Chapter 9

Second Aunt Mu felt a wave of despair wash over her; everything darkened at the edges and she longed to faint and be spared the stares of all these people.
This would surely spread. She couldn't even bear to imagine how her husband's family would react.
But she forced herself to stay upright, she couldn't simply collapse. If she didn't settle this, she would be ruined.
She would surely be divorced and cast off!
She bit her lip and lowered her voice. “Fine, I agree, but you must put this matter to rest.”
“Pay first.” Mu Wanqing would not let the opportunity slip.
Second Aunt Mu's chest ached with anger. She swallowed her pride and produced five hundred taels in silver notes, handing them over.
She never imagined she'd one day suffer a humiliating defeat in the gutter, subdued by the niece of the family she had once looked down on, it was an utter disgrace.
Her feckless second brother had somehow produced such a scheming daughter; she had underestimated the girl.
In front of everyone, Mu Wanqing accepted the silver openly, her smile like a blooming flower.
Let everyone watch closely: being released from prison didn't mean she couldn't stage a comeback. The key target was Old Madam Mu.
Dare to cross her? Whoever you are, she would not be polite.
This was a lesson to frighten the rest; Second Aunt Mu would be the example.
“I must have heard you wrong. My Second Aunt only wanted to give me money, I couldn't refuse even if I tried. Right, Second Aunt?”
“Yes.” Second Aunt Mu's face flushed red; she forced the single word out through clenched teeth, sounding bitter and furious.
The crowd: ...
You two, aunt and niece, sure know how to put on a show.
Mu Wanqing smiled sweetly and cupped her hands to the crowd. “Sorry, being in prison left me sleepless and poorly fed; my wits weren't sharp and I babbled. That's my fault, I apologize to everyone.”
Having said that, no one could really accuse her, whether they believed her or not was their own affair.
Mu Wanqing felt quite pleased as she ran her fingers over the silver. Everything on this journey costs money; without it you can't go anywhere.
She didn't care about the glares from the rest of the Mu family or Second Aunt Mu's resentment.
Money is intoxicating! It's so good to have money!
She approached Officer Zeng, who was leading the escort, lifted her chin, drew out two one-hundred-tael notes, and offered them with both hands.
“Officer Zeng, here, this is travel money.”
As the saying goes, if you take someone's money... then you should provide them some protection.
Officer Zeng: ...
He lowered his gaze and looked at the thin girl. He had never met anyone quite like her. “What's your name?” he asked.
“Mu Wanqing, of the Mu family's second household.”
Officer Zeng paused. “So it's you.”
Indeed, she was not a conventional sort: straightforward in her actions, uncompromising, adaptable, clear-headed and practical.
Mu Wanqing looked a little surprised. “You've heard of me?”
Officer Zeng nodded slightly but didn't explain further. He pocketed the money.
Mu Wanqing felt reassured and happily returned to her parents, handing the remaining three hundred taels to Second Master Mu, after all, he was the head of the household.
Second Master Mu refused, "You earned this money by your own skill; keep it yourself."
He had been spoiled into uselessness, timid and lacking conviction, yet he had a daughter who was bold and resolute.
He wasn't clever, but he knew one thing: it was all right not to understand; just follow someone who did.
He trusted that Wanqing would never mistreat her family.
In prison she had a meat bun at every meal, without fail; she had never eaten alone, and that was enough to reassure him.
Mu Wanqing smiled faintly, that clarity alone put her ahead of countless others.
At the sound of drums, it was time to set out.
People clung to one another in reluctant farewells; however unwilling, parting was inevitable.
This parting would cross mountains and rivers, they might never meet again in this life.
The road ahead was uncertain; when, if ever, would they return home?
Second Aunt Mu dabbed at her tears in a small voice, but still managed to glare fiercely at Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing couldn't have cared less, she was only a tool for sending money.
Everyone's mood was heavy, shrouded in gloom and low spirits.
But soon they had no time to dwell on it.
The prisoners had to walk on foot; after a little while their legs began to fail, the pain stabbing to the bone.
Though it was autumn, the sun was harsh, and the heat made them sweat as if in a downpour.
Strength drained quickly; hands and feet ached, the whole body throbbed with exhaustion.
The pampered masters and madams had never endured such hardship, the women in embroidered shoes had their feet rubbed raw, each step drawing a sharp gasp, like torture.
The men in shackles suffered even more; anyone who suggested a short rest was whipped by the officers, whether exhausted or not, they had to keep going.
Mu Wanqing, wearing men's black-soled shoes, fared better; her will was firm.
But Madam Qian paid a price, she had always been frail.
Second Master Mu saw his wife's face as pale as paper, gasping for breath, her eyes barely open; she was utterly spent.
He was filled with anguish, crouched down, "I'll carry you."
He himself wore shackles and could barely move; carrying someone would be even more difficult.
Madam Qian worried for him in return, "No, no, I'm fine. I must get used to this life; the road is long yet."
Mu Zicheng and his brothers clustered around their parents, impotent and full of frustration.
Mu Ziang fretted for his delicate sister, "Qing'er, are you all right?"
Mu Wanqing felt miserable too, terribly thirsty, her throat so dry it felt as if it were on fire.
But faced with her parents' worried eyes, she licked her cracked lips, "I can manage."
A cart passed by them; seated on it was Old Madam Mu, surrounded by several great-grandchildren.
As it went past the second branch, she cast a cool glance over them, full of disgust and hatred.
They actually extorted money from her daughter! A brood of scoundrels.
What good were a few hundred taels? With nothing to eat or drink, forced to walk every day, let's see how long they last.
She'd bet they would never reach Liangcheng safely.
She flipped open her sheepskin water bladder and gulped down a large draught; a strange satisfaction swelled in her chest, as if she had returned to the days when the old matriarch's word was law.
Wealth, a cart, dutiful descendants, perfect.
The only bother was that the second branch offended her eyes! But they would disappear soon enough.
The main house's senior madam and two daughters-in-law took turns pushing a cart; two frail daughters trudged behind, sweat streaming down their faces, gasping for breath.
Another cart, piled with luggage, was being pushed by the Madam Yao, panting with exhaustion.
"Mother, we must think of a way to remove the men's shackles, otherwise the few of us women can't manage the cart."
In truth, the Mu men couldn't keep up either; their stamina failed them, exhausted to the brink, wishing they could sit on the cart and rest as well.
But who could push them?
They fussed and debated for a long time and came up with no solution.
When rest finally came, everyone collapsed with fatigue, sitting on the ground no matter how filthy it was.
Madam Qian took off her embroidered shoes; her socks were stained with blood and blisters had formed on her feet.
Second Master Mu crouched to tend her wounds; when he sprinkled the medicinal powder, her face contorted with pain.
They had only just set out, how would they endure the rest?
It wasn't only the second branch; the others were equally miserable.
"How far have we walked?"
"Only a few li." They hadn't even left the capital's vicinity.
They looked at one another helplessly, heads aching, how long would it take to reach Liangcheng?
For lunch each person was given a dark-green wild-vegetable dumpling. Mu Wanqing bit into one and grimaced, it was made from the worst flour, mixed with chaff, worse than prison rations.
This was absurd.
Many people refused the vegetable dumplings and instead ate the dry rations relatives had supplied; those without any had to buy food from the officers.
This is also why escorts clamored to take on exile runs that could span thousands of li through wind, rain, and rough terrain.
A grueling trip could earn wages equivalent to several years' pay, an enormous temptation for impoverished officers.
Mu Wanqing scanned the scene; folks were eating buns, steamed breads, and flatbreads.
Aunt Liu came over holding a few white-flour flatbreads. "Sister-in-law, try my mother's handiwork."
Madam Qian hesitated and politely declined, "You don't have much either; save them for your children."
"Give them to Wanqing." Aunt Liu insisted, stuffing the flatbreads into her hand before returning to eat.
Mu Wanqing had often shared meat buns with Aunt Liu's children in prison; Aunt Liu's family felt indebted, and the two families had grown closer, especially the bond between Aunt Liu and Madam Qian.
But Aunt Liu's three sons were strapping laborers with enormous appetites, so there really wasn't enough to go around.
She thought for a moment, then stood up, "Father, let's buy some food too. Come with me."
"All right." Even if she hadn't asked, Second Master Mu would have accompanied her, for the sake of appearances.
The officers set up a fire and cooked: one pot of plain white rice and another of mixed stew, full of odds and ends.
But Mu Wanqing felt no appetite just looking at it.
She found Officer Zeng, pulled out a silver note, and said, "Sir, I'd like to buy five water-skins from you."
Officer Zeng looked at the girl, calm and composed in such circumstances; she was truly unusual. "All right."
He waved his hand, and his men brought over five water-skins, complete with fresh water inside.
Second Master Mu was overjoyed. He took a water-skin and handed it to his daughter. "Qing'er, drink quickly, your lips are chapped."
He really was a good father. Mu Wanqing felt a warm glow in her chest; she took two sips, moistened her throat, and felt instantly better.
"Sir, could I cook the meal myself? It won't take long, I won't delay the journey, just sell me a few bowls of rice and some eggs."
Officer Zeng was taken aback for a moment, his mind racing. "Fine. But if you delay the journey, you'll be held responsible for the consequences."
"Alright."
Six bowls of plain rice, six eggs, a small spoon of lard, three water-skins, finally it cost ten taels of silver, which left Second Master Mu clutching his chest in dismay.
Those things weren't worth that price at all.
But there was nothing to be done, if you don't buy, someone else will.
Mu Wanqing rummaged through the fields again and found cornelian berries and wild scallions and ginger.
But when it came time to actually cook, problems arose.
There wasn't an iron pot! They used earthenware for cooking, had no spatula for stir-frying, and of course no cooking oil.
What to do? If the conditions don't exist, you'll have to create them.
She found a flat stone, washed it in water, and heated it up.
She cracked all the eggs into the rice and mixed them thoroughly, making sure each grain was fully coated in egg.
Then she added the chopped scallions and a sprinkle of fine salt, the salt she'd taken during the house search; it wasn't like the coarse salt sold outside.
When the lard began to smell fragrant, she poured in the prepared rice and tossed it with chopsticks and a long spoon, the whole process flowed like clouds and water, nimble and practiced.
The conditions were harsh, but with skilled hands and exquisite control of the heat she produced a steaming wok of egg fried rice; the golden eggs glittered like flecks of gold and looked as pleasing as a work of art.
A tempting aroma burst forth, quickly spreading around, an especially assertive fragrance.
At first the camp cook was a little annoyed, did she think his culinary skill was worthless?
But out of curiosity, he kept glancing over.
The more he watched, the more incredulous he became, could it really be done like that? Amazing.
It didn't look like proper dishes, nor like ordinary rice, but it smelled unbelievably, unbelievably good.
The Mu family watched hungrily, and suddenly the meat patties in their hands lost their appeal.
Mu Wanqing first ladled a bowl for Second Master Mu; he couldn't help but inhale sharply, his mouth watering.
He took a great, eager mouthful, instantly struck by the fresh, savory flavor; his taste buds awakened completely, his eyes lit up, and his movements quickened.
Beside him, Mu Ziang grew impatient. "Father, how is it? Is it good?"
Second Master Mu's cheeks were stuffed; he nodded frantically, too full to speak.
Did anyone else still have doubts? Everyone immediately looked at Mu Wanqing, they wanted to eat!
A voice rang out, "What is this?"
It was Officer Zeng; he had arrived without anyone noticing.
"Gold-Fleck Rice," Mu Wanqing said with a smile, inviting him. "Sir, would you like some?"
Officer Zeng had already eaten three large bowls and was about to refuse, but seeing the gleaming golden egg fried rice, he suddenly felt he could have a little more.
"Then ladle me half a bowl."
Soon he regretted it.
If time could rewind, he'd tell them to fill him a heaping large bowl, a great big bowl! Ah! It's so good it brings you to tears!!!