Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 273

~ PRELUDE TO ENTERING THE PALACE TO COMPLAIN ~ 

Early morning in the next day, Mu Yunyao had already gotten up early and began to freshen up.

She had chosen the clothes yesterday. Although there filial piety, she could not enter the Palace wearing them too lightly to avoid attracting the taboo, so she chooses a pale peach pink dress with a silver border. The hairpin she picked was a hollow orchid hairpin with some small flower pearls on the top. The earrings are also small orchid shaped, which are expressly fresh and pleasant to match the clothes.

After changing her clothes and matching her jewelry, Mu Yunyao sat down in front of the mirror and used the makeup to smear on her cheeks.

Su Qing stood behind Mu Yunyao. Through the mirror, she could see that her uninjured cheek was as white as a petal and as tender as fine white jade, but on the other side, the five fingerprints were clearly visible, which made people’s eyes tremble.

“Yao’er, is this a bit inappropriate?”

Mu Yunyao held her cheek and carefully looked it up for a while. She nodded with satisfaction: “I don’t feel like there’s anything wrong with it? It feels right.”

Su Qing could only suppress the worry in her heart. After accompanying her to eating for a while, she saw that it was almost the time. Then, she got up to send Mu Yunyao out.

As soon as she came out, she saw Qi Mama standing at the door. She didn’t know how long she waited, but there was actually some dew on the tip of her shoes. “Greetings, Miss Mu. The Eldest Madam has ordered me to arrange a carriage for you and let this servant wait outside the Palace gate. When you finished entering the Palace, I will pick you up and take you back.”

Mu Yunyao was supported by Jin Lan and Jin Qiao from both sides. She looked energetic, but her eyes filled with a strong sense of exhaustion. “Thank you, Qi Mama.”

“Young Miss is too polite.”

The carriage was placed with soft cushions that were exceptionally meticulously placed on top, and it felt comfortable after sitting on it. Mu Yunyao heard the sound of the carriage rolling past the bluestone street and closed her eyes to rest her mind.

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao, who were sitting at the side, did not dare to make a sound. They just waited quietly at the side. After about an hour, the carriage slowly stopped. “Miss, we have arrived.”

Mu Yunyao slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes were as clear as the blue sky, pure and untainted by a speck of dust.

When Jin Lan and Jin Qiao saw her current appearance, they couldn’t help but be slightly stunned. At this moment, Miss’s aura seemed to be exceptionally different. In the past, when she was facing her mother, she also had a pure worry-free appearance, but compared to now, she still lacked a bit of clarity. The Young Miss seemed to have faded all the distracting thoughts from her mind. It was like the sky had suddenly become sunny after the heavy rain had passed. It was clear and clean to the extreme.

Being helped from the carriage, Mu Yunyao slightly straightened her body before tidying her dress and slowly walking towards the Palace gate.

A young eunuch was already waiting at the entrance of the Palace. When he saw Mu Yunyao, he hurriedly bent his knee and bowed, “May I ask if you are Miss Mu?”

Mu Yunyao nodded in return. “This humble one is Mu Yunyao. Greetings, Eunuch.”

“Miss Mu is too polite. This servant, Xiao Gui, has sent the order of Eunuch Li to wait for Miss Mu at the entrance of the Palace. After the Imperial Court is over, the Emperor still has to meet the minister in the imperial study. After that, there was a half-hour break. The girl had to wait for a while.”

“Yes, thank you for your advice, Sir.”

Mu Yunyao had a gentle attitude, and her line was well-mannered, but the injury on her cheek was so apparent, attracts Xiaogui, Eunuch who led the way, took a sneak peek several times.

Mu Yunyao noticed his gaze, but she didn’t care. Instead, she observed the scenery of the Imperial Palace from the corner of her eyes.

In her previous life, she did not have the fortune to come to the Palace and had only seen it outside the Palace walls a few times from afar. The only thing she can see was the Royal Palace gate, which was more than ten meters high outside the palace wall. The pavilion with double eaves and sharp roof protruded like five phoenixes fluttering their wings. At that time, she was still looking forward to it, and it would be nice to have a closer look. Now she walked in and looked at it carefully, but there was no longer that longing he had from before.

This Palace has gone through several dynasties and had been expanded over and over again until it finally had today’s grand scale. The vermilion walls and glazed roof tiles gave off a majestic aura everywhere.

Along the way, Mu Yunyao did her best to endure the discomfort as she followed the young eunuch and deliberately avoided along the way, but there weren’t many people.

Walking to a Palace, the young eunuch stopped in his tracks, “Greetings, Eunuch Li.”

Mu Yunyao raised her head and saw the smiling face of Eunuch Li. She greeted him as well, “I greet Eunuch Li.”

“ Miss Mu is is too polite. Your Majesty is currently receiving a court official. As there are too many matters, there will inevitably be delayed a bit. Miss Mu should wait first in the side hall for a while. When the time comes, I’ll call you again.” Eunuch Li’s attitude towards Mu Yunyao was exceptionally intimate. First, it was because of her relationship with Xu Li. Second, it was because the purse that Mu Yunyao had given him yesterday had banknotes worth over a thousand taels of silver. It was really too extravagant. Today, it was inevitable that he would subconsciously treat her well.

After entering the side hall, Eunuch Li gestured for Mu Yunyao to sit down before instructing the eunuch who was leading them to serve the refreshments, “Miss Mu, please take a seat.”

“Thank you, Eunuch Li.” Along the way, she followed the little eunuch and walked quickly over. A layer of sweat had already formed on Mu Yunyao’s forehead. If she were to wait outside, she might really be unable to hold on.

“Miss Mu, you are too polite. I still have some matters that I must attend to and cannot wait here with Miss. Please forgive me.”

“I don’t dare to disturb my Lord.” Mu Yunyao quietly waited inside the side hall. After waiting for nearly an hour, she finally saw Eunuch Li walk in again, but this time, his complexion was clearly worse. After bowing to Mu Yunyao, he reminded her in a low voice, “Miss Mu, the Emperor wishes for you to go. The Emperor is in a rather not good mood.”

Mu Yunyao’s eyes moved, “Thank you, Eunuch Li.”

Arriving at the entrance of Yi Xin Palace, Mu Yunyao lowered her head and waited for the announcement, and after a long while, she heard a call: “Young Miss Mu Yunyao, enter the hall.”

Mu Yunyao slightly lowered her head and entered the hall very respectfully. Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught a glimpse of the Emperor wearing a bright yellow robe with dragon patterns embroidered on it. She promptly knelt and respectfully said, “This humble daughter, Mu Yunyao, greets Your Majesty.”

Mu Yunyao’s voice was clear and soft, and it was notably pleasant to hear in the great quiet hall.

The Emperor, who was frowning, slightly relaxed his expression, “Stand up. Are you Mu Yunyao?”

The Emperor’s voice filled with the dignity of a person in power. Even without looking at his appearance, her heart oppressed to the point where she could hardly breathe.

“In reply to the Emperor, yes.”

The Emperor looked at Mu Yunyao. The young girl in front of him had a petite stature, and her head was lowered, making it difficult to see her appearance. She stood there quietly, dressed delicately and charmingly, making her look very comfortable. Moreover, after entering the door, she was very polite. At first sight, she was specially trained, but she was also a child who kept the etiquette.

As the Emperor was thinking, he suddenly met a pair of eyes full of curiosity, causing him to be stunned for a moment. Mu Yunyao, who he praised just now, had unexpectedly raised her head to looked at him. She was quite courageous. “Mu Yunyao, could it be that no one told you before you came that you can’t look at Son of Heaven’s Face directly?”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 273

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 272

~ THE COMPLAINT NATURALLY SHOULD BE MADE ~  

Mu Yunyao laid on the bed, her cheek resting on her arm. Her fair and flawless arms were placed together with the bruises on her face. The contrast was exceptionally intense, causing people couldn’t help but take a deep breath just by looking at her: That Miss Meng is too fierce. How much strength did she use?

“Wen Mama, do you have any instructions from Grandmother?”

“The Old Madam was not feeling well yesterday and had rested very early. This morning, she heard about Young Miss and immediately felt worried. The Old Madam had a severe headache and couldn’t even get out of bed now, so she sent this servant to visit you first.”

Mu Yunyao’s eyes flashed with a cold light. Those who didn’t know would think how much the Old Madam loved this granddaughter of hers. “Grandmother is worried about me.”

Wen Mama observed Mu Yunyao carefully, as though she wanted to read some emotion from her face, but after looking at it for a while, she couldn’t catch anything. “Young Miss, the Old Madam knows that she has treated Madam and you unfairly for all these years, so she is wholeheartedly trying to make up for it. But in the end, there are many things in the big family. Just like yesterday’s Miss Meng, even if she was against Eldest Miss, she still had to suffer. After all, Miss Meng’s grandfather was the Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Court, while her grandmother was a princess of Qingning. There were too many implications behind her actions. We can’t make the relationship stiff because of a little unhappiness. If that happens, the entire Su family will be in danger.”

After Wen Mama said this in earnest, she saw that Mu Yunyao was silent, causing people to be unable to figure out what she was thinking.

“Young Miss, the Old Madam also wanted me to tell you the rules of the Palace. The Palace is filled with nobles, so you have to be extra careful with your words and deeds. If you have any small mistakes, you can easily be held accountable.”

Only then did Mu Yunyao slightly nod her head. “Mama, please speak.”

Wen Mama slightly heaved a sigh of relief because she was willing to speak. She was afraid that Mu Yunyao would be angry and refuse to listen to anything she said. In the next hour, Wen Mama talking about what Mu Yunyao should pay attention to after entering the Palace. She also secretly persuaded Mu Yunyao not to say anything wrong, especially she couldn’t mention all that had happened in the Su family’s backyard to the Emperor.

Mu Yunyao had been quietly listening. After Wen Mama had finished speaking, she called Jin Lan in. “Wen Mama, thank you for your hard work. Jin Lan will go prepare some refreshments and let Wen Mama take a rest.”

Wen Mama stood up. “Miss Jin Lan doesn’t need to trouble herself. Young Miss’s body is injured, so she only has a bit short of energy. I’ve already finished what I needed to say. With Young Miss’s intelligence, there shouldn’t be any problems. This old servant still has to return to serve the Old Madam. I’ll take my leave.”

As for the Old Madam’s previous request to ask Mu Yunyao if she had any clothes that she could wear to the Palace, Wen Mama did not speak at all. After all, she had seen Mu Yunyao’s beautiful attire when she was in Jingling City. Just her clothes packed in several large boxes, so how could she not have suitable clothes to wear?

“Thank you, Wen Mama. I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip here personally. Jin Lan, help me send Wen Mama out.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Not long after sending Wen Mama away, Su Qing brought in a bowl of porridge. “Yao’er, your face is injured, so it would be better for your injuries to recover if you eat light.”

Mu Yunyao giggled as she sat up, “Mother, the injury on my face only looks serious on the surface, but it’s actually just a slap. It’s nothing, no need to be so careful. I don’t want to drink the porridge. I want to eat the Eight Treasures Rice that you made.”

Su Qing, however, disagreed and directly shoved the bowl into Mu Yunyao’s hands, “My daughter’s body is naturally very delicate and expensive, not to mention the injuries on her face are too extreme. You should obediently drink the porridge for two days. When the wounds are gone, you could think about anything else. Moreover, we don’t have a small kitchen in Jiyue Pavilion, so it is really a bit troublesome if you want to eat Eight Treasures Rice.”Mu Yunyao took a spoonful and tasted the porridge. She slightly frowned as she said, “It doesn’t taste good. Speaking of this kitchen is indeed a problem. Mother, you should endure it for these two days first. After some time, we’ll have our own kitchen.”

Su Qing was stunned. She then looked at Yao’er nervously, “Yao’er, why does Mother feel so flustered? You aren’t really planning to bring the incident from that day to the Emperor’s presence, right?”

Mu Yunyao blinked and nodded as if it was a matter of course, “Naturally. Didn’t the Eldest Madam only brazenly side with her niece because no one else in the Su family could handle the situation? If others can’t manage it, then the Emperor naturally can manage.”

The reason she spent so much effort and money to spread her name so that she would not be wronged. But she was injured when she arrived in the Capital, so there must be an explanation for this matter. If the Eldest Madam did not give it to her, she would ask for it herself!

“But just now, the Eldest Madam sent someone to deliver the medicinal herb, and you accepted it. Wen Mama also came to appease you, so she must want you to endure this grievance. If you were to continue bringing this matter to the Emperor, would there be anything amiss?” Su Qing was worried. They couldn’t leave the Su family for the time being. If they angered the Old Madam and the Eldest Madam because of this, she was afraid that they would be troubled in the future.

“With just a few words of consoling and medicinal herbs, you want to settle this matter peacefully? How can there be such a cheap thing exist in this world?”

“But the Emperor is the ruler of a nation. He has so much to do and manages everything every day. Would he really care about such a small matter that happened in the backyard of the Su family?”

Mu Yunyao slightly pursed her lips: “I am also not sure if the Emperor will care about it, but no matter if he does or does not care, as long as I say this grievance in front of him, the Su Family should not have any peace. As subjects of the Imperial Court, what they cared about the most was the Emperor’s opinion on them. This time, the Emperor didn’t care, then the next time I feel wronged, I’m going to tell him again. If I add it up again and again, will the Emperor not be affected at all?”

Su Qing couldn’t hold back her laughter, “It’s already fortunate that you could see the Emperor once. How can you say that you can enter the Imperial Palace and complain again and again? Do you think that the Palace belongs to you? Aiya, looking at how I spoke, I forgot to be proper for a moment...” To say that the Imperial Palace belongs to one’s own family is to be suspected of treason. She might even lose her head if she tried to rebel.

“Mother, don’t worry, I know what I should do. Even if I can’t personally come to the Palace to see the Emperor in the future, there will always be a way to spread the news.” If things got out of hand, there was also Yue Wang. At worst, she would have spent more money than usual.

Su Qing caressed Mu Yunyao’s hair and said sincerely, “Yao’er, it’s not that mother wants to make you suffer, but that you have to be careful of what you say. If you don’t say it properly, you will lose your head.”

Mu Yunyao leaned into Su Qing’s embrace, “Mother, don’t worry. I will live for a hundred years. In the future, I still need to properly respect and filial piety. How can I bear to die?”

Su Qing suppressed the tears in her eyes with great difficulty, “Fine. Mother will wait for you to be filial.”

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 271

~ THE OLD MADAM WHO SHAKES THE POT ~ 

The Old Madam shook her head, and her expression looked rather cold. “You are usually busy. How can you take care of everything alone? After all these years, you have never made any mistakes while in charge of the residence. I naturally believe in you, but people will inevitably have their own preferences. Although the back is all flesh, the flesh is actually thinner than the palm.”

Was she blaming her for having favored Meng Yanran yesterday?

The Eldest Madam hurried forward to pay her respects. “But what did your daughter-in-law do wrong that displeased you? Please enlighten me, Mother.”

Old Madam Sun pondered for a moment before opening her mouth. “I heard that Yunyao was injured yesterday?”

“Yes, it’s a fight between two little sisters. You should know that Yanran was spoiled by her grandfather and grandmother. Sometimes it is inevitable that she will lose her sense of proportion in her words and actions, so ...”

“So, you defended Meng Yanran and wronged Yao’er?” she asked.

The Eldest Madam’s heart tightened. Judging from the Old Madam’s words, she was trying to blame it on herself? Didn’t she think that she was the one who intervened yesterday?

“Mother, Yanran was frightened at the time. She was so frightened that she even tore her own clothes. I was worried that something might have happened to Yanran here and wouldn’t have been able to explain it to the Meng family, so I subconsciously sided with her. After Yao’er got slapped, I felt distressed when I saw it ...”

“Since you know that you’ve wronged Yao’er, have you given her a proper explanation?” The Old Madam’s tone softened.

“I came to Jiyue Pavillion today to pay a visit, but Yao’er seemed to be angry and refused to speak.”

“You are an elder, so you should naturally learn to be tolerant. As for Yao’er, you need to talk to her again, don’t make her feel resentful. After all, she is still young, so there is nothing to block her words and actions. If there is anything bad spread out, won’t it bring shame to our Su family?” The Old Madam looked at the Eldest Madam indifferently. It was only when the Eldest Madam nodded in agreement that she was satisfied, and there was an extra smile on his face.

When the Eldest Madam walked out of the Old Madam’s courtyard, Ninghe Garden, she felt like she was being roasted on a fire. Her heart, liver, spleen, and lungs felt miserable everywhere. If she really cared for her granddaughter, she would not have sent Lin Yuhan to do that yesterday. Seeing that Mu Yunyao was about to meet the Emperor, the Old Madam panicked and was so flustered that she asked her to say nice words to pacify Mu Yunyao. She had taken all the great things, but the bad things had to be done by herself!

Could it be that the Old Madam’s face was her face, and hers, as an Eldest Madam’s face, was a piece of paper that was worthless? When she thought about speaking kindly to Mu Yunyao, the Eldest Madam felt as if she had been slapped in the face a few times.

Wen Mama brought a cup of tea and placed it next to the Old Madam. “Old Madam, have some tea. Don’t worry too much about the matters of those juniors.”

The Old Madam gently played with the Buddhist beads in her hands and slightly lowering her eyes. Her slightly relaxed eyelids blocked the emotions that flowed in her eyes, “All these years have been smooth sailing. Why is it that everything is under her control became like this? Carelessness makes it easier to stir up trouble. These days make the eyes of the people underneath a little tighter. It’s almost the Mid Autumn Festival, and It’s better to be a little more secure.”

“Yes, Old Madam.” After Wen Mama finished answering, she stood to the side. The room was silent for a long time before she suddenly heard the Old Madam speak again.

“Wen Mama, I believe in your judgment. What do you think about Mu Yunyao?”

Wen Mama couldn’t figure out the meaning behind the Old Madam’s words for a moment, so she could only speak up. “Previously, the Old Madam also asked this, and this servant thought that Miss Mu was smart and beautiful. It’s a rare thing.”

“Smart… After all...” Old Madam Sun seemed to want to say something, but when the words were just about to leave her mouth, she quickly swallowed them back. Her expression turned unnatural for a moment as she continued, “In a while, bring the medicinal ingredients and go to Jiyue Pavilion to take a look. Also, ask Yao’er if she has proper clothes for her presence tomorrow at the Palace. If she doesn’t have proper clothes, then borrow them from Yuyi for her use. Also, tell her the Palace’s rule. Otherwise, she says something that she shouldn’t have said after entering the Palace. It would be bad if she angers any noble person.”

“Yes, Old Madam.”

Wen Mama couldn’t figure out the meaning behind the Old Madam’s words for a moment, so she could only speak up. “Previously, the Old Madam also asked this, and this servant thought that Miss Mu was smart and beautiful. It’s a rare thing.”

“Smart… After all...” Old Madam Sun seemed to want to say something, but when the words were just about to leave her mouth, she quickly swallowed them back. Her expression turned unnatural for a moment as she continued, “In a while, bring the medicinal ingredients and go to Jiyue Pavilion to take a look. Also, ask Yao’er if she has proper clothes for her presence tomorrow at the Palace. If she doesn’t have proper clothes, then borrow them from Yuyi for her use. Also, tell her the Palace’s rule. Otherwise, she says something that she shouldn’t have said after entering the Palace. It would be bad if she angers any noble person.”

“Yes, Old Madam.”

Mu Yunyao lazily laid on the bed, asking Si Hua to massage the bruise on her waist again with medicated oil. The bruised blood gradually dispersed, and the range of bruises became wider. It looked particularly shocking on her snow-white skin.

Every time Su Qing looked at it, Su Qing had to shed tears, causing Mu Yunyao to feel distressed. “Mother, don’t worry too much. I had rested all night last night, so it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“You tricked Mother when you went to see Eunuch Li just now, but you couldn’t even stand properly.”

Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve suffered such a great grievance, so I naturally have to be pitiful in front of outsiders. Although it still hurts a bit, it’s mostly an act. If Mother doesn’t believe me, I’ll come down now and take two steps to show you.”

Su Qing hurriedly stepped forward and placed her hand on Mu Yunyao’s shoulder. “Mother trusted you. Quickly lie down and rest. Mother will make some pork bone soup for you later. You will be healed faster if you drink it.”

“Mother, it’s not like I hurt my bones. What’s the use of drinking the bone soup?”

“Drink more bone soup. You’ll grow taller and stronger if you drink more. This way, the next time someone hits you, you’ll be able to dodge, and you won’t have to suffer so much pain.”

Mu Yunyao felt sour in her heart. Her mother’s heart was always that soft, but she still had a smile on her face as she said, “Alright, then Mother will boil a little more, so I’ll drink a little more.”

Su Qing hurriedly nodded. When she saw Mu Yunyao’s expression, her heart relaxed a bit. “I understand.”

Just as they were talking, Jin Lan walked in quickly. “Madam, Miss, the Eldest Madam has sent someone to deliver a lot of medicinal herbs. There is even some precious nourishment for the body.”

The smile in Mu Yunyao’s eyes vanished. “Eldest Aunt has good intentions. Since the things have been delivered, then I’ll accept them. Tell Eldest Aunt that I’ll personally go and thank Eldest Aunt after I’ve recovered from my injuries.” If she didn’t accept the gift that was delivered to her, it would be a waste.

“Yes, Miss.”

Not long after, Mu Yunyao, who had just fallen asleep, heard Jin Lan enter and report, “Miss... Wen Mama has arrived.”

Mu Yunyao didn’t open her eyes, but she only opened her mouth and replied, “Invite her in.” She did not expect the Old Madam to lose her composure so quickly.

Wen Mama walked in and subconsciously looked around at the decorations around her. Jiyue Pavilion had was originally decorated very exquisitely, but now it is even better than before. The floor was covered in a fluffy peony carpet, and when people stepped on it, it was as if they were standing on clouds, which made them feel extremely comfortable and soft. A piece of furniture has been replaced with the delicate style of Jiangnan. The exquisite design was exceptionally compatible with this Jiyue Pavilion.

Between the outer hall and the inner room was a large folding screen, embroidered with a picture of mountains and rivers s in a remote style. It was unknown who had made it, but it was so captivating.

Around the screen, a dark red bead curtain made of Jade Seal Jade Beads hung at the door of Mu Yunyao’s room. The bead curtain’s color was the same, and the beads were round and full, and each bead was absolutely identical. It was hard to tell if there was any difference, but just this bead alone would probably cost more than ten thousand taels of silver.

Wen Mama was sighing with emotion in her heart when she heard Mu Yunyao’s slightly weak voice, “Wen Mama, you’ve arrived. My movements are currently inconvenient, so I can’t stand up to welcome you.”

Wen Mama immediately became attentive. She stepped forward, holding her breath, and curtsied. “Your servant greets Young Miss.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 271

Incurable Chapter 19 Part 2

In Liu Qianxiu’s car, Mu Wan buckled her seatbelt. His friend lived in the South District. From Tang’er Hospital in the North District, it usually took over an hour. But they left early; it was only 4:30, before traffic thickened.

By the time rush hour arrived, they were already on the coastal road.

The car rolled smoothly out of the hospital gate. At the first red light, Mu Wan asked, “Is your friend a doctor too?”

Mu Wan didn’t have many friends. If you counted, it was basically Lin Wei and Gao Mei. Liu Qianxiu seemed to have even fewer. In all the time she’d been around him, he was always alone.

He disliked being disturbed, and he didn’t disturb others. If he trusted someone enough to leave the cats with them, that relationship had to be solid.

“No,” Liu Qianxiu replied.

The light turned green. The car moved. Mu Wan’s body leaned back against the seat with the motion, but her eyes stayed on his profile.

Perfect lines. Quiet, clean stillness.

If both of them hated being disturbed, then two people like that could probably help each other without friction.

Mu Wan shifted slightly and asked, half-serious, “Then… a fellow Daoist?”

Liu Qianxiu glanced at her. She was staring at him, waiting.

“No,” he said. “A university classmate.”

“Oh.” Mu Wan looked away at the broad road ahead and murmured, “So a classmate.”

Outside the window, the sun was still bright. Xia City’s greenery was expansive. Under the overpass, the road was smooth and clean, vegetation thick and glossy with summer shine.

Mu Wan filmed a night shoot until four in the morning. After wrapping, she’d rushed back to Xiacheng without stopping. She hadn’t rested at home either—just washed up, dressed, and came straight here.

Chatting with him, watching the scenery blur, she fell asleep somewhere along the flat stretch of the coastal road.

The car reached the South District. Liu Qianxiu parked and glanced toward the passenger seat.

Mu Wan’s head tilted against the window. Hair spilt down to her pale shoulder. Her neck stretched slightly, the line flowing into her jaw. With the engine off, her breathing was long and calm, sleep peaceful.

Liu Qianxiu looked away and stepped out.

He rang the doorbell of a standalone villa.

It was already 5:30. The sunlight still felt strong, but the salty sea wind carried dampness. It felt like it might rain again.

The bell chimed once. The door opened quickly.

A woman stood there with a gentle smile. She was beautiful in a clean, delicate way. Long black hair tied into a low ponytail. When she smiled, she had the soft elegance of a Jiangnan woman—warm, graceful.

Seeing Liu Qianxiu, she smiled and said, “You’re here.” Then she stepped aside.

Liu Qianxiu thanked her and entered.

Huai Jing came downstairs just then. His peach-blossom eyes lifted.

“I thought you were going to dump these cats on me permanently.”

He looked like he’d just come home from work. A deep purple shirt, tie removed but collar still open, showing a slice of collarbone. As he spoke, he undid his cufflinks and walked down.

He and Liu Qianxiu were about the same height—around 1.9 meters—both tall and long-limbed. Standing together, their differences were sharp.

Huai Jing carried the aggressive, polished aura of a businessman. His features were refined, his eyes lazy with arrogance and flamboyant confidence.

Liu Qianxiu, by contrast, was clean and quiet, almost ascetic. Even his looks seemed softened by his temperament—aloof, calm, and untouchable.

“You want them?” Liu Qianxiu asked.

Before Huai Jing could answer, a white blur darted past his pant leg. A fluffy, beautiful ragdoll cat hopped to his wife, Xu Xingkong. Xu Xingkong lifted the cat and smiled, stroking its head.

“Forget it,” Huai Jing said, shaking his head. “Even one is a waste of time.”

Xu Xingkong looked up at him. Huai Jing held her gaze, then pressed his lips and amended, decisive, “One is okay. But raising a bunch together is too much.”

“That’s not how you ask the owner for a cat,” Xu Xingkong corrected him. She set the cat down and smiled at Liu Qianxiu. “Qianxiu, your cats are in the cat room.”

The cat room was on the first floor. Xu Xingkong led the way. Huai Jing and Liu Qianxiu followed, chatting.

“I won’t keep you for dinner. I don’t want to wash more dishes.”

“Buy a dishwasher. Problem solved.”

“That’s why you’re single. You don’t understand the joy of married life.”

At that, Xu Xingkong turned and shot Huai Jing a look, ears faintly red. “Huai Jing.”

Huai Jing’s gaze softened. “It’s wisdom from your elders.”

Xu Xingkong sighed. In front of others, she was shy. She glanced at Liu Qianxiu, then told her husband softly, “Don’t say it like that.”

“Fine.” Huai Jing smiled. “I won’t.”

Liu Qianxiu, standing behind them, asked calmly, “Can I take the cats now?”

The couple both looked back. Xu Xingkong looked away first, red-faced, and opened the cat-room door.

“…Yes.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 19 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 19 Part 1

The office was silent. From the corridor came the occasional rush of gurney wheels, the frantic rolling sound threaded with a patient’s low moans and a nurse’s soft instructions.

Mu Wan sat on the exam bed, hands braced at her sides. Her shoulders lifted slightly, collarbones subtly raised, forming a graceful hollow at her throat. She lowered her eyes to her raised foot.

A plain, ordinary bandage sat on the pale top of her foot. The edges lay neat and flat, covering the red mark and the cool sting of the red antiseptic Liu Qianxiu had dabbed on.

Most doctors had a touch of cleanliness obsession. Liu Qianxiu didn’t, not exactly.

He was simply disciplined.

And because of that, everything he did was clean, precise, without a shred of waste.

Mu Wan wiggled her toes, then looked up at him. “Will it heal before you get off work?”

She’d come early. It was only 4:30. Liu Qianxiu still had an hour before he officially got off. She wasn’t leaving.

She planned to wait right here, in his office, as a “patient.”

Liu Qianxiu lifted his gaze to her, set his things down, and answered calmly. “Mm.”

He agreed. Mu Wan lifted her foot a little higher and grinned.

At the doorway, Xiao Yun stood watching.

Inside, the woman sat on the exam bed in a fitted ginger-yellow dress, her waist slim enough to wrap one hand around. Black hair spilled down her back, leaving only narrow shoulders exposed. She was tall and thin, yet even from her back alone, you could feel the sheer, effortless allure.

A woman’s charm wasn’t something clothes gave her.

It was something she gave the clothes.

The red dress last time, the ginger-yellow today. On anyone else, it would be imitation.

Xiao Yun lowered her lashes.

When she came over, she’d heard the nurses gossiping about a stunning woman walking into Doctor Liu’s office. Their voices were sharp with jealousy and admiration, but their conclusion was the same.

Doctor Liu wouldn’t pay her any attention.

Liu Qianxiu was like an immortal, with a depth most people didn’t have. A man like that wouldn’t be shallow enough to fall for a gorgeous face.

Staring at Mu Wan’s back, Xiao Yun’s eyes flashed with faint contempt. She knocked.

Both people inside turned.

Xiao Yun pushed the door open and walked in.

“Doctor Liu, the department head wants you. He needs to discuss the surgical plan for next week’s operation.”

As she spoke, her gaze slid toward Mu Wan. She offered a polite smile, then looked away.

Whatever had happened at Masyale’s restroom last time had been filed away as if it had never existed.

Mu Wan didn’t smile back. She watched Liu Qianxiu, concerned about a different issue.

“Will it take long?” Mu Wan asked.

Liu Qianxiu rose. The light from the window shifted as his body blocked it. He looked down at Mu Wan.

“Not long. Wait here. We’ll leave together in a bit.”

His voice was low, meant only for her. But the office was too empty, too open, and sound traveled without restraint.

Xiao Yun’s gaze changed.

Liu Qianxiu stood by the exam bed. Mu Wan still braced her hands behind her, chin tipped up toward him. Even without sunlight, her eyes were bright—black as ink, clear to the bottom.

“Okay,” she said.

Liu Qianxiu withdrew his gaze, picked up the documents from the desk, and said to Xiao Yun, “Let’s go.”

Xiao Yun blinked, then recovered. Her lips moved before she managed a single word.

“Okay.”

Right before leaving, she looked at Mu Wan properly for the first time.

Mu Wan was smiling at her. The dress caught the light. She looked like a small wildcat—sharp and sweet at once.

Sharp to Xiao Yun.

Sweet to Liu Qianxiu.

Out in the corridor, Xiao Yun walked at Liu Qianxiu’s side. Nurses passed, greeting them. Xiao Yun looked at him and smiled.

“Doctor Liu, it’s not really appropriate to leave Miss Mu alone in your office.”

Liu Qianxiu glanced at her—his gaze like wind, sweeping lightly across her chest.

Xiao Yun’s smile tightened.

“I’m only reminding you. A doctor’s office isn’t somewhere just anyone can come and go… unless they’re very close.”

“Mm.” Liu Qianxiu looked away, his tone bland. “Then she has no problem.”

Xiao Yun’s chest seized.

Her throat trembled.

She lowered her eyes.

Liu Qianxiu hadn’t lied.

Mu Wan played two rounds of Plants vs. Zombies on the exam bed, and he was back.

The door clicked. Mu Wan lifted her head, eyes lighting up.

“You’re back.” She pocketed her phone and hopped off the exam bed.

Her foot was fine. She slipped her heel on, the bandage peeking out.

Liu Qianxiu swept his gaze over it, answered quietly, and set the documents down. Then he took off his white coat.

“Can we go now?” Mu Wan asked.

“I can leave early.” He’d only returned from his trip this morning. He hadn’t even been scheduled to work this afternoon, but the hospital called him in. He hung up the coat and said, “I need to stop by a friend’s place to pick up the cats. Are you coming?”

Without the coat, he wore a linen shirt and trousers, still in that same light, comfortable style—clean and faintly otherworldly.

Mu Wan’s eyes wandered to the line of collarbone at his open neckline. She didn’t answer his question.

Instead, she asked, “Is it a boy or a girl, friend?”

Liu Qianxiu looked at her, expression steady.

Mu Wan felt a flicker of guilt under his gaze. She was about to explain herself when he answered.

“A man. However, the cats are under his wife’s care.”

“Oh.” The jealousy in Mu Wan’s chest settled, then turned sweet all over again. She answered lightly, as if it didn’t matter.

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 19 Part 1

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 270

~ THE EMPEROR WANTS TO SEE MU YUNYAO? ~ 

Initially, Mu Yunyao tried her best to empty her thoughts into a hollow so that the pain in her body can be relieved a bit. After hearing Jin Lan’s question, she suddenly came back to her senses, “Tell his people to go back and tell them that we have the usual medicine for traumatic injuries prepared here, and we don’t need a doctor to come and check on it again. Also, take a bottle of Red Injury Medicine and tell the person who came over to said to My Elder Cousin that he needs to take good care of himself.”

Today, she could smell the scent of blood emanating from Su Qingwu. It was as though he had been injured somewhere. Since he was the first to express his goodwill, she had to respond in any way. He might even be of use in the future.

“Yes, Miss.”

Su Qingwu took a small bottle of medicine from his attendant and slightly rotated it around his finger, making his eyes became extremely deep.

The attendant repeated the words sent by Jin Lan. “... Young Master, please rest early. The Third Prince said that he would not come to visit you in residence because it’s going to be a long day’s work.”

“I understand. You can leave now.” After his attendant left, Su Qingwu looked at the medicine bottle in his hand for a long time. He seemed to be deep in thought, but he didn’t know what he was thinking. Then, he put the bottle away in a drawer and lay down on the bed to have a rest.

The next morning, when he had just gotten up, he saw his attendant hurriedly walking in, “Young Master, someone from the Palace has arrived.”

Su Qingwu’s eyebrows moved: “I think it should be to issue some rewards. If you are nervous, just set up an incense table to welcome him.”

“No, the person from the Palace designated to meet Miss Mu. He says that Miss Mu will enter the Palace tomorrow because the Emperor wants to see her!”

Su Qingwu’s eyes quivered, and between his eyebrows, a frown appeared. “Did Mother know about it?”

“The Eldest Madam already knows. She’s taking some people to Jiyue Pavilion right now.”

At this moment, not only was the Eldest Madam alarmed. But, the entire Su family’s backyard was also in a state of panic. Old Madam Sun naturally knew what had happened yesterday. However, she also had the same thoughts as the Eldest Madam. She thought that Mu Yunyao wouldn’t be able to stir up any trouble and totally regarded Mu Yunyao’s words as a joke. No one expected that, just after one night, suddenly there was news from the Palace that the Emperor wanted to see her!

Currently, Mu Yunyao’s face was covered with injuries. Although she had only been hit two times, she probably wouldn’t be able to walk easily because of her delicate appearance. How could she enter the Palace like this?

In Jiyue Pavillion, Mu Yunyao was sitting on a chair with a pale face, and two cushions were placed behind her back. Her body was also still covered in a cold sweat from the pain. Her face was filled with an apologetic expression as she spoke to Eunuch Li, who had come to deliver the imperial edict, “It’s been a while. Has Lord Li been well?”

This Lord Li is Li De, who went to Jingling City last time to give a decree and reward, and is the apprentice of Xu Li, the current head of the internal servant: “You can’t call me ‘Lord Li’ like this. It is already an honor to be called ‘Eunuch Li’ by you. When I heard from my master that the Emperor wanted to summon you into the Palace, I immediately took over the work as soon as I heard it. It’s just that Miss Mu’s face is not very good?”

Mu Yunyao’s smile became a bit forced, but she shook her head slightly. “It’s nothing. Maybe because I just came to the Capital, so I’m not acclimatized to it.”

Eunuch Li’s gaze turned to the bluish-purple palm print on her face. You can’t get a slap mark on your face if you aren’t acclimatized. He knew in his heart that she must have been hit, but he still followed Mu Yunyao’s words, “The climate of the Capital and Jingling City are very different, so it’s possible that Miss Mu isn’t able to acclimatize yet. If you take a rest longer, you will be fine. However, Young Miss might enter the Palace tomorrow?”

“Yunyao was lucky enough that the Emperor had set his eyes on her, and he gave her rewards several times. Not to mention feeling a little uncomfortable, even if she broke her leg, she still had to crawl to the Palace to kowtow and express gratitude to the Emperor.” Mu Yunyao had a sincere smile on her face as her words came out from her mouth, always let people feel sincere.

Eunuch Li nodded his head and said with a smile, “Please get more rest. After the message is delivered, I will not stay any longer.”

Mu Yunyao looked at Jin Lan. Jin Lan hurriedly took a purse and gave it to Eunuch Li, “I’ll have to trouble Eunuch to come here in a hurry and during his busy schedule. Please have some tea on your way back.”

“Then, I’ll thank Miss Mu.” After that, he put the purse back into his sleeve. With a flip of his hand, there was no trace of it.

Mu Yunyao asked Jin Qiao to help her get up to see Eunuch Li off. Just as she arrived at the courtyard’s entrance, she saw the Eldest Madam, who had brought her people over in a hurry. “Greetings, Eldest Aunt.”

“Greetings, Madam Meng.” Eunuch Li cupped his hands and bowed.

The Eldest Madam smiled, apparently knowing that he is the head of the internal servant’s apprentice. “Eunuch Li, why are you so anxious to leave? I’ve already ordered people to hold a banquet, so you should eat something before departing. Yunyao, you too, Eunuch Li came all the way here to convey the Emperor’s announcement. Why didn’t you let him stay for a while?”

The smile on Mu Yunyao’s face was light, “It’s my fault.”

Eunuch Li, on the other side, quickly smiled and said, “There are still many matters to attend to in the Palace. There is absolutely no time to spare today. Let Madam Meng prepare one for nothing. I will definitely come to apologize another day.”

“What are you saying, Eunuch Li? Since the Palace is busy, we naturally cannot delay it. If there is a chance in the future, we will invite Eunuch Li to have a drink some other day.”

Eunuch Li smiled and cupped his hands, “Then we shall take our leave first.”

“Send Eunuch Li off.”

After waiting for Eunuch Li to leave, Mu Yunyao’s legs fiercely staggered as she leaned directly on Jin Qiao’s body. Her face was so white that it didn’t have the slightest hint of blood on it.

Jin Qiao cried out in alarm. “Miss, please hold on a little. This servant will help you go back and rest.”

The Eldest Madam’s smiling face froze on the spot, but she had no choice but to grind her teeth and follow Jin Qiao’s footsteps to Mu Yunyao’s room to visit her.

After settling down, Su Qing stood by the bed and secretly shed tears. “Eldest Sister-in-law, Yunyao was born prematurely, so she’s always been weak. I’m afraid she won’t be able to talk to you right now.”

The Eldest Madam smiled more stiffly: “Yao’er’s health is more important, so you should blame me for not being able to stop that little girl Yanran yesterday. She was supposed to be playing around with her little sisters. But who knew that things would turn out like this? I’ll definitely properly talk about her and have her apologize to Yao’er.”

There was no need to mention how furious the Eldest Madam was when she said these words. However, she couldn’t help but says that. If she didn’t appease Mu Yunyao right now and let her speak nonsense in front of the Emperor, things would really be terrible.

Mu Yunyao laid on the bed with her eyes closed as if she had already passed out. No matter what the Eldest Madam said, she didn’t open her eyes to reply.

The Eldest Madam’s heart very annoyed, this shameless girl! But there is no other way. She can only leave bitterly and go to the Old Madam to ask for an idea.

At this moment, Old Madam Sun’s heart was similarly restless. She had only used a small amount of time for breakfast before stopping her chopsticks. Upon hearing that the Eldest Madam had come seeking an audience, her expression darkened as she ordered Wen Mama to call for her.

“Greetings, Mother.” After the Eldest Madam entered, she formally bowed to her. However, as soon as she finished speaking, she could not hear the Old Madam calling out to her. Therefore, she could only maintain her posture as she remained frozen on the spot, her thoughts slowly sinking down.

After drank half a cup of tea, Old Madam Sun finally opened her mouth. “These two days, my energy has been running out, so I’ve been so distracted that I forgot to ask you to get up. Quickly, sit down and have a rest.”

The Eldest Madam’s smile didn’t waver as she heard her words, revealing a look of worry. “Mother’s body isn’t well, so why didn’t you take the post and ask for the imperial physician to come and take a look? It’s all because this daughter-in-law is not filial. During this time, they were too preoccupied with Sister Su Qing’s matters that I forget to take care of you. Please asked Mother to punish me.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 270

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 269

~ MOTHER AND SON DISAGREEMENT ~ 

The Eldest Madam patted Su Yuyi’s hand in satisfaction, “After today’s incident, the Old Madam’s attitude has become clear. She doesn’t take this granddaughter to heart, and she might even be full of disgust. Later, she sent her far away, that is, you didn’t have to dirty your hands because of such a person.”

Su Yuyi asked out the doubt in her heart, “Mother, I still have one thing I don’t understand. You said that Lin Yuhan is not stupid. Could I believe what she’s saying?”

“Do you really think that she was forced by Meng Yanran to fake her injuries? You should have seen clearly what kind of person Lin Yuhan is after such a long time. She was like a dog that the Old Madam kept by her feet. Usually, she would be used to accompany the Old Madam to calm her mind. If there were people The Old Madam didn’t like, she would let them out and bite them off. Anyway. Lin Yuhan’s identity was an official servant, so she might not as good as the servant who signed the indenture contract. She did not dare to leave the Su family, but rather she couldn’t leave the Su family. So she must follow everything the Old Madam says. Look, are there any better dogs than she does?”

Su Yuyi’s eyes trembled as she secretly understood the Eldest Madam’s meaning. Lin Yuhan knew about medicine, which could be used to save a person, and naturally, it could be used to harm a person. The reason the Old Madam was raising her was that she probably wanted to make use of this fact: “Then, from Mother’s perspective, does the Old Madam have any instructions today?”

The Eldest Madam smiled and asked, “What do you think?”

Su Yuyi looked into the Eldest Madam’s eye and slightly nodded her head. The curve of her head was indiscernible. If it wasn’t for the Old Madam’s orders, how could her mother be so sure of herself that the Old Madam dislikes Mu Yunyao, her granddaughter?

The Eldest Madam continued to laugh and did not directly answer Su Yuyi’s question, “All these years, Mother has been in charge of the backyard, although it looks bright and beautiful, the pain behind it is nothing out of the ordinary. The most important thing is to take care of the Old Madam. You also know that your father’s filial piety is important to him. Even though his official position is now prominent, he is still obedient to the Old Madame. When the Old Madam was young, she had experienced many things with the Old Master. Even though she is old and doesn’t like to ask about the family’s affairs, she knew everything about the big things and the little things that happened here.”

Su Yuyi thought about it for a moment and nodded, “Mother, I collected a few pearls from the Southern Ocean a few days ago. They are plump, round, and purple in color. It was quite rare to turn brightly under candlelight. I want to make a mark for Grandmother and send it to her tomorrow.”

“Alright, your filial piety is the only one in this residence. Other people can’t even compare to it.”

“Then, Daughter will go down and prepare it.”

“Go ahead and light some candles so as not to hurt your eyes.”

“Yes.”

After sending Su Yuyi off, the smile on Eldest Madam’s face faded a little, and she called the mama by her side and asked, “Where is Master?”

“Reporting to Madam, it’s the Sixth Madame’s birthday today. Master has sent someone over to pass the message that he was resting at Xianghe Garden tonight.”

The Eldest Madam nodded. “Tomorrow morning, I will send some of Old Master’s favorite meals, and I’ll also give Liu Yiniang two pieces of silk as a reward. During this time, she took good care of Old Master.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Go and call Young Master.”

Soon, Su Qingwu arrived in front of the Eldest Madam. “Greetings, Mother.”

The Eldest Madam raised her head, looking at Su Qingwu with a cold gaze. After a long moment, she said, “Qingwu, Mother thought that you always had a sense of propriety when doing things, but who would’ve thought that you’ve actually committed such a mistake today!” Su Qingwu listened to Mu Yunyao’s words and continued to stay in the small Lu Yi Pavillion instead of listening to her for retreat, which made her deeply bothered.

Su Qingwu stood up, her handsome face a tinge of paleness, but the Eldest Madam was so angry that she didn’t notice anything unusual. “Mother, I don’t approve of your actions in today’s matters.”

The Eldest Madam raised her eyebrows, “Do you think I shouldn’t have suppressed this matter today? Could it be that you want me to let Yanran down for Mu Yunyao, a girl from the countryside, and even make trouble with the Meng family?”

“It’s obvious that Miss Meng is making trouble out of nothing. Mother only needed justice, and even if the matter were to spread to the Meng family, Grand Preceptor Meng wouldn’t be ignorant and blame you for the mistake. But if you continue to suppress things like this, the situation might become unmanageable.”

The Eldest Madam could not help but chuckle. “Can’t you clean it? Could it be that a little Mu Yunyao could defy the heavens? Qingwu, I know that you’ve once sent out orders for His Majesty in Jingling City, so you can’t help but think highly of Mu Yunyao. But in the end, she’s just a silly little girl. Even if she is recognized as an adopted daughter by Cao yunnian, what can she do?”

Su Qingwu didn’t know how to explain it to the Eldest Madam, but after interacting with her several times, he had a faint feeling in his heart that Mu Yunyao was definitely not an ordinary woman.

She had her own constitution and plans for doing things, and every step forward she took was very steady. One must know that a year and a half ago, she was barely penniless. Madam Li also almost sold her as a plaything. But now, she had received a reward from the Emperor, and her reputation was known by everyone in Jiangnan. I don’t know how many people are grateful to her because of the embroidery technique. Bu Xian Lou and Ni Yun Fang are becoming more and more famous. Her reputation was rising day by day. It wouldn’t be long before they come directly into the capital. How could such a woman endure such humiliation?

Seeing Su Qingwu’s silence, and his expression looks very solemn, there was a hint of irritability in the Eldest Madam’s heart: “Qingwu, aren’t you taking this matter too seriously? Now that it’s settled, there’s no point in overthinking it.”

Perhaps it was because she felt that her tone was too stiff, then she brought a trace of a smile on her face as she asked gently, “You’ve been out with the Third Prince for nearly two months. Is everything going well outside?”

Su Qingwu nodded. “In reply to Mother, everything is going well. There weren’t too many twists and turns.”

“I can see that you don’t look too good. Just rest for a few more days after you return home. Presumably, the Emperor won’t let you go back to work in a hurry.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Mm, let’s go down and have a rest.”

After returning to his own courtyard, Su Qingwu took off his outer garment and looked at the bloodstained inner garment. The attendant hurriedly brought some medicinal powder over and helped Su Qingwu change the gauze covering his arm.

“Young Master, the wound on your hand has split open again. Please be more careful, don’t touch it again.”

“It’s okay. Go out and find out if any doctors in Jiyue Pavilion? If there is one, then ask him to come over to my place after helping Mu Yunyao take a look at her. If they don’t have, you’ll find a doctor to take a look at me, and after I’m done, you’ll send it over to Jiyue Pavilion.”

The attendant didn’t understand why Su Qingwu was paying so much attention to Jiyue Pavilion. However, Master’s affairs weren’t something that servants like him could interrupt. He could only bow and allow others to inquire about it.

Inside Jiyue Pavilion, Si Hua’s hand was smeared with medicinal oil as she helped Mu Yunyao massage the wound on her waist. Although she had only beaten two strokes, their strength was full, leaving behind a large bruise mark. If she did not take advantage of the moment to disperse the blood clot, she might not even be able to stand up tomorrow.

Mu Yunyao’s head was covered in a cold sweat from the pain. Su Qing sat by her side and used a handkerchief to wipe it away. There are tears in Su Qing’s eyes all the time, but she was afraid that Mu Yunyao might be distracted and worried about her, so she held back.

Jin Lan walked in and asked softly, “Madam, Miss, Young Master sent someone to inquire if we have a doctor?”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 269

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 268

~ SU QING’S HATRED ~ 

Jin Lan and Jin Qiao had anxiously waiting at the entrance of Lu Yi Pavillion the entire time. When they heard loud noises coming from the courtyard, they hurriedly rushed inside but were chased out by the old maids guarding the door.

Just as they couldn’t resist the temptation to go back and find Liu Liang to rush in to snatch her away, they saw Mu Yunyao slowly walked out. The two of them were practically crying tears of joy, and they hurriedly went over to support her on both sides: “Miss, what’s wrong with you?”

Looking at the wounds on Mu Yunyao’s face and her unnatural walking posture, Jin Lan’s heart suddenly sank. She held onto Mu Yunyao’s hand tightly, saving her a bit of effort and making her lean more easily.

“It’s nothing, let’s head back to Jiyue Pavilion first.”

Su Qing had been waiting at the entrance of the courtyard and was already worried. Seeing Mu Yunyao being supported, she quickly ran over. Seeing Mu Yunyao’s appearance, Su Qing’s heart almost burst out of her chest. “Yao’er? You..., You …”

Mu Yunyao leaned into Su Qing’s embrace and gently rubbed her ear. With a trace of delicateness in her voice, she said, “Mother, I was in the wrong. I said that I would return in full shadow, but now I’ve brought an injury with me that makes you worry.”

Su Qing’s tears never stopped. Hearing this word, she felt like there a hole in her heart and her heart torn with pain. She reached out her arms to help Mu Yunyao into a hug and held her as she walked them to the room sobbing.

“Yao’er, my poor Yao’er! We have already done our best to express our goodwill. If she says that she wants us to come, then we will travel day and night together. When she says that she wants to send a greeting gift, we will do our best to collect all the precious items. If she wanted to put people around us, we would happily respond. We were afraid that we would offend others. If the Old Madam doesn’t want to acknowledge her daughter and her granddaughter, she should not provoke us. Why is she messing up our peaceful lives and insisting on bringing us here?”

Mu Yunyao had already endured it as much as she could. Now that she was in Su Qing’s embrace, all of the grievances and fragility in her heart surged forth upon hearing Su Qing’s cry. Her tears rolled down her face, and she smashed them onto the back of her hand, “Mother, my face hurts, and my waist hurts too. Nothing is comfortable on my body...”

Su Qing hurriedly and gently helped Mu Yunyao up. “Yao’er, let me take a look at your injuries …”

Mu Yunyao revealed her face, the blue and purple palm on half of her face to cause fear in the hearts of those who saw it.

Su Qing’s heart ached, and she was angry. She could not help but tremble. “Yao’er, Mother will take you away. We will not stay in the Su family anymore!”

What’s the Su family? What relative? If they really considered her and Yao’er to be relatives, how could they have done such a hateful thing like this? Today, they had slapped her and plank her twice. Tomorrow, wouldn’t she be risking her life?

How was this a home with relatives? It was clearly a pit with a steel knife in it. Once you fell down, you would be smashed to pieces. No matter what she did, she couldn’t allow Yao’er to fall into this pit of fire.

Mu Yunyao reached out to hold onto Su Qing. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Mother, everyone knows that we’ve returned to the Su family. Where can we go now?”

They never had a way out.

Su Qing became determined. “No matter where we go, as long as we leave this man-eating house, we can go anywhere. We can go back and guard Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo, isn’t there a golden signboard bestowed by the Emperor? Can’t even protect us?”

“Could it be that once we return to Jingling City, the Su family will not commit murder? Mother, it’s the same. As long as the Su family wants to harm us, we can’t escape no matter where we run them. Right now, we are in the Su family, and we have Ni Yung Fang and Bu Xian Luo, so we still have some leeway for us to go back. If we were if we are killed in another place, I’m afraid no one will know.”

Su Qing’s eyes flashed with hatred, “Yao’er, what do you want to do?”

“Mother, the Su family does not treat us as relatives, so we naturally do not have to worry about them. Therefore, I want to take revenge. I must get back the grievances I suffered today.”

Su Qing nodded her head heavily, “Alright, Mother will support you. What do you want to do? Is there anything I can help you with?”

The reason why Mu Yunyao had endured all these injuries was to let Su Qing’s train of thought completely cut off with the Su family. This time, when she returned to the Su family, she wanted to make sure that those people would die without a burial ground. If her mother regards the Old Madam Sun and others as relatives in her heart, she will inevitably have bad feelings in her heart at that time.

She could not allow her mother to treat her as a wicked person, so she could only make her mother hate the Su family and abandon them outside. This way, when she did something in the future, she wouldn’t feel sad because she sympathized with the Su family.

“Mother, don’t worry. I’ve arranged so many things before, so it’s about time to start using them.”

On the other side, the Eldest Madam brought Su Yuyi back to her room with a solemn look on her face, “Yuyi, do you know where your mistake is today?”

Su Yuyi quickly knelt down beside the Eldest Madam, hugged her arm, and acted like a spoiled child: “Mother, I shouldn’t have called Meng Yanran here in such a hurry, and I shouldn’t have let her be so careless. She almost caused a huge mess.”

The Eldest Madam’s expression relaxed slightly, and she pulled Su Yuyi’s hand to allow her to sit beside her. “Yuyi, today’s matter placed in the Su family and within your S\small Lu Yi Pavillion, we can still suppress the chaos that has happened. Mother can help you tidy up the mess this time, but if you change the place today, and there will be a slight difference in your words. What serious consequences will happen, it will be difficult to predict.”

Su Yuyi nodded immediately. “Mother used to teach me to pay attention to what I say and do when I am outside. Sometimes, if I don’t say something right, it will easily cause trouble. I’ve been too anxious today.”

The Eldest Madam was satisfied. “You always properly speak and do things, and Mother knows it, but there are still many places where you lack experience. From tomorrow onwards, you will follow Mother’s lead when taking charge of our family’s affair. You will learn how to control the complicated hearts of people. Today, other than you being too impatient, there’s also the biggest mistake you’ve made.”

“Please give me your guidance, Mother.”

“Your mistake is that you don’t understand people well enough. First, you don’t understand Meng Yanran’s temperament. You only know how arrogant she is on the surface, but you don’t realize that she has restrained herself a lot in front of you, which makes her making a scene today. She lost her dignity and almost causing a major disturbance. The second is that you don’t understand well, you still don’t know her background and temper, and then recklessly think that she’s weak and can be bullied at will. If it weren’t for Doctor Lin taking action secretly, you wouldn’t have gotten this fire afterward.”

Su Yuyi nodded, “What Mother taught me is that I really didn’t understand people clearly.”

The Eldest Madam’s smile became more genuine. “It’s not too late to know your mistakes and correct them. This matter shall be treated as a lesson for you. Just remember this in the future and don’t commit any more offenses.”

“Mother, don’t worry. Your daughter will definitely remember everything that happened today in her heart and will never make the same mistake again.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 268

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 267

~ THE SU FAMILY HAS NEVER BEEN A RATIONAL PLACE ~ 

Lin Yuhan bit her lip tightly. Her identity was a servant. If it weren’t for her grandfather’s favor towards the Old Master of the Su family, she definitely wouldn’t have been able to stay in the Su family safely. Now, if she really kicked out, she would have recovered her status as a servant.

Therefore, she could not be ousted away and could only push everything to Meng Yanran. Meng Yanran was the direct descendant of the Meng family, and what had happened today would at most ruin her reputation. She will lie dormant for a while and wait for others to forget. But she is different. She could not get kicked out from the Su family!

Mu Yunyao waited for Lin Yuhan to finish and slowly walked in front of the Eldest Madam. “Eldest Aunt, you should have seen the truth of the matter clearly by now. Please do justice and give me an explanation.”

Lin Yuhan was a smart person. From the fact that she has taken care of the Old Madam conscientiously for many years and only loyal to the Old Madam, it could show that she can coax her into obedience and made the Old Madam pointed her out to Su Yuyi as a dowry. We can see that the smart person naturally knows what choice to make.

Lin Yuhan’s voice fell, and the Eldest Madam’s eyes had completely sunk. She didn’t care what Mu Yunyao said, and she was even confident that Mu Yunyao wouldn’t cause any problems. But Lin Yuhan was different. She was someone close to the Old Madam and fully trusted by the Old Madam. There was no doubt that there was a shadow of the Old Madam behind the scenes, so she had to be very careful.

“Yanran … You’ve gone too far today...” The tone of the Eldest Madam lady was as light as a feather. But now, it was just like a heavy hammer, which directly determined today’s matters.

Meng Yanran was in a daze from the pain. When she heard the Eldest Madam mentioning her name, she looked over with her crimson eyes. “Aunt always dotes on me …”

The thoughtless remark made the Eldest Madam’s heart tighten. The child was afraid that it was because of this incident that she and Yu Yi were annoyed: “Yanran, I naturally cherish you, but I can’t ignore right and wrong. The quarrel between the little sisters is not a big problem, but you shouldn’t have lost your temper. You didn’t have the slightest sense of measures. Luckily, you still knew how to restrain yourself and didn’t hit Yunyao. Otherwise, how would I explain this to the Old Madam and Little Sister Su Qing?”

Su Yuyi quickly answered from the side, “Yanran has always been childish, but she doesn’t have any ill intentions. If she says something soft, it will be over easily. Who knows..., it actually became like this in the end.”

Mu Yunyao’s face was as cold as ice, without a hint of warmth. This mother and daughter duo singing the same tune and wanted to use this little sister’s playfulness to reveal today’s matters. How could there be such a cheap thing in the world?

The pain in her leg seemed to have lessened a little, and the deranged Meng Yanran also calmed down a little. Then, she said in a deep voice, “I’ve gone too far, Cousin Yunyao. I hope you won’t take this to heart.” She would first get out of today’s matter and then settle the score slowly!

Mu Yunyao slightly tilted her head, her eyes filled with mockery. “What if I say that I’m very bothered? Cousin Yanran, how are you going to compensate me?”

The pain in her leg started to dissipate. With the help of the maid, Meng Yanran stood up, “Didn’t I apologize earlier? Cousin Yunyao, you should understand that someone should forgive others when she gets along with them. “

How can we forgive others and let them go?

Heh, it was fortunate that Meng Yanran was able to say that out loud. Then why did why was she so aggressive and not give in at all? Now that it was her turn to be in the wrong, she suddenly thought of letting them go?

Mu Yunyao blinked and spoke in a gentle voice, “Like I said, if you can’t give me justice here, then I’ll go find another place to argue.”

The inside of Lu Yi Pavilion suddenly quieted down. The Eldest Madam carefully examined Mu Yunyao as if she wanted to see through what she is hiding, which would give her the confidence to say such words.

Meng Yanran looked at Mu Yunyao with a disdainful gaze, as if she was looking at a joke, “Then you should slowly search for it. I’m not feeling well, so I’ll take my leave today. Aunt, Big Sister Yuyi, I’ll come to visit you two another day.” After giving orders directly to the maidservants beside her, she walked out slowly.

Mu Yunyao stood on the spot, with a straight and weak figure. Even after Meng Yanran left, she did not say a word.

The Eldest Madam looked at Lin Yuhan at the side and said, “You should get punished for the mistakes you made today, but you’re the person around the Old Madam. If you want to discipline her, the Old Madam naturally will do it. Go back and kowtow to her, then admit your wrongs to her. The Old Madam is the fairest, but she had her own rules and regulations about what to do.”

The big rock hanging over Lin Yuhan’s heart was finally relieved. She respectfully bowed to the Eldest Madam and said, “Yes, this servant understands.”

The Eldest Madam stares at Su Yuyi secretly. If it hadn’t been for the girl’s lack of tact, she wouldn’t have caused so many troubles today. Su Yuyi raised her eyes and looked at the Eldest Madam rather pitifully. Her eyes seemed to flow as if the delicate flowers were wet by the rain, especially pitiful.

Seeing her look, the Eldest Madam could not help but feel soft in her heart and sighed secretly. Suddenly, a country girl came and called cousins. Yesterday, the Su family’s face faintly lost. Her daughter has always been arrogant and proud, so it’s understandable that she wanted a little punishment for Mu Yunyao.

The only blame is that Mu Yunyao didn’t know the current affairs and even dared to say that she was looking for a place to reason. Oh, don’t look at what kind of lintel of the Su family has. Not to mention Cao Yunnian, even his family that relied on Lady Jin, did not dare reach out without difficulty.

After this thought passed, the Eldest Madam turned her head to look at Mu Yunyao. Her voice gently comforted her and said, “Yunyao, Aunt knows that you’ve suffered some grievances today, but you should also know that your identity is different now. Your every action represents the Su Family’s face. You can’t speak and do things without rules as before. Yanran is the direct descendent of the Meng family. Under her hand, even the young ladies of the fourth-fifth rank would have to suffer …”

Mu Yunyao had a shallow smile on her face as she quietly looked at the Eldest Madam. Her eyes were as clear and unwavering as usual, like a piece of top-grade jade.

The Eldest Madam, on the other hand, was choked by her gaze and the words in her stomach choked back. She had already said this, but this girl still did not admit defeat. Sure enough, people who came out from the countryside did not have any manners and uneducated, “Yunyao, I’ll call the doctor to take a look at the wounds on your face later, no? It’s just a slap. You can put on some ointment on it and have a rest for two or three days. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Old Madam has always liked to live in harmony with her family. You should know what to do, right?”

Mu Yunyao slightly nodded her head. “Eldest Aunt, don’t worry. After having learned so much today, I naturally understand what to do.”

The Eldest Madam looked at Mu Yunyao’s slightly lowered eyes. Hearing her gentle tone, she should have been remarkably satisfied, but somehow a trace of unease flashed through her heart.

Mu Yunyao curtsied. “If there’s nothing else, then Yunyao will take leave.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 267

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 266

~ RATHER DIE THAN GIVE UP ALL HOPE ~ 

The Eldest Madam was unprepared and surprised. She looked at Su Yuyi with fierce eyes: She naturally knew what her daughter was thinking and more or less guessed why she had invited Meng Yanran over. She initially thought nothing would happen, but she didn't expect that Meng Yanran would act in such a disorderly manner and made half of Mu Yunyao's face was about to be ruined. If the news of this kind of injury were to spread, what kind of reputation would the Su family have?

Su Yuyi secretly held the handkerchief in her hand, her heart full of bitterness. She naturally understood the meaning behind her mother's gaze. She also knew that she had to deal with Mu Yunyao slowly, so she did not lose her sense of dignity. But who would have thought that things would get out of control bit by bit? Now, it messed up completely, and she was really overwhelmed now.

Madam Meng suppressed the anger in her heart. Seeing that Su Qingwu had actually stopped after Mu Yunyao called him, she quickly glared at him, "Why aren't you leaving? Your cousin was frightened and has suffered a nightmare. Wait until she calms down, I will naturally send someone to send her back home."

Mu Yunyao spoke again, not giving the Eldest Madam any face. "Eldest Aunt, you've just come, so you're not clear about many things. At this time, Cousin Qingwu can't leave. He witnessed the whole story, and now he wants to help me administer justice."

"Yunyao, did you get a nightmare as well? What nonsense are you spouting? You have just arrived at the Su family, and my family is very welcoming of you. Your Eldest Sister even specially invited people to come over to speak with you and help you understand the Capital's local customs and traditions. How come you don't know how to be grateful, but you're talking nonsense?"

Mu Yunyao slightly straightened her body, her eyes flashing with determination. "Eldest Aunt, I know you want to keep things quiet. But this time, I put my words here. Meng Yanran overturned the teacup by herself but slandered me for hurting her. She then forged her injuries and took the opportunity to let people break my legs. It's no small matter! Today, after I have resolved this issue clearly, and it's all about giving me justice. If you still can't return my justice, I will find a place where I can speak my reason!" 

Madam Meng inwardly sucked in a breath of cold air when she heard this. She looked at Mu Yunyao with a bewildered and uncertain gaze. Madam Menge would never imagine that these words would actually come from the mouth of a country bumpkin girl. She carefully looked at Mu Yunyao's appearance, hoping to see the meaning behind her false bravado. However, no matter how she looked at it, her expression was exceptionally resolute, as if she would rather die than give up all hope."

"Then, according to your meaning, what do you want?" The Eldest Madam looked up at Mu Yunyao, and the gentleness in her eyes slowly disappeared to be replaced by boredom and contempt.

Mu Yunyao and Su Qing Chu came to the Capital and were related to Cao Yunnian. She just a little girl, as long as Mu Yunyao didn't open her mouth and didn't let them leave, the Cao family wouldn't be able to hear anything even if they died in the backyard. She didn't believe a small country bumpkin like her could overthrow the Su family! 

Mu Yunyao seemed not to notice the coldness in the Eldest Madam's words. Hearing this, she directly spoke, "First of all, Miss Meng said that her legs weren't scalded at all. Then, why did Doctor Lin help her fake it? Second, since Miss Meng isn't scalded at all, how should this account be calculated for the fact that she slapped me in the face and let someone punished me? Third, Mother and I are going to move out of the Su family's residence!"

The Eldest Madam furrowed her brows. Su Yuyi, who was standing beside her, also lowered her head slightly. She knew that she had done too carelessly in this matter.

"Yunyao, don't be angry. It took so much effort for you and your mother to return to the Su family. Why are you trying to move out just because of a small matter?" The Eldest Madam's thoughts quickly spun, and she gently comforted Mu Yunyao.

Mu Yunyao, however, did not buy it at all, "Eldest Aunt, I have to eat one mouthful at a time, and things have to be resolved one by one. Don't you need to explain to me first why Miss Meng isn't injured, but she wants to frame me?"

Meng Yanran wanted to roll on the ground in pain. She couldn't stand up anymore, so she sat on the floor while rubbing her legs. She didn't look like a lady of a big family. She just wanted to find some water o take a bath quickly and didn't care about anything else.

"What are you still wasting your breath? Hurry up and prepare water to take a bath. Are you really going to ruin my legs? Later on, I will tell my grandfather and grandmother to come and seek justice for me!"

Mu Yunyao spoke neither slowly nor slowly. Her tone was expressly firm and indifferent, "When you've made it clear, there will naturally someone will prepare water for you to bathe. But, if you can't explain it clearly, you only need to endure it yourself." 

"I said, I said. I only feel like taking the opportunity to punish you a little, so when I saw you brought the tea, I wanted to overturn the teacup and pour it on your body to make you suffer a little. But I didn't expect the unsteady teacup in your hand to fall onto me. At that time, I felt pain in my leg and thought it must be scalded, so I had to ask you to pay for it. 

Who would have thought that when Doctor Lin went inside to check the injury, her legs would be completely undamaged? I thought that I would lose face this time, but Doctor Lin actually helped me fake my wounds, and said that I was severely injured, and had even smeared some medicine on me …"

Su Yuyi's expression was ugly as she stared coldly at Meng Yanran. She had thought that her sister was very arrogant and had an idea, but she didn't expect it to be so useless. With just a few words, she was forced to reveal the truth by Mu Yunyao. But fortunately, she didn't say anything clearly to the end. Otherwise, she is afraid that Meng Yanran wanted to drag it onto herself.

The Eldest Madam was also very annoyed, but when she heard this, she could only reprimand her, "Yanran, you have gone too far."

At this moment, Meng Yanran was in so much pain that she ignored the Eldest Madam and only kept clamoring to take a bath. "I've told you the truth. Where's the water? Prepare some water quickly!"

Mu Yunyao secretly pursed her lips and turned to look at the Eldest Madam. “Eldest Aunt, now that Miss Meng is in so much pain, it’s best to quickly prepare water for her and let her wash the ointment off her leg. That’s right, don’t throw away the gauze used to bandage her. It might even be material evidence.”

At the side, Doctor Lin’sface suddenly turned pale. She raised her head to look at Mu Yunyao with eyes full of fear. “Miss Mu, I didn’t do anything to Miss Meng.” 

“You actually dared to help her make up for her injuries. Who knows if you planned this to use as an excuse to kill two birds with one stone. Not only did you harm me, but also Miss Meng?” Mu Yunyao sneered, “Doctor Lin, for someone like you who doesn’t have the heart of a doctor, how can Grandmother be at ease if you stay by her side? I think it’s better to drive you out of the residence as soon as possible. Just in case one day, you will be able to think of something else. After all, it is so easy for a doctor to harm people.” 

Lin Yuhan’s face turned white suddenly, and looking at Mu Yunyao’s ice-cold expression, she couldn’t help but kneel down. “Miss Mu, this servant is a medicine girl, so I know a bit more about medicine than an ordinary servant. In reality, I’m no different from a servant. How can she take the initiative to help Miss Meng forge the injury? It’s Miss Meng who ordered me to do this, but I can’t refuse. Please asked the Eldest Madam and Young Miss to more observe.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 266

Incurable Chapter 18 Part 2

When Mu Wan woke, the light was still on.

By the sink, Liu Qianxiu was washing his face. He must have sensed her stirring. With both hands braced on the counter, he lifted his gaze.

His eyes looked as if they’d been rinsed clean too—dark, clear.

Once he confirmed she was awake, he grabbed a towel, stepped over, and asked, “Did I wake you?”

“No.” After a night of fever, Mu Wan felt weak but much better. The burning heat was gone. She sat up slowly.

Liu Qianxiu finished wiping his face, then raised his hand and placed his palm against her forehead.

His palm was cool, damp with leftover water. Mu Wan’s heart jumped. She tilted her face up at him. He looked down at her, too, confirming the result.

“The fever’s gone,” Liu Qianxiu said, pulling his hand back.

But she was still foggy from being sick. Mu Wan stared at him, dazed. The laptop on the desk was still lit. Beside it were two glass cups—one holding the cotton candy, one with half a cup of water left, clearly something he’d been drinking.

Mu Wan felt warm again, not from fever this time.

Like a small wild thing buried in snow, she looked at Liu Qianxiu with bright eyes and asked, “You didn’t leave last night?”

Liu Qianxiu, in the middle of shutting down the laptop, turned his head to look at her. His expression was calm.

Mu Wan snapped back to herself.

Leave where? This was his room.

“I just got back,” Liu Qianxiu said lightly.

“And I slept in your bed again.” Her voice was thin with lingering weakness, crisp like paper. Mu Wan slid off the bed and looked at him. “We didn’t eat last night, and I still made you bring me back and take care of me. Let’s eat today. That same restaurant.”

The sincerity in her words was obvious. She lifted her face to Liu Qianxiu. After a night of fever, the redness was gone, leaving her pale and translucent, with only a small touch of red on her lips. Even like that, she still didn’t lose her vividness.

Liu Qianxiu picked up the cotton candy and handed it to her. As he collected the cups, he said evenly, “No need.”

Holding the cotton candy, Mu Wan smiled. Sweetness fizzed from tongue to chest. She looked at him and asked, “You don’t want to eat? Then what do you want?”

Liu Qianxiu watched her. Her smile hooked at her lips, light flickering in her eyes. The question sounded innocent—yet not entirely innocent.

“I’m leaving,” Liu Qianxiu said after a brief pause. “I’ll leave Wen City at noon today.”

The light in Mu Wan’s eyes slowly dimmed. She stopped smiling.

The research conference wasn’t only held in one city. After leaving Wen City on Wednesday morning, Liu Qianxiu would go to Jingcheng to continue. The conference would finish Friday morning, and only then would he return to Xiacheng.

It really was a week-long conference, but it wasn’t a full week in Wen City.

The balcony door was cracked open; damp air drifted in. Mu Wan’s nose felt blocked again. With a faint nasal tone, she asked, “What time are you leaving? I’ll come see you off.”

Liu Qianxiu’s lips pressed together. Looking at her still-weak color, he said, “We’ll see each other soon.”

“This is faster,” Mu Wan insisted.

His gaze paused.

Mu Wan lifted her head, looking into his clean, handsome face. On a gray day, even the lamplight didn’t fully sharpen his features—his brows and eyes were deep and refined in shadow.

She smiled, eyes bright.

“The later we separate,” she said softly, “the sooner we’ll meet again.”

It was a kind of “soon” only she could calculate. If they separated in the morning, there were still three and a half days until the next meeting. If they separated at noon, there were only three.

Whether Liu Qianxiu could follow her logic, she didn’t know.

But after she said it, she saw his throat move slightly.

And he answered in a low voice.

“Okay.”

The next day, Mu Qing’s scenes were at Wen City Central Hospital. The crew arrived in force and set up in front of the inpatient building. It had rained in the morning, but by late morning it stopped. The clouds thinned, and the sky looked like it might clear.

Mu Qing sat in the lounge chair the crew had prepared. She hadn’t memorized her lines for the earlier scene, so she had to reshoot. She was reading the script now, her mother Yan Mei’s voice still in her ear on the phone.

“Don’t just focus on filming and neglect Shen Cheng. I heard he sent you flowers yesterday?”

“Mm.” Mu Qing sipped yogurt through a straw and rolled her neck. She’d trained in dance. Her body was beautiful, long and delicate, even half-reclined in a chair.

Yan Mei sounded satisfied and asked a few more things. Nearby, a chubby supporting actress was on a phone call. Mu Qing seemed to remember something and asked, “Mom… did Wu Ma ever mention whether Mu Wan has a boyfriend?”

At that name, the line went quiet for three seconds. Then Yan Mei’s voice came back, smoother but edged.

“Whatever she’s doing has nothing to do with our Mu family.”

Yan Mei had said it countless times.

Mu Qing thought of the man she’d seen in the elevator yesterday—an aura of wealth that couldn’t be ignored. Through calm brows and eyes, across impossible distance, he’d felt like someone from the Ninth Heaven: noble, untouchable.

“Big families care about background,” Yan Mei said, tone returning to normal. “With her conditions, any boyfriend she finds will never compare to Shen Cheng.”

The yogurt’s sourness faded. Mu Qing murmured. She understood, hung up, handed the bottle to her assistant, and stood to film.

Before stepping into the scene, she looked past the crowd toward the surgical building.

His presence was too distinctive to miss, even from far away. And beside him stood Mu Wan.

Mu Qing stood there watching, the corners of her eyes lifting.

The man wore a white coat, making him look even taller and straighter, his aura clean and otherworldly.

Oh.

So he was just a doctor.

Mu Wan found a moment between takes to see Liu Qianxiu off. Once he left, she nodded politely to the other doctors and walked back with both hands in her pockets.

As she approached, she sensed Mu Qing’s gaze.

Mu Wan lifted her eyes briefly. Their eyes met.

Mu Wan’s expression stayed calm.

Then she looked away.

After resting, Mu Qing’s lines seemed easier to memorize. She told her assistant, “I’m ready.”

The whole crew had been waiting for her. The moment she said it, the director looked as if he’d been saved. They started filming immediately.

Mu Wan’s fever stayed down, but fevers tend to return. She took medicine for a few more days, filming in a fog. When she finally recovered, her scenes were done.

Friday afternoon, Mu Wan boarded the high-speed rail back to Xiacheng.

Time was strange. During filming, days flew by. On the train, minutes crawled.

Mu Wan stayed awake the whole ride, counting stations, waiting. When she finally arrived at Xiacheng Station, she got off and took a cab home first.

By mid-July, the true suffocating heat of the hottest season arrived.

In the taxi, AC blowing, Mu Wan leaned back and texted Liu Qianxiu.

[Mu Wan]: Liu Qianxiu, where are you?

He seemed busy. He didn’t reply until Mu Wan got home.

[Liu Daochang]: At the hospital.
[Liu Daochang]: You’re back?

Two messages. Mu Wan smiled and tapped out a reply.

[Mu Wan]: Not yet. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. I’m going to your place to see the cats.

As she entered her building and unlocked her door, her phone buzzed again.

[Liu Daochang]: Okay.

Mu Wan put the phone away and went inside.

A week without being home left a faint, damp smell. Mu Wan dropped her luggage, opened the windows, then stripped and went to shower.

Afterward, she did light makeup and went into her closet to choose a ginger-yellow slip dress Lin Wei had bought for her when they’d gone shopping. The dress was faux silk, fitted through the torso. Slim waist, lifted hips, thin shoulders, long legs—everything on display.

Mu Wan looked best in slip dresses. Her bone structure was exquisite—shoulders narrow, collarbones straight. Thick black hair fell in loose waves down her back, curls bouncing as she walked, flashing a strip of pale skin and the sharp beauty of her shoulder blades.

A slip dress needed heels. Mu Wan picked a pair. Her narrow foot slid in, and she frowned.

She pulled her foot back out. A red mark had already been rubbed onto the top of her foot.

She set that pair aside and chose another.

By the time she finished, it was four in the afternoon. Mu Wan went out and hailed a cab.

“Driver, Toller Hospital.”

At the hospital, she went straight to Liu Qianxiu’s office.

The corridor was long, and patients and nurses were moving through it. Mu Wan stood at his door. The height of her heels brought her just high enough to see through the small square window.

A few days apart, and he looked unchanged.

But looking at him now, Mu Wan felt that first, sharp sense of wonder again.

White coat. Head slightly lowered—his profile like a distant mountain behind cool mist.

Mu Wan tilted her head and smiled. In the AC-cooled corridor, her cheeks warmed anyway. She raised her hand and knocked.

Someone inside answered.

Mu Wan opened the door and walked in, settling herself in the chair across from his desk.

“Doctor,” she said, “I’m injured.”

His pen paused.

Liu Qianxiu looked up. The woman across from him had both elbows on the desk, red lips curved, eyes bright.

He set the pen down and gave her a measured look. His voice was low.

“Where?”

She was clearly prepared.

Her legs shifted. Under the ginger-yellow dress, her calves were long and smooth. She crossed her right leg over her left, slipped off her heel, and revealed her pale foot.

Across the narrow top of it was a faint red mark.

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze settled there. He examined it with calm seriousness.

Mu Wan, impatient, asked with innocent eyes, “Doctor, is it bad?”

Liu Qianxiu lifted his eyes and looked at her once, flat and calm.

“Very bad,” he said. “If you’d come one step later, it would’ve healed.”

Mu Wan laughed out loud.

She leaned forward, arms spread on his desk, pressing down on the papers he’d been reading.

“Liu Qianxiu,” she said, “I’m back.”

He watched her quietly. After a moment, he stood and walked to the exam bed in the office. He picked up metal forceps, clamped a red cotton ball, and looked at her.

“Come here.”

Mu Wan didn’t move. Her heart lifted slightly, her throat tight. “Didn’t you say it’ll heal soon?”

“Mm.” Liu Qianxiu glanced at her, then said evenly, “Before it heals, it needs to be treated. Otherwise, it’ll hurt.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 18 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 18 Part 1

Mu Wan’s fever had scrambled her thoughts. She saw Liu Qianxiu’s lips curve, just a shallow arc, but it felt like a small boat drifting onto her lonely heart.

She tried to see it more clearly, eyes widening.

Two pills were offered to her. She bit down without thinking. Her tongue brushed the tablets… and brushed the palm holding them too, dry and cool.

Mu Wan was burning up. Her tongue was scorching. It grazed his palm, soft and wet. When she pulled back, the air shifted, and the spot she’d licked turned cold.

Liu Qianxiu lowered his lashes, withdrew his hand, and offered the bottle opening. Like a kitten, she lowered her head and drank two quick mouthfuls.

The pills still hadn’t gone down. Mu Wan’s small face scrunched into a knot. She hugged the bottle with one hand and tipped her head back, gulping twice more.

Even after that, her brow stayed furrowed. Fine sweat beaded at her hairline, not sure if it was heat or bitterness.

“Have some sugar,” Liu Qianxiu said, watching her knitted brows.

“Not bitter.” A chill sweat broke over her body. She forced her face to relax, pulled the cotton-candy bouquet into her arms, and insisted, “Really not bitter.”

Her nasal tone was heavier now. Clutching the cotton candy, her energy clearly sagged. Outside, someone said, “It’s raining again,” and the slow-moving crowd quickened. Under the streetlights, rain threads wove tighter and tighter.

“Let’s go back,” Liu Qianxiu said.

“We haven’t eaten,” Mu Wan protested.

“Are you hungry?” Liu Qianxiu asked.

Mu Wan thought, then shook her head. She had no appetite during the fever.

“Come on.” Liu Qianxiu guided her out and hailed a cab.

The cab was cold. Mu Wan was burning. She leaned against the window and traced a finger along raindrops as they gathered, merged, then slid down. The droplets left long trails of water as the commercial street’s lights flickered outside.

Drowsy, Mu Wan heard Liu Qianxiu give the driver an address. She closed her eyes.

The commercial street was close to Wen City Hotel. A few minutes later, the cab stopped at the entrance. The meter printed a receipt with a harsh, tearing sound.

“Your girlfriend doesn’t feel well, huh? Looks like she fell asleep.” The driver ripped the receipt free and handed it to Liu Qianxiu.

Liu Qianxiu glanced at Mu Wan, eyes closed, leaning against the door. He took the receipt and explained evenly.

“She has a fever.”

He paid, thanked the driver, got out, and then walked around to Mu Wan’s side. He lifted his hand and tapped the window lightly.

Mu Wan hadn’t fallen fully asleep. She opened her eyes and looked out.

Liu Qianxiu stood by the car, calm, looking down at her. Once she was awake, he opened the door. Mu Wan pitched forward with the motion and was steadied by his hand.

His palm was large against her thin shoulder. Through the cotton T-shirt, temperature met temperature, cool and hot colliding.

“We’re here,” Liu Qianxiu said, straightening her.

“Okay.” Mu Wan coughed and stepped out, hugging her cotton-candy bouquet.

The fever medicine had started to work. Once inside the lobby, Mu Wan’s pace slowed noticeably. When the elevator arrived, Liu Qianxiu stepped in, and Mu Wan followed.

The elevator was huge and empty except for them. Liu Qianxiu pressed his floor and turned as if to ask hers—

Before he could, his left shoulder sank slightly.

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze shifted.

Mu Wan couldn’t hold herself up anymore. She stood straight, cotton candy in her arms, but her head tipped over and rested against his shoulder. Eyes closed, lips pressed tight, long lashes casting a soft shadow.

Liu Qianxiu looked away and pressed the button again. The doors hadn’t closed when footsteps approached, and the doors reopened. Four or five people entered.

Leading them was a tall, slender, short-haired woman speaking on the phone. As she stepped in, she swept her eyes over the elevator, pausing on Liu Qianxiu and Mu Wan, then settling on the cotton-candy “bouquet” in Mu Wan’s arms.

A flicker of emotion crossed her eyes. Her long, narrow gaze lifted; the small tear mole at the corner of her eye rose with it. The others filed in, pressed their floors, and the doors shut—closing her voice into the tight space.

“…Don’t send flowers to the set anymore. It disrupts filming, people complain. No, it’s not that I don’t like them…”

Her voice was soft, intimate. As she spoke, her eyes drifted toward Mu Wan. Mu Wan kept her eyes closed, expression unchanged, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

Ding.

Fifteen.

The doors opened. Liu Qianxiu turned his head and called softly, “Mu Wan.”

She didn’t stir. Her breathing was steady, deep. She was fully asleep.

“Sorry,” he said quietly as the elevator chimed its closing warning. He slipped an arm around Mu Wan’s waist, lifted—

And carried her bridal-style out of the elevator without hesitation.

In the small elevator, the cotton candy’s sweetness seemed to linger. Someone let out a soft, impressed “Wow.”

Mu Qing’s eyes flicked. Her young assistant’s dreamy expression vanished instantly; she lowered her head.

Liu Qianxiu carried Mu Wan to his room. He asked a staff member in the hallway to open the door with a card. Once inside, he placed Mu Wan on the bed.

He switched on the bedside lamp. Light pooled over her.

Fever was miserable. Even asleep, Mu Wan’s brows were knit, breath heavy but even, drawing in cool air and exhaling burning heat.

Liu Qianxiu stood by the bed and pressed a hand to her forehead.

Still hot.

But she’d taken medicine. After sleeping, she would be better.

Outside, the rain grew heavier, tapping sharply against the glass.

Liu Qianxiu withdrew his hand and let his gaze settle on the cotton-candy bouquet still clutched in her arms.

A huge bundle, three layers—white, blue, red—perfect and full, as if it had just been made. Mu Wan’d said it was the sweetest “flowers” she’d ever received, yet even after swallowing bitter medicine, she hadn’t taken a single bite.

His lashes trembled. He lifted the cotton candy and set it upright in the mouth of the glass cup she’d used last time.

Then he went to the desk. He didn’t open the laptop. He took out a book instead.

Only two lights glowed in the room now—one by the bed, one by the desk. Between those circles of light stood a cup holding cotton candy like a ridiculous centerpiece.

Silence spread.

Liu Qianxiu read, face calm, eyes light. The rain outside gradually faded from awareness. Only the deep, steady sound of breathing remained, like someone exhaling damp warmth straight onto his heart.

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 18 Part 1