Lin Miaoyi continued, “Princess Huayang hasn’t returned to Chang’an for five years.
The late Emperor passed away not long ago, and Her Highness didn’t even come back to mourn.
Rumor has it the Princess has returned to Chang’an for an extended stay because of His Majesty’s concubine selection.
Now that the cloth has been ruined, Princess Huayang is certain to fly into a rage.”
Mu Wan Yun felt a lingering fear upon hearing this.
If she had truly gotten her period yesterday, she couldn’t have escaped the blame for this.
It might even have been a crime punishable by death.
Mu Wan Yun looked at the silent palace maids in the embroidery workshop, then turned to find Lin Siming.
“Lin Siming.”
When Lin Siming saw Mu Wan Yun, her heart filled with pity.
She no longer held the same hatred for her as she did for the rest of the Mu Family.
After all, she was a simple child who had suffered immensely since she was young, and now she would never even have children.
“What brings you here so early?”
Mu Wan Yun said, “I came because of what happened last night.”
Lin Siming said, “The Supervision Bureau has already investigated this matter.
It was Rushui who intentionally framed you.”
Mu Wan Yun lowered her head.
“It’s true that Rushui was behind it, but the other palace maids all bore false witness.
They should be punished too.
I swear I never touched that Kesi cloth.
They relied on their numbers to bear false witness and try to take my life.
There’s no guarantee they won’t try something like this again.”
Lin Siming said, “There’s an old saying: the law does not punish the masses.
Rushui has already faced justice, so let’s let the matter rest.
If you insist on punishing all of them, there will be no one left in the Clothing Bureau…
Let’s leave it at that.
They won’t dare to frame you again.
In a little while, you’ll accompany me to the Princess Mansion.”
Mu Wan Yun curtsied in assent.
Around noon, Mu Wan Yun left the palace with Lin Siming, Zhong Shanggong, Shi Shanggong, and the others, heading for the Princess Mansion.
Zhong Shanggong fretted the entire way.
“I wonder if Princess Huayang will spare us this time, for the sake of your connection from her childhood.
Lin Siming, you were far too careless with this matter.”
Lin Siming said, “You are right to reprimand me, Shang Gong.”
Mu Wan Yun followed behind Lin Siming, her heart pounding with anxiety.
‘She did recall Lu Jingxing mentioning, after they were married, that he had a younger sister.
He and his sister often exchanged letters, but he’d never let her see them.
That sister he spoke of with such tenderness in his eyes must be Princess Huayang.’
Princess Huayang’s mansion was located on Xuanwu Street.
The manor was magnificent, and its gardens were filled with picturesque pavilions and terraces.
Inside the Lake Heart Pavilion, a gentle spring breeze sent ripples dancing across the water’s surface.
Having just returned to Chang’an, Princess Huayang was hosting a banquet for friends and family in the Lake Heart Pavilion.
In attendance, besides Lu Jingxing, were Prince Jian and his sister, Wei Minlan, and Prime Minister Bai’s granddaughter, Bai Jingran.
Princess Huayang poured a cup of wine for Lu Jingxing, who occupied the seat of honor.
You promised you’d bring my sister-in-law to try it.
So where is she?”
Beside them, Bai Jingran, the Prime Minister’s granddaughter, looked toward Lu Jingxing, her wine cup trembling slightly in her hand.
Wei Minlan, also at the side, chimed in curiously, “Anyone who can catch our cousin’s eye must be a peerless beauty.
I wonder how she compares to my poor, departed sister-in-law Wanruo?”
Hua Yang snorted.
“Since when was Mu Wanruo your sister-in-law?”
Wei Minlan sighed.
“Let’s not talk about it.
My brother’s been terribly listless because of her.
Oh, by the way, Cousin, my mother wants me to ask you for one of your palace maids.”
Lu Jingxing said, “It’s just a palace maid.
If you want one, take her from the palace.
Anyone but Mu Wan Yun.”
“Huh?” Wei Minlan said.
“But Mu Wan Yun is the one I want.”
Lu Jingxing took a slow sip of his wine.
“Then don’t even think about it.”
Princess Huayang scoffed.
“Cousin Mingsang is unbelievable.
Wasting away like this over a mere daughter of the Mu Family…
it’s truly not worth it!
It’s not like there aren’t any other fine young women in Chang’an City.
Yongjia, Jing Ran…
aren’t they all much better than Mu Wanruo?”
Princess Yongjia, Prince Jian’s sister, heard this and said, “Cousin, I’m not as pretty as Sister Wanruo…”
Princess Huayang took a deep breath, clearly exasperated with Yongjia.
“She’s dead, so stop bringing her up!
Imperial Brother, you still haven’t told me about my sister-in-law!
Is she beautiful?
I’ve been looking forward to meeting her for so long!
You can’t become emperor and then faithlessly cast aside the wife of your humble beginnings, leaving her to suffer alone in the countryside.
You should bring her to the palace as soon as possible.”
Lu Jingxing said, “I am not the one who cast aside the wife of his humble days.”
No one understood what Lu Jingxing meant.
‘If he wasn’t the one who did the abandoning, then who was?’
A palace maid approached Princess Huayang and reported, “Your Highness, Zhong Shanggong, Shi Shanggong, and others request an audience.
They say your Kesi cloth has been ruined.”
Hua Yang frowned.
“Something happened to the cloth?
Let them in.”
Mu Wan Yun and the others entered the Princess Mansion.
As they walked, Mu Wan Yun took in the opulence of the estate.
It took them a full quarter of an hour to reach the Lake Heart Pavilion.
Upon entering the Lake Heart Pavilion, Mu Wan Yun saw Lu Jingxing was there as well.
She lowered her gaze and knelt to pay her respects along with Zhong Shanggong and the others.
Hua Yang’s eyes fell on Mu Wan Yun immediately.
The moment Bai Jingran saw her, the cup in her hand slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor.
“Wanruo!” she exclaimed in disbelief.
Princess Huayang and Bai Jingran had only returned to Chang’an the previous afternoon for Old Madam Wei’s birthday celebration, which was why they had missed seeing Mu Wan Yun.
‘Mu Wan Yun was utterly bewildered.
She and Mu Wanruo weren’t even born from the same mother.
How could every single person who saw her think she was Mu Wanruo?’
Mu Wan Yun lowered her head and explained, “Your Highness, I am Mu Wanruo’s younger half-sister, Mu Wan Yun.
I am currently a palace maid in the Clothing Bureau.”
Princess Huayang walked up to Mu Wan Yun and scrutinized her face.
“Don’t try to fool me,” she said.
“You are Mu Wanruo.
I’d know that face even if it were turned to ash!”
Mu Wan Yun was left speechless.
Lin Siming stepped in to help her.
“Your Highness, I can attest that she is indeed Mu Wan Yun, not Mu Wanruo.”
Hua Yang glanced at Lin Siming.
“Aunt Lin?
It’s been a while.
A moment ago, a palace maid informed me there was a problem with my clothing?”
Lin Siming knelt.
“I was derelict in my duties.
I allowed a palace maid to soil and ruin the Kesi cloth, and it can no longer be used.
I beg Your Majesty and Your Highness to dispense punishment!”
Hua Yang’s face instantly darkened.
“That was a one-of-a-kind piece of Kesi silk!
You are all veterans of the palace, yet you allowed such a precious fabric to be ruined?
I might as well have you all dragged out and beheaded!”
A jolt went through Mu Wan Yun, and she felt a phantom chill on her neck.
When she looked up, she met Lu Jingxing’s amused gaze…
Lin Siming kowtowed repeatedly.
“Your Highness, please calm your anger!
I beg you to spare our lives!”
“On account of Aunt Lin having served my mother, I will give you one chance.”
Hua Yang pointed at Mu Wan Yun.
“You will make me a new garment.
If I am satisfied with it, I will spare the lives of everyone in your Clothing Bureau!
But if I am not satisfied, then everyone in your Clothing Bureau can look forward to being beheaded together at the public execution grounds come autumn!”
Mu Wan Yun’s heart seized.
‘The last time, when she failed to make a dress to Wei Minlan’s satisfaction, the punishment was just ten strikes from a wooden plank.
This time, failure meant beheading.’
“I accept your command,” Mu Wan Yun said, steeling herself.
“May I ask what colors and patterns Your Highness prefers?”
Hua Yang said slowly, “I would like a colorful black dress.”
Mu Wan Yun was speechless once more.
‘A colorful black dress?
How was that even possible?
She might as well go wash her neck and prepare for the executioner’s block.
Maybe she’d be reborn into a better life.’
Lin Siming tugged on Mu Wan Yun’s sleeve.
“Quick, accept the order.”
Mu Wan Yun bowed her head.
“Yes, Your Highness.
I will certainly make a garment that meets your satisfaction.”