Chapter 122: Delivering Ice
Page 1 of 3
That day, after everyone had left, Mu Ranshuang obediently slept for the entire day. Apart from rising at dinnertime to take a few sips of medicinal porridge, she slept until the following morning before finally waking completely.
Worried about Mu Ranshuang’s condition and wanting to care for her more conveniently, Yuan Dou moved her own bed in from the outer room and slept not far from Mu Ranshuang’s bedside.
When Mu Ranshuang awoke, Yuan Dou was keeping watch over her. Seeing that she looked somewhat better, Yuan Dou’s face brightened with a faint smile.
“Miss, you slept for a full day and night. You must be hungry. I cooked some porridge and have been keeping it warm over the stove. It should be just right to eat now.”
After helping Mu Ranshuang wash and dress, Yuan Dou served her breakfast and suggested that she sleep a little longer. Mu Ranshuang, however, felt she had slept too much already. Even if she lay down now, she would not be able to fall asleep for a while, so she thought it better to move her limbs a little in the courtyard.
Yuan Dou remained as tense as if facing a formidable enemy, following closely at her side. Before long, Mu Ranshuang was persuaded to return to bed.
She had thought she would be unable to sleep again, but the weakness of her body exceeded her expectations. In barely any time at all, she sank into slumber once more.
It was not until she awoke that evening that she truly felt her body beginning to recover.
The hour for dinner had already passed, so Yuan Dou cooked some easily digestible pastries and brought them in.
She also brought Mu Ranshuang some important news.
“Her Ladyship the Noble Consort is holding another banquet, supposedly to make amends for the accident at the last one?”
Mu Ranshuang stirred her spoon. The reason did not sound very convincing.
“When did this happen?”
“This afternoon. You were still asleep then. The eunuch who delivered the decree specifically instructed us not to wake you, saying that the Noble Consort had ordered you to rest properly and not be disturbed.”
Yuan Dou sighed with emotion. “Her Ladyship the Noble Consort is truly kind and benevolent. No wonder His Majesty favors her so much.”
Mu Ranshuang knew it could not be that simple. Of all the possible times for the Noble Consort to hold a banquet, why choose this moment, when the winds were shifting and the clouds were gathering?
Given the Noble Consort’s temperament, after suffering one humiliating incident after another at the previous banquet, she had come to despise the very word “banquet.” It was highly unlikely that she would arrange another one so soon.
There had to be something suspicious about this.
And the more suspicious it was, the more determined Mu Ranshuang was to attend.
When something departed so sharply from the norm, there was bound to be a hidden monster behind it.
The next morning, after washing and dressing, Mu Ranshuang went as usual to pay her respects to Madam Qin.
Her body had not yet recovered. After walking only a few steps, she was already slightly short of breath. Things that would normally have been effortless became arduous when she was weak.
But she had no choice but to go.
Suppressing the urge to vomit brought on by her dizziness, Mu Ranshuang forced herself to stand and offer her greetings.
“Quickly, get up. You poor child, your health is still poor, so you should be resting in bed. What does it matter if you miss a few days here with Grandmother? As long as you have this filial heart, Grandmother is satisfied.”
Madam Qin hurriedly helped Mu Ranshuang up and had her sit down to rest. Holding her hand, she spoke several words of concern.
Page 1 of 3
Page 2 of 3
Before long, the other young ladies of the Mu family arrived one after another. In the past, Mu Ranmei and Mu Ranli would come together, but now that Mu Ranmei had married, Mu Ranli came alone.
Although she and Mu Xiyue lived in the same compound, Mu Ranli was unwilling to walk alongside her.
Once everyone had arrived, Madam Qin surveyed them and brought up the matter at hand.
“You all know by now that the Noble Consort sent word yesterday. She will be holding another banquet tonight to entertain her guests. Our Mu family is fortunate enough to have been invited.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the ladies below displayed a variety of expressions.
Mu Ranli and Mu Niandie could not conceal their delight and eagerness. Mu Ranshuang remained composed, while Mu Xiyue’s face showed no joy at all. Instead, she looked alarmed.
Madam Qin took in all their reactions and sighed inwardly. People often said that the soil and water of a place shaped its people, but even members of the same family could harbor entirely different thoughts.
“Go back and make your preparations. Do not behave improperly at the banquet.” Madam Qin offered no further comment, merely reminding the young ladies of the Mu family.
They should have dispersed then, but Mu Ranli had something to say.
“Grandmother, banquets are exhausting. There is always socializing and the need to entertain others. Even those of us in good health are worn out after attending one.”
She turned toward Mu Ranshuang with concern. “Eldest Sister’s timing was truly unfortunate, falling ill at a moment like this. Grandmother, just look at her complexion. She looks dreadful even here at home. If she attends the banquet, won’t the exertion only make her illness worse?”
The moment she finished speaking, Mu Niandie understood her true intention and hurriedly supported her.
“That’s right, Grandmother. Third Sister makes a good point. It would not only hinder Eldest Sister’s recovery, but everyone at the banquet will be an honored guest. They are coming to celebrate and enjoy themselves. If Eldest Sister cannot hold out halfway through and something happens, would that not be terribly improper?”
Their gazes met in midair for an instant. Both immediately understood that the other harbored the same thoughts as she did.
Neither of them truly cared about Mu Ranshuang’s health. They merely wanted to ruin her chance to distinguish herself at the banquet. After all, this was a banquet personally hosted by the Noble Consort, and the guests would all be powerful and influential figures. How many people would go to any lengths just to become familiar faces in front of them?
Mu Ranli was determined to marry into a prestigious family, so naturally she wanted to establish good relations with the nobles. If she could win their favor while forcing Mu Ranshuang to remain at home and envy her, that would be all the better.
Madam Qin’s medical knowledge was considerable, and she could see Mu Ranshuang’s condition at a glance. However, since Mu Ranshuang had not raised the matter herself, Madam Qin could not openly order her to stay behind.
This was an excellent opportunity to establish authority, but also one in which that authority could easily be damaged.
If Mu Ranshuang failed to attend the banquet, she would lose one more accomplishment she could boast of. The other sisters would then find the courage to criticize her.
Within an aristocratic household, establishing authority was difficult, but losing it could happen in the blink of an eye. For the sake of Mu Ranshuang’s standing in the Mu family, Madam Qin was worried about her health, yet she could not be the one to make such a suggestion.
As the elder who had watched Mu Ranshuang grow up, Madam Qin did not wish to see her suffer any possible disadvantage.
Especially after seeing how obvious Mu Ranli’s intentions were, she could only sigh inwardly that her judgment had been correct.
Still, now that Mu Ranli had brought the matter up, there had to be a solution. Madam Qin could use her own authority to suppress Mu Ranli, but that would not be the best course of action. If Mu Ranli became humiliated and enraged, she would only target Mu Ranshuang even more in the future.
Madam Qin turned toward Mu Ranshuang and was just about to ask her opinion when Mu Ranshuang spoke first.
“Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I feel much better now. I should still be able to endure attending one or two banquets.”
Pretending to be concerned was something anyone could master with a little practice. Mu Ranshuang felt that her performance had been at least three parts more sincere than Mu Ranli’s.
Page 2 of 3
Page 3 of 3
After rejecting Mu Ranli’s malicious suggestion outright, Mu Ranshuang said to Madam Qin, “Grandmother, this banquet has been specially arranged by the Noble Consort to make up for the regrets of the previous one. As the legitimate daughter of the Mu family, if I were absent merely because I was unwell, those who knew the circumstances would understand. But those who did not…”
She left the rest unsaid, but how could Madam Qin fail to understand? The Noble Consort was notorious for bearing grudges. By then, it would not merely be possible for her to become angry—she certainly would, believing that the Mu family had deliberately slighted her.
Madam Qin had already felt that Mu Ranshuang ought not to remain behind. Now she was even more certain. Moreover, from Mu Ranshuang’s attitude, it was clear that she was determined to go.
Although Madam Qin felt some heartache at the thought of Mu Ranshuang attending while ill, she still decided to let her accompany them.
“Pay attention to yourself when the time comes. Find opportunities to rest, and do not force yourself too much.” Other than that, there was no better solution.
“Thank you, Grandmother. I will be careful.”
Mu Ranshuang had to go. She had to find out what was really going on.
Once Madam Qin had spoken, the matter was settled. No matter how resentful Mu Ranli and Mu Niandie felt, they could only endure it.
Mu Ranli had rarely found such a good opportunity to harm someone, yet in the end she had still missed it. She could not entirely maintain a calm facade in front of Madam Qin, so she gave a quiet snort, then took Mu Xiyue and excused herself.
“What are you looking at? You had better make it clear who is truly family with you!”
Once they had passed through the outer gate, Mu Ranli could no longer keep her anger in check. She reached out and twisted Mu Xiyue’s arm hard.
“Do not think I do not know that you have been secretly associating with that little wretch, Mu Ranshuang. Do you think flattering her a few times will make her stand up for you? Stop dreaming!”
Thinking of the look in Mu Ranshuang’s eyes just moments earlier, Mu Ranli’s anger, which had barely subsided, flared again.
“A lowly, arrogant woman like her would never care whether a minor illegitimate daughter like you lived or died! Remember this: if I catch you shamelessly fawning over that wretch again, I will tell Mother!”
With that, she shoved Mu Xiyue aside and stormed off on her own.
Clutching her throbbing arm, Mu Xiyue hurried after her. Mu Ranli could abandon her on a whim, but Mu Xiyue did not dare simply leave by herself.
If Mu Ranli looked back and discovered that Mu Xiyue had not followed, it would give her yet another excuse to vent her anger on Mu Xiyue and her mother.
Not long after they left, Mu Ranshuang also excused herself. In front of others, she could not reveal her weakness, and she had to keep her posture straight. She was beginning to find it difficult to hold on.
Afterward, Mu Niandie left as well.
Madam Qin stared at the empty doorway and sighed.
Once Mu Ranshuang returned to her room, she took several pills to replenish her blood and vital energy. After resting for a while, she felt considerably better.
Supporting herself against the table, she slowly sat down. She was genuinely worried about entering the palace in her current condition. Tonight’s banquet was clearly a feast set to ensnare her. If she was even slightly careless, she might fall into the trap.
After thinking it over, Mu Ranshuang took out all the medicines she had carefully stored away and selected several that could serve as protection, carrying as many as she could on her person.
She had to do everything possible to protect herself. If necessary, she would not show mercy.
Page 3 of 3