MSW Chapter13

33

The two rode together, Mu Peixuan holding the reins with one hand and his bow with the other, slowly weaving me through the forest. While Fen Mo followed not too far behind, helping to pick up some prey.

 

Duan Linzhou had originally sat up straight, but for once, he felt somewhat awkward. He had never received such considerate care. He could feel the warmth of the young man’s chest behind him, as if it were fire. Despite the slight distance between them, there was still a faint, burning sensation that pierced through his skin, making his heart race with an unfamiliar heat.

 

Duan Linzhou stared straight ahead at the bush, even though he had long investigated Mu Peixuan’s character and had even considered that perhaps they could live in mutual respect for the years to come. The best outcome he had hoped for himself and Mu Peixuan was that they would not become estranged when he died. However, Duan Linzhou had never imagined that something else might happen between them. He knew that, even if he were extremely wealthy, he was still a Zhongyong. In this day and age, when people choose their companions based on status, most would choose Kunze, let alone someone with the family background of Mu Peixuan.

 

He still used underhanded means to force Mu Peixuan to marry him.

 

A vague thought began to form in Duan Linzhou’s mind, perhaps Mu Peixuan no longer disliked or resisted him and might even have developed some fondness… Duan Linzhou dared not think too deeply, his heart suspended high, unaware that Mu Peixuan had hit his target. All that filled his mind was Mu Peixuan’s words — you are not a burden.

 

Duan Linzhou licked his dry lips, feeling both joy and bitterness in his heart.

 

Mu Peixuan noticed the stiffness in Duan Linzhou’s body, but his own heart was also unsettled, so he could only mask it by adjusting his posture on the horse.

 

Mu Peixuan gripped the reins, wondering if his words had been too blunt and abrupt.

 

Neither of them spoke.

 

Suddenly, Duan Linzhou’s shoulder brushed against Mu Peixuan’s chest. Mu Peixuan’s muscles tensed, but when Duan Linzhou fully leaned into his embrace, Mu Peixuan inexplicably relaxed, the corners of his mouth lifting without him realizing it.

 

The two rode slowly on horseback, not as if they were hunting, but more like a leisurely outing, gradually distancing themselves from the crowd.

 

The wild game in Qi Yu Mountain had been nurtured for many years, and only Mu Peixuan would bring people here to relax. The mountain was abundant with wild creatures, and even though the two were taking their time, they still managed to catch quite a bit on horseback, such as wild roe deer, pheasants, and rabbits.

 

Mu Peixuan even hunted a deer.

 

As the game piled up, both Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou gradually relaxed. Duan Linzhou tucked his hands into his sleeves, listening to the sound of an arrow slicing through the air. He couldn’t help but admire Mu Peixuan’s archery, it was truly exceptional, clearly the result of rigorous practice.

 

Thinking this, he voiced it aloud. Mu Peixuan replied, “I started training in martial arts at five, and by six I was already handling spears and arrows.”

 

Duan Linzhou thought for a moment, then chuckled. “Then at that age, weren’t you still shorter than the spear?”

 

Mu Peixuan gave a soft cough and said, “My father carved a wooden spear for me, it fit me just right at the time.”

 

Duan Linzhou sighed, “The Old Marquis truly doted on Xiao Junwang.”

 

Mu Peixuan pressed his lips together and nodded. “From as far back as I can remember, I was always by my father’s side.”

 

Duan Linzhou said, “With someone as outstanding as Xiao Junwang, the Old Marquis must be immensely proud.”

 

Mu Peixuan lowered his gaze, looking at Duan Linzhou’s ear. “You think so?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied earnestly, “He definitely would.”

 

Mu Peixuan said nothing in return. Suddenly, he spotted a few wild rabbits darting out in the distance. Pulling on the reins, he turned to Duan Linzhou and asked, “Want to give it a try?”

 

Duan Linzhou blinked. “Hm?”

 

Mu Peixuan extended the bow in his hand, pointing toward the wild rabbits. “Give it a try.”

 

Duan Linzhou blinked slowly and said, “My archery is mediocre at best.”

 

Mu Peixuan gave a faint, almost imperceptible smile. “That’s all right.”

 

After a moment, Duan Linzhou reached out and took the longbow from his hand. This was obviously what Mu Peixuan used, and it was not light.

 

Duan Linzhou took the reins from Mu Peixuan’s hand and rode a few steps closer. With a swift motion, he drew an arrow from the quiver with his right hand and said, “Pardon my poor skills.”

 

With that, he drew the bow and nocked the arrow. A light clang rang out as the long arrow shot forth with speed.

 

34

The group returned with a full load after hunting.

 

Rather than returning directly to the estate, they stopped at a clearing by a stream and instructed the servants with them to clean and prepare the prey. They set up a bonfire and planned to roast the meat there.

 

Mu Peixuan, along with Yu Jing and Xu Ying, had done this before and had already agreed to meet by the stream at a set time. Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou were the last to arrive; Xu Ying and the others were already seated by the fire.

 

Xu Ying saw Duan Linzhou dismount from Mu Peixuan’s horse, Ting Lei, and blinked in surprise. Mu Peixuan cherished that horse dearly, he wouldn’t even let Xu Ying ride it. Yet now, not only had he allowed Duan Linzhou to ride it, he had even reached out to help him dismount. Xu Ying’s gaze shifted from Mu Peixuan to Duan Linzhou, and at last, he sluggishly picked up on something different between the two.

 

Xu Ying turned to look at Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan gave a faint smile and shook his head slightly. Xu Ying obediently kept his mouth shut.

 

Duan Linzhou had dismounted. It had been ages since he last drew a bow, and just one shot left his chest faintly aching, his breath unsteady, and a slight tremble in his arm. Yet that single arrow seemed to carry away some of the frustration that had weighed on his heart for so long.

 

A rare sense of exhilaration rose in Duan Linzhou’s heart.

 

One of the wild rabbits had been firmly pinned to the ground by the arrow.

 

Mu Peixuan dismounted and personally went to retrieve the rabbit. When he turned around, he saw Duan Linzhou watching him, eyes shining and lips curved in a brilliant smile, it was sharper and more vivid than his usual calm and gentle demeanor.

 

The winter sunlight was bright but not harsh, casting a gentle glow over Duan Linzhou. Even his hair seemed to be coated in light, and the pallor of his cheeks had gained a faint flush.

 

Mu Peixuan was briefly taken aback. Their gazes locked, and as he regained his composure, he lifted the rabbit in his hand and said with a teasing smile, “Boss Duan, impressive marksmanship.”

 

Duan Linzhou ran his fingers along the longbow in his hand, smiling. “It’s been a long time since I last shot; I’ve gotten a bit rusty.”

 

Mu Peixuan raised an eyebrow. Instead of handing the wild rabbit over to his servant, he hung it on the back of his horse. “I didn’t expect Boss Duan to be skilled in both riding and archery.”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “In my early years, when I was traveling for business and often stayed out in the wilderness, I learned how to hunt from the bodyguards in the caravan. It was mostly to make do with meals.”

 

Mu Peixuan mounted his horse, taking hold of the reins. After a moment of thought, he said, “That must have been quite carefree and joyful.”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled lightly. “The vast world lies beneath your feet. Carefree, yes, but the long road was hard to travel. Encountering wild beasts and mountain bandits was a common occurrence, and the bandits weren’t even the most troublesome.”

 

Mu Peixuan raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “South of Ruizhou, there are the vast mountains of the southern border, stretching endlessly. The air is thick with miasma, and the place is teeming with snakes, insects, and poisonous creatures. Without a local guide, one might end up buried in a foreign land.”

 

“Not to mention sailing eastwards and far out to sea, merchant ships may encounter violent storms and surging waves, which are so powerful that they are beyond human control.”

 

Duan Linzhou talked about these things easily and eloquently. Although Mu Peixuan couldn’t see Duan Linzhou’s expression, he could also imagine how excited he would be.

 

He couldn’t help but wonder what Duan Linzhou would have looked like many years ago.

 

Mu Peixuan couldn’t help but tighten his arms and took advantage of the reins to hug Duan Linzhou.

 

Mu Peixuan saw Duan Linzhou rubbing his arm and asked, “Are you hurt?”

 

Duan Linzhou said, “It’s just a little sore.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at his face carefully, and then he felt relieved. He told Fen Mo to boil some hot water and then asked Duan Linzhou to sit by the campfire.

 

He took the wild rabbit shot by Duan Linzhou and went to the stream to skin and wash the rabbit meat. Mu Peixuan also roasted the rabbit meat, put it on the fire, and sprinkled spices, and the fat sizzled and fell down, emitting a faint fragrance.

 

Xu Ying chuckled, “We are so lucky today. Xiao Junwang may not be very good at much, but his roasted meat is the best.”

 

He stared intently at the rabbit meat that had been freshly butchered. Mu Peixuan glanced at him and said, “Aren’t you already roasting some yourself?”

 

Xu Ying had a wild pheasant skewered on his spit.

 

With a shameless grin, he said, “Your skills are better than mine.”

 

Yu Jing laughed. “Stop eyeing Xiao Junwang’s rabbit meat. Didn’t you see the whole string hanging on Fen Mo’s saddle? Why is it that only this one was roasted by Xiao Junwang himself?”

 

Xu Ying glanced at the aromatic rabbit meat, then at Duan Linzhou, who was sitting calmly with his hands tucked into his sleeves. Realization dawned. “This rabbit was shot by Boss Duan?”

 

He exclaimed in surprise, “Boss Duan can actually ride and shoot?”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled. “I know a bit.”

 

Xu Ying clicked his tongue in amazement, then looked at Duan Linzhou’s slender face and couldn’t help but sigh, “What a pity…”

 

Before he could finish his thought, Fang Yuan called out, “Xu Ying, if you don’t turn the chicken, it’ll burn.”

 

Xu Ying snapped back to reality with a startled shout, “Ah!” He hurriedly flipped the chicken and called out to a servant to bring honey to glaze the wild fowl.

 

Duan Linzhou glanced at Fang Yuan, who smiled at him and said, “I found some wild fruits in the mountains earlier. They’re sour with a hint of sweetness. Boss Duan, would you like to try?”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled. “Sure.”

 

The group was bustling around, and Li Yue asked, “Where did we put the wine we brought?”

 

Xu Fangyi replied, “It’s over there with me.”

 

After saying that, he had someone go fetch the wine they had brought from the estate.

 

Before long, the air by the stream was filled with the mouthwatering scent of meat and wine. Mu Peixuan saw that the rabbit meat was almost done and took a clean knife to slice a piece, placing it on a dish before handing it to Duan Linzhou. “Give it a try.”

 

Duan Linzhou didn’t hesitate. He picked up a piece of meat with wooden chopsticks, blew on it to cool it, and placed it in his mouth. His eyes brightened in surprise. “I didn’t expect Xiao Junwang’s roasting skills to be so good.”

 

Before Mu Peixuan could speak, Xu Ying, looking quite greedy, piped up, “Boss Duan doesn’t know this, but a few years ago, we went hunting and couldn’t stand having the servants follow us, so we decided to do it ourselves.”

 

He paused dramatically, then added with a grin, “Turns out, we ended up ruining our stomachs…”

 

Mu Peixuan sneered and said, “Why don’t you mention whose meat we ended up ruining our stomachs with that time?”

 

Xu Ying choked on his words, suddenly at a loss.

 

Li Yue interjected, “Xu Ying insisted that we eat, bragging about how well he could roast meat, saying there was no one on earth who could match him. In the end, we humored him and took a few bites, but we didn’t know what he added. By that afternoon, we were all suffering from stomach issues.”

 

Xu Ying instinctively glanced at Fang Yuan, his face turning red with embarrassment. Still unwilling to admit defeat, he muttered, “You guys think your roasting skills are any better? Xiao Junwang’s meat had blood streaks in it, Li Si almost burned his clothes, and Xu Fangyi, your were practically charred black…”

 

The group burst into hearty laughter.