~ THE EMPEROR’S REWARD ~
Yu Yi and Yu Heng quietly followed Steward Qin out. After exiting the room, they hurriedly approached him and carried him to the side yard.
Steward Qin was furious. He knocked on the two people’s heads and said, “Have you gone mad? Don’t you know that the elders are not to be frightened?”
Yu Heng, standing to the side, looked nervously at Steward Qin. Seeing him nod, he couldn’t help but open his mouth wide, “I almost believed what Master said just now. I didn’t expect Master to be someone who doesn’t mean what he says!”
Steward Qin once again sent a slap toward the two of them, “I still don’t know what’s going on. You two are not allowed to make a commotion!”
“Don’t worry, Elder Qin. We brothers are the most reliable.” Yu Heng hurriedly patted his chest to guarantee.
Steward Qin couldn’t help but roll his eyes, “If it weren’t for the fact that Wang Ye’s performance was too obvious today, who knows when you two would have realized this. You still dare to say that you are reliable and waste food every day!”
Yu Yi chuckled, “Then, do you think we should be more respectful when we meet Miss Mu in the future?”
“Just like usual. Miss Mu is still not old enough yet. Besides, things might not be as good as we thought....” Steward Qin sighed.
Yu Heng was bewildered. “Why not? No man in the world can be better than Wang Ye. I think Miss Mu has a good vision and should be able to see through the pearls.”
“Emotions are the most unpredictable. In the past few days, Wang Ye’s mood hasn’t been so good. I have to busy myself with matters related to Bu Xian Luo. I can’t come all the time, so the two of you have to take care of Wang Ye.”
“Yes, the two of us will definitely do our best.”
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Mu Yunyao packed up her things and headed to the Cao family’s residence in the morning.
When Lady Jin heard her, she quickly led her to the pavilion. “I heard that you’re sick. The weather is so cold right now. Why did you come all the way here?”
“I’ve not seen Mother for a few days, and I’ve been thinking about you. It’s just that I was very sick before, and I didn’t dare to come over because afraid that I might spread the illness. Now that I’m more than half recovered, I came over quickly to pay my respects. How has Mother been these two days?”
“Very good, I listen to you now. I will walk in my room daily, and I feel the child is gradually going down.”
“Looks like little brother dotes on his Mother and knows how to make her give birth with less suffering.” Near birth, the fetus moves downward, saving a lot of effort when it is actually born.
When Lady Jin heard this, she laughed even more happily. “I’ve prepared some gifts for your Mother. Help me bring them back later.”
“Alright.”
After talking for a while, Mu Yunyao automatically excused herself, “Mother, my cold isn’t too good, so I will not stay any longer. After I leave, please let Yin Hong boil some vinegar to smoke the room and pay attention to keeping warm these few days. Don’t go out more when the weather is chill. Walk around the room as usual.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Coming out of the Cao family’s residence, Mu Yunyao looked through the curtains at both sides of the street. During the Lantern Festival, the road was full of colorful lanterns. From a distance, it looks lively.
Jin Lan stood at the side and could not help but sigh. “Although these lanterns are not as exquisite as those in Jin Xiu Garden, many exist. It’s quite a sight to see. Does Miss want to buy one to enjoy it?”
“There’s no need. Let’s hurry back to the house so Mother won’t worry.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Su Qing couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when she saw that Mu Yunyao was in good spirits. Now that Mu Yunyao was her only relative, even the slightest movement could cause her to feel frightened. “Hurry back to your room and rest. I’ll go make you something to eat.”
“Alright. Thank you, Mother.”
Just as Mu Yunyao got up, she saw Yin Hong rushing over, “Greetings, Madam Su. Greetings, Miss.”
“Is there something wrong with Lady Jin, Yin Hong? Why did you come in such a hurry? Come in and sit down first to warm up.” Su Qing said.
Yin Hong took a deep breath. “Madam, I’ve come to invite Miss Mu to the Cao family’s residence. The Emperor has bestowed a gift and is waiting for Miss to thank him!”
Su Qing was overjoyed when she heard this, and Jin Lan and the others couldn’t help but jump in joy, too. Mu Yunyao had suffered a lot for embroidering that New Year’s gift and was rewarded by the Emperor. The previous suffering was worth it.
Mu Yunyao smiled, “I’ll go over right now. Mother, tidy up the room and inform Steward Qin. I presume many things need to be prepared up!”
“Alright, you go to the Cao family first. Mother will do it right away.” Mu Yunyao followed Yin Hong into the carriage and rushed to the Cao family’s residence. When Lady Jin saw her, she immediately pulled her over, “I just told you to stay a while longer. I thought you’d be extra careful. Look, now you have to run one more time?” While saying those words of reprimand, she got the maid to bring the stove to the front.
“If I knew Mother could predict the future, I wouldn’t have left.”
“Good! Do you dare to tease your Mother? Wait for your little brother to come out. I will definitely make him go and cause more trouble for you.”
“I’ve already prepared the fabric. After the Lantern Festival, I only needed to wait for the needle and thread I would use and then started sewing clothes for my younger brother. At that time, I will dress him like a child sitting at Guanyin’s place. I will not let the Mother take a look at him. I just hugged and didn’t let him go, and I would definitely be reluctant to let him come and make a fuss.”
Lady Jin couldn’t help but smile. Every time Mu Yunyao came, she would be so happy.
As she spoke, the front courtyard had already been prepared. Mu Yunyao supported Lady Jin as they went to the front yard.
“Emperor’s edict says that Mu Yunyao in Jingling City has a pure heart, intelligence, and wisdom. She has performed meritorious deeds in embroidering New Year’s rites. She has specially bestowed with a hundred gold taels, ten brocades, and one gold needle.... A pair of jade ruyi....”
After finished reciting the rewards, Mu Yunyao’s knees felt cold to the point of numbness. “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. May my Emperor live a thousand years, ten thousand years, and ten thousand years.”
Lord Cao and Lady Jin each had their own rewards, the only one for the officials from the fourth rank. At this moment, they were overjoyed and quickly invited the servant who passed the decree to the parlor to drink tea. “Eunuch Li, please come in.”
The one who had come to pass the decree was a young attendant with the surname Li, but his attitude towards Mu Yunyao was very gentle.
“Miss Mu. Our head of internal servant pays his respects to Young Lady.”
Mu Yunyao was slightly puzzled. “My Lord, I’ve never seen the head of internal servants’ face, but I wonder where he comes from?”
“Of course, Young Lady has seen him. The last time he came to pass the imperial edict to you, you even sent the head of internal servants’ tea leaves!”
Mu Yunyao’s face filled with surprise, “The head of internal servants, could it be Eunuch Xu?”
“Yes. A few days ago, Eunuch Xu was promoted to the head of internal servants. He also wanted me to ask Young Lady for more tea leaves.”
“I had prepared some tea beforehand, hoping to send it to Eunuch Xu during the New Year celebration. However, since he lives in the palace, I had no chance to deliver it, so I kept it. I didn’t expect that the opportunity would come today. I also specially prepared several other teas, which I happened to ask Eunuch Xu to taste them.”
“Of course, it’s good. My Master is talking about the tea that Young Lady makes daily.”
Thanks for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't MY worry that she's creating too big of a wave?
Stay safe!