MSW Chapter4

14

Duan Linzhou’s illness gave both the Old Madam and Mu Peizhi quite a scare. Even Old Madam Zhang herself came to visit once. But when the two sat down together, there wasn’t much to say. Although Old Madam Zhang had allowed Mu Peixuan to marry Duan Linzhou, it didn’t mean she had truly accepted him in her heart.

 

She still hoped Mu Peixuan would marry a well-bred Kunze from a prestigious family and carry on the family line; this, after all, was the path Mu Peixuan was supposed to take.

 

Duan Linzhou was sharp and perceptive, how could he not see through it? But he didn’t care. He had already done what he needed to do; as for what others thought, it had nothing to do with him.

 

Besides, Duan Linzhou didn’t like Mu Peixuan’s mother or older brother, so there was no need for him to go out of his way to please them anyway.

 

Falling ill in the winter was nothing unusual. After three years, Duan Linzhou had grown used to it. What he hadn’t expected was for Mu Peixuan to come see him in the middle of the night.

 

This person… how should he put it? He was truly endearing, Duan Linzhou thought.

 

If it had been him, forced into a marriage like this, he would’ve surely made a scene and turned everything upside down, and no one would have had any peace.

 

But Mu Peixuan didn’t. Though he held resentment in his heart, he kept it in check, never once making Duan Linzhou look bad in front of others. And perhaps because Duan Linzhou had already become his spouse, whether he liked it or not, there was, subconsciously, a bit of awkward yet genuine care in his actions.

 

When Duan Linzhou decided to marry Mu Peixuan, he had already prepared himself for the worst. But now, things were turning out much better than he had expected. He spaced out for a moment, a faint sense of melancholy rising in his heart.

 

Perhaps it was because Duan Linzhou had fallen ill, and that illness had something to do with him, that Mu Peixuan kept thinking of him throughout the day while at the military camp.

 

When their duties were over, Xu Ying and Li Yue invited Mu Peixuan out for a drink. He tossed out two words: “Not going.”

 

Xu Ying said, “…Xiao Junwang, don’t tell me you’re staying at the military camp again tonight.”

 

Mu Peixuan shot him a glance and replied, “Where I stay has nothing to do with you.”

 

Xu Ying smiled awkwardly and said, “It has nothing to do with us indeed, but…” He suddenly remembered something and couldn’t help but look at Mu Peixuan from top to bottom with a very subtle expression.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “What are you looking at?”

 

Xu Ying gave a cheeky laugh, scooted closer, and lowered his voice. “Xiao Junwang, Brother has a question for you—”

 

“Have you and Boss Duan consummated the marriage?”

 

Mu Peixuan: “……”

 

Xu Ying reacted quickly, immediately jumping back a few steps and blurting out, “I was just curious, alright? Who gets married and then never stays home? Boss Duan might not be a kunze, but he’s good-looking and knows how to behave…”

 

Mu Peixuan let out a cold laugh. “How many times have you guys even met him? And you already think he knows how to behave?”

 

Xu Ying chuckled, “You saw how he was with us yesterday during the meal. Even Shen Ze, who’s usually the quietest, was talking. No one was left out. Doesn’t that show he’s considerate and knows how to get along?”

 

Mu Peixuan, expressionless, replied, “A merchant knows how to play the game with a silver tongue.”

 

Xu Ying looked at Mu Peixuan and said, “In the past, when we looked for kunze to sing little tunes, you didn’t want to join. Now that Boss Duan is a zhongyong, you still don’t like—” He widened his eyes, adding, “Xiao Junwang, could it be that you have a thing for tianqian?”

 

Mu Peixuan’s face darkened. Tianqian carried Xinxiang with an inherent aggressiveness and desire to dominate. Between Tianqian, the Xinxiang itself could become a blade for confrontation. Though Mu Peixuan wasn’t sure what he liked, one thing was certain, he could never like Tianqian.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Shut up.”

 

Li Yue, standing aside, cleared his throat and said, “It’s getting late. We should be going. Your Highness, are you sure you’re not coming?”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “I’m not going.”

 

Xu Ying was about to speak again but was swiftly silenced by Li Yue, who covered his mouth. Li Yue then said, “Well then, we’ll be on our way. Farewell.”

 

Once the two left, Mu Peixuan no longer felt inclined to stay. However, returning like this didn’t feel quite right either. He clicked his tongue, leaned his back against the chair, stretched out his legs, and absentmindedly stared at the military books on the desk.

 

As the sun slowly moved westward, Fen Mo entered and asked Mu Peixuan, “Your Highness, today is the 15th. Will you be going back to dine with Old Madam Zhang?”

 

Mu Peixuan had grown up beside the Old Marquis and was not particularly close to Old Madam Zhang. After the Old Marquis passed away, he often stayed at the garrison, only returning to his mother’s side for meals on occasions like the first and fifteenth of each month.

 

But then again, he didn’t go home often either.

 

Mu Peixuan said nothing.

 

Fen Mo tried to read his expression and quietly called out, “Your Highness?”

 

Mu Peixuan closed the military book in his hands and said, “Let’s go. It’s been a while since I last had a meal with my mother.”

 

15

By the time Mu Peixuan returned to Marquis Annan’s mansion, night had already fallen, and the Luzhu Courtyard was brightly lit. He waved off the servants who were about to announce his arrival and stepped into Rong’an Courtyard.

 

Inside the hall, Mu Peizhi and his wife, Lady Li, along with their two children, were dining with Old Madam Zhang. The older child was six, the younger four, one clung to Old Madam Zhang, the other to Lady Li, their childish voices calling out “Mother” and “Grandmother,” filling the room with laughter. Old Madam Zhang beamed with joy, and the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

 

Mu Peixuan paused in his steps.

 

A servant standing by the door called out, “Xiao Junwang.”

 

The atmosphere in the hall froze slightly as everyone turned to look at him. Mu Peixuan stepped inside as if nothing were amiss and greeted, “Mother. Big Brother. Saozi.”

 

The smile on Old Madam Zhang’s face faded a little as she said, “You’re back.”

 

Mu Peizhi smiled and said, “We were just talking about you. We thought you’d be too busy today. Come, have a seat.”

 

The maidservants, who were standing nearby, wisely stepped forward to add new bowls and chopsticks. Mu Peixuan took his seat, and the two children, upon seeing him, quietly called out, “Uncle.”

 

Mu Peixuan responded with a smile, reaching out to pat the older child on the head. “I was in a hurry to come back today. I’ll bring you guys some fun things next time.”

 

The older child, the legitimate eldest son of Marquis Annan, resembled Mu Peizhi a lot. Upon hearing this, his eyes curved into joyful crescents. “Thank you, Uncle.”

 

Lady Li chuckled and said, “Alright, don’t keep bothering your uncle.”

 

Mu Peizhi also added, “Let’s eat.”

 

Mu Peixuan responded with a soft sound. During the meal, no one spoke again, and it felt as if the warm, cheerful scene he had just witnessed with the grandmother and grandchildren was nothing more than a figment of his imagination.

 

Mu Peixuan tugged at the corner of his mouth, casually ate a little, then put down his bowl and chopsticks. “Mother, I’ve finished eating. I’ll be heading back now.”

 

Old Madam Zhang lifted her gaze to look at Mu Peixuan. Many mothers tend to favor their younger sons, and she had once looked forward to Mu Peixuan’s birth with great anticipation. However, it was likely that the two of them were simply born with a slight lack of maternal bond. When Mu Peixuan was born, it had been a difficult delivery, almost costing her life. Because of him, she had been injured and was never able to conceive again.

 

Perhaps it was the fear of life and death that had left Old Madam Zhang unable to feel close to this youngest son.

 

The Old Marquis, on the other hand, had favored Mu Peixuan and kept him by his side, personally taking care of and guiding him. As a result, the bond between the mother and son grew increasingly distant, and that distance remains even to this day.

 

Old Madam Zhang said, “Now that you’re married, you should be more mature and steady.”

 

Mu Peixuan replied with a casual acknowledgment.

 

Old Madam Zhang continued, “No matter how much you dislike this marriage, it’s already a reality. Don’t keep acting like you did before, always absent from home. It’ll only give others something to laugh about.”

 

Mu Peixuan furrowed his brows, scoffing as he said, “What do you mean, giving people something to laugh about? This marriage, to begin with, is a joke, isn’t it?”

 

Madam Zhang’s expression froze, and she angrily said, “…Peixuan!”

 

Mu Peizhi spoke softly, “Second Brother, I know you’ve suffered, and I, as your elder brother, understand your feelings—”

 

Mu Peixuan glanced at them, his face growing cold. “No need. I have things to do. I won’t disturb Mother’s time with the family.”

 

With that, Mu Peixuan stood up and left, sweeping his sleeves as he went. Old Madam Zhang was furious, clutching her chest and saying, “Did he come here to eat? He’s only come to make me angry!”

 

Mu Peizhi glanced at Mu Peixuan’s retreating figure, pressed his lips together, and softly comforted Old Madam Zhang with a few words. The six-year-old child then leaned over and said, “Grandmother, don’t be upset. Yu’er will pour tea for you.”

 

Old Madam Zhang’s expression softened slightly, and with a loving tone, she said, “Grandmother is not upset.”

 

Mu Peixuan left Rong’an Courtyard, a sense of frustration still brewing in his chest with nowhere to vent.

 

He walked into Wen’an Courtyard and, upon looking up, saw the flickering candlelight in the master bedroom. He paused for a moment, then realized that he was married now, and the person in the room was Duan Linzhou.

 

The door was open. As Mu Peixuan took a few steps closer, he saw Duan Linzhou standing by the candlelight, adjusting the wick. The dim glow of the candle cast a soft, warm hue on Duan Linzhou’s face, adding a hint of color to his features. His long, slender fingers lightly twisted the silver wick trimmer, absentmindedly adjusting the flame.

 

In that moment, it felt as though the entire room brightened.

 

Duan Linzhou turned around and saw Mu Peixuan standing by the door. Their eyes met, and Duan Linzhou smiled slightly, saying, “You’re back.”

 

The words came so naturally from Duan Linzhou that Mu Peixuan was momentarily stunned. The frustration that had been building up inside him inexplicably eased a little. He gave a soft “En,” lifted his foot, and walked in.

 

Duan Linzhou asked, “Has Xiao Junwang had dinner?”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “I ate at Mother’s place already.” He added, “Today is the fifteenth, and on the first and fifteenth of every month, if I’m free, I always go to have a meal with her.”

 

Duan Linzhou nodded, saying, “I remember now.”

 

Mu Peixuan realized what he had said and replied indifferently, “Whether I go or not, it’s the same. No need to make a fuss about it.”

 

Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan’s expression and chuckled softly, replying, “Alright.”

 

That night, the two of them slept on the same bed.

 

Mu Peixuan couldn’t shake off the restlessness in his mind. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but it seemed like the medicinal smell in the room had faded a little. He glanced at the incense burner and asked, “What incense did you burn today?”

 

Duan Linzhou, not yet asleep himself, smiled and replied, “The servants mixed a new fragrance. It’s just right to balance out the medicinal smell, making it less overpowering.”

 

Mu Peixuan rested his arm under his head and said, “Duan Linzhou, I heard you have an older brother?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “Yes, but three years ago, he fell off a horse and injured his back, leaving him bedridden ever since.”

 

Mu Peixuan pondered over the words ‘three years’ and said, “That’s quite a coincidence. Three years ago, you were poisoned and severely ill, and your brother was injured, becoming a cripple.”

 

Duan Linzhou gave a faint smile. The long winter night was silent, and his voice sounded unusually soft. “Who knows, perhaps this is fate.”

 

Mu Peixuan sneered, “Boss Duan believe in fate?”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “I didn’t believe before, but I believe now.”

 

Mu Peixuan turned his head and glanced at Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou was staring at the bed curtains, speaking slowly, “Actually, my father never valued me at first. He had his eyes on my older brother. He’s a tianqian, and my father thought that a tianqian would naturally outshine a zhongyong like me. I wasn’t convinced, so I made a bet with my father.” He smiled lightly and continued, “I bet with my elder brother, each of us putting up a hundred taels, with half a year as the period. Whoever earns more silver by the end would win.”

 

“My elder brother lost to me,” Duan Linzhou said. “I thought my father would finally think more highly of me, but in his eyes, my elder brother still outshone me simply because he was Tianqian.”

 

“That’s when I stopped believing in fate.”

 

Mu Peixuan asked, “Why did you believe again?”

 

Duan Linzhou turned to look at Mu Peixuan. Their eyes met, and he smiled slightly, speaking slowly, “Sometimes things are out of our control. We have no choice but to believe in fate. It’s like when the King of Hell decides I won’t live long, then I won’t live for many years.”

 

Mu Peixuan had heard him say such things before, but for the first time, he felt a bit displeased. He said, “You haven’t visited every renowned physician in the world yet, how can you be so sure there’s no cure?”

 

A hint of a smile appeared in Duan Linzhou’s eyes as he leaned in closer, fixing his gaze on Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan stiffened under his stare but kept a neutral expression, locking eyes with Duan Linzhou.

 

Duan Linzhou spoke, his voice laced with a smile as he slowly said, “Compared to that uncertain matter, I’m more curious about—” He paused, his tone playful. “What does Xiao Junwang’s xinxiang smell like?”

 

16

When the words “xinxiang” were spoken, Mu Peixuan widened his eyes, almost sitting up in shock. The two of them were too close, and in the darkness, he seemed to catch a faint scent of medicine mixed with the bitterness from Duan Linzhou’s body.

 

Typically, those of the Zhongyong did not have Xinxiang.

 

This was the lingering scent from Duan Linzhou’s constant use of medicine throughout the years.

 

Mu Peixuan steadied his breath and said, “If you want to know what my xinxiang smells like, Duan Boss, why don’t you just have a sniff yourself?”

 

Duan Linzhou paused slightly. Mu Peixuan only felt a weight on him as Duan Linzhou leaned forward. Their noses nearly brushed against each other, and Duan Linzhou’s voice dropped low as he said, “Since Xiao Junwang is being generous. Duan cannot refuse such a gift.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s body froze, and he subconsciously wanted to push Duan Linzhou down, but his lips softened, and Duan Linzhou’s vague voice came into his ears, “Don’t you know that zhongyong can’t smell the xinxiang—”

 

Amid the sound of lips and teeth, Duan Linzhou’s voice was filled with a light smile, “We can only taste it.”

 

Mu Peixuan: “……”

 

He grasped Duan Linzhou’s wrist, intending to shake him off, but Duan Linzhou seemed to sense it and actually grabbed his hand in return. The two of them exchanged a brief struggle, and Mu Peixuan was slightly shocked to realize that Duan Linzhou knew martial arts. But soon after, he noticed Duan Linzhou’s follow-up movements were soft and weak. After a brief moment of surprise, Duan Linzhou had already propped himself up. His long, black, satin-like hair brushed past Mu Peixuan’s neck, bringing a slight itch.

 

Mu Peixuan gritted his teeth and said, “Duan Linzhou!”

 

Duan Linzhou lazily responded, “En?”

 

He was quite pleased, rubbing his lips with his fingers with a hint of regret. The moment he kissed down, the Tianqian’s Xinxiang that Mu Peixuan had been holding back surged like a flood, it was overwhelming. Duan Linzhou, being of the Zhongyong, had duller senses, only barely catching a hint of the scent, which resembled the fresh air after snow, cold yet mixed with a trace of warmth from the sun.

 

Duan Linzhou was extremely pleased.

 

Mu Peixuan’s chest rose and fell a few times, his anger bubbling up. “How can you be so shameless!”

 

Duan Linzhou chuckled and said, “My Xiao Junwang ah, we are husband and wife, we’re being intimate in our chambers, what’s there to talk about shame?”

 

“Besides, I’m already nearing thirty. At my age, with neither a concubine nor a lover, it’s only natural for me to think of something now that I’ve finally married.”

 

He spoke so reasonably that it left Mu Peixuan speechless, he was both angry and upset. He threw the quilt off and tried to get out of bed. The moment he moved, Duan Linzhou grabbed his arm and said, “I won’t say it anymore, I won’t say it anymore.”

 

Mu Peixuan angrily said, “Let go.”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “It’s freezing cold outside. Does Your Highness want to go to the study and sleep on the cold bed?”

 

Mu Peixuan coldly said, “Do you think you have the right to control where this prince sleeps?” He forcefully shook off Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou let out a low grunt, mixed with a hint of pain, and coughed several times. The coughing was so severe that Mu Peixuan, despite the darkness, could see Duan Linzhou bent over on the bed, his shoulders trembling with each cough. Dressed only in undergarments, Duan Linzhou’s hunched posture made him appear even more fragile and weak.

 

Mu Peixuan gritted his teeth.

 

Duan Linzhou steadied his breath before hoarsely saying, “Because of my mistake, how can I let Your Highness leave to sleep in the study—”

 

Struggling, he sat up and climbed out of bed, walking toward the door.

 

Mu Peixuan’s brow twitched as he watched him pass by. He closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, and coldly said, “Stop.”

 

Duan Linzhou’s steps did not falter.

 

Mu Peixuan directly reached out, grabbing Duan Linzhou’s hand and pulling him back toward the bed. He stepped forward, looming over him, his gaze cold and intense as he said, “Duan Linzhou, what exactly are you trying to do?”

 

Duan Linzhou coughed, his eyes reddening, his eyelashes trembling as he looked up at Mu Peixuan. He asked softly, “What?”

 

Mu Peixuan’s tone was cold as he replied, “You’ve already married me, your wish is granted. What else do you want?”

 

Duan Linzhou said, “What does Your Highness think?”

 

Mu Peixuan remained silent.

 

Duan Linzhou sighed and said, “There’s no need for Your Highness to be so guarded against me. We are husband and wife. I married you, taking the title of your wife, and I will naturally do my best in fulfilling that role.”

 

He continued, “I have a younger sister, the closest person to me. After I die, if Your Highness can remember the old feelings of today and ensure she lives without worry for the rest of her life, I will die in peace.”