Chapter 98
Chapter 98 Urging Su Qing
After leaving from Cao Manor and returning to Niyunfang, Mu Yunyao was preoccupied in her thoughts.
Su Qing saw her troubled look, thinking that she was wronged in Cao Manor: "Yao’er, what happened?"
"Mother, today, Jin Furen called me over, saying that I should be careful else someone could secretly fight against us." Mu Yunyao did not intend to conceal this problem from Su Qing. By letting her mother know of these things so that she could be more prepared for anything that might happen.
"Yeah, we dug out the secrets that the Ding family had concealed for many years, and at the same time let those masters (daren) lose their faces. They should be angry at us now. What should we do? If not, we can just leave Jingling City!" Su Qing was badly flustered. Although there were many things she was reluctant to part with here, there was nothing more important than her Yao’er’s safety.
Mu Yunyao held her hand: "Mother, don’t worry too much. The problem is not that great to the extent of having to leave here. Me spreading the needlework to the public is a great achievement. Jin Furen has promised to secretly send someone to protect us. It is inevitable that there will be some slip up, thus it’s better if we also can be more careful. Next time when mother is going out, don’t go alone. Remember to take Liu Liang to protect you.”
“Mother will remember it. I often stay in Niyunfang and rarely go out. But you, you often go to the Jinxiu Garden, you have to be more careful.” Su Qing thought about it and couldn’t help but propose, “Yao’er, now that we have money on hand, just buy a few more people to let them protect us, Liu Liang alone can't protect us both all the time."
Mu Yunyao couldn't help but smile until her eyes curved: "Mother says it right. After this, I will let Liu Liang to look for some people. If there is any suitable candidates, I will buy them to protect us.”
“Alright, that’s good.”
“Mother, there’s another thing that needs to be discussed with you. At first, I thought Ding Furen (DYL) would be the shopkeeper of Niyunfan and she could take you to socialise with those ladies. But now Ding Furen had left due to the Ding family’s affairs. Jinxiu Park has finished with its renovation and the teahouse can be opened in a few more days, Niyunfang can only be left in your management."
Su Qing subconsciously shook her head: "No, no, I can't do it."
"Mother, now the status of Niyunfang is not ordinary. No one is stupid enough to make trouble here. If there are some matters that are unsatisfactory, those ladies will try their best to forgive you. You have to remain in contact with them. If the Su family comes later to take us back, we will have to go back to the imperial capital. At that time, those ladies can come to send us more respectfully, won’t our departure be more dignified?"
Su Qing bit her lips and her face showed how tangled she was feeling inside.
Mu Yunyao was distressed, but she had to force herself to be cruel: Originally, she wanted Ding Yuelan to slowly influence her mother. but now she can't find a suitable person to replace Ding Yuelan, so she can only force her mother to move forward.
The Su family is a place where one would be eaten without spitting bones. If her mother's temperament was not changed, she would only be an easy target to be bullied. Even if she protected her from time to time, it could not prevent others from picking up trouble with her, so it is essential that her mother becomes stronger.
Su Qing thought for a while before hesitantly replied: "Yao’er, mother is willing to give it a try."
No one knows how much courage she needs to say this sentence since her temperament has always been soft. Back then in Shi An Village, if not for Li shi threatening Mu Yunyao's life, she would not dare to retaliate.
Her promise is not only for herself but also for Mu Yunyao’s sake. If it's really hard to avoid going back to Su's house, she must not drag down her daughter, but instead tries her best to protect her.
Mu Yunyao threw herself into Su Qing’s arms, gently rubbing her shoulders: "Mother, it’s good to have you."
Su Qing stroked her hair and felt that she was filled with courage. Even if it would be hard, for Yao’er, she has to work hard!
On the next day, Mu Yunyao arranged the things in Niyunfang before she left for Jinxiu Garden.
In this period of time, as long as she has free time, she will come here to teach the 50 people tea-making skills. She was unsure whether what did Steward Qin had secretly mentioned to them but Wei Yi and Yun Chun were now extremely respectful to her. There was no more awkward situation such as when they met for the first time.
When she entered the garden, Steward Qin greeted her, with a gentle smile: "Every time I come, Steward Qin will meet me personally, it makes me feel really apologetic."
"Why is the girl saying this. When Siye left, he told me to let the old slaves and others obey the girl's instructions. If the girl doesn't use us, it will make me feel uneasy.”
If she didn't know the true identity of Yue Wang, Mu Yunyao would feel flattered at best. However, now that she knew that Steward Qin is a favoured and influential subordinate of Yue Wang. When he flattered her, she couldn’t help but wonder a bit: Steward Qin’s attitude towards her was too gentle, which always made her feel out of place.
(TN: Gurl, he’s tryna butter you up and collect pointers from the future Madame of the manor lol)
Mu Yunyao did not rush to see Wei Yi, Yun Chun and others, she first asked Steward Qin to go to the side to talk: "Steward Qin, I’m here today to ask for something."
"What’s the matter? Feel free to say it."
“I want to ask for Steward Qin’s help to find a few maidservants. It’s better if they have martial arts."
“Maidservants with martial arts?" Steward Qin recalled a little bit about what happened in Niyunfang recently, and then he had a number of guesses in his mind, "I’m not thorough enough. Please rest assured, I'll send four maidservants tomorrow."
"I really don't know how to thank you..." Mu Yunyao sighed with gratitude. "I am also a person who loves tea. How about giving you a teapot?"
"How can this be worth it?" Steward Qin refused with his mouth, but his eyes were shining. He had a few expectations!
Mu Yunyao quickly placed the box in her hand on the table and gently took out the teapot.
With just a single glance, the affection in his eyes was overwhelming.
The teapot is only about the size of a palm. When held, it perfectly fits on one hand. The authentic red sand pot is bright red and purple in colour. In the sun, it appeared moist like jade. People can't help but carefully appreciate it in their hands.
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| Zi cha/purple tea - a Pu'er tea |
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| Left: What I assumed an exquisite teapot look like Right: What I found the most exquisite red sand teapot with bamboo carving is |
Steward Qin also did as such. The teapot was not big, but it was particularly exquisite. The pot was engraved with a cluster of bamboo. The bamboo body was slightly curved while the bamboo leaves were distinctly well-defined. From the bottom of the pot to the spout, the whole pot body appeared more exquisite and lovely. On the other side, a poem is engraved:
’The bamboo overlooking the forgotten words with the purple tea, and the true victory of the Taoist is intoxicated until the red clouds are flowing. It’s hard to wash the dust in one’s heart, until the faint sound of cicadas under the shadows of slanting trees are heard.’
(TN: the forgotten refers to the tacit understanding of people drinking the Pu’er tea together. Red clouds- sunset. The dust - refers to secular affairs. From the poem The Tea Ceremony with Zhao Wei
There’s a culture of tea appreciation during the Tang Dynasty where the officials have a tea banquet - drinking tea like wine so that they can talk together, the charming tea made people enjoy talking until one forget the world, only stopping when the sun sets.)
"Miss, you are so ingenious. This red clay teapot is so adorable that people can't put it down!" Steward Qin felt more fond of it by the seconds.
Mu Yunyao couldn’t help but laugh: “It’s good that Steward Qin likes it. I’m just afraid that the gift is too flimsy to express my gratitude to you for all your care!”
“Young miss’s words made this old slave feels ashamed. If young miss is so polite like this, I don’t dare to accept this teapot.” Steward Qin carefully caressed the teapot for a moment, unwilling to put it back into the box.
Mu Yunyao was surprised for a while, and then sincerely smiled: "You really treat me sincerely, it’s my fault for being too cautious! In the future, we will take care of each other better."
"Naturally, naturally. This old slave is still looking forward to young miss’s guidance and help too!" After talking about the matter, the old steward took the teapot in his hand and couldn’t help but look at it. The more he saw it, the more he liked it. He couldn’t help but got up and said: “This old slave feels really itchy, I will go to make a pot of tea to drink.”
Mu Yunyao’s smile became wider, whether it was true or false, Steward Qin's attitude made her feel exceptionally comfortable: "In that case, I will go to teach Wei Yi and Yun Chun, and Steward Qin can help yourself to your heart’s content."
"Good."
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 A poem to translate is a nightmare 😂😂😭 Spent so much time on it. I can smell that Steward Qin/Qin Guan has other underlying meaning with that "young miss's guidance and help" 😏 The hardworking matchmaker is so deserving of the title...