Terrified, no one dared flee. They toiled day and night mining, but the food was insufficient, the work endless. Some died of exhaustion and were dragged out to be buried.
Mu Chen documented these events, had the miners sign and thumbprint the testimonies, and sent them all home. Now, the joint letters in his hand were their goal. Account books and such had long been left at the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion in the Imperial Capital. Together, they would be enough to uproot the Shao Family when presented to the Containment Origin Hall.
A skinny dead camel was still bigger than a horse, but a living camel was even larger. No matter how great the power of court ministers and imperial relatives, it couldn’t surpass the emperor.
The emperor had reached the point where the Shao Family must be eradicated. Previously, he had wanted to leave some power for Xun Yiran as the new emperor, but if that power grew too large for Xun Yiran to control, it had to be destroyed first.
Upon returning to Shangrao, the group would stay at the Wei Mansion.
When Mu Chen first entered the mansion, he was travel-worn, his white robes turned gray, hair dusted with dirt, face unrecognizable under the grime.
Wei Xiao had met him years ago, but seeing this “unrecognizable” figure made her uneasy. Had this child grown into this? She had thought him around Wei Lingci’s age and considered matchmaking them, but this appearance buried that idea for good.
Better unmarried for life than married to this—even looking at him was uncomfortable.
But after Mu Chen bathed and changed into fresh white robes, the notion she had dismissed half an hour ago resurfaced and took root. She casually sent Wei Lingci away and ordered the best tea of the year to be brewed and served, dismissing the others.
In the ornate broad hall, Mu Chen sat at the lower seat. He favored white robes and cleanliness. He slowly lifted the tea before him, blew on it gently, his jade-like face growing more refined and hazy in the steam—like flowers in mist. His ink-black eyes shone like stars illuminating the vast night sky.
Wei Xiao had a thought: A mother-in-law looking at her potential son-in-law—the more she looked, the happier she got.
Gazing at Mu Chen, she smiled. “Young Master Mu, I met you years ago. Have you married yet? Why didn’t you bring your wife this time to stay a few days?”
Her words carried intent, delighting Mu Chen. Glancing at the empty room, he understood Wei Xiao’s purpose. He shed his lazy demeanor, sat up straight, and said respectfully, “I am not yet wed.”
Just what Wei Xiao wanted. Suppressing her smile, she sipped her tea and feigned confusion. “You and A’ci have been fellow disciples for over a decade, it seems. Your relationship appears quite good.”
Mu Chen chuckled inwardly and played along. “Yes, nearly twenty years. My feelings for A’ci are… passable, passable.”
He could only say “passable”—Wei Lingci had Xun Changqing trailing her like a little tail every day. He had thought the two master-disciple might have intentions, but learning Xun Changqing was a girl made marriage impossible. Now Wei Xiao’s question meant exactly that.
Mu Chen stood in the center of the flower hall, his expression mild, brows heroic. Softly, he said, “Auntie, I am sincere toward A’ci. Would you betroth her to me? In this life, Mu Chen wants only A’ci—no one else.”
Wei Xiao was stunned. For Mu Chen to declare so directly was unexpected, but it was precisely what she desired. She agreed on the spot, and the two hit it off. Once the iron mine matter was resolved, Mu Chen would come to propose formally.
Unaware, Wei Lingci had just received Xun Changqing’s letter. Even through the envelope, she could tell it held several sheets. She suspected the girl had recorded her every daily deed and transcribed them.
But upon opening, she thought Xun Changqing must be terribly idle in the palace. Three full sheets of inked paper: the first page repeated one sentence, six characters: Do not flirt with flowers or stir up grass.
The second page, densely written, four characters: Be careful of headaches.
The third page, still four characters: Remember to miss me.
Wei Lingci pored over the three inked pages repeatedly, hoping to read deeper meaning. After a long while, it was still just those fourteen characters, nothing more.
She smiled dimly, her heart filled only with joy. She penned a reply in few words: Returning to the capital soon. Meet at Ten-Li Pavilion outskirts.
After signing it, she sealed the letter, intending to have it sent to the Imperial Capital.
Before she could call for someone, she saw her mother standing in the room, joy brimming in her brows. Wei Lingci hurriedly pressed a poetry book over the letter, hiding her startled thoughts deep in her eyes. Calmly, she said, “Mother, why have you come? Is something the matter?”
The candle wick popped with a spark, flames blazing brightly. Wei Xiao’s gaze fell on the desk as she walked over casually. “A’ci, how are things between you and Mu Chen? He just mentioned to me that he wants to marry you. You’ve been fellow disciples for years, so your bond must be deep. I’ve agreed.”
