Chapter Seventeen Rewards

  After messing with Wang Jiejie, I'm in a great mood. Hearing that pig-like scream, I turned around and made a ghost face, haha, now you know how fierce this girl is! Dare to bully me? You'll suffer. Although I'm in a great mood, my stomach can't stop growling from hunger.

  I left the back house and walked back to the front hall, seeing that Mu Yan's door was open. I sneaked in quietly, and saw Mu Yan leaning on a pear-wood armchair, holding a book in her hand, reading very seriously, seemingly deeply interested, without noticing my presence at all.

  I, a modern person who has been studying hard for 16 years, finally graduated from university and now have no interest in reading books other than textbooks. I don't know what Mu Yan is reading, let alone discuss Confucius' teachings with her, which is beyond my abilities. My classical Chinese skills were left behind in high school, so I made up my mind to slip away before she discovers me.

  I was about to turn around and walk out, but my gaze was caught by an item on the table. What is it that looks so cute? The texture is fine and soft, with a smooth and delicate appearance, shaped like a wish-granting ornament, with a pure white and shiny color, looking very appetizing.

  I swallowed hard, my stomach was already protesting, the delicious food in front of me, how could I not be tempted? As they say, "the heart is willing but the body is weak", I glanced sideways at Mu Yan who seemed to be engrossed in her reading. I lightly lifted up my skirt and quietly walked over to the table. Wow, what a rich rose fragrance! I picked up a piece and put it in my mouth, it melted instantly, sweet and soft... The flavor was refreshing and fragrant, delicious, really delicious. I imagine that at this moment, my expression of enjoyment must be just like the young lady in the advertisement who was wrapped around by smooth chocolate - completely satisfied! Delicious, truly delicious.

  I finished eating a whole piece and felt very satisfied. I secretly picked up a plate of pastries, hugged them in my arms, and slowly backed out of the room.

  "Who's there?" Moon's voice suddenly rose from behind.

  "Ah! Bang!" I really don't know if it's because I have a guilty conscience or if this pastry is destined to be out of my reach, but her sudden shout scared me so much that the pastry scattered all over the floor.

  I'm so angry with this little girl, poor pastry, my poor stomach, what to do, should I pick it up and eat it or not?

  Mu Yan was also startled by the moon, put down the book and stood up to see what happened. She saw me in a daze, staring at the pastry on the ground with a look of distress, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. Just as she was about to speak, she was shut down by my words.

  "What are you laughing at? What's so funny?" I yelled at her, my eyes fixed on the food that had been knocked out of my mouth, and I was already choking to death.

  Mo Yan saw that I was upset, and also saw the palm print on my face which shone brighter than the sun. His expression turned cold, he glanced at Yue'er beside him, then bent down to pick up those pastries.

  She picked up the pastries one by one, without wiping off the dust on them, and spat out two mouthfuls of saliva. She rearranged them on the plate, stood up, stretched out her hand to pass it to Yueliang, and coldly said, "Take it, let Wang's wife enjoy it alone."

  The moon received the order and, without understanding its meaning, took the plate and turned around to walk towards the back room.

  I saw this scene with my own eyes, how could I not understand Mu Yan's intention? She was avenging me, that despicable woman, she hit me, and as my best friend, Mu Yan naturally couldn't just stand by and watch, it's just that I didn't expect someone like her, a high-and-mighty young lady, would also resort to such lowly and vicious tactics, but, I have to say, I'm impressed.

  Suddenly, I felt a chill on my face. It was Mu Yan gently stroking the mark on my cheek with her hand. She pouted and blew softly, saying in a gentle voice, "Is that old woman Wang crazy? She's so ruthless. Come here, Mu Yan will take care of you."

  She said as she helped me blow dry the print.

  "No," I struggled to break free from her grasp, reaching out to block her, but she refused to let go, instead locking my hand in hers. The more I struggled, the tighter she held me.

  Alright alright, I give up, just leave me there and let her help me with it.

  She saw that I didn't resist, so she stopped and smiled at me, saying, "Manya is really well-behaved. If that Wang woman treats you like this, she will treat me the same way. Our young master won't let her off easily. By the way, why are you stealing glances?"

  She was taken aback by her question, and stuttered, "I, I didn't eat enough, I'm almost starving to death. Just now that stinky woman slapped me in the face, and now I'm so hungry that I'm dizzy. Seeing that there's food in your room, I couldn't hold back for a moment, and..."

  Sneaking a snack, I really can't say it out loud, but apparently Mu Yan already knows.

  She took my hand and led me into the room, with her other hand reaching under the table to pull out a stack of pastries, smiling as she handed them to me. "Fortunately, I had Yue'er prepare some while we were still at the mansion," she said. "Now they're all yours. Next time you don't eat your fill at dinner, you can use these to make up for it."

  I took over the dessert in that food box and muttered, "What's this about not eating enough next time? Are you mocking me, Master?"

  "You daredevil, you got a good deal and still show off!" She said with feigned anger, stretching out her hand to grab the food box.

  I refused to let food disappear from in front of me again, holding the lunchbox tightly with my body, making it impossible for her to get it.

  Just as we were having this commotion, people arrived at the palace. A group of eunuchs and palace maids walked in, holding various treasures in their hands. The lead eunuch loudly proclaimed the imperial edict, and Mu Yan and I hastily knelt down to receive it.

  "By the Emperor's decree, it is commanded that Zhou Muyan, daughter of Zhou Renzhi, Temple Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and wife of Zhou Zhaoyuan, be rewarded for her diligence, obedience, harmony, and purity. She is granted: a golden silk embroidered satin box with peony pattern, a pair of silver-white glazed porcelain flower-shaped cups, a pair of incense burners with twisted branch and lotus leaf design, a celadon-glazed porcelain vase with floral pattern, and a pair of soft pillows with auspicious cloud pattern embroidered in gold thread. This is the Imperial Decree!"

  "Thanks to your majesty's great kindness, long live our emperor, may he live forever!" We both shouted loudly.

  Zhou Muyan took the imperial edict from the eunuch's hand, stood up and pulled out a gold ingot, stuffed it into his hand, said a word of thanks, that eunuch smiled and accepted it, said a word of gratitude, and then left.

  He had just stepped out of the gate, when another group of eunuchs came from behind, still holding big and small things. It was indeed a reward sent by the Empress Dowager. I thanked her for her kindness and handed over the silver. Who knew that there were nearly ten groups of eunuchs who came to present gifts one after another? I simply knelt on the ground and didn't get up, anyway, anyone in the palace is my master, and I have to kneel.

  Then came the noble consorts, including Guifei, Shufei, Defei, Xianfei, Chenfei, Shuyuan, Shuyi, Shurong, Zhaohua, Zhao Yi, and Zhaorong. Heaven knows how many wives the emperor had! The most incomprehensible thing is that these women still had to give gifts to their husband's new wives as a gesture of friendship. No wonder so many men dream of becoming emperors!

  It wasn't easy to see off group after group, but finally I was left in peace. I stood up and rubbed my sore legs, carefully examining the things that those generous rivals had sent over.

  It's really true, worthy of the imperial palace, many things I've never seen in the Zhou Mansion before. Taking the gift list from Mu Yan's hand and taking a look, I was confused by the names in front of me. Just listening to the names, I know they're valuable things.

  Lan Yu Jingyu Qianyue drill one, Lan Tingyu Mengting drill one, white Qingyu diamond necklace one, pink Xiezhen Youmu earrings one pair, hollow carved crystal hairpin one, Jingtai blue coral earrings one pair, Liuyin Xi Que pearl flower one, Jin Leisi Tuo gold-plated pendant one, carved gold diamond inlaid jadeite cufflinks one pair, silver phoenix carved flower long hairpin one, white silver wrapped silk double-button cuff one, Jin Leisi inlaid ruby double-phoenix point jade step shake, cloisonné silver hairpin one, fallen petal fluttering jade head flower one, cumulative thread inlaid gemstone gold phoenix hairpin one.

  Mulberry green double-embroidered satin jacket one piece, osmanthus green chest-wrapping auspicious brocade underskirt one piece, turquoise horse-face skirt one piece, pink cloud-patterned silk gauze skirt one piece, accumulated pearl layered pink cloud-patterned qun skirt one piece, blue satin pinched flower double-sided outer garment one piece, white imperial flame skirt one piece.

  One piece of python satin, one piece of woven gold satin, one piece of makeup satin, one piece of Japanese satin, one piece of flash satin, one piece of golden letter satin, two pieces of cloud satin, and two pieces of white satin.

  Well, although the palace is very frugal when it comes to eating, in terms of gift-giving and socializing, there doesn't seem to be any sign of simplicity. Emperor, it seems that next time you want to cut down on taxes and expenses, you might as well get some from your wives.

  I held the gift list, smiled and looked at Mu Yan with a helpless face, and teased, "Hey, on the first day, there are so many people sending gifts. Our young master's face is really big. These things, you've made a lot of money!"

  She pursed her lips, shook her head, seemingly disagreeing with my point of view. She took out the purse she carried with her, which was originally bulging but now empty. One person, one gold ingot, indeed, perhaps this is what they call courtesy and reciprocity. Having received something from someone, it will eventually be returned, it seems that China's etiquette has been like this since ancient times!