MSW Chapter21

49

As Mu Peixuan had expected, by the second day, the Jinyiwei entered Ruizhou City to escort the Yu family to the capital.

 

Everything happened faster than imagined, catching everyone off guard, as if it were a scheme long in the making.

 

That day was overcast, the sky gloomy, and the north wind howled. After hearing the news, Mu Peixuan immediately rode Ting Lei, galloping all the way to the city gate. Along the way, townsfolk gathered in small groups, standing still and gazing at the procession.

 

Since Prefect Yu took post as governor, although he had no great achievements, he never fabricated charges to exploit or oppress the people and could be considered an honest official. Now that the Yu family had suddenly fallen into misfortune, with everyone in the household to be escorted to the capital, the townsfolk grew even more bewildered and helpless at the sight and could not help but follow along.

 

Ruizhou had just suffered a snow disaster, and the city was already in turmoil; now that the governor had become a criminal and was being taken to the capital, how could the people’s hearts not be thrown into chaos?

 

Mu Peixuan looked at those pairs of sorrowful, panicked eyes, tightened his grip on the reins, gave a low shout, and urged his horse forward a few steps, cutting past the crowd like a gust of wind and swiftly closing in on the procession.

 

“Who are you!” The Jinyiwei, hearing the sound of approaching hooves, reined in their horses, drew their swords from their waists, and shouted, “The Jinyiwei handling official business, halt at once!”

 

Yu Jing was the first to see Mu Peixuan. Unable to restrain himself, he took two steps forward and said, “Peixuan…”

 

Mu Peixuan pulled on the reins and glanced at Yu Jing. Yu Jing, who usually valued his appearance most, but was now wearing a wooden cangue[mfn]Wooden collar used to restrain and punish criminals in China.[/mfn] around his neck, his hair crown disheveled, looking quite bedraggled. Mu Peixuan’s expression darkened. He swept his gaze around, then looked straight at the Jinyiwei’s leader and said, “I am Junwang of Jingnan.”

 

The Jinyiwei rode forward two steps, smiling as he cupped his hands and said, “So it is Your Highness. I am Yao Cong, a Qianhu[mfn]It’s a military title, meaning hundred households, just like Xu Ying’s.[/mfn] from the Beizhen Fusi[mfn]Northern Pacification Division[/mfn]. Greetings to Your Highness. I beg Your Highness’s pardon, as I am currently on official duty and unable to pay respects at your residence.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s heart sank. Yao Cong was a Qianhu from the Beizhen Fusi and a trusted aide of its commander. He had not expected that it would be the Jinyiwei of the Beizhen Fusi that was personally escorting the Yu family to the capital. Even traveling at full speed from the capital to Ruizhou would take four or five days. From the time the King Duan case began until now, only six days had passed altogether.

 

This had clearly been premeditated.

 

Mu Peixuan feigned ignorance and asked, “Yao Qianhu, what grave crime has the Yu family committed to warrant such haste and such a show of force, escorting the entire household to the capital?”

 

Yao Cong replied, “Your Highness may not be aware, but a major case recently occurred in the capital, and the Yu family is involved.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Oh?”

 

“What major case?”

 

Yao Cong smiled faintly, lowered his voice, and said, “For a case that implicates the whole family, naturally it is—” He raised his hand and pointed upward. “—Treason.”

 

Mu Peixuan widened his eyes and said, “The Yu family committed treason?”

 

Yao Cong looked at Mu Peixuan with a beaming smile but said nothing.

 

Mu Peixuan stared at Yao Cong, rubbing the reins in his hand, and sighed, “Governor Yu is the governor of Ruizhou, yet this prince knew nothing of the Yu family’s audacious actions. This prince has truly failed the grace of Heaven…”

 

Yao Cong fixed his gaze on Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan met his eyes without flinching. After a moment of thought, Yao Cong said, “To be frank with Your Highness, it concerns the Yu family’s Eldest Young Master, the former Ministry of Personnel official, Lord Yu Yi—”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Is the evidence conclusive?”

 

Yao Cong replied, “This journey is precisely to escort the Yu family to the capital for investigation.”

 

Mu Peixuan let out a light laugh and said, “Since the crime is yet unproven, how can Yao Qianhu impose criminal punishment upon the Yu family?”

 

Yao Cong was momentarily taken aback at these words. Mu Peixuan said, “Yao Qianhu, turn around and look.”

 

Yao Cong turned his head as instructed and saw that during the short time Mu Peixuan had blocked their way, a large crowd of townsfolk had unknowingly gathered at the city gate. There were even some ragged refugees among them, all staring intently at them.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Setting aside whether Governor Yu truly took part in treason or not, during his years in post, Ruizhou’s governance has been clean and the people have lived in peace. Now, with Ruizhou about to face a snow disaster, when people’s hearts are already unsettled, Yao Qianhu would so readily remove the governor. How could the people of Ruizhou deal with this cruel natural disaster?”

 

“Secondly, until the Yu family’s guilt is determined, Governor Yu remains the governor of Ruizhou, a fifth-rank official of the court. Yao Qianhu’s actions — are they not improper?”

 

The young man sat tall and straight on his horse, dressed in a dark cloak. His voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it carried a steadiness beyond his years, faintly edged with sharpness. Yao Cong could not help but fix his gaze on the young prince before him. Mu Peixuan had made his name in a single battle at a young age, and everyone had thought he would become the next Marquis Yongping. Yet after he went to Liangdu, the people there realized that although the boy had talent, he was far less awe-inspiring than the rumors had claimed.

 

He was merely a somewhat gifted, fortunate, and arrogant youth.

 

The lords in Liangdu had set their minds at ease.

 

Yet now, as Yao Cong looked at Mu Peixuan again, he realized that Mu Peixuan was far from the arrogant and willful youth the rumors had painted him to be.

 

Mu Peixuan remained calm and unruffled. Yao Cong smiled and said, “Your Highness, treason is a grave crime. Most would avoid it at all costs. Why must Your Highness draw fire upon yourself?”

 

“Besides, once it is confirmed that the Yu family is guilty, I fear even Marquis Annan Mansion will find it hard to remain untouched.”

 

Mu Peixuan sat upright and said, “The one blocking you today is Junwang of Jingnan.”

 

Yao Cong paused. Then he saw Mu Peixuan smile, revealing a hint of youthful willfulness. He tapped his palm lightly with a gemstone-inlaid riding whip and said, “Moreover, who in Ruizhou does not know that this prince is on good terms with Second Young Master Yu? Now that this prince’s friend is suddenly leaving on a long journey, this prince is not even allowed to see him off? What kind of reasoning is that?”

 

Yao Cong was silent for a moment, then said, “Someone, remove the canque .”

 

At his command, several cavalrymen dismounted at once and went to remove the heavy wooden restraints from the Yu family members. Among the crowd, the old, the weak, the women, and the children let out soft sobs.

 

Mu Peixuan took a bulging bundle from his horse and handed it to Yao Cong, saying, “Yao Qianhu has come from afar. This prince has not properly fulfilled my duties as host. Here is a small token of regard.”

 

Yao Cong raised his eyebrows and weighed the bundle in his hand. It was heavy, unmistakably filled with gold ingots. A smile immediately appeared on his face as he hung the bundle onto his own horse and said, “Your Highness is so generous. This humble official thanks Your Highness.”

 

He added, “When Your Highness comes to the capital in the future, this humble official will treat you to a drink.”

 

Mu Peixuan jested, “It’s better that this prince does not enter the Beizhen Fusi’s gates.”

 

The two exchanged a knowing smile. Yao Cong’s tone softened slightly as he said, “Since Your Highness and Second Young Master Yu are such close friends, law and reason aside, Your Highness should bid him farewell.”

 

He added meaningfully, “After all, it may not be easy to see him again.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Thank you, Yao Qianhu.”

 

After speaking, he dismounted and walked over to Yu Jing.

 

Yu Jing looked at him, his eyes slightly reddened, and said, “Peixuan.”

 

Mu Peixuan lowered his voice and said, “Second Brother, I will definitely help you.”

 

Yu Jing gave a bitter smile and said, “There’s no way… there’s no way.”

 

Mu Peixuan furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, “Second Brother! Everything is not settled yet.” He looked at Yu Jing, unfastened his cloak, and draped it over Yu Jing’s shoulders. As the two stood close, Mu Peixuan suddenly heard Yu Jing say, “My elder brother is dead.”

 

Mu Peixuan was stunned. Yu Jing had already grasped his arm, holding it tightly, his grip filled with uncontainable grief. “He died in the imperial prison.”

 

Mu Peixuan exhaled deeply, his expression unchanged as he tied the satin ribbon for Yu Jing. His voice was barely audible as he said, “No matter what, don’t accept your fate. My elder brother and I have already asked Old Duke An to intervene on behalf of the Yu family. As long as you guys don’t admit to it, there will be a way out.”

 

He lifted his gaze to meet Yu Jing’s and said, “Don’t accept your fate.”

 

“Second Brother, there will still be a time for us brothers to reunite. When that day comes, we’ll drink and hunt together again.”

 

Yu Jing stared blankly at Mu Peixuan for a moment, then gave a fierce nod and said, “Alright, I won’t accept my fate.”

 

Mu Peixuan straightened the front of his clothes and, without a trace, slipped a stack of banknotes into Yu Jing’s garments. He said, “The road ahead will be hard, Second Brother. Take care along the way.”

 

Yu Jing forced a smile and said, “Take care.”

 

“Uncle Yu, you too, take care.” Mu Peixuan stepped back two paces and bowed to the Governor Yu. Governor Yu’s hair had turned completely white overnight, his face was full of sorrow, and he said in a hoarse voice, “I have already entrusted all matters of Ruizhou to Brother Shiqing.”

 

“Thank you so much, Your Highness.”

 

The Brother Shiqing he spoke of was the Assistant Governor of Ruizhou.

 

Mu Peixuan closed his eyes briefly and bowed deeply once more. Governor Yu stepped back, not daring to receive such a courtesy again. He looked up and saw the towering city gates of Ruizhou and the common folk gathered together, gazing after them. Unable to hold back, tears streamed down his aged face.

 

Outside the city, no one knew who had first bowed, but the commoners all knelt down one after another, their cries rising and falling as they wept, “Farewell, Lord Governor—”

 

Governor Yu was overwhelmed with grief. He straightened his robes and returned a deep bow to the people of Ruizhou.

 

The northern wind sobbed, bleak and chilling, as if it could kill.

 

Yao Cong watched, stunned for a moment, but did not interrupt them. Mu Peixuan said to Yao Cong, “Yao Qianhu, there are many elderly, women, and children in the Yu family. I must trouble you to take extra care of them along the way.”

 

Yao Cong smiled and said, “Of course.”

 

With that, he raised his arm and waved, saying, “Set off!”