101
Ruizhou is located south of Daliang, far from the capital. The flames of war cannot reach Ruizhou, and furthermore, the southern army is stationed within the prefectural city, so ordinary bandits dare not invade. In these past months, Ruizhou has accepted all displaced people without exception, and many have settled down and made their homes here. In this chaotic world, it has a semblance of peace.
On the sixth day of the eighth lunar month, Mu Peixuan held his coming-of-age ceremony.
According to Daliang customs, Mu Peixuan’s father should have presided over his coming-of-age ceremony. However, since his father and elder brother had all passed away, it was an elder of the Mu clan who officiated. They invited Headmaster Fang, Fang Yuan’s father, to bestow the cap upon him.
Headmaster Fang was the head of the Qinghe Academy, a great Confucian scholar of the present era, renowned throughout Daliang. It was most fitting for him to perform the capping ceremony for Mu Peixuan.
The day Mu Peixuan had his coming-of-age ceremony was blessed with fine weather. He was rarely seen in formal attire, wearing a plain crown and wide sleeves, completely different from his usual close-fitting martial clothing. He exuded a bit more of the cold and stern dignity of a superior. Duan Linzhou watched Mu Peixuan from afar and suddenly realized that compared to when they got married, Mu Peixuan seemed to have grown up a lot, shedding his youthful air and possessing quite the bearing of a mature man.
He stared blankly at Mu Peixuan. As Mu Peixuan stood up, he instinctively looked towards Duan Linzhou. Their eyes met, and Duan Linzhou smiled slightly, softening Mu Peixuan’s expression.
The image of Mu Peixuan riding his horse below the building that year flashed before Duan Linzhou’s eyes. The lift of his brow held an indescribable youthful charm. He thought, Mu Peixuan was only twenty years old, in the prime of his youth.
A sense of melancholy arose in Duan Linzhou’s heart. Mu Peixuan had such a bright future, while he was already frail and sickly, with one foot in the grave.
This feeling of sadness didn’t last long. Mu Peixuan was naturally joyful on his coming-of-age day. After seeing off the guests, still dressed in his ceremonial robes, he embraced Duan Linzhou and pressed him down onto the bed. He dearly loved kissing Duan Linzhou, kissing his thin skin and his slender bones. Duan Linzhou’s body was weak, his blood and energy insufficient, so even in the height of summer, his body was cool. Mu Peixuan kissed him as if kissing cool jade. He loved using his lips and tongue to make Duan Linzhou warm up, watching him become lost in passion, his face flushed as he gasped and moaned beneath him.
Duan Linzhou had always been unable to resist Mu Peixuan’s teasing. The gold thread embroidered on Mu Peixuan’s robes scratched him, making him want to evade, but Mu Peixuan held him even tighter. Mu Peixuan kissed him until he was panting for breath before whispering, “What were you thinking about during the coming-of-age ceremony today?”
Duan Linzhou responded slowly, humming a drawn-out “hmm?”
Mu Peixuan felt even more aggrieved. These robes he wore had been personally commissioned by Duan Linzhou from the embroiderers. They had taken half a year to complete, and when they were finished, Duan Linzhou had brought them over for Mu Peixuan to try on. The first time Duan Linzhou saw him in them, he had stared for a long time, his eyes filled with admiration. Although Mu Peixuan didn’t care much about outward appearances, since Duan Linzhou liked it, he paid a bit more attention. Mu Peixuan had once been shot by an arrow from Yun Zhuo, leaving a faint scar on his face. After Duan Linzhou returned to Ruizhou, he had indeed asked Duan Weirui to prepare a scar-removing cream for him, and its effect had been excellent.
That day, when the two were entangled in passion, Duan Linzhou had become aroused exceptionally quickly and was very obedient, saying many sweet words that made Mu Peixuan’s blood rush.
Unexpectedly, today Duan Linzhou kept losing focus.
Mu Peixuan awkwardly said, “Do I… not look good like this?”
Only then did Duan Linzhou react. He looked at Mu Peixuan and immediately burst into laughter. Mu Peixuan frowned at his laughter, looking completely displeased, without a trace of his usual serious and dignified demeanor in front of others. Duan Linzhou was beside him while laughing with amusement. After laughing enough, he propped himself up to kiss him, whispering intimately, “You look beautiful.”
He tugged at Mu Peixuan’s collar and said, “If today weren’t Your Highness’s coming-of-age ceremony, I would have wanted to strip off Your Highness’s clothes while everyone was bowing in respect already.”
Duan Linzhou’s words were unrestrained, but Mu Peixuan thoroughly enjoyed them. That night, he wore those robes while making love to Duan Linzhou, stripping him bare while he himself remained fully dressed. It wasn’t a lie when Duan Linzhou said he liked it. The young Mu Peixuan had captivated Duan Linzhou, and the grown-up Mu Peixuan moved his heart even more.
Having undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, Mu Peixuan gained even more composure. The former Marquis Annan Mansion became Prince Annan Mansion. Although Mu Jinyu inherited the title of Prince Annan, he was young, and all matters, large and small, fell into Mu Peixuan’s hands.
He became increasingly busy.
From some unknown point, all affairs of Ruizhou, both administrative and military, came under Mu Peixuan’s authority. Mu Peixuan had always held a reputation in the army, but Ruizhou’s politics had traditionally been handled by Mu Peizhi. When Mu Peixuan first returned, some officials in the prefectural government looked down on him as a mere military man. Coupled with his young age, he naturally couldn’t compare to the meticulous Mu Peizhi. Unexpectedly, Mu Peixuan’s methods were much more ruthless and decisive than the gentle Mu Peizhi, and within a few days, he had intimidated all the officials, both high and low, within the government.
Ever since returning from Fengzhou, Mu Peixuan had never considered relinquishing power.
Ruizhou was the foundation of Marquis Annan Mansion, and he had to keep it firmly within his grasp.
Jiang Zhen arrived late. By the time he took his post, the position of Ruizhou Prefect was already nominal. Jiang Zhen had known this trip wouldn’t be smooth, but he hadn’t anticipated that Ruizhou would be so much more troublesome than he imagined. He could only patiently plan his moves slowly. Jiang Zhen came from a poor background. He had once thought that passing the imperial examinations with honors would be enough to elevate him, but for a son of a humble family, the high gates of the capital and the officialdom were like a nine-story tower.
It was unreachable.
He seemed to be within it, yet it was as if he could only look up in admiration, knowing that the slightest misstep could lead to his head being severed.
Jiang Zhen had also had his moments of youthful ambition, but his spirit had been worn down by repeated acts of subservience and day after day of waiting. Above those from humble backgrounds were deeply rooted aristocratic families and nobles with generations of high-ranking officials. Unwilling to waste his life, Jiang Zhen had simply joined Prime Minister Lin’s faction.
Yet, he remained an insignificant pawn. Jiang Zhen had spent many years in obscurity before finally returning to the capital, where he has held a sinecure in the Ministry of Works for eight years now.
If there were no unforeseen circumstances, he would still be a fifth-rank official by the time he retired and returned to his hometown.
Then, the Yu family was implicated in King Duan’s rebellion. The position of Ruizhou Prefect became vacant. Ruizhou was not as prosperous as Cangzhou and other places, and to the south, tribes were eyeing them menacingly. It wasn’t a good assignment. Jiang Zhen had no intention of leaving the capital at his age, but despite his reluctance, Prime Minister Lin approached him.
Prime Minister Lin instructed him to keep an eye on the Mu family.
However, the capital today was no longer the same as before. Qin Fengyuan’s northwest army was stationed outside Linguan. Once the pass fell, Qin Fengyuan, seeking to eliminate treacherous officials, would kill Prime Minister Lin first. Jiang Zhen had navigated the officialdom for many years, and caution was ingrained in his bones. He couldn’t afford to offend Prime Minister Lin, and even less so to antagonize Mu Peixuan at this time. So, he simply spent his days with his hands tucked in his sleeves, acting as a figurehead. When the mood struck him, he would invite Han Shiqing and others, or the influential families of Ruizhou, to banquets and drinking parties.
On this particular day, Jiang Zhen held a banquet at his residence, and Mu Peixuan was among those invited, ostensibly to celebrate his coming-of-age ceremony.
Mu Peixuan considered it for a moment, then decided to go.
The banquet was filled with many guests, including officials from the prefectural government, as well as prominent families and renowned scholars of Ruizhou, creating a lively atmosphere.
After several rounds of wine, singing girls began to perform dances, accompanied by the sounds of string and wind instruments. Mu Peixuan played with his wine cup, chatting idly with people. Suddenly, he heard Jiang Zhen say, “Your Highness, this is my daughter, Yingxue.”
Mu Peixuan raised his eyes and saw the lead dancer, a Kunze, lift her face and timidly look over. It was a face as beautiful as a hibiscus flower.
Jiang Zhen was quite proud as he said, “This daughter of mine has been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since she was young. She is especially skilled in dance, and even Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has praised her dancing.”
As soon as he said this, others around chimed in, praising her with phrases like “graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon.”
Jiang Zhen said, “Yingxue, His Highness is a distinguished guest. Why don’t you pour wine for His Highness?”
Jiang Yingxue responded shyly and took two steps closer. Before she could approach, Mu Peixuan had already straightened up and turned his face away, saying, “There’s no need. Such a small matter as pouring wine doesn’t need to trouble Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Zhen said, “Why be so polite, Your Highness? Previously, Your Highness led the southern army to quell the rebellion and protect the people, truly a hero of our Ruizhou. It would be my daughter’s honor to pour wine for Your Highness.”
His words made Jiang Yingxue’s cheeks flush red. She was exceptionally beautiful, her rosy cheeks and limpid eyes causing several people at the table to glance at her. Someone, having had a bit too much to drink, laughed and said, “They say beauty matches a hero. Miss Jiang and our Highness together are truly a perfect pair.”
“Since ancient times, a tianqian and a kunze have been considered the ideal match. It’s difficult for a zhongyong to bear offspring. Even ordinary families don’t take zhongyong as their primary wife, let alone someone as noble as Your Highness?”
The smile on Mu Peixuan’s face faded. He looked at Jiang Zhen and said, “What does Lord Jiang think?”
Jiang Zhen’s heart leaped with joy. He said, “If Your Highness is interested—”
“This prince is not interested,” Mu Peixuan interrupted him, looking around and speaking with a cold tone. “Whether this prince’s consort is a zhongyong or not, and whether we have children or not, is not for outsiders to comment on. If I hear such words again today,” Mu Peixuan glanced at the few scholars who had spoken, “don’t blame this prince for showing no mercy!”
“My wife is frail and cannot tolerate the scent of cosmetics, so I will not stay longer.”
“Please, enjoy yourselves.”
With that, he flicked his sleeves and left, leaving a room full of guests exchanging bewildered glances.
102
It was late when Mu Peixuan returned to his mansion. Duan Linzhou was still in the study looking at account books. The Duan family’s business was vast, and although there were capable managers beneath him, human hearts were ultimately unpredictable. His health was poor, and he couldn’t guarantee that the managers wouldn’t develop ulterior motives.
In the past three years, Duan Linzhou had experienced such betrayal. It was a manager he had personally promoted who, in the end, driven by profit, colluded with outsiders to scheme against the Duan family. Only then did Duan Linzhou suddenly notice the unusual movements within the Duan family’s merchant guild. He made an example of that manager to warn the others, using both threats and subtle pressure to suppress the ambitions of the remaining managers. Duan Linzhou never used to mind ambition in his subordinates, but things are different now. Even if he intended to hand over the Duan family business to Duan Weirui, Duan Weirui’s nature was quiet and gentle. Once he passed away, Duan Weirui would be vulnerable from all sides and wouldn’t be able to protect the Duan family’s interests.
Duan Linzhou pressed his temples. War flames were raging in various regions, and the Duan family’s business had been affected to varying degrees. Fortunately, the foundation of the Duan family was in Ruizhou.
Duan Linzhou had once considered simply maintaining the family business, but the experience in Fengzhou had instead reignited the ambition that had been all but extinguished by the nearness of death. Whether for Mu Peixuan, for himself, or for the Duan family, he needed more wealth.
In chaotic times, what was a calamity for the vast majority of people was not necessarily a missed opportunity for merchants to profit.
Duan Linzhou said to Liu Guang, “Liu Guang, tomorrow go and invite Second Brother Lu over.”
Liu Guang replied, “Yes, Young Master.”
“Young Master, it’s getting late. You should rest,” Liu Guang urged Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou glanced at the water clock and asked, “Has His Highness returned?”
Before Liu Guang could answer, they heard movement outside, it was the sound of servants paying their respects.
A smile spread across Duan Linzhou’s face. As Mu Peixuan entered, he saw Duan Linzhou looking at him with a smile, and a warmth filled his heart.
Duan Linzhou: “You are back.”
Mu Peixuan let out a sound as an acknowledgement, looking at the account books spread out on Duan Linzhou’s desk. “Why are you still looking at accounts? It’s so late, it’ll hurt your eyes.”
Duan Linzhou smiled and said, “Alright.”
He stood up and asked Mu Peixuan, “You just got back?” He smelled the wine on Mu Peixuan. The two walked out of the study side by side. Mu Peixuan subconsciously reached for Duan Linzhou’s hand, gently stroking his slender fingers as he softly said, “En, had a few extra cups at the Jiang Mansion.”
The Jiang family’s invitation had been delivered to the mansion a few days prior. Duan Linzhou knew that Mu Peixuan went to the banquet at the Jiang Mansion after official duties, he had also sent someone back to inform the gatekeeper.
The two chatted casually. By the time they had washed up and were in bed, Mu Peixuan held Duan Linzhou close. The scent of mild soap wafted from him. Perhaps because he took medicine every day, Duan Linzhou carried a faint, bitter medicinal fragrance. Mu Peixuan had only realized later that Duan Linzhou didn’t like burning incense; he only did it to mask the smell of his medicine.
Whenever Mu Peixuan recalled how much he had disliked the scent of medicine on Duan Linzhou when they were first married, a pang of remorse would well up in his heart.
Duan Linzhou felt Mu Peixuan nuzzle his neck, sniffing his scent like a puppy. He couldn’t help but chuckle, raising a hand to stroke Mu Peixuan’s head. “What are you smelling?”
Mu Peixuan nipped at his collarbone and said, “Smelling how fragrant you are.”
Duan Linzhou hummed with amusement, kneading his soft, satin-like dark hair. “With such a sweet mouth, you weren’t just drinking wine at the Jiang Mansion, were you? Did you go there to drink honey?”
Mu Peixuan felt comfortable from his touch and simply relaxed his body. “Don’t mention the Jiang Mansion.”
“What’s wrong?” Duan Linzhou asked.
Mu Peixuan said, “Jiang Zhen wants to harm me.”
Duan Linzhou paused, his brow slightly furrowed. Mu Peixuan recalled the clever scheme they had tried to pull today, and a flicker of anger rose within him. Right in front of him, they dared to speak ill of Duan Linzhou like that, is Duan Linzhou someone they could just talk about?
Mu Peixuan propped himself up, looking at Duan Linzhou with a hint of grievance. “And those so-called prominent families and renowned scholars, they want to stuff people into my inner yard!”
Duan Linzhou narrowed his eyes slightly. He’s not even dead yet. Duan Linzhou’s gaze rested on Mu Peixuan’s face, watching the young man’s tightly furrowed brows and his annoyed expression. His own irritation eased a little, and he couldn’t resist teasing Mu Peixuan. “What kind of people do they want to send you?”
He continued, “The kind of person Jiang Zhen would present must be a kunze of exceptional character and appearance—”
“Jiang Zhen’s daughter?”
Even before Jiang Zhen arrived in Ruizhou, the news of his appointment as the Ruizhou Prefect had been delivered to Mu Peixuan by the Wenfeng Yuan, along with detailed information about everyone in Jiang Zhen’s household.
Liu Sanjiu was always thorough in his work, especially since this matter concerned him as well.
“I heard that Jiang Zhen dotes on this youngest daughter of his. This Miss Jiang is said to be strikingly beautiful. In the capital, her dance once captivated all of Liangdu…” Duan Linzhou said. “Did Your Highness see her dance today?”
Mu Peixuan: “I saw…”
He stopped mid-sentence, staring directly at the enthusiastic Duan Linzhou, and said dryly, “What’s so interesting about a kunze dancing? They all look the same.”
Duan Linzhou said, “That’s not true at all. Yue Niang of the Qianjin Fang is skilled in the Hu Xuan dance. Her movements spin like the wind, leaving one dazzled and enchanted. Jiang Zhe of the Qingyin Pavilion’s Pan Gu drum dance is also unique, with snowy-like feet stepping on the drum, her figure graceful and captivating…”
Duan Linzhou spoke eloquently, as if savoring the memory. Mu Peixuan’s face darkened. “Duan Linzhou!”
Duan Linzhou blinked, adding fuel to the fire. “I wonder how this Miss Jiang’s Liangdu-renowned dance compares to Jiang Zhe’s Pan Gu drum dance—”
He looked as if he really wanted to go and see for himself, but before he could finish speaking, Mu Peixuan cut him off with a kiss. Mu Peixuan bit his lip in exasperation and said, “Don’t think about it anymore.”
Duan Linzhou gasped in pain but chuckled with amusement. Mu Peixuan naturally knew that Duan Linzhou was teasing him, but the fact that he could describe the dances so vividly suggested he had seen them quite a bit, perhaps even as a favored guest.
Mu Peixuan stared at Duan Linzhou and said, “Judging by what Boss Duan is saying, you’d like to go see them again?”
Hearing the vinegar practically dripping from his words, Duan Linzhou didn’t dare to go against the grain. He quickly said, “How could that be?” He cleared his throat and continued, “With someone like Your Highness at home, how could anyone else catch my eye!”
Mu Peixuan sneered. “Boss Duan probably went quite a bit before we got married.”
Duan Linzhou touched his nose and said, “Only went once or twice, to discuss business, just to discuss business. That was all when I was young and didn’t know any better.”
“Sweetheart, my heart is all yours. There’s no one else.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Sweet talk!”
“If you really had me in your heart, and I stayed at the Jiang Mansion for so long today, why didn’t you even send someone to ask about me?”
Mu Peixuan remembered when he returned, Duan Linzhou was still sitting calmly in the study looking at account books, not worried about him in the slightest. The more he thought about it, the more unpleasant he felt.
Duan Linzhou: “……”
He leaned in to kiss Mu Peixuan, but Mu Peixuan turned his face away. Duan Linzhou coaxed him softly, “My heart is set on you. If you don’t believe me, go ask Liu Guang. I’ve asked him several times if you’d returned.”
“You are a prince. When you go out for social engagements, if I sent someone to inquire about you, wouldn’t you be afraid those people would laugh at you?” Duan Linzhou said. “I don’t care what they say, but what if they laugh at you for being afraid of your wife…”
Mu Peixuan indifferently said, “So what if I’m afraid of my wife? What business is it of theirs?”
The more Duan Linzhou looked, the more he liked him. He pecked at his lips, but just as they touched, Mu Peixuan held his shoulders, clearly not wanting him to kiss him. Duan Linzhou laughed and said, “Be good, don’t be angry. Tomorrow, I’ll spread the word that anyone who dares to send people to our mansion will have to get past me, Duan Linzhou, first.”
“Will that do?”
Duan Linzhou said, “I’m not even dead yet, and they already dare to covet Your Highness…”
“Duan Linzhou!” Mu Peixuan abruptly interrupted him, saying, “Don’t talk about death and such.”
Duan Linzhou smiled slightly, kissed Mu Peixuan’s cheek, and whispered, “Alright, I won’t.”
“You are mine, no one else can touch you.” Duan Linzhou said.
Mu Peixuan looked at Duan Linzhou, then slowly withdrew his hand. Duan Linzhou immediately leaned in for a kiss. Their lips and tongues intertwined, and Mu Peixuan, staring into Duan Linzhou’s eyes, said, “You are mine.”
Duan Linzhou indistinctly said, “I am yours.”
Mu Peixuan was satisfied. Indeed, Jiang Zhen wants to harm him, he thought.
If he really tried to stuff people into his inner yard, wouldn’t that be sending them right to Duan Linzhou’s doorstep, even having them call Duan Linzhou “Gege”? With Duan Linzhou’s amorous nature, that would only cause him grief — don’t even think about it.
They’re so cute! I love reading their back and forth.