Friendship also comes with possessiveness, especially when one discovers their closest friend has other companions—it’s hard not to feel a pang of loss.
Mu Yan pursed his lips. A year of intense studying, coupled with troubles at home, had transformed him from a sturdy boy with round cheeks into a youth with clear, deer-like eyes.
At this moment, those deer-like eyes were strained tightly. "I came to bring you the books."
He Yunzhao cleared her throat lightly and quickly introduced, "This is Mu Yan, my childhood playmate."
"And this is Qu Zhan—the Qu Zhan you’ve heard of."
Mu Yan replied with a hint of sourness, "I know. The two of you are the closest of friends."
Everyone present understood the true nature of that "closest friendship"—no need to elaborate on how much of an exaggeration it was.
Qu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly, leisurely straightening his disheveled robes. "Since fate has brought us together and we find ourselves so compatible, it would be a shame not to be friends. Though I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Young Master Mu before, I’ve long heard that all under Master Ding’s tutelage are outstanding talents…"
He paused, then added, "Now that I see you, Young Master Mu, your elegance truly stands out."
It was precisely that pause that made him appear exceedingly polite, yet the underlying implication was that he had never actually heard of Mu Yan—it was merely a courteous gesture.
Though not usually sharp-witted, Mu Yan was unusually perceptive at that moment. He immediately retorted, "Then it seems Young Master Qu hasn’t paid much attention to the preface written by Master Qi—it mentions me."
Qu Zhan’s fox-like eyes narrowed slightly, exuding an intimidating pressure as he said calmly, "Then it was an oversight on my part. I hope Young Master Mu will not take offense."
"Ahem!" He Yunzhao cleared her throat emphatically. "The sky is growing dark. Brother Qu, perhaps you should return home early to rest. Today’s chess game must have been quite draining."
Qu Zhan turned to her, his entire demeanor softening. "Very well, I shall take my leave now. Next time, let’s study chess manuals together."
He Yunzhao nodded vaguely.
Men—so full of schemes. People always say women overthink things. Nonsense! Was the famous struggle of the nine dragons for the throne a fight among nine princesses?
He Yunzhao promptly cut the conversation short. After seeing Qu Zhan off, she walked over to Mu Yan. "Come on, let’s go inside."
Mu Yan still felt somewhat awkward. It wasn’t that he had any particular grievance against He Yunzhao—it was more his own hidden insecurities and envy of Qu Zhan’s natural talent.
Those two standing together were like a pair of flawless jades—both had achieved scholarly honors at a young age, with delicate features, rosy lips, and bright teeth. They made for a pleasing sight just by being side by side.
Meanwhile, he seemed to have nothing particularly remarkable to show for himself…
Mu Yan drank a cup of tea at the He residence and exchanged a few lighthearted words with He Yunzhao.
He Yunzhao stood up and rummaged through the bookshelf in the study. Standing on her tiptoes, she retrieved two large scrolls of Xuan paper from the top shelf, sending a shower of dust drifting down.
"Cough!"
Mu Yan quickly rose and waved his hands to fan away the dust. "What is this?"
He Yunzhao, her face lightly dusted with grime, still smiled. "These are some essays on the Four Books that I wrote before my academy examination. Take them back and study them. It might give you more confidence for the next exam."
Mu Yan had been unlucky—this year was a highly competitive one for the imperial examinations, with more candidates and harder questions, which was why he had failed. But he had been the very next candidate after the last one selected—his knowledge was sufficient, just his luck wasn’t.
If he tried again, he was sure to advance further. With two more years of accumulated effort, he might even break into the top ten.
Mu Yan took the thick stack of papers, their weight pressing heavily against his chest.
Before his own exam, he had written far fewer essays than these…
He Yunzhao was first place—she had put in tremendous effort to achieve it. Mu Yan missed the passing grade by just one rank, yet he accomplished this with far less diligence. Did that mean Mu Yan was more intelligent?
Not at all.
The full score was one hundred points. The gap between first place and last place wasn’t fifty points—it was that the exam was out of one hundred, and the top scorer achieved a perfect score, while the last-place student might only have the capability to score ten points.
A child’s intelligence can be discerned. Being lively, playful, and quick to respond isn’t intelligence—it’s merely personality. Strong concentration, self-discipline, and a thirst for knowledge—these are the marks of true intelligence.
Mu Yan felt his face burning. He replied softly, "Mm, I’ll take it back to read."
He Yunzhao gave him a warning look. "This is precious material. Don’t you dare slack off."
She even offered to have Mu Yan stay for a late-night snack before leaving, but he declined.
…
Mu Residence.
Mu Yan returned home carrying a thick stack of essays. Before he could even wash up in his room, a nanny came to summon him.
"Sixth Young Master, the Madam is asking for you."
As soon as he entered, he saw his twin sisters roughhousing together, while Fifth Brother sat nearby drinking tea and chatting with their mother.
"Mother."
Hearing the noise, Mother Mu turned around. Her eyes curved gently as she smiled. "Why are you back so late? Your Fifth Brother shot a young deer and we were going to roast it together, but you returned too late and we’ve already finished it."
A young deer only yielded about five or six catties of meat after roasting. There was a portion for the Old Madam, another for Second and Third Brothers, and Father shared his with Second Brother.
What remained in the main courtyard was less than two catties of venison—enough for Mother, Fifth Brother, and the two younger sisters.
Mu Yan remained silent, making Mother Mu somewhat awkward.
Fifth Brother, named Mu Pan, set down his teacup with a light clink and remarked sarcastically, "Little Sixth’s temperament is growing increasingly reserved. He hardly speaks at all."
Mother Mu frowned and tugged at Mu Pan’s sleeve. Turning back gently, she asked, "What kept you out so late, Little Sixth?"
"I went to the He residence to collect some essays. Xiao Zhao sorted out all the articles she wrote before the academy exam and gave them to me," Mu Yan replied with downcast eyes.
Mother Mu was delighted. Madam He was her close childhood friend—their maiden families had been neighbors, so they often visited each other.
"That child Zhao’er is truly remarkable. Lately, I’ve heard many madams inquiring about him, asking how old he is and whether he’s betrothed."
She then turned to Mu Yan and said, "Learn more from him. Study hard and earn a xiucai degree to show your father."
"You didn’t pass the academy exam, and your father was quite upset. You’re the only one in our family whose future isn’t settled yet."
Mu Yan thought to himself, Father upset? Impossible.
His father was a military officer who didn’t care about imperial exams or whether Mu Yan passed. Second and Third Brothers’ futures were what concerned Father the most.
Mu Pan had the sturdy build typical of a military man, but his mind was anything but coarse. Glancing at Mother Mu, he said, "Both scholarly and military paths are viable. Little Sixth practiced martial arts since childhood—it wouldn’t be hard for him to pick it up again. If the scholarly path doesn’t work, he could join the army."
Mother Mu shot him a glare and scolded, "Nonsense!"
"Being a military officer is far too dangerous. Since Little Sixth has the aptitude, it’s better for him to focus on his studies."
In the Great Jin dynasty, civil officials were highly respected, while military officers didn’t receive the same level of esteem.
Currently, all six grand secretaries in the cabinet hailed from civil official backgrounds—clear evidence of the dominance of civil officials.
Mu Pan paid no heed to his mother's scolding. He lifted his gaze to his silent younger brother. "Father has now entered the Capital Camp. Our family should send more sons into the military to secure our position. Second Brother is in the Imperial Guard, Third Brother is in the Zhili Camp, and I'm in the Military Command…"
His tone was light but impossible to ignore. "I heard there's an additional captain position in the Northern Frontier. It would be a great opportunity if we could secure it."
Mother Mu fell silent. She came from a civil official's family and had married into the Mu family as a stepmother to four children only after her own family fell into decline.
General Mu was a good father, deeply caring toward the two children from his first marriage, but he was not a good husband. From the moment she married into the family, Mother Mu knew he was wary of her.
It was only after Mu Pan was born that the household gradually began to feel like a family.
As Mu Pan grew up, she became accustomed to following his lead.
Now, Mu Pan's intention was for Mu Yan to abandon scholarly pursuits for the military and go to the Northern Frontier. She was worried but dared not say anything.
Pan'er wasn't wrong—the master of the house was climbing step by step, focusing only on Second Son's future. Third Son could also be brought along, but she and her own children were left with nothing worthwhile.
If Little Six could go to the Northern Frontier and fulfill the master's wishes, the Mu family would be more secure.
Besides, it was a good opportunity. After a few years in the Northern Frontier, he could return to the capital and start as a fifth-rank military officer!
Mu Yan took a deep breath and scanned everyone in the room.
His pushy fifth brother… his mother, who couldn't bring herself to look at him… his absent father… and his two younger sisters, huddled together, not daring to make a sound.
Too many thoughts flashed through his mind—his father, his mother, his brothers, his sisters, He Yunzhao, the academy…
A soft sigh escaped with his breath and dissipated into the air. Mu Yan said, "I'll go to the Northern Frontier."
Mu Pan smiled. "Little Six, acting so decisively—you really have the makings of a military officer."
Mu Yan lifted his head slightly, his deer-like eyes meeting Mu Pan's gaze. Those eyes could never look fierce; at most, they might appear a little colder.
"Mu Pan, from now on, I entrust Mother to your care."
Mu Pan was taken aback, then frowned. How could a younger brother address his elder brother by his full name? But considering his impending departure to the frontier, he decided to let it slide.
Mu Shen, their father, was also surprised that his scholarly youngest son wanted to go to the frontier. He had intended to send one of the children there early to lay the groundwork.
It was uncertain how long he would remain in the Capital Camp, so it was best to groom the children early. He had been hesitating between Third Son and Fifth Son, but never expected Sixth Son to volunteer.
Mu Shen thought, "Let Little Six go then. He's young and might struggle there, but I'll make it up to him when he returns."
Three days later, on a calm and sunny morning, Mu Yan told He Yunzhao about his decision.
"I'm abandoning scholarly pursuits for the military and going to the frontier."
Thud!
He Yunzhao's teapot slammed onto the table. Her eyes widened in shock. "What? Abandon scholarly pursuits for the military? And go to the frontier?"
She rushed over and pressed her palm to his forehead in bewilderment. It felt warm to the touch. "No fever! How can your mind be so muddled?"
Mu Yan helplessly dodged her hand. "I'm fine, not muddled. This is my own decision."
"Father has been promoted and is now in the Capital Camp. Our family is full of military men—I'm the only one pursuing scholarly studies, which seems odd. It's better to go to the frontier and temper myself. When I return to the capital in the future, I'll be able to help Father."
He Yunzhao looked at him inquisitively, "Is this what you want yourself?"
That didn’t seem right. If Mu Yan wanted to become a military officer, he could have done so long ago. Why would he have spent so many years studying?
Mu Yan turned his head away, avoiding her gaze. "It’s nothing. If I become a military officer, my father will be able to help me more."
He Yunzhao still found it hard to believe. Given the complicated sibling relationships in the Mu family, it would be strange for Mu Yan to willingly pursue a military career.
Wait a moment—maybe it wasn’t so strange after all. Family dynamics in this era were just like this: parents could be unkind to their children, but children had no choice but to be filial.
Besides, General Mu wasn’t exactly unkind; he was just more partial to the children from his first marriage. In this day and age, General Mu was still considered a decent man.
Mu Yan forced a smile as he sat down, leaning back lazily to look at He Yunzhao. "Don’t be upset. Once I’ve trained at the border for a few years and return to the capital, it’ll be much faster than if I had taken the imperial exams."
He Yunzhao laughed and gave him a playful shove, teasing, "You haven’t even left yet, and you’re already bragging."
"Ouch!" Mu Yan cried out dramatically, collapsing into his chair. Clutching his chest, he pretended to sob, "Heavens! Earth! He Yunzhao has wounded me! Oh no, I’m gravely injured and beyond cure—I can’t go to the border now, boo hoo hoo…"
Unable to hold back her laughter at his antics, He Yunzhao put on a stern face, struck a pose, and shouted, "Take this—my Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Mu Yan played along, letting out an exaggerated cry, "Ah! Help!"
The two of them fooled around for a while before finally settling down. After a short rest, He Yunzhao sat down and began reading The Spring and Autumn Annals. As the saying goes, "Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will become clear." Each reading brought new insights.
Since Mu Yan was going to become a military officer, there was no need for him to continue his studies, and He Yunzhao didn’t urge him to.
He simply lay on the desk, tilting his head to watch He Yunzhao’s profile.
Even the closest of friends must part someday. He didn’t want to be left behind. If He Yunzhao rose to a high position in the future while he remained unaccomplished, it would be worse than death.
In truth, the gap between them was already wide. He Yunzhao was the famous "Dream Scholar" of the capital, skilled in poetry and prose, while he hadn’t even passed the imperial examination at the county level.
Even if He Yunzhao never became an official, he would still be a master of poetry and a rising star in the literary world.
A gentle breeze drifted in through the window, casting golden specks of light across her face. The fine hairs on her cheeks glowed softly in the light, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she focused intently on her book.
The scent of the wind was so fragrant. For once, Mu Yan simply lay there, watching He Yunzhao study. His thoughts drifted aimlessly around the small room, but when his eyes met He Yunzhao’s, he froze unexpectedly.
His heartbeat was so loud…
He Yunzhao smiled silently and pointed behind him. Their teacher was passing by outside.
Her amber-like eyes reflected his image. Flustered, he straightened up, his face red and distorted from being pressed against the desk.
For a moment, his mind went completely blank—a silent panic…
It was only much, much later that he realized what that panic had meant.
…
The sixth day of the sixth month—an auspicious day for travel.
Many sons of military families were also heading to the border. They set off from the canal, passed through Tianjin, and then journeyed north.
He Yunzhao was determined to see Mu Yan off.
The ship’s sails billowed as the young men from military families laughed and cried, saying goodbye to their families. Eight of them were traveling together.
They started as military officials from the seventh rank, not as ordinary foot soldiers—no wonder so many people were vying for these positions.
The Mu family did not come. The eldest daughter of the Mu family had her water break last night. General Mu, being a devoted father, was heartbroken over his late wife and the hardships faced by his two children. Early in the morning, he rushed to his eldest daughter’s in-laws' home to wait, and naturally, Lady Mu accompanied him.
Mu Pan was on duty today and had taken half an hour off to come and take a look before returning to his post.
He Yunzhao: "…"
A flame seemed to ignite in her eyes as she fiercely urged, "You must rise to prominence and return to the capital in glory to show him!"
Mu Yan was already accustomed to his fifth brother’s indifference, but he paused for a moment before laughing, "Of course. When I return, I’ll pin Mu Pan to the ground."
The surroundings were bustling with noise, and ripples on the water lapped against the shore. A ten-meter-long cargo ship was docked nearby, with over a dozen sailors untying the ropes together. This was a ship bound for Jiangnan, carrying the latest goods from the capital.
The ship’s captain appeared honest and sincere, carrying a large bucket as he called out to the crew to have a bowl of sweet soup.
On the deck were stacked jars that were impervious to rain, filled with various fine wines. The captain, a lover of alcohol, had prepared them well in advance.
With a sharp "twang," the coarse rope was untied.
A young man from a military family, accompanied by his grandmother, couldn’t hold back his emotions and let out a loud, wailing cry, his sobs echoing even over the noise of the crowd.
Someone nearby laughed and scolded, "Zhou Er! Stop howling!"
The bottom of the cargo ship was originally meant for storing goods, but a careful observer might notice that the cabin seemed unusually small.
Beneath the barefoot sailors’ feet was a sturdy wooden plank, and below that, the bottom of the ship was filled with honeycomb-like compartments.
Pei Zeyuan was awakened by the noise, his throat too dry to make a sound, his head throbbing so painfully he wished he could cut it off.
His chest heaved as he slowly opened his eyes. His body was folded and cramped into a small space, surrounded by a foul stench—unclear whether it was from rotting fish or decaying human flesh.
He lifted his head and gritted his teeth, slamming it forcefully against the wooden plank beside him with a loud "thud!"
Blood trickled from his forehead, the sharp pain bringing him a measure of clarity.
The plank above could only be opened from the outside. He had once tried to use a dagger to pry it open and escape but was caught and had the dagger confiscated.
His right arm had been brutally stomped on and now felt useless. He suspected the bone might be fractured, but after feeling it carefully with his left hand, he concluded it wasn’t broken.
He swallowed dryly, his mouth devoid of any saliva. Fortunately, the blood from his forehead dripped down, and he licked the corner of his lips, catching a few drops to moisten his throat.
Exhaling with effort, he let out a low grunt. When a person exhales, their muscles tense, making it easier to exert force. Clenching his right fist, he thrust it upward from his chest.
Bang!
Bang!
Once, twice… eight times!
The clamor outside the ship masked the noise he was making. With a final "crack," he broke open a gap!
Struggling to straighten his body, wearing nothing but tattered underpants, he pressed his shoulder against the opening and pushed again with all his might—bang!
Pei Zeyuan gripped the splintered wood with his fingers and hauled himself upward. Not daring to pause and catch his breath, he burst out of the cabin.
With a creak, the door opened as a sailor, alerted by the noise, cautiously entered to investigate.
Pei Zeyuan couldn’t afford to wait. During his previous capture, he had overheard clearly—these people intended to sell him to a male brothel in Jiangnan.
A fierce glare fixed on the boatman’s back, and he lunged forward, punching the boatman squarely in the nose!
The second blow landed on the throat, and in an instant, the throat bone shattered. The blood that sprayed from the boatman’s mouth was less than what coated his fist.
This could no longer be called a hand—where the fingers exerted force, it resembled nothing more than bone draped with shredded flesh.
A startled cry drew He Yunzhao’s attention. A grimy figure, like a zombie, leaped down from a cargo ship.
The cargo ship hadn’t fully departed yet and was still close to the shore. The "zombie" quickly scrambled onto the bank.
People around screamed in terror, scattering in all directions.
"Ah! A ghost!"
"Damn it, what is that thing?"
The women who had come to see them off were frightened, and the maids and servants hurriedly ushered them into the carriages.
Only then did He Yunzhao realize it was a person. Human trafficking?
Anger surged within her. The capital was a place where filth and corruption festered beneath the surface, but seeing it right before her eyes was infuriating.
The "zombie" was bare-chested, covered in grime and blood, his arms trembling slightly. He collapsed to the ground, while the onlookers merely stepped back or watched from a distance, treating it as a spectacle.
With a closer look, He Yunzhao could tell that this young man must have come from a decent family. His well-proportioned physique and firm muscles were evidence of a life nurtured with good food and care.
She frowned, feeling a pang of pity. If she didn’t intervene now, this young man would likely be captured again.
Such is human nature—when someone steps up to uphold justice, others find the courage to join in.
He Yunzhao took just one step forward, glaring and scolding the boatman, and immediately a crowd stepped up alongside her.
"Who do you think you are!"
"Hey! Don’t move! How dare you harm someone in broad daylight!"
As He Yunzhao drew closer, she could see the young man’s unyielding determination. Despite his injuries, he had managed to escape.
Pei Zeyuan’s throat strained, but no sound emerged—dry and brittle like winter straw.
His heart was consumed by hatred—hatred for the servant who had deceived him, for the scheming Madame Feng, and for his own father!
Only one thought echoed in his mind: Kill them all!
Pei Zeyuan’s mouth hung open as he struggled to make a sound, but not even a whisper escaped.
He wore nothing but tattered undergarments, filthy and reeking. No one would speak up for a beggar’s suffering.
All he felt was hatred—even toward everyone who witnessed his humiliation.
He Yunzhao recalled a story: When a devil was imprisoned at the bottom of the sea, in the first hundred years, he was grateful to all. In the second hundred years, he vowed to give the world’s greatest treasures to whoever freed him. By the thousandth year, he swore to kill the one who rescued him.
As she approached, she sensed the young man’s overwhelming hatred. His back arched tautly as he strained to stand.
He Yunzhao sighed softly. Victims were always pitiable. She removed her outer garment and draped it over the young man, then crouched down and whispered reassuringly, "It’s alright now. The ones who captured you are gone."
Suddenly! Pei Zeyuan’s grimy, bloodstained hand clamped onto He Yunzhao’s arm.
He Yunzhao frowned. It wasn’t the blood that bothered her—though she hadn’t experienced it in this life, in her previous one, she had dealt with menstruation.
Girls who grew accustomed to blood from adolescence and handled stains routinely were often tougher than boys.
It was just her fastidiousness acting up. Shaking off the victim’s hand at a time like this would make her seem heartless.
"How about it?" Mu Yan ran over from behind and grabbed the same arm of He Yunzhao, also looking somewhat sympathetically at the young boy.
Huh?
He lowered his head and watched as the boy's grimy hand slowly moved, pushing Mu Yan's hand off bit by bit.
Mu Yan: "…"
!
He flung the boy's hand away as well!
The next moment, the young man mustered his strength and weakly extended his fingers to press against He Yunzhao's arm.
Zhou Er, who had approached unnoticed, gasped softly and covered his mouth, whispering tentatively, "Young Master Pei?"
He Yunzhao's ears twitched as she caught this piece of information—Zhenshu's child?
Ah, Pei Shangxuan had a true love, didn't he? So she had given him the code name "True Love Uncle," abbreviated as Zhenshu.
Her expression remained unchanged as she stood up, calmly and naturally brushing Pei Zeyuan's hand away.
"Alright, the boat is about to depart. I'll see you onboard."
Mu Yan nodded.