Chapter 242: How Much Master Dotes on Qianqian
Chapter 242: How Much Master Dotes on Qianqian
The eunuch's words were like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, striking Wu Xiuniang's head. Her entire body trembled, and the blood drained from her face.
Kneeling on the ground in front of Tao Siyu, Wu Xiuniang's back was all Tao Siyu could see, unable to witness the panic in her eyes.
As Meng Qianqian's voice had been soft, Tao Siyu hadn't heard the word 'Shijie' either.
Tao Siyu was extremely pleased, "You've arrived at the perfect time, Lady Lu. With the main character present, let's see how you'll wriggle out of this now!"
Many of the ladies and young misses began whispering among themselves again.
The situation had become so dramatic that they never expected it.
Just now, when Meng Qianqian was arguing with Tao Siyu, she had said, "You're Wu Xiuniang's disciple? I also claim to be a disciple of Yunyu Pavilion's Master!"
Anyone could tell that she was boasting in a moment of panic, but who would've thought that both people she mentioned would enter the palace together?
This was truly a slap in the face, and it couldn't have been more embarrassing.
Meng Qianqian was incredibly unlucky.
Not to mention the female attendants, even Yao Qingluan believed that Meng Qianqian would find it hard to recover from this.
That Yunyu Pavilion's Yun Niangzi was notorious for being unapproachable. If someone dared to shamelessly claim to be her disciple, even if it was just boasting, she would likely still expose them mercilessly, even if Meng Qianqian had the entire Governor's Mansion backing her.
She remembered an incident from a few years ago in the capital. There was a famous embroidery shop that had purchased Yunyu Pavilion's embroidery and claimed it as their own.
Upon learning of this, Yun Niangzi went to the shop and had it torn down, then hired a storyteller to publicly shame them for a whole month in the capital.
This showed how terrible Meng Qianqian's situation would be.
"Your Majesty, we've long heard of Yun Niangzi's great name but never had the chance to meet her."
"Yes, Your Majesty, we also wish to meet Yun Niangzi."
You just want to be a bystander, don't you!
Yao Qingluan felt a headache coming on.
It wasn't that she wanted to protect Meng Qianqian, but what good would it do her to let Meng Qianqian lose face?
These women who loved gossip and drama were making things difficult for her.
Being an Empress wasn't easy, after all.
"Yunyu Pavilion's Yun Niangzi seeks an audience."
The eunuch outside announced again.
Usually, eunuchs would only announce once.
But this second announcement allowed Yao Qingluan to recognize the voice as that of Kang Youcheng, the trusted eunuch of the Empress Dowager in Kunming Palace.
Was it the Empress Dowager who sent for Yun Niangzi?
Then she had no choice but to grant an audience.
Moreover, she feared she couldn't do anything to influence Yun Niangzi or pressure her to spare Meng Qianqian.
The situation was truly... hopeless!
The Marquise Changning felt a surge of triumph. Her son might be a disappointment, but her daughter was exceptional.
You dead girl, just wait to lose face and become a laughingstock!
"Announce her," Yao Qingluan said.
The eunuch beside her announced, "Announcing—Yun Niangzi presents herself—"
Yun Xiayao entered with composure, like a painting of ink and wash slowly unfolding before everyone's eyes.
Yun Xiayao's features weren't exceptionally beautiful, but no one who saw her would think otherwise. She exuded a natural elegance that made others feel refreshed.
"Yunyu Pavilion's Yun Xiayao greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life."
She performed a kneeling bow, standing right beside Wu Xiuniang, "Yun Xiayao has an illness and cannot perform the full ritual. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Kang Youcheng smiled, "The Empress Dowager has waived Yun Niangzi's kneeling ritual."
Yao Qingluan nodded.
Meng Qianqian thought to herself, what illness? When they were chasing after Bao Shu, she ran faster than a rabbit.
But from this, Meng Qianqian became even more certain of one thing: Yun Xiayao's identity was definitely not simple, or she wouldn't have received such special treatment from the Empress Dowager.
"Yun Xiayao has a gift she wishes to present to Your Majesty."
Yun Xiayao spoke and opened the brocade box that Kang Youcheng had been holding.
A burst of vibrant rainbow light shot out, dazzlingly brilliant in an instant, causing everything else to pale in comparison.
It was a Golden Phoenix Silk Cloak, not a double-sided embroidery, but the phoenix on the cloak seemed to be imbued with divine essence. The onlookers only needed to glance at it to feel as if they could hear the phoenix's majestic cry soaring through the nine heavens.
Even without the opportunity to obtain it, just witnessing it was a blessing in this lifetime!
Yao Qingluan took a deep breath, suppressing her admiration and desire for the embroidery, "Yun Niangzi, I understand your kind intentions, but this silk cloak is too precious. I cannot accept it."
Yun Xiayao said, "Your Majesty, this silk cloak is not a wedding gift for you. It's a compensation gift from my disciple who caused trouble in Jingren Palace."
Large beads of cold sweat formed on Wu Xiuniang's forehead, trickling down her slightly trembling cheeks and plopping onto the ground.
At this moment, the Lady Secretary of Rites kindly reminded, "Yun Niangzi, you've misunderstood. It wasn't your disciple who caused trouble!"
Tao Siyu stood up and bowed, then smiled as she spoke, "Siyu greets Master! Your arrival is most timely. Someone is flaunting your embroidery, claiming it as her own work and even lying that she's your disciple! Fortunately, Master is in the palace and exposed her!"
Hearing this, Kang Youcheng looked around.
The palace maid from Jingren Palace, with keen observation, brought over the double-sided embroidered folding fan.
Yun Xiayao took the fan, glanced at it casually, and said to Wu Xiuniang, "Is this how you described it to them?"
Wu Xiuniang trembled like a sieve.
Only then did everyone realize something was amiss with her.
Yun Xiayao had arrived, and even Tao Siyu addressed her as Master, yet she hadn't greeted her own master and seemed to be in great discomfort.
"Master, are you feeling unwell?" Tao Siyu asked with concern.
Wu Xiuniang," Tao Siyu asked with concern.
Wu Xiuniang didn't answer her disciple but instead knelt and turned towards Yun Xiayao, "Master... I only said... it looks like yours..."
Yun Xiayao spoke coldly, "Where is the resemblance? After following me for ten years, don't you know I would never embroider like this? How dare you offer such craftsmanship? I'm talking about you!"
In the last sentence, she glared sternly at Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian blinked innocently and stood up, "I'm still learning, and this taste the sweetness of the concoction.
"Master... My disciple didn't mean to... I didn't know you were coming to the palace today..." Wu Xiuniang said in a panic.
Last night, Master had asked her to go to the palace and deliver a garment to the Empress Dowager. If the size wasn't right, she would alter it on the spot.
She hadn't expected Master to go to Kunming Palace as well.
Yun Xiayao spoke coldly, "Are you saying that if you knew I was there, you wouldn't have framed your junior sister?"
"Junior sister?" The Lady Secretary of Rites exclaimed, "Lady Lu... She's really Yun Niangzi's disciple?"
Tao Siyu was struck by lightning, looking at Meng Qianqian, "Master... How can she be your..."
Meng Qianqian was indeed Yun Xiayao's disciple, which made her Yun Xiayao's junior master. How could this be?
She had exhausted all her efforts and connections, only to become Wu Xiuniang's disciple?
What merits or abilities did Meng Qianqian possess to directly become Yun Xiayao's disciple?
Yun Xiayao spoke without mercy, "Don't call me Master. You're not worthy!"
Tao Siyu's face was filled with embarrassment.
Yun Xiayao continued, "A child's misconduct is a father's fault, inadequate teaching is a master's laziness. Having taught a disciple like you, I cannot avoid blame. From now on, I will no longer accept disciples."
"Master!" Wu Xiuniang cried out.
Xing Furen whispered, "Xiaojiu, she's disowned her disciple."
Yun Xiayao said to Wu Xiuniang, "Our master-disciple relationship ends here. Don't call me Master again."
Wu Xiuniang and Tao Siyu felt like the sky had fallen!
So early in the morning!
(End of Chapter)
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