Chapter 31

Sitting at the other table, Mu Wanqing came to and was a little surprised, he didn't look like the kind of man to say something like that. "Please, go on," she said.
There were too many people, so they were split across four tables: the bosses sat with Du Shaoxuan at one table; the others were seated by division at the remaining tables.
Mu Wanqing's family ate with the ordinary officials, clear lines were drawn.
You could say Mu Wanqing and her daughter were the only two women present, but what did that matter?
What woman couldn't sit at the same table? They've all been exiled; there was no need for such strict propriety.
Besides, Mu Wanqing didn't have that mindset, she had worked hard to make the big communal dishes; was she not allowed to sit down and eat?
A big communal dish is best when everyone gathers round it while it's steaming hot.
Du Shaoxuan was born into a general's family; pride ran deep in his bones. He would rather bleed than beg.
But this time was different.
"I have a relative who was born weak, frail by nature and extremely picky about food. Do you have any dishes that can truly open the appetite? Just one or two would do."
Everyone knows a secret recipe can be passed down through generations and feed descendants for years, who would willingly give such a thing away?
He knew his request was excessive, but thinking of his sickly cousin, he still dared to ask.
They'd grown up together; their bond was extraordinary. Besides, the cousin's status was uniquely special, born noble and carrying the hopes of many.
Hearing this, Mu Wanqing glanced at him a little longer, she hadn't expected that beneath his cold exterior there was a heart that cherished and protected.
"Relative"? It's probably his beloved, she thought, hard to tell, hahaha.
Remembering the life-saving favor, and wanting to repay it, she nodded without hesitation. "I'll write down a few recipes for you. Consider it the first thing I do for you in my life."
Only then did Du Shaoxuan realize she was serious.
She had promised aloud to do three things for him in her lifetime; he hadn't taken it seriously, but she had said it earnestly, and meant it.
Even if she fell into the dust, her proud spine remained unbroken; she would not be indebted to anyone.
A soft pang of regret stirred within him, if she were a man, he would have brought her under his command to win honors and build a career.
“Thank you, Third Miss Mu.”
As they talked, everyone frantically plunged their chopsticks in, mouths stuffed and bowls heaped; whatever you grabbed, you kept.
With bowls nearly empty, chopsticks moved even faster, afraid someone would take the rest, and they wolfed it down as if swallowing their own tongues.
The flavor was simply sublime, hundreds of tastes in one pot, each mingled with the next, all merging into a single delicious aroma that left one savoring every bite.
Several pairs of chopsticks reached for the last radish at once, and no one would back down. That broth-soaked radish was heavenly, soft and slightly glutinous, its freshness nearly astonishing.
“I haven't had a hot meal in days, please, let this younger brother have it.”
“You're young; at my age, every meal is precious, if I eat one now, it's one less for me.”
The other couldn't help rolling his eyes, as if everyone hasn't got fewer meals the more they eat.
The companions, who usually called each other brothers, were close to coming to blows over a bite to eat.
“Officer Zeng, you eat this every day, it's my first time.” Shen Yong's mouth glistened with oil; he'd completely lost himself in the food.
Hearing everyone say Third Miss Mu's cooking was peerless, he assumed she had the skill of a restaurant chef; as a frequent diner, he even said he missed the dishes of the capital's Xiangpiao Tower.
But to his surprise, it truly was amazing!
This was far better than the capital's top house!
Officer Zeng chuckled, “Who would expect Third Miss Mu to cook every day? She's usually busy. This meal was begged for by the brothers for a long time, hard-won. You're all getting lucky.”
“I ran all over today, I'm exhausted and really need a proper meal to replenish myself.”
Mu Wanqing watched without intervening, only smiling faintly.
As a craftswoman, seeing everyone enjoy her work made her genuinely happy.
Madam Qian, now sated, leaned in and said softly, “Miss Yu and the others haven't eaten yet. What should we do? I doubt they have any provisions.”
Mu Wanqing thought a moment, then stood and ladled two bowls of rice, pouring the steaming broth over them so that the surface gleamed with oil and released a mouthwatering aroma.
She didn't say anything, simply took Madam Qian's hand and carried the rice away in silence.
They had barely gone a short distance when a figure blocked their path. “Second Aunt, sister Wanqing, that rice smells amazing. Come to think of it, I've never had your cooking…”
It was the Mu family's legitimate eldest grandson, Mu Zifeng. He was disheveled and foul-smelling, completely lacking the airs of the noble young master he once was.
Mu Wanqing sniffed in disgust, if he can't be bothered to bathe, couldn't he at least change his clothes? He reeked; the main branch was becoming more careless. “You're blocking my way.”
Mu Zifeng not only refused to move, he eyed the bowls of rice in their hands, practically drooling. “Give me those two bowls.”
Give them to him? He demanded it with such entitlement, treating himself like the family's first son.
Mu Wanqing was extremely impatient. The women of the main branch knew when to keep their heads down, but the men were clueless. “State your reason.”
Mu Zifeng's eyes flickered, and he said with assumed certainty, “I'm your blood cousin, the future head of the Mu family, the family's hope. Wanqing, you're clever, you should know what a married woman's reliance is: her birth family.”
He meant: if you want him to be your backing in the future, you'd better treat him well and support him.
That was the prevailing attitude of the time, but it didn't work on Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing couldn't help but smile. Setting aside the Mu family's decline, look at Mu Zifeng himself, the family had poured its best resources into him, grooming him as the heir.
If times remained peaceful, he might manage to preserve the family's wealth.
In theory, in times of family crisis he'd be the one to step forward without hesitation to turn the tide, protect the clan, and secure a way out for everyone, that's what an heir should do.
But clearly he couldn't. He had no sense of responsibility, was listless, frequently pining for former good times, and delayed action at every turn.
Not just him, father and son both remained lost in their dreams of the past and hadn't yet accepted reality.
Men, it seemed, were more fragile than women, less able to take a blow.
“Wrong. The only one you can rely on is yourself. You're not as smart or capable as I am, nor do you have my schemes, how could you be my support?”
She saw through Mu Zifeng's scheme at once, he lacked ability but constantly dreamed of taking shortcuts.
He hadn't always been like this, though once arrogant and insufferable, he had scorned underhanded tricks.
“You want to squeeze me dry, support you and serve your appetites, ha! Not in this lifetime. Why don't you go hang yourself with a rope and see if that works in the next?”
She was always blunt and cutting; with one line she exposed his thoughts and figuratively slapped his face.
A man who won't better himself to shelter his wife, children, and parents is worthless.
Mu Zifeng's face flushed hot with shame and anger. “You're a woman, what good is being clever? You can't win glory or continue the family line. A little girl dares speak to me like this, do you believe I won't beat you……”
Du Shaoxuan stepped forward and saw the scene; his expression darkened, he despised scoundrels who bullied women.
He was about to intervene when Mu Wanqing kicked out, striking Mu Zifeng's knee hard. His legs went weak and he dropped to his knees before her, grimacing in pain.
Standing over him, Mu Wanqing looked down with utter contempt. “Is that all? Heh.”
In her previous life, summers were spent in military special training, where she learned many things, including grappling and kicking techniques.
Though her style was flashy, her unexpected moves made it easy to handle one or two big men.
Of course, against a true master she'd still have to admit defeat.
She kicked him two more times to vent, then took Madam Qian by the arm and left.
Du Shaoxuan watched the whole thing, the corner of his mouth twitching.
The attendant behind him stared. "Third Miss Mu is no ordinary woman, she's fiercer and more spirited than the frontier girls."
Du Shaoxuan said coolly, "It's her cousin who's too weak."
That worthless fellow, not even a match for a woman, actually dared to claim he was Mu Wanqing's support.
He's out of his mind!
The attendant froze. How did he hear a hint of defense for Third Miss Mu? Surely not?
His master was famously oblivious to romance, always cool toward any woman, how could he...
Mu Wanqing and her mother walked down the long corridor; wherever they passed a pleasant scent lingered, drawing everyone's eyes, mouths watering, children whining and crying with longing.
Sixth Aunt came out of the room, a little embarrassed. "Sister-in-law, Qing'er, can I trade this for a bowl of plain rice?"
It was a single silver coin, small, how it had slipped past the officials' searches was anyone's guess.
Or perhaps a friend or relative had secretly slipped it to them at their send-off.
Madam Qian looked at her daughter; Mu Wanqing nodded slightly, then smiled. "All right."
She wouldn't hand things out for free. Even close kin had to settle accounts honestly, this was a rule Mu Wanqing had set.
Sixth Aunt happily took the bowl of rice back into the room. Her grandchildren gathered around joyfully, gazing up with expectant eyes.
She didn't portion it out, she mixed the broth into the rice and spooned it for the children, feeding them one mouthful at a time. They ate with glee, smacking their little lips and squinting their eyes in bliss.
"This rice is so tasty. Grandmother, you eat some too, and father and mother as well."
With just one bowl of plain rice, how could the adults snatch it from the children? Seeing the kids enjoy it so much warmed their hearts more than anything.
"We're full, it's for you to eat."
After the children finished, Sixth Uncle picked up a stray grain and popped it into his mouth. Delicious!
"Wanqing's cooking is actually this good? What a surprise."
Sixth Aunt gave him a look. What flavor could there be in a single grain? It was probably just imagined.
True enough, they hadn't had anything nice in ages; they were starving for it!
"Next time, if we get the chance, buy some from her, she's a kind soul."
Her youngest daughter-in-law snapped somewhat indignantly, "We paid for it, how does that make her kind?"
Sixth Aunt snorted. "What do you know? If she made an exception and didn't charge, everyone would come begging. If she refused, she'd offend people. Better to set a rule from the start. She's clever, and she already favors us a lot. Do you know how your father-in-law became steward?"
The steward earned fifty wen more than others, plus various perks and rewards.
The youngest daughter-in-law mumbled, "Our families have always been close."
Sixth Aunt put on a stern face. "Being close is no reason to take advantage. We have nothing of value to offer, it's better to settle in silver and keep accounts clear so the relationship lasts."
She wasn't one to take petty freebies; if someone gave her a bunch of scallions, she'd return a few cloves of garlic.
No one was a fool. If you were always trying to profit off others, who would want to associate with you?
Besides, they were on the road of exile; supplies were scarce and everything cost money.
The son and daughter-in-law respectfully agreed. Having an elder in the house was like having a treasure, she saw through the ways of the world.
Meanwhile, Madam Qian was called away on urgent business, and Mu Wanqing took a bowl of plain rice back into the room.
At the knock on the door, Fourth Miss Yu and her servant cautiously called, "Who is it?"
"It's me."
The wet nurse hurried forward to open the door, panting, "Third Miss Mu, what's for dinner? What shall we eat? It's this late already, my young mistress is starving."
Mu Wanqing had wanted to invite Fourth Miss Yu to eat with them, but the girl refused, saying that men and women shouldn't be familiar.
Fine, she didn't press the matter.
She held out the bowl. "Eat, it's free."
The wet nurse stared at the bare white rice, stunned. "Leftovers? Feed my young mistress scraps and dregs?! That's insulting."
Mu Wanqing had been busy all day and was tired; she rubbed her brow and explained, "It's rice mixed with broth, it's clean."
Fourth Miss Yu frowned, as if she didn't believe it.
The wet nurse leapt up, furious. "This is abuse! My young mistress has never eaten such meager fare. Third Miss Mu, you come in like a bully, your heart is too cruel..."
Annoyed by the noise, Mu Wanqing snapped, "Shut up."
"Fourth Miss Yu, do you think so too?"
Fourth Miss Yu hesitated to answer, was it really not leftover rice?
Seeing her look down and say nothing, Mu Wanqing lost patience, pushed the door open and called out loudly, "One bowl, twenty wen. Who wants it?"
A crowd came rushing out, "Me! Me! Me! Me!"
"Give it to me, don't you dare fight me for it."
Mu Wanqing sold the rice to the clansman who spoke first, leisurely slipping the large coin into her purse.
Fourth Miss Yu and her wet nurse watched, stunned. Was that allowed? The Mu clan's ways were strange.
Mu Wanqing wasn't given to sentimentality; offering a bowl to Fourth Miss Yu was already her limit.
Everyone was capable, let them fend for themselves.
She refused to believe Fourth Miss Yu had no silver on her person.
With money, there's always a way.
She dug out the mother and daughter's spare clothes, planning to give them a hot bath.
Busy at the stove, boiling a large pot of hot water was easy. Whenever conditions allowed, she kept herself spotless.
Once winter came, it would be inconvenient even to bathe.
She busied herself, entirely forgetting the two people in the same room.
Fourth Miss Yu's stomach growled; she felt terribly wronged, tears welling in her eyes. Sadly, batting her lashes at a stone wall, Mu Wanqing didn't spare her a second glance.
The wet nurse was distraught. "Third Miss Mu, how can you bully people like this? This is the young lady of the Yu's household, my master dotes on his daughter..."
Mu Wanqing turned back with a smile. "So, why are you here?"
Wet nurse: ...That stings!
"This is only temporary. The Yu household will always be your backing, Miss, wait until later..."
Mu Wanqing smiled coldly. "Why wait until later? Go back now and be the pampered young lady."
Wet nurse: ...
"My young miss has come through so much, can't you give a little?"
Once you start yielding, it never stops, you'd have to do it for a lifetime.
Some things simply must not be allowed to begin.
Mu Wanqing was, by nature, self-centered; she only cared for her own family and didn't bother to fret over other people's feelings.
"Why should I be the one to yield? She's older and I'm younger; she's the pampered young lady, am I not one too? Aren't we all our parents' darlings?"
She arched an eyebrow, her stark black-and-white eyes bright. "Oh, you're not. You're the discarded child, thrown out by your father as a stepping stone."
Those words cut too deep. Fourth Miss Yu couldn't hold herself any longer and burst into sobs.
The wet nurse, both angry and aching, said, "You're being cruel, I’m going to have people hear this and judge what's right..."
Mu Wanqing looked at her as if she were an idiot. "Are you stupid? People here are either Fang or Mu; your young miss is a Yu."
The head of the Fang family was shrewd and wouldn't meddle. As for the Mu household, no matter how much they disliked someone, they wouldn't side with an outsider against their own.
The wet nurse felt as if an arrow had struck her chest; a chill ran through her, she'd forgotten this was the Mu clan.
Still unwilling to give up, she said, "I heard your second branch is of concubine origin and isn't favored by the main line; the old madam especially dislikes you."
"Yes, that's right." Mu Wanqing wasn't angry, no point wasting anger on a fool. "So I just roughed up Mu Zifeng, the Mu family's legitimate eldest son, the future head. Of course, that presumes he doesn't get beaten to death before he has a chance to inherit an exiled family."
She'd even grabbed all the bamboo shoots on the mountain.
"That brat had the nerve to squawk at me, he deserved it."
She said it staring straight at Fourth Miss Yu; she meant for her to hear.
If she dared to beat the Mu family's legitimate eldest son, she certainly wouldn't spare anyone else.
Fourth Miss Yu was so frightened she couldn't even cry; she stared dumbly at Mu Wanqing and finally understood why Old Madam Mu was so terrified of her.
A menace! Completely unreasonable, with no regard for propriety or filial duty.
The question was: how could she dare? Wasn't she afraid she would have no family to rely on in the future?
The wet nurse was stunned, Third Miss Mu had actually hit someone! How barbaric! "You can't hit me, you said you wouldn't strike a woman!"
Mu Wanqing stifled a laugh. "Well...that depends on my mood. Women are fickle, did you really believe a woman's word? A woman's mouth can be deceitful."
The wet nurse grew even more afraid and took a few tentative steps back.
After all, she was only a servant, if Third Miss Mu struck her, nothing would come of it.
Fourth Fourth Miss Yulently stepped before her and, mustering courage, pleaded, "Wanqing, little sister, the nanny's ignorant, don't take it up with her."
Seeing that she still defended her servant offered a glimmer of hope; Mu Wanqing didn't expect to change her character and views overnight.
This would take time.
But some lines had to be made clear, so she wouldn't keep hopping across them.
"You're used to having servants speak for you, using other people's mouths to say what you can't and to stick up for you. That tactic might work at your Yu household, but here in the Mu family it won't fly, no one will fall for it, and no one will indulge you."
She offered a piece of advice. "Also, wake up to the reality of your situation sooner rather than later, it'll do you good."
Fourth Miss Yu's lips trembled and her face flushed and drained. "Mu Wanqing."
Mu Wanqing wasn't afraid of making enemies; whether people could tolerate her was one thing, whether they were willing to was another.
As long as she grew strong enough, she could push everything aside.
"Either change to fit the new environment, or become strong enough to change the environment, your call."
Having said that, she grabbed her change of clothes and ran off.
She left Fourth Miss Yu pale as death, her chest aching in stabbing waves, tears streaming like a spring.
The wet nurse couldn't help crying too. This life was so hard, how could they bear it? "Miss, don't cry, Third Miss Mu is so rude. We'll go complain, we'll, "
She faltered. Who would she go to to complain?
Old Madam Mu? Who knew who was afraid of whom.
Second Master Mu and Madam Qian? They're completely under their daughter's thumb.
The brothers? They'll always say, "My sister is best"; she can do no wrong.
She felt powerless, panic rising at being utterly without support.
Mu Wanqing's words pierced Fourth Miss Yu like an arrow. She shut her eyes as hot tears streamed down. "Nanny, please let me be alone for a while."
She needed to consider Mu Wanqing's words, they were hard to hear, but they had pointed her toward a path.
Mu Wanqing went to see Madam Qian; the two of them enjoyed a long, comfortable hot bath next door.
She briefly recounted the clash with Fourth Miss Yu. Madam Qian shook her head slightly, "That girl is actually clever, she's just far too calculating."
Their family were straightforward folk, they couldn't rein that girl in.
"If you can get along, do so. If you can't, stay as far away as possible. Don't argue with her, or she'll hold it against you."
In her eyes, her daughter was still a little girl who needed protecting.
As for the recent upheaval, it's because they had no choice. If they'd been able to manage, why would they ask a thirteen-year-old to bear such a burden?
It was their failure as parents.
Mu Wanqing felt a warm glow and replied cheerfully, "Father and my brothers are still sorting things out; I'll go check on them later. You should go to Sixth Aunt's and sit for a while, ask around about the clan's movements."
Sixth Aunt was a walking gossip; there was nothing she didn't know.
Keeping track of everyone's comings and goings would help her analyze matters and make the most accurate decisions.
Madam Qian helped dry her hair and asked gently, "Don't you want me to stay with you?"
Mu Wanqing smiled faintly. "No, no one would dare be disrespectful to me."
As she gained more influence, the exiles began to treat her with increasing deference.
Whether members of the Fang family or the Mu clan, no one dared offend her.
The mother and daughter busied themselves with their own tasks, and Mu Wanqing stepped lightly toward the kitchen.
Good food, good sleep, and a proper bath too, her spirits were quite high.
"Third Miss Mu, why haven't you gone back to your room yet?"
Mu Wanqing looked up. It was Du Shaoxuan, he'd changed into white, and the chill about him had softened into something warmer.
"I'm just going to glance into the kitchen. Why aren't you resting?"
Du Shaoxuan was a bit fastidious; with so many people at the meal his clothes had been smudged, so he washed up as soon as he finished. "I ate too much, I'll step out to walk it off."
They exchanged a few lukewarm pleasantries. As Mu Wanqing was about to leave, one of Du Shaoxuan's attendants spoke up.
"Third Miss Mu, could you make us some portable food for the road? We're tired of our dried rations. We'll negotiate the price."
Du Shaoxuan shot a cold glance and said, "Azhong, that's no place for rudeness. Third Miss Mu, please don't take it to heart, our apologies…"
Third Miss Mu cooked out of goodwill, not obligation.
Insulting someone with money is truly inappropriate.
What he didn't know was that Mu Wanqing would welcome being showered with money, bring it on, let mountains of gold and silver rain down on her.
She paused to think. "Can you get beef? If so, I'll make something delicious for you."
Plow oxen were vital production assets and couldn't be slaughtered at will, so beef wasn't sold on the market.
The attendant's eyes lit up. "We should be able to."
Mu Wanqing didn't ask where they'd get it, she was a bit tempted herself. "All right, one condition up front: no pay, but I get one-third of the produce. If that's acceptable, I'm ready to work."
The attendant looked to Du Shaoxuan, who gave a slight nod. "Agreed."
Recipes for beef flashed through Mu Wanqing's mind. "Fine. I'll make a shopping list, bring everything to me when it's ready."
She added quite a few luxury items, some spices she couldn't even buy, like pepper. Not only expensive, they'd require connections to obtain.
"Very well." The attendant bowed deeply. "Thank you, Third Miss Mu."
The exiles were overjoyed when they heard they'd be staying at the inn for a few days.
They could earn money again.
Everyone was enthusiastic and cooperative; when the supplies arrived they took their positions and set to work.
Early that morning Du Shaoxuan was roused by the commotion outside. Throwing on a robe, he peered out and saw many people bustling about, energetic and busy; some were even running.
He called an attendant. "Go and find out what they're doing."
"Yes."
Du Shaoxuan hesitated, then added, "And while you're at it, inquire about Third Miss Mu."
The attendant looked slightly startled. "Yes."
Du Shaoxuan easily spotted the girl in green among the crowd, vibrant and full of life. "Any news from the capital?"
"None."
Du Shaoxuan said lightly, "Deliver a message to my aunt, if the emperor grants the marriage, I won't go to the palace; I'll remain at the residence to receive her."
The attendant's expression went blank. "Yes."
Their master was too headstrong and wouldn't take advice, what could be done? It was those two nobles who had spoiled him!