Chapter 116: Entrusting

Chapter 116

Entrusting

Mu Rongying didn’t accompany the General to see him off and had no idea whether he truly entrusted Kang Wang with helping arrange the children’s first birthday celebration. Now, as the adopted sister of Nie Shuang, it was inevitable that she would bear some responsibility if a celebration were to take place. After Teacher He left, she motioned for Kang Wang to go see Nie Shuang.

“Please proceed, Your Highness.”

Kang Wang didn’t move forward but instead grabbed her wrist, holding it gently. Startled, Mu Rongying looked up to find his expression serious and focused.

“Your voice is hoarse, like someone who might be unwell. I have some knowledge of medicine—let me check your pulse to see if you’re alright.”

He pressed his strong fingers against her wrist. His touch was warm, making her feel a strange sensation. Glancing up discreetly, she saw that his face remained stern, with no sign of improper intent. Perhaps she was just overthinking things.

“I’m fine, really. I just used my voice too much earlier. A little water will help.”

Despite her words, her cheeks flushed with warmth. Though she had resolved to move on, he was still a man she admired.

"Health is not something to be taken lightly. When illness comes, it’s like a mountain collapsing; when it leaves, it’s like a delicate silk thread,"

He said in a scolding tone. Then he turned to the maids.

"Go inform Lady Boss that I am here. She’s likely busy with the children, so this will give her some time to prepare. Young Miss Nie and I will follow shortly."

The maids obeyed and left the room, except for Chunmei, who lingered. Kang Wang gave her a pointed look, signaling her to leave as well. Although Chunmei knew about the relationship between Kang Wang and her young miss, it still wasn’t proper for a man and woman to be alone together. She tried to catch her young miss’s eye, but Kang Wang moved to block her view and shot her a sharp, authoritative glance. Chunmei had no choice but to step outside the room reluctantly. After a moment, Kang Wang spoke.

"Your body has absorbed too much cold. You should rest more for now. You can delay teaching Teacher He for a while."

His face remained serious as he released her wrist, showing respectful and proper behavior. There was no sense of impropriety in his touch. While Mu Rongying understood that he was concerned for her, she had no intention of abandoning her task of teaching Teacher He. Whatever task Sister Nie Shuang assigned her, she would carry out diligently. However, she kept her thoughts to herself. After taking her pulse, Kang Wang clasped his hands behind his back and began walking.

“Let’s go see Nie Shuang.”

Mu Rongying gave a quiet reply and hurried to catch up with his tall figure. The warmth of his touch still lingered on her skin, and she wondered if he had any idea how fast her heart was racing.

As they stepped out of the room, a cold wind blew, causing Mu Rongying to shiver slightly. Inside, with the brazier, she hadn’t felt the cold as much. Chunmei, who was waiting outside, approached with a cloak for her, but before she could help her young miss, Kang Wang gave her another warning look. He removed his own soft-colored cloak and draped it over Mu Rongying’s shoulders. By now, if Chunmei didn’t understand Kang Wang’s intentions, she would be a fool. She quickly excused herself, saying she would prepare some tea, and hurried away.

"Your Highness, this...I already have a cloak..."

Mu Rongying said shyly, glancing towards Chunmei, but the maid had already walked far off with her cloak.

“I’m not cold. Let’s go quickly; we don’t want to keep Nie Shuang waiting,”

Kang Wang said, starting to walk again. As they walked down the long corridor, they remained silent. Mu Rongying tried to slow her pace to follow behind Kang Wang, but he slowed his own steps to walk beside her. His tall figure seemed to act as a shield against the cold wind blowing through.

Mu Rongying saw everything and silently felt grateful. Even if she could only admire him from afar, she would be content. Kang Wang was too high to reach, while she was no longer Young Miss Mu from the Grand Chancellor’s manor—just an ordinary woman who wasn’t worthy of him.

When Nie Shuang saw the two of them arriving together, she greeted them warmly, although she was surprised to see Mu Rongying with him, knowing she should have been teaching Teacher He. Her eyes briefly glanced at the cloak draped over Mu Rongying’s shoulders, but she remained silent. A maid came to pour tea for the two of them, and after taking a sip, Kang Wang began to speak.

"Today, I wanted to discuss with you, Shuang Shuang, about the first birthday celebration for the triplets. What do you think about holding it at the Wang’s palace? I could make it known that Xiao Hua Hua is my goddaughter."

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but I intend to keep the celebration private, inviting only close family and a few familiar guests,”

Nie Shuang replied. She wanted the important day to feel warm and intimate for her children, not full of strangers they barely knew. It was unfortunate that Song Qilin wouldn’t be there; otherwise, the celebration would have been a grand affair.

“Mm, as you wish then,”

Kang Wang agreed easily. Nie Shuang then turned to Mu Rongying.

"Didn’t you have to teach Teacher He how to brew tea? Why did you come with His Highness?"

Mu Rongying dabbed her lips with a cloth before answering.

“I finished teaching just as His Highness arrived. When I heard you would be discussing the birthday celebration, I thought I might be of help, so I followed His Highness here.”

"Finished already? Isn’t there a lot of detail involved in tea brewing?"

Nie Shuang asked, surprised.

“We didn’t finish, not really. Today was only the theory portion. Teacher He will return tomorrow for the practical lesson.”

Hearing this, Kang Wang slightly furrowed his brows but remained silent.

Nie Shuang smiled, looking between the two of them before speaking again.

“Actually, I have something I’ve been meaning to tell both of you. After the children’s first birthday celebration, I’ve decided to return to the capital. I haven’t told anyone about this yet.”

Kang Wang and Mu Rongying were both taken aback when they heard this. They hadn’t expected her to make such a choice. Kang Wang, clearly concerned, quickly asked,

“What happened? Why have you decided this so suddenly? If there’s anything troubling you, just tell me, Shuang Shuang. I can help solve any issue you’re facing.”

Mu Rongying, too, didn’t want to think about it. She respected Nie Shuang like an older sister who had shown her great kindness. She had been committed to dedicating her life to working under her. If Nie Shuang were to leave, she would feel lost. And if Nie Shuang wasn’t here, what would become of the thriving tea house business they had built in Huangjing?

“Don’t be alarmed, both of you. I’ve simply decided to open a tea house like this one in the capital, so I need to go and oversee things personally. As for you, Yingying, you’ve already learned how to manage the accounts, haven’t you? From now on, that responsibility will be yours. Every three months, just send someone to bring the accounts to me for review in the capital,”

Nie Shuang reassured them. However, Yingying’s face still showed signs of worry. No matter how dire the situation had been in the past, as long as Sister Nie Shuang was there, she had always felt secure. If Sister Nie Shuang left, she wasn’t sure she could handle everything on her own.

“Sister Nie Shuang, I am honored that you trust me to manage your assets and business, but I don’t think I can do it on my own. If you’re not here, how will I manage?”

“Don’t worry. Da Shi and Wang Dongpo are still here, and you have the butler as well. If you encounter any issues, consult with them. And if things are beyond your capacity, remember I’m still in the capital.”

Nie Shuang turned to Kang Wang and saying,

“Your Highness, Yingying will be alone here. Could I entrust her to your care?”

Kang Wang kept a neutral expression, but his eyes lit up with delight.

“If Shuang Shuang asks, how could I refuse? If you are going to expand your business in the capital, then go ahead. Don’t worry about things here. I’ll help take care of it,”He said before raising his teacup, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly in satisfaction.