Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 165

Chapter 165: A New Year Tribute That Shone Brilliantly

Only after Yue Wang accepted it did Yu Yi finally let out a heavy breath. Once he sat back down, he heard Steward Qin give a quiet, cold snort from the side. A wail rose in his heart. The red packet he had only just received would likely be confiscated by tomorrow.

Inside the Su Residence, warmth and liveliness filled every corner. In the imperial city of the capital, the palace was even more brilliantly lit.

After the Emperor had accepted the congratulations of the imperial princes, ministers, and palace consorts, his face was bright with pleasure. Reclining slightly upon the dragon throne, he swirled the wine cup in his hand while admiring the song and dance below the hall.

Seeing that the wine cup in His Majesty’s hand had emptied, Xu Li quickly stepped forward to refill it. In a soft voice, he said, “Your Majesty, this year the winds and rains have been timely, and the people are peaceful and well. This servant heard that among the New Year tributes presented by the various regions this year, several are exceptionally magnificent. We servants were fortunate enough to glimpse them once, and found ourselves unable to look away.”

“Oh?” The Emperor looked toward him. “You may be considered an old hand in the palace. What sort of treasures have you not seen? For you to praise them so, they must indeed be unusual. Since that is the case, have them brought up for Us to see.”

Joy stirred in Xu Li’s heart. He quickly withdrew and instructed the young eunuchs to present the selected New Year tributes.

“Your Majesty, please look. This is the Divine Stone of Mount Tai, presented by the Governor of Ludong. It is said to emit a glow at night, and the stone bears natural markings that form the character for longevity. It is especially wondrous.”

The Emperor glanced at it, but little interest appeared in his expression. “Some days ago, when We celebrated Our birthday, the regions below sent up no small number of strange stones and auspicious objects. Looking at them again and again holds little meaning. Are there others?”

“This servant has heard that Jingling City also presented a New Year tribute. It is said to have come from Niyun Pavilion, which Your Majesty previously rewarded, and the people of five or six cities near Jingling also took part in it.”

At the mention of Jingling City, the Emperor’s interest had just begun to stir. But when he heard that the people of five or six cities had all participated, a hint of displeasure appeared. “The most important thing in a New Year tribute is sincerity. If, for the sake of presenting a gift to Us, the common people were disturbed and made uneasy, would that not be mere pursuit of empty fame?”

Xu Li’s heart tightened. He had only just been promoted to Chief Eunuch; in the end, his understanding of the Emperor’s temperament could not yet compare to Eunuch De’s. He had only wished to secretly sell Mu Yunyao a favor, but had forgotten to carefully weigh the Emperor’s thoughts.

Yet the Emperor had already spoken. “Bring up the New Year tribute from Jingling City. We would like to see what sort of tribute required the labor of the people of five or six cities.”

Upon hearing the words “Jingling City,” the officials below gradually lowered their voices. Jingling City had been too conspicuous of late. Judging from His Majesty’s expression just now, he seemed somewhat displeased. Could it be that misfortune had finally come for them?

At this thought, many of them became alert, their gazes drifting without a trace toward the entrance of the hall. Before long, two eunuchs carried in a frame. From its shape, it appeared to be a screen, though it was covered with red cloth, making it impossible to see clearly.

Quite a few people looked toward Su Wenyuan with schadenfreude. During the Emperor’s birthday banquet, Su Wenyuan had presented a screen in hopes of claiming merit, only for the Splendid Rivers and Mountains at Sunrise screen to turn in the blink of an eye into an ominous sign of blood staining the empire.

Because of that, the Su family had suffered a period of cold treatment. For the past half year, they had been doing their utmost to perform well, all to erase the shadow left by that screen. Just when success seemed near, who would have thought Jingling City would send in another screen? Was this not stabbing the Su family straight in the heart?

Su Wenyuan remained composed, a mild smile still upon his face. Only the wine cup in his hand trembled faintly, sending a cold glint across its surface.

When the Emperor saw the frame, he clearly also remembered the screen Su Wenyuan had presented on his birthday. The displeasure in his expression deepened. “What is there to hide? Remove the red cloth.”

Seeing the Emperor’s anger, the eunuchs below shrank in fear. Their hands trembling, they hurriedly yanked the red silk down.

The great hall was filled with bright lamps. Suddenly, everyone felt a flash of brilliance before their eyes, almost dazzling enough to blind them. When they recovered and looked carefully, they could not help drawing in a sharp breath.

The object presented by Jingling City resembled a screen, yet seemed even more like a piece of embroidery mounted upon a frame. Because the eunuch’s movements had been too forceful, the embroidery still swayed faintly. Upon it, four golden characters were releasing a dazzling divine light.

Under the candlelight in the great hall, the auspicious clouds beneath the large characters seemed to flow slowly. The four golden characters looked as though they had flown down from the heavens and now stood firmly among the clouds—

Fortune. Longevity. Peace. Health.

Even the Emperor’s eyes widened slightly. His gaze fixed upon the embroidery below, and he felt a surge of vast, upright energy stir within his chest. He could not help laughing aloud. “Good!”

As he spoke, he rose and descended the steps, approaching the embroidery to admire it up close. The nearer he drew, the more miraculous it seemed. “These four large characters—Fortune, Longevity, Peace, and Health—are actually all formed from smaller characters written in different hands. There must be tens of thousands of these small characters, no?”

Seeing the Emperor’s expression turn from overcast to clear, Xu Li secretly wiped the cold sweat from his palm. He knew he had won this wager. Hearing His Majesty’s question, he quickly stepped forward to answer. “Replying to Your Majesty, Governor Zhang Boyong of Huainan submitted a greeting memorial. It records the origin of this embroidery in detail.”

“Present it. We wish to see whose hands produced such astonishing embroidery.”

Very soon, Governor Zhang’s greeting memorial was delivered. After the Emperor finished reading it, his expression grew even more pleased. “These small characters of Fortune, Longevity, Peace, and Health were actually written by fully blessed elders from the six cities of Huainan—more than sixteen thousand people in all. Truly astonishing. Zhang Boyong says the papers collected with them were also sent into the palace. Where are they now?”

Xu Li quickly replied, “This servant will have them brought at once.”

Before long, several guards carried in two large chests. Xu Li immediately ordered them opened. Inside, sheets of white paper covered with the words Fortune, Longevity, Peace, and Health were stacked neatly one upon another.

Xu Li took several sheets and presented them to the Emperor. “Your Majesty, please examine them.”

The Emperor picked up one sheet and compared it carefully against the screen. The small characters forming the four large words on the screen were varied in shape and size; for a time, it was truly difficult to find the corresponding writing.

“Beloved ministers, each of you take a few sheets and come forward to help Us look. See whether you can find the matching handwriting.”

Several senior ministers hurried forward. Taking the papers, they compared them carefully. Suddenly, one of them cried out in surprise, “I found it, Your Majesty. This minister has found it. Please look here.”

“Indeed. It corresponds exactly.”

“This minister has also found one. Your Majesty, please look.”

For a time, the entire Golden Hall became exceptionally lively. Everyone held slips of paper and searched for the corresponding handwriting on the embroidery. To their surprise, every single sheet matched. Most remarkable of all, the handwriting showed not the slightest deviation. Other than the difference in size, the stitches were exactly the same.

“The skill of the embroiderer is truly like the work of Heaven!”

“Indeed. These tens of thousands of characters are each in different handwriting, yet arranged in perfect order, making the four large characters appear dignified, solemn, and magnificent. It is truly rare.”

“As expected of Niyun Pavilion, which received His Majesty’s reward. Such craftsmanship may be called unparalleled under heaven.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 165

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 164

Chapter 164: It Looks Delicious

After all the playing and laughter, dusk gradually settled. Su Qing went to prepare the remaining items for the offering to Heaven, while Mu Yunyao sat idly by the window, looking out at the snowmen. Yue Wang, for his part, had fallen silent, his thoughts hidden behind an unreadable expression.

Outside, the sounds of firecrackers and fireworks had already begun to rise one after another. Su Qing, Steward Qin, and the others arranged the incense table, and everyone entered the courtyard to respectfully worship Heaven and pray for blessings.

Since cloaks could not be worn during the ceremony, the moment Mu Yunyao stepped out of the room, she shivered from the cold. A quiet sigh passed through her heart. It was said that going from frugality to luxury was easy, but returning from luxury to frugality was hard—the ancients had not deceived her. Thinking back to her previous life, she had once dragged her broken leg through the snow to search for firewood; otherwise, Li Shi would not give her food. Back then, even a cold, hard coarse-grain bun had seemed sweet. Now, with one gust of winter wind, the cold felt almost unbearable.

Sensing the brief shadow that crossed Mu Yunyao’s mood, Yue Wang glanced at her without a word. Then, as though by chance, he stepped to one side of her, blocking the north wind.

Mu Yunyao felt the wind against her suddenly weaken. She turned her head to glance at Yue Wang not far away, only to see him looking at the offering table, his face without the slightest expression. She paid it no further mind and stepped forward to stand behind Su Qing, following her in kowtowing and paying reverence to Heaven.

The weather was bitterly cold, yet the night sky was thick with stars. It looked vast and sharp, deep with a chill that made Mu Yunyao’s heart tremble. For some reason, she suddenly thought of Yue Wang’s eyes, and a shiver ran through her. She silently made up her mind: if she ever lacked spirit in the future, she need only think of Yue Wang, and she would be wide awake at once.

“Today we offer reverence to Heaven and pray for blessings. May the coming year bring timely wind and rain. May our family be joyful, peaceful, and healthy.”

Su Qing did not speak any ornate words of blessing, yet Mu Yunyao listened with particular solemnity. She repeated the words in her heart several times, then respectfully kowtowed to Su Qing.

Once the offering to Heaven was finished, Su Qing relaxed completely and quickly called Si Qin, Jin Lan, and the others to help bring out the dishes from the kitchen. After reverence had been offered to Heaven and blessings had been prayed for, the rest of the night belonged to human celebration.

Su Qing and Mu Yunyao did not ordinarily place too much emphasis on rigid rules, and now it was New Year’s Eve. The entire courtyard was full of lively warmth.

Su Qing once again brought out red packets, drawing a wave of cheers from Jin Lan, Si Qin, and the others.

Relying on her status, Mu Yunyao was the first to snatch the thickest one. Pride shone from the corners of her eyes to the tips of her brows.

Su Qing tapped her lightly between the brows, unable to help saying with fond helplessness, “You…”

Mu Yunyao immediately picked up the words. “I am the best. This year, fortune will flow abundantly!”

“Miss certainly does have abundant fortune. It is the New Year, and you have already won away all our money.”

From the corner of her eye, Mu Yunyao glanced at Yue Wang. “Do not speak nonsense. The true culprit who won away your money is standing right beside us!”

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao could not help sticking out their tongues. They were still shaken by Yue Wang’s gaze and did not dare step forward to joke with him.

After Su Qing distributed the red packets, she took another from her sleeve and walked over to Yue Wang, offering it to him. “Young Master Ning, since you call me an elder, then I must give you a red packet as well. May the coming year bring you abundant fortune, great luck, and great profit.”

Yue Wang’s gaze stirred abruptly. Looking at Su Qing, he seemed momentarily at a loss. Then he accepted the red packet with both hands, handling it with uncommon care. His expression softened. “Many thanks, Madam.”

At the side, Steward Qin rubbed his eyes, a sour warmth rising in his heart. In all these years, this was likely the first red packet His Highness had ever received. He only hoped that in the coming year there would be more sweetness than bitterness, more reunions than partings, and all things would go smoothly.

Yu Heng and Yu Yi were also especially pleased. They had not expected to receive red packets. They could not help sending repeated glances toward Steward Qin, hinting that since Madam Su had already handed out red packets, His Highness’s side could not be so stingy either.

Steward Qin took out the red packets he had prepared long ago and first handed one to Mu Yunyao. “Miss Mu, this is from me. Please do not disdain it.”

Mu Yunyao accepted it readily. Feeling the thickness of the packet, surprise flickered through her heart. “Thank you, Steward Qin.” The silver inside was probably several thousand taels.

Seeing her accept it, Steward Qin’s smile grew even brighter. Only then did he take out smaller red packets and distribute them to Jin Lan and the others.

Nan’er also received one. He bounced twice in place with delight, then ran outside to check whether the incense used for the offering to Heaven had burned out. Seeing that it had, he quickly called A’Mao and Li’er to bring in the dishes and qiaomo figures used for the offering.

“Madam, Miss, the banquet may begin.”

Mu Yunyao had long been thinking of the qiaomo figures outside. When she saw Nan’er carry them in, she immediately went to look for the rabbit that belonged to her zodiac year. Unexpectedly, someone was faster. Before she could step forward, that person had already pinched the zodiac rabbit into his hand.

Su Qing’s hands were skillful, and the rabbit had already been adorable before steaming. Now that it had puffed up after being steamed, it looked even fairer and plumper. When one poked it lightly with a finger, a small soft dent appeared, only to spring back again.

Mu Yunyao looked at Yue Wang’s hand and felt a chill creep up her back. It was as though she herself had become the rabbit in his palm, ready at any moment to be flattened, kneaded round, and swallowed whole.

Seeing that Yue Wang liked the qiaomo figure, Su Qing could not help recalling Steward Qin’s words that he had grown up without his mother. While gesturing for everyone to take their seats, she said to Yue Wang, “The qiaomo has cooled a little. Later, you may place it beside the small brazier and roast it. Once the outside is toasted crisp and fragrant, that is when it tastes best.”

Listening to this, Mu Yunyao felt uncomfortable all over. Crisp and fragrant? Why was Mother always siding with outsiders? “Mother, have you forgotten our family’s rules from previous years? The zodiac figure has always belonged to whoever was born under that sign.”

The moment her voice fell, Yue Wang had already bitten into the rabbit, eating half of its head in one mouthful.

Seeing Mu Yunyao staring at him, Yue Wang lifted the qiaomo in his hand and said with remarkable innocence, “My apologies. I did not know…”

“Do not listen to Yao’er’s nonsense. There is no such rule. Whoever likes whichever one may eat that one.” Su Qing quickly soothed Yue Wang, then secretly shot Mu Yunyao a glance. She casually picked up another qiaomo and placed it in her hand. “There are still so many left. Hurry and eat.”

Mu Yunyao looked down at the tiger in her hand, the character Wang carved upon its forehead. She worked hard to press down the odd feeling in her chest, then bit off one of the tiger’s ears. The fierceness of that bite startled Su Qing, who quickly poured herself a cup of warm water. “Do not rush. Who is going to snatch it from you? Truly, you little girl—one year older and still so childish.”

Mu Yunyao looked at the tiger in her hand, now missing an ear. Its round body was striped like a tiger’s, yet somehow looked even more foolish. Suddenly, the breath caught in her chest eased. This had been personally made by Yue Wang. In another two years, if it were taken outside, it might well be worth a thousand gold. This time, she had not lost out after all.

She busied herself battling with the tiger qiaomo and did not notice the smile flickering through Yue Wang’s eyes.

Steward Qin drank his wine with a smile, feeling that tonight’s wine was especially intoxicating—so much so that even his eyes grew warm.

Yu Yi gently nudged Yu Heng beside him and hinted toward Yue Wang’s direction. “Look over there.”

Yu Heng glanced over, not understanding what he meant. Thinking Yu Yi also wanted to eat a qiaomo figure, he casually reached out, picked one up, and passed it over. “Here.”

Yu Yi felt as though a harsh gale had swept across his face. He hurriedly carried the calico-cat-shaped qiaomo to Yue Wang with both hands. “Fourth Master, I see that you have not eaten your fill. Please have this one. This one looks delicious.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 164

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 163

Chapter 163: Calling a Cat a Tiger

The entire Su Residence was filled with bustle and laughter, warmth rising through the ice and snow.

Steward Qin stood to the side, smiling as he watched everyone make merry. He even slipped over to Yue Wang’s side to encourage him. “His Highness, you are also Madam Su’s junior. Why not go help carry a dish and earn yourself a red packet?”

Yue Wang’s expression drew even tighter, the light in his eyes shifting faintly.

Steward Qin knew well enough to stop at the proper point. After saying his piece, he immediately went to the kitchen to help.

After a lively lunch, Mu Yunyao saw that Jin Lan and the others had all received reward money. A mischievous thought rose in her mind, and she suggested playing leaf cards.

Jin Lan and the others hesitated. “Miss, this is the reward money we only just received. You are not thinking of winning it away again, are you?”

Mu Yunyao blinked innocently. “Leaf cards are not like ice games. When playing cards, everything depends on luck. Could Heaven possibly favor me in particular?”

Jin Lan and the others discussed it among themselves and found the reasoning sound enough. Ice games relied on skill, but leaf cards were different. This was a fine chance to win from Miss. “Very well. If Miss loses later, you must not go complain to Madam.”

“Naturally.” Mu Yunyao agreed with a beaming smile. As soon as she finished speaking, she felt Yue Wang’s cold gaze fall upon her, making her fingers tremble. She quickly turned and asked with a smile, “Would Fourth Master like to play a few rounds as well?”

“I am not very skilled.” Yue Wang’s tone held a trace of hesitation, yet he had already risen and walked to the table, sitting down at Mu Yunyao’s left.

Mu Yunyao had originally wanted to say, In that case, forget it. But seeing him sit down, she silently swallowed the words at the edge of her lips. These days, she found herself increasingly astonished. Her understanding of Yue Wang kept changing, and she truly did not know what the complete Yue Wang was like.

In her previous life, Mu Yunyao had been extremely good at leaf cards. After playing two rounds to regain the feel of it, she thoroughly became the ever-victorious general. Before long, she had managed to win more than half of the red-packet silver that Jin Lan and Jin Qiao had just received.

Jin Lan could not help but wail. “Miss, did you not say leaf cards depended on luck?”

“Naturally. If not luck, then what else could it depend on?” Mu Yunyao blinked back at her with an innocent expression.

Jin Lan muttered under her breath, then pulled Jin Pei over. Her own red packet had barely grown warm in her hands before flying away. As good sisters, the others naturally ought to share hardship with her.

Yet in the next two rounds, Mu Yunyao unexpectedly lost.

Looking at Yue Wang, who played his cards at an unhurried pace, Mu Yunyao could not help blinking. She kept feeling as though Yue Wang could somehow tell exactly what cards she held in her hand. Sure enough, after several more rounds, the broken silver beside Yue Wang had nearly piled beyond the table’s edge.

“Fourth Master, why is it always you who wins?”

A hint of laughter flashed at the bottom of Yue Wang’s eyes. Rarely relaxed, his lips curved faintly, so slightly it was almost imperceptible. “Good luck.”

Mu Yunyao’s breath caught. Seeing Su Qing call for help preparing the meal, she immediately threw down the leaf cards and followed her out.

Jin Lan and the others looked at one another. With Miss holding the table, they still dared to sit there. Now that Miss had left, none of them dared to face that Fourth Master alone. His gaze alone was enough to make one’s heart tremble.

Fortunately, Yue Wang also set down his cards. He had Yu Heng put away the broken silver by the table, then went out to admire the snow in the courtyard.

In the kitchen, Mu Yunyao helped with small tasks while watching Su Qing steam dough figures of the twelve zodiac animals for the offering to Heaven. “I was born in the Year of the Rabbit, so Mother must make the rabbit especially adorable. After we finish the offering, I still want to eat it!”

“I know. Every year, when we steam the twelve zodiac animals, you say the same thing.” Su Qing’s fingers moved deftly, and in just a few motions, a lifelike little rabbit appeared in her hands.

Mu Yunyao rested her chin in her palm, smiling sweetly from the side. “If it is not made adorable, how could it be worthy of me?”

“Your face is nothing like a rabbit’s. It is more like the last animal among the twelve zodiac signs.” As Su Qing spoke, she reached out and scraped a bit of flour across the tip of Mu Yunyao’s nose.

Mu Yunyao wrinkled her nose. She did not wipe away the flour on its tip, instead making a fuss at Su Qing. “Who says so? Mother, touch it and see. Is my face not exceedingly thin-skinned—so delicate it might break with a breath?”

“It is clearly as thick as a city wall!”

“Who says so? I need someone to judge fairly. Where is Steward Qin?” As Mu Yunyao spoke, she turned around to look for someone. Steward Qin was nowhere in sight. Instead, she saw Yue Wang walking slowly in with his hands behind his back. She immediately closed her mouth and nearly bit her tongue. Why did this man seem to linger like a ghost that would not disperse?

Yue Wang had long since heard the exchange between Mu Yunyao and Su Qing. His gaze fell upon the steamer. A full set of twelve zodiac animals had already been made, each with a different shape, all of them charming.

Su Qing also saw Yue Wang and quickly smiled. “Why has Young Master Ning come here as well? The kitchen is stuffy. Do not let it soil your clothes.”

“Madam, may I help?”

Su Qing’s face filled with surprise. In the Da Li Dynasty, gentlemen were expected to keep away from the kitchen. A person of Young Master Ning’s status likely had never known what a kitchen looked like in his life. “This…”

Yue Wang had already gone to wash his hands in the basin nearby. He picked up a lump of dough and kneaded it lightly between his fingers. Before long, he had shaped a round little calico cat. The cat was curled into a half circle, eyes slightly narrowed, tail wrapped around its body, as though sleeping soundly. It looked especially adorable.

Su Qing was even more astonished. “I truly would not have expected Young Master Ning to possess such skill!”

“I carved small objects before. Dough should not be very different.” After saying this, he placed the calico cat in the steamer, right beside the rabbit Su Qing had finished not long ago. Once he set it down, he even glanced at Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao felt a prickle of displeasure. She pointed to the cat and said, “Fourth Master, is what you made a tiger?”

Yue Wang’s brows moved faintly, and he looked over with an expression that was almost a smile and yet not quite one.

Su Qing could not help laughing. “Where in the world is there such a dainty little tiger? This is a cat. I am afraid it would not even be enough for a tiger to swallow in one mouthful.”

“Mother, to me it looks very much like a tiger…” Mu Yunyao refused to admit she had seen wrong.

Yue Wang said nothing. He picked up a larger lump of dough and, in a few movements, shaped a tiger. To emphasise its identity, he took the small knife beside him and carefully carved the character Wang upon the tiger’s forehead. Then, with complete composure, he placed the tiger beside the calico cat.

With that, the contrast became especially sharp. That tiger truly looked as though it could open its mouth and swallow the cat whole.

Yue Wang looked toward Mu Yunyao, who had puffed up in indignation, and the light in his eyes shifted faintly. “Would Miss Mu like to shape one as well?”

Mu Yunyao could not resist lifting her head to glare fiercely at Yue Wang.

Su Qing burst into laughter, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes. “You must not let her try. She cannot even knead steamed buns properly, let alone shape animals. Ask her to make a cat, and she can turn it straight into a toad!”

“Mother!” Mu Yunyao’s cheeks flushed. How could Mother expose her shortcomings like that—and in front of Yue Wang, no less? This was far too embarrassing.

Yue Wang looked at Mu Yunyao’s faintly reddened cheeks. The movement in his gaze gradually softened, and his heart, too, seemed to quiet along with it. Before, no matter what he did, there had always been a thread of violence and killing intent lodged within him. Yet now, there was only stillness—so quiet and lovely that the corners of his lips could not help rising.

Su Qing also felt she had teased her a little too much. “Enough, enough. Mother will stop talking. Hurry and steam these qiaomo figures. We still need them for the offering to Heaven later.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 163

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 162

Chapter 162: Another Side of Yue Wang

When Su Qing heard Si Qin’s report, she quickly brought the others out to receive their guest. At the sight of Yue Wang in dark robes, she could not help praising him inwardly. As expected, his bearing was truly extraordinary.

“This common woman, Su Qing, greets Fourth Master Ning.”

Yue Wang stepped forward and made a light gesture to help her up. “Madam need not be so courteous. This one is surnamed Ning, courtesy name Huaijin. You may simply call me Huaijin.”

Su Qing had originally felt a trace of apprehension upon seeing Yue Wang’s cool expression. Yet now, observing his distinguished manner and hearing his modest, respectful speech, she could not help smiling. “How could I directly call Fourth Master by his personal name?”

“Madam is my elder. If you address me as Fourth Master, that would truly place me in an undeserved position. As a junior, allowing an elder to use such a respectful form of address toward me would only diminish my own fortune.” Yue Wang’s face still showed little expression, but the air around him had softened considerably.

Seeing this, Su Qing knew it would be improper to keep refusing. She smiled and said, “Since that is so, I shall call you Young Master Ning. I heard your hometown is in the capital. It just so happens that most of the food we prepared for the New Year this time is northern fare. I imagine it should suit your taste.”

“Many thanks, Madam.”

Seeing Mu Yunyao standing there in a daze while holding a snowball, Su Qing cast her a mildly reproachful glance. “How old are you already, yet you are still so playful? Hurry and lead Young Master Ning to the main hall to warm himself. I will go to the kitchen and see whether everything has been prepared.”

Steward Qin quickly followed Su Qing’s steps. “I shall go with Madam to have a look.”

“Steward Qin has labored for more than half a year. You should go rest in the Flower Hall.”

“It is no trouble, no trouble at all. Once people grow old, they cannot remain idle. Buxian Tower has not opened these two days, and I was just feeling restless. It is perfect timing for me to lend Madam a hand.”

“In that case, very well.”

As Steward Qin walked beside Su Qing, he quietly explained, “I hope Madam will forgive him. When our young master was little, misfortune struck the family. He grew up without his mother by his side, so his temperament inevitably became somewhat cold. But please rest assured. Though he may appear distant, in truth, he is exceedingly gentle.”

After hearing this, sympathy stirred in Su Qing’s heart. So Young Master Ning’s lack of expression was because he had grown up without a mother’s companionship. He must also be a filial person; otherwise, he would not still be so affected by it. “That truly was not easy for him.”

“Indeed…”

Only after Steward Qin and Su Qing had gone some distance away did Mu Yunyao finally come back to herself. She stepped forward and saluted Yue Wang. “Fourth Master, please follow me.” As she walked, she kept recalling the way Yue Wang had spoken to Su Qing just now. She had thought Yue Wang would show no warmth to anyone, yet unexpectedly, he had such a mild side as well.

The moment they entered the flower hall, waves of warmth greeted them. After handing their cloaks to the maidservants, the two walked into the main room. Jin Lan brought in tea, then stood side by side with Liu Liang behind Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao found herself uncertain what to say. With others, she had no lack of ways to make the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Yet when facing Yue Wang, she could not explain why an indescribable dread always lingered in her heart. Perhaps it was because her death in her previous life had been connected to him.

Just as she was racking her mind for something suitable to say, Yue Wang spoke first. “I heard you acknowledged Lord Cao as your Godfather?”

“Yes. During this time in Jingling City, Madam Jin has taken great care of me. In addition, she and Mother are especially congenial, so we acknowledged this god-kinship. For Mother and me, it gives us another support to rely on, and life can be a little steadier.”

Yue Wang’s brows lifted faintly, his gaze deep. “Why seek what is far when what is near is at hand?” Was he not far more worthy of reliance than a mere Salt Transport Commissioner?

Mu Yunyao quickly turned Yue Wang’s words over in her mind. Did he think she had grown too close to the Cao family?

Cao Yunnian had always remained relatively neutral. Even later, when the various imperial princes fought for power, he had not openly taken sides with anyone. Moreover, his current rank was only in the lower fourth grade. Yue Wang should not be wary of him.

“Fourth Master supported me in opening Buxian Tower and even specially lent Jinxiu Garden for my use. Naturally, you are also someone I can rely upon. But for minor matters, it would not be proper to trouble you constantly.”

Yue Wang nodded. Lifting his teacup, he took a sip. Then, remembering how Steward Qin had once written to him to boast about this matter, he said, “I heard you are especially skilled at brewing tea.”

With him asking one thing after another, Mu Yunyao could not grasp what he truly wished to know. She could only meet change with constancy and nod. “I know a little. If Fourth Master wishes to drink tea, I shall brew some specially for you another day.”

“Good.”

Just as the atmosphere in the flower hall was growing increasingly awkward, Nan’er came trotting in with small steps and bowed respectfully to Mu Yunyao. “Greetings, Miss.”

“What is it?”

“Miss, the snowmen have already been built. Would you like to go and see them?”

Mu Yunyao could not have wished for anything more. Given Yue Wang’s temperament, surely he would not be interested in going to see some snowmen, and she could use the opportunity to avoid him for a while. “Fourth Master, I would like to go look at the snowmen. Please…”

Yue Wang rose and walked toward the door. Seeing that Mu Yunyao had not followed, he turned back, his eyes carrying a trace of question. “Did you not wish to see the snowmen?”

“Yes. I did not expect Fourth Master to like such little amusements as well.”

Yue Wang nodded without speaking. Seeing Mu Yunyao walk straight toward the doorway, he frowned and looked toward Jin Lan. “Why have you not brought your mistress’s cloak and gloves?”

Swept by Yue Wang’s gaze, Jin Lan felt a chill rise along her spine, as though a winter gale had scraped over her entire body. She shivered and quickly gathered the cloak and gloves, hurrying after Mu Yunyao. Without allowing any protest, she dressed her properly.

Mu Yunyao watched as Jin Lan prepared to tie the straps of her gloves. She blinked. “It is only a few steps. Surely the gloves are not necessary?”

“How could they not be necessary? It is so cold outside. It would be terrible if Miss caught a chill.”

After Jin Lan finished dressing Mu Yunyao, she secretly glanced at Yue Wang. Seeing no further displeasure on his face, she finally released a breath. That look just now had truly been frightening.

In the courtyard, two large snowmen had already been built. Round pieces of polished charcoal served as eyes, chilies as mouths, and one wore a light straw hat. Altogether, it looked rather comical.

The other was smaller and more slender. A length of red silk had been wrapped around it, and from the look of it, it was the same piece Mu Yunyao had used yesterday when dancing on the ice.

Nan’er pointed to the shorter snowman as though presenting a treasure. “Miss, look. Does this snowman look like you?”

Mu Yunyao could not help laughing softly. “It is not bad. I will reward you with a red packet later. Next year, build one that resembles me even more.”

“Thank you, Miss.”

Jin Qiao, Jin Pei, and the others also crowded forward one after another. “Miss, we helped too! Miss must reward us as well!”

Su Qing walked over. Seeing such a lively scene, her face was full of smiles. “If your Miss does not reward you, then I shall. Whoever helps me carry dishes later will receive a large red packet!”

“This servant will do it!”

“Madam, this servant is clever and nimble. Carrying dishes suits me best.”

“Madam, do not listen to her nonsense. She broke a plate just last month. This servant has had an affinity with carrying dishes since childhood!”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 162

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Yue Wang, Who Would Never Think to Prepare a New Year’s Gift

When Mu Yunyao returned home, the dumplings in her bowl might as well have been wax. Seeing her pick at them without appetite, Su Qing’s heart could not help but tighten with worry.

“Yao’er, did things go badly between you and that Fourth Master Ning? Or does he intend to take Jinxiu Garden back?”

Mu Yunyao came back to herself at once. Catching the crease between Su Qing’s brows, she hurried to soothe her. “Nothing of the sort. Jinxiu Garden is flourishing now and earning him a great deal of silver. Why would he suddenly take it back?”

“Then why does Mother feel that something is weighing on your mind? Before Fourth Master Ning arrived, you were still happily playing on the ice with Jin Lan and the others. But after seeing him, you have looked as though your thoughts are tied in knots. Tell Mother the truth. Even if there truly is some difficulty, we are mother and daughter—we should face it together.”

At the sight of Su Qing’s anxious expression, the impulse rose in Mu Yunyao to tell her Yue Wang’s true identity. Yet she knew Su Qing’s temperament all too well. If her mother learned who he really was, even the smallest gesture might betray it, and that would only make matters worse.

“Don’t worry, Mother. It has nothing to do with Fourth Master Ning. I was simply thinking of the New Year tribute that was sent to the capital. Tomorrow, at the New Year’s Eve banquet, His Majesty will see it. I cannot help wondering whether it will please him.”

Seeing that her expression held no obvious falsehood, Su Qing’s smile returned. “Rest easy. Mother watched you embroider that tribute stitch by stitch. There was not the slightest flaw in it. The Emperor will certainly like it.”

Mu Yunyao nodded and let out a quiet breath, as though something in her chest had eased. “That is good. With Mother saying so, I can finally set my mind at rest.”

“I truly thought it was something grave. So even you, little girl, can be troubled by gain and loss like this.” In the past, Yao’er always carried herself as though everything lay already within her grasp. To see her caught in such a small knot of worry only made her seem all the more tender.

“It is a matter of consequence. Of course I cannot help but worry.”

“But the matter is already settled. Worrying now will not change anything. Why torment yourself for no reason?”

Mu Yunyao paused. Turning Su Qing’s words over in her mind, she slowly felt that great stone hanging in her heart sink back to earth.

Whatever purpose had brought Yue Wang here, he was already here. Her background could not be changed. If he had truly discovered something, she would simply find a way to remedy it when the time came. Why should she borrow worry from the future and spoil the New Year before it had even arrived?

“Yes, I understand now. Thank you for your guidance, Mother.”

Su Qing reached out and tapped her lightly between the brows. “Now that you understand, cheer up for Mother’s sake. It is the New Year—no long face is allowed. Otherwise, the whole coming year will be filled with endless cares.”

Mu Yunyao rose and gave a proper little bow with exaggerated solemnity. “Yes. Your daughter will respectfully obey Mother’s instruction.”

Once that burden had been set aside, Mu Yunyao simply cast Yue Wang to the back of her mind. When she woke again, New Year’s Eve had already arrived.

The moment she rose, she sensed a world of whiteness outside the window. Pushing it open, she saw that the courtyard lay buried beneath a thick layer of snow; the branches, too, were laden with white. When the wind stirred, snow drifted down in soft flurries, like a rain of pear blossoms, and the line slipped from her lips almost of its own accord: “As though the spring wind had come in a single night, and ten thousand trees had burst into pear blossoms…”

Jin Qiao came in carrying a basin of water, with Jin Lan just behind her. Hearing Mu Yunyao recite those lines, she blinked in puzzlement. “Miss, not long after you went to bed last night, the snow began to fall. It snowed all through the night and only just stopped. In weather this cold, where would there be any pear blossoms to admire?”

Mu Yunyao pointed out the window and turned to her with a smile. “Look at those trees. Do they not resemble pear trees in bloom?”

Jin Qiao craned her neck to look. “Now that Miss says it, they truly do! Ah—so that is what you meant. I heard ‘spring wind’ and ‘pear blossoms’ and thought you were talking about spring scenery.”

Mu Yunyao smiled faintly, the sight of the courtyard snow already stirring her interest. “Call Jin Pei and the others in a while. How about we build a snowman in the yard?”

“What a lovely idea! It is rare enough to see snow this heavy in Jiangnan. This servant will help too.”

“Mm. Then let us build it in the front courtyard. Tonight, when we come out to set off firecrackers and watch the fireworks, a snowman there will suit the occasion nicely.”

“Very well. We will do exactly as Miss says.”

After breakfast, Mu Yunyao informed Su Qing and then swept toward the front courtyard with a whole procession in tow. Shovels, dustpans, and brooms were brought out, and soon the snow was being piled high.

Nan’er, A’Mao, and Li’er were bundled up so roundly that they looked like little balls rolling through the snow. They ran back and forth to help, and whenever one of them slipped and tumbled into the drifts, they simply scrambled up again and left a trail of bright laughter behind them.

Mu Yunyao had wanted to lend a hand as well, but Jin Lan and Jin Qiao stopped her, fitted thick gloves onto her hands, and stationed her at the side as commander. At first, she directed them with lively enthusiasm. Later, seeing that, without her interference, Jin Lan and the others actually worked faster, she could only nudge the snow with the tip of her shoe in boredom.

Not far away, Nan’er and A’Mao were chasing one another and pelting each other with snowballs. Watching them, Mu Yunyao bent down and packed one together as well. A mischievous gleam flashed through her eyes as she flung it toward Jin Lan. Unfortunately, the winter clothes on her body were so thick that she misjudged the throw. The snowball sailed high over Jin Lan’s head and shot straight out beyond her.

Steward Qin had just entered the Su Residence together with Yue Wang. The moment he stepped into the front courtyard and saw everyone gathered around building a snowman, a sigh of fond amusement rose from him. “It has been many years since this old servant saw such a lively scene.”

Yue Wang’s gaze, however, passed through the crowd and settled on Mu Yunyao. She wore a snow-white cloak, her hair dark as ink, her eyes bright as stars. Bending to shape a snowball, she smiled with a sly curve to her lips. The sight called to his mind the snow foxes of the Beijiang (the Northern Frontier) ice fields. It was said those foxes were creatures of rare spirit; if one cultivated itself to perfection, it could take human form and beguile all beneath heaven. If there were any truth in such tales, then a snow fox turned mortal would likely look very much as Mu Yunyao did now.

He was still caught in that thought when he saw the snowball she had made come flying toward him. Her smile shone brighter than the surrounding ice and snow, and his hand lifted of its own accord to catch it. The snow began to melt in his palm, leaving behind a chill that bit to the bone, yet as he watched her smile, a faint warmth stirred beneath his ribs instead.

Only when the snowball landed in Yue Wang’s hand did Mu Yunyao realize what had happened, and even she was briefly startled. She hurried forward to salute. “Greetings, Fourth Master Ning.”

Yue Wang came back to himself. The snowball in his hand had already half-melted, and seeing her gaze fixed upon it, he extended his arm and offered it over. “Here.”

Mu Yunyao hurriedly tugged off her gloves and moved to take it, only to see Yue Wang withdraw his hand. A slight crease gathered between his brows, the silent disapproval plain enough. “The weather is cold. When playing with snow, do not court the chill.”

Mu Yunyao stood still for a moment. Following the direction of his gaze to the rabbit-fur gloves in her arms, she stiffly put them back on and only then stepped forward to receive the snowball with both hands.

The line between Yue Wang’s brows eased. Seeing her lift both fur-covered hands together to cup the snowball, he thought to himself that she resembled a little calico cat more than a snow fox. Snow foxes were famed for their cunning; they would never foolishly reach out barehanded to catch a lump of snow.

At the side, Steward Qin was smiling so broadly that he could scarcely close his mouth, and the thought had already drifted through him that perhaps in another two years’ time, he might be serving a little master.

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 161

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 160

Chapter 160: Yue Wang Wants to  Spend New Year Together

After Su Qing left, Mu Yunyao leaned lazily back against the soft couch, carefully turning over Yue Wang’s expression from earlier in her mind.

Over the past half year, Buxian Tower and Niyun Pavilion had earned Yue Wang nearly a hundred thousand taels of silver. Even if that could not completely improve Yuexi’s circumstances, it should at least have relieved his most urgent need. Added to that were the several batches of ginger tea she had sent over. By all rights, he should have no dissatisfaction toward her. Yet just now, there had seemed to be coldness and distance in his manner. Could it be that he had secretly investigated her and Mother’s identities?

The more Mu Yunyao thought, the less she could find a thread to follow. It was only when Su Qing came in carrying the freshly cooked fen dumplings that she realized quite some time had passed.

“Yao’er, take these over quickly. Earlier, we had already agreed with Steward Qin that we would spend the New Year together here. But now that Fourth Master Ning, the owner of Jinxiu Garden, has returned, should we discuss it again? Go and ask Fourth Master Ning what he intends. If he is willing to spend the New Year with us, then it will be all the livelier. If he is not, ask what things he lacks, and we can send some over from our side.”

Invite Yue Wang to spend the New Year here? It had not been easy to gain a few days of ease. If he stayed here, no one would be able to enjoy the New Year properly.

“Mother, Fourth Master Ning came in such haste, so he must have his own arrangements. We can simply send over some of the things needed for the New Year. It would be better not to invite him rashly.”

“That is reasonable. Then Mother will go sort through the things and discuss it with Steward Qin. If anything is lacking, we shall make it up together.”

“Good.”

Mu Yunyao carried the dumplings through the side gate and saw Steward Qin waiting there. “The weather is terribly cold. Why are you waiting here?”

Steward Qin stepped forward and took the food box from Mu Yunyao’s hands. “I thought Miss had not yet told Jin Lan and the others His Highness’s identity, so you would have to carry the food box over alone. I came to receive you.”

“Many thanks, Steward Qin.”

“Miss is too courteous. His Highness is in the study. Please follow me.”

Yu Heng announced from outside the door, “Master, Miss Mu and Steward Qin have arrived.”

“Enter.”

Hearing Yue Wang’s cool voice, Mu Yunyao drew a faint breath. A smile appeared on her face as she slowly walked into the study.

“Greetings, Fourth Master.”

“No need for ceremony.” Account books were stacked upon the desk. Hearing her, Yue Wang set down the ledger in his hand.

Steward Qin opened the food box and took out the steaming fen dumplings, along with several small dishes, arranging them one by one on the side table. “Madam Su truly prepared a great deal. His Highness certainly cannot finish all of this alone. Has Miss eaten yet? Why not have some together?”

Mu Yunyao quickly shook her head. “These were all prepared by my mother for Fourth Master. How could I touch them? Besides, Mother is already waiting at home for me to eat.” So after delivering the dumplings, she ought to leave.

Yue Wang, however, seemed not to hear the meaning beneath her words. He walked straight to the table, sat down, picked up the chopsticks, and began eating.

Mu Yunyao’s brows moved slightly. “Then I shall not disturb Fourth Master’s meal. I shall take my leave first…”

“The filling in these fen dumplings is especially fresh. What was added inside?” Yue Wang suddenly asked.

Mu Yunyao could only stop and explain, “There are some winter bamboo shoots, winter mushrooms, and fresh pork. The pork was carefully minced with a bamboo knife, so the taste is particularly good.” These fen dumplings had been specially wrapped by Mother for her. To keep the flavor pure, Mother had worked with exceptional care, refining the filling again and again. Who knew how much time she had spent preparing it?

Steward Qin withdrew, leaving only Yue Wang and Mu Yunyao in the room. Silence settled for a time.

Mu Yunyao grew somewhat anxious. Mother was still waiting for her to return and eat. Yet Yue Wang would not let her withdraw. What exactly did he mean?

Yue Wang ate an entire plate of fen dumplings and even finished more than half of the small dishes before finally setting down his chopsticks.

Mu Yunyao felt a little more at ease. If Yue Wang had merely tasted one or two dumplings and stopped, would that not have wasted Mother’s painstaking effort?

“Have all the New Year preparations been made?” Yue Wang looked at Mu Yunyao. She wore a pale green dress edged with soft fur at the collar and cuffs, which made her skin appear luminous as jade. She looked fresh and delicate, like a new bud on a branch.

Although she did not know why Yue Wang had suddenly become inclined to talk, Mu Yunyao could not refuse to answer. “Replying to Fourth Master, everything has been prepared.”

“Has Steward Qin prepared as well?”

“Previously, we did not know Fourth Master would come to Jingling City. Mother had discussed with Steward Qin that we would spend the New Year together, so the things were prepared in one place. However, it will not be troublesome to separate them. After I return…”

“No need.” Yue Wang suddenly spoke.

Mu Yunyao paused. “You say there is no need… What does Fourth Master mean?”

“Since it was agreed that the New Year would be spent together, then we shall spend it together. Why go to the trouble of separating everything?”

Mu Yunyao’s heart tightened, but she could not allow it to show on her face. She could only reveal a smile. “…That is excellent. With more people, the New Year will be livelier.”

Seeing the smile on her face, Yue Wang’s fingers shifted faintly. His expression turned even colder. “Mm.”

Mu Yunyao’s smile nearly stiffened. Afraid that Yue Wang would see through her, she could only lower her head and salute. “In that case, I shall return and inform Mother. I take my leave.” Once she finished speaking, she did not wait for Yue Wang to answer before turning and leaving the study.

Not long after Mu Yunyao left, Steward Qin entered the study with a face full of smiles, carefully observing Yue Wang’s expression. “His Highness, why did Miss Mu leave in such a hurry?”

“I do not know.” Yue Wang furrowed his brows. She had clearly been smiling quite happily before. He had not said anything in particular, yet she had turned and left…

Steward Qin chuckled. “Young ladies are thin-skinned. Perhaps Miss Mu felt embarrassed.”

Yue Wang’s gaze shifted. Hearing Steward Qin’s explanation, he nodded as though it made perfect sense. “Mm.” No wonder she had left so hastily, and even lowered her head before departing. So she had been embarrassed.

“His Highness, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. What arrangements do you have?”

“Mu Yunyao just invited me to spend the New Year at her home. Since the things have already been prepared together, there is no need to separate them and go through the trouble again.”

Miss Mu had taken the initiative to invite His Highness?

Steward Qin felt happier than if it were already New Year’s. He nodded repeatedly. “Exactly. With so many things prepared together, separating them would indeed be troublesome. With more people, it will be livelier as well. Then should His Highness prepare a New Year's gift for Miss Mu? After all, it is the New Year, and Miss Mu has worked exceedingly hard over the past half year. Sending a gift to express thanks would only be proper.”

“Mm. Since Uncle Qin says so, then I shall prepare one for her.”

“Ah, Miss Mu will surely be very pleased.” Steward Qin knew that reaching this point was already rare enough, so he did not say more. “Then this old servant will withdraw and prepare a few more things.”

“Mm.”

Steward Qin left the study in high spirits. Once he returned, he immediately began writing a letter to Eunuch Cheng. From the look of things, His Highness had already misunderstood that Miss Mu admired him. Since that was so, let the misunderstanding continue. In any case, the goal was to invite Miss Mu back to the Wang residence. As for the process, there was no need to be so particular.

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 160

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Miss Mu Brings Fen Dumplings

Yue Wang’s gaze remained fixed upon the lake below. For the first time, the chill in his deep eyes receded, replaced by open astonishment. He had never imagined that a woman could burn with such brilliance, like a cluster of flame setting the bitter winter ablaze.

She was like a riddle. When they first met, he had thought her timid, yet she had calmly bandaged his wound, stolen his dagger, killed a man, and framed another with it. Later, after investigating her, he had thought her scheming and deep-minded, only to hear that she had selflessly aided Ding Yuelan and rescued the orphans from the Charity Bureau. Now, just when he thought he could finally see her clearly, she had shown him this fierce and pure side of herself.

And such a complicated, unfathomable woman secretly harbored feelings for him…

At that thought, Yue Wang’s fingers trembled slightly. He reached for the teacup beside him and drank the tea, already gone cold, in a single swallow.

Steward Qin came back to himself just in time to see this. A smile stirred secretly in his heart, and he quickly ordered someone to replace the tea with a hot cup.

“His Highness, please try this. It is the newest batch of Lotus Fragrance Dew.”

Yue Wang lifted the cup and took a sip, but his gaze soon returned to the lake. Mu Yunyao was no longer there. Only the red silk remained, winding across the ice.

Steward Qin followed his gaze, the smile in his heart deepening. “His Highness, Miss Mu has likely gone to change her clothes.”

After spending these days together, he had come to understand Miss Mu’s proper and decorous nature quite well. When she played with the female apprentices, wearing clothes suited for ice games naturally did not matter. But if she were coming to pay respects to His Highness, that shortened skirt would certainly make her uncomfortable. At this moment, she had most likely gone to change before coming.

Seeing the crowd on the lake gradually disperse, Yu Heng stepped forward and suggested, “His Highness, you have had a long and tiring journey. Would you like to return to your room and rest first?”

Steward Qin narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze fell upon Yu Heng, a cold glint flickering at the bottom of it. Yu Yi, standing to the side, could not help shivering. He tugged hard at Yu Heng’s sleeve, and, as if struck by sudden inspiration, quickly said, “The garden scenery is so fine. His Highness would naturally wish to admire it first before returning to rest.”

Yu Heng glanced around at the garden buried beneath white snow. With such a desolate winter scene on every side, where exactly was the fine scenery?

Yue Wang, however, nodded. “Mm. It is good to admire it for a while.”

Yu Heng blinked. Could the scenery truly be beautiful, and he simply did not know how to appreciate it?

Before long, Mu Yunyao had changed and returned to Jinxiu Garden. Seeing that there were still figures in the pavilion, her brows moved faintly.

Just now, that man’s cold, austere air had resembled Yue Wang so strongly that all her desire to continue playing vanished at once. She had gone straight back to her room to change, then hurried over, thinking Yue Wang would have returned to rest by now. She had not expected him to still be in the pavilion.

Mu Yunyao entered and immediately curtsied in formal salute. “This common girl, Mu Yunyao, pays respects to Your Highness Yue Wang.”

Yue Wang set down his teacup, his fingers brushing lightly along the edge of the cushion behind him. “Rise. My identity is not suitable to be publicly known. In the future, there is no need for such ceremony. It is better that you continue calling me Fourth Master.”

Mu Yunyao hurriedly rose. In winter, the ground felt like a slab of ice; naturally, she was more than willing not to perform such formalities. “Yes, Fourth Master. Have you come this time to inspect Niyun Pavilion and Buxian Tower?”

Yue Wang nodded slightly. “Indeed. You have managed Buxian Tower very well.”

Mu Yunyao smiled. “His Highness overpraises me. Strictly speaking, Buxian Tower has always been managed by Steward Qin. Aside from teaching some tea-brewing skills, I truly have not been of much help.”

Steward Qin quickly said, “Miss is far too modest. Brewing tea, roasting tea, and later helping Buxian Tower gain its reputation were all Miss’s contributions. If it had been left to me alone, Buxian Tower would likely have closed before it even opened.”

Mu Yunyao could not help laughing. “How could it be as serious as that? Speaking of which, when I came just now, Mother asked me to borrow a few people from you to help wrap fen dumplings. There are many people on both sides, so quite a lot need to be made.”

“Very well. In a moment, I shall have Yun Chun bring people over.”

Mu Yunyao was just about to thank him when she saw Yue Wang rise. She swallowed the words at the edge of her lips. “Is His Highness going back to rest?”

Yue Wang nodded. Against the snow-white fox-fur cloak, his peerlessly handsome face appeared even colder and more aloof, as though untouched by the mortal world.

Mu Yunyao’s thoughts were sharp. Looking at Yue Wang like this, she somehow felt that something was not quite right. Almost instinctively, she said, “Then His Highness should go back and rest first. Once you have rested, the fen dumplings should be about ready. I will send some over for you to taste.”

Yue Wang’s gaze shifted faintly. He nodded almost imperceptibly, then led his people away. Had Mu Yunyao not been watching him closely, she might not even have noticed the slight movement.

Steward Qin’s face was full of smiles as he bowed to Mu Yunyao. “Then I shall trouble Miss Mu later.”

“Steward Qin is too courteous.”

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao came over. “Miss, was that young master, the true owner of Jinxiu Garden?”

“Mm. You may address him as Fourth Master Ning. His temperament is cold, and his moods are difficult to predict. For the next while, do not go in and out of Jinxiu Garden lightly, and do not draw his attention. Otherwise, when the time comes, even I may not be able to save you.”

The two quickly nodded. “Yes. Please rest assured, Miss. We will also restrain the others.” Jinxiu Garden had, after all, been borrowed. When its owner was absent, it was one thing for them to come in and play. Now that the owner had returned, continuing to do so would be somewhat like guests overwhelming the host. If they were in his place, they would feel displeased too.

After the fen dumplings were wrapped, Su Qing washed her hands and returned to the room. Seeing Mu Yunyao leaning lazily against the soft couch, she could not help asking, “What is this? Just now, I heard Jin Lan and Jin Qiao complaining to me that you won away all their monthly silver.”

Mu Yunyao withdrew her gaze and immediately defended herself. “They were the ones who insisted on betting with me. How can that be blamed on me? Who told them their skills were inferior?” Back when she was in Jin Wang’s Residence, she had loved ice games. Once she put on ice shoes and glided across the frozen surface, the defect in her leg could no longer be seen. Instead, it won her admiring gazes.

“You…” Su Qing shook her head fondly. “Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve, and the day after is the first day of the year. You must prepare a few more red packets for them. These past months, following us mother and daughter has not been easy for them either.”

“Very well. I shall listen to Mother.”

“Enough. Get up. The fen dumplings have already been wrapped. There are lotus-root-and-fresh-pork ones you like, as well as winter-mushroom-and-bamboo-shoot ones. I will cook a few for you to taste first.” Su Qing affectionately rubbed Mu Yunyao’s hair, then took her wrist and pulled her up. This girl became especially languid whenever she lay on the soft couch. If no one pulled her up, one could call her ten times and still not see her move.

Mu Yunyao sighed. “Mother, cook a few extra. The owner of Jinxiu Garden next door has returned. Hearing that we are eating fen dumplings, he seemed rather envious. We may as well cook more and send some over to him.”

“The owner of Jinxiu Garden—you mean the Fourth Master Ning you mentioned?”

“Yes. Who else could it be?”

“Then wait here. Mother will personally cook them. Once they are ready, you send them over. If he had not generously lent Jinxiu Garden to us, Buxian Tower would not exist as it does today. We must properly repay this kindness.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 159

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 158

Chapter 158: Yue Wang Arrives

Steward Qin finished securing the swing frame and looked toward the cautious figures moving one by one across the frozen lake. The corners of his lips lifted. Snow had fallen for several days in a row, and even the lake in Jinxiu Garden had frozen over. Miss Mu had brought the apprentices onto the ice to play. He had not expected that girls who looked so light and nimble on ordinary days would turn into rolling gourds the moment they stepped onto the ice. Yet the more they tumbled, the more spirited they became. Even without Miss Mu leading them, they insisted on going up and testing themselves again.

Yu Yi came to stand beside him. “Steward Qin, tomorrow is New Year’s Eve. I wonder how His Highness is doing.”

Steward Qin sighed. “His Highness only returns to the capital once for the Emperor’s birthday. On all other days, even the New Year, he is required to remain in Yuexi. This year will likely pass the same way. Still, with the ginger tea and the silver we sent over, at least he should be able to have a decent New Year.”

“Alas. If only His Highness could come here as well.”

“What nonsense. How could His Highness come here?”

Yu Yi’s eyes suddenly widened, as though he had seen something impossible. He stared behind Steward Qin and cried out, “His Highness?”

“What are you shouting for? Do you not know His Highness’s identity must be kept secret? Besides, shouting so loudly—do you think His Highness will simply appear before you?”

Yu Yi hurriedly tugged at Steward Qin. “His Highness… behind you! Turn around and look!”

Steward Qin turned. One glance was enough to make his eyes widen, and his tongue freeze in his mouth. “His… His Highness?”

The man behind him, wrapped in a fox-fur cloak and carrying the cold, cutting air of winter in his gaze, was indeed Yue Wang.

Steward Qin stood dazed for a moment before delight spread across his face. He hurried forward to greet him. “This old servant pays respects to Master.”

“Uncle Qin, rise quickly. Why are you outside?” Steward Qin’s waist had never been well; the ailment had been left behind from the years he had cared for him. Thus, when someone had needed to take charge in Jiangnan, Eunuch Cheng had insisted that Steward Qin come here, all so his days might be easier.

The smile on Steward Qin’s face deepened. “My waist has long been much better. It is all thanks to Miss Mu. Do not be fooled by her young age—her medical skill is exceedingly profound. With only a few needles, most of the old pain in my waist was relieved.”

Suddenly, cheers rose from a short distance away.

“Miss, hurry and come down!”

“We are all waiting for you. Today, we must win back what we lost!”

By the lakeside, Mu Yunyao had just arrived when Jin Lan, Jin Qiao, and the others began hopping in place and challenging her. Their words made her laugh. “You had better think carefully. If you keep losing, all the silver you earned these past few months will end up in my hands. Do not cry when the time comes.”

“Miss, do not look down on us. These past two days, we have practiced with great effort. We will certainly win our silver back from you. When that happens, you must not go back on your word!”

“Rest assured. If you can win, I shall take out another hundred taels of silver as your reward.”

“Good!”

Seeing Yue Wang’s gaze shift in that direction, Steward Qin narrowed his eyes slightly. “His Highness, Miss Mu, and the maidservants are holding a contest on the ice. This old servant finds it most interesting. Why not have a look as well?”

Yu Heng, standing to the side, tugged the corner of his mouth. Inwardly, he thought: His Highness has traveled all this way through wind and dust. In the dead of winter, his body must nearly be frozen stiff. How could he still be in the mood to watch a few young ladies play on the ice?

Before the thought had fully settled, he saw Yue Wang lift his foot and walk toward the lake. Yu Heng froze where he stood and could only stare blankly at Steward Qin. “Steward Qin, this…”

Yu Yi hurried forward and pulled him aside, then smiled at Steward Qin. “Do not worry. I will take him aside and teach him properly.” After these days, he had come to understand one thing clearly: whenever Miss Mu was involved, Steward Qin became especially unreasonable. If Yu Heng said anything unsuitable, he might very well be dealt with by Steward Qin in secret.

Steward Qin nodded. Only then did he turn and follow Yue Wang’s steps toward a pavilion beside the lake.

The pavilion stood on slightly higher ground, giving a clear view of the lake. Those on the ice, however, would not notice what was happening inside the pavilion unless they deliberately raised their heads to look.

Yue Wang sat in the pavilion, his gaze fixed on the frozen lake.

By the lakeside, for the sake of moving easily on the ice, Mu Yunyao had changed into a newly made outfit. At a glance, it looked like a gauze skirt, but the hem had been slightly gathered. It was not as elaborate as ordinary skirts and had been shortened slightly, revealing the full surface of her shoes and making it easier for her to glide across the ice.

She moved her body lightly to loosen herself, then put on her ice shoes and stepped onto the lake. With a deliberately provocative glance at the female apprentices, she said, “Have you prepared all your silver? If you cannot take it out, beware—this Miss will strike your palms.”

Nan’er, who was watching from the lakeside, quickly brought over a wooden box. When he opened it, there were scattered bits of silver inside. “Miss, I have been keeping watch for you. All the elder sisters have placed their silver inside.”

Mu Yunyao nodded approvingly. “Well done. Watch me win all their silver, then I shall reward you with money to buy sweets.”

Nan’er jumped in place, his face full of joy. “Good! Many thanks, Miss.”

Jin Lan, Jin Qiao, and the others immediately protested. “Miss, we have not even competed yet. How do you know you will certainly win?”

“Then let us see the truth with our own hands.”

Everyone glided to the southern side of the lake. At the command, Mu Yunyao shot forward across the ice like a light, nimble swallow, easily leaving the apprentices behind her.

Her figure was light and her speed swift. As she moved, the wind lifted the hem of her skirt until it bloomed like a flower, breathtakingly beautiful.

By the time Jin Lan, Jin Qiao, and the others reached the northern side of the lake, Mu Yunyao was already waiting for them with a smile.

“Miss, we will compete again in three days. We will certainly beat you then.”

Mu Yunyao laughed softly. Nan’er had already run to her side, clutching the wooden box with a face full of delight. “Miss is truly amazing. You won again!”

Mu Yunyao nodded. Seeing that Jin Lan and the others were still unwilling to concede, her own competitive spirit was stirred. “Do you think moving on ice is only about who is faster? Since I am in a good mood today, I shall show you something with a bit more flair.”

“More flair? What kind of flair can there be on ice?”

Mu Yunyao smiled without answering. She glided forward for a long stretch, then pulled down a length of red silk from the lakeside. After checking its length, she nodded in satisfaction and wound the silk around her arm. Then, all at once, she began to move.

Her speed was astonishing. The silk unfurled like rosy clouds, and she seemed to fly above the ice as though riding the edge of the heavens. The red silk in her hands danced with her movements, like a crimson lotus blooming beneath the morning sun, so beautiful it made people hold their breath. Her movements alternated between swift and slow—arriving like thunder that had not yet spent its fury, ending like rivers and seas condensed into clear light. Upon the broad frozen lake, her brilliance unfolded in dazzling splendor.

Gradually, everyone’s breathing quieted. Their eyes held only Mu Yunyao, spinning suddenly upon the ice. They did not know what words might describe it. In the end, only one word surfaced in their minds: beautiful. Beautiful beyond compare.

At last, Mu Yunyao stopped. Slightly breathless, she released the red silk. Seeing that everyone had yet to return to themselves, she smiled with a touch of pride. “I told you all…” Suddenly, she felt the strange sensation of being watched. Before she could finish speaking, she swept her gaze around the area. Then her eyes narrowed sharply.

Yue Wang!

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 158

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Jingling City Again?

On the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month, common households swept their homes and began offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. Within the imperial palace, the Emperor sealed his imperial brush for the year and held a banquet, sharing the festive joy with his officials and people.

Just as the banquet reached its liveliest point, the inner attendant Xu Li entered with two guards carrying scrolls. “This servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Mm?” The Emperor looked toward the guards behind Xu Li and immediately straightened, delight appearing on his face. “Those two guards—were they sent by Grand Princess Yide?”

Xu Li quickly bowed and answered, “Replying to Your Majesty, they are people from Her Highness the Grand Princess’s side. Today, she specially sent them to present Your Majesty with a gift.”

The joy on the Emperor’s face deepened. He even rose and personally descended the steps. “The Grand Princess has always kept Us in her thoughts. Now, while residing at Huguo Temple to pray for the Dali Dynasty, she still does not forget to send Us a gift. It truly moves Us.”

The officials in the hall hurried to echo him. “Indeed. Grand Princess Yide and Your Majesty share deep affection as siblings. Naturally, she thinks of Your Majesty at all times.”

“Grand Princess Yide personally prays for the nation. She is truly a model for all women under Heaven!”

The Emperor’s heart grew increasingly pleased as he listened. Grand Princess Yide was his elder sister by blood. Before he ascended the throne, she had saved his life more than once, and the bond between them had always been deep. Later, after he took the imperial seat, he wished to grant her supreme honor and glory. Yet, she had withdrawn at the height of favor, spending her days burning incense and worshiping Buddha, no longer involving herself in worldly affairs.

“What gift has the Grand Princess sent?”

The guards hurriedly and carefully unfurled the scroll in their hands. The painting was about seven chi long and four chi wide, filled with figures of all kinds. On closer inspection, the houses and buildings were all in the Jiangnan style. The scenery followed a single street as its main thread, depicting the distribution of porridge. There were more than a thousand people in the painting, each with different clothing and bearing. Their expressions were lifelike, yet almost all carried some measure of a smile. Even through the painted scene, one could glimpse the harmony and warmth of that moment.

The Emperor was deeply shaken as he looked at it. “Jingling City Laba Porridge Distribution Painting? Li Chong… This… this is Master Li Chong’s work?”

One guard quickly presented a letter. “Replying to Your Majesty, this is a handwritten letter from Her Highness the Grand Princess.”

The Emperor immediately took the letter and read it carefully.

The officials at the side, however, grew anxious. Recently, if one were to speak of which name had appeared most frequently in court, it would certainly be Jingling City. First, at the Emperor’s birthday banquet, Cao Yunnian’s wife had sincerely prayed for the Emperor, drawing butterflies to dance around her. His Majesty had been pleased and promoted Cao Yunnian because of it.

After that, Jingling City spread embroidery techniques among the people, which counted as a great merit in educating the populace, and the Emperor personally bestowed rewards. Later, the embroidery workshop that had spread the techniques was burned down, and the Emperor once again bestowed his own calligraphy, thereby causing Niyun Pavilion and Buxian Tower to become famous. Even now, the tea His Majesty drank still came from Buxian Tower.

And now, they had produced a Laba Porridge Distribution Painting. In their view, on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, which city did not have someone distributing porridge? Why was Jingling City’s porridge distribution the one painted and sent before the Emperor? If this painting had not been by Master Li Chong, they would have suspected Jingling City’s officials of deliberately using this trick to show their faces before the Emperor.

The Emperor had already finished reading the letter Grand Princess Yide had sent. When he looked again at the painting, his feelings deepened further. “Beloved ministers, come forward and have a look as well. The people do not ask for much. If they can live and work in peace, then the hearts of the people will naturally submit. Many merchants do things for the people, yet so many officials occupy their positions and do nothing. It truly pains Us.”

“This subject is guilty.” Hearing these words, the officials immediately knelt and confessed their faults, fear tightening within them.

The Emperor pondered for a moment and gave a faint sigh, carefully putting away Grand Princess Yide’s letter. “Elder Sister Yide is reminding Us that We must always remember the duties of a ruler. Xu Li, take the gifts We prepared, and add ten hu of pearls, ten pieces of jade, ten bolts of brocade, as well as the pigeon-blood gemstones, rhinoceros horn, and agarwood that were recently offered as tribute. Send them all to the Grand Princess. Wait—We will also write a letter. Take it to the Grand Princess and ask whether she lacks anything there. When you return, report it to Us in detail. We will personally choose more things to send her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xu Li’s heart surged with excitement, though he firmly restrained it from showing on his face. He knew this was his moment of fortune. In the past, whenever His Majesty sent things to the Grand Princess, he would always dispatch Chief Eunuch De. Xu Li had not expected that today, this blessed errand would fall to him.

The officials below remained kneeling, not daring to make a sound. People often said there was no kinship in the imperial family, yet all these years, the sibling bond between the Grand Princess and the Emperor had clearly only grown deeper. On ordinary days, if there was something delicious, His Majesty would have someone send a portion to the Grand Princess. Now that the New Year was near, the gifts he prepared nearly emptied the palace storehouses. It was truly difficult for others to understand.

The chief eunuch had already ordered people to clear most of the table before the Emperor, then brought over a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone for His Majesty to write the letter. Once the letter was finished, the Emperor finally looked at the officials kneeling below. “Enough. Rise. Go forward one by one and look at the painting and calligraphy that the Grand Princess has sent. Reflect upon yourselves. Only then will you understand the duties of a minister.”

“Yes. This subject respectfully obeys Your Majesty’s teachings.”

The officials below hurried forward, according to rank and position, to admire Master Li Chong’s painting. After seeing it, each felt moved to some degree. The painting was extraordinarily vivid; the longer one looked, the more easily one was drawn into the scene.

However, although those censors who had always wielded their brushes like blades were likewise stirred, they also worried that the matter might not match its reputation. One after another, they thought that tomorrow they ought to submit memorials, preferably urging His Majesty to send an imperial envoy to investigate the true circumstances in Jingling City. If the matter was indeed real, then Jingling City should naturally be rewarded properly. If not, this inflated and frivolous style must be suppressed.

Then again, this painting had been sent by Grand Princess Yide. With that lady’s temperament and conduct, there was a ninety percent chance the matter was true. Alas, other officials had to rack their brains to achieve even a little in politics. In contrast, the officials of Jingling City seemed to do almost nothing before merit and reputation leaped straight into their arms. It was enough to make one’s heart itch with envy.

Mu Yunyao had no idea that a thoughtless act on her part had once again stirred waves in the capital.

As the New Year approached, each day had its own customs and sayings. Mu Yunyao simply had Niyun Pavilion and Buxian Tower close their doors. A group of people gathered lively and noisily in Jinxiu Garden, spending their days calculating what things ought to be prepared for the New Year.

Over the past half year, Mu Yunyao had taken every step with utmost caution. Su Qing had seen it all and ached for her in silence. Now that Yunyao had become much livelier these past few days, Su Qing urged Jin Lan, Jin Qiao, and the others to accompany her to play all sorts of games.

Everything was proceeding smoothly according to her plans, and Mu Yunyao’s heart was also exceedingly light. She simply let go of her usual restraint and played to her heart’s content—swings, archery, pitch-pot, cuju, ice games… The whole of Jinxiu Garden was filled with laughter.

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 157