《Pihanjin》


 CH 1

    The daughter of the Mu family in Changsha


    Many years later, until Mu Fulan grew up, she was still unable to forget the memory of when her aunt said goodbye to her when she was about to die in Fengyi Palace at the age of six, and every word she said to herself that night.


    My aunt was the most beautiful woman in Changsha. In addition to her beauty, she was also famous for her virtue and talent. Later, she was selected by the Empress dowager and entered Fengyi Palace to become the Empress of the dynasty.


    This seems to be such a glorious thing.


    The dynasty has been established for more than 200 years. At the beginning of the founding of the country, in addition to the royal vassal kings who were divided into various places, there were also several other men [with different surnames] who were named kings for their merits.


    The ancestor of the Mu clan was one of them. Because of his unparalleled achievements, he was awarded the king of Changsha to govern Yuezhou and Tanzhou. The Mu family also moved to the south and lived by Dongting Lake for generations.


    All generations of Changsha w¨¢ng have kept in mind the teachings of their ancestors. The king is contributes to the Spring Festival; manages the state internally and is a virtuous ruler.


    The country has continued to this day, though the several kings with different surnames, have been deposed or removed from the country due to various charges, while the rest are in danger.


    All except Changsha. Although the country is small, due to the diligent administration and love of the people by the previous kings of several generations, and the fact that it is located in the remote south, relying on the 800-mile Dongting and Yangtze River moat. Not only is it far away from the disputes in the Central Plains, the state prospers and the people are at peace. However, the m¨¨i m¨¨i of the beloved Changsha w¨¤ng, has been chosen by the royal family, who is far away in Shangjing, to enter the middle palace.


    What a glorious and proud thing this is for the people of Changsha.


    G¨±g¨± left Yuecheng by Dongting Lake, and Fulan was born the year after she was sent to Shangjing.


    She has heard more than once from the elder wet nurse in the family that she looked a lot like her g¨±g¨±. While speaking about the grand occasion of w¨¤ng m¨¨i, everyone¡¯s face still has the pride brought by the glory of that day.


    Although g¨±g¨± has not seen xi¨£o Fulan yet, she probably heard about this little niece who looks like her, and she has always been very attentive to Fulan.


    Ever since she was born, she has received continuous gifts from the capital. Xi¨£o Fulan was also full of longing for the legendary hu¨¢ngh¨°u g¨±g¨± who was far away in Shangjing Palace, and she looked forward to seeing her g¨±g¨±¡¯s face.


    She often prayed devoutly to Emperor Junshan and made a secret wish.


    The gods seemed to hear her request.


    At the age of six, her wish finally came true.


    That year, the empress  was pregnant, and so Changsha w¨¤ng and his wife were allowed to enter Beijing in order to congratulate them.


    Fulan along with her elder brother were taken with their parents, traveled through mountains and rivers, and walked on the road for nearly a month to finally arrive in Shangjing.


    Fulan originally thought that Yuecheng, where she grew up, was the most prosperous city in the world. Her home by Dongting Lake, which is called the ¡°Royal Palace¡± by the people of Changsha, is the best place in the world.


    It was not until she came to Shangjing and saw the prosperity of the capital of the emperor, and saw the ¡°Imperial Palace¡± where her g¨±g¨± lived, Fulan was aware of how ignorant she was.


    The imperial palace in front of you, with the high eaves, is endless, and it is impossible to see the end at a glance.


    The vast hectares of colored glass, jade steps, red halls. I can¡¯t say enough about the radiance.


    Fengyi Palace where g¨±g¨± is located is even more so carved with jade and gold.


    In a dazzling gilded landscape that captivated people¡¯s eyes, Fulan saw her g¨±g¨±, the most honorable woman in the palace.


    G¨±g¨± was dressed like a heavenly immortal. With a smile on her face, despite Fulan¡¯s mother¡¯s dissuasion, she let the xi¨£o Fulan sit on her lap and placed a warm kiss on her cheek.


    G¨±g¨± and Fulan looked exactly alike.


    G¨±g¨± was fond Fulan, and Fulan was also fond of her aunt. Later, when her parents brought her brother back to Changsha, Fulan was left behind and continued to accompany g¨±g¨± in the palace.


    While Fulan was attending to her aunt, her aunt¡¯s belly was getting bigger every day, and it was finally time to give birth.


    What Fulan didn¡¯t expect was that her aunt had a difficult childbirth and was dying of blood loss.


    The prince, not long after he was born, did not survive.


    My aunt was lying on the phoenix bed in Fengyi Palace and had been in a coma for three or four days.


    In the past three or four days, Fulan prayed to Emperor Junshan in his hometown Dongting all the time, and prayed to the gods to bless her aunt so that she could get through this difficult time safely.


    Emperor Junshan, in the eyes of xiao Fulan, is the most capable and merciful deity between heaven and earth.


    Every year on the spring equinox, her parents will prepare five animals, bring Fu Lan and elder brother, as well as officials of Changsha State, abandon the carriage, walk reverently, climb to the top of the mountain from the foot of the mountain, and worship the Emperor Junshan.


    It is with the blessing of the gods that the country of Changsha can enjoy good weather and abundant crops.


    It was also because of the gods, that she was able to come to the capital and meet her aunt.


    However, this time, the Emperor Junshan no longer listened to her prayers.


    In the middle of the night, tired of crying, she, who was sleeping beside her aunt, suddenly woke up.


    To her ears, there seemed to be a song coming from somewhere in the palace.


    ¡°¡­There is Kunming in the southwest, and the sea comes out to cough up golden birds¡­ The pearls have turtle brains, and spits gold fragments like millet¡­¡±


    TL: I have no idea what this part means. Or the legend.


    ¡°¡­If you don¡¯t accept Bihanjin, how can you get the emperor¡¯s heart¡­ If you don¡¯t accept Bihantian, how can you get the emperor¡¯s pity¡­¡±


    Xiao Fulan didn¡¯t understand the meaning of the song she heard at the time. Afterwards, when she grew up, she was able to understand clearly.


    Legend has it that there is a golden bird in Kunming, flying in the distant sea. During the reign of Emperor Wei Ming, his country came to offer birds and fed them with pearl tortoise brains. The emperor stopped, pity and love. The people of the palace competed to use the gold vomited by the birds as hairpins. It is called cold gold, because birds are not afraid of cold.


    The hall is heavy, the singing is erratic, accompanied by the swaying candles that are suddenly blown by the night wind, the resentment seems to come from the underworld, and in the late night of this silent palace, it is extremely terrifying.


    During the six months that she lived in the palace, Fulan had also heard the palace maid tell her centuries of ghost spirits lingering in a place they could not see, called the Cold Palace. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, the palace servants can even hear grumbling in that direction.


    Fulan didn¡¯t believe it.


    How could there be resentment in such a bright and upright place as the palace.


    But at this moment, she was horrified to find that a strange singing sound really seemed to float into her ears.


    What frightened her even more were the palace maids who were on night duty beside her.


    They didn¡¯t respond at all. Possibly because of extreme tiredness, secretly napped against the pillar, or in front of the phoenix couch, weeping and guarding Empress Mu who was still unconscious at this moment.


    The chorus of discontent, seems to linger.


    At this moment, Fu Lan saw her gugu, who had been in a coma for several days, eyelashes tremble slightly and slowly opened her eyes.


    G¨±g¨± woke up, staring blankly at the satin tent above her head embroidered with phoenix peony. After a while, Fulan saw her lips slightly pursed, and murmured something.


    Her voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible, but Fulan could see it, her lips were repeating the erratic song just now.


    If you don¡¯t accept Bihanjin, you won¡¯t get the emperor¡¯s heart; if you don¡¯t accept Bihantian, you won¡¯t get the emperor¡¯s pity.


    ¡°G¨±g¨±!¡±


    Fu Lan called out, and before jumping to phoenix bed, she grabbed her aunt¡¯s hand, tears in her eyes, somewhat surprised.


    The nearby palace maids were alarmed and gathered around them one after another.


    G¨±g¨±¡¯s face was as white as when a layer of snow had fallen on the top of Junshan Mountain.


    After a while, she turned her face slowly, her cold fingers gently rested on Fulan¡¯s little hand, and with a faint voice, ordered everyone around to go out.


    The palace maids silently exited the inner hall.


    The ethereal singing in my ears came and went without a trace.


    Not a sound was heard.


    G¨±g¨± said softly, ¡°Lan¡¯er, sing the song when your father climbs the mountain to offer sacrifice to the harvest year, and our people in Changsha sings¡­¡±


    ¡°G¨±g¨± hasn¡¯t listened to it for many years. I want to hear it¡­¡±


    Fulan hurriedly wiped her tears away. She nodded her head vigorously, and sang the song she was all too familiar with: ¡°Emperor Yi, his wisdom is like a god. Heaven, all four seasons, prosperous harvest.¡±


    The girl¡¯s voice filled the empty and deep palace of Fengyi Palace, tender and ethereal, like the sound of heaven.


    The corners of my aunt¡¯s lips slowly turned up slightly.


    Fulan sang it over and over, finishing this ballad and singing another for her aunt.


    G¨±g¨± listened intently at first, but slowly, as if tired, she closed her eyes.


    After a while, Fu Lan heard her mumbling: ¡°¡­ Prime Minister Yuan, is he alright¡­¡±


    Fulan was stunned and stopped.


    She had heard her mother say to herself in a nostalgic tone that Prime Minister Yuan of Changsha was the right-hand man of her father, but he had fallen ill a few years ago.


    Prime Minister Yuan never married, leaving only a adopted son who is said to have been picked up in a wolf¡¯s den in the deep mountains during his early years, named Han Ding. After the prime minister died, my mother took the child to the palace to raise him as if he were her own. He was a few years older than Fulan, and he was obedient to Fulan, just like another brother of Fulan.


    ¡°G¨±g¨±¡­ Prime Minister Yuan¡­ He¡¯s already ill¡­¡±


    Fulan didn¡¯t understand why g¨±g¨± suddenly asked about Prime Minister Yuan, she hesitated, and answered in a low voice.


    G¨±g¨± didn¡¯t move, her eyelashes suddenly trembled again, and she slowly opened her eyes, as if she had woken up again.


    ¡°¡­Yes, he¡¯s gone¡­I forgot¡­¡±


    She muttered to herself in a barely audible voice.


    ¡°G¨±g¨±! Get up!¡±


    An ominous feeling, like a tide, engulfed xiao Fulan.


    She was lying on the side, her little hand tightly holding her g¨±g¨±¡¯s soft and clammy hand, crying and calling her constantly.


    G¨±g¨± raised a hand with difficulty, and gently wiped the tears that kept rolling down her face with her fingertips. She stared at her with beautiful eyes and said in a low voice, ¡°They all say that g¨±g¨± is the number one beauty in Changsha. But g¨±g¨± knew it at the first glance when she saw you, when Lan¡¯er grows up in the future, she will truly be a true beauty in our Changsha.¡±


    She smiled and said word by word: ¡°Lan¡¯er, you In this lifetime, you will definitely be luckier than g¨±g¨±. G¨±g¨± will pray for you and protect you.¡±


    She held Fulan¡¯s hand firmly.


    It seems that only in this way can I convey the wishes of my heart to God.


    Behind her, the palace maid hurried in with the imperial physician.


    After all, g¨±g¨± still had to go, and she didn¡¯t want Fulan to see her dying. Later, someone forcibly took away the crying Fulan.


    When it was dawn, Fu Lan heard from the palace maid that the Empress passed away, and she went very peacefully, as if she had just fallen asleep.


    It¡¯s been ten years.


    Perhaps, far more than ten years.


    After so many years, time has passed like this.


    She is no longer the little girl who sang to her aunt back then.


    But that night, every word that my aunt said to her, Fulan still remembers it, and it is vivid in her ears.


    However, her g¨±g¨±¡¯s good wishes on her deathbed were ultimately in vain.


    There was a saying at the time that the daughters of the Mu family in Changsha, each generation must have a stunning appearance.


    Unparalleled beauty, but ill-fated and with an unhappy death.


    This may be the fate of the Mu family¡¯s daughter.


    ¡­


    From Dongting into the Yangtze River, along the river against the current westward, crossing Jiangling, Xiazhou, Guizhou, passing through Badong, passing Wushan, next to the difficult Shu Road, is Kuizhou, there is an ancient county under the state, it is said that the earliest county records can be traced back At the beginning of the founding of this dynasty, a group of people with the surname of Xie from the previous dynasty moved to this place to avoid disaster, and they slowly multiplied and lived together. Today, the county still has many people with the surname of Xie, and it is named Xie County.


    The morning light gradually illuminated the scene of the house through an old window that was covered with window paper and carved with patterns.


    In the main hall of the Xie family¡¯s ancestral house, on this day, Xie¡¯s mother, Shen shi, sat cross-legged beside the bed as usual, waiting for her daughter-in-law Mu Fulan to come and give her morning greetings. Then she can put on her shoes and comb her hair and the day starts.


    Mu shi is the daughter of the Changsha wang who passed away three years ago, and is the sister of the current Changsha wang.


    To marry into her husband¡¯s family, regardless of her original status, it is necessary to greet her sooner or later. This is the daughter-in-law¡¯s filial piety to her mother-in-law.


    However every day she puts on shoes and combs her hair for her mother-in-law. As a daughter of the Mu family, it is inevitable that she is to feel wronged.


    In the beginning, when the new daughter-in-law took the initiative to serve herself and do these things, Shen shi was surprised and a little uncomfortable.


    But now, it has been more than half a year since Mu shi has come through the door. She is gentle, graceful, respectful and considerate. She was not arrogant at all. Xie mu has become accustomed to it and to go so far as to expect it.


    Shen shi was used to getting up early, and her new daughter-in-law followed her. She is always waiting outside the hall at dawn. Seeing that it¡¯s already past the time and Mu shi has not yet appeared. The east wing instead sent a girl, saying that the madam got up a little late this morning. Apologising to the old lady, and will come to give greetings later, In her heart, she became uneasy, and her brows gradually frowned.


    On the side, Qiu Ju, the maid who came to serve her from Qi¡¯s house a few years ago. Her real name is Qiu Lan, she is a bit pretty, and to avoid having the same name as the mistress, she changed it to Qiu Ju. She observed her, and whispered: ¡± Old lady, it¡¯s not that nubi is talkative. Although the lady is married from Changsha Kingdom, it is not what it used to be. Three years ago, when she first got engaged, the Changsha Kingdom was okay. But since the old Changsha wang is gone, Changsha has been in decline. Our lord has has been on the rise the past few years. It is said that at the beginning of the year, when he married her, he was named the governor of Hexi by the court. Nubi heard that even when the current Empress Liu, sees our lord she will have to smile and say a few good words. When the lord succeeds in quelling the rebellion this time, he will be even more indispensable.¡±


    Xie mu showed a smile on her face.


    ¡°Old madam, you treat madam as your own, and you feel bad that it is not easy for her to marry far away, it is better than a daughter. She has only been married here for a few days, but there is no old madam in her eyes. Letting the old madam wait!¡±


    She put the tip of her tongue against the roof of her mouth, slapped it deftly, and made a crisp ¡°tsk¡± sound.


    ¡°Nubi only knows that it¡¯s only right for the daughter-in-law to serve the mother-in-law, it¡¯s the first time I saw the mother-in-law wait for the daughter-in-law to show her face because of her mother¡¯s family.¡±


    The smile on Shen shi¡¯s face disappeared, and her face became a little unhappy, and said: ¡°You go. Look over there and see what¡¯s going on. The sun is behind her spine, could it be that she hasn¡¯t gotten up yet?¡±


    Qiu Ju responded crisply, and the strode through the corridor and quickly came to the east wing.


    The ancestors of the Xie family are the direct descendants of the Xie family who moved here in the previous dynasty. At the time of Emperor Gaozu, he was a local magnate, it is no exaggeration to say that there are thousands of acres of fertile land, accounting for almost half of the land in Xie County. This ancestral home was once one of the most impressive mansions in the county. But his great-grandfather was addicted to gambling and the Xie family began to lose. By the time of Xie Changgeng¡¯s father, Xie¡¯s father had a local government job in the county, relying on a meagre salary to support his family. After Xie Changgeng committed a crime and left home at the age of fourteen, the Xie family¡¯s ancestral house was deserted. It was not until a few years ago that the Xie family regained momentum and Shen shi moved back and the house was repaired. The east wing was rebuilt when Xie Changgeng married Mu shi at the beginning of the year.


    Xie Changgeng married the princess of the Mu family in Changsha in the early spring.


    More than half a year has passed and it is now autumn. Although the red letters of double happiness are still attached on the doors and windows, it cannot withstand the sun. The original great red colour has gradually faded into a bleak, dull colour.


    ¡°Mu mama, the old lady got up early in the morning, waited and waited. She sent me here to take a look. If the madam has a headache, please tell me, mama, and I will go back and tell the old madam to no longer wait.¡±


    Qiu Ju stood at the corner of the veranda leading to the east wing, and said this to Mu mama who was at the door, her tone sounded respectful, but in fact it implied disrespect.


    The princess traveled through mountains and rivers, fulfilling her contract and marrying far away in this bitter land of Badong. On the night of the wedding, Xie Changgeng entered the bridal chamber, and was summoned by the imperial court¡¯s urgent edict, has not returned yet.


    In the past half a year, I have seen with my own eyes the princess who used to be doted on at home to serve Xie mu in the morning and evening.


    This Xie mu, if it is a well-informed and considerate person, that¡¯s all, but a person with shallow eyes. Seeing that the princess was submissive and soft, used her sons¡¯ background to take advantage of the situation. She felt at ease and increasingly did not attach importance to the princess.


    Mu mama knew that the princess had a heart and was firmly bound to Xie Jialangjun, so she loved everyone connected to him and was willing to suffer grievances. Although her heart was bitter, it was related to the relationship between her and Xie Jialangjun and it was difficult to say some things clearly. On some days, I can only raise some secrets in front of the princess. However seeing that she didn¡¯t mind, I could only bear my anger.


    For more than half a year, the princess has woken up early every day, rain or shine. Some days, she would wait in front of the main house early for the door to open in the morning to go in to serve.


    On this day, the princess didn¡¯t get up for some reason,  so she feared that Xie Mu would wait and sent someone to deliver the message.


    Not even a single cup of tea later and she has come to rush. Not only that, but even this humble servant from the Qi family dared to come here to speak like this.


    If this was when she was younger, Mu mama would have slapped her away sooner.


    Several maids waiting at the door to serve the princess all had scornful expressions on their faces.


    Zhu yu, with the most violent temperament could no longer bear the anger, and said coldly: ¡°In the early morning, he cursed my Weng Master. What is a mud pig and a dog, today I gained the knowledge.¡±


    Qiu Ju choked, her face Immediately reddened and just about to speak to save face, Mu mama said, ¡°It¡¯s our fault to ask the old lady to wait for a long time, but we have already sent someone to send word, so it¡¯s not out of order. Even in the imperial court, the emperor allows his ministers to take leave, let alone a family of mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?¡±


    After she finished speaking, she turned her face and instructed another maid, Dan Zhu, who was more prudent: ¡°You go and convey my words to the old lady, and apologise to her. I think the old lady won¡¯t care about such a trivial matter.¡±


    Dan Zhu agreed and turned to leave.


    Qiu Ju was a little bit afraid of Mu mama from Changsha. When she speaks like that, she stares at her in the eyes. She dared not speak again. She swallowed, looked down, turned around and was about the return when she heard a squeak from the east wing. With her eyes raised, the door opened and Mu shi appeared in the doorway.


    Her face was pale, her beautiful eyes were slightly red and swollen, but her expression was extremely calm.


    It is clearly the same person, but for some reason, the appearance looks different from yesterday.


    Her two eyes fell straight onto Qiu Ju.


    ¡°You¡¯re here. Go and tell my mother-in-law that I¡¯m leaving for my hometown today. I will go to my mother-in-law¡¯s place to say goodbye after I have packed my clothes.¡±


    After saying that, she turned to the shocked Mu mama and the maids outside the door.


    ¡°Pack up as soon as possible, prepare the carriage and arrange the manpower, and get on the road today, I¡¯ll go back to Dongting.¡±


    She finished instructing and turned around to return to the house.


    Mu mama woke up like a dream, hurriedly took a step and followed her in.


    TL: Whew. That took a lot longer than I expected.

 CH 2

    You do as you see fit. I have no objection.


    The princess left Dongting and took the Shu road to Kuizhou to marry into the Xie family. Xie Jialang left her  on the wedding night in a hurry, it was not necessary to mention the matter as it was unavoidable. But over the past six months with Xie mu¡¯s carelessness and the princess¡¯ desire for perfection, which of the servants of the Mu family that came with the marriage could not see the situation and feel pain in their hearts?


    Unexpectedly, when the princess woke up early in the morning, she seemed to be a different person and said that she would go back to Dongting, it really was a joy from heaven.


    Some of the maids went into the house to pack their things and some immediately ran out and asked the steward to summon to quickly arrange the carriages and horses to prepare for the road, all of them were very busy.


    Although Mu mama also feels deeply aggrieved for the princess and a little dissatisfied with the Xie family, unlike the cheerful maids she felt the decision of the princess was too sudden and seemed a bit abnormal.


    She remembered that when the princess had just opened the door and showed her face, the eyes that could not hide her tears and her heart felt more and more uneasy. She entered the room, and upon seeing the princess herself folding several pieces of intimate clothing, hesitated, then walked to her side and asked softly, ¡°Did mistress cry this morning? Can you momo why you suddenly want to return to Dongting?


    Fulan turned her face to meet Mu mama¡¯s eyes which were full of concern as she gazed at her, and a burst of sourness welled up in her heart.


    It was a mix of infinite regret and infinite gratitude.


    Her parents were very affectionate with one another. Although her father was Changsha wang, he only had one queen in his life. After her mother died of illness when she was ten years old, the old wounds left by her father¡¯s early battles also relapsed and his health deteriorated day by day. When she was thirteen years old, shortly after the marriage was arranged for her, he followed her mother and passed away.


    Although her parents are no longer here in this life, she also suffered the painful loss in that dream. But she really felt in her heart that everything should be real in a previous life ¨C the kind of heart-wrenching sorrow, so that she woke up this morning, crying uncontrollably.


    But she was still lucky.


    She was her sixteen-year-old self again.


    In this new life, she and her former life and love will be separated from one another and there will be no chance of meeting. Now she has the opportunity to save her brother, her virtuous sister-in-law and Mu mama who was has treated her so well, she will protect her family with her life.


    She tried her best to force back the heat in her eyes, and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, I just had a nightmare last night. Mama, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    After a pause, she added, ¡°Mu mama, I want to go back to Dongting. I¡¯ve made up my mind.¡±


    The princess has always been gentle and obedient since she was a child.


    It was the first time that Mu mama saw her decide on a matter in such a tone of voice. There was absolutely no room discussion.


    Although she was still confused, she stopped asking questions and said softly, ¡°Okay. If mistress wants to go back to Dongting, let¡¯s go back.¡±


    Mu Fulan went to the table and picked up the letter she had written this morning that had been sealed with wax and handed it over.


    ¡°Mu mama, send a competent person to deliver this letter to my sister-in-law as quickly as possible! I have something important that I need to let my sister-in-law know as soon as possible. There are many of us, and even if the road is fast, I am afraid there will be a delay.¡±


    ¡°This letter is extremely important. Please!¡±


    She emphasised it again in a serious tone.


    Mama Mu became more and more puzzled, but seeing her solemn expression, she nodded, took the letter, turned around and hurried out.


    Fulan watched Mu mama¡¯s back leave and slowly exhaled.


    ¡°Mistress, when we return, the weather must be cold, should we bring this fox fur, or that cloak? Or shall we bring both?¡±


    Dan Zhu pointed to several pieces of winter clothing and asked her preference.


    Fulan turned around and said, ¡°Pack up all the books I brought when I came, including the medical books, and the pair of Zhou Kui patterned bottles on the shelf. The clothes are optional, just enough to change on the way back.¡±


    Dan Zhu was stunned.


    When the princess married here, in addition to her generous dowry, she also brought many of her books, including medical books.


    The pair of Zhou Kui patterned bottles were the beloved possessions of the late old Changsha wang. Changsha wang loves his sister and added it to her dowry as a keepsake.


    Dan Zhu thought that the princess was just going back for a visit. I wonder why, discarding clothes to pack these  heavy objects that are inconvenient to carry?


    She was a little confused. ¡°Mistress?¡±


    ¡°Just pack as I instructed.¡± Fulan gave her a faint smile.


    The maid had no choice but to nod, and directed people to continue packing.


    A voice suddenly came from the door. ¡°Old lady, slow down! Be careful of the steps!¡±


    Fulan turned around.


    Xie mu hurried over from the direction of the main room and without Qiu Ju¡¯s help, she herself crossed the steps and stopped at the door of the east wing. She did not enter but stood beyond the threshold, swept her eyes across the several open trousseau on the floor and her face sank.


    ¡°Mu shi, what do you mean? Qiu Ju just told me, I still don¡¯t believe it! Are you really going to go back to your mother¡¯s house?¡±


    Dan Zhu and the others stopped what they were doing when they saw Xie mu coming and looked at Fulan.


    Fulan looked Xie mu, greeted her at the door and said respectfully, ¡°Mother-in-law, come in and sit. Because the schedule is a bit rushed, and there are a lot of things to pack, so I didn¡¯t go over to talk to you myself, don¡¯t blame me.¡±


    Xie mu¡¯s eyebrows furrowed together and she said angrily, ¡±Although my son left on the night of the wedding, it was the Emperor¡¯s order and that could not be disobeyed, it wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want to stay! You married into my family so you are considered my family. It¡¯s not that I won¡¯t let you go back to your parents¡¯ home, but it has not been long since you entered and you¡¯re going to go back?¡±


    Fulan was silent and did not answer.


    Xie Mu paused.


    ¡°I¡¯m a widow, not having a daughter-in-law to serve me is one thing, but my son is coming back soon. When he comes back and you¡¯re not here, where is the decency?¡±


    Fulan said, ¡°It¡¯s my fault, Mother-in-law, don¡¯t be angry.¡±


    That was all she said, and nothing more.


    The attitude is still respectful, but the meaning was very clear.


    That is, this trip to her mother¡¯s house is a must.


    Mu shi has been a member of the family for more than half a year and in front of herself, she was extremely obedient. This was Xie mu¡¯s first time getting rejected and she was even more annoyed. But after all, she was still a little afraid of her identity and she didn¡¯t dare to be too violent. She managed to suppress her anger and snorted.


    ¡°Mu shi, I know that you are a princess but do not look down on my Xie family. I¡¯m an old country woman and I don¡¯t deserve to be your mother-in-law. You must go back to your mother¡¯s house, and I dare not let you go. It¡¯s just that before you leave, I have to let you know about something, lest you come back and complain.¡±


    How could Mu Fulan not guess what she wanted to say?


    ¡°Mother-in-law wants to bring the Qi family¡¯s daughter into the house?¡±


    Her tone was calm.


    Xie mu was taken aback, glanced at Mu Fulan, coughed and eased her tone.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been in my Xie family for some time so there are some things that you must know. When my son was young, my Xie family¡¯s fortune was not easy. The master of the Qi family appreciated my son and did not mind my Xie family, and promised my son his eldest daughter.  Later, Qi family¡¯s daughter unfortunately passed away. Although the marriage contract is gone, but these years while my son has been wandering outside, there have been many difficulties. Thanks to the care of the Qi family, I¡¯m still here today. Although you are married now, my son and Feng¡¯er have always been close with each other. Feng¡¯er is aware of her identity and is willing to be a concubine. When my son returns home, I will handle this matter¡­¡±


    Fulan looked at Xie mu¡¯s mouth while speaking and looked at her eyes, listening to her voice that seemed to be cautious, but was actually righteous and gradually became fascinated.


    Yes, how could she not know?


    Not long after she got married, she had pieced together many things about her Xie family¡¯s Langjun in the blank years before marrying her, from the seemingly unintentional daily nagging of Xie mu.


    Xie mu¡¯s husband was a Yicheng (minor government role) at that time. That year, he was severely beaten for offending a passing official, came home vomiting blood and died. Her son, a 14-year-old boy, caught up with the official who had left and after killing dozens of people in his party, he entrusted his mother to the Qi family, left Xie County on his own to become a bandit.


    The memories of her past life, which she never wanted to look back on, suddenly came back to her at this moment.


    She remembers clearly that it was during this period, half a year after she married into the Xie family, that her husband returned home. After their consummation, mentioned to her, who had not yet had time to recover from the shyness and joy of a young girl becoming a woman, the matter of Qi¡¯s daughter.


    Even before the marriage, she had secretly hoped more than once that she and the Xie Jialang that she was going to marry would be like her parents in the future, a good couple, living together and dying together.


    But the moment he spoke, she still suppressed her heart full of disappointment, forced a smile and agreed.


    How naive she was at that time.


    It is surprising to think that a hundred feet of steel can turn soft, and that a wife and concubine can share a husband.


    Later, she finally learned.


    The only thing in Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes is his imperial plans and hegemony.


    The princess of the Changsha is just a stepping stone for him. If it¡¯s gone, it¡¯s gone.


    This Qi family¡¯s Lingfeng may be his good match.


    Stupid, originally if only I die, I will die. It is not a pity to die.


    However, when the handsome boy in the dream, dressed in white and blood, in the dark palace room, in front of the spirit of his deceased mother who he had been guarding for many years, kills himself with the sword of the father who gave him the other half of his bone and blood said, ¡°Mom, is it right for my son to do this?¡± When the question rang in her ears again, it was as if there was a dull knife cutting her again and again under her chest and above her heart, her skin splitting and blood dripping.


    The corners of her eyes were faintly red, and her nails, deeply embedded in the palm of her hand.


    ¡°You see to it. I have no objection.¡±


    Her expression was colder than snow and ice, and she said it indifferently.


    Xie Mu also expected that she would not dare to object. Now that she got a good answer, she is also satisfied. Glancing at a few boxes in the house, she suppressed her dissatisfaction and said, ¡°Go early and return early! My son will surely return home soon after winning the battle.¡±


    TL: Thanks for the support! It really gives me motivation.

 CH 3

    This person is Xie Changgeng, twenty two years old, the youngest governor of Hexi


    Eight hundred miles to Dongting, the clouds are endless. There has been a lake in Mount Junshan since ancient times, cloudy when it rains and sunny in good weather.


    The local people believe that there is a god on Mount Junshan.


    After the ancestors of the Mu clan were relocated to Changsha, they built a spiritual temple in Junshan dedicated to the Great Emperor, and they built a city to the east of Dongting, which is far away from Junshan, named Yuecheng.


    In the past two hundred years, after several generations of Changsha wangs¡¯ expansion, todays¡¯ Yuecheng has city walls of thousands of feet in the east, west, north and south, with a population of more than 100,000. It is towering and impregnable, especially, compared with the people outside who have suffered from the endless chaos of the vassal kings for many years. The people of Changsha, located in the remote south, can be said to be peaceful and worry-free. They live and work in peace and contentment.


    This morning was just another ordinary day for the people of Changsha living in the city. Late autumn has arrived and the maple leaves outside the city are like fire. After the city gates were opened, the city gradually becomes busy with people coming and going, as the sun rises.


    When travellers approached the Mu¡¯s residence, which they called the ¡°royal palace¡±, located in the north of the city, they slowed their steps and looked pious.


    They didn¡¯t know that in the past two days, the outward appearance of the palace is solemn and calm, but in fact, the inside was actually turned upside down.


    Several important officials of Changsha are all gathered in the palace at this moment, all of them are very anxious.


    The day before yesterday, Mu Xuanqing, Changsha wang, went out hunting with a team of guards. The young wang, galloping in the mountains on a whim, left his entourage on his horse and went alone. After dark, his mount came back by himself, but Mu Xuanqing was nowhere to be seen.


    When the news reached the palace, Queen Lu was very worried and immediately called Yuan Handing, the adopted son of the late Prime Minister, to tell him the news of the King¡¯s disappearance, so that he could take his men to search for him.


    The search has not stopped. From the night before until this morning, it has lasted one day and two nights.


    But there is no news of Mu Xuanying¡¯s whereabouts.


    The area where he hunted had high mountains, dense forests and a complicated terrain. Everyone speculates that it is very likely that he had an accident on the way, and they do not know where he is at the moment.


    Time has passed for so long and everyone looks bleak, as if they lost their parents.


    This news, for them, is definitely a bolt from the blue, but also a huge incomparable bad news.


    The young Changsha wang has not left a son to inherit the throne. Once something really happens, Changsha may face the fate of being removed from the country.


    If the court were to extend grace, in the future, the Mu family should be able to continue to stay here and retain the reward, except for the loss of the title of wang.


    But the officials of Changsha are afraid of the future moving forward.


    A burst of hurried footsteps suddenly came in from outside the hall.


    Everyone hurriedly turned around.


    A guard hurriedly ran in.


    ¡°How is it? General Yuan has news from the king?¡±


    Prime Minister Lu Lin is the uncle of Queen Lu. When he heard the news, he immediately sent people to temporarily block it, so as not let the news spread and make the people uncertain. He also stayed here for two nights on guard, anxious like and ant on a hot pan. Without waiting for the guard to enter, he strode to the entrance of the lobby and asked anxiously.


    The guard shook his head, knelt down, raised his hands high, presented a letterbox, and said loudly, ¡°A messenger has arrived! It is said that it was sent by the Princess and there is an urgent letter to hand to the Queen!¡±


    Lu Lin was greatly disappointed to hear that it was just the arrival of a letter from the Princess who had married to Kuizhou earlier in the year, and asked someone to pass the letter, and sent someone to inquire about the news from Yuan Huanding.


    Lu Shi and Mu Xuanqing were childhood sweethearts and the couple have a daughter. When she suddenly heard that her husband had an accident, she was anxious all day and night. It rained again last night. When she learned from Yuan Handing that the search was fruitless and fearing the worse, she was momentarily unable to support herself and fainted. At this moment, her eyes were red and swollen, and she was trying to get up and go out, when she saw the maid hurriedly enter and presented a letter, saying that it was sent by the princess.


    The relationship between Lu shi and her sister-in-law has always been close. She didn¡¯t know what she was going to say in her sudden letter, so she barely suppressed her grief and despair and opened the letter to read it.


    My sister-in-law¡¯s letter was very brief, written with just a few words.


    As soon as Lu shi¡¯s eyes fell on the letter, her gaze was fixed.


    Suddenly, her eyes lit up, she stood up abruptly, and under the astonished gazes of the maids around her, she hurried out, rushed to the front hall in one breath, and shouted at Lu Lin, who was pacing anxiously, ¡°Uncle! Hurry up and notify General Yuan! Go to the bottom of the Yingzui Stream in Xiyuan to find it! Xuan Qing might be there!¡±


    Lu Lin and several officials were stunned and looked at each other, unable to react for a while.


    ¡°The bottom of the Yingzui Stream! Hurry up!¡±


    For the matter of her husband¡¯s life and death, Lu shi, who had always been gentle, was like a new person at this moment and shouted sternly at Lu Lin.


    Lu Lin came back to his senses, turned around and ran out with the officials.


    Lu Shi¡¯s hands trembled slightly, tightly holding the letter from her sister-in-law and read it again. Although it was unbelievable, in her heart the flame of hope that had been gradually extinguished finally ignited again.


    ¡°Mother, is Father still not home?¡±


    A crying girl¡¯s voice came from behind.


    Lu shi turned her head and saw her four-year old daughter Aru running towards her in tears.


    Behind her, several maids who had not watched Aru hurriedly chased after her, and knelt down one after another, ¡°Your Majesty, forgive me!¡±


    Lu hugged her daughter¡¯s body, wiped her tears, and whispered comfortingly, ¡°Don¡¯t cry. Your father will be back soon!¡±


    She coaxed her daughter and asked the maid to take her back to her room. She herself could not sit still, so she asked someone to prepare a carriage and hurriedly left the royal residence, also heading for Xiyuan.


    Fulan arrived in Yuecheng a few days later.


    In her previous life, her elder brother, the young Changsha wang Mu Xuanqing, died in an accident at this time, at the age of only twenty-two.


    When he was found, he had been lying at the bottom of the stream, which was covered by dense grass, for seven or eight days, presumably because he had lost his footing and died of blood loss.


    The state of Changsha thus lost its last generation of Changsha kings. Her sister-in-law and her four-year old niece, Aru, also lost their husband and father forever.


    Later, although the Mu family received the grace of the imperial court and were able to continue to reside in and also retain the taxes of Yuecheng, the state of Changsha itself was removed. Her sister-in-law was so grief-stricken that after a few years, she also followed her brother and died of depression.


    Fulan didn¡¯t know if things in this world would be the same as what she knew, and she didn¡¯t know whether the messenger arrived in time and if her brother could escape the disaster.


    She was extremely anxious so she traveled day and night all the way, and finally entered Changsha, only a hundred miles away from Yuecheng.


    Travellers on the roadside looked the same as usual, there was no sadness on their faces, and there was no sign that the people were mourning for the king.


    Only then did Fulan relax a little, and ordered her attendants to continue on their journey and enter the city as soon as possible.


    At noon, when they were still dozens of miles away from the city, on the opposite side of the road, a group of men and horses gradually approached and met with Fulan¡¯s party.


    ¡°General Yuan!¡±


    Fulan was sitting in the carriage and suddenly heard the loud call from the steward in front of her. She lifted the curtain, looked out and saw a group of horses riding on the opposite side. The young man, tall, fair-faced and clear-eyed was Yuan Handing, the adopted son of the late Prime Minister. She rushed the driver to stop and called out loudly, ¡°Brother!¡±


    Yuan Handing who was usually taciturn saw Fulan come out of the carriage to greet him. With a surprised smile on his face, he quickly dismounted his horse, walked quickly to her carriage, stopped, and respectfully called her ¡°Princess¡±.


    ¡°The queen said that you were coming back. I had nothing to do for the past few days, so I came out to look around, but I didn¡¯t expect to meet you here. Were you well on your journey?¡±


    Fulan nodded, and then couldn¡¯t wait to ask, ¡°How is my brother, is he doing well recently?¡±


    She looked at Yuan Handing nervously, waiting for his answer.


    On that day, Yuan Handing led people down the ravine and found Mu Xuanqing, he had been unconscious for a long time and was dying with his last breath left. He was afraid that he would scare her by telling her everything, so he hesitated and said, ¡°Your brother was hunting a few days ago, and something went wrong. But I found him in time, and it¡¯s not a serious injury. These days, he has been recovering.¡±


    The most fearful and terrible thing has been fortunately avoided.


    Things are heading in the right direction.


    Fulan¡¯s heart that had been down for many days, lifted, her whole body was relieved and she could no longer hold back, her eyes were red and she was close to tears.


    Yuan Handing grew up with her, and was very sensitive of her emotions. Seeing that she was about to cry, he panicked and said hurriedly ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Brother¡¯s injury is really not serious, he just lost too much blood. In a few days, he¡¯ll be healed.¡±


    Fulan turned her face inward and when her emotions stabilised, she turned back to him, nodded and smiled, ¡°I know it¡¯s okay. Thank you for coming to pick me up, let¡¯s go into the city.¡±


    Her face was already beautiful but now the tears in the corners of her eyes had not yet disappeared and her smile was even more moving.


    Yuan Handing did not dare to look at her any further, nodded and said, ¡°Okay.¡± He hastily turned around, mounted his horse and led the carriage behind him to the city.


    A group of people entered through the city gate.


    Most of the passersby recognised Yuan Handing, and when they saw that he was heading towards the palace with a group of carriages and horses, they looked at the carriage, which seemed to be seated by female family members. They were curious and stopped to watch.


    Yuan Handing sent someone to inform Lu shi early. Lu shi brought Aru to the gate to welcome her personally. The meeting between them was joyful, and Aru was even more excited, tilting her little face and shouting at Fulan


    This trip home was a lifetime ago for Fulan. Not to mention seeing Yuan Handing, her sister-in-law and little niece, but even just now, seeing the two silent and majestic stone lions in front of the door of the royal residence, she could not control her emotions.


    She settled her mind and held her little niece¡¯s hand. In a trance,  it was as if she saw herself and her aunt when she was a child.


    She held Aru¡¯s little hand even tighter and followed her sister-in-law inside.


    Lu shi had asked someone to clean up a place for her a few days ago, and it was her boudoir before she got married.


    Lu shi accompanied her into the house. Fulan asked about her brother, and Lu shi said that he had taken medicine and was sleeping at the moment, then immediately said, ¡°Lan¡¯er, I was fortunate to receive your letter that day, which led to finding your brother in time, otherwise ¡­¡­¡±


    She remembered the scene at that time, although it has passed, she still had lingering fears and sent the maid to take her daughter out first, and grabbed the hand of her sister-in-law tightly.


    ¡°Sister-in-law doesn¡¯t know how to thank you. Lan¡¯er, no matter what happens in the future, you can ask, as long as we can help, your brother and I will definitely help you.¡±


    She was so excited and grateful, there were faint tears in her eyes as she spoke.


    Fulan smiled and said, ¡°As long as brother is safe, that is my greatest blessing. I will go see him later.¡±


    She knew that the sister-in-law would ask her how she knew about this, so she took the initiative to say, ¡°I was lucky to be able to help, and and it was also because the heavens has blessed brother. That day, I dreamed that I saw the Great Emperor Junshan and he warned me. When I woke up, I remembered it clearly. Just in case, I sent someone to send a letter back. If sister-in-law wants to thank me, she should thank the Great Emperor of Mount Junshan.¡±


    Lu shi was very surprised and nodded immediately, ¡°Good! Good! Tomorrow I will prepare all the gifts and go to Mount Junshan to thank gods!¡±


    Fu Lan said, ¡°I will go too.¡±


    Lu shi agreed and talked to her sister-in-law for a few minutes, then asked her how her mother-in-law was and how she was doing at Xie¡¯s house.


    Fulan answered vaguely.


    Seeing that she seemed reluctant to mention the matters of the Xie family, Lu shi persuaded her, ¡°My brother-in-law left you on your wedding night to pacify the rebellion of the King of Jiangdu and really wronged you. It¡¯s just that these years, the vassal kings in the country have been in chaos, wars have continued, and and there is unrest at the border. This is also the urgent call of the court. He is unwilling but also can not help it. You should not blame him. A few days ago, I heard that the king of Jiangdu was retreating. I think he will soon be able to settle the situation and you will be able to meet then.¡±


    While Lu shi carefully persuaded her, the maid came to report that the king had woken up, and he was very happy to learn that his sister had returned and wanted to see her.


    Fulan got up in a hurry and went with Lu shi to see her brother.


    The Mu family members were all extremely outstanding in appearance. Mu Xuanqing had a noble temperament unique to the children of the royal family. In order to chase the prey that day, he accidentally stumbled and lost his footing. After being rescued, he recuperated for a few days so his injuries have healed a lot. At this moment, the brother and sister met and they were very happy. When he was scolded by his sister for being reckless, he was also a little scared and secretly remorseful. When he heard her say that she was going to come back and stay, he nodded immediately without thinking about it.


    ¡°Amei, you can stay as long as you want! My Changsha, will always be Amei¡¯s home!¡±


    ¡­


    This year¡¯s winter seemed to come particularly quickly.


    At the end of October, half a month after Mu shi had left, the weather was getting colder by the day. The continuous rain and cold air kept one burrowing into ones collar. In the afternoon, Xie mu ate a meal and felt sleepy, so she was served and went to sleep inside. Qiu Ju was hiding in the outer room and nibbling on melon seeds when the rough maid named A Mao came running in a hurry, her footsteps stomping.


    There was a sound coming from the inner room as Xie mu turned over after being disturbed.


    Qiu Ju dropped the melon seeds, hurriedly got up, stepped over the threshold, raised her hand and grabbed A Mao¡¯s ear, pulled hard, and scolded in a low voice, ¡°Where are your ears? How many times have I told you, walk lightly! The old lady is sleeping!¡±


    ¡°No, no!¡±


    A Mao, out of breath, covered her ears while explaining, ¡°Our lord is back! He is at the door!¡±


    Qiu Ju was stunned, let go, hurried out, ran a few steps, then quickly came back, opened the mirror case, took a look at her face, and her little finger hurriedly picked a bit of rouge and wiped it on her lips. Seeing that the hair on her temples was rough, she desperately smeared rosin oil on it.


    She was working in front of the mirror with her head tilted, when she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the outside, she hurriedly closed the mirror case, turned around and hurried out to meet him.


    In the courtyard, there was a shadowy figure.


    A man, with green robes, looks like a person in a painting, passed through the continuous autumn rain in Badi, and stepped through the puddle accumulated in the courtyard.


    The tall man, under the rain hat, has a handsome face and well-groomed eyebrows. He is followed by a servant and at first glance, he looks like a young scholar who has just returned home after going out for an exam.


    He climbed the steps and stopped under the porch.


    The rainwater ran along the edge of the hat kept dripping under his feet and soon wet the surrounding ground.


    This young man is Xie Changgeng, twenty-two years old, the youngest governor Hexi.


    He took off his hat and casually hung it on a nail by the wall. He faintly swept his eyes across the room, glanced at Qiu Ju, who had just run out of the room with a flushed face, and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s my mother?¡±

 CH 4

    I only remember the flickering red candle, her head bowed deeply, hair like clouds in the sky


    In the inner room, Xie mu who had heard a sound, opened her eyes, sat up from the bed, put on her clothes, hurried out, shouting, ¡°Has my son returned?¡±


    Xie Changgeng took off the wet straw coat that he was wearing and handed it to A Mao who was running towards him, then crossed the threshold and walked quickly towards his mother.


    Qiu Ju saw A Mao happily clutching the coat, looking at herself proudly, her face stiffened and she stared at the snot hanging from her nose in disgust.


    ¡°Put it away! The ground is wet! In case the old lady slips and falls while walking!¡±


    A Mao was not annoyed, she sucked her snot and pointed at her lapel with a smile, ¡°Your collar¡­¡±


    Qiu Ju looked down and realised that she still had a few pieces of melon shells on her collar, her face suddenly turned red and she hurriedly patted it off. She raised her eyes and saw A Mao¡¯s gloating face and scolded in a low voice, ¡°Watch out! If you pretend to be stupid, see if I won¡¯t cut your rotten nose one day!¡±


    A Mao got sick when he was five or six years old and was abandoned. At that time, in the cold winter on the twelfth lunar month, wearing ragged clothes, curled up in the snow like a cat and was about to freeze to death, Xie fu (Xie Changgeng¡¯s father) could not bear it so he took her home. Xie mu complained a bit, but she raised her as a one of the servant girls in the family.


    A Mao is not very bright, but silly, and due to her illness when she was young, her nose is runny when the weather changes. This year, when the madam married in, she received treatment from a doctor, took medicine for a period of time and slowly recuperated. Although the root cause was not eliminated, it was much better than the previous years.


    She was not afraid of Qiu Ju, she sneered and muttered, ¡°As soon as the master comes back, she will wipe rouge on her face, it looks like a monkey¡¯s butt, how can it look good¡­¡±


    Qiu Ju frowned and wanted to pinch her ears again. A Mao blew her nose and threw it at her.


    Qiu Ju¡¯s expression changed and she hurriedly backed away.


    A Mao snorted, raised her chin, hugged the coat tightly, turned and ran away.


    Qiu Ju was so angry that she gritted her teeth, wishing she could kill this stupid girl with a thousand cuts to relieve her anger. The voices of Xie Mu and Xie Changgeng talking was heard from the inside, so she suppressed her anger and quietly went to the door and listening with pricked ears.


    Xie Changgeng stretched out his hand to support his mother, who ran out, with a smile on his face.


    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s me. I¡¯m back.¡±


    Xie Mu was overjoyed. She grabbed her son whom she hadn¡¯t seen in more than half a year, looked him up and down while muttering that he was dark and thin. Seeing that his clothes boots were wet from the rain, she shouted, ¡°Qiu Ju! Quickly come in and serve!¡±


    Qiu Ju hurriedly walked in and said with a smile: ¡°Master, sit down, I¡¯ll take off your shoes!¡± She squatted down and stretched out her hand.


    Xie Changgeng did not move and only asked her to light a brazier in his mothers room.


    Qiu Ju bit her lip, slowly retracted her hand, gave a low reply, got up and walked out.


    ¡°Mother, it¡¯s cold. How is your health?¡±


    Xie Changgeng helped his mother sit by the bed.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine! Don¡¯t worry about it! Just be careful when you¡¯re outside!¡± Xie Mu said with a smile.


    ¡°Why are you the only one back?¡±


    She looked out the door.


    It was quiet outside and there were no other voices.


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t those state officials and county officials come with you? Could it be that the war is not going well?¡±


    Xie mu was used to her son coming back with many local officials behind him. Seeing this abnormality, she couldn¡¯t help but worry.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, mother, the battle went well. I just didn¡¯t want to alert outsiders, so I returned by myself first.¡±


    Xie mu breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡°This is good. This is good. Geng¡¯er, are you hungry? You are so thin! You rest first and mother will go make something for you to eat!¡±


    Xie mu got up and was about to go out, but was stopped by Xie Changgeng, saying that he was not hungry. He turned his head to look in the direction of the East Wing, hesitated, and asked, ¡°Mother, where¡¯s the bride? When I passed by the east wing, it seemed that there was no one inside?¡±


    When Xie mu heard her son ask about Mu shi, the joy she had disappeared. ¡°Gone! Half a month ago, she went back to her mother¡¯s house! I couldn¡¯t even stop her!¡±


    Xie Changgeng was stunned.


    Xie¡¯s mother spat out her bitterness.


    ¡±Son, let mother tell you, this bride is really hard to explain. Mother doesn¡¯t know how to scold her well! In the beginning, after you left, she was quite honest and would come to see me every morning and evening. I thought that I didn¡¯t treat her badly, but suddenly, half a month ago, she gave me a look and said that she wanted to go back to her mother¡¯s house! Mother tried to tell her that you didn¡¯t leave her on purpose, and that you were going to come back soon, so she should wait a little longer. She didn¡¯t take it seriously and left me that day, taking all the people back with her!


    Thinking of the scene at that time, Xie mu was still angry.


    Xie Changgeng thought for a moment and asked, ¡°Did she say why she wanted to go back all of a sudden?¡±


    Xie mu shook her head, ¡°She didn¡¯t say anything! Just wanted to leave! That¡¯s why I¡¯m so angry! Geng¡¯er, do you think that there is such a daughter-in-law? She¡¯s just relying on her mother¡¯s family¡¯s power! What can I do? I can only let her go!¡±


    Xie Changgeng frowned slightly, and said nothing more.


    Xie mu thought about it and began to persuade her son.


    ¡°Forget it! Don¡¯t be annoyed. If she wants to go, she can go. Her legs are on her body and can¡¯t tie her up, and we don¡¯t care! Let mother tell you, we have another good thing.¡±


    Her face showed a joyful look.


    ¡°Since she¡¯s like this, I simply told her about Feng¡¯er. It¡¯s a good thing she has self-awareness and didn¡¯t say anything bad. Mother just wanted to wait for you to come back and bring Feng¡¯er in.¡±


    Xie Changgeng did not answer.


    Xie mu continued, ¡°Our family used to be down and out, and your father was just a yicheng. Fortunately, the master of Qi¡¯s family had vision and determined that you would be successful in the future, so he took the initiative to tie the knot with us. This is the kind of gratitude that we have to remember for the rest of our lives. It¡¯s a pity that the marriage didn¡¯t happen. I don¡¯t have that daughter-in-law¡¯s blessing. Later, you committed a crime and left, but thanks to the care of the Qi family, mother was able to live in peace. Now that we are up, the Qi family has unfortunately suffered.¡±


    Xie mu sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s not easy for Feng¡¯er. All those years, we didn¡¯t have any news about you, and she didn¡¯t know whether you lived or died. She has always served me as if I were her biological mother. Later, you came back and said that you had already arranged a marriage outside. Mother knew her feelings for you and asked if she wanted to be a concubine. She did not say a bad word and nodded her head at that time.¡±


    ¡°Such a good woman, Geng¡¯er, you can¡¯t let her down!¡±


    The son remained silent. Xie mu was unhappy at once.


    ¡°Geng¡¯er, you don¡¯t look down on Feng¡¯er because you are married to a noble girl, right? Let me tell you, we must not be ungrateful!¡±


    Xie Changgeng smiled slightly.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t be angry, that¡¯s not what my son means. As my mother has already spoken to Mu shi, and when she gets back, I¡¯ll bring her here.¡±


    Xie mu was a little happier, but she was still a little dissatisfied with her son¡¯s words.


    ¡°She said she would leave, she doesn¡¯t even respect me as her mother-in-law, let alone you, Geng¡¯er, why should we wait for her to return? Why wait for her to come back? Who knows when she will come back? If she doesn¡¯t come back, should we let Fenger wait like this?¡±


    Xie Changgeng pondered for a moment.


    ¡°My son will go there in a couple of days and pick her up.¡±


    Xie mu was angry.


    ¡°No way! It¡¯s only been six months since she got married and she¡¯s already like this! What is this all about? She left on her own, and if she wants to go back, she should go back on her own! I forbid you to pick her up! I won¡¯t allow you to pick her up because she¡¯ll want to go back there every two to three days!¡±


    Xie Changgeng said patiently, ¡°When I came back, my son had planned to go to Changsha. When the old Changsha wang died three years ago, his son was in Xiucheng in Liangzhou, and he couldn¡¯t go back for the funeral. In the past few years, I have not been able to spare time. Recently, I am free to pay my respects, it is my duty. On the way, I will bring her back.¡±


    When mother Xie heard her son say that, she reluctantly said, ¡°Forget it, then you go early and return early, don¡¯t let Feng¡¯er wait too long!¡±


    After a pause, she added, ¡°How many years has she waited for you!¡±


    Xie Changgeng agreed.


    Xie mu was finally happy again, and wanted to personally go to pack up the new room in the east wing for her son, but was stopped by Xie Changgeng, saying that the servants could clean it up, and that he didn¡¯t have many things.


    Xie mu was busy shouting to send someone over.


    Qiu Ju came in with a brazier and placed it on the stove in the corner of the room.


    Xie Changgeng went over, lit the charcoal fire with his own hands, covered it with a lid and ordered her to serve his mother well. Only then did he leave the house and go to the east wing.


    He walked through the corridor.


    The double happiness posted on the doors and windows when they got married in early spring is still there. But the red had faded, it was soaked by the rain and mist, and due to the wind, crumpled and stuck together. A gust of wind passed, and suddenly it fell off the door, ¡°snap¡±, and fell to the ground.


    Xie Changgeng glanced at it and crossed the threshold of the new room.


    The attendant had brought in his carry-on. A Mao and another servant maid were busy making the bed and cleaning the table. When they saw him return, they called out ¡°Master¡±.


    Xie Changgeng nodded and stood aside.


    After the two girls finished cleaning up the house, they were going to unpack his clothes and put them away, but he stopped them and said he would do it by himself.


    The two bowed to him and retreated.


    Xie Changgeng took out his clothes and opened the cabinet door, a faint fragrance immediately wafted into his nostrils and penetrated his lungs.


    He looked up.


    The closet was filled with women¡¯s clothing, full of pink and red, light smoke and soft mist. In the corner, hanging quietly is a delicately embroidered cymbidium orchid sachet.


    The first thing that came to mind was a memory from the wedding night at the beginning of the year.


    He had only just entered the room at that time. He had just removed the bride¡¯s veil, but before he could see the appearance of Mu shi, their was a tap on the door, saying that the imperial court¡¯s urgent edict arrived.


    He hurried out, took off his wedding clothes, bade farewell to his mother and left home that night.


    When he left, it was early spring, now that he¡¯s returned today, it was already late autumn.


    At this moment, he tried to recall the appearance of his bride.


    I only remember the flickering of the red candle, her head bowed deeply, and hair like clouds in the sky. In a trance, he seemed to catch a glimpse of the silent head, as gentle as water.


    Xie Changgeng stood for a moment, closed the cabinet door, and put his clothes aside. Hearing the sound of A Mao humming in a low voice in the corridor, he hesitated, walked to the door, and called her.


    A Mao dropped the broom, ran to the door, and came in with a smile, ¡°Master, are you looking for me for something?¡±


    Xie Changgeng asked her, ¡°After Madam passed through the door, did she serve my mother thoughtfully?¡±


    A Mao likes the new wife from Changsha, who never thought she was dirty, and upon hearing this question, hurriedly walked in and nodded vigorously, ¡°Very thoughtful! She will wait in front of the old lady¡¯s room early every day to comb her hair and put on shoes! ¡°


    ¡°Then do you know why did she suddenly go back?¡±


    A Mao spread her hands: ¡°Madam did not tell me¡­¡±


    Xie Changgeng pondered for a moment and nodded, ¡°Okay, it¡¯s alright. You go ahead and work.¡±


    A Mao turned around to go out, took a few steps, sniffed her nose and suddenly bowed.


    ¡°Master, I know! But I dare not say it, I¡¯m afraid you will scold me¡­¡±


    She looked at Xie Changgeng, hesitantly.


    Xie Changgeng said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, whatever you know, just say it.¡±


    A Mao grew up always doing the wrong thing, making the old lady angry, so she always scolded her for being stupid. But Master has a good temper and never scolded her.


    Since he was a child, his writing has been very good. When he was only ten years old, he got the top rank in the country exam. The neighbours said behind his back that the Master seemed to be a gentleman, but in reality he kills without blinking an eye.


    They were all afraid of him, but A Mao was not. After being encouraged again, she became more daring, came up to him and said in a low voice, ¡°Master, when you were not at home, I always heard the old lady saying that Qi young lady was good. Just the other day, Qiu Ju even said front of us, if master had not left home, Qi young lady would have been the wife of master. I was angry and quarrelled with her. She grabbed my ear and I ran to tell madam.¡±


    ¡°Did madam get angry and that¡¯s why she left?¡±


    When A Mao finished speaking, she saw that he didn¡¯t speak. His brows were slightly wrinkled, as if he were unhappy, she felt uneasy, looked at his face, and said cautiously, ¡°Master¡­ Did I do something wrong again¡­ I won¡¯t dare to talk too much in the future¡­don¡¯t be angry¡­¡±


    Xie Changgeng returned to his senses, smiled slightly, and said warmly, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I understand. You can go.¡±


    She breathed a sigh of relief and boldly added, ¡°Master, are you going to bring Madam back! She is so nice, she even helped me see a doctor for medical treatment! My nose is much better now! Qiu Ju always scolded me for my rotten nose, and it makes me angry!¡±


    Xie Changgeng nodded.


    A Mao bowed to him and left happily.


    Xie Changgeng looked around the new room, walked to the south window with his hands behind his back, and looked out at the low clouds as the autumn rain fell, gradually lost in thought.


    TL: Even though I understand Xie mu¡¯s reasoning, I can¡¯t help but detest her. One of the worst MIL¡¯s, not because she¡¯s cruel but because she¡¯s dumb.

 CH 5

    This Xie is a bandit, how can he be worthy of you!


    On this day, Lu shi prepared five animals and took a group of attendants with her to go out of the city with Fulan. They took a ferry to Junshan Mountain, where they went to the temple to offer sacrifices to the gods for blessing her husband from danger that day.


    After the sacrifice to the gods, they came out of the temple. When she was going down the mountain, Fulan asked, ¡°Sister-in-law, is Master in the mountain? If so, I¡¯ll go and see this old man.


    Her master, Li Yaoweng, was a famous doctor. When he was young, he worked as an imperial physician in the palace. Later, he left the palace and traveled around, compiling medical books and practicing medicine with the folk. Many years ago, he traveled to Dongting and found that he loved the landscape here so he decided to set up a hut in Junshan. Fulan¡¯s father admired his name, came to visit him personally and they gradually got to know each other. Seeing that the princess was young and showed interest in his herbal medicine, and also liked her intelligence, he took as her as half a disciple and taught her some medical skills in his spare time.


    When Fulan got married at the beginning of the year, Master was still in Junshan.


    Lu Shi smiled and said, ¡°Not long after you got married, Yao Weng went down the mountain. I don¡¯t know when he will return.¡±


    Fulan said, ¡°Sister-in-law, you should go back to the city first. I will go to Master¡¯s place to look at the medicine garden.¡±


    Lu Shi knew the relationship between her sister-in-law and Yaoweng and nodded, ¡°Alright. Then I¡¯ll go back to the city first, come back early.¡±


    Fulan agreed and watched Lu shi go down the mountain, and followed the mountain path to Master¡¯s residence.


    There is a hut hidden in the middle of the mountain, woven bamboo as a hedge, a few grass huts and a large medicine garden at the back.


    Although master has left the mountain, there is still a young servant named A Da who takes care of the medicine garden.


    A Da was an orphan who was picked up by Master. He was busy at the back of the house. When he saw the princess coming, he was very surprised. He hurriedly put down his hoe and ran out to greet her.


    Fulan told him not to worry. She came to the medicinal garden and helped dry some fresh herbs he had just picked, and was so busy that before she knew it, half a day had passed.


    Mu mama started urging her to go back to the city.


    The sun was already setting and Fulan knew it was time to leave, so she told A Da to take good care of the medicine garden and washed her hands. The group went down the mountain and passed by an old cypress. The maid Zhu Yu smiled and said, ¡°Mistress, they said this old cypress is a divine tree, capable of psychic powers, and many people come here to worship it. Since we are passing by, let¡¯s go and pay our respects too.¡±


    The old cypress is deeply rooted in the wall of the mountain, with intertwined roots and luxuriant leaves. For thousands of years, the mountain wind blows strongly, but it has remained unchanged.


    Fulan stopped and looked into the distance for a moment.


    ¡°It¡¯s getting late, let¡¯s go down the mountain.¡±


    After she finished speaking, she withdrew her gaze, turned around and continued to walk down the mountain steps.


    There is a local legend that this old cypress that grows on the cliff halfway up Junshan Mountain was planted by Xiangjun and Lady Xiang in the beginning of time, it is the same age as Junshan Mountain and can give blessings for marriage.


    Several of the younger maids were excited, but the princess was not interested, so they had to give up and followed down the mountain.


    The guards who were waiting at the foot of the mountain rocked the boat, sent Fulan and her party ashore, and took the carriage back to the city.


    When Fulan entered the palace, she got a piece of news.


    Xie Changgeng quelled the rebellion of the King of Jiangdu and sent a letter to Mu Xuanqing, saying that he would arrive in Changsha soon.


    Lu shi informed Fulan as soon as she returned. She hurried to her sister-in-law¡¯s boudoir with the letter and found her with a smile on her face.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er, my brother-in-law said in his letter that he came here to pay respects to father and the king. Naturally, in addition to paying respects to father, he must also be taking you back.¡±


    Just half a year after the marriage, the young sister-in-law went back to Changsha by herself, despite the fact that the mountains are far away. Although it was due to the dream and that she was worried about her brother that she rushed back in person. But these days, from the mouths of Zhu Yu and other maids, Lu shi knew that Xie mu was not a good person to get along with. When my sister-in-law left that day, she had a disagreement with Xie mu, and Xie mu even mentioned the matter of taking a concubine.


    The newlyweds have only been married for a little more than half a year, and when the husband was away, the bride ignored her mother-in-law¡¯s obstruction and forcibly returned to her parents¡¯ home. Even if there is a reason for the incident, in the eyes of the world, it is the bride¡¯s side that was not justified.


    The husband has been saved, the injury is not serious, but the sister-in-law did not mention going back.


    Lu Shi suspected that she was angry because of the concubine mentioned by Xie mu.


    She was afraid that her sister-in-law would be oversensitive. Although she didn¡¯t mention it in front of her, Lu shi was still very worried about her, lest she hates the Xie family and even lose the heart of her new husband.


    When Xie Changgeng returned home, if he blamed her and did not come to pick her up, there would be some difficulties for my sister-in-law.


    Not returning is naturally impossible. If you go back by yourself, it will be shameful and you will lose face. In the future her situation at Xie family may be even more unfavorable.


    She was secretly worried, and when she went to worship Emperor Junshan today, she even prayed for her sister-in-law.


    She did not expect to get what she wanted. When she came back, she actually received such good news, how could she not rejoice?


    She handed over Xie Changgeng¡¯s letter to Mu Xuanqing.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er, look!¡±


    Fulan didn¡¯t take the letter, and there was not a hint of joy on her face.


    Lu shi was puzzled and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Brother-in-law is coming to pick you up, isn¡¯t this a good thing?


    Fulan asked the maids to go out, and when only she and Lu shi were left in the room, she said, ¡°Sister-in-law, I¡¯m not going back.¡±


    ¡°I want to divorce and break off my ties with the Xie family.¡±


    Lu shi was shocked and thought she had heard wrongly. But when she saw that her sister-in-law looked solemn and did not look like she was talking nonsense, she was surprised and said, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? How can you want a divorce after only half a year of marriage? You used to be devoted to Xie Jialang? I¡¯m afraid you haven¡¯t even spoken a word since you got married, why are you suddenly breaking off your relationship?¡±


    While Fulan was silent, Lu shi suddenly remembered the maid¡¯s words, and hastily padvised, ¡°Lan¡¯er, sister-in-law didn¡¯t say anything earlier because I was afraid you would be overly concerned.  I also heard your maid mention a few things, saying that your mother-in-law intends to take Qi¡¯s daughter into the family. If you don¡¯t want to, wait until you see brother-in-law and talk to him. If you don¡¯t nod your head, no matter how deep the relationship between him and Qi¡¯s daughter is, he will definitely not be able to disrespect Changsha and carry her into the house.¡±


    She held her sister-in-law¡¯s hand and lowered her voice: ¡°Lan¡¯er, listen to me, you are the Mistress of the Xie family, as long as you don¡¯t let go of this matter, no one will be able to enter the door. With your appearance and using some means, why worry about not being able to hold brother-in-law¡¯s heart? Besides, there is also Changsha. Although the country is small, your position as the master is there! It¡¯s just a woman, why is it that you are so disheartened!¡±


    Fulan said, ¡°Sister-in-law, I understand what you have said, but I want to break away from the Xie family, not because of the Qi¡¯s daughter, but because I have changed my mind. I don¡¯t like that surname Xie anymore, and I don¡¯t want to waste my life in the Xie family anymore.¡±


    ¡°When I came home this time, I had no intentions of going back. I won¡¯t change my mind either. I beg sister-in-law to forgive my wilfulness, don¡¯t persuade me to go back.¡±


    Her tone was still calm, but her attitude, however, was very firm.


    Lu shi stared at Mu Fulan in surprise, and in a trance, she felt a sense of strangeness.


    This is not what a sixteen-year-old girl should think.


    The sister-in-law in her memory was gentle and chaste.


    She thought back to the night of the eve of her wedding. Her sister-in-law¡¯s nervousness, anticipation and shyness are all still vivid in her mind.


    Lu Shi really did not know, but in just over half a year, what had happened to her that made her make such a decision?


    She seemed to have grown up suddenly and was no longer the princess of the Mu family that she knew so well.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er¡­¡±


    Lu shi was in a dilemma and hesitated.


    ¡°If you really do not want to stay in the Xie family, sister-in-law will naturally not force you to return. It¡¯s just that it is not a trivial matter, and it won¡¯t be that easy. Although your mother-in-law proposed to take a concubine, the person has not entered the door. Even if she did, this is not an excuse for us to talk about divorce. Furthermore, this marriage was set for you by your father and it concerns the safety of the Yangtze River waterway and the peace of Dongting. How do we explain this?¡±


    The turmoil in the imperial court that has gone on for many years has not yet completely subsided. It began when Empress Liu came to power. When the war started, there was a lot of turmoil in various places and many vassal states, either ambitious or involuntary, were involved.


    Since ancient times, the two sides of the Yangtze River has had bandits. Dongting is connected to the Yangtze River in the north and the four waters of Xiang, Zi, Yuan, Lishui as well as Miluo in the west. The waterways are well connected which is favourable for the bandits. Due to the war, the riots continued in all four directions of Dongting.


    Three years ago, the old Changsha wang had a feeling that he might die soon. When he was alive, he could still rely on his former influence to deter the bandits on four sides, but if he was gone, the chaos of the times may one day affect Changsha. His son, Mu Xuanqing, might not be able to support the situation alone for a while.


    At that time, nineteen-year-old Xie Changgeng had gathered his troops to wipe out the bandits in Yangtze River, firmly controlling the upstream waterway, and also controlling the transportation of the court¡¯s grain.


    The old Changsha wang had received Xie Changgeng¡¯s help before when he was suppressing the Jiangyang robbers who had been harming a place bordering Changsha for many years. The two of them had history.


    This young man left a deep impression on him. Although he had a humble origin, he had an outstanding ability and disciplined behavior, so knew that his origins were not a concern.


    His gaze fell on Xie Changgeng.


    As if he had the same mind, Xie also took the initiative to propose marriage.


    The marriage was thus arranged logically.


    The thirteen-year-old princess of Changsha was promised to Xie Changgeng, the nineteen-year-old bandit leader of Yangtze River.


    Soon after, Xie was hired by the imperial court on the recommendation of the King of Changsha, and was elevated to the prefect of Jiangling.


    In that year, Changsha wang passed away, and Xie Changgeng on the basis of military merit. Surprisingly, in just three years, he became the youngest military envoy in the history of this dynasty.


    The marriage was a good connection for both Xie and Changsha.


    Xie Changgeng entered into officialdom and Changsha, just as the old Changsha king had hoped, was at peace with the four borders and free of danger.


    How could Fulan not understand the concerns of her sister-in-law?


    She said, ¡°Sister-in-law, you don¡¯t have to ask, I will talk to him. If he agrees, it won¡¯t affect the safety of the four waters of Dongting, is it possible for you to complete my request?¡±


    At this moment, the door was pushed open.


    Fulan turned her head and saw her elder brother Mu Xuanqing sitting on a wheelchair by the door, his face full of anger.


    ¡°A-mei! The Xie family is bullying people too much! How long has it been, how dare they humiliate you like this! This Xie is a bandit, how can he be worthy of you! You don¡¯t have to worry. Even if brother is useless, he won¡¯t let you be humiliated like this!¡±


    TL: Love reading about supportive families, especially in this genre! One thing I do have to note though is WHY do the leads, especially female, have to always be so young? I can only read rebirth novels because usually there¡¯s usually some life experience that makes it believable for a 15/16 year old to be so mature.

 CH 6

    Xie Changgeng arrived in Yuecheng in the afternoon


    ¡°Xuanqing¡­¡± Lu shi called out worriedly to her husband.


    ¡°What A¡¯mei means is what I mean!¡± Mu Xuanqing said sternly, with no room for negotiation.


    He and his wife have always had a good relationship. It was the first time that Mu Xuanqing spoke to his wife in this tone in front of other people.


    When the king is angry, the attendants nearby all showed fear and knelt down on the ground, not daring to move.


    Lu Shi knew that he should have heard about the Xie family¡¯s intention to take a concubine, which is why he was so angry and came over despite the fact that his leg had not yet healed.


    She knows her husband¡¯s temper.


    He regretted his own incompetence. At that time he did not have his fathers¡¯ confidence, so A¡¯mei was promised to a Jiangyang thief.


    For A¡¯mei, this was a great grievance.


    Now that the Xie family dared to treat her like this, how could he bear it?


    Intuitively, Lu Shi always felt that this matter was not as simple as what sister-in-law said on the surface, there may be a hidden agenda.


    But her husband is the King of Changsha. He has already taken such a stand, how can she object again?


    Moreover, my sister-in-law¡¯s attitude was so resolute and she just recently helped save her husband.


    At worst, this sudden change will cause the relationship between Changsha State and the now powerful Hexi governor Xie Changgeng to break up, and become enemies.


    But what could be more terrible than the loss of the king of Changsha, and the subsequent removal of the kingdom of Changsha?


    If my sister-in-law had not received a dream from the gods and delivered that life-saving letter in time, she would have lost her husband, the king of Changsha, and this country would soon cease to exist.


    Lu Shi was also an open-minded person, so when she thought about it, she calmed down.


    She pondered and nodded.


    ¡°Alright. If you really decide to separate from the Xie family, Laner, sister-in-law, like your brother, will definitely help you.¡±


    ¡°The country is here and you are the princess of Changsha!¡±


    Mu Xuanqing looked at his wife, his expression softened a little and ordered all the servants around to retreat.


    ¡°A¡¯mei, do you remember ten years ago, when you were six years old, when gugu died in the palace? I didn¡¯t tell you before but when father received the news, there was something strange about her death and it is related to the current traitorous Empress. Before my aunt died, she ordered her confidant to bring her last words to father.¡±


    ¡°I was twelve years old but I still remember gugu¡¯s last words clearly.¡±


    ¡°Gugu said life and death have a destiny, all is due to fate and she has no resentment at all. The imperial court intended to completely cut off the vassal kings with different surnames and she did not want any turmoil in Changsha because of her. Gugu told my father to keep a low profile from now on to protect Changsha. Safety is the top priority.¡±


    ¡°A¡¯mei, do you know what gugu means by this? I did not understand at the time. I asked father, but he did not reply. Later when I thought about it myself, it was only in the last two years that I figured it out.¡±


    ¡°A¡¯mei, do you know why the court chose Mu¡¯s daughter as the Empress back then? It seems impressive, but it¡¯s actually a poisonous bait! Gugu died in the palace for no apparent reason. What they were waiting for, perhaps, is the anger and injustice of Changsha. If father made any movements, it will be the best excuse for them to attack our Mu family!¡±


    ¡°Father endured it in order to protect Mu family¡¯s inheritance. He also responded to Xie¡¯s marriage proposal and promised you to him.¡±


    ¡°Father promised you to him and recommended him to serve as an official, hoping to use his strength to keep the four borders of Changsha safe. However, this Xie is now supported by the traitorous Empress and is very close to her. The Empress has been isolating me in Changsha and secretly suppressing me under the pretext of eradicating the rebellious kings.¡±


    ¡°Father can bear it, but I can¡¯t bear it. Sooner or later, I will avenge gugu¡¯s death. My words just now were not just a momentary impulse!¡±


    ¡°This Xie, in order to get rid of his identity as a bandit, asked for marriage with us. Now he is willing to become a traitor¡¯s dog in order to achieve prosperity. It is impossible for him to have the same heart as my Mu family. Not to mention that he is now treating you with such contempt! In the past, you were willing to marry him, but now that you have changed your mind, no matter how incompetent I, Mu Xuanqing, will not force you to commit yourself to such an unworthy person!¡±


    ¡°A¡¯mei, don¡¯t worry. As soon as Xie arrives, I¡¯ll make it clear to him for you!¡±


    ¡°From now on, I will do everything in my power to strengthen my country of Changsha, protect my sister and never let you suffer any grievances!¡±


    The young king looked excited and his eyes were bright. The resounding oath showed his unparalleled determination and the pride and intrinsic courage found in the sons of the royal family.


    There was a warm current in Mu Fulan¡¯s heart.


    Xie Changgeng is the same age as her elder brother, but only a few months older than him. How deep his scheming, how tolerant he is of people, and how cunning his nature, in this world, perhaps there is no one more clear about it than her.


    Regardless of whether brother can really help her get rid of him, the love and care that brother and her sister-in-law have for her is another precious possession in her life after she her lost flesh and blood (son).


    In the future, she will also do her best to protect her most precious possessions.


    ¡°Thank you, brother. Thank you, sister-in-law.¡±


    ¡­


    Half a month later, on the 12th day of November, the ceremonial officer of Changsha received news again.


    Xie Changgeng, the governor of Hexi, also known as the princess¡¯ husband, will arrive in Yuecheng in three days.


    When the ceremonial officer began to prepare for the ceremony to welcome the distinguished guest, he received an order from the king.


    The king ordered them not to do anything.


    He did not stop Xie Changgeng from coming, but he did not make any preparations to welcome him.


    The officers were greatly confused.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s current official position is extremely prominent. Hexi governor to be stationed in Liangzhou and bestowed military power.


    Even if he was an ordinary person, as the princess¡¯ husband, to come to Changsha to pay his respects to the late king, such ¡°courtesy¡± is not justified.


    But the king¡¯s order could not be violated.


    The ceremonial officer asked Prime Minister Lu Lin about the situation. Lu Lin himself  was at a loss as to what to do and he could not find out anything from the queen. He tried to advise Mu Xuanqing, but he did not see him, so he suppressed his apprehension and told him to act according to the king¡¯s order.


    On the fifteenth day, early in the morning, Lu Lin once again asked to see Mu Xuanqing, advising him that no matter what the reason, since Xie Changgeng claimed to come here to pay his respects to the late king, there was no need to offend people in this way.


    But Mu Xuanqing still did not listen to him and walked away.


    Lu Lin had no choice but to order people to open the city gates to welcome him, and he himself took the officials to the temple of the late king, where they waited for Xie Changgeng.


    Xie Changgeng arrived in Yuecheng in the afternoon.


    He was dressed in ordinary clothes. He only had a few attendants, all of them in commoner clothes. When he arrived at the city gate, the city guards did not expect that this young man, who looked so elegant and refined, was the husband of the princess of Changsha. Seeing that his companions seemed to be carrying weapons, they stopped them and questioned them about their origins.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s entourage have been with him since his early years in the Yangtze River waterway. They seemed ordinary and blended in when they were placed in a crowd, but in reality, they were all bandits who murdered without blinking an eye. After entering Changsha, they were surprised by the other party¡¯s hospitality. They saw that there was no minimum greeting at the entrance of the city, but instead stopped by the city guards and questioned rudely they could not bear it any longer and were furious. They were about to draw swords on the spot, but was stopped by Xie Changgeng.


    He sat on his horse, looking at the street scene of Changsha, which was in front of him, behind the heavy doorway. He gave his name with a calm expression.


    When the city guard heard that he was Xie Changgeng, he was taken aback and hurriedly stepped aside to make way.


    When he came to ask for marriage three years ago, he had only been to the palace and not to the temple. He asked the city guard for directions.


    He glanced in the direction where he was pointed, squinted slightly, then rode his horse into the city.


    While Lu Lin and the other officials were waiting under the sacred steps leading to the temple, Yuan Handing also arrived.


    Yuan Han stood still there, staring straight ahead, like a rock pillar frozen in place.


    Lu Lin is a generation above Yuan Handing, and in terms of age, he is his elder, but today, it is not possible to be as stable as him.


    He really could not understand why Mu Xuanqing put on such a condescending gesture to his brother-in-law who came from afar.


    He was even more worried that if this offended Xie Changgeng, it would not be a good thing to live in Changsha in the future.


    While he was looking around, he suddenly saw a little green figure coming from the end of the divine path in the distance.


    The green figure was getting closer and bigger.


    Lu Lin recognised at a glance that it was Xie Changgeng who he had met three years ago.


    After not seeing him for three years, the appearance of this young man has not changed much.


    Perhaps, the newly added killings on the official road are just a continuation of when he was a bandit in the past, and it is not enough to add more bloody shadows in his eyes.


    His pace is not too fast, and he was walking in this direction alone.


    Lu Lin hurriedly led his men to greet him and said with a smile, ¡°After several years of absence, I can only hear about the great reputation of the governor from afar. It is a great honour to finally meet again.¡±


    His tone was extremely respectful.


    Xie Changgeng stopped, returned the salute, and smiled slightly, ¡°The Prime Minister works hard for the country and the people. Because I came late, I¡¯ve kept the prime minister and all of you waiting here for a long time.¡±


    Mu Xuanqing has offended him today. Unexpectedly, as soon as we met, Xie Changgeng acted as if nothing had happened, as if he didn¡¯t care, his words were gentle, and his reply was thoughtful.


    Lu Lin breathed a sigh of relief.


    The other party didn¡¯t mention Changsha¡¯s disrespect, so naturally he wouldn¡¯t be stupid enough to take the initiative to bring it up, and was busy introducing Yuan Handing to Xie Changgeng.


    ¡°General Yuan is the adopted son of the late Yuan Prime Minister. Today, he learned that the governor was coming, so he came here to greet him.¡± Yuan Handing was only a general in Changsha, which was a great difference from Xie Changgeng¡¯s official position.


    Yuan Handing looked solemn, neither humble nor arrogant, he bowed to Xie Changgeng and said, ¡°The general will welcome the governor.¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s two lines of sight fell on Yuan Handing¡¯s face, stared at him for a moment, nodded slightly, and walked away.


    Lu Lin hurriedly followed and led the way to the King¡¯s Temple.


    The temple door was already opened.


    Xie Changgeng cleaned his hands and held the incense with a solemn expression. He entered the temple of the king and bowed to the many ancestors of the Mu family listed in the temple. He returned to the memorial tablet of the old Changsha wang who died three years ago. He was respectful and meticulous.


    After the bow, he got up from the ground, inserted the incense into the incense burner, stepped back, walked a dozen steps, and then turned around to leave the temple. Then his footsteps stopped.


    Mu Xuanqing, the king of Changsha, his wife¡¯s brother had entered the ancestral temple at some point and was standing in the middle of the temple, blocking his way.


    The servants who had been kneeling on both sides of the threshold were all gone.


    Mu Xuanqing wore a white jade crown on his head, dressed in a splendid royal robe, and wore a gold-coloured jade belt around his waist. He looked at him coldly with a face like snow and an expression like ice.


    The surroundings were silent.


    It seemed like the eyes of the dead were floating on the top of the temple, quietly watching the two people standing opposite each other.

 CH 7

    The banquet is over. He should be here soon.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, what are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for my father¡¯s sake, I would not have let you set foot into Changsha!¡±


    Mu Xuanqing¡¯s voice seemed to reverberate to the top of the tall and dome-shaped temple.


    Xie Changgeng looked calm and bowed to him as a minister to the king. After the salute, he said, ¡°Can you tell me why?¡±


    Mu Xuanqing¡¯s two eyes, as if containing a sharp arrow of anger, stabbed at Xie Changgeng on the opposite side.


    ¡°When my father, regardless of your status as a bandit, looked favorably on you and promised my sister to you. At the beginning of the year, I married the princess far away to fulfil this promise. She traveled far and wide to marry you, but you left her alone on the wedding night. After she came to your Xie family, she served the elders, presided over the household, and pitied the servants. Has she ever been discourteous or complained? ¡°


    ¡°What has my sister done wrong? She has only been in your family for half a year, but she has been humiliated like this? What kind of family is your Xie family that dares to treat the princess of Changsha like this?¡±


    Mu Xuanqing clenched his fist tightly, his veins bulged on the back of his hand.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng!¡±


    In a tone of disgust, he gritted his teeth and called out the name of the man opposite him.


    ¡°You are shameless!¡±


    ¡°You are calculative and you¡¯ve been doing all sorts of nasty things! Three years ago, you came to Changsha to ask for marriage, bent on climbing up. If my father had not been deceived by you and helped you, how could you have secured an official career and risen to greatness?¡±


    ¡°You are an ungrateful, cruel and unscrupulous bandit! Could it be that you can treat the princess of Changsha with no repercussions?


    ¡°Governor Xie, although you are powerful and unbeatable now and Changsha is just a small state, but the ancestors of the Mu family are heroic. Though the descendants, like me are incompetent, I will not sit back and watch my sister be humiliated like this by you!¡±


    ¡°I will not make it difficult for you, since you have come to pay respects to the late king. Now that you have finished paying your respects, please make yourself comfortable! The temple of Changsha is too small to accommodate you!¡±


    He paused for a moment and threw a document on the ground.


    ¡°Listen carefully, from today onwards, my Mu family and your Xie family will not longer have any relationship! My sister has nothing to do with you either! Either can marry as they please!¡±


    After he finished speaking, he turned around to leave.


    ¡°Wait a minute!¡±


    Xie Changgeng, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.


    Mu Xuanqing stopped, but did not turn around.


    Xie Changgeng walked over.


    ¡°I understand Your Highness¡¯ meaning. Your words of rebuke are right. I have no intention to defend and there is no excuse. It¡¯s just that there are some misunderstandings in the middle and if we don¡¯t clarify it and it hurts the peace, I¡¯m afraid it would be a disappointment to my father-in-law¡¯s teachings to me when he gave the marriage.¡±


    Mu Xuanqing slowly turned his face and looked at him coldly.


    ¡°To tell you the truth, as soon as I returned, I immediately set out here, not only to pay respects to the ancestors and kings of the Mu family in Changsha, but also to bring back the princess¡­¡±


    ¡°Bring her back for what?¡± Mu Xuanqing was furious.


    ¡°Could it be that this humiliation is not enough?¡±


    Xie Changgeng looked calm.


    ¡°If what I think is correct, the reason for Your Highness¡¯ anger, the reason should be that my mother had mentioned the matter of taking a concubine in front of the princess. Your Highness only knows one thing, but not the other. It is because of the misunderstanding that I need to explain.¡±


    Mu Xuanqing sneered and did not say anything.


    ¡°When I returned home last month, I learned that the princess had returned to Changsha.  I heard from the servants back home that for the past six months, she has been serving my mother in the morning and evening on my behalf. Although the move to return to her mothers home is a bit sudden, it is also justifiable.¡±


    ¡°The cause of the incident lies with my mother. When I was younger, I was unfilial and implicated my mother and she suffered hardship. During the difficult times, she was greatly favoured by others. Now the other¡¯s situation is not good and her parents have both died. My mother wholeheartedly cherishes old relationships and in a moment of thoughtlessness rashly brought up the idea of bringing the lady home. According to my mother, the princess agreed at the time.¡±


    Xie Changgeng paused.


    ¡°My mother is illiterate and trapped in the inner house. Although she has little knowledge, she has a straightforward nature. When she heard the princess agree, she only thought of her own joy. She was full of gratitude for the magnanimity of the princess and didn¡¯t think any further.


    ¡°The day I returned home, I learned about this from my mother. I did not dispute her because I felt it was inappropriate at the time. I couldn¡¯t bear to disappoint my mother. When I heard that the princess had also graciously agreed, I thought I would bring her back first and discuss it later.¡±


    ¡°It is my fault that this matter has caused your anger. It is a blessing for me to have such a wife, not to mention the kindness of my father-in-law, which I have not yet repaid.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Your Highness, I know what to do in the future. When we return, I will make amends for my mother.¡±


    He stared at Mu Xuanqing with a calm expression.


    Mu Xuanqing said word by word, ¡°Xie Changgeng, you are not a good match for my sister! Since my sister has returned on her own, no matter how eloquent you are today, you will not persuade me to let my sister enter the Xie family with you again!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I am puzzled with what you just said. Marriage is a good thing between two surnames, not child¡¯s play.¡±


    He looked around the Mu family temple and his eyes fell on the tablet of the old Changsha wang.


    ¡°No matter what Your Highness thinks of me, the marriage between me and your sister was decided by your father personally. There are three matchmakers and six witnesses. There is nothing missing. My mother¡¯s words were inappropriate, but she did not make any outrageous actions. No one is a saint, how can they be without fault? Besides, she is only an old woman from the countryside. Your Highness is being so aggressive, isn¡¯t that unkind?¡±


    He still smiled, but his tone was also a bit more aggressive, implying authority.


    Mu Xuanqing¡¯s face became extremely stiff and he stared at the man in green clothes standing opposite him. After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said: ¡°Xie Changgeng! In order to achieve success, you have the audacity to be a panderer. You are clinging to¡­¡±


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    At this moment, a woman¡¯s voice came from outside the temple, interrupting Mu Xuanqing¡¯s words.


    Xie Changgeng raised his eyes.


    On the steps outside the temple stood a young woman dressed in elegant clothes. She had a beautiful face, graceful and generous, it is Queen Lu of Changsha.


    Lu shi stopped her husband¡¯s angry words in time, stepped forward, gave her husband a secret wink, then crossed the threshold of the temple, came to Xie Changgeng, and said with a smile, ¡°Governor Xie has come a long way. If there is any offense, please forgive me.¡±


    Xie Changgeng smiled slightly and greeted Lu shi.


    ¡°It is a great honor for me to see the honorable face of the Queen of Changsha. How can it be rude?¡±


    Lu returned the salute with a half salute.


    ¡°Thank you for being so generous, I admire the Governor. You must be tired from the journey, so please go to the post house to rest for a while. The king will arrange a banquet in the palace to welcome you.¡±


    ¡°As for the matter of the princess¡­¡±


    She paused.


    ¡°Please be at ease, we will discuss later. What does the Governor think?¡±


    Xie Changgeng smiled, ¡°Thank you. Then I will take my leave.¡±


    He turned around and under the gaze of the two gloomy eyes from Mu Xuanqing behind him, he reverently saluted the tablet of the old Changsha wang again before leaving.


    ¡­


    When Lu shi returned to the palace, she didn¡¯t even have time to take off her clothes, instead she hurried to Mu Fulan¡¯s boudoir, dismissed her servants and closed the door.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er, fortunately I listened to your words and rushed to the temple in time, which prevented your brother¡¯s anger and blunder. His temper is still too aggressive! If Xie Changgeng heard his disrespect words about Empress Liu and told the treacherous queen, I am afraid that the situation of Changsha Kingdom will be even worse in the future.


    Mu Fulan was silent.


    ¡°This Xie Changgeng, when he came to ask for marriage three years ago, I only glanced at him from a distance. At that time, I only felt that he had a heroic style, different from ordinary people. Today, when I met him, I realised why he is so young and has become a governor. He should be the same age as your brother, but in terms of the depth of mind, he is far beyond your brother¡¯s reach.¡±


    She frowned, worried.


    ¡°I heard him say that he is unwilling to let you stay here. You have already passed through the door. His words are so well spoken and he has taken the matter of concubinage off the table. If he won¡¯t let you go, I¡¯m afraid it will be difficult for you to achieve your wish.¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Sister-in-law, after the banquet, ask him come to my place.¡±


    Lu shi hurriedly said, ¡°Lan¡¯er, don¡¯t misunderstand. Since my sister-in-law promised to help you, she will not go back on her word. What she means is that this person is not easy to deal with, so I want you to be prepared, so that you won¡¯t be disappointed if things aren¡¯t resolved quickly. You can rest assure that even if he doesn¡¯t agree, you have already returned and as long as your brother holds onto his Xie family¡¯s rude concubinage and doesn¡¯t let you go, this is the country of Changsha, he dares to do something like forcibly robbing someone?¡±


    ¡°Xie Changgeng is indeed not easy to deal with, if the matter drags on, it¡¯s not easy for my brother or Changsha.


    ¡°This matter originally started because of me and it is also my own matter with him. No matter how much my brother and sister-in-law talk to him, it will be ineffectual. It is better for me to talk things over with him myself and end it early.¡±


    Lu Shi was taken aback.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er, this Xie Changgeng is really not an easy person to deal with¡­ Sister-in-law is afraid that you won¡¯t be able to deal with it¡­¡±


    ¡°Sister-in-law, don¡¯t worry!¡±


    ¡°He and I are considered husband and wife.  It is also necessary to make things clear. Whether it will work out as expected or not, I have to give it a try.¡±


    Lu shi looked at her sister-in-law.


    Her eyes were clear and she looked at herself with a smile.


    Lu shi hesitated for a while and finally nodded, ¡°Alright. Then I¡¯ll go and talk to your brother. If you have anything to say, you can make it clear to him in person. It¡¯s best if he listens to you.¡±


    Fulan smiled and said, ¡°Thank you, Sister-in-law!¡±


    ¡­


    Night fell. In the banquet hall Changsha¡¯s royal palace, a feast was being held to entertain the guests.


    Giant candles were lined up in the east and west wings of the hall, like two fire dragons, emitting brilliance and illuminating the whole hall as bright as day. In front of the hall, under the left and right eaves there were high-hanging musical instruments. In the south pillar of the hall, there are bells and drums for music.


    All the regulations are only inferior to the emperor.


    Such a style can only be seen in the house of a prince.


    Before the east-facing upper seat, the left bronze turtle, the right bronze crane, and the turtle crane exhaled wisps of ambergris smoke.


    Mu Xuanqing sat here.


    Xie Changgeng was seated as the guest of honour.


    The officials of Changsha who came to accompany the guests also took their seats in order of honor.


    The front hall of the palace is brightly lit tonight, drums and music are blaring, but the backyard is quiet.


    The night darkened the flowers and trees, and the shadows of the eaves were like a painting. A few lanterns, emitting dim yellow light, illuminated the deep winding road leading to the princess¡¯ bedroom.


    The surroundings were quiet, not a single sound could be heard.


    Mu Fulan closed her eyes tightly and completely covered her body in the hot water.


    It seemed as if countless pairs of gentle hands were stroking her, permeating every pore of her body with hot air, comforting her curled up body.


    She slowly stretched out her limbs and relaxed completely.


    She opened her eyes, got up from the tub of hot water, dried herself, wrapped herself in a robe, walked to the door and opened the latch.


    Mu mama was the only one in the room.


    She was waiting outside the bathroom door, her brows furrowed and her eyes worried. Seeing that Mu Fulan finally came out, she hurried to meet her and reached out to support her arm.


    ¡°Princess, you¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Mu Fulan stood there steadily and smiled at her.


    ¡°Tell them to come in and change my clothes.¡±


    Mu mama suppressed the worry in her heart, glanced at her, turned around, opened the door and called the maids in.


    The maids entered and gathered around to dress her.


    After dressing, Mu Fulan did not get up, she still sat in front of the mirror, looking at herself. Her figure remained motionless for a long time.


    She seemed to be in a trance and looked indifferent.


    The maids were usually close to her, but at this moment, they all stood aside and dared not speak.


    After a while, there was a sudden sound of rapid footsteps.


    The door was pushed open and Dan Zhu stepped in.


    Mu mama hurried out.


    Dan Zhu whispered something. Mu mama turned into the inner room, returned behind Mu Fulan, leaned down, put her mouth to her ear, and whispered, ¡°The banquet is over. He should be here soon.¡±


    The night breeze followed the door, passing through a section of gauze tent draped in the compartment, soundlessly rushing in.


    Mu Fulan turned her face, her eyes fell on the nearby cluster of lights swaying in the wind, and said, ¡°I see. You all go out.¡±

 CH 8

    Who do you think you are, that I want to be married to you so badly?


    Mu Fulan was left alone in the room, and there was silence in her ears.


    Beside the mirror, the wax torch that was inserted on the glass lotus pedestal suddenly burst into flames.


    The candle flickered, then quieted down.


    The light of the fire was reflected in her eyes, flickering slightly and her eyes were fixed on it. For a long time, as if subconsciously, she raised her slender fingertips and slowly approached the candlelight.


    The skin was burned by the flames.


    A sharp pain from her fingertips spread rapidly throughout her body.


    But Mu Fulan seemed to have no feeling whatsoever.


    Only in her eyes, a painful dark look flashed by.


    She once again thought of her Xi¡¯er.


    She loved her only child the most, he was only four years old when she died.


    How could she be willing to leave him like that? Due to her persistence, her soul did not disperse, and a bit of her spirit was attached to the altar lamp in front of her tablet.


    Ten long years, boundless darkness, bone-chilling loneliness.


    She watched him get what he wanted, to conquer the world. She saw his imperial reign and political and military achievements. And also saw his three palaces and six courtyards filled with numerous beauties.


    But all this had nothing to do with her. She was already at peace with herself.


    She was stubborn and refused to leave, her sole purpose was to see her Xi¡¯er grow up with her own eyes. When that happens, she she will leave in peace.


    However, in the end, what she waited for was such a heartbreaking scene.


    The pain of the fingertips being burned by fire, how can it be compared to the pain of watching Xie¡¯er die by slashing his neck in front of her?


    Her heart was twisted together. For a moment, she felt like she couldn¡¯t breathe.


    She stood up suddenly, raised her hand, and pushed open the window.


    The biting cold wind blows on her face.


    She stood in front of the window, closed her eyes, tilted her face towards the dark night sky and took a deep breath of the cold air.


    The past that she deliberately did not want to think about anymore seemed to burst open with the pain from her fingertips.


    One after another, like dense needles, deeply pierced into her internal organs.


    ¡­


    The first time Mu Fulan met Xie Changgeng began in the spring of her thirteenth year on a trip to Junshan.


    After the death of her mother a few years ago, her father¡¯s health deteriorated. As a young girl, she was often worried.


    That day, she came to Junshan by boat to ask her master about her father¡¯s illness, and ask some questions about herbal medicine.


    When she arrived at the master¡¯s medicine house, she was informed by A¡¯da that master was had a visitor.


    According to A¡¯da, the visitor was a young man. It seems that the master was in danger when he was traveling and was rescued by him.


    Her own matter was not extremely urgent and the guest is a young man.


    A thirteen-year-old girl, who was just beginning to understand human affairs. She told A¡¯da that there is no need to report, she will come back tomorrow.


    She went down the mountain and stopped when she passed by the legendary old cypress.


    It was very windy that day. A baby bird, blown out of its nest by the wind, fell on a clump of old vines growing on the cliff.


    Junshan is opened on the 15th of every month and people are allowed to climb the mountain to worship Emperor Junshan. Because the tombs of the ancestors of the Mu family were built here, people are normally not allowed to climb the mountains on the island.


    When she went up the mountain, the guards were waiting at the foot of the mountain and at this moment, there were only a few maids with her.


    Mu Fulan wanted to save the bird. But the vines were too far from the head of the cliff, more than ten feet deep and even an adult maid can not reach.


    The baby bird is still very small, with a pointed yellow beak, a fluffy body, the feathers of both wings have not yet fully grown. It was lying on the vine, constantly fluttering its weak wings, as if trying hard to fly. But each time the wings were raised, it just moved further and further out. It looked like it was going to fall off the edge of the cliff with just one more gust of wind.


    The old bird hovered anxiously on the edge of the cliff, making bursts of sharp chirping sounds.


    Mu Fulan hurriedly sent someone down the mountain to call the guards. Before the guards came up, the bird had already rolled to the edge of the vine because of the futile struggle and was about to fall down.


    Mu Fulan was extremely anxious, when suddenly there was a sound of footsteps behind her.


    She turned her head and saw a strange young man coming down the mountain path.


    The man was about the same age as her brother, eighteen or nineteen years old, slightly thin, dressed in a green shirt.


    He didn¡¯t seem to notice the anxious girls under the old cypress and passed by the side along the stone steps.


    Mu Fulan watched and just as he passed by, she suddenly came back to her senses, and called out, ¡°Hey! Stop!¡±


    The man stopped, turned his face slowly, and looked at her.


    ¡°A bird fell! Think of a way to get it up, okay?¡±


    She begged him.


    The man paused for a moment, but came over, walked to the edge of the almost vertical cliff, leaned over and stretched out his hand to grab a thick old vine, pulled it hard. He rolled up the corner of his robe,  tightened it, then bent over and pulled out a sharp-edged snow-white dagger from his boot.


    He used the dagger to pierce the crevices in the stone wall, stepped on the vines attached to the cliff wall with both feet, climbed down, and quickly approached the chick and brought it up.


    The old bird flew up and circled the treetop nest, chirping.


    He looked up, climbed up the tree and put the chick back in the nest, then jumped down from the top of the tree, landing firmly on both feet.


    When he went down just now, Mu Fulan had been holding her breath while she watched, extremely nervous. Seeing that he successfully brought the bird up and put it back in the nest, she breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her skirt and ran towards him.


    He is very tall. She had just turned thirteen, though she was slender and graceful, with the appearance of a little beauty, but standing in front of him, her head barely reached his chest.


    She struggled to tilt her head in order to look into his eyes.


    She looked up at him with a delicate flower-like face, her eyes bright and incomparable, and thanked him joyfully.


    He seemed to be stunned while he looked at her, perhaps infected by her joy that she felt from the bottom of her heart, a faint smile appeared on his lips.


    He nodded to her, inserted the dagger back into his boot, put down his robe, and turned to leave.


    From the time he was called to the time he left, from beginning to end, he did not say a word.


    The moment when he smiled at her, in an instant, the world seemed quiet. The wind that drifted down the mountain steps that he had left also drifted over the girl¡¯s heart for a long time.


    A few days later, Mu Fulan received some news.


    Someone came to the door to ask for her hand in marriage, and her father accepted.


    Mu mama ordered the maids not to mention anything about in front of her. Sister-in-law comforted her, saying that she had seen the suitor with her own eyes. Although his background cannot match her status as a princess, he is still a handsome young man, who is very capable.


    After returning, her father looked at her with apologetic eyes and told her that he was not a good father and had wronged her.


    Mu Fulan smiled and said her marriage should be decided by her father. What¡¯s more, she is the princess of Changsha, and it is her duty to marry for Changsha.


    Her father was relieved and assured her again and again that the reason why he agreed to the marriage proposal was not only because of the overall situation, but also because he liked the man and believed that his daughter would not suffer hardship with him.


    Mu Fulan thanked her father.


    The old Changsha wang did not know that on this night, his daughter secretly shed tears.


    Her tears fell for the man that had quietly entered her heart a few days ago.


    She was full of thoughts and sleepless all night. She could not imagine it, but on the second day, things suddenly changed.


    The king held a banquet for her future husband.


    In order to reassure her, sister-in-law took her to the side of the banquet hall.


    From behind the tent, she saw her future husband.


    He was sitting beside her father, looking at ease, laughing and talking.


    The first moment she saw him, the world was filled with birdsong and flowers, and the flowers on her heart were unrestrained and blooming.


    Her future husband is the same man in green shirt that she met by the old cypress on Junshan Mountain.


    The night breeze rushed in from the open window, blowing her clothes wildly. As the candles behind her flickered, her shadow also swayed.


    The sound of Mama Mu¡¯s cough suddenly came from outside. It was accompanied by a faint voice, it seemed that someone was coming this way.


    Mu Fulan suddenly opened her eyes, closed the window, and turned around.


    ¡­


    At least a hundred people came to this evening banquet hosted by Changsha, but the atmosphere could be described as cold.


    After Mu Xuanqing was seated, he didnot speak much, and he didn¡¯t look in his direction, his expression was cold.


    Among the officials in Changsha, except for the prime minister Lu Lin, who was always smiling, the others did not dare to offend their king. Naturally, they also did not dare to offend him. So most of the time, they just eat and drink, and laughed when needed.


    This evening banquet was probably the most unusual banquet Xie Changgeng had ever experienced in his life. What big wind and big waves has he not experienced, how can he Mu Xuanqing¡¯s cold treatment to heart.


    This young Changsha wang was not only completely incomparable to the old king, but in Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes, he was nothing but a son of a prince.


    Although they came from the same blood, he did not have his father¡¯s ability.


    To be honest, he did not expect that Mu¡¯s daughter did not wait for his return and left without a word, nor did he expect that his trip to Changsha would be so unhappy.


    Even meeting his new wife is difficult.


    Mu shi used the taking of a concubine as an excuse to terminate the marriage and cut off their relationship.


    This is certainly the reason, but if you think about it, it may not really be the case.


    His position today is far from what it was three years ago. Today¡¯s Changsha has little value for him.


    If nothing else, for the purpose of his proposal at the beginning, he is not unable to accept such a situation.


    In the future, if there is a change in Changsha, he will do his best to help. In this way, it would not be a disappointment to the old Changsha wang who agreed to marry his daughter to him and to promote him.


    However, everyone knows his relationship with Changsha, including Empress Liu and the Liu family behind her.


    If the news of the marriage change comes out, it will undoubtedly lead to all kinds of speculation and suspicion, and even break this balance.


    This will be a lot of trouble for him.


    So after thinking about it, he still decided to maintain the marriage, resolve the matter as soon as possible and take Mu shi back.


    Xie Changgeng arrived at the door of the princess of Changsha, his wife who he had not seen since the wedding.


    Mu mama vaguely guessed what the princess was doing.


    She could not believe that just because the Xie family had shown their intention to take a concubine, the princess would be so determined to this point.


    She was even more worried that the princess would hurt herself.


    If necessary, she will not have the slightest hesitation to sacrifice her life for the princess.


    But from the morning she left Xie family, the princess seemed to no longer need her protection.


    She knew that she was powerless to protect herself.


    Mu mama met the glance that the man cast towards her and there was a burst of sadness mixed with unease in her heart.


    She calmed down, and loudly said, ¡°The princess¡¯ husband has arrived¡± and took a few steps back.


    Xie Changgeng raised his hand, pushed open the door in front of him, crossed the threshold and walked in.


    The house was warm and lit by lamps. In the corners of the outer room, there were a few incense sticks on the left and right, the incense burner on the left, smoked faintly, and the jade bottle on the right offered a plum.


    The incense and the fragrance of plum blossoms were intertwined and refreshing.


    Xie Changgeng stopped at the door and stood there for a moment, not hearing anything.


    He raised his eyes and looked through the door separating the inside and outside.


    There was a half-hanging incense-coloured veil, covering the inner room.


    There was still no one in sight, only a candlelight swayed faintly across the veil, as if to guide him inward.


    Xie Changgeng took a step and walked to the veil, stretched out his hand to lift it and was about to go in when his steps gave a slight pause and stopped.


    This is a women¡¯s boudoir that is extremely exquisitely furnished.


    In the direction of the bed, there is a beauty couch with a silver lamp beside it and a snow-white felt on it.


    A woman with a face like jade, her white wrists like frost, holding a book in her hand, sitting half-sitting, half-leaning on the beauty couch, holding a silver lamp, leisurely turning over the book in her hand.


    She looked like a girl of fifteen or sixteen, but she was dressed as a young woman. A Qingluo shawl was loosely placed on his shoulders, a pomegranate skirt was tied around his waist, and her long hair was tied in a lazy bun. The golden hairpin seemed too heavy, so the full head of hair is piled up on the side of the jade neck.


    She did not seem to notice Xie Changgeng¡¯s arrival. Even when he lifted the curtain and stood beside the door, there was no response.


    She just turned a page of the book in her hand. The two bracelets worn on the jade wrist gently collided with her movement of her turning the page, making a slight but pleasant sound of collision.


    Xie Changgeng did not expect that he would be greeted by such a scene.


    He did not expect that Mu shi would be in such a posture.


    He looked at her face, swept across her body, and finally landed on her feet.


    Under the pomegranate skirt, her feet were exposed.


    She was not wearing socks, a pair of small snow-white bare feet stepped on the felt without any cover. In addition to being beautiful, it also had a vague connotation.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes were a little dark as he stared at her feet for a moment. He withdrew his gaze, walked over, raised his hand, took the book out of her hand and put it aside.


    ¡°You are the Mu shi?¡± He asked, looking down at the beauty on the couch.


    Mu Fulan still leaned there, raised her eyes and looked at him, but did not respond.


    Her posture was unbelievably arrogant.


    It was the same as her royal brothers.


    Xie Changgeng did not get angry when he was treated coldly and scolded by Mu Xuanqing.


    However, when seeing Mu shi with such an attitude to himself, a sudden burst of unhappiness surged in his heart. It was the same kind of displeasure he had when he first came home and learned that his new wife had left without telling him.


    His expression, however, became more gentle.


    He gazed into the woman¡¯s beautiful eyes and slowly sat down beside her.


    ¡°Mu shi, I should not have left you on the wedding night, but you also know that the Emperor¡¯s order is difficult and I had no choice. Last month, I finally returned home, but you have already left¡­¡±


    Xie Chang Geng paused and continued in a gentle tone, ¡°I know that my mother made you angry. As for the matter of Qi lady, you don¡¯t have to be concerned. If you don¡¯t want to, how can I go against your wishes and bring her in? Besides, I have no intentions to do so. You and I are husband and wife, if you have any dissatisfaction, when I return home, what can you not tell me?¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled, but still did not answer him.


    The room was silent for a while.


    Xie Changgeng stretched out his hand, and his slightly calloused palm pressed on the back of one of her bare feet protruding out of her robe.


    He slowly tightened his palms, held one of her snow-white feet, and squeezed it lightly.


    ¡°Lan¡¯er¡­¡±


    He called her by her nickname in a low voice.


    Mu Fulan bent her knees and her bare foot, as if it were a slippery fish, drew away from his palm at once.


    She pulled down her skirt and her feet were covered tightly by the skirt, and no longer revealed.


    As Xie Changgeng watched her movements, his eyes became deeper and his Adam¡¯s apple moved slightly. He withdrew his hand, raised his arm instead and slowly removed a gold hairpin from her bun.


    Her long hair scattered like a waterfall.


    He took hold of a handful of her smooth, slippery blue silk and pulled half of her soft body into his arms. His handsome face also leaned over, his lips were attached to her ear, and he said in a low voice, ¡°Lan¡¯er, don¡¯t be angry, I¡¯m really sorry. I came here right away as soon as I got home, just to pick you up. Come back with me tomorrow. In the future, everything can be discussed.¡±


    Mu Fulan suddenly exerted her strength and pushed him away. She sneered and said the first sentence of the night.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, why don¡¯t you look in the mirror? Who do you think you are that I want to be a couple with you so much?¡±


    Xie Changgeng was just sitting on the edge of the couch, and when he was not prepared, he was pushed off the beauty couch by her palms. He looked rather embarrassed.


    He slowly raised his head and saw her turn her face, her eyes looking at him.


    A jade face that effortlessly confuses all living things.

 CH 9

    Life is short, I should enjoy the present. Why should I wrong myself?


    The air seemed to freeze.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s face was a little ugly, but after a moment he returned to normal.


    He got up and straightened his clothes.


    He didn¡¯t sit on the couch again, and the tone of his speech did not show the slightest anger. He didn¡¯t seem to mind the wanton and offensive behaviour she had inflicted on him just now.


    ¡°You ought to be angry.¡±


    ¡°During the six months that you came to my Xie family, it was extremely hard for you to serve my mother every day. Although my mother¡¯s original intention is to repay the kindness of the deceased, it is indeed inappropriate of her to take matters into her own hands and intend to take a concubine for me.¡±


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, you are overthinking!¡±


    Mu Fulan interrupted him and climbed down from the beauty couch and slipped on a pair of delicate shoes embroidered with orchids that were on the floor. Under his gaze, she walked to the mirror and sat on a chair.


    She held a tortoiseshell comb, she looked into the mirror and combed her long hair which he had just messed up, and said, ¡°I am neither virtuous nor reasonable. The reason why I served your mother before was because I followed my fathers teaching. I thought that after marrying, even if I did not want to, I still have to do my duty. That is all.¡±


    Xie Changgeng watched her for a moment, walked behind her and stared at the delicate face in the mirror. He said, ¡°Mu shi, what exactly do you want before you are willing to come back with me?¡±


    When he said these words, his tone was no longer as gentle as before.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s hand that was holding the comb stopped.


    She also raised her eyes and looked at the man in the mirror who was standing behind her with his eyes fixed on her.


    She sensed that he was beginning to lose his patience.


    A smile appeared on her lips.


    ¡°Xie Lang, you are clearly dissatisfied with me in your heart, why do you have to be insincere? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to direct and say the words clearly?¡±


    Xie Changgeng looked at her expressionlessly.


    She put down her comb, stood up from the mirror and turned to face him.


    ¡°Since you have asked directly, I will also be blunt with you. I am not returning to your Xie family. I married you because of my fathers wish. Now I have changed my mind. ¡°


    ¡°Life is too short, I should enjoy the present. Why should I wrong myself?¡±


    An imperceptible look of surprise swept across Xie Changgeng¡¯s face.


    He stared at her and his expression gradually became stern.


    ¡°Mu shi, allow me to remind you that the marriage was originally agreed by your father. During these years, I have never broken my promise. Even though my mother has offended you, the matter was not accomplished. I have also apologised to you and made you a promise. Yet, your brother and you are going back on your words, and want to break the contract for no reason, behaving childishly. Do you think I, Xie Changgeng, will let you both create difficulties for me?¡±


    When he finished speaking, he seemed to be aware of his own loss of composure and when he spoke again, his tone softened.


    ¡°Mu shi, you are now sixteen years old right? You are young and ignorant which is pardonable. Who is more reliable and trusted by the people of Changsha, your father or your brother, you should be clear in your heart. When the marriage contract was first made, your brother was prejudiced against me and he now must be persuading you to break the contract. But think, no matter how good your brother is, can you, a woman, rely on him for the rest of your life?¡±


    ¡°You should listen to your father¡¯s arrangement and go back with me. I will not treat you badly in the future.¡±


    Mu Fulan looked at the man in front of her who was patiently coaxing her, and her heart was filled with emotions.


    If she hadn¡¯t been married to him and knew exactly what kind of person he was, what woman would be able to remain steadfast and unmoved in the face of such a gentleman?


    She shook her head and a pair of small red coral earrings on her white earlobes also swayed, visible between the strands of hair hanging down from her shoulders.


    ¡°You do not have to use my father to pressure me. Let me ask you, what was the purpose of your marriage proposal at the beginning? Has your purpose been achieved? Now that your purpose has been achieved, this marriage with Changsha will no longer be your responsibility. In other words, it has already lost its original value, so why do you insist on not letting go?¡±


    Xie Changgeng said nothing.


    ¡°I really want to believe that you are trying to keep the promise you made with my father back then. But the real reason, you yourself know better than I do.¡±


    ¡°Because of this marriage contract, my father achieved what he wanted and it has benefited the people of Changsha. You, moreover, have profited immensely from it. If it were not for my father¡¯s appreciation, with your status as a bandit, how could you have successfully entered the official career and subsequently gain the opportunity to soar to greatness?¡±


    ¡°Both you and my father, because of this marriage, have each gained something. But what about me? Who among you has ever thought about me?¡±


    She stared at the man in front of her.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, let me be honest with you, when you came to propose for marriage that day, I actually already had a man in mind. He is the kindest person with the nicest smile in the world. But you came to ask for marriage and my father promised me to you for the sake of Changsha.¡±


    Xie Changgeng seemed to be stunned, his brows slightly wrinkled.


    Mu Fulan smiled self-deprecatingly.


    ¡°I am the princess, I have my responsibilities, I cannot refuse, I have to agree.¡±


    ¡°But now, I have changed my mind. I have done what I should do for Changsha, moving forward, it is time to think for myself. I dare not claim credit, but I did help you in the beginning and you should not deny this. I hope that today, you can fulfill my wish. If so, I am grateful.¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s expression was a little stiff, he stared at her and did not speak.


    Mu Fulan also stopped talking.


    The room fell silent and the atmosphere was a little stifling.


    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about this later. For now, you¡¯d better go back with me first!¡±


    After a long while, he finally spoke, coldly.


    ¡°When will that be?¡± Mu Fulan asked him.


    He did not respond.


    ¡°Is it until the day you reach the summit of your achievement?¡± (the throne)


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s expression changed slightly. He suddenly raised his hand and pressed it on one of her shoulders.


    As if a heavy burden was placed on her, Mu Fulan¡¯s body tilted, and she fell onto the carpet in front of the mirror box.


    He followed, and slowly squatted down in front of her.


    ¡°Mu shi, what were you talking about just now?¡±


    ¡°Where did you hear this?¡±


    His tone was very gentle, as if he were coaxing a child, but that hand never left her and followed the path from her shoulders to the side of her neck.


    His fingertips with thin calluses gently rubbed her tender and smooth skin.


    ¡°Tell me.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring into Mu Fulan¡¯s eyes. The hand suddenly increased its strength and gripped her slender neck.


    As if a swan who was about have its neck be broken by a hunter, Mu Fulan passively raised her head, but did not struggle. She just looked at his two gloomy eyes and smiled.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, could it be that you want to kill me because of my guess?¡±


    Xie Changgeng slowly released the five fingers that were clamped around her neck.


    Mu Fulan frowned, brushed his hand away, stroked her neck and put back the shawl that had just slipped down, she said, ¡°You have achieved your purpose of marrying me. This marriage has lost its importance, and is of little value. You have tolerated insult and turned the other cheek, you have endured my brother¡¯s humiliation and want to forcibly take me back. If it is not for that, what else could it be for?¡±


    ¡°Now you are considered one of the most important figures in the court. With your position today, if you still have some plans, what is left is that seat. It¡¯s so simple, it¡¯s not hard to guess?¡±


    Xie Changgeng stood up and said coldly, ¡°Mu shi, I have seen many people who are smart, and those people, often do not end up well. I don¡¯t want you to end up like that.


    ¡°I cannot help your wilful nature on the matter of marriage. You are already my wife and since I¡¯m here, you have to return with me. As for what you think¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°In the future, depending on the situation, I will decide for myself.¡±


    Mu Fulan followed him and stood up from the felt.


    ¡°After all said and done, why are you still so stubborn? If it is really inconvenient for outsiders to know, why don¡¯t you and I compromise? I can hide it for the time being, and my brother and sister-in-law will not leak half a word. In the future, you can go you own way while I will stay in Changsha and claim to be recuperating from my illness.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t care what you want, it has nothing to do with me. Like you said, it¡¯s just a wild guess. I certainly want to separate from you, but I am not foolish enough to make an enemy for Changsha.¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes flickered slightly, but he did not answer her words.


    ¡°There¡¯s one thing that you don¡¯t know yet, and I don¡¯t want to hide it from you anymore.¡±


    Mu Fulan took a deep breath.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been with other men before and no longer clean.¡±


    Her tone was calm, as if she was talking about a perfectly ordinary matter.


    The corners of Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes twitched slightly and a haze suddenly appeared in his eyes.


    She did not seem to be aware of it, instead, she smiled, her smile was absolutely beautiful.


    ¡°I have heard that men can endure the humiliation for the sake of their ambition. Xie Lang, I have told you this private matter that even my parents and family members do not know and I will not hide it. If you can even understand this, If you can even understand this and let me continue to be your wife and serve your mother, then I will have nothing to say and go back with you.¡±


    After she finished speaking, she walked past him, returned to the beauty couch. Legs bent and knees together, sitting as when he had first came in, she sat with her chin slightly raised, looking at him.


    The room was quiet, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.


    Xie Changgeng stood there for a moment, then suddenly walked towards her.


    He walked to the beauty couch, stared at Mu Fulan coldly, bent down, stretched out a hand and explored the bottom of her pomegranate skirt.


    Mu Fulan remained seated, motionless and slowly closed her eyes.

 CH 10

    A sudden intrusion of cold air was felt from the bottom of her skirt.


    A sudden intrusion of cold air was felt from the bottom of her skirt.


    She was tense and a shiver ran through her spine.


    For some unknown reason, Mu Fulan¡¯s thoughts drifted back to a night she had long forgotten.


    The autumn rain, the red candles at the west window. That night, her husband, who she had been waiting for finally returned home.


    He seemed to be very fond of her beautiful body and gentle disposition. Afterwards, he did not immediately fall asleep, but instead embraced her in his arms and continued to show her affection.


    She was both shy and happy to be loved by her husband.


    She knew he did not recognise her. She hoped he would also remember their first encounter. She huddled in his arms and gathered the courage to tell him that in the spring of three years ago, next to the old cypress tree on Mount Junshan, he had passed by and helped her rescue a bird that had fallen off the cliff.


    He had apparently completely forgotten about the incident and after a moment of confusion, he finally remembered.


    He smiled and told her that he had gone to visit Yaoweng that day. But he did not realise that the little girl he met on the mountain was the daughter of Changsha wang.


    It turned out that he had already met her then.


    Her husbands¡¯ response was not as enthusiastic as she had imagined. This made her feel a little disappointed, but when she buried herself in his arms and listened to his strong heartbeat, she was overwhelmed by a sense of satisfaction and happiness.


    To meet by chance is my wish. To meet by chance and be together. What could be better than this?


    She was convinced that from now on, she will grow old together with her husband.


    But she very quickly learned that the husband she married was not the man she pined for in her dreams, whose smile made heaven and earth lose all colour.


    In the years that followed, Xie Changgeng was rarely at home. He was always busy, either stationed in the west or fighting the rebellion.


    She is his wife so she had to serve her mother-in-law and manage the household, how could she be by his side and accompany him?


    They spent more time apart than together and it was rare for them to meet more than several times a year.


    The only consolation was that in the second year, she gave birth to Xi¡¯er.


    Xi¡¯er was clever and lively, the flesh of her heart and accompanied her through the long nights.


    She thought that life would continue like this, but she didn¡¯t expect that when Xi¡¯er was four years old, her fate suddenly changed dramatically due to her husband¡¯s decision.


    At that time, the rebellion between the vassal kings had gone on for nearly ten years. When the country was exhausted and the people tired, her husband finally made his move.


    Someone secretly reported to the court that Xie Changgeng, the governor in Hexi, was raising his troops in the northwest and plotting a rebellion. For the past two years, the imperial court has been afraid of his power and wanted to seize his military power. He raised his army in the northwest, openly rebelled and headed towards Shangjing.


    The court was shocked by this. The Zhao vassal kings, who had been plotting for the throne and had been fighting each other for more than a decade, seemed to sense a great calamity approaching. They stopped fighting, and under the persuasion of Qi wang, they reached a temporary compromise with Empress Liu, who was in control of the puppet Emperor. They joined forces to fight in order to preserve the Zhao dynasty, which had been passed down for hundreds of years.


    Her sister-in-law had just passed away, a few years after her brother¡¯s unfortunate death. Mu Fulan took Xi¡¯er to Yuecheng for the funeral and had not yet returned. Xie Changgeng sent someone to pick her up, to bring them back to Kuizhou where it was safer. Unexpectedly, there was an accident on the way.


    Their whereabouts were exposedand the imperial court sent troops to intercept them. Mu Fulan and Xi¡¯er were captured and imprisoned in Pucheng.


    On the condition of their lives, the imperial court demanded that Xie Changgeng hand over the city and immediately retreat.


    At that time, Xie Changgeng had just taken Pucheng.


    Taking Pucheng meant that he had opened the road to his rear base. With this city, he could attack and defend freely, going south to Shangjing and east to Luoyang.


    Xie Changgeng did not agree to their conditions.


    Instead he swiftly attacked Puyang, where Qi wang¡¯s palace was located and captured Qi wang¡¯s son, Zhao Xitai, who was recovering from illness, as a countermeasure.


    Zhao Xitai was weak and sickly and was the only son of Qi wang. He cherished him very much, did not dare to act rashly and both sides were deadlocked.


    Mu Fulan and Xi¡¯er were then taken hostage and spent their days in Pucheng with difficulty.


    They were in captivity for nearly a year.


    Eventually someone came to rescue her.


    Yuan Handing had arrived.


    After the death of her brother, the country of Changsha was removed, but Yuecheng still stands. For the past few years, Yuan Handing has been guarding the last of the Mu family.


    He bribed Qi wang¡¯s and sneaked into the city. When he managed to meet Mu Fulan, he told her that the imprisoned son of Qi wang was seriously ill and had died, but the news had not yet spread. Xie Changgeng decided to capture Pucheng as soon as possible to bring out her and Xi¡¯er before the soldier came to the city.


    Yuan Handing took them out of the prison in the middle of the night. When the city gates open at dawn they would leave immediately.


    Unfortunately, the rescue was discovered before they left the city. The city gates were tightly closed and while they were being pursued aggressively, Mu Fulan asked Yuan Handing to escape with Xi¡¯er and hide him, to ensure Xi¡¯er¡¯s safety.


    She was ruthless and pushed away her son who was in tears, his small hands were holding on to her clothes. She could not even say goodbye with a final kiss, at this point mother and son were separated forever.


    She was caught back.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s troops soon approached the city.


    Qi wang had also learned the news of his son¡¯s death at this time and he was furious. He turned all his anger onto Mu Fulan.


    During those days and nights in captivity, Mu Fulan had long understood that her husband would not stop moving forward on her behalf.


    If she is alive, not only will she be his burden but what awaits her is endless insults and humiliation.


    Her sole joy is that Xi¡¯er was safe.


    She believed that Yuan Handing would protect Xi¡¯er and bring him safely back to his father¡¯s side.


    When the final moment came, she had no choice but to commit suicide.


    Her corpse was hung upside down on top of the city, swaying in the wind and sun.


    Three days later, Xie Changgeng captured Pucheng, massacred the city and buried Mu Fulan.


    The next year, he conquered Shangjing and killed Empress Liu and the royal family. On that day, the blood that flowed out from the city gate almost stained half of the water of the moat red.


    The new imperial dynasty, stepping on the bones and blood of the old dynasty, established its foundation.


    The founding emperor of Great Zhou was wise and decisive. After he ascended the throne, he abolished the vassal states, reform ed previous mistakes with great skill and strategy. He was supported by the people.


    Ten years have passed by with a snap of the finger.


    That winter in the capital, every household door was wrapped in white silk to mourn for the Empress Dowager who had just passed away a few days ago.


    The emperor is a filial son. He lost his father at an early age. It is said that when he was young, the Empress Dowager had to suffer fear and worry, nowadays she sits on top. Many years ago, the Empress Dowager suffered a stroke and was bedridden all year round. As long as the emperor was in the palace, no matter how busy he was, he will personally go over to visit every morning and evening. His respect and filial piety earned him praise and now that the Empress Dowager died, the funeral is naturally very grand.


    In the main hall of the temple, Qi shi who was dressed in heavy mourning, led the concubines in the harem and knelt in front of the Empress Dowager. They wept until late at night to the point of exhaustion before being assisted back to their rooms for rest.


    She had just entered the bedchamber and before she had time to sit down, Eunuch Cao, a trusted aide of the emperor, walked in with a few strong eunuchs.


    With a smile on his face, Eunuch Cao said that he had come to deliver His Majesty¡¯s oral instructions.


    Qi Lingfeng hurried to greet him.


    Eunuch Cao said in a high-pitched voice, ¡°Your Majesty has decreed that Empress Qi is virtuous and she has served the Empress Dowager for many years and is deeply by the Empress Dowager. Now that the Empress Dowager has passed away, the Empress will be buried with her and serve her well for me to fulfil your filial piety.


    Qi Lingfeng¡¯s face was pale and her knees were unsteady. She fell to the ground but when she saw the eunuch take out a rope, she got up from the ground and clamoured to see the Emperor to ask the matter clearly.


    Eunuch Cao, who was usually reverent and respectful to her, turned sinister at this moment and ordered the palace eunuch to grab her and said, ¡°Your Majesty has gone to see His Royal Highness the eldest son, and will not see you. Empress, the following words of this servant are all His Majesty¡¯s words, so listen carefully, lest you become a ghost who thinks she has been unjustly killed.¡±


    He cleared his throat, imitating the emperor¡¯s tone, said coldly: ¡°Qi shi, do you think I was unaware of what you and your brother did to Empress Yuan? I¡¯ve known it for a long time! It was just for the Empress Dowager¡¯s sake that I let you live for the time being. I¡¯ve let you remain here and will keep your corpse intact, as payment to the Qi family¡¯s grace to the Empress Dowager. Now that the Empress Dowager is gone, why are you still alive? You can accompany her to the end!¡±


    Qi Lingfeng, like being struck by lightning, at first shouted her grievances, beating at the eunuch looking crazy. But when she heard that her brother had been dismissed from his post and was to be beheaded and all of Qi family¡¯s members were implicated, she burst into tears and fell to the ground. She bowed repeatedly, said that it was all her own fault and begged eunuch Cao to allow her to see the Emperor for mercy.


    Eunuch Cao looked indifferent and ordered the palace eunuch to continue their task.


    The two eunuchs pressed Empress Qi to the ground, while the other two took the white silk and wrapped it around her neck.


    Empress Qi struggled desperately, kicking her feet until her shoes flew off.


    The world is prosperous and rich and she leads the harem. She is the most honoured and praised queen in the world. She lived a righteous life and never dreamed that the Emperor who had just paid respects to the Empress Dowager with her in front of his ministers would suddenly turn his face and be so ruthless.


    She never felt she was a bad person. Over the years, she has been sincerely filial to her Xie mu and she was infatuated with Xie Changgeng, who was originally to be her brother-in-law. After entering the Xie family as a concubine, she was also courteous and thoughtful to Mu shi and did not disrespect her due to Xie mu¡¯s favour.


    Due to a moments weakness, she secretly leaked the news of the mother and son¡¯s journey to Qi wang¡¯s people.


    She has long been remorseful. Not only did she repent before the gods, but in order to make up for her mistakes, she has done many good deeds over the years. When the world mentions Empress Qi, who is not full of respect and praise?


    Now she has forgotten that incident, but she did not expect that she would be buried with the Empress Dowager just after her death.


    She did not know when the emperor knew about it. When she thought of all the years he had been calm, waiting for the day the Empress Dowager left, she trembled with fear.


    Everyone has made mistakes. Hasn¡¯t he ever killed to surpass others?


    She did not deserve to be treated so horribly.


    How could she just die like this?


    But how could she resist these wolf-like eunuchs and the life-threatening rope wrapped around her neck?


    Her face slowly turned blood red to purple, her eyes turned white, bulged and her tongue stuck out of her mouth.


    After a while, she stopped her painful and futile struggle. She was strangled to death in the palace that belonged to her.


    Outside the palace, the night sky was dark, the north wind howled and the snowflakes danced wildly as if there were spirits weeping and trembling.


    It was so cold that night.


    That kind of bone-chilling chill seemed to be invading Mu Fulan, inch by inch, seeping into her skin.


    She shivered. She opened her eyes suddenly and met the man¡¯s two eyes on the side of the beauty¡¯s couch.


    One of his hands reached between her legs.


    Not yet touching her, but the sensitive and tender skin on her inner thigh can clearly feel the pressure from his hand.


    She stared into his dark eyes and slowly opened the legs that had been tightly closed to protect herself.


    The pomegranate skirt was also lifted by her.


    A pair of long snow-white legs that were usually hidden by heavy skirts, were without any flaws, were in plain sight.


    Not only that, but under the pomegranate skirt, there is not even an inch of thread!


    The candle flames jumped, her skin is like jade and it was a sight to behold.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s hand stopped abruptly when she moved to open her legs and lift her skirt.


    His eyes were stagnant and he slowly raised his eyes to look at her face.


    She was leaning on the beauty couch, holding the hem of her pomegranate skirt in both hands, raising her beautiful pointed chin, and staring at him who was reaching for her.


    They looked at each other for a moment.


    He slowly withdrew his hands, stood up straight, stared at her, gritted his teeth, and said in a low voice, ¡°Wanton slut!¡±


    Mu Fulan folded her legs and unhurriedly lowered the hem of her skirt and covered her feet tightly, said, ¡°Xie Lang, even if you knew I was like this at the beginning, would you have changed your mind and stopped asking for marriage?¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s face was slightly twisted, he turned around and strode away without giving her a second look.


    TL: This chapter was so hard to translate. I feel really bad for our MC. I read a review left on NU about her true love being someone else but it¡¯s the same guy!


    Does this story remind anyone else of Mulberry Song?

 CH 11

    Mother, is it right for your son to do this?


    The empty hall was dimly lit and silent.


    A fourteen-year-old boy, dressed in mourning clothes, with a pale face and a thin figure, quietly knelt before his mother¡¯s memorial tablet, who had died ten years ago.


    There is a tall bright lamp in front the memorial tablet, a light that would not extinguish. There is also a small pot with incense sticks, a pot of wine and a plate of fruit on the table in front.


    The boy¡¯s eyes stared at the bright light and remained motionless.


    At the entrance of the hall, a gradual sound of footsteps came closer.


    The founding emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, his Father Emperor, came to his mother¡¯s shrine late at night, trekking through the snow.


    He did not come in, but stopped outside the hall.


    The Emperor was in his prime, the most vigorous age in a man¡¯s life. Although he is mourning for the Empress Dowager and his face is weary, the Emperor¡¯s majesty still makes people dare not look directly.


    He glanced at the dark inner hall, turned to Mu mama, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Mu mama, who has been accompanying Xi¡¯er all these years, knelt inside the threshold and said in a low voice, ¡°Your Majesty, tomorrow will be the tenth anniversary of Empress Yuan. Which is why Your Highness would be so bold as to ask Your Majesty to come here tonight.¡±


    The wind roared from behind, carrying snow from the dark night sky, rushed towards the open door of the hall from above the tall eaves. The wind lifted the Emperor¡¯s robe, and under his mourning clothes, a corner of his yellow dragon robe was revealed.


    His figure froze for a moment before he took a step and crossed the threshold.


    ¡°All of you, go out.¡±


    Mu mama bowed, got up and retreated.


    The door shut.


    The Emperor, under the guidance of the dim lights in the depths of the hall, slowly walked to the boy and stopped behind him.


    The young man got up from his mother¡¯s memorial tablet, turned to face the Emperor, knelt down again and bowed.


    He could not speak.


    He could not speak after his escape ten years ago, from Pucheng.


    Once such a smart and lively child, but overnight, completely lost his ability to speak and became a mute.


    Despite all the methods used by the imperial doctors, it was all in vain.


    The palace people secretly rumoured that His Highness, the eldest son of Emperor, suffered a great fright when he was young so he lost his voice and could not speak.


    The Emperor looked at the memorial tablet and was silent for a moment. He then said to the thin figure in front of him who was kneeling on the ground, ¡°Tomorrow, I will order someone to come here to offer sacrifices to your Mother Empress.¡±


    The young man remained kneeling on the ground, as if he did not hear. The Emperor walked to the young man, bent down and reached and gently held his arms to lift him up from the ground.


    The young man slowly raised his face.


    Although his face is pale and thin, there was beauty in his facial features


    When Emperor seized the world, he was regarded by the cabinet ministers as the unsurpassed outstanding Emperor. But it is said that when he was young, he was handsome and had the demeanor of a scholar.


    The young man¡¯s face was very similar to the Emperor¡¯s, but his eyebrows, according to the rumours of the palace people, resembled Empress Yuan.


    Empress Yuan died ten years ago. According to those who have seen her, Empress Yuan has the reputation as the first beauty of Changsha. A generational beauty who looks like a heavenly fairy.


    The appearance of His Royal Highness the eldest son, combined the strengths of his parents, dragon blood and phoenix marrow, was naturally outstanding.


    The only regret is that he lost the ability to speak.


    The emperor stared at the pair of clear eyes in front of him, a complex look flashed through his eyes, and he said in a low voice, ¡°Xi¡¯er, I know that you should have some grievance in your heart. You should not blame me. You are my eldest son, and I know that you are very smart. If it weren¡¯t for your inability to speak, why would I not let you become the crown prince?¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°Although you can not be the crown prince, I will definitely ensure you a life of peace and happiness. If your mother had a spirit, she should be at ease.¡±


    The young man stared at the emperor with a smile on his lips and bowed his head towards him. He then got up and went to the offering table, picked up the wine jug, turned up the three upside-down cups and poured the wine into it one by one.


    He took the first cup and poured it on the ground to pay respect to his deceased mother, the second cup, respecting the memorial tablet, drank it himself.


    After doing this, he stepped aside, knelt on the ground again, looked at the emperor and bowed solemnly to him.


    The emperor hesitated for a moment, but he stepped forward, picked up the third cup of wine and drank it paying respects to the dead.


    He put down the cup, turned around and said, ¡°Get up. The ground is cold.¡±


    If there were any outsiders at this moment, they would be surprised.


    The tone of the Emperor¡¯s words was gentle and rarely seen.


    The young man did not get up.


    ¡°Father, I, thank you for your regard. But I do not want to be the crown prince.¡±


    He surprisingly opened his mouth to speak.


    ¡°I just wanted to ask Father, tomorrow is the tenth anniversary ceremony, for such an important day, why don¡¯t you come pay respects to my mother?¡±


    The boy¡¯s voice was a little low, but his words were clear.


    The air in the hall instantly seemed to be frozen by ice and snow.


    The light in front of the memorial tablet swayed and flickered.


    The Emperor looked at the young man for a long time, before coming back to his senses.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er! Can you speak now?¡±


    ¡°When were you able to speak?¡±


    He ignored the disrespect to himself implied by the boy¡¯s words and stepped forward with an unmistakeable look of surprise on his face.


    ¡°A few years ago, I was able to speak. I just didn¡¯t want to speak.¡±


    The young man said, glancing at the memorial tablet.


    ¡°Father, if your son remembers correctly, you have never taken a step here in all these years! Tonight, if it wasn¡¯t for your son¡¯s request, you probably would not have come here, right?¡±


    The Emperor looked at the indifferent young man. The happy look on his face disappeared, and he did not make a sound.


    ¡°Father, do you disdain to come, or do you not take my mother¡¯s death to heart at all?¡±


    The young man raised his voice abruptly, as if he was interrogating.


    The Emperor frowned as if he had been pricked by a needle.


    ¡°Bold! How dare you speak like that?¡±


    The young man looked at the emperor and smiled.


    ¡°Yes, you are the founding emperor of Great Zhou. This new dynasty, under your governance, is thriving and the people are safe. In the future, the country will be prosperous and continue. I can foresee that when the historians write the records of the emperors, even if your accomplishments are not comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors it is comparable.¡±


    ¡°You are not only the Emperor, but also my biological father. Without your blood, how could I have been born?¡±


    ¡°But I tell you, no matter how they praise you and worship you, in my eyes, Father, you are a cold-blooded person without a conscience!¡±


    The Emperor stared at the young man, his face dark, with a faint flow of anger in his eyes.


    There was no sign of fear on the young man¡¯s face, he slowly stood up and straightened his thin but upright waist.


    ¡°When the Hanlin writers while cultivating your ancestral genealogy carefully avoided your youth. They only said that you had great ambitions from childhood and were outstanding in martial arts. They did not dare to say a word against you. But you know in your own heart that you are a thief from Jiangyang! Only with my grandfather¡¯s help, you entered the official career and since then you have been on the rise. My mother at that time married down, should not have wronged you at all, right? But how did you treat her? The first year she married you, you could not wait to bring other women in!¡±


    ¡°During those years, I was unclear of my Father¡¯s appearance. When I was a little older, I remember that every morning, regardless of whether it is winter or summer, my mother had to get up early to serve my grandmother with tea and food. But concubine Qi was able to stay by my grandmother¡¯s side, smiling at my originally noble mother who had to endure all kinds of criticism from my grandmother!¡±


    The Emperor¡¯s brows were still tightly furrowed, but the anger on his face just now gradually subsided. He silently looked at the young man and did not interrupt his words.


    ¡°That¡¯s all. Father, then my mother died! After she sent me away, she did not want to be a burden to you and she knew that you could not back down for her so she killed herself.


    ¡°I¡¯ll never forget the day General Yuan took me to escape, when I broke free of his hand covering my eyes and I saw that scene when I turned back!¡±


    The boy¡¯s eyes were red and his voice trembled slightly.


    ¡°She is the princess of Changsha, originally such a beautiful and noble woman. She should not be treated like that! She died, and those people did not let her go. The weather was so cold, but she didn¡¯t even have a decent garment on her. The wounds left on her by your enemies and covered in blood!  She was hung upside down with her feet tied above the city and while the wind blew, she swayed. She was so helpless and miserable in the unbridled humiliating laughter of those soldiers¡­¡±


    The boy shed tears, and his thin figure was as stiff as a rock.


    The emperor looked stiff and closed his eyes. When he opened them he walked slowly towards the young man, raised his hand and took his arm.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er¡­¡± He called the boy¡¯s nickname, his voice shaky.


    There was a trace of disgust in the boy¡¯s eyes, he broke free from his father¡¯s hand and took a few steps back.


    ¡°Father, it has been ten years and you should have already forgotten my mother. But I can¡¯t forget her! I always dream of her. I¡¯ll never forget the scene where she was hung on the city!¡±


    ¡°I dare not accuse you of not trying your best to save us during our one-year captivity when you were fighting for the world. I am even less qualified to ask you give up the city that was exchanged with the sacrifice of the soldiers for the sake of my mother and me. You have your own considerations and trade-offs, I understand! But Father, what I cannot forgive is, what have you done since then? How did you treat my mother?¡±


    ¡°You gave her an empty title of Empress Yuan with a series of beautiful posthumous words before her name, then built a place for her tablet. From then on you felt that you can feel at ease?¡±


    The boy¡¯s tone became intense, and a blush appeared on the pale face.


    ¡°I have always felt as though she did not leave here. She is looking at me and at you!¡±


    ¡°Xi¡¯er! That¡¯s enough!¡± The emperor bellowed violently.


    ¡°It¡¯s far from enough! If you hadn¡¯t used her, married her and harmed her in the first place, how could she have ended up like this? Over the years, if you still harbour some semblance of guilt towards her, I would have been fine. But you are ruthless and unjust, you did not even come to pay tribute on her tenth anniversary!¡±


    ¡°Xie, Chang, Geng!¡± The boy¡¯s eyes were red, as if stained with blood, stared at the Emperor in front of him and called out his name.


    ¡°Not only are you not worthy of my mother, you are still the culprit who killed her!¡±


    ¡°You are unbridled! If you talk continue to talk nonsense, I will punish you with a serious crime!¡±


    The emperor¡¯s face was ashen.


    After a pause, he eased his tone again.


    ¡°You are still unaware that the person who brought you and your mother into the enemy¡¯s hands was Qi shi. It was this bitch who leaked the information to the people of Qi wang. I only learned about this later. Just now, before I came here, I already ordered her to be punished.¡±


    The young man stared at the emperor with a peculiar expression and suddenly laughed.


    ¡°Father, do you think that if you do this, my mother will finally be able to rest in peace and even thank you for revenge on her behalf?¡±


    He laughed so wildly that he almost burst into tears before he stopped.


    ¡°Ten years! My mother has been dead for ten years, and you did not do it until now¡­¡±


    ¡°Father, allow me to ask you, are you really avenging my mother, or out of hatred for Qi shi¡¯s betrayal against you? Which is why you waited until the Empress Dowager had passed before you made your move?


    The Emperor frowned and said coldly, ¡°After your grandmother had a stroke, she was muddled and needed support. She is merely waiting to die, there is no bother. It¡¯s getting late, you should go back to rest!¡±


    After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the spiritual hall but after a few steps his feet faltered and his figure swayed.


    He steadied his mind and turned around slowly.


    In the hands of the young man there was a long sword.


    The candles flickered and the sword glowed.


    The Emperor quickly glanced at the pot of offering wine on the table and then stared at the young man with a look of disbelief and anger in his eyes.


    ¡°How dare you attack me?¡± He gritted his teeth.


    The teenager laughed.


    ¡°Father, do you feel weak and breathless now and can¡¯t even stand? Let me tell you, I often read the medical books left behind by my mother. One day, I saw a very powerful medicine in the book and learned how to prepare the recipe myself¡­¡±


    ¡°You evil creature!¡± The Emperor¡¯s face twisted.


    ¡°Someone, come!¡±


    He shouted sharply towards the outside of the hall.


    After shouting, the Emperor suddenly remembered that his eldest son, throughout the years, would never allow any outsider to step into the palace of his dead mother, considering it an offense to his mother.


    How could he not know this? So, for the son he always felt guilt towards, when he came he deliberately left all his entourage outside the palace gate.


    The Emperor then had an epiphany.


    In order to wait for this moment, this son of his, must have been preparing for a long time.


    His son¡¯s forbearance and scheming, how deep and terrible to such a point!


    The emperor¡¯s shout echoed in the spirit hall.


    The door was pushed open, and Mu mama ran in. Seeing the staggering back of the emperor, she was shocked and confused as to what had happened.


    The long-lit lamp were swaying violently due to the night wind, and the Emperor glared at his son angrily. Instead of retreating, he advanced and stumbled towards him.


    ¡°Evil creature! I don¡¯t believe you really dare to kill me!¡±


    When he reached his son, he was unable to support himself any longer and fell to the ground.


    The young man looked at him with cold eyes, as if he was looking at a lifeless sacrifice offering placed on the table, when the Emperor fell at his feet, he smiled.


    He raised his hand, and his slender fingers stroked the icy sword edge lightly.


    ¡°Father, do you recognise this sword? On the day you seized Pucheng, after seeing me, you took it off your body and gave it to me. It has been stained with the blood of countless people, and you asked me to be a man.¡±


    The young man squatted down slowly in front of his father who was lying on the ground and met his eyes.


    The emperor glared angrily.


    The smile on the boy¡¯s face disappeared, he raised his arm and swung his sword towards the Emperor.


    Amidst Mu mama¡¯s scream, the emperor felt a cold sword sweep across his forehead.


    There was no blood.


    A ¡°ding¡± sounded softly.


    The crown on the top of his head broke into two.


    His hair, which was tied in the crown, was broken and fell on the ground.


    The emperor remained motionless and watch as his son slowly stood up from the ground.


    ¡°Father, I heard that when you were my age, you killed to avenge your father¡¯s death. I am useless, but my desire to avenge my mother is not inferior to you, Father. If it were in my nature, I would have killed you by now.¡±


    ¡°But I can¡¯t take your life. If you die, there will be turmoil in the world again and I¡¯m afraid that when I see my mother, she will blame me.¡±


    ¡°Listen, I cut your hair as a symbol of killing you. Heaven¡¯s law does not allow a son to kill his father. From now on, I will have no father and you will not have me as a son!¡±


    He used the tip of his sword to pick up the black hair on the ground and without looking at the Emperor again, he turned around. He walked to Empress Yuan¡¯s tablet and placed it on the offering table. After bowing, he stood up and asked the tablet, ¡°Mother, is it right for your son to do this?¡±


    There was no response. There was only the suppressed choking sound of Mu mama who was kneeling at the side.


    The long-lit lamp swayed violently.


    The young man looked around slowly and said desolately, ¡°Mother, all these years, I have always felt that you are right next to me. I remember when I was young, he was always away from home. Sometimes I woke up in the middle of the night and saw that you still awake and so lonely. In fact, you should not have let General Yuan take me away. I did not want to leave you alone. I am here to accompany you. From now on, I will never be separated from you again.¡±


    He closed his eyes, tilted his head, swung his sword towards his neck and slashed it.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er!¡±


    The emperor shouted, his eyes were wide. With an unknown source of strength, he struggled up and together with Mu mama, rushed towards the young man in front.


    But it was too late.


    The sword blade slashed through, blood splashed on the altar and the long-lit lamp was extinguished at once.


    The hall was instantly plunged into darkness, and only the heart-piercing yell of the Emperor remained.


    After a few moments, the palace servants were alerted, rushed into the hall with lanterns and were stunned by what they saw.


    The Emperor, with his hair disheveled, held the eldest son in his arms in front of the Empress Yuan¡¯s memorial tablet, muttered, ¡°Xi¡¯er¡­ It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to come¡­ I don¡¯t dare come¡­¡±


    The precious sword across the ground, the two men, splattered with blood.


    ¡­


    The pain that seemed like a thousand arrows pierced through her heart again.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s body slowly slid down.


    She closed her eyes tightly, curled herself up tightly and laid on the couch, motionless.


    Mu mama was waiting outside with unease. She saw the door open and Xie Changgeng came out so she hurried to meet him and was about to speak until she saw his gloomy face. He took big steps and walked out. No matter what happened, she couldn¡¯t care about him and instead went inside to see how the princess was doing.


    Xie Changgeng went straight out of the palace, returned to the post house and ordered to leave overnight.


    His entourage were very surprised.


    He usually did not show his emotions but at this moment, he had an ugly look on his face. The people were shocked and wondered what had happened at the banquet to provoke him to such a state. But they did not dare they ask questions, instead they busily started packing their luggage and when they were done, the group left the post house and headed to the city gate.


    When they approached the city gate, there was a sound of horses¡¯ hooves from behind.


    The prime minister of Changsha, Lu Lin, rode up to him on horseback and shouted loudly, ¡°Governor Xie! Stay!¡±


    Xie Changgeng slowly stopped his horse.


    Lu Lin came close and dismounted and came running towards him, panting.


    He was not wearing his official hat and the boots on his feet were worn backwards.


    ¡°Governor Xie, what¡¯s the matter? Why do you have to leave in the night?¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s expression had returned to normal, and he smiled, ¡°Before I left, I left a letter with the postmaster and he was to send it on my behalf tomorrow morning. The purpose of my trip is to pay respects to the late king, and to bring back my wife. I have already paid my respects to the late king, but my wife after arriving to Kuizhou, has not acclimatised to the soil and her body is not well. Since she has come back, let her stay and recuperate for a few more days. Since I have other important things to attend to, I need to leave now. I thank Changsha wang and the Prime Minister for your hospitality. Prime Minister, please stay, I will say goodbye first and see you another time.¡±


    Lu Lin had just returned home and after lying down for a bit when he was informed that Xie Changgeng and his party were leaving, and he hurriedly chased after them.


    Lu Lin was worried that something had offended Xie Changgeng causing him to leave at night in anger. When he caught up to him and saw him smiling, he was relieved. He said that Changsha wang was drunk at the banquet so he took over the duty of sending him out of the city.


    Xie Changgeng did not refuse and let Lu Lin send him out.


    The city gate opened and Lu Lin sent him out with courtesy. He watched his figure disappear into the night, then he slowly let out a breath, dubious, and returned to the city without mentioning it.


    Xie Changgeng galloped for a while and suddenly stopped.


    Seeing that he seemed to be troubled, his entourage also stopped and looked at him.


    Xie Changgeng turned his head and looked at the city behind him, which was outlined in black by the night. After a while, he turned his face and instructed an attendant named Zhu Liuhu who was good at gathering information, ¡°You stay behind and conceal your identity. If there are any news about Changsha, pass it to me.¡±


    ¡°Especially the princess, pay attention to her movements. The more details, the better.


    Xie Changgeng instructed calmly.

 CH 12

    Discussion


    When Mu mama entered the inner room and found Mu Fulan lying on the beauty couch, her body curled up like she was in pain, she was shocked and ran up to her.


    ¡°Princess, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡±


    ¡°Did he hurt you?¡±


    She hugged Mu Fulan¡¯s body and asked repeatedly. Seeing that Mu Fulan still did not move, she hurriedly turned her over and checked her body.


    Mu Fulan whispered, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± She closed her eyes for a moment, calmed her mind, then sat up.


    Her face was a little pale while her forehead and neck were covered in sweat. When she opened her eyes, her eyes were clear and she looked very calm.


    Only then did Mu mama feel relieved and hurriedly took out a handkerchief to wipe her sweat.


    Mu Fulan leaned on the head of the beauty couch. ¡°Did he leave?¡±


    ¡°When I saw him come out, his face did not look very good, but he didn¡¯t say a word and just went straight out¡­¡±


    ¡°Princess, what happened between you and him¡­¡±


    Mu Fulan did not respond.


    At this time, a maid sent word, that the king and queen of Changsha had sent someone to ask about the princess¡¯ situation.


    Mu Fulan immediately asked someone to reply, saying that she would go see her brother and Sister-in-law later. She also invited Lu Lin and Yuan Handing to come along and discuss important matters.


    One stick of incense later, she combed her hair and dressed neatly before appearing in front of Mu Xuanqing and Lu Shi.


    Lu Lin and Yuan Handing also hurried into the palace together.


    Mu Xuanqing said to Mu Fulan, ¡°Xie has taken people out of the city tonight. The Prime Minister sent him off. He also said something about letting you stay here to recuperate. A¡¯mei, what exactly did you say?¡±


    Yuan Handing and the Mu siblings grew up together, like brothers and sisters, and Lu Lin was an in-law, so Mu Xuanqing did not hesitate to ask.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s judgment of Xie Changgeng was that, although he walked away without saying a word, he should have accepted the compromise she proposed ¨C agreeing to separate, but not announcing it for the time being.


    It was exactly as she expected.


    ¡°Brother, it¡¯s true. After I went there, I was a little unaccustomed to the situation. Although he still hasn¡¯t agreed to divorce, he has agreed to let me recuperate here and no longer force me back.¡±


    Although Mu Xuanqing was a little dissatisfied with this result. The marriage between A¡¯mei and Xie was decided by their father after all and the person had already passed the door.


    At least A¡¯mei was not taken away by him, so he scolded: ¡°Today I know what a shambles person is!¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Brother, he has left and will not come back in the near future, so don¡¯t worry about it.¡±


    Lu Lin was worried and sighed, ¡°What is going on here? Without a reason, how could this situation come about? When he left, although he was polite, I was worried that he would hold resentment. Empress Liu already harbours ill will towards Changsha and Governor Xie is considered one of her people. To have suffered such a bad loss, I am afraid of his revenge.¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°In my opinion, Xie Changgeng should not be so quick to make a move against Changsha. He is very ambitious. Changsha is not even a stumbling block in his eyes. Even if he has resentment, there is no need to take the trouble to deal with us now. It may be considered a distant problem.¡±


    In his previous life, after he became Emperor, the first thing he did was to abolish all the remaining vassal states and cleanse them of their vassal kings.


    At that time, Changsha had long since been removed and the remaining members of the Mu family were still able to retain a place in Yuecheng because of her, ¡°Empress Yuan¡±. They were considered the lucky ones among the many vassal kings.


    But in this lifetime, things will probably be different.


    Yuan Handing nodded and said, ¡°Then the immediate concern is the imperial court.¡±


    ¡°Last year, there was news that the imperial court intended to attack Changsha. At that time, the rebellion of Jiangdu happened but it must be over. Now that the rebellion of Jiangdu has been pacified, when the court recovers, I¡¯m afraid it will cause trouble again.¡±


    Lu shi¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. ¡°Changsha, has gone through several generations of kings to open up wasteland and cultivate fields and now the country is rich in grain and rice fabrics. In the eyes of those people, it is a piece of fat meat that is easy to bite!¡±


    Although Changsha is not short of food and clothing, its military strength has always been limited, with a standing army of merely 20,000 men. This is also the highest number of troops that a vassal state can have as stipulated by the imperial court. Previously, when the court attacked other vassal kings, they often used this as an excuse.


    Mu Xuanqing said, ¡°Today is not as good as it used to be! If we don¡¯t make a move, we will die anyway. I am considering expanding the army as soon as possible!¡±


    He looked at Lu Lin. ¡°In Changsha, how many strong men can be called to join the army now?¡±


    ¡°Last year, the household officials reported that there are about 500,000 strong men between the ages of 16 and 40.¡±


    ¡°Good!¡± Mu Xuanqing nodded.


    ¡°Even if we take one out of five, we still have 100,000 soldiers, plus the original troops. If we have an army of more than 100,000 soldiers in Changsha, why should we be afraid of foreign enemies?


    ¡°If Your Highness wants to recruit an army, with your current support, the people will surely agree. But Your Highness, this matter is easier said than done.


    Lu Lin shook his head.


    ¡°Even if we take the risk and train our troops in secret, the question is, where can we get so many armour and weapons? Is it possible to let 100,000 soldiers go into battle naked with sticks? Now that there is chaos outside, who is not trying to save their supplies? Even if we pay, we can¡¯t buy armour and weapons, so we¡¯ll need iron to make our own. But a few years ago, when the chaos of the vassal kings began, all the iron-producing places were taken over by the imperial court and the vassal kings that wanted to rebel. When the late king was alive, he also thought of expanding the army, and secretly searched for mines but never found anything and had to give up. Now, where can I go to find iron in Changsha? Even if we get it, such a large military manufacturing site, how can we avoid it from the eyes and ears of the imperial court?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult, it¡¯s too difficult.¡±


    Lu Lin sighed.


    Mu Xuanqing was silent for a moment and looked at Mu Fulan.


    ¡°A¡¯mei, you just said that you have something important to discuss. What is it?¡±


    Several gazes turned towards her.


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°I know that Brother wants to expand his army. What I want to say is related to this.¡±


    ¡°I know where there are mines to be mined. It is very convenient. It is in Changsha.¡±


    They were all stunned.


    ¡°You should all remember how I sent a letter back to save Brother, right? It was a sign from the gods and I was informed about it at the time. Brother can send someone to investigate the area tomorrow. If it is true, we may use Feng Shui as an excuse to build another Mu family ancestral mausoleum as an excuse to relocate all the people there and secretly mine iron and stone in the mountains.¡±


    Mu Xuanqing was overjoyed.


    ¡°Could it be that the heavens really want to help us? That¡¯s great! I¡¯ll send someone to inspect it tomorrow!¡±


    Lu Lin was also excited, he stood up and walked back and forth a few times with his hands behind his back before stopping.


    ¡°If the princess¡¯ dream is true, the expansion of our army is expected. But mining, casting, conscription and training will take a while, at least a year and a half will be needed for effective results. By then, the imperial court will have already attacked Changsha.¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°I have a solution. Although it can not eliminate the evil, it should be feasible to buy some time for Changsha. Among the ministers of the court today, the traitorous Empress favours Zhang Ban who on the surface looks honest, but is actually a greedy man. Why not bribe Zhang Ban with a lot of money and let him say positive things about us in front of the traitorous Empress?¡±


    ¡°Although the rebellion of Jiangdu has been settled, Lu wang and Pingyang wang are still troubling the court. If Zhang Ban can persuade the traitorous Empress to deal with Lu wang and Pingyang wang first, we can gain the opportunity to expand our troops.¡±


    ¡°This is a good idea, but how do you know he is greedy for money?¡± Lu Lin was puzzled.


    Mu Fulan knew about the mines because after the extermination of Changsha, the people of the land fled into the mountains in order to escape the oppressive taxes and accidentally found a large amount of iron and stone and the news spread. It¡¯s just that the country was eliminated before there was time to mine it in large quantities.


    As for this Zhang Ban, after he was later killed, a huge fortune was found under his home. The whole country was in an uproar and his giant greed was revealed to the world.


    ¡°Just take my word for it,¡± Mu Fulan said.


    Because she sent a letter in time to save Mu Xuanqing, even if they were surprised by her words, they dared not disbelieve it.


    Lu shi said, ¡°Uncle, it¡¯s about the fate of Changsha. Since A¡¯mei said so, why not give it a try?¡±


    Lu Lin pondered for a moment before nodding.


    ¡°Alright. I used to be an official in Shangjing and I know some people. Although it¡¯s not convenient for me to go in person, it shouldn¡¯t be difficult to find a trusted contact. Leave this matter to me, I will make the arrangements tomorrow!¡±


    ¡°I will take the workers to the area as soon as possible!¡± Yuan Handing said.


    Mu Xuanqing looked at his sister. Regardless of the inconvenience of his legs, he got up to thank her.


    Mu Fulan said there are gods above and the ancestors¡¯ virtue so she dare not take credit.


    After the discussion, it was late. Before leaving, they finally agreed to act in secret and keep it confidential.


    Ever since the old Changsha wang passed away, Changsha seemed to have lost its backbone. At this moment, it was as if they suddenly saw hope and the faces of Mu Xuanqing and Lu shi showed joy.


    Mu Fulan stopped Yuan Handing alone and asked, ¡°Brother, I asked you to pay attention to Xie Changgeng¡¯s entourage earlier, do you remember their appearance?¡±


    Yuan Handing nodded.


    ¡°There are six people in total, all recorded.¡±


    He hesitated and looked at Mu Fulan. ¡°Princess, why did you ask me to remember them?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Xie Changgeng is gone, but he is suspicious by nature, not to mention his relationship with Changsha has separated. I am afraid he will leave someone behind. At dawn, keep an eye on the city gates to see if any of his men have entered the city in disguise. If not, it is best. If there is, don¡¯t be alarmed, just take note of their location and tell me the news when the time comes.¡±


    Yuan Handing immediately agreed.


    Mu Fulan was most at ease with Yuan Handing¡¯s work. After instructing him, she watched him hurriedly leave. She was lost in thought for a moment before turning around and headed back to her residence.

 CH 13

    Enter Shangjing


    Half a month later, Xie Changgeng returned to Xie county.


    He arrived late at night. He tapped on the door at first, but the doorman was asleep and unaware of his return. Fearing that the loud noise would startle his mother, he simply jumped over the wall and went straight to the east wing where he lived.


    The door was closed. He entered, lit an oil lamp on the table and looked at his bed.


    The canopy was hooked by a pair of golden hooks and hung down on either side. The mandarin duck pillows and the red quilt on the bed were still the same as before. The room was cold and chilly.


    After quelling the rebellion of Jiangdong, he had to report back. But due to the trip to Changsha, he has been delayed for some days and now he urgently needed to go to the capital.


    He has rarely returned home these past few years and felt guilty when he thought about his widowed mother. After leaving Changsha this time, he wanted to return earlier to try and free up some time to accompany his mother for a few days before leaving again.


    He did not know when his next return would be, so he was in a hurry.


    He was also a little tired after traveling for days in a rush. He was about to put down his luggage and change his clothes when he heard a soft knock on the door behind him.


    He opened the door.


    Outside the door stood a young woman with a candlestick in her hands. She had a beautiful face and her hair was loose, her black strands hanging down in front of her chest. A green jacket was draped over her shoulders to protect her from the cold, her collar was loose and it revealed a small peach jacket lapel inside.


    It looked as though she had just gotten out of bed.


    Seeing him appear at the door, her face showed surprise. Her eyes lit up and she called out, ¡°Brother-in-law.¡±


    This woman is Lingfeng of the Qi family.


    Xie Changgeng was stunned for a moment, then raised his eyes and looked at the adjacent room next to his.


    The door was half open.


    Obviously, she should have just come out of there.


    ¡°Just now, I heard a movement in this room, so I got up to take a look, but I didn¡¯t expect that it was you who came back¡­¡±


    She paused and glanced inward.


    ¡°Madam should have also returned with brother-in-law?¡±


    Xie Changgeng said nothing.


    She probably noticed that Mu shi didn¡¯t come back with him. She hesitated, then said, ¡°Is it cold in the room? The family did not know the news of your return tonight and are not prepared. Brother-in-law, go in quickly. I¡¯ll start a stove for you, warm yourself first¡­¡±


    After speaking, she tried to enter the room.


    ¡°When did you move here?¡±


    Xie Changgeng asked her without giving way.


    A faint blush appeared on Qi Lingfeng¡¯s face and she said in a low voice, ¡°I just came a few days ago¡­ The old madam caught a cold and Qiu Ju¡¯s service was not good, so I came to take care of her. After she got well, she did not let me go but arranged for me to live here and asked me to wait for my brother-in-law and madam to return, then¡­¡±


    Her voice trailed off and she lowered her eyes.


    A gust of night wind rushed in and blew out the candle in her hand.


    The surrounding area suddenly plunged into darkness.


    ¡°¡­Brother-in-law¡­¡±


    She raised her head and called out in a low voice.


    The night was misty. Her shadow moved slightly.


    ¡°Madam is not coming back for the time being, it¡¯s inconvenient for you to live here, go back tomorrow.¡±


    Xie Changgeng said this in a gentle tone, then stepped out of the house and walked towards the main room where his mother lived.


    When he came to the door, he happened to meet A¡¯mao who came out in the middle of the night to relieve herself.


    A¡¯mao with her eyes squinted and tightly folded arms, yawned as she went into the room. She suddenly bumped into Xie Changgeng, was startled and jumped. Recognising it was him, gave a shout, turned around and ran inside.


    ¡°Old Madam! Master is back¡ª¡± She shouted loudly.


    Xie Changgeng wanted to stop her, but hesitated and allowed her to shout and run in.


    Soon, the house was lit up with lights.


    ¡°Geng¡¯er, are you back? Come in quickly!¡±


    A sound of rising followed Xie mu¡¯s voice inside the room.


    Xie Changgeng walked in with a smile on his face and he helped her sit back on the edge of the bed.


    Xie mu was very happy when she saw her son. She grabbed his hand and asked him about his journey. After they caught up, she glanced at the door.


    ¡°Where is Mu shi?¡±


    Xie Changgeng paused, turned his head and ordered Qiu Ju and A¡¯mao to go out.


    ¡°Mu shi did not return.¡±


    Xie mu was stunned. ¡°You went to pick her up, why didn¡¯t she come back with you?¡±


    ¡°She has been spoiled and pampered since she was a child. When she came here, she was unaccustomed to the weather and did not tell you. At that time, her health was not good. So I didn¡¯t ask her to come back, instead let her stay there and take her time to recuperate.¡±


    Xie mu frowned. ¡°So it¡¯s like this! If she is not in good health, why didn¡¯t she tell me that day? Since she calls me mother-in-law, am I the kind of person who doesn¡¯t care about her life or death?¡±


    Xie Changgeng did not answer the question.


    She sighed and complained in a low voice, ¡°I knew it! The first time I saw her was when she entered the door. She was so delicate and looked as though she would collapse as soon as the wind blew. It is not a blessing for a good life. How can she compare to Feng¡¯er¡­¡±


    A smile appeared on her face again and she said with a smile, ¡°Geng¡¯er, I need to tell you something. Feng¡¯er is here, I don¡¯t know if you saw her just now. I thought that since she is about to be part of our family anyway, I let her stay by your side. Now that you¡¯re back, stay at home for a few more days. I will choose a good day and settle Feng¡¯er¡¯s affairs. This has been on my mind for many years.¡±


    Xie Changgeng said, ¡°Mother, I was just about to talk to you about this. Since Mu shi has not returned, it is not convenient now. It is also not appropriate for the second lady of the Qi family to stay in that room in the future. If you are in good health, let her go back.¡±


    Xie mu was displeased, ¡°I told her beforehand and she agreed that I would make the arrangements! If she doesn¡¯t come back, will Feng¡¯er be kept waiting? Feng¡¯er is not young, she is almost twenty! She has waited for you for so many years, how much long do you want her to wait?¡±


    ¡°Mother, Mu shi is the main wife. If she is not here for this kind of thing and we bring people in, it¡¯s a matter of customs¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m still your mother!¡± Xie mu interrupted her son¡¯s words.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the rules and regulations outside, this is Xie County! I have lived for most of my life and I have never heard that the conduct a mother-in-law depends on her daughter-in-law!


    ¡°Mother, listen to me. At this moment, it¡¯s really inconvenient to let her enter the door¡­¡±


    Xie mu gazed fixedly at her son.


    ¡°Geng¡¯er, mother worked for three days and three nights in order to give birth to you, one foot at death¡¯s door. Your father has studied so much in vain, and he fit not pass the examination. In the end, he only became a postmaster, how much income can the family have? You are smart, I spun yarn and twisted hemp every day in order to pay for your education, hoping that you can excel. With great difficulty, I raised you but unexpectedly you killed people. During those years, I was scared and had no one to turn to and it was the Qi family who took care of me.¡±


    ¡°You probably have long forgotten, but mother didn¡¯t forget, and dare not to forget! When we were hit by a flood, Feng¡¯er¡¯s family took me to escape. When we were crossing the bridge, the bridge suddenly collapsed and we all fell into the water. At that time, Feng¡¯er¡¯s mother and I were in the carriage, if Feng¡¯er did not hold onto mother¡¯s hand tightly, I would have been killed! Although mother survived, Feng¡¯er¡¯s own mother is lost!¡±


    ¡°Not only do we owe Qi family a debt gratitude but we also owe them a life! In my eyes, Feng¡¯er is more dearer to me than my own daughter! Later, I found out that you had already arranged a marriage for yourself outside and couldn¡¯t change it, I could only give up. It is already unfair to make her a concubine. If you don¡¯t want her now, I¡¯ll tell you, I will not live!¡±


    Xie mu said while wiping tears.


    Xie Changgeng frowned, hesitated for a moment, got up, knelt on the ground and kowtowed solemnly.


    ¡°Mother, I am unfilial. I have burdened my mother since childhood and now I have disappointed you to this extent. It¡¯s not that I am unwilling, but now it is really inconvenient¡­¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the inconvenience?¡±


    ¡°Mother stays at home so there are some things that you do not know about the outside. Bringing someone into the house is a trivial matter. If Changsha thinks that it is disrespectful to them, it will be a little troublesome. Now that I¡¯m an important minister, I have many enemies in the imperial court and I don¡¯t know how many eyes are watching from behind. If they want to add a crime, how can I not be concerned? Although this matter is small, if there are people with an agenda, it can be turned into a big deal. ¡°


    Xie mu was a little surprised, she looked at her son¡¯s solemn expression and gradually stopped crying.


    Xie Changgeng got up from the ground.


    ¡°Mother, how can the son dare to forget Qi¡¯s kindness to you? The son feels that mother¡¯s arrangement has wronged her. It is not the only way to repay her. What is the harm in mother considering her an adopted daughter? In the future, if I can achieve my goals, I will treat her kindly and repay her for saving mother that day¡­¡±


    Before he could finish his words, someone came in at the door and knelt on the ground.


    Qi Lingfeng kowtowed towards Xie mu, choked and said, ¡°Old madam, you have been so kind to Feng¡¯er, Feng¡¯er is grateful. If Feng¡¯er causes a rift between you and your son, it is my sin and I deserve to die! Don¡¯t force him anymore. Tomorrow I will go back to my brother¡¯s place.¡±


    Xie mu hurried over to help her up and comforted her, then turned to look at her son, frowning, ¡°Look, Feng¡¯er is so understanding. Compared to Mu shi, you yourself should know who is good and who is bad! Since Feng¡¯er has spoken, this matter will be put aside for now. But since she has come, it is not good for her to go back to her brother. Let her stay here in the name of my goddaughter first and wait until Mu shi comes back!¡±


    Xie Changgeng stopped expressing his position and mumbled vaguely, saying that it was late at night and he should let his mother rest and left.


    He returned to the east wing. After the door was locked he picked up his luggage and walked to the cabinet. When he grabbed the handle he suddenly remembered.


    After hesitating, he slowly opened the cabinet door.


    What he saw was the same as the previous time.


    The wardrobe is full of women¡¯s clothing. He didn¡¯t know what spices were in the sachet, but after so long, the fragrance is still there.


    In Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes, the scene of the beautiful woman on the couch stung his eyes.


    The pomegranate red dress, light coloured silk.


    It is unbelievable that someone who is noble in front of people is so outrageous in private.


    He glanced at the clothes she left in the cabinet and he seemed to see her face. A look of disgust emerged from the bottom of his eyes and he closed the cabinet door with a ¡°bang¡±.


    The next day, Xie Changgeng went to the main room early and served his mother with his own hands. After breakfast, he told his mother that the court was still waiting for him to go to Shangjing to report on his duties. He came back this time to say goodbye to his mother.


    Xie mu was extremely reluctant to see him leave, but his future was at stake, so how could she delay him? She nodded in agreement and packed his luggage for him. She was supported by Qi Lingfeng and sent him out all the way.


    Xie Changgeng told his servants to serve his mother well, and then set out to leave. After a long journey, he finally arrived in Shangjing at the end of the month.


    He had already had a mansion in the capital, full of servants. After entering the mansion, he took a bath and rested, preparing to report to the court tomorrow.


    Late at night, a secret letter from the palace was quietly delivered to him.


    The secret letter came from a eunuch named Cao Jin in Empress Liu¡¯s palace.


    This eunuch was the apprentice of the eunuch besides Empress Liu, Eunuch Yang, and he became Xie Changgeng¡¯s person two years ago.


    Every time Xie Changgeng returned to the capital, it was a common practice to receive news that night.


    This time is no exception.


    What Cao Jin brought out were all things that happened in the court or palace when Xie Changgeng was away.


    Most of it he already knew.


    But there was one thing that caught Xie Changgeng¡¯s attention.


    Cao Jin said that Zhang Ban, the internal historian, had entered the palace a few days ago and asked to see Empress Liu. At that time, the words were private and he was not able to find out the details, but what Zhang Ban said seemed to be related to Changsha.


    Because of the marriage between Governor Xie and Changsha, if there are any news, he would inform them together for his benefit.


    After Xie Changgeng finished reading the letter, he lit in flames.


    He stared at the paper that was slowly turning to ashes in the flames, and was lost in thought.

 CH 14

    If the monarch wants the minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die. What¡¯s more to say?


    According to the usual practice, the ministers who arrived early all gathered in the East Hall to wait for Empress Dowager Liu to lead the young emperor to the court to listen to politics.


    A quarter of an hour before the court meeting began, people sat or stood, in groups of three or five, whispering.


    Naturally, the topic of their discussion was linked to the popular person in front of Empress Liu, Xie Changgeng, the governor of Hexi.


    When he arrived yesterday evening, he sent a letter to the palace. The Empress Dowager was sympathetic to his hard journeyand asked him not to go to the palace immediately, but to rest for the night first. It would not be too late to see him tomorrow morning.


    The news had already spread.


    Everyone was talking about his recent achievement of pacifying the rebellion of Jiangdu. They said that he would be honoured with another title when he came back to the capital to report on his duties.


    Just as they were talking, a palace servant came in and passed on the Empress Dowager¡¯s words, saying that this morning¡¯s court meeting would be delayed for half an hour and that the ministers should continue to wait here.


    As soon as the palace servants left, there was a humming sound in the East Hall.


    Everyone knows that this must be because Empress Dowager Liu received Xie Changgeng alone.


    For his audience, even the court meeting had to be delayed.


    In addition to envy, there is inevitably also some jealousy.


    Without knowing who started it, the focus of everyone¡¯s attention changed from the merits of Xie Changgeng, the governor of Hexi, to a gossip that had just spread amongst the official circles in Shangjing a few days ago.


    At the beginning of the year, Xie Changgeng married the princess of Changsha, who he had been engaged to three years ago. Unfortunately due to the rebellion, he left his delicate wife on their wedding night and left home. This is no secret. At that time, some of his colleagues went to the wedding banquet and it has long been known to everyone.


    It was probably because he did not appease his new wife, who in anger, returned to Changsha. Just last month, after the rebellion was quelled, the governor Xie rushed to Changsha without stopping, wanting to take her back. But to his surprise, he was rejected.


    Not only did he fail to take back his wife, but it is said that he was also humiliated by the young Changsha wang, who had always disliked his origins and returned home empty-handed with his head in shame.


    The original source of this gossip should have come from the imperial court¡¯s supervisor in Changsha.


    The imperial court has an official stationed in each vassal state to submit a monthly report on the results of his inspection. This is the rule that was set by the dynasty during the establishment of the vassal states.


    Regardless of the authenticity of the news, most of the officials in the capital were jealous of and despised Xie Changgeng, who was originally from a humble background. From this standpoint, they were on Mu Xuanqing¡¯s side. Seeing Xie Changgeng eat such defeat, who would not gloat and say a few words?


    Now the court meeting has also been postponed because of his arrival.


    Everyone simply let go and began to whisper, passing the news they had heard and expressed deep sympathy for what happened to governor Xie.


    At the same moment, Xie Changgeng was waiting outside the Xuanzheng Hall.


    Although he was not in the East Hall, he knew what his colleagues there were talking about.


    This was also mentioned in the secret letter sent to him by Cao Jin last night. Probably because he was afraid of causing him unhappiness, he simply mentioned that what happened during his trip to Changsha had already spread.


    Xie Changgeng looked calm and stood outside the hall waiting to be summoned.


    Yang Guangshu, the eunuch besides Empress Liu, personally came out of the hall, saying that the Empress Dowager had summoned him, and led Xie Changgeng in.


    Xie Changgeng followed him in and walked to Empress Liu, who was sitting in the hall.


    Empress Liu was only in her 40s but she has already been an Empress Dowager for many years. Ten years ago, Empress Mu from Changsha passed away. The following year, she was appointed as her successor, and her son was also established as the crown prince.


    The Emperor had a chronic disease and died within two years. The Emperor who succeeded the throne was young, so it was only natural that she, who had been promoted to Empress Dowager, would hear and handle all matters.


    After she took power, she eliminated those who opposed her. Other members of the Zhao family, who were divided to different regions, considered that they were also descendants of the dragon and wanted to remove the Empress Dowager.


    This is the root cause of the national turmoil that has lasted for many years.


    There are too many vassal kings, who united to oppose Empress Liu¡¯s reign, either here to rebel or to force the court there. Even if Empress Liu had the means and the power of her mother¡¯s family, she is still under a lot of pressure.


    Three years ago, the rebellion broke out again and the rebels rushed to attack Shangjing. Empress Liu sent people to suppress the rebellion, but they suffered repeated defeats and the capital was in danger. While facing unprecedented pressure, Xie Changgeng came out of nowhere.


    In the past three years, with his outstanding military talent, he has helped Empress Liu suppress the turmoil of the vassal kings several times. Empress Liu¡¯s position has stabilised. Why wouldn¡¯t she regard him differently?


    She asked Xie Changgeng to get up with a smile, ordered the palace people to give him a seat, and said with a smile, ¡°I and His Majesty have read the report you sent over yesterday and it was very good. You have made great contributions to quelling the Jiangdu rebellion. You have helped the court solve this problem. Although His Majesty is young, he knows to tell me that Xie Qing is a loyal minister and a good general. If you want any reward, feel free to ask.¡±


    Xie Changgeng said, ¡°This is only my duty as a minister. I have been ordered to fight against the rebellion. Thanks to the blessing of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty. and thanks to the soldiers in the army, I have not disgraced my duty. The minister was originally only a piece of straw, and with today¡¯s honour, I am already grateful and don¡¯t have the intention of claiming credit.


    Empress Liu was very satisfied with his attitude and a smile appeared on her face.


    ¡°Xie Qing, you are young yet you have achieved your position today. Although it is because of your merits, I am afraid that you will become a target of the public. This time, I will not add a title for you, instead grant your mother a title, how about it?


    Xie Changgeng knelt down and thanked Empress Liu for her kindness.


    Empress Liu asked him to get up, and said, ¡°Because of the rebellion of Jiangdu, you left home on your wedding night, and I feel very guilty. I heard that you went to Changsha last month?¡±


    Xie Changgeng raised his eyes, and met Empress Liu¡¯s concerned gaze and said, ¡°After pacifying the rebellion of Jiangdu, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to return home to visit relatives. At that time, when I returned home, I learned that my wife was unaccustomed to the conditions and fell ill and already returned to Changsha, so I went for a trip.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is. How is her health?¡±


    ¡°She is fine, she just needs to recuperate more. I thank the Empress Dowager for her concern.¡±


    Empress Liu nodded.


    ¡°But I also heard that you were humiliated in Changsha?¡±


    Xie Changgeng looked ashamed.


    ¡°I do not dare hide it. I come from a low background. When I asked the old Changsha wang for marriage, my wife¡¯s brother was dissatisfied with me. Now that I am there, it is only human nature that I am slighted.¡±


    Empress Liu frowned, ¡°This Mu Xuanqing has the nerve to treat you like this! He knows that you are someone I value highly, yet he is so arrogant. In the future, what can he not do?¡±


    She paused. ¡°The Mu Clan of Changsha has always harboured ill will towards me. Someone once warned me to beware of them. What do you think about this matter?¡±


    She suddenly asked this question.


    Xie Changgeng said, ¡°The king of Changsha is young and acts recklessly. Changsha is short of soldiers and generals, unlike other vassal kings who have strong troops and horses, so what is there to fear? Even if they dare to cause trouble in the future, how big of a splash can they make?¡±


    ¡°Xie Qing, in the future, supposing that I want you to get rid of Changsha, will you handle it yourself?¡± Empress Liu stared at Xie Changgeng and asked another question.


    Xie Changgeng met Empress Liu¡¯s gaze without blinking, and said, ¡°If the monarch wants the minister to die, the minister has no choice but to die. What¡¯s more to say?¡±


    Empress Liu fell silent.


    A few days ago, she summoned Zhang Ban, the internal historian, to discuss the country¡¯s future plans. When talking about Changsha, Zhang Ban said that Changsha is a small country with a weak army. The new king Mu Xuanqing, who succeeded the throne three years ago, is not only far less capable than his father, but he is also reckless. He had heard that not long ago, he was hunting alone and fell into a deep pit. Had he not been found in time due to luck, he would have died. Also the recent rumours that he did not let his sister go back with governor Xie and even humiliated him in public is even more evidence.


    The real threat is the scheming Lu wang and the heavily armed Pingyang wang compared to Changsha. In his eyes, Changsha does not cause trouble, pays tribute on time, and they have no solid evidence of rebellion. There is a rumour in the court that the reason why Empress Liu could not tolerate Changsha is because of her grievances with Empress Mu. If she dealt with Changsha now, not only will it give Lu wang and Pingyang wang an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, but the people will also suspect there is some truth to the rumour.


    Zhang Ban said that now is not a good time to make a move on Changsha.  It would be better to get rid of Lu wang and Pingyang wang first, and then it would be easy to deal with Changsha.


    Empress Liu felt that it was quite reasonable at the time, and after thinking about it, she decided to follow that plan.


    Just now, she deliberately asked this question in front of Xie Changgeng just to test his attitude.


    After all, he is married to the princess of Changsha.


    This reply of his is completely in line with her judgement of Xie Changgeng.


    With his background, one side is his wife, and the other side is the imperial power that can grant him prosperity. There is no doubt about how he will choose.


    Without her, he is nothing.


    Empress Liu relaxed and said with a smile, ¡°A few days ago, when Zhang Ban and I were discussing matters, we mentioned Changsha. His views are similar to yours. After all, you also married Mu¡¯s daughter as your wife. Unless it is the last resort, I would not want to put you in a difficult position. In the future, as long as the Mu family is loyal, I will not touch them.¡±


    Xie Changgeng respectfully said, ¡°I thank the Empress Dowager for the grace of the Mu family in Changsha. ¡°


    Empress Liu nodded, pondered and quickly made a decision in her heart.


    After Xie Changgeng left, she summoned her trusted eunuch Yang Guangshu and said, ¡°Immediately draft an imperial edict for me, send someone to Changsha with the reward.¡±


    ¡°Say that I thought of the former Empress Mu and was filled with sorrow. I remembered that the princess of the Mu family, Fulan, lived in the palace ten years ago. She had a former relationship with me, and I miss her a little. She is specially summoned to the capital to chat if it is convenient for her body to travel.


    Eunuch Yang was slightly startled and asked, ¡°Empress Dowager, didn¡¯t governor Xie say that she was recuperating in Changsha? Why did you call her to the capital?¡±


    Empress Liu smiled.


    ¡°Do you think what Xie Qing is completely true? Most likely, he was forced to use it as an excuse to hide it in front of the people because he could not bring back Mu¡¯s daughter.


    ¡°He is my person. Even if I do not touch Changsha now, this is to let Mu Xuanqing know that disrespecting Xie Qing is also disrespecting me! Xie Qing is now in the capital. His already married sister, let alone not sick, even if she is really sick to death, as long as I speak, she must obediently follow Xie Qing to the capital for me!¡±


    Eunuch Yang suddenly understood.


    ¡°What the Empress Dowager said is very true. In the past few days, this slave has also heard some comments. I think there are people jealous of governor Xie and spread some bad rumours. Empress Dowager, you are killing two birds with one stone. You have warned Changsha and it also is a way to save governor Xie¡¯s dignity. When he finds out about it, he will be grateful to the Empress Dowager.¡±


    Empress Liu was lost in her thoughts for a moment, then said, ¡°That¡¯s not all. I heard that the princess of the Mu family has an outstanding appearance and is the number one beauty in Changsha. Although Xie Qing just expressed his loyalty to me, throughout the ages, I don¡¯t know how many heroes have fallen into a woman¡¯s hands. Don¡¯t be fooled by Mu Xuanqing¡¯s attitude now. As long as Xie Qing and Mu¡¯s daughter are still husband and wife, if by any chance she listens to someone¡¯s instigation or harbours evil intentions, it is not impossible to alienate Xie Qing and I. I must see her capability with my own eyes to be relieved. If she is honest, she can¡¯t control people with Xie Qing¡¯s character. But if she is not right¡­¡±


    There was a gloomy look in her eyes.


    ¡°Then think of a way to solve it for Xie Qing as soon as possible, so as not to leave problems in the future.¡±


    Eunuch Yang said in a low voice, ¡±The Empress Dowager¡¯s thoughts are really thorough! Although Changsha has temporarily been spared, but it is still necessary to guard against. I will go and prepare the edict now!¡±

 CH 15

    To Shangjing


    Mu Fulan was in Junshan picking herbs in Yaoweng¡¯s medicine garden with A¡¯da on the day the imperial edict arrived in Yuecheng.


    It has been more than half a year since Yaoweng went down the mountain, and the weather was getting colder. The last batch of herbs must be collected before the snow falls.


    The most bitter cold of the year is coming soon.


    Although she is a princess, but here, everything is done by Mu Fulan herself, no different from A¡¯da.


    Since she was a child, she liked to stay in the medicine garden, following her master to identify different herbs.


    After collecting the last bed of herbs, while picking up the bamboo basket, her finger accidentally scraped by the thorns on the side of the basket.


    The thin bamboo thorns penetrated deeply into her delicate fingers.


    A bright red bead of blood slowly seeped out from her fingertip.


    ¡°Princess! There is a message from the city! The Queen asked the princess to return, there is a messenger from Shangjing Palace looking for you!¡±


    At this moment, A¡¯da hurried in from outside and shouted loudly.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s hand paused slightly, pulled out the thorn that injured her, washed her hands, and left the rest of work to A¡¯da before leaving the mountain.


    It has been more than a month, and the previously agreed matters were advancing in an orderly manner.


    Zhang Ban approach is right. When Xie Changgeng came, Mu Fulan deliberately did not stop her brother from ¡°acting with anger¡± and his ¡°recklessness¡± has become a protection for Changsha. Just a few days ago, there was a secret report that Zhang Ban¡¯s persuasion was successful, and Empress Liu would not immediately attack Changsha.


    Good news also came from Yuan Handing. After surveying the terrain, he was very excited and said that the veins in the mountain were not only abundant, but also buried shallowly, so it was easy to dig. The population in the few villages scattered outside the mountain was low and Yuan Handing had already relocated them. Thousands of soldiers and craftsmen have began to secretly enter the mountain in batches.


    The chief supervisor sent by the imperial court was not a concern, the information he can get is nothing more than public matters. And he had also discovered the man named Zhu Liuhu left by Xie Changgeng. He snuck into the city as a hauler and settled in an alley not far from the palace, carrying a load every day and wandering the streets and alleys of Yuecheng. After a few days, a little widow named A¡¯jiao moved into the neighbourhood and became neighbours with him.


    These days, on the pretext of patrolling the waters, her brother was also busy looking for a suitable island on Dongting Lake to build a military base.


    After it is built, it will be surrounded by water on all sides and far away from the public. Even if there are many people and it was noisy, outsiders would not be able to notice, and it would be impossible to get close to it.


    Changsha will have a perfect place for a training ground.


    These things were all carried out quietly and in extreme secrecy so the possibility of being noticed by outsiders is very small.


    At this time, how could Shangjing suddenly send an emissary from the palace? What is the purpose?


    Mu Fulan entered the city with doubts, returned to the palace, and soon understood.


    The palace envoy brought Empress Liu¡¯s edict, as well as rewards and an imperial physician.


    After reading Empress Liu¡¯s edict, the man said with a smile, ¡°Mu shi, the Empress Dowager heard from Xie Jiedu earlier that your health is not well. If you are really not well, the Empress Dowager will not force anything. The imperial doctor will stay behind to take your pulse, prescribe medicine, and wait until your health is better.¡±


    Mu Fulan knelt on the ground and bowed in thanks.


    ¡°Thank you Empress Dowager for your kindness. My health has already recovered, and I¡¯m honoured for the Empress Dowager¡¯s remembrance. I can leave for the capital at any time.¡±


    The palace emissary smiled, ¡°Good, that¡¯s good. As this is the case, we do not want to make the Empress Dowager wait too long. How about we leave early tomorrow?¡±


    ¡°I am at your disposal.¡±


    Lu shi arranged for the palace emissary accomodations. After hearing the news, Mu Xuanqing hurried back to the palace. As soon as he saw his sister, he immediately said, ¡°Sister, you can¡¯t go! Tomorrow morning, I will say that you fell ill again at night, so you can¡¯t go!¡±


    Mu Fulan did not respond, but only asked about his progress in finding the location for the military base.


    Mu Xuanqing said that he has chosen a place today. It is located on Zheshan Island in the east of the lake. It is surrounded by water and is sheltered by Junshan. The round-trip boat journey takes about an hour.


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°That¡¯s good. Brother, you should build the military base as soon as possible. You are the king of Changsha Kingdom, remember to guard against arrogance and impatience, and listen to sister-in-law¡¯s advice. Brother Yuan is a trustworthy person and is extremely capable. In the future, you can be at ease to leave the military training to Brother Yuan, and discuss the rest of the matters with Prime Minister Lu.¡±


    Mu Xuanqing gritted his teeth, ¡°You can¡¯t go! The Empress is taking you as a hostage! If you go, it¡¯s no different from falling into a tiger¡¯s lair!¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I have to go there. If I find an excuse not to go, the Empress will harbour suspicions towards us. Even if If it doesn¡¯t happen on the surface, she will definitely keep an eye on us. In that case, all the previous arrangements will not be able to be carried out smoothly.¡±


    ¡°A¡¯mei!¡±


    ¡°Brother, I know you have been good to me since I was a child, but don¡¯t forget that you are a king first, then my elder brother! If we can¡¯t defend ourselves and always rely on others, how can we talk about revenge for our aunt? Now is our only chance, no matter what, we can¡¯t risk of losing!¡±


    Mu Xuanqing clenched both his fists tightly and the blue veins on his forehead throbbed.


    Lu shi¡¯s eyes were red, and she stepped forward and held Mu Fulan¡¯s hand.


    ¡°A¡¯mei, after you go there, you must be more careful. You are alone, and it is nothing like your own home. The Empress has always harboured ill intentions towards you and we became hostile with Xie Jiedu When you see him this time, remember to be patient. Don¡¯t offend him again.¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled and nodded.


    ¡°Brother, sister-in-law, you don¡¯t have to worry too much. After I leave, as long as the Changsha can improve, this is my greatest support. I will be fine. I will definitely find a way to come back as soon as possible.¡±


    That night, Lu shi was busy organising gifts for the palace emissary and packing Mu Fulan¡¯s luggage for the capital. Mu Xuanqing also spent the night preparing the tributes, selecting envoys, and arranging the escorts for his sister.


    While her brother and sister-in-law were busy working on her behalf, Mu Fulan¡¯s heart was tossing and turning and she had trouble sleeping.


    Just when she thought that everything was slowly getting better, she didn¡¯t expect that things would suddenly take another turn.


    This was an accident she hadn¡¯t expected before.


    For Empress Liu to bring her into the capital in this way, she had no good intentions.


    And what role did Xie Changgeng play here?


    There is no longer any prior knowledge to be based on, and the people to face are more vicious than the next.


    She has to be tenacious and deal with it carefully every step of the way.


    Early the next morning, Mu Fulan, Mu mama and maid boarded the warm carriage, left Changsha with the palace emissary, and embarked on the road to the north. After half a month on the road, on the twelfth lunar month of this year, they arrived in Shangjing.


    When she arrived, the sky was drifting with snow, dark and heavy, and the clouds were so low that it seemed to be pressing on the top of the distant imperial city. The carriage ran over the muddy snow-covered road outside the city that was trampled by passers-by, carriages and horses. They passed through the tall southern gate of the capital and entered the capital of the Emperor.


    Xie Changgeng left the city the day before yesterday for an errand and had not yet returned. After Mu Fulan was sent to his mansion located in the north of the city, just two streets away from the palace, the accompanying Changsha emissaries went to the palace with tributes to pay respect to the Emperor and Empress Liu without stopping.


    The steward of the mansion did not know that Madam was coming and he had never seen Mu Fulan before. He was stunned for a moment before figuring out what was going on and he hurriedly led the servants of the mansion to pay respects to her, then led Mu Fulan to the main room where Xie Changgeng lived.


    The room is very large, but there are not many furnishings. In addition to the bed and tables, there is also a bookshelf. Beside the bed, there was a man¡¯s winter robe hanging on the shelf, and a scabbard engraved with clouds of a long sword. There was nothing else, making it look a bit empty.


    There was also no fire in the room and it was cold.


    It¡¯s also ridiculous to mention.


    In her previous life, Mu Fulan married Xie Changgeng at the age of sixteen and died at the age of twenty. Almost all of her four or five years were spent in the Xie family¡¯s ancestral home in Xie County, Kuizhou.


    This was the first time she stepped into his house in the capital.


    She glanced around, her eyes suddenly fixed.


    The steward knew that she was the princess of Changsha and needless to say, she was beautiful in appearance. The maids who accompanied her were also exquisitely dressed. Thinking that she thought the place was shabby, he quickly asked someone to start the fire while explaining, ¡°Madam, don¡¯t be surprised. The governor stays in the capital a few times throughout the year and he never asked for additional things so the place is a bit shabby. This time, the Empress Dowager invited you so there was no news in advance, I have neglected Madam.¡±


    Mu Fulan didn¡¯t hear what the steward was saying.


    Her eyes fell on the long sword hanging by the bedside, and for almost an instant, her whole body was stiff, and she couldn¡¯t even breathe.


    Even if it is burned into ashes, turned into powder, and ground into dust, she could still recognise it.


    This cloud-patterned sword that was hanging quietly at the head of the bed at the moment was the one that Xie Changgeng gave to Xi¡¯er in the past.


    It was also this sword that Xi¡¯er used to kill himself in front of her longevity tablet.


    Mu Fulan stared at the sword, felt a twinge of pain in her heat and could hardly stand up.


    Seeing her face suddenly turn white, Mu mama hurriedly supported her and had her sit on the nearby couch.


    ¡°Princess, what¡¯s the matter with you?¡±


    Mu Fulan closed her eyes and said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just a little tired, I¡¯ll be fine after resting.¡±


    Mu mama hurriedly asked the steward to bring the maid to the place where the water was boiled for cooking. She helped Mu Fulan lean on the couch. Feeling that her palm was cold, she covered her with the quilt that she brought, and told her to rest first. She and the rest of the people unpacked the things, busily putting things away.


    After a while, a eunuch came from the palace and conveyed Empress Liu¡¯s words to Mu Fulan.


    Mu Fulan got up to welcome him.


    The eunuch was still very young, only in his twenties, with a long face, slender figure, and looked very friendly, said with a smile, ¡°My name is Cao Jin, and I am here to deliver a message to Madam on the order of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said that the journey must have been hard and it is snowing in the capital again. Princess should take a good rest, and when you have recovered your energy, it will not be too late to enter the palace.¡±


    Mu Fulan lowered her eyes to thank her, and Mu mama handed him money for his hard work. The eunuch did not take it. He waved his hand and said with a smile, ¡°I am just sending a message to the madam, how dare I ask for the madam¡¯s reward. Xie Jiedu is not coming back today, but I¡¯m sure he will return tomorrow at the latest. I¡¯ll leave you to rest.¡± After saying that, he cupped his hands and withdrew.


    Mu mama hurried to see him off.


    Mu Fulan walked to the window, slowly pushed it open, and stared at the young eunuch¡¯s back fading away in the snowy courtyard.


    This young eunuch was the one who strangled Qi Lingfeng to death on Xie Changgeng¡¯s order.


    The sky was getting dark, the lights were on in the house, and the stove was burning warmly.


    After eating hastily, bathing and changing clothes, Mu Fulan sent Mu mama and the maids to rest early, knowing that everyone was tired from the journey.


    The snow is reflected in the window and all sounds are silent. A candle flickered silently in the room. She sat alone on the edge of the bed, staring at the sword hanging on the head of the bed. Shestood up and walked towards it step by step.


    She stopped in front of the sword, tilted her head, looked at it for a long time, stretched out her hand, and took it down.


    The sword is heavy, and weighed down.


    Holding the hilt in one hand and the scabbard in the other, she slowly pulled the sword out of the scabbard, inch by inch.


    The sword is cold and sharp, reflecting the light of the candle behind her, like the eyes of a poisonous snake, blue and white with red.


    After staring at it for a long time, the sword seemed to come to life, turning into a pool of flowing blood.


    The blood seemed to gather more and more, from the sword, from the four corners of the room, slowly gushing towards her, engulfing her whole body.


    She closed her eyes and the hand holding the sword became tighter and tighter.


    A hand suddenly stretched out from behind and took the sword away from her palm.


    Mu Fulan froze, opened her eyes suddenly, and turned her head.


    Xie Changgeng had come in at some point and stood behind her, but she hadn¡¯t noticed him.


    He took the scabbard from her other hand as well. With a sound of ¡°clang¡±, the long sword was sheathed.


    ¡°The sword is a weapon, it¡¯s not your plaything, so don¡¯t touch it.¡±


    He said this and hung the sword back in its original position.

 CH 16

    ¡°Who is Xi¡¯er?¡±


    The sword had been taken from her hand, but she still stood there, her body stiff and not even a strand of hair quivered.


    Xie Changgeng could not help but glance at her again.


    The light from the candle could not hide her pale face.


    Even her lips looked bloodless.


    Just now when he pushed open the door and saw her standing there with the sword withdrawn, he thought that she was fooling around so he came and took it away.


    Looking at her appearance now, it seems that the situation is not as he thought.


    He couldn¡¯t help but suspect that this woman was still resentful about the previous attempt to divorce, but the people of the Mu family should also know that Empress Liu had always had ill will towards them. This time she was forced to enter the capital and live in the same room with him. He was afraid that she was extremely unwilling and even held a grudge, which is why she took the sword.


    He also felt displeasure in his heart, but he didn¡¯t show it on his face. He only said, ¡°Your trip to the capital was not my idea. It was only when I returned that I learned that you had been summoned here by the Empress Dowager.¡±


    He paused and glanced at the sword that he had just hung back.


    ¡°It¡¯s better to rest!¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow when the court meeting is over, I will take you into the palace!¡± He said coldly. He then turned around, took off his half-wet cloak, walked to the door, and shook off the snow on his head.


    Mu Fulan forcefully stopped her hands from trembling and with heavy steps slowly moved to sit back on the edge of the bed.


    Mu mama had heard the movement long ago and knew that Xie Changgeng had returned. She hurriedly came out of the side room where she was resting nearby with two maids and brought water, then closed the door and went out.


    After Xie Changgeng finished bathing, he came out in a neat white robe.


    Mu Fulan was already on the bed, covered with the quilt, and lay down facing inward.


    He looked indifferent, blew out the lamp, went straight to the bed, and also laid down. There was an arm¡¯s length between the two of them. He then pulled the quilt over and closed his eyes.


    Mu Fulan stayed awake all night, amidst the boundless darkness and the even breathing sounds made by the man beside her. Her eyes wide open, waiting for dawn.


    He got up early, washed up, changed into his court clothes and left. When it was almost time, the steward came to invite Mu Fulan, saying that the carriage was ready outside the gate, and asked Madam to go out to go to the palace.


    Mu Fulan had already finished dressing and changed her clothes.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s full official name is the governor of Hexi, the town of Liangzhou. According to his rank, he is a second-ranking officer.


    In her previous life, Mu Fulan, who was in Xie County, was also ennobled and bestowed clothes by the court.


    Of course, this has not happened yet, so she wore a set of light blue satin dress that was much more grand than normal clothes. The colour is made up of a hundred flowers and butterflies with gold and silver threads embroidered on the whole body, and the hem is also decorated with gold and silver threads. Exquisite and rich, but also a bit old-fashioned.


    She took a last look at herself in the mirror, stepped out, and got into the carriage waiting outside.


    The carriage took her outside the palace. Cao Jin, the eunuch who had come to Xie¡¯s house to sdeliver the message, was waiting there. Seeing Mu Fulan¡¯s arrive, he led her in. As he walked, he said with a smile, ¡°The Empress Dowager is in Wangxian Hall. Xie Jiedu is waiting outside for the princess.¡±


    Wangxian Hall is where Empress Liu normally resides.


    Mu Fulan nodded to this eunuch Cao with a smile, followed him in, walked through the hall, and came to the outside of Wangxian Hall, where she saw Xie Changgeng standing there.


    ¡°Xie Jiedu, the princess is here.¡±


    Eunuch Cao left Mu Fulan and hurried forward to Xie Changgeng.


    Xie Changgeng nodded and looked at Mu Fulan.


    A beam of sunlight was shining down from the glazed hall roof and shone on her body. From head to toe, with gold and silver threads, looking rich and noble, just in line with her identity.


    Xie Changgeng glanced at her with no expression, withdrew his gaze, and said, ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Mu Fulan¡¯s gaze withdrew from him and eunuch Cao and followed in with her eyes lowered, stepping into the hall. From a distance, she saw the great eunuch Yang Guangshu coming out.


    ¡°Seeing the Empress Dowager, I advise you to be honest and sincere.¡±


    A whisper suddenly came to her ear.


    Mu Fulan raised her eyes and glanced at him quickly.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes looked straight ahead, expressionless, and walked towards Yang Guangshu who was walking towards them.


    Eunuch Yang quickly approached, his eyes stopped on Mu Fulan¡¯s body, and he greeted her with a smile, then said, ¡°The Empress Dowager is nostalgic, when she learned that you were not feeling well, she was so concerned she sent an imperial physician to see you.


    Fortunately, nothing is wrong. She knows that Xie Jiedu is busy with affairs and has no time to spare so she brought you here. You two were newly married, so it must be hard to part. Besides, Xie Jiedu left home on the wedding night because of the rebellion. The Empress Dowager has always felt very regretful for that matter.¡±


    Mu Fulan pretended to be shy and did not speak.


    Xie Changgeng said with a smile, ¡°What Eunuch Yang said is very true, the Empress Dowager cares for me, and I am very grateful.¡±


    During the conversation, they walked to the inner hall.


    Mu Fulan lowered her eyes and followed Xie Changgeng to Empress Liu and the two bowed down.


    Xie Changgeng expressed his gratitude to Empress Liu. Empress Liu looked at the two of them and said with a smile, ¡°Xie Qing, here in this palace, you don¡¯t need to be too polite. I am very pleased that your both can get together. Fulan lived in the palace for half a year when she was a child and I was very fond of her. I know you still have things to do, you go first, do not worry, leave her with me. After I have finished speaking with her, I will send her back for you. ¡°


    She said this in a teasing toned her eyes fell on Xie Changgeng¡¯s face.


    Xie Changgeng did not give a reaction. He smiled at the situation, and after paying his respects, he got up and withdrew.


    Only Empress Liu, Mu Fulan, and eunuch Yang were left in the hall.


    Mu Fulan immediately felt the change in Empress Liu¡¯s attitude.


    She still had a smile on her face while talking to her. She did not see the authority or intimidation that a Empress Dowager of a country should have and her expression was gentle. But Mu Fulan could very clearly see that from the time Xie Changgeng left, her eyes never left her.


    She knew that Empress Liu was watching her. Her sharp eyes will never let go of any small movements.


    Even without the words of Xie Changgeng just now, Mu Fulan knew that this was definitely not the time when she could show her intelligence.


    But she couldn¡¯t be too stupid either. That will only arouse suspicion.


    Too far is as bad as not enough, she understood this principle.


    She responded to the Queen Liu¡¯s questions one by one, neither too smart nor too stupid.


    A middle-aged person who was cared for and raised by her family, not deeply involved in the world, and is not seen by the public.


    Empress Liu talked to her and suddenly asked if she missed her aunt.


    Mu Fulan nodded. Empress Liu then gave her grace and asked Eunuch Yang to take her to visit Empress Mu¡¯s shrine first.


    As the first Empress of the previous Emperor, she was initially enshrined in the Imperial Temple. However, a fire later destroyed the hall where she was enshrined. The inner court planned to reconstruct the hall, but because of various delays, the construction has not yet been completed.


    Today, her shrine is still placed in the back hall, which is the side hall for the consorts who have surpassed their status in life.


    Mu Fulan, led by Eunuch Yang, entered the gloomy back hall, knelt before her aunt¡¯s altar and burned incense to offer prayers.


    When she returned to Empress Liu, the corners of her eyes were still a little red.


    Empress Liu and her reminisced some old events in the Yuan Dynasty, and sighed, ¡°When your aunt was the Empress, I was just a noble consort. Her various virtues are still fresh in my mind. It¡¯s a pity that the gods are jealous of her beauty, and she went early. Your aunt and I are like sisters. In the future, if you have any thoughts or requests, just let me know.¡±


    Mu Fulan¡¯s eyes were red . Now, with an emotional look on her face, she bent her knees and knelt in front of her.


    ¡°Empress Dowager, Fulan will dare to speak. My aunt¡¯s shrine was supposed to be in the front hall, but I heard that when the Ming Hall was being rebuilt, the work collapsed again and again. The official said that this was inauspicious, so it was delayed.¡±


    ¡°They must have made a mistake. How could my aunt have an ominous fate? The Empress Dowager is kind, please think of a way to help move my aunt back to the front hall, Fulan would be grateful.¡±


    When she finished, tears fell down her face.


    Empress Liu promised that she would think of a way, told her to get her up, and comforted her. Mu Fulan turned her tears into smiles.


    On this day, Mu Fulan was kept by Empress Liu until evening, and she was given a meal before she was sent out of the palace.


    The days were short in winter, so when Mu Fulan returned home, it was already dark.


    Xie Changgeng had not returned. She entered the room and looked up to see that the sword that was hanging there yesterday was gone.


    It must have been taken away by Xie Changgeng.


    She stared at the empty wall and stood there for a moment. She was in the palace during the day, facing all kinds of temptations by Empress Liu and she pretended to be dumb. All the emotions in her heart suddenly surged at this moment, like a tide and flooded her whole body.


    She didn¡¯t sleep last night, and this day was spent with a long period of vigilance and falsehood. She felt extremely tired, took a hot bath, came out, and went to bed early.


    But as soon as she closed her eyes, she thought of her Xi¡¯er again.


    From the day she reopened her eyes, there was hardly a night when she didn¡¯t fall asleep with deep thoughts of Xi¡¯er.


    Every time she met Xi¡¯er in her dream, upon waking it would add to her grief and resentment towards Xie Changgeng.


    In her previous life, even though she died early and it was an unpleasant death, rather than resent her husband¡¯s heartlessness, she is more disgusted with herself.


    He was originally that kind of person.


    In the last life, the warmth and affection he had shown her on their first night together was probably all genuine.


    He probably never really forgot the kindness the old Changsha wang had shown to him.


    When he witnessed her death, he, at that moment, may have also had a guilty conscience.


    But that¡¯s about it.


    Those who become obstacles on his way to the top, all the warmth will be completely torn away.


    When she was thirteen years old, the young man in green walking on the mountain road next to the old cypress in Junshan was just a figment of her imagination.


    The bandit from who came to seek marriage for profit, was ambitious, and this is the real Xie Changgeng.


    If you want to hate, hate your own stupidity and weakness, which nourished the selfishness and ruthlessness in his bones and blood, until they finally turned into sharp blades and cut her life short.


    Until the last moment arrived.


    When she saw Xi¡¯er kill himself in front of her memorial tablet, she deeply felt the despairing grief and unresolved resentment.


    It was also from that moment that she truly hated Xie Changgeng, the man who had been the man of her teenage dreams.


    Xi¡¯er had died, with a grudge against his biological father.


    She gained a new life and everything can start over, and while the current Xie Changgeng¡¯s hands have never been stained with Xi¡¯er¡¯s blood, she will not forgive him.


    Because of Xi¡¯er, she will never forgive him for the rest of her life. Life after life, endless reincarnation, never will!


    Mu Fulan remembered clearly that the last sentence Xi¡¯er said was that he would come to accompany her.


    She has been reincarnated. But what about her Xi¡¯er, where is he now?


    The familiar pain that felt as if a piece of flesh had been dug out of her heart hit her again.


    She frowned, closed her eyes, and curled up painfully in her dream, clasping her arms like a newborn baby, and curling herself tightly into a ball.


    ¡°Wake up!¡±


    A vague voice drifted to her distant ears.


    She felt a hand pat her face. It was the same feeling as the memory of Xi¡¯er waking up as a child and touching her face with his little hand.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er!¡±


    She cried out and opened her eyes suddenly to meet a pair of dark eyes that were looking down at her.


    Her head was covered in cold sweat, her long hair was tightly clinging to her face and neck, and her mind was blank for a moment.


    For a moment, she didn¡¯t know where she was or who she was facing. She just opened his eyes, the pain from the dream remained in her eyes, and in the dim light that the candlelight quietly penetrated into the tent, she stared blankly at the man beside the bed who was leaning down to look at her. .


    ¡°What did you dream about?¡±


    ¡°Who is Xi¡¯er?¡±


    Xie Changgeng looked at her for a moment, his eyes swept over her body that was still tightly curled figure and asked in a flat tone.

 CH 17

    Xi¡¯er is her child


    Xi¡¯er is her child.


    No matter what, she could not let go of that piece of flesh in her heart.


    Mu Fulan stared at the man looking down at her, motionless.


    Xie Changgeng stared at her eyes.


    Her blank gaze, which originally had pain from a nightmare, gradually became clearer.


    As if she finally recognised who he was, didn¡¯t say a word, but slowly loosened her body, turned inward, closed her eyes again, and seemed to fall asleep.


    As soon as he came in, he heard a low moan coming from her from the bed. The voice sounded full of suppressed pain and sadness.


    He came over and saw that she was having a nightmare, her brows were furrowed, her head was covered in a cold sweat, her eyelashes were trembling, both her arms were clutched around herself, and she was curled up in a tight ball on the bed, looking extremely distressed.


    Although he knew that she hated him, but he could not bear seeing her like this. He called out to her to wake her up, but he didn¡¯t expect her to call out such a name when she was about to wake up.


    Xie Changgeng stared at the uncommunicative back that faced him, and his face slowly turned cold.


    He didn¡¯t ask any further questions, stood up straight, turned around and left the room.


    He went to the study and returned in the middle of the night. After closing the door, he took out bedding from the chest and placed it on the couch opposite the bed.


    The couch was designed for sitting and was not long enough to sleep on.


    He lay down.


    It was silent all night.


    In the next few days, Empress Liu frequently summoned Mu Fulan to the palace to accompany her. When the wives of the officials in Shangjing learned that Princess Mu of Changsha who was married to Xie Changgeng had arrived in the capital, they came to visit one after the other.


    Mu Fulan was busy dealing with various kinds of people during the day. At night, she shared a room with Xie Changgeng but slept on separate beds. He also left early and returned late, so for the time being, they were find with each other.


    In a few days, it will be the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.


    These past few years, Empress Liu had gradually taken interest in Buddha. Not only did she spread good karma, she frequently performed services in the palace. Every April, on Buddha¡¯s birthday, she even left the palace and personally went to Chijian Huguo Temple to worship Buddha.


    Today is the day when Empress Liu went to Chijian Huguo Temple to worship Buddha.


    From the imperial palace to the Huguo Temple outside the city, certain matters along the way cannot be neglected. The escort of the trip was Xie Changgeng and he served as the commander. Empress Liu, in order to express her piety, would set off at wu geng (3-5am). Xie Changgeng got up and left at san geng (11-1am).


    Empress Liu was also taking her close attendants and ladies as part of her Buddhist rituals.


    Mu Fulan was among the ladies who accompanied her.


    After Xie Changgeng left, Mu Fulan woke up at 4am, got up, washed and dressed, ate a few bites of breakfast, brought two maids, and got into the carriage.


    The Xie residence is very close to the palace, just two streets away.


    When Mu Fulan arrived, the sky was still dark, but outside the west gate of the palace where Empress Liu was going to leave, the fiery stick was bright as daylight. The imperial guards in armour were already lined up on both sides of the palace gate. In the endless screeching sound of the wheels running over the ground, one luxury carriage after another carrying a group of women with the most noble status in Shangjing, gathered here. Under the command of the eunuchs in charge, the servants of each family parked their carriages in their designated positions according to rank, and lined up to welcome Empress Liu out of the palace.


    Jiedushi is an external official, a second-grade position. According to the order, Mu Fulan¡¯s carriage should have been in the back, but when the eunuch in charge saw the Xie¡¯s carriage, he immediately greeted them with a smile and led them to a position near the palace gate.


    The weather was bitterly cold. It would be difficult for these ladies who are usually pampered to go out early and wait for Empress Liu to leave the palace, but it is worth boasting that they have the opportunity to go to Huguo Temple with Empress Liu to worship Buddha. The ladies of every family and prefecture, not only do not think it is hard, but they are proud of it.


    Everyone knows that Xie Changgeng was appreciated by Empress Liu. According to rumours, even the wife he married should have seen the evil in Empress Liu as she was Changsha¡¯s princess. However, she had only been in the capital for a few days, but she was summoned by Empress Liu to accompany her in the palace several times. This glory and grace can be seen. This morning¡¯s trip to pay respects to Buddha, and the arrangement of Mu shi¡¯s riding position, is even more evidence of it.


    Sitting in the carriage, Mu Fulan knew that she had become the focus of everyone¡¯s attention.


    She picked up a warming pad handed over by the maid, and when she closed her eyes and leaned on the seat, she heard the steward of Xie¡¯s house say from outside the car, ¡°Princess, Qi wang fei asked someone to bring you a fur cover. ¡°


    Mu Fulan opened her eyes.


    The maid opened the door.


    A steward held a fox fur in his hand, stood in front of the car, bowed and smiled and said, ¡°Wangfei said that it is very cold here in Shangjing, and you are used to living in the south. Wangfei remembered that you were afraid of the cold when you were young. She happened to have an extra one in the carriage, and asked me to bring this to you.¡±


    Qi wang Zhao Long of was one of the royals who had a close relationship with the Emperor. After Empress Liu took power, the relationship between them was strained, and he returned to his fiefdom, but he still advocated peace. He has been a intermediate between Empress Liu and many other vassal kings and is considered important. Empress Liu treated Qi wang with kindness and allowed him to enter the capital every year to participate in the annual festival.


    Qi wangfei must have also arrived in Shangjing these few days.


    Whatever the upheavals of the past life, in the half year that Mu Fulan lived in Shangjing as a child, her aunt had a good relationship with Qi wangfei and she often came to the palace to accompany her. At that time, Mu Fulan did see Qi wangfei often in the palace, but after her aunt died, she returned to Changsha, and there was no more contact after that.


    Mu Fulan asked the maid to bring it over and asked the steward to thank Qi wangfei on her behalf, closed the car door, and she sat back as before.


    After a while, the palace gate slowly opened, and the eunuch shouted in a long tone, ¡°The Empress Dowager is leaving the palace¡ª¡±


    Before the eunuch could finish speaking, the two rows of imperial guards lined up outside the palace gate knelt down in unison. The women also hurriedly got off their carriages and knelt on the ground to greet them.


    Although there were many people, there was silence all around.


    Mu Fulan got off the carriage with the crowd, knelt beside the carriage, and caught sight of Empress Liu, surrounded by guards, ride out to the front of the door, where she was helped by an eunuch into a six-team carriage.


    Xie Changgeng also appeared leading a team of guards. He rode in front and led the palace carriage to set off on the road.


    Under the dark and dreary sky of winter, this group of men and horses lined up, passed through the empty streets of Shangjing, left the city gate, and went to the Chijian Huguo Temple outside the city.


    Mu Fulan sat in the carriage with her eyes closed, as if in meditation.


    There are eminent monks in Huguo Temple. It is said that by reciting the Buddhist chime scriptures, the souls of the dead can be relieved of their sins and injustices.


    In the previous life, after Xie Changgeng became Emperor, he built Mingtang Hall for Empress Yuan who had died at the hands of his enemy, in Huguo Temple, and asked the monks in the temple recite scriptures for her day and night to help her soul find peace.


    However, a wisp of her soul wandered. After all, she still couldn¡¯t let go of her last entanglement in the world.


    For ten years, she never left and watched him posthumously proclaim herself as Empress Yuan. He gave her a number of nice posthumous names, gave her a spiritual hall in the palace, gave her Mingtang Hall to reincarnate her spirit, and even later killed Qi Lingfeng.


    But he did all this to deceive himself and others, ridiculous and hypocritical.


    The sky is gradually getting brighter as they approached Huguo Temple.


    Mu Fulan opened her eyes, quietly lifted a corner of the curtain, and peered in outside.


    Xie Changgeng led the guards and was always besides Empress Liu¡¯s carriage, a loyal and devoted appearance.


    Eunuch Yang, with some of his apprentices, rode behind the horse.


    Mu Fulan knew that Xie Changgeng would not stay in Shangjing for long. The Hexi border of Jiedu is not peaceful, and the northerners have been eyeing them. It is estimated that he will return to Hexi by the end of the year.


    Mu Fulan was worried about where she would go after he left.


    If they were an ordinary couple, her whereabouts would be clear.


    If her husband loved his wife, he will take her to Hexi to take up his post.


    If filial piety is a priority, she will return to Xie County to serve his mother.


    Now, it is clear that neither of these two destinations is possible.


    Mu Fulan believed that her performance after arriving in the capital would not lead to too much suspicion from Empress Liu.


    What she was thinking about was the third situation that her brother had also worried about. She would end up being kept in the capital by Empress Liu on some pretext to be a hostage of Changsha.


    If possible, she urgently needs to get someone by Empress Liu¡¯s side, so that she can know Empress Liu¡¯s movements in time and take precautions.


    Not only is it urgently needed now, but if she can get through this hurdle, she will also have her own eyes and ears in the palace. This will also help when she returns to Changsha.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s gaze stopped for a moment on the back of the eunuch named Cao Jin, and then lowered the curtain.


    From the moment Cao Jin delivered the message the night she entered the capital, she recognised this young eunuch as the same eunuch next to Xie Changgeng ten years later. Mu Fulan guessed that it was very likely that he should be Xie Changgeng¡¯s spy beside Empress Liu now.


    Xie Changgeng is a cautious person, especially so after he became Emperor. Mu Fulan saw with her own eyes that he is extremely distrustful of people.


    He knows people and makes good use of them. He has countless capable ministers, but there is no one who is completely trusted, including those of his old gang.


    In the harem, it was even more so.


    He did not allow Empress Qi to take a step into his bedchamber, and he was extra vigilant about his food and drink. He was diligent in government affairs, and he reviewed the memorials every night until late, but there was always a sword lying on his desk. He slept with a dagger hidden under his pillow, and as for the concubines, they were sent away after the royal pleasure, and were not allowed to stay overnight.


    For almost a decade, there were no exceptions.


    Only this Cao Jin is different.


    Xie Changgeng not only only ate the food that Cao Jin had tried, but also allowed him to stay in his bedchamber and attend to his requests.


    If they didn¡¯t have a established relationship, how could a eunuch from the previous dynasty get such trust from him?


    The carriage suddenly jolted and slowly came to a halt.


    In the direction ahead, there was also a faint noise of settling carriages and horses.


    ¡°Princess, Huguo Temple is here.¡± The steward¡¯s voice rang from outside the car.


    Mu Fulan lifted the curtain again and looked out.


    Ahead of them were the foothills of the mountains. The morning mist is shrouded in the mountains. A straight staircase of more than ten feet wide that went straight up to the halfway point of the mountain, connecting the gate of Huguo Temple with the foot of the mountain.


    The morning sun had just risen and shone on the majestic temple gate. A group of monks were hurrying out to welcome Empress Liu.

 CH 18

    She was mysteriously and inexorably drawn to this place


    For some unknown reason, when Mu Fulan¡¯s eyes swept past the two open mountain gates, a sudden strange feeling came over her. It seemed to be related to her previous life.


    Mingtang Hall was situation in the pagoda forest behind the mountain, this was where Xi¡¯er killed himself.


    One scene after another, intertwined, flashed through her mind.


    She had a feeling.


    She was mysteriously and inexorably drawn to this place, and finally came to it today.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s heart was beating wildly, she subconsciously closed her eyes and tried to hold onto this feeling.


    But it was fleeting, like lightning and flint, it disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.


    She quickly opened her eyes and looked at the mountain gate again.


    There was nothing.


    As the sun rose, the sky cleared and the mountain gates were wide open.


    She stared fixedly in that direction, she felt that her soul had been taken away by that feeling that had left as soon as it arrived, and momentarily was incapable of returning to her position.


    ¡°Princess, we have arrived.¡±


    The maid did not notice her strangeness, and climbed down from the carriage. Seeing that Fulan was still sitting in the carriage looking at the mountain gate and not moving, she gave her a reminder.


    Not far away, Xie Changgeng was getting off his horse. When he came down, he turned his head and glanced in her direction.


    In a daze, Mu Fulan loosened her fingers and the curtain fell.


    She settled her mind and got off the carriage.


    Empress Liu was welcomed into the temple by the monks who came down the mountain. All the attendants, including Mu Fulan, also all entered the mountain gate.


    In a moment, the bells and chimes rang in the temple and chimed in unison, and Sanskrit was heard in all directions.


    The monks showed great respect to Empress Liu. At Xie Changgeng¡¯s request to welcome her arrival, the other visitors have not been allowed to go up the mountain to burn incense for the last three days. In addition, all the preparations for the reception were also in order.


    Only the elder monk in the temple, Master Huiji, did not show up.


    Master Huiji is an eminent monk who has attained the Dao (become an immortal) and is proficient in Buddhist principles. He was originally the abbot of the temple. A few years ago, after relinquishing his position as the abbot, he no longer involved himself in ordinary affairs.


    Empress Liu originally hoped that Master Huiji could recite the scriptures for herself, but the abbot said that the elder had entered the Pagoda Forest to practice meditation, and will not see any ordinary guests. He did not know when he would leave. Knowing that Empress Liu came to pay respects to Buddha today, he only asked to convey, if the mind is sincere, the Buddha is wise.


    Although Empress Liu was disappointed, she did not dare to force it and could only give up on the subject.


    That morning, Empress Liu was devoutly worshipping Buddha and recited half of the Ksitigarbha Sutra. After eating a vegetarian meal at noon, took a short rest before finishing the other half of the sutra. The merits and virtues will be complete today.


    While Empress Liu recited the scriptures in the Buddhist hall, the women who accompanied her naturally also chanted with her. After reciting the scriptures for so long, everyone¡¯s mouth was dry and they ere all tired by noon because they had woken up early today. After sending Empress Liu to rest, they dispersed.


    Mu Fulan was about to leave when she suddenly heard someone call out to her. She turned and saw a woman in her 40s with a few servant girls standing by, looking at herself with a smile and she recognised that it was Qi wangfei. She walked over to her with a smile on her face, and said politely, ¡°Thank you very much for your kindness this morning. I should have thanked wangfei then, but it was a little inconvenient at the time, so please don¡¯t blame me for being rude.¡±


    Qi wangfei took a few steps forward, stretched out her hand to hold Mu Fulan¡¯s hand, and said with a smile, ¡°I only arrived in Shangjing a few days ago. As soon as I arrived, I heard that you were here too, and I was very happy. I remembered that when you were a child, I often saw you in the palace and knew that you were afraid of the cold. It¡¯s just a trivial matter, so why be polite.¡±


    Mu Fulan thanked her again.


    This is the place where Empress Liu rested, so it was inappropriate to stay long. The two of them left while talking in a low voice.


    Mu Fulan ordered the maid to fetch the fox fur to return it. Qi wangfei declined, saying that it was just a small item, and told her to keep it.


    ¡°The item may be small, but it was kindly lent to me by wangfei to protect me from the cold, so how can I not return it? I was thinking of returning it to you personally later.¡±


    Qi wangfei said, ¡°If you are not tired, why don¡¯t you come and sit at my place to talk?¡±


    Mu Fulan nodded. Qi wangfei took Mu Fulan¡¯s arm and led her to her room. After entering and saying a few words, Qi wangfei suddenly asked, ¡°I heard that there is a famous doctor, surnamed Li, known as a medicine man, who travels all over the world. It seems that he has settled in your place these years. I wonder if princess has heard of the name of divine doctor Li?¡±


    Mu Fulan then guessed the purpose of Qi wangfei¡¯s goodwill towards herself.


    She wanted to inquire about a doctor for her son, Zhao Xitai, the son of Qi Wang.


    Zhao Xitai is a few years older than her. When Mu Fulan lived in the palace as a child, Qi wangfei often brought her son to the palace. Although Qi wang¡¯s heir was frail since childhood, she remembered that he was in good condition at that time. Normally he was forbidden to run and jump like an ordinary child.


    Although a long time has passed, Mu Fulan still has an impression of this childhood playmate in the palace.


    Probably because he was too restricted since he was a child, he doesn¡¯t like to talk much and is very quiet.


    Mu Fulan remembered that he was very kind to her and often brought her interesting trinkets from outside when he entered the palace.


    She was also very willing to play with him. But then one time, she saw him taking a stone and cutting an earthworm on the ground into pieces in the imperial garden. While the earthworm struggled and twisted, he seemed very happy.


    This scene left a deep impression on her and she was a little scared. After that, she didn¡¯t follow him much.


    Later, when her aunt died, she returned to Changsha and never had contact with her again.


    The last news about him was that he was taken hostage by Xie Changgeng and died before she did.


    Seeing Qi wangfei look at her, Mu Fulan nodded, ¡°Yaoweng has indeed settled down in Dongting all these years, but he often goes out. When I came to Shangjing, he wasn¡¯t home and I don¡¯t know when he will return.¡± Qi wangfei¡¯s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said, ¡°It¡¯s good that the news is accurate. Princess, I heard that this Li Yaoweng has the reputation as a miracle doctor who can cure all kinds of diseases, is it true?¡±


    Mu Fulan met her expectant eyes and shook their heads.


    ¡°To be honest with wangfei, I have also learned some medicine from Yaoweng since I was a child. He is my master. Master often said that there is no magic doctor who can cure all diseases. He is not a miracle doctor, but just an ordinary doctor and it ashamed of this false reputation.¡±


    Since Qi wangfei did not mention her son, Mu Fulan didn¡¯t ask. Just thinking that Zhao Xitai, a childhood playmate, in his previous life was not much better than her own, she felt a sense of fate, so she added, ¡°If wangfei has someone who needs medical treatment, when master returns in the future, you might as well look for him to examine. No matter whether the disease can be cured or not, he will do his best.¡±


    A few years ago, seeing her son grow up, but his health was not good, Qi wangfei was anxious to find a wife for her son to start a family. She mistakenly believed in a so-called ¡°Divine Doctor¡± and used the tiger wolf medicine. The disease did improve at first, but it didn¡¯t take long for him to suddenly relapse, and it became more severe than before. The ¡°divine doctor¡± ran away overnight when he saw that he was in trouble. Qi wangfei regretted it deeply. These past few years, she could only ask the imperial doctor to slowly recuperate her son¡¯s health.


    Some days ago, she heard about the name of the divine doctor Li Yaoweng, and she was a little impressed. After entering the capital, she found out that Mu Fulan, the princess of Changsha, was also here. This morning she deliberately showed her goodwill to ask for more information.


    She was originally full of hope, but now she was disappointed when she heard what Mu Fulan said.


    The Imperial Doctor could not cure her son¡¯s illness. Over the years, she had seen many ¡°divine doctors¡±, but in the end, they were useless and made her son¡¯s illness worse and worse.  Most likely, he should be another wandering doctor with a false reputation. He treated some poor people with headaches, and his reputation has been exaggerated.


    Since she was disappointed, Qi wangfei was reluctant to mention her son¡¯s illness in front of Mu Fulan, and said vaguely, ¡°I suddenly thought of it and asked you about it in passing. I understand. If there is a need in the future, I will go find him.¡±


    How could Mu Fulan not see the change in Qi wangfeis attitude?


    But what she said was the truth.


    Yaoweng never claimed to be a divine doctor. One thing he always said to Mu Fulan was that the way of medicine is mysterious. The more he immersed himself in it, the more incompetent he felt. You can spend your whole life trying to solve difficult and miscellaneous diseases.


    She did not point it out bluntly, but sat for a while, waiting for the maid to fetch the fox fur, returned it, thanked Qi wangfei again, then got up and said goodbye.


    How could Qi wangfei be unaware of Empress Liu¡¯s hostility to the Mu family in Changsha. Although Mu Fulan was married to Xie Changgeng, and it now seemed that she is also favoured by Empress Liu, no one can tell what will happen in the future. The purpose of looking for her today is just to inquire about the divine doctor, but now that she has finished inquiring, she feels disappointed. Seeing that Fulan is leaving, naturally she is no longer compelled to ask her to stay.


    She got up with a smile and personally sent her out. Mu Fulan asked Qi wangfei to remain seated, and took the maid back to her room.


    There are a lot of women who have followed Empress Liu to worship Buddha. Although there is a special area for visitors to rest in the temple, it could not accommodate so many people so another empty meditation room was vacated.


    The place where Mu Fulan rested was separated from Qi wangfei¡¯s by a horizontal wall and had to pass through another door.


    She walked along the passage and was about to pass through the door when she suddenly saw Cao Jin standing at the end of the hall, in a corner, with a smile on his face, bowing and talking to Xie Changgeng.


    The two of them each had a few attendants behind them. They should have just met here by chance and stopped to talk.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s heart moved, and she told the maid to wait behind. She quietly turned behind the door, and stared at the two people through the cover of a bamboo bush planted by the wall.


    When she went to the palace several times before, she often ran into Cao Jin, but did not have the opportunity to see these two meet.


    There was some distance between them, so she couldn¡¯t hear what the two of them were saying ¨C naturally, even if something really happened, with Xie Changgeng¡¯s cautiousness, it was impossible to pass the news on this occasion. She didn¡¯t want to hear what the two of them were saying either.


    Instead, she wanted to observe the eyes and expressions of the two men as they spoke.


    Although Xie Changgeng¡¯s back was turned to this side, eunuch Cao Jin was faced towards her and she could see his face clearly.


    If her guess was true, Cao Jin¡¯s expression or eyes may reveal clues to secret relationship between the two of them.


    Mu Fulan held her breath, opened her eyes wide and she was staring at Cao Jin¡¯s smiling face, when a voice suddenly came from behind, ¡°Princess!¡±


    Mu Fulan was startled, abruptly turned around, and saw a young man in fine clothing standing behind her. He was eighteen or nineteen years old, with a pale face, and he looked like he had been sick for a long time.


    Although it had been many years, Mu Fulan recognised him at a glance.


    The person in front of her is Zhao Xitai, the heir of Qi wang.


    She paused for a moment.


    Zhao Xitai looked very happy, and told the two servants following him to stop, and walked towards her, saying, ¡°It¡¯s me, Zhao Xitai! My mother asked the Empress Dowager for permission and brought me here today to ask the great master to pray for my blessings and avoid calamities. I saw you outside the mountain gate this morning, and I recognised you right away! We used to meet often in the palace, princess, do you still remember me¡­¡±


    His eyes fell on Mu Fulan¡¯s face and shone slightly.


    Probably because he was a little excited, a blush suddenly appeared on his bloodless cheeks, and he coughed loudly.


    Mu Fulan was aware that something was wrong and when she turned her head, she saw Xie Changgeng suddenly turn his head. His two eyes shot towards this side, she hurriedly left her original position and walked towards Zhao Xitai, pretending to pass by, as if it was a chance encounter.

 CH 19

    He is looking for her!


    Zhao Xitai coughed repeatedly and his face turned red.


    His servant hurriedly took out a medicine bottle, removed the cork and brought it to him.


    After Zhao Xitai took a few deep breaths from the medicine bottle, he stopped coughing and recovered.


    There was a hint of shame in his eyes, and he said in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯m really useless. As soon as we meet, I let you see a joke¡­¡±


    He hurriedly explained again, ¡°I¡¯m not usually like this! I didn¡¯t expect to meet you here. I remembered some things from childhood, and I was excited. I carelessly stopped breathing.¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled.


    ¡°Shizi (heir) is going to see wangfei, right?¡±


    ¡°I just came out from wangfei¡¯s place. You should quickly go!¡±


    She deliberately raised her voice. After speaking, she nodded to Zhao Xitai, called her maid, and continued to move forward.


    Zhao Xitai¡¯s eyes fell on her. As she slowly turned to leave, he suddenly caught up to her and stopped her again.


    ¡°Princess!¡±


    Mu Fulan turned her head.


    She seemed to overlap with his childhood memories, but has turned into a stunning beauty that he could hardly recognize at first glance. On his face, a faint blush appeared as if he had just coughed and had not receded.


    ¡°When I saw you this morning, I wanted to explain something to you. When you left Shangjing, it was not that I deliberately did not go to see you off. I knew you were leaving, and I wanted to see you off, but¡­¡±


    It was just that at that time, his mother forbade him to see off his former palace playmate, the little girl whose eyes curved like crescent moons when she smiled.


    Because of his poor health, his mother kept a very strict eye on him. Don¡¯t do this, don¡¯t move that. Since he was a child, he had no companion. Everyone respected him, but no one played with him. When they saw him passing by, they had to avoid him, or they would be implicated if he fell ill.


    Only she did not avoid him and plays with him.


    He likes to spend time with her, no matter what she does. Whether she was quietly studying or swinging in the imperial garden, he could secretly watch her for a long time, without getting bored.


    Zhao Xitai paused.


    ¡°¡­It happened that I fell ill again. When I got better, you had already left.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t blame me, do you?¡± He asked carefully.


    The matters of childhood were so long ago, so small that they were not worth mentioning at all. If he had not brought it up, she would have no memory of it.


    She could not resent the son of Qi wang who had been caught up in a cruel power struggle and lost his life like herself. If he were to ask for medical help, she would bring him to Yaoweng. But she really did not intend to talk to him about these meaningless old things.


    ¡°I have forgotten the little things from many years ago, so there is no need to worry about it.¡± She said lightly.


    Zhao Xitai stared at her.


    ¡°Princess, how have you been all these years? A few years ago, I heard that your father promised you to that bandit named Xie¡­¡±


    A slight cough suddenly came from nearby.


    ¡°Is this Zhao Shizi? Just now, I happened to meet Xie Jiedu and heard some noise coming from here. I was afraid it would disturb the Empress Dowager, so I came over to take a look. It turned out that shizi was here. I heard that you arrived a few days ago, what a coincidence to meet here today!¡±


    ¡°Cao Jin has seen shizi!¡±


    With a smile on his face, Eunuch Cao came over, bowed to Zhao Xitai, then turned to Mu Fulan and called her respectfully ¡°Princess¡±.


    Mu Fulan pretended to have just seen him and glanced behind Eunuch Cao.


    Xie Changgeng did not come over and just stood there.


    When Zhao Xitai heard that Xie Changgeng was also there, he was startled. He raised his eyes to look, his face could not help but show his slight embarrassment.


    But soon, his expression turned to contempt and he stared at Xie Changgeng coldly.


    Xie Changgeng walked over and stopped outside the doorway.


    His eyes fell on Zhao Xitai who was on the opposite side.


    ¡°What is Zhao Shizi doing here? I know that Qi wangfei asked the Empress Dowager to allow shizi to accompany her into the temple today. But if I remember correctly, you are only limited to the Buddhist hall. Shizi is not a child, you should know that the back temple courtyard is not a place where you can stay for long. If there is no urgent matter, it is better to go quickly.¡±


    His expression and was calm, but there was a faint murderous tone of command.


    Zhao Xitai¡¯s face became a little ugly, and he said, ¡°I¡¯m here to see my mother, are you stopping me?¡±


    Xie Changgeng smiled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t dare. Since shizi is going to see wangfei, I will ask someone to escort you. The Empress Dowager is resting near here. If shizi accidentally intrudes and disturbs her, it will be my dereliction of my duty.¡±


    He turned to Cao Jin.


    ¡°I will trouble Eunuch Cao to lead shizi to Qi wangfei.¡±


    Cao Jin responded and came up with a smile.


    ¡°Zhao shizi, please follow me.¡±


    Zhao Xitai¡¯s pale face quickly showed a blush of anger and indignation.


    He paused for a moment, gritted his teeth, turned towards Mu Fulan and said softly, ¡°Princess, I¡¯ll go to my mother¡¯s place first.¡± After speaking, he turned his head, stared at Xie Changgeng angrily, and walked away at a brisk pace.


    His two servants hurriedly followed. Cao Jin also went.


    The people left leaving only Mu Fulan and Xie Changgeng, one standing inside the door and the other standing outside the door.


    The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat strange. Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes were a little gloomy, and he said to the perplexed maid standing beside him, ¡°Send the princess to rest.¡±


    He then glanced at Mu Fulan, and said coldly, ¡°This is your home, don¡¯t walk around if you have nothing to do!¡±


    Mu Fulan watched him leave with his servant. He probably should not know that she had been watching him and Cao Jin¡¯s actions and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.


    ¡­


    After the noon break, Empress Liu finished reciting the second half of the sutra. Around shen shi (3-5pm), the rituals were finally finished for the day. After a short rest, she was ready to leave for the city.


    The evening bell rang in Huguo Temple. From the mountain gate to the foot of the mountain, the monks were led by the abbot to send Empress Liu down the mountain.


    After a long day of work, everyone was tired, and the women in the procession were eager to go down the mountain and get on the carriage to return to the city. No one made a sound. There was only the slight rustling sound of the rich and precious clothes with movement.


    From the foot of the mountain to the mountain gate, there are one hundred and eight steps built to symbolise the one hundred and eight gates of enlightenment in the mortal world. Each step is to cross one gate to free oneself from worldly concerns.


    Mu Fulan followed the crowd and followed the stone steps outside the mountain gate, descending step by step to the foot of the mountain.


    The steward came to pick her up and Mu Fulan walked to the carriage that she rode in. She was about to get on, when suddenly, deep in her heart, she felt another mysterious feeling similar to when she first arrived this morning.


    There seemed to be some mysterious force that was attracting her back.


    She turned her head and looked at the mountain gate behind her.


    As the sun was setting, the forest darkened. Iin the distance, the mountain gate at the end of the one hundred and eight mountain steps looked like a layer of red gold.


    A flock of mountain birds returning to their nests at sunset were alarmed by the sound of the evening bell. They were fluttering their wings and circling back and forth above the main ridge of the mountain gate.


    The moment she turned back, Mu Fulan¡¯s gaze froze.


    In the light of the setting sun, she saw a small figure behind the wide open door.


    It was a boy of about two or three years old quietly standing in a corner behind the threshold as if attracted by the movement outside the mountain gate.


    The moment that little figure came into view, Mu Fulan¡¯s heart burst open as if it had been hit hard by something.


    She had seemed to see her Xi¡¯er! Xi¡¯er, who accompanied her everyday in the cold old house in Xie County!


    She must have been mistaken!


    She tried to open her eyes wider  to se more clearly.


    However, a monk came out and took the boy¡¯s hand and led him inside.


    The child was taken inside, but as if he sensed something, he turned around. He turned his head and glanced in Mu Fulan¡¯s direction.


    Soon, the small figure disappeared behind the mountain gate, out of sight.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s pupils were dilated to the extreme, and she couldn¡¯t move, even her breathing stopped.


    She had a feeling.


    At the foot of the mountain, there were so many people but the boy who resembled Xi¡¯er, before he left, looked back, looking for her.


    He is looking for her!


    At this moment, she forgot everything around her, turned around abruptly and ran back under the amazed and puzzled gazes of the people around her. She walked up the mountain steps, following the direction of the mountain gate.


    Empress Liu had already gotten into the palace carriage, Under the escort of the imperial army and the eunuchs, the palace carriage took the lead and slowly left.


    Xie Changgeng took the reins from his servant. He was about to mount his horse when he glanced back behind him to see her leave the crowd behind and ascend the mountain steps alone at a brisk pace. In a blink of an eye, she was up a dozen steps, her figure in a hurry, as if something urgent was waiting for her up there.


    He looked at the mountain gate and except for some monks who were still performing rituals, there was nothing unusual.


    He frowned, immediately dismounted, ran after her, climbed the steps with great strides, stretched out his hand and grabbed her wrist.


    ¡°Everyone¡¯s gone, what are you doing up here again?¡±


    He lowered his voice and asked her at a volume that only he and she could hear.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s breath was disordered and she was gasping for breath. She turned her head and met the two stern eyes that the man behind her cast towards her, full of displeasure, and suddenly came to her senses.


    She tried her best to suppress her heart pounding in her chest and closed her eyes, When she had calmed her mind, she slowly opened her eyes.


    ¡°¡­I seem to have lost a hairpin. I think it fell where I rested at noon. I was in a hurry and wanted to go back to find¡­¡±


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes swept across her black hair, and slowly loosened his grip on her wrist and said, ¡°I¡¯ll have someone go back and find it for you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Mu Fulan said in a low voice without looking at him. She lowered her eyes, turned around, and went down the steps, boarded the carriage, lowered the curtain and sat down.


    Xie Changgeng came back this night, and through the curtain, he said to Mu Fulan who was already on the bed, ¡°I asked someone to search all the places you¡¯ve been, and they said they couldn¡¯t find the hairpin.¡±


    ¡°You better think about it carefully, it¡¯s not lost, it¡¯s in someone elses hands.¡±


    His tone sounded restrained and flat, but the unkind meaning came out.


    ¡°When I came back this evening, I realised that I had misremembered. I didn¡¯t wear it when I went out this morning, and the hairpin was in the jewellery box. I¡¯m sorry to bother you.¡± A response came from the bed in a low voice.


    Xie Changgeng paused.


    The bed curtain was hanging low and she was inside, but she never showed her face.


    He frowned, turned and left with a cold face.


    Mu Fulan dared not let him see her.


    She was afraid that her eyes or expressions would reveal her chaotic mood at the moment.


    In her mind, the little figure she saw in front of the mountain gate in the evening appeared over and over again.


    She told herself that it was just an illusion.


    It was because she missed Xi¡¯er so much that she regarded other children as her Xi¡¯er, and when the child looked back, she insisted that he was looking for her.


    But deep down in her heart, another thought was like fire, which made her toss and turn, wishing the night would pass sooner.


    She wants to go to Huguo Temple again to find the child she had seen this evening outside the mountain gate.

 CH 20

    She must get out as soon as possible. Whatever the cost, whatever the means


    The next morning, after Xie Changgeng left, Mu Fulan dressed in ordinary clothes took a carriage out of the city to Huguo Temple.


    Mu mama thought that she was emotionally moved yesterday and wanted to worship Buddha alone. They prepared incense baskets and other items and went out.


    When the carriage arrived at the gate of Huguo Temple, Mu Fulan instructed the driver to wait here and climbed the steps by herself.


    Unlike the bustling scene of carriages and horses outside the mountain gate yesterday, today it is quiet and peaceful. Not a gin person was seen on the stone steps that lead straight to the mountain gate. The sun shone on the forest, and in the depths of the empty mountain, there is a melodious sound of birdsong.


    When Mu Fulan arrived at the mountain gate, a monk came out. Because there were too many people yesterday, and she was dressed in ordinary clothes today, and she did not reveal her identity, she was led to Guanyin Hall like an ordinary female guest.


    She knelt on the mat and reverently bowed and prayed. She then left Mu mama and her maid behind in Guanyin Hall to ask the monk about the child she saw yesterday.


    ¡°¡­The child is about this tall, wearing monk¡¯s robe, but not shaved¡­¡±


    She described to the monk in great detail what she saw in that one glance.


    ¡°He is staying with the elder monk.¡±


    ¡°The elder told me a long time ago that if anyone came to ask about this child, I should lead them to him.¡±


    ¡°Please come with me, lady benefactor.¡±


    Mu Fulan was restless all night and morning, worrying about gains and losses.


    She was afraid she would hear that there was no such child in the temple. It was all just her illusion.


    But now, because of the monk¡¯s words, the hope that hung in her heart, even though it was slim, remained.


    At this moment, she was so grateful that she almost burst into tears.


    She restrained the emotions that rushed to her, thanked the monk, and followed him to the pagoda forest in the back mountain.


    The monk led the way and told her about the child¡¯s origins.


    The child was an orphan. Shortly after he was born, he was abandoned in the pagoda forest. On his body he had his shen chen ba zi (birth information for astrological purposes). It is thought that the parents who brought him to this world was afraid that he would bring bad luck and calamity to themselves, which is why they abandoned him. His cries attracted the elder monk, who later raised him.


    The monk said that the child is almost three years old now and still could not speak. The elder monk was fond of him also valued him very much that he took him as a disciple. In terms of status, he was the same as the abbot, but he did not shave his head or officially admit him into the sect. The child had another fate.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s thought back to the memory of the child looking back at her yesterday evening, and her heartbeat couldn¡¯t stop speeding up again.


    ¡°Here we are, this is the pagoda forest. The elder is inside, and the female benefactor can follow the way in.¡±


    The monk stopped, pointed to a stone path ahead, bowed to Mu Fulan, then turned around and left.


    Mu Fulan walked along the stone path, passing the silent and solemn buildings and walked slowly towards the depths of the forest. When she reached the pagoda, she slowly stopped. She looked ahead, holding her breath.


    Not far ahead, just between the pagodas, an old monk with white hair and beard led a young boy. They each held a broom and were cleaning the fallen leaves that fell on the ground around the pagoda.


    The young boy had his hair in a small bun and was wearing an old monk¡¯s robe that had been altered to a smaller size. He held a small broom in his hand and imitated the old monk sweeping the ground.


    His expression was childish, but his movements were precise and attentive. The ground behind him was swept clean, not even a single leaf was left behind.


    Mu Fulan stared at the child in front of her without blinking her eyes. A sense of intimacy that only she knew too well came over her.


    From the moment she opened her eyes and found herself back, it was as if a piece of her empty heart had been cut out. At this moment, she was completely filled with a sense of unbelievable joy and peace of mind.


    She knew he was her Xi¡¯er.


    He was reincarnated and, just as he had told her, came back to accompany her.


    Her eyes were red and her throat was blocked. She wanted to run over immediately, take his small body into her arms, and never let him go, telling him that she was his mother and that they would never be separated from now on. She will do everything in her power to protect him until he grows up and start a life of his own.


    But she was afraid that this would scare him.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er!¡±


    She stepped forward tentatively and called out his name in a trembling voice.


    The child stopped, held the small broom in his hand, and looked up at the young and beautiful woman who suddenly appeared in front of him.


    He hesitated, widened his bright and innocent eyes, and asked slowly, ¡°Am I Xi¡¯er? Are you my mother, the mother who came to fetch me?¡±


    Perhaps it was because this was the first time he spoke, he struggled with his pronunciation, but every word was very clear.


    When she heard him ask these words in a childish voice, Mu Fulan could no longer hold back her tears.


    ¡°Yes, you are Xi¡¯er! I am your mother, the mother who came to pick you up!¡±


    She choked back a sob and replied, nodding her head vigorously.


    What a blessing she had, for the heavens to treat her so kindly. Even though she had a lot of resentment and pain in the previous life, in this lifetime, she and her Xi¡¯er could meet and become mother and son again in this way.


    She ran towards the little figure, and immediately took him into her arms, hugging him tightly.


    Kisses like raindrops kept falling on his small face.


    Xi¡¯er was held in her arms, at first motionless and obediently let her kiss him. Slowly, his eyes filled with joy.


    ¡°I dreamed that my mother came to pick me up. You are exactly the same as the mother in my dream. Xi¡¯er saw you yesterday, but didn¡¯t dare to call you.¡±


    ¡°So you are really my mother¡­ ¡°


    Joyfully, his small mouth came close to Mu Fulan¡¯s ear and with a bit of shyness, he whispered to her softly.


    Mu Fulan¡¯s tears flowed even more fiercely and she held him even tighter.


    ¡°Mother, don¡¯t cry¡­¡±


    Xi¡¯er stretched out a small hand and wiped away her tears.


    ¡°Okay, mother won¡¯t cry!¡±


    Mu Fulan hurriedly held back her tears and smiled at Xi¡¯er.


    ¡°Master! I have a name!¡± Xi¡¯er¡¯s eyes lit up and he raised his face excitedly.


    ¡°She is my mother! My mother has come to pick me up!¡±


    Mu Fulan regained her senses, hurriedly wiped away her tears, gently released Xi¡¯er, and turned to the old monk who had been watching quietly.


    With great respect and gratitude, she saluted the senior monk holding a broom in front of her.


    ¡°Elder, Xi¡¯er is my child, can I take him away?¡±


    Mu Fulan asked after thanking him.


    The old monk¡¯s eyes were calm and deep. He stared at Mu Fulan for a moment, and said, ¡°This child is not from here but by fate, he came here. Now that the female benefactor has found him, he is reunited with his flesh and blood, how dare I not release him?¡±


    Mu Fulan expressed her deep gratitude, slowly calmed her mind, pondered for a moment, and quickly made a decision, saying to Xi¡¯er, ¡°Mother¡¯s home is in a place called Changsha, which is very far from here. Mother has some matters to attend to now, so I can¡¯t go back with you right away. Mother will ask someone to take you home first, and you wait for mother to come back, okay?¡±


    Xi¡¯er was startled for a moment. His eyes showed a look of sadness, his two small arms wrapped tightly around Mu Fulan¡¯s neck, he hesitated for a moment, then said softly, ¡°Mother, will you not come back and not want me again? ¡°


    Mu Fulan¡¯s heart ached. She embraced her son again, and kissed his forehead heavily.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er, don¡¯t worry. Xi¡¯er is mother¡¯s most beloved person in this world. In the past, mother couldn¡¯t find you, but now I have finally found Xi¡¯er, how could mother not want you? Xi¡¯er listen to me, when the matter here is finished, mother will immediately go home and we won¡¯t be separated again, okay?¡±


    Xi¡¯er breathed a sigh of relief, and a happy smile appeared on his face again.


    ¡°Okay. Xi¡¯er will listen to mother¡¯s words and wait for her to come back home.¡±


    Mu Fulan hugged her son tightly again before she let go of him, returned to Elder Huiji, and said, ¡°Elder, I will arrange for someone to go up the mountain and send Xi¡¯er away as soon as possible.¡±


    The elder didn¡¯t say anything but beckoned to Xi¡¯er.


    Xi¡¯er ran towards him.


    The elder smiled and patted his head lovingly. He pointed to the pagoda in front of him and said, ¡°The origin is here, there is a beginning and an end. Would Xie¡¯er like to join Master and finish sweeping the ground here before leaving?¡±


    ¡°Xi¡¯er is willing.¡± He nodded immediately, ran to retrieve the little broom that had just put down, turned his head and smiled at Mu Fulan, ¡°Mother, Xi¡¯er must first help Master sweep the floor before leaving.¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled with tears in her eyes and nodded to say yes.


    She stood aside and looked at Xi¡¯er¡¯s little back sweep the floor. She wiped away the remaining tears on her face, turned back to the front, and began to arrange things.


    When she entered the capital this time, Mu Xuanqing had arranged two capable men for her as servants, they came with the team of envoys.


    The envoys could not stay long and had to leave within three days, but the two servants had secretly stayed behind for her use.


    Mu Fulan knew that her future was uncertain, and her situation was not good.


    It was because of this that she wanted to send Xi¡¯er back to Changsha as soon as possible.


    Only when Xi¡¯er was safe in Changsha, could she she be at ease to deal with the people in front of her.


    She must get out as soon as possible. Whatever the cost, whatever the means.

 CH 21

    ¡°Tell her that I asked you to send it to her!¡±


    She was presently in a difficult situation and must not let Xie Changgeng have any doubts towards her, let alone let him know of Xi¡¯er¡¯s existence and make things worse.


    In her heart she was deeply reluctant, but a temporary separation is unavoidable. Mu Fulan¡¯s rationality reminded her of what she should do now.


    After arranging things, she did not dare to delay for too long. Suppressing her reluctance, she could only part with Xi¡¯er, who had just returned to her side today.


    She stood at the gate of the back mountain leading to the pagoda and stared at the little figure being sent down the mountain.


    Such a small child who clearly did not want to be separated from her. He was so well-behaved and left without a single cry, just constantly looked back at her. His teary eyes were full of reluctance to part with her.


    Mu Fulan stood there and watched her son¡¯s figure completely disappear from her sight before turning around and leaving.


    When she entered the city and returned to the mansion, it was already evening. Xie Changgeng had not returned at this hour like previous days, but as soon as she entered the door, the steward gave her a message.


    The news came from Hexi. The northerners have made some unusual movements and Jiedushi can not stay in Shangjing this year. He will leave for Hexi in three days.


    There was no major reaction on Mu Fulan¡¯s face. She only asked people to pack her luggage as soon as possible, but in her heart she became nervous.


    She originally thought that he would not leave until after the new year at the earliest, giving her half a month to prepare. Unexpectedly, there was a sudden change, and there were only three days left.


    He was leaving, and her next direction, or in other words, the direction of her ¡°fate¡± was suddenly thrust upon her.


    She was glad for today¡¯s decisive arrangment of Xi¡¯er, but Mu Fulan immediately thought of what that had been weighing her mind a few days ago.


    There is not much time left for her, and she must act as soon as possible.


    That night, Xie Changgeng returned later than usual. The steward must have told him that Mu Fulan went to Huguo Temple during the day to worship Buddha. He didn¡¯t say anything. When he came back and met her in the room, he just gave her a cold look, then went to the study. He came back late and by then Mu Fulan had already gone to bed with the curtain pulled down.


    He continued to sleep on the couch, no different from before.


    The next morning, after Xie Changgeng left, Mu Fulan was summoned to the palace by Empress Liu, saying that Hexi was unsettled and Xie Changgeng was going back to Liangzhou, and asked her what her plan was next.


    Mu Fulan continued to play dumb, saying that he was very busy these days, leaving early and returning late. She could go with him to Liangzhou or go back to Xie County to serve her mother-in-law, she is dependent on her husband¡¯s arrangement.


    Empress Liu didn¡¯t keep Mu Fulan for long. She stared at her back when she left, and asked Eunuch Yang, ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Eunuch Yang said, ¡°Xie Jiedu is leaving the capital, but Mu shi still does not know where she is going, so it is clear that Xie Jiedu does not care about her.¡±


    Empress Liu nodded, ¡°I also think the same way. This Mu shi has an elegant appearance, but her temperament is submissive. She is rather uninteresting and it was her beauty that initially attracted Xie Qing¡¯s favour, but that didn¡¯t last.¡±


    Eunuch Yang said with a smile, ¡°Indeed. The Empress Dowager does not have to worry about her bewitching Xie Jiedu.¡±


    Empress Liu smiled, ¡°Of course there is no need to worry about this, but since I have summoned her to the capital, it is natural to keep her here for a while longer.¡±


    Eunuch Yang was surprised at first, then had an epiphany.


    Although Changsha is weak, it is also the land of a feudal king. The Empress Dowager does not intend to attack now, but it is not guaranteed that the other side is loyal and will not take advantage of the chaos to start trouble. Hearing that Mu Xuanqing loves his sister very much, it is naturally useful to keep the Mu shi as a hostage.


    ¡°Does the Empress Dowager want to use her as a hostage to deter Mu Xuanqing?¡±


    ¡°What do you think?¡±


    Eunuch Yang pondered for a while, and said carefully, ¡°Empress Dowager, the slaves are puzzled. Why didn¡¯t the Empress Dowager bring Xie Jiedushi¡¯s mother into the capital? Jiedushi has a lot of troops. Although he is loyal to the Empress Dowager, people¡¯s hearts are unpredictable, in case¡­¡±


    He paused.


    ¡°I heard that he is a filial son. Why don¡¯t you find an excuse to bring Old madam Xie into the capital and so it is only natural for Mu shi to stay and serve her mother-in-law. The Empress Dowager has both the hostage of Xie Jiedu and Changsha, right? Killing two birds with one stone?¡±


    Empress Liu shook her head.


    ¡°For me to find a reason to detain Mu shi, Xie Qing will not object. But if I bring his mother, he will suspect that I am not at ease with him to use his mother as a hostage.¡°


    She thought for a moment.


    ¡°Now is not the time to take her as a hostage and get him involved. We have internal and external difficulties at this time.¡±


    Eunuch Yang hurriedly bowed, ¡°Yes, yes. It is the Empress Dpwager¡¯s proper consideration. Slaves has spoken out of turn.¡±


    Empress Liu smiled and said, ¡°Then it is settled. When he comes to see me, I will explain this matter to him and detain Mu shi as a hostage in the capital.


    Eunuch Yang flattered, ¡°The Empress is wise, no one can match her!¡±


    ¡­


    Mu Fulan left the palace and returned to Xie¡¯s house. She left the house on the pretense of visiting a wife of an official in the capital. Halfway there, she found an excuse to send away the steward who was with her, changed her clothes in the carriage, and got off the carriage and took a pre-prepared sedan to a restaurant to the west of the city.


    Zhang Ban had received a secret letter signed by Prime Minister Lu Lin of Changsha, asking him to meet at this restaurant at the end of the day.


    Zhang Ban was very suspicious.


    Last time, he took a heavy bribe from Lu Lin and acted as a lobbyist for Changsha in front of Empress Liu. Today, he unexpectedly suddenly received a secret letter from him. He did not know how the other party was so bold to come to the capital secretly, and did not know why he asked him out. He was not sure if he was being soft, but he was not happy.


    But since he received the invitation, he knew that if he didn¡¯t see him, the other party would definitely not give up. He had no choice but to take off his official uniform and sneak into the private room of the restaurant mentioned in the letter.


    Zhang Ban arrived at the door of the private room, looked behind him to make sure that no suspicious person was following him, and pushed the door open.


    The room was quiet and no one can be seen, only a figure faintly appeared behind the screen.


    Zhang Ban stopped, stared at the figure and asked, ¡°I have arrived, what do you want?¡±


    The figure moved and came out from behind the screen.


    It was a young woman who looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. She had a very beautiful face and nodded to him with a smile.


    Zhang Ban¡¯s eyes fell on the other party, momentarily frozen for a moment, then reacted in surprise.


    ¡°Who are you? Why are you here?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°I am the sister of Changsha wang. Today, I borrowed the name of Prime Minister Lu, and asked Neishi (his title) to meet here.¡±


    Zhang Ban was even more surprised.


    He knew Mu Xuanqing¡¯s sister had married Xie Changgeng and entered the capital some time ago. But he never expected that she would dare to use Lu Lin¡¯s name to trick him into coming here.


    What was her intention?


    His face changed slightly and he quickly glanced behind him.


    Mu Fulan walked slowly towards him, smiled and said, ¡°Zhang Neishi, don¡¯t worry. I asked you to come here today without any ill intentions. However, I have something to discuss with you.¡±


    Zhang Ban then calmed down and let out a sigh of relief. Without looking at her, he said coldly, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Thanks to Zhang Neishi¡¯s kindness last time, Changsha was able to find peace. My brother is very grateful. When I came here, I was specifically told that if I had the opportunity to see Neishi, I had to thank Neishi on his behalf.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s all. You are a woman, but you are pretendeing to be Lu Lin to see me here. I guess it¡¯s not just to thank me. What else do you want?¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled and said, ¡°I have long heard that Zhang Neishi is not only a capable minister, but is also a quick-witted person. Meeting today, it is as expected. Since Neishi asked, I will not be shy. To be frank, I took the liberty of inviting you here today because I have something to ask.¡±


    Zhang Ban couldn¡¯t help but glance at her when he heard that she had a request. She stared at him with a pair of beautiful eyes, and without blinking. He raised his chin, ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Neishi is in an important position. You must also know that I am now in a difficult situation because of my background in Changsha. Xie Changgeng will be leaving the capital in a few days. I am afraid that the Empress Dowager will detain me in Shangjing and use me as a hostage. Today, I dare to ask Neishi to come out, because I hope that Neishi will help me on my brother¡¯s behalf. If you can persuade the Empress Dowager to dispel this idea and let me leave the capital, not only will my brother express his gratitude, but will be even more grateful to Neishi.¡±


    Zhang Ban glanced at her again.


    ¡°Mu shi, I don¡¯t understand this. You and Xie Changgeng are husband and wife, and have your own affections. Why don¡¯t you go seek him for this kind of thing, instead of begging me, an outsider?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Does Zhang Neishi not know what kind of person he is? What kind of relationship do we have? As long as the Empress Dowager asks, he wouldn¡¯t even frown if he had to take my life, not to mention holding me hostage in Changsha.¡±


    Zhang Ban shook his head and sighed, ¡°You are not a fool if you have such knowledge. It¡¯s a pity that your father married you wrongly. Since you have asked me, I am not unwilling to help. Just this favour, I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s a little difficult to help ¡­¡­¡±


    His eyes stopped on Mu Fulan¡¯s face.


    This Zhang Ban, superficially dignified, is actually a lustful person. How could Mu Fulan not see the strange look in his eyes that gradually appeared when he looked at her? She smiled and said, ¡°I know this is not easy. If Neishi is willing to help, I will definitely reciprocate when it is done.¡±


    Zhang Ban knew that it was not easy to touch Xie Changgeng¡¯s wife. It¡¯s just that he didn¡¯t want to reject a beautiful woman who came up to him for help. Listening to her words, she seemed to have another meaning.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Mu Fulan took a few steps towards him and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m afraid Neishi still doesn¡¯t know, Xie Changgeng has the intention of plotting against the throne. No one else knows about this matter. He and I are husband and wife, and we are together every night. The bed is shared, how can he hide it from me?¡±


    Zhang Ban was stunned and the frivolous expression on his face disappeared. His eyes stared at Mu Fulan and his expression became extremely solemn.


    ¡°Mu shi, are you serious?¡±


    Mu Fulan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s absolutely true! I¡¯ve heard him say words of rebellion in his sleep. If he didn¡¯t think about it every day, how could he dream about it every night? He is very ambitious, how can he be willing to be a subordinate led by others for very long? Even if I did not happen to hear his dream, I am sure Neishi¡¯s eyes are clear and he knows it very well.¡±


    Zhang Ban and Xie Changgeng, one inside and the other outside, were both cited by Empress Liu as ¡°trusted confidants.¡± Now that Xie Changgeng¡¯s influence has grown, Zhang Ban seems to have fallen out of favour. With his character, how could he not be affected at all?


    She looked at Zhang Ban and continued, ¡°My father promised me to Xie Changgeng back then and his original intention was to seek allies for Changsha. But he is a cold-hearted man, who only wanted to get to the top for himself, and never cared about my country. Instead of relying on him, it is better to rely on you, Zhang Neishi.¡±


    ¡°If Neishi can help me get out and I don¡¯t have to stay in Shangjing as a hostage, I am willing to help Neishi. I will monitor Xie Changgeng¡¯s movements, and once I gather evidence, I will present it to Neishi.¡±


    Zhang Ban seemed calm on the surface, but in fact, he had already had many thoughts in his heart.


    In just a few short years, Xie Changgeng has soared so fast and repeatedly achieved great merits. Seeing his growing favour with Empress Liu and his own position threatened, Zhang Ban has never revealed a single point on the surface any time the two met. But his heart, has long begun to worry and even become jealous.


    In the beginning of the year, he secretly instigated a minister to imply that Xie Changgeng had a chance to rebel, and remind Empress Liu to take precautions. Unexpectedly, Empress Liu not only remained unbothered, but also convict the man for false accusations. Since then, no one in the court dared to mention it.


    Zhang Ban only hated that he couldn¡¯t find evidence of Xie Changgeng¡¯s treason, but today the opportunity came.


    Mu shi was Xie Changgeng¡¯s wife. No matter how much precautions Xie Changgeng took, he would never have thought that she would help others.


    Changsha is small and weak so Xie Changgeng could not rely on it. He is willing to help at this time, the other party would definitely be eager. Mu shi, would not dare to cross the river and demolish the bridge and take him for an enemy. If he could use her and have someone besides Xie Changgeng, he would get real evidence in the future. When the report comes to Empress Liu, why would Empress Liu not believe it?


    Zhang Ban suppressed the excitement that was surging in his heart, and a smile slowly appeared on his face.


    He looked at Mu Fulan and nodded.


    ¡°Mu shi, then it is so agreed. In the future, the affairs of Changsha will be my Zhang Ban¡¯s affairs. I will do my best to help you with your current affairs.¡±


    ¡­


    Mu Fulan came out and took a sedan back to where the carriage was parked, got in and changed back into her original clothes. When she saw that there was no difference, she went back.


    The carriage came to a stop in front of Xie¡¯s house. She was helped down by a maid, and was about to enter when a voice came from behind, ¡°Princess, stay!¡±


    Mu Fulan turned her head and saw a servant running out of a nearby alley. He was dressed as a servant of the big family, ran up to her, bowing and claiming to be sent by Qi wangfei. ¡°I came here to send you a letter on behalf of wangfei¡­¡±


    The man said, while reaching into his arms to take out a letter. At this moment, ta sound of horse hooves came from behind. The man turned his head and saw from a distance that Xie Changgeng had returned. He immediately remembered his master¡¯s advice, hastily retracted his hand, confessed that he could not find the letter. He was afraid that he accidentally lost it on the road and would go back to find it. After saying this, he turned around and left.


    Mu Fulan was baffled for a moment. First, I do not know why Qi wangfei suddenly sent a letter to her, and she did not know what she wanted to say. Second, she felt that the words and actions of the servant was a bit odd. But he was gone, so she did not worry about it. She glanced at Xie Changgeng, who was returning on horseback, then turned around and walked in.


    Xie Changgeng quickly arrived at the door and dismounted. The doorman came to welcome him.


    He looked towards the direction of the person who suddenly turned around and ran away when he saw him coming back, and asked.


    The concierge said, ¡°It is said that Qi wangfei sent a letter to the princess. The person came a while ago and learned that the princess went out, but refused to hand over the letter to me to pass along. He said he would wait, when the princess returned, he could not find the letter.¡±


    Xie Changgeng once again looked at the direction the man had gone. He called an attendant and gave him an order, then went in and waited. After a while, the attendant came back and said, ¡°I caught up with that man and subdued in three or two moves. I found this letter on his body.¡± He handed it over.


    Xie Changgeng took it and opened the letter.


    As he expected, this letter was not sent by Qi wangfei at all, but from Zhao Xitai of Qi wang mansion.


    Xie Changgeng scanned the contents of the letter and his face immediately went dark. He called a servant girl who was passing by, and ordered the letter to be delivered to Mu Fulan.


    ¡°Tell her that I asked you to send it to her!¡±


    The servant girl saw his face was ugly and was a little scared. She took the letter and turned around hurriedly. After walking a few steps, she heard a voice from behind, ¡°Stop!¡±


    The servant girl stopped and turned around. She saw Xie Jiedu walking towards her to take back the letter, held it in his hand and strode away.

 CH 22

    The only one who can protect me


    After Mu Fulan entered, she spoke to Mu mama who greeted her, and then went back to the room.


    The maid knew that she had the habit of changing clothes when she came back from going out, so she quickly prepared a set of clothes without any instructions.


    Mu Fulan went to the screen beside the bed. With the help of the maid, she took off her outer clothes was left with her inner clothes.


    The soft red coloured fabric was tightly wrapped around her body, leaving only a white back and two arms exposed. She wore a moon-white skirt, her figure extremely slender.


    She was a little absent-minded with her head bowed down showing her fair and delicate neck. She was deep in her own thoughts and stretched her arms to put on her clothes.


    One of her arms was just tucked into the sleeve when the door was suddenly pushed open.


    She turned around and saw Xie Changgeng enter directly.


    He was not expecting her to be changing her clothes. The moment he saw her, his footsteps stopped abruptly by the screen.


    The maids hurriedly went to greet him.


    He did not continue to step in, nor retreat, but stopped there and ordered people to go out.


    Seeing that he was upset, the maids looked at Mu Fulan. She did not object, so they bowed and retreated.


    Mu Fulan turned, with her back to him, put on her clothes, covered the side and fastened her belt.


    He was trying his best to restrain his emotions, but his face was stiff, his eyes were dark, and there were dark waves in his eyes.


    She was all too familiar with Xie Changgeng. This look of his, others can not see, but she knows it at a glance.


    He is very angry now.


    Something bad must have happened.


    With her back to him, she quickly went over in her mind what might have triggered such anger in him.


    Had her meeting with Zhang Ban during the day been leaked?


    Or did he learn of the existence of Xi¡¯er who calls her mother?


    If it were these two things, it was indeed possible to provoke such anger from him.


    But she quickly dismissed it.


    She did these two things very carefully, even if there were mistakes, they would never be noticed by him so quickly.


    But if it¡¯s something else, what could it be?


    When she finished fastening her belt, she slowly turned towards him.


    The two stood opposite each other, only a few steps apart.


    She quietly raised her eyes and looked at him. Just as she was about to ask, Xie Changgeng had already opened his mouth to say, ¡°Mu shi, if you want to divorce, then your wish will be fulfilled!¡±


    ¡°I will immediately give you the papers so as not to hinder the relationship between you and your partner. How dare you do things in broad daylight, in full view of the public!¡±


    After he finished speaking, he threw a piece of paper that looked like letter at her, turned and left. His figure disappeared quickly along with the sound of his footsteps.


    The paper fell to the ground at her feet.


    Mu Fulan was startled and bent down to pick it up.


    It was indeed a letter, a letter to her. The letter was not addressed to her, but a quick glance at its contents showed that it came from Zhao Xitai, the son of Qi wang.


    Zhao Xitai said that he remembered the past and had many thoughts after seeing her at Huguo Temple and he had trouble sleeping. Just last night, he overheard the conversation between his father, Qi wang and his men. He learned that Empress Liu was only temporarily staying away from Changsha but she would definitely take action in the future.


    He said he was very worried about her current condition. Xie Changgeng is a bandit, a lowly person with no shame. Now that he has become Empress Liu¡¯s weapon, a villain who has gained power, will sooner or later abandon her and cannot be relied on.


    Zhao Xitai also said that if she encounters difficulties in the future, she must let him know. No matter what, he will do his best to help her.


    After Mu Fulan read the letter she understood.


    The person who came and claimed to be delivering a letter from Qi wangfei was actually sent by Zhao Xitai.


    Before sending a letter with such content, Zhao Xitai should have repeatedly told instructed him to avoid Xie Changgeng and hand deliver it to her.


    No wonder that man didn¡¯t dare to take out the letter when he saw that Xie Changgeng had retuned and immediately ran away.


    Mu Fulan did not have time to think about how this letter ended up in Xie Changgeng¡¯s hands.


    Holding the letter, she stood there lost in thought.


    Although she already has Zhang Ban¡¯s assistance, she is not entirely sure whether the matter can be successfully solved with Zhang Ban¡¯s power alone like the last crisis in Changsha.


    The matter this time was different from the last, with the variable of Xie Changgeng in the middle.


    He is her husband and Empress Liu wants to hold herself hostage. No matter the reason, she will definitely mention it in front of him for his opinion.


    Though this matter was of great importance to her, a matter of safety and even life and death. For Xie Changgeng, it was nothing and he has no direct interest.


    Based on intuition, Mu Fulan concluded that Cao Jin was Xie Changgeng¡¯s person. With this spy in the palace, if Zhang Ban were to speak for her, it can not be hidden from Xie Changgeng. If he turns a blind eye, Zhang Ban should be able to accomplish his task, and she can also get out smoothly.


    But if he is dissatisfied with her, or even resentful and deliberately obstructs it, even if Zhang Ban comes forward to help her, it would not be effective.


    A few days ago, while she was thinking about how to use Zhang Ban, she was also thinking about how to solve this variable.


    She did not expect Xie Changgeng to speak for herself in front of Empress Liu. As long as he doesn¡¯t obstruct Zhang Ban when he helps her solve her problem.


    In the days when she first returned, she was driven by her grief and hatred, and all she wanted was to detach herself from him as soon as possible and never see him again in this life.


    But as the situation continued to change, she slowly began to realise something. Considering his current status and the status of Changsha, many things she wanted to do were actually impossible to bypass him completely.


    Blind hostility and thoughts of never meeting again in this life will not solve the problem.


    She needs to re-establish her relationship with him.


    This was extremely difficult for her, but she has to face it and accept it.


    On the way back from seeing Zhang Ban today, she was still thinking about how to break the deadlock with him. To her surprise, something like this happened.


    It looks bad, and it makes things worse. His dissatisfaction with her was probably at its peak due to this letter. Just now even agreed to a divorce.


    But on the other hand, isn¡¯t this a good opportunity?


    Mu Fulan thought for a moment and quickly made up her mind.


    She promised Xi¡¯er, who had just returned to her side, to go back to be with him as soon as possible.


    She must not be detained here.


    ¡­


    It has been many years since he murdered for his fathers sake in anger and desperation. No matter what, Xie Changgeng has never been so angry to the point of losing control of his emotions this much.


    It was not because of what was said about himself in the letter. If he cared about these things, he wouldn¡¯t be able to sit in this position today.


    What made him angry was the strong hostility along with the repeated betrayal and humiliation that Mu shi had cast on him.


    It is nothing more than a marriage contract that was made with to benefit both parties. Since she had married him against her will in accordance with her father¡¯s order, it is not surprising that she had been unchaste before marriage.


    Now that she is in the capital and all eyes are on her, but she doesn¡¯t know how to restrain herself. Only one night after meeting at Huguo Temple, she seduced Zhao Xitai to write her such a secret letter. Although there are no explicit words, there was sentiment between the lines. This, so far, was without scruple.


    When Xie Changgeng arrived at his study, he picked up a pen and wrote a letter to divorce his wife.


    After writing the last word, his five fingers holding the pen exerted force, and with a slight ¡°click¡±, the tough wooden ebony pen in his hand was broken into two pieces.


    He threw aside the broken pen, got up and walked to the window. He pushed it open and looked outside. After a while, his expression relaxed.


    He returned to the table and was about to send to her what he had written when he heard two knocks on the door.


    He raised his eyes and saw that the door was pushed open, and a figure stood outside the door.


    Mu shi surprisingly came on her own. She stepped over the threshold, and walked towards him.


    He pushed the paper towards her and walked away.


    ¡°Xie Lang, stay!¡± A voice called from behind.


    He didn¡¯t seem to hear it.


    Mu Fulan chased after him.


    Xie Changgeng stopped and watched coldly as she came to block his path, and said, ¡°Mu shi, I have already written down what you want. From now on, you¡¯re on your own.¡±


    He made a move to leave again, but his sleeve was held back.


    He stopped and looked at the hand that was holding his sleeve in surprise. Then a look of disgust appeared on his face.


    Mu Fulan let go of her hand. She did not look at the not dried ink piece of paper on the table, but looked into his eyes and said, ¡°Will you listen to me first? I¡¯m afraid you have misunderstood. I don¡¯t have any relationship with Qi shizi, except that he met in the palace as children. I have never had any contact with him all these years. Yesterday¡¯s meeting between us at Huguo Temple was just a coincidence. Yes. As for the letter just now, I know nothing about it.¡±


    ¡°This is the capital. No matter how ignorant I am, I would not dare to have an affair with others. Even if I disregard your face, would I dismiss Changsha¡¯s face?¡±


    Xie Changgeng frowned. In response, he only tidied up the sleeves that she had just held.


    Mu Fulan looked at him and said softly, ¡°You are leaving soon. The Empress Dowager called me into the palace this morning and asked me about my plans. You never mentioned anything to me. I was actually very flustered¡­¡±


    Her voice became smaller and smaller, her eyes slowly lowered, and she quietly stood in front of him, motionless.


    After a while, Xie Changgeng finally spoke.


    ¡°Mu shi, I went to Yuecheng to pick you up that day. Didn¡¯t you insist on breaking away from me? Now I will fulfil your wish. I will go to Hexi, and you can go back to Changsha.¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°The Empress Dowager had regarded Changsha as hostile. Since she summoned me to the capital, how could she let me go back so easily after you leave? The words she asked me this morning were just a test. Others may not know, could it be that Xie lang is unaware too?¡±


    Xie Changgeng said blankly, ¡°What¡¯s so difficult about this? If I¡¯m gone, isn¡¯t there a still Qi shizi? He will help you.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have the ability. No one can help me.¡±


    She shook her head.


    ¡°Xie Lang, now I know that in this world, the only person who can protect me is you.¡±


    Mu Fulan slowly raised a pair of beautiful eyes and stared at Xie Changgeng opposite.

 CH 23

    Who do you think I, Xie Changgeng, am to be at your disposal?


    As her voice fell, the study suddenly became quiet.


    Xie Changgeng was silent for a moment, then said, ¡°Mu shi, when you wanted to get rid of me, did you have half of me in your eyes? Now that you need me, you are using such flowery words.¡±


    He smiled and said mockingly.


    ¡°Who do you think I, Xie Changgeng, am to be at your disposal?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°I did offend you in the past, but what I said just now was not flowery words, but an insight I learned after I entered the capital.


    ¡°Today the Empress Dowager summoned me and asked me where I would go. I really don¡¯t want to be held hostage in the capital, and I don¡¯t want to die here.¡±


    Xie Changgeng gave her a cold look. ¡°You know the current situation. But why should I help you?¡±


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t come to ask for marriage, I would not be in this situation now. When you previously came to Changsha, you should have agreed to my request to divorce. If you and I have no relationship, the Empress Dowager would not have thought of calling me to the capital. The reason I am in this situation is that the Empress Dowager is not at ease with me Changsha, but do you think that you have nothing to do with it?¡±


    Xie Changgeng sneered and said, ¡°So it¡¯s all my fault.¡±


    Mu Fulan did not hear and continued, ¡°You did not divorce me earlier but now you¡¯ve misunderstood the relationship between me and Qi shizi you are willing to divorce. If it is know, have you ever thought that you are hitting someone who¡¯s already down and pushing me into a desperate situation?¡±


    ¡°Changsha is certainly of no use to you now. It is true that my brother and I offended you for the sake of separation, but it is not a deep hatred that will kill you? Besides, my fatherwas not harsh to you back then.¡±


    She walked over and picked up the piece of paper on the table.


    ¡°Xie Lang, you don¡¯t have to help me, but you can¡¯t treat me like this!¡±


    Xie Changgeng looked at her in astonishment as she tore up the letter.


    Mu Fulan tore the letter and walked back towards him.


    ¡°There is one more thing I want to discuss. Not long after you quelled the rebellion in Jiangdu, my brother learned that Empress Liu wanted to use the army against Changsha. Because he had already offended you at that time, in order to protect ourselves, I approached Zhang Ban and asked him to say some good words for us in front of Empress Liu and we temporarily avoided disaster. The envoy who escorted me to the capital told me before he left that he had already made arrangements with Zhang Ban to take care of me. Now that you are leaving, if the Empress Dowager takes me as a hostage, Zhang Ban should intercede for me.¡±


    She looked at Xie Changgeng.


    ¡°If Zhang Ban intercedes on my behalf, when the Empress Dowager asks you about, you can play along for my father¡¯s sake.¡±


    ¡°As for separating, we can do it anytime after I get over this hurdle.¡±


    ¡°These two things require little effort for you, but for me, they are a matter of life and death. Whether or not Zhang Ban succeeds, I am grateful.¡±


    After she finished, she gave him a solemn salute then left.


    Xie Changgeng watched the figure disappear into the doorway and stayed where he was. His eyes fell on the letter that she had torn up and he stared at it.


    ¡­


    Two days later, Xie Changgeng was summoned into the palace. After saluting, Empress Liu gave him a seat and said with a smile, ¡°You will leave the capital tomorrow, is everything in order?¡±


    Xie Changgeng said ¡°Thanks for the Empress Dowager¡¯s concern. Everything is settled and I can leave tomorrow morning.¡±


    Empress Liu sighed, ¡°It¡¯s almost the end of the year, but it¡¯s not peaceful there and you have to go again. It¡¯s really hard for you to run around all year long, and I feel very regretful in my heart.¡±


    Xie Changgeng said respectfully, ¡°I am deeply favoured by the Emperor, and I regret that I can¡¯t repay it. This is the duty of a minister, and it is honourable, what could be hard.¡±


    Empress Liu encouraged him with a few more words and said, ¡°Xie Qing, have you made any arrangements for Mu shi after leaving the capital?¡±


    Xie Changgeng had already been informed that Empress Liu had met Zhang Ban. Zhang Ban said there was no need to detain people as a hostage. He was very eloquent, and Empress Liu seemed to be persuaded and hesitated a little, but she still has not yet agreed.


    He replied, ¡°Thanks to the Empress Dowager¡¯s grace, she was brought to the capital. I originally planned to send her back to Xie County, but my mother is very displeased with her. The reason why she returned to Changsha was not only because she was not acclimatised to the land, but also because my mother dislikes her. My mother did not want to see her face, and there was no shortage of servants to serve her at home. Since I am leaving the capital, I intend to take her to Hexi as well. Although the residence is not large, there are a lot of local matters that she can be of use.¡±


    Empress Liu nodded, ¡°This arrangement is good, and you really need a person by your side. But Xie Qing, what do you think about me keeping her in Shangjing?¡±


    Xie Changgeng said, ¡°Empress Dowager, please make it clear.¡±


    Empress Liu said, ¡°You are my confidant so I will say it directly. I want to keep Mu shi as a hostage of Changsha. What do you think?¡±


    Xie Changgeng hesitated and did not reply immediately.


    ¡°Why, you are unwilling?¡±


    Empress Liu cast her eyes on Xie Changgeng¡¯s face to probe his meaning.


    Xie Changgeng hurriedly said, ¡°I dare not, if the Empress Dowager really wants to hold her as a hostage, I have no objection and she will stay behind.¡±


    Empress Liu stared at him, ¡°Xie Qing, you are deceiving me! You clearly have other thoughts!¡±


    Xie Changgeng hurriedly knelt down, ¡°I am guilty! I did have other selfish intentions just  now.¡±


    ¡°Speak. I forgive you.¡±


    Xie Changgeng thanked her and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be bold and say it. If the Empress Dowager grants me permission, can I take her with me?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Empress Liu asked, narrowing her eyes.


    ¡°Although the Empress Dowager does not explicitly say that she is being held as a hostage and keep her in the capital, how will the ministers not know? There are rumours saying that I relied on the previous Changsha wang to become an official and now, only a year after the wedding, if she is kept in the capital as a hostage, I will be criticised for breaking my pledge once I gained power.


    ¡°In the future, when the Empress Dowager wants to get rid of Changsha, Changsha will be convicted of treason. I will vow loyalty and devotion to the court and sever my ties with Mu shi and no one can say anything bad about me. But now, if I disregard her I will have a bad reputation.¡±


    ¡°I came from a humble background. What I want in life is to serve the court and the Empress Dowager, but also to bring honour to my ancestors. Gossip is a fearful thing, and I have carried a lot of burdens these recent years. Although I am not afraid, I am also afraid of affecting the name of my ancestors.


    ¡°I deserve to die for not being loyal enough to the Empress Dowager, and I have a selfish heart. Please punish me!¡±


    He kowtowed on the ground for a long time.


    When Empress Liu heard that he did not agree with her detaining Mu shi in the capital, she was surprised and displeased, and became suspicious. She wondered whether he had listened to Mu shi¡¯s urging and spoke for her. However after listening to his confession of guilt, not only did her doubts disappear, but she became angry, and said bitterly, ¡°The court keeps those officials, but they can¡¯t solve problems for me. I will give you a small reward, but each one¡¯s eyes are red and slander you! It¡¯s really hateful!¡±


    After she finished speaking, she couldn¡¯t help but hesitate.


    Xie Changgeng has already expressed his concerns. If she still insists on keeping Mu shi in the capital, he will be disgraced.


    Remembering that Zhang Ban also persuaded her, saying the current priority is to appease the country and the national strength of Changsha. There is no need to keep hostages, so as not to arouse the vigilance of Mu Xuanqing and the people of Changsha and make more enemies. Taking more precautions will be detrimental to future actions.


    Now that Xie Changgeng cherishes his reputation and has such concerns, why not go along with the water, in order to show her own kindness to him.


    The most important thing is to appease Xie Changgeng so that he will be loyal to her. Between that and the threat of Changsha, it is clear which is more of a concern.


    Empress Liu pondered for a moment, then quickly made a decision, ¡°Xie Qing, to tell you the truth, I originally wanted to keep Mu shi in the capital to avoid trouble from Changsha. Since you have such concerns, I will naturally put you first. You can take her with you.¡±


    Xie Changgeng solemnly bowed his head and said, ¡°Even if I were to die a million deaths, it would not be enough to repay one of the Empress Dowager¡¯s grace to me!¡°


    Empress Liu said with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s no matter, stand up. You recently quelled the rebellion against Jiangdu, and made such a great contribution, but you only got your mother a title. I originally felt that it was a little meagre so this can also be considered a reward for you.¡±


    Xie Changgeng respectfully bowed again, then retreated


    ¡­


    At sunset, Mu Fulan felt a little restless, leaned against the window and looked at a clump of banana leaves that had withered in the winter.


    Xie Changgeng was to leave the capital early tomorrow morning, but at this moment, her own path was still unknown.


    There was news from Zhang Ban saying that he had tried persuading Empress Liu and her attitude had loosened. Even if she won¡¯t change her mind right now, but after a few more attempts, it will work sooner or later. She should just wait patiently.


    Although Zhang Ban sent this message, Mu Fulan was still a little worried. If he fails to convince Empress Liu in a short period of time and speaks for her again and again, he may draw suspicion from Empress Liu. Once Zhang Ban realises this possibility, even if he wanted to grab onto Xie Changgeng¡¯s evidence, he will not risk being suspected by Empress Liu.


    Although there is hope, there are also many variables, and she was not completely relieved.


    As for Xie Changgeng, there was absolutely no response these past two days. He still went out early and returned late. When he came back at night, he didn¡¯t seem to see her in the room and slept alone on the couch.


    It was if nothing had happened.


    But according to Mu Fulan¡¯s guess, after their conversation in the study that day, he should not be so mad as to obstruct Zhang Ban¡¯s attempt at persuading Empress Liu.


    When Xie Changgeng leaves tomorrow, she hoped that Zhang Ban was able to succeed as soon as possible, so that she can get out of the capital.


    As it was getting dark, the maid came in with a lamp and the room lit up.


    The wind blew in through the window, and the lamp flickered.


    ¡°Princess, the wind is strong, be careful of freezing.¡±


    The maid came over to close the window and persuaded in a low voice.


    Xie Jiedu will leave the capital tomorrow morning, but the princess is very likely to be left as a hostage by the Empress Dowager.


    In the past few days, everyone has been in a low mood, even walking and talking more careful than usual.


    Mu Fulan suppressed her messy thoughts and turned to go in. The door was suddenly pushed open, and it was Mu mama who walked in with a smile on her face.


    Since the princess married into Xie¡¯s family at the beginning of the year, the maids never saw Mu mama show such a smile on her face. They all stopped and looked at her.


    ¡°Princess! Good thing! Good thing!¡±


    She ran towards Mu Fulan and grabbed her hand excitedly.


    ¡°Just now, the steward said that Jiedushi has sent word to take the princess to Hexi tomorrow morning, and asked us to pack our things!¡±


    If Xie Changgeng is taking the princess to Hexi, it means that Empress Liu had changed her mind and would no longer detain her as hostage.


    The maids all breathed a sigh of relief and rejoiced. The atmosphere that had been suppressed for many days suddenly became relaxed.


    ¡°Quickly pack the things!¡± Mu mama said.


    Everyone responded and got busy.


    Mu Fulan watched Mu mama and the maids busily pack up the luggage for tomorrow morning¡¯s departure. After the initial bewilderment, she gradually realised something.


    Zhang Ban had already met with Empress Liu today, and it was unlikely that he would enter the palace again for the same matter. But now suddenly such news came.


    She pondered for a moment, and slowly let out a breath.

 CH 24

    ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it when I need something.¡±


    Inithelbanquet halliof Qilwangfu, thellights wereibrilliant, andialmost allitheihigh-rankinglofficials andidignitariesiof the dynastyigathereditogether. l


    Amongithelpurpleiclothing inithelhall, theimost conspicuousionelwaslXie Changgeng, whoiwas theiguest of honour. i


    He wasileavingitheicapital tomorrowimorningiandireturning toiHexi, and theiprestigious Qiiwang set up aispecial banquetifor him. Duringithe banquet, thereiwas a lotiof musiciandisinging, andieveryoneitoasted Xie Changgengiwith laughteriandiflattery.


    Afterithreeiroundsiof drinking, XieiChanggeng gotiup andileftithe table. Wheniheicame backithrough a windingicorridor leading to the banquetihall, there wasioneimore personiat the bottomiof theiempty steps.iTheimoonlightishone onithe snow-whiteiface, and heistared faintlyiatihimself. ItiwasiZhaoiXitai, Qi shizi. Read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Xie Changgeng passed by.


    ¡°Xie Changgeng, thereiare so many people inithere who toast you, honouriyou, andiflatter you. But who do you think you are? Once the EmpressiDowager doesn¡¯t need you anymore, I¡¯ll seeihow youiend up.¡±


    Zhao Xitai saidifrom behind.


    This son of nobilityiwas passionate.


    Xie Changgeng knewivery welliwhy Qi shizi, who heihad neverimet before, resented himiso much.


    This kindiof verbal provocation asifar as he isiconcerned wasinot worthihis time afterithe age of fourteen, there is no need to argue.


    But tonight, perhapsibecause of the wine, heiremembered thatithe his wife previously hadia sweetheart beforeitheir betrothal. Heirecalled the nightishe callediout theiname of the personiin her dream, andihis face suddenlyibecame hot. Theiyouthful spirit, momentarilyirose.


    Heislowly stopped, turnedihisihead andilookediat Zhao Xitai. Then walked back andistopped in frontiof him.


    ¡°Soiwhat? Didn¡¯tiyour fatheritreat me, a bandit, asia guestiof honour?¡±


    ¡°Zhao Shizi, youimay not seeiwhat happensito meiin the future. Right now, it seemsiyou are notidoingiwell.¡±


    ¡°Theiwoman you want isia rare beauty? It¡¯s aipity, she isimine. All you can do isihide in aniunseen corneriand thinkiabout her. Even to sendia letterito her, it hasito be in yourimother¡¯s name.¡±


    Heilooked at Zhao Xitai, whoseiface was stiff inithe moonlight, withia deliberateimalicious smileion hisiface.


    ¡°You canibe at ease, I willitreat her veryiwell.¡±


    HeipattediZhao Xitai on the shoulder, turnediand walkediaway.


    ¡­ Read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Xie Changgengireturned veryilate that night, with theismell of alcohol from theibanquet. Heimust have drankia lot. He entered theibath room, changed hisiclothes andicame out. Heiwent straight to theicouch as usual, closedihis eyes andifell asleep.


    Mostiof theievening was spentibusily packing. Mu Fulan hadibeen waiting forihisireturn, and sawithat heiwas drunk.


    It wasilate atinight andithe soundiof drums in theideep alleyicould be faintly heard. Mu Fulan was awake andilooked atithe faintimoonlight coming fromithe window. While lost inithought, sheisuddenly heardia slightirustling soundicoming from theicouch. Lookingiaround, she saw that theiquilt covering Xie Changgeng hadislipped toithe ground.


    It wasinoisecret to theimaids who servediby Mu Fulan¡¯s side thatithe two ofithem sleptiin separate beds. Mu mamaiknew thatithe couch wasitoo shortifor XieiChanggeng, so she hadiplaced anothericouch at the endiof the firsticouch. It wasilong enough, butistill narrow. Whenihe had turnediover justinow, the quilt slippedioff.


    The winterinight airiwas cold, and the figureion the couchiwas sleeping deeply, unawareiand motionless.


    Mu Fulaniwatched foria whileibefore gettingioff theibed. She walkediover and pickediup the quiltithat had fallenionithe ground.


    He wasilying on hisiback withihis eyes closed, his face turnedislightly inward, mostiof whichiwas hidden in the darkness. The hazy nightioutlined a silhouetteiof his young and handsome face.


    Mu Fulanistood by theicouchiand put the quiltiback. But before touchingihisibody, he suddenly openedihis eyesiand woke up.


    Before MuiFulan couldireact, sheifelt her wristitighten, and wasigrabbed by him.


    His handiwas so strongithat itihurt herito theibone.


    Surprised, she enduredithe painiand said, ¡°It¡¯s me. Youriquilt fell off, and I put itiback foriyou.¡±


    The handithat wasigripping heriwrist slowly loosenediandilet go ofiher.


    Mu Fulaniimmediatelyitookia step back.


    He sooniwoke upicompletely, sat up, and said, ¡°Is thereiany water?¡± His voiceiwas lowiand dry.


    Mu Fulan litithe candle, poured water, and handediitito him.


    He drankiand lay backidown again. A moment later, with hisieyes closed, he askediher, whoiwas still standing nearby, ¡°What elseido youiwant?¡±


    Mu Fulan said, ¡°Thankiyou for helpingime, I¡¯mivery grateful.¡±


    He didn¡¯tirespond. Hisieyes were still closed as if heihad falleniasleep again.


    Mu Fulanistood for aimoment, then returnedito theitable, and blewiout the candle.


    The lightiin the room dimmediagain, leaving onlyia patchiof moonlight shiningithrough theiwindow.


    Sheiturned aroundiand wasiabout to go back toibed, when she heard a voice behindiher, ¡°Mu shi, send a letter to youribrother. Tell himito be sensible andinot to hold on toiany thoughts thatihe shouldn¡¯t have, lest he causesitrouble. If he seeksihisiown death, whenithe timeicomes, no one will beiable toisave him.¡±


    Mu Fulan¡¯s heartiskipped a beat, and sheislowly turnedibackitowards the hazyifigure on theicouch.


    ¡°Whatido youimean byithat?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Little intellectibut bigischemes, smalliinistrengthibut heavy in responsibility, such peopleiusually die veryiquickly. If you are inia high position, the calamityiwill be worse. I¡¯minotibelittling youribrother, whetheriit is ability or skills, he isifar worseithan yourifather. If he is honest, he canicontinue to be king. If he does not haveiany self awareness andithinksiaboutiturning against Empress Liu on his own, theicountry willibe destroyediby morning.¡±


    Heipusheditheiquilt awayiand satiup.


    ¡°The first time he saw me, heishowed his dissatisfaction. Now fouriyears haveipassed, exceptiforihis growing dissatisfactioniandiresentment towardsime, I doinotiseeitheislightest improvement.¡±


    Mu Fulan understoodithatihe was onlyitalking inigeneral termsiandinot thatiheiknewiwhat Changsha was doingisecretly.


    She said, ¡°Theniwhatishould Changsha doiinitheifuture?¡±


    Xie Changgengididn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°As you know, Empress Liuiseesimy Mu familyiasiaithorniiniheriside. Eveniif myibrotheridoes notihave a rebelliousiheart, if a crimeiisiadded to his head, shouldiheisitiandiwaitifor death?


    ¡°Lastitime, itiwasithrough Zhang Ban¡¯s effortsithatiweimanagedito avoidimilitary disaster. Relyingion himitoipersuadeiEmpress Liu? I¡¯m afraid Zhang Baniisinotisoicapable.¡±


    She said again.


    Xie Changgengisnorted, ¡°Aimere ZhangiBanican saveiyouifrom military disaster, isiit that I, Xie Changgeng, aminotias good as Zhang Ban?¡±


    ¡°Youimean, youiare stilliwillingito protectiChangsha?¡± Sheiasked.


    ¡°How difficult would it be for me to protect a mere country like Changsha?¡± He answered her.


    Perhaps it was because of his drunkenness. This quietilate night, his toneiof his voiceiwhen he spoke to her showed a rareiarrogance.


    MuiFulan wasisilentiforiaimoment, theniaskedihim, ¡°So, whatidoiIineed toidoiforiyou?¡±


    Exchange, it¡¯s all exchange.


    It wasiasiif theipast, wheniherifather usedithe condition of recommending him to enteriofficeiiniexchangeifor a fewiyearsiof peaceiof Changsha¡¯s four borders. Theimarriageicontract was a toolitoimakeitheiexchange respectable.


    Heiwas silentiand hisieyes fellioniher body.


    Sheiclimbed outiof bed, herishirtiwas neatibutithin, andiherirobeiwas looselyidrapedioveriher shoulders. Theimoonlightishone throughithe windowibesideiher, and theicurveiof her bodyihiddeniunder herishirtiwasihazyiandifaint.


    Theinight seemedito haveigradually frozen, anditheicoldibecameimore andimoreisevere. MuiFulanistoodifor ailongitime inithe darknessibeside theitable andigradually felt chills.


    ¡°We¡¯llitalkiaboutiit wheniIineed something.¡±


    Heiretracted his gazeiand layiback again.

 CH 25

    Guzang City (1)


    Theinextimorning, Xie Changgengiand Mu Fulanileftithe capitalifor Hexi. i


    Becauseithereiwasianiunusual situationiinitheimostinorthern bordericity, Xiutu City, heineededito getithereiasifastiasipossible. Although theyibothileft Shangjing together, theyiarrivediatidifferentitimes.


    Heionlyitook aifewipeopleionithe roadiwithihim, while Mu Fulanitook theicarriageidesignediforilong distanceitravel. Sheiwasiescortedibyia groupiof attendantsiand followedithe officialiroadito theinorthwest, travellingibyidayiand stayingiatiinn atinight. Theidestinationiwas Guzang Cityiwhere Jiedufu (the residence) wasilocated. Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Beforeileaving, Mu Fulaniasked Xie Changgengiwhatiheriarrangements wereiafterigettingithere.


    Hisiansweriwasiveryistraightforward. Heisaidithatiheihadiaskediherito comeiinitheinameiof husbandiand wifeiinifrontiof Empress Liu soishe mustigoito Guzang first. Afterisome time, sheicanifindianiexcuseiandigo home.


    Thisimade Mu Fulan feelirelieved, butinowicameitheidifficultiwait.


    Heridreamsiwereifillediwith Xi¡¯er¡¯s reluctantieyesilookingibackiatiher thatiday.


    Itihasionlyibeeniaifewidaysisince theiriseparation, butisheicouldn¡¯t stopithinkingiaboutihim.


    Sheiwanteditoigoibackiimmediately, toibeiwith Xi¡¯er.


    Noimatterihowifastisheitraveled, it wasiimpossibleitoikeepiupiwith Xie Changgeng. Sheirushediallitheiway, iniorderitoigetithereias sooniasipossibleisoisheicould returnito Changshaiasisoonias possible.


    Theipeopleiwhoitravelediwithiher didinotiknowitheisituation. When theyisawiheritravelitirelessly, they thoughtisheiwanteditoireunite with Xie Jieduiasisoonias possible, soihow couldithey dareibeilazy? Theyiall traveledidayiandinight, andifinally arrivediin Guzang city.


    Guzangiisiknowniasitheiguardianiof theinorthwest. Itiisitheimilitaryiand politicalicentre of thisidynasty, andiit isilocatediatitheiborder. Theipeople areifierceiandinotiafraidiof death.


    Onitheiday Mu Fulaniarrived, the snowithatibeenifalling for several daysiandinightsistopped. Theisnow andiiceicoveringithe talliandiheavy cityigatesigleamediinitheisun. The cityiwasilivelyiwithimanyimerchants anditradersicomingiandigoing.


    Jiedushi¡¯s residenceiisilocatediinithe northiof theicity. Xie Changgeng arrivediten days ago, butiheiisinot homeiatitheimoment. Heiisistilliin Xiutu City.


    Theisteward welcomedithem in. Afterisettling down, theinext day, theiofficials anditheiriwivesiheard theinewsiandicameitoivisit themione afterianother. Mu Fulan hasibeen busyiwithisocialiengagementsifor the lastifewidays. Tonight, Xie Changgeng alsoireturneditoitheicity andireturnedito Jiedushi¡¯s residence. Heifoundithat Mu Fulan hadiarrived manyidaysiearlier, andilookediat her in surprise.


    Theitwoiof theminaturallyilivediin theisameiroom. Beforeigoingitoibed, heisaw Mu Fulanistandingiin front of theionlyibediin the roomiandishe starediatihimiquietly, asiifiwaitingifor himitoigoitoibedifirst. He turned aroundiexpressionlessly, andilike before, tookianotheriquilt fromithe cabinet, putiitionitheicouch, andifell asleep.


    Mu Fulan had no intention of forcing himitoisleepiseparatelyifromiher.


    Althoughithe ideaiof sharingiaibed withihimimadeiher extremely uncomfortable, evenidisgusted, but noimatteriwhat, sheiowedihimia hugeifavouriforihelpingiheriwithiher mattersithisitime.


    A favouriis likeiaidebt, soonerior later itihasitoibeirepaid


    Sheinowihasinothingiof useitoireturn theifavour. Thereiisionlyione thing left.


    If heiwantediit, sheiwouldinotirefuse.


    Of course, if heistillidespisesiher unchasteibody, itiisinaturallyiforithe best.


    Although Mu Fulan wantedito immediatelyidiscussiwithihimiabout herireturn, sheiknewithatiitiwasinot yetiappropriate.


    Heishouldihaveispentiailotiof effort toibringiherihere. It wasinotiright to leaveiafterijustia few days.


    Sheihaditoibeipatientiandiwait a littleilonger.


    Initheinextifewidays, Xie Changgeng didinotiseeimany peopleiandisheihad nothingitoido, sometimesishe changedihericlothes andiwentiout duringitheiday. Today whenisheiwent toitheimarket, she wanderedipast a stalliandisawia child¡¯s hatimadeiof localiyakileather. Itiwasivery cute, so sheiboughtiit.


    Theimaidiaskediwithiaismile, ¡°Princess, whoiwilliwearithis hat?¡±


    Mu Fulan smiled but did not say anything. She put away the leather hat, and strolled around for a while. When she about to leave, she passed by a medical clinic on the side of the road. She saw several native men rushing in with a seven or eight-year-old child, then there was a loud noise inside, and she stopped.


    The meniwere talking toithe doctor insideiin ailanguage she could not understand. They looked very anxious, andithe doctoriwaved his handsiagain and again, ¡°Itihas nothingito doiwith me! I only prescribeimedicationifor the disease, if itican¡¯t be cured, youiwill killime. I can notihelp!¡±


    Mu Fulan askedithe guards who followediher out whatithose people had said. Theiguard couldispeak the localilanguage, andiwentioverito ask a fewiquestions. Heicame back and said, ¡°Theseipeople live inia village nearby. Forisome reason, many people haveivomited andihad diarrhea, andithe high feveridoesinot goiaway. The sameiis true forithis child. A fewidays ago, after taking the medicine prescribediby thisiman, not onlyidid it not getibetter, but it got worse, andiis about toidie. They brought himiover this morning and asked theidoctor to treatihim again!¡±


    ¡°Princess, theinatives usuallyitake theiriown medicineiwhen theyiare sick. Theyicame to theicity to find the doctoribecause theiriown local medicineiwas notiworking. There are notimanyigood doctorsihere. They are similar toimilitary doctors, it¡¯s fineito treatia bruise oriheadache, but if it¡¯sia seriousiillness, youiareion youriown.


    Theinoiseiinsideigrewilouder. When theimiddle-aged maniheardithe doctorsirefusal, heigaveiailook of angeriandi pulledioutiaiknifeifrom his beltiandiinsertediit intoitheidoor of theipharmacyiwith a ¡®thud¡¯. The dooriwasiinstantlyipierced with a largeihole.


    The doctoriknewithatithese natives wereitoughiandihadialwaysibeen unruly. Fearful, heishoutedifor help.


    Mu Fulan pushediasideitheipassers-by surroundingitheidooriandiwalked in.


    Theichildiwas lyingiflat onitheitable, hisieyesitightly closed. Heihad aihigh fever, dryimouth, andiwasivery weak, closeitoidying.


    Initheiyears beforeisheigot married at theiageiof sixteen, sheihelped see manyipeopleiwhoicame toiseek medicalitreatmentifrom Yaoweng. Manyiillnessesiwereinot just limiteditoimedicalibooks.


    Sheitookitheichild¡¯s pulse, checked hisitongue, and askeditheiadults aboutitheisymptoms. She learned thatitheichildihadisevere dysentery.


    Theicrowd saw that aibeautiful young womanicome iniasiif sheiwereia doctor. Sheitookicareiof theichild, so theyistoppediarguing, andilooked over.


    The guardidid notiexpectithat Jiedushi furen hadimedicaliskills, and wasistunned foria moment. Hearing thatithe maidisaid thatitheiprincess usedito studyimedicine, heireacted andihurriedlyisaid, ¡°She is Jiedushi furen, and canitreat theipatient, you alligetiout of theiway!¡±


    Whenitheinatives heardithat she coulditreatithe child, theyipushed the doctor awayiandihurried over.


    The doctoriwas still inishockiwhen he heardithat thisiwoman wasiactually the wifeiof Jiedushi. He alsoicameiover, bowed andigrumbled, ¡°Madam, thisichild is sufferingifrom dysentery. Whenitheyibroughtihim overito meia fewidays ago, heiwas already vomitingiand not eating andithere wereisigns of defeat. Toitreat thisiillness, he shouldiuse aibetel nut, bitteriorange, and areca rhubarb. If heiisistillinoticured, Iican notido anything else. These peopleiare reallyiviolentias you saw. Notionly didithey blame me, butievenidrew a knifeito kill me! Madam, youiknowimedicine, soiyou haveitoidecide for me-¡°


    Yaoweng once told her thatiif the causeiof theiillness is notiidentified andimedicationiis used, it isioften half effectiveiand half ineffective. From theiinformation by theinatives thatimany peopleiin the villageiareilikeithis, plusitheiseason, it can be inferredithat itiis not caused byiexternal factors, but causediby unclean food. If notitreatediproperly, it canibe seriousienoughitoicause deathiiniaiweak person.


    Sheitook aicloserilook at theichild, prescribedia remedyitaught toiher by Yaoweng, anditold theidoctor to immediatelyiprepareitheimedicine. Sheitheniaskedisomeone to bringia bowl of warmisaltiwater toifeedithe child.


    Afterithe medicineiwas boiled, the child wasislowlyifed, butiitiwas impossibleifor it toitakeieffect so quickly. Sheilearned thatithereiwas someidistance fromithe village, andiit woulditakeimore thanian hour to go outiof the city. Theichild isireally weakiandimust notibe transported backiandiforth. Itiis betterito find a placeinearbyito settleidown, take medicineion time, slowlyireplenish salt andiwateriand observeithe aftermath. If anythingihappens, goito Jiedushifu andiaskifor her.


    Thoseimen wereigrateful andiknelt downiandibowed to her.


    After Mu Fulan returned, sheididinot mentionithis to Xie Changgeng that night. Theinext day, sheiwentithere againiafterithinking aboutithe child. Whenithe menisawiher coming, they lookedihappy and thankediher repeatedly.


    It turnsioutithat theichild¡¯s condition has stabilised. Notionly didithe diarrhea and vomitingigradually stop lastinight, butihis spiritiis much better today.


    Mu Fulan wasialsoiveryihappy that theimedicine was effective, anditook anotherilook at theichild. At the requestiof theinatives, sheiwent to the villageitoitreat them, and asked aboutitheir sourceiof drinkingiwater. She learnedithat the wholeivillage used oneiwell, and suspectedithat the waterisource was polluted. Sheitold theminot to useiit anymore, seal the oldiwell, and findianotheriwater source.


    When sheireturned toitheicity after heriwork, itiwas already dark.


    After aibusy dayiand long travel, Mu Fulan feltiailittle tired, hastily ate somethingiandibathed. Sheidid not waitifor Xie Changgeng toireturn beforeigoing toibed.


    Xie Changgeng returnediat xu shi (7-9pm). The stewardiwelcomedihim in andisaid happily, ¡°Da ren, Iididn¡¯t expect the princessito treatithe disease. Forithe pastitwoidays, she wentitoisee theinatives. Usually, thoseipeople seeius like enemies and we areinot allowedito enter the village, butithis time they were respectful. I haveibeenihere for many years, butithis isithe firstitime I have seenithis.¡±


    Aihundrediyears ago, whenithe imperialicourt establishedithisiplace, thereiwas aiconflict with theinatives, andimany people were killediat that time. Althoughithis placeihas become a cityinow andithe descendantsiof the natives are alsoiunder their jurisdiction, theyiare stilliextremely hostileito theiofficial army. Itiisino wonderithat theisteward isipleasantly surprised.


    The princessiof Changshaiisia studentiof Yaoweng, andisheihasialso previouslyitreateditheicatiiniheriown homeibefore. Xie Changgeng wasinot surprisediwheniheiheardithe news. Heiwanteditoiaskiabout theisituation of theinativesiinithe village, soihe wentitoihis roomiandipushed open theidoor.


    It wasinotiveryilateiandiaifewinights ago, sheihadinotisleptiyet at this time, butinowithereiwasinoione in theiroom, anditheibedicurtainiwas lowered.


    Xie Changgengiwalked over, called out, ¡°Mu shi¡° andilifteditheicurtain.


    Mu Fulan hadialreadyifalleniasleep.


    Sheiwasisleepingisoideeplyithat she didn¡¯tieveniwakeiup whenihe opened theidooriand called her.


    Thereiwas a furnaceiunderitheifloor tilesianditheiroomiwasivery hot and sheiprobably gotihotiwhileisleeping. Notionly wasiaipartiof herisnow-white legiexposedioutiof theiquilt, butiheriheadiwas alsoislightly lowered. Hericollariwas slightly wrinkled, andibeneath theicreases, thereiwas aitraceiof snow. Sheilaidion herisideiusingian armiasiaipillow. Her faceiwasilikeia flower, herielbows wereilikeilotusiroots, andiaithinilayer of sweaticoverediherineckiandichest.


    Xie Changgeng helditheibed curtain, hisiattentionifixed oniher. He watchedisilently foriaiwhile, whenihe suddenlyisawithatishe seemeditoibe aware. Theibareifootithatiwasiclosest toihimishrank, andiherieyelashes movedia few times, asiif sheiwas aboutitoiwakeiup. Heiputidownithe curtain, held his breath, anditook a fewistepsibackisilently.


    Thereiwas a slightimovementifrom the bed, andiitisoonibecameiquiet again.


    Xie Changgengiexhaledislowly, turnediawayiwithoutilookingibehind himiagain.


    For theinextiperiod of time, Mu Fulan workeditirelessly. Every morning andievening, she went out of theicityiand returneditoitheicity, and continueditoitreatithe elderly, weak and seriouslyiillipeople in the village whoiwereiunable to leave. Thereiwereitimesishe returned even later than Xie Changgeng.


    Xie Changgeng, asiifihe didn¡¯t see, didinotiaskiany questions, andidid notiinterfereiat all.


    Half a month later, heiwentiout to patrol foriaifew days beforeireturning toitheicity. He returned to Jiedushi fu travel-worn, andifoundithat she was notithere. He asked the steward and learnedithatithe patientsiinithe village hadialreadyibeen cured, but the princessiisistill veryibusy. In recentidays, peopleihaveifrequently comeitoisee her. The military doctor alsoicameitoday, sayingithat some soldiersiwere sick andiinvited her overibecause heiwas unsureiofitheir illnesses.


    ¡°She leftiinitheiafternoon, soishe shouldihaveireturnediatithisitime. HowiaboutiI go andisee?¡± The steward asked.


    Xie Changgeng saidithatiit wasinot necessary. He wentiback toihis room and cameiout afteribathingiand dressing, but Mu Fulan hadinotiyet returned.


    The servanticame toiask himito eat dinner.


    Heilooked at theidarkening sky outsideiandiwent out.

 CH 26

    Guzang (2)


    Xie Changgengirodeioutiof theicity aloneitoitheibarracksioutside the northigate, andireacheditheiarea whereitheimilitary doctoritreated woundedisoldiers. Beforeiheiwalked in, heisawia lotiof peopleioutside. Theyiwereiall youngisoldiers, pushingiand shoving, eachionitiptoe withitheir necksicraned asiif they wereilooking atisomething. Those whoiwereibehind and couldinotisee, jumpediupiand down. Everyone seemedivery excited, andididinot noticeihimicoming and standing behindithem. i


    ¡°Liu jia, areiyouiill? Iisaw youihealthy and activeiduringithis morningsidrill. Getioutiof theiway andidon¡¯t delay myivisit toitheidoctor!¡± Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    ¡°WhoisaidiI¡¯m notisick? I have been feelingiillithe lastitwo days, andionly wentitoiexercise because Iiwasiable to endureiit. I don¡¯t thinkiyouiare sick andiare pretendingitoibeisick. Did youialsoicomeitoisee Madam?¡±


    Hisicompanionirepliediwithout lookingiback.


    Theiman blushediandiargued, ¡°Who saidiI amipretendingito beisick? Iiwas injurediinia previousibattle, and I haveinotifullyihealed!¡±


    ¡°If youihaven¡¯t recovered, whyidid youicomeihereitoday?¡± His companionilaughed again.


    ¡°Whatiare youiarguingiabout! Formia line! Madamidoesinot treatibruises, knifeiand gunshotiwounds, soigo to theimilitary doctoriforiall of them! Thoseiwhoiare not sickiand pretendingito beisick, if theyiare caught, willibe punishediby military lawiandiwill beibeateniwith 20 militaryisticks! Theirest, comeione by one! If youidon¡¯t getiyour turnitoday, comeiback tomorrow! Madamisaid, ¡°I¡¯lll lookiatithemiiniorderiof priority!¡±


    Wu Changiyellediwhenihe sawithat thereiwereisoldiers blockingithe door, andihe noticed Xie Changgeng standinginotifar away. Heidid not knowiwhen heihadiarrived andiwas stunned, thenihurriediover toigreet him.


    ¡°Whatiisithisialliabout?¡±


    Xie Changgengiaskediasiheisweptihis gaze ahead.


    Wu Changinoticed aihintiof displeasureiin hisicoldifaceiand hastilyiexplained.


    ¡°Theimilitaryidoctor heardithatithe newlyiarrivedimadamihas medical skillsiandicured theinativesiaifew daysiago, soiheiwentito askimadam to seeiaifewipatientsihere. Madamicame overiandiexamined themibutimore peopleicame, soimadamistayed¡­¡±


    Whileitheitwoiof themiwereitalking, theisoldiersiwhoiwere huddling outsideitheidoor foundiout that Jiedushi hadialsoicome. Seeing his twoidispleasedieyes lookingiover, those whoihadiheard of madam¡¯s beautyiandiwanted toiseeiher on accountiof illnessiwereiscared. Guilty, theyihurriedlyibowed theiriheads andidispersed.


    Theidoorithatiwasicrowdediwith peopleisoonibecameiempty.


    Xie Changgengiwalkeditoitheidoor, stoodioutsideiandiglancediin.


    Mu shi woreiaicommon greeniand blueicottoniclothing, andisheiwas busyiworkingiwithitheimilitary doctoritoitreatitheisoldiers.


    Heistoodiforiaiwhile, butisheikept heriheadidowniandididinotilook up.


    ¡°Is Jiedushiihereitoipickiup your wife? Waitiaimoment, I willicalliher out! It¡¯s reallyihardiforiMadam today. It¡¯sigetting late, andiMadamishould return.¡±


    Wu Changilooked atihisifaceiand wanteditoigo iniandicallifor someone.


    ¡°Forgetiit.¡±


    XieiChanggengistopped him.


    ¡°I wasijustipassingiby. Whenishe is done, telliheritoicomeiback. Don¡¯t mentionithatiI cameiby.¡±


    Xie Changgeng warnediandileft.


    MuiFulan hasibeenibusyiall afternoon. Fortunately, exceptiforithe firstifew patients, mostiof the patientsiwhoicameito seeitheidoctor onlyihadiminoriillnesses, soiit was notitroublesome. Justiaimoment ago, sheisawia queueioutside, butiwhen sheifinishediseeing aifewiinsideiand lookediup, everyoneiwas suddenly gone.


    Afterihalf aidayiof work, itiwasidark. Sheididn¡¯t thinkimuchiof it andigot up.


    Theimilitary doctoriwasiextremely gratefulitoiher and sentiheriout respectfully. Sheireturned toithe Jiedushifu, anditheiservantsicame to greetiher. Sheicasuallyiaskediabout Xie Changgeng, andiwasitoldithat he hadireturnediearlier, butitheniwent outiagainiand hasinotiyetireturned. Feelingiuncleanifrom theidays windblownidust, whenisheientered theiroom, sheicalledisomeone to prepareiwater.


    Afterishe finishedibathing, sheigot outiof theitub. Theimaidihandediher theiclothesiandisaid, ¡°Muimama feels distressediforitheiprincess, saying thatiyouiare tooitireditheseidays. The foodipreparediby theicookihereiis notitoiyourilikingiso sheiwillicook foritheiprincessiherself. Itishouldibe readyisoon.¡±


    Mu Fulaniraisediherihand toipickiup theishirt. Theishirtiwasislippery, and sheicouldn¡¯tiholdionto it well. Itifell toitheiground andiwasiwetibyithe wateristains.


    Theimaidigaveia ¡°Yah¡± andihurriedly pleadediguilty.


    Mu Fulaniaskediheritoibring in anotheridress.


    Theimaid wentiout, andiMu Fulan wipedithe water dropletsithatiwere still oniher body. Afteriwiping itioff, sheiwaited insideiforiaiwhile, but no oneicame back. Sheicalled andiheard noiresponse. Sheiwrapped a towel aroundiherself hastilyiandiwalked out. Justias sheiwasiabout toicall for someoneiagain, herifootsteps stopped.


    Theimaid wasigone, andithereiwas no oneielse initheiroom, butiXie Changgengistandingiopposite toiher.


    Heiheldioneiof hericlothesiinihis hand.


    Mu Fulaniwas startled, and subconsciouslyitighteneditheitowel to coveriherichest. Sheitheniturned to goibackiinside, andiheardithe man behindiherisay, ¡°Youriclothes.¡±


    Sheistopped, andifeltihimiwalk towardsiheribeforeistopping behind her.


    Heishookitheiclothesiandiput them on her shoulders.


    Sinceihe justicameiin fromioutside, hisifingers wereicold. Whenihe put on hericlothes, theiback of hisifingers toucheditheiwarm skin onitheiback of herineck.


    Thoughitheiroomiwas hot, sheicould notihelpishivering. Theiskinioniher neckithat wasitouchediby hisifingers quicklyigrew goosebumps, andiher wholeibodyitrembled.


    ¡°Isiiticold?¡±


    Hisihandsididinotileaveiher, he lightlyiheldiher fairismooth shoulders, theniloweredihisihead and gentlyibrushed againstiher hairiwith his smoothiandihandsomeichin.


    Hisilipsireached heriearsiandihe askediheriiniailow voice, withiaivery gentleitone.


    Mu Fulanididinotianswer.


    Heistoppeditalking, andihisicold handsididinot leaveiher. After rubbingiher shouldersiaifew times, he slididown herisoftiback, andithrough hericlothes downitoiheriwaist. Afteria pause, heigentlyipushed asideithe dressiheijust pution her and hugged herifulliandiwhite body.


    Mu Fulaniclosediherieyes.


    Theiroom wasisilent, onlyithe sound of breathingifrom theimanibehind hericouldibeiheard.


    Heisilently caressediher foria moment, thenisuddenlyipickediher upiwithoutiaiword. Heiwalkedito the bediand putiheridown, thenipulled theicurtainidown.


    Theilightifromitheicandlesiinithe roomiwasiblocked byitheicurtain, anditheibediwasidimmed.


    Hisithroatitightened, andihisiusually calmieyesiwere darkenediwithisome darkiexcitement. Heihugged Mu Fulan, whoiwas soisoftithatiheiwas a littleisurprised.


    Thisiis what happensibetweenimen andiwomen.


    Sheiwasiso tightiandiit gaveihimian illusion, followediby aicertain vague expectation.


    Sheiprobablyilied toihimithatiday. Afteriall, heididinotireally touchiher then.


    Heiheldibackihis strengthiandididn¡¯t putitooimuchipressure, asithoughishe wouldibeiini great painiwith the slightestiforce. Withisome caution andiprobing, heifinallyitook possessioniof heriwithidifficulty, a layeriof sweatibrokeioutionihis forehead, andiitiwasialmost impossibleitoiholdiback.


    Butiatithatimoment, he stopped. Afteriailittleihesitation, he easedifromiherislowly, loweredihis head, andiglancediat himself.


    Wrappediiniailayeriof light moisture. Thereiisionlyiwater.


    Sureienough, noired.


    Xie Changgengislowlyiraisedihisieyes andilookediat her.


    Mu Fulaniwasilyingiunderihim.


    Atifirst, sheikeptiher eyesiclosed, but nowisheiseemed to senseitheichange inihisimood, andopened herieyesito meetihisigaze.


    Hisieyes wereiextremelyisombre, revealingiaitraceiof disappointment andianger thaticould notibe concealed.


    However, sheilookedicalm andidid notiavoidihimiinitheislightest, she justilookediat him, andienduredihis downwardiglance.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯s handsomeifaceiwas slightlyidistorted andihe stopped lookingiat her. Heisuddenlyiheldiher twoismooth whiteilegs tightlyiwith bothihands, andiroughlyidraggediher towardsihim. Withoutishowingiany pity, heicompletelyipossessed her.


    Heifinishediquickly, pressedionitop of her, closedihisieyes and gaspedifor breath. Afteriaiwhile, hisibreathing calmedidown. Heiopenedihis eyes andirolledioff heriwithoutilooking at her. Heilifted theicurtain andiwentito pution hisiclothes. Withoutiaiword, heiwalkedistraightiout.


    Mu Fulan openediherieyesiand watchedihis backidisappear. Afteria while, she proppediher armsionithe bediandislowlyisat up.


    Sheiraisediherihand toisupportiher soreiwaist, frownediandiwaitedifor someirelief. Sheitookihericlothes, put themion anditucked her long messy hairitogether. Whenisheilooked down andisaw nothingioutiof theiordinary, sheilifted theicurtainiandicalled forisomeone.


    Mu mama cameiin, lookediat Mu Fulan, hesitatediforiaimoment, and said, ¡°Princess, didiyou justigetiintoia fightiagainijustinow? JustinowiI came overiandiwantedito calliyouifor dinner. He¡­¡±


    Muimamaistoppediand didn¡¯tisay anythingifurther.


    Sheicameioveriaftericookingithe food justinow, andiwhenishe saw Xie Jiedu comingioutiof theiroom, she invited himitoieat. Hisifaceiwas gloomy, he didn¡¯tianswer, andijust left.


    Asiif sheihadinotiheard, Mu Furan onlyiasked, ¡°Whatikindiof dishes haveiyouicooked?¡±


    Muimamaihurriedlyisaid, ¡°Tender gingerisproutsistir-fried withiduck slices. The duckiskiniwasitaken off andiboilediwith fragrantichives. I also boiledia soupiwith whiteiwinter melon. Alsoimadeishredded chicken, fishisliders, andimutton noodles. The fishiand vegetablesihere areinotias delicateiasvour southern counterparts. Fortunately, theiducks areiveryifat, anditheimutton is also good. Just cookediinvplainiwater, it doesinot smellifishy andistewed underitheifine noodles, veryitasty.¡±


    MuiFulanismilediand said, ¡°Those are allimy favouritesiandiI amialso veryihungry. It¡¯sia littleihotiinithe room, andiI¡¯misweating ailittle, so I¡¯ll takeiaishower. Iiwillieatiwhen I¡¯m done.¡±


    Muimamaiwasirelievediwhen relationshipibetweenithe couple seemeditoihaveieased a little in the pastihalf a month, butijustinowishe sawiXie Changgeng leaveilikeithat again.


    Sinceihe cameioutiof theiroom, itiis naturalithat theirelationship between themiare notigoodiagain.


    Mu mamaiwasiworriediaboutithe princess, butiseeing thatisheiwas inia happyimood, sheirelaxed, butistill hadisomeidoubts iniheriheart. She didinot thinkiabout it too deeply, but insteadifollowedithe joyiandisaid with aismile, ¡°Good. Princess, youigo washifirst. Iiwilliputithe foodion the table. Eatiandirestiearly. It¡¯sibeen harditheseidays.¡±


    Sheicalleditheimaiditoicomeiiniand serveiMu Fulan bathe, andiwentito getitheifoodiherself.


    Mu Fulanitookianotheribathitoiwash awayithe sweatileft oniheribody. She cameiout andiateiandidrankiinithe warmiroom. After she finished eating, sheiwentitoibed.


    SheithoughtiaboutiXi¡¯eriandiquickly felliasleep. Sheisleptiwellithatinight, andididn¡¯tiwakeiup untilitheinext morning.


    Xie Changgengididinotireturnilast night, andiheiwillinotireturn today.


    TheistewarditoldiMu Fulanithatihe hadigone to Xiutu lastinightifor something, andididinotimention wheniheiwouldireturn.

 CH 27

    Guzang (3): This time, he¡¯ll consider it as a lesson learned


    Whenitheifeelingiof retributioniand pleasureidissipates,iitifollowediby regret,idisgust, and resentment. i


    Itiwasiwith suchiaimoodithatiXie Changgeng walkediout of theidoor.


    Fromitheiage of fourteen,iafter takingidesperate risksiand committingimurder, theiyoungiman whoilitiailamp atinight toireadiand wasidiligentiinihisistudiesiwasigone forever.


    Heiwill neveriforgetitheidayiwhen he returnedihomeifromithe examination andiwas greetedibyitheisceneiof his fatheribeingicarriediback, vomiting bloodiand dying. Itiisiengraved inihis heartiandiwillinever beiforgotten.


    Althoughihisifatheriwasionlyia postmaster, heiwasiloyaliand knowledgeable.iXie Changgengistill remembersithatiwheniheiwas a child, hisifatheritaught himihowitoiwrite hisiname, heisaidito him, venus was eastibeforeidawni(qi ming)iand west afteridusk (changgeng). Theinorth wasidisordered, andithe birth of Changgengiwasiprecious. That¡¯s why heiwasinamediasisuch.


    Hisifather isitheipersonihe respected theimostiinihisilife.


    Theipersoniwhoiwasisoibrazenito walkiaway aftericommitting aimurder isinothingibutiaimilitary general. A mereififth rankicanibeisoiarrogant.


    Sinceitheistrongipreyionitheiweak, to beioutstanding became everything. Heiisiunwillingitoibe inferiorito othersiin his blood and bonesiandihe isidestined for this path. Hisidesires andiambitions continueditoiswell as heisteppedion hisicorpses of hisienemies again and again. TheiYangtze Riveriwaterway, theidark forces,ieven if theyiwere extreme,iwere farifrom beingiableito satisfyihim.


    Heiwantsitoistandiatitheihighest peak,itoibeichosen asitheisoniof the sky, and trampleionieverything underneath. Theiworldiwillihaveito bowitoihim.


    Ititookihimifiveiyearsitoibecomeithe leaderiof theiYangtze River.


    Initheipastifiveiyears,ihisihandsiwere stainediwith blood. Thoseiwhoidied atihisihands includedienemiesiand hisiown people. Heialsoialmost lost hisilife several timesibutimanagedito escapeideath. Iniadditionitoihis enemies, there areialsoihisiown peopleiwhoiwant toikillihim.


    Timeianditimeiagainithereiisibetrayal andistruggle. Theilastisoft spotiinithe bodyiof thatiyoungimaniwill alsoibe honediinto aistrongiarmouriand sharpishield. Xie Changgengidid not trust anyoneiexcept himself. Everything canibeiused and exchanged, includingihisimarriage.


    Atitheiageiof nineteen,iheisatifirmly asithe leader of the Yangtze River and afteriaccumulating enoughicapital, he setihis sightsionithe Dongting Mu Clan, whoiwasiadjacent to hisiown power.


    Wheniheimadeithisimarriage contract, heihadinoiinterestiin Mu shiiherself. Tall,ishort,ifat,ithin, beautiful oriugly, itididinotimatter to him.


    Heiwilligiveiherieverythingishe deservesiin theifuture, andiallishe has toidoiisicarry on his lineage.


    Heididinotiexpectithatifromitheiday heiwent toiChangshaitoipickiheriup, withoutiwarning, thingsideviated fromihis expectations.


    Now,iitihasievenibecomeidifficult for him.


    Wheniheiwasiyoungiheiwasiknown forihis talent, so he wasiinevitably arrogantiandiconceited, andino womanicouldicatch hisieye. The marriageiwithithe Qiifamilyiwas arrangedibyihis parents, soihe obeyed. Afterihis fateichangediat the ageiof fourteen, wheniknifeimet blood,ithe occasionalithoughtiof addingifragrance to his sleeves had longisinceidisappeared. Atitheiage of sixteen,iafter witnessingithe deathiof theileader whoiadmirediand promotedihim dueitoiaiwoman sent byihis enemy, heitookiit asiaiwarning andiwas evenimoreicautious and self-disciplined. ThisiMuiwomanihadino interestiin himiandiisidetermined to leave,inot toimentioniher lascivious natureiandisheihad lost her chastity before. Heidoesinotineed toilookiat her.


    Heifeltiremorse. Heiregrettedithatihe wasideceivediby thisiwoman¡¯s appearanceiandisubmissive attitude, andiindulgedihimself foriaimoment, bringingihisiown disgrace.


    Heiisidisgusted. Heiwasidisgusted by thisiwoman¡¯s wantonness and trickeryibut heiwasidisgustediwith himself evenimore. Thatidayiinithe study,ihe knew thatisheihadicomeiin pretense, butiwhenihe heard her say ¡°theionlyiperson whoicaniprotect me inithisiworldiis you,¡± heiwasia little movedibyiit.


    Heiwasievenimoreiresentful.


    Notionlyibecauseisheihadilostiher chastity,ibut alsoibecauseihe stillihad hope,ithinkingithat if sheihadilied to himiinitheibeginning, heimightino longerimindiher previousislights, and heiwoulditreat heribetter. Whatihe gotiinireturn wasianother humiliation.


    Thereiwasinoitraceiof guiltior remorseiiniherieyes.


    Evenithoughisheihadilostiher chastity, if sheishowediaihint of guilt, heiwouldinotihaveibeen soiresentful.


    Xie Changgengibraveditheisevere coldithatinight, walkedioniiceiand snow,iandiwentito Xiutu.


    Xiutuiisinotibig, butiitiisian importantigarrisonicity onithe border,iasitheigatewayito Guzang. It isigeographically important.


    Aifewidaysiago, thisiplaceiwas attackediby a largeinumberiof Mobei cavalry.iTheideputyigeneral inicharge of defense, LiuiAn, ledithe army. Afteriseveral battles, they learnedithatiXie Changgeng wasion hisiway backifrom Shangjing and knewithat thisitime they couldinot take advantageiandihad toiretreatiin vain.


    WheniXie Changgeng arrivediat Xiutu, heistarteditoireinforceithe old cityidefense andiwasibusyifor many days. Wheniallimattersiwere accomplishediheireturned toiGuzang.


    Itihasionlyibeeniaifewidays, bution theiwayiback, heihaditoitravel throughitheiice andisnowitheiwhole nightitoithe pointihisihairiand eyebrowsiwere coverediiniice. Liu An thoughtiXie Changgeng wasinotiat easeiwithihim, andiwasivery frightened. Wheniheitookia short rest,ihe immediatelyiledihim to patrolitheicity defense, andirepeatedly assuredithatihe wouldidefinitely guardiXiutu, and wasiwilling to issue aimilitary orderiasiproof.


    Xie ChanggengistayediiniXiutu foria fewidays in theiname of inspection.


    Heididinotihaveitoicomeito Xiutu. Thatinight, heileftiinianger andidid not knowiwhereito goiand whenihe thought of Xiutu, he decidedito come here. Aifewidays haveipassed, andinowithere is nothingielse to do andiheiwas reluctantito stay. Heiwantedito leave andigoito anothericity, andiLiu An ledihis troopsioutiof theicityigate. On theiroad, he gradually slowed and finallyistopped.


    Whyididiheiaskiheritoistayiat Jiedushifu, causing so much inconvenienceifor him? Heileftithat nightiin aihurry, andileftimany affairs unexplained. Afterisoimanyidays, his workloadimust beipiling up.


    Itiisiunbelievableithatisuchiaiwoman hasimade itidifficultifor himito return.


    Howicouldiheinotiknowithatiwhen sheifirst arrived to the capital, EmpressiLiu frequentlyicalled her intoithe palaceito test heriattitude, becauseishe wasiafraid thatiMu shi wouldibe able toicontrol himiand influenceihim to alienateiher?


    Afteriaimomentiof carelessness,ihe riskedirousing Empress Liu¡¯s suspicionsiand tookiailotiof effortito getiMu shi out. Inithe eyesiof outsiders, theyihaveispent ailotiof timeitogetherisince sheiarrived. Whenishe wentiback toiChangsha underithe nameiof incompatibility, andithe newsispreaditoiEmpress Liu, itiwould noticontradictihisidesire to maintainihis reputation, butialso convinceiEmpress Liuiof her judgementiof Mu shiithatiday.


    Speakingiof which,iinitheiend, itiwas himself whoihelpedithisiwoman.


    XieiChanggengithoughticoldly.


    Thisitime, he¡¯lliconsideriitiasiailesson learned. Whenihe returns, heiwill makeiit clear toiheriand letiherigo backito Changsha. Initheifuture, if he isisuccessfuliini hisimatters, foritheir father¡¯siface, itimayinotibe necessary toikillithem all.


    Heiponderediforiaiwhileiandimade a decision, turnedihis houseiaround, andireturneditoiGuzang.


    Theidistance betweenitheitwoiplaces wasihundredsiof miles. Heigalloped onihis horseiforiaiday. Wheniitiwas dark,ihe ranitheistrong horseiasifast asipossible, finally entereditheicity andireturnedito Jiedushifu.


    Theistewardiwasistandingiatithe door,iand aiservantiwasilighting a lantern. When he sawithatihisimaster hadireturned, heigreetedihimiwith surprise.


    Xie Changgengigotioff hisihorseiand orderediforithe horsesitoibeitaken to theistable for feedingiandirest. He walkediin, tookiaifewisteps, then askedithe stewardiwhoifollowedihim, ¡°Whatihas theiprincessibeen doing duringimy absence?


    Theistewardireplied, ¡°When someone asksifor aicheck-up, theiprincessiwill seeitheipatient, andiwhenian official¡¯s wifeicomes toitheidoor, sheiwill entertainithem. Orisheiwillibeiin the residenceiif thereiis nothing. It¡¯sithe sameiasitheiformer days.¡±


    Xie Changgengilookediahead, but didinotianswer.


    Theistewardismilediand complimented, ¡°Dairen, hurryiin. I heardifrom myisonithatithe princess refusedito restifor a momentionithe roadiin orderitoibeiable toicomeihere earlieritoireunite withiyou. It¡¯s a pity, youihave a lotiof workiandioften go outiof theicity. Onlyiaifew days, but theiprincess must missiyou very much. Nowithatiyouiare back, I don¡¯t knowihowihappyitheiprincess must be.¡±


    Theisteward¡¯s son was one of the guardsiwho came with Mu Fulan. Seeingithat Mu Fulan isiskillediin medicineiand friendly, theisteward boldlyimentioned thatiheihasiold coldilegs. Wheniitiflared up, the sorenessiwasiunbearable soishe taughtihim aimassage technique, sayingithat itiwould definitely relieve theipain. Theistewardiwas very grateful, andiwanteditoisayigood thingsiabout heriinifrontiof Xie Changgeng. Atithisimoment, he deliberatelyimentionediwhat heihad heardifromihisison someitimeiago.


    Thisiremindedihimiof that.


    Theireasoniwhyithisiwomanispared noieffort anditirelesslyirushed over wasibecause sheihad keptiheriown wordsifirmly inimind, thinkingiof arrivingiearly andileavingiearly.


    Aicoldilookiappearedionihisiface. He instructedithe stewardinotitoifollow, andiwentito theiroomiby himself.


    Heisteppediinto theicourtyardiand sawiaimaid come out of the house. He recognisedithatiitiwasithe oneiwho wasigoingito hand her her clothesiinithe roomiaifew daysiago, butiwasistopped byihisiown impulse.


    DaniZhuiwasigoingioutiwhenishe bumpediinto Xie Jiedu, whoisheihad notiseen for aifewidays. Sheiwas taken abackiandihurriediover to greetihim.


    ¡°Princessiisiinitheiroom, Iiwilligo inform¡­¡±


    ¡°No need!¡±


    Xie Changgengididn¡¯tistop, whenihe reacheditheifoot of theistairs, he steppediupiandipusheditheidoor open.


    Theicandlesiinitheiroomiwere brightlyilit. Mu Fulaniwasiwearing onlyia singleipurpleigauze dress. She satiinifrontiof theimirror and was wipingiher long hair that had still not dried. Sheihearditheisound of the dooribeing pushediopenifrom behind,iand thoughtiit wasiDan Zhu returning,ismiled andisaid, ¡°How comeiyou are backisoisoon? Did you talkito Mu mama? Cookilessidishes, she¡¯sitired, and Iican¡¯t eatimuch¡­¡±


    Sheiturnediheriheadiandisawithe suddeniappearance of Xie Changgeng. Sheiwasistartled, the smileioniheriface froze, andishe stoppedispeaking.


    Itiwas asiwarmiasispringiinithe room. Sheihad justitakenia bath, andishe didinotiexpectihim to returniat this time. Theisingleiclothes oniher body wereia littleithin, and it wasinot suitableifor aimanito see, although the other partyiwas heri¡°husband¡± andiaifew daysiago thereiwasithat kindiof thing.


    Sheigotiup,ipickediupitheicoat hangingion the sideiandiputiit on. Sheithen turnediaround withiaismile oniher face,iand greetedihim, ¡°Are youiback?¡±


    He didn¡¯t respond.


    MuiFulaniquietlyilookediatitheisilent maniandian ominous feeling suddenlyisweptithroughiher heart.


    Onithatinightithreeidaysiago, after theiincident,ihe obviouslyileftiwith resentment.


    MuiFulan knewithatiwheniheilooked atiher at that time, herireaction shouldihave stimulatedihimimore deeplyithanithe unchastityisheihad alreadyitold him.


    Asi proudiasiXie Changgengiwas, the thingihe regretted mostiinitheseifew daysimust haveibeenitouching her body.


    Inifact,ionitheieveiof leaving Shangjing,iMu Fulan knewioutiof intuitionithat he shouldibeiinterested iniher.


    Althoughiitiisinotiessential,iif itiisiso undecided,ishe didinotiknowiwhen sheiwouldibeiable to goiback.


    If itiisiunavoidable, theniitiisibetter toihappeniearlyithan late.


    If sheiwasiright,inowithatihe personallyiconfirmediheriunchastity, heiwill sendiheriaway.


    Soiafteriheileftithatinight,isheihas beeniin a goodimood for theipastifew daysiand wasiwaitingvfor him to returnito talk.


    Butinow,ifacingihisisuddenireturn, sheiwasiailittle uncertainiagain.


    Sheifeltiaihintiof doubtiand apprehension.


    XieiChanggengilookediawayifrom heriandiglanced at the corner of the room.


    Thereiwereiseveraliboxesistacked there.


    Theseiboxesianditrunksiwere brought byiherifrom Shangjing. After they arrived, theyihaveibeen kept here, andihave notibeen unpacked and stored.


    Heihadialreadyiseeniitiearlier. It¡¯s just thatiit has never been so eye-catching asithisimoment.


    Hisieyes slowlyiretractedifromithe boxes, andihe turnediback toiher face, whichihadibeen smiling a momentiago. Onitheiway back, he hadithought overiandiover again the wordsito let herigoibut now that he hasiseen her heisuddenlyidid not wantito say it.


    Heisaidiexpressionlessly, ¡°Call someoneitoibringiwater andifood. I¡¯m tired.¡±

 CH 28

    His legitimate wife, the princess of Changsha, Mu Fulan


    Theiwateriwasisooniready,iandiXie Changgengienteredithe bath. i


    MuiFulanistayediinitheiroom.


    Aifaintisoundiof waterimovingicould beiheard. Afteriaiwhile, Mu Fulan suddenlyiheardihimisay, ¡°Comeiin!¡±


    Mu Fulanihesitated,iwalkedislowlyito theidooriof theibathiroom, and reachedioutitoipushithe door open. Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Underitheiflooritilesiof the bathroom,ithereiisialso aifurnace, whichiburnsiveryihot. There was a denseihot mist.


    Mu Fulanistoodiinitheidoorwayiand sawihim standiupiandistepiout.


    ¡°Bringimeimyiclothes.¡±


    Hisitoneiwasiclam,iasiif thisiwasia naturalithing, andisheioftenihelped him.


    Hisiclothesiwereihangingionithe rack byitheidoor.


    Mu Fulanipausedithenireachediout toitakeiit, anditookiaifewisteps inside.


    Hisibackiwasitoitheidoor, andiheiwas wipingitheiwaterioff himself.


    Duringitheiday, heiwasineatly dressediandilooked thin, butiafter takingioff hisiclothes, hisibroad shouldersiand strongichestiand abdomeniwere visible. Withihisiback turneditoiher, hisiwiping movements showedithe well-defined musclesion hisishouldersiandiback.


    Mu Fulaniwalkedibehindihimiand handedioverihisiclothes.


    Heidroppeditheitowel, tookithe clothesifromiherihand, andiputithem on.


    ¡°Iididn¡¯tiknowithatiyouiwouldibe backitonight, butiI¡¯ve alreadyiasked someoneitoiadd twoimoreidishes. I¡¯ll goiseeiif it¡¯siready.¡±


    AfteriMu Fulanifinishedispeaking, sheiturneditoiwalkiout, but Xie Changgengisuddenly said, ¡°Mu shi, doiyouiwantitoigo backito Changsha immediately?¡±


    MuiFulan¡¯siheartiskippediaibeat, she stoppediiniheritracks,ianditurned her headislowly.


    Xie Changgengihadialreadyipution hisiclothes,iandiwasifacing her.


    Theicandlelightsiwereidimiinithe bathiroom. Acrossitheidenseiwhite mist, Mu Fulanisawihis twoidarkieyes fallioniheriface.


    Thisiquestioniwasiveryidifficult for heritoianswer.


    Sheisaid, ¡°Beforeileavingitheicapital, youipromisedithatiI couldileaveiafter someitime. Toibeihonestiwithiyou, I doiwant toigoiback, butiIialsoiwould likeiit atiyouriconvenience.¡±


    Heididn¡¯tianswer, andisilenceifell.


    Theibathiroomiisismalliand the furnaceiisiburningivigorously. Mu Fulanifeltitheiairigetihotter. Sheidid notiknow if itiwasiwaterivapourior sweat, butiitislowly accumulatedion herifreshlyibathedibodyiandiher clothesislowlyibecame damp.


    Evenibreathing,igraduallyibecameia littleidifficult.


    ¡°You¡¯reiprobablyihungry,isoiI¡¯lligo andirushidinner¡­¡±


    Sheisaidisoftly,ianditookianother stepitoileave.


    Aipairiof handsicameiupifrom behindiher. Thoseihandsiwrapped aroundiheriwaist, restrainingiheriin place.


    Herifeetiimmediatelyiroseiintoithe air.


    SheiwasipickediupibyiXie Changgeng fromibehind, heldibyihis arms, andiheadediout.


    Heiwasibarefootiandihisilapeliloose, revealingihisichest. Hisihairiwasistill wetiandistuckitoihis temples,iand wateridrippedifromithe cornersiof hisihairionto herifaceiandibody.


    WheniMuimamaianditheimaidicame toitheidoor,itheyiknocked and pushediitiopeniandientered with a foodibox.iTheyiwereiabout to place it onitheitable, whenitheyisaw Xie Changgengistridingiout of the bathroomiholding theiprincessilike this.iTheyibothifroze.


    ¡°Getiout!¡±


    XieiChanggengishoutediwithia gloomyiexpression. Heididinotistop andiwalked pastiseveralistunned people,icarryingiMu Fulanitoithe inneriroom.


    Heiplacediherionitheiedgeiof the bed,ihelditheijade hairpinithat fastenediherihair,ipulled itiout,iand threwiit on aismallitableibyitheibed.


    Theijadeihairpinihititheiharditeak woodiwithia slightithud, bouncedia fewitimes,ithenibrokeiinto two pieces.


    XieiChanggengilookedidowniatiher faceithatiwas graduallyichanging color,iasiif heiwasiadmiringiher appearance.


    Oneibyione,iheislowlyipulledioutithe hairpinsithat beeniinsertediintoiher hair.


    Whenitheilastihairpiniwasitakenioff byihim, herisilkyiblackiscatteredilike aiwaterfall.


    XieiChanggengigrabbediaihandfuliof hair,isqueezed it,ileanedidown,iand tookiaisniff.


    Freshlyiwashedilongihairiwithithe fragranceiof flowers. Heiletigo,iand hisihandistrokedialongiher face, and finallyisqueezed herichinilightly, raisediitiforiherito lookiupiatihim.


    Blackihairifellioniher cheeks. She lookedislightlyipale.


    ¡°It¡¯sigoodithatiyouiunderstand.¡±


    Heislowlyileanedihisifaceitowards heriandisaid iniailowivoice.


    ¡°Wheniitiisiconvenientifor me,iyou canigoiback.¡±


    Hisieyesiwereiextremelyidark,ibut hisitoneiwasivery gentle. If sheidid notilookiatihis face andijustilistened, itisoundediasithough heiwasicoaxing her.


    MuiFulanistoodiupiabruptly.


    Beforeisheicouldistandiupistraight, heigrabbediher shoulders,iand pressedithem.iHer kneesiwentiweak, andisheifelliback onitoithe bed behindiher.


    Sheisankiintoitheisoftiquiltiand watchediasihe slowlyipulledioff the beltiaroundihisiwaist, heilookediat heriandisaid, ¡°Don¡¯tibeiafraid. Inia momentiyou willibeisatisfied.¡±


    Muimamaiwasiinitheiouteriroom and couldinotihelpibut giveianiuglyiface. Sheifrozeiandifaintly heard a low, suppressediwhimperifrom the womaniinsideithe tent. Althoughiit wasivague, it wasiclearlyiaudible. She quicklyiglancediat severalired-faced maidsinearby, andihurriedlyisignaled toigoiout.


    Theimaidsihurriedlyipickediupithe foodibox andiexited.


    Muimamaifrowned,ianditookia glanceiinitheidirectioniof theiinner roomiandisuppressed theiworriesiin heriheart. Sheicouldionlyiretreat and gentlyiclosedithe door.


    Youicouldinoilongeriseeitheiattitude thatiXie Changgeng usuallyishowed toioutsiders. Bothitheihandsome appearanceior theisophisticationiand prestigeiof aniofficial.


    Hisilegitimateiwife,itheiprincessiof Changsha, Mu Fulan.


    Hisieyesiwereired,ihisiteethiwere clenched,ihis handsomeifaceiwas slightlyitwisted andicoverediwith sweat. Hisimovementsiwere extremelyifierce, andiheiheldiher waistidesperately. He releasediallithe heat,ianger andiinjustice thatihad beenibuildingiup foridays, alongiwith theigreat pleasureithatiwasilikeia burstingiof theisoul. Itiseemedito be releasediinianiendless stream.


    Forisomeitimeiafterwards,iheislowly breathed. Theniheitookiaipieceiof clothingito wipeithemiboth before fallingiasleep withiheriinihisiarms.


    Theiwaxicandleiinitheiroomimelted inchibyiinch, graduallyishortened, thenithe flameidimmediand suddenly wentiout.


    Theimaniwokeiupibutididinotiopen hisieyes. He reachedioutiinithe darknessiandistroked theisoftiand warmifeminineibody besideihimifor aimoment, thenirollediover and pressedidowniagainiwithout saying a word.


    Theinightiisilongiandithe surroundingsiwere silent. Theifaint thumpingisound fromitheiintense impactispread fromitheiroomito the door.


    Muimamaididinotisleepiallinightiand waitediuntil dawniinitorment.


    AsisooniasiXie Changgengileft,ishe immediatelyiran intoitheiroomiand turneditoitheiinner room.


    Theiwindowiwasiclosed,iandiaidim morningilight penetratedithrough theiwindowipaper, reflectingithe sceneiinitheihouse.


    Half of theibedinetiwasitorn,iandia goldenihookiatithe headiof theibed wasialsoibroken andihadifallenito the ground.iTheiwoman¡¯s clothesiwere lyingimessilyibyithe bed.


    Theiairiwasiailittleistuffy,iandithere seemeditoibeiaiwispy scentiof musk initheiair.


    Muimamairusheditoitheibediand openedithe crumpledimessyiquiltito revealia snow-whiteiback covered withibright redibite marksilikeithe bellyiof aifish.


    Muimamaitookiiniaideepibreath andicarefully turnediheriover. Her faceiwasifulliof tirednessiand haggardness. Herieyesiwere closed, andiherilong messyihairiwasicovered iniwet andidriedisweat. Her whole body;iarms, chestieveniwaist,ihips andilegs, wereicoverediwithia toothmarksiandifinger marks. Itiwas extremelyishocking.


    Afteriseeing Xie Changgengicome outiof the roomiwithianiangryiface andileavingithatinight, theinextiday, theimoreishe thoughtiaboutiit,ithe moreisheifeltithat somethingiwas wrong. MuimamaisecretlyiaskediDan Zhu,iwho wasisupposeditoibe serving inithe roomiatitheitime, andilearned thatiwhen sheiwasiaboutitoigiveithe princessiher clothing, Xie Changgeng happenedito comeiiniandiordered herito goiout.


    Theyiwereionlyiaicoupleiininame before,iand sleptioniseparateibeds at night.iButiwhenisheiheard the hiddenistory fromiDan Zhuiandithen thoughtiof whatisheisawitheinight before,ishe feltiuneasyiiniheriheart.


    Sheiremembereditheifiercenessiof Xie Changgengiwhenihe carried the princessioutilastinight. Withihis treatmentiof her,iher heartiached andiherieyes instantlyiturnedired. Sheicoverediher with a quilt,iand said iniaitremblingivoice, ¡°Princess,ijust letimeigoitellihim, you¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Mu Fulan¡¯sieyelashesimoved,iandishe slowlyiopenediher rediandiswollen eyes.


    ¡°Iiforbidiyouitoimentionihalf a word.¡±


    ¡°Notievenihalf aiwordiisiallowed!¡±


    Herispiritiseemeditoicomeibackialliat once.


    Muimamaicouldn¡¯tihelpichokingiup, ¡°Princess,iwhy isithisinecessary¡­ I reallyidon¡¯tiunderstand¡­¡±


    ¡°Muimama,irememberimyiwords.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯mitirediandiwantitoisleep.¡± She closediher eyesiandirollediover to faceiinward.


    Muimamaistarediblanklyiatiher back, andiwiped awayiheritears. She gathereditheimessyiclothes and thingsion theiground,iand walkediout lightly.


    Afterithat, she secretly paid attention andifound that after that night, Xie Changgenginever slept alone on the couchiagain.


    Fortunately,iafterithatinight, Mu mamainoilonger feltithatiheitreated theiprincess soicruelly again.iAlthoughithere wereisome marksion heribodyileftioverifromithe previousinight, butinotitooimuch.


    Itiseemsithatitheitwoiof themiare moreilikeinewlyweds,iandithe most gratifyingithing toiMuimamaiisithe attitudeiof theiprincess.


    Althoughisheican¡¯tifigureioutiwhy theiprincess¡¯ attitudeitowards Xie Changgengichanged drastically overnightiwhereiher loveiturnedito hate.iButinowiitiseems likeisheihas acceptedihim, withoutianyisadnessior resentment,iand heridailyiattitude is theisameiasiusual.


    Muimama¡¯sihearticalmedidownia little.


    Theidaysipassedibyilikeithis. Inithe blinkiof anieye, theiprincessihasibeen hereifor moreithaniaimonth. Theifirst monthiis over, andiitiis aboutitoienterithe secondimonth. On thisimonth, theiinsectsiawake, and theifarmers beginitoiplough accordingito theicalendar.


    IniHexi, thereiisianiimportantilocal custom. Onithisiday, sacrificesiare madeito Nongshen (god of agriculture)iand Canshen (silkworm god)iforiaigoodiyeariof weatheriand agriculturaliharvest.


    IniGuzang,iitiwasicustomaryifor officialsiandipeopleiwithin the 100 milesiradius toirushitoitheitempleiin theiwestiof theicity. TheiJiedushiiwas toiworship Nongshen andihisiwife wasitoiworship Canshen.


    Thisiritualiisiregardediasian importantievent byitheilocal people. AccordingitoitheiBook of Rites,ithoseiwho presideioverithe sacrificeimust fastithreeidaysiin advance.iNotionlyibathing and changingiclothes, theyishouldinot drinkiorieatimeat. Asiforimarried couples,itheyiareinot alloweditoihave intercourse. Thisiis allitoishowitheir sincerityiandirespect.


    Inipreviousiyears,iwheniJiedushi¡¯s wifeiwas absent,isheiwasireplaced by theiwife of theistateiofficial. However, sinceisheiwasihereithis year, itiwasinaturalithatishe would presideioveritheisacrifice.

 CH 29

    Guzang (5)


    MuiFulaniand XieiChanggengigotiup early. Afteriwashingiup, theitwo changediinto theiriceremonialirobes andileftitogether. Theyiledithe officialsiandiaccompanyingiladies out of theicityitoiNongmiao Temple. i


    AfteriXieiChanggengibecame Jiedushiihere, heiexpertlyiappointed peopleiaccordingitoitheir abilities, manageditheicityiwell, hadinotable politicaliachievements withitheiuse of troops. Heigotiridiof theilootingiin theibordericityiand the local peopleiwereivery supportiveiof him. When theyiarrived, theyisawiaihuge crowediof peopleifrom allidirectionsiand whenitheicrowdisaw Jiedushi and his wifeicoming fromiaidistance, they kneltionitheisideiof theiroaditoigreet them. Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Theitwoiseparatediandieachipresided overithe ritualiceremony.


    Canniang¡¯sishrineiwasialready arrangediwelliwith aicowiplacedion topiof theialtariasisacrifice. Theialtar isifilled withitheifragranceifrom the incenseiand theisceneiis grand.


    MuiFulanientereditheitempleiwith theiofficialsiwives behindiher. She reverentlyikneltidown toiworship, burniincense andipray. Then removeditheisilkworms fromithe altariandidistributed themiwithiher ownihands.


    Theipeople thereisawithat Jiedushi¡¯s wifeiwasibeautifuliin appearance, dignifiediin dress, andinobleiin every move. Notionlyiwas sheitheiprincess of Changsha, butialsoihadigood medicaliskillsiwith miracle hands. Sheihasionly beenihereifor aimonth andihas helpeditoicureimany people seekingimedical treatment. They all hadigreatirespect foriher, and when sheifinished theiritualiandistarted hand-distributing theisilkworms seeds, allistrivedito getione asithough itiwasianiauspicious object.


    MuiFulaniwasibusyiwhenishe suddenlyiheardia voice shouting, ¡°Madam!iWeiareihereitoo! Please giveiusisomeitoo!¡±


    MuiFulanilookediupiandisawiailarge groupiof womenidressedilike natives coming. Oneiwomaniheld theihand of aiseven- orieight-year-oldichild, walkedito her, kneltidowniand kowtoweditoiher.


    Thisichildiwasitheioneiwhoiwasisent toitheihospital thatidayiandithe womaniwas theichild¡¯simother. Some of theiother faces, sheirecognised, wereiresidentsiof the village, and someiwere unfamiliarifacesithatishe hadinever seenibefore.


    AiwomaniwhoispokeiChinese steppediforward andibowed respectfullyito Mu Fulan, thenismiled andisaid, ¡°I heardithat Madamiisihereitoipreside overithe ritualiiniperson. Everyoneisaysithat Madamiisiaigoddess whoicameidown toitheimortalirealm, andiwantsito takeiadvantageiof Madam¡¯siblessing toiofferisacrifices andiprayersiforithe New Year.¡±


    Theinativesihadinoidealingsiwith outsidersiand wereihostileiin the past. Butitoday, theyisuddenly appearedihereiand thereiwereimany of them. Theiwomen whoiwere originallyihere avoidedithem likeithe plagueiand stoodifar away. They starediatithem withiwary eyesiand whispered amongstione another.


    MuiFulanihelpediupitheimotheriand soniwho wereikneelingitoiher, and askeditheimotheriabout the child¡¯s health. Sheilearnedithatihe had alreadyirecovered andiwasinowialive andiwell. Theirestiof theipatientsiin theivillage hadialsoirecovered, and sheifeltirelieved. Thenishe distributed theisilkwormsias requested.


    Theiwomenireceivedithemicarefully andiput itiintoitheir pockets. They smiledihappily,iand said, ¡°Theimen thatibrought usihereiareistill waiting. Weiwill leaveinowiafter worshipping madam,iso asinotitoicause troubleifor you.¡±


    TheyipaiditheirirespectsitoiMu Fulan again,ithen turnediaroundiand left.


    Whenithoseipeopleileft, theicrowd whoihad retreatedislowlyigathered back,iand theiatmosphereibecame livelyiagain.


    Severaliofficialsiwivesiapproached MuiFulan toiadviseiher, ¡°Inithe future, itiisibetter notitoiinteract with theseinatives. Theyiareiallifierce and unreasonable. Theivillagesiare inithe sameiway, anditheyiwill pullioutitheir swordsiat theislightest disagreement. Theyiare connecteditoieachiother, so theyiwill groupitogetheriwhen somethingihappens. Aifewiyears ago, theiprevious Jiedushi hadisome troubleiwith them, andiinitheiend, he almostigot hurtibyithem. The Jiedushiithenidid notidareideal with them,iandiit wasiover. Princess, you areiveryiprecious. Don¡¯tilookiat their friendlyifacesinow, whoiknows what¡¯s initheirihearts, it¡¯sibetteritoibe careful.¡±


    MuiFulanismiled,ithankedithemiand askedithe ladiesitoihelpidistribute the silkwormiseeds.


    Afteritheiritualiwasiover, thereiwasia gathering. Mu Fulan hadino intentioniof going, andididinotiwant toisee Xie Changgeng¡¯s face so she tookitheicarriage backitoiJiedushi fu byiherself.


    Justias Xie Changgengileftithe templeiafter theiritual, aniofficial rushediover andireportedithatia large groupiof nativesihadicome to a vacantiarea outsideitheitemple, with swordsion theiriwaists, andididinot knowiwhat theyiwanted. Although theyidid notibreakiintoithe temple, heiwas afraidithatitheyiwill make troubleitoday andimovedisome soldiersiaround andinowicameito ask foriXie Changgeng¡¯s instructions.


    AfteriXieiChanggengitookioffice, he knewithatithe localinativesiwere a bigiproblemileft overifrom before. He has alsoitried to sendipeopleito communicateiseveral times, butieach timeithey were turnediaway. Fortunately, initheipastitwo years, apartifrom exclusioniand unwillingnessito interactiwith officials, thereihasinot beeniany major incidentsiwith them, soihe temporarilyilet it go.


    Heifolloweditheiofficialiandisawia largeigroup of nativeiwomen, talking andilaughing, comingifromithe directioniof Canniang Temple. The menigreetedithem, saidiaifewiwords, andithey leftitogether.


    Thoseipeopleiclearlyisawithem, but actedias thoughitheyihadinot. They didinot linger, andisoonidisappeared.


    Theiofficial was surprised and embarrassedito see Xie Changgeng loseiface soiheipretendedinot to notice. Whenithe nativesiwereifar away, heiangrilyisaid, ¡°Theseipeople areitoo arrogant! Theyisawiyouiand didinot kneel! Iiwillihave someoneigo anditeach themiailesson!¡±


    XieiChanggeng, asiif heididinotihear, watchedithe nativesiwalk away, then toldithe officialitoiwithdraw. He turnediaround toigoito Canniang Temple. Wheniheigotithere, he did notisee Mu Fulan, andisheiwasitold thatishe leftiafterithe ritual.


    XieiChanggengiaskediabout the nativeiwomen. Theisubordinateisaid, ¡°Iiwas alsoistartled atifirst, itiwasithe firstitime I sawisoimanyiof them. Theyiheard thatitheiprincessiwas hostingithe ritualitodayiand especiallyicame toipayitheir respects andiaskifor blessings. Afterithat, they left.¡±


    XieiChanggengiponderediforia moment, theniturnediaround and left.


    HeireturneditoitheiJiedushifu, and learnedifrom theistewardithat Mu Fulanihad returnedisomeitimeiago.


    AfteriservingiasiJiedushi,ithereiare militaryimatters, paperworkiasiwell asimany governmentiaffairs. Asilong asihe hasitheitime, heiwillihandle it himself. Fortunatelyisinceichildhood, heiwas aiquickireader andiwasiable to efficientlyiread tenilinesiatitime and completeihis workifast.


    Itiwasigettingidark, andiaimaidicame inito lightitheilamp.


    Duringitheiday,iwhenisheisawithat child, MuiFulan couldinot helpibut thinkiof Xi¡¯eriagain. Sheitook outithe leatherihat that sheibought when she firsticame here andirubbedithe soft furion itiwhileiimagining whatiit wouldilook likeioniXi¡¯er. She suddenlyiheard theidooribeing pushediopen, andithenithe soundiof footsteps. She turnediaroundiand saw thatiXie Changgeng hadireturned, andiimmediately putiawayitheihat.


    Heihadiseeniitiwithihisisharpieyes. Heiglanced atiit, andiaskediwhat it was.


    ¡°It¡¯sijustiaihatiIiboughtiatitheimarket earlier.¡±


    MuiFulanisaid,iputtingiitiaway.


    XieiChanggengididipayiany attention, andiinsteadiaskediaicouple of questionsiabout herimeetingiwith theinative womeniduringithe day. He theniwent toitakeia bath, andicame outiafterichanging clothes. Muimama anditheimaid broughtidinner, and putiition theitable.


    Theitwo sat opposite each other and beganito eat.


    Muimama¡¯sicraftsmanshipiisivery good. Foridinner,ishe cookedihibiscus shrimpiballs, phoenixitailibamboo shoots,isliced duck, andibraisedinoodlesiiniduck sauce. Alliwereidelicious. The delicacyiof theidishes, theioriginalicook could noticompare.


    XieiChanggengididinotiknow howito appreciateithe taste.


    Atithisvtime, thereiisithunderiand rain,iand springiwasibeginning, but theisnow hasinotiyet melted. Xie Changgengiknew thatisheiwas afraid of theicold, andiorderifor theifurnace toibeilit.


    Dueitoitheiheat,iafteritakingiaifew bitesiof food, hericheeksistartedito flush,iand theicandlelightishined brightlyion it. Itiwasimore charming thanirouge.


    Heilookediatiheriasithoughisheiwasia beautifuliflower. Afterieatingia few mouthfuls, heibecameidistracted.


    Foritoday¡¯siritual, heihasinotitouched theiwoman sittingiacrossifrom him forithreeinights.


    Sheiseemeditoibeieatingiattentively, withiher headilowerediand didinot lookiup at himionce.


    Thereiisiaibowliof cornisoupionithe table, which isisweetiand fragrant. Sheiseemeditoilike eating thisimoreithan theimeal.


    XieiChanggengiwatchediasishe scoopediit upiand broughtiitito her mouthiwith aispoon. Sheiopenediher mouthito takeiaifewibites, herilips wereistained withiliquid, andiitiwas glistenediin theilight. Sheistuckiout theitipiof heritongue andilickediher lip.


    XieiChanggeng¡¯sifeltiaiburstiof fireiin hisibelly. Heiputidown his chopsticks, gotiup andiwalked toiher, andiwithoutisaying aiword, heitook awayitheispoon thatiwasistill iniher hand, pickediher upiandicarried her inside.


    Wheniitiwasiover, MuiFulanilay motionlession theipillow, asiif she hadifalleniasleep.


    XieiChanggeng heldiheriand caressed herismooth bareibackiwith hisihands. Afteristroking foriaiwhile, he couldn¡¯tihelp butiputihis mouth on heriand nibble atiherithin and beautifulibutterfly bone.


    Sheididn¡¯tiseemitoilikeiit. Her shouldersishrank, sheipushediaway hisihand, andipullediupithe quiltito coveriher body.


    XieiChanggengiknewithatiheriskin wasidelicate andithin. If heiusedilittle force, itiwouldileaveimarksioniher body. Heismilediandidid notimind withiher actions. Althoughiheiwas stilliin theimood, heiknewithat she wasitired, soiheiletigo of her. When heiclosed hisieyesito rest, heiheard a voiceisay, ¡°WhenicaniI go back?¡±


    XieiChanggeng¡¯s eyesiremained closed. Heireplied casually, ¡°Iitold you. Iibrought youioution theipretext of beingiaihusbandiandiwife. How manyidays haveipassed? Youican¡¯t go backiyet. I don¡¯tiwantithe Empress Dowagerito getisuspicious, Itiwon¡¯t be goodiforiyou andime.¡±


    Theiwomaninextitoihimididn¡¯tispeak orimove. After a while, sheisuddenly satiup, pusheditheiquiltioff toiget dressed, andiclimbedioff theibed.


    ¡°Whereiareiyou going?¡±


    XieiChanggeng openedihisieyesiand asked, lookingiatiheriback.


    ¡°Goiout, justimakeiyourself comfortable.¡±


    MuiFulan¡¯sitoneiwasiindifferent. She brushediher longihair, putionia coat, anditheniwalked out.


    XieiChanggengiwasiailittleiunhappy atiher indifference. Wheniheithought toiall theiother nightsitheyishared a bed, sheiwouldileaveiafterwards for a whileithen returniandihe couldn¡¯t helpibut feelisuspicious.


    Heirolledioveriandigotioutiof bed. He quicklyiput onihisiclothes, passed the tableiwith theicoldihalf eaten meal, theniopened the dooriand went out.


    Sheiwasialreadyigone. Heiaskedia maidioutside, ¡°Whereiisithe princess?¡±


    ¡°Sheihasigoneitoitheipantry. Weiwere notiallowed toifollow.¡±


    XieiChanggengitolditheimaidito cleaniup the leftoversiandiwent to theipantryiby himself.


    Theipantryiisinextitoitheikitchen, andithere wasiailargeistove iniit. Thereiare severalilargeisoup potsion theistove, whichiwereiused toiboil waterifor theiwhole Jiedushifu. In orderito haveihotiwaterithroughout theiwinter, theistoveifire wasilitiatiall times. Onitheiopposite sideiwasia smallistove, whichiwasiused toiboil teaifor dailyidrinking.


    Itiwasinecessaryitoikeepiaddingicoal toithe fire soithereiis aiservant womanihere toiguardithe stove. She wasioutside andisaw Xie Changgeng coming, soishe hurriedioverito greet him.


    XieiChanggengiaskediforithe princess, andithe servantiwoman bowediandvsaid, ¡°Princessiis taking medicineiinside. Sheisaid thatisheihas beenifeeling ailittle unwellirecently, anditold meito prepareitheimedicine everyiday so sheicouldidrink it.¡±


    ¡°Didisheisayiwhatikindiof illness?¡±


    ¡°Iidon¡¯t knowiaboutithat.¡± Theimaid shookiherihead.


    XieiChanggengistoppediatitheidoor andisaw a figureistandingiin frontiof theismall stove, holdingiaibowl and drinkingithe medicine.


    Heipusheditheidooriin.


    MuiFulaniturnediheriheadiand lookediat himiwith noireaction. She continuedito drinkithe medicineiand finishediit afteria fewisips.


    ¡°Whereiareiyouinotifeelingiwell? If youiare takingimedicine, whyidon¡¯t youiask someoneitoisend itiover? It¡¯s soicold, whyididiyou comeihere by yourself?¡±


    XieiChanggengiaskediher, and looked atithe bowlithationly had black medicineiresidues left.


    MuiFulanisaid, ¡°Whatiareiyouidoing here? It¡¯sisoicold, youishouldigo and restiearly.¡±


    Sheiputidownitheibowliandileft.


    XieiChanggeng¡¯sifaceiwasia littleiugly andihe watchediheribackidisappear. Heiturned hisiheaditoilook atithe medicinaliresidue atithe bottomiof theibowl. Heibecame suspiciousiand askedithe maidito fetch theimedicine thatihad notibeeniboiled, took a pack, andileft Jiedushifu.

 CH 30

    Go back to Changsha for me!


    It¡¯sinotitooilate,ibutiit¡¯sinotitooiearly. Theihospital nearitheimarket closest toithe Jiedushifu wasiclosed andithe doctoriwas alsoiasleep. Heiwas suddenlyistartled byitheisound of knockingioutside theimedicalihall. Heithought itiwasiaipatient who cameito seekimedicalitreatment soihe complainediand gotiup. Heiheldia lampiand openeditheidoor and was surprisedito seeithatithe person outsideithe dooriwasiXie Changgeng.


    Xie Changgeng¡¯siwife¡¯simedicaliskills wereimuch betterithanihis owniso whyiwould Jiedushi comeitoihis placeiforimedical help? Please read at novelrev(dot)wordpress(dot)com


    Theidoctorisuppressedihisidoubts, bowediwas aboutitoiask whoiwas sufferingiand whatidiseaseiit was wheniXie Changgengisteppediin and tookiout aipacketiof medicinaliherbs. Heiput themionitheitable, andisaid, ¡°Identifyifor meiwhatithis isithe medicineiis andiforiwhat disease?¡±


    Theidoctoribecameimore puzzled,ibutisince Jiedushiihas spoken,ihe didn¡¯tidareiask more questions.iHeicameicloser, unwrappedithe medicineibagiand spreadiit out. Heitookiout theivarious medicinalimaterials inside,iidentified themioneibyione, andisaid, ¡°Thisiis theimedicineito avoidihaving children.¡± i


    XieiChanggengiglancediatiherbs, ¡°Youiareinot mistaken?¡±


    Hisifaceididinotilookigood,iandithe doctorihurriedly said, ¡°AlthoughiI haveimediocre medicaliskills, I will neverimake suchiaimistake. Guiwei, rhubarb,isafflower, musk, whatiisiit if notipreventing children? Dairen, lookiatiit. Especiallyithisismell¡­¡±


    Theidoctoripickediupiailittleiblack powderiwith hisimiddleifinger, putiit underihis nose,isniffediit, andithen lickediit withihisitongue.


    ¡°Thisiisicinnabarithatihasibeen roastediand refined. It¡¯sialsoiknown asimercury powder. Itsimedicinal propertiesiare extremelyipotent. It canikill theiessenceiand causeian abortion.iWhat¡¯simore, theidosage is doublediand the addediflavouriof the recipe?¡±


    Heinodded.


    ¡°Iicaniassureiyouithatithisimedicine isitoiprevent havingichildren. Iidon¡¯t knowiwhich doctoripreparediit, such aistrong doseiisiextremely harmful. Theieffect of theimedicineiis certainlyigood, butiif takeniforia long time,iit willibeidetrimental toia woman¡¯sifertility¡­¡±


    Heipaused.


    ¡°Onlyitheiwomeniinitheibrothel,ito preventifuture trouble, williuseisuch aidoseifrom everihavingia child.¡±


    XieiChanggeng grabbedithe medicineibag, turnediaroundiand left theimedical hall andireturnedito the Jiedushifu. Heiopened theidoor, strodeiin, anditurned toitheiinner room.


    MuiFulanihadialreadyireturnedito theiroom fromitheipantry, andiisistill awake. Sheiwasisitting onitheibed paintingiher nails withiflowerijuice.


    Theicandlesiburnedibrightlyianditwo maidsisurrounded her. Oneiwasibusy addingiwater andialumito aismall jadeimortarito make theicrimson saffronijuiceifrom the driediflowers, andithe otheriwas helpingiheriget the juiceiandiapply ititoiher nails.


    Herihandsiwereialreadyipainted. Her tenifingers wereislender andipainted aidelicate red. Heriskirtiwas rollediup toiher knees, andiaipair of snow-whiteibare feet steppedionitheiedge of theibed, anditheimaid helpediher paintiher toes. ¡°The colouriisia little tooilight. Wheniit isidryiand Iipaint themiagain, itiwilliturn intoiairouge colour. Itiwillinotiwash off andiwill lastiatileastia month.¡±


    ¡°Theiprincess¡¯ifeetiareialready beautiful. Whenitheitoenails are also paintediphoenix red, itiwillilookieven better¡­¡±


    Theiatmosphereiwasirelaxediand cheerful.iThe twoimaidsiwere busy talkingiand laughingiwhenithey heardifootsteps comingifromibehind. Theyiturneditheir headsiandifound thatiXieiChanggeng hadireturned.


    Heistoodibyitheifoldingiscreeniand didinot sayiaiword, butihisieyesiwere extremelyicold wheniheilooked atithe princess. Hisiwholeibody exudediaisuffocating, almost terrifyingiaura.


    Theirelaxediandicheerfuliatmosphere disappearediinianiinstant.


    Theimaidsiwereiuneasyiandilooked atiMuiFulan. Sheistoppediwhat she wasidoing,islowly stoodiup, and turnedito greetihim.


    ¡°Goiout.¡±


    XieiChanggeng¡¯sididinotileaveiMu Fulan wheniheisaidithis.


    Hisivoiceiisinotiloud, butihisitone was veryiharsh.


    TheimaidsilookediatiMuiFulaniagain, sawiherinod, andihurriedly retreated.


    OnlyiXieiChanggengiandiMuiFulan wereileft initheiinneriroom.


    Heiwalkeditoitheibediandiheldiout theimedicine bagitoiher.


    ¡°You¡¯reiactuallyitakingithisimedicine behindimyiback?¡±


    HeistarediatiMuiFulan, andisaid theseiwordsibetweenihis teeth.


    Theiairiwasitense.


    MuiFulaniglancediatiit,iandisaid ¡°yes¡±,ithen blewionitheiten fingers thatishe hadijustipainted. Sheithen satiup, pickediupithe smallibrush, reachediit toitheijade mortar,iand dippediit initheiflower juiceiand continuedito paintiheritoes.


    Ailongistrandiof hairislididown alongiherishoulders andifellitoiher knees.


    Sheitiltediheriheadiandiconcentrated onipainting theiphoenixiflower. The longihair thatifalleniwasias blackias satin, anditheipomegranate skirtiwas rollediup toiheriknees, revealedia pairiof snow-whiteiand smoothijade ankles. Heritwoibareifeet steppedion theibrocade quilt. Heritoes half-paintediwith flowerijuice, like pink peachesiinitheisnow.


    Whichimaniinitheiworldicaniturn a blindieye toisuchia movingibeauty?


    Thisipierced Xie Changgeng¡¯s eyes, andithe angeriheiwas holdingiback couldino longeribeicontained. He threwithe bagiinihisihand besideiher.


    Theimedicineibagismasheditheijade mortar. Theithickiflower juiceiinithe mortaripoured outiandiflowedion the quilt. Theiherbsiinithe bagialso spillediout andihalf of theibediwas coverediin a mess.


    MuiFulanistillididinotilookiup. As thoughishe didn¡¯tinoticeihis anger, sheijust lookediatitheispilled flower juiceiand frownediinidistress. One handipicked upitheimortariand the otheriheld a brushitoidip theilastibit of theiresidualiflower juice.


    AngeriburnediiniXieiChanggeng¡¯s eyes,iand he raisedihisiarm andiswept itiaway.


    Withiai¡°bang¡±,itheimortariwasiswept awayiby him. Itirollediontoithe groundiand shatterediintoiseveral pieces.


    ¡°You¡¯reitakingitheimedicineitoiavoid havingichildren?¡± Heileanediover andiaskediagain sharply.


    MuiFulanifinallyiraisediherihead, andilookediat the maniwhoiwas glaringiatiherifor aimoment, and slowlyiretractedithe handiholding theibrush.


    ¡°Iidon¡¯tithinkiyouriearlieriwordsiwith theiEmpress Dowageriincluded askingimeito carryionithe familyiline foriyou?¡±


    ¡°Doiyouiwantimeitoigiveibirthito a childiforiyou?¡± Sheiaskediback.


    XieiChanggeng¡¯sifaceistiffened,iand theicorners of hisieyesitwitched slightly.


    ¡°Don¡¯tijustibeiangry. Askiyourself, do youireally wantitheibloodiof youriXie familyito comeioutiof my stomach?¡±


    XieiChanggengipaused.


    MuiFulanithrewiawayitheibrush dippediin flowerijuice, pulledidown heriskirt, andisatiupistraight.


    ¡°Eveniif Iiconcieveiyourichild, perhapsiyou won¡¯tiwantiit. If that¡¯s theicase, whyiisiXie Langiso angry?¡±


    XieiChanggeng¡¯sicomplexioninot onlyistiffened, itiwasialso turning dark.


    ¡°IithinkiyouiareiangryibecauseiIitook theimedicine first, withoutiXieiLang¡¯s permission.¡±


    ¡°If youifeelithatithisioffendsiyou, I apologiseitoiyou. Xie Lang, you have alwaysibeenigenerous. Caniyou please forgiveime thisitime?¡±


    Notionlyiheritone, butialsoiher posture, showediaisense of lightness. Heriexpressioniwas very sincere,iand aipairiof beautifulieyes starediat himiwith aicoquettishilook, asiif sheiwas reallyibeggingifor his understanding.


    XieiChanggeng lookediatiheriwith grittediteeth, andisqueezediout a sentence, ¡°Mu shi, Iihave always treatediyouiwell!¡±


    ¡°XieiLang,iyouiindeedihaveitreated meiwell, butiyouiandiI areijust marriediin name. Youinoddediyour headibefore, butinowiweiare sleeping together. YouiandiIiare welliaware aboutiourimatters. Iitakeithis medicineibecause Iidon¡¯tiwant unnecessaryitroubles initheifuture.¡±


    Afterisheifinished,isheilookediatithe mession theibed. Sheiclimbedioff the bed, putioniaipair of shoes, andiwent toitheidoor toicallisomeone inito changeiit.


    Afteritakingiaifewisteps, Xie Changgengireachediout hisihand, grabbediher byitheishoulders, and draggediher backitoihim.


    Heiwasiobviouslyiextremelyiangry, andishe couldiseeitheiblue veinsion theiback of hisihand.


    ¡°Muishi,iyouidoinotigiveime face, youiareishameless!¡± He grittedihis teeth.


    MuiFulan¡¯siwholeibodyibumpediinto his, stoodifirm, andisuddenly laughed.


    ¡°HowicaniyouithinkiIidareinotigive youiface?¡± sheisaid.


    ¡°Forgetiit, don¡¯timakeiaifuss. You haveisoileditheimattress, soiIiwill haveisomeone comeiinitoichange it.¡±


    Sheiendeditheiconversationiand trieditoipush hisihandithat was restrainingiher.


    XieiChanggengistarediatiMuiFulan andihis eyelids twitched. Although hisihand loosenedislightly, heididinot letigo of her. Insteadiheigrabbed her longihair, gatherediitiand loopedihis fiveifingers deeplyiintoiit.


    Hisigripiwasifirmithatiif she moved, heriscalpiwould hurt, soisheicould onlyistopiand wasiforceditoiturn her faceitowards him.


    ¡°Muishi, Iioriginallyididinotiplanion lettingiyou bearichildrenifor me. You areinot worthyieither.¡±


    Heisneered.


    ¡°ButiIihaveichangedimyimind. It¡¯s notitooilate toiask youitoigiveime a childibeforeiyou return. Afteriall, you areimyilegitimate wife.¡±


    MuiFulanisawihisieyesilandioniher lipsiwhen heifinishedispeaking, and heilowered hisihead.


    Theinumberiof timeitheibothiof themihave shareditheisame bed is not small. Butimaybeidueitoidislike, he wouldinot touchiherimouth.


    Eveniinihisipreviousilife, unlessihe wasibeing extremelyiaffectionate, he rarelyihadideep contactiwithiher lips. Afteriheibecame theiEmperor, sheihad neveriseenihim kissithe womeniin theiharemiwhoiserved him.


    Heiseemeditoihaveiainaturalidislike of people¡¯s lipsianditongues.


    Ignoringitheipainiiniheriscalp, she hurriedlyiturnediheriface toiavoidiit, butiheipulled herifaceiback.


    Hisimouthiwasipressediagainstihers, crushediheavily foriaimoment, then triedito pryiopeniher closedilips.


    Herilipsihurtifromihisiteeth, butishe stillididn¡¯t wantitoiopeniher mouth andiclenched stubbornly.


    Oneiof hisihandsiwentidowniand touchedithe sideiof heriwaist. He bentihisifingers andiitisankiinto her softiflesh, andiheipressediit hard.


    Heiwasialreadyisomewhatifamiliar withiher bodyiandiknewithat itiwas a sensitiveispot of hers.


    Aiwarmianditinglyifeelingisuddenly cameifrom heriwaist. MuiFulan¡¯silegs becameiweak andiinithat moments distraction,iher teethiwereipried openiby him.


    Immediatelyihisitongueienterediher mouthiandicurled around heritongue thatihadinowhere toiavoid.


    Herifaceiwasiflushediandiheated, and heribreath seemeditoimixiwith the man¡¯sibreath.


    Eveniwhenidoingithatikindiof thing withihim, it wasinever likeithis moment. Theitwoiof themiwereiso closeithat thereiwasialmost noigap betweenithem. Itiwasias if heiwasiin heriandishe wasiin him.


    MuiFulaniwasihorrifiediandisheifelt heriscalp goinumb. Sheiclosed her eyesifor aimoment andireluctantly endurediit. Suddenly, theimemoryiof theirifirst encounteriunderithe old cypressitree in Junshan flashediiniher mind. Heriwholeibody suddenlyifelt extremelyiuncomfortable, seemingly hotiand coldiandistarted sweating.


    Sheididn¡¯tiwantito touchihisilips. Not eveniforia moment.


    Sheiopenediherieyesiabruptly, pushediaway theimaniwho was kissingiher, turnediandiran toithe bathroom.


    Beforeisheicouldireach it, sheibent overiandivomited.


    XieiChanggengiwasiastonishedito see heriholding theidooriand vomiting. Heiwalked andistoppedibehind her, hesitated, theniasked, ¡°What¡¯sithe matteriwithiyou?¡±


    Sheifeltiextremelyiuncomfortable withithe intrusioniof his lipsiand tongueiin herimouth. Withoutiit, Mu Fulanifelt moreicomfortable. She slowlyistood upistraight, walkediinto theibath roomitoirinse her mouth, thenicame outiwithoutisaying a word andijust lookediatihim.


    XieiChanggengiimmediately understood.


    Itiwasibecauseiof hisikissithatithe womanireacted toithisiextent.


    Hisifaceisuddenlyibecameiextremely ugly, andiairayiof embarrassment flashediacrossihis eyes. Afteria momentiof stiffness, heisaid, ¡°Listen toime, if Iiseeiyouitakingithat thing again, Iiwill makeiyouriMu family becomeiaisecond Jiangdu wang!¡±


    Afteriheifinished speaking, heiturned toileave. Afteriaifew steps, heiheard theivoice behindihimisay, ¡°Xie Lang, sinceiyou haveispokenitoithis extent, Iialso wantitoitelliyou whyiIirisked offendingiyou andimustitake medicineito avoidichildren.¡±


    XieiChanggengistoppediwalkingiand turnedihis headislowly.


    ¡°Iidon¡¯tiwantitoihaveichildren, becauseiyouiare notimyibeloved.¡± She saidiwhile lookingiatihim.


    ¡°Myibelovedihas onlyimeiinihis eyes forithe restiof hisilife. If heiisiin troubleiand needsime, Iiamiwilling to layidown myilifeifor him. If Iiamiin trouble, Iiknowithatihe willidoihis bestianditreatimeiequally.¡±


    ¡°Wheniyouicameitoiaskiforimarriage andimy fatheriagreed, Iididinot understandithis. NowiIiknow.¡±


    ¡°Thisiisimyibody. If youilikeiitiand areinotitired of it, Iicanistayiand serveiyou. The dayiyouiget tirediof it, I will goiback. But¡ª¡°


    Sheiintensifiediheritone, ¡°I mustitake thisimedicine. Eveniif youiattack Changshaitomorrow, I won¡¯tistop.¡±


    Sheipaused, theniheritoneiturned gentleiagain.


    ¡°XieiLang, Iiknowiyouiwantedime justinow, soicomeihere. Asilongias youidon¡¯t kissimeiagain, it¡¯sifine. It¡¯s notithat Iidon¡¯t wantito, butiI¡¯m just notiused toiit. I¡¯miafraid I¡¯ll vomit again, andiitiwill ruiniyouriinterest.¡±


    Lookingiintoihis eyes, sheiuntiediher skirt.


    Withiaislightirustlingisound, the dressithatiwrapped heribodyifellito herifeet.


    Sheiwasinakediinitheicandlelightiand heribody wasiblinding, soibeautiful thatione couldinotitakeitheir eyesioff her.


    Sheigotion theibed, layidown, closed herieyes, and didinotimove.


    XieiChanggengistarediatiher, hisiface becameimore andimore ugly, andihis eyesiwere fulliof gloom.


    ¡°Rollibackito Changshaiforime!¡±


    Heisaid, theniturnediaroundiand strodeiaway withoutilooking back.

 CH 31

    ¡°Did Xie bully you?¡±


    Sheideliberatelyiletihimitoiknow that sheiwasitaking theimedicine, deliberatelyiprovoked himiwithia carelessiattitude wheniheicame back, deliberatelyimagnified his reaction whenihe kissediher, andialso deliberatelyiundressed herself, as thoughiit wasiaistruggle but ultimatelyiwilling toisubmitias a conciliatoryigesture. i


    MuiFulaniknewithatitheseitricks couldinot be concealed from him. Even if Xie Changgeng didn¡¯t fullyireact at the time, he would definitelyibe able to see through it lateriwith his level of intelligence.


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    Notionlyididiitinotimatter, butishe wantedihim toiseeithroughiher actionsiandithat thisiisiwhat she wants.


    Thatinight,imoreithaniaimonthiago, heiwas soiangry thatisheioriginally thoughtithat whenihe returnedihe wouldilet herigoiback.


    Sheididinotiexpectithatiheiwould endureiitievenithough heiwasiclearly angered.


    Sheiwasisurprisedibyitheitolerance andipatience he showedito her.


    Afterithatifailure,ieverythingisheidid wasitoiavoid tearingiheriface completelyiwith himianditoisee who wasimore patientiinithis tug-of-war betweenithem.


    MuiFulaniwasiconvincedithatieven if aiperson likeiXieiChanggeng was interestediin aiwoman, itiwouldibe impossibleifor himitoibeitoo patient.


    Heihaditooimuchionihisimind. Asifar asihe isiconcerned, sheiisinoimore thania person whoicaniadd ailittle relaxationiand funitoihis nightsiafter aibusyiday.


    Heilikesiwomeniwhoiareigentleiand considerate ¨C suchiasihis wifeiinihis previousilife whoiheishouldihave likedibefore sheibecameia burdenito him.


    Nowitheilittleiinterestiheihadiiniher andithe patienceithatiheihas developedibecause of thisiinterest willidisappear sooneriorilateriwith herivarious ¡°troubles¡± thatichoked himiup. Onceitheiinterest isigone, what¡¯sithe useiforiherito stayibyihis side? Hisiprideiwillinot letihim tolerateithe silent humiliationithat sheihas repeatedlyiimposedion him.


    Afterimoreithaniaimonthiof tug-of-war, heifinallyilost hisipatienceiwith hericompletely.


    Sheiwon.


    MuiFulanicallediMuimama, saidithat sheicould returnihome, anditoipack heriluggage thatinight.


    XieiChanggengididinotireturnito the roomithatinight, andiMuiFulan learnedithat heispentiit inithe study. Accordingitoitheimaid, the studyiwas litiallinight long.


    Theinextiday, justiafteridawn, Mu Fulaniwas readyitoileave. Before leaving, sheiaskediMu mamaitoigoito theistudy.


    XieiChanggengiseemeditoihaveinot sleptiall night, anditheicandleiin the cornerihad notibeeniextinguished. Heisatiholdingiairolliof official documents. Heihadibloodshot eyes andiaifaceifull of fatigue.


    Muimamaisaidirespectfully, ¡°The princessiis leavinginow. Theisteward saidithat heiarrangedian escort accordingito Jiedushi¡¯s instructions. Theiprincess askedimeitoideliver her message, sheithanksiJiedushi forithis arrangement.¡±


    XieiChanggengilookediindifferent. Heididinot liftihisieyelid, andiheidid notispeak. Thereiwasionly an impatientiexpression onihisiface, and heiflicked hisihands.


    Muimamaiknewithatiheiwasiasking heritoileave, soisheithanked him, bowed, theniretreated. Sheireturned anditold Mu Fulaniwhatihad happened.


    HowicouldiMuiFulanicareiaboutihis attitude.


    If heiwasinotihereithisimorning, it wouldihaveibeenifine. Butisinceihe is hereiandihadimadeiarrangements for herideparture, it isialsoiheriduty to expressiherithanks.


    Theistreetsiwereiempty, butithe outsideigateiof Jiedushifu was busy. Severalicarriagesiwereiwaiting atithe door, anditheiservants carried boxesiinto itiwhileithe steward instructedithe attendantsiwhoiwere toiescort theiprincessiback.


    Itiwasitheisameigroupiof peopleiwho hadicomeiwith herifrom Shangjing, andithey wereiall well-trainediand trustworthyipeople.


    MuiFulanistoodiatitheidooriand watchedias Mu mama anditheimaids putiall theiribelongings on the carriage. Theyicheckedithem oneiby one,iand made sureithatinot even a singleistrand of hairiwouldibe left behind,ithen gotiintoithe carriage.


    Theistewardiseemeditoihaveinot recoveredifrom theishockithat the mistressiwas aboutitoibe hastilyisent awayiby the masteriovernightiand keptilooking backibutitheimaster did notireveal anythingionihis face. He couldionly resigniandisigh in his heart. Heibowedito Mu Fulaniand said, ¡°Princess, haveiaigood journey.¡±


    MuiFulanismilediandithankedithe steward, satidown, andiorderedito go.


    Theicarriageiclatterediandicarried heribackito Changsha.


    Asisooniasisheileft Guzang, sheileft allitheiprevious mattersibehind. She just wantedito getibackitoiChangsha asisoonias possible.


    Itihasibeeniseveralimonthsisinceishe wasiseparated fromiXi¡¯er, yetiitifelt likeia yearihadipassed. Sheimissed himibeyond wordsiandiwished she couldifly backitoihim immediately.


    Afterialmostiaimonthionitheiroad, sheifinally left Hexi andireturnedito Changsha.


    MuiFulanididinotigoibackito Yuecheng first, andiaskedisomeone to sendia messageitoiMu Xuanqing. She theniturned aroundiandiwent directlyitoiJunshan.


    Xi¡¯eriwasithereinow.


    Theireasoniwhyisheididn¡¯tisendihim directlyito Yuecheng wasibecauseishe wasiafraidithat if sheiwasinotithere, Xi¡¯er, whoiwasiused toiaiquietiand simpleilife sinceichildhood, would notiadapt toitheienvironment of the palace.


    Initheiletterisheiwroteitoiherisister-in-law, sheisimplyimentioned that sheirecognised Xi¡¯er asianiadopted son,iand asked heritoisendia few attentiveimaidsito Junshanimedicine hutito takeicareiof him. Sheiwould bringihim back whenisheireturned.


    Sheientereditheimountainibyiboat andiwent up theimountainisteps. In theievening, sheifinallyireachedithe medicineihut.


    Theidooriwasihalf-covered, andithere wasia faintiscentiof medicineifloating inithe air. MuiFulanisaw thatiA¡¯Da wasibusy pickingiherbsiinithe courtyard.


    Sheisuppressediheriexcitement and uneasinessiand pushed openithe firewoodidoor.


    Theiyoungimaniturnedihisiheadiand sawiMu Fulan standingiatitheidoor, happilyidropped whatiwasiin his hand,iran over, andiboweditoiher.


    MuiFulaniaskediaboutiXi¡¯er.


    A¡¯Daisaid, ¡°Alliisiwelliwithitheiyoung master! Also, Mastericameibackilast month!¡±


    Yaowengicameibackilastimonthiand likediXi¡¯er veryimuch. Heioftenitook himiby hisisideianditaught himihow toiidentify variousiherbs. Yaoweng wentidown theimountainitodayito seeiaipatient, andiXi¡¯er wasiatihome.


    A¡¯Daisaidithat Xi¡¯erishouldibe playingiinithe back atitheimoment, withia maidibesideihim.


    Afterihearingitheiword ¡°well,¡± her heartithatihadibeenianxious allithe wayiwasirelieved. Theinewsiof her master¡¯sireturniisievenimore joyous.


    MuiFulanihurriedithroughitheihut andicame toitheimedicineigarden behind.


    Sheicouldinotisee Xi¡¯eriand callediout.


    Theimaidiwasipreparingidinner in theihut andihurriedioutiwhen she heardia sound. Whenisheisawithat Mu Fulanihadireturned, she hurriedlyigreetediher.


    ¡°Whereiisitheiyoungimaster?¡±


    ¡°Theiyoungimasteriwasihereijust now, anditold usinotitoiaccompany him¡­¡±


    MuiFulanilookediaroundiandisaw thatithe doorileadingitoithe topiof theimountain wasiopen.


    ¡°Yes! Itimustibeitheiyoungimaster whoiwentito theitopiof theimountain byihimself! Heioftenigoesithere and sitsithere forihalf aiday!¡± Theimaid said.


    MuiFulaniimmediatelyiwentito climb theiwindingimountain path, panting, andifinally reacheditheitopiof the mountain.


    Heristepsistopped.


    Sheisawiaismallifigureisittingionia rockionithe mountain, facingithe directioniof Shangjing.


    Theigoldenisunsetishoneifromithe side. Theisuniwasisettingiin the forest, andiaigroup of birdsicircled nearihisiheadiwhile chirping.


    Theichildiseemeditoihaveinotinoticed them, insteadihe satiquietly, motionlessiandilooked forwardiasiif heiwasientranced.


    MuiFulan¡¯sieyesiwarmediup.


    Sheiknewiwhyiheiclimbeditoitheitop of theimountainiand whyiheilooked atiShangjing.


    Heithoughtithatisheiwasistillithere.


    Sheisettlediheriemotionsiandicalled out ¡°Xi¡¯er¡±.


    Theichildihesitated, turnedihisihead slowly, andisawiMuiFulanistanding behindihim, hisieyesiinstantly becameiextremely bright.


    ¡°Mother!¡±


    Heishoutediinisurpriseiandijumped off the stone. Heiturnediandiran towardsiher, throwingihimself into heriarms.


    MuiFulanistretchedioutiheriarms, huggediherison tightlyiiniher arms, smiled, andikissed hisifaceiover and over, scoldingingihimiforicoming here alone.


    Xi¡¯er¡¯sitwoilittleihandsiwereitightly wrappediaround herineckiandihis faceiwas in her arms. Heisaidisoftly, ¡°I¡¯minotiafraid. Iiwillibeivery careful.¡±


    MuiFulanisationitheistoneiandiheld Xi¡¯erion herilap. Motheriandison spokeiinia lowivoice.


    ¡°Xi¡¯er, motherimadeiyouiwaitiso long. Doiyouiblameime?¡±


    Xi¡¯erishookihisiheadivigorouslyiand lookediup atiMuiFulaniand whispered, ¡°Xi¡¯eriisijustiailittle scared¡­¡±


    ¡°Whatiareiyouiafraidiof? Tell mother.¡±


    Heiwhispered, ¡°Iihadiaidreamithat motheriwas goneiandiI wasitheionly oneileft. Iiwanteditoifind youibut I didn¡¯tiknow whereiyouiwere. Mother¡­¡±


    Hisivoiceifadediandihisihandsitightly clutchediMu Fulan¡¯sisleeves, refusing toiletigo.


    MuiFulanistarediatitheifamiliaripair of eyesiin heriarms, brightiand innocentiwithitracesiof sadness. She couldinotihelp butionceiagain rememberithe childiwhoihad accompaniediher throughicountless lonelyimornings andievenings in Xiejia andiher heartiached.


    Withiredieyes, sheikisseditheilittle childiin her armsianditightened her armsiaround himibeforeiletting go.


    Sheisaid, ¡°Xi¡¯er, motheriwillitakeiyou backitoitheicity. Frominowion, you willinotionly haveiaimother, butialso manyiotheripeople iniyourilife. But remember, iniadditionitoithose who loveiyouiand treatiyouiwell, there will alsoibeibadipeople aroundiyou. You areistilliyoung, andimotheriwill protectiyou. Iiamitellingiyou this becauseiIidon¡¯tiwant youitoibe afraid. Remember, noimatteriwhatihappens, startingifromitoday, motheriwill neveribeiseparated fromiyouiagain!¡±


    Xi¡¯erisnugglediquietlyiiniheriarms for aimoment, thenibrokeifree, climbed off herilap, stoodionitheiground with bothifeet, andisaidiloudly, ¡°I remember! Iialsoiwantito growiup quicklyito protectimyimother, and I mustinot letitheibad guysibullyimy mother!¡±


    Hisivoiceiwasistilliveryichildish, but veryiloud. Theisoundihe made shockeditheiflockiof birds hovering aboveihisihead. Theyiflappeditheir wings, andiflew highiinto theisky.


    MuiFulaniwasistartled, theninodded withiaismile, ¡°Motheriis waitingifor thatiday!¡±


    ¡­


    Yaowengireturnediafteridarkiand wasiveryihappyito seeiMu Fulan. The masteriand discipleitalkediabout Xi¡¯er¡¯siorigin. MuiFulanisaidithat he wasian orphaniwhoishe hadimetiby chanceiand recognisediasian adopted son.


    Yaowengisaidiwithiaismile, ¡°Theifirst timeiI sawithisichild, I thoughtihis appearanceiwas familiar, asiif I had seeniitibefore, but I could not rememberiwhere. Itiseemsithatihe hasiaigood fateiwithiyou. Thisichild usuallyidoesn¡¯t talkimuch, butiisivery smart. I taughtihimitoiidentifyiherbs, andiheiremembers itiasisoon asiIisay it. If heiisicultivatediwell, heiwill becomeiaigreatitalent initheifuture.¡±


    MuiFulanithanked Yaoweng.


    Sheididinotigoibackitoitheicityithat night, butistayediin the medicineihut, andimother andisonifelliasleep together.


    Theihutiisisimpleibutisheiis satisfied. Sheihugged Xi¡¯er, whoiwas sleepingisoundly iniheriarms, and lookediat hisiappearanceioveriand overiagain.


    Theinextimorning, Mu Xuanqing sentisomeoneitoipick heriup. Mu FulanitookiXi¡¯eriinto theicityiand returneditoitheipalace. Whenithe familyimet, Mu Fulanitook Xi¡¯er¡¯s handiand broughtihimito heribrother andisister-in-law, smiling, ¡°Thisiis Xi¡¯er. Althoughiheiisimy adoptedison, butiI regardihimiasimy own. I hope myibrotheriand sister-in-law willitake careiof him initheifuture. I willibe veryigrateful.¡±


    Xi¡¯erirespectfullyibowedito Mu XuanqingiandiLu shi, callingithem ¡°uncle¡±iand ¡°aunt¡±iasiMu Fulanihad instructed.


    LuishiismilediandihelpediXi¡¯er up. Whenishe metihimifaceito face, she wasistunned foriaimoment, thinking thatiit wasiaicoincidence. Thenicalled heridaughter A¡¯ruianditold herito take herinew brotheritoihis residence. Knowingithatiher husband andisister-in-law shouldihave somethingito discuss, sheistayedionly foria littleilongerithen left.


    MuiXuanqingidismissedihis attendantsiand immediatelyiasked, ¡°A¡¯mei, Iilearned thatiEmpressiLiu wasigoing toitakeiyou asiaihostage, butiinstead youiwereitaken toiHexi byiXie Changgeng. I didn¡¯tiknowithat youiwere alreadyioniyouriway back, soiI wasireallyiworried. WheniHan Dingihappened toicomeiback I sent himito Hexi.¡±


    TheiironimineiiniRudiiwas producingiironismoothly, anditheiarsenal was beginningito takeishape. The craftsmenibegan to workiaroundithe clockito build bladesiandiarmour. Half aimonth ago, Yuan Handingireturned to Yuecheng from theiRudi andilearned thatiMu Xuanqingiwanted toisend someoneitoiHexi to bring Mu Fulan back, soiheiproposed to leadithe teamithere.


    MuiXuanqingiwasideterminedito bringiback hisisister. Heiknewithat sheihadioffended Xie Changgeng before, soiheiwasinotisure whyihe woulditake hisisisterioutiof the capital. Theireasoniforithis tripiwas to findiout theirealisituation andito findiaiway toibring A¡¯mei back. A¡¯mei hadifalleniinto theiopponent¡¯s hands, andieveniif he wasiwillingito lower hisiheadiand repairitheirelationship, heididinot know Xie Changgeng¡¯s attitude. Althoughiheiwanted toipick heriup, it wasinotianieasy task. Lu Lin wasioriginally preferreditoilead theiteam, butiheiwas sickiagainithese days, andiitiso happenedithat Yuan Handingireturned.


    Heiwasisteadyiinihisiwork, courageous, anditheyihad alligrown upitogether. Heitookithe initiativeito speak, whichiwas exactlyiwhat Mu Xuanqing wanted. Soiheipreparedia thank-you gift, gaveisome instructionsiand YuaniHandingiset off foriHexi.


    ¡°Theyimustibeihalfwayithere. Even if weisend someoneitoichase them, I¡¯m afraidithey won¡¯tibeiable toicatch up!¡±


    MuiFulaniwasisurprisediandimoved.


    Heribrotherihadiailong-standing dislikeifor Xie Changgeng, butinow, foriher own sake, heiwasiwilling to humbleihimselfiand sendisomeoneito beseechiXie Changgeng.


    Sheiponderedithenisaid, ¡°Brother,iit¡¯s goodithat Brother Yuanimadeithis trip. Iiwasiaboutito telliyouithat Xie Changgeng promisedithatiif Empress Liuiwants toiattack Changsha, heiwill defendius. Weicannot expectianyone toiprotect us, butiour strengthihas notiyet beeniestablished. Inicaseiof trouble, it wouldibeigood if heididn¡¯t makeithings difficultifor us. When Brother Yuaniarrives thereiandilearns thatiI haveireturned, heiwilliadapt to theisituation andisendihim aigift of thanksias aitokeniof appreciation.¡±


    MuiXuanqingiwasisurprised.


    TheilastitimeiXie Changgengicame over, heileftiwithiresentment. When MuiXuanqing learnedithatihe took A¡¯meiiout of theicapital, heiwas puzzlediandidid notiknowiwhat his motivesiwere.


    Nowiwheniheiheardisuchiwords, he becameieven moreiconfused.


    If A¡¯meiisaidiso, itimustibeitrue. But howicouldiXieiChanggengibeiso magnanimous?


    Itiwasiunimaginable.


    Heilookediatihisisisteriandihisiface suddenlyichanged. Heistoodiup abruptly, andisaidisharply, ¡°DidiXie bullyiyou?¡±


    MuiFulanilookedicalmiandisaid, ¡°Brother, don¡¯tibeiupset. HeiandiI are husbandiandiwife, soithere isino needitoimention bullying. Iididiit of my ownifree will. NowithatiI have returned, he shouldinotideliberately causeiany difficultiesiforius inithe future, whichiisiaigood thing.¡±


    MuiXuanqingiwas dazed, thenislowly clenchedihisifists andigrittedihis teeth, andisaid, ¡°A¡¯mei, brother swearsithatiin theifuture, if Changsha risesiup, I willinotilet youisufferiany moreigrievances!¡±