Chapter 090 – The Tragic Prefect’s Son – “This isn’t love, it’s just being happy to see things happen.” (05/10)
Yun Shuo quickened his pace to walk alongside Mu Xin. As they neared the front hall, he asked, “Lord Mu Xin, are you bringing this young monk inside too?”
Fearing his disguise might slip past Yun Shuo’s keen eyes, Mu Xin would never let Xie Chenyang leave his side. He strode forward with an icy expression. “Indeed.”
Yun Shuo: “But…”
Mu Xin ignored him, carrying Xie Chenyang inside. Without so much as a greeting to Prince Zhen’an and the others, he sat down.
Prince Zhen’an was already over fifty, yet his imposing presence remained undiminished. “Mu Xin, who is this…”
Mu Xin held the boy close, his gaze indifferent, his voice as cold as ice. “My man.”
Xie Chenyang remained silent, nestled against Mu Xin’s chest, leaving only his bald head visible to Prince Zhen’an and his son.
Yun Shuo walked over and sat beside Prince Zhen’an.
The Prince of Zhen’an, clearly accustomed to Mu Xin’s cold demeanor, skipped the pleasantries and asked, “Shuo told me Yang Su, the youngest son of Yang Yuchuan, escaped. Did you personally pursue and kill him?”
The Prince of Zhen’an: “Is he dead?”
Mu Xin: “Dead.”
The Prince of Zhen’an took a sip of tea. “Shuo’er had his men search every corner of the Yang residence but found none of the evidence Yang Yuchuan possessed. It was most likely on Yang Su. Did you recover it?
Mu Xin’s hand, resting on Xie Chenyang’s waist, tightened slightly. His voice was cold. “Destroyed.”
With those words spoken, regardless of whether the Prince of Zhen’an believed him or not, he could not show doubt.
After all, Mu Xin represented the King of Miying in their negotiations.
Originally, the small kingdoms and tribes of the Western Regions were scattered and disorganized. Later, a tribal chief subdued them one by one. He first conquered the surrounding tribes and small kingdoms, expanding his territory until he established his own nation named Miying.
Within mere years, Miying had become the largest nation in the Western Regions.
Now, their sights were set upon the fertile Central Plains.
“You handled it well. After all, it was a potential threat,” Prince Zhen’an said solemnly. “This time, Shuo’er took you to Bozhuo City. I trust you witnessed its prosperity firsthand.”
Mu Xin lowered his gaze to Xie Chenyang, offering no reply.
“As I mentioned before, once the matter is settled, I will cede the lands west of Bozhuo City to your kingdom to cement our eternal friendship. We will establish a trading post in Bozhuo City to facilitate mutual exchange between our nations… What are your thoughts on this, Mu Xin?”
“I have already sent word to the King. I will inform you once I receive a response.”
When Prince Zhen’an had so readily offered the lands west of Bozhuo City to Miying Kingdom, Mu Xin had assumed he was merely offering barren wastelands to placate them. Only upon seeing it firsthand did he realize that the region stretching from Bozhuo City westward to the border was far from barren.
He had even brought with him a written pledge personally penned by Prince Zhen’an, bearing the prince’s official seal. After inspecting Bozhuo City, he composed an inquiry letter in front of Yun Shuo, attached the Prince’s pledge, and sent it forth on the falcon’s back.
Later, while returning to Yangzhou with Yun Shuo, they were led by another falcon into a dense forest. It dug up the corpse of another falcon, which was the very one he had sent forth.
They immediately realized their deal might have been exposed. Yun Shuo swiftly dispersed his subordinates to investigate.
Their focus eventually narrowed to the most likely suspect.
At that time, Yang Yuchuan’s subordinate had just returned from handling affairs in a neighboring county.
Thus, they turned back toward Bozhuo City.
Yun Shuo was also surprised to encounter Yang Su. Upon learning his identity, he immediately resolved to use him.
Originally, Yun Shuo could have discreetly investigated and sent Mu Xin, a master of martial arts, to retrieve the evidence.
But he recalled that Prince Zhen’an had already planted agents throughout Bozhuo City, and this time he had brought many elite men. He decided to go all out, seeing it as an opportunity to show Mu Xin and his group the true strength of the Zhen’an Prince’s mansion.
Thus, Bozhuo City met its misfortune.
“Very well. Mu Xin, you’ve traveled far. Rest now. I’ve arranged a banquet for tonight. When the time comes…”
“Not necessary.” Mu Xin declined the banquet, lifted Xie Chenyang, and walked out.
Mu Xin and his men didn’t reside in the prince’s mansion. Instead, they stayed in a nearby residence provided by Prince Zhen’an. The servants in the mansion were all brought from the Kingdom of Miying.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, Mu Xin set Xie Chenyang down.
Xie Chenyang gazed up at his waist with a smile. “Tired?”
Mu Xin: “No.”
He was afraid Xie Chenyang would feel uncomfortable.
Noticing the servants’ curious stares, Xie Chenyang pressed his palms together in prayer. “Amitabha Buddha. This layman disregards this monk’s wishes and binds me to his side, truly a grave offense. Lay down the slaughtering blade and attain Buddhahood immediately. Layman, cease troubling this monk.”
No sooner had Xie Chenyang spoken than he turned to leave.
Mu Xin grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”
Xie Chenyang: “Naturally, back to the temple.”
Mu Xin snorted coldly, no longer bothering to embrace him. He simply hoisted Xie Chenyang over his shoulder and strode toward the room.
Xie Chenyang whistled inwardly again.
The remaining servants hurriedly asked the men accompanying Mu Xin, “The master and that monk?”
“The master has taken a fancy to that monk and intends to take him back to the Western Regions.”
“But the monk seems rather reluctant…”
“What the master desires, even if unwilling now, will be willingly given later.”
“True. If he refuses, he’ll lose his life…”
“That monk is quite handsome. No wonder the master likes him. Even I…”
“Want to die?”
“No, no, no!”
The moment they entered the room, Xie Chenyang slid off Mu Xin’s shoulder, wrapped his arms around him from behind, and pinned him onto the bed. Bending one leg, he chuckled softly. “My lord is quite the formidable figure.”
Mu Xin: “Your father has a grudge against Prince Zhen’an. Behave yourself. Stay out of trouble. If they recognize you, they won’t let you off.”
“If I behave myself outside, then you’d better behave yourself inside.”
Xie Chenyang gently caressed his lips before pressing down fiercely.
They hadn’t rested well during the journey, and Xie Chenyang hadn’t intended to truly take advantage of him. After a brief moment of indulgence, he let him sleep soundly.
When he awoke, it was already evening.
The servants had prepared dinner. Fine wine, exquisite dishes, and fresh fruit—everything was provided.
Servants nearby stole glances, noticing the once-reluctant monk had become remarkably docile. His gaze toward their master brimmed with tender affection, clinging and demanding attention. There he was again, acting spoiled.
“Master Xin, my throat feels scratchy. I’d like some wine to soothe it.”
Mu Xin: “Drink.”
“But I’m too tired to move. Master, please feed me, okay?”
Xie Chenyang gazed at Mu Xin with tender, deep affection. “Master…”
Mu Xin lifted a cup of wine to his lips. Xie Chenyang drank it with a smile, following the movement of his hand.
“Master, I want to eat that…”
“Master, I want…”
Servant: “Truly worthy of the lord! Conquering this little monk after just one night’s sleep!”
After finishing his meal, Xie Chenyang reached out to Mu Xin. “My lord, I’ve eaten rather much. Having just arrived in Yangzhou, I’m curious about the city. Would you take me out for a stroll? It might help with digestion.”
Mu Xin grasped his hand. The guards, seeing them leave arm in arm, prepared to follow.
Xie Chenyang and Mu Xin clasped fingers tightly, turning back: “You needn’t follow and disturb me and Ah-Xin. He’s so capable, he doesn’t need your escort.”
“Sir…”
“No need to follow.”
Outside the door, Xie Chenyang asked curiously, “Do all your people speak the Central Plains dialect as well?”
Mu Xin: “Our king values Central Plains culture. The language is already a mandatory subject in our realm.“
Xie Chenyang: [Seems their king has long coveted the Central Plains.]
You Huang: “Their king is a man of talent.”
He wielded both military might and cultural refinement. He founded the nation through military strength and governed it through cultural cultivation.
The various nations and tribes in the Western Regions each had their own languages—complex, difficult to learn, and lacking a unified script.
Among the King of Miying’s subordinates were people from the Central Plains. He mandated his subjects to learn the Central Plains language and script, to study Central Plains culture, while also preserving Western Region traditions, laying groundwork for the future.
Mu Xin: “Where do you want to go?”
Xie Chenyang: “Let’s head to the liveliest street.”
After confirming the location of the contact revealed by the pawnshop owner, Xie Chenyang claimed fatigue and returned to the mansion with Mu Xin. Servants had already prepared hot water.
After bathing, they laid down on the bed.
Xie Chenyang reached out and pulled Mu Xin into his embrace. “Ah-Xin, do you trust that old man, Prince Zhen’an?”
Mu Xin: “No.”
Xie Chenyang: “Hm?” This was different from what he had expected.
He had assumed Mu Xin believed the pie in the sky promises Prince Zhen’an and his faction had painted. Indeed, the original storyline showed the Miying Kingdom collaborating with Prince Zhen’an. They dispatched a large army to besiege the border, forcing the emperor to send reinforcements. Seizing this opportunity, Prince Zhen’an rebelled…
The emperor was a benevolent ruler. He refused to recall the reinforcing troops and did not wish to plunge the nation into civil war, sparing his people from unnecessary suffering. He effectively surrendered his throne to Prince Zhen’an without resistance.
[Speaking of which, this emperor is truly peculiar…]
You Huang: “How could the emperor possibly be unable to spare troops for defense after dispatching reinforcements? Had he truly suppressed the rebellion with full force, Prince Zhen’an could never have usurped the throne so smoothly.”
[Then why did that happen in the original storyline…]
You Huang: “That involves another deeply complicated love affair. The emperor is one of the protagonists. Care to hear it?”
Xie Chenyang felt Mu Xin’s hand fidgeting and politely declined: [No, maybe another time]
Xie Chenyang grasped Mu Xin’s restless hand. “Want to do it?”
Mu Xin’s cool lips pressed against his Adam’s apple. “I know your plans, and I know your moves. I’ve told you everything about me, and I won’t question what you do. But there’s one thing…”
“What?”
“After this is done, don’t even think about leaving me.”
“How could I? Hmph…”
Xie Chenyang grunted, his body speaking louder than words to Mu Xin—there was no escaping him.
”Ah-Xin, don’t you feel it? Every single touch is telling you how much I love you.”
…Early the next morning, Xie Chenyang wrote a sealed letter right in front of Mu Xin and tucked it into his robe. “Lord Xin, may I go out?”
Mu Xin: “Eat breakfast first.”
After breakfast, Mu Xin took Xie Chenyang out again, heading to Yangzhou’s liveliest street.
Xie Chenyang led him into a modestly sized jewelry shop and declared immediately, “I want to buy your most valuable piece—the cheapest one you have.”
Two young maids were attending to female customers outside.
A middle-aged woman behind the counter, still possessing a certain charm, looked up and smiled lightly. “Our most valuable piece isn’t the cheapest one. Master… surely you’re joking?”
“Don’t mistake me for a monk. I’m about to return to secular life. My sworn sister is getting married, and I want to give her the finest dowry possible. But I don’t have much money, so I’m looking for your cheapest signature piece.”
“Then you must look around, sir. Every single item in our shop is a signature piece.”
Xie Chenyang retorted, “That won’t do. If everything’s on display, how can any piece be the true treasure? The real treasures are hidden away. Are you looking down on me for being penniless? Is this how your shop does business? Disrespecting customers?”
“…Since you put it that way, young master, perhaps you’d like to wait in the side room while I fetch our genuine treasure?”
“Hmph. Lead the way.”
After the middle-aged woman led them inside, a female customer asked curiously, “So you really do have a prized treasure?”
The maid attending her covered her mouth and giggled softly. “Madam, you’re a regular here. Don’t you know whether we have a prized treasure? That monk and barbarian—who knows if they’re just stirring trouble. Our boss just didn’t want them disturbing everyone, so she took them aside for a proper explanation.”
“And if they refuse to listen?”
“Then the boss will surely find some treasure to sell them.”
“Ha! That’s true. With Wan Niang’s gift of gab, who could possibly outtalk her?”
Once they reached the back, Wan Niang, the middle-aged woman, discreetly gave the signal.
Mu Xin sensed the lurking presence in the shadows, his hand already tightening on his dagger hilt.
Xie Chenyang smiled broadly as he responded to the signal, pulling the secret letter from his bosom and handing it to Wan Niang. “Please deliver this to the capital.”
Leaving the jewelry shop, Xie Chenyang clutched a jewelry box and remarked to Mu Xin, “I told you—even the shop’s prized pieces must vary in quality. Some are expensive, others affordable. Now we have my sister’s dowry.”
Mu Xin: “…Mhm.”
Unfortunately, before they reached the estate, they encountered Yun Shuo.
Yun Shuo approached with a polite greeting. “Minister Mu Xin, what might this be…?”
Mu Xin ignored him.
Xie Chenyang hooked his arm through Mu Xin’s, his voice deliberately softened, a stark contrast to his usual brisk tone. “I agreed to follow you, but so far you’ve only bought me jewelry. That’s hardly enough.”
Mu Xin lowered his gaze at him. “Want to buy more?”
“Buy me some clothes first. We’re in this situation now… It’s not quite appropriate to keep wearing these.”
Watching them leave without a word, Yun Shuo’s expression darkened.
“Second Young Master, this barbarian is utterly ungrateful! Shall we…”
“Hold your tongue for now. He’ll get his comeuppance eventually… Hmph.”
Mu Xin did indeed detour to a tailor shop, purchasing several outfits for Xie Chenyang before returning to the manor.
Xie Chenyang immediately changed into a simple, comfortable robe. Seated in the courtyard, he watched Mu Xin practice swordplay while stuffing grapes into his mouth.
[Sigh, Ah-Xin truly adores me. For my sake, he’s even disregarding his nation’s grand plans.]
You Huang: “Nice dream!
[Isn’t it obvious? He saw my secret letter and didn’t stop me.]
You Huang: “He’d meddle in this alliance even without you.”
[But in the original story…]
You Huang: “The original says the Hu tribes attacked the border. It never specified that it was the Miying Kingdom.”
[Oh my gosh, Dad. You gotta seriously explain this to me. The plot just glossed over this part.]
You Huang: “Do you like grapes?”
[Of course! They’re delicious.]
You Huang smiled.
Xie Chenyang suddenly understood. He glanced at the fruit platters on the table, then scanned the room to make sure no one was watching. He slid one platter behind him: [Dad, grab it!]
Feeling the weight lift from the plate, he nonchalantly placed the empty dish back in front of him, glancing guiltily at Mu Xin practicing his swordplay.
You Huang: “He didn’t see.”
[Oh oh, that’s good]
You Huang: “First, back then, the falcon shot down by Yang Yuchuan’s men was deliberately circling above them.”
Edit: Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
