Even at death’s door, Mu Ying still considered Yunnan’s future. Mu Chun was his heir – at this moment he passed on the basic principles of guarding Yunnan for ten years to his eldest son: “Strike those who don’t submit – this is unquestionable. Your fist must be hard for people to listen to you, every word carrying weight. Similarly, don’t strike those who yield. No matter how great the personal grudge, set it aside – all are subjects of the Ming, everyone should value peace. Did you remember?”

At this point, Mu Chun could only nod: “I understand.”

Mu Ying pointed at Mu Sheng: “You must obey your big brother hereafter, just like obeying my orders. You must trust him, respect him, as you would me.”

Mu Sheng was so grieved he couldn’t speak, only nodding.

Mu Ying said to Mu Chun: “I gave you life twice – once at your birth, once yesterday saving you. Besides this, things like paternal love – I never gave you any. Therefore, I need neither your revenge nor your gratitude. You need only remember you’re surnamed Mu, bearing the Mu family’s generational mission of guarding Yunnan.”

Mu Chun had always thought having a father was worse than having none. Now that his father was truly dying, he didn’t feel the anticipated “celebratory” relief. Invisible responsibility weighed on his shoulders. With his biological father dead, he had to continue completing the deep cultivation mission on this land. Mu Chun feigned indifference:

“Things like love – I never gave you any either. We’re even. Don’t speak such dispiriting words. You’re actually quite life-cherishing – to make me immediately deploy troops to help break the siege, yet unable to swallow pride and request help in letters, you deliberately wrote with weak strokes, creating the illusion of serious injury to force my immediate deployment.”

Seen through by his eldest son, Mu Ying smiled faintly: “Among my four sons, you’re the cleverest with the most cunning. Between us, we’re less like father and son, more like enemies. Even requesting rescue requires schemes. For father-son relations to reach this point is my retribution. Back then, your mother… she was a proud great family daughter. And I… as you said, could kneel calling someone father for a bite of food. We weren’t suitable together. If I’d had courage then to resist imperial orders and divorce her, perhaps things would be different.”

Mentioning his mother, Mu Chun showed no good expression. His parents’ tragic marriage made him the greatest victim – unloved by father, uncared for by uncle: “There are no ‘ifs’ – everything already happened. The third good deed you did for me was not arranging a wife for me out of face-saving.”

With that, Mu Chun bowed deeply: “Thank father for the grace of not marrying me off.”

In this era, marriage related to country, politics, and parents – just not to the marrying couple themselves. As father, Mu Ying had the right to do this. Once brought home, whether Mu Chun acknowledged it or not, she’d be Mu Chun’s wife.

Mu Ying weakly waved his hand: “No need to thank me. I actually considered this matter. I even thought when you birth a son like yourself who torments you severely, you’d understand my situation.”

Mu Chun’s gaze gradually chilled.

Mu Ying smiled: “I only thought this when you made me cough blood from anger. I’m busy with military affairs daily – where’s the time to scheme with sons? Whoever you marry in future, if you give any consideration to my birthing grace, just take your wife to my grave, burn incense, and report her name. I still have three sons – future descendants to continue the Mu family mission. That’s what I truly care about. So I didn’t engage in such mutually tormenting household scheming. The Mu family’s tragic marriages… begin with me, end with me.”

With that, Mu Ying departed with a smile.

The Mu family ancestral graves were in Nanjing. Mu Ying’s tomb was long prepared – Mu Chun’s mother Lady Feng died early, with a couple’s joint burial tomb built with same pit but separate chambers. Now they just needed to open the tomb door and carry Mu Ying inside.

After three days of mourning, eldest son Mu Chun escorted the coffin back to the capital while second son Mu Sheng remained guarding Yunnan.

Throughout the journey, whether immigrants or local natives, “all rushed crying to his door, weeping and speaking on the roads.” Ten thousand people saw him off, with scholars composing elegiac poems.

During the coffin escort, a folk song began spreading along the route: “Who is my father? Who is my mother? Without mother where to dwell, without father where to cling? Heaven is dreamy – won’t you pity my poverty?”

Meaning how pitiful I am, losing mother then father – what shall I do in future?

Legend claimed eldest son Mu Chun composed this in grief. Being simple in words and catchy, this folk song quickly spread among common people to commemorate Mu Ying, whom Yunnan people regarded as father.

Actually Mu Chun’s staff ghost-wrote it, using his father’s death to win Yunnan hearts.

All along the route, local officials, appointed officials, and common people paid respects. The funeral procession moved slowly – perfect opportunity for spreading. Mu Chun was previously a “walking Wu region lewd song collection” – he understood folk songs’ vitality. Too few literate people in Yunnan made oral transmission mainstream. Nothing was more brain-washing than folk songs.

Later when people asked if Mu Chun wrote this folk song, he wouldn’t answer, only weeping at his father’s coffin. Seeing this, people along the route all shed tears, singing elegies together.

News of Mu Ying’s death had already reached the capital. Among Emperor Hongwu’s twenty-some sons, none compared to this adopted son. Whether emotionally or practically, this was a great loss. Emperor Hongwu grieved deeply – hearing Mu Ying’s death pained him more than learning of his biological son Prince Lu’s death.

Emperor Hongwu suspended court for one day – Prince Lu’s death hadn’t delayed his court attendance. He personally wrote a memorial text, dispatching Ministry of Rites officials to perform commemorative rites.

Halfway through the funeral procession’s journey, Emperor Hongwu issued another edict posthumously ennobling Mu Ying as non-imperial prince – Prince Qianning, with posthumous title “Zhaojing,” to be buried according to princely protocol.

Note that when biological son Prince Lu died, Emperor Hongwu gave the posthumous title “Huang” – absurd.

One “Zhaojing,” one “Huang” – without comparison there’s no harm.

After Mu Ying’s princely enfeoffment, Mu Chun wrote another folk song: “In the fields and plots, farming and seeding. Only millet and rice, to cook and steam. I have parents, the former prince’s son.”

Meaning having houses and fields, farming and planting, good grain harvests, daily full meals, because I have parents – he is the former prince’s son Little ChunChun!

Prince Qianning Mu Ying’s coffin was escorted by eldest son Mu Chun throughout – Yunnan people all witnessed this. This “former prince’s son” naturally referred to Mu Chun.

This folk song perfectly corresponded with the previous “Who is my father? Who is my mother?” Losing parents without food or clothing, later having parents with fields and grain – these parents being the former prince’s son, Yunnan people found their new backbone.

These two folk songs first spread among immigrants, then quickly became popular folk songs.

Mu Ying’s coffin took three months reaching the capital. In Yunnan, except for mutes, everyone could sing them. Though Mu Chun hadn’t been formally invested as Duke Qianguo, Yunnan already tacitly accepted the power transfer.

Nearly thirty-year-old Mu Chun was no longer the awkward seventeen-year-old saying “Look at this moon – it’s big and round,” nor the reckless eighteen-year-old singing blush-inducing “Zongzi Song” during northern campaigns. He now used folk songs to pave his path.

So what if unfavored? So what if unmarried? He’d settled two and a half million immigrants. With Mu Ying dead, Yunnan’s sky hadn’t fallen. “I have parents, the former prince’s son” sang of Mu Chun.

While Mu Chun used two folk songs to harvest Yunnan hearts, with the immigrant settlement foundation, his reputation soared. The southwestern frontier didn’t experience turmoil due to Mu Ying’s death – the overall situation was sorrowful but not harmful.

Thousands of li away in Yanzhou, Shandong, the Crown Prince’s funeral team completed Prince Lu the Absurd’s burial ceremony. His tomb site was finally set in Zoucheng – later called the Ming Dynasty’s first princely mausoleum, located at the first peak of Jiulong Mountain’s southern ridge, truly the dragon’s head. The tomb site had “left-right protective sand, embracing and guarding, streaming waters, wind-sheltering scenery-gathering, near tables like desks, distant court like ministers” – excellent feng shui, a treasure location benefiting descendants.

The deadly poisoned corpse Prince Lu the Absurd lay in a golden nanmu coffin, wearing dragon robes and jade belt bestowed by Emperor Hongwu, crowned with a small cap, hair arranged in topknot secured with golden crown. Possibly because long-term pill consumption had preservative effects, when archaeologically excavated by Shandong Museum centuries later, Prince Lu the Absurd’s hair topknot hadn’t decayed, remaining “lifelike.”

The golden nanmu coffin bottom was laid with plant ash for moisture-proofing, above which was a wooden board carved with Big Dipper seven-star round holes symbolizing reincarnation and facilitating corpse gas ventilation. Above the board lay bedding, on which were placed twenty-two round-holed “Hongwu Tongbao” gold coins matching his age.

Everyone carefully placed the dressed deadly poisoned corpse into the coffin, laying him on the twenty-two age-matching gold coins, covering with brocade bedding. Finally, Crown Prince Zhu Biao personally covered a four-clawed dragon robe over the bedding.

The Crown Prince took one last look at his brother: “Nail the coffin.”

After the funeral, Prince Lu the Absurd’s coffin was placed in the imperial temple. Zoucheng’s princely mausoleum project was massive, requiring four to five years minimum. The funeral was held first.

Soon came the seventh-seventh soul return day. The Crown Prince held grand water and land ceremonies for Prince Lu the Absurd to transcend his soul. Yanzhou’s imperial temple’s sutra chanting and blessing sounds continued day and night.

After the seventh-seventh, the funeral team completed their mission and would return to the capital. By then spring warmth and blooming flowers brought universal revival. Temple peach blossoms bloomed brilliantly. Hu Shanwei cut several peach blossom branches to offer before Prince Lu the Absurd’s coffin on behalf of Imperial Consort Guo.

The Crown Prince held a beauty kite, throwing it into the brazier to burn for his brother. Seeing Hu Shanwei approaching with peach blossoms: “How does Court Lady Hu know Prince Lu the Absurd liked peach blossoms?”

Hu Shanwei arranged the peach blossoms in a vase: “I’ve read his poetry collection – he most enjoyed writing about peach blossoms, so presumably liked them.”

The Crown Prince sighed: “Tenth brother was innocent and romantic. Every spring he absolutely had to fly kites. As you know, the palace is strictly managed – all doves, Kongming lanterns, kites and other signal-like objects are forbidden, or it violates palace regulations. Every time tenth brother wanted to fly kites, he’d come urge me to ask father emperor and mother empress for special permission to fly kites in the palace.”

Having served in the palace twelve years, Hu Shanwei absolutely didn’t believe in brotherly affection and respect. Though thinking this, she said: “Your Highness the Crown Prince treats all brothers with love. Pity Prince Lu the Absurd lacked fortune, dying so young.”

The Crown Prince approached, withdrawing flower branches from the vase, shortening two peach blossom branches, rearranging them: “Isn’t this better than before?”

Hu Shanwei hastily said: “Your Highness’s skillful hands – this subject is ashamed of inadequacy.”

The Crown Prince clasped hands behind his back, looking left and right: “Flower arrangement emphasizes scattered organization – high and low creating pleasing views. The highest flower branch is always singular. If all similar height, even if a vase full of immortal realm rare flowers wouldn’t look good.”

Hu Shanwei pondered the deep meaning of the Crown Prince’s words, deliberately pretending not to understand: “Your Highness’s profound insights – this subject gained knowledge today.”

Seeing her respectful attitude, the Crown Prince said: “Feels somewhat sparse – gather more.”

Hu Shanwei said: “This subject will go immediately.”

The Crown Prince said: “I’ll go with you – get another vase to make a pair of peach blossom arrangements.”

Hu Shanwei said: “Wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince said: “Court Lady Hu is Imperial Consort’s favored person – I also wouldn’t dare trouble Court Lady Hu to cut peach blossoms for me.”

Thus they went to the peach blossom grove. The Crown Prince actively chatted with her: “I remember first meeting Court Lady Hu during discussions about Consort Chengmu Lady Sun’s funeral specifications. You argued reasonably, proposing ‘parents equally honored.’ Father emperor issued the ‘Record of Filial Loving-kindness,’ changing filial system. Then I was unconvinced, accusing you of being a sycophantic minister. Later when I sought clemency for teacher Song Lian, father emperor raged. You bore no grudges, hiding my painted ‘Carrying Son Picture’ on your person. When father emperor beat me, seeing the picture of Empress Xiaoci carrying young me while fleeing on horseback, his anger subsided. I still owe you a favor for this.”

Hu Shanwei modestly said: “Not because of this subject – His Majesty respects Empress Xiaoci.”

“You’re intelligent,” the Crown Prince stopped walking. “You know how to assess situations and act accordingly. So in twelve palace years, you’ve been smooth sailing. Repeatedly pushed to storm centers, you always stand in the right direction, promoted fastest. When the consort becomes empress, you’ll definitely be promoted to fifth-rank Palace Supervisor, becoming head of court ladies.”

Hearing this, Hu Shanwei grew increasingly alarmed: “This subject dares not accept this – only strives to do duties well.”

“Is that really all?” The Crown Prince suddenly changed topics. “Then why did you rack your brains investigating Prince Lu the Absurd’s death? Prince Lu the Absurd was imperial family, under my Imperial Clan Court jurisdiction. As big brother, hearing shocking news, I also couldn’t believe it was true. How could I let brother suffer injustice?”

“Therefore, before preparing the remains, I also had people examine Prince Lu the Absurd’s body. Indeed caused by swallowing immortal pills, dying from arsenic poisoning in the pills, bleeding from seven orifices – the most common death for pill-takers. What doubts do you have? You even brought Ru Siyao, who left the palace nine years ago. She stayed two nights at Prince Lu’s palace before leaving.”

“Same result as Your Highness’s – death by pill poison.” Hu Shanwei thought this was also truth, not deceiving the Crown Prince. Clearly Princess Lu managed the palace’s inner quarters strictly – the Crown Prince didn’t know what they’d discovered, but Yanzhou city had the Crown Prince’s informants who clearly tracked Ru Siyao’s movements.

The Crown Prince asked again: “You knew it fell under Imperial Clan Court jurisdiction, yet still interfered. Did Imperial Consort instruct you?”

Hu Shanwei paused: “This subject acted independently, wanting to understand more details of Prince Lu the Absurd’s death for future reporting to Her Majesty. This subject’s twelve-year smooth career path relied on having more courage and carefulness than others, handling matters beautifully to earn appreciation.”

The Crown Prince coldly smiled: “Not so simple. What remarkable results did you discover that frightened Ru Siyao into requesting forty-plus bodyguards to escort her back to Prince Zhou’s palace in Kaifeng?”