In the first half of his life, Mu Chun had fought wars in Yunnan, worked on immigration projects and infrastructure construction, exhausting himself to repay the Mu family’s debt of birth and upbringing in exchange for freedom in the second half of his life.
Having finally broken free from his family, Mu Chun didn’t want to get entangled with the Mu family again. Except for protecting Yunnan’s borders, which required cooperation with Mu Sheng and Mu Ang at the Kunming Mu residence, Mu Chun had completely severed ties with the Nanjing Mu residence. Though they were neighbors, they had no contact until death.
Mu Chun’s impression of fourth brother Mu Xin remained stuck on childhood scenes of him eating his own snot, so he felt no affection for him, unlike his wartime camaraderie with Mu Sheng and Mu Ang from fighting together and defending Yunnan.
However, since Mu Xin was now Emperor Yongle’s son-in-law and quite favored, Mu Chun couldn’t be too harsh with his fourth brother. “My identity is classified. Regarding today’s events, pretend you saw nothing.”
Mu Xin bowed. “Little brother greets big brother. Big brother, little brother dares to disturb your peace today for an important matter that requires discussion.”
“What matter?”
Mu Xin said, “Naturally, a marriage matter.”
Mu Chun looked over his fourth brother. “Are you remarrying? Which family’s daughter? Has His Majesty nodded approval?”
Mu Xin had married Emperor Yongle’s youngest daughter, Princess Changning, but unfortunately the princess died young, leaving Mu Xin widowed at a young age.
Mu Xin shook his head. “Of course not. If I remarry, I’d lose my Prince Consort status and all associated honors would be withdrawn. I’ve long decided never to remarry in this lifetime. I’m talking about the next generation’s marriage.”
Mu Chun said, “I don’t manage Mu family affairs. You married the eldest daughter to Prince Zhao and formed an alliance with the Duke Yingguo residence—these are your own business, nothing to do with me.”
Mu Xin moved closer. “Big brother, as a father, do I need to remind you? Your eldest daughter is fifteen this year and still not betrothed. If you delay further and miss her flowering season, you as a father would be irresponsible.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Chun’s fury ignited. He grabbed Mu Xin by the collar and lifted him until his feet left the ground. “I warn you—stay away from my daughter. My daughter’s surname is Hu and has no relationship with the Mu family. Stop scheming about her.”
Mu Xin clutched his throat, his face turning red. “She’s the eldest young lady of our Mu family’s main branch with noble bloodline. In this capital, besides princesses, there’s only her. But because of your secret marriage with Palace Superintendent Hu, she had to be registered under a commoner Hu who bought his official position, making her status similar to any ordinary civilian woman. With such origins, how can she find a good husband in the future? Would you bear to see her marry some crude mountain man? As her uncle, I must find ways to elevate her status and find her a good family so she can enjoy wealth and honor forever.”
Mu Chun nearly laughed with anger and released his fourth brother. “Don’t play dumb with me. In the capital’s world of fame and fortune, which family doesn’t have complex relationships and scheming? I don’t want her to marry into so-called noble families. I myself am nobility—mother was a duke’s eldest legitimate daughter who married a marquis. Isn’t that noble and prestigious enough? What was the result?”
Mu Chun pointed at the cold tombstone before them. “My mother punished a pregnant maid until she miscarried. From then on, my father treated my mother like a stranger. My mother died of depression less than a month after giving birth to me. My maternal uncle would beat and curse my father whenever he saw him. My father, unable to retaliate against his brother-in-law, would come home and take out his anger on me, his son. My greatest pleasure growing up was figuring out how to infuriate my father—such a vicious cycle. Is this interesting?”
“I finally managed to escape this so-called family responsibility through my own abilities, and even two generations of emperors allowed it. Would I throw my own daughter back into that? Get lost quickly. If I see you again or you dare approach my daughter, I won’t care about brotherly feelings and will beat you every time I see you.”
Mu Xin was different from Mu Chun. Mu Xin had never suffered much hardship growing up—only eating snot a few times when he was ignorant. His mother Yan was of humble birth, but his life had been smooth sailing, rising steadily, all because his surname was “Mu.” Therefore, Mu Xin had a natural sense of responsibility to protect Mu family members. Though he had become a Prince Consort and moved out of the Mu residence, whenever the Mu residence had problems, he would immediately return home to help.
Mu Xin refused to leave and said fearlessly, “Princess Changning and I have no children. I can adopt A’Lei as my foster daughter and petition His Majesty to grant her county princess status. Then she’d be worthy of any man.”
The Mu residence prioritized family status and position in marriages, not the person. The Mu eldest daughter married Prince Zhao, and the Mu residence heir Mu Bin married Duke Yingguo’s eldest legitimate daughter Madam Zhang. Unfortunately, Madam Zhang was in poor health and died of illness shortly after marriage. The Mu residence then formed another alliance with Duke Weiguo’s Xu family—previously, a Mu family daughter had married Duke Weiguo’s second son Xu Zengshou, and now they arranged for the third generation Duke Weiguo Xu Qin’s daughter to marry Mu Bin after his year of mourning.
According to the Mu residence’s consistent mate selection standards, Mu Xin, who had married a princess, would at least secure A’Lei a position as the wife of a duke or marquis heir.
When the tiger doesn’t show its might, do people think it’s a sick cat? Mu Chun had once been known as the “Devil Incarnate.” He kicked Mu Xin away. “Who says my daughter must marry? If she wants to marry, she’ll marry; if not, she won’t. Shanwei and I have sacrificed half our lives to give her marriage freedom—this is what we wanted when young but couldn’t have. Besides, does marriage necessarily mean marrying out? I don’t care about my son-in-law’s background. Taking him into the family is also fine. As long as he can connect with A’Lei’s heart and share her interests, regardless of birth, we’ll bless her.”
This kick was truly powerful. Mu Xin couldn’t stand up for a long time and could only watch Mu Chun leave with a flourish of his sleeves.
Mu Chun returned home to find Hu Shanwei had kept dinner waiting to eat together, knowing where he had gone.
Seeing only two bowls set on the table, Mu Chun asked, “Where’s A’Lei?” He worried his daughter had been kidnapped by Mu Xin.
Hu Shanwei ladled soup for him. “His Majesty summoned A’Lei to the palace today to help repair a clock. She hurriedly ate a few bites of dinner and dove into her small workshop.”
Mu Chun was now paranoid, always feeling someone wanted to abduct his daughter. “Doesn’t the palace keep several Western missionaries specifically for repairing clocks? Why specifically summon A’Lei to the palace?”
Hu Shanwei said, “Because that wooden ox clock was made by your precious daughter personally. It’s even more exquisite than your wooden ship clock that opens at scheduled times. She went to her workshop and dug out all the old blueprints, spreading them across several tables, forbidding anyone to touch them.”
Hearing this, Mu Chun still felt uneasy and ate without appetite. Hu Shanwei thought his low mood was due to today being his mother’s death anniversary, so she didn’t ask further questions. Noticing he hadn’t eaten enough, she instructed servants to prepare a midnight snack in case he got hungry later.
Since losing two ribs last year, breaking his right arm, and barely escaping death, Mu Chun’s vitality had been greatly damaged, making Hu Shanwei worry about his health.
After dinner, Hu Shanwei and Mu Chun strolled in their garden. The April rose trellises were covered with flowers, almost hiding the green leaves. Mu Chun picked one and pinned it in his wife’s hair.
Time is a butcher’s knife with snobbish eyes. If you maintain yourself well, whether single or married, can find happiness, and have a career that brings dignity, achievement, and good income, then this butcher’s knife will treat you gently—even the wrinkles it carves are beautiful waves. When the knife falls, it’s not disfigurement but cosmetic surgery.
Conversely, if family life has worn you into a haggard housewife, you deceive yourself, muddle through, feel unwilling but helpless, too lazy to change, then this butcher’s knife will be especially cruel to you—not only destroying your appearance and figure but also crushing your confidence, leaving you lifeless, full of resentment, living like a walking corpse.
Hu Shanwei was the former type. The butcher’s knife dared not provoke Palace Superintendent Hu—when she displayed her might, even emperors would be overwhelmed.
Calculating carefully, she was forty-five this year but still looked like she was in her early thirties, without a single gray hair. If well-dressed, people would believe she was in her twenties. The confidence and composure radiating from her demeanor meant that even when truly aged, she would be a beautiful elderly lady.
How is my wife so perfect!
Mu Chun gazed intently at Hu Shanwei, thinking that choosing a spouse was truly important. He chose to retreat bravely from the rapids, becoming the man hidden behind Hu Shanwei without complaint or regret. Having suffered too much in his previous life made his current life correspondingly sweet—he had achieved everything in career, love, and marriage.
Like flowers and beautiful companions, like flowing water and fleeting years.
Hu Shanwei’s face grew warm under his gaze. “Stop always staring at me. Do I have honey on my face?”
Mu Chun pointed at the garden full of colorful flowers. “What else should I look at? Nothing here is more beautiful than you.”
They were an old married couple, and such corny sweet talk came naturally.
However, no matter how corny Mu Chun’s words were, Hu Shanwei found them very pleasing and once again thanked Imperial Physician Ru and Imperial Physician Tan for their medical skills in saving Mu Chun’s life.
The couple walked hand in hand to A’Lei’s small workshop, which was brightly lit like daylight. However, the Spring-Wei couple still frowned and pushed open the door, saying in unison, “No using your eyes at night—do you still want them?”
A’Lei used Emperor Yongle as her shield. “His Majesty wants me to repair the wooden ox clock quickly.”
Mu Chun felt sorry for his daughter. “Nothing is more important than your health. Go rest now. Dawn comes early—you can get up early tomorrow to repair the clock.”
Hu Shanwei said, “Being late by ten days or half a month is no problem. I’ll explain to His Majesty for you.”
She wasn’t a Palace Superintendent of three reigns for nothing.
A’Lei reluctantly put down her magnifying glass, repeatedly checked that the windows were properly closed, and was forcibly escorted by Spring-Wei and stuffed into her bedroom.
Mu Chun was moved to emotion and sighed, “Alas, we’re so much older than her. We can supervise her for now but can’t accompany her for life. Who will care for and protect her in the future?”
Hu Shanwei wasn’t worried. “Many skills don’t weigh one down. Just her clock-repairing and clock-making skills alone can support her and let her live comfortably. Even if she does nothing, our inheritance alone would be enough for her to live well for several lifetimes.”
A’Lei was fortunate, achieving financial and marriage freedom early—she just couldn’t use her eyes at night.
Mu Chun said, “That’s not what I mean. I’m thinking that at fifteen, she should be at the age when romantic feelings first bloom. Girls her age are either discussing marriage prospects or getting married. Though we give her marriage freedom, she shows no interest in this. Is she simply unaware, or hasn’t she met someone she likes?”
Hu Shanwei recalled her own pure but deeply etched first love with Wang Ning at this age. “Liking someone should be visible. From what I can see currently, she only likes those cold gears.”
“Liking gears is good—I’m just afraid she’ll like bad men.” Mu Chun’s thinking was progressive. His daughter could even like AI robots for all he cared, but if someone tried to harm his daughter, the thought made him shudder.
Mu Chun recounted today’s harassment by Mu Xin at Guanyin Mountain. Hu Shanwei was even more furious than Mu Chun. “I felt something was wrong with you today—turns out the Mu family reached their hands into our home! A’Lei has my surname Hu, is a Hu family member, has parents—what foster father does she need to acknowledge?”
“What elevating status and granting county princess titles—I, Hu Shanwei, have seen plenty of high-status people, and they’re just so-so! Even His Majesty and the Empress aren’t happy. Who in this world has higher status than the imperial couple? A lifetime of happiness and freedom is more important than anything. I don’t want to see A’Lei gain status only to suffer.”
Hu Shanwei was swift and decisive, immediately going to the Prince Consort residence to confront Mu Xin, cursing him thoroughly and warning him not to overstep boundaries. “…A’Lei is my daughter with my surname Hu. Whoever dares touch her, I’ll chop off their hands.”
Hu Shanwei pointed her fingers like a blade and made a chopping motion. Mu Chun followed his wife’s lead, also making a chopping gesture with force like wind. “We’ll chop together. When the time comes, I won’t care about brotherly feelings.”
Mu Xin, accustomed to the composed and elegant Palace Superintendent Hu, had never seen Hu Shanwei’s fierce side. She was like a tigress descending the mountain. He stammered incoherently, “I never dared presume to adopt A’Lei as foster daughter. I had good intentions.”
“Take it out and let me see—are they good intentions or a heart blinded by pig fat?” Hu Shanwei drew a self-defense dagger and gestured at his chest, forcing Mu Xin to imitate Bigan and cut out his heart on the spot. Joking aside, she dared confront emperors and even subvert imperial power and change dynasties—why would she fear a mere Prince Consort?
Mu Xin capitulated and immediately knelt on one knee. “Sister-in-law! I dare not! I truly dare not anymore! Please forgive me, big brother and sister-in-law!”
The disturbance temporarily subsided.
In June, A’Lei finished repairing the wooden ox clock and presented it to Emperor Yongle.
Emperor Yongle was very satisfied and, after generous rewards, made another request. “I heard you gave Mu Chun a wooden ship clock that opens and sails?”
A’Lei had an ominous feeling. “Yes, it opens every two hours and circles in the water.”
Emperor Yongle pressed his advantage, assigning her a new task. “Make me a similar one—a wooden ship clock that, like the wooden ox, pops out a pair of little figures at each hour.”
Making clocks was just a hobby for A’Lei, not her main profession, so she hesitated.
Emperor Yongle offered a reward. “Eunuch Zheng He’s return from the Western Oceans—he’ll be back in July. Then you can go to Liujiagang Wharf and board the great sea ships. Whatever you want, I’ll give you. How about it?”
“Really?” A’Lei was overjoyed. “I’ve heard those sailors and boatmen say women can’t board ships, or it’s unlucky and will cause sea storms.”
Emperor Yongle was the only vassal prince in history to successfully usurp the throne and didn’t stick to conventions or superstitions. “That’s nonsense from those who bind themselves and draw their own prisons. You’re clever and daring in thought and action—don’t mind those fools’ rumors. I heard from Eunuch Zheng He that many foreign countries have queens, and queens board warships to review navies or celebrate new ship launches. Foreign great ships all have female sea goddesses at their prows to bless safe voyages—these rumors collapse on their own.”
A’Lei nodded repeatedly. “Good, this commoner woman agrees to serve Your Majesty.”