Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 288

~ SU QINGWU’S THOUGHTS ~ 

Mu Yunyao and Su You sat on a small stool at the edge of the corridor. Beside them were rows of chrysanthemums with golden stamens and pink petals. The long and narrow petals curled upwards. The layers of petals were beautifully arranged. Against the background, it looks like a pink lotus blooming on the green water, which is extraordinarily delicate and pleasant.

Seeing Mu Yunyao’s gaze fall on it, Su You frowned, “Let’s not talk about those troublesome matters. Some people like to live a peaceful life, but some people like to cause trouble for no reason.”

She couldn’t understand Meng Yanran’s thoughts. If she had a healthy body, she would definitely be able to accompany her parents, appreciate the beautiful scenery, and have a taste of delicious food … What’s wrong with it? Why do you have to look for trouble?

Mu Yunyao chuckled and stretched out a finger to tug at the chrysanthemum leaves. Seeing the pink flowers swaying slightly, she couldn’t help but deepen her smile.

Seeing her expression, Su You pursed her lips and retracted her gaze, “Don’t tell me you don’t know this kind of chrysanthemum? It is called pink peach because the petals bloom like pink peach, and they are famous. If I say, chrysanthemum is a chrysanthemum. What peach flowers, and is if it blooms yellow color not good? It’s boring for no reason. So annoying!”

Looking at her fuming appearance, Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but chuckle. “Every people is different, so the flowers are naturally the same. I heard my father say that he once saw a rare chrysanthemum. The flower wheel ring’s size as big as a jade plate, and it was completely red and gold in color. The petals are as red as blood, but the top of the petal suddenly turned golden. The flower blossomed like a phoenix bathed in fire. It was so beautiful that it could not be described in words, and as a result, someone named it — Phoenix Zhenyu.”

Su You blinked, her eyes filled with a surprise: “There really is such a beautiful chrysanthemum. How come I’ve never heard of it before?”

“Perhaps it is because the flower is too beautiful. It doesn’t want people to see it. Haven’t you heard? The famous flower is also intelligent, and some rare treasures can’t be seen to those who are not fated.” Mu Yunyao stretched out her arms to support her cheeks, leaning on the master of the corridor as she watched Su You with a smile.

Su You was regretful that he could not see Phoenix Zhenyu, who Mu Yunyao had mentioned before. However, when she lifted her head to look, she looked at her smiling eyes, and she could not help but be stunned. Her eyes were clear and transparent like a calm lake. At first glance, it seems that she can see the bottom, but it seems to be unfathomable when she explores carefully. The surrounding scenery is reflected in those eyes, but it makes people feel that no matter how beautiful things are, it wouldn’t enter her eyes …

Mu Yunyao blinked her eyes as she came back to her senses. She leaned slightly towards Su You, “Why are you staring at me like that?”

Su You suddenly regained her senses, stood up abruptly, and seemingly frightened. Because her movements were too fast, there was a dull ache in her chest. She suppressed the coughing: “Cough...”

Mu Yunyao stepped forward and held her wrist. Her other hand, pressing down on the acupuncture point on her chest. “You’re too weak to resist the wind. You should obediently stay in your room and don’t run around …”

Su You regained her composure and slapped Mu Yunyao’s hand away, “What weak? Aren’t I going to die soon? Are you from the countryside also looking down on me like they are, or are you afraid that I’ll stick up for you?”

Mu Yunyao’s skin was delicate and tender. Even though Su You’s hand strength wasn’t great, the back of her hand was still red.

Su You fiercely bit her lip, and a glint seemed to flash in her eyes. But in the end, it turned into stubborn and rebellious. She didn’t know why she was suddenly angry, but when Su You looked at Mu Yunyao’s eyes, she felt a great injustice surge up from within her heart for no reason, making her unable to control it at all.

Mu Yunyao raised her eyes and looked at her. She was initially a bit angry in her heart. But when she saw her appearance, she couldn’t help but pause for a moment. “What’s the matter with you? Family members know their own affairs. You know very clearly how your body is, even if I don’t tell you, will you be able to live for a hundred years?”

“You … I don’t need you to remind me, I know that I’m going to die, I already knew that. I wasted my good intentions in vain. I hate you!” As Su You spoke, she turned around and left. The maidservants that were sent to a distance quickly surrounded her and asked her what was wrong.

Mu Yunyao stretched out her hand to hold her and pulled her down, pressing her down on the stone bench. “What are you crazy about now? Don’t think that just because you’re sick that I dare not deal with you.”

“Miss Biao, our Fifth Miss is weak. Aren’t you going too far with her?” The old maid who had followed Su You over was already dissatisfied with Mu Yunyao, so she spoke directly with a cold tone, her eyes full of caution. Mu Yunyao glanced at her indifferently, then lowered her eyes to look at Su You. “Stop messing around. The wind is blowing now. You should go back and rest. What’s wrong with feeling wronged. Aren’t you just going to die? Many times, death is more comfortable than being alive. Moreover, you have Second Uncle and Second Aunt’s love, and …”

“What’s going on?” A clear voice sounded.

The surrounding female servants hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Eldest Young Master.”

Su Qingwu’s gaze landed on Mu Yunyao and Su You. “Fifth Sister, your health is not good. You should go back and rest, in case Second Aunt worries.”

Su You stood up. Her face was so cold that it was hard to see her expression. It was as if her weakness and stubbornness just now were just an illusion. “Thanks for the reminder, Brother. I’m leaving.” With that, she led her people away without even bowing.

“Fifth Sister is sick all year round. Her personality is a little different than other sisters. You have to endure a little more.”

Mu Yunyao’s lips carried a light smile, and when she heard him, she nodded and bowed, “Thank you for your reminder, Cousin. I’m going to accompany Mother, so I’ll be leaving first.”

“Wait a minute.” Su Qingwu subconsciously stopped her, and when Mu Yunyao turned her head around, he was momentarily at a loss for words, “You … It seems that you understand His Royal Highness Jin Wang very well?” Otherwise, why would she know what he had done all these years?

Mu Yunyao frowned, “Cousin, what do you want to say?”

Su Qingwu looked at the Pink Peach at the side. “The chrysanthemums are full of beautiful things, but not every kind …”

Mu Yunyao suddenly sneered, “Cousin, no need to say anymore, I understand what you mean. The chrysanthemums were all beautiful, but not all of them were famous. Some of the flowers were naturally sought after. They are cultivated in fertile soil, irrigated with dew, given the scorching sun, and cared for day by day. Some were only waiting for the flowers to blossom into gorgeous flowers. Some flowers are born ordinary and unremarkable. They are only suitable for growing in the countryside and eventually scattered into the mud. People are the same. Some are born rich, while others destined to be mediocre and ordinary.”

Su Qingwu frowned. “That’s not what I meant.” He only wanted to remind her that the Third Prince’s identity was something she couldn’t afford.

“Then what does Cousin mean? Seeing His Royal Highness Jin Wang and I spoke, were you worried that I would disrupt Eldest Sister’s future prospects?”

Su Qingwu’s expression suddenly changed, “What does this have to do with Yuyi?”

Mu Yunyao smirked. “Then, you can treat it as me babbling nonsense. It’s getting late. Mother should be worried about me, so I’m leaving first.” After which, she turned around and left.

Su Qingwu stood where she was, staring at Mu Yunyao’s departing back with his deep eyes. Her body was covered in a jade-green water layer. The wind blowing in the corridor, and her skirts fluttered up. There was an illusion that she would take advantage of the wind at any time.

At the Mid Autumn Festival last year, she sat on the branch of the osmanthus tree. She was covered in flowers that looked like the mystique of the laurel. He threw away the osmanthus tree branch and used the excuse of his family to discard the little bit of beauty in his heart. But who would have thought that she would appear again? The seed that was about to wither suddenly broke out, which made him confused and frustrated once more.

Su Qingwu sat beside the stone bench where Mu Yunyao was standing just now and stretched out his hand to pick off a Pink Peach. The petals were delicate and beautiful like a scorching peach blossom, just like Mu Yunyao’s flawless face. He closed his palm and slowly crushed the petals, “The chrysanthemums are full of beautiful flowers, but not every one of them is precious. And some people, despite leaving so many precious treasures behind, just paid attention to one that grows in the countryside …Heh …”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 288

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 287

~ ENEMIES ARE EXTREMELY JEALOUS WHEN THEY MEET ~ 

Meng Yanran was tongue-tied, “You …. You are trying to force the truth!”

Mu Yunyao chuckled, “If you think what I said is wrong, then don’t come to talk to me again. After all, you and I have nothing to say to each other!”

Zhang Wan looked at Meng Yanran and sighed in her heart, ‘Even the Emperor wants to win back the hearts of the people, saying that the people are important, that the country is next, and that the monarch is least. But she openly and secretly mocked Mu Yunyao’s birth. Didn’t she merely want to be humiliated?’

“Pa Pa Pa!” A round of applause rang out, causing the five people in the pavilion to immediately turn their heads over.

Su Qingwu walked over with a young man wearing a narrow-sleeved white robe with an ink splash pattern on it. His jet-black hair was tied with a golden crown. Under his slender eyebrows, his phoenix eyes were warm and flawless. His face was sharp, and his facial features were profound and clear. He was self-cultivation and elegant that one could not help sighing with admiration: What a fine young gentleman!

Looking at him, Mu Yunyao was taken aback. The noise in her ears gradually disappeared, and only the handsome figure in front of her became clearer. A cold light flashed in her eyes, and the chill flowed through her heart through her limbs. She could even hear the sound of her own blood freezing.

She heard a soft whisper in her ear:

“Yao’er, it’s my greatest regret that I can’t marry you in this life and allow you to walk shoulder to shoulder with me. You can rest assured that I will treat you like pearls and treasures in the future. I will hold you in my hand and put you in my heart. You will be happy for the rest of your life, and I will not let you down…”

It was the man in front of her who had solemnly vowed and said that he would be happy for his entire life and would not disappoint her. But he had sent her unconscious’s body to Yue Wang’s residence the next day…

When he was gentle, he was like honey. Even when he was cold and hard like iron, he could still twist his fingers and bend his fingers. When he lowered his head to look at you, he is full of eternal affection, which made people feel deeply stuck and drowned unknowingly.

When she died miserably, she screamed out countless times in her heart. She wanted to ask him why he gave her away, why he used such a miserable method to humiliate her to death. Didn’t he say that she will be happy for the rest of her life? Wasn’t he regretful that he couldn’t marry her? Even if he has a kitten or a puppy, he should have had some feelings for it over the years. So, how could he be so cold and ruthless?

Upon seeing Su Qingwu, Su Yuyi quickly stepped forward and greeted him, “Greetings, Elder Brother.”

Su Qingwu nodded her head, “Sister, this person is His Highness Jin Wang. Salute and greet him quickly.”

Su Yuyi looked up and was looking at Jin Wang with a smile. Her eyes were warm and moist. Although there was a hint of amazement in her eyes, there was no infatuation in them. It seemed that she was merely appreciating, and with the addition of his exceptionally handsome face, Su Yuyi’s heart involuntarily began to jump, a blush flashed across her face quickly. “Greetings, His Royal Highness Jin Wang.”

“Miss Su, please excuse yourself. I’m sorry for disturbing you.” After Jin Wang finished speaking, his gaze landed on Mu Yunyao. “I presume that this person is Miss Mu, who has received a reward from Royal Father?”

Looking into those eyes, Mu Yunyao seemed to hear a cracking sound beside her ears. The surrounding sounds suddenly converged back together, and her blood also started to flow again. The chill in her heart slowly disappeared and was replaced with a thick hatred.

The corners of her lips curled up. Her pure autumn water-like eyes were clear and black. Under her bright smile, her eyes became even more brilliant and flawless. “Greetings, His Royal Highness Jin Wang.”

“There is no need for Miss Mu to be so courteous. You have donated a hundred thousand taels of silver in Jingling City to give back to the people. Such kindness and benevolence are truly admirable.”

“His Royal Highness is not bad either. The year before last, you ordered to go Longping City for disaster relief. There was a plague in Longping City, and as a Prince, you didn’t care about your own safety, took the risk, and survived with the people together. Last year, you went to Ningzhou to build the dam. You ate and slept with the river workers and protected tens of thousands of people’s safety in the lower reaches of the Honghe River. Until now, there are still many people who have built the memorial archway for His Royal Highness Jin Wang. This kind of courage and insight is something that ordinary people cannot compare.”

Jin Wang’s eyes stirred as he looked at Mu Yunyao with surprise. “I didn’t expect Miss Mu to actually to know about this matter. It really makes me ashamed.”

“His Royal Highness Jin Wang’s reputation is extremely great. Many people know about it, so it’s not strange for me to know about it.” The corner of Mu Yunyao’s mouth lifted as she looked at Jin Wang with a gaze as bright as the sun on a peach flower. It was exceptionally bright and actually made Jin Wang momentarily absent-minded.

“His Royal Highness Jin Wang, why don’t you take a seat in the pavilion?” Su Yuyi, who couldn’t get a word in, spoke up.

Jin Wang shook his head, “Today is a banquet to welcome Lady Su and Miss Mu. I shouldn’t have disturbed you, but I just happened to come to see how Qingwu’s injuries were faring. I couldn’t help but stop after hearing what Miss Mu had to say just now. I won’t disturb you anymore.”

Su Yuyi was stunned for a moment before nodding her head, “If that’s the case, then I’ll send you off, Your Highness.”

Jin Wang nodded his head, and his smile became more and more gentle, “Today, I didn’t have the time to prepare the gift. I will make it up for Miss Mu another day.”

“One cannot accept gifts without merit. I have no friendship with Royal Highness Jin Wang, so I dare not accept your gift.” Mu Yunyao smiled as she shook her head.

Jin Wang paused for a moment before smiling, “You are as good as Royal Father said, honest and straightforward. It’s truly a rare sight.”

“Thank you, His Royal Highness Jin Wang, for your praise.”

Su Yuyi stood in the same place with a stiff face. She had heard many things about Jin Wang from her elder brother’s mouth and admired this Third Prince in her heart. She didn’t expect that the first time they met, his gaze wouldn’t land on her. Instead, she let Mu Yunyao got the limelight!

Meng Yanran once again lost face and almost went mad from anger. She grabbed Mu Yunyao in an attempt to find a way to make up for her loss, but she discovered that Mu Yunyao was like cotton that couldn’t be squashed, couldn’t be crushed, and no matter what you say, there was always a way to stop her from being speechless.

Mu Yunyao was very bored. Just as she was thinking about whether she should find an excuse to leave, she saw Su You walk over with the others. When she sees Mu Yunyao, her eyes lit up, and she waved: “Little Sister Yunyao, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. Come quickly.”

Mu Yunyao stood up. “Elder Sister Su You has something to discuss with me. Please, excuse me. I hope everyone will forgive me.”

Zhang Wan had already suffered greatly from the exchange in the pavilion. Now that she saw Mu Yunyao leave, she heaved a sigh of relief in her heart. “Alright, Miss Mu, please do as you wish.”

Mu Yunyao followed Su You out of Liulan Courtyard. After passing through the corridor, the voices faded away, and the seething hatred in her heart at the sight of Jin Wang gradually subsided.

Su You turned his head and looked at her, slightly snorting, “You little girl, shouldn’t you thank me?”

Mu Yunyao was stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She raised her hand to pat Su You’s head, “You’re still a little girl yourself, yet you actually dare to call someone else this way?”

“You are really ungrateful! If I hadn’t called you out, you would still be dealing with Meng Yanran!” Su You took two steps back to avoid Mu Yunyao’s hand, staring at her in disbelief, “You’re an idiot if you want me to say so. That Meng Yanran is just like a stone in the pit. Others even can’t hide, but you want to get close to her. Are you not afraid that you will be contaminated by the stench?” “It’s not that I want to go up. It’s that someone can’t bear to see my peace.” Facing Su You, Mu Yunyao’s heart couldn’t help but soften. The girl in front of her still hadn’t reached her best of her life yet. But it looked like she was about to come to an end...

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 287

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 286

~ MENG YANRAN HAS BEEN PROVOKING REPEATEDLY ~ 

After Mu Yunyao stood up, she directly walked over to Lady Jin. “Daughter greets Mother.”

Lady Jin stood up and helped her up. With a face full of smiles, she sized her up before asking, “Yao’er, is everything alright?”

After hearing about the relationship between Su Qing and Mu Yunyao with the Su family, Lady Jin had hoped that they would come to the Capital as soon as possible. Finally, she was looking forward to them coming. Lady Jin had been waiting for two days to come to visit. However, she heard that Mu Yunyao had got slapped by the young miss of the Meng family. After carefully inquiring about the causes and consequences, she couldn’t help feeling distressed.

Now that Mu Yunyao’s face was practically devoid of traces, it was only then that she felt her heart, which had been hanging in the air this entire time, calm down.

“After coming to the Capital, my grandmother and aunts took great care of my mother and me. Everything was peaceful and good.” Mu Yunyao had a sweet smile as if there wasn’t the slightest bit of haze on her face.

Lady Jin lightly squeezed Mu Yunyao’s hand and replied with a smile, “That’s good.” She had no one to rely on when she came here, and she didn’t even know anyone. So she was framed and made things difficult for her. Fortunately, the Emperor summoned her to the Palace. The backyard of the influential house has always been the most tight-knit. It was not a secret that even if someone died, they would be able to do it soundlessly.

Mu Yunyao’s heart warmed. After accompanying Lady Jin for a while, she saw Su Yuyi walk over. “Little Sister Yunyao. Last time, we agreed that I would bring you to meet a few more people. Today is perfect for that. Everyone is here, let’s go talk together, how about it?”

Mu Yunyao looked at Su Qing, “Mother, please accompany my adoptive mother. Elder Sister and I are going to make some friends.”

“Alright.”

Lady Jin nodded at Mu Yunyao, hinting that she would take good care of Su Qing. Only then did Mu Yunyao relax and followed Su Yuyi’s footsteps.

There were all sorts of colorful chrysanthemums blooming outside, and none of the chrysanthemums that could be placed here were ordinary. With just a glance, Mu Yunyao could see Purple Dragon Lying Snow (Zi Long Wo Xue), Cinnabar Red Frost (Zhu Sha Hong Shuang), and Yotai Jade Pheonix (Yao Tai Yu Feng) … Each flower had a different shape and blooms to the extreme. It made people unable to shift their eyes away.

In order to make the young ladies more at ease, the ladies gathered in the main hall, leaving the courtyard empty for the young ladies to play.

Mu Yunyao followed Su Yuyi to the corner pavilion. With a glance, she saw the ugly Meng Yanran sitting in the pavilion. She couldn’t help but slightly raise her eyebrows. “I really didn’t think that this Young Miss Meng would dare to appear here right after being humiliated.”

Meng Yanran also saw Mu Yunyao. A trace of malice flashed past her eyes.

Su Yuyi didn’t stop and walked to the pavilion to greet a few young ladies who had already stood up.

Su Yuyi had a smile on her face: “Little Sister Yunyao, let me introduce you. You already know Little Sister Yanran, so there’s no need to say anymore. Here is the legitimate daughter of the Great Scholar’s residence, Zhang Wan. Here is the legitimate daughter of the head of the Imperial Academy, Zhou Yuyin. They are both older than you, so you should call them Elder Sister.”

Mu Yunyao stepped forward to pay her respects but didn’t follow Su Yuyi’s words to address them as an elder sister. Instead, she greeted them one by one according to their identities, “Greetings, Miss Meng, Miss Zhang, and Miss Zhou.”

At the end of the salute, Mu Yunyao glanced over Zhang Wanin intensively. She was the young miss of the Great Scholar’s residence whom Su Qingwu get betrothed. According to their agreement, the two of them would be married by the end of the year, but who would have thought that during the September Autumn Hunt, the Sixth Princess of Huai Yang would be able to recognize Su Qing with a single glance. She had threatened him to marry her and had even caused a commotion. If Su Qingwu didn’t want to marry her, he would have to leave the family, forcibly annulling this marriage.

“Miss Mu need not be so courteous. I have long heard of your good name. Seeing you today is indeed worthy of your reputation.” The one who spoke was Zhang Wan. She had a gentle and beautiful appearance, and her tone was exceptionally soft. At this moment, she was smiling as if she wanted to draw others closer to her.

The Great Scholar was extremely strict with their daughter’s upbringing. Every move of Zhang Wan’s was exceptionally well-behaved. However, her character was too soft and weak, allowing her to accept death’s reason. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been forced to die in the end.

Meng Yanran laughed coldly and said without concealing her hostility, “Is the wound on your face has healed? It’s strange to say that. I think about it carefully. That day, I didn’t really use much strength to beat you. Why are the scars on your face blue and purple, so how many days have they disappeared?”

She kept having the feeling that Mu Yunyao was the one who had done something to her, purposely acting pitiful to gain sympathy!

Mu Yunyao looked over indifferently, with a smile on her lips. “The skin on my face is delicate, and even I usually can’t stand bumping. It’s unlike an ordinary person whose skin is thicker and will not show any traces of being slapped the next day.”

Meng Yanran stared at Mu Yunyao with a gaze that caused people felt chills running down their spines. This bitch, didn’t she say she was thick-skinned? She took a deep breath to regain her senses, “Little sister Yunyao’s eloquence is truly something that no one can compare. You must have read quite a lot every day, right?”

Meng Yanran couldn’t use injuries as an excuse to belittle her, so just used her background?

Mu Yunyao is really a bit unpredictable about Meng Yanran’s mind. The best method right now for this person was obediently staying in the Meng family. Once this matter was settled, she would then think of a way to save her reputation. Who would have thought that she would actually appear at this banquet and take the initiative to be humiliated?

“Miss Meng should know that I’m from the countryside. I only speak the truth. I haven’t read many books.”

Zhang Wan, who was standing at the side, noticed that the situation had turned sluggish and could not help but say, “The chrysanthemum flowers in the yard are blooming quite well. I saw a Yatoi Jade Phoenix....”

Meng Yanran refused to let her go, her eyes full of sarcasm, “Sister Zhang, how did Little Sister Yunyao know what a Yatoi Jade Phoenix is? I’m afraid that she has only seen wild chrysanthemums blossoming in the countryside and might even think that the Ink Peony is a black peony flower! “

Mu Yunyao, on the other hand, didn’t care at all. She calmly looked at Meng Yanran, “People don’t know it when they are born. I have never come into contact with these rare chrysanthemum varieties. I don’t know if it’s excusable. Does Miss Meng have any advice for me?” Zhang Wan slightly heaved a sigh of relief. Everyone knew about the conflict between Mu Yunyao and Meng Yanran, and she was afraid that the two would quarrel on the spot. However, from the looks of it, Miss Mu was a sensible person. Even when she was scorned and humiliated, she isn’t angry. On the other hand, it was Miss Meng who was so aggressive, but she is inferior.

Meng Yanran sneered, “I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand even if I gave you advice. What can I say to you? Can you tell me the colors when I talked about wild chrysanthemums?”

Mu Yunyao’s gaze became cold, “Appreciating flowers has its own preferences. Some people like expensive and famous products, but some people prefer natural things. From what Miss Meng said, you looked down ad don’t like rural farmers. As a person, one must not forget one’s duty. Drinking water is still thinking about the source. Miss Meng enjoys the convenience brought by rural farmers, but she keeps looking down on others. Don’t you think you are hypocritical?”

“You, what did you say?”

Mu Yunyao’s figure stood straight, and her voice filled with authority, “Could it be that what I said was wrong? Which of the fragrant rice, vegetables, and fruit that you eat every day is not the result of farmers’ hard work? It could be said that they had gone through the cold to reclaim the land, had taken good care of it in the heat, and had poured sweat over it to make the food sweet in your mouth. If you looked down and did not like them, you could have avoided eating later on. You also wore satins and silks, without the farmers breeding the silkworm, without the farmers shedding the cocoons and reeling the silks. How could you wear so brightly today? That’s right, I’m from the countryside, but I’ve never been ashamed of it, so you don’t have to remind me all the time!”

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Incurable Chapter 21 Part 2

Rain fell all night, washing even the mountain dust clean. Wuling Tea House’s tea fields were cool and clear, dotted with a few tea-picking women beneath a blue sky and drifting clouds.

Tall wooden windows hung open ahead, the view wide enough to take in the tea terraces and the far mountains, faint under mist.

The room itself was empty and bright. The morning breeze flowed through, clean and fresh.

Mei Yaozhi sat on the stiff carpet, sleep still in his large eyes. His posture was loose, casual, a sharp contrast to Liu Qianxiu’s upright stillness beside him.

Between them sat a low tea table set with tea tools. A woman in hanfu performed tea service with smooth, practiced grace—fresh Longjing tips, green and fragrant. Water poured from the spout of a purple clay teapot, scent rising in thin curls.

Mei Yaozhi glanced at Liu Qianxiu again.

Liu Qianxiu was terrifyingly disciplined. Sitting like that, watching the morning sun thin the mountain mist, he looked wrapped in a faint immortal haze, too clean for the world.

Which was the point.

He’d always been too clean for it.

“Waking up this early just to drink tea in a tea house,” Mei Yaozhi muttered. He lifted a cup, swallowed in one go, and the smooth fragrance eased his lingering drowsiness.

When the tea was finished, the woman withdrew. Mei Yaozhi straightened a little and got to business.

He slid a file folder toward Liu Qianxiu. “The person you asked me to investigate.”

The paper envelope made a crisp sound. Liu Qianxiu took it.

The file wasn’t long—three pages, maybe. But the details were dense and specific. Mei Yaozhi summarized.

“Mu family in West City: textiles and tailoring. They rose in the Republican era and peaked in the 1980s. After the old matriarch died, Mu Yatang took over, and they’ve declined ever since. Mu Wan took her mother’s surname. Her mother, Mu Qijun, got pregnant out of wedlock. To hide it, the Mu family claimed Mu Wan was adopted, but she’s biological. The Mu family believed she disgraced their ‘family reputation,’ so her life there was bad, especially after Mu Qijun died. Once she came of age, she moved out. Now she has no contact with the Mu family at all.”

Mei Yaozhi poured himself more tea, then added with a grin, “It took me a ridiculous network to track down the man who got Mu Qijun pregnant—the father. Funny coincidence, he’s also…”

“Song Kangze,” Liu Qianxiu said, having reached the last line of the file.

Mei Yaozhi froze. “You actually know him?”

Liu Qianxiu pulled out the second page, the one with the father’s information, and looked down at it without speaking.

“So you had me check her because of her father?” Mei Yaozhi pressed.

Liu Qianxiu lifted his eyes at him, neither confirming nor denying.

Mei Yaozhi couldn’t read him. Liu Qianxiu was like clear water—you could see straight down, yet never know how deep it truly went, or what lay at the bottom.

Mei Yaozhi didn’t pry further. He just talked.

“She’s a nobody actress right now. Some of the roles she takes are rough. If you want to help her, it’s a flick of your finger.”

His phone rang mid-sentence. Mei Yaozhi glanced at it and stood. “I have to go.”

Liu Qianxiu tapped the file lightly with one finger and said, “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Mei Yaozhi smiled, then remembered something as he was about to leave. He tapped his temple. “Grandma knew I was coming to see you. She told me to tell you: tonight, you’re coming home with me for dinner.”

Mei family’s matriarch was Mei Yaozhi’s grandmother—and Liu Qianxiu’s maternal grandmother.

Liu Qianxiu’s mouth curved faintly. He nodded. “Okay.”

Mei Yaozhi grinned. “I’m leaving. Haven’t even eaten breakfast—just drank a belly full of tea…”


Before sunrise, Mu Wan was already at the filming base.

This time, it was war scenes. Mu Wan played a military doctor. They filmed from dark to dawn, explosion after explosion, and she ended up with a face full of soot.

By the time the light was fully up, the dawn sequence was done. She had only one more sacrifice scene left, and her part would wrap.

She ran back and forth “saving lives” until her body felt hollow, her back ached, and her waist was sore. During the break, she sat at the edge of a trench built from stacked sandbags and opened Plants vs. Zombies.

She hadn’t even finished planting her sunflowers when her phone buzzed.

A text appeared at the top of the screen.

[Daoist Liu]: Where are you?

Mu Wan’s heart jumped with it. She immediately opened messages and replied.

[Mu Wan]: Filming. At the base.

After sending it, she bit her lower lip as she smiled—then tasted dust. She laughed, spit twice, and sent another message.

[Mu Wan]: What about you? What are you doing at home?

He didn’t answer that. He replied with a different line.

[Daoist Liu]: I have plans tonight.

Mu Wan’s smile stopped.

She understood his meaning.

She curled in slightly, shoulders narrow and small, like a kitten hiding in a corner. Someone sat down beside her and kicked up dust. Mu Wan coughed twice; her phone screen smeared with grime.

“Mu Wan, look! That guy—so handsome!” Gao Mei had plopped down beside her. She grabbed Mu Wan’s arm and pulled. “Is he an actor? No way. If that face were an actor, I’d know him.”

Mu Wan’s mood dipped. She ignored Gao Mei, staring at her screen, trying to think of what to reply.

Gao Mei, not getting a response, planted both chubby hands on Mu Wan’s cheeks and turned her face toward the “handsome guy.”

“Hey—”

Mu Wan’s face got squished, her eyes darting—

And then her gaze froze.

The blast scenes left the air thick with smoke and dust. In the rolling haze, a man stood there in a pale long shirt and trousers, tall and clean-lined, brows and eyes quiet, his whole presence cold and untouched by the world.

Mu Wan’s heart kicked hard.

She stared for two seconds, then stood up from the trench.

Liu Qianxiu stood at a distance, looking straight at her.

Her face was filthy with soot, but her eyes were still bright and clear. She saw Liu Qianxiu and went from disbelief to fluster in a heartbeat. She scrubbed at her cheeks, hard, only managing to uncover a small patch of pale skin on her left side.

She couldn’t get clean, so she gave up.

Then she ran toward him, light and quick. Reaching him, she stared at him like she needed to confirm he was real, glancing again and again. Finally, she believed it. Her eyes curved into a smile.

“Why are you here?” Her voice shook. The skin she’d rubbed was flushed.

Liu Qianxiu looked at her quietly. “I don’t have time tonight.”

“Huh?” Mu Wan blinked, confused. She nodded. “I know, I got your text—”

“Lunch with me?” Liu Qianxiu asked.

Mu Wan’s words died instantly.

She lifted her head.

Her eyes were bright as washed glass.

The author has something to say: 

Liu Daochang: Do you know what it means not to send you home?

The relationship between the two has begun to change~

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 21 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 21 Part 1

Mu Wan’s body was lifted clean off the ground.

Liu Qianxiu’s hands gripped her waist and raised her straight up, the way a father lifts a little girl—careful, indulgent, gentle. She hadn’t expected him, all lean lines and quiet restraint, to have that kind of strength.

The air after the rain was crystal-clear. The breeze was cool. The basketball in Mu Wan’s hands was cool.

The hands at her waist were cool, too.

In the whole world, only Mu Wan was hot.

Her heartbeat hammered at her eardrums. Sweat dampened her palms. And the temperature of Liu Qianxiu’s hands, transmitted through the thin fabric at her waist, was dry and cool.

She hugged the ball, stretched her arms, and pushed—her waist tightening, the line of her body pulling into focus.

Bang.

The ball dropped through the hoop.

It hit the ground and bounced fast, slapping the court. Mu Wan listened to the sound, lowered her gaze—

And felt herself being set down again.

The ball rolled away and didn’t bounce back.

Mu Wan breathed quietly. Heat-sweat rose across her skin; the wind brushed her, turning that heat instantly cold. Her body tightened. Her heart tightened with it.

But the feeling afterward was clean and exhilarating—like fog lifting, like a ship finally spotting its lighthouse.

She turned, tipped her head up at him, and asked, “Am I impressive?”

Liu Qianxiu’s expression didn’t change. As if lifting her had cost him nothing at all, he said simply, “Impressive.”

Mu Wan smiled. “Because of you, I’m impressed.”

She looked at him, light jumping in her eyes like scattered sparks. He watched that fire, quietly, and asked, “Hungry?”

Maybe the two failed shots had burned a little energy. Or maybe Mu Wan simply didn’t know how to refuse him.

Mu Wan nodded. “Hungry.”

“Go home?” Liu Qianxiu asked.

A flicker of light sparked again in her eyes. Her throat moved. Mu Wan’s lips curved slightly as she glanced at the ball on the court, her neckline smooth and pretty.

“Home.”

Back at Liu Qianxiu’s place, Mu Wan went to play with the three little ones. They’d already graduated from the nursery room and were exploring the cat room. Everything was new, and they were thrilled by it.

Zhou Yi, by contrast, was cool and aloof, stretched out on the cat tree. He only glanced down when the kittens’ tiny voices got too insistent.

Cats built bonds with cats. People built bonds with cats.

But what about people with people?

After dinner, Mu Wan helped Liu Qianxiu tidy the kitchen, then naturally settled beside him. She couldn’t read. She stretched her arms across the tabletop, pressed her chin onto the pages, breathed in the faint smell of paper and ink, and traced his outline with her eyes.

He was still calm, still distant, still impossible to shake.

Mu Wan watched him for a while, then got up and went to the cat room.

Not long after, she came back and sat beside him again.

This time, she didn’t drape herself across the table. She leaned back with both hands braced behind her, gaze angled toward the cat room. When she heard the kittens’ thin little cries, Mu Wan called softly, “Over here.”

The man beside her finally moved.

Mu Wan turned, eyes bright as she looked at him. “It’s not good to keep them cooped up. Let them come out, get some air.”

Liu Qianxiu watched her quietly, eyes clean as water. The lamplight reflected there, and for a moment, it seemed her silhouette lived in his gaze.

He didn’t speak.

Mu Wan thought she’d bothered him. She pulled her arms back, sat up straighter, and said, “Then I’ll put them back.”

“No,” Liu Qianxiu said lowly, and lowered his gaze back to the book.

Permission granted.

A smile burst into Mu Wan’s eyes. She looked at the kittens wandering aimlessly and gently patted the carpet.

“Come here. Mommy’s here.”

After she said it, she lowered her voice even more—so soft only she could hear it.

“Daddy’s here too.”

Liu Qianxiu’s fingers paused mid-page.

Mu Wan didn’t notice.

The three little ones heard her, found the general direction, and soon came wobbling toward her on their short legs.

Their shadows stretched and enlarged under the light—soft, clumsy, unbearably cute. Their tiny voices sounded like marshmallows soaked in hot cocoa.

In a blink, they were clustered around her.

Mu Wan sat cross-legged. Er Tong and Da Tou tried to get closer, little paws stepping onto her ankle.

Those warm, soft paws on her skin melted her outright.

She gathered them up and settled them on her lap. When she reached for Zhong Fen, she couldn’t find him at first. She tilted her head—

And saw him scrambling toward Liu Qianxiu’s leg.

Liu Qianxiu’s legs were long. Even sitting cross-legged, he was higher than Mu Wan. Zhong Fen struggled, paws slipping. After two tries, he stepped into the air, his chin thumping onto Liu Qianxiu’s leg as he cried out, meowing.

Mu Wan lifted her hand to grab him—

But before she could, a long, pale hand caught Zhong Fen. Fingers curled, movement incredibly gentle, and he placed him carefully on Liu Qianxiu’s lap.

“Meow,” Zhong Fen whined, immediately sweet again.

Liu Qianxiu’s gaze left the book and settled on the kitten.

One man. One cat.

The scene was warm enough to hurt. Even with Liu Qianxiu’s quiet face, even with the lamp softening his lashes, Mu Wan could feel that tenderness in him—so quiet it almost felt unreal, so soft it made her heart ache.

He reached out, fingertips brushing lightly over Zhong Fen’s head. Zhong Fen relaxed against his lap, limbs loose, paws open like small flowers blooming.

“He’s grown,” Liu Qianxiu murmured.

His voice was long and distant, like someone from the clouds speaking to a creature below that had finally learned to live.

Mu Wan watched Zhong Fen on his lap. She folded her arms on the low table and rested her chin there. Looking up at Liu Qianxiu, she said quietly:

“Liu Qianxiu… I want to be your cat too.”

Outside, rain began again, its clear sound pulling her attention. She lay there, soft and languid, posture lazy and loose—like a kitten-spirit who had just taken human form and still didn’t know how to sit properly.

Rain tapped at the air. Liu Qianxiu looked at her and said, “It’s late. I’ll take you home.”

He walked her downstairs and returned to his apartment alone. The living room held layers of light and shadow. Aside from his faint breathing, there was nothing.

Liu Qianxiu sat at the low table and picked up the book he hadn’t finished.

A black blur crossed his vision.

He lifted his eyes and saw Zhou Yi sitting nearby.

On the table lay the book Mu Wan had opened and never really read.

The black cat sat there, and for a moment it overlapped with the memory of Mu Wan—thin, soft, bright.

Zhou Yi meowed. In his vision, there remained only darkness: a dark body, dark eyes, pupils widened into black pools.

The room was quiet and clean, perfect for stillness.

And yet his mind wouldn’t quiet.

The room wasn’t empty either. Loneliness and silence circled it, close and patient.

Mu Wan’s words echoed.

Liu Qianxiu, I want to be your cat.

His lashes lowered. He didn’t chase the thought. He looked down and kept reading.

Then his phone buzzed.

Liu Qianxiu glanced at the screen. His eyelids shifted. He lowered his gaze again.

“Tomorrow morning at eight. Wuling Tea House.”

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Continue reading Incurable Chapter 21 Part 1

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 285

~ KILLING A HUNDRED FLOWERS AFTER BLOOMING ~ 

In Liulan Courtyard, most of the guests had already arrived. They were talked together in groups of twos or threes, and among them, the Eldest Madam had gathered the most people.

“Madam Meng, Miss Mu’s good name is now widely spread throughout the Capital. Even the Emperor has specially bestowed her with a reward. If such a young miss were to appear in any family, it would be a great honor for them.”

“Yeah, she’s able to take out 100,000 silver easily. Even with our background, it’s impossible for us to take out 100,000 silver and give it to others.”

“Or is it that Miss Mu will receive a reward from the Emperor again?”

Even though the Eldest Madam’s anger had already risen from her heart, there was still a smile on her face, and it was difficult to read her thoughts, “That little girl Yunyao is indeed very well-behaved and sensible, and her heart is also very kind. After coming to the residence, she has gotten along exceptionally well with her sisters, and Yuyi likes her very much.”

“Speaking of Yu Yi, you really treasured this daughter of yours. Normally, you rarely let her attend banquets, and even if she did go, she would only be able to communicate with each other wore that familiar veil. Today, you must bring her over so that we can have a look.”

“That’s right. Rumor has it said that Yuyi is both talented and beautiful. She is also the jewel of the Su family. Today, we must definitely gamble on the brilliance of this precious daughter.”

“That kid, Yuyi, is usually quiet and doesn’t like to move. Furthermore, she has to study the rules in residence and also help me manage the family affairs. Naturally, she doesn’t have that much time to go out and play.” Talked of her own daughter, the Eldest Madam’s smile became even more genuine. “But since you all said so, today I will let her come out and pay her respects to everyone.”

“That’s great. it just so happens that my daughter is also here and bring them over to let them know and recognize each other.”

The topic of Grand Princess Yi De wanted to pick the right lady and place it in the name of her lost daughter had already been spread throughout the Capital. Everyone who was able to attend the banquet today was clear and understood the purpose of the Eldest Madam’s actions. However, many people want to hold that flower palanquin. The Su family had hosted the banquet, and no one will speak straight out in front of them.

The Eldest Madam instructed Qi Mama behind her, “Go and invite the Eldest Miss over. Tell her not to be busy in the back.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Many ladies called their daughters over and sat in the hall to wait for Su Yuyi.

At this time, all the nurturing servants in the Capital were not easy to invite, and all the residences were wholeheartedly urging their daughters to study the rules. The Emperor had already put down his word and asked the officials had to bring their female relatives during the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. The meaning is obvious. Isn’t it just to let these officials take their daughters over to see if their daughter can enter the eyes of Grand Princess Yide?

Therefore, the young ladies who had gathered here at this moment were all dignified and elegant. Their every move was extraordinary and beautiful, just like they were a hundred flowers competing with each other, causing people to be entranced upon seeing them.

Not long after, Qi Mama hurried back. “Reporting to the Eldest Madam, the Eldest Miss has arrived.”

Everyone turned to look at the door and saw a young girl who looked like a fairy carrying a stream of light. Her hair tied into a bun, with beautiful eyebrows, bright lips, and white teeth … She was wearing a long skirt made of thin water smoke, With a complete set of jasper exquisite butterfly steps. When she walked, the golden butterfly gently fluttered as if it could fly away with its wings in the blink of an eye.

“Greetings, Mother. Greetings, Madams.” She slowly stood still as if a hundred flowers bloomed around her. For a moment, it was as like that the sun and moon had lost their luster.

The young ladies who had initially thought of a competition all had stiff faces at this time, almost not daring to believe their own eyes. They had heard that the Eldest Miss of Su Family is beautiful for a long time, but they had never thought that this person would be exquisite to such an extent!

Many of the young ladies lowered their heads. They couldn’t even muster up the slightest thought of fighting with Su Yuyi. In fact, if it was possible, they didn’t even want to stand together with Su Yuyi. Many of them were first-rate beauties, but no matter how beautiful they were, they couldn’t be compared to the fairies.

“Madam Meng is so lucky.”

“That’s right. Isn’t it a good blessing to have such a fairy-like daughter?” They could all imagine just how eye-catching the Eldest Miss of the Su family would be during the Mid-Autumn Festival’s palace banquet. At that time, who could contend against her?

Su Yuyi felt a bit embarrassed after being praised. She bowed to the other ladies again, “Ladies, you’re too kind.”

The Eldest Madam gestured for Su Yuyi to stand beside her. She was so satisfied and stretched out her hand to pull her, “Ladies, don’t praise her anymore. Yuyi has always been thin-skinned. If you keep talking, I’m afraid she won’t be able to show her face.”

Lady Jin sat at the side and looked at the amazement in Su Yuyi’s eyes. She felt more worried about Su Qing and Mu Yunyao in her heart.

She had heard quite a lot about the Su family after she had come to the Capital, and she had also heard some things about this Eldest Madam’s style of doing things. Her reputation had always been good outside and been a virtuous woman. From the Old Madam in the Su family to the family’s maidservants, there is no one who does not praise for her a good sentence. But in her opinion, the more so, the deeper this person is. She really doesn’t know how Su Qing and Yunyao live here.

As she was thinking, she suddenly heard a servant enter and report, “Madam, Madam Su, and Miss Mu are here.”

Everyone in the hall immediately looked towards the door. Having Su Yuyi made them lose all their confidence. If that Mu Yunyao is also so impressive, then it would really make them despair.

Mu Yunyao followed behind Su Qing and slowly walked into the hall. When she saw Lady Jin, her eyes lit up, and she gently nodded her head.

Looking at Mu Yunyao’s appearance, Lady Jin couldn’t help but smile. Although they hadn’t been apart for long, in her heart, she was already missing Mu Yunyao a lot. In just a few months, Yunyao had changed quite a bit. In particular, her spiritual aura was even stronger than before. She was really wondering what will happen to her when she fully matures? What will she look like being?

Mu Yunyao followed Su Qing and bowed. The calm and tranquil atmosphere exuded from her body caused people to be amazed.

“This is Miss Mu?” Didn’t they say that this Mu Yunyao was born and bred in the rural area? However, her bearing was not something that an ordinary family could cultivate. How could it be grown up in the countryside?

“Yunyao greets the various madams.”

“Miss Mu need not be so courteous.”

Mu Yunyao dressed in a jade-green skirt with a peony embroidered just like Su Yuyi. It was just that her beauty wasn’t revealed in such an intense manner, just like the haze of blue water gauze on the outside. Her head jewelry is also simple. The jade hairpin was matched with a thin piece of white pearl, not specifically out of the ordinary but absolutely natural, making people feel comfortable from the inside to the outside.

Su Yuyi’s beauty is like a proud fairy, as though she was the only peerless beauty in the world. Her entire body brimmed with the aura of killing a hundred flowers after blooming, and her sharp gaze made people not dare to look straight at her.

On the other hand, Mu Yunyao was totally different. Her beauty was breathtaking, as though she gathered the spirit of the mountains and rivers of Jiangnan. Her gentle and soft appearance was even more soundless.

Her appearance could not compare to Su Yuyi’s, but for some reason, when the two of them stood together, they did not lose their luster like the others. Especially her skin. It was so fair and tender that it seemed as if one could pinch water out of it. Her entire body emitted a charming and beautiful color, causing people to be unable to shift their gaze away.

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 285

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 284

~ SU YOU GIVES CLOTHES ~ 

Mu Yunyao didn’t pay any attention when she met with Su You before. The Su family is hosting a banquet. Nominally they want to celebrate her being rewarded by the Emperor and welcome them back to the Su family. The list of the invited guests and the display of the big family all reveal an unusual flavor.

But she merely didn’t expect Su You would bring someone to the Jiyue Pavilion on the night before the banquet.

Mu Yunyao put down the brush in her hand and covered the calligraphy paper before asking Jin Lan to invite the person inside.

Su you walked into Mu Yunyao’s room, looked back and forth for a moment, couldn’t help but slightly snort, “Are you lying to me?”

Mu Yunyao blinked her eyes in confusion, “Elder sister Su You asked this right after entering the door. How have I lied to you?”

Su You glared at Mu Yunyao, her pale face flushed red from anger. “You said that you don’t have any clothes to wear, but I can see that the furnishings in your room are very luxurious. Could it be that you spent all your silver on this?”

Mu Yunyao looked at the maidservants behind Su You. They were holding a tray in their hands, and on the tray was a sewn set of clothes, “You … You actually helped me prepare clothes?”

That day, she only felt that Su You’s thoughts were simple and that her eyes were wide open, similar to the Snow Fox on the table. She teased Su You a little, but she didn’t expect the other party to take it seriously.

Su You stomped her feet. Just as she was about to say something, she felt her throat blocked up and her hands pressed against her chest to breathe.

Mu Yunyao was shocked and hurriedly stepped forward to support her. While helping her breathe normally, she reached out and pressed on the acupoint on her chest. “Don’t be anxious. Breathe in slowly. Everything will be fine very soon.”

The hand holding her is very warm, and the place where Mu Yunyao held onto was very sore, but it alleviated her turbulent nausea and discomfort. Not long after, Su You slowly recovered from it, and she shouted at the maidservants and mama that surrounded her to get her water and impatiently drank it. She looked at Mu Yunyao with a pleased expression, “Just now, you … are you scared?”

Mu Yunyao helped Su You to sit down, and when she saw the look of pride in her eyes, she couldn’t help but feel helpless, “That’s right, I was indeed frightened by you.”

“I know, you’re afraid that I won’t be able to catch my breath and die at your place. After that, my mother and father will definitely not let you go, and you’ll have to pay with your life.”

When Mu Yunyao heard the words, she couldn’t help but stretched out her hand and patted Su You’s head, “Don’t worry, you won’t die for a while by looking at your appearance. Before you’re dead, I’ll make a big noise and disturb all the people in residence. With so many people present, you’ll have nothing to do with me if you die.”

The mama behind Su You couldn’t help but reveal an angry expression. How could this Mu Yunyao curse the Fifth Miss like that?

Su You, however, did not mind. After being stunned for a while, she suddenly clapped her hands and laughed: “Is that a solution? It seems like you really are an idiot, and you should get someone to carry me out before I die so that you can get rid of this relationship a little faster.”

“Alright, if you are to be sick again next time, I will follow the method you taught me.”

“Hmph, it’s not like you have anything nice to look at it. Coming here this time is enough and will definitely not come again in the future. Lu Liu, give her that piece of clothing. I am afraid that there won’t be any clothes to wore tomorrow.” After she spoke, Su You stood up and coughed softly twice. It looked like she seemed to be very disgusted, “The fragrance you have over here is also bad. It seems like you’ve really spent all your silver on decorating. You’re not living meticulously. I can’t stay any longer, so let’s go.”

After which, she walked out.

Jin Qiao stood at the side and was stunned by what she saw. “Could it be that Miss Fifth come here to get revenge?”

Mu Yunyao walked to the side of the table and picked up the clothes on the tray. The entire set of the skirt was very exquisite, and the style was also exceptionally extraordinary. It was divided into two layers, inner and outer layers. The inner layer used high-quality silk brocade, the silk was white in color, embroidered with a beautiful pattern of butterflies piercing flowers. The outer layer was made of the finest jade-green silk, and the dress was a jade-green color. The designs and patterns on it also softened a little, making it seem fresh and refined.

Jin Lan helped to spread out her clothes. After looking at it, she couldn’t help but reveal a surprised expression. “This Luo dress is so beautifully made. It seems like it’s not made in a short period of time.”

Mu Yunyao stretched out her hand to stroke the jade-green water outer, her eyes revealing a complicated expression. “Carefully put it away. I’ll wear this to the banquet tomorrow.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jin Qiao placed the clothes on the shelf, and Jin Lan helped Mu Yunyao untie her hair. “Miss, that Fifth Miss … You seem to like her very much?”

Mu Yunyao looked at herself up in the bronze mirror and couldn’t help but slightly smile. “Perhaps it’s because we’re both in the same boat.”

“Sympathize with each other?” Jin Lan was slightly confused.

“It’s just a feeling. I can’t explain it clearly.”

Seeing that Mu Yunyao didn’t want to speak anymore, Jin Lan tactfully stopped asking and gently smoothed her hair, “Miss, you are going to attend the banquet tomorrow, so you’ll have a rest earlier today.”

“Got it. You guys can go down as well.”

Lying on the bed, Mu Yunyao slightly turned around and set her gaze on the clothes hanging by the bed. If her guess was not wrong, the clothes should have been prepared by the Second Madam for Su You to wear when at the came out age ceremony. The ceremony has not been carried out all the time. There wasn’t much of a difference in shape in their bodies, just a slight modification, and it became her size.

When she saw Su You, she felt as if she saw herself in a previous life struggling to live. The feeling of trying hard to breathe, yet still being unable to stand up to the footsteps of death, of being alive was enough to make people go crazy. However, Su You was luckier than her in her previous life because she has parents who love her every possible way. Although the journey is difficult, it’s good that someone supports her behind her back.

Mu Yunyao closed her eyes and covered up the complicated emotions in her eyes. She sighed lightly, “I owe her a dress today, which is to say, I owe her a debt of gratitude. I’ll find an opportunity to return it some other day.”

Banquet was held as scheduled the next day.

As there were quite a few people invited to the banquet, the location was decided to be at Liulan Courtyard in the East Courtyard, where the place was spacious, and the scenery was beautiful. It was also filled with autumn chrysanthemums, making it very convenient to enjoy the flowers.

Mu Yunyao put on her clothes and tidied up before heading to Su Qing’s place.

Su Qing looked at Mu Yunyao’s face, and her expression finally relaxed a little. “After resting for the past two days, the wounds have finally healed. If you don’t look carefully, you won’t be able to tell much.”

“It wasn’t too bad anyway.” Mu Yunyao helped Su Qing straighten her sleeves and looked at her beautiful appearance. She couldn’t help but praise her mother, “My mother is so beautiful.”

“Did you eat honey today? Why are your words sounding so nice?”

“Mother was originally a good person. What I said was from the heart, so I didn’t specifically say anything nice to hear.”

Su Qing couldn’t hold back her laughter. She was still a bit worried, “I wonder who we’ll meet at today’s banquet.”

“Mother, you don’t have to worry too much. We don’t know most of the people who come. When that happens, you only need to talk to my adoptive mother. You don’t have to worry about anything else.” The Eldest Madam’s purpose for hosting this banquet was clearly impure, and she wouldn’t be so kind as to let her and her mother be the main characters of this banquet.

“Yes, Mother understands.”

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Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 284

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 283

~ AWKWARD SU YOU ~ 

“You … How can you do that? It ... It was not doing it on purpose. Isn’t it just a set of clothes? I’ll compensate you for how much silver it costs.” The young girl looked at the Snow Fox and gave a slight snort.

“I’ve not lacked in silver. If you call me Elder Sister, then you won’t need to pay for my clothes as to the Snow Fox. How about it?”

“Hmph, I am not calling you Elder Sister, and you should be the one calling me that. I am the Fifth Miss in residence, Su You, and am older than you by three months!” As Su You finished speaking, her eyes swept over to Mu Yunyao from time to time, “As a younger sister, you should respect your older sister. So, don’t make it difficult for that fox.”

Seeing Su You’s expression, Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but have the thought of teasing her and purposely put on a sad appearance: “As an older sister, you want to make things difficult for your younger sister? My clothes have been cut by this fox. I might not even have clothes to wear anymore, yet you don’t want me to make things difficult for it?”

“You …” Su You seemed to be shocked by her appearance and couldn’t help but take half a step behind before quickly walking back, “I didn’t say I’m not going to compensate you. Why are you crying? The girl’s crying is the most annoying thing. When I come back, I will ask my mother to send me a dozen sets of clothes, and you can wear them in turns.”

Mu Yunyao suddenly laughed and blinked at Su You. She didn’t look sad at all, “Then I’ll thank Elder Sister.”

Su You was stunned for a moment and then realized that she had been tricked. She couldn’t help but glare at Mu Yunyao, but she didn’t say anything else. She then turned around and left with her people.

Mu Yunyao couldn’t hold back her laughter.

After Su Qing heard the commotion, she walked out. She then saw Su You leading her people away from the door, “Who just came here??”

“She is Second Aunt’s daughter. The Fifth Miss of the residence, Elder Sister Su You.”

“Su You? I heard that she was not in good health. She was often ill and couldn’t get out of the house. Why did she come, and why didn’t you ask her to stay longer?”

“Although the weather is clear today, it’s windy. Elder Sisters’ body isn’t in good health. If she were to sit here for a while, she would definitely have a fever when she comes back, which will make Second Aunt worried.”

After hearing that, Su Qing couldn’t help but sigh, “How could she be so ill? That child is also a pitiful person. Yao’er, you also know medicine. Can her disease be cured?”

Mu Yunyao’s smile faded. Actually, in her previous life, she had never met Su You, but she had heard that there was such a sickly young miss in the second house. Usually, she would be blown down by the wind or get sick from the rain, and she had to call the doctor if there is a slight change in the weather. Later, Su You died of illness, which made the second house of the Su family depressed for a long time.

In this life, Mu Yunyao initially thought that she wouldn’t have any contact with Su You. But she didn’t expect that she would actually come to Jiyue Pavilion.

“I just met her in a hurry, so I couldn’t tell how many problems there were. The Second Aunt has always asked the imperial physician to treat her. With the imperial physician’s medical skills, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“True.” Su Qing also did not want to reveal Yunyao’s knowledge of medicine because of Su You. Besides, with so many imperial physicians who could do nothing about it, Yunyao probably would not be able to do anything either.

Jin Qiao walked in with a face full of joy. “Miss, your servant has left the residence today to investigate. The news of how Jingling City gave back to the people has already spread throughout the Capital. Everyone is praising Miss for her kindness!”

Mu Yunyao smiled, “After spending so much effort, I finally managed to get some rewards. How’s the arrangement on Liu Liang?”

“Liu Liang has already selected a place, and it was initially an embroidery workshop. The location is good, but the price requested is a bit expensive. Now they are still talking about it. I think we will have good news soon.”

Mu Yunyao nodded. “That’s good. I should open Ni Yun Fang in the Capital earlier. Not to mention anything else, it would be more convenient for me to dress.”

Su Qing stretched out her hand and pointed at the space between her eyebrows, then said, “Look at how many clothes there are in your closet, but you still want to wear clothes with all your heart. There are so many clothes in your closet that you haven’t even touched them yet!”

“Yes, Mother has taught me a lesson. Later, I will take out all of those clothes and wear them next to each other.”

“You naughty girl, stop playing around with the ginseng. You are actually looking down on good things. Jin Lan, you put these medicine materials away and let the Snow Fox take them away later.”

Mu Yunyao casually threw the ginseng in her hand back into the tray. “Find a box and carefully place it inside. Who knows, it might still be useful in the future.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Su You had been fuming ever since she returned to the West Courtyard. When Second Madam saw her like this, she couldn’t help but be curious, “Didn’t you go out for a stroll? Why are you back so quickly?”

“I’m already out of breath from the tour, so what’s the point of staying outside?”

The Second Madam’s eyes turned cold when she heard this. “Who gave you such a hard time? Tell your mother. Mother will definitely get it back for you!”

Su You pursed her lips, coldly snorting to herself, “Mother, in a while, go and find a few satins and silks. I want to make some clothes.”

Su You rarely asked for things of her own accord, as the Second Madam helped her arrange the clothes and jewelry. She wears whatever she gives and never talks about it even if she feels uncomfortable. Such temperament has often caused the Second Madam to have a headache. However, today she took the initiative to make clothes, which makes the Second Madam couldn’t help to feel both surprised and happy. “What kind of clothes do you want me to make? Do you want to have good patterns and colors? Your skin is white, so Mother thinks that red is perfect for you.”

Su You was still fuming when she heard this, and her tone sounded very awkward. “Merely find me some white, blue, and light purple ones. I don’t want those big red or green ones. That little girl can’t wear those festive colors right now.”

The Second Madam was stunned. “What little girl are you talking about?”

Su You’s voice unconsciously rose as if she had been stepped on, “Isn’t that Mu Yunyao is younger than me, then she’s just the little girl? Cough cough …” Perhaps she was too anxious and couldn’t stop coughing.

The Second Madam hurriedly stepped forward to help her caress her back: “Yes, yes, she is indeed a little girl, but how did she provoke you?”

After Su You finished coughing, she did not throw a tantrum like usual, but she instead snorted coldly and explained, “I am her elder sister, and I am just letting her win. She is an inexperienced person and doesn’t even have a single piece of clothing to wear. No, I only feel distressed to death by a snow fox cutting a few clothes. I only look at her pitifully and reward her for some clothes to wear.”

The Second Madam clenched her fist abruptly, nodded, and said, “You’re right. Yunyao is indeed really pitiful. She has been living outside for many years. She just arrived in this family and was slapped by the arrogant and domineering Meng Yanran with an excuse. Now her face is still bruised!”

Su You frowned: “That girl is useless. I will definitely teach her the rules someday.” Looking at her sharp teeth, she didn’t expect to be inadequate and would be bullied. Didn’t even know that it was making things up to protect themselves?

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 282

~ SISTERHOOD ~ 

The Eldest Madam didn’t mean much to blame. She patted her hand with a smile: “Your father is also very optimistic about His Highness Third Prince, but now that His Majesty’s health is in good health and the situation of the court is unclear, there are many things that cannot be easily said. Mother has painstakingly hidden you for so many years, so it is time for you to amaze everyone.”

Su Yuyi’s eyes flashed with excitement. “Mother, do you mean that the time has come?”

Everyone in the Capital knew that the Su family’s eldest daughter, Su Yuyi, was talented and attractive, but very few people were really able to see her. The Eldest Madam had put in a lot of effort for her daughter. She knew that her appearance was a powerful weapon, but such a weapon must be displayed at the most appropriate time to come out to be invincible. It was just like a priceless Luminous Pearl that could only be found once in a hundred years. If one were to spend the entire day in a room with it, no matter how valuable it was, it wouldn’t be precious again.

Things were precious when they were rare, and beauties were too!

The Eldest Madam nodded slightly. “I was thinking of letting you appear after the situation has been resolved, but who knew that Princess Yi De would suddenly spread the word that she wanted to find a suitable girl to be fostered in the name of her lost daughter. It is a rare occurrence. Naturally, we cannot miss out on such a good opportunity.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I will live up to your expectations.”

“Good.”

The next morning, Mu Yunyao, who had just finished her breakfast with Su Qing, heard Jin Lan’s report. “Madam, Miss, Eldest Miss is here.”

The mother and daughter looked at each other. Mu Yunyao smiled slightly and said, “Mother, I’ll personally welcome my elder sister.”

“Alright.”

Su Yuyi had already prepared herself for Mu Yunyao to make things difficult for her. However, she didn’t expect that the moment she stood in the courtyard, she would see Mu Yunyao with a smile on her face coming out: “Greetings, Elder Sister.”

“Little Sister Yunyao quickly gets up.” Su Yuyi carefully examined Mu Yunyao’s face, her eyes filled with concern, “The wounds on your face seem to have lightened a bit compared to yesterday. How’s the injury on your body? Does it still hurts badly?”

“It’s just that I’ve been beaten twice. Because I have been weak since I was young, I can’t withstand it. That’s why it looks a little more serious. If it placed on ordinary people, I presume it wouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“Little sister is very delicate. In the future, you must take extra care to recuperate, so I have prepared some medicinal materials to apologize to Little sister.” As Su Yuyi spoke, her eyes filled with sadness. Her long eyelashes reflected the sunlight on her flawless cheeks. She looked as beautiful as a fairy. “At that time, I did not make a decision immediately and believed too much in Yanran’s words. I misunderstood you and caused you to be slapped. Not only did you receive a slap, you even received two planks. I am truly sorry …”

Mu Yunyao smiled. “Elder Sister is right, you didn’t know about this matter from the beginning to the end, so naturally, you can’t be blamed. Who would have thought that a noble girl like Miss Meng would actually condescend to use such a despicable method to frame me?”

“It’s good that Little Sister isn’t angry. I hope that Little Sister can take these medicine materials. It can help you to recuperate and get better.”

“Then I will not be polite with Elder Sister. Thank you very much, Elder Sister.”

“You and I are good sisters, so there’s no need to be polite.” Su Yuyi smiles, just like a peony in full bloom. “Today, in addition to apologizing to Little Sister, I also want to ask if you have any guests that would like to be invited. Mother is preparing a banquet to welcome Aunt and you, and the invitation will be sent out in the afternoon.”

“When Mother and I didn’t know many people when we first came in the Capital. We were only sending an invitation to the inspector general’s office to Lord Cao. There is no need for anything else.”

“Alright, I’ll tell Mother when I came back and asked her to draft up the invitation and send it over as soon as possible. You’ve only been in the Capital for a short while, so you don’t know many people. However, you will slowly get familiar with them after a few more banquets. If I receive any invitations in the future, I will definitely invite you to go with me.” Su Yuyi intimately pulled on Mu Yunyao with a smile that like the bright and shining morning glow.

Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but sigh in her heart. No wonder Su Yuyi had walked so smoothly in her previous life and had such an appearance, even in the Nine Heavens Dragon Gate, there would still be people lying on the ground, doing their best to protect her. They would desperately send her straight into the sky, and they would even have to sacrifice everything in exchange for her smile.…

“Thank you, Elder Sister.”

After showing her good intentions, Su Yuyi led her servants and left in a mighty manner. Mu Yunyao stood in the courtyard looking at her back, and the corners of her lips revealed a mocking smile.

Back then, she wasn’t loved by the Old Madam. When she was struggling in the Su family’s backyard, this young miss had walked over with such a smile and affectionately held her hands as she spoke about their sisterhood. Who could have thought that behind her words that kept talking about sisterhood, there was a poisoned sword.

Su Yuyi had torn off her hypocritical face just because she had unintentionally gotten a compliment from the Third Prince. One poison sword after another had pierced down, almost taking her life.

The love between sisters was deep, but in reality, it wasn’t really worth a damn.

Mu Yunyao gathered her thoughts. Seeing the medicinal materials in Jin Lan and Jin Qiao’s hands, she made them put the herb into the pavilion beside the lotus pond. She casually picked up plump ginseng and dragged it on the table.

The Snow Fox jumped over. Seeing Mu Yunyao’s actions, it slightly lowered its body and shook its ears as if it was making threatening noises at the ginseng as if it was treating it as its prey.

Mu Yunyao chuckled and took the ginseng to tease the Snow Fox while watching her bounce around on the table. Just as she thought this was interesting, he suddenly heard a somewhat arrogant voice in her ear. “What are you doing?”

Mu Yunyao stopped her actions and looked over. She saw a young girl with eyes full of arrogance.

The girl was not tall and was very slender, even a bit weaker than her. Because she was so thin and frail, her eyes exceptionally looked big. She slightly raised her eyebrows, looking over with a wild and untamed gaze, as well as hidden a bit of curiosity.

Mu Yunyao slightly tilted her head, leaned on the table, and supported it with one hand. The snow fox climbed up her other arm, crouched on top of her shoulder, and stared at the girl. “Who are you? How come I’ve never seen you before?”

The young girl’s gaze swept back and forth between Mu Yunyao and the Snow Fox. She pursed her lips slightly, the arrogance in her eyes becoming even more intense. “You should call me Elder Sister!”

“Nonsense, you’re not even taller than me, and you’re also much skinnier than me. You should be the one calling me Elder Sister!” Mu Yunyao chuckled. The Snow Fox on her shoulder also rolled away and almost fell to the ground.

The young girl’s eyes widened, and she almost cried out when she saw the Snow Fox falling down. Fortunately, the Snow Fox was smart and agile, so it stretched out her paws to grab Mu Yunyao’s clothes, but it accidentally left a scratch on the beautifully embroidered fabrics.

Mu Yunyao reached out and took the back of the Snow Fox’s neck and put it on the table: “You’ve damaged my clothes. Think about how to compensate. If you can’t afford it, I’ll take off your fur to make a collar.”

NB: Sorry, I couldn't update yesterday, so today I will upload 2 chapters. Happy reading.

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Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 281

~ BORROW MU YUNYAO’S INFLUENCE ~ 

“Shut up!” The Eldest Madam looked over with a fierce gaze and muttered to Su Yuyi, “Didn’t Mother tell you? You had to be careful even when you were at home. What chills is not chilling. Putting in a nice word, he’s a minister. But in reality, he is just a slave raised by the Emperor. If the slave dared to intervene in the affairs of the master, it was already a great favor for the Emperor to not let his hand be chopped off. Your grandfather was good at everything, but he was too easily provoked.”

“Grandfather was also very anxious. For all these years, Imperial Concubine De’s had served the Emperor. She could be described as a sacred favorite. Who would have thought that she would never have a child? If not, my grandfather’s family would not be in such a predicament.”

“Alright, these things have already become a foregone conclusion. Now that there’s no way to change it, there’s no point in talking about it.” The Eldest Madam raised a hand to rub her forehead and frowning fiercely. “Get someone to call your elder brother over. He previously warned me not to underestimate Mu Yunyao, but I didn’t take it to heart at the time. Now it seems like he should know something.”

“Yes, Daughter will have someone to invite Elder Brother now.”

Su Qingwu came over soon: “Greetings, Mother.”

“Get up and sit down. Have you finished dinner?”

Su Qingwu nodded. “I’ve already finished. But I can see that the food on the table hasn’t been touched yet. Is Mother unable to eat them?”

The Eldest Madam’s face was full of worry, but she didn’t say anything and only shook her head slightly.

Su Yuyi, who was standing at the side, said, “Elder Brother, you saw it too. Today, Mother’s face was torn off and stepped onto the ground by Mu Yunyao. How could she still be in the mood to eat?”

“Mother, I just received news that the reason the Emperor summoned Mu Yunyao is that she took the lead in donating one hundred thousand taels of silver in Jingling City.”

“How much did you say? One hundred thousand taels?” The Eldest Madam sat up straight with a fierce look in her eyes. “I heard Liu Mama and the rest say had said before that Mu Yunyao had taken the lead in donating silver in Jingling City. She also said that Mu Yunyao had bought food to feed the people of Jingling City. Doesn’t it mean that t that the local gentry and rich families in Jingling City had donated most of the silver?”

“It’s likely that Liu Mama and the rest who don’t understand the truth.” When the Eldest Madam thought about it, she came to an understanding and fiercely slapped the table. “I understand. It must be Mu Yunyao’s scheme! Our Su family and the Li family have always been at loggerheads with each other. Li Munian is also an official in Jingling City. When Mu Yunyao wants to do something about it, it would be easy for her to deceive several servants. She must have purposely let Liu Mama and the others think that she just spent a little bit of silver, so when the servants sent the news over, I only listened for a bit and didn’t take it to heart. In fact, this is the day she was waiting for!”

Su Qingwu’s expression was calm, but his heart was pounding. “Mother, in the end, those underlings only have limited vision. Many things can’t be seen in the long run, so there will inevitably be some errors when they are reported. Today, the Emperor rewarded Mu Yunyao, and tomorrow her good reputation would spread throughout the entire Capital.”

Su Yuyi’s face turned ugly, “A hundred thousand silver taels, that Mu Yunyao is really willing to give it up.”

The Eldest Madam thought for a moment and asked, “The opening of Bi Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo only took a little more than a year, yet she has already earned that much silver?”

“You might not know about the other, Mothers. But you should remember the Spring Embroidery Workshop? Back then, the Spring Embroidery Workshop (Chun Xiu Fang) had Cai Yue Pavilion as its opponent, and it was still gaining gold every day. What’s more, Ni Yun Fang was a one-of-a-kind place, and none of the other shop and restaurant dared to try their luck, especially Bu Xian Luo.”

The Eldest Madam gently folded her fingers as if she wants to hold something in her hand: “Yuyi, you’re in the wrong regarding what happened that day. Tomorrow, you’ll bring a gift to your Cousin Yunyao to apologize.”

“Yes. I know, Mother.” Su Yuyi hesitated for a moment, but she still agreed.

The Eldest Madam raised her hand and caressed her hair. With a pained expression, she said, “I know that you must have felt wrong to let you bow your head to that country bumpkin, and it would definitely be unfair to you. But for the sake of your future, you must do this! Tomorrow, even if Mu Yunyao were to make things difficult for you in front of others, you have to bear with it. My daughter must be gentle and kind, understand?”

“Mother, you want me to use Mu Yunyao’s influence to spread my name?” Su Yuyi asked in a testing manner.

“That’s right. Your elder brother said just now that tomorrow, Mu Yunyao’s reputation will spread throughout the Capital. It’s the perfect time for you to take advantage of the wind to push yourself up.” The Eldest Madam’s dim eyes finally revealed a smile. She would come and take care of her after she was done using her power.

Su Yuyi nodded. The unwillingness in her eyes slowly disappeared and was replaced with a kind smile. Under the light of the candle flame, a trace of light could be seen in her beautiful eyes. It was like the bright moonlight, reflected on a Chinese osmanthus flower, captivating the soul with her mesmerizing beauty. “Mother, don’t worry. I know what I should do.

The Eldest Madam raised her lips, “Mother knows that you are unwilling, but it is worth it to be able to stand out in the Mid-Autumn Festival. No matter how much you handle, it is worthwhile. There is also one more thing, Mu Yunyao’s reputation will spread throughout the Capital, and at the same time, Meng Yanran’s name will become extremely bad. So, don’t associate with her in the future.

“Yes, Daughter understands.”

“Qingwu,” the Eldest Madam looked at Su Qingwu, “You and the Third Prince have a very great relationship, and the Third Prince can speak with the Grand Princess. Now that the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet is approaching, you should help out a bit more.”

“Mother, Grand Princess Yi De is not an ordinary person. She was able to accompany the Emperor on his journey from an unknown prince to an overlord. Her scope of vision could not be compared to ordinary people. If you truly wish to push my sister to the front of the Grand Princess, then don’t do too much, or it will backfire.”

The Eldest Madam thought for a moment and wrinkled her forehead, “I naturally know about what you have said. However, if she can’t stand out among so many noble young ladies in the Capital, how could Grand Princess Yi De pay attention to Yuyi?”

“With my little sister’s appearance, just sitting there without saying or doing anything is enough to amaze everyone.”

Hearing Su Qingwu’s praise, the smile in Su Yuyi’s eyes intensified. “Elder Brother, I’ve heard you talk about the Third Prince several times. I wonder what the other person is like?”

“His personality is firm and resolute, and his visions are much wider than ordinary people. In the end, he has been raised up by Grand Princess Yi De herself for a period of time. Many thoughts and insights that he had expressed were extremely admirable.”

Su Yuyi couldn’t help but sigh. “Not many people can get my Elder Brother’s praise. If only I had the chance to meet this third prince.”

The Eldest Madam turned around and looked at her reproachfully, “Yuyi, is that really something you can say?”

“Mother.” Su Yuyi hurriedly stepped forward and took the Eldest Madam’s arm, “I was only casually saying it. Who told let Elder Brother praise the Third Prince so highly?”

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Incurable Chapter 20 Part 3

Halftime. The basketball court was still loud with the ball slapping the floor. The gym was bright, lights blazing. Liu Qianxiu sat off to the side, head tipped back as he drank water.

He’d just finished a run. Sweat drenched him. As he swallowed, droplets slid down the moving line of his throat, clean and almost indecent in how quietly sensual it was.

The thin plastic bottle looked fragile, but in his large hand it stayed perfectly shaped. When he finished, he set it down and lifted his jersey to wipe his face.

He was lean, but tightly built. The white jersey rose, revealing firm lines across his waist and abdomen—male heat, sharp and unmistakable. Then the fabric fell again, and his brows and eyes returned to their usual calm.

Even after hard exercise, his skin stayed that cool, pale tone, as if body and spirit were separate things, never interfering with each other.

His phone chimed. He picked it up, glanced once, and pocketed it. Then he said to Huai Jing beside him, “I should go.”

Huai Jing had just finished drinking too, elbows braced on his knees, sweat shining on his skin. He didn’t look tired at all. His gaze was lazy, amused.

“It’s early. Why are you leaving?”

“To cook,” Liu Qianxiu said.

Huai Jing stared. “It’s only four.”

“Mm.” Liu Qianxiu didn’t deny it.

Huai Jing leaned back, long legs stretched out, arms hooked behind him on the bench. He looked at Liu Qianxiu with a knowing smile.

“Xingkong said you brought a girl yesterday. Want to introduce her properly sometime?”

Introduce: bring her to meet friends over a meal, as Xu Xingkong had been introduced.

Liu Qianxiu stood. He looked at Huai Jing. Huai Jing looked back, unhurried.

Liu Qianxiu was silent for a beat, as if weighing it.

Then he said, “Later.”

“Fine.” Huai Jing didn’t press. That was how they were. If Liu Qianxiu wanted to say something, he would. If he didn’t, then it wasn’t time.

Liu Qianxiu showered in the locker room, changed, and drove back to Nanfeng Apartments. Mu Wan’s message said she was already on her way. She should be arriving soon.

He parked underground, gym bag over his shoulder, basketball in hand, and swiped into the elevator. The elevator rose from B1. On the first floor, it stopped.

The doors opened.

Mu Wan stood outside.

She’d been watching the ads on the screen by the elevator. When she heard the ding, she looked in. The moment she saw Liu Qianxiu, her eyes curved.

Today he looked sporty: a white T-shirt and black shorts. Simple, but somehow refined on him, like a model in a campaign. He was tall and pale, and even the basics looked expensive.

A black gym bag hung from his left shoulder. A basketball rested in his right hand. His palm was so large he could grip it with one hand, fingers slightly curved, knuckles even, long and beautiful.

Mu Wan had never understood in high school why girls loved boys who played basketball.

Now she did.

When you liked someone, everything they did looked impossibly cool.

“Is that your basketball?” Mu Wan asked, eyes darting to it.

“Mm.” Liu Qianxiu answered.

Mu Wan studied the light brown ball. “Can I try? I’ve never played.”

It was only five. Dinner wasn’t urgent. It had rained earlier; now it had stopped, leaving the air cool and clean—perfect weather for a court.

Mu Wan looked at him, a soft plea in her eyes.

The elevator doors began to close. Liu Qianxiu lifted his right hand, stopped the door, and stepped out as he said, “Come on.”

Mu Wan smiled, gave a small hop behind him, and followed happily.

Nanfeng Apartments had a private basketball court. In a high-end complex, even the sports facilities were neat and well-built. The basketball and tennis courts sat side by side behind a tall iron fence.

The rain hadn’t fully dried. The court was damp but no longer puddled. At this hour, it was empty. The two of them entered, one after the other.

Mu Wan walked straight under the hoop and looked up at the rim high above her. She reached, pale arm stretching, still nowhere close. But Mu Wan believed in her athletic instincts. She lowered her arm and called to Liu Qianxiu, who stood out past the three-point line.

“Liu Qianxiu. Ball.”

Her voice echoed softly in the rain-cooled court.

Liu Qianxiu tossed it over. It rolled neatly to her feet.

Thin clouds covered the sky. The air was damp and clean. In the empty court, the slender woman lifted the ball under the blue hoop, aimed at the rim, and let it go.

Bang.

The ball hit the backboard and dropped.

She wasn’t discouraged. She picked it up, gave the rim a couple of pretend feints, then threw again with both arms.

This time, it only kissed the rim.

The ball arced through the clean air, bounced off, and rolled behind her. Mu Wan turned back, brows pinching, breathing lightly, lips parted—wet and red.

“Liu Qianxiu, I can’t get it in,” she said, her voice sweet like ripe fruit. She walked toward the ball and asked, “Can you?”

The ball rolled to his feet. He stood beyond the white line and looked at her once, calm. He bent slightly and grabbed the ball with one hand. His fingers tightened, knuckles whitening.

Mu Wan stood mid-court, staring up at him. Uncertain, she asked, “You’re so far. Can you really make it?”

He didn’t answer.

He shifted the ball into his right hand, wrist bending back. His dark eyes, in the damp air, looked like deep spring water.

His wrist snapped.

The ball left his hand and flew over Mu Wan’s head.

She turned—

Bang.

A clean shot, straight through the net, as he’d walked straight into her heart.

The ball hit the ground and bounced, thumping against the court. The sound echoed in the space.

Mu Wan’s eyes flickered as she followed the ball. When it rolled near the baseline, and the court fell quiet again, she looked back at Liu Qianxiu.

Under heavy clouds, he stood tall, legs long, eyes like water, clean and distant.

“Liu Qianxiu…” Mu Wan tilted her head, starlight sparkling in her eyes as she smiled. “Are you my god? You can do everything I can’t.”

Wind stirred leaves overhead.

Something in a heart trembled.

“I’m going to make one too,” Mu Wan declared, then jogged to pick up the ball.

Her pale fingers spread over the textured surface, sharp and pretty. She backed up two steps, right under the hoop. Just as she was about to shoot—

Someone hugged her from behind.

Mu Wan caught a faint peppermint scent.

Her jaw trembled.

Her body lifted slowly higher. In her vision, the rim drew closer, suddenly reachable.

“Shoot,” Liu Qianxiu said softly behind her.

Her god had come to help her.

The author has something to say: 

Liu Daochang: In order for you to become a god, or not.

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