~ FIRST MEETING WITH LI MUNIAN ~
Mu Yunyao hurriedly nodded. “Mother, please be at ease. I’m only live my life honestly. How would I have any relationship with this Lord Li?”
Lady Jin sighed. “If it weren’t for Bu Xian Luo and Ni Yun Fang, I really would have brought you and Sister Su into the Capital.”
“Mother, there’s no need to worry. After a while, I might even open Bu Xian Luo and Ni Yun Fang in the Capital. At that time, I’ll come to you.”
“That’s great. After I arrived in the Capital, all I hoped for was for this day to come.” Lady Jin really couldn’t bear to part with Mu Yunyao. Although they hadn’t spent much time together in the past half-year, it made her feel incomparably fresh and comfortable. She could even gradually put aside all of the sufferings.
“Mother, there’s no need to be sad. Once you and Father have settled down, I can also bring my mother to the Capital to see you, merely to see the prosperity there.”
“Well, I’ll write to you when I had settled down. When you have time, you must come to the Capital.”
Mu Yunyao didn’t know what to say, but after dispelling the sadness in Lady Jin’s heart, she got up and said goodbye.
A few days passed unknowingly, and it was finally the Full Moon Baquet of Lady Jin’s child. During the confinement period, Mu Yunyao came frequently and took care of Lady Jin very meticulously. On the day before the Full Moon Baquet, she specifically came in the evening to help Lady Jin perspire. So when Lady Jin finished bathing early in the morning, she felt relaxed all over. It was as if the delivery had not happened to her at all and no trace on her. Mu Yunyao accompanied Su Qing to the Cao family’s residence. Yin Hong was already waiting at the entrance and greeted them at the door. When she saw them, she hurriedly led them to the backyard with enthusiasm.
Soon, the guests gathered, and Mu Yunyao followed them to the front courtyard.
As soon as she walked in, she saw the man standing next to Cao Yunnian. He looked very young, about 25 or 26 years old, but his whole body was extraordinary. He had a warm smile, and his face was gentle, making people feel close to him.
However, Mu Yunyao discovered that his smile was floating on the surface, and it didn’t reach his eyes in the slightest. It was as if his smile had already become a mask that completely covered up his real emotions, making it impossible for others to notice. Mu Yunyao narrowed her eyes slightly, and a faint smile flashed through her eyes. This Li Munian was the youngest son of Prime Minister Li Yuanzhou, and he was very favored since he was young. Many people say that he was forced by Prime Minister Li to take an exam to gain fame. But people would have no thought that the most important thing for the Li family is not Li Muqiong, who is now a second-rank official and has a lousy literary skill. Or Li Mubai, who is brave and well-known good at fighting and has repeatedly made military merits. Instead, rather the inconspicuous Li Munian.
With the sound of the salute, Mu Yunyao stood beside Lady Jin with her eyes slightly lowered, her appearance respectful and quiet to the extreme. With a smile in Li Munian’s eyes, he glanced around. His gaze finally stopped on Mu Yunyao’s body. He was a little surprised in his heart. Mu Yunyao, at such a young age, had already received two rewards from the Emperor. Besides, as a commoner, she was adopted as an adoptive daughter by Cao yunnian and Lady Jin. No matter how indifferent her mind is, she should be a bit boastful at this time. However, he did not expect that she dressed elegantly, and her expression was tranquil. If it weren’t for the fact that her beauty was hard to conceal, it would have been easy for people to ignore her.
“You must be Miss Mu. I’ve heard of Miss Mu’s kindness in the Capital. She has exceptional craftsmanship and does not hide her skills, which is worthy of respect.”
LadyJin did not expect that the first person Li Munian asked was actually Mu Yunyao. She subconsciously took half a step to the side to replace Mu Yunyao as she replied, “Yao’er is still young and has yet to learn many of the rules. Lord Li praised her wrongly. Yao’er, why don’t you come forward and salute us quickly.”
Mu Yunyao didn’t raise her head. She followed Lady Jin’s words and went forward to pay her respects before returning to Lady Jin’s side.
Li Munian’s eyes moved, but the smile on his face didn’t change. He nodded and looked away, chatting gently with Cao Yunnian.
Although the arrival of Li Munian made the banquet a little bit different, it is still a Full Moon Banquet. Naturally, it is indispensable to carry the children out to lively and joyfully.
Cao Yunnian was about to enter the Capital, and his future prospects were limitless. Everyone had prepared a generous amount of gifts, and when they saw the beautiful boy carried out, they praised him continuously, which make Lady Jin smile.
Li Munian took off a jade pendant and placed it on a plate carried by a maid, “This jade pendant was given to me by my father when I was weak. It doesn’t mean anything valuable, but it means luck and peace. I hope Lord Cao and Lady Jin don’t dislike it.”
“How could that be? It is a gift from Prime Minister Li, and it is too precious to Lord Li. How could this child be able to bear it?”
“The child has just reached the full moon, and he already looks so exquisite and cute. When I saw him, I was also so happy. I wanted to carry him home and raise him. It can also regard as my fate and this child. I hope that this child will be lucky and safe in the future. Did the child have a name?”
Cao Yunnian nodded, “Yes. He has already taken it, and the name is Zhiwen.”
“What a good name. A gentleman wins when he’s civil, a man wins when he’s historical, and a gentleman becomes a gentleman when he’s cultured. The gentleman wears a jade. This gift of mine is really timely.” The banquet atmosphere is lively. Mu Yunxuan also gave her own present. The present she prepared had not considered being expensive. It was a pair of children’s clothes. The clothes were unmistakably small and exquisite, but the inner garments, outer garments, shoes, and hats were all complete. There were even belts and pockets. It is embroidered with a remarkably adorable pattern. Some ladies looked at it and couldn’t put it down and repeatedly praised her superb craftsmanship.
Mu Yunyao responded with a smile but didn’t say much.
“Miss doesn’t need to be so courteous. I wonder who you are …” The maid in front of her wears a lake-green dress. Her smile was sweet, and her manners were considerate. But there was a trace of imperceptible arrogance in her eyes.
“This servant is the maid by Lady Zhou’s of Salt Transportation Envoy’s wife. Madam appreciates Miss’s embroidery skills and would like to speak a few words with you.” As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently motioned to the carriage beside her.
Mu Yunyao turned her head and said to Su Qing, “Mother, you go home first. I’ll go speak with Lady Zhou and have my adoptive mother send someone to escort me home.”
Su Qing was a little worried, but she knew that it is not appropriate to say more at this time. She could only nod her head and shake Mu Yunyao’s hand firmly, “Alright.”
Mu Yunyao smiled as she nodded, then followed her with a frown as she walked towards the carriage at the side. “Mu Yunyao greets Lady Zhou.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the curtain of the carriage lifted, and a beautiful woman was smiling. She had beautiful eyebrows and a delicate face, and a tear mole under her left eye had perfectly blended in, causing her to feel a bit tender. “Miss Mu, I feel impolite, has taken the liberty to invite you over, has it delayed your return home to rest?”
“Madam is too polite. My home is also close to this place. If it earlier or later, there is no hindrance.” Mu Yunyao had a smile on her face. Her smile was specifically sweet and tranquil, and her eyes were clear without a trace of haze.
“Mother, there’s no need to worry. After a while, I might even open Bu Xian Luo and Ni Yun Fang in the Capital. At that time, I’ll come to you.”
“That’s great. After I arrived in the Capital, all I hoped for was for this day to come.” Lady Jin really couldn’t bear to part with Mu Yunyao. Although they hadn’t spent much time together in the past half-year, it made her feel incomparably fresh and comfortable. She could even gradually put aside all of the sufferings.
“Mother, there’s no need to be sad. Once you and Father have settled down, I can also bring my mother to the Capital to see you, merely to see the prosperity there.”
“Well, I’ll write to you when I had settled down. When you have time, you must come to the Capital.”
Mu Yunyao didn’t know what to say, but after dispelling the sadness in Lady Jin’s heart, she got up and said goodbye.
A few days passed unknowingly, and it was finally the Full Moon Baquet of Lady Jin’s child. During the confinement period, Mu Yunyao came frequently and took care of Lady Jin very meticulously. On the day before the Full Moon Baquet, she specifically came in the evening to help Lady Jin perspire. So when Lady Jin finished bathing early in the morning, she felt relaxed all over. It was as if the delivery had not happened to her at all and no trace on her. Mu Yunyao accompanied Su Qing to the Cao family’s residence. Yin Hong was already waiting at the entrance and greeted them at the door. When she saw them, she hurriedly led them to the backyard with enthusiasm.
Soon, the guests gathered, and Mu Yunyao followed them to the front courtyard.
As soon as she walked in, she saw the man standing next to Cao Yunnian. He looked very young, about 25 or 26 years old, but his whole body was extraordinary. He had a warm smile, and his face was gentle, making people feel close to him.
However, Mu Yunyao discovered that his smile was floating on the surface, and it didn’t reach his eyes in the slightest. It was as if his smile had already become a mask that completely covered up his real emotions, making it impossible for others to notice. Mu Yunyao narrowed her eyes slightly, and a faint smile flashed through her eyes. This Li Munian was the youngest son of Prime Minister Li Yuanzhou, and he was very favored since he was young. Many people say that he was forced by Prime Minister Li to take an exam to gain fame. But people would have no thought that the most important thing for the Li family is not Li Muqiong, who is now a second-rank official and has a lousy literary skill. Or Li Mubai, who is brave and well-known good at fighting and has repeatedly made military merits. Instead, rather the inconspicuous Li Munian.
With the sound of the salute, Mu Yunyao stood beside Lady Jin with her eyes slightly lowered, her appearance respectful and quiet to the extreme. With a smile in Li Munian’s eyes, he glanced around. His gaze finally stopped on Mu Yunyao’s body. He was a little surprised in his heart. Mu Yunyao, at such a young age, had already received two rewards from the Emperor. Besides, as a commoner, she was adopted as an adoptive daughter by Cao yunnian and Lady Jin. No matter how indifferent her mind is, she should be a bit boastful at this time. However, he did not expect that she dressed elegantly, and her expression was tranquil. If it weren’t for the fact that her beauty was hard to conceal, it would have been easy for people to ignore her.
“You must be Miss Mu. I’ve heard of Miss Mu’s kindness in the Capital. She has exceptional craftsmanship and does not hide her skills, which is worthy of respect.”
LadyJin did not expect that the first person Li Munian asked was actually Mu Yunyao. She subconsciously took half a step to the side to replace Mu Yunyao as she replied, “Yao’er is still young and has yet to learn many of the rules. Lord Li praised her wrongly. Yao’er, why don’t you come forward and salute us quickly.”
Mu Yunyao didn’t raise her head. She followed Lady Jin’s words and went forward to pay her respects before returning to Lady Jin’s side.
Li Munian’s eyes moved, but the smile on his face didn’t change. He nodded and looked away, chatting gently with Cao Yunnian.
Although the arrival of Li Munian made the banquet a little bit different, it is still a Full Moon Banquet. Naturally, it is indispensable to carry the children out to lively and joyfully.
Cao Yunnian was about to enter the Capital, and his future prospects were limitless. Everyone had prepared a generous amount of gifts, and when they saw the beautiful boy carried out, they praised him continuously, which make Lady Jin smile.
Li Munian took off a jade pendant and placed it on a plate carried by a maid, “This jade pendant was given to me by my father when I was weak. It doesn’t mean anything valuable, but it means luck and peace. I hope Lord Cao and Lady Jin don’t dislike it.”
“How could that be? It is a gift from Prime Minister Li, and it is too precious to Lord Li. How could this child be able to bear it?”
“The child has just reached the full moon, and he already looks so exquisite and cute. When I saw him, I was also so happy. I wanted to carry him home and raise him. It can also regard as my fate and this child. I hope that this child will be lucky and safe in the future. Did the child have a name?”
Cao Yunnian nodded, “Yes. He has already taken it, and the name is Zhiwen.”
“What a good name. A gentleman wins when he’s civil, a man wins when he’s historical, and a gentleman becomes a gentleman when he’s cultured. The gentleman wears a jade. This gift of mine is really timely.” The banquet atmosphere is lively. Mu Yunxuan also gave her own present. The present she prepared had not considered being expensive. It was a pair of children’s clothes. The clothes were unmistakably small and exquisite, but the inner garments, outer garments, shoes, and hats were all complete. There were even belts and pockets. It is embroidered with a remarkably adorable pattern. Some ladies looked at it and couldn’t put it down and repeatedly praised her superb craftsmanship.
Mu Yunyao responded with a smile but didn’t say much.
The host and the guests enjoyed themselves, and the Full Moon Banquet was over. Just as Mu Yunyao was about to leave, she stopped by a maid. “This servant greets Miss Mu.”
“This servant is the maid by Lady Zhou’s of Salt Transportation Envoy’s wife. Madam appreciates Miss’s embroidery skills and would like to speak a few words with you.” As she spoke, she raised her hand and gently motioned to the carriage beside her.
Mu Yunyao turned her head and said to Su Qing, “Mother, you go home first. I’ll go speak with Lady Zhou and have my adoptive mother send someone to escort me home.”
Su Qing was a little worried, but she knew that it is not appropriate to say more at this time. She could only nod her head and shake Mu Yunyao’s hand firmly, “Alright.”
Mu Yunyao smiled as she nodded, then followed her with a frown as she walked towards the carriage at the side. “Mu Yunyao greets Lady Zhou.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the curtain of the carriage lifted, and a beautiful woman was smiling. She had beautiful eyebrows and a delicate face, and a tear mole under her left eye had perfectly blended in, causing her to feel a bit tender. “Miss Mu, I feel impolite, has taken the liberty to invite you over, has it delayed your return home to rest?”
“Madam is too polite. My home is also close to this place. If it earlier or later, there is no hindrance.” Mu Yunyao had a smile on her face. Her smile was specifically sweet and tranquil, and her eyes were clear without a trace of haze.
Thank you for the chapter! Hm, should I say that this is a golden opportunity - our FL didn't even have to do anything before someone involved in the salt business extended a hand!
ReplyDeleteStay safe!