Incurable Chapter 20 Part 1

Chapter 20 (1/3)

The cool, dry palm wrapped around the artery at her wrist.

That artery led straight back to her heart.

And now it felt as though Liu Qianxiu had taken hold of that, too.

When he held her, her heart stayed still.
When he let go, it began to race.

This heart belonged to him now.

Mu Wan looked at him quietly.

Thinking of what she had just said, she heard the rain suddenly begin to crackle against the window outside. The weather had turned noisy, and so had her heart.

“I’m not afraid,” Mu Wan said. “You’re a doctor. You can heal any wound I get.”

Liu Qianxiu looked up at her once.

She looked right back at him, certainty bright in her beautiful eyes.

His lashes shifted.

Then he released her wrist.

He turned on the faucet. The rush of water covered the sound of the rain outside. The storm made the air feel damp, and under the kitchen lights, everything seemed wrapped in a faint mist of warmth.

Mu Wan did not go back to washing dishes.

She simply leaned against the sink, her presence strong but never intrusive, as though she had always belonged in his life.

Liu Qianxiu washed the remaining dishes with slow precision.

When he turned off the tap, the kitchen fell quiet again. Outside, however, the rain was growing heavier.

Mu Wan shifted her gaze to the window.

“The rain’s getting worse,” she said. “Can I wait here until it stops?”

Taking a paper towel, Liu Qianxiu dried his hands and gave a quiet assent.

The two of them left the kitchen together.

Liu Qianxiu’s life followed an almost rigid order. After dinner and the kitchen, he always returned to the living room to read or meditate in quiet.

That night, he opened a book.

Mu Wan picked one up, too.

This time it was the I Ching.

Three minutes later, her eyes had already left the page.

This one was even more unbearable than the Tao Te Ching.

She lifted her head and looked at Liu Qianxiu instead. Beneath the lamp, his outline seemed even more tranquil. His eyes were lowered to the page, lashes casting a faint shadow, the black of his eyes full of quiet concentration.

Mu Wan did not disturb him.

She lowered her gaze to the book again.

This time, she lasted all of two seconds.

Then she looked up once more.

First at Liu Qianxiu.

Then out the window.

And finally, at Zhouyi, who was walking toward her.

This Zhouyi was much more interesting than the other Zhouyi.

Mu Wan’s eyes widened slightly. Tilting her head, she curled the fingers of the hand hidden beneath the table and beckoned twice.

“Come here,” she mouthed silently.

Zhouyi seemed to understand.

The black pupils in its pale gold eyes narrowed gradually as it approached her. By the time its eyes had become vertical slits, it had reached her side. Mu Wan lifted a hand to pet it.

Instead, Zhouyi pushed off the ground and landed lightly in her lap, then settled there.

“Ah.”

The sudden weight of that soft, furry body on her knees made Mu Wan gasp.

The sound broke the quiet enough for Liu Qianxiu to look up. Mu Wan leaned slightly to one side and showed him the cat now lying across her lap, her eyes full of delighted astonishment.

“Liu Qianxiu, it likes me.”

Zhouyi was not affectionate by nature. Even with Liu Qianxiu, it only occasionally jumped into his lap when it happened to feel like it. Liu Qianxiu set his book down and looked at the cat stretched across her knees.

“Mm.”

Mu Wan’s skin was very white.

Zhouyi was very black.

Against that sharp contrast, there was unexpectedly a kind of harmony.

From before dinner, when Zhouyi had first let her pet it, to now, when it had climbed into her lap of its own accord, Mu Wan’s happiness rose in wave after wave.

Zhouyi was getting used to her.

And if Zhouyi could get used to her and come to like her, then one day Liu Qianxiu would, too.

Flowers seemed to bloom in her chest.

Still stroking Zhouyi, she smiled to herself. Liu Qianxiu was no longer reading. Seeing that, she asked, “You don’t have work tomorrow, right? Then... can I come over tomorrow afternoon?”

The moment the question left her mouth, she felt it needed a more respectable reason.

So Mu Wan immediately dragged out the three little kittens as her excuse.

“I haven’t seen Datou and the others in so long,” she said. “I want to spend more time with them.”

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze shifted from Zhouyi to her face.

She was sitting very straight. Her slender arms led into narrow shoulders, and the shadows of the lamp made her collarbones look finer still. She sat within the circle of the light like some little spirit, entering bit by bit.

“I’m meeting a friend to play basketball tomorrow afternoon,” Liu Qianxiu said.

It was not a direct refusal, but it was still a refusal enough.

The light in Mu Wan’s eyes dimmed slightly.

She lowered her head and stroked Zhouyi once.

“All right...”

“Text me before you come,” Liu Qianxiu added. “I’m not sure when I’ll be finished.”

Mu Wan looked up again.

That single sentence seemed to brighten her at once. The light in her eyes came back stronger than before. Smiling at him, with the rain outside deepening the sweetness of her voice, she said,

“Liu Qianxiu, so you play basketball too?”

Only then had she thought to ask.

Mu Wan had no work that weekend.

She slept until ten the next morning, then called Lin Wei. The moment Lin Wei picked up, she let out an exaggerated little cry.

“Well, well. You actually have time to call me? Not spending the whole day with Taoist Liu?”

“I’m seeing him this afternoon,” Mu Wan said. “I can’t cling to him all day. He’ll get annoyed.”

“So now you’ve learned balance?”

“Less nonsense. Hot pot?”

“Obviously.”

“Then let’s go.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 20 Part 1

Incurable Chapter 19 Part 3

Chapter 19 (3/3)

The car pulled away from the villa and soon merged onto the coastal road.

By six o’clock, clouds had spread across the sky, leaving even the sunlight draped in a dull gray veil.

In the passenger seat, Mu Wan held the plum Xu Xingkong had given her. It felt cool in her hand, its skin red and glossy, sweet-looking even before the first bite.

She thought again of Xu Xingkong.

The woman had such an easy presence, like a faint breeze carrying a touch of lavender. Glancing at Liu Qianxiu beside her, Mu Wan said, “Your friends are all really wonderful.”

Even without meeting Liu Qianxiu’s classmate in person, seeing Xu Xingkong was enough to know he must be a good person. Xu Xingkong was gentle, and when she mentioned her husband, the smile at the corners of her eyes could not be hidden. Any man who could make a woman like that happy—and who could be Liu Qianxiu’s friend—must be someone very good indeed.

“Mm,” Liu Qianxiu answered, eyes on the road.

Mu Wan looked at him and added, “I want them to become my friends too.”

The moment the words fell, Liu Qianxiu glanced sideways at her.

Mu Wan turned her head toward him, the red plum poised by her mouth. When she saw him look over, she paused, smiled, and asked, “Would that not be allowed?”

His eyes dropped from hers to the curve of her mouth. Then he looked at the plum in her hand and said, “Don’t eat that on an empty stomach.”

Her teeth had already nicked the skin. The thin peel had broken, and a little of the plum’s sweetness had already touched her tongue, spreading faintly through her body.

She lowered the plum.

Her slender fingers wrapped around the little red fruit.

“Oh,” she said softly. “I know.”

By the time they got back to Liu Qianxiu’s place from the south district, it was already after seven.

Mu Wan took the carriers into the cat room and let the three little ones out. Liu Qianxiu went into the kitchen to start dinner.

Only a few days apart, and the kittens were already able to stand.

Tiny bodies. Short little legs. All fluff and softness. They tottered clumsily toward her hand the moment it came close.

Mu Wan touched this one, then that one, listening to their milky little cries until her heart had gone soft as cotton.

Once the three little ones had been fed and settled, Mu Wan got up and headed toward the kitchen.

Before she reached the door, her vision darkened.

She looked down.

Zhouyi was sitting in the doorway, its pale gold eyes fixed on her.

It was not an especially clingy cat—or at least Mu Wan had never seen it act clingy with anyone. It was a black little shadow by nature, and fond of disappearing into corners. Usually, it only emerged after she and Liu Qianxiu had already finished eating, strolling in with complete leisure and dignity.

Now it sat in the doorway staring up at her, and Mu Wan could not tell what it wanted.

She bent down slowly.

Looking at Zhouyi, she hesitated only a moment before reaching out.

When her hand came to rest on top of its head, Zhouyi did not move away. Her palm settled there, and Zhouyi half-closed its eyes and pressed its furry little head into her hand.

“Meow~”

Something flickered in Mu Wan’s eyes.

It was acting coquettishly toward her.

And what did that mean?

It meant that Zhouyi had grown used to her presence.

It meant Zhouyi already thought of her as part of this home.

Something bloomed inside Mu Wan’s heart like a flower.

She stood at once and went straight to the kitchen.

“Liu Qianxiu! Zhouyi just acted spoiled with me!”

The kitchen glowed with warm light.

The man stood by the table, which was already set with all the dishes she had asked for that night. Liu Qianxiu looked up at her, and with the lights of the city shining beyond the window, the corner of his mouth lifted just slightly.

“Time to eat,” he said.

And in that moment, Mu Wan wished the rest of her life could pass exactly like this.

After dinner, Liu Qianxiu rose to clear the table.

Mu Wan lifted a hand immediately.

“I’ll wash the dishes.”

Ever since she had started coming here, Liu Qianxiu had done all the cooking and all the dishes. Other than playing with the cats, she had done nothing. It was not that she had not wanted to help—she had offered the first time she ever ate here—but Liu Qianxiu had refused. He had his own order for doing things, and he disliked having it broken.

Before he could refuse her again, Mu Wan thought quickly and added, “I can’t just keep doing noth—”

“All right,” Liu Qianxiu said.

Mu Wan looked up in surprise.

He gathered the dishes and set them in the sink. She hurried over after him.

The furnishings in Liu Qianxiu’s living room looked like antiques.

The kitchen, on the other hand, felt much more modern—but even then, it was mostly the appliances and utensils that gave that impression. The bowls and plates themselves still carried the beauty of old things.

Liu Qianxiu cooked lightly, and his dishes were easy to wash.

Mu Wan did not bother with gloves. She picked up a white porcelain bowl so fine and translucent it almost seemed to glow. The body of it was thin and delicate, light in her hand.

After turning on the tap, she began washing very carefully.

Before she started, she had tied her hair up. It now sat in a loose, fluffy bundle, while her face remained smooth and pale as porcelain—small and beautiful.

Outside, the night sky was thick and black, starless.

Inside, the kitchen light was soft.

The woman stood at the sink in her dress, lashes lowered, expression quiet.

It did not look as if she had ever washed dishes before.

And yet she washed them as if it were the first time.

Her long fingers braced delicately inside the bowl, moving along the rim with slow, careful precision.

The sound of the running water filled the room, like mountain water flowing over stone—peaceful, calm.

Liu Qianxiu suddenly remembered something Huai Jing had said.

Mu Wan washed while Liu Qianxiu stood there the whole time, which made her a little nervous. She looked up at him, a small bowl still in her hands, her eyes bright.

“Are you afraid I’ll break them? Are they antiques or something?”

Liu Qianxiu looked at her.

Before he could answer—

crack.

The bowl slipped from Mu Wan’s hand and shattered in the sink.

A Northern Song Ru-ware white porcelain bowl.

“Ah!”

It was exactly the thing she had been trying not to do. Mu Wan’s heart jumped. Looking at the shards in the sink, she reached instinctively to pick them up.

Before she could touch them, someone caught her wrist.

The fingers wrapped around her were long and fine-boned, and though they held her firmly, there was no real force in them.

Mu Wan looked up at Liu Qianxiu.

He guided her hand back out of the sink, reached over, and turned off the tap. Then he took a cloth and carefully dried her hand, his lashes lowered.

With the water gone, his voice sounded especially low and clear in the kitchen.

“If it breaks, it breaks. It isn’t anything valuable.” He looked at her hand. “Don’t cut yourself.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 19 Part 3

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 275

~ I WANT TO FIGHT BACK ~ 

Mu Yunyao replied, “Your Majesty, she hit me, but my Eldest Aunt favored her and let her go without any punishment. I was unwilling in my heart, so I wanted to fight back.”

Hearing this, Xu Li felt his legs go soft and almost couldn’t stand up. This little ancestor thought that the Emperor was too good-natured. How dare she say anything? Moreover, who was that Miss Meng? The granddaughter of the Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Court and Qingning princess, also the niece of the Imperial Concubine De in the Palace. Is she that someone who can let you fight back?

As expected, the Emperor frowned, and his eyes narrowed involuntarily. If he were an ordinary person, he would have already been unhappy in his heart. But Mu Yunyao’s words just now were considerably interesting, and with the Imperial Older Sister’s godlike face, it made him more patient. “Do you know who she is?”

Mu Yunyao nodded. “I know. Before I came to the Palace, Eldest Aunt had already told me that the Meng family’s status was extraordinary and that Miss Meng was someone I absolutely cannot offend.”

“Since you know about this, why did you still dare to fight back?”

“Dare!” Mu Yunyao nodded without hesitation. “No matter who she is, she’ll be punished if she does something wrong. I once heard from the teacher in the book that if the Emperor did wrong, he would have to hand down a decree for his crimes. Even if the officials did wrong, they also would have to get rid of their Hua Ling and ask for justice for their wrongdoings. The common people have to go to court to be tried and punished for doing wrong. She intentionally framed and beat me up, so I could fight her back. This approach is the best way to deal with it.”

“Shouldn’t the best course of action be for me to punish her?”

Mu Yunyao shook her head. “Your majesty, your identity is precious, don’t mention personally ordering a person to be punished, as long as you reveal the slightest bit of dissatisfaction towards a person, that person’s entire life might be affected. Miss Meng is my Eldest Aunt’s niece. If she beats me, I’ll fight her back. Even if the matter is over, I’m not angry. If you had been the one to make the decision, Miss Meng would have been the one to ruin it. That’s not what I intended to do.”

The Emperor’s gaze slightly moved, and a trace of unfathomable emotion could be seen within it. “Then if I agree to your words, do you dare to come directly and beat someone up?”

“Why would I not dare? With your permission, Your Majesty, I am only following the imperial edict to beat someone up. I am not afraid of anything.” Mu Yunyao’s gaze was clear and bright. Even though her face was injured, her smile was still so sweet, causing others to feel extremely comfortable when they looked at her.

The Emperor, however, didn’t say anything. He only looked at her for a moment before saying, “I’ve heard that you’re the best at brewing tea. It’s rare for me to be in the mood today. Go brew one for a taste.”

Mu Yunyao stared blankly for a moment, then nodded, “Okay.”

Xu Li quickly ordered some servants to bring the tea set over.

Soon, an item was placed on the table.

Mu Yunyao brought down to wash her hands and leave the Emperor’s line of sight to prepare. She couldn’t help but sway a little as her back became wet and cold. It was unknown when she had been drenched in a cold sweat, and the wound on her waist was also faintly aching.

Mu Yunyao knew that today’s events were exceptionally high-risk. The slightest carelessness would leave an impression on the Emperor’s mind that she was playing tricks on him. There were even a few times when she could feel the Emperor’s measuring and scrutinizing gaze. Fortunately, she had already thought of this earlier and had made preparations. She repeatedly hinted that she complete trust and reverence towards the Emperor, practicing her expression and eyes in the mirror over and over again, trying hard not to leave a single flaw. It was just that the Emperor was the Emperor, and she couldn’t tell what role her words played.

Mu Yunyao faced the basin as she slowly cleaned her hands. Her actions were exceptionally solemn, as though she wanted to wash away the distracting thoughts and fear in her heart. She needed to calm down, and the closer she got to the end, the more she couldn’t panic.

After a while, she accepts the handkerchief from the attendant at the side and gently wipes it clean. “Eunuch, I’m ready.”

“Miss Mu, please.”

The tea set is made of white porcelain and painted with flowers. The teapot was entirely made of alum red, painted with tangled branches and lotus patterns. Both sides of its abdomen were shining, while one painted lotus flowers in a lotus pond, while the other carried two lines of poetry: Seen when flipping blank birds, the water scented.

There were very few patterns on the corresponding teacups. They only have red lines on the edge of the bottom and the mouth of the cup. The white porcelain cup was as thin as a cicada’s wing, and it is as light as nothing in the hand. It is almost transparent under the reflection of the candle fire in the main hall.

Although Mu Yunyao’s purpose in studying the tea ceremony wasn’t pure, she really likes it. After settling down in Jingling City for over a year, her initial interest in the tea ceremony had already dissipated. In addition, she studied a few books of tea scriptures, and her skills in brewing tea were even better. At this moment, she was full of joy when seeing the exquisite tea set. Her expression and actions could not help but show some of it.

The Emperor was initially deep in thought about today’s matters in the Imperial Court when his eyes unconsciously drooped and attracted by Mu Yunyao’s brewing tea skill. He had long since heard Xu Li praise this girl for her extraordinary tea skills. He had initially thought that it was somewhat exaggerated, but upon seeing her for the first time, he realized that she was really excellent.

The tension on her body had completely disappeared and was replaced by natural and smooth elegance. Her movements were neither slow nor heavy, and her behavior was relaxed. It was as if her every gesture was like a natural phenomenon. Occasionally, there would be the sound of flowing water, light and pleasing to the ear. In the blink of an eye, the room filled with fragrance.

The impetuousness in the Emperor’s heart gradually disappeared. There was a rare moment of peace in his mind, and he actually felt remarkably relaxed.

The sound of a cup pad and a teacup clinking together resounded in his ears. The Emperor looked over with rapt attention and noticed that Mu Yunyao had already folded her hands in front of her stomach as she looked over with her clear gaze.

“Your Majesty, the tea has been brewed.”

By the side, Xu Li stepped forward and carefully took the cup of tea. He then placed it beside the imperial examination table, his movements smooth and steady.

The tea that was being brewed this time was the Lotus Fragrance Dew that Mu Yunyao had sent over. Initially, the fragrance of this tea was exceptionally fragrant. But now, with Mu Yunyao’s hand, it seemed to have risen even further.

The white porcelain teacup was thin, and one could faintly see the traces of the tea leaves in the cup from the outside. The leaves seemed to be shaking, causing the Emperor to lift the lid and take a closer look.

A cloud of white mist suddenly rose up. Within the haze, one could see a white crane flying past the teacup. The fog swayed, and the white crane nodded. The Emperor didn’t even have time to be surprised, the mist dissipated, and the crane disappeared without a trace. Within the teacup, the tea leaves were swaying, and the roots stood straight like bamboo shoots that had just emerged from the ground, with vigor and vitality, which caused him to lift the teacup and look at it carefully. Unexpectedly, when the teacup shook, the tea leaves in the cup suddenly fell like a startled snowflake and gathers at the bottom of the cup, forming a lotus shape with both form and spirit.

After a while, the lotus flower slowly dispersed, leaving only the fresh and distant tea’s fragrance.

The lotus flower dissipated, and the tea was warm enough to be consumed as well. The Emperor took a sip and immediately felt as if the entire lotus flower was contained within his mouth as he slowly swallowed down a mouthful of fragrance. “Your skills in brewing tea are indeed extraordinary.”

Mu Yunyao revealed an expression of joy, and her eyes were full of smiles. She seemed to be extremely happy as she said, “Many thanks for Your Majesty’s praise.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 275

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 274

~ IT WAS A SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENT ~ 

Mu Yunyao shot another stern look before lowering her head, her voice carrying a little sense of fear. “Reporting to Your Majesty, Mama has taught me before. However, this humble daughter is sincerely curious about what the real Son of Heaven should look like, so I couldn’t resist taking a glance. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“The real Son of Heaven? Then tell me, are you disappointed when you see me like this?” Although the Emperor felt that Mu Yunyao was bold, he wasn’t too angry in his heart. After all, her eyes were so clear and pure, without the slightest hint of achievement, which makes people feel relieved at a glance. Even he still felt that her final stern look towards him, as if she wasn’t looking at Him enough, and it was somewhat amusing.

Xu Li, who was standing at the side, was nervous. He had a good impression of Mu Yunyao. He had seen her speak and do things very well, so how come she appear in front of the Emperor and was so stunned? She even directly raised her head to looked up the Emperor’s appearance. Wasn’t she asking for trouble?

“Isn’t it true that the real Son of Heaven should grow up to be like the Emperor?” As Mu Yunyao spoke, she quietly looked at the Emperor. Unexpectedly, her gaze met the Emperor’s eyes, and she knelt down in shock for a while. “Your Majesty, please forgive me.”

The Emperor paused for a moment and then couldn’t help but laugh, “Stand up. Your reputation is spread far and wide in Jingling City. If I were to accuse you just because you took a few glances at me, wouldn’t I will be a foolish king if the word about it spread?”

Mu Yunyao stood up as if she felt that the Emperor’s attitude was warm, and the nervousness on her body had disappeared quite a bit. When she spoke, she wasn’t as cautious as before. “Your majesty, this humble daughter wishes to kowtow and thank you first.” After saying that, without waiting for the Emperor’s reply, she kneeled down once more, meticulously began to perform a kowtow ceremony.

The Emperor’s gaze landed on Mu Yunyao as he watched her movements with great interest.

After Mu Yunyao finished bowing, it was as if a load on her mind had been lifted. She looked a lot more relaxed, and her aura seemed to have become a little more lively.

“Why are you so polite and thoughtless?”

“Naturally, it was to thank Your Majesty for your rewards. You gave this humble daughter a lot of things before. You also gave the calligraphy of Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo as a reward, so this humble daughter has always wanted to thank you in her heart.”

“The reason why I am bestowing this upon you is that you have contributed greatly to imparting the embroidery technique to the people. It is only natural for I to do so.”

Mu Yunyao slightly widened her eyes, seeming to be very surprised, “How could it be? The Emperor’s things weren’t blown by the wind, so of course, I have to thank him for giving me so many things. Moreover, I volunteered to teach the embroidery needle technique back then, and the Emperor’s reward was my recognition. It’s a rare thing to get your recognition, so this humble daughter has always been deeply grateful.”

The Emperor was a little surprised, but Mu Yunyao’s expression was too sincere. The words that came out sounded pleasing to his ears and carried a hint of sincerity, making his displeased mood ease up a little, “If the officials thought like you, then they would have given me less trouble, and I can worry less.”

Mu Yunyao nodded in an exceptionally natural manner, “In order for the Emperor to raise all the people in the world, it is indeed made you worry so much.”

Raise all the people in the world?

“Girl, you’re quite straightforward. Raise your head.” He couldn’t help but be curious about Mu Yunyao’s appearance. Just now, when he hastily glanced at her, he noticed that her eyes were black and white, clear enough to see the bottom, making it unforgettable for anyone to see, but he didn’t have the time to look at her.

Speaking of which, the congratulatory gifts that Mu Yunyao had sent him several times were very much in line with his wishes. Moreover, she was still young, but the things she had done were not small. In particular, this time, she gave back to the people of Jingling City, and she had helped to raise two hundred thousand taels of silver from the people of Jingling City. If the following few years were to pass, the entire city would have to pay two hundred thousand taels of silver. If there were any natural disasters in the next few years, there would be no need for the Imperial Court to provide relief.

It was a splendid achievement.

“Then, Your Majesty, you have to be careful, don’t be scared by me.” Mu Yunyao first spoke a word of warning before raising her head.

“Don’t tell me you look so...” Hearing Mu Yunyao’s reminder, the Emperor felt it was laughable in his heart, and his tone couldn’t help but relaxed. Just as he was about to joke and ask if she looked horribly ugly, the words suddenly stopped at his mouth.

Xu Li, who was standing at the side, also peeked over. He couldn’t help but suck in a breath of cold air when he took a glace. It’s..., Is that Miss Mu’s face was ruined? What’s wrong? Why does it look blue and purple?

The great hall was quiet for a while, then Mu Yunyao slightly lowered her head in embarrassment, once again bowing to the Emperor: “This humble daughter is rash, please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

When her voice came to his ear, the Emperor suddenly regained his mind and looked at Mu Yunyao with a slightly different look. His absent-mindedness was not because Mu Yunyao’s face had a purplish palm mark on it. But, because her appearance was actually similar to his Imperial Older Sister when she was young, the Grand Princess Yi De.

It had always been said that the Heaven Family was heartless, but he did not believe these words. In these many years, the relationship between him and his Imperial Older Sister had always been deep. Moreover, the guilt in his heart had deepened as he grew older. At this time, when he saw Mu Yunyao, who looks a little like his Imperial Older Sister, he couldn’t help feeling more close. “You get up and talk. Xu Li, give her a seat.”

Xu Li quickly moved the stool over, and Mu Yunyao sat down properly and let out a sigh of relief.

“What happened to the wound on your face?”

“In order to respond to the Emperor, I was beaten up by the young lady of the Meng family, Meng Yanran.” Mu Yunyao bluntly replied.

“... Why did she hit you? Was it because you did something wrong?”

Mu Yunyao hurriedly shook her head, her tone calm and without fear. “I have only been in the Capital for two days, so I don’t have the time to do anything even if I wanted to. According to Miss Meng, it’s because I was born of lowly status. Moreover, I opened Ni Yunfang and Bu Xian Luo, so she thought that I did all the dirty work of the merchants, and she looked at me with displeasure, deliberately framing me, then finding excuses to punish me.”

Xu Li couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Was Miss Mu’s accusation a little too straightforward?

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 274

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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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 272

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

Chapter 19 (2/3)

Once they got into the car, Mu Wan fastened her seat belt.

Liu Qianxiu’s friend lived in the south district. From Tang’er Hospital in the north, it usually took more than an hour to get there. But they were leaving early—only four-thirty now, not yet the evening rush. By the time traffic began to build, they had already reached the coastal road.

The car pulled away smoothly from the hospital.

At the first traffic light, Mu Wan asked, “Is your friend a doctor too?”

Mu Wan did not have many close friends herself. Counting them carefully, there were really only Lin Wei and Gao Mei. It seemed Liu Qianxiu had even fewer. During all the time they had spent together, he had always been alone. He disliked being disturbed, and naturally disturbed others just as little. If he was willing to leave the cats with this friend, then they must be very close indeed.

“No,” Liu Qianxiu said.

The light turned green, and the car moved off again. The motion settled Mu Wan back against the seat.

Her gaze stayed fixed on the line of his profile—perfectly shaped, quiet, and clean.

If neither of them liked being disturbed, then perhaps two people like that could still help one another. Perhaps this friend had a temperament very much like Liu Qianxiu’s. Mu Wan shifted slightly in her seat.

“Then what is he? A... fellow Taoist?”

There were no more lights ahead, and the road stretched flat and open.

Liu Qianxiu glanced at her.

She was watching him closely, plainly waiting for an answer.

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

“Ah.”

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

Outside the window, the sun was still brilliant. Xiacheng was generously green. As the car passed beneath the overpass, the clear,n smooth road was lined with dense vegetation, leaves shining with a rich oily light.

Mu Wan had spent the whole of the previous night filming, working until four in the morning. The moment they wrapped, she had hurried back to Xiacheng without pause. She had not rested at home either. After tidying herself up a little, she had come straight here.

Now, chatting idly with Liu Qianxiu, watching the scenery blur beyond the window, she found that once the car reached the coastal road—steady, flat, and free of interruption—she had actually fallen asleep.

The car pulled smoothly into the south district.

Liu Qianxiu parked and glanced at the passenger seat.

Mu Wan’s head had tipped sideways against the window, her hair falling over one pale shoulder, her throat slightly stretched so that the line from neck to jaw showed cleanly. Once the engine switched off, her long,ong even breathing became audible in the silence. She was sleeping very peacefully.

Liu Qianxiu withdrew his gaze and got out.

He rang the bell at a detached villa.

It was already half past five, but the sun was still bright. The sea breeze carried cool dampness, and there was an unmistakable feeling that it would rain again soon.

The bell rang once.

Someone came to answer very quickly. The door opened, revealing a woman’s gentle smile.

She was very beautiful in a quiet way. Her features were fine and soft. Her long black hair was tied into a low ponytail that fell down her back. When she smiled, she carried the particular grace of a Jiangnan woman—gentle, delicate, and calm.

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

Then she stepped aside to make room.

After thanking her, Liu Qianxiu entered.

Huai Jing was just coming downstairs. Seeing him, he lifted the corner of a peach-blossom eye and said, “For a moment I thought you were planning to give me these cats for good.”

Huai Jing was the first among the so-called Huai-He-Mei-Liu group.

He looked as though he had only just come home from work. The tie had been stripped from his deep purple shirt, leaving the collar slightly open and revealing a little collarbone. As he spoke, he was undoing his cuffs and walking down the stairs.

He and Liu Qianxiu were about the same height—both around one ninety, both tall and striking. But standing together, their temperaments could not have been more different.

Huai Jing carried the sharp, aristocratic polish of a businessman. His features were precise and deep-set, and there was a lazy hint of provocation and flamboyance in his gaze.

Liu Qianxiu, by contrast, was all quiet detachment. Even his face seemed shaped by that quality, his brow touched by a lonely, almost transcendent coolness. Calm, but impossible to ignore.

“You want them?” Liu Qianxiu asked.

Huai Jing had not yet answered when a streak of white brushed against his trouser leg. A beautifully groomed ragdoll cat leaped toward his wife. Xu Xingkong picked it up with a smile and stroked its head.

“Forget it,” Huai Jing said, shaking his head. “Even one is time-consuming.”

Xu Xingkong looked up at him.

Her eyes were beautiful, clear, and steady.

Huai Jing met them, and after a moment,t his mouth tightened just slightly.

“One would be fine,” he corrected. “Any more than that really is too many.”

“That’s no way to talk about someone else’s cats,” Xu Xingkong said, correcting not his judgment, but the idea itself.

She set the cat—Mimi—back down, then turned to Liu Qianxiu with a smile.

“Qianxiu, your cats are in the cat room.”

The cat room was on the first floor. Xu Xingkong led the way, with Huai Jing and Liu Qianxiu behind her, chatting in easy back-and-forth.

“I’m not keeping you for dinner. I don’t want to wash more dishes.”

“What difference would one dishwasher make?”

“This is why you’re single. You don’t understand the pleasures of married life.”

Hearing her husband, Xu Xingkong turned and shot him a look.

“Huai Jing,” she said softly.

Looking at the tips of her ears turning pink in embarrassment, Huai Jing’s gaze softened.

“I’m just speaking from experience.”

With a helpless little sigh, Xu Xingkong lowered her eyes. She was still shy in front of others.

She glanced at Liu Qianxiu and said to Huai Jing, “Don’t say things like that.”

“All right,” Huai Jing said with an easy smile. “I won’t.”

Standing between the two of them, Liu Qianxiu asked calmly, “Can I take the cats now?”

The married couple turned to him in unison.

Xu Xingkong lowered her gaze first, cheeks faintly pink, and opened the cat-room door.

“...Yes.”

On Sunday afternoon, before deciding to go to Wencheng, Liu Qianxiu had brought the cats here.

Five days later, the three little kittens had grown another noticeable bit. Even before Xu Xingkong opened the door, the sweet milky sound of their meowing could already be heard from inside.

Hearing the door, Zhouyi—who had been asleep nearby—lifted its head too.

The moment it saw Liu Qianxiu, it jumped down from the cat tree with effortless grace, came to his leg, and gave a small cry.

Liu Qianxiu bent and stroked it once.

Beside him, Xu Xingkong was gathering up the kittens’ things. As she did, she said, “Stay for dinner. Eat before you go back. Huai Jing was only teasing.”

Liu Qianxiu was placing Zhouyi into a carrier and was just about to refuse when a woman’s voice came from outside.

“Liu Qianxiu!”

Huai Jing and Xu Xingkong both looked toward the door.

Liu Qianxiu placed the three little ones into another carrier, lifted it, and said, “No need.”

Mu Wan had woken to find Liu Qianxiu nowhere beside her.

The car was parked in front of a detached villa. She had tried calling him first, only to realize his phone was still in the car. Growing anxious, she got out and simply called toward the house.

The moment she did, Liu Qianxiu came out from inside.

He had a cat carrier in his hand. He raised his eyes to her once, expression composed as ever.

The sea breeze was soft beneath the bright afternoon sun.

Looking at his face, the noise in Mu Wan’s heart settled all at once.

It was only afterward that she realized he was not alone.

Seeing the woman standing just behind him, Mu Wan felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. The woman’s whole bearing was soft and tranquil—the sort of person who would never dream of shouting at someone else’s door.

Belatedly, Mu Wan’s face flushed.

Xu Xingkong walked with Liu Qianxiu to the car and, at a glance, politely took in Mu Wan.

She was a little dazzled by how pretty she was.

Long black hair. Dark black eyes. A face no bigger than a palm, pale as snow, with red lips bright as a drop of honey. On her right cheek, there was still a faint mark from sleeping on it, which softened her glamour with a trace of sweetness and made her all the more vivid.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” Mu Wan said in a low voice first to Liu Qianxiu.

Then she turned back and smiled at Xu Xingkong.

“Hello. I’m Mu Wan.”

“Hello. I’m Xu Xingkong.”

After introducing herself, Xu Xingkong explained, “My husband’s on the phone, so he didn’t come out with me.”

“Oh.”

Mu Wan understood the meaning behind the explanation.

She glanced at Liu Qianxiu and said, “Liu Qianxiu already told me. Thank you for helping look after our cats.”

“Ah.”

As if remembering something, Xu Xingkong turned back to Liu Qianxiu.

“There’s one small bag we forgot. Wait a moment.”

She hurried back inside. When she returned, she had a little backpack in one hand and a washed plum in the other, which she handed to Mu Wan.

“I just bought it,” she said with a smile. “It’s very sweet.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 19 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 19 Part 1

Chapter 19 (1/3)

The office was silent.

From the corridor outside came the occasional rush of a gurney being pushed past, wheels rattling in a hurry, mixed with the patient’s low groans and the young nurse’s soft, steady reassurance.

Mu Wan sat on the examination bed.

Her hands were braced at either side of her, her shoulders lifted slightly, her slim collarbones standing out, forming two delicate hollows. With lowered lashes, she looked down at the foot she had raised.

On its pale top was now an utterly ordinary adhesive bandage.

Its edges lay neatly in place, covering not only the red mark but also the cool red antiseptic that had just been applied beneath it.

Doctors were often said to be prone to cleanliness obsessions and compulsive habits.

Liu Qianxiu was not exactly like that.

He was simply intensely self-disciplined, and so everything he did came out particularly clean—without a trace of excess, without a single wasted motion.

She wiggled her toes and looked up at him.

“Will it heal before you get off work?”

She had come early. It was only four-thirty now. There was still a full hour before Liu Qianxiu was due to finish. She had no intention of leaving. She meant to stay right here and wait for him—in her capacity as a patient.

Liu Qianxiu lifted his eyes to her, set down what was in his hand, and answered, “Mm.”

He had tacitly agreed.

Mu Wan lifted her foot higher and smiled.

Standing outside the door, Xiao Yun looked in.

The woman inside sat on the exam bed in a fitted ginger-yellow dress, waist so fine it seemed it could be circled in one hand. Her long black hair covered her back and left only the slender line of one shoulder bare. She was tall and yet slender, the sort of woman whose every grace could be felt even from the outline of her back alone.

A woman’s charm was never something clothes gave to her.

It was she who gave the clothes their charm.

The red dress before, this ginger-yellow dress now—put them on anyone else, and it would have been a poor imitation.

Xiao Yun lowered her eyes.

When she came over, she had already heard the nurses talking: there was an exceptionally beautiful woman in Dr. Liu’s office. There had been envy and admiration in their voices. Yet all their conclusions had come down to the same thing—

Dr. Liu would never pay her any mind.

Liu Qianxiu was not an ordinary man. He had a breadth and depth of spirit that ordinary people did not possess. A person like that would never be shallow enough to fall for nothing more than a glamorous face.

Looking at the woman’s back, Xiao Yun’s eyes flashed with faint disdain.

Then she lifted her hand and knocked.

The two people inside turned together.

Xiao Yun opened the door and stepped in.

“Dr. Liu, the department head wants you over there,” she said. “They want to go over the plan for next week’s surgery.”

After speaking, her gaze flicked toward Mu Wan. She gave her a polite smile, then withdrew it again.

Whatever unpleasantness had passed between them at Masyale was left, by silent agreement, as something gone with the wind.

Mu Wan did not smile back.

She was looking at Liu Qianxiu, worried about something else entirely.

“Will it take long?” she asked.

Liu Qianxiu stood.

The light from outside the window fell behind him, and he lowered his eyes to her.

“Not long,” he said. “Wait for me here. We’ll leave together afterward.”

His voice was low.

The words were meant only for Mu Wan, yet the office was too open, too bare to hold sound back, and so they carried freely.

Xiao Yun heard every word.

He stood right by the examination bed. Mu Wan still had both hands braced beside her, her face tipped up toward him. Even without sunlight, her eyes were bright—dark as ink, clear to the bottom.

“Okay.”

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

Her expression flickered. Xiao Yun came back to herself and answered, “All right.”

Only when she reached the door did she look back at Mu Wan properly.

Mu Wan was smiling at her.

In that shining dress, she looked like some little wild cat—sharp with Xiao Yun, soft and playful only with Liu Qianxiu.

Sharp toward her.

Playful toward him.

Once outside, Xiao Yun fell into step beside Liu Qianxiu. Nurses passed by, greeting them as they went. Xiao Yun looked at him and said with a light smile, “Dr. Liu, I don’t think it’s very appropriate to leave Miss Mu alone in your office.”

Liu Qianxiu glanced sideways at her, his gaze like a passing wind brushing lightly over her chest.

Something shifted in Xiao Yun’s eyes. Her smile weakened.

“I’m only reminding you,” she continued. “A doctor’s office isn’t somewhere just anyone can come in... unless they’re someone fairly close.”

“Mm,” Liu Qianxiu said, taking his eyes off her again. “Then she has no problem.”

Something caught sharply in Xiao Yun’s chest.

Her throat trembled once.

She lowered her gaze.

Liu Qianxiu had not lied.

Mu Wan played two rounds of Plants vs. Zombies on the exam bed before he came back. The door sounded. She looked up, and her eyes immediately lit.

“You’re back.”

She put her phone away and hopped down from the bed.

Her foot was no longer an issue. She slipped her shoe back on, leaving a sliver of the bandage visible. Liu Qianxiu’s eyes swept over it once. Then he answered, set the file on the desk, and took off his white coat.

“So can we go now?” Mu Wan asked.

“I can leave early.”

He had only returned from his trip that morning. Strictly speaking, he had not been meant to work that afternoon, but the hospital had called him in for something. Hanging up the white coat, Liu Qianxiu said, “I need to stop by a friend’s place to pick up the cats first. Coming with me?”

Without the white coat, he was dressed in a shirt and trousers—still cotton-linen, as usual. His style never changed much: pale, comfortable, understated, with that same faintly unearthly air.

Mu Wan’s eyes lingered at the hollow above his collarbone.

Instead of answering directly, she asked, “A male friend or a female one?”

Liu Qianxiu lifted his eyes and looked at her calmly.

Under his gaze, Mu Wan felt a flicker of guilt. She was just about to speak when he answered.

“A man. But the cats were being looked after by his wife.”

“Oh.”

She had only just quieted the little stir of restlessness inside her when something sweet rose there again. Mu Wan answered evenly enough, but did not quite manage to hide her satisfaction.

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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