Feeding the deer was a coincidence—Hu Shanwei didn’t possess supernatural foresight, and certainly wouldn’t dare plant spies around the Hongwu Emperor. She simply fed this increasingly lazy and greedy deer herd every morning and evening.

However, later playing the flute to summon the green peacocks home was deliberate. She had to seize the opportunity to let the Hongwu Emperor know she was working hard to care for these animals.

Having demonstrated keen judgment in recommending the southern drama “Tale of the Lute,” capable of changing national mourning customs to honor both parents equally, and able to raise two thousand deer to be fat and healthy—when the Hongwu Emperor saw the green phoenixes returning to roost like tired birds, with sunset’s afterglow casting a dreamlike halo over each feather, even his usually stern gaze softened.

On Empress Xiaoci’s fifty-first birthday, as she lay dying, the last sight of her life was this beautiful scene of phoenixes flying together with lustrous feathers—it must have been a comfort.

They say when basic needs are met, other thoughts arise—the same applies to deer. After watching the tired birds return to roost and bathe their feathers by the lake, the Hongwu Emperor noticed many new fawn had joined the herd, with their wet, large eyes looking utterly adorable. He dismounted his carriage and broke apart bean cakes from bamboo baskets to feed the young deer.

The deer herd were the Xiaoling Mausoleum’s “sacred creatures”—no one dared hunt them. Especially the newborn fawn, who weren’t afraid of humans at all. On the contrary, seeing people, they would actively approach seeking food. After eating, they wouldn’t leave but continued begging for more. The Hongwu Emperor was soon surrounded by deer, unable to feed them fast enough. Mao Qiang and the Imperial Guards helped feed the deer.

One young deer licked bean cake from Ji Gang’s palm, still wanting more, stretching its long neck to lick Ji Gang’s handsome face.

“Ugh, what a rogue deer,” Ji Gang quickly changed from squatting to standing. But this rogue deer’s head was now level with his waist and hips, stretching its neck to lick bean cake crumbs from his belt, nearly touching unspeakable parts.

Just as you must consider the master before beating a dog, the same applied to beating deer.

The Xiaoling Mausoleum’s deer couldn’t be beaten or scolded. Ji Gang simply fled to horseback.

The basket of bean cakes was quickly distributed. More and more young deer gathered, and even thoughtless adult deer pushed over for a share, their movements so rough they knocked the young deer about.

Seeing the antlers atop the adult deer’s heads, Mao Qiang sensed danger and ordered the Imperial Guards to escort the Hongwu Emperor to his carriage. At this moment, Hu Shanwei rode over to “rescue the emperor,” placing her fingers to her lips and whistling sharply. The deer herd immediately dispersed, returning to grass shelters in the forest.

“You, show me around the Xiaoling Mausoleum,” the Hongwu Emperor pointed at Hu Shanwei.

Though June weather was hot, Mount Zhong remained relatively cool. Hu Shanwei first led the Hongwu Emperor to visit the phoenix nest by the pond. “…These birds prefer roosting in shaded places near water. When autumn frost comes, they must be moved to the year-round warm greenhouses in the traveling palace, or they’ll freeze to death.”

The Hongwu Emperor examined the empty nest critically. “The deer herd produced so many young deer—why haven’t the phoenixes hatched young phoenixes? Is this due to your inadequate care?”

Hu Shanwei replied calmly, “Because both of these are male phoenixes—male phoenix feathers are more beautiful.”

Hearing this, Ji Gang smiled, but Mao Qiang’s cold glance made him quickly suppress it.

The Hongwu Emperor cleared his throat. “Have Madam Mingde send another pair of female phoenixes for yin-yang harmony to produce young phoenixes.”

Sending wives across a thousand li—the Hongwu Emperor was breaking his heart over this bachelor phoenix pair.

Hu Shanwei said, “This commoner woman holds no official position. Without proper status, I dare not request phoenixes from Madam Mingde.”

A year ago she had been laid off, no longer a sixth-rank Director of Palace Attendants, now just an animal keeper calling herself a “commoner woman.”

The Hongwu Emperor narrowed his eyes. “Are you asking me for an official position?”

Yes, that was exactly Hu Shanwei’s plan. She felt rather than returning to court through Consort Guo Ning’s influence, she’d prefer finding her own path back through the Hongwu Emperor—that would be legitimate.

Because the Hongwu Emperor was the emperor, while Consort Guo Ning wasn’t yet the proper mistress of the harem.

She didn’t want to owe Consort Guo Ning favors.

Though thinking this, she said, “This commoner woman dares not seek office. I simply feel that as a commoner requesting phoenixes from a third-rank court official would show disrespect to Madam Mingde. Perhaps having Ministry of Rites officials handle this would be more appropriate. Now that Lady She Xiang and Madam Mingde are joining forces to cut through mountains and build roads, accomplishing great works for eternity—how dare this commoner woman presume?”

The Hongwu Emperor smiled coldly. “Your little schemes can’t fool me. I won’t indulge your wishes—this matter doesn’t need your involvement. Mao Qiang, when Mu Chun returns triumphant to court, have him bring back two female phoenixes to the capital.”

After speaking, the Hongwu Emperor went to the main hall to burn incense at Empress Xiaoci’s memorial tablet.

Ji Gang remained to console Hu Shanwei. “Don’t mind His Majesty’s cold words—his brow is relaxed, meaning he’s actually quite satisfied with you. Moreover, His Majesty values old relationships. When Consort Guo Ning quarreled with Director Cao, His Majesty advised Consort Ning to step back, showing great trust in Empress Xiaoci’s former associates. You’ll return to the palace eventually.”

Hu Shanwei looked at the sunset. Did the sun set in the east today? Ji Gang actually remembered to bring his brain when going out.

Having spent less than a year at the Xiaoling Mausoleum, Hu Shanwei wasn’t optimistic about immediate success—it was enough that the Hongwu Emperor remembered her merits.

However, Hu Shanwei’s heart now shone like the evening glow as she asked Ji Gang, “Is Mu Chun really coming back?”

The last letter hadn’t mentioned returning.

On the first day of the third month this year, with Yunnan pacified and the Southern Expedition victorious, the Hongwu Emperor formally issued edicts commanding Southern Expedition General Marquis Yingchuan Fu Youde and Left Deputy General Marquis Yongchang Lan Yu to return to court, while simultaneously ordering Marquis Xiping Mu Ying to garrison Yunnan.

Based on last year’s situation in Yunnan with constant uprisings, pacification and rebellion in endless cycles, the Hongwu Emperor believed “though Yunnan is pacified, the various barbarian hearts still harbor disloyalty. When the great army returns, they might instigate troubles. You remain to garrison and pacify—when summoned, you shall return.”

Thus two of the three Southern Expedition commanders returned, leaving the most capable Mu Ying to garrison Yunnan against renewed internal rebellion. Once Yunnan’s situation completely stabilized, Mu Ying would be recalled to the capital.

Though Mu Ying missed his adoptive mother Empress Xiaoci and wanted to cry at the Xiaoling Mausoleum like Director Cao, duty and filial piety rarely aligned perfectly. For Yunnan’s peace, Mu Ying could only bear the pain of remaining in Yunnan, waiting to pay respects to Empress Xiaoci later.

However, neither the Hongwu Emperor nor Mu Ying anticipated that Mu Ying’s garrison duty wouldn’t be temporary—Mu Ying himself, even his descendants for over ten generations of the Mu family, would garrison this eternally spring-like land, protecting the Great Ming’s southwestern gateway with blood and wisdom through the generations, until they perished together with the Ming Dynasty over three hundred years later.

From the first generation Mu Ying through the eleventh generation Mu Tianbo. Mu Ying was a founding Ming general with illustrious military achievements.

Over three hundred years later, Mu Tianbo accompanied the last emperor of the Ming Southern Court, Emperor Yongli, in exile to Burma. The new Burmese king deceived them into a sworn alliance ceremony, but it was a trap—the Burmese king intended to capture them all and present them to the Qing Dynasty.

In despair, Mu Tianbo seized a blade, killed nine men, and died for his country. With the Cursed Water Incident, the Ming Dynasty was completely destroyed. The Mu family fulfilled ancestor Mu Ying’s promise, defending the Zhu imperial house to the very end.

Some praised the Mu family’s complete loyalty, keeping promises worth their weight in gold. Others condemned their foolish loyalty, saying dying for a corrupt, declining dynasty wasn’t worthwhile.

After another three hundred years, martial arts novelist Jin Yong married Mu Ying’s twelfth-generation descendant Mu Jianping to the mischievous protagonist Wei Xiaobao in his final work “The Deer and the Cauldron,” making her one of his seven wives. Mu Jianping shared one husband with six other women—truly “how many affairs of past and present have become mere topics of laughter.”

Of course, this is all future history. The immediate result of ordering Mu Ying to garrison Yunnan disappointed Mu Chun, who had expected to return triumphant with the army’s end and reunite with Sister Shanwei.

Mu Chun expressed regret in his letter to Hu Shanwei, never expecting the Hongwu Emperor’s visit to the Xiaoling Mausoleum would bring her such a surprise.

Hu Shanwei could hardly believe her ears, seeking confirmation from Ji Gang. Being straightforward, Ji Gang said, “This Southern Expedition was a great victory. Father and son Mu Ying and Mu Chun performed excellently—His Majesty will surely reward them heavily. The Mu family has everything now, but what do they still lack? They lack a legitimate heir. His Majesty summoning Mu Chun back is likely to enfeoff him as Marquis Xiping’s heir apparent. Moreover…”

Ji Gang pointed toward the main hall enshrining Empress Xiaoci. “Enfeoffing Mu Chun as heir apparent was also her wish—His Majesty will certainly fulfill it.”

Empress Xiaoci cherished Mu Chun but was powerless regarding the father-son estrangement between Mu Ying and Mu Chun. After Mu Ying repeatedly declined to request enfeoffment for Mu Chun, Empress Xiaoci understood she shouldn’t interfere with Mu Ying’s decisions. Having previously arranged Mu Ying’s marriage by selecting Miss Feng as his wife, resulting in a tragic marriage, Empress Xiaoci realized forced melons aren’t sweet and simply stopped mentioning the matter.

The Hongwu Emperor had Mu Chun’s uncle Feng Cheng take over as Guizhou Regional Military Commissioner. After the nephew transferred military authority to his uncle, Feng Cheng said something unprecedented: “Your father… is indeed a lustful, concubine-favoring, wife-neglecting bastard who ignores his legitimate eldest son, but he’s a good soldier. He set aside past grievances to help me break the Kunming siege—I won’t attack him anymore.”

Mu Chun looked out the window to see if today the sun rose in the west. “Uncle, were you bought off by my bastard father just like that?”

Feng Cheng waved his hand. “Am I that kind of person? I simply won’t constantly embarrass him anymore—after all, he saved me. Of course, if he repeats his old tricks and causes you trouble, I won’t sit idly by.”

Because the Feng family also had face and couldn’t be bullied by the Mu family. In any case, Feng Cheng’s evaluation of Mu Ying had nothing to do with Mu Chun.

Mu Chun had grown accustomed to being unloved by his father and uncle. That Feng Cheng brought him on the Southern Expedition, creating opportunities for merit, already satisfied him greatly. He cupped his hands. “Thank you for uncle’s assistance.”

Feng Cheng patted his shoulder. “With Empress Xiaoci’s death, you lost a major backer. You’re twenty years old now, no longer young—you should find a marriage of equal status to support your future. In this Southern Expedition, your brother Mu Sheng performed excellently, always following Mu Ying closely. I fought alongside Mu Sheng—honestly, Mu Ying’s favoritism toward your brother has reason. He’s an excellent young general, silent and steady-natured, without your frivolous, careless bad habits… you should understand this yourself, clear?”

Truly an uncle—every word perfectly hit Mu Chun’s sore spots, each sentence what Mu Chun least wanted to hear.

Mu Chun’s temper flared, asking knowingly, “Understand what, uncle?”

Mu Chun wasn’t stupid. Managing to control Guizhou for a year and maintaining good relations with Lady She Xiang and Madam Mingde proved he had talent not only militarily but also administratively. For someone barely twenty, this was genius-level achievement.

How could he not understand? He was clearly speaking sarcastically!

Feng Cheng now completely understood why Mu Ying always looked ready to strangle this son and spit blood whenever he mentioned Mu Chun.

Because Feng Cheng now wore the exact same expression as Mu Ying.

“You, you, you…” Feng Cheng pointed at Mu Chun. “I’m kindly reminding you, yet you find me troublesome. Fine—from now on, if I interfere in your affairs, I’ll call you uncle!”

Thus uncle and nephew, having endured Southern Expedition hardships together, parted unhappily after their victorious reunion.

Mu Chun felt thoroughly miserable, repeatedly reading Hu Shanwei’s reply letter and the fan inscribed with the poem “Eating Crabs and Drinking Chrysanthemum Wine at a Hangzhou Wine House with Jingchun on July 20th” until his mood gradually improved. Life is truly fucking difficult—fortunately I have Sister Shanwei accompanying me.

When Mu Chun was transferring military authority and bidding farewell to Lady She Xiang, Madam Mingde, and other local chieftains, an urgent three-hundred-li express message arrived from the capital.

Mu Chun was startled, thinking the Hongwu Emperor had changed his mind about keeping him here. Opening it, he found the emperor wanted him to request two green peacocks from Madam Mingde, specifically noting two female peacocks.

A trivial matter—Mu Chun sighed in relief and sought out Madam Mingde. She readily agreed, repeatedly confirming: “…truly no male green peacocks needed? The males have prettier plumage.”

No matter how pretty, they couldn’t lay eggs. Mu Chun said, “Females, thank you.”

Thus Mu Chun returned to the capital with two female green peacocks, traveling day and night to reach Nanjing before the first day of the eighth month, arriving before Empress Xiaoci’s first anniversary memorial.

First he entered the palace for imperial audience, reporting Guizhou’s situation to the Hongwu Emperor, who nodded approvingly. “You did well in Guizhou. After Empress Xiaoci’s anniversary memorial, I’ll enfeoff you as Marquis Xiping’s heir apparent.”

Mu Chun was stunned—the heir apparent position came too suddenly.

The Hongwu Emperor handed him a memorial. “Read it yourself.”

Opening it, Mu Chun found his father, Marquis Xiping Mu Ying, had submitted a petition to the Ministry of Rites requesting enfeoffment for him! It stated Mu Chun was the legitimate eldest son, had repeatedly achieved military merit, was filial to parents, and loved his brothers, etc.

Mu Chun couldn’t help looking out the window again: Had the sun been rising in the west lately? Why had both uncle Feng Cheng’s and father Mu Ying’s attitudes toward him completely reversed, as if their souls had been swapped?

Mu Chun was bewildered, confused, yet still dined with the Hongwu Emperor. Afterward, Mu Chun requested leave to cry for Empress Xiaoci at the Xiaoling Mausoleum.

Knowing Mu Chun and his wife shared a grandmother-grandson relationship, the Hongwu Emperor was also moved. “Go. When I stayed overnight at the Xiaoling Mausoleum in June, I dreamed of Empress Xiaoci. In the dream, I didn’t know of life and death—it was like former times talking with her. Vaguely it seemed we discussed you, but regrettably, deep feelings make short dreams, and upon waking I couldn’t remember clearly. Oh, and deliver those female phoenixes Madam Mingde sent to the Xiaoling Mausoleum animal keeper—have her care for them properly.”

From now on yin and yang would be harmonized, male and female paired in flight—the Hongwu Emperor was still waiting to hold phoenix eggs.

Mu Chun arrived at the Xiaoling Mausoleum carrying the pair of female green peacocks, encountering the scene of animal keeper Hu Shanwei riding and running while feeding the deer herd in the sunset.

Mu Chun spurred his horse forward, riding against the deer toward their reunion.

Hu Shanwei saw someone approaching against the light from afar, her heart pounding. She couldn’t see his features clearly, but she sensed it was him.

Hu Shanwei pulled the reins, stopping her horse in place. Mu Chun rode up to face her. “Sister Shanwei, I’m back.”

Since their parting in Guizhou, over a year had passed.

Hu Shanwei didn’t know what to say. The deer herd surrounded them both, their antlers like blooming plum trees.