MSW Chapter79

118

When Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou left Ruizhou, it was already mid-December. Ruizhou winters usually saw little snow, and though last year’s weather was strange, there had been no snowfall this year. Despite the lack of snow, the weather remained cold. However, the day they set off was sunny, with the sun hanging high, dispelling some of the chill.

 

“The weather is nice today, a good omen,” said Lady Li, who had come to see off Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou, knowing they were embarking on a long journey. “Everything will go smoothly.”

 

“Thank you for your kind words, Dasao[mfn]Elder Sister-in-Law[/mfn].” Mu Peixuan replied.

 

“Linzhou and I don’t know when we’ll return from this trip. I’ve made arrangements for the affairs in the mansion and have entrusted Uncle Han and Uncle Xu to look after the Prince Mansion,” Mu Peixuan said. “Dasao, if you need anything, just send someone to relay a message to them.”

 

Since Mu Peizhi’s passing, Mu Peixuan’s mother had moved into the Buddhist hall, spending her days as a vegetarian and chanting scriptures, no longer concerning herself with the mansion’s matters. Lady Li had been dejected for a long time, but she still had two children. With her gentle exterior and strong will, she gradually suppressed her grief.

 

Mu Peizhi was gone; she had to protect Prince Annan Mansion for him and for Mu Jinyu as well as Jintang.

 

Lady Li nodded slightly and said softly, “We’re in Ruizhou, and in the Prince Mansion, it’s just us, orphans and a widow. Who would try to take advantage of the mansion at a time like this?”

 

“It’s you two,” she said, looking at Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou. “Things are different outside compared to home, so you guys must be extra careful.”

 

Duan Linzhou replied, “We will be, please don’t worry.”

 

Mu Jinyu looked up at Mu Peixuan and said, “Uncle, you must come back soon.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at Mu Jinyu’s face, which strongly resembled Mu Peizhi’s. He crouched down, reached out, and touched his cheek, saying, “Uncle will. When Uncle comes back, I’ll bring you fun things.”

 

Mu Jinyu’s eyes gazed steadily at Mu Peixuan. The seven or eight-year-old boy’s eyes showed less childishness and more resilience. Though young, he already had a vague understanding of life and death, knowing that once someone died, they would never return. Yet, even so, when Mu Jinyu heard the news of his father’s death, he still couldn’t accept it. His grandmother said it was his uncle who killed his father, but Mu Jinyu didn’t believe it. Mu Peixuan was extremely good to him and Jintang, always bringing them delicious food and fun toys.

 

But when he looked at his hysterical grandmother, he felt fear in his heart, but also some suspicion, it was his mother who took him and Jintang away from his grandmother.

 

That day, he watched his mother, who had never spoken loudly, have a fierce argument with his grandmother. His grandmother even threatened to disown his mother and kick her out for being disobedient. His mother’s expression was icy. Holding his hand with one hand and Jintang’s with the other, she said, “I am Peizhi’s princess consort. Only Peizhi can divorce me.”

 

“He is no longer here, and I have also not committed any wrongdoing, so even you cannot dismiss me.”

 

With that, she turned and walked out.

 

Jintang, being only three or four years old, had never witnessed such a quarrel between his mother and grandmother. His eyes were red with fright, and it wasn’t until they were out of the courtyard that his mother hugged Mu Jintang and quietly comforted him.

 

Mu Jinyu looked at his mother, and after a long while, he whispered, “Mother… Grandmother said that Uncle killed Father. Is that true?”

 

Lady Li’s gaze fell on her eldest son’s innocent face. She asked, “Do you think your uncle would harm your father?”

 

Mu Jinyu hesitated for a moment and said, “I don’t know… but Grandmother…”

 

“That’s what others say,” Lady Li said. “Your father once taught you that in this world, you should never blindly believe what you hear. You must judge for yourself what is right and what is wrong.”

 

Mu Jinyu pondered for a long time, then whispered, “I don’t believe Uncle would harm Father.”

 

Lady Li’s eyes reddened slightly. She reached out and stroked Mu Jinyu’s head, saying, “How could your uncle harm your father? They are blood brothers, just like you and Jintang. How could they turn on each other?”

 

Mu Jin-yu said, “But Grandmother said…”

 

Lady Li replied, “Your grandmother is just… too stubborn. You just need to know that your uncle did not harm your father. Your father died for Daliang and for its people; he was a towering hero. You and Jintang are his children; you must be like your father and become someone like him.”

 

Mu Jinyu looked at his mother and nodded vigorously.

 

Suddenly, Mu Jinyu reached out and hugged Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan was startled, then heard Mu Jinyu say, “Uncle, don’t worry, I will take good care of Mother, my brother, and Grandmother.”

 

“We will be waiting at home for Uncle and Aunt to return.”

 

Mu Peixuan felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He took a deep breath and said, “Good.”

 

Mu Jinyu looked at Mu Peixuan, then at Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but pat his head too, saying, “Jinyu is a good child. With your uncle away, you’re the pillar of the Prince Mansion now.”

 

Mu Jinyu’s small face was taut as he nodded seriously, “Jinyu will definitely not disappoint Uncle.”

 

Lady Li, standing by, turned her head and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief before smiling and saying, “Alright, there’s plenty of time. Whatever you want to say, wait until your uncle returns. Don’t delay the departure.”

 

Mu Peixuan and Duan Linzhou exchanged a look. Mu Peixuan said, “We’re leaving.”

 

Lady Li replied, “Alright.”

 

Mu Peixuan’s journey was under the guise of an audience with the young emperor, bringing with him about a thousand people. Most of these thousand were elite, trusted soldiers from the Black Armored Iron Cavalry and military garrisons. The group, carrying gifts prepared for the audience, majestically departed Ruizhou. Xu Ying had wanted to go along, but he and Fang Yuan were newly married, and Mu Peixuan naturally didn’t agree. Xu Ying was his confidant, and Fang Yuan was his newly appointed advisor; whether it was the Prince Annan Mansion or Ruizhou, he needed people to watch over things for him.

 

The weather was cold, and Mu Peixuan didn’t want Duan Linzhou to endure the chilly wind, so he accompanied him inside the carriage.

 

As the carriage left Ruizhou City, the tall and imposing city gates of Ruizhou were left behind. Duan Linzhou looked back, and Mu Peixuan, as if sensing something, raised his hand and squeezed Duan Linzhou’s palm, which was warm from the hand warmer.

 

Duan Linzhou smiled at him and said, “It looks like we’ll be spending Chinese New Year on the road this year.”

 

Mu Peixuan replied, “That’s fine, we can see how other places celebrate the New Year.”

 

Duan Linzhou hooked his finger, and Mu Peixuan caught it, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. He looked at Duan Linzhou and whispered, “I’ve always been afraid that Jinyu and Jintang resent me.”

 

After returning to Ruizhou, Mu Peixuan rarely spent time with the brothers Mu Jinyu and Mu Jintang. He felt guilty and feared seeing their resentful eyes. He hadn’t expected Mu Jinyu to come with Lady Li to see him off today.

 

Mu Peixuan was deeply touched.

 

Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan and sighed inwardly. He knew Mu Peixuan was still troubled by the incident in Fengzhou. Even after returning to Ruizhou, Mu Peixuan hadn’t given up tracking Yun Zuo and the others, but they seemed to have vanished into thin air. Aside from catching a few insignificant pawns, there was no trace of Yun Zhuo at all.

 

Duan Linzhou said, “The incident in Fengzhou was never your fault. Dasao is sensible and wouldn’t blame you.”

 

Mu Peixuan said, “I know… it’s just—”

 

He shook his head. Duan Linzhou grasped his fingers and said, “It’s all in the past.”

 

Mu Peixuan looked at Duan Linzhou and nodded.

 

The carriage took the official road out of Ruizhou. Though it was an official road, the bumps were a given, and being deep winter, Mu Peixuan was even more cautious than Mu Ke, worried that Duan Linzhou might catch a cold.

 

Fortunately, the weather had been clear for several consecutive days, which didn’t add extra difficulty to their journey.

 

Since the chaos began, Ruizhou had taken in many displaced people, settling them in various towns. Although there wasn’t much farm work in winter, farmers who were idle loved to gather in the fields. As the grand procession passed along the long road, it attracted people who vied to watch.

 

This thousand-strong contingent was made up of the elite of the elite, their military bearing disciplined and orderly. The north wind whipped the black satin banners embroidered with gold, bearing the Mu family crest, exuding a chilling aura that inspired awe.

 

It’s unclear who knelt first, but the scattered farmers in the fields all knelt down, gazing reverently at the winding procession.

 

Mu Peixuan inadvertently glanced over and asked a close guard beside him, “Where are we?”

 

The guard replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, we’re almost out of Ruizhou.”

 

Seeing Mu Peixuan looking at the farmers in the field, he added, “Your Highness, this is Liushi Village, under the jurisdiction of Lou’an Town. Liushi Village is the village that took in the most displaced people this time in Lou’an Town. Most of the villagers are displaced people. You and Lord Han even met the magistrate of Lou’an Town back then.”

 

Upon hearing the three words “Lou’an Town,” Mu Peixuan immediately understood. Ruizhou had instructed its subordinate regions to properly resettle the displaced people, but this was no easy task. Some officials paid lip service, while others genuinely cared for the populace.

 

The magistrate of Lou’an Town belonged to the latter group. Mu Peixuan and Han Shiqing had personally met several officials who had handled their duties exceptionally well, and the Lou’an magistrate was one of them. This man was also a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations, but unfortunately, he came from humble origins and had a straightforward nature, which led to him being assigned as a county magistrate in various small places for over ten years.

 

This was his fifth year in Lou’an Town.

 

Mu Peixuan observed that although the farmers appeared thin and their clothes patched, their spirits seemed good. It suggested that the Lou’an magistrate had indeed done a fine job. When they first arrived, they naturally weren’t allocated fertile land for cultivation and could only reclaim barren land. Fortunately, the displaced people were exempted from three years of taxes, meaning that as long as there were no natural disasters or man-made calamities, these common folk could find a glimmer of hope.

 

Duan Linzhou noticed his thoughtful gaze and asked, “Want to go down and take a look?”

 

Mu Peixuan considered it for a moment, then said, “No, most common people fear officials. It’s better not to disturb them.”

 

Even so, Mu Peixuan still added a note of gratitude to the county magistrate of Lou’an Town in his heart. He rarely concerned himself with government affairs before, but he had been personally tutored by the Old Marquis since childhood. During the chaos in Fengzhou, he had witnessed firsthand how the common people struggled to survive in this turbulent era. The rise and fall of dynasties and the plight of the populace, once just words in books, had become bloody realities etched into his mind.

 

Mu Peixuan suddenly recalled a time in his childhood when his father took him horseback riding in the countryside. They passed by a farm during the autumn harvest, and his father, rolling up his sleeves, would get off his horse and help the farmers, chatting with them for half the day. In his youthful naivety, Mu Peixuan had believed those memories long forgotten. Yet now, after so many years, when he recalls them, even the smiles of his father and the farmers as they brushed their hands over the heavy ears of grain remain as clear as if it were yesterday.

 

In a trance, he seemed to understand even more why his father could guard the borderlands for years without regret and why his elder brother willingly remained confined to Fengzhou, as if drawing a prison around himself.

 

Duan Linzhou smiled and said, “Once we pass Lou’an Town, we’ll take the waterway.”

 

Mu Peixuan nodded. They didn’t intend to travel all the way to Yu’an by land. After Lou’an Town, they would quietly leave the procession and board Duan’s merchant ship, taking the waterway directly to Yuzhou.

 

Ruizhou was too far from Yuzhou, passing through several prefectures along the way. Besides bandits, there was always a risk of foul play on the road. Taking the waterway would both conceal their movements and be safer.