Chapter 28

"Ding!" A long arrow knocked the sword hilt aside; the blade just grazed Mu Wanqing's temple, and a strand of hair floated to the ground.
She was only a hair's breadth from meeting the King of Hell.
The terrifying scene stabbed straight into the hearts of Second Master Mu and his wife. Madam Mu's legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground. "Qing'er!"
Mu Wanqing instinctively touched her temple, it didn't hurt, and there was no blood. "I'm fine, I'm still alive."
But she was furious now; rage churned in her eyes. To dare try to kill her, if not for sheer luck... no, someone must have saved her.
She lifted her head to look.
A man in black rode up, holding a red-cherry spear. The sunlight struck him like a mantle of gold, dazzling and radiant.
The red-cherry spear darted at the brown-clad man with overwhelming force.
The roaming dragon's cast shatters heaven and earth; the solitary spear's ninefold strike severs the borders.
The brown-clad man's weapon had already been dislodged; he could only dodge frantically. But no matter how he fled, he couldn't escape; the spearhead moved like a snake and pierced the brown-clad man's left rib. He felt a sudden, fierce pain and involuntarily fell to the ground.
Before he could struggle up, the red-cherry spearhead aimed for his chest.
Seeing the spearhead about to plunge down, the brown-clad man's face drained of color, sweat pouring, terror tearing through him.
He had no time to think. He hastily declared his identity, "May I ask who you are? I am a guard of the Fifth Prince, surname Jiang."
The man in black paused. "A man of the Fifth Prince? Any proof?"
To save his life, Jiang could no longer worry about revealing secrets; he pulled a token from his bosom, the mark of the Fifth Prince's house.
The man in black glanced at the token, frowned slightly. "By court rules, without the emperor's decree a prince may not leave the capital."
Of course, that applies to people of the prince's household as well.
That was one reason Guard Jiang and his men had disguised themselves and acted secretly: they could not reveal their identities.
Jiang's mind raced; thinking quickly he came up with an excuse. "We were returning home to visit relatives and accidentally overheard these exiles spouting nonsense, they harbor resentment toward the court and the ruler and seem bent on rebellion. That's why I... ugh."
Suddenly he was smeared with horse dung, his open mouth stuffed full.
The instigator surveyed him with a straight face. "Such a filthy mouth suits horse dung."
Serves them right! Officer Zeng and the others looked on with some schadenfreude, to slander them to their faces and try to have them killed was truly hateful.
Guard Jiang clutched his throat and retched violently, vomiting bile.
He was sickened and shot a furious glare. "You little bitch..."
Mu Wanqing picked up a stone from the roadside and threw it casually, though her aim was true. "Smack."
Guard Jiang was struck in the chest, gasping in pain, and instinctively looked toward his companions.
But his companions stood far away, showing no intention of fighting for him.
A chill ran through his chest, is this the result of breaking one's word?
How could they not understand his careful planning? Mu Wanqing was cunning and deep in thought; if she wasn't removed early, one day she would become a major internal threat.
Du Shaoxuan turned his head and glanced him over casually. "Who are you?"
Mu Wanqing steadied her gaze and took him in. The man in black was unexpectedly young, not yet twenty, hovering between boyhood and manhood, full of striking vigor. His face was as fine as carved jade, his whole bearing like a sword drawn from its scabbard, sharp and incisive.
Though dust-streaked from travel, he could not hide his imposing aura.
A man of the military ranks, not low in standing and formidable in martial skill, that was Mu Wanqing's first impression of him.
"Mu Wanqing, the unfortunate niece of the former Vice Minister of Revenue, a convict exiled."
She introduced herself plainly. "Young master, this scoundrel led his men to kill, burn and plunder; he wouldn't even spare a woman sentenced to exile. He goes around saying that every woman in the realm ought to belong to him. I don't know where he gets the gall. Even our brilliant, martial Emperor would never mouth something so despicable and shameless."
The moment she spoke, everyone turned to her, their expressions utterly bewildered, what was she on about?
The guards were stunned into silence, mouths agape. When had he ever said anything so treasonous? This was clearly a fabrication!
The Mu family, however, remained composed; they were used to her tactics and even felt a certain, inexplicable thrill.
Their suffering was finally paying off for someone else, hahahah.
Mu Wanqing pointed at the dazed Guard Jiang on the ground. If he could spout lies, why couldn't she? Tit for tat.
"He, a guard from a prince's house, acts more imposing than the emperor himself. Appalling. Has imperial authority already slipped into the Jiang family?"
A hairline fissure crawled across Du Shaoxuan's handsome face, splitting inch by inch. This girl… was unbelievably bold!
Blood rushed to the Guard Jiang's head until he felt like he might explode. This was over, this was a crime that would warrant wiping out a family.
He roared furiously, "You're talking nonsense."
"Not? Then your master must have already ascended the throne?" Mu Wanqing asked with mock bewilderment, deadpan in her fabrications. "Oh my, new emperors usually make a grand show, could we perhaps expect special favors? No need to be posted to the frontier…"
The more outlandish she grew, the more each line landed squarely on a nerve, as if she were dancing on a blade's edge.
The Guard Jiang's face turned as if someone had died at home; how could this girl's tongue be sharper than those old court foxes?
If this got out, could their whole family possibly survive?
No, worse still, it wouldn't just doom his family; it would drag the Fifth Prince's entire household down with them!
Ruthless. Too ruthless.
"Shut your mouth! Do you know how many people these words could get killed?"
Mu Wanqing laughed. "So it turns out your lives are lives, and ours are cheap things to be abused and slaughtered at will. But a cornered rabbit still bites."
When he tried to assassinate her, why was he so utterly unrestrained?
He's allowed to kill, but we're not allowed to resist? Why should that be?
Unable to outargue her, the Guard Jiang hardened his heart and turned to the man in black. "Young master, these are criminals exiled by the court, their words can't be trusted. My lord is fond of making friends; if I recommend you, a man like you would surely win the Fifth Prince's favor."
Du Shaoxuan looked mildly surprised. "And?"
Assuming he had a chance, the Guard Jiang grew excited and pointed at Mu Wanqing and the others. "These people are treasonous, disrespectful to the court and the imperial family. They should all be executed to root out future trouble."
Where he'd been sly before, he now laid it all bare.
It had become a fight to the death; letting them live would be a grave risk.
He wouldn't even spare the escorting clerks, such was his cruelty.
Those he singled out turned pale, angry and humiliated, itching to give him a beating.
Officer Zeng's face was anxious. "That's not it, we're all court officers…"
To the Guard Jiang, lowly clerks were nothing; if they died, they died.
"You've all been turned by this she-devil; you deserve to die." The Guard Jiang, intent on silencing them, urged on, "Young master, do you want to be a favored guest at the prince's residence? If so, do the lord a favor and remove these troubles…"
He couldn't defeat them outright, but he could leverage the prince's household to recruit someone, make them a blade in his hand.
A cold voice replied, "I don't."
"Huh? What did you say?" The Guard Jiang rubbed his ears in disbelief, who could refuse an olive branch extended by a prince?
Du Shaoxuan dismounted with a clean, efficient motion, his expression hard to conceal: disdain. "To view the common people as grass, seems you do this often. You're not fit to be called a person."
Mu Wanqing let out a quiet sigh of relief; this man's moral compass was sound and his sense of justice intact. A small blessing.
"Young master, you are the sort who draws a sword at injustice. This lifesaving favor can never be repaid, only…"
Du Shaoxuan cut her off impatiently. "Offer yourself? No."
He'd seen this before and was truly annoyed.
"Please don't get involved in this mess, leave now… " At the same time Mu Wanqing's words slipped out; the two exchanged a look, both a little taken aback.
"Ahem." Mu Wanqing choked on her own saliva. "Young master, I'm still a child. What are you thinking?" Thirteen years old, nothing wrong with that.
The vibe shifted abruptly.
Du Shaoxuan misunderstood and the atmosphere grew awkward.
A rapid clatter of hooves sounded as a line of riders in black thundered up. Everyone's nerves tensed again, who could they be?
The black-clad riders reined in together and, moving in perfect unison, saluted Du Shaoxuan. "Master."
Du Shaoxuan nodded slightly, radiating a calm, unruffled authority.
Orders followed and discipline held, such were the rules of the military.
The lead rider fretted, "Master, next time don't run off so fast, it's too dangerous."
The master's fine steed ran too swiftly; no one could keep up, and they worried.
Du Shaoxuan waved a hand, serene. "I know my limits."
His men sighed, what else could they do but follow so headstrong a master?
The Guard Jiang stared at the man in black, his mind racing. A man with such followers couldn't be a nobody, who was he?
Did he not know the consequences of offending a prince?
Mu Wanqing immediately spotted Mu Ziang on horseback, his face in a panic. When he saw his family safe, he relaxed completely; his eyes flooded red and tears streamed down his face.
He thought it was already too late!
Mu Wanqing pressed her lips together. "Young master, I have a few words to say."
Du Shaoxuan looked over; his expression smoothed. "Go ahead."
Mu Wanqing pointed at Guard Jiangs. "Leave these men to me. You should be on your way. Not a word of what happened today will be leaked, I promise."
Her offer was meant kindly; she didn't want him dragged into this.
She had no way to avoid it, fail to fight back and she'd be dead, but he was merely passing through.
If she wasn't mistaken, he belonged to the military; offending a prince could have dire consequences for him, perhaps even death or the ruin of his family.
He had rescued her; she couldn't bring harm on him.
Though she hadn't said it outright, Du Shaoxuan understood. He looked at her with some surprise, this girl hadn't yet come of age, yet she was thoughtful, kind and gentle, and clear about right and wrong.
"How do you plan to deal with them?"
Mu Wanqing drew herself together, thinking for a moment. "He wanted my life. I'm just a timid girl, so I don't ask for his life, I'll sever the tendons in his hands and feet instead."
Before she finished speaking she snatched up her long sword and struck deftly, several quick slashes.
"Aaaah!"
Blades rose and fell; Guard Jiang's hands and feet were ruined.
His martial skills were shattered, he would never hold a sword again in this life.
This was more agonizing and hopeless than death.
Pain wracked him and he couldn't help cursing. "You damned woman...ah!"
Another bloody hole opened in his body; Mu Wanqing didn't waste words when she could strike.
Mu Wanqing feigned fear. "Sorry, you're yelling so loudly it scared me terribly, my hand shook and I didn't hold the sword steady."
She looked so guilty. "Guard Jiang, I didn't poke you too hard, did I? Why didn't you dodge?"
Everyone: ...
Guard Jiang had never seen such shamelessness, saying one thing and doing another; she slashes someone and still claims she was scared.
Goddamn it, may lightning strike her.
He couldn't help but curse.
Mu Wanqing paid him no mind and turned to the others. "As for you..."
The guards looked at their leader, his body full of bloody holes, then at the long sword in her hand, and involuntarily took a few steps back, clearly terrified by her ruthless methods.
One guard cowered. "I didn't mean to kill you. Guard Jiang lost his mind, it's his personal act."
The others nodded frantically. "Right, right, it's nothing to do with us."
"We swore an oath, we didn't touch a single hair on you."
When Guard Jiang broke the oath, they felt uneasy, afraid the oath's consequences would come true.
Who respects someone without any integrity, someone who breaks his word?
Now who would want to be implicated because of him? Naturally they tried to sever ties and distance themselves.
Mu Wanqing smiled slightly. "There are two options. First: you return to the capital and I'll have people spread word of what happened today, including that you swore an oath and then reneged."
Their faces went pale. This girl was dangerous; offend her and you could die.
They couldn't let today's events be aired in the open, otherwise the Fifth Prince's reputation would be ruined. What good things would be left for them to get?
And as for the oath, would the Fifth Prince be at ease knowing he made them swear?
And he even broke that oath... Ugh, don't think about it, dare not.
"What's the other option?"
Mu Wanqing's big eyes spun mischievously, lively as ever. "You kind-hearted guards see that we're helpless and decide to escort us a ways, deliver us to the border before you return to the capital."
Yes, she needed a few coachmen! Some laborers! People to do the chores!
Everyone: ...
There's nothing more brazen than this, if you want to know who pulls the boldest moves in the world, look to Third Miss Mu.
There's nothing she can't do, only things she hasn't thought of.
Mu Wanqing ignored their varied expressions and smiled all the more kindly. "Of course, we're polite people, we won't let you return empty-handed."
In just a few words she combined soft and hard tactics, threats, favors, using everything at her disposal.
The guards huddled and whispered, discussed, and decided to go along.
They'd lay low for a while and return once things calmed down.
If they went back now, how could they explain it? They couldn't report duty and it would arouse suspicion.
Third Miss Mu wouldn't let them off; they couldn't beat that man in black, much less silence them.
Du Shaoxuan couldn't help looking at her again. How old was she? Were girls these days all this formidable?
He cautioned, "Aren't you afraid they'll strike you on the road?"
This time Mu Wanqing wouldn't gamble on people's decency, she trusted her own measures.
"I'll write a few letters to merchants I know. If something happens to me, then everyone will have to go with me, I'm someone who hates being lonely, you know."
That was obvious, too much of a fuss.
She said it loudly; the guards all heard, exchanging glances, bitter in their hearts, surely she said it on purpose for them to hear.
She had so many tricks, they couldn't outplay her.
Du Shaoxuan kicked Guard Jiang. "And this man?"
Guard Jiang's heart leaped, why let her decide? Who did she think she was?
If he fell into her hands, he was as good as dead.
"Young master, please let me go. I promise I won't cause trouble."
But no one believed him, not even his companions.
Mu Wanqing pondered for a moment, seeming troubled. "Or...let him go?"
Her answer surprised everyone. Really?
She actually showed mercy and let him off? That wasn't like Third Miss Mu at all.
Du Shaoxuan's gaze was odd. "You can't let the tiger return to the mountains."
Mu Wanqing frowned. "What then? Killing is wrong, the authorities have the right to decide a person's life or death."
Officer Zeng suddenly spoke up. "Take him to the border and lock him in irons."
Mu Wanqing nodded without hesitation. "Very well, I'll do as you say."
Decisive action and cold-heartedness are separated by only a hair’s breadth.
The former inspires admiration; the latter breeds fear.
She had to gauge that balance, too lax and it wouldn’t work, too harsh and it would only backfire.
Guard Jiang had his hands bound, his wounds dressed briefly, and was then dragged away.
Mu Wanqing exhaled a long breath, her face still showing the aftershocks of fear, there was none of the calm efficiency she’d displayed moments before.
Second Master Mu and his wife were distraught. They closed in on her from both sides, lips trembling as they tried to soothe her, “Are you all right? Were you scared? Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, the bad man has been taken away.”
Onlookers: …Who’s really the one who’s scared? Are you blind?
Madam Qian gently patted her daughter’s arm. “Qing’er, how could you be so daring? You nearly scared me to death.”
Her heart was still pounding; she could hardly catch her breath.
Mu Ziang came over with red-rimmed eyes. “Sister, next time you should run, you're much smarter than I am.”
Mu Wanqing smiled and comforted him, “Second Brother, you were especially brave today. You kept your head and brought help, you saved everyone.”
Mu Ziang pressed his lips together. “Actually, I was very frightened.”
Mu Wanqing heaped on the praise. “Even though you were scared, you still brought reinforcements back, that’s all the more admirable. Second Brother, you’re wonderful.”
Each word she spoke brought tears to Mu Ziang’s eyes and warmed his chest.
How could he have such an adorable sister?
Mu Zicheng ruffled his sister’s hair and vowed silently to grow stronger, to become the family’s pillar.
Nearby, Officer Zeng’s mouth twitched, she was far too good at soothing people with her words.
Du Shaoxuan swept his gaze around, swung into the saddle, and, followed by his men, rode up onto his horse.
Mu Wanqing’s eyes were sharp; she spotted them at once and hurried over.
“I will forever remember your lifesaving grace, Young Master. If ever you should need anything, come find me in Liangcheng. I will do three things for you, but they must not violate imperial law, must not go against my conscience, nor exceed my abilities.”
Grateful yet principled, such a mix easily wins people over.
Liangcheng? Du Shaoxuan believed the sincerity in her words; a trace of warmth appeared in his eyes. “It was nothing, no need to hold it in your heart. Farewell.”
With that, he flicked his whip and the group galloped away.
…
At the inn, Officer Zeng had rented an entire courtyard and had already arranged lodging for the exiles.
Everyone had endured a harrowing day and were exhausted,all they wanted was a quiet rest.
Guard Jiang, however, was gravely injured and unconscious; they hurried to fetch a physician.
Only the guards left behind were a headache; no one knew how to handle them.
Guards from a prince’s residence carried themselves with more dignity than ordinary fourth-rank officials.
And he was just a low-ranking yamen clerk.
The guards grew impatient. “Why aren’t you speaking? What do you want us to do? But let it be clear, we won’t take orders from you.”
They were seventh-rank officers in front of the Prime Minister, men of the prince’s household, not ordinary people.
Even if they fled to avoid trouble, they wouldn’t take orders from others.
Officer Zeng’s head ached; his rank truly wasn’t imposing. “You were left by Third Miss Mu, so naturally she should make the arrangements.”
The guards’ faces soured. To be honest, they looked down on the yamen clerk and would never have given him a proper glance before.
But to take orders from a woman felt dishonorable to them.
Whether by seniority or background, Officer Zeng couldn’t control them.
He decided to pass the hot potato. “Go and fetch Third Miss Mu.”
The second household was preparing dinner; upon hearing Officer Zeng’s summons, Second Master Mu came forward with his daughter.
Mu Wanqing stepped up, and Officer Zeng couldn’t contain himself: “Last time you said you were short-handed, these men are all yours.”
Mu Wanqing cast a cool glance over the guards; somehow, they instinctively reined in their arrogance.
Their memories of her brutal efficiency with a blade were still fresh, she was ruthless, no doubt.
Besides, she was so resourceful she’d even tricked her own leader.
Wait, they’d been tricked too.
“Do you know the Four Books and Five Classics? Can you write policy proposals? Can you farm? Can you do business?”
The guards’ mouths twitched. “No, but we know martial arts.”
Mu Wanqing paid them no mind. “Very well. I need two personal attendants. Ten taels of silver a month, room and board included. Who wants it?”
No sooner had she spoken than someone called out, “Me.”
“Me.”
The two guards introduced themselves, one named Zhang San, the other Li Si. They were not highly regarded in the household, their martial skills middling, and otherwise fairly ordinary.
They had made five taels a month before; Mu Wanqing doubled the pay, so of course they signed up happily.
Some were annoyed, some disdainful, people had all kinds of thoughts.
Mu Wanqing didn’t care. “Then it’s you two.”
What she wanted were coachmen who could also help with odd jobs; high martial skill wasn’t the priority, obedience was.
“As for the rest of you, interested in making money? Since leaving the capital we’ve already earned several thousand taels.”
Who would turn down money? The guards’ interest was piqued. “How do we make it?”
Mu Wanqing revealed the plan she’d been mulling for some time. “I plan to buy goods wholesale and sell them at the border, things scarce there, like cloth and medicinal herbs. Flip them a few times over the price? No problem.”
She had wanted to do this before but lacked manpower.
The constables’ primary duty was escorting and managing prisoners; there could be no mistakes.
Besides, the roads were dangerous, bandits who made a living from robbery were everywhere. To do trade you either needed your own fighting force or had to hire an escort agency.
Now that they had these capable guards, that weakness was neatly addressed.
The guards exchanged glances and conferred. One named Shen Yong answered, “This could work, but how would the arrangement run?”
Since we’re idle anyway, we might as well do a little business and make some money, at least the trip won’t have been for nothing.
Mu Wanqing pursed her lips. “We’ll pool the funds: I’ll put in 400 taels for a 20% share; Officer Zeng, you and your men put in 800 taels for 40%; Shen Yong, you also put in 800 taels for 40%. How about that?”
A 2-4-4 split, a three-way balance of power is the most secure way to cooperate.
Binding people by mutual profit is the only way it lasts.
Officer Zeng and Shen Yong hesitated, uncertain what to decide.
They thought it over and discussed for a long while, but no better plan emerged.
Neither wanted to be outmaneuvered by the other.
At last Officer Zeng made the first move. “Very well. The Third Miss’s business talent is beyond doubt, I trust you.”
Both sides agreed; Shen Yong’s guards had no choice but to go along.
Mu Wanqing pushed the plan further. “Next we form a three-person decision panel. All plans will be decided by the trio; each side supplies one person. Any objections?”
“None.”
It was simple: Officer Zeng and Shen Yong were nominated, and with Mu Wanqing they formed the three-member group.
Mu Wanqing had effortlessly secured a measure of influence and elbowed her way into the decision-making circle, but this was not her final goal.
“Since there’s a decision panel, there must be someone to take overall charge and make the final call when opinions clash. Let’s elect a leader.”
“I nominate Brother Shen.”
“I nominate Brother Zeng.”
The two sides reached a stalemate, each trying to put forward their own man.
Mu Wanqing didn’t get involved; she doodled on paper with a pen, clearly amused.
They argued back and forth without producing a winner. Officer Zeng turned and saw Mu Wanqing remaining aloof; he frowned slightly.
“Third Miss, do you have anything to say?”
Mu Wanqing lifted her head, her clear eyes like still water. “I’ve prepared a test, all business-related and very simple. Whoever answers best will be the leader. That’s the fairest way. What do you think?”
A guard jumped up. “You made the test, of course you’ll answer best. How is that fair?”
“No, no, I’ll be the examiner.” Mu Wanqing handed over the sheet filled with writing. “Too scared? Afraid of being shown up by a woman?”
“Who’s scared? Test me then.” The guard snatched the paper and immediately froze, rubbing his eyes as if questioning his very existence.
Officer Zeng leaned over to look and his mouth twitched. This called “simple”? It was maddening.
“Third Miss, you can do all the questions on there?”
Everyone who received the paper was dumbstruck. Chicken-and-rabbit problems? Just looking at them made their heads spin.
There was also an item asking them to write a business plan for selling goods, detailing the entire process.
What a headache!
Mu Wanqing smiled. “Of course. It’s very simple, the chicken-and-rabbit problem comes from The Mathematical Classic of Sunzi and tests arithmetic. If someone can’t even handle basic calculations, how can they do business?”
“That question asking for a business plan tests a person’s planning ability.”
“This form tests a person’s coordination and oversight skills.”
“This policy essay examines a person’s capacity for organization and coordination.”
They all felt their scalps tingle. Good heavens, who came up with this sick test? No wonder she asked them what they could do right away.
Those essay questions were skills expected of civil exam candidates, not soldiers!
Still, one couldn’t say Mu Wanqing was deliberately making things hard for them.
These are the essential qualities of a leader.
To occupy a high position without the requisite ability is a catastrophe.
“If virtue does not match the post, disaster will follow. With little virtue yet a lofty position, scant wisdom but grand designs, weak strength yet heavy duties, calamity is scarcely avoidable.”
Officer Zeng realized this and handed over a pen. “Third Miss, you write it; we’ll stand aside and watch.”
“That’s not fair…” someone protested, but Shen Yong glared him down and he shut up. “No, you go ahead.”
Mu Wanqing picked up the pen and wrote swiftly; her small regular script was exquisitely neat, flowing like clouds and water.
Before long she set the pen down. “Done.”
Everyone who read her answers was astounded.
The business plan was detailed and orderly: how to compare suppliers, how to survey and collect market information, where to source goods, how to arrange personnel, it showcased her formidable planning ability and exceptional coordination.
What amazed them most were the tables: ledgers, outflows, inflows, profit projections, even the most tedious accounting sheets were clear enough for these big, rough men to understand.
Shen Yong sighed softly. The difference between people could be so vast.
Some are born prodigies, like the Third Miss before them.
The Mu clan had actually produced such a figure.
“If the account books were always this clear, we’d all be spared a lot of trouble and wouldn’t be fooled so easily.”
Officer Zeng was completely won over. He would never have produced such perfect answers, he didn’t understand these matters himself. “I nominate the Third Miss as leader. I submit, wholeheartedly.”
He had some ability, but compared to someone of such supreme cleverness, he was worlds away.
“I also nominate the Third Miss.” Shen Yong was convinced too. Don’t be deceived by her youth, she had methods and cunning, decisive and ruthless when needed, lacking nothing.
And so, with a single test, Mu Wanqing won the greatest voice without shedding a drop of blood.
Whether she could keep these men loyal would depend on whether she could bring them substantial profit.
Interest is the foundation of human dealings.
If you can’t bring others benefits, why should they think highly of you?
The world’s bustle is all for profit; its commotion all for gain.
Elsewhere, Mu Jinyao was subjected to an unprecedented campaign of cold-shouldering.
The clan avoided her as if she were the plague, their faces full of disgust.
Once famed as one of the capital’s two beauties, she had been so glorious, now she had nearly caused the deaths of their entire clan.
Even her own father, Eldest Master Mu, scolded her a few times.
Mu Jinyao's eyes reddened; the very man who had urged her to outshine every noble daughter in the capital was now the one calling her vain and selfish.
Madam Mu was heartbroken. "Sigh, who could have imagined it would come to this? From now on, keep a low profile, don't bother with fancy hairstyles, and don't wash your face..."
Listening to her mother's endless worrying made Mu Jinyao feel even worse. Maybe she was in the wrong, wasn't she?
She couldn't sleep that night and wandered about aimlessly, until she found herself at the quarters where the Mu family's second branch lived.
She hesitated, raised her hand to knock, then froze; after a long moment she withdrew it and turned to leave.
The door opened. Mu Wanqing, hair down, was leaning against the frame and yawned. "What's the matter?"
Mu Jinyao's eyes were swollen with tears. "Third Sister, everyone's blaming me, was I really wrong?"
She felt utterly bewildered.
At the start, she had only wanted to secure more bargaining power for herself and marry well into a noble household; she hadn't meant to hurt anyone.
She spoke vaguely, but Mu Wanqing was sharp as frost and understood at once. "It's not your fault, it's the Fifth Prince's. He has a dozen concubines and secretly coveted you; when he saw you in trouble he couldn't wait to take advantage of you. It's disgusting."
"Your resolve to break like jade rather than live as cracked pottery is more than many a man could muster." She admired that quality deeply.
One should have backbone.
Mu Jinyao was astonished but it felt right, this was exactly the sort of thing her third sister would say. "If only you put it that way. Everyone's afraid of the Fifth Prince's reprisals and worries... it might invite even greater danger."
There are no walls that don't leak; she could understand her clan's fears.
"Afraid of what? If anyone dares harm me, I'll take them down." Mu Wanqing had no reverence for royal power; princes, princesses, even the emperor were not people she owed allegiance to.
She was free and independent; she wanted to be the strongest, answering to no one's moods and bowing to no one.
Mu Jinyao stared at her, dumbfounded and full of envy, how could anyone be so fearless? "Suppose my face were ruined..."
If her beauty were gone, those filthy plots would vanish too, wouldn't they?
Before she could finish, Mu Wanqing frowned and cut her off. "Don't be foolish, beauty is no crime. Don't give in so easily. Why punish yourself for someone else's wrongdoing?"
"Only by making yourself strong can you protect yourself and win the right to more choices. That's my advice to you."
Whether she took it or not was her own business.
Everyone must walk their own path.
The remark awakened her like a bell. The dullness in Mu Jinyao's eyes brightened. "I understand. Thank you, Third Sister."
Early the next morning Mu Wanqing was at the window watching the sky. The weather was fine; preparations could begin.
The cook bustled in with the food. "Third Miss, breakfast is ready, please try it and tell me what you think."
A steaming bowl of steamed egg and two plump sweet buns, only Mu Wanqing enjoyed such special treatment.
The others ate from the communal pot.
Mu Wanqing scooped up a spoonful of egg custard and tasted it. "It's cooked just right, neither tough nor overdone, just a little bland."
"The sweet buns are soft and fragrant. If ten is perfect, I'd give these an eight."
The cook beamed as if he'd received the highest praise. "That's thanks to your teaching, Miss, and Second Master Mu helped a bit too."
After the cook left, Second Master Mu hesitated as if he wanted to speak.
Mu Wanqing noticed. "Father, what is it you want to say?"
He stammered for a long moment. "I... find cooking quite interesting. I... want to learn."
He often helped his daughter in the kitchen; watching so much had sparked a genuine interest.
Mu Wanqing expected something grander, just that? "Sure, I'll teach you."
She had too many plans to be a cook forever, so she'd been training the cook. He treasured the lessons and practiced diligently every day, improving rapidly.
If Second Master Mu wanted to learn, then they'd learn together.
"You don't object?" Second Master Mu was astonished; the culinary trade was looked down upon by society and people didn't hold it in esteem.
"Why would I object?" Mu Wanqing looked puzzled. "If you like it, then do it."
The chef who taught her had been the head chef for imperial banquets, highly respected and praised even by top officials.
Second Master Mu looked toward his wife. "My lady."
Madam Mu of the second household knew him best. Her husband had been kept at home, living a confused, stifled life, this was a rare thing he truly enjoyed.
"We're not the family of an official anymore; we don't need any airs. If you like it, go ahead. It's hard work, rest when you're tired."
Second Master Mu looked at his wife and daughter, deeply moved. They supported him unconditionally, this was what family meant.
A voice came from outside. "Third Miss, we're ready to depart."
"Coming right away."
This time two bodyguards flanked Mu Wanqing. "Zhang San, take the reins of my carriage."
She pointed to the other carriage. "Li Si, drive that one."
"Yes." The two obeyed promptly.
That way Second Master Mu and his wife could sit comfortably in the carriage and rest.
"Big brother, second brother, take turns driving the mule cart."
"Alright." The Mu Zicheng brothers were pleased, they could rotate and rest.
Everyone looked on with envious eyes; life in the second branch was getting better and better, they even had coachmen now.
Just as they were about to set off, two carriages raced up and blocked their path. "Wait a moment, may I ask, are you members of the Mu family of the capital?"
"Yes. Is something the matter?"
"May I ask which of you is Mu Zhongping, Second Master Mu?"
Second Master Mu felt the scene was familiar. "I am."
The driver of the leading carriage pulled up, then introduced himself. "I'm the steward of the Chen family. I've come expressly to call off an engagement."
The Chen family? The eldest son's in-laws? Second Master Mu was stunned, so they'd finally come.
He was about to speak when the curtain of the other carriage was drawn back, revealing a beautiful, sorrowful face.
“This is the Yu family's fourth young lady.”
Second Master Mu was dumbstruck, his mind a little muddled, the Yu family's fourth young lady was the bride he'd promised to his second son.
How could she be here together with the Chen family's people?
Calling off an engagement doesn't require the bride herself to appear in person.
What on earth is happening?