Yin Qiubai had already returned home. She had gone to the palace to seek an audience with her majesty, hoping to receive a clear stance—but was turned away. That alone spoke volumes. The lack of response was an answer in itself.
Now, she stood outside the door in a daze, murmuring to herself, “Like a mayfly, glimpsing the sky.”
Creaaak—
The door opened. Yin Qiubai quickly moved aside, hiding behind a pillar. With her skill, avoiding notice wasn’t difficult. After Mu Qingbai and Huzi left, she stepped out from behind the pillar and entered the house.
“Miss.” “Miss.” The craftsmen inside all greeted her respectfully.
She nodded and picked up the diagrams laid on the table. To her, they were a bit confusing and hard to decipher.
“Did you all remember what Young Master Mu explained just now?”
“Yes, Miss. We remembered.”
“Then do exactly as he said. No matter what he asks for, try your best to accommodate him.”
“Understood.”
“And another thing! Don’t listen to idle gossip. Whether Young Master Mu is mad or not is no excuse for doing a sloppy job.”
Her tone carried a faint severity. The craftsmen quickly promised to do their best.
Yin Qiubai glanced at the diagrams again but still couldn’t understand them. She asked, “What exactly did Young Master Mu say these things are used for?”
The craftsmen repeated Mu Qingbai’s explanation.
She couldn’t help but laugh. “So, he thinks the cushions in my carriage aren’t soft enough.”
That was how she simply interpreted Mu Qingbai’s intentions, never imagining that this so-called ‘rubber’ would soon have a massive impact once developed.
“Miss~”
Yin Qiubai turned her head and saw her maid Xiaojun standing beside a group of overly fawning palace attendants.
The palace attendants were carrying official robes and official seals. Xiaojun looked nervously at Yin Qiubai, afraid she might erupt in anger.
Yin Qiubai sighed helplessly and waved her hand, “Fine, just leave the things and go. I didn’t get to meet her majesty—I won’t take it out on you.”
The attendants looked at one another, seemingly trying to figure out who would risk delivering the message.
Seeing this, Yin Qiubai narrowed her eyes. “What? Don’t want to leave? Hoping for a tip?”
They panicked and waved their hands. “We wouldn’t dare! Please don’t be angry, General. Her majesty asked us to pass on a message.”
“Speak!”
“Her majesty says since Lord Mu has accepted the appointment, General mustn’t delay the matter too long. Otherwise, the court may raise objections, and the disaster cannot wait.”
The one who spoke clenched his fists as he braced for impact, but his trembling hands gave away his fear.
After a long silence, Yin Qiubai finally responded, “Go back and tell her majesty, I won’t delay important matters.”
“You are wise and considerate, General! We shall take our leave!” Get faster updates on g.com.
The palace attendants hurriedly shoved the items into the hands of the maidservants and quickly departed.
Old Huang approached and quietly waved for the other servants to withdraw.
He bowed and said, “Miss, Young Master Mu has gone to Phoenix-Calling Courtyard again.”
Yin Qiubai couldn’t help but smile. “Did Huzi take any money?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Then what are they doing going to Phoenix-Calling Courtyard without money? Are the songs really that good?”
Old Huang quickly replied, “They’re not, not at all—not compared to your sword dance, Miss.”
She shot him a glance. “Stop flattering me. Go check on them. Young Master Mu’s not wearing official robes and has no money on him. Who knows what kind of trouble he might get into.”
“With Huzi around, there shouldn’t be any issue. If you don’t like him going to brothels, I’ll bring him back.”
Yin Qiubai narrowed her eyes and suddenly recalled how the entire manor once mistakenly believed she was secretly in love with Mu Qingbai.
That thought made her chuckle and shake her head.
Old Huang was puzzled. What did that mean? Was he supposed to go—or not?
…
Mu Qingbai had no silver, so of course he couldn’t enter Phoenix-Calling Courtyard.
Without his official robes, even the boatmen refused him passage.
Fortunately, walking by Phoenix-Calling Lake was still free.
And there, he ran into an old friend.
The little monk from prison had been released and was wandering the lakeside as well, clearly curious about the rumored extravagance of Phoenix-Calling Courtyard.
But alas, neither of them had money.
So they sat together by the lake, gazing at the glittering ripples.
“This moment calls for a poem, doesn’t it?” the little monk said, eyes gleaming with anticipation as he looked at Mu Qingbai.
Mu Qingbai frowned. “Why such a refined request all of a sudden?”
“Young Master Mu, we may not have silver, but a good poem could earn us entry. Might even get us treated as honored guests—free food and drink!”
“Is that true?”
“Absolutely! Phoenix-Calling Courtyard is recognized by the literary world as a place where poetry holds more value than gold.”
The little monk chuckled awkwardly, “I don’t have that skill. But Young Master Mu, the verse you recited when taken from prison—now that was brilliant!”
He recited dramatically, “‘The mountains are hard to cross, who weeps for the lost wanderer? Strangers meet by chance, all are guests in a foreign land.’”
“Young Master Mu, if you could muster just a tenth of that brilliance, this whole Phoenix-Calling Courtyard would open its doors to us!”
Mu Qingbai scratched his head, pondering for a while.
The little monk waited eagerly, then slowly turned from hopeful to disappointed.
Suddenly, Mu Qingbai clapped his forehead. “Aha! I’ve got one! I’ll use those distant peaks as inspiration!”
The little monk lit up, nodding excitedly. “Mist-covered mountains, ethereal imagery—deep and profound! Perfect theme!”
His eyes sparkled again. “I knew I wasn’t wrong about you. You’re a literary genius, Young Master Mu!”
Mu Qingbai began, “From afar it looks like a mountain. Up close it looks like a mountain. The more you look, the more mountain it becomes—turns out, it’s a mountain! Applause!”
The little monk: …
He quietly turned away, the light in his eyes flickering out.
“Ha! Young Master Mu, that’s not how poetry works.”
A slightly mocking voice came from behind them.
“Housekeeper Huang?”
“Why are you sitting here, Young Master Mu?”
“Because I’m broke. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have returned my robes and seal to her majesty.”
He could’ve at least pawned them for fifty taels.
Old Huang couldn’t guess what Mu Qingbai was really thinking. He assumed he regretted giving up his hard-earned position and found it amusing. Scholars—they were always contradictions.
“No need to worry, Young Master Mu. Her majesty has sent a new set of robes and seal—your rank has been elevated.”
Mu Qingbai was surprised. “Her majesty appointed me as the minister in charge of disaster relief?”
Old Huang nodded bitterly. “Young Master Mu, even if your status is rising fast, do you realize how many eyes in the capital are watching you?”
“So what?” Mu Qingbai asked, confused.
Old Huang was stunned. “You openly visit a brothel—aren’t you worried political enemies might stab you in the back?”
“Who are my political enemies?”
Old Huang stared at him, dumbfounded.
You really don’t know? Name a single civil or military official you haven’t offended!
Mu Qingbai chuckled. “Those who can’t kill me…”
…