Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 621

~ Qi Ming Slips Away ~ 

Inside Ling Wang’s residence, the atmosphere was heavy enough to suffocate.

Ling Wang sat in a chair, his expression dark, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized the man kneeling before him.

“Qi Ming. Do you have nothing to confess to this Wang?”

Qi Ming’s face was deathly pale. Cold sweat dotted his forehead. After a long, choking silence, he slammed his head to the ground.

“This servant deserves ten thousand deaths. Please punish me, Your Royal Highness.”

Ling Wang’s eyes softened for only a breath, then turned even colder.

“I truly didn’t expect you to be a nail the Third Prince planted at my side. Over these years, you must have helped Jin Wang obtain quite a bit of information, hm?”

“Your Royal Highness,” Qi Ming pleaded, voice trembling, “I am loyal to you with my whole life. From the moment I acknowledged you as my Master, I never dared harbor a second heart. Besides, the Third Prince tried to silence me back then. I hated him to the bone. How could I ever return to him?”

“Hmph.”

Ling Wang tossed a letter down in front of him.

“Still refusing to admit it, still daring to speak of loyalty. Then tell me, where is this loyalty, when you privately transferred Yi Bao Xuan’s silver to the Third Prince? Qi Ming, I’ve never treated you poorly. Why did you choose betrayal?”

Qi Ming didn’t even reach for the letter. Instead, he knocked his head against the floor three times, hard enough that the sound rang.

“Your Royal Highness, it is this servant who deserves death. But I had no choice. The Third Prince seized my family. If I didn’t do as Jin Wang ordered, my wife and child would have died.”

“I only moved some silver. Everything else the Third Prince ordered, I brushed off and muddled through. I did not leak any information about Your Royal Highness. Please investigate clearly.”

Ling Wang’s gaze was ice. “Qi Ming, I hate betrayal most. You’ve disappointed me.”

“Master!” Qi Ming’s expression collapsed into grief. He kowtowed again and again, voice breaking. “This servant truly had no way out. Please forgive me this once. I only wanted to save my family. I never intended to harm you.”

“The Third Prince… because I didn’t follow his instructions, he already had my wife killed.” Qi Ming’s eyes filled with pain and fury. “He said if I don’t obey next time, my child will die too. I couldn’t disobey him, but I also didn’t dare betray you. That’s why I diverted part of Yi Bao Xuan’s funds, just to stall for time…”

By the end, he was sobbing, tears streaming, every inch of him soaked in remorse.

Ling Wang narrowed his eyes, measuring every word, weighing truth from performance. After a long moment, his tone eased slightly.

“Jin Wang’s methods have always been cruel. You should know that even if you obeyed him, he wouldn’t spare your family.”

“Yes…” Qi Ming’s face went ashen. Despair slowly swallowed his features.

“But, Qi Ming,” Ling Wang said coolly, “for the sake of what little loyalty you still showed, I’ll give you a chance. If you do well, I will have someone rescue your child.”

Qi Ming’s head snapped up. His eyes lit up as if a candle had been struck in darkness.

“Your Royal Highness, truly? This servant thanks you! I truly have no way to repay Your Royal Highness’s great kindness!”

“Wait.” Ling Wang lifted his gaze. “Don’t rush to thank me. I have a condition.”

“Please speak, Your Royal Highness. This servant will obey every command.”

“If I help you, the master and servant bond between us ends completely,” Ling Wang said, voice like iron. “From this day on, no matter who asks, you will never mention you were my man.”

“And you know well the grudge between the Third Prince and me. You will help me bring him down, completely.”

“Yes,” Qi Ming said without hesitation. “This servant will obey all of the Master’s commands.”

At the mention of revenge, the light in Qi Ming’s eyes burned even brighter.

“This servant’s heart is full of hatred for the Third Prince as well. Whatever you need, Master, please order it!”

“Good.” Ling Wang nodded slowly. “The Third Prince is using your child to force you to leak information from my side, is he not? I’ll give you some information. You will deliver it to Jin Wang.”

“Then tell him I’ve grown suspicious of you, and you wish to return to the Third Prince’s side.”

Qi Ming hesitated. “Master… the Third Prince previously sent people to hunt me down. Will he truly accept me back?”

Ling Wang sneered. “He’s so desperate now that he doesn’t even have a ghost beside him. Of course, he’ll accept you.”

Ling Wang sneered. “He’s so desperate now that he doesn’t even have a ghost beside him. Of course, he’ll accept you.”

“Relax. The Third Prince will take you back, because right now he’s a stray dog driven into a corner. He needs Yi Bao Xuan. He needs your support.”

“And once you return…” Ling Wang’s voice dipped. “You know what to do.”
Ling Wang gave a satisfied nod.

The Third Prince was already a useless wreck. Ling Wang had no real interest in what happened on that side, but Qi Ming’s attitude pleased him.

“You may go.”

“Yes.”

Qi Ming retreated.

Once Qi Ming was gone, Li Qingzhou stepped out from behind the screen. Seeing Ling Wang still looking displeased, he asked quietly, “Your Royal Highness is still reluctant to part with that Qi Ming?”

Ling Wang’s mouth twisted. “Qi Ming is rare. A loyal dog. It’s a pity to lose him, especially to that blind,d crippled Third Prince.”

Li Qingzhou replied calmly, “Your Royal Highness needn’t regret it. Qi Ming has been by your side for too brief a time. Time is tight. We have no room to investigate him thoroughly.”

“It’s better to discard him for now. If he’s lucky enough to survive, Your Royal Highness can give him a chance to serve again in the future.”

Ling Wang’s expression eased slightly. “You’re right, Grandfather.”

“Good thing we had people monitoring Qi Ming’s family in Jiangnan earlier, otherwise we might not have uncovered his entanglement with the Third Prince at all.”

He let out a harsh breath.

“Third Brother really can’t sit still. He’s already in this state, yet he still plays these tricks, grabbing family members to threaten people. Pathetic.”

Li Qingzhou lowered his hands in salute. “If the Third Prince truly surrendered so easily, it wouldn’t match his nature. Besides, Consort Zhen may be confined, but as His Majesty’s guilt toward the Third Prince deepens, a single decree could set her free again.”

Ling Wang snorted. “If time weren’t so tight, if we could’ve planned thoroughly against Eldest Princess Yide and Yu Wang, Jin Wang wouldn’t have gotten off so cheaply.”

Li Qingzhou bowed slightly. “Your Royal Highness is wise.”

On Jin Wang’s side, he also received the results of his guards’ investigation. He gave a cold laugh, eyes full of amused contempt.

“Yi Bao Xuan’s shopkeeper, Qi Ming… so he’s the Eldest Imperial Brother’s man.”

“And now he comes to pledge himself to me.”

Jin Wang’s smile turned sharp. “Does he think I’m some fool they can toy with at will?”

A subordinate asked, “Your Royal Highness, should we drive him out?”

“No.” Jin Wang’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll keep him.”

“Maybe I can squeeze something out of his mouth. And there’s Yi Bao Xuan as well. It might become useful later.”

Qi Ming knelt again, his face still pale as paper.

“Greetings, Third Prince.”

“Rise.” The Third Prince’s eyes were covered with a layer of white gauze. It hid his gaze from prying eyes and, at the same time, disguised the truth that his eyes were already improving.

“You see it clearly,” the Third Prince said, voice mild but eerie. “I can’t see, and my legs can’t walk.”

“Following Eldest Imperial Brother would give you a brighter future. Why come to rely on a useless cripple like me?”

Qi Ming swallowed hard, then forced out the words like someone cornered to the edge of a cliff.

“Your Royal Highness… I won’t hide it. I was driven here with nowhere left to go.”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 621

Incurable Chapter 59 Part 2

After seeing Lin Wei off, Mu Wan and Liu Qianxiu went over the wedding procedures again. After dinner, they strolled through the back garden, holding hands. They had only walked a short while when Liu Qianxiu received a call.

The call was from Grandma Mei. He listened, squeezing Mu Wan’s fingers slightly in response. After hanging up, Liu Qianxiu said to Mu Wan, “Grandma wants me to take you there now.”

On the wedding day, Mu Wan was to depart from the Mei residence.

Their stroll was only halfway through, and the sky hadn’t even fully darkened yet. Mu Wan looked up at Liu Qianxiu, pressed her lips together, and said, “Alright.”

When Liu Qianxiu dropped Mu Wan off at the Mei residence, it was already eight o’clock. The car stopped on the parking lot lawn. Both stayed inside, with no intention of leaving.

The October night carried a damp chill. A night breeze blew in through the window, making Mu Wan squint slightly.

The Mei residence was already decorated for the wedding. Broad red traditional Chinese accents made the mansion look festive and solemn. Everything was arranged for the two of them. Inside, lights flickered warmly, and everyone was joyful.

But the two people it was meant for hadn’t joined in that happiness. They sat in the car, its interior softly lit and quiet. Only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

Mu Wan leaned back in her seat. In this quiet moment, her heart grew lighter and at ease, as if a weight had been lifted.

She turned her head, wanting to look at Liu Qianxiu. Liu Qianxiu was also looking at her. Their gazes met, and a moment of silence fell.

Shadows fell across Liu Qianxiu’s face, making his features look sharper. He watched her quietly, his lips pressed in a small frown.

The quiet parking lot held only the occasional chirping of insects in the grass. Mu Wan broke the silence, tilting her head as she asked Liu Qianxiu, “How many days of wedding leave do you have?”

She wore a coat, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. She tilted her head, her eyes bright as she looked at him. Liu Qianxiu felt a flutter in his heart, and the darkness in his eyes softened.

“Half a month. Where do you want to go?”

Hearing his question, she smiled. Her lips curved upward, the corners of her eyes crinkling. She sat down in the passenger seat.

“How did you know I wanted to go out?” she asked.

After asking, she lowered her gaze and smiled to herself, filled with happiness.

“Well, you do know everything I want to do.”

Her face radiated a bright smile as she rose to leave. Her fingers touched the door handle. She opened it and said, “Let me think about it. I’ll tell you when I decide.”

Mu Wan finished speaking and opened the door to get out. The man pulled her hand back just as she was about to leave the seat. The force wasn’t strong, but enough to make her sit back down. She turned to look at him. Liu Qianxiu stared at her, his eyes holding an emotion she couldn’t fathom.

Liu Qianxiu gazed at her brows and eyes, calling her name.

“Wan Wan.” His voice was low and slightly hoarse. “When we meet again tomorrow, you’ll be my bride.”

His words drifted on the night breeze, reaching her ears. Mu Wan looked at him, her heart like a barren grassland swept by spring winds, suddenly bursting with vitality.

Mu Wan’s eyes shimmered as she smiled, her gaze radiant. She reached back to grasp his hand, leaned forward, and kissed the corner of his lips. The warmth of their breath mingled. Her eyes met his, her voice soft and tender, thick with longing.

“Then come early to take your little bride home~.”

No sooner had the words left her lips than he swept her into his arms. She heard his heartbeat, and she heard his final word: “Yes.”

The Mei residence had already prepared a decorated room for her wedding. It was filled with her belongings, as if she had lived there since childhood. There were formal gowns, wedding dresses, and various red accents for the ceremony. Even the wallpaper had been replaced.

After Liu Qianxiu dropped her off, he stayed and sat with her for a while before leaving. Now the room felt empty, with only her inside. Mu Wan sat, gazing at the furnishings. Her calm heart grew tense under the solemnity of marriage.

Incense burned in the room. Mu Wan took deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. When that failed, she decided to take a bath first, hoping to force herself to sleep.

Just as she closed her eyes, a knock sounded at the door. Mu Wan looked up and recognized Old Lady Mei’s voice.

“Wan Wan, are you asleep?”

The old lady spoke softly, as if afraid of waking her. Glancing at the clock, it was already ten o’clock, and the old lady was still awake. She hurried up and rushed to open the door.

Grandma Mei stood outside, looking at her with affection. Mu Wan rubbed her hair and called out, “Grandma.”

“Couldn’t sleep, could you?” Granny Mei smiled warmly, gently stroking her cheek.

Mu Wan smiled back, wrapping her arms around Granny Mei’s waist. She helped her into her room, chatting as they walked, “You know everything, Granny.”

“Of course I know. I was married once, too.” Grandma Mei followed her inside, closing the door behind them. Mu Wan went to her bedside, while Grandma Mei sat on the fabric sofa beside it. The light softly illuminated her silver-streaked hair, making her look like a kind grandmother from a fairy tale.

Grandma Mei’s presence settled the unease in her heart. Mu Wan smiled, her spirit calming.

“Lie down. I’ll stay with you. I’ll leave only after you’ve fallen asleep.” As she spoke, she lifted the edge of the quilt and patted the bed gently.

“It’s too late.” Her affection touched Muwan, but she feared the strain on her frail body. Just as she was about to refuse, Old Lady Mei gazed at her and spoke.

“Before Qianxiu’s mother married, I was the one who stayed with her until she fell asleep.”

The words stuck in her throat. Mu Wan gazed at the older woman’s white hair, her heart stirring. She slipped off her shoes, climbed into bed, and lay down. Once settled, she took the old lady’s hand. The hand remained warm and smooth. Mu Wan rested her face against it, gently rubbing it as if to soothe her.

Old Mrs. Mei was visibly moved. She looked at Mu Wan and asked, “Are you looking forward to it?”

“Yes,” Mu Wan answered honestly. “I’m also a little excited and nervous.”

“Qianxiu’s mother was the same before her wedding.” Liu Qianxiu’s mother had been her only daughter. She had sent her off to a grand wedding, yet who could have foreseen the outcome she ultimately faced?

The older woman showed little outward emotion, yet her eyes held a sea of complexity. She lowered her gaze, her fingers gently brushing Mu Wan’s hair as she said, “Wan Wan, your grandmother hopes you find happiness.”

Mu Wan thought of her mother. If she had passed away before her, would she have looked on like this now?

“Grandmother,” Mu Wan called softly.

“Hmm?” Grandma Mei’s voice carried a slight upward inflection.

“We will love each other, remain faithful, and live happily together for the rest of our lives,” Mu Wan declared solemnly. “I swear it.”

Grandma Mei gazed at her, a smile gradually blossoming across her face. She gently stroked her cheek and murmured, “I believe you. Now sleep.”

Mu Wan held her hand and gradually drifted off to sleep.

Mu Wan slept soundly through the night. She didn’t wake up in the morning; Mei’s mother roused her. Seeing her dazed as she sat up in bed, Mei’s mother smiled. “Wan Wan, do you know today is your wedding day?”

Mu Wan snapped back to awareness, glanced around, and called out, “Auntie.”

Aunt Mei smiled in response as the makeup team and wedding staff flooded in from outside. She rose from the bed, surrounded by people who helped her with her makeup and changed her clothes. After her makeup was complete, Mu Wan gazed at her reflection in the mirror before the red veil was finally placed over her head.

Once she was fully dressed and adorned, the relatives and friends had all arrived. Lin Wei gazed at her, her eyes reddening as she continued to praise her beauty. Amidst the surrounding clamor, all Mu Wan saw was the vast expanse of crimson from her veil. She straightened her posture, her heartbeat steady and even. Her consciousness felt slightly adrift, momentarily unable to distinguish whether the present scenario was a dream or reality.

Mu Wan felt as if a pair of hands had seized her heart. She instinctively clasped those hands in return.

His touch was cool and dry. His fingers were long and slender, as always, drawing Mu Wan’s hands together and enveloping them—as if cradling her entire being within his palms.

The world around them fell silent as his hands guided her to her feet. Through the veil, Mu Wan saw his deep crimson robe and caught the faint scent of sandalwood on his skin. His hand slipped beneath the veil, brushing her cheek. Her heart leapt as she heard his voice.

“I’ve come to take you.”

“My little bride.”

Mu Wan’s heart dropped heavily. Her “dream” had ended.

If you like what I do, please donate on our website to show your support and help me update you regularly. Thank you. ☕️💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠ 

Continue reading Incurable Chapter 59 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 59 Part 1

The two spent the afternoon idly, reeling in just three or five fish by the time they hauled in their nets. The smaller ones were released, while the larger ones were brought back to the Taoist temple. For dinner, Liu Qianxiu prepared fish soup.

In the days that followed, Mu Wan experienced what it was like to live freely, like a drifting cloud or a wild crane. Liu Qianxiu took her hiking through the mountains and forests, where they looked out over distant valleys and rivers and admired the bamboo groves and pine trees up close. When he meditated, she read quietly in her room. In the mornings, she brought a cushion and sat beside him as he practiced. On rainy autumn days, she stood nearby, holding an umbrella for him.

The view before the cliff was the most expansive, revealing mist-shrouded mountain ranges and the faint river winding through the gorge. The air was filled with the chirping of insects and pure, refreshing birdsong.

Time seemed to slow. The red sun rose over the horizon, coloring the dawn sky. As the mist faded, the morning sunlight felt cool.

During her days at the Taoist temple, Mu Wan felt her mind grow calm and clear, as if it had been washed clean. Sometimes she almost believed she had gone back in time and forgotten the world outside.

She started to see why Liu Qianxiu followed the path of Taoist cultivation. It wasn’t for immortality or enlightenment, but to stay away from the pull of fame and fortune. He wanted to keep his integrity, calm, and purity in a busy world. That was what his path truly meant.

Five or six days before the wedding, Mu Wan and Liu Qianxiu descended the mountain with Xuan Qingzi and Qing Chan. As the car entered the highway, the dense human presence and the aura of the mundane world enveloped them, and everything came alive.

Life at Qingyuan Temple was not dull, and the world outside was not always ordinary either. How one saw the world depended on one’s own perspective.

Grandma Mei had always held Master Xuan Qingzi in high regard. After descending the mountain, Liu Qianxiu and his group first visited the Mei residence. Xuan Qingzi exchanged greetings and then headed back to the Liu residence because he didn’t like big crowds.

The Mei residence buzzed with cheerful activity. Even before entering, Mu Wan could sense the warmth of its inhabitants. Having not seen Grandma Mei for several days, Mu Wan missed her dearly. The living room radiated warmth. As soon as Xuan Qingzi entered, he exchanged greetings with Old Lady Mei. She nodded and made small talk with him, while Mu Wan was pulled over to sit beside her.

Old Lady Mei and Xuan Qingzi chatted casually. In this environment, Qing Chan became well-behaved. Mu Wan had him sit beside her, while Mei Yaozhi played with him nearby.

Liu Qianxiu hadn’t changed out of his Taoist robe. Mei Yaozhi glanced at him and asked Mu Wan, “You sure picked a clever spot for your pre-wedding trip. Aren’t you worried Qianxiu might not come back after visiting the Taoist temple?”

Liu Qianxiu looked up at him. Mu Wan replied, “Then I won’t come back either. Husband and wife should follow each other’s lead, right?”

Everyone laughed. Mei Yaozhi smiled brightly and said, “He hasn’t even changed out of his Taoist robe. I thought you’d dragged him back here by force.”

Mentioning the robe, Mei Yaozhi turned to Liu Qianxiu and said, “Your wedding attire has already arrived. When we head back later, bring it along to try on. If it doesn’t fit, we’ll need alterations.”

There were three sets of wedding attire in total, including one for Mu Wan. Hers was more intricate and had been finalized earlier. Liu Qianxiu’s had been completed and delivered to the Mei residence, but he only found time to try it on today.

After spending some time at the Mei residence, Liu Qianxiu and the others returned to the Liu mansion. After dinner, Xuan Qingzi and Qing Chan were shown to their quarters. Qing Chan, with his childlike spirit, wanted to play as soon as they reached the bottom of the mountain. He had planned to follow Mu Wan to the back garden to see the pond full of koi, but Xuan Qingzi called him back, and they returned for evening practice.

With the master present, Liu Qianxiu joined them for evening practice as well. Mu Wan, exhausted from a day of errands, returned to her room, took a bath, and went to sleep. When she awoke, the sky was already pitch black.

She hadn’t drawn the curtains before sleeping. The inky night sky was adorned with a crescent moon, its pure, cool light spilling across the windowsill. Mu Wan turned around. The wardrobe door was slightly ajar, a warm glow spilling out.

She rose from the bed and walked toward the closet. Before she could open the door, she heard rustling sounds inside. She pulled the door open and stepped in. Under the light, Liu Qianxiu stood there, holding a long, black, and crimson robe.

He still wore his blue Taoist robe, accentuating his tall, slender figure. His features softened in the light. He set the robe aside, came over, and gently touched her cheek.

“Did I wake you?”

“No.” Mu Wan rested her forehead against his chest. It wasn’t that she hadn’t woken up; she just wanted to be affectionate the moment she saw him. After leaning against him for a moment, she lifted her face and looked behind him. “Haven’t you started trying them on yet?”

Liu Qianxiu was trying on wedding attire here. He had three sets in total. Their wedding was Chinese-style, with robes meant to match her bright red bridal gown. The other two sets were Western-style suits.

Before he could answer, Mu Wan straightened up and reached to tug at his waistband.

She moved with just the right touch, not too strong or too soft. Liu Qianxiu leaned forward a little, and their bodies met. Liu Qianxiu glanced down at her, his eyes shifting. She looked up at him with a small, playful smile and spoke teasingly.

“Let me help you change.”

He stood upright as she undid his collar, her head slightly bowed in earnest study. Fine strands of hair framed his temples, concealing her delicate, pink ears and earlobes, which gradually flushed crimson.

Mu Wan wasn’t sure how to undo his Taoist robe and thought loosening the sash would do the trick. Her hands moved around his waist, feeling the shape of his body through the thin fabric. At last, she hugged him tightly, her fingers pressing into his lower back as she leaned into him. She smiled brightly, her voice gentle and sweet.

“How do I undo it?”

She pressed gently against his chest, moving with a quiet grace. Her fingers traced his waist as she tilted her head back, her smile bright and a little playful.

Being alone together in the quiet room made the air feel charged with emotion.

He looked down at her, his dark eyes calm but full of hidden feeling. Though his emotions ran deep, he appeared steady and quiet.

He captured her restless hand. Her frame was small and delicate, her slender fingers clenched into a fist, completely covered by his palm. Fresh from sleep, her body radiated warmth, still carrying the scent of sandalwood from the bed.

Liu Qianxiu gently released her arms wrapped around him. Mu Wan’s hands fell empty, and her body rose. She nestled against his chest, and he leaned down to kiss her, his voice low and husky.

“Come to bed. I’ll teach you.”

Mu Wan felt warmth in her chest, and a smile grew on her lips. Resting in his arms, she was gentle but playful. She wrapped her arms around his neck, tilted her head back, and softly bit his jaw.

He moved and gently laid her down on the bed. Moonlight shone on the sheets, lighting up his pale features. Mu Wan was caught up in his beauty and in the moment.

Before the wedding, Mu Wan had plenty of free time. Other than practicing the ceremony with Liu Qianxiu, she had little to do. Still, she was never bored. Being with him made her truly happy. The wedding itself felt like just a formality, since they already had their marriage certificate.

The day before the wedding, Lin Wei invited her over. They sat on the second floor of the attic, sipping plum tea while gazing at the scenery outside. The Liu residence was designed like a garden, with lush greenery outside the windows, flowers vying for attention, and a pond filled with koi.

Xuan Qingzi eventually called Qing Chan away from the fish he had been playing with. The two Taoist priests, one tall and one short, further enhanced the residence’s antique ambiance.

Lin Wei sat next to her, quietly admiring the attic’s design and decor. As an interior designer, she was used to studying every space she entered.

“This classical style really needs real antiques to feel grand,” Lin Wei said. As a high-end interior designer, she usually worked with wealthy or influential clients, but most of their decor was affordable modern replicas. Real antiques were hard to find and valuable.

“Why don’t you take a break?” Mu Wan withdrew her gaze from the window and poured Lin Wei a cup of plum tea with a smile.

Lin Wei hummed in response, turning her gaze toward Mu Wan.

“You’re getting married tomorrow? How does it feel?” Lin Wei asked.

Taking a sip of the plum tea, its tartness made Mu Wan’s brow furrow slightly. She picked out a piece of sugar, dropped it in, and held the teacup. “Nothing special.”

“You sure are cool about it,” Lin Wei teased.

Both women were pregnant and at about the same stage, their faces healthy and full. Pregnancy brought cravings, and Lin Wei, who usually avoided sour foods, had eaten dried fruits and plum tea that day—things she normally couldn’t handle.

Mu Wan smiled and countered, “What about you? How did your parents and Lu Feng’s parents get along when they met?”

“Them?” Lin Wei’s eyebrows shot up at the mention of the parents’ meeting. “They hit it off instantly. Both businesspeople share temperaments that mesh perfectly. Lu Feng is the only child, and his parents are eager for him to marry as soon as possible.

After taking a sip of her plum tea, Lin Wei added, “By the way, where are you planning to go for your honeymoon? Give me some ideas.”

The mention of honeymoons drew Mu Wan’s gaze away from the koi outside the window. She hadn’t really thought about it. Though she had more free time lately, she still didn’t know what to do with herself day after day.

After they got married, they could go out and enjoy themselves. Mu Wan still had some freedom while pregnant, but once the baby was born, she would have to care for the child and herself. She knew she wouldn’t be able to leave so easily then.

“I’ll ask Liu Qianxiu about it later,” Mu Wan said.

“Don’t you have anywhere you’d like to go?” Lin Wei asked.

Mu Wan shook her head. Resting her chin on her hand as she gazed out the window, she replied, “Anywhere is fine, as long as I’m with Liu Qianxiu.”

Lin Wei: “......”

She was about to get married herself, but still had to listen to Mu Wan’s sweet words.

If you like what I do, please donate on our website to show your support and help me update you regularly. Thank you. ☕️💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠ 

Continue reading Incurable Chapter 59 Part 1

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 620

~ I’m Entrusting Junyue To You ~

Yu Wang looked at Yue Wang’s grave expression and couldn’t help making a bold guess.

“With how widely these two businesses have expanded, they must bring in at least several… hundred thousand to a million taels a year?”

He didn’t know much about embroidered garments, only that tea could be hugely profitable. But Bu Xian Luo limited the number of guests it could host, so it had to forgo much of its income. And Mu Yunyao often ran porridge relief, donated silver to the foundling home, and spent heavily on disaster relief back in Linjiang. Added together, there might not be much left at the end of the year.

Yue Wang shook his head heavily.

“Second Imperial Brother, Mu Yunyao nets more than ten million taels a year.”

Yu Wang’s eyes flew wide. He was so shocked he nearly forgot himself.

“Fourth Imperial Brother, you’re joking, right? More than ten million taels. That’s more than ten million. Nearly a third of Da Li’s annual tax revenue. Just from embroidery and tea, is it really that profitable?”

“Even I didn’t expect it,” Yue Wang said with a sigh. “I’ve been helping Yunyao sort through the account books lately, and only then did I realize how narrow my view was. Ni Yun Fang appears to be focused solely on embroidery, and its garments are mainly sold to the wives and young ladies of aristocratic households. Still, behind the scenes, Ni Yun Fang also operates raw silk, spinning, cloth, embroidery thread, and more. The reach is far wider than it appears.

“Bu Xian Luo is even more so. Receiving guests accounts for only a small share of its income. The main profits come from the tea mountains and the tea trade. With Bu Xian Luo as a gold-lettered signboard, a large portion of Jiangnan’s tea gardens share profits with it. It also involves river transport, shipping, and overland routes…”

Yu Wang felt like he needed a moment to calm down.

“Fourth Imperial Brother, stop. If you keep going, I’m going to want to seize Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo for myself.”

Yue Wang sighed again.

“Second Imperial Brother, do you think I can still stand tall?”

Yu Wang swallowed, hesitated, and then said, “Fourth Imperial Brother… a real man knows when to bend and when to straighten. Besides, it’s a good thing Yunyao can earn silver. If your Second Imperial Brother ends up short someday, I might need to borrow from you two.”

As they spoke, Yu Heng entered to report, “Your Royal Highness, Miss Mu is here.”

“Quickly, invite Yunyao in.”

Mu Yunyao entered and bowed. She noticed Yu Wang staring at her with an odd expression and looked at Yue Wang, confused.

Yue Wang coughed awkwardly and signaled Yu Wang to rein it in.

Yu Wang tried to look away, but the moment he looked at Mu Yunyao now, he felt as if she were practically glowing with gold.

“Sister-in-law…”

Mu Yunyao paused, then her eyes filled with a faint smile. “Second Imperial Brother, what’s wrong?”

She was shy around Yue Wang, but in front of outsiders, she never let her presence weaken. Besides, she and Yue Wang were about to be married. Calling Yu Wang “Second Imperial Brother” was only proper.

Yu Wang quickly answered, “Ah, yes. Fourth Imperial Brother and I were talking about you. Look at my Fourth Imperial Brother, he’s so dull, silent all the time. Yet you had the discerning eye to see what’s special about him. Don’t be afraid of his cold face. If he ever dares bully you, I, as your Second Imperial Brother, will absolutely stand up for you and give you justice.”

After saying that, Yu Wang gave Yue Wang an apologetic look. He used to think being the Emperor’s son was all the benefits there were. Only now did he understand how hard it was to manage a household, and how much harder it was to manage a realm. Most of all, there was never enough silver. These past years had been mostly peaceful, yet the treasury was still not flush. There were too many places where money was needed. In the future, they might still have to rely on Yunyao’s support, so his Fourth Imperial Brother would have to take one for the team.

Mu Yunyao’s smile deepened. “Second Imperial Brother, rest assured. I will treat Yue Wang well.”

Yu Wang nodded again and again. “Good, good. Then I’ll be off. Beijiang’s envoys still need me to make arrangements.”

“Alright.”

Once Yu Wang left, Mu Yunyao turned to Yue Wang with a smile.

“What were you and Yu Wang discussing just now?”

Yue Wang cleared his throat, serious as ever. “Second Imperial Brother said a real man should stand tall. He also said I should restore household authority.”

Mu Yunyao looked at him, half-smiling. “Restore household authority?”

Yue Wang nodded. “That’s what he said. But I don’t think that’s right. In the Prince’s Manor, Yunyao, you’ll be the one who decides. Everything will follow your word.”

Mu Yunyao laughed softly. “As a wife, I should take my husband as my heaven. My husband should still decide the household.”

Yue Wang pulled her close. “Then come here and let your husband steal a kiss.”

Mu Yunyao cupped his face and kneaded it firmly. “Fourth Prince, you’re getting more and more shameless.”

Yue Wang gathered her into his arms and kissed her cheek. “Yunyao, I told Second Imperial Brother some things about Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo.”

Mu Yunyao nodded. “He would investigate sooner or later. Better to be upfront from the start than to let him discover it and grow suspicious. It looks more open and natural this way.”

No matter how close two people were, a relationship still needed careful tending, the same way it had been between the Emperor and Her Royal Highness.

“Mm.” Yue Wang lowered his voice. “Second Imperial Brother is going to keep Beijiang’s envoys busy. In the next stretch of days, they’ll be tormented by etiquette lessons. Have the Shadow Guards investigate those envoys’ identities. Second Imperial Brother suspects something is off about them.”

“Alright. I’ll have the Shadow Guards look into it. By the way, has there been any news on the Third Prince?”

“He’s been contacting officials in secret, but not many are willing to back him. I don’t know why, but he still hasn’t spread the word that his eyes have recovered.”

Mu Yunyao’s gaze shifted. “Then he’s likely plotting something big.”

“And Qi Ming, any news from him?”

“Yes. Yesterday, we finally got word. Your earlier guess was right. The Li family has indeed grown suspicious of him, but things aren’t as dire as we expected. They haven’t traced Yi Bao Xuan back to us, but they do think his sudden attachment is abnormal. Since they can’t verify it, they plan to push him out as a scapegoat, pin the iron-smuggling charge on Yi Bao Xuan, and wash their hands of it. They just haven’t decided yet who will take the blame and be thrown away along with Yi Bao Xuan.”

Yue Wang’s eyes sharpened. “You were thinking of pulling Qi Ming out before, weren’t you? Isn’t this the perfect chance?”

Mu Yunyao lifted her brows slightly. “Fourth Prince plans to use the Third Prince?”

“He’s the best excuse. We already used him once when we planted Qi Ming. Using him again changes nothing.”

“Fine. The water is muddy enough already. One more splash won’t matter. It’ll drag the Third Prince into it as well.” Mu Yunyao’s lips curved. “I’ll have Sixth Tael pass word in secret. For the next few days, Fourth Prince should still avoid the court. Since you’ve decided to stay away, stay away completely. You only need to take care of the Emperor.”

“Alright.”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 620

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 619

~ Stand Tall, Establish the Husband’s Authority ~

After the Beijiang envoys arrived in the capital, they were settled in the courier station. Officials from the station were assigned to look after them, but the reception was far from the careful hospitality they had imagined. The envoys complained loudly, making the station clerks’ lives miserable. Later, they continued to clamor for a meeting with Yu Wang. With no other choice, the clerk could only go and plead before Yu Wang.

When Yu Wang heard about it, he let out a cold laugh in his heart, yet his face wore a pleasant smile.

“Perfect. I was about due to meet these Beijiang envoys anyway.”

This time, Beijiang had sent sixteen men in total. Aside from the chief envoy, Tu Jie, who oversaw the mission, there were six deputy envoys and nine accompanying attendants.

Yu Wang arrived at the courier station and swept his gaze over the Beijiang group seated in the main hall. His brows knit slightly.

“Why are there so many people? Where is Envoy Tu?” With this many gathered together, there was no sense of hierarchy at all. Did they think he would meet just anyone?

The station clerk hurried forward. “Your Royal Highness Yu Wang, the one seated in the middle is Chief Envoy Tu Jie.”

Yu Wang put on an “oh, so that’s him” expression and walked into the hall with a smile.

“So you are Envoy Tu. Long admired, long admired.”

Tu Jie rose, his expression cold. “Your Royal Highness Yu Wang, Beijiang has come with sincerity to request an audience with your country’s emperor. Why have you not arranged for us to enter the palace, but instead kept us staying in the courier station?”

Yu Wang looked at him as if puzzled. “Envoy, what a strange thing to say. I was acting out of goodwill, thinking you should rest and recover for a few days first. How is it that you turn around and accuse me instead?”

“Our Beijiang men are strong and hardy. On the battlefield, we can go seven days and seven nights without sleep and still cut the enemy down until blood runs like a river. This journey was nothing. There is no need for rest.”

As soon as Tu Jie said that, suppressed laughter sounded from behind him.

“Heh. I’ve heard the scholars of Da Li Dynasty proudly call themselves too weak to truss a chicken, and they’re not even ashamed…”

“Exactly. Da Li Dynasty’s people probably couldn’t withstand even one of my iron fists…”
The voices were lowered, but still clear enough for Yu Wang to hear.

Tu Jie curled his lips, his arrogance plain. “Your Royal Highness Yu Wang, I hope you can arrange for us to enter the palace and have an audience as soon as possible.”

Yu Wang nodded. “Fine. Since you gentlemen refuse to rest, then let’s begin preparations.”

“Preparations?” Tu Jie frowned. “What preparations? Our gifts are already prepared. We can enter the palace at any time.”

The smile on Yu Wang’s lips vanished. His gaze sharpened.

“The Da Li Dynasty is a nation of rites. Even if we know that Beijiang customs are fierce and unrestrained, the rules must still be observed. My Imperial Father is the sovereign of the Da Li Dynasty, the most exalted person under Heaven. You must first learn the etiquette for appearing before the throne, and you must bathe and purify yourselves, and change your garments. Otherwise, I can charge you with disrespect before the imperial presence.”

Someone spat out in protest, “We are Beijiang envoys. Why should we follow the Da Li Dynasty’s rules?”

“That’s a good question.” Yu Wang lifted the corner of his mouth, his eyes cool. “If you do not wish to see Da Li’s sovereign, and you do not wish to stand on Da Li’s land, then do whatever you please, and no one will care. But if you do, then you conduct yourselves according to our rules.”

Tu Jie’s face darkened. He was about to retort when someone suddenly coughed lightly. His expression shifted. He clenched his jaw and forced his anger down.

“Then please, Your Royal Highness Yu Wang, make arrangements quickly.”

“Mm. Tomorrow I’ll have people from the Ministry of Rites come over. You will follow their instructions.”

After returning to the palace, Yu Wang went straight to find Yue Wang, his face full of cheer.

Yue Wang was bent over a piece of paper, writing and calculating his assets, figuring out how much of a betrothal gift he should present to show how much he valued Mu Yunyao.

“Fourth Imperial Brother,” Yu Wang said, “what do you think if I send Tian Shouzheng from the Ministry of Rites over there?”

“You’re sending Vice Minister Tian, at his age? Aren’t you afraid you’ll torment him into collapsing?” Tian Shouzheng was famously obsessed with ritual propriety, to the point of being rigid and pedantic.

Many years ago, his daughter was of marriageable age and already engaged. Once, while traveling, their carriage broke down, and she was injured. A passing farmer helped rescue her and, in the process, accidentally touched her upper arm. Tian Shouzheng decided her chastity had been ruined, personally annulled the engagement, and insisted on marrying his daughter off to that farmer.

The farmer already had a wife and children and knew he was unworthy of a young lady of the Tian family. Still, Tian Shouzheng ignored everything and sent his daughter over anyway, even explicitly stating that, since she entered later, she should be taken as a concubine.

The incident was gossiped about all over the capital for a long time. Miss Tian was driven to attempt suicide twice, though she was saved both times. Tian Shouzheng’s wife was heartbroken and took their daughter back to her maiden home, never returning to this day.

If he were sent to teach the Beijiang envoys etiquette, someone would go mad in the end.

Yu Wang did not care much. “I’ll send two imperial physicians along with him. Vice Minister Tian loves reputation. If you hand him this task of showcasing Da Li’s rites, he’ll handle it flawlessly. Right, Fourth Brother, have you looked closely into the delegation Beijiang sent this time?”

“What is it, Second Imperial Brother? Did you notice something?”

“Today, I deliberately provoked the chief envoy, Tu Jie. He was clearly furious and about to strike back, but the moment he heard a cough, he stopped midstream. There were too many people in the hall, and I didn’t catch who coughed. I didn’t want to startle the snake, so I pretended not to notice.”

Yue Wang’s brows drew together. “I’ll investigate. Second Imperial Brother, keep your focus on court affairs. Because of Imperial Aunt’s matter, Eldest Imperial Brother took a hit, but there are still many officials attached to him. Second Imperial Brother must be careful.”

Yu Wang nodded, then hesitated. “Fourth Imperial Brother… do you truly not want to contend, even a little?”

Yue Wang smiled and shook his head. “Second Imperial Brother, my ambitions are not there. You carry the realm in your heart, while I keep only one person in mine. Having Yunyao is enough. People have different aims. I will support Second Imperial Brother with all I have. When you ascend the throne, don’t forget to reward me properly. I’m counting on you to back me up.”

“Even without my reward, you’re an imperial prince, a wang of Da Li. Your backbone is already hard enough. Just remember to establish the husband’s authority.”

“Yunyao is a County Princess, and Imperial Aunt’s only granddaughter. Her backbone is harder than mine.” Yue Wang looked over, his tone full of helplessness.

Yu Wang waved it off. “What’s that got to do with anything? You have a fief, and now you oversee the Ministry of Personnel…”

“Yunyao has Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo. Now that they’ve grown, you could say they reach into embroidery, cloth, silk, tea…” Yue Wang paused, then looked up. “Second Imperial Brother, setting everything else aside, just Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo alone, do you know how much silver those two bring in each year?”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 619

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 618

~ Win The Fair Maiden’s Heart Sooner ~

Jin Lan was confused. “Jin Qiao, what’s wrong with you?”

“Elder Sister, why did you blush just now?” Jin Qiao stared at Jin Lan anxiously, hoping she would not go astray.

Jin Lan’s cheeks turned even redder. “I didn’t. You saw wrong.”

“You’re still denying it.” Jin Qiao looked grave. “Sister Jin Lan, our young lady, has treated us well. I’ve already decided in my heart that she will be my mistress for life. Don’t forget your place.”

Jin Lan grew even more bewildered. “What are you even talking about?”

Seeing Jin Lan still refusing to “repent,” Jin Qiao’s expression hardened. “Sister Jin Lan, you blushed because you saw Yue Wang, didn’t you?”

Jin Lan nodded, then immediately shook her head. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“You, you still won’t admit it. Your face says everything.” Jin Qiao spoke faster and faster. “Sister Jin Lan, back when we struggled just to survive in that broker’s hands, it was only after coming to Miss that we found a way to live, and we live a hundred times better than before. You can’t fight Miss Yue Wang. Besides, what status does Miss have? What talent does she have? You can’t possibly compete…”

Jin Qiao’s words came in an urgent stream, her mouth never stopping. Jin Lan tried several times to interrupt, but could not get a word in. In the end, she could only stand there and wait for her to finish.

Jin Qiao lectured earnestly for a long while before finally pausing. Seeing Jin Lan’s expressionless face, she panicked so badly that her eyes nearly filled with tears.

“If you keep being this stubborn, I… I’ll tell Miss and have her transfer you away for a while. If you don’t see Yue Wang for some time, your feelings will fade. Then when you come back, you’ll still be the person Miss trusts most.”

Jin Lan saw her going further and further off the rails and hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand.

“Stop talking nonsense. I wasn’t blushing because of Yue Wang. I blushed because of the guard beside him. Today he gave me an ice lantern.”

Jin Qiao froze, then her eyes went wide. “A guard, Yu Heng or Yu Yi?”

“…Yu Heng.”

Jin Qiao instantly brightened. “That’s great. You scared me to death just now. I thought you’d fallen for Yue Wang.”

“Miss and His Royal Highness are deeply in love. There’s no room for anyone to wedge in.” Jin Lan’s tone turned serious. “Don’t talk nonsense again.”

Relieved, Jin Qiao then grew bashful. “Sister Jin Lan, I misunderstood you. But Yu Heng gave you an ice lantern, does that mean he wants to…”

Jin Lan was clearly stifling a laugh, and the discomfort on her face deepened. “Don’t talk nonsense. It’s still far from that. Go prepare the tea and snacks.”


Yue Wang studied the red wedding dress displayed on the rack. The excitement in his eyes was so intense that it was practically overflowing. He wrapped his arms around Mu Yunyao’s waist and spun in place twice.

“Yunyao, time feels so slow. I wish it were the eighteenth day of the first lunar month already.”

“Little New Year is almost here. They’ve already started preparing to distribute porridge outside. Once that’s done, the New Year will pass in the blink of an eye.” Mu Yunyao looked up at him. “Fourth Lord, what is there to be anxious about?”

“Because I want to bring my beauty home sooner.”

Yue Wang lowered his voice slightly. His warm breath brushed her ear, softening her heart. Mu Yunyao lifted her arms around his neck, cheeks reddening.

“Then I’ll let you hold me first.”

Yue Wang’s eyes curved with a smile. Using the motion of pulling her close, he pressed a light kiss to her lips.

“Yunyao, I’m so happy.”

He had always been cold by nature, indifferent to most emotions. Yet today, bubbles of joy kept rising in his heart, joining into a sweetness that seemed endless.


Inside Ni Yun Fang, Yue Wang refused to let go of the person in his arms.

At the capital’s gate, the Beijiang envoy delegation halted.

Seeing people still walking freely inside the city gate, vendors calling out, and even children running around and playing, the Beijiang envoys felt offended. They went straight to the official responsible for receiving them, their tone accusatory.

“We in Beijiang have sent envoys here in hopes of strengthening ties between our two nations and ensuring lasting friendship. Why do you treat us with such disrespect?”

The receiving official replied evenly, without the slightest hint of apology, even as he spoke the polite words.

“My lord misunderstands. Our Emperor of Da Li is exceptionally wise and valorous, and he loves his people as his children. Long ago, he issued an order: unless an imperial edict grants special permission, no official may casually disturb the lives of the common people. The law is paramount. This humble official cannot violate it. I ask the envoy to forgive us.”

The Beijiang envoys were even more displeased.

At the city wall tower, Yu Wang quickly learned of the exchange.

“The place is small, yet their mouths are big. They aren’t even Beijiang royalty in person, and they still want us to clear the streets, absurd.” Yu Wang’s eyes were cold. “Have the officials from the Ministry of Rites escort them straight to the courier station. Once I’m done with court matters, I’ll find time to go see them.”

“Yes.”

Yu Wang left the tower and quietly went straight to Ni Yun Fang.


Yue Wang saw Yu Wang sitting to the side drinking tea, and his expression immediately cooled.

“Second Imperial Brother isn’t receiving the Beijiang envoys. What are you doing at Ni Yun Fang instead?”

“I heard you and Yunyao are plotting something big, so I came to check how it’s going.” Yu Wang looked at Yue Wang with a very indulgent gaze. A man about to marry is always impatient, especially one who has coveted his wife-to-be for a long time but never had the chance to bring her home. Such men were like firecrackers, touchy and easy to set off. He had lived through it himself, so he would not be offended.

Mu Yunyao signaled Jin Lan to serve tea, then spoke softly.

“The bait has already been cast. Now we wait patiently for the fish to bite.”

Yu Wang still looked uneasy. “Your plan is detailed, but you’re using letters to bait both the Third Prince and Beijiang at the same time. Won’t something go wrong in the middle?”

When he first heard Yue Wang and Mu Yunyao explain the plan, he was full of doubt.

They had imitated Beijiang and sent a letter, hoping to inflame the Third Prince’s ambition, making him think Beijiang would support him. Then they also sent a letter to Beijiang, first expressing goodwill, then subtly implying they needed support, and promising that once it succeeded, they would cede territory in thanks.

The letters had been sent long ago, yet neither side had moved, as stones dropped into a still lake without raising even a ripple. Yu Wang had grown anxious.

He had also contacted some court officials, but the Eldest Imperial Brother’s backing remained solid. If the Emperor insisted on appointing a Crown Prince even with Beijiang envoys present, Yu Wang might lose.

Right now, the priority was to bring down the Li family. Without the Li family, Ling Wang would amount to little. But to bring down the Li family, they needed evidence. If the Li family stayed still, they could wipe everything clean. To gather evidence, they first had to make them move.

Yu Wang frowned. “This really is risky. If you slip even a little, the lie will be exposed. What if the fish don’t bite?”

“Then we add more hooks,” Yue Wang said calmly. “There will always be one that tempts the fish.”

Mu Yunyao’s expression was gentle, but her words made Yu Wang feel a chill run down his spine.

“There’s always something that will make them bite.”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 618

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 617

~ A Hint Of Ambition ~

Yue Wang spoke with complete seriousness, his expression exceptionally earnest. “The chair in the study is hard. I sit there all day, so that’s why.”

Mu Yunyao was just about to take his pulse when she shot him a look. “Fourth Master, I don’t think your waist hurts. I think you ate too much and got stuffed.”

Yue Wang did not mind at all. He held Mu Yunyao’s hand, his manner intimate. “Mm. I’m stuffed. I’ll have to take a few of your bolsters back with me before I feel better.” He liked using things Mu Yunyao had used, as if they carried her scent. For example, that quilt by his window, even in summer, he could not bear to put it away. He kept it beside the bed, as though that made him a little closer to her.

Mu Yunyao nearly grabbed a bolster and smacked him. He was becoming increasingly shameless. “If Fourth Master wants bolsters, just say so. You don’t need to pretend you’re sick to scare me.”

Yue Wang pulled her in front of him, then wrapped an arm around her waist. “I like the way you look when you’re worried about me. In those moments, it feels like there’s only me in your eyes.”

Mu Yunyao froze for a beat, then slowly smiled. She raised her hand and gently brushed over his brows and eyes. His brows were sharp, his eyes always deep, like an endless night sky. With a single glance, people could not help but sink into them.

Because Yue Wang’s teasing delayed her brewing, when she went back to the tea, it had already cooled quite a bit. Mu Yunyao added some hot water and brought it to him.

Yue Wang did not mind. Smiling brightly, he took a sip and praised, “Good tea.”

Mu Yunyao could not help laughing. “Fourth Master, you didn’t go to court today?”

“I’m getting married. There are far too many things to prepare. I asked Imperial Father for leave so that I won’t be attending court for the next few days.”

“Yesterday, the Emperor even went to complain to my grandmother, saying you won’t help him shoulder state affairs anymore, and that you’re unfilial to the extreme.”

“There are the Eldest Imperial Brother and Second Imperial Brother handling court matters. When I have time, it’s enough for me to accompany Imperial Father.” He saw it clearly. Imperial Father complained with his mouth, but in his heart, he was quite pleased with Yue Wang’s current attitude. Leng Wang and Yu Wang were constantly fighting in court, causing chaos in the government. If Yue Wang joined in as well, things would only become more complicated.

Mu Yunyao asked, “Has the court reached a decision? How does the Emperor intend to treat the Beijiang envoys?”

“The civil officials’ proposal is overly soft, but it has its merits. Between states, you do not kill an envoy. No matter why Beijiang sent envoys this time, before they reveal their dagger, we must treat them gently. Imperial Father accepted the civil officials’ view, but he handed the duty of receiving the envoys to Second Imperial Brother.”

Mu Yunyao paused, then curled her lips into a smile. “Imperial Father is wise. Yu Wang has fought Beijiang before and has seen their brutality. He has no goodwill toward them. With Imperial Father’s orders in place, he won’t openly make things difficult for the envoys, but he will stay on guard. If there’s any problem, he’ll be able to discover it and deal with it in time.”

Yue Wang nodded. “Mu Yunyao, have the letters to Third Prince and the Beijiang envoys been sent already?”

“They were sent yesterday. Beijiang will need some time, but Third Prince should have already seen his.”

In the Third Prince’s residence, Ning Junjin examined the letter in his hands. His gaze rose and fell, filled with uncertainty. After a long while, he finally steadied himself, gripping the letter tightly as he looked toward the guard at his side.

“Did you find any clues?”

This morning, when he woke, the letter was already at his bedside. The contents, and especially the signature at the end, nearly made him fall from his chair. It claimed to be from Beijiang. Not only did it goad him into rebellion, but it even stated that Beijiang could support him in secret, providing weapons and warhorses.

If the envelope had not carried a Beijiang royal seal, he would have torn it up and thrown it aside on the spot.

The guard looked ashamed. “Reporting to Your Royal Highness, we found no clues at all.”

“It seems the person who delivered it has profound martial arts. Otherwise, they could not have slipped past everyone.”

“Your Royal Highness, the letter is full of deceitful, enticing words. Should this subordinate destroy it?”

Third Prince nodded. He watched the guard take the letter to burn it, then, as if possessed, called out, “Wait.”

He took it back, opened it again, and reread it. In the end, his gaze fixed on the words weapons and warhorses. 

Beijiang’s warhorses are famed. I’ve heard the Beijiang cavalry is so fierce largely because of their superior mounts.” 

“Yes. This subordinate has also heard that training an excellent warhorse can be as hard as training a commander.”

Third Prince’s fingers lightly brushed across the paper. The light in his eyes flickered for a long time. Then he gave a cold laugh.

“I’m unable to walk, not brainless. Beijiang thinks it can fool me with such a shallow scheme. If they truly had an abundance of iron weapons and warhorses, they would have already marched south to attack the Da Li Dynasty. Why would they bargain with a mere prince?”

The guard stood silently to one side. Seeing that Third Prince did not destroy the letter, but instead carefully stored it in a hidden compartment, his heart jolted.

Six days later, a letter bearing the seal of the Third Prince’s residence was quietly delivered into the hands of the Beijiang envoy party.

In their temporary camp, a Beijiang man dressed in Hu attire opened the letter. A glint flashed through his gloomy eyes.

“Third Prince. A blind, crippled wreck dares to negotiate with Beijiang, and the moment he opens his mouth, he demands weapons and warhorses. Ridiculous. Ignore it. Pass the order down. Move faster and hurry on the road. We must enter the Da Li Dynasty capital, Xiling, as soon as possible.”

“Yes.”

Mu Yunyao finished embroidering the phoenix tail feathers on her wedding dress and nodded in satisfaction. “All right. After working so long, it’s finally finished.”

Caiyi and the others held up the wedding dress and carefully brushed over it, praising it without end. “Miss, this dress is truly too beautiful. Just looking at it makes this servant want to marry, too.”

The other embroiderers teased, “Shopkeeper Caiyi, if you want to marry, isn’t it just a matter of saying the word? The men who come to propose to you have nearly talked their lips raw, but you’ve never once agreed.”

Caiyi could not help glaring at them. “I’m waiting for Miss to find me a good match. I don’t care for those crooked melons and cracked dates.”

Mu Yunyao smiled. “Fine. Another day, I’ll find some fine young men and let you choose for yourself.”

The Ni Yun Fang burst into laughter and chatter.

Just then, Jin Lan entered with cheeks faintly red. “Miss, Yue Wang is here.”

Mu Yunyao’s heart lifted. She dismissed Caiyi and the others, then had Yue Wang invited upstairs.

Jin Qiao stepped out the door and hurriedly grabbed Jin Lan, her eyes scanning her up and down. “Sister Jin Lan, you’ve always been steady, and you see things clearly. You understand your place, don’t you?”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 617

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 616

~ Rogue Advancement ~

Mu Yunyao sat beside Eldest Princess Yide, holding a long bamboo wand as she teased the koi raised in a wide-mouthed blue-and-white porcelain basin.

Mama Qu reported the situation to Eldest Princess Yide from the side in court.

“Eldest Princess, the Emperor asked His Royal Highness Ling Wang and His Royal Highness Yu Wang how the Beijiang envoys should be treated. The two princes hold opposite views. Ling Wang stood with the civil officials and advocated treating them with courtesy to display the Da Li Dynasty’s bearing. At the same time, Yu Wang believes Beijiang harbors ill intent and should be guarded against. His opinion largely aligns with the military officials.”

Eldest Princess Yide sprinkled fish feed into the basin. Watching the koi compete as they swam over to snatch it, the smile on her lips was faint and cool. “The struggle in court did not begin today or yesterday. Let them fight if they wish. Yunyao, the New Year is almost here. Grandmother has already prepared all your dowry. How is your wedding dress coming along?”

“Reporting to Grandmother, I’m embroidering the main work myself. It will be finished soon. After that, I’ll adjust the edges and details. Before the New Year, it will certainly be completed.”

“That’s good. I’ve had people keep an eye on Yue Wang’s residence for you. The repairs are being done well, and it should be close to completion by the end of the year. Now everything is ready, all that remains is the day you marry.” Eldest Princess Yide studied Mu Yunyao, her eyes full of reluctance. “You’ve only just returned to my side for a few days, and you’re already marrying into someone else’s family. When I think of you leaving my side, it feels as if my heart has been carved hollow.”

Mu Yunyao quickly set down the bamboo wand, went to Eldest Princess Yide, and held her hand, rocking it gently. “Grandmother, after I’m married, I can still come every day to accompany you. It’s only a change of residence, it’s no different from now. Besides, I’m still relying on you to support me. If Yue Wang treats me poorly in the future, I’ll come straight here to complain. When that happens, you must help me deal with him.”

“Good. If Junyue dares to make you angry, I’ll be the first to refuse.”

Mu Yunyao smiled, but before she could speak, a warm, laughing voice sounded.

“How would I dare to make Yunyao angry?” Yue Wang walked in. The moment he saw Mu Yunyao’s slightly flushed cheeks, his eyes filled with amusement.

Mama Qu hurried forward and took Yue Wang’s white fur cloak. Underneath was a pale blue long robe. Paired with the faint smile on his face, he looked like a jade-hearted gentleman, peerless in bearing.

Eldest Princess Yide examined Yue Wang, then looked at Mu Yunyao, lovely as a flower at dawn. She felt the two of them matched to the extreme. The bit of reluctance in her heart gradually faded, but her words remained firm. “That is hard to say. Junyue, your temperament is cold. You and Yunyao are extremely ill-suited…”

Yue Wang immediately picked up her words. “Imperial Aunt, one cold and one warm is precisely the most fitting…”

Mu Yunyao’s face reddened even more. She secretly shot Yue Wang a glare. Grandmother was clearly only joking, yet he still had the nerve to answer so shamelessly.

Eldest Princess Yide’s smile deepened. “When feelings are thick, water tastes like honey. When feelings turn thin, honey is not sweet. You speak well now, but who can say what you’ll be like later?”

“Imperial Aunt, you know my nature. I will not fail Yunyao.” Yue Wang was anxious. Even knowing Eldest Princess Yide said it on purpose, he still insisted on making his promise, because he did not want even the slightest doubt to appear in Yunyao’s heart about their future.

Seeing Yue Wang so anxious, Xu Yanhan spoke up to help. “Mother, I’m checking Yunyao’s dowry list. There are some items I can’t decide on. Will you come help me take a look?”

Eldest Princess Yide glanced at Mu Yunyao and Ning Junyue with a smile, then waved her hand at them. “I’ll look at the dowry list. You two, stop bothering me here.”

Yue Wang immediately nodded. “Yes. Then Yunyao and I will take our leave.”

Mu Yunyao had not even had time to say anything before Yue Wang dragged her straight out.

Watching Yue Wang’s hand clasping Mu Yunyao’s, Eldest Princess Yide lifted her brows. “I once thought Junyue’s temperament was so aloof that he might die alone. I never expected that once he fell in love, he would change completely.”

Xu Yanhan smiled from the side. As far as she was concerned, Yue Wang was satisfactory in every way. Whether back in Jingling City or now in the capital, his heart toward Yunyao had never changed. That alone was rare. “Yunyao’s temperament has also changed quite a bit.”

In the past, she was guarded against everyone and everything, tense as a drawn string. As her mother, Xu Yanhan, worried constantly, she was afraid that one day she would snap. Now it was better. With Yue Wang by her side, she had learned to rely on others, and her smiles had become far more vivid than before. She only hoped the two children’s wedding would go smoothly and that, in the future, they would live in harmony and grow old together.

Yue Wang pulled Mu Yunyao out of the main hall. Mu Yunyao quickly drew her fingers back and awkwardly adjusted her sleeves. “Just now, in front of Grandmother, how could you… How could you be so discourteous?” When she and Yue Wang were alone, they could be casual, but in front of the elders, she never dared overstep. Yue Wang’s heedless tug just now left her deeply uneasy.

Yue Wang’s eyes carried a smile. When Mu Yunyao finished smoothing her sleeves, he reached out again, took her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. Then he spread her palm flat and held it in his own, examining it as if he were looking at a priceless treasure.

If he could, he would announce it to the entire world, have heaven and earth bear witness, have all rivers cheer. He was going to marry, and the one he would marry was the love of his life.

Mu Yunyao was embarrassed by the way he stared. She tried to pull her hand back, but he fixed her wrist and would not let her move. She could only curl her fingers slightly, her pink fingertips paling. “Fourth Master, is it really that pretty?”

Yue Wang nodded with solemn seriousness. “Your grace is deep and distant, gentle and true. Your skin is fine, your bones and flesh perfectly proportioned. Yunyao’s fingers are slender as jade. Of course, they are beautiful beyond measure.” Unlike his own hands, with calluses in the palm, hands that could grip thorns without feeling pain.

Mu Yunyao tried to pinch his palm. She used force for a long while until her own fingers hurt, yet she still could not leave even the faintest mark.

Seeing Mu Yunyao puffed up with indignation, Yue Wang laughed softly. “Yunyao, let’s sit in that pavilion.”

Mu Yunyao glanced at the pavilion, open to the wind with snow still drifting around it. Then she looked at Yue Wang, who had come out without a cloak. She snorted inwardly. His mind had become full of twists and turns. “Fourth Master’s clothes are thin, and the wind is strong there. Let’s go to the side hall instead.” With that, she turned and went straight toward the side hall.

Yue Wang closed his hand, as if trying to keep the warmth she left behind, and followed her with a smile.

As soon as they entered the side hall, warm fragrance and heat washed over them. Yue Wang looked around at the furnishings, light flickering in his eyes. He had been here before. The main arrangement was unchanged, yet there were now many little touches that made a person’s heart feel warm.

He walked to the desk and pinched the soft bolster placed beside it. The corners of his lips lifted. “Yunyao, my waist has been hurting these past few days.”

Mu Yunyao set down the half-poured teacup and hurried over to his side. “What’s wrong?”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 616

Incurable Chapter 58 Part 2

The rain fell for half the day, dispersing the lingering mist. Mu Wan stayed in her room reading and napping, while Liu Qianxiu engaged in his spiritual practice. Around one o’clock in the afternoon, after she awoke from her nap, Liu Qianxiu pushed open the door and entered.

Liu Qianxiu had changed into a new set of Taoist robes. His posture was straight and tall, his aura pure and cool, giving him an ethereal, otherworldly air. Seeing him, she set down the book in her hands, opened her arms, and smiled.

Understanding her gesture, he walked over, lifted her off the bed, and kissed her lips.

“Get ready. We’re going fishing.”

The fishing spot was at the Qingyuan River behind the mountain. Mu Wan propped herself up, looked down at him, and asked, “Aren’t you going to meditate?”

“Mhm.” Liu Qianxiu placed her back on the bed and fetched her shoes.

“This doesn’t seem right,” Mu Wan murmured, gazing out the window at the silent main hall. “Weren’t you here for seclusion? What if Master disapproves when you leave?”

He sat on the bedside, listening to her chatter. Only after she finished did he ask, “Who said I came for seclusion?”

Mu Wan froze.

While she was lost in thought, Liu Qianxiu slipped her other shoe on. He leaned down, gently hooked her nose with his finger—an intimate, doting gesture.

“I came to play with you.”

His face was inches away, clear and handsome. A little flower bloomed in Mu Wan’s heart, its petals sweet and fragrant. She stood up, her excitement bubbling over. “Then let’s go.”

They grabbed their fishing gear and followed the back mountain path toward the Qingyuan River. The grass on either side of the trail was rain-soaked, leaving their legs damp with each step.

Mu Wan adored the back mountain for its vast bamboo groves—the leaves were a vibrant green, and the air carried the faint, refreshing scent of bamboo. She followed Liu Qianxiu, admiring his Taoist robe as it fluttered with each step. He exuded an aura of both chivalry and Taoist grace, utterly captivating.

Though they came to catch fish, it was really just an excuse to play. Mu Wan slipped off her shoes and let Liu Qianxiu lead her onto the boat. Once they reached the river’s center, Liu Qianxiu cast the net, and the two of them lay back on the boat.

After a half-day of rain, the sky had cleared. Beneath the blue heavens, large, fluffy white clouds drifted like tangled masses of cotton candy.

The fishing net descended into the river. The boat drifted motionless in the center of the calm, crystal-clear waters, like a painting.

Mu Wan felt completely at ease. Lying against Liu Qianxiu, she gazed at the blue sky and white clouds, breathing in the fresh air after the autumn rain. The river murmured, the small boat rocked gently. Time and the world seemed to stand still.

Resting her head on Liu Qianxiu’s chest, she watched him read a book. The pages carried the scent of incense from the main hall, fresh and natural. Mu Wan rolled over, and Liu Qianxiu looked up at her. Her eyes were fixed on the book cover—another ancient text, written in classical Chinese, with sparse lines of text. Within its pages lay profound, inexplicable wisdom.

“Did you bring your homework here?” Mu Wan asked with a smile.

He set the book aside, smiling as he gently pinched her earlobe. “It’s a habit.”

It truly was a habit. He was quiet most of the time, and when he was quiet, he read. The book lay to one side, pages fluttering in the breeze. Mu Wan scanned a few lines.

The characters were traditional Chinese. She could recognize about eighty to ninety percent of them, but the meaning within? She didn’t understand. In front of Liu Qianxiu and the others, she was practically illiterate.

“If you keep reading like this, how many books will it take?” Mu Wan mused. “Master Xuan Qingzi must have finished reading them all by now, right?”

“No,” Liu Qianxiu denied, his eyes veiled in mist. He tucked her jet-black hair behind her ear and said, “Each book offers different insights when read at different times. Daoist cultivation emphasizes enlightenment, not quantity. Master has pursued enlightenment for nearly eighty years, yet the books remain the same.”

Muwan didn’t fully grasp his explanation, but she caught the key point. Her eyes widened as she asked, “Master has pursued enlightenment for nearly eighty years... How old is he this year?”

“Eighty-two,” Liu Qianxiu replied.

In the entertainment industry, celebrities place utmost importance on maintaining their appearance, yet no one can defy the passage of time. Even those who seem to age slowly over decades cannot hide their signs of aging once they reach eighty.

Xuan Qingzi appeared only sixty, yet was actually eighty-two. What kind of immortal was this?

Mu Wan studied Liu Qianxiu’s features closely. He was six or seven years older than her, yet in reality, he looked much like men her own age.

Mu Wan raised her hand and brushed his cheek. “Will you stay this young forever?”

A soft sigh escaped his throat as Liu Qianxiu clasped her hand.

“My future is spent entirely with you.” He kissed her fingertips, a faint smile touching his lips. “See for yourself.”

His kisses made her fingers tingle, and his words stirred something deep within her. Mu Wan laughed, meeting his dark eyes. She shifted, wanting to climb up to his level. The moment she moved, he caught her waist and pulled her close.

His future was spent with her. How long would that future last?

Mu Wan cupped his cheeks with both hands, leaning down to kiss him. Their soft lips entwined, a gentle breeze unable to dispel their tenderness. She kissed him lightly, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

“Liu Qianxiu,” she murmured, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly. “Do you have pre-wedding jitters? Is that why you brought me to this Taoist temple to meditate and clear my mind?”

His fingers tangled in her hair as he gazed directly into her eyes, his expression heavy with tenderness and adoration.

“Afraid of what?”

Afraid... She didn’t know what she was afraid of, either.

She licked her lips and asked, “Aren’t you afraid?”

Her voice was soft and sweet. Her hair fell over her ears, a slant of sunlight filtering through the dark strands beside her ear, illuminating her cheek with a soft, delicate glow.

“Mhm.” Liu Qianxiu nodded, his smile breaking through like sunlight piercing a valley.

“I fear you won’t marry me.”

Mu Wan rested her head against his chest. His words vibrated against her skin as she listened to his heartbeat, and she smiled.

If you like what I do, please donate on our website to show your support and help me update you regularly. Thank you. ☕️💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠ 

Continue reading Incurable Chapter 58 Part 2

Incurable Chapter 58 Part 1

Mu Wan returned to her room, where the light from the main hall shone through the window. The flickering lamplight cast elongated shadows on the square tiles outside the hall—three shadows, though she couldn’t tell which one belonged to Liu Qianxiu. She sat on the bed watching for a while, barely turning two pages of her book before drowsiness overtook her. She fell asleep clutching the book.

After an unknown period, Liu Qianxiu returned. The night air was chilly, and he carried a hint of that coolness with him, along with the rich scent of sandalwood incense from the main hall. Mu Wan inhaled the fragrance, and her body, warmed by sleep, rolled into his embrace.

The contact between their contrasting temperatures sent a shiver through both of them. Half-asleep, Mu Wan clung to him and murmured, “You’re back.”

“Mhm.” Liu Qianxiu raised his hand to touch her cheek, but hesitated, aware his fingers were too cold. He pulled the thin blanket over her instead. Lying on his side, he held her close in his arms.

Sandalwood had a calming effect. Mu Wan wanted to say more to Liu Qianxiu, but drowsiness overwhelmed her, and she eventually drifted off. They had all the time in the world; why rush to speak tonight?

Breathing in the faint, lingering scent of sandalwood, Mu Wan slept exceptionally soundly and comfortably. She went to bed early and woke early. Upon waking, she shifted slightly beneath the thin blanket. The bed retained some warmth, but he was no longer there.

Opening her eyes, Mu Wan surveyed her surroundings. Coming to her senses, she rose from the bed.

It was only 6:30 a.m. The sun rose early in the mountains, bringing light quickly, yet the air held a dampness that gathered into thick fog. Mist swirled and rose as Mu Wan stood outside the hall, gazing at the divine statue within the main sanctuary. She heard the sound of sweeping outside.

Mu Wan stepped outside. The fog was thick there, too. Looking up, she could only make out the peaks of the opposite mountain range. The air felt damp, as if rain were imminent.

“Sister, you’re awake?” The weather had turned cooler, and leaves were beginning to fall. Qing Chan wore a Taoist robe, her hair tied in a bun. At her feet, a small broom had already gathered a pile of fallen leaves. His small frame stood straight and tall as he held the broom and smiled at Mu Wan.

“You’re up so early?” Mu Wan approached and pinched his cheek. They were much closer now than before; Qingchan let her pinch him, his little face flushed rosy.

“We must rise at six for morning practice,” Qingchan replied. “Master has gone to the bamboo grove for his morning practice. Junior Brother is by the cliffside—I took you to see him last time.”

Muwan heard this and felt a strong urge to find Liu Qianxiu. But she remembered how warm his sleeping spot still felt when she rose—he must have left only recently.

“Are you going to find Junior Brother?” Qingchan asked, tilting his head when she fell silent.

“No,” Mu Wan smiled, tugging at his topknot. “Do you still have the broom? I’ll help you sweep the fallen leaves.”

Having company naturally pleased Qingchan. Though he’d been a Taoist novice at the temple since childhood, he still retained a childlike nature, unlike Liu Qianxiu and Xuan Qingzi, who were reserved and aloof.

But they’d only swept together for a short while when a light rain began to fall. Qingchan picked up the broom, frowned, and took Mu Wan’s hand. “Sister, I’ll go bring Master an umbrella. You go bring Junior Brother one.”

Having a reason to visit Liu Qianxiu, Mu Wan readily agreed. After she nodded, Qing Chan handed her an oil-paper umbrella. Holding it open, Mu Wan hurried along the path toward the cliff edge.

The rain fell neither too hard nor too soft, pattering rhythmically on the oil-paper umbrella. Drops pooled together, trickling down onto the wild grasses by the path. Mu Wan quickened her pace and soon reached the cliff’s edge.

Liu Qianxiu sat cross-legged in meditation at the cliff’s edge, his tall, lean silhouette facing away. His blue Taoist robe was already half-soaked.

“Liu Qianxiu,” Mu Wan called out.

Liu Qianxiu snapped back to awareness, turning his head. His eyes, once hazy like distant mountain mists, gradually sharpened as he looked at her. He rose from the cushion. Mu Wan stepped forward, extending her arm to steady him.

He was too tall, and Mu Wan struggled slightly to support him. Liu Qianxiu gripped her waist with one hand while the other grasped the umbrella handle, taking it from her.

Raindrops slid down the man’s face. His cold, pale skin made the droplets look icy. Mu Wan frowned deeply, wiping his face as she said, “Didn’t you know it was raining?”

Liu Qianxiu took her hand. Their palms met—his was dry and cool.

Liu Qianxiu looked up at the falling rain and said, “It’s getting heavier.”

“You didn’t know it was raining?” Mu Wan laughed incredulously, her hand still held in his. She tilted her head back to look at him. “Nothing in the outside world can shake your pure heart, right?”

A fine misty rain fell, shrouding the cliff walls and the pine and cypress trees on the mountain in a haze, like a fairyland—a gentle breeze swept by. Liu Qianxiu lowered his gaze slightly, meeting her eyes.

“Yes.” He lowered his head to kiss her lips softly, murmuring, “The only thing that can shake my heart is you.”

The fine rain seemed laced with honey, even the cool breeze carrying a sweetness. Mu Wan tilted her head back to look at him, her eyes crinkling with laughter. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

Even clad in his Taoist robes, he remained utterly captivating.

If you like what I do, please donate on our website to show your support and help me update you regularly. Thank you. ☕️💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀ │ Next ↠ 

Continue reading Incurable Chapter 58 Part 1

Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 615

~ Blood Has Not Yet Run Cold ~

To scheme against the Li family and Beijiang, a large sum of silver had to be mobilized. After thinking it through for a long while, Mu Yunyao left the palace and went to Ni Yun Fang.

Caiyi and the others, following her instructions, carried the recent account books upstairs. After taking a sip from her teacup, Mu Yunyao quickly flipped through them. The room was very quiet, the abacus beads clicking crisply as they struck one another.

After reviewing most of the ledgers, Mu Yunyao carefully considered the exact amount of silver required. She was fairly satisfied with the figure. Then she lifted her gaze to Liu Liang.

“Liu Liang, is there any news from Qi Ming?”

“Reporting to Master, Qi Ming still hasn’t sent any word. However, regarding Yi Bao Xuan, this subordinate discovered someone quietly altering the account books.”

“The account books kept at Yi Bao Xuan are already edited versions. The real ledgers are all stored at Ni Yun Fang. If the Li family wants to change them, let them change them. Ignore it.” A thought stirred in Mu Yunyao’s mind, and she suddenly asked, “Liu Liang, do you know anything about Beijiang?”

Liu Liang jerked his head up, his eyes trembling sharply. “Miss, why do you suddenly ask about Beijiang?”

Mu Yunyao studied his expression, and her heart gained a few points of certainty. From Liu Liang’s reaction, her earlier guess had been right. This man was very likely from Beijiang.

“You’ve seen it yourself. The Li family is entangled with the royal court of Beijiang. I thought it would be useful to understand more. Besides, in a little over half a month, Beijiang’s envoys will arrive in the Da Li Dynasty.”

Beijiang’s envoys?

Liu Liang lowered his head. His gaze became even more hollow. After a long pause, he tightened his grip on the sword at his side, and only then did his expression gradually return to normal.

“This subordinate knows a bit about Beijiang. Beijiang’s current king is Helian Ye, the second son of the previous king. He is skilled at commanding troops, domineering by nature, and extremely ambitious. He has two full brothers, Helian Chu and Helian Tan. These three brothers trust one another and joined hands to eliminate all the other royal offspring. After Helian Ye became king, he rewarded his two brothers heavily. Inside Beijiang, there are three kings standing side by side. But outwardly, the brothers are exceptionally united, always plotting to bite off a chunk of flesh from the Da Li Dynasty…”

Mu Yunyao watched Liu Liang. His voice was still unhurried, much like usual, but if one listened closely, a faint, hard-to-detect disgust could be heard within it.

Under Mu Yunyao’s gaze, Liu Liang’s expression turned tense. “Master, do you have any orders?”

“None. I didn’t expect you to know Beijiang’s royal family in such depth.”

Liu Liang parted his lips, wanting to speak. But when his eyes met Mu Yunyao’s clear gaze, a gaze that seemed able to see through everything, his heart sank little by little. His mouth filled with bitterness.

Miss was so intelligent. From his expression and his words, she had likely already guessed at his origins. If she learned his true identity, would she still be willing to keep him?

He remembered that life when he was like a walking corpse. Then he looked at Mu Yunyao before him. Liu Liang’s face slowly turned pale. He wanted to stay by her side, even if he could only keep a humble posture, even if he could only see her occasionally and receive nothing more than her calm glance.

He was willing.

Because only at her side did he feel alive, feel that his heart could still beat, feel that his blood had not yet grown cold.

Seeing him kneeling with his head lowered, his eyes empty as though the whole world had cast him away, Mu Yunyao could not help but soften.

“I only made a passing remark. Don’t think too much. I told you long ago that as long as you don’t wish to speak, I will forever regard you as Liu Liang and won’t ask about your true identity. Of course, it’s still the same. If you want to leave, I won’t force you to stay. If there’s anything you need my help with, as long as it’s within my ability, I will certainly help you accomplish it.”

Joy surged through Liu Liang’s heart, and color slowly returned to his hollow gaze. “I want to stay by my master’s side, to be your subordinate for a lifetime.”

Mu Yunyao joked as if amused. “Then I’ve truly struck gold. I only spent six liang of silver back then, and I got a whole mountain of gold for free.”

Liu Liang looked a little at a loss. Staring at Mu Yunyao’s smile, he tried hard to lift the corners of his mouth, but he’d worn a blank face for too long, and the smile came out stiff and unnatural. He struggled for quite some time, then looked up only to find Mu Yunyao had already returned to her ledgers.

After Mu Yunyao finished checking the accounts, she carefully ran through her plan again and again, confirming there were no real gaps. Then she spoke.

“Liu Liang, once the Beijiang envoys arrive, the plans I’ve laid out can begin. Be careful. The moment you sense anything off, withdraw immediately. Do not take even the slightest risk.”

“Yes. Please rest assured, Master.”

At court, the news that Beijiang’s envoys were about to reach the capital stirred waves of commotion. The civil officials did not feel it as deeply, but among the military officials, the moment Beijiang was mentioned, none did grit their teeth in hatred.

Many places in Beijiang were still uncivilized, yet their fighting strength was terrifyingly fierce, especially their cavalry. Beijiang men grew up with horses. Driven by their environment, they lived on horseback from childhood. Once grown, their control of a mount could be called instinctive. Moreover, Beijiang men were tall and powerful. A hundred-man cavalry unit wielding heavy long blades, charging in formation, sweeping through like whistling steel, left nothing but blood and ruin in their wake. Even a thousand men found it hard to get close.

And Beijiang people were brutal by nature. Once they broke into a village, they took everything they could carry. Whatever they could not carry, they burned on the spot. The slaughter of entire villages was common, and even infants and small children were spared nothing. Prisoners who fell into Beijiang’s hands rarely survived.

“Your Majesty, this humble minister believes the Da Li Dynasty is a land of rites and propriety. Since they come as guests, we should receive Beijiang’s envoys well and let them experience our customs and people.”

“This humble minister agrees. Your Majesty, between nations, envoys are not slain. No matter what Beijiang has done in the past, sending envoys first shows an intent to befriend us. The Da Li Dynasty must not lose face by quibbling with a barbarous small state.”

Most civil officials supported taking this opportunity to befriend Beijiang, but the military officials fiercely opposed it.

“Speak of rites with Beijiang? Why don’t you ask the wronged souls of Da Li Dynasty’s common people who died beneath Beijiang blades and hooves whether they agree? Why don’t you ask the fallen soldiers who fought Beijiang on the battlefield, whether they agree?”

“Your Majesty, this humble minister has led troops against Beijiang for years and understands their nature well. They are born to plunder, with ambition beyond measure. Their visit this time is certainly not well-intentioned. Please issue an edict to strengthen defenses.”

Before long, civil and military officials were shouting themselves into a single chaotic mass.

The Emperor coughed once. Xu Li quickly stepped forward and shouted, “Silence!”

The officials immediately knelt to salute. “We beg Your Majesty’s pardon.”

The Emperor coughed twice, then looked down at Ling Wang and Yu Wang. “Do you have any good ideas?”

To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. 💕

↞ Previous│❀ Table of Contents ❀│ Next ↠

Continue reading Pampered Poisonous Royal Wife Chapter 615