Chapter 1

Golden autumn brings a pleasant breeze; for miles the scent of osmanthus drifts, rich and heady.
At the Mu residence, bright red lanterns hung high at the gate.
Flowers and brocades clustered, pavilions and terraces draped in red, an atmosphere of jubilant celebration.
Today was Old Madam Mu's birthday; the whole clan had thrown itself into the preparations, inviting many guests to offer their blessings.
In the main hall, the honored birthday lady was dressed in finery, seated at the center like a star, beaming as she received the women of the families, each resplendent in brocade and jewels.
It was a blaze of color and floral splendor.
Her granddaughters attended her, each more beautiful than the last.
At the front stood the Mu family's eldest legitimate granddaughter, Mu Jinyao; her father was the head of the Mu household and served as Vice Minister of Revenue.
She was stunningly beautiful and brimming with talent, one of the capital’s most famous noblewomen, famed alongside the Duke Cheng’en's daughter as the city's two beauties, enjoying unrivaled attention.
With such a daughter, suitors lined up; since she was ten, matchmakers had practically worn out the doorstep.
Sure enough, upon coming of age she'd already been promised a perfect match.
The guest of honor today was naturally Old Madam Mu; she had borne two sons and two daughters, her eldest son now a third-rank Vice Minister of Revenue and rumored to be rising higher.
Her two daughters had married well, and beneath her knees she had a granddaughter renowned throughout the capital, promising prospects indeed.
Many clustered around to flatter her. "No one tends the household like Old Madam; each granddaughter outshines the last. Your eldest miss is gentle and virtuous, both beautiful and talented, she's even been praised by the imperial consort."
Mu Jinyao wore a peony-embroidered jacket of snow satin threaded with gold, the collar densely stitched with patterns; a rose-pink brocade skirt, jewels all about her, pearls gleaming on the phoenix hairpin, altogether rendering her even more striking.
Old Madam Mu smoothed her graceful, jade-like hand, eyes full of affection. "The pride of my life is raising such an outstanding granddaughter. One like her is worth more than many, ah, I'm truly loath to see her marry."
The wedding would be next month; the groom-to-be was the heir of Marquis Dingyuan, Jiang Mingye, of noble character and graceful bearing, one of the finest young men in society.
Most importantly, Jiang Mingye's aunt was the palace's most favored consort, so his prospects might yet rise further.
Mu Jinyao blushed and stole a glance at the Marchioness Dingyuan on her left, her future mother-in-law.
The dignified Marchioness smiled slightly, a gentle expression that clearly showed her favor.
Mu Jinyao was secretly delighted, unable to help but daydream about a beautiful future.
She stole the spotlight, stirring resentment in the other girls' hearts, though none showed it; one by one they stepped forward with smiling faces to present the birthday gifts, some painted, some played the zither, some recited poems, others offered hand-embroidered ceremonial garments to display their filial devotion.
They showcased talent and earned reputations for filial piety, two birds with one stone.
Their performances won applause throughout the hall; laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air, the atmosphere lively and warm.
But the second branch's granddaughter, Mu Wanqing, cast her eyes down slightly, standing quietly and low-key among the crowd, remarkably inconspicuous.
After all, the second branch was of concubine origin; apart from appearing at festivals she kept to herself, living quietly and never causing trouble.
Just then, a commotion arose outside.
Madam Mu, the mistress of the house, frowned slightly; a flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes as she gave a look to the elderly housekeeper at her side.
The guests exchanged glances, assuming the Mu household had lost control.
A servant girl tumbled in, face pale with fear, lips trembling as she stammered, "Bad news, the Wuyi Guards are here…"
With a thunderous sound, the room fell as if someone had pressed pause, an eerie, uncanny silence settled, the tension palpable.
Everyone in the Mu household felt as if struck by thunder; their faces drained of color, terror written on every feature. "How could this..."
Before the words had even died away, a squad of officials in black rushed in. The man at their head barked, "By imperial order, this household is to be searched. No member of the Mu family may leave. All unrelated persons, clear out at once."
They were the Wuyi Guards, charged with supervising officials, making arrests and conducting interrogations, answering directly to the emperor; their very name sent people running in fear.
Madam Mu felt dizzy; her vision swam in black waves and one thought hammered at her mind: it's over, completely over!
She toppled to the floor. The Mu family cried out together, "Madam Mu!"
The guests scattered like startled birds. The Marchioness Dingyuan sprang to her feet and, without a backward glance, departed.
Mu Jinyao watched her future mother-in-law flee in panic; her heart sank.
"Begin the search." At the man's command, the Wuyi Guards surged in like wolves and tigers, overturning chests and drawers; the commotion was terrifying.
The man in black swept the room with tiger-like eyes, his gaze electric, his presence overwhelming. "Hand over anything of value you're carrying. You may keep only the clothes on your back. Don't force me to have you searched, otherwise..."
The implication was plain.
The women panicked, trading tears as they clumsily handed over their jewelry, barely daring to breathe.
Mu Wanqing, shaking, removed the hairpin from her head and the jade bracelet from her wrist. Just as she was about to hand them over she tripped on something unseen, was flung forward and crashed heavily at the feet of the man in black, she fainted instantly.
The sudden turn of events stunned everyone. A voice, choked with pain, cried, "Qing'er."
...
Mu Wanqing felt overwhelmed by noise, the clamor, the crying, the pleading filled her ears.
"Wanqing, Qing'er, wake up!"
Who was calling her name? And why were they crying so bitterly?
She forced her way through the fog, step by step, struggling toward the light ahead.
Closer now, then closer still; a flash of white and she snapped her eyes open. Huh, where is this?
Before her were several anxious faces, men and women, who were they?
The woman wept for joy. "Qing'er, you're awake! Thank goodness, you scared your parents half to death."
"Qing'er, where does it hurt?" The middle-aged man with a mustache looked at her with deep concern.
"Little sister." Two youths stepped forward, their eyes red from crying.
Mu Wanqing stared in bewilderment. Where was she?
Suddenly a rush of memories flooded her mind, past and present lives overlapping, so much information that her head throbbed and she clutched it in pain.
Ouch, she'd hit the wound. It hurt, but she was fully awake and shivered.
Had she... transmigrated into a book?
Into a girl of the Da Qi dynasty who shared her name?
Da Qi? She couldn't recall such a dynasty.
There was no time to ponder; the woman hugged her tightly, as if a treasure returned.
"Qing'er, don't be afraid. Your parents are here."
The sturdy, bright-faced boy looked full of concern. "Little sister, does it hurt a lot?"
Mu Wanqing looked at the four people before her and felt an unexpected warmth, these were her family.
The care and worry in their eyes washed over her like a warm current; a natural affection for her kin spread through her.
She seemed to have inherited the original owner's feelings.
"It hurts." She touched her forehead; there was a cut that had already been roughly dressed.
She acted spoiled in the most natural way, soft, slightly aggrieved, exactly as before.
Madam Qian carefully wiped the dried blood from Mu Wanqing's brow with a handkerchief and kept soothing her; other family members gathered around to comfort her.
Mu Wanqing's eyes burned slightly. Was this the love of parents and elder brothers?
In her previous life her parents had died young and she had been raised by her grandfather. He loved her, but as a member of the state's brain trust he was overworked and emotionally reserved, he rarely showed affection.
She had been starved for love.
After her grandfather's death she had no family left to worry over her; she didn't much care where she went...
The sound of drawers being rifled rang in her ears and she glanced around. The Wuyi Guards had fanned out, piling the valuables they'd gathered while designated men sorted and tallied them.
Organized rather than chaotic, neat and methodical, clearly experienced in household searches.
The entire Mu clan had come to the residence to celebrate Old Madam Mu's birthday, and now the whole lot had been swept up.
Men, women, young and old collapsed to the floor trembling, faces streaked with tears; every piece of jewelry had been stripped away, leaving them plainly dressed and robbed of their former splendor.
They radiated panic and dread, like dogs bereft of a home.
Even the usually stern head of the household, the former Vice Minister of Revenue Mu Zhongde, stood with disheveled hair and a blank stare, plainly shell-shocked.
With the house on the brink of collapse, who could possibly be spared?
Good grief, had she really transmigrated straight into the scene of a household seizure?
What a brutal opening, disaster-level, really, she sighed silently.
But no matter how hard it would be, she had to try. There was no time left.
Countless thoughts flashed through her mind as she quickly processed the situation, accepted reality, and made a decision in an instant.
She struggled to her feet and fixed her gaze on the man in black who was directing the operation. "Sir, may I ask, what exactly does the emperor's edict say?"
Wu Dongming looked over in surprise, had the girl lost her wits? "Mu Zhongde is dismissed and under investigation. The Mu estate is to be searched. The entire Mu clan is to be detained temporarily."
At those words the entire Mu clan was gripped by terror.
Even the clan would be implicated? What sort of crime could that possibly be?
Only Mu Wanqing remained composed, her tone steady. "So, the charges have been confirmed, but no final verdict has been issued yet?"
Wu Dongming raised an eyebrow. Madam Mu had fainted from fright; the household's men, women, young and old had been crushed by the cruel reality and could only weep and beg.
Was it normal for this girl to be so calm?
"Indeed, the former Vice Minister of Revenue, Mu Zhongde, has been guilty of embezzlement and taking bribes, and of treating human life like nothing, he's been stripped of office and his household's property seized."
Mu Zhongde was both a third‑rank official and the head of the Mu household; his words were law, and a single sentence could decide the fate of everyone in the Mu family.
But now he was filled with despair, his head a chaotic muddle.
Third Young Master Mu suddenly sprang to his feet. "That was my eldest brother's fault, it has nothing to do with us, sir. Please spare us."
Even spouses, birds of the same wood, scatter when disaster strikes; brothers are no different.
He only wanted to save himself!
Relatives who'd come to the banquet protested desperately, "We're only a branch of the family, we only see them at the festivals. We knew nothing of Mu Zhongde's affairs, sir."
Wu Dongming sneered, contempt plain in his eyes. "Do you not understand that when one prospers we all prosper, and when one suffers we all suffer?"
These people had long relied on the vice minister's influence to swagger about and reap benefits. Now that trouble had come, they wanted to wash their hands of it, no such luck.
Third Young Master Mu was the family's youngest, spoiled rotten and never having known hardship. When disaster struck he was terrified and aggrieved, and he couldn't help cursing.
Wu Dongming cast him a cold look, his voice chilling. "Are you displeased with the emperor's edict? Harboring resentment?"
It was like a bucket of ice dumped over him, Third Young Master Mu was chilled to the bone, frantically shaking his head. "No, no, no."
He kept making desperate eyes at his relatives, silently begging them to back him up with a few conciliatory words.
But everyone was trembling with fear; not one dared utter a sound.
Mu Wanqing sighed inwardly, there wasn't a single person here who could stand up and fight.
They were normally all so brazen, but when trouble came each one was more cowardly than the next.
Even the toughest elder uncle was still reeling from the blow of the house‑raid and hadn't come to his senses.
She could only step forward and bow toward the palace. "Whether thunderbolt or gentle rain, it's all Heaven's grace. Besides, the evidence is clear; if one errs one must submit to the law's punishment. The Mu family accepts this wholeheartedly and would never harbor resentment."
Her speech was sharp, steady, composed, she seemed more like the head of the household.
The Mu family stared at her in disbelief, as if she were a stranger.
Is this really the usually taciturn Third Miss Mu, the one who wouldn't even land a punch?
Mu Wanqing paid it no mind, calm and composed. "But sir, the emperor hasn't ordered our beheading yet, has he? If someone dies before an edict is issued, it could give people something to gossip about, one always has enemies in the world, don't we?"
She'd been raised by her grandfather to be level‑headed; in this situation she was simply trying to carve out a chance to survive.
Wu Dongming regarded her intently, something unreadable in his expression.
Mu Wanqing gave him a small smile, then clutched her head and let out a piercing cry. "Ouch, my head! It's killing me; I'm about to go meet the King of Hell. Down below I'll be sure to tell who harmed me. By the way, sir, what's your name?"
Wu Dongming's face nearly betrayed him. Such a blunt threat, such theatricality, this girl was something else.
Master Mu finally seemed to come to his senses, breaking into a sweat, and scolded loudly, "Third girl, shut your mouth! What right do you have to speak before this official?"
"Lord Wu, she understands nothing, ignore her."
Wu Dongming paid him no mind; instead he looked intrigued. "Third Miss Mu, what do you intend?"
Mu Wanqing blinked innocently. "I want to fetch a few things from my own room. Of course I won't take anything of value, that belongs to the imperial coffers, to the emperor.
The emperor is wise and mighty, not only the sovereign of the realm but the father of us commoners. A father's word is always right; we must obey and never betray imperial favor..."
She rattled off a torrent of flattering praise, showing feverish loyalty and devotion to the emperor.
Gasps rippled through the crowd; even the Wuyi Guards who were ransacking the house paused and stared at this remarkable girl.
Are today's gentlewomen really this shameless? No, it's just being savvy to the times!
The four members of Mu's second household rubbed their eyes in unison, yes, this really was their daughter/younger sister.
Master Mu, the most concerned with face, flushed with shame and anger at his brazen niece's antics. "Girl, don't make things worse."
Mu Wanqing pretended not to hear, her big eyes fixed on Wu Dongming.
A deep, inscrutable light flickered in Wu Dongming's eyes. "By the rules, you may only take one change of clothes."
He picked up a palm‑sized brocade box from the ground. "You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn, only enough to fill this box."
Mu Wanqing took the box and chirped happily, "All right, thank you, sir. You're such a great man, may you live a long life, enjoy boundless prosperity, and have countless descendants."
Her lavish flattery flowed so freely that Wu Dongming's mouth twitched.
Mu Wanqing had achieved her aim and couldn't care less what others thought. She beckoned to the burly youth. "Second brother, pick me up, my head hurts, I can't run fast."
The one called, Mu Ziang, was stunned by his sister's brazen maneuver. Simple‑minded as ever, he obeyed on instinct and bent down in front of Mu Wanqing.
Wu Dongming assigned two of his men to watch them the entire time.
Once they had gone, one subordinate asked curiously, "Sir, why did you allow it?"
Wu Dongming's expression was strange. "I want to see what trick she's hiding."
It can only be said that she had successfully piqued his curiosity.
The question was: had she done this unintentionally, or on purpose?
The Mu family felt their hearts lift in unison, nervous, unsettled, and a little angry.