The carriage moved at a leisurely pace, its interior lined with fine cashmere carpet. The sweet cakes placed on the small table puzzled Mu Yao.
She had heard in the capital that Yan Xun did not care for sweets.
Could this plate of sweet cakes have been prepared specifically for some young lady?
Just as she was mulling this over, a man’s indifferent voice came from outside.
“Now that Miss Mu has called off her engagement, is there a suitable candidate in your heart?”
Mu Yao’s heart stirred slightly. “Not yet. But there is still time, so I am not worried.”
“Miss Mu’s reputation precedes her. I imagine suitors will come knocking in droves.”
Mu Yao tugged at the corner of her lips. Somehow, those words coming from Yan Xun’s mouth did not sound like a compliment.
After that, silence fell between them.
Sitting in the carriage, Mu Yao felt herself growing drowsy, likely due to the faint fragrance of bamboo leaves drifting through the vehicle.
It eased some of the weariness from her body.
Mu Yao genuinely liked the scent. After pondering for a long while, she finally asked, “May I ask what incense the Prince uses in his carriage?”
“If Miss Mu likes it, I will have some sent to Mu Fu tomorrow.”
From the sound of it, this incense was probably not sold in the capital.
“If it is too far to travel, there is no need to trouble the Prince.”
A long silence followed before the man’s languid voice drifted in from outside. “It is no trouble. Merely a small trinket. If Miss Mu wants it, what harm is there in me giving it to you?”
The man’s lazy tone made Mu Yao’s hands clench within her sleeves, her heart skipping a beat for a moment.
Why did this man speak… in such a way that invited overthinking?
She should keep her distance from him in the future.
As if reading her thoughts, the voice outside came again, this time with a more serious tone.
“Miss Mu need not be so courteous with me. In my youth, I once owed a debt of gratitude to Zhongsu Gong. Since you are his daughter, it is only right that I look after you a little more.”
Doubt rose in Mu Yao’s heart.
She did not recall her father having any connection with Yan Xun during his lifetime.
Could it have been an unintentional act?
Regardless, since this man had helped her today, she would remember to repay the favor in the future.
“Though it was my father’s kindness, I will also remember what the Prince has done today.”
Yan Xun, riding on horseback outside, let his eyes flicker. “In that case, I shall remember Miss Mu’s words. If there comes a day when I need Miss Mu’s assistance, I hope you will not refuse.”
“As long as it does not involve murder or arson, Mu Yao will not hesitate.”
The carriage was not slow, and before long, they arrived at the gates of Mu Fu.
News of Mu Yao’s actions had already spread throughout the capital, and a crowd of onlookers had gathered at the entrance of Mu Fu, watching from a distance.
Those who had expected Mu Yao to return in disgrace found their sneers fading somewhat upon seeing that it was Chu Wang himself who had escorted her back.
“When did the Mu family become close with Chu Wang?”
“Probably the Emperor felt sorry for the young lady of the Mu family and specially had Chu Wang escort her back to save face.”
“Who can say? If I were the young lady of the Mu family, I would have drowned myself in the river out of shame after such humiliation today.”
The murmuring of the crowd made Yan Xun frown. His sharp gaze swept over them once, and the gossiping voices fell silent instantly.
Mu Yao, helped down from the carriage by Uncle Wang, took note of Yan Xun’s actions and felt even more grateful. “There is no one at home to receive guests, so I will not invite the Prince in for tea. Another day, I will send a fine golden-threaded couch as thanks.”
“No need. I was merely following the Emperor’s orders.”
Yan Xun deliberately raised his voice, effectively silencing the idle gossip.
Without lingering, he rode away.
Only after watching him leave did Mu Yao breathe a sigh of relief and turn to enter the residence. “Uncle Wang, close the gates. I will not receive guests for the next three days.”
This matter had stirred up such a commotion that the wife of Pingyang Hou would surely come knocking to say something. She had no patience for dealing with such people—better to shut the doors and refuse entry!
“Yes.”
Uncle Wang nodded in agreement and cast a glance at the servant behind him.
As the gates closed, it also shut out those probing gazes.
Ningzhu could no longer hold back and spoke up. “Miss, although the Emperor has given us a month’s reprieve, the Pingyang Houfu holds great power. If no one comes to propose within this month, will you truly have to become a Shouling Gugu?”
Seeing the young maid’s eyes redden with worry, Mu Yao smiled and poked her puffed-out cheek.
“Don’t rush. First, have someone spread word that when Zhongsu Gong passed away, he left a substantial dowry for the young lady of the Mu family.” Though Mu Yao said she was not worried, Ningzhu had made a valid point.
Lu Zhi was clearly the type to hold a grudge. Combined with how she had humiliated the Pingyang Houfu today, the Pingyang Hou would certainly not let her marry easily.
In that case, she might as well dangle some bait.
After all, the dowry was hers. Even if she married anyone at all, that person would have no right to touch it freely!
“Miss, must we really do this? What if those people are all after your dowry?” Ningzhu was worried and wanted to dissuade her, but upon reflection, this was the only way. She gritted her teeth and went out to spread the news.
Only Mu Yao remained in the room. Her gaze unconsciously fell upon that red bridal veil, and for some reason, Yan Xun’s face suddenly flashed through her mind.
She raised her hand to rub her brow, murmuring softly, “I must be out of my mind. How did such a thought even cross my mind?”
As she removed the elaborate wedding dress, Mu Yao suddenly felt as though a shackle had been cast off. She reached out and gently traced the gown she had embroidered with such painstaking effort. “Put this wedding dress away. Go to the fabric shop and buy some new cloth—I’ll embroider a new set.”
Ningzhu pouted. “Miss, you spent so long on this, only to encounter a beast worse than an animal. What a waste of your efforts. This dress carries bad luck, if you ask me—better to burn it and be done with it.”
Seeing her so indignant, Mu Yao laughed heartily.
“Silly girl, hurry and put it away.”
“Also, have Uncle Wang sound out Old Madam Wang and see whether the Pingyang Houfu truly sent word ahead.”
Just as Mu Yao had anticipated, when the wife of the Pingyang Hou learned what had happened at the palace gates, she flew into a rage, throwing and smashing things about the room. And when Lu Zhi returned to the residence with Liu Xiyin in tow, she rushed forward and dealt him a vicious slap!
Liu Xiyin dared not weep aloud, only casting a pitiful glance toward Lu Zhi standing at her side.
But Lu Zhi had no mind for her at that moment—his every thought was consumed with how to reclaim his position as Shizi!
“Madam, word has come from the Mu family that Miss Mu will bring a generous dowry upon entering the convent—reportedly at least ten million taels of gold!”
Zhang Shi, the wife of the Pingyang Hou, was startled, then turned to her husband beside her. “Isn’t the Mu family supposed to be a family of pure scholars? How do they come by so much wealth? Could they be hiding something?”
The Pingyang Hou shot Zhang Shi a glare. “That’s not the sort of thing you say lightly! Mu He’s wife was formerly a young lady of the Lan family, and the Lans are wealthy merchants in Jiangnan, holding a gold vein in their grasp. Ten thousand taels of gold is nothing to them. Otherwise, why do you think I insisted on having Zhi marry that Mu Yao!”