MSW Chapter55

91

After a night of rain, the sky cleared, appearing brand new and exceptionally bright. In the courtyard, the greenery was vividly green, and the blossoms were delicate pink, creating a vibrant scene full of life.

 

The aftermath of Duan Linzhou’s passionate night left him with aching limbs and a weary spirit. Mu Peixuan personally fed him some food, and after a brief conversation, Duan Linzhou couldn’t resist the drowsiness and felt sleep pulling him under. Mu Peixuan simply carried him back to bed, watched him drift off, and carefully tucked the quilt around him.

 

Once Duan Linzhou was asleep, the official documents piled on his desk became Mu Peixuan’s responsibility. He spent the entire morning reviewing them and also met with several officials from the local government. Even from this limited view, he could see just how busy Duan Linzhou had been during his absence from Fengzhou.

 

Without Duan Linzhou, Fengzhou would not have recovered so quickly.

 

Mu Peixuan also went to offer incense to Mu Peizhi and Li Yue. Their coffins had not yet been returned to Ruizhou and were temporarily placed in separate mourning halls within the prefectural government, one in the main courtyard and the other in Xu Ying’s courtyard. Mu Peixuan knelt before Mu Peizhi’s coffin, looking at his name engraved on the memorial tablet. Even now, he still couldn’t accept their deaths.

 

Even though he knew in his heart that death was like a lamp extinguished, understanding something was one thing, and accepting it was another.

 

After a long while, Mu Peixuan murmured to himself, “Big Brother, Li Yue, wait a few more days, and I will bring you guys home.”

 

Mu Peixuan stayed in the mourning hall for an hour. Just as he stepped out, he bumped directly into Duan Linzhou, who had come looking for him. When Duan Linzhou woke up and didn’t see Mu Peixuan, he thought for a moment and knew where he had gone, so he simply put on some clothes and left the room.

 

Their eyes met, and Mu Peixuan quickly took two steps forward, saying, “Why did you come out? Are you feeling better?”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled and replied, “Much better.”

 

He looked at Mu Peixuan’s face and, seeing that his expression was normal, he breathed a sigh of relief. He allowed Mu Peixuan to take his arm and said, “After a sleep, I feel much better.”

 

Mu Peixuan hummed in agreement and said softly, “You’ve worked hard these past few days.”

 

Duan Linzhou raised an eyebrow and said, “Just one word of ‘you’ve worked hard’?”

 

Mu Peixuan tilted his head, looking at Duan Linzhou, and readily replied, “How does Boss Duan wish for it?”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled softly. “Naturally, it requires Your Highness to personally offer some comfort.”

 

He emphasized the words ‘personally offer’, and Mu Peixuan glanced at him, saying, “I’m afraid that Boss Duan might not be able to handle it.”

 

Duan Linzhou lowered his voice and teased, “I’d rather be a romantic ghost by Your Highness’s side.”

 

Mu Peixuan raised his eyebrows and made a move to scoop up Duan Linzhou, intending to hoist him onto his shoulder. “That’s perfect. We haven’t fully enjoyed ourselves anyway. How could I possibly disappoint Boss Duan’s kind invitation?”

 

He actually lifted Duan Linzhou into his arms, startling him. Duan Linzhou pressed his hands against Mu Peixuan’s shoulders, both amused and helpless, and said, “I was wrong, I was wrong.” He whispered in Mu Peixuan’s ear, “My legs still ache.”

 

Mu Peixuan tightened his grip, asking, “Hurting badly?”

 

Duan Linzhou mumbled, “Burning hot,” as he patted Mu Peixuan’s shoulder. “Put me down.”

 

In the courtyard, there was a stone table. Mu Peixuan set Duan Linzhou down on it, placing one hand on his leg and saying softly, “Stay here in the prefectural government these next few days and rest well.”

 

Duan Linzhou agreed with a smile. One sitting, the other standing, Mu Peixuan told Duan Linzhou about the matters the officials had reported that day, all of which concerned Fengzhou. The prefect and the assistant prefect of Fengzhou had already fled when the uprising began. Although Fengzhou was now pacified, the two had not reappeared. Liangdu was in a state of chaos due to Qin Fengyuan’s rebellion and had no time to deal with the situation in Fengzhou and its surrounding areas.

 

Suddenly, Duan Linzhou said, “The imperial court has exiled Lord Yu’s family.”

 

Mu Peixuan paused for a moment and replied, “I know.”

 

He received the news from Liangdu while on his campaign to Longzhou. Even before Prefect Yu’s family arrived in Liangdu, news of King Duan’s death had spread. They had been implicated in King Duan’s rebellion, arrested, and sent to the capital for trial. Now that King Duan had taken his own life, the so-called rebellion had become ambiguous and confusing. Prime Minister Lin, having been played by King Duan in such a manner, was furious and wished he could slaughter all of King Duan’s supporters.

 

Fortunately, the venerable Duke An and a number of upright officials in the Hanlin Academy interceded for the Yu family. Additionally, voices within the court and among the common people criticizing Prime Minister Lin grew louder. Because Prefect Yu had served for many years and was known for his good governance, they ultimately managed to halt the executioner’s blade aimed at the Yu family.

 

The entire Yu family was sentenced to exile in the desolate northern wilderness.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “In any case, at least their lives were spared. As long as they wait for a future general amnesty, there might still be a chance to return.”

 

In reality, once they reached the northern desert, they could secretly change their identities after the heat died down, create new household registrations for the Yu family, and find a place to live peacefully. However, if they did so, they would never be able to live openly and honestly in the world. For Prefect Yu, who had lived an upright life, this would undoubtedly be a tremendous humiliation and pain.

 

Furthermore, Liangdu was very far from the desolate northern wilderness. The journey was long and arduous, and historically, those sentenced to exile often arrived in the barren lands either dead or severely weakened.

 

Mentioning Yu Jing inevitably made them think of Li Yue, and the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.

 

Duan Linzhou asked, “When will Xu Ying and the others return?”

 

Mu Peixuan gently squeezed Duan Linzhou’s wrist and replied, “About ten more days, I reckon.”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled. “Then we’ll be returning to Ruizhou soon.”

 

Mu Peixuan lowered his eyes to look at Duan Linzhou and asked, “Do you want to go back already?”

 

He nodded, smiling slightly. “Now is the best time for loquats to ripen. I planted a few loquat trees in the estate south of the city. Every year, they’re laden with fruit, and the tenant farmers from the estate send several baskets of loquats to the Duan’s mansion.” Duan Linzhou gestured with a smile. “The loquats from those trees are particularly good, round, plump, and golden yellow, with small seeds and lots of flesh, bursting with sweetness in every bite.”

 

Mu Peixuan also recalled how every year in April and May, many villagers would sell loquats on the streets of Ruizhou. He hadn’t thought much of it before, but hearing Duan Linzhou describe them now made his mouth water, and a sense of pleasant anticipation arose, dispelling the gloom that had settled in his heart.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “When we return, though there won’t be loquats, the lotus flowers should be in bloom as well.”

 

Ruizhou City was planted with many lotus flowers. Every year in June and July, the lotus leaves were emerald green, and the flower stamens were delicate and beautiful. Looking as far as the eye could see, it truly was “Vast lotus leaves spread as far as the eye can see, blending seamlessly into the green horizon; under the sunlight, the lotus flowers radiate with a striking, vivid red.” Girls picking lotus flowers punted small boats into the depths of the lotus ponds, singing melodious “Lotus Picking Songs,” a picturesque scene unique to Ruizhou.

 

Behind the guardhouse, there was also a large expanse of lotus flowers. By then, the weather was already very hot, and Mu Peixuan often went with Xu Ying and the others, shirtless, to wade into the ponds and gather lotus seedpods.

 

Having gone through life and death, those once commonplace things now felt somewhat precious.

 

Although they hadn’t returned to Ruizhou, Mu Peixuan had brought Duan Linzhou a basket of freshly picked loquats. Washed clean, they gleamed with a clear, moist sheen, looking very appealing.

 

Duan Linzhou asked, “Where did these come from?”

 

Mu Peixuan placed the bamboo basket on the table and took the handkerchief Liu Guang offered to wipe his hands. As he cleaned his hands, he said, “I saw some children hawking them when I returned. They looked good, so I bought some.”

 

“They’re quite large,” Duan Linzhou said, pushing up his sleeves and reaching out to take one. Mu Peixuan interjected, “Let me.”

 

Duan Linzhou cast a glance at Mu Peixuan, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He slipped his hands into his sleeves and watching Mu Peixuan leisurely.

 

Mu Peixuan picked a loquat. His fingers were long and well-defined, and the way he peeled the loquat was quite pleasing to the eye. After removing the skin, he held the fruit and offered it to Duan Linzhou’s mouth, asking, “Try it. Is it sweet?”

 

Duan Linzhou leaned forward and took the fruit into his mouth from Mu Peixuan’s hand. He said vaguely, “If it’s peeled by Xiao Junwang himself, naturally it’s—”

 

Before he could say “sweet,” his eyebrows furrowed. He swallowed and then said, “Sweet.”

 

Mu Peixuan didn’t believe him. “Sour?” He asked.

 

Duan Linzhou deftly peeled another one and popped it into Mu Peixuan’s mouth. Immediately, Mu Peixuan’s face scrunched up from the sourness. After a moment, he spat out a single word, “Sour,” and then added, “Really sour.”

 

Duan Linzhou burst into laughter. “It is a bit sour, but after eating it, you can taste a little sweetness.”

 

Mu Peixuan immediately wanted Liu Guang to take the basket of loquats away, but Duan Linzhou said, “Take it away later.” With that, he picked another loquat. Mu Peixuan couldn’t tolerate anything sour, but Duan Linzhou tasted it and found that although it wasn’t very sweet, it was still edible.

 

Mu Peixuan’s teeth ached just watching him eat it, and he reached out to pour Duan Linzhou a cup of water.

 

Fen Mo, who was standing nearby, said with a grin, “Junwang Fei didn’t know, His Highness walked down two whole streets to buy this basket of loquats for you. He finally caught up with the hawking child, who was so scared by His Highness that he fell on his backside.”

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at him and said, “You can eat this entire basket of loquats.”

 

Fen Mo chuckled dryly. “Something Your Highness personally bought, how could a lowly person like me be worthy of enjoying it—” He shut his mouth under Mu Peixuan’s gaze. Duan Linzhou, who was beside him, looked at Mu Peixuan’s face with amusement. Xiao Junwang was handsome, and perhaps having gone through the battlefield, he had shed some of his youthful exuberance, gaining a bit of coldness. Combined with the scar, he had a rather intimidating air.

 

Duan Linzhou’s eyes were full of smiles as he looked at Mu Peixuan, causing the latter to turn his gaze away, avoiding showing the scarred side of his face.

 

Duan Linzhou said, “Old Physician Ji’s medicine is still somewhat effective. The color of the scar has lightened a lot.” He continued, “Weirui once concocted a scar-removing balm that worked extremely well. When we return to Ruizhou, I’ll have her make another batch.”

 

Mu Peixuan said uncomfortably, “It’s just a scar…”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “How can that be? Our Highness is so good-looking. Leaving this scar, although it adds to your imposing presence, it’s still distressing to look at and makes one feel uneasy.”

 

Seeing how much Duan Linzhou cared about his face, a flicker crossed Mu Peixuan’s eyes, and he pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

 

The medicine had been prescribed by Old Physician Ji. When Duan Linzhou called him to check Mu Peixuan’s face, the old physician rolled his eyes dramatically, saying, “His face is already healed; it’s just a scar left. What’s there to see? He’s a tianqian, not some delicate kunze.”

 

Duan Linzhou had said seriously, “A tianqian’s face is still a face, especially someone as handsome as our Highness, he’s like a flower. With that scar, although it makes him look more imposing, it’s still heartbreaking to see and makes one feel uneasy.”

 

He had spoken so matter-of-factly in front of Old Physician Ji that even Mu Peixuan had felt a little embarrassed. Old Physician Ji couldn’t do anything about Duan Linzhou. He grumbled under his breath, but a few days later, he still tossed him a jar of ointment.

 

Every night, Duan Linzhou would apply the ointment to Mu Peixuan’s face. The rubbed-in balm released a slightly bitter and fresh herbal scent. Duan Linzhou would use his finger to scoop up the softened balm and gently spread it on Mu Peixuan’s face, his movements light and meticulous, as if afraid of hurting him. Mu Peixuan enjoyed this tenderness in his heart, yet he also felt a strange mix of emotions, and he called out, “Duan Linzhou.”

 

When Mu Peixuan called him, Duan Linzhou’s thoughts were entirely focused on the newly formed, tender red scar. He absentmindedly responded, “Hmm?”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “If this scar can’t be removed—”

 

Duan Linzhou reassured him, “It will. Even if Old Physician Ji’s ointment doesn’t work, the scar-removing balm Weirui makes is definitely effective. It will surely restore Your Highness’s face to its original state.”

 

Mu Peixuan thought, Who cares about this little scar? But the words that came out were, “What if it doesn’t?”

 

Duan Linzhou was about to say that if it couldn’t be removed, then so be it, but then he caught on. He looked at Mu Peixuan, suppressed a smile, cupped his cheeks, and examined him closely. “What if it doesn’t heal? Then our Xiao Junwang will just have to be disfigured like this. It’s perfect for stopping children from crying and making kunze retreat…”

 

Mu Peixuan’s expression was complicated. “…Is it that frightening?”

 

Duan Linzhou couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into laughter. Mu Peixuan looked at Duan Linzhou and finally understood that he was just teasing him. Annoyed and embarrassed, he pounced on Duan Linzhou and pinned him down, looking down at him and repeating, “Perfect for stopping children from crying and making kunze retreat?”

 

Duan Linzhou laughed so hard his whole body trembled. Seeing the displeasure written all over the young man’s face, he quickly said, “No, no, you’re very handsome.”

 

He raised his hand as if taking an oath. “Truly, you couldn’t be more handsome.” Afraid Mu Peixuan didn’t believe him, he leaned in and kissed the scar, coaxing him, “It just makes my heart ache to see it. Besides, if it really leaves a scar, every time I look at you, I’ll be reminded of Yun Zhuo. That would be too awful.”

 

Mu Peixuan asked, “Really?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “Realer than gold!”

 

Mu Peixuan stared at Duan Linzhou for a few moments. Duan Linzhou looked back at him with utmost sincerity. Only then did Mu Peixuan reluctantly say, “I’ll believe you for now.”

 

“Outward appearance is just a facade. Judging likes and dislikes solely based on appearance is too superficial…”

 

Duan Linzhou: “En, en.” He smacked his lips and said, “My mouth tastes like medicine.”

 

Mu Peixuan: “……”

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T/N: Just a reminder, so the yamen and the prefectural government are actually refer to the same thing. It was originally translated as “government office,” but that “office” feels too modern to me, so I usually go with “prefectural government.” Though sometimes I still use “yamen” too.