The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 160

 

“Mo Lan, take this jar of wine away and bring His Highness’s Green Bamboo Leaf Liquor.” Mu Xi Yao hurriedly took the jar and thrust it into Mo Lan’s hands. 

Zong Zheng Lin was about to stop her, but Mu Xi Yao tugged at his sleeve and offered him a piece of peeled shrimp meat.

“Your Highness, try this. Qie diligently watched over the kitchen preparing the ingredients and steaming them in the steamer.” In reality, she was curious whether the live shrimps here were different from the ones she knew. Saying this now was just a way to divert Zong Zheng Lin’s attention.

The shrimps were steamed, suited to Zong Zheng Lin’s preference for light flavors. Being all delicate, Mu Xi Yao peeled only two of them, just for appearances. Zong Zheng Lin appreciated her efforts and made an exception, cooperating graciously and finishing all the food.

After the shrimp feast, Mu Xi Yao insisted on taking a bath, and just as Zong Zheng Lin was about to carry her to the back, he was called by Di Wu Yi Zhao to the study for a discussion.

“Mo Lan.” Seeing Zong Zheng Lin leave, Mu Xi Yao immediately called her.

“Mistress?” 

“Have the kitchen cook the remaining shrimp and include a few side dishes to be sent to the front yard. The Mister and Academician Gong probably haven’t eaten yet. When the Mister leaves, make sure he takes that half jar of osmanthus wine with him; it would be a shame to waste such a good thing.” 

Barely satisfactory? Qie will see to it that not a single drop is left when Qie gives it away. Let’s see if you can find any fault!

Having everything sorted out, Mu Xi Yao comfortably went to Shuangyan Pool to take a bath, leaving behind Hui Lan and Zhao Momo, who exchanged dismayed glances. Mu Xi Yao cherished the wine dearly before but now she was in a hurry to send it away? Was Mistress sulking because His Highness didn’t compliment her? 

After their meeting with Zong Zheng Lin came to an end, Di Wu Yi Zhao specifically thanked Cefei for preparing the meal before leaving with Gong Shu Yang. 

“Mister, please wait a moment.” Mo Lan took quick strides, managing to catch up with him at the drooping flower gate. “Mistress had requested this self-brewed osmanthus wine to be specially given to Mister for your evaluation.” 

Di Wu Yi Zhao was surprised. It was the first time Cefei had given a gift, and it was quite unexpected. This was something new. 

Observing the wine jar, it was exquisitely crafted, a clear reflection of its owner’s meticulousness. As he looked at the unsealed opening, Di Wu Yi Zhao pondered for a moment and eventually broke into a smile. His Highness seemed to have come today with a gentle expression.

If his speculation was not wrong… Di Wu Yi Zhao chuckled.

Cefei’s gesture was well-intended, but she had miscalculated this time. He accepted the gift gladly without saying much.

“Could Miss convey this humble one’s thanks to Cefei for her generous hospitality?”  

Mo Lan repeatedly expressed that she wouldn’t dare, politely bid her farewells, and then hurriedly returned to Danruo Courtyard. 

“Why are you so delighted, Mister?” Gong Shu Yang, after all, was not as experienced and worldly-wise as Di Wu Yi Zhao, and there were certain things at this moment that he simply couldn’t understand no matter what. 

Di Wu Yi Zhao raised the exquisite wine jar in his hand and smiled cunningly.

“It’s not delight, but rather a sentiment.” Di Wu Yi Zhao waved his hand and sighed while stroking his beard. “I’m afraid I won’t have a chance to enjoy Cefei’s craft. What a pity, what a pity!” 

Mo Lan was Mu Xi Yao’s most capable chief maidservant. As she walked by, other maids and old servants would pause their work and greet her with a smile whenever they saw her. Mo Lan was kind in nature, so she responded courteously. She had just passed through the second gate and had taken only a few steps when she was intercepted by Wei Zhen on her way.

“Commander Wei?” Judging from his appearance, was he also heading to Danruo Courtyard? Coming over at this time, could it be to report tasks to the Mistress?

“Miss Mo Lan, I didn’t expect to encounter you here. What a coincidence. Master instructed this subordinate to fetch the remaining jar of wine. Since I’ve met you here, I’d trouble Miss to pass on a message to Mistress Yao.” 

Wei Zhen turned and continued walking. He deliberately slowed his pace, waiting for Mo Lan to follow along. After taking two steps, he noticed that there was no one beside him. Feeling puzzled, he turned around and found Mo Lan standing in the same spot, her eyes wide open, staring straight at him. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

“Miss?” Why was she suddenly looking at him like a silly? Wei Zhen was perplexed. Among the two chief maidservants attending to Mistress Yao, Mo Lan was usually smarter and more composed than Hui Lan. 

“Sir Wei, didn’t the front yard request the Green Bamboo Leaf Liquor from Danruo Courtyard?” Mo Lan tentatively spoke up, a sense of foreboding creeping over her. This was going to be troublesome! No wonder the Mistress urged her to deliver the wine quickly. 

“Why would His Highness want Green Bamboo Leaf Liquor? He wishes for the Osmanthus Wine personally made by Mistress Yao.” She was usually quite a smart girl, so why did she seem to lack her usual wits today? 

Mo Lan was so anxious she stomped her feet and her face instantly turned distressed as she looked at Wei Zhen. “Sir, it’s not possible to retrieve the wine. The Mistress just now gave it away along with the jar to someone else.” 

As the words fell, it was Wei Zhen’s turn to be dumbfounded. He simply stared at the maidservant in front of him, feeling a chill in his heart.

“Gave it away?” Sir Wei couldn’t believe it, and his voice suddenly rose, attracting the curious old maidservants, who were sweeping the corridor, to look over their way. 

——

“Mistress, are you quarreling with His Highness?” Zhao Momo carefully observed Mu Xi Yao’s expression. 

“Not really, Qie is not that idle.” Mu Xi Yao rolled her eyes. She was in a very good mood right now. This bathwater with added ingredients was incredibly relaxing to soak in. 

Zhao Momo still didn’t believe her. “If so, aren’t you heartbroken about giving away that jar, which you treasured so much? You’ve been eagerly anticipating it for a year, haven’t you?”

Mu Xi Yao stretched out her hands and swept the flower petals on the water. Her face, as lovely as a hibiscus, was rosy and smooth. She smiled with a vivacious glint in her eyes, delighted beyond measure. “Not heartbroken. Not at all.” She brewed the wine for novelty, how sentimental could she be? Then again, she was not a drinker.

The real one who was genuinely heartbroken has been resolute with his words. Serves him right that he doesn’t get to drink it now! Upon thinking about the big boss being bested, Mu Xi Yao cheerfully hummed a melody and merrily played in the water as if no one else was around, while Zhao Momo looked on with an odd expression. 

——

Wei Zhen stood outside the study with slumped shoulders, unsure and hesitating. He better choose his words wisely, or His Highness might take his anger out on him. 

“How long are you going to stand there?” Zong Zheng Lin’s martial arts skills were exceptional. He already knew Wei Zhen was outside the door. What has he stumbled upon to trouble him, hesitating outside and not daring to enter the room?

“Your Highness.” Wei Zhen lowered his head, not daring to look up. 

“Have you completed the task?” Zong Zheng Lin put down his brush, and his expression darkened upon seeing him empty-handed. 

Here it comes! Wei Zhen sighed inwardly.

“Your Highness, the wine..Mistress Yao gave it away to someone.” Wei Zhen said it all in one breath and dared not speak further.

After waiting for a while and hearing no response, he was about to tentatively raise his head when he heard His Highness coldly ask, “Who did she give it to?” 

“It was given to Mister to take with him.” Why was Mistress Yao such a troublemaker? Master had only left for a short while, and she had already stirred up something new. Sir Wei felt utterly helpless. Why did he always end up encountering such unlucky situations? 

Mu Xi Yao! Zong Zheng Lin’s phoenix eyes deepened and he recalled how she had deliberately stopped him from giving orders. It was only now that he realized that the little woman had already made up her mind at that time, yet she kept it a secret from him until the matter was settled. 

Did she choose to send the wine to Di Wu Yi Zhao because she thought that he, Zong Zheng Lin, couldn’t swallow his pride and hence had no way to deal with her? 

Zong Zheng Lin lightly tapped on the table. It seems that woman hasn’t realized yet that there were certain things that couldn’t be touched, and were not for her to joke about. 

“Go and fetch the Jade Wine to be sent to Mister, and say that Cefei mistakenly took the wrong wine.” 

Given Mister’s sharpness, he should have already noticed something amiss. Since he has openly received the gift, he should be waiting for him to offer a tribute wine in return. 

Because of Mu Xi Yao, last time he had lost a fine tea in the Grand Prince of Yi’s residence, and now it was the peerless wine. How should he recover this debt? 

Wei Zhen abruptly raised his head and, upon meeting the icy gaze of His Highness, quickly averted his eyes. Although it was just a fleeting glance, the anger in His Highness’s eyes was unmistakable. 

After Mistress Yao sent this gift out, His Highness was finding another way to retrieve it? Even he could easily see through this excuse, let alone someone as shrewd and intelligent as Mister. This matter truly has become a spectacle for others to be amused by. 

“This subordinate will take care of it right away.” Wei Zhen exited the room and sighed deeply as he looked up at the bright moon above his head. 

Forcibly buying the hummingbird from the Princess Household, demanding the wine that was given away; what other shameful things did he need to do to clean up the mess for Mistress Yao? 

Mu Xi Yao lazily leaned against the bedhead, flipping through the storybook she had asked someone to fetch for her, savoring it with great interest. Just as she was amused by the charming and overly dramatic dialogues in the book, she saw Zong Zheng Lin entering with a solemn expression. 

Hmm? Why was this man reacting like this? Mu Xi Yao was puzzled. Wasn’t he supposed to come in with a grim face to settle the score with her and give her bottom a few firm spanks to resolve the matter? 

She had already considered all possible methods of punishment, which shows that this woman was aware of the wrongdoings and still did it on purpose. 

“Jiao Jiao, did you not say that the wine was brewed for Bendian?” Very well, she absolutely had no remorse for the wrongdoing she committed as she happily read the damned nonsensical book.  

Mu Xi Yoa blinked, “Yes, it was originally brewed for Your Highness. But since Your Highness didn’t like it, Qie gave it away.” Why did this development seem a bit off? 

“If that’s the case, how could Jiao Jiao move Bendian’s possession?” Zong Zheng Lin walked over and lifted her chin, looking straight into the woman’s eyes that were as clear and bright as autumn water.  

‘Bendian’s possession’? Mu Xi Yao frowned. While the wine was brewed for you, boss, the ownership doesn’t transfer so quickly, does it? 

“Don’t understand?” Zong Zheng Lin leaned closer, stopping just half a foot away from her. Mu Xi Yao looked at the stern face of the man before her, and she clearly sensed that he was angry at the moment. Could it be that she unintentionally stepped on the landmine and violated Zong Zheng Lin’s taboo? 

Mu Xi Yao lowered her gaze, quickly pondering which of the boss’s taboos she might have violated. After thinking it over several times, she suddenly understood: she had not shown enough respect for boss and touched something he had privately claimed as his possession.

It’s just such a small matter. Why don’t you explain it clearly? If Qie knew that you were so petty, even if the wine went bad, Qie would never dare to act on Qie’s own. 

Adopting a sincere attitude, Mu Xi Yao tentatively inquired, “Cannot dispose of Your Highness’s things at will? Needs to give a heads-up beforehand?” 

Zong Zheng Lin’s anger only grew instead of subsiding. How could she still not figure it out at this point? Did this woman’s thoughts revolve solely around this jar of wine, without considering anything deeper?

Is it still not right? Mu Xi Yao was truly troubled. What exactly was the principle behind this? Just tell Qie straight! 

“Your Highness, don’t you often complain Qie’s lack of wit? It seems that Qie has fallen into this bad habit right now.” Mu Xi Yao was very straightforward. If she didn’t get something, she simply didn’t, and it remained so even after a day of thinking. Either she takes her time to figure it out until it becomes clear, or he gives her a clear explanation to avoid unnecessary frustration. 

Zong Zheng Lin observed her and sensed that she wasn’t pretending. Her expression showed irritation and her eyebrows were knitted tightly. This appearance…his large hand, which held Mu Xi Yao’s chin, slowly caressed her cheek. 

“To think Bendian had encountered someone so clueless.” Zong Zheng Lin sighed. Getting angry with Mu Xi Yao was more exhausting than going to war. This woman was really good at infuriating people. Even though she was the one who made the mistake, he always ended up being the first to compromise.

This time was even more exasperating. Surprisingly, she had a look of impatience, waiting for him to give an explanation. The roles had completely reversed.

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Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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