Chapter 49

Mu Jinyao looked flustered; she quickly bowed her head, his profile impossibly handsome.
The brocade-clad man's eyes darkened slightly.
Officer Zeng explained smoothly, “Our rooms are full. Perhaps you should travel a bit further……”
“So you're refusing to make room? Are you sure?” the pale, clean-shaven man barked. The guards behind him already had their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to spring.
Officer Zeng's face went pale. He hadn't expected this group to be so overbearing. Who on earth were they?
Mu Wanqing watched and frowned slightly. “Clear two front rooms for them.”
“Yes.” Officer Zeng hurriedly replied.
The brocade-clad man's gaze dropped to Mu Wanqing, sizing her up from head to toe.
She met his appraisal without shame. He was a man in his twenties, smooth and refined like jade, exceptionally handsome and remarkably poised.
They seemed to be testing each other; neither broke eye contact.
The pale, clean-shaven man scowled. “Two rooms aren't enough……”
Mu Wanqing was annoyed; her instincts told her this would be trouble.
If something can be avoided, avoid it.
“Then clear two of the middle rooms for them.”
The pale, clean-shaven man still wasn't satisfied. “There're thirty of us. We need fifteen front rooms, right now.”
That was too much, a ridiculous demand, made with an arrogant, commanding air.
The Mu family members looked sullen, but Mu Wanqing stayed calm. “Rooms are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Letting you have rooms is a favor, not an obligation, unless, of course, you are a king worshipped by all. Pray tell, are you such an honored guest?”
She said it in an even tone, but it hit like a heavy bombshell.
The pale, clean-shaven man took in a sharp breath. “You... that's sophistry. Our young master is of noble birth……”
Mu Wanqing had long ago discovered this trick was especially effective. “Everything has rules. Kings make the rules; everyone else follows them. No matter how noble, it's the same. Tell me, did I get that wrong?”
The pale, clean-shaven man had no reply to that.
The brocade-clad man stared at her coldly. “You're articulate, clever, but I don't like you.”
He radiated an icy aura, but Mu Wanqing wasn't swayed; she shot back with an odd question.
“Does whether you like someone matter? Want to stay? If so, pay for the rooms first.”
She had actually rented the inn. For convenience, she'd sent the innkeeper and the servers home to rest.
The pale, clean-shaven man was stunned. “What? We have to pay?”
Mu Wanqing looked even more incredulous. “You expect to stay for free? Really? We're not related, why would I pay for you?”
Her logic was airtight; the party opposite was left speechless.
The brocade-clad man's composure slipped. “Offer her a hundred taels.”
Only a master would use the word 'offer' like that, it was clearly to save face for Mu Wanqing.
All eyes turned to Mu Wanqing. She accepted it graciously. “Thank you for your gift.”
Smiling, she held out her right hand. “And the room payment? That's a separate matter.”
A gift is one thing; room fees are another.
The man's expression froze.
Someone couldn't help snickering. “Pfft.”
Why would anyone try to show off in front of the Third Miss? She's the true queen of posing.
The brocade-clad man radiated coldness again. The colder he got, the brighter Mu Wanqing's smile became.
The pale, clean-shaven man saw his master beginning to act and cursed under his breath, hurriedly asking, “How much silver?”
Mu Wanqing didn't hesitate. “Front rooms at this inn are one tael per room per night; middle rooms half a tael per room per night. You want two front rooms and two middle rooms, that totals three taels. Please pay in advance; no credit.”
The pale, clean-shaven man slapped a one-hundred-tael note on the spot. “Here, take it. Give me the change.”
Mu Wanqing leisurely took the note; such petty bullying was child's play and didn't require her direct intervention. “Big brother, go arrange it. Make it quick.”
“Okay.”
Before long, Mu Zicheng came over holding a box. “There's ninety-seven taels inside. Please count them.”
After a single exchange, Mu Wanqing had decisively gained the upper hand.
The pale, clean-shaven man felt stifled with indignation, when had he ever been treated like this? “I want food and hot water,” he demanded.
Mu Wanqing didn't even blink. “Meals are extra, five taels of silver a portion. Thirty people would be one hundred and fifty taels. Hot water is complimentary.”
The pale, clean-shaven man pressed aggressively, “Five taels a portion? The food outside isn't that expensive.”
Mu Wanqing made a gesture toward the door. “Then by all means, go eat elsewhere.”
She truly didn't care; that sum was nothing to her.
It was merely a means of counterattack.
The brocade-clad man suddenly asked in a cold voice, “And if the food is unsatisfactory? Will you refund them?”
His subordinates gaped, had their master lost his mind? That amount was nothing; they normally spent hundreds on a single meal.
Mu Wanqing bristled at once, hands on her hips. “What? A refund? Are you joking? Where's your noble bearing? Your refined manners, young master?”
The brocade-clad man was deliberately cornering her. “You're capable of extortion…”
Mu Wanqing jumped as if she'd been struck. “Stop, what do you mean by extortion? Using threats or deceit to swindle someone's property, did I threaten you? Did I deceive you?”
She wore an expression that said how could you not know something so basic, this is really unbecoming and will earn you contempt. “No. I told you the price in advance; you had the choice to eat or not. For you to fling a baseless accusation and sully my name, I am deeply disappointed. We have nothing in common and cannot cooperate.”
She waved a small hand. “Everyone, return to your rooms and rest. Be on alert tonight, there are outsiders about.”
“Yes.” In a short while everyone bustled away, leaving only the women of the Mu family's third household.
Officer Zeng found them an eyesore. “Drag them out.”
The constables stepped forward and began hauling people away. The women struggled wildly, some slapping and kicking; for a moment the scene descended into chaos.
At that moment Mu Jinyao seized the confusion and lunged at the brocade-clad man, and a guard at his side immediately drew a long sword and aimed it at her.
She collapsed with a thud and begged pitifully, “Please save my family, I beg you.”
The brocade-clad man regarded her coolly; Mu Wanqing watched with the same impassive look.
Officer Zeng was beside himself and personally stepped forward to seize them.
Mu Jinyao struggled helplessly; tears the size of beans rolled down her cheeks, making her look like a willow blossom in rain, fragile, pitiful, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
“Young Master Jin… please, if you save my family, I will… serve you like an ox or a horse.”
Jin? Or Jing? A thought flashed through Mu Wanqing's mind, could Mu Jinyao know the man before them?
But the man's reaction didn't suggest recognition.
Mu Jinyao's fame for talent was well known, she was one of the capital's two famed beauties, so men in high society should have known of her.
Even if they hadn't met, they'd have heard her name.
Perhaps it was the Mu Jinyao of a past life who knew him…
The brocade-clad man finally spoke, “Let her go.”
At his command, one of his men lunged and attacked Officer Zeng's eyes, forcing Zeng to release Mu Jinyao to protect himself.
The brocade-clad man strode over slowly and looked down at the fragile, beautiful girl. “Speak.”
Mu Jinyao briefly related the events, skirting the worst details and trying hard to absolve herself. “My brothers only ran out to find a Physician because they were worried about Father's illness. Officer Zeng wanted to treat them like fleeing exiles…”
The brocade-clad man frowned, “You are exiles?”
Mu Jinyao fell silent for a moment. “…Yes.”
The brocade-clad man pointed at Mu Wanqing. “And her as well?”
Mu Jinyao looked at Mu Wanqing with a complicated expression. Mu Wanqing was calm, not the slightest sign of panic, she always lived with an unshakable confidence.
“Yes.” As she spoke the word, she couldn't tell whether she felt envy or jealousy.
The brocade-clad man sneered coldly, “How come I've never known exiles to live so comfortably? Commanding constables? Staying in such fine inns?”
Mu Wanqing spread her hands, utterly indifferent. “Maybe, you simply haven't seen much.”
The brocade-clad man: …
Damn, an exile is even bolder than he is!
The pale, clean-shaven man shouted, “How dare you.”
“Heh.” Mu Wanqing flicked her sleeve and turned away at a leisurely pace.
The brocade-clad man watched her retreat in disbelief, wasn't she supposed to be terrified and begging for mercy?
“Who told you to leave?”
Mu Wanqing tilted her head slightly. “There's only one person in this world who could make me obedient, and that is the sagacious and valiant Emperor. I answer only to him. Pray tell, is this young master greater than the Emperor?”
The pale man felt a jolt along his scalp and instinctively glanced at his master. This woman is poisonous, there's no way to respond to any of her remarks!
The brocade-clad man had never seen anyone like her: constantly invoking the Emperor as a pretext, and doing so with absolute certainty, as if she herself embodied the truth.
To humiliate her would be to assume one was greater than the Emperor himself, reckless to the point of folly.
He drew a deep breath. Given his station there was no need to trouble with such a petty person. “I do not wish to see you.”
Mu Wanqing waved cheerfully. “Fine, I will vanish before your eyes. Officer Zeng, take the brothers away. I doubt you'll dare release these exiles; that is the Emperor's prerogative.”
Not only must they not be released, but they must be kept under guard.
She wasn't worried the senior branch would report her, she had tested this man and found him cold and heartless; how could a lofty noble pity mere ants?
The brocade-clad man was thoroughly unsettled, bold to the point of audacity, quick-witted, and his style was unnervingly unpredictable.
Madam Mu's eyes flickered. “Young master, how can you let her off so easily? She's usually so arrogant, turning her back on kin, even harming her own family. We've suffered terribly because of her…”
She seized the opportunity to smear Mu Wanqing as hard as she could, hoping to provoke the man's anger.
To everyone's surprise, the brocade-clad man asked coolly, “So the whole lot of you couldn't beat her? You're all older than she is.”
An arrow had struck Madam Mu's knee. “...We only held back out of family ties, always yielding to her; after all we share the Mu name, and my husband once held high office...”
The brocade-clad man had already guessed their identity. “Former Vice Minister of Revenue, Mu Zhongde? Where is he?”
At the mention, Madam Mu's eyes filled with bitter tears. “My husband has been ruined by her, he lives worse than the dead; the tendons in his hands and feet were cut, he's become a cripple. Young lord, please help us.”
The brocade-clad man's eyes brightened; he felt the urge to recruit. Having an opponent like that was infuriating, but having such a subordinate would be perfect.
“What's his name?”
Madam Mu ground her teeth in hatred. “Mu Wanqing, a concubine-born daughter of the second branch...”
“What? She's a girl?” the brocade-clad man blurted in shock. How could that be?
Madam Mu looked scornful. “She always pretends to be a man, thinks she's superior to everyone, and is full of wickedness.”
Unwilling to believe he'd been mistaken, the brocade-clad man ordered his subordinate, “Go look into her.”
Elsewhere, back in her room, Mu Wanqing frowned deeply, troubled by something.
Officer Zeng, sitting opposite, seemed flustered. “Miss, what's wrong? Is that man troublesome?”
Madam Qian brought two bowls of honey tea; Mu Wanqing took one and sipped. “You should know a lot about members of the royal household, right? Tell me.”
Unfortunately she knew nothing of such matters, nor the geography of the Da Qi dynasty; otherwise, with the information at hand she could have deduced the man's identity.
The only sure thing was that the pale, clean-shaven man was an inner attendant, only the imperial family and royal kin used inner attendants.
Officer Zeng grew even more anxious. Could that man be a prince? That shouldn't be possible, princes aren't allowed to leave the capital.
“Our dynasty has eight princes. The eldest is the oldest, four years older than the crown prince, who ranks second; the third through fifth are similar in age; the sixth prince is only ten; the eighth prince is three this year...”
Although these constables held humble posts, they had remarkably reliable sources.
Moreover, this information was public; anyone with an eye on current affairs could find it with a little asking.
Mu Wanqing tapped the table lightly. “How old is the crown prince this year?”
“Twenty-five. He married at seventeen, he took the Duke of Zhen'nan's daughter.”
Mu Wanqing absorbed each piece of information and analyzed swiftly. “The eldest prince is twenty-eight? That age could fit. Was he sent to his fief?”
Officer Zeng shook his head slightly. “No, he's much favored by the emperor; when the time came to send him to his fief, they kept him in the capital.”
That eliminated the eldest prince from the list; with that, a royal identity was out of the question.
“Then there's only one possibility,” she said. “How many royal kinsmen who have already taken their fiefs are in their late twenties?”
“There are several: the Wei prince's heir and a few other young lords, several sons of the Zhao prince, the Prince of Jin’s heir...”
Mu Wanqing abruptly interrupted, “Wait, the Prince of Jin’s heir? Tell me about him.”
Officer Zeng paused, drawing the memory from his mind. “The Prince of Jin’s heir was brought to the capital as a child and raised at the emperor's knee; he's highly esteemed by the emperor. He only returned to the Prince Jin's mansion after after marriage at eighteen in the capital. It's said his position in the Prince Jin's household is awkward, the prince and his wife favor the younger son who grew up by their side and intend for the younger son to inherit the title.”
Mu Wanqing's mind turned quickly, weighing the information. “Which family's daughter did he marry?”
“The legitimate daughter of the dean of Baiyun Academy.”
Mu Wanqing raised an eyebrow. “Baiyun Academy is very prestigious, isn't it?”
Officer Zeng was surprised, she didn't know Baiyun Academy? That couldn't be. “Yes, yes, it's the most famous academy in the country; many officials come from Baiyun Academy.”
He fell silent for a moment. “Are you suspecting that he's the Prince of Jin’s heir?”
Mu Wanqing tapped the table lightly. “Not a suspicion, it's a confirmation.”
Officer Zeng drew a sharp breath, so influential a figure; if they'd offended him, they'd be in deep trouble.
Mu Wanqing wasn't especially worried. “Since he didn't reveal his identity, he must have his reasons. We'll pretend we don't know. It's only for one night, avoid him tomorrow and it'll be fine.”
“Fine.”
But some things you can't avoid simply by wishing them away.
At that moment the gears of fate began to turn; thus, a lifelong enemy was met without warning.
Years later, when the two met on the battlefield, they would recall this episode and marvel at fate's mysteries.