Chapter 457
~ CURRY FAVOR WITH ~
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but shake her head when she walked out of Yue Wang’s Palace and got on the carriage. As she looked at the signed deed in her hand, she felt that she’d never done such a loss-making business before.
She did not know what was going on, so she agreed in a daze. Yue Wang even used his own body to repay the ten thousand taels of gold owed to her, and he also signed an unsightly deed. If this news were to spread, the dignified prince would use a contract to compensate her. Wouldn’t he be laughed off?
Jin Lan and Jin Qiao sat at the side, not daring to make a sound. After they saw that they had returned to the mansion, they reminded, “Miss, we’ve returned to the mansion.”
“Yes.” Mu Yunyao could only put away the deed and return to the mansion to rest and change her clothes. She was prepared to participate in Jin Wang Palace’s Lantern Festival in the evening.
Jin Wang Palace’s Lantern Festival was held very lively. When the Emperor heard that Grand Princess Yi De also participated, he agreed to reward him grandly. In this way, other people who received the invitation would not miss it.
After resting in the mansion for a short time, Mu Yunyao went to Grand Princess Yi De’s Estate to accompany her to Jin Wang Palace.
The overseer of the Jin Wang Palace was extremely beautiful. It was originally a royal garden built, and not only was the area large, but the scenery was also first-class. After Jin Wang reached adulthood, he was bestowed with a royal title. Compared to Yue Wang, it was like comparing heaven and earth.
On the carriage, the Grand Princess Yi De sized her up, “Yao’er, what’s going on? From the very beginning, you have always had a preoccupied look on your face.”
Mu Yunyao smiled, and her smile was a little reluctant. “Grandmother, I don’t know what’s wrong, but I feel a bit panicked inside, as if something important has happened.” It had been a long time since she had felt this way.
The Grand Princess Yi De took her hand and patted her, “Don’t worry, no one will be able to hurt you with Grandmother around.”
Mu Yunyao nodded and followed Grand Princess Yi De in.
Jin Wang had long since greeted her at the entrance. Upon seeing Grand Princess Yi De, he hurriedly stepped forward and greeted her, “Greetings, Imperial Aunt.”
“Yunyao greets Third Uncle.”
“Yao’er, there is no need to be so courteous. Imperial Aunt, today is a feast for the eyes, so the rules aren’t strict. The guests are mostly moving about on their own, and I hope that Imperial Aunt doesn’t be held accountable.” As Jin Wang spoke, he stepped forward to support Grand Princess Yi De’s hand, and they walked in.
“Don’t worry about it. Since it’s a lantern festival, sitting in the hall would be a waste of this great night.”
Mu Yunyao took huge strides, her skirt slightly swaying as she stepped into Jin Wang’s Palace.
The scenery here was precisely the same as he remembered. Even though it was winter, flowers in full bloom could still be seen everywhere in the courtyard, and various lanterns hung in patchwork. Under the illumination of the lanterns, the scenery becomes more and more gorgeous.
Jin Wang led the Eldest Princess Yi De to Chaji Garden. Before they even entered, they saw a field of flowers blooming everywhere. Just in response to the beautiful scenery of the good day, he watched the colorful flowers blooming all over.
In her previous life, when she lived in Jin Wang’s Palace, she liked to visit this place, and it was her favorite courtyard. Later on, to show his kindness, Jin Wang divided this garden for her separately. At that time, the envious eyes of the people in the backyard turned red, and she was also overjoyed. Mu Yunyao had been wandering here for many days in this place. Now that she saw the familiar scenery again, she felt it was nothing more than this. It was not as interesting as the half-dug lotus pond at Yue Wang’s Palace.
After Jin Wang settled Grand Princess Yi De, he turned around to look at Mu Yunyao. “What kind of lanterns does Yunyao like? I’ll get someone to send you a few lanterns later.”
Jin Wang had a handsome face and a warm aura. There was a gentle smile in his eyes, and his eyebrows were all focused, giving the illusion of people being cared for with care. “Thank you, Third Uncle. I don’t like those children’s stuff.”
Mu Yunyao had a smile on her face as she nodded happily: “Alright, then I’ll have to work harder.”
“Alright, I’ll go greet the other guests first. If there’s anything to tell me in time, take care of yourself and don’t be bumped.”
Looking at Jin Wang’s leaving figure, the smile on Mu Yunyao’s lips did not change, but the look in her eyes had become completely cold. Jin Wang had suddenly expressed goodwill to her. What was he planning to do?
Having just arrived at Jin Wang Palace, she was already incredibly uneasy. At this moment, she felt as if something big was about to happen and felt anxious from the bottom of her heart.
“Yao’er doesn’t have to be with me. Just go to the garden to enjoy the scenery.” Gradually, some of the first-class madams came to pay their respects. Grand Princess Yi De was afraid that Mu Yunyao would feel uncomfortable, so she allowed her to pass the time by herself.
“Yes, Grandmother.”
Mu Yunyao brought Jin Lan and Jin Qiao around the garden. When she saw the large plum blossoms planted in front of Cuiyun Xuan on the side of the pavilion from afar, she couldn’t help but be stunned. “I’m going to sit in the pavilion in front. The two of you wait for me on the side.”
Jin Lan couldn’t stop worrying. “Miss, you alone....”
Mu Yunyao shook her head. “It’s fine.”
A few palace lanterns were placed under the plum tree, and the warm yellow light shone on the dark red plum blossom buds, with a blood weeping color.
“The jade bone is worried about miasma and fog, and the ice posture has its own fairy wind... The plum blossoms bloom well.”
“Little Sister Mu, long time no see.”
A slightly hoarse voice sounded. Mu Yunyao turned around and saw Zhang Wan was wearing a veil covering her face, slowly walking over. “Elder Sister Zhang, are you feeling better?”
“After recuperating for a few months, I can barely get out of bed. I have to thank Little Sister for her reminder that I didn’t drill the tip of the horn and embarked on a desperate path.” Zhang Wan looked at Mu Yunyao and faintly sighed. She raised her hand to stroke her veil and said, “I had ruined my appearance, and because of the fever, I burned my throat with the wrong medicine, which made Little Sister laugh.”
“Elder Sister Zhang, what are you talking about? People having nothing better than anything else.”
“Even though I am fine, I am only barely able to catch my breath, which is no different from the walking corpse.” Zhang Wan let out a sigh as she smiled and then stretched out her hand to take off a half-opened flower bud. She gently twirled it in her hand, and her fingertips were immediately stained with a layer of red, “Little Sister Mu, I heard that you and the Su family had messed around. How about you give me a hand?”
Mu Yunyao looked at Zhang Wan’s eyes. In the past, those eyes were filled with gentleness. Even if she was angry, there was still a faint scent of books in them. But now, it was filled with hostility. When I look at them, I feel a tremor in my heart: “I don’t know how I can help Elder Sister Zhang.”
“Little Sister, today is no longer the past. You are valued by Grand Princess Yi De and will soon be recognized by her as a granddaughter. With such an identity, let alone the Su family, even the Sixth Princess would not dare to provoke them easily, and it would be easy for you to take care of them.” Zhang Wan stepped forward and took Mu Yunyao’s hand. “The Su family has persecuted my sister several times, and this has caused the Meng family to feel enmity towards my sister. Don’t you want to take revenge?”
Zhang Wan’s voice was bewitched, and the hatred for her, which couldn’t wait to be killed, was so intense that she hardly concealed it.
“Elder Sister Zhang, how could things be so simple? No matter what, the Su family is still related to me by blood. It is impossible for me to do it against the Su family.” Mu Yunyao shook her head. Even if she wanted to make a move, she wouldn’t be used by Zhang Wan.
Zhang Wan stared at Mu Yunyao, suddenly sneered, and squeezed Mu Yunyao’s hand slowly and vigorously, “Oh, are you concerned about blood ties or about your Cousin Qingwu?”