Chapter 170: The Emperor Bestows Rewards Once More
Yu Yi and Yu Heng quietly followed him out. Once outside the door, they hurried forward, one on each side, and carried Steward Qin off toward a side courtyard.
Steward Qin flew into a rage and struck each of them sharply. “Have you gone mad? Do you not know that old bones cannot withstand fright?”
Yu Yi grinned and quickly apologized. “Master Qin, tell this little one the truth. Has Master taken a fancy to the one next door…” As he spoke, he pointed toward the Su R.
Yu Heng watched Steward Qin nervously from the side. Seeing him give the slightest nod, his mouth fell open. “I nearly believed His Highness’s words just now. I never thought His Highness was also someone whose mouth and heart do not match!”
Steward Qin struck the two of them again. “At present, no one knows how this matter will turn out. The two of you are not allowed to go around shouting about it!”
“Master Qin, rest assured. We brothers are the most reliable men there are.” Yu Heng hurriedly patted his chest in guarantee.
Steward Qin could not help rolling his eyes. “If His Highness had not made it so obvious today, who knows when the two of you would have noticed? And you still dare call yourselves reliable. Every day, you do nothing but waste grain!”
Yu Yi chuckled. “Then, when we see Miss Mu in the future, should we be especially respectful?”
“Act as you usually do. Miss Mu has not yet reached marriageable age, and besides, the matter is still uncertain…” Steward Qin sighed.
Yu Heng did not understand. “Why is it uncertain? In this world, one could not find a better man than His Highness. I think Miss Mu has good judgment. She ought to be able to recognize a pearl with discerning eyes.”
“Matters of the heart are the hardest to predict. His Highness has not been in the best mood these past few days. I must be busy with Buxian Tower and cannot come over at all times. The two of you must serve him attentively.”
“Yes. The two of us will certainly devote ourselves fully.”
On the day of the Lantern Festival, Mu Yunyao rose early, dressed, and went to the Cao Residence.
When Madam Jin heard that she had arrived, she quickly had her brought into the warm chamber. “I heard you were ill. The weather is so cold now—why did you come all this way?”
“It has been several days since I saw Godmother, and I missed you. Only, I was quite ill before and did not dare come, lest I pass on the sickness. Now that I am mostly recovered, I hurried over to pay my respects. Has Godmother been well these past few days?”
“Very well. I have been listening to you and walking about the room every day. Sure enough, I can feel the child gradually moving downward.”
“It seems little brother cherishes his mother and knows how to spare Godmother some hardship when the time comes to give birth.” As childbirth drew near, the fetus’s descent would make labor far easier.
Hearing this, Madam Jin smiled even more happily. “I prepared some gifts for your mother. Later, help me bring them back.”
“Very well.”
After they spoke for a while, Mu Yunyao took the initiative to excuse herself. “Godmother, my wind-cold has not fully cleared. I should not stay too long. After I leave, have Yin Hong boil some vinegar and fumigate the room. These next few days, you must be careful to keep warm. If the weather is cold, do not go out too often. Walking about the room is the same.”
“Good. I will listen to you.”
After leaving the Cao Residence, Mu Yunyao lifted the carriage curtain and looked along both sides of the street. It was the Lantern Festival; the streets were lively, and lanterns of every color competed in beauty. From a distance, the whole scene shimmered in brilliant colors.
Jin Lan sat beside her and could not help sighing. “Although these lanterns are not as exquisite as the ones in Jinxiu Garden, there are so many of them. At first glance, they make quite a magnificent sight. Would Miss like to buy one to enjoy?”
“No need. Let us return home quickly, lest Mother worry.”
“Yes, Miss.”
When they returned home, Su Qing saw that Mu Yunyao was in good spirits and finally let out a breath. Mu Yunyao was now her only family; even the slightest disturbance was enough to make her heart leap in fear. “Hurry back to your room and rest. I will go make something for you to eat.”
“Very well. Thank you, Mother.”
Mu Yunyao had just risen when she saw Yin Hong hurrying after them. “Greetings, Madam Su. Greetings, Miss.”
“Miss Yin Hong, has something happened? Why have you come in such haste? Come in and warm yourself first before speaking.” Su Qing spoke at once.
Yin Hong caught her breath. “Madam, I have come to invite Miss to the Cao Residence. His Majesty has bestowed rewards, and they are waiting for Miss to go receive the decree and give thanks!”
At these words, Su Qing was overjoyed. Jin Lan and the others at the side could not help showing their delight as well. To embroider that New Year tribute, Mu Yunyao had endured no small hardship. If she could receive the Emperor’s reward, then all that suffering had been worthwhile.
Mu Yunyao smiled. “I will go at once. Mother, please tidy the room and also notify Steward Qin. I imagine many of the things will need to be enshrined properly!”
“Good. You go to the Cao Residence first. Mother will see to it now.”
Mu Yunyao boarded the carriage with Yin Hong. They rushed all the way to the Cao Residence. When Madam Jin saw her, she quickly pulled her close. “I told you to stay a little longer earlier, but you insisted on being so careful. See? Now you have had to make another trip.” Though her words sounded reproachful, she had already ordered a maid to bring a hand warmer over.
“If I had known Godmother could foresee the future, I certainly would not have left.”
“Goodness, you even dare tease your Godmother now. When your little brother is born, I will certainly have him go trouble you often.”
“I have already prepared the fabric. Once the Lantern Festival passes and needlework may be taken up again, I will begin sewing clothes for little brother. I will dress him up like a child attendant beneath Guanyin’s seat. I guarantee Godmother will hold him at one glance and refuse to let go. You certainly will not bear to send him to trouble me then.”
Madam Jin could not help laughing. Every time Mu Yunyao came, her mood brightened especially.
As they spoke, the front courtyard had already been prepared. Mu Yunyao supported Madam Jin and went with her to the front courtyard.
“The Emperor decrees: Mu Yunyao of Jingling City is pure in disposition, graceful, clever, dignified, and wise. For her meritorious work in embroidering the New Year tribute, she is specially rewarded with one hundred taels of gold, ten bolts of brocade, one set of golden needles… a pair of jade ruyi sceptres…”
By the time the long list of rewards was finished, Mu Yunyao’s knees were numb from the cold. “This subject girl thanks His Majesty for his sacred grace. May our Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years.”
Cao Yunnian and Madam Jin also each received rewards. For an official of the lower fourth rank, such favor was unique. They could hardly contain their joy and quickly invited the eunuch who had delivered the decree to drink tea in the Flower Hall. “Eunuch Li, please come this way.”
The eunuch who had come to deliver the decree was not old. His surname was Li, and his attitude toward Mu Yunyao was especially warm.
“Miss Mu, this one has come under the Chief Eunuch’s instruction to convey his greetings to you.”
Mu Yunyao looked somewhat puzzled. “Eunuch Li, I have never had the honor of seeing the Chief Eunuch’s face. How could such greetings come about?”
“Miss has naturally seen him. Last time, when he came to convey His Majesty’s verbal decree, you even gifted the Chief Eunuch tea leaves.”
Surprise and delight appeared on Mu Yunyao’s face. “The Chief Eunuch—could it be Eunuch Xu?”
“Yes. A few days ago, Eunuch Xu was promoted to Chief Eunuch. He also told me to ask Miss for some more tea leaves.”
“I had prepared some tea leaves earlier, intending to send them to Eunuch Xu during the New Year. But since he resides deep within the palace, I had no way to deliver them, so they have remained here all this time. I did not expect the opportunity to come today. I also specially prepared several other kinds of tea. They can all be brought back for Eunuch Xu to taste.”
“That would naturally be excellent. My master now speaks every day of the tea leaves Miss roasted.”
Thanks for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't MY worry that she's creating too big of a wave?
Stay safe!