38
The next day, Duan Linzhou really didn’t get up.
He slept in a groggy daze. It was only after Mu Peixuan checked his pulse that he felt slightly reassured, but the faint and feeble rhythm still made his brows knit tightly.
That day was clear and pleasant. Yu Jing and Xu Fangyi came in the afternoon to bid farewell, saying there were still matters to attend to in the city and they had to return to Ruizhou first.
With the end of the year approaching, these few days away had already been a stolen slice of leisure.
Yu Jing was attentive. Not seeing Duan Linzhou, he asked about him. Mu Peixuan vaguely replied that Duan Linzhou had caught a chill in the mountains and was still resting.
After a moment’s thought, Yu Jing said, “Some years ago, my mother invited a retired imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau to help with her health. His skills are quite decent. He’s in Yunzhou now, I’ll send him a message when I return and ask him to make a trip to Ruizhou.”
Mu Peixuan felt a warmth in his heart and said, “Thank you, Second Brother.”
Yu Jing gave a small laugh and said, “We’re brothers, what’s there to thank? Boss Duan is your princess consort. It’s rare for you to truly like someone, so of course we’re all hoping the best for you two.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Who says I like him?”
Xu Fangyi clicked his tongue and said, “Even a blind man could see it. You even insisted on riding together during the hunt, tsk—” He rubbed his arms and shook his head with a sigh. “So caught up in romance, so caught up in romance, it’s unbearably sappy.”
Mu Peixuan: “……”
He argued stubbornly, “Duan Linzhou’s health isn’t good. He can’t stand the cold. I was just worried he’d catch a chill and ruin the fun.”
Yu Jing let out a low laugh.
Xu Fangyi hooked an arm around Mu Peixuan’s shoulder, lowered his voice, and said, “It’s true that it’s hard for a zhongyong to have children, but it’s not impossible either. I have an older cousin who married a zhongyong — they even had a little kunze a few years ago.”
He said, “When he comes to pay his New Year’s greetings this year, I’ll help ask for some advice for you.”
Mu Peixuan was speechless. He brushed Xu Fangyi’s hand away and muttered, “No need.”
Yu Jing nodded and said, “Right now there’s no need yet. First, you have to get his health back in order…”
“Second Brother—” Mu Peixuan’s ears turned slightly red as he hurriedly cut Yu Jing off. Yu Jing and Xu Fangyi, rarely seeing Mu Peixuan so flustered, both burst out laughing.
Yu Jing and Xu Fangyi were the first to leave.
Li Yue, Xu Ying, and the others stayed an extra day at the manor. Mu Peixuan remained behind to look after Duan Linzhou while they went off to amuse themselves, perfectly content.
Duan Linzhou slept until noon. He woke up once in a daze, only to be half-held by Mu Peixuan, who fed him half a bowl of porridge and medicine. His eyes were barely open, his body soft and weak.
Mu Peixuan was on the verge of sending Fen Mo to the city to fetch a physician, but he was persuaded otherwise by Liu Guang. Having been by Duan Linzhou’s side for a long time, Liu Guang knew a little about medicine as well. He was aware that Duan Linzhou and Mu Peixuan had gone to the hot spring bath the previous night, and now, after just one night, Duan Linzhou had ended up in such a state. Even though Liu Guang was still inexperienced, he could vaguely guess what had happened, and his ears turned slightly red.
Though Liu Guang felt a faint resentment in his heart, he had been taught by Duan Linzhou himself and knew what to say and what not to say. He pressed his lips together and chose not to speak further.
Moreover, he understood why Duan Linzhou had married Mu Peixuan. Now, seeing Mu Peixuan becoming increasingly attentive toward Duan Linzhou, Liu Guang felt a sense of relief, though it was mixed with a hint of pity.
Duan Linzhou slept for as long as Mu Peixuan sat in the room.
He held a scroll in his hands, but throughout the entire morning, only a few pages had been turned. The blanket covering Duan Linzhou was adjusted and tucked several times.
Duan Linzhou was slender, his wrists pale and delicate, with the bones slightly protruding. When he extended his hand from under the blanket, Mu Peixuan wrapped his entire wrist in his palm. Finding it uncomfortable, he couldn’t help but gently move his fingers.
Duan Linzhou was unaware, completely unresponsive.
The room was empty, the door tightly closed, and the window was half open, leaving only the two of them. Mu Peixuan continued to play with his fingers until they grew warm. Suddenly, those fingers twitched, and Mu Peixuan quickly shoved his hand back under the quilt, his expression returning to one of calm indifference.
Duan Linzhou woke up a while later. Hugging the quilt, he blinked drowsily for quite a while before hoarsely calling out, “Liu Guang.”
He pressed his fingers to his temples and asked, “What time is it?”
“A quarter past noon.”
Hearing the voice, Duan Linzhou looked up and saw Mu Peixuan sitting on a round wooden stool, still holding a scroll in his hand. He paused in surprise and said, “I slept that long?”
Mu Peixuan gave no clear answer.
Duan Linzhou propped himself up in bed and said, “At this hour, why is Your Highness still here?”
Mu Peixuan replied indifferently, “Second Brother Yu and Fangyi have already returned to the city. Xu Ying and Li Yue went up the mountain.”
He added, “A few urgent documents were sent over this morning that needed handling.”
Duan Linzhou nodded. Still groggy, his reactions were slow as he said, “I should have seen them off.”
Mu Peixuan gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile and said, “It’s nothing. They’re not outsiders — they don’t care about such formalities.”
Outside the room, Liu Guang heard the sounds within and brought over everything needed for washing up. Duan Linzhou, eyes half-closed, washed his face and pressed a warm cloth against it, letting out a long sigh of relief. But Mu Peixuan’s mention of the urgent documents suddenly flashed through his mind. He glanced at Mu Peixuan again, wondering — was it because of him that Mu Peixuan had stayed behind at the manor?
Duan Linzhou had slept for so long that it felt like he had been dreaming, yet also somehow real — hazy and indistinct. He vaguely remembered being held in Mu Peixuan’s arms and fed a bowl of medicine.
Duan Linzhou thought it must have been a dream.
He looked at Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan’s face showed little expression as he said, “What are you looking at me for?”
Duan Linzhou opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed it back. He shook his head with a smile and said, “It’s nothing.”
“When are we returning to the city?”
Mu Peixuan said, “Tomorrow, I suppose.”
39
They stayed an extra day at the manor before heading down the mountain together and returning to the city the next day.
It had been a long time since Duan Linzhou had enjoyed such carefree and pleasant days. Before getting into the carriage, he glanced back at the manor.
Mu Peixuan caught the look and said, “If you like it, we can come back for a few days after the New Year when we have some free time.”
Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan, smiled, and said, “Alright.”
Mu Peixuan said, “When spring comes and the fields are being sown, the apricot blossoms on the mountain will bloom one after another. It’s a completely different scene from the harsh winter.”
Duan Linzhou said with a trace of longing, “When spring comes, let’s come again.”
Xu Ying rode over and said, “Boss Duan, you two aren’t allowed to sneak off alone — you have to bring us along too.”
Duan Linzhou chuckled and glanced at Fang Yuan, who was sitting on his horse with a veil. Fang Yuan had just parted the veil and gave Duan Linzhou a helpless smile, saying, “Xu Ying.”
As soon as he spoke, Xu Ying immediately responded, “Aye! I’m coming!” “Boss Duan, you must remember ah!”
Mu Peixuan gave his horse a lash on the rear and said, “Why is it that you’re everywhere?”
Xu Ying yelped, “Ow!” and cursed under his breath as he pulled on the reins, “You attacked me again.”
Mu Peixuan let out a cold snort.
Li Yue said, “Alright, alright, time to head back.”
With that, the group made their way noisily down the mountain, most of the commotion coming from Xu Ying — asking Fang Yuan if he was thirsty, if he was tired, even calling for him to look whenever a flock of birds passed across the vast sky.
Fang Yuan answered him with great patience, his pale fingers holding the reins, his figure as upright as bamboo, carrying a quiet grace like pine and jade.
Duan Linzhou clicked his tongue in admiration at the sight.
Mu Peixuan was riding his horse alongside the carriage window when Duan Linzhou called out, “Xiao Junwang.”
Mu Peixuan guided his horse closer. “Hmm?”
Duan Linzhou lowered his voice and said, “Xu Ying is fond of Fang Yuan, and Fang Yuan is not without feeling for him either. They grew up together — so why…”
Among noble families, it was common for Tianqian and Kunze to marry early. Xu Ying was three or four years older than Mu Peixuan, yet he and Fang Yuan were still not betrothed.
Mu Peixuan glanced at the two of them and said in a low voice, “Fang Yuan’s father, Headmaster Fang, disapproves of Xu Ying’s unruly nature. On top of that, Xu Ying has yet to make his own mark — even his post as a Qianhu was gained through ancestral merit. So Headmaster Fang intends to temper his character a little first.”
In truth, if Fang Yuan had not been fond of Xu Ying — and if their families had not been close neighbors, with the two growing up together — Headmaster Fang would likely have arranged another match for Fang Yuan long ago.
Duan Linzhou smiled and said, “I rather think Xu Ying’s childlike nature and sincere affection for Fang Yuan would make for a fine marriage if they were to wed.”
Mu Peixuan neither agreed nor disagreed. Seeing Duan Linzhou’s gaze still lingering on Xu Ying, he asked, “Tired of sitting in the carriage?”
Duan Linzhou withdrew his gaze, looked at Mu Peixuan, and smiled. “With Xiao Junwang keeping me company, how could I possibly be tired?”
Mu Peixuan gave a soft snort, but his back straightened even more.
It was already the depth of winter. Wild grass grew thick along the roadside, the sky was overcast and heavy, and dense clouds gathered over the mountain peaks. The wind carried the dry, crisp chill unique to the cold season.
Li Yue said, “We really chose the perfect time, clear and warm when we set out, just in time for the weather to turn when we’re heading back.”
Xu Ying grumbled, “Of course it’s thanks to me picking the right day. If I hadn’t said anything, wouldn’t you all still be stuck in Ruizhou City?”
Li Yue laughed and said, “Yes, yes, yes, it’s all thanks to you.”
“No one’s better at having fun than you.”
As they joked and chatted, the tall walls of Ruizhou City came into view, and it was time to part ways. Mu Peixuan and Xu Ying, along with Li Yue, agreed to meet again after the New Year, and each took their leave.
Just as they were about to leave, Fang Yuan rode up to Duan Linzhou’s carriage — Duan Linzhou had already gotten down from it.
Fang Yuan said, “Boss Duan, until we meet again.”
“Until we meet again.” Duan Linzhou nodded in reply.
After parting ways, Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou returned to Marquis Annan Mansion. By then, the entire mansion was filled with a stronger festive atmosphere, thoroughly cleaned and renewed, it indicates that the New Year of the first year of Fengqi is approaching.
It would also be the first New Year that Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou would spend together.
40
Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou had just returned to the mansion when the steward came to report the New Year’s gifts that had been delivered over the past few days. One was the late emperor’s personally titled Xiao Junwang of Jingnan[mfn]Prince of Jingnan or Jingnan Prince, and Jingnan is the south of the Yangtze River.[/mfn], the other the wealthiest man in Lingnan — there was no need to mention how many social dealings they had. In fact, their courtyard was even livelier than the main wing of the Marquis Annan Mansion.
As soon as they returned, they followed proper custom and went to pay respects to the old madam. Seeing the two of them arrive together, the old madam was somewhat taken aback, far from the cold aloofness she had shown when they first served tea. When the servants had earlier reported that Mu Peixuan had taken Duan Linzhou to the estate in the countryside, she had been stunned on the spot. No one knows a son better than his mother, though she did not favor this son, she nevertheless understood him somewhat.
Mu Peixuan had an unruly nature; anything he disliked, he wouldn’t spare a second glance at, let alone bring them along to the estate, especially together with the younger members of the Yu and Xu families.
The old madam scrutinized Duan Linzhou. When Mu Peizhi had first proposed that his younger brother marry Duan Linzhou, the old madam had opposed it without a second thought, for no other reason than that Duan Linzhou was much older than Mu Peixuan and, moreover, a Zhongyong of merchant background.
Even though, in the end, Duan Peizhi had persuaded her.
It was still impossible for the old madam to truly accept a lowly merchant as her daughter-in-law.
All that unease, upon seeing Mu Peixuan’s cold and detached face, turned into outright displeasure toward him, laced with bitter disappointment — that he could truly favor a Zhongyong was, in her eyes, a shame to his noble birth.
Mu Peixuan’s expression remained indifferent.
The old madam was inwardly displeased, while Duan Linzhou smiled lightly, his true feelings unreadable. Though the three of them sat together in the same hall, the atmosphere was faintly awkward.
The old madam said to Mu Peixuan, “Since you are on leave, stop wandering about outside all day. Your elder brother is busy enough as it is, you should lend him a hand where you can.”
Mu Peixuan lowered his eyes and responded with a sound.
The old madam glanced at Duan Linzhou. When their eyes met, her gaze faltered slightly, catching sight of the young man’s smile that seemed neither fully amused nor entirely serious. She showed a hint of displeasure but held it back. Instead, she stiffly said, “Your health isn’t well, so if you need any medicinal herbs, just have someone fetch them from the storeroom.”
Duan Linzhou politely replied, “Yes, Mother.”
As soon as those two words left his mouth, the old madam’s expression became momentarily uneasy.
Duan Linzhou suddenly remembered something and smiled. He said, “I’ve heard that Mother has always loved southern pearls. A few days ago, the steward sent up a box of southern pearls. Their color is crystal clear, with excellent quality, and each one is large and plump, just perfect to give to Mother.”
He addressed her as “Mother” with every word, and his gaze drifted toward the old madam’s hairpin adorned with a southern pearl. The hairpin was a style from ten years ago, and the pearl set into it was about the size of a thumbnail, far inferior to the pearls in the box he mentioned.
The old madam’s expression instantly darkened.
Mu Peixuan spoke up, “If there’s nothing else, we won’t disturb Mother any longer.”
After speaking, he rose to his feet. Duan Linzhou, covering his mouth with a light cough, also stood up and followed Mu Peixuan. The two of them bowed to the old madam before taking their leave.
The covered corridor was painted a bright red, and the two of them walked slowly along it. Mu Peixuan said, “Why did you deliberately provoke her?”
Duan Linzhou let out a faint sigh and said, “It’s all my fault, an ill-chosen word that displeased Mother.”
Mu Peixuan cast a glance at Duan Linzhou. He wasn’t a fool; it was obvious that Duan Linzhou had acted deliberately.
Duan Linzhou sighed again and said, “I just noticed that the southern pearl in Mother’s hair was small, it hardly matches the grandeur of our Marquis Annan Mansion…”
“Duan Linzhou—” Mu Peixuan cut him off.
Duan Linzhou lifted his eyes to look at Mu Peixuan and asked first, “Are you angry?”
Mu Peixuan thought for a moment, then shook his head.
Duan Linzhou gave a little smile and said slowly, “You don’t know, I’m not one to swallow grievances. Whoever makes me unhappy, I must pay them back in kind.”
“Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but as a mother, the old madam is biased and unfair.” He gave a soft snort and added, “I don’t like it.”
Mu Peixuan was silent for a while, then said, “She may be unfair, but what does that have to do with you, Boss Duan?”
The young man’s gaze was bright and intense, staring straight at Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou’s eyes shifted slightly without meaning to, and he let out a soft sigh, saying, “Since you and I are now as one, if the Old Madam looks down on Wen’an Courtyard, then she looks down on me, Duan Linzhou, as well.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Is that all?”
Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan, stepped a little closer, and said softly, “What does Your Highness think?”
Mu Peixuan stared straight at Duan Linzhou. Their gazes locked, and Duan Linzhou’s heart gave a faint tremble; he almost looked away but forced a teasing tone, saying, “Naturally, I also feeling sorry for our Xiao Junwang. Poor thing, to have a mother yet no mother’s love, always being compared to your elder brother, made into a stepping stone for his career…”
Mu Peixuan’s brow twitched slightly as he listened to Duan Linzhou’s increasingly outrageous words, but then he suddenly caught on to the last thing Duan Linzhou said and asked, “What stepping stone?”
Duan Linzhou blinked and said, “Is it not so?”
“These past years, though the southern border has been relatively stable, there have still been frequent skirmishes with the various tribes, especially the Arles tribe’s rebellion four years ago. In that suppression campaign, if you hadn’t set fire to Arles’s grain supplies, how could victory have come so swiftly? Yet because half of the southern garrison’s tiger tally[mfn]Tiger tally is proof of authorization in ancient China, which typically consists of two parts. Generals would use the tally, or the fu, as an imperial authorization for troop movements and for other purposes, while amongst the populace, it was used as proof of authorization for goods exchanges or for leases.[/mfn] was in your elder brother, Marquis Annan’s hands, the credit was counted under his name. As for you, you had to travel far across thousands of miles, heading alone to the muddy quagmire that is the capital, with an uncertain path ahead.”
Mu Peixuan listened with an uncertain expression, his eyes sharpening as he fixed his gaze on Duan Linzhou, saying, “You seem to know quite a bit about these old matters.”
Duan Linzhou smiled and replied, “I’m a merchant. The Duan family’s caravans travel far and wide, seeing and hearing much along the way.”
Mu Peixuan stared at him for a long while and said, “Let’s not mention these things anymore. Whether it’s my eldest brother or me, we both have Marquis Annan Mansion behind us.”
Duan Linzhou did not respond.
Mu Peixuan thought for a moment before continuing, “Duan Linzhou, do you know what my Junwang title is?”
Duan Linzhou thought for a moment, then replied, “Jingnan Junwang.”
Mu Peixuan slowly continued, “When my father was still alive, he had a grudge with the current Prime Minister Lin. Marquis Annan Mansion may hold half of the tiger tally, but it can no longer produce any renowned generals.”
Duan Linzhou was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. No wonder after returning from the capital, although Mu Peixuan had been granted the title of Junwang, his actions had no longer been as high-profile as before.
Mu Peixuan’s title is Jingnan, and Marquis Annan Mansion is Annan, which may carry an intention to sow discord. It’s not hard to guess who might be behind this.
Duan Linzhou suddenly remembered the flood disaster from the previous year.
Many thoughts churned in Duan Linzhou’s mind, and even he couldn’t help but show a slight change in expression, feeling a bit of anger stir within him. Mu Peixuan mistook it for understanding of the situation and, feeling sympathy, softened his tone, saying, “My father often said, life is full of disappointments, but as long as we remain true to the heavens and our hearts, there’s no regret.”
Duan Linzhou stared at Mu Peixuan for a long while. The youthful features of Mu Peixuan’s face still held traces of adolescence, and Duan Linzhou thought to himself, This person is only nineteen years old.
Mu Peixuan had been on the battlefield at the age of fifteen.
Three years ago, when Mu Peixuan entered the capital, he was only sixteen.
To Marquis Annan Mansion, the capital was a perilous dragon’s den and tiger’s lair. The world only saw Mu Peixuan receiving the emperor’s personal title and favor, but they were unaware of the countless dangers and hardships, which were beyond what ordinary people could even imagine.
Duan Linzhou let out a soft sigh and said, “You ah.”
His words carried a sense of helplessness, yet there was also an undeniable tenderness in his tone. Hearing this, Mu Peixuan froze for a moment, pursed his lips, and found himself at a loss for words.
After a long pause, Mu Peixuan said, “Let’s go back.”
Duan Linzhou responded, “Alright.”
Outside the corridor, the day was nearing dusk. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, and as their sleeves fluttered, the shadows within the corridor intertwined, drawing closer together.
Obrigada pela tradução 😘🥰