“This matter has nothing to do with my younger brother. I lost, deal with me as you wish.”
“Good! It’s settled then!”
Jun Moyi pondered for a moment, tacitly agreeing to this wager.
In the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, the exchange rate between gold and silver was five to one. A thousand taels of gold converted to five thousand taels of silver. Although it was a considerable sum, it was nothing compared to his reputation as Prince Qi.
More importantly, he didn't believe Mu Shi'an would lose to a six-year-old child.
“Something’s wrong, they’re fighting, they’re fighting!”
In the bustling and noisy main courtyard, a household retainer ran all the way to the academy, shouting as he ran, causing the guests to turn their heads one after another.
“What’s all the shouting about? Have you no manners!”
On such an important day, with all the Civil and Military Officials present to celebrate his birthday, and even the Emperor Dongfeng scheduled to arrive later, it was no wonder Mu Yuanlin was displeased to see his household retainer behaving so improperly.
The household retainer disregarded propriety, “Master, something has happened! The Eldest Young Master is fighting someone in the martial arts stage, please go quickly!”
Even the seasoned and profound Mu Yuanlin’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this, “What exactly happened?”
“This servant is slow-witted and cannot explain it clearly in a few words. It would be best if Master went to see for yourself!”
Since the matter had come to this, Mu Yuanlin had no choice but to rise and head toward the martial arts stage. The guests followed him, intending to watch the excitement.
Mu Yuanlin, as the head of the officials and deeply trusted by the Emperor Dongfeng, had a son, Mu Shi'an, who had just become the New Top Scholar in Martial Arts. The Mu Family was enjoying unprecedented prestige, and there were quite a few people secretly envious and jealous.
Prince Qin's Mansion, Sunset Study.
Seeing that the chess game was about to be lost, Jiang Mubai’s eyes darted, and he came up with an idea.
“Moyan, today is Mu Yuanlin’s fortieth birthday. Why don’t you come with me to join the fun?”
“I’m not going.”
“A while ago, my young servant saw a steward from Prince Qi's Mansion collecting pregnancy medicine at Huichun Hall. As far as I know, none of Prince Qi’s concubines or wives are pregnant. Who do you think that medicine was for? There’s also this: two days ago, Prince Rui secretly ordered someone to bring a woman into the capital, and she had three children with her.”
Jun Moyan looked up, his face as cold as jade, indifferent as snow, “You spend all your energy on this kind of Gossip, no wonder your chess skills haven't improved at all over the years.”
“How can this be idle talk? Jun Moyi wants to marry Mu Xi, using this opportunity to pull Prime Minister Mu into his camp. Then Jun Moming certainly won't sit idly by and will try every means to sabotage the alliance between the two families. Don't you think there will be good drama at Prime Minister Mu’s birthday banquet today?”
Jun Moyan paid him no mind, picking up a white piece with his slender, jade-like fingertips and placing it on the chessboard.
“You lost. Don't forget to deliver the item, or I’ll send someone to collect it.”
Looking at the completely defeated chessboard, Jiang Mubai impatiently threw down the black pieces in his hand, “We’ve known each other for so many years, we must have played chess eighty or ninety times, if not a hundred? It’s not too much to ask for you to give me one move, is it?”
“With your brain, even if I gave you ten moves, the result would be no different.”
“……”
Jiang Mubai was amused despite his anger, “Fine, fine, I admit defeat. Whether it’s playing chess or arguing, I can’t beat you. But shouldn't you curb that poisonous tongue of yours a bit?”
“A few days ago, you argued with Miss Wang to the point where she burst into tears on the street. Now everyone in Fengjing City is spreading rumors that you have a perverse temper and no cultivation. Even the Censorate has submitted several memorials impeaching you.”
“I am ill, what’s wrong with having a bad temper?”
“……You, a dignified Prince, arguing with a young lady in the street, aren't you ashamed?”
“A grown man, if he can’t even handle a sharp-tongued woman, that would be truly shameful.”
Jiang Mubai pointed at him, “You, with your attitude, which family would be willing to marry their daughter into your Prince's Mansion? Ah, are you really planning to die alone?”
Jun Moyan slowly put the chess pieces back on the board, “Are you done? You can leave now.”
“Fine, if you won’t go, I’ll go by myself.”
After Jiang Mubai left in a huff, Jun Moyan paused, his face turning slightly pale, and a few low coughs escaped his throat.
A dark shadow appeared in the Stone Pavilion like a phantom.
“Master, the medicine.”
Jun Moyan waved his hand, his voice slightly hoarse from coughing, “Pour me a cup of water.”
“Yes.”
After Jun Moyan drank the water, Leng Jian handed him a bamboo tube about the thickness of a chopstick.
Jun Moyan broke the sealing wax on the bamboo tube, took out the note hidden inside, and slowly unfolded it.
“Master, what does the letter say?”
Jun Moyan did not answer, merely handing the note to him.
After reading the information on the note, Leng Jian looked both pleased and worried, “Master, we searched for many years without finding any news about the Medicine Immortal. Now the Medicine Immortal has suddenly appeared, and he is in the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom. Could this be a trap?”
“Whether it is true or false, I will know when I see him. With this broken body, it’s surprising anyone still cares.”
“But, the poison inside you cannot be delayed any longer.”
“What joy is there in living, what suffering is there in dying? All joy, sorrow, and grief return to dust.”
Leng Jian honestly replied, “Master, I don’t understand.”
Jun Moyan scoffed lightly, though his mood seemed to improve slightly.
“Have you found out the identity of the woman the Third Brother brought back to the capital?”
“Not yet, the woman’s identity is very mysterious. However, today that woman went to Mu Manor with three children, using a token from Prince Rui's Mansion.”
Jun Moyan turned his gaze, his eyebrows slightly raised, “Three children?”
“Yes. The woman is beautiful as a flower and looks very young, but she wears the hairstyle of a married woman. She has two sons and one daughter with her, about five or six years old, who call her Mother.”
“The Third Brother has actually become more capable than before.” Jun Moyan turned his head to look at the bright sky, “It’s time for scripture copying. Push me to the Study Room.”
“Yes.”
Leng Jian walked behind Jun Moyan and pushed the wheelchair out of the Stone Pavilion.
“Stop!”
When Mu Yuanlin arrived at the martial arts stage leading his people, he saw his son Mu Shian raising a long saber to strike down at Mu Yan, and his eyelids immediately jumped in shock.
To strike down a five or six-year-old child in front of all the Civil and Military Officials and the Grand Censor, he couldn't imagine how many memorials impeaching him and Mu Shi'an would pile up on the Emperor Dongfeng’s desk tomorrow.
“Shi'an, what are you doing? Get down immediately!”
Seeing Mu Yuanlin appear, Mu Shi'an jumped off the martial arts stage as if he had seen his backbone.
“Father, these two wild boys ran out from somewhere, not only are they arrogant, but they also injured Young Master Fan and a household retainer. I was just about to teach them a good lesson.”
Mu Yuanlin glanced at the people around him and scolded in a voice only the two of them could hear, “What are you going crazy for? Squabbling with a child, and you don't even look at what day it is! Aren't you embarrassed enough?”
“But…”
“No buts. Get back to your courtyard and reflect properly!”
Although Mu Shi'an’s anger had not subsided, he dared not disobey Mu Yuanlin and could only throw down the long saber resentfully and turn to leave.
The Mu Family wanted to settle the matter peacefully, but the brothers Mu Yanli had to agree first.
“Uncle, have you conceded?”
Mu Yuanlin narrowed his eyes, staring sharply at Mu Yanli like a blade, “What did you call him?”
Mu Yanli waved his hand, “That’s not important. If you don't fight, then this match is my win.”
As soon as these words came out, Jun Moyi objected.
If Mu Yanli won, he would be the one paying.