MSW Chapter14

Mu Peixuan didn’t expect that when he opened his eyes, he would find himself at the Ruizhou dock.

 

The dock was located in the eastern market of Ruizhou. Although Mu Peixuan had been born in Ruizhou, he had visited the dock only a handful of times. It was only after marrying Duan Linzhou that he came here a few times, accompanying him.

 

Mu Peixuan furrowed his brow and looked around. He remembered that after discussing official matters in the study, he had returned to rest with Duan Linzhou. It had been around the middle of the night at that time.

 

Somehow, upon opening his eyes, he had ended up at the bustling, noisy Ruizhou dock. The place was crowded, groups of laborers loitered in clusters, most dressed in coarse, short work garments. Some were even bare-chested, a strip of white cloth slung over their shoulders, which they used to wipe the sweat from their bodies now and then.

 

“Make way, make way!”

 

A thunderous voice suddenly boomed overhead.

 

“Whose kid is this? Move aside, quick!”

 

The booming voice made Mu Peixuan’s ears ring. He looked up, clearly annoyed, only to see a tall, burly man standing in front of him with a crate hoisted on his shoulder, glaring as he said, “Move, move!”

 

Mu Peixuan froze.

 

This man seemed like a giant—

 

Then, in a flash, realization struck him.

 

It wasn’t that the man was a giant…

 

It was that he had gotten smaller.

 

Mu Peixuan reached out his hand and looked at his palm, just as he suspected, it was smaller too.

 

…What was going on?

 

Was this a dream?

 

A large hand suddenly swung toward him. Mu Peixuan instinctively moved to seize it, but before he could make contact, his feet left the ground. The man had already grabbed him by the shoulder with one hand and set him aside.

 

“Go find your parents, kid. Don’t get in the way.”

 

Mu Peixuan: “……”

 

He was on the verge of angrily rebuking the man for his insolence — when had Mu Peixuan ever been manhandled like that? But recalling the strange situation he was in, he held back.

 

It was only after a long while that Mu Peixuan realized he now stood at about the height of an eight or nine-year-old.

 

He had returned to the age of eight or nine.

 

Was this a dream? If it were, it felt far too real — the lingering warmth of that man’s palm still clung to Mu Peixuan’s shoulder. He pressed his fingers to his brow, trying to think of a way to wake from this dream, when suddenly, the laborers around him all sprang into motion, rushing toward the dock and shouting, “The Duan family’s ship is back!”

 

The Duan family.

 

Mu Peixuan snapped his head around to look, but he was too small — his view was completely blocked by the crowd.

 

By the time Mu Peixuan squeezed his way to the edge of the dock, he saw three ships approaching the harbor. On their sails, there was a large black flag adorned with gold script, with a grand “Duan” character written in a flowing, dragon-and-phoenix style.

 

“Boss Duan has finally returned.”

 

“Boss Duan’s been gone for three months, I wonder where he’s been.”

 

“Heh, well, he’s probably been off making a fortune. We wouldn’t be able to guess.”

 

Mu Peixuan listened to the laborers’ gossip, unable to help but wonder — could it be Duan Linzhou?

 

This was the Suizhou dock, and the flag was unmistakably the one from Duan Linzhou’s trading fleet.

 

Soon, the merchant ship docked.

 

Mu Peixuan’s eyes immediately found Duan Linzhou standing on the deck. The Duan Linzhou before him was around eighteen or nineteen years old, with his long hair tied up high. He was dressed in a narrow-sleeved long robe, laughing and chatting with those around him. His brows and eyes sparkled with youthful exuberance, exuding the spirit of a young man full of ambition.

 

Duan Linzhou and the others disembarked together. As he walked, the golden abacus hanging from his waist swayed, and when the sunlight hit it, it gleamed brightly, dazzling to the eyes.

 

Mu Peixuan couldn’t help but laugh.

 

Duan Linzhou turned over and said, “Once the goods are unloaded, let’s have a good rest. I’ve already made a reservation at Weixiang Lou. We can sleep well and enjoy a good meal tonight.”

 

The stewards beside him were all smiling broadly as they agreed, surrounding Duan Linzhou as they made their way to the dock. The unloading of the goods was already taken care of by others, so they didn’t need to worry about it.

 

The dockworkers, upon seeing Duan Linzhou, quickly made way for him. Some of the bolder ones called out, “Boss Duan! What new and interesting things have you brought back this time?”

 

Duan Linzhou turned his head toward the voice and smiled, raising his eyebrows. “Want to know? Just go to the shop tomorrow, and you’ll find out.”

 

A few more laborers took the opportunity to strike up a conversation with Duan Linzhou. He wasn’t in a hurry and chatted with them for a few moments before bidding them farewell. After taking a few steps, he heard a voice call out, “Duan Linzhou!”

 

The voice was clear, with a hint of childishness. Duan Linzhou turned back to look and saw an eight or nine-year-old child staring at him intently.

 

Duan Linzhou raised an eyebrow and asked, “Did you call me?”

 

Mu Peixuan nodded and said, “Yes.”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled, his gaze sweeping over the child’s clothes. As a merchant, he could immediately tell they were made from Shu silk.

 

This child must be of noble birth.

 

Duan Linzhou said, “May I ask, Young Master, what can I do for you?”

 

Duan Linzhou’s polite question actually left Mu Peixuan momentarily speechless, and he felt a little uncomfortable. Even when they had just married, Duan Linzhou had never been this polite or distant with him.

 

Mu Peixuan pursed his lips and said, “Where are you going?”

 

Duan Linzhou was both amused and helpless, replying, “Of course, I’m going home.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “I’ll go home with you.”

 

Duan Linzhou: “……”

 

At the Duan mansion.

 

The steward had already received the news of Duan Linzhou’s return to Ruizhou and had arranged for people to wait outside the mansion. As their group arrived at the entrance, the steward came out to greet them.

 

“Third Young Master, you’re back,” the steward said, his face full of smiles. “It must have been a long journey.”

 

Duan Linzhou dismounted from his horse and called out, “Uncle An.”

 

The steward responded with a “Yes,” about to speak, when he noticed a delicate-looking child still sitting on the horse behind Duan Linzhou. He paused for a moment and then asked, “Third Young Master, this is…?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “I found this child at the dock. Have someone investigate in North City and find out which family in Ruizhou has lost a child.”

 

North City was the residence of the prominent and wealthy families of Ruizhou. Only such families could afford to wear Shu silk.

 

The steward responded with a “Yes” and then asked, “May I ask which family this Young Master is from?”

 

Duan Linzhou glanced at Mu Peixuan and said, “He says he has forgotten.”

 

“…This,” The steward said, helplessly laughing, “This child is eight or nine years old, how could he forget even his own name and surname? Isn’t this like looking for a needle in a haystack?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “I’ve already instructed people to pay attention at the dock. From his accent, he should be from Ruizhou. You can start by having people investigate.”

 

The steward gave Mu Peixuan another glance, thinking to himself, Poor thing, such a big child, and he doesn’t even remember who he is. Could he possibly be a fool?

 

Mu Peixuan calmly met the steward’s sympathetic gaze and then turned his attention back to Duan Linzhou, saying, “Duan Linzhou, I’m still on the horse.”

 

Duan Linzhou was both amused and exasperated by his boldness. This child was like an unshakeable piece of chewing gum. When they were at the dock, he had blurted out that he wanted to go home with him, and even Duan Linzhou had been stunned for a moment. He asked, “Why do you want to come home with me?”

 

Mu Peixuan, with all the confidence in the world, said, “I just want to go home with you.”

 

After speaking, he confidently walked over to Duan Linzhou and reached out to grab his hand. Duan Linzhou, quick to react, raised his hand, leaving Mu Peixuan grasping at air. Mu Peixuan froze for a moment, then looked up at Duan Linzhou, a hint of disappointment flickering in his eyes.

 

The child was exceptionally well-groomed, and when he showed that expression, it was truly pitiful. It made it seem as though he had done something that deeply saddened him.

 

“……”

 

Duan Linzhou was sure this was the first time he had met the child. His memory was sharp, and a child who looked so striking and with such a background, Duan Linzhou would have remembered him if they had crossed paths before.

 

The people standing nearby couldn’t help but laugh, joking, “Third Young Master, this child insists on going back with you. Could he be your long-lost child?”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled and scolded, “Get lost, where would I have such a big child?”

 

Indeed, Duan Linzhou was still not yet in his twenties; he was still in his youth.

 

The child was no longer a toddler but about eight or nine years old.

 

Duan Linzhou, who was always patient, asked Mu Peixuan, “Which family are you from? Why are you alone at the dock? Where are your parents?”

 

Mu Peixuan was certain that as long as he claimed to be from Marquis Annan Mansion, Duan Linzhou would immediately send him back without a second thought.

 

Mu Peixuan looked at Duan Linzhou and said, “I don’t remember.”

 

Duan Linzhou: “……”

 

Duan Linzhou asked again, “Then how did you end up at Qinghe Dock?”

 

Mu Peixuan told the truth this time. “I woke up and found myself here.”

 

Naturally, Duan Linzhou didn’t believe him. He sighed and said, “How about I send you to the prefectural government?”

 

“No,” Mu Peixuan replied without hesitation, grabbing Duan Linzhou’s sleeve. “I want to go home with you.”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled helplessly and said, “Do you even know who I am for you to want to go home with me?”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “Duan Linzhou.”

 

He added slowly, “Boss Duan.”

 

Duan Linzhou, already an eye-catching figure, found himself the center of attention with Mu Peixuan’s antics. The people at the dock were all looking at them. Duan Linzhou laughed in exasperation, shaking the child’s small hand and feigning anger. “If you follow me home, tomorrow I’ll have you thrown on the ship for sale, and your parents won’t be able to find you.”

 

Mu Peixuan had never seen Duan Linzhou like this before. He felt that every part of Duan Linzhou’s expression was vivid and lively. Mu Peixuan’s eyes also showed a smile, but he didn’t say anything, just silently looking at Duan Linzhou.

 

Although he was now only eight or nine years old, his gaze carried a maturity beyond his years, one that seemed to suggest calmness and wisdom. Duan Linzhou even saw a hint of fondness and affection in the child’s eyes.

 

What the hell?

 

Duan Linzhou rubbed his arm and let out a long sigh. “Alright, let’s go. We’ll talk when we get back.”

 

The horse was tall and strong, with long, sturdy limbs. Mu Peixuan, still a child, naturally couldn’t get down on his own. Duan Linzhou tried to scare him, saying, “If you’re determined to come with me, you’ll have to stay on the horse.”

 

Mu Peixuan bit his lip, looked at Duan Linzhou, and then placed his foot in the stirrup, testing whether he could jump down. Duan Linzhou was startled and quickly grabbed Mu Peixuan to lift him down.

 

Duan Linzhou was about to scold him for being so bold, but when he met the child’s smiling eyes, he was momentarily speechless. He sighed and said, “You’re too reckless. If you really fall off, you’ll have plenty to cry about.”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “You won’t let me fall.”

 

Then, without hesitation, he reached up to wrap his arms around Duan Linzhou’s neck.

 

This was the first time Duan Linzhou had encountered such a clingy child, and the way the child acted as if they were incredibly familiar with each other was both strange and left him helpless.

 

Duan Linzhou pried Mu Peixuan’s arms off him and set him down, saying, “You little kid…”

 

Mu Peixuan, being pushed away again, shot him a glance and retorted, “I’m not a little kid.”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled and said, “You don’t even remember who your parents are or who you are. If you’re not a kid, then you’re some family’s silly Zhaizi.”

 

“Zhaizi” is a term used in the dialect of Ruizhou, meaning a little child.

 

Mu Peixuan wasn’t upset by Duan Linzhou’s teasing. Instead, it made his heart flutter lightly, as though a feather had gently scratched at it, sending a tingling sensation through his body. He instinctively reached for Duan Linzhou’s hand, but seeing that Duan Linzhou had already turned and walked ahead, he could only half-heartedly curl his fingers and, with a soft sigh, follow behind.