Chapter 166: New Year Visits
Naturally, the Emperor also saw Mu Yunyao’s name written in Governor Zhang’s memorial. He could not help praising her inwardly. “This Mu Yunyao is only thirteen or fourteen, is she not? To possess such embroidery skill at such a young age is truly extraordinary.”
Xu Li quickly smiled and said, “Your Majesty, the pattern on the reverse side of this embroidery is also exceedingly exquisite.”
The eunuchs hurriedly turned the embroidery around. On the reverse side, a golden dragon coiled across the surface. Its eyes shone as brightly as the sun and moon, its aura vast and majestic. Even an ordinary person would feel his spirit shaken after one glance.
“Good!” The Emperor was exceedingly pleased. Only such a divine dragon was worthy of his status. “We must heavily reward Mu Yunyao. This year, the Governor of Huainan and the Jingling Salt Transport Commissioner have also performed extraordinarily well. They too shall each receive rewards.”
Xu Li respectfully lowered his head and said nothing, yet inwardly he sighed again and again. When a person’s fortune arrived, it truly could not be blocked.
In Jingling City, after Mu Yunyao had accompanied Su Qing and the others through the New Year vigil, she breathed in the crisp air outside and felt her entire being settle into calm. Her embroidery should already have been delivered before the Emperor. She wondered what Su Wenyuan had thought when he saw that piece.
After keeping vigil, everyone dispersed. Mu Yunyao and Su Qing saw Yue Wang and Steward Qin out the door before returning to their rooms to rest.
After Yue Wang returned to Jinxiu Garden, he did not immediately go to bed. Instead, he sat in a chair, staring absently into space, his thoughts unreadable.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Steward Qin entered carrying a food box. “His Highness, this old servant saw that you were especially fond of the qiaomo figures Madam Su made, so when we returned, I specially brought back the few that remained. If you grow hungry, you may eat some.”
Meeting Steward Qin’s gaze, Yue Wang felt, for some reason, faintly uncomfortable. “Uncle Qin, it is late. You should hurry back and rest as well.”
“Very well. This old servant shall withdraw. Ah, His Highness, according to etiquette, since you called yourself Madam Su’s junior, by custom you should go to the Su Residence tomorrow morning to pay New Year respects. As for…”
“I know.”
“Then this old servant will withdraw. His Highness should rest early as well. You must rise early tomorrow.”
Because she had stayed up so late for the vigil, Mu Yunyao was reluctant to rise the next morning. But remembering that she still had to go to the Cao Residence to pay New Year’s respects to Madam Jin, she struggled to sit up. Hearing Su Qing’s footsteps approach, she deliberately pressed her lips together, wrapped herself in the quilt, and lay back down.
Su Qing gently pushed open the door. Seeing that Mu Yunyao had indeed not risen, she shook her head with a smile. Sitting at the bedside, she pulled open the quilt and directly placed half a honey mandarin into Mu Yunyao’s mouth. “May your year be sweet and full of harmony.”
Mu Yunyao could not help narrowing her eyes. She rose and leaned into Su Qing’s arms. “May Mother have great luck and great profit this New Year. May all things go as you wish. May your youth remain forever, and may blessings and wealth be shared with you.”
Su Qing took out a red packet and placed it in her hand. “Very good. Since Yao’er’s mouth is so sweet, here is a red packet for you to buy candy.”
Mu Yunyao climbed up, knelt crookedly on the bed, and gave a wobbly salute, making Su Qing laugh aloud. “Thank you, Mother.”
Mu Yunyao rose and began to wash and dress, while Su Qing went to the front courtyard.
Next door at Jinxiu Garden, Yue Wang had risen early to wash and arrange himself. Then, together with Steward Qin, he came to the Su Residence.
Hearing the movement, Su Qing quickly came out to receive them, her face full of smiles.
Yue Wang cupped his fists and bowed. “I have come to pay Madam Su New Year respects. May all things be auspicious and according to your wishes.”
Su Qing took out a red packet and offered it to him. “I also wish Young Master Ning every blessing and good fortune in the new year.”
“Many thanks, Madam.”
Su Qing quickly invited them to sit and called for Jin Lan and the others to serve tea.
Since she had to visit the Cao Residence for New Year greetings, Mu Yunyao thought it over and changed into a pale pink dress. The color was soft and restrained, neither violating the rites of mourning she observed for her father nor making her seem too somber during the New Year. Once she had changed, she went to the front courtyard, intending to accept New Year greetings from Jin Lan and the others before setting out for the Cao Residence. Yet just as she entered, she saw Yue Wang seated in a chair.
With a smile on her face, Mu Yunyao walked lightly into the room and curtsied to Yue Wang. “Greetings, Fourth Master Ning. May Fourth Master have great fortune and all things as you wish in the New Year.”
The moment Mu Yunyao drew near, Yue Wang recognized her footsteps. Seeing her in a charming pale pink dress, her face as fair as jade, her hair as dark as ink, her eyes like stars, and her lips touched with vermilion, the spirited grace about her could not be hidden. She was like a spring blossom, bright and radiant.
“Happy New Year, Miss Mu. May all things go as you wish as well.” After saying this, he actually took a red packet from his sleeve and offered it to Mu Yunyao.
Mu Yunyao accepted it readily. He was seven years older than she was; accepting a red packet from him was hardly improper. Besides, silver delivered right to her door would be foolish to refuse. “Many thanks, Fourth Master Ning.”
Yue Wang’s expression softened for a clear instant before returning to its usual cool calm.
Seeing that it was growing late, Mu Yunyao did not dare delay. After explaining to Yue Wang and Steward Qin, she went straight out, boarded the carriage, and headed directly for the Cao Residence.
Madam Jin was already close to eight months pregnant. She had taken good care of herself in ordinary days, and her complexion was especially rosy. Now, wearing the clothes Mu Yunyao had sent her, she did not look bulky in the slightest; instead, she carried an added air of dignified grace.
The moment she saw Mu Yunyao enter, Madam Jin’s face filled with smiles.
“Yunyao pays New Year respects to Godmother. May you enjoy peace, health, and all things as you wish in the New Year.”
“Quickly, rise.” Madam Jin hurriedly called her up and handed her a red packet. “I also wish our Yao’er to grow more beautiful with each passing year. Best if you become a beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.”
Mu Yunyao accepted the red packet. “Thank you, Godmother. For the sake of those words, I must work hard to grow even lovelier.”
Madam Jin could not help laughing. “Good, good. Your Godfather has colleagues to visit, so you may pay New Year respects to him later. I will first take you to greet the Governor’s wife.”
Mu Yunyao pressed gently on Madam Jin’s wrist. “There is no hurry. I should first take Godmother’s pulse.”
Madam Jin nodded again and again. “Look at me, nearly forgetting the most important matter.” Now that her month was advanced, she suffered little discomfort. This was all thanks to Mu Yunyao’s careful conditioning.
After taking the pulse, Mu Yunyao leaned forward slightly and spoke toward Madam Jin’s belly. “Little brother must also be obedient today. Once you are born, Elder Sister will prepare a large red packet for you.”
Hearing this, Madam Jin knew everything was well. She ordered someone to bring her cloak, then took Mu Yunyao out.
This round of visits lasted most of the day. By the end, their smiles had nearly stiffened upon their faces. Fortunately, Madam Jin’s status was high; wherever they went, they were received with exceptional care, and Mu Yunyao benefited from that honor as well. Even so, by the time she returned home, her legs were nearly numb from exhaustion.
Su Qing had long been waiting anxiously at home. Only when she saw Mu Yunyao return did a smile finally reach her eyes. “Yao’er, why were you gone so long?”
“The Governor’s wife especially kept us to speak for a while, and there were quite a few households we needed to visit. Godmother’s status is high, so I benefited from her honor. Mother did not see it, but many people of lower rank are still lining up outside the various officials’ residences even now. I am afraid that even by nightfall, those officials may not necessarily have time to receive them.”
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