MSW Chapter44

79

Duan Linzhou hadn’t expected the battle to be so devastating. He remained silent, raising a hand to gently stroke Mu Peixuan’s back, wordlessly soothing the boy’s shattered emotions.

 

Mu Peixuan choked out, “I should’ve come earlier. If I had, maybe Li Yue wouldn’t have died. Maybe Big Brother wouldn’t have been caught from all sides and gotten infected…” All the unspoken regret and grief poured out in that moment. Mu Peixuan had never stopped blaming himself, Li Yue had been his closest friend, and Mu Peizhi his blood brother. To lose both in such a short time, how could the pain not consume him?

 

From the moment he first heard the terrible news, Mu Peixuan had forced himself to suppress it all. But as Mu Peizhi’s condition worsened day by day, until death finally took him, that grief became a crushing burden, an open wound festering in silence, poisoned and rotten with guilt.

 

Mu Peixuan had long grown used to self-restraint, but somehow, the moment he saw Duan Linzhou, just hearing that soft voice speak those gentle words, everything inside him burst like a dam breaking.

 

How could Duan Linzhou not understand? He murmured, “This has nothing to do with you. It’s not your fault.”

 

Mu Peixuan wept, his sobs muffled and held back. Duan Linzhou gently stroked his back and the nape of his neck, letting the young man release all his grief. After a long while, he tilted his head and placed a kiss on Mu Peixuan’s forehead, then on his eyes. His kiss was feather-light, no more than a tender gesture of comfort. Mu Peixuan clung tighter to Duan Linzhou’s arm, and only after a while did his emotions slowly begin to settle.

 

“You shouldn’t have come.” Mu Peixuan said.

 

His voice still held the thick nasal tone of someone who had just cried, tinged with youthful stubbornness. Duan Linzhou looked at him, but Mu Peixuan, realizing how disheveled and vulnerable he must look, turned his face away and pressed Duan Linzhou’s head down, refusing to let him lift it.

 

Mu Peixuan said, “Don’t look.”

 

Duan Linzhou responded gently, “Alright, I won’t look.”

 

He continued, “I was originally thinking of bringing more physicians and supplies with me, but—”

 

Duan Linzhou didn’t finish his words but just said, “Let me stay.”

 

Mu Peixuan immediately shook his head without hesitation, “No—”

 

Duan Linzhou wasn’t upset either and softly said, “Let me explain first. Now, outside the city of Fuzhou, there are rebels, and inside, there’s an epidemic. You’re short on manpower. I can stay, and you can entrust me with the matters of the epidemic and supplies in the city.”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “No, the epidemic is dangerous. Your health is weak, and what if…”

 

Duan Linzhou smiled and said, “I’ll stay in the yamen and won’t go to the dilapidated temple.” He continued, “Haven’t you already gathered the infected people in the dilapidated temple?”

 

“I’ll be extra careful.”

 

Mu Peixuan seemed to ignore him, sitting up straight and staring at Duan Linzhou. He said, “You can’t stay.”

 

Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan. Despite the red circles under his eyes, his expression was calm as he said, “No matter what you say, I won’t let you stay in Fuzhou.”

 

Duan Linzhou frowned slightly, maintaining his patience, and replied seriously, “Even if I return now, just look at the rebels outside the city. They’re watching Fuzhou. If I come and go, it will surely alert them. Once they learn my identity, this journey will definitely be dangerous.”

 

“Moreover, I’ve traveled a long way to get here. If I rush back so suddenly,” he sighed and said, “I can’t handle it.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s gaze fell on his dry, bloodless lips. Covered in dust, it was clear that he had endured the journey through wind and rain. Duan Linzhou lowered his eyes and said, “Without three to five days of rest, I won’t be able to withstand the long journey. If I were to stay for three to five days, staying a few more days won’t matter.”

 

Mu Peixuan understood clearly that Duan Linzhou was feigning weakness in order to stay, but seeing his pale face, the words on his tongue circled, but he didn’t know how to speak. After a long pause, he finally said, “Duan Linzhou, you can’t afford to fall ill again.”

 

Duan Linzhou felt a shift in his heart. He looked up at Mu Peixuan, leaned forward, and rubbed his forehead against his, saying, “I know.”

 

Mu Peixuan finally relented, gripping his wrist tightly. Due to years of holding a spear and practicing martial arts, his fingertips had become calloused, and he grasped Duan Linzhou’s thin, fragile wrist bone with a firm hold, not letting go for a long time.

 

Duan Linzhou stayed in the city of Fuzhou.

 

Mu Peixuan no longer said anything but had Zhou Xing stay close to Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou knew Mu Peixuan had already taken a step back, so he didn’t say anything in return. After days of traveling, Duan Linzhou was already exhausted, and Mu Peixuan, having just arrived in Fuzhou, had not had a proper rest either. There was only each other in the room, and they fell asleep without knowing when.

 

They slept for most of the day, and when Mu Peixuan woke up, it was already dark. He abruptly sat up, and turning his head, he saw Duan Linzhou still asleep. Only then did his mind settle a little.

 

For some reason, Mu Peixuan gazed at Duan Linzhou, and a strange sense of peace washed over him, as if the drifting willow fluff had finally settled to the ground at that moment.

 

No one knew how frantic he had been when he saw Duan Linzhou in front of the memorial hall. It wasn’t joy, but a raw, undeniable panic. He feared that Duan Linzhou might end up like his older brother.

 

Mu Peixuan had already lost two brothers.

 

He let out a deep breath, gently reaching out to touch Duan Linzhou’s cheek. Duan Linzhou was probably so exhausted that he remained asleep. Mu Peixuan thought to himself, Thank goodness my brother made me marry Duan Linzhou, and thank goodness Duan Linzhou married me.

 

The dead had already passed, and Mu Peixuan wouldn’t let himself dwell in grief for too long, there was still far too much left for him to accomplish.

 

As night fell, Liu Guang led the Duan family caravan into the city, accompanied by many physicians. The physicians were under the arrangements of Military Physician He, seeing Old Physician Ji, he was momentarily stunned. Both Military Physician Deng and Old Physician Ji were in Ruizhou, though one worked for the imperial court while the other ran a medical hall in the city. Despite their differences, they often exchanged visits.

 

Military Physician He immediately bowed in greeting, noticing the sackcloth on his forehead and arms, Old Physician Ji’s heart sinking slightly. He didn’t inquire further, instead patting Military Physician He on the arm.

 

Military Physician He’s eyes were slightly red as he returned the bow to Old Physician Ji.

 

As Duan Linzhou had said, Fuzhou was not like Ruizhou. With both external threats and internal troubles, Mu Peixuan indeed lacked manpower. With Duan Linzhou handling the internal affairs of Fuzhou, Mu Peixuan could focus on confronting the rebel forces.

 

The bitter taste of the herbal decoction made Duan Linzhou grimace, even though he was long used to drinking medicinal brews. This one was especially acrid, leaving his whole face twisted from the bitterness.

 

Old Physician Ji had already entered the quarantine ward, and once inside, it was inconvenient for physicians to come and go. So, he had prescribed medicine for Duan Linzhou from within. Drinking the bitter concoction, Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but suspect that Old Physician Ji had done it on purpose, to punish him for disobeying medical advice and traveling hundreds of miles in his condition.

 

He said this while chatting with Liu Guang.

 

Liu Guang chuckled and said, “Old Physician Ji only wants what’s best for you.”

 

Duan Linzhou gave a soft, amused snort.

 

Liu Guang sighed. “Master, since you’ve decided to stay in Fuzhou, so be it, but must you work yourself so hard?”

 

“You don’t understand, Liu Guang,” Duan Linzhou replied. “Setting aside duty, personally, I’ve already married Xiao Junwang. His honor is my honor, his loss is my loss.”

 

“It’s actually a good thing for me to stay busy,” Duan Linzhou said with a smile. “Look, if it weren’t for the urgency of the situation, I wouldn’t have known I could still gallop on horseback for so long and come out of it just fine.”

 

Liu Guang muttered under his breath, “And yet someone’s been tossing and turning all night from aching bones…”

 

Duan Linzhou was momentarily speechless, then laughed. “But look at me, I’m still in one piece, aren’t I? Seems the King of Hell isn’t ready to collect me just yet.”

 

Liu Guang shot him a glance but said nothing more in the end.

 

After a while, Zhou Xing came to report that Eunuch Zhao had sent someone again. Duan Linzhou downed the rest of his medicine in one go and handed the empty bowl to Liu Guang. “What does he want this time?”

 

Zhou Xing looked a little awkward. Ever since their Xiao Junwang had entered the city, and likely because the marquis had contracted the epidemic, Zhao Qianhou had been keeping a low profile for a while, avoiding the yamen. But once the marquis was gone and Xiao Junwang handed over city affairs to Duan Linzhou, Zhao Qianhou couldn’t sit still anymore. One day he wanted chefs from Liangdu, and the next he was asking for entertainers skilled in song and dance.

 

Duan Linzhou thought it over and, surprisingly, allowed it all.

 

Zhou Xing added, “Now he says the clothes in the city are too coarse and wants Junwang Fei to send over brocade from Rongzhou…”

 

He couldn’t even bring himself to finish the sentence.

 

Duan Linzhou looked unbothered and simply raised an eyebrow when he mentioned that. Before he could say anything, Liu Guang had already bristled with indignation. “This is a remote region, there’s a battle going on right outside the city. Where exactly are we supposed to find Rongzhou brocade for him?”

 

“Besides, the city is still in mourning, and yet he acts like this…”

 

Duan Linzhou idly rubbed his long, slender fingers and said, “Find it for him.” He looked at Liu Guang, his gaze meaningful. “Make a big show of it.”

 

Liu Guang paused for a moment, then suddenly understood. “Young Master, you mean…”

 

Duan Linzhou’s tone remained calm and composed. “For Zhao Qianhou to behave this way toward us now, it’s clear he once made things difficult for Lord Marquis as well. He’s the Military Supervisor sent from Liangdu, he was their eyes here. He’s of no benefit to keep, and His Highness won’t keep him either. But… there needs to be a reason.”

 

Liu Guang had been at Duan Linzhou’s side long enough to be sharp. Upon hearing this, a smile spread across his face. “Liu Guang understands.”

 

Duan Linzhou closed his eyes and calculated for a moment, then added, “But that’s not enough. That kunze by Zhao Qianhou’s side, Zhu Ling’er, was it? Find someone to stir up trouble around him. Make sure the rumors make their way to Zhao Qianhou.”

 

Liu Guang replied, “Yes, Young Master.”

 

Duan Linzhou didn’t shy away from speaking in front of Zhou Xing. He didn’t want Mu Peixuan to dirty his hands with such manipulative schemes, but he also didn’t mind if Zhou Xing knew he was playing games behind the scenes either.

 

What kind of man Duan Linzhou was, he never needed to hide it.

 

Liu Guang moved quickly. That Zhu Ling’er had originally been a performer in the brothel. Because of his beauty, he’d been taken in by a wealthy merchant in Fuzhou and eventually ended up in Zhao Qianhou’s hands.

 

Zhu Ling’er was on good terms with the former top courtesan of the brothel. That courtesan, overjoyed, happily accepted the box of East Sea pearls Liu Guang had sent and, the very next day, invited Zhu Ling’er for a meeting.

 

Zhu Ling’er naturally accepted the invitation.

 

During their conversation, the courtesan casually inquired about Zhu Ling’er’s future plans. Zhu Ling’er was puzzled, so the courtesan said he’d heard that back when the Lord Marquis was still alive, Lord Zhao had gone to cause trouble for him. If His Highness were to find out about this matter, he feared that—

 

He left the rest unsaid, only sighing wistfully about how long the epidemic might last in the city and how vicious the rebels outside were. Should Fuzhou fall, and given how rebels always killed officials first upon entering a city — he spoke as though unintentionally, but Zhu Ling’er heard every word. The implication left him deeply unsettled. He returned to the yamen through a side gate, his face pale as snow.

 

Zhao Qianhou was cowardly and fearful, and with a guilty conscience, he was especially wary of Mu Peixuan. After Zhu Ling’er’s subtle whispering in his ear, he actually came up with a plan to flee the city under the cover of night.

 

That night, the moon was a waning crescent, it was pale and cold, hanging just above the treetops.

 

Several carriages departed from the yamen, heading straight for the northern gate, where the guards were most lax.

 

Zhao Qianhou had bribed the gatekeeper, intending to slip out through a breach in the old city wall during the changing of the patrols. When the carriage reached the gate and came to a stop, Zhao Qianhou’s heart was still pounding wildly. Then, from outside the carriage, he heard the official’s voice: “Lord Zhao, everything is arranged.”

 

Zhao Qianhou tugged at his sleeve and climbed down from the carriage. He said to the gatekeeper, “Du Xiaoqi, rest assured. Once this lord returns to Liangdu, this lord won’t forget the favor you’ve done me tonight.”

 

The official surnamed Du kept his head low and grinned obsequiously. “Thank you so much, Lord Zhao, Thank you so much, Lord Zhao! This humble one’s future depends entirely on Lord Zhao now.”

 

Zhao Qianhou responded perfunctorily, then asked, “Which way do we go?”

 

The gatekeeper quickly pointed in a direction and said, “This way, please. We must hurry, if you miss this period, you won’t be able to leave tonight.”

 

Zhao Qianhou lifted the hem of his robe, clutching a heavy bundle in his arms, they were gifts and tributes from local gentry over the past days. A group of more than ten people followed the gatekeeper cautiously. They crept along narrow alleys between low houses toward the city wall, which loomed several zhang high, casting an oppressive shadow.

 

Zhao Qianhou swallowed nervously, moving with exaggerated care. The night was pitch-dark, and they dared not light torches, so they had to feel their way along the wall.

 

Suddenly, the gatekeeper whispered, “We’re here.”

 

Indeed, this part of the wall was lower than the rest. He pressed against it, quickly locating the right spot, and began prying the bricks out one by one. Zhao Qianhou urged, “Why aren’t you helping!” Anxious, he stepped up to assist, prying bricks loose one by one, soon covered in dust and dirt. He was so focused on the task that he didn’t notice when the gatekeeper had vanished. Then, from a distance, came a sudden shout: “Who is it!”

 

“There are traitors!” “There are rebels!”

 

Shouts erupted all around. Zhao Qianhou shuddered in terror just as the sharp whistle of arrows sliced through the air. His scalp tingled with fear, and he hurriedly opened his mouth to shout, “I’m not a traitor—”

 

But he had barely gotten the words out when a flash of cold light streaked toward him. His eyes widened as torches suddenly flared in the distance, their flames illuminating a young general mounted high on horseback. The youth held a longbow, two arrows nocked between his fingers, his expression indifferent, yet to Zhao Qianhou, he looked like a demon from hell.

 

A searing pain struck his shoulder, and the next thing he knew, he was pinned to the wall. Eyes bulging, he stared at Mu Peixuan. At that moment, everything became clear. His voice turned shrill as he screamed, “Mu Peixuan, you little bastard — you set me up—”

 

Before he could finish his words, two more arrows flew, one pierced his other shoulder, and the other drove straight into his thigh.

 

Agonized screams followed in quick succession.

 

Mu Peixuan rode forward, eyes fixed on the eunuch, who was now half-faint with pain. Disgust showed plainly in his expression as he spoke coldly, “Sneaking around, breaking through the city wall — if that’s not treason, then what is?! Zhao Qianhou, how dare you collude with rebels and attempt to flee to the enemy camp?”

 

“Tonight, this prince will execute you as a warning to others!”

 

With that, he drew another arrow. Zhao Qianhou’s terrified gaze met his, but Mu Peixuan’s expression didn’t waver. The arrow flew, embedding itself deep in Zhao Qianhou’s chest.

 

Mu Peixuan’s shot was precise, sparing the heart. He intended for Zhao Qianhou to die in unbearable agony.

 

Only after watching Zhao Qianhou breathe his last breath did Mu Peixuan finally lower his bow. He dropped his gaze, eyes landing on the face of the flag-bearer. The man’s sycophantic demeanor had vanished; back straight, he now stood tall, revealing a composed, clear-featured young officer.

 

Mu Peixuan asked, “You said your name is Zhou Zijin?”

 

Zhao Qianhou had sought out a minor official at the north gate through a local gentry, unaware that the official was a close friend of Zhou Zijin. Upon hearing of the plan, Zhou Zijin, who harboured deep hatred for Zhao Qianhou because of Mu Peizhi, devised a trap. Under the cover of night, with visibility low, he switched identities with the official and personally led Zhao Qianhou into the snare.

 

Zhou Zijin replied, “In reply to Your Highness, that’s indeed this humble one.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “You should follow me from now on.”

 

Zhou Zijin’s eyes turned slightly red as he responded loudly, “Yes, Your Highness!”

 

Mu Peixuan spurred his horse and rode off. Zhou Zijin turned back to look at the eunuch nailed to the wall, blood pooling beneath the corpse.

 

“Brother Zhou, what should we do with the body?” Someone nearby asked.

 

Zhou Zijin spat viciously, “Throw it behind the hill, and feed it to the dogs.”