Chapter 171: Slowly and Carefully
Hearing Eunuch Li refer to Xu Li as his master, Mu Yunyao’s eyes stirred faintly, and the smile on her face grew even brighter.
Cao Yunnian spoke. “I have already ordered wine and dishes to be prepared. Eunuch Li, please take a seat.”
“My lord is far too courteous. In a little while, I imagine I will be seeing you often.” Since Cao Yunnian was being courteous, Eunuch Li also offered a timely favor, revealing a little information.
Cao Yunnian froze for a moment. Then delight flared in his eyes. From Eunuch Li’s words, it seemed that before long, he would be promoted and transferred to the capital. Only then would he often encounter palace eunuchs. “Many thanks, Eunuch Li. Please, please come this way!”
Cao Yunnian went to the main hall to host Eunuch Li, while Mu Yunyao supported Madam Jin back to the rear courtyard.
“Yao’er, you should hurry back and make preparations as well. I imagine that by evening, Eunuch Li may go to Buxian Tower.”
Thinking of Yue Wang, Steward Qin, and the others in Jinxiu Garden, Mu Yunyao quickly nodded. “Very well. Then I will come another day to keep Godmother company.”
After leaving the Cao Residence, Mu Yunyao went directly to Jinxiu Garden. Steward Qin came out to receive her. “Miss, I just heard from Madam that His Majesty has bestowed rewards upon you again. Allow me to offer my congratulations first.”
“Many thanks, Steward Qin. I would like to pay a visit to Fourth Master. I wonder if it is convenient?”
“Fourth Master is in the study. Miss, please enter.”
As soon as Mu Yunyao entered the study, she caught a faint scent of blood and could not help furrowing her brows slightly. “Greetings, Fourth Master.”
Yue Wang looked her over. Seeing that her complexion had basically returned to normal, his expression eased slightly. “Has your wind-cold recovered?”
“Replying to Fourth Master, it has mostly recovered. Today, thanks to His Majesty’s favor, quite a few rewards were bestowed. Eunuch Li, who came to deliver the decree, may visit Buxian Tower for tea this evening. Does Fourth Master need to avoid him?”
“I am unfamiliar with this place and have nowhere else to go. Moreover, Jiangnan is crowded and full of watchful eyes. I am somewhat worried my whereabouts might be exposed.” Yue Wang’s expression was rather grave.
Mu Yunyao thought it over. No matter what thoughts Yue Wang had held toward her before, judging from the present, those feelings seemed already set aside. Their cooperation would inevitably have to continue. Since that was so, she could not allow their relationship to grow too rigid. “If Fourth Master does not mind, you may first take shelter at my home.”
“Will Madam Jin go to your home?”
Mu Yunyao paused. If Eunuch Li was coming, Cao Yunnian would certainly accompany him. Madam Jin might also be in the mood to come admire the scenery. In that case, she would inevitably go speak with Su Qing. If they accidentally ran into one another, matters would become troublesome.
Yue Wang raised his eyes. His gaze fell lightly upon her, quietly waiting for her answer.
Mu Yunyao thought for a moment and could not help pressing her lips together faintly. “If Fourth Master does not mind, then hide in my room. Even if Godmother comes, she will not enter my boudoir. Comparatively speaking, that is the safest place. I will instruct Jin Lan and the others not to go in.”
Yue Wang nodded calmly. “Since that is the case, I shall trouble Miss.”
Steward Qin came in with tea and smiled. “Miss was ill some days ago, and I had no chance to visit. Seeing your complexion much improved today, I imagine you have recovered.”
“Many thanks for Steward Qin’s concern. I am already fine.”
“That is good. In the future, Miss must take greater care. Once a person falls ill or suffers an injury, nothing is more uncomfortable.”
Mu Yunyao blinked faintly. She sensed there was something hidden in Steward Qin’s words. Falling ill naturally referred to her. But what about the words “suffers an injury”? Thinking of the smell of blood she had detected when entering the study, she could not help looking toward Yue Wang.
Steward Qin smiled faintly. After setting down the tea, he withdrew.
After hesitating for a moment, Mu Yunyao asked, “Is Fourth Master injured?”
“I accidentally hurt my hand. It is nothing serious.”
“No wonder I smelled blood when I came into the study. But why did I not smell any medicine?”
Yue Wang placed his left hand on the table. The white gauze wrapped around it was stained with threads of blood. “Yu Heng has gone to invite Doctor Zhang. He has not arrived yet.” A bitter-flesh stratagem naturally had to involve some genuine suffering if it were to convince another.
Mu Yunyao’s gaze trembled. “I understand a little medicine as well. If Fourth Master does not mind, allow me to bandage it for you.”
Yue Wang nodded slightly and gave a soft, “Mm.”
After instructing Jin Lan to fetch the medicine chest from her room, Mu Yunyao unwrapped the gauze from Yue Wang’s hand. The moment she saw the wound, her brows drew together sharply. The injury lay at the base of his left thumb, slanting downward across the pad of the joint. It was extremely deep. As soon as the gauze was removed, blood began to flow, and the wound looked alarmingly severe.
Mu Yunyao lifted her head to look at Yue Wang and met his ever-clear eyes. They were deep beyond sight, yet bright and unstained, reflecting her image with perfect clarity. Her breath caught.
The wound on his hand should have been left by a carving knife. No wonder he had not brought an ice lantern that night. It was not that he had given up. He had injured his hand and could no longer carve.
As this conclusion rose in her mind, Mu Yunyao’s heart trembled. The lake of her heart, which had always been calm, once again stirred with faint ripples.
Yue Wang lowered his eyes to look at her. Seeing her lashes tremble slightly, carrying a trace of fragile unease, made one’s heart ache for no reason. He could not help speaking. “Were you not going to bandage my wound?”
“The wound is very deep and needs careful treatment. It may hurt somewhat. I ask Fourth Master to endure it.”
Jin Lan brought the medicine chest over. Mu Yunyao cleaned Yue Wang’s wound, her movements swift yet gentle, causing him little pain. Then she applied medicine and carefully wrapped the injury. “Fourth Master, because the wound is at the base joint of the thumb, to prevent you from accidentally pulling it open, I will fix your thumb and arm in place. It may be inconvenient for movement, but it will allow the wound to heal as quickly as possible.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
After treating the wound, Mu Yunyao tidied the medicine chest. With her eyes lowered, she avoided looking at Yue Wang’s expression. “I will go back first to make preparations. In a quarter of an hour, His Highness may come over to my side.”
“Mm.”
After Mu Yunyao left with her people, Steward Qin came in carrying food. “His Highness, why did Miss Mu leave? Did His Highness not ask her to stay and dine together?”
Yue Wang shook his head faintly, then said, “Uncle Qin, pack up the things I use. Send them to the Su Residence shortly. People from the palace may come this evening. I will avoid them by staying at Mu Yunyao’s place.”
“Very well. This old servant will go make preparations at once. Does His Highness wish to change clothes?”
“No need.” Yue Wang lowered his eyes, light flowing slowly within them. He had led troops at the border for many years; what he lacked least was patience. Many things could not be rushed. It was better to calm the heart and plan slowly—especially when dealing with a woman who looked as delicate as a cat, yet whose inner nature was as nimble as a fox. The more impatient one became, the more her guard would deepen.
That evening, just as expected, Cao Yunnian accompanied Eunuch Li to Buxian Tower.
At this moment, within Buxian Tower, a thousand lights shone from lantern trees, and flower flames bloomed from seven-branched lamps. Rich colors stretched across the earth, and countless lights embroidered the distant sky. The moment one entered the garden, it was as though one had stepped into an immortal realm on earth, seizing tightly the hearts and spirits of all who came inside.
The more impatient he was, the more it would cause his opponent’s defenses to deepen.
ReplyDelete^^^ Does this mean that he's worked out she's not that into him? He believed Steward Qin's letter she is "deeply in love with him", but now he's wary?
Anyway, thanks for the chapter and stay safe!
I think she is super wary of everyone based on her past life. But she probably has some affection for him and she is both too defensive and protective of her mother to consider any man.
ReplyDelete