Chapter 55

Fourth Brother Mu opened it cautiously, pried away the outer layer, ah, it didn't work! The wood inside wasn't fully charred.
The Mu family was disappointed but said nothing; after all, they'd already gained so much.
The Fang family had no such qualms. "See? I told you. It's not that easy, otherwise anyone could make charcoal to keep warm and there'd be no market for it."
"I thought Third Miss was particularly impressive, but she's nothing special. I think she was overrated."
"All that praise was over the top, exaggerating the facts. See? The truth's out."
"I don't know why the family head pampers Third Miss so much. Has he lost his senses from some shock?"
"It's entirely possible. Maybe the position of family head should go to someone else."
"That could work. Rotate the headship; there are plenty of outstanding youngsters in the clan."
Those voices were loud enough for Mu Wanqing to hear clearly. She smiled faintly and looked toward the head of the Fang family beside her.
The Fang family head's face darkened. Of all times, they're still scheming for power.
Someone cried out in surprise, "Eh? What's that?"
Fourth Brother Mu pulled out a lump of charcoal; its color matched inside and out. That was charcoal, it hadn't burned to ash!
Mu Wanqing suggested, "Try breaking it open."
Fourth Brother Mu snapped it apart with a light tug; it broke cleanly. He was ecstatic. "It worked, clan leader, it worked!"
"It's nothing but a parlor trick, hardly worth mentioning," Mu Wanqing said coolly, casting a glance at the Fang family. "Let's keep it low-key, so no one can accuse us of exaggeration again."
The Fang family: ...awkward!
The Fang family head sighed silently. Why risk offending the Mu clan leader? She's a young woman, but she is the head of the clan.
And an exceptionally capable one at that.
Some men, lacking talent themselves, look down on others and insist women belong only at home to bear children.
"Third Miss truly is extraordinary, sharp as ice and snow, handling everything with ease. The Mu clan is fortunate to have a Clan Leader like you," he flattered.
His praise was a form of apology to his clan members by proxy.
Mu Wanqing liked dealing with clever people, and the Fang family head was one. "Hardly, you're flattering me. Your clan seems unsettled?"
Someone is trying to take his place.
The Fang head gave a wry smile; when times were toughest they'd pulled together, but now that things had eased, infighting had begun.
"Rest assured, I won't drag the Mu family down with us."
That was exactly what Mu Wanqing wanted to hear. "That's for the best. If anyone dares reach a claw toward us, don't blame me for cutting it off."
"Good." What else could the Fang head say?
Mu Wanqing, staring at the giddy crowd, was somewhat speechless. "Go fetch a small red brazier; let's test the results right here."
Before long a faint flame flickered to life. Cheers rose like thunder as people shouted Mu Wanqing's name, their admiration for her a rushing tide.
Sixth Uncle suggested, "Clan Leader, could you make a few more kilns? Build more pits so we can supply charcoal for all the clan members."
The main attraction was that this didn't cost anything, the woods were full of timber.
Mu Wanqing glanced at the sky, it was fully light now, and wondered about the road ahead.
"Where's Officer Zeng? Why isn't he here?"
Sixth Uncle looked around. "He was here just now." Maybe he stepped away to use the facilities.
Mu Wanqing scanned the crowd. "When did Deputy Captain Li's party get back?"
Sixth Uncle had kept watch all night and knew many of the details. "They returned in the dead of night and are still sleeping. Apparently there's no proper road ahead, the detour winds through a twisting mountain path that's passable on foot but risky for carriages."
Hearing that, Mu Wanqing swallowed her impatience; safety came first. "Here's the plan: we have sixteen groups total. Make eight clay kilns, one for every two groups, and have Uncle Kai supervise. Learn as you go, and remember to make two kilns for the official escort as well."
There had originally been fifteen groups; the main household's people were folded in, making a sixteenth.
That way, they'd produce enough for a week's supply, traveling and charring on the move should keep deliveries timely.
"All right, no problem." Sixth Uncle hurried off to carry out the orders, that was his routine duty.
At Mu Wanqing's command, the Mu clan sprang into bustling activity, and the Fang family watched with envy, hurriedly approaching their head.
Before long, the head of the Fang family arrived. "Third Miss, could our Fang family learn this too?"
Mu Wanqing pinched her chin. Making charcoal was simple, just control the heat. Watch from the side for a short while and you could pick it up.
The Fang head's question was a token of respect.
If the Fang family secretly made charcoal, there was nothing she could do, it wasn't her invention.
"You may, but I hope the Fang family will give something in return."
She wasn't being greedy; she wanted to tell the Fang head that if you want something you must pay for it. Don't always expect favors.
Once is alright; do it often and who would be pleased?
The Fang head hesitated a moment. "My wife makes fermented rice... I've already asked her..."
He convinced himself he was sincere; every secret recipe was a treasure.
Mu Wanqing interrupted with a smile, "I can do that."
The Fang head was stunned for a moment. "Brewing the wine?"
"That I can do too." Mu Wanqing had seen it online; her memory was sharp and she'd remembered it all.
The Fang head grew more envious. "Is there anything you can't do?"
Mu Wanqing replied that she knew too many things. "Keep it in mind for now. If one day I fancy something, I'll ask you for it."
"Very well."
The two clans went at it like rivals, one after another building earthen kilns.
Mu Wanqing had no need to fuss over such trivialities; she treated herself to an egg pancake for breakfast.
She sprinkled on some scallions and dug in!
Her clothes were tugged and she looked down to find Bao'er gazing at her with pleading eyes. "Fairy Aunt..."
The little one stared drooling at the pancake. Mu Wanqing pinched his cheek. "Want some?"
"Mm-hm." Bao'er nodded vigorously, his face spelling out two words: want it.
Mu Wanqing bit off a piece of the pancake and, smiling, asked, "So, can you recite the times table now?"
Bao'er's eyes lit up. "I can. I'll recite it for you."
"One times one is one..." At first he was smooth, but after he got to six he blanked and his face scrunched up.
Wah, no tasty pancake. He was unhappy.
His expression amused Mu Wanqing and she tore off half the pancake for him. "You only recited half, so you only get half a pancake."
Bao'er was overjoyed. You could divide it like that? "Thank you, Fairy Aunt!"
A group of kids, nobody knew from where, swarmed in and surrounded Mu Wanqing. "Aunt, I'll recite for you too."
All right. Mu Wanqing rewarded pancake portions according to how much each child recited, the more they recited, the more they received. Fair and square.
Not far away, Madam Mu watched her children with a gentle smile.
Standing beside her, Mu Rongxue lifted her chin. "See, Third Sister is broad-minded. She's cut out for big things; she won't fuss over you lot of poor, single mothers."
Madam Mu's expression changed. "Your two cousins aren't dead yet."
"They may be listed as dead in the clan register, but in Third Miss's eyes they're dead." Mu Rongxue always spoke plainly and now she was utterly unrestrained. "If you keep to your place, Bao'er and the others will naturally enjoy the same rights as the other children. If you're looking for special treatment because of aunt-and-nephew ties, forget it, she has no feelings either for the main branch or the third branch."
Madam Mu's feelings were complicated: she worried Mu Wanqing might take out anger on them, but she also wanted her children to get better resources.
"She treats you fairly well, though."
Mu Rongxue knew there was no sisterly bond with Mu Wanqing and didn't demand one. "That's because I've earned it. My performance is better than anyone else's, I rank first in the exams. She likes bright, capable, and upright people."
So she worked to be that kind of person, hoping to win greater favor.
"So, if you want Bao'er and the others to stand out, let them study hard and strive to be first at everything. Only then will Third Miss take notice and entrust them with responsibilities."
Madam Mu was taken aback, did the third branch's legitimate daughter really feel that way? "Do you really feel no resentment at all? She had your father's hand and foot tendons cut."
Resentment? Mu Rongxue couldn't help but laugh. "Let me put it this way: without Mu Wanqing, we might still be stumbling through cold winds, trembling with each step, with sores on our feet, not enough to eat or wear, maybe already dead on the road. She sheltered you and me and every clan member. That's something the previous clan leader failed to do."
Because the family was safe, she felt grateful.
As for her father, he'd once been too reckless, with wives and concubines in abundance, leaving little time for the three of them. This way was better; everyone had quieted down.
Madam Mu frowned slightly. "She's only a woman."
Mu Rongxue replied without mercy, "Yes, but people aren't all the same, and women aren't all the same. She's a leader supported by countless people, while you are merely a pitiful woman abandoned by your husband's family. The fact that you're still alive is because of Mu Wanqing's protection."
Madam Mu felt as if she'd been punched hard; even breathing became difficult.
Mu Rongxue softened her voice with a warning. "Don't speak ill of Mu Wanqing in front of the children, and don't sing the praises of the main branch either, that won't do the kids any favors. If you can't outmatch your in-laws and husband, don't expect your children to. If you want to send your children to their deaths, you could try."
For the sake of the children, who were at least somewhat endearing, she didn't want the two sisters-in-law to do anything foolish.
Of course, if the mothers themselves didn't care about their children's futures or even their lives, what business was it of an aunt to worry?
With that said, she cheerfully ran to Mu Wanqing. "Clan leader, is there anything you need me to do? I can do anything, teach me what I don't know."
You have to have a thick skin; spend more time together and feelings will come naturally.
Bao'er looked a little put out. "Fourth Aunt, don't try to steal Fairy Aunt from us."
Mu Rongxue deliberately shot him a look. "I'm Fourth Aunt. Why is she ‘Fairy Aunt'?"
Bao'er pouted. "She's pretty. You're ugly."
Mu Rongxue's delicate face cracked inch by inch. "You little brat, you have no taste."
“Hahaha.” Mu Wanqing laughed until she could hardly breathe.
The men had been burning charcoal these past few days while the women sat in the carriage mending and sewing, everyone with their own task.
On the third day they finally received good news from ahead: the road had been fixed.
Mu Wanqing told everyone to get ready to move. They’d hauled in a generous harvest of charcoal and divided it equally, ten jin of charcoal per person, and the large families were overjoyed.
When the charcoal wouldn’t fit inside, they strapped it to the back of the carriage; it would last them a long while.
Mu Wanqing also pointed out that the charcoal could be sold, another source of income.
They rode for quite some time when Mu Zicheng galloped up on horseback, breathless, “Sister, bad news, at the rear…”
He had ridden ahead in the morning to coordinate with the merchant convoy behind them. Had the caravan run into trouble?
Mu Wanqing waved him off and without hesitation had him climb into the carriage. “What happened?”
She poured a cup of tea and handed it to her elder brother. Sweating, Mu Zicheng took it and gulped it down. “Bandits ambushed the goods.”
Mu Wanqing was stunned. It had been so peaceful when they passed, there had been no sign of trouble. Where had this gang come from?