~ When You Ask for Help, You Must Have the Right Attitude ~
Mu Yunyao had only just returned to Yuhua Palace when Poisonous Lady came rushing over right behind her.
“Yunyao, there’s news from Jin Wang’s side. His eyes can already see a little, faintly. I’m planning to cure his eyes first. As for his legs, there’s no rush. If I heal him too quickly, wouldn’t that be letting him off too easily? I also gave special instructions. When treating him, make him suffer more. The deeper the pain, the deeper the hatred. That way it’ll ferment properly.”
Mu Yunyao pressed her lips together, barely holding back a laugh, and nodded. “Mm.”
With his eyes restored, Jin Wang would definitely be unable to sit still. He would stir the muddy waters of the Crown Prince selection sooner or later.
Poisonous Lady finished speaking, then suddenly stood up and leaned close. She reached out and kneaded Mu Yunyao’s cheek, narrowing her eyes like an interrogator.
“Weren’t you at Ni Yun Fang today embroidering your wedding dress?”
“Yes. What about it?”
“Then why do you have a dent on the side of your cheek?” Poisonous Lady’s tone turned sharper. “That’s the kind of mark you get from sleeping too deeply. And Yue Wang went out with you, too. Tell me clearly. What exactly happened?”
The chill in her voice was unmistakable. Even if it were Yue Wang, if he had bullied Mu Yunyao, Poisonous Lady would make him pay.
Mu Yunyao understood what she was implying and instantly flushed. She hurriedly pressed Poisonous Lady back into her seat.
“What are you thinking? Am I the kind of person with no sense of propriety?”
“How would I know?” Poisonous Lady snorted. “Plenty of women look clever as can be, but the moment love is involved, they turn into fools. Like me back then. I was so smart, and in the end, I still went blind and fell for that Han-surnamed bastard.”
Her disgust was so intense that it sounded like she wanted to go back in time and slap her past self awake.
Mu Yunyao explained helplessly. “These past few days have been exhausting. I fell asleep on the way back. The dent was probably left by accident.”
“Oh. Good.” Poisonous Lady nodded. She also felt Mu Yunyao wouldn’t let herself be taken advantage of.
Just then, Jin Lan hurried in. “Miss, Imperial Consort Li has come to request an audience.”
“Imperial Consort Li?” Mu Yunyao’s brows flickered. “Wasn’t she confined to quarters?”
“Yes, but after you left the palace, Imperial Consort Li went straight to plead before His Majesty. Her facial condition is too severe. The imperial physicians are already at a loss, and they still haven’t found the cause. So she wants to ask you for help.”
“When she went, many court officials were present. Ling Wang and Chancellor Li both pleaded for her. His Majesty had no choice. He didn’t issue an order forcing you to treat her, but he also didn’t continue her confinement.”
Mu Yunyao hadn’t even responded when Poisonous Lady let out a cold laugh.
“Hah. At the banquet, Imperial Consort Li accused you of harboring ill intent. Now she has the nerve to come begging you to cure her face. That thickness of skin is beyond saving. Yunyao, don’t bother with her. People like that will bite back after you help them.”
Mu Yunyao smiled lightly, gesturing for Poisonous Lady to calm down. “Don’t worry. I won’t agree easily. But she’s an imperial consort, and she came all the way to Yuhua Palace. Since I’m in the palace, I have to go take a look.”
“Don’t say anything reckless, in case there are ears in the walls. I might need you to help later.”
Poisonous Lady blinked, startled. “Help? Don’t tell me you’re really going to repay hatred with kindness and treat Imperial Consort Li’s rash?”
Mu Yunyao rolled her eyes. “Did you forget what I asked you to investigate? This is a chance to take Imperial Consort Li’s pulse personally. Don’t you want to see for yourself why she’s the only one among Li Qingzhou’s offspring who can bear children?”
Poisonous Lady’s eyes lit up in realization. She nodded quickly. “Then call me over later so I can take her pulse too. Worst case, I treat her the way I treated Jin Wang. First, cure her, then ruin her. I’m experienced.”
Mu Yunyao nodded. “Good.”
In Yuhua Palace’s main hall, Imperial Consort Li was kneeling on the ground. A thick veil covered her face. She kept her head lowered, crying without pause.
“Your Royal Highness, please, you must help me.”
Eldest Princess Yide sat above, holding a finely polished hand warmer. Her expression was flat, without the slightest ripple.
“Imperial Consort Li, begging me is useless. I don’t know medicine.”
Imperial Consort Li lifted her head, looking timidly toward Eldest Princess Yide. “Your Royal Highness, this consort wishes to ask Wen Xian Commandery Princess for help, so…”
“You want Yunyao’s help, then go beg Yunyao.” Eldest Princess Yide’s voice turned even colder. “I’m her grandmother, but I can’t decide for her.”
Imperial Consort Li’s heart burned with fury, but she forced herself into a pitiful expression. “Your Royal Highness…”
Mama Qu stepped in quickly. “Your Royal Highness, the Commandery Princess has returned. She’s at the door, asking to pay her respects.”
Eldest Princess Yide’s expression softened at once. “Bring Yunyao in.”
The words Imperial Consort Li hadn’t managed to say jammed in her throat. She ground her teeth quietly, forcing herself to endure.
Mu Yunyao entered and greeted properly. “Yunyao pays respects to Grandmother. Imperial Consort Li is also here, so I offer my greetings as well.”
Mu Yunyao performed a half-curtsy while Imperial Consort Li was still kneeling on the floor. The contrast made Imperial Consort Li feel humiliated to the bone. She even suspected Mu Yunyao had come on purpose just to watch her suffer.
But she needed help, so she could only force a smile. “Yunyao needn’t be so formal.”
Eldest Princess Yide pulled Mu Yunyao to her side and asked with a smile, “Didn’t you go to Ni Yun Fang today? Why are you back so early?”
Mu Yunyao hugged Eldest Princess Yide’s arm and spoke in a soft, coaxing tone.
“These past few days, I’ve left the palace again and again and couldn’t properly keep you company. Today, when I saw the heavy snow outside, I suddenly remembered that you once said you liked rose tea brewed with snow water. So I came back early to have people sweep up plum-heart snow so that I can brew tea for you.”
Eldest Princess Yide’s smile deepened. She’d said that months ago, yet Yunyao still remembered it. Warmth flooded her heart.
“You’ve always been the most filial and the most thoughtful. Later, go to my storeroom and pick some beautiful jewelry. In a few days, your mourning period will be over. You can’t keep dressing so plainly. I have plenty of treasures tucked away. It depends on whether your eyes are sharp enough to pick them out.”
“Then Yunyao won’t be polite.” Mu Yunyao’s eyes curved. “I’ll open them wide and pick carefully.”
The two chatted happily, leaving Imperial Consort Li stranded to the side like a piece of dead air.
Imperial Consort Li bit down hard, watching them talk as if she didn’t exist. Finally, she seized an opening and forced her way in.
“Wen Xian Commandery Princess, I came today to ask a favor. I hope the Commandery Princess will help me no matter what.”
Mu Yunyao turned to look at her. The warmth in her smile faded into cool distance.
“Yunyao is dull. I wonder what matter I could help Your Ladyship with?”
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