite its age, the neighborhood was alive. It was dinner time, and elderly neighbors returning from the market carried woven baskets, chatting in thick dialect and inviting each other to square dancing in the small park after their meals. Ivy crept up half the building walls, winding around the iron railings by the stairwell windows. In this old, crumbling community, the comforting, vibrant warmth of everyday life seeped from every crack.

Her community had only six buildings, arranged in two rows. She lived in the first building of the back row.

Pushing open the heavy iron door into the stairwell, Mu Wan climbed to the third floor and slid her key into the lock on the left.

Right by the door was the switch for the living room light. With a click, milky-white light flooded the room. The entire apartment was only seventy square meters. The living room wasn’t large, but it was clean and tidy, looking exceptionally cozy under the warm glow.

The tension she had been carrying all day completely dissolved the moment she stepped inside.

Mu Wan plopped down onto the sofa’s armrest, then let gravity win, collapsing flat onto the cushions.

She had been filming all morning, taken the high-speed train back at noon, and rushed straight to the hospital to see Lin Wei without even unpacking. Now, her body was running on fumes.

Outside the window, the rain began again, soft and persistent. Amidst the pitter-patter, Mu Wan heard two faint meows.

In these old, run-down communities, pet cats were practically raised like strays. They wandered out at night, and under the trees and in the bushes, cats were everywhere. Unspayed and unneutered, they bred rapidly, resulting in an overflowing population of felines in every size and color.

Lin Wei had once said Mu Wan was a lot like a cat—wild, languid, and easygoing. She had even urged her to adopt one, but Mu Wan had refused.

She wasn’t lonely, nor did she need a cat’s companionship. Having one in the house would just add another living thing to worry about; neither she nor the cat would be truly free.

Thinking of cats, Mu Wan remembered the scene at the hospital. The man had slightly raised his eyelashes, fragmented lights reflecting in his deep, still eyes.

She raised her wrist to cover her own and chuckled softly into the quiet room.

Exhausted, Mu Wan ate a quick dinner and went to sleep. She had a dreamless night, only to be dragged back to consciousness by her phone’s ringtone the next morning.

Opening her eyes, she saw the sky outside was a hazy, undecided gray. Not raining, but not clearing either.

The humidity during the rainy season was relentless, the air damp and clammy against her skin. Mu Wan reached for her phone. The screen displayed Li Nan.

She answered, her voice still rough with sleep.

“Hey, Boss.”

Li Nan was Mu Wan’s agent—the only agent at Xinzhou Entertainment, where all seven or eight of the artists under him called him “Boss.” Mu Wan had signed with the company right after graduation. It wasn’t big, but it didn’t withhold acting fees, had no tyrannical contract clauses, and offered a moderate amount of resources. It suited her perfectly.

“Tomorrow night at seven, Director Zhang Chengze is organizing a dinner at Qingsong Pavilion,” Li Nan arranged briskly through the speaker. “He’s preparing to film a new TV series. Mi Yu will be going to audition, and you two will go together.”

For a minor actress like Mu Wan, social engagements were sparse but not nonexistent. Being in this arena of fame and profit, eating and drinking at banquets was simply part of the job. She probably attended two or three such events a month.

The focus of this dinner was Mi Yu, the most popular artist under Li Nan. At her peak, Mi Yu had played the second female lead in a massively hit drama. Mu Wan was just tagging along—eating quietly in the corner, making polite toasts to show her face, and in return, a minor role would be arranged for her.

Mu Wan agreed to everything without complaint. After Li Nan rattled off a couple more instructions, he hung up.

Setting her phone aside, Mu Wan peeled off her sleep clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower. The cool, damp weather had left a clammy film on her skin that she couldn’t stand.

After showering, she grabbed her glass and toothbrush and started brushing her teeth, foam building in her mouth. She hadn’t even finished when Lin Wei’s call came buzzing in.

Spitting a mouthful of foam into the sink, Mu Wan answered the phone with her toothbrush still wedged between her teeth.

“Any schedule today?”

“No.”

“Bring porridge from Xu’s Porridge Shop and come see me!”

“Right away, Your Highness.”

Mu Wan had woken up early specifically to bring her porridge anyway. Lin Wei was from Jing City; her parents and younger brother were all there, so no one was around to look after her in the hospital. And since Mu Wan had no family to speak of, whenever she got sick, it was always Lin Wei who showed up. They took care of each other. That was the arrangement.

After hanging up, Mu Wan heard the cats downstairs meowing again.

She padded over to the living room window and lifted the curtain. Below, a few cats were tangled together in the bushes, play-fighting in the gray morning light.

Mu Wan smiled.

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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

Chapter 1 (2/2)

PART 2

Mu Wan stayed with Lin Wei until the rain finally stopped. Taking her umbrella, she walked out of the Inpatient Building. The two-day downpour had thoroughly soaked the air with warm moisture, and as soon as she stepped outside, the cool post-rain breeze carried a slight, refreshing chill.

Twilight had settled, casting long, dark shadows over the city. The hospital buildings were brightly lit, and the puddles on the ground reflected the neon and fluorescent lights. Mu Wan stepped into one, shattering the reflection with her heel, before finding her car and sliding into the driver’s seat.

The moment she sat down, her phone chimed. The screen illuminated her face in the dim cabin. Unlocking it, she saw a transfer notification—her salary for the drama.

Mu Wan had chosen to attend the film academy simply because acting paid well. Even if she didn’t fight for roles and just played minor characters with a few lines, it was more than enough to support herself.

She had grown up without a father, living in the sprawling Mu family estate with her mother. After her mother passed away and she graduated high school, Mu Wan moved out. Now, she was truly alone, with only her shadow for company. She had signed with a small agency, playing unnoticed, minor roles. She was completely on her own, with only herself to feed.

Truthfully, this kind of life was quite good. Not every drama could rely solely on the lead; playing supporting roles was the norm.

She was probably the most ambitionless actress in the entire entertainment industry.

After texting a quick thank you to the company’s finance department, Mu Wan set her phone aside and prepared to start the car. Her foot hovered over the clutch, but before she could press the ignition button, a dull thud echoed against the driver’s side window.

A figure stood outside the dark glass. The silhouette reflected on the window was lean and tall, but his features were obscured by the twilight. Mu Wan stopped the engine and rolled down the window.

The glass descended slowly, like a theater curtain falling to reveal the stage.

Outside, the man had already taken off his white coat, shedding his refined, elite demeanor, which only made his striking aura more pronounced. He wore a loose, comfortable linen shirt that draped effortlessly over his frame. He held a collapsed long umbrella in his hand, his long, slender fingers with distinct joints resting casually on the black handle.

The sky was draped in a thin veil of dusk. Under this dim light, his pale, cool-toned skin seemed to emit a faint glow. Up close, his features were even more exquisite than from afar, especially his eyes.

They were dark and bright, clear yet unfathomable, like a deep, still pool.

Seeing that Mu Wan had opened the window, his expression remained quiet and peaceful. He pointed down at her car.

“Wait a moment. There’s a cat under your car.”

His voice was like a clear spring—deep, resonant, and cool.

It was Daoist Liu.

As Liu Qianxiu spoke, he had already walked to the back of the car. Amidst the rustling of the damp bushes, Mu Wan rested her wrist on the window frame and glanced sideways at the rearview mirror.

In the small mirror, the man bent his long legs into a half-squat. He held a small, biscuit-shaped snack in his right hand. The contour of his profile was both hazy and clear under the dim shadows, like an uncolored ink painting come to life.

Staring at the area beneath the rear tire, Liu Qianxiu’s voice was steady, his tone gentle as he called out.

“Come here.”

In the narrow frame of the rearview mirror, a cat walked out from under the car.

Mu Wan’s gaze shifted.

It was a calico cat, plump and round-bellied, its fur covered in a layer of gray dust. As soon as it emerged, it looked up and meowed at Liu Qianxiu. The sound was soft and sweet, clearly recognizing him.

Once the cat was out, Liu Qianxiu didn’t hesitate. He bent down, reached out, and scooped it into his arms.

The ground was covered in puddles, and the cat’s paws were caked in mud. The moment it entered his arms, it stepped on his shirt, leaving distinct, muddy paw prints on the pristine linen fabric. He didn’t seem to mind at all.

Lin Wei had said he barely interacted with people, yet he was so effortlessly affectionate with a stray cat. As she watched him hold the animal, his tall, slender figure resembled a mist-shrouded peak, carrying an illusory, ascetic quality. For a brief moment, Mu Wan truly felt as if she were looking at a celestial being who had wandered down from the clouds.

“Is this your cat?” Mu Wan rested her elbows on the window frame, looking up at the man and the cat.

Liu Qianxiu turned his head, and the calico cat in his arms looked over at the same time. The woman in the car was as gorgeous as fire, smiling at him with curved eyes and a bright, teasing gaze.

“No. It’s a stray.”

“It seems very close to you.” Mu Wan glanced at the calico. The cat’s pupils had dilated into dark, round pools.

“I occasionally feed it.”

Their conversation was brief. She asked one question, he gave one answer, and no more.

Truly as detached and unbothered as a hermit.

“Do you like cats?” Mu Wan asked with a light smile.

“Mm.”

Another simple, single-word answer.

Having gotten her answer, Mu Wan gave a slight shrug of her shoulders, her delicate face scrunching up into a bright, playful smile.

“Meow~.”

It was a short, soft sound. The sweetness in her voice, mixed with her radiant smile, was like a marshmallow drizzled in chocolate sauce—soft, sweet, and utterly captivating.

Distracted by her call, the calico cat twitched its ears and opened its eyes to look at her. And the man behind it slightly raised his eyelashes, his gaze resting on her—still and unruffled, yet as deep and boundless as a vast ocean. 

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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

Chapter 1 (1/2)

June in Xia City meant the rainy season had fully descended.

Under a heavy, overcast sky, the drizzle worked like a massive loom, weaving a rhythmic, relentless pattern until the dry earth was thoroughly drenched. Across the damp pavement, the rubber wheels of gurneys spun rapidly, splashing dirty water amidst the anxious shouts of families and the barked orders of doctors.

Mu Wan navigated the chaos, an umbrella in one hand and a steaming box of porridge in the other. The warmth radiating from the paper container was a small comfort against the gloomy, air-conditioned chill of the hospital lobby.

“I’m here. What floor are you on?” she asked into her phone, snapping her umbrella shut and weaving through the dense crowd toward the elevators.

Over the phone, Lin Wei rattled off the floor and room numbers. Mu Wan acknowledged them, then looked up at the digital display. The elevator had just reached the 12th floor. It would be a while.

Outside, the rain was coming down harder now. Rainy days always meant a spike in traffic accidents. The newly wheeled-in gurneys carried a steady stream of trauma patients, their clothes torn, skin scraped, and bodies smeared with blood and road grime.

The groans of the injured, the wails of their relatives, and the sharp, urgent commands of the medical staff blended into a chaotic, sorrowful din that echoed off the high ceiling of the lobby.

The sharp tang of disinfectant stung Mu Wan’s nose, mixing with the humid chill of the air conditioning. She responded softly to Lin Wei on the phone, the squeak of her wet sneakers on the linoleum accompanying her as her gaze drifted toward the noisy, crowded ward beside her.

The ward was massive. The thick iron doors were propped open, and people bustled back and forth. Figures in white coats weaved through the crowd like shooting stars.

The oppressive, heavy atmosphere made Mu Wan slightly uncomfortable. She averted her gaze, turning back to wait for the elevator. But in that split second of looking away, her eyes locked onto a specific spot.

Amidst the frantic chaos of the ward, one corner was unnervingly quiet. A man and a woman, both heavily bandaged, stood before a hospital bed. On the bed lay a boy covered in blood and mud. His eyes were tightly shut, his face locked in a lifeless, bluish-gray pallor.

On the other side of the bed stood a doctor and a nurse. Neither was administering treatment. The nurse had her head bowed, her eyes red and swimming with tears. The male doctor beside her was bent over, gently holding the boy’s hand, which was caked in dried blood and dirt.

The doctor’s appearance was striking. He had high brow ridges, clear and bright eyes, a straight nose, and slightly pressed, thin lips. He looked like rain-washed bamboo hidden deep in a lush forest—distinct, crisp, and entirely out of place in the grime of the ER. He possessed an otherworldly aura, a focal point frozen in time amidst the chaos, standing aloof from the worldly dust.

He held the boy’s hand. The cuffs of his white coat were stained with a few drops of blood and rainwater, the dark spots slowly bleeding into the pristine fabric. He paid it no mind. His long, slender fingers enveloped the boy’s small hand. His eyes were lowered, his expression perfectly, almost unnervingly, calm.

The oppressive feeling in Mu Wan’s chest eased slightly. She blinked, reminded of a scene she had witnessed years ago.

At a train station, a passenger had suffered sudden cardiac death. A passing monk had held the deceased man’s hand just like this, quietly chanting prayers for his departed soul.

Death was no stranger to a hospital. But when the doctor finally let go of the boy’s hand and pulled the white sheet over the child’s head—triggering the agonizing, gut-wrenching wails of the parents—a sudden chill crept into Mu Wan’s heart.

At that exact moment, the doctor seemed to sense her gaze. He looked up.

His eyes were calm and profound. With a slight, sweeping glance, it was like a cool breeze rustling through a bamboo forest, brushing gently against her heart. Mu Wan was briefly stunned before she quickly looked away.

Ding.

The elevator arrived. Mu Wan glanced up at the glowing red Emergency Room sign above the ward doors.

“Is there an ER on your floor?” she asked Lin Wei.

“What emergency room? Which building are you in?” Lin Wei’s voice crackled through the receiver.

“The one right across from the main hospital entrance.”

“That’s the Emergency Building! I’m in the Inpatient Department!”

Mu Wan fell silent, realizing her mistake.

When she finally reached Lin Wei’s room, she set her damp umbrella by the door. Lin Wei had already set up the small over-bed table, eagerly waiting for her meal. She was two days post-appendectomy and restricted to liquids. While Mu Wan had been out of town filming, Lin Wei had constantly whined about the bland hospital food. Now that Mu Wan was back in Xia City, she had dropped her luggage and gone straight to Xu’s Porridge Shop.

“How are you feeling? Does it still hurt?” Mu Wan set up the bowls and chopsticks, then pulled up a chair.

She had just taken the train back from Wencheng, where it was still hot and dry. She was dressed simply in a black T-shirt and white shorts. As she sat down, she crossed her long legs, her posture relaxed and languid.

The overhead light caught the sharp, elegant line of her jaw and the delicate, palm-sized oval of her face. She possessed a wild, untamed glamour, reminiscent of the striking, iconic beauties of 1980s Hong Kong cinema. Her large, dark eyes were clear and captivating, exuding a charming allure that was elegant yet entirely untouchable. At 1.7 meters tall, with a slender waist and perfectly toned figure, she commanded a quiet, high-class sophistication that demanded respect without asking for it.

“As long as I don’t pull the incision, it doesn’t hurt.” Lin Wei ate her porridge, blowing on it gently.

After a few bites, she glanced 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 Mu Wan’s face.

Outside, the rain had slowed. Large drops gathered on the windowsill and rolled down the glass, leaving winding trails.

“I saw a doctor while waiting for the elevator,” Mu Wan said, pulling her gaze back. “He seemed to be chanting prayers for a little boy who had just passed away.”

Doctors were meant to save the living; chanting prayers was for the dead. The concepts were contradictory. Yet, Lin Wei wasn’t surprised. Instead, her eyes lit up, and she nearly dropped her spoon.

“Was Doctor Liu really handsome?”

Mu Wan paused, her chopsticks hovering.

“You know him? He is quite handsome.” She smiled, recalling his face. It had been a plain, unbothered face, but that single, sweeping glance when he looked up had left a deep impression.

“Doctor Liu Qianxiu from the Surgery Department. His nickname is ‘Daoist Liu.’ He’s the emotional anchor for all the female staff at Tang’er Hospital.”

Lin Wei had been rushed to the ER by her studio colleagues a few days ago, and Liu Qianxiu was the one who treated her. She had been in agonizing pain, but one look at him, and it was love at first sight. After her surgery, she had pestered the nurses until they spilled all the gossip.

“Daoist Liu.” Mu Wan leaned back in her chair, tracing the rim of her water glass. “Why did they give him such a nickname?”

“He’s religious—Daoism, specifically. I heard he takes four days off every month for silent retreats at a temple. If there’s a patient in the ER they couldn’t save, he’ll chant prayers for the departed. But his personality is incredibly cold. He barely interacts with anyone, completely detached from worldly desires.”

Hearing this, Mu Wan’s impression of him solidified. No wonder he had given off such an ethereal vibe.

“I guess all Daoist followers are like that, right? Clearing their minds, abandoning desires.” She didn’t press further; gossiping wasn’t her style. She had a good impression of him. He felt incredibly pure. As a doctor, he fought for the living; as a cultivator, he chanted for the dead. It brought peace to the grieving.

“Actually, the name Liu Qianxiu sounds a bit familiar,” Mu Wan mused.

“The head of the Liu family, one of the Four Young Masters of Xia City, is also named Liu Qianxiu.” Lin Wei scooped up some porridge. “But it’s probably just a coincidence. The head of the Liu family is busy managing his empire; why would he work as a doctor? How much money can a doctor even make?”

“Maybe he doesn’t lack money and became a doctor to pursue spiritual redemption?” Mu Wan teased.

Lin Wei rolled her eyes, giving her a look that clearly said, Use your imagination.

Mu Wan just smiled.

 Edited by Little Kitty on 19/09/20

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