~ WINTER IS HERE. TIME TO START LOOKING FOR A WIFE ~
Yue Wang watched from the side, his eyes shining brightly. “Yao’er, did you always put this much effort into embroidery?” He had never realized that a single small eye could demand so much time.
Mu Yunyao lifted her eyes at his words and smiled softly. “The phoenix pattern on the wedding dress isn’t particularly special, so it doesn’t require much effort. The embroidered screen with the magnificent landscape pattern that I sent to the Palace through the Su family was the real dedication. To finish it in time, my wrists and neck ached so badly I dared not move a muscle. The fingers holding the needle swelled beyond recognition, and it took ages for them to recover.”
Yue Wang couldn’t help but recall those events, feeling that he and Yunyao were truly destined for each other: “When the Su family angered His Majesty over that screen, I had its origins investigated. The trail led straight to Xiayan Village, and the first person that came to mind was you. Little did I know I’d guessed correctly. Later, I even had people conceal the truth, deliberately misleading the Su family so they wouldn’t trace it back to you. My Yao’er is so clever—she gradually exposed the Su family’s true colors step by step.”
Mu Yunyao finished the last stitch, carefully tucking the thread end beneath the embroidery floss. After checking for any flaws, she set down the embroidery frame and sat beside Yue Wang.
Yue Wang slid a teacup toward her. “Rest a while. There’s no rush with this wedding dress.”
Mu Yunyao sipped her tea. Hearing children playing in the snow below, she pushed open the window to gaze at the hazy white outside. “Who would’ve thought the first snowfall of the year would come so early?”
“Indeed. Autumn was rather dry, though fortunately, summer brought ample rain, sparing the harvest. Still, with winter’s chill arriving so early, it promises to be harsh.” Areas with good harvests might fare well, but those with poor yields would likely see many freeze or starve to death.
“Fourth Master, any news from Heilongjiang City?”
“With snow already falling in the capital, Heilongjiang City must be completely cut off by heavy snow. Communication is difficult, so we can only wait patiently. As for Tianshui City, I sent men to investigate and discovered that the Li family is secretly consolidating power. Their crackdown on merchant caravans likely alerted them. I had several merchants who transported iron for the Lis interrogated in secret, but most were paid to do their jobs and knew little. Now, all eyes are on Jin Wang.”
“Regarding Jin Wang, my men have already been privately admitted into his residence. The Emperor, mindful of their father-son bond, has issued an edict forbidding Jin Wang from leaving his residence or receiving visitors. Yet, he remains vigilant, ensuring Jin Wang is not mistreated. Servants come and go with remarkable ease, which has allowed our agents to infiltrate with surprising smoothness.”
Yue Wang nodded. “Will Jin Wang suspect anything?”
“His recent ordeal has nearly driven him mad. Now, even the slightest glimmer of hope would be clutched like a lifeline. Besides, I arranged everything with extreme caution, ensuring he remains completely unaware.”
“That’s good. The Second Imperial Brother has already coordinated with the Marquis Wei. Though the Marquis Wei has always been fair and impartial, Second Imperial Brother is his grandson, and he adores his daughter, Imperial Concubine Qi. He has agreed to help Second Imperial Brother reach out to the neutral ministers in court, striving to secure the Crown Prince’s position before the year’s end.”
“The Marquis Wei’s character and conduct have always commanded respect, especially among upright ministers who hold him in high esteem. Coupled with this marriage alliance to the Min family, the influence of Grand Secretary Min will also lean toward him. He should not lose to Ling Wang.”
“Mhm.”
Mu Yunyao gazed at the snowy scene for a long while before suddenly lifting her head and rubbing her temples.
Prince Yue took her fingers in his, concern in his eyes. “Yao’er, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just that with all the turmoil and constant issues lately, I feel a bit weary.”
Yue Wang drew her close, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. “Rest a while. I’ll be with you.”
Mu Yunyao relaxed into Yue Wang’s embrace and soon drifted into a drowsy haze. Yet her mind lingered on the embroidery of her wedding dress, prompting her to murmur, “I’ll just close my eyes for a moment. Don’t forget to wake me later, Fourth Master.”
“Alright.” Yue Wang murmured, turning to look at Mu Yunyao. He saw her long lashes had already closed, and she was fast asleep, looking sweet. Seeing her like this, Yue Wang felt a pang of pain in his heart. Because of his affairs, she had truly worried herself to pieces these past days.
When Mu Yunyao awoke again, the sound of wheels rolling over stone pavements reached her ears. Opening her eyes and focusing, she realized she was inside a moving carriage. Yue Wang held her in his arms, his movements exceptionally gentle, as if he feared disturbing her. “Your Royal Highness, what time is it now? Are we preparing to return to the Palace?”
Yue Wang gently helped her sit upright, carefully tucking a blanket around her legs. “The weather has turned cold. Those who’ve just awakened are most susceptible to catching a chill. You must take extra care in the future. You’ve slept for nearly an hour and a half. It’s already late, and we should be approaching the Palace gates shortly.”
Mu Yunyao felt a touch of embarrassment. “I didn’t realize I’d slept so long. When we boarded the carriage, did Your Royal Highness carry me up?”
Yue Wang looked at her with a hint of amusement, feigning puzzlement. “Indeed, I carried you into the carriage. Yao’er, does that make you happy... or unhappy?”
Mu Yunyao opened her mouth, about to answer, then abruptly stopped herself. If she said she was unhappy, it would mean she didn’t want more contact with Yue Wang. Once spoken, he would surely be heartbroken and cling to her, demanding compensation. If she said she was happy, it would mean she welcomed such intimate contact, and Yue Wang would undoubtedly become overconfident, pushing his boundaries even further.
In the past few days, Yue Wang had become a different person, constantly clinging to her. He showed no restraint, even in front of her maternal grandmother, which led her grandmother to tease her several times.
Thinking this, Mu Yunyao snorted inwardly and tossed the question back lightly: “Does Your Royal Highness prefer me to say I was happy, or unhappy?”
Yue wang pulled her into his embrace along with the blanket, gently nuzzling her cheek with his chin. “I want Yao’er to say she’s happy, and I want you to be truly happy. Because if you’re unhappy, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but curve her lips. His nuzzling tickled her, and she quickly dodged with a laugh. For a moment, the two of them were tangled in playful bickering.
Outside, Yu Heng instinctively slowed the carriage’s pace. He lifted his head to gaze at the vast expanse of white snow blanketing the landscape, exhaling a faint puff of breath.
Having spent so long by his Master’s side, he couldn’t help but feel life was as lonely as the snow. Perhaps it was time to start looking for a wife. With Master in such a good mood lately, he might even manage to secure a larger reward.
Speaking of which, Miss Ji Lan would be perfect. Gentle and virtuous, beautiful with a lovely figure, her voice soft and sweet. The only question was whether she’d ever notice a rough fellow like him. Perhaps he should learn from the Master’s ways and pursue her. Recalling how Master had won Miss Mu’s favor with flowers and ice lanterns, he glanced at the snow swirling outside. Hmm... Winter had arrived, and the season for gifting ice lanterns had come again.
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