Chapter 356
~ THE WELL-INFORMED YUE WANG ~
In the Capital, there were still rumors circulating around about the Su family. While Mu Yunyao sat in the carriage, she occasionally heard some of the surrounding rumors about the Su family.
Ni Yun Fang had chosen a store on the main street. Mu Yunyao alighted from the carriage, and a middle-aged man with stubble on his face walked up to welcome her. “Greetings, Miss.”
Mu Yunyao’s footsteps slightly paused. After carefully looking at the man in front of her for a moment, a smile flashed through her eyes. “Aren’t you in Jiangnan? When did you come to the Capital?”
“In reply to Miss, I have nothing to do, so I might as well come over and take a look.” The man was taken aback for a moment before he smiled, “Miss, please come in quickly. There are too many people outside so as not to collide with you.”
This store was originally an elegant place. It took a lot of effort to build it, and the decorations were so elegant. However, it was not managed well, so the only thing they could do was to discard the entire store.
Mu Yunyao looked around before finding a chair to sit down. “I heard that you’ve collected a large amount of grain in Jiangnan again?”
The man stepped forward to pay his respects and lifted his hand to take off the thin mask on his face, revealing his true face. It was Qi Ming who had made a great effort in the salt tax case before: “Miss’s eyes are like torches, this servant thought that my disguise was flawless! Just like last year, this servant took advantage of the autumn harvest to buy a batch of grain, thinking that the weather is cold now, and Steward Qin may be able to use it.”
Thinking about this time of year, it should be too cold in Western Guangdong, and ginger tea should also be prepared in advance.
Mu Yunyao’s lips couldn’t help but reveal a smile, “Well done.”
“It was all taught by Young Miss.”
Mu Yunyao thought for a moment before speaking, “How’s the situation at Yi Bao Xuan now?”
“To reply Miss, Yi Bao Xuan’s progress has not been smooth.” Although under the meticulous arrangements of the young miss, he had successfully escaped from the salt tax case in Jiangnan, Yi Bao Xuan had been targeted. Thus, he did not dare to act rashly.
Mu Yunyao looked carefully at Qi Ming. “Since Yi Bao Xuan has already been targeted, then you can’t have anything to do with me anymore. Otherwise, Ni Yun Fang and Bu Xian Luo will also be affected. Qi Ming, I have something that I want to discuss with you. It might be dangerous. Are you willing to do it?”
Qi Ming quickly knelt down. “Based on Young Miss’s orders, this servant is willing to do her best for her.”
“Get up. I don’t know what your relationship with Liu Liang is, but I believe that he won’t harm me, and I also believe in your loyalty.” Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. She said these words purely out of instinct. She didn’t know why, but she, who never trusts others credulously, actually trusted Liu Liang and the people he finds especially. “I want you to take Yi Bao Xuan to the First Prince.”
Qi Ming raised his head, looked up, and his eyes filled with surprise, but he quickly answered, “Yes.”
“Even though you’ve escaped from the salt tax case, with the First Prince’s connections, he will more or less find out your shadow. If you want to continue developing Yi Bao Xuan, you can only rely on him, and only by dispelling the suspicion in his heart towards you, Yi Bao Xuan will have a chance to develop again.”
“This servant understands, but this servant has been involved in the Jiangnan Salt Tax case before. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for me to take refuge in them rashly?”
Mu Yunyao smiled slightly. “Although I say that I want you to submit to Ling Wang, I can’t just send you to First Prince’s door for no reason. She has to find an excuse that won’t make him suspicious. The Third Prince, Jin Wang, was currently in the limelight. He had also recruited the Su family’s patriarch, Su Wenyuan. It could be said that he was holding the entire Ministry of Public Affairs in his hands. Right now, His Royal Highness Ling should be anxious to compete with in Wang for have some connections, so he definitely needs money to back him up.”
Qi Ming nodded his head, “That is indeed the case.”
Mu Yunyao continued, “In the Jiangnan salt tax case, Ling Wang suffered a great loss, but couldn’t find any concrete evidence against Jin Wang, so he could only suppress his suspicion for now. You should pretend to be Jin Wang’s man. After that matter is settled, Jin Wang will kill you to keep your mouth shut, and it just happened to be saved by Ling Wang’s men. In order to make it more believable, I will give you a letter that was written by Prince Jin, half of which was destroyed, and I also provide you 100,000 taels of silver. I think Ling Wang will believe it.”
“Young miss, in this way, it’s not a cheap price for Ling Wang.”
“I’ve just made a small fortune in the past few days, and 100,000 silver was not too much. Even if you were to throw it out, it would not be a big problem. You don’t have to bear any burden. Of course, I will do my best to make the necessary arrangements. This silver will slowly return to my hands.” Mu Yunyao said as the smile on her lips slowly deepened, and her eyes were filled with an extraordinary light of confidence, causing those who saw it to feel at ease.
Qi Ming nodded his head, “Please rest assured Miss, this servant will do my best to expand and develop Yi Bao Xuan.”
“Alright.”
Not long after she finished speaking, the sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Mu Yunyao raised her head, looked over, and was looking into Yue Wang’s smiling eyes. “Qi Ming, you can leave first. When I’ve made my arrangements, I’ll get someone to notify you.”
“Yes.”
“Why is Fourth Master here?” Mu Yunyao stood up with a smile and bent the knee to pay her respects. Her movements were faintly a bit more casual, unlike the respectful and estranged manner from before.
“I heard that you left the Su family’s residence, so I hurried over.”
“Fourth Master is rather well-informed, but we’re not done here, so we don’t have any fragrant tea for you.”
Looking at Mu Yunyao’s smiling face, Yue Wang couldn’t help but feel that no matter how he looked at her, he couldn’t get enough of her. He wished for nothing more than to place her in his heart and meticulously describe her. “The one who just left is Qi Ming?”
“That’s right.” Mu Yunyao slightly tilted her head as she asked with a smile, “I want Qi Ming bring Yi Bao Xuan to seek refuge with His Royal Highness Ling, so that Yi Baoxuan can have the opportunity to continue to develop. Fourth Master won’t mind, right?” He respected Mu Yunyao’s thoughts and knew that she has her own idea.
“Of course not, but do you need my help?”
“No....” Mu Yunyao wanted to reject him. But, she had already sided with Yue Wang, and she could save some effort and energy. Why didn’t she use it? “Well, just now I’ve been thinking of faking a murderous and annihilating scene. Can Fourth Master help me?”
“Who do you want to blame this on?”
“Jin Wang.” After Mu Yunyao finished speaking, she carefully observed Yue Wang’s expression, feeling a little uncertain in her heart. Although the competition among the princes in the Imperial Court was fierce, it did not affect Yue Wang, who far away in Western Guangdong. He was not favored, and he did not return to the Capital for many years, so even though he was a prince, he seemed to have been exiled. Without experiencing such a bloody battle, who knows? Perhaps Yue Wang not even considered those princes as his elder brothers.
Yue Wang raised the corner of his lips and looked at Mu Yunyao. Seeing Mu Yunyao’s nervous appearance, he couldn’t help but reach out his hand and lightly touched the center of her brows.
Mu Yunyao was stunned and only regained her senses after a long time. She subconsciously raised her hand to cover her forehead.
Yue Wang quickly retracted his hand and felt his fingertips burning up, bringing about a slight numbing sensation. His entire arm no longer felt like his own, “Cough cough … Alright, I will get someone to arrange it.”
Mu Yunyao blinked, then uncomfortably rubbed her forehead, leaving a red mark. “It seems like Fourth Master’s internal injuries have not healed yet, and you’re still absent-minded from time to time.” Her attitude towards him had only relaxed slightly, but this person had already learned how to take things a step further. “I really need to take good care of myself for a while.” Yue Wang nodded his head seriously.