~ MID-YEAR WALK ~
The Emperor naturally saw Mu Yunyao’s name written on Governor Zhang’s letter and couldn’t help but secretly praise her. “This Mu Yunyao is thirteen or fourteen years old, right? She is truly extraordinary to have such a foundation for embroidery at such a young age.”
Xu Li quickly smiled and said, “Your Majesty, look at the patterns on the back of the embroidery. They’re quite exquisite.”
The attendants hurriedly turned the embroidery around and saw a golden dragon on the back of the embroidery item. The golden dragon’s eyes shone with the brilliance of the sun and moon. The momentum was astonishing. Ordinary people could not help but feel shocked when they looked at it.
“It’s good!” The Emperor was so happy because this divine dragon was worthy of his identity. “I want to reward Mu Yunyao greatly, and this year, the Governor of Huainan and the Jingling Salt Transport Envoy have also performed very extraordinarily, so we have to reward each of them.”
Xu Li respectfully lowered his head in silence, but he sighed in his heart: This person’s luck is coming, and it can’t be stopped!
In Jingling City, Mu Yunyao, Su Qing, and others had finished celebrating the New Year. She felt entirely calm as she breathed in the chilly air outside, and her embroidery must have been delivered to the Emperor. She wondered how Su Wen Yuan would feel when he saw that piece of embroidery.
After the New Year’s celebration was over, everyone dispersed. Mu Yunyao and Su Qing sent Yue Wang and Steward Qin out before returning to their rooms to rest.
When Yue Wang returned to Jin Xiu Garden, he did not immediately go to sleep. Instead, he sat on the chair and stared blankly into space, deep in thought.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Steward Qin walked in with a food box: “Wang Ye, this old servant saw that you like Madam Su’s sweet steamed buns very much. When I came back, I specifically brought the rest back. If you’re hungry, you can have some.”
Seeing Steward Qin’s gaze, Yue Wang suddenly felt a little uneasy. “Uncle Qin, it’s getting late. You should also go back and rest.”
“Alright then, this old servant will take his leave. By the way, Wang Ye, according to etiquette, since you called yourself a junior in front of Madam Su, then according to the rules, you are going to the Su residence tomorrow morning to pay respects in the New Year. I don’t know.....”
“I know.”
“Then, this old servant will leave. Wang Ye should rest early as well. You still need to get up early tomorrow.”
Since she slept too late, Mu Yunyao didn’t want to get up from her bed in the morning. However, she struggled to sit up when she considered going to the Cao family to greet Lady Jin. Suddenly, he heard Su Qing’s footsteps. She pursed her lips and wrapped herself in a blanket as she lay back on the bed.
Su Qing opened the door softly. As expected, she was not up yet. She could not help but shake her head and smile. She sat on the bed and pulled open the blanket. She directly stuffed half of the tangerine into Mu Yunyao’s mouth. “A year of sweet and honey.”
Mu Yunyao could not help but narrow her eyes. She got up and leaned into Su Qing’s embrace, “Mother’s New Year is great, everything is fine, you will always be young. Happiness and wealth will share it with you.”
Su Qing took out a red envelope and handed it over to Yao’er. “Alright. Since Yao’er is so sweet with talk, I’ll give you a red envelope to buy candy.”
Mu Yunyao got up, knelt on the bed, and awkwardly bowed. She made Su Qing laugh out loud, “Thank you, Mother.”
Mu Yunyao stood up and began to clean up while Su Qing went to the front yard.
In Jin Xiu Garden next door, Yue Wang had already gotten up early to wash up and take a rest. He followed Steward Qin to the Su residence.
When Su Qing heard the commotion, she welcomed him with a smile.
Yue Wang cupped his fists and bowed, “Greetings to Madam Su. Happy New Year, and I wish Madam good luck.”
Su Qing took out a red envelope and passed it to him. “I also wish Young Master Ning all good luck in the New Year.”
“Thank you, Madam.”
Su Qing hurriedly invited them to sit and ordered Jin Lan and the others to serve the tea. Because she had to go to the Cao family’s residence to pay her respects, Mu Yunyao thought for a moment before changing into a pink dress. The color was a bit light, and it didn’t go against her etiquette to be filial for her father, but it also made people feel happier during the New Year. After changing her clothes, she went to the front yard. She thought about accepting the New Year’s greetings from Jin Lan and the others, and then they set off for the Cao family’s residence. As soon as she entered the door, she saw Yue Wang sitting on the chair.
Mu Yunyao had a smile on her face as she walked briskly into the room. She bent her knees and bowed towards Yue Wang, “Greetings, Fourth Master Ning. I wish Fourth Master luck in the New Year, and everything is as you wish.”
As soon as Mu Yunyao’s footsteps approached, Yue Wang heard that she was coming. She wore a beautiful pink dress, her face was as white as jade, and her hair was as black as ink. Her eyes filled with stars, and her delicate aura was hard to conceal, like a beautiful spring flower.
“Happy New Year to Miss Mu, and I wish you all the best.” As he finished speaking, he took a red envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Mu Yunyao.
Mu Yunyao happily received it. This person was seven years older than she was, so it wouldn’t be too much to receive a red envelope from him. Furthermore, she shouldn’t waste the silver sent to the door for nothing, so she said: “Thank you, Fourth Master Ning.”
Yue Wang’s expression softened for a split second before returning to his usual calm and collected appearance.
Seeing that it was getting late, Mu Yunyao dared not delay further. After explaining the situation to Yue Wang and Steward Qin, she got out of the carriage and went straight to the Cao family’s residence.
Lady Jin had been pregnant for close to eight months. She usually cared for herself, so her complexion was exceptionally rosy. When Lady Jin wore the clothes Mu Yunyao had brought over, Lady Jin didn’t look bloated at all. Instead, she looked more graceful and elegant.
Upon seeing Mu Yunyao walk in, Lady Jin’s face was filled with smiles.
“Yunyao pays her respects during New Year’s visit to Mother. I wish you a happy new year and good luck.”
“Hurry and get up,” Lady Jin hurriedly called out, holding the red envelope and handing it over. “I also wish for our Yao’er to become more and more beautiful. It’s best if she can become a devastatingly beautiful woman with great national power!”
Mu Yunyao received the red envelope. “Thank you, Mother. For your words, I will also work hard to improve myself.”
Lady Jin couldn’t help but laugh. “Good, good. Your father has a colleague to meet with, so you’ll pay respects to him later. I’ll bring you to meet with the Governor’s wife first.”
Mu Yunyao held Lady Jin’s wrist, “There’s no rush, Mother. I’ll check for your pulse first before leaving.”
“Look, I almost forgot about the most important matter.” Lady Jin nodded her head repeatedly. Now that she was older, there wasn’t anything uncomfortable about her. It was all thanks to Mu Yunyao’s meticulous care.
After Mu Yunyao finished asking for her pulse, she slightly leaned forward and said to Lady Jin’s stomach, “Little brother must be obedient today. When you’re born, big sister will wrap a big red envelope for you.”
Hearing her words, Lady Jin knew that everything was fine. She ordered people to get the cloak and brought Mu Yunyao out.
This walk took a long time, and her face finally stiffened from smiling. Fortunately, Lady Jin’s status was high now, and they served her well wherever she went. Mu Yunyao also basked in the light. But when she returned home, she was still tired to her knees.
Su Qing had been waiting anxiously at home since morning. When she saw her return, a smile appeared in her eyes. “Yao’er, why did you take so long?”
“The Governor’s wife left us to talk for a while. Besides, there were many families to visit. Mother’s status is high, and I’m proud to follow her, but I haven’t seen many people with low status before. They still lined up outside the gates of the lords. I’m afraid that when it’s dark, those big people may be unable to meet them.”
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