In the northwest, on a snowy night, someone had set up an altar. The person lit three sticks of incense while an elder handed over a black box. Opening the box revealed several charred bone fragments.
The person threw the bones into a brazier burning paper money: “My beloved consort, today is your death anniversary. I have avenged you.”
Caught red-handed with evidence.
Ji Gang waved his hand, ordering the Jinyiwei hidden in the shadows to surround this person and the elder: “Zhu Shuren, sheep are so lovely—valuable from head to toe. When did they ever offend you?”
The person was shocked and turned around—it was none other than Prince Qin, reduced to commoner status. The memorial tablet on the altar bore the name “Beloved Consort Deng Shi”—last year’s Consort Deng who supposedly died by “shameful suicide” but was actually executed by Mao Qiang and Ji Gang.
Prince Qin had committed such unconscionable acts, even trying to drag his sister Princess Huaiqing into this, using her as a weapon for murder. Princess Huaiqing was pregnant, yet for revenge, he was willing to let his sister die with her unborn child. Not only was he cruel to Hu Shanwei, he showed no mercy even to his own family.
Receiving Ji Gang’s intelligence, the Hongwu Emperor completely gave up on this son. Disregarding even blood relations—what a rebellious son!
If the scandal became public, Empress Ma as legitimate mother would again have to remove her hairpins and await punishment while pleading for Prince Qin. Since Noble Consort Chengmu’s death, Empress Ma’s health and spirits had declined daily—she couldn’t endure more distress.
Therefore, the Hongwu Emperor suppressed this matter, concealing it from Empress Ma, and required Hu Shanwei to cooperate in the charade, making the fake real by pretending to have been in a carriage accident with broken ribs, recuperating at the imperial hot spring villa.
In the end, the Hongwu Emperor disposed of all Prince Qin’s attendants and placed him under house arrest in their hometown Fengyang, giving him a few acres of farmland with farming tools and seeds, requiring Prince Qin to be self-sufficient and fend for himself, experiencing the hardships of the Hongwu Emperor’s early life as a rural farmer, starting from nothing.
Hu Shanwei wasn’t surprised by this outcome. Someone who could cut out Siyan Liu’s tongue and trick Princess Qin into eating it, forcing the princess into lifelong silence and mental breakdown, treated human lives like ants underfoot. What familial affection could such a person have toward siblings?
Besides, they weren’t even from the same mother.
The Hongwu Emperor couldn’t kill his own son. Now that Prince Qin’s claws were clipped and he was confined to farming in Fengyang, Hu Shanwei’s safety should be guaranteed for a considerable time.
The “defection from darkness to light” by young palace maid Haitang and Princess Huaiqing’s “understanding of righteousness” weren’t surprising either, since those raised in the palace, constantly exposed to imperial power’s might, would find it hard to trust promises from unknown outsiders.
The only thing that surprised Hu Shanwei was that Shangong Cao actually requested imperial permission to leave the palace to see her!
Haitang grabbed a handful of snow and applied it to Hu Shanwei’s face, making her healthy, rosy complexion pale and stiff. She also placed a bowl of medicinal broth on the bedside table, filling the bedroom with herbal fragrance.
Following the principle of “the more you say, the more mistakes you make,” Hu Shanwei simply pretended to be unconscious, planning to “awaken” after Shangong Cao left.
Who knew Shangong Cao also didn’t follow conventional paths? Seeing the unconscious person on the sickbed, she actually lifted the blankets and reached out to touch her chest… no, to feel her ribs.
The result was naturally that apart from two small white rabbits, there was nothing there.
Seeing the deception wouldn’t work, Hu Shanwei opened her eyes, meeting Shangong Cao’s gaze directly.
Shangong Cao withdrew her hand. Good—Hu Shanwei wasn’t a second Liu Siyan. Greatly relieved, she said: “I knew disasters live for a thousand years. How could someone like you be easily injured? Your luck is too good—you can win just lying down.”
Hu Shanwei had long adapted to Shangong Cao’s sharp tongue. She simply sat up, dropping the act: “Imperial commands are hard to disobey—I have no choice. After Shangong Cao returns, you should know what to tell others. This time I must be ill even if I’m not. Empress Mother’s health is poor—don’t let her know. One Crown Prince is enough worry for Her Majesty.”
Shangong Cao asked quietly: “That person from the northwest again?”
Hu Shanwei: “No concrete evidence yet, but given such despicable methods, it’s probably about right.”
Shangong Cao’s eyes flashed with excitement: “This time he made the first move. Let’s see how His Majesty handles him.”
Hu Shanwei hugged her knees: “Blood of his blood—Shangong Cao shouldn’t harbor too much hope.”
Ji Gang’s “fishing law enforcement” results came back—it was indeed Prince Qin. Hu Shanwei was writing a family letter in the warm study, thinking this world truly followed the law of the jungle. Clearly, Mao Qiang and Ji Gang were the ones who killed Consort Deng, yet Prince Qin deeply resented her, a sixth-rank female official. At the first opportunity to breathe, he targeted her first.
Hu Shanwei held nothing but contempt for this Prince Qin. Such a person, born into the imperial family, considered himself superior, thinking he could crush her like an ant. However, when the brave are angry, they draw swords against the stronger; when the weak are angry, they draw swords against the weaker. Prince Qin seemed fearsome but was actually just a despicable coward.
Yet while Prince Qin farmed in Fengyang, she was growing stronger, gradually gaining influence before the throne. Someday she would nail this villain to history’s pillar of shame, proclaiming his crimes to the world for eternal condemnation…
With New Year approaching again, Hu Shanwei’s family letter remained: “All is well, don’t worry. Father, take care of your health. Your daughter, Shanwei.”
Hu Shanwei sealed the family letter and handed it to Haitang: “Send it to the Bureau of Court Rites for review.”
Haitang said: “Every time it’s these same sixteen characters—does it still need review? Now that we’re outside the palace, we could send it directly to the printing house.”
Hu Shanwei said: “Rules are rules.”
Speaking of Hu Shanwei “lying down and winning,” no one was happier than Mu Chun. Whenever he had time, he came to the traveling palace to see her. Sometimes when he couldn’t come in person, his soul would make several trips.
On the fifteenth day of the first month, Lantern Festival, Mu Chun came to the traveling palace with gifts. Mao Qiang was also there, intercepting halfway: “What are all these things? Let me see.”
Mu Chun held various boxes: “Women’s things—Commander Mao, I already had your Lantern Festival gift delivered to your residence.”
But Mao Qiang pulled Mu Chun to a secluded spot: “You boy, tell me honestly—do you want a woman? With your conditions, what kind of woman couldn’t you get? You keep flattering Siyan Hu all day long—this won’t do! Once rumors start spreading, both you and Siyan Hu will be in big trouble.”
Mao Qiang hit the nail on the head. Mu Chun was shocked inside but maintained composure: “Sister Shanwei and I are confidants who’ve experienced life and death together. Don’t think of our relationship in such vulgar terms.”
Mao Qiang pointed to the distant building burned to white ground: “Really just confidants? Don’t deceive yourself. That day I shouted until my voice was nearly hoarse, yet you ignored everything, charging in without even splashing a bucket of water. I may be single, but even if I haven’t eaten pork, I’ve seen pigs run—this was clearly a life-and-death commitment!”
Mu Chun wouldn’t admit it: “Is acting righteously wrong? I’m naturally impulsive. I went in because I saw the prince consort go in first. Later, Ji Gang and I carried the prince consort out—you saw that, right? After carrying out the prince consort, did I charge back in?”
Mao Qiang didn’t believe it: “By seniority, I’m still your elder. You didn’t continue looking for Siyan Hu because the prince consort told you the truth—you only gave up after learning Siyan Hu wasn’t inside.”
Mu Chun retorted: “Boya and Ziqi were confidants—when the strings broke, who would listen? You worldly people don’t understand what it feels like to have a true confidant in life, only thinking in terms of romantic relationships.”
Mao Qiang sneered: “Don’t bully me for being poorly read—I at least know Boya and Ziqi were two grown men. Siyan Hu is a woman, and a good-looking one at that. You’re eighteen now—liking women isn’t wrong. Whether a refined lady or a top courtesan from the Qinhuai River, you could find ways to win them. I couldn’t care less about managing you, but Siyan Hu isn’t a woman you can mess with—she’s too complicated.”
Mu Chun mocked: “Commander Mao remains single to this day, yet like my various aunts, you enjoy playing matchmaker and meddling. They say specialization has its field—you’re good at investigating cases and handling imperial business, but you always interfere blindly in emotional and marital matters.”
“Without mentioning others, just look at Wang Ning. When Hu Shanwei entered the palace as a female official, you encouraged Ji Gang to drive her away. Did you ask Wang Ning’s opinion then? When Wang Ning returned by accident, originally just wanting to guard the frontier for Ming, you took it upon yourself to register him for prince consort selection. What did you tell Wang Ning? Just ‘make up the numbers.’ Go through the motions, but Wang Ning didn’t restrain his abilities, performed outstandingly, caught His Majesty’s eye—a fine talent kept in the capital as prince consort. You, not satisfied with being a commander, overreached yourself, stealing the Moon Goddess’s job, randomly pairing couples! You messed up others’ emotions and lives. Please spare me, Commander Mao—I don’t want to become a second Wang Ning!”
Mu Chun’s eloquence was like firecrackers, crackling away with accusations that left Mao Qiang somewhat dazed.
Mao Qiang reflected: Mu Chun wasn’t wrong—I’m always self-righteous, meddling in young people’s emotions. The more I help, the busier it gets, things become more complex, pulling one hair moves the whole body. It’s not as simple as I thought—just cut it off. The result is more tangled the more you cut, more threads the more you trim. Thinking I was doing good deeds, yet being blamed and resented.
I indeed wronged Wang Ning and Hu Shanwei. If I hadn’t interfered originally, those two might have reconciled and become lifelong immortal companions.
Thinking this, Mao Qiang felt quite melancholy. Mu Chun was like Wang Ning—both had opinions and abilities. Such people should be left to their own devices. Since Mu Chun himself wouldn’t admit it, I’ll pretend nothing happened and stop managing—the more I manage, the more chaotic it becomes.
Mao Qiang chose to give up. Just then, the latest battle report from Marquis Xiping Mu Ying’s southern campaign arrived. Mao Qiang immediately threw himself into intense work, pushing this matter aside.
According to the battle report, the Ming southern expedition army reached Yunnan and advanced toward Guizhou, first capturing Puding. Along the way, Miao and other ethnic minorities surrendered to Ming, and they also broke through Pu’an. After leaving some troops stationed there, the three armies attacked Qujing.
Prince Liang Bazala Warmi stationed 100,000 troops south of Baishi River, blocking the Ming three armies.
Right General Mu Ying suggested to Commander-in-Chief Fu Youde that speed was crucial in war—they should march rapidly under cover of heavy fog to catch the enemy off guard.
The commander followed this plan. When the three armies reached Baishi River, the fog just cleared, revealing them face-to-face with 100,000 enemy troops on the southern bank. The enemy hadn’t expected the Ming army to arrive so quickly and panicked with alarmed shouts.
Commander-in-Chief Fu Youde saw the river was only one li wide and announced a river crossing attack. Mu Ying again offered strategy: “Our army has traveled far and is unfamiliar with the terrain. Though the river surface appears narrow, there might be hidden currents. I see the enemy troops, though panicked, aren’t trampling each other—they’re not truly chaotic, suggesting they’re prepared. We shouldn’t rush the attack—let’s hold steady first.”
Commander-in-Chief Fu Youde followed the advice, reorganizing the army. Mu Ying secretly led several thousand elite troops around to downstream, crossed the river, then led his forces in a surprise attack on the enemy’s rear, deliberately driving horses through the forest to create the impression that main forces had arrived.
Enemy commander Dalima thought the Ming army’s main force had crossed the river, that the troops organizing on the opposite bank were a feint, and hurriedly moved troops stationed on the southern bank to the rear to protect the central army.
Once defensive troops withdrew, Commander-in-Chief Fu Youde immediately led the main army across the river while Mu Ying’s several thousand continued attacking the enemy rear. Only then did the enemy commander realize he’d fallen for Mu Ying’s diversionary tactic, hurriedly moving troops back to the bank to prevent the Ming army from crossing.
But it was too late.
Under the pincer attack, especially with Mu Ying’s extraordinary bravery leading cavalry in repeated charges through enemy formations, slashing back and forth as if through uninhabited territory!
According to the battle report, Mu Ying alone killed several hundred men. Ultimately the Ming southern expedition army was victorious, capturing enemy commander Dalima, over 20,000 soldiers, over 10,000 horses, and pacifying Qujing.
Seeing his adopted son Mu Ying’s courage and wisdom fulfilling his high expectations, the Hongwu Emperor swept away the deep disappointment from his biological son Prince Qin’s repeatedly stupid and vicious acts, exclaiming: “Mu Ying is truly my good son! With such excellent generals, why fear the south won’t be pacified!”
As the southern expedition army conquered territory, the Hongwu Emperor dispatched additional personnel to garrison cities Mu Ying captured. They say “close brothers fight tigers, father and son soldiers fight battles,” but who knows what the Hongwu Emperor was thinking—he actually sent Duke Yingguo Feng Cheng to Yunnan to garrison cities.
The problem was, though Feng Cheng was indeed Mu Ying’s brother-in-law, their private relationship was extremely poor. Feng Cheng had beaten Mu Ying to a pulp twice, and Mu Ying dared not fight back. Could these two really work together in Yunnan, one attacking, one defending?
Even the ailing Empress Ma couldn’t help reminding the Hongwu Emperor: “Your Majesty, Feng Cheng and Mu Ying… are enemies from a past life.”
The Hongwu Emperor waved his hand grandly: “Mu Ying is my adopted son. Feng Cheng is the eldest son of Duke Yingguo Feng Guoyong, descendant of a famous general—both are great generals I personally cultivated. Privately, they have some conflicts, but these are just romantic entanglements and family trivia, not worth mentioning. Facing national affairs, these two will certainly be reliable, mutually dependent Ming generals.”
Duke Yingguo Feng Cheng was summoned by the Hongwu Emperor to accept his mission. Feng Cheng said: “This subject will certainly cooperate with Marquis Xiping to complete the city defense mission. However, this humble subject has a small request.”
The Hongwu Emperor: “Speak.”
Feng Cheng said: “Marquis Xiping brought his second son Mu Sheng on the southern campaign. This subject has read the battle reports—Mu Sheng achieved considerable merit, personally killing over 100 enemies. Truly a tiger son of a general’s family. Marquis Xiping also has an eldest son, Mu Chun, who achieved great merit in last year’s northern expedition. Even Duke Weiguo Xu Da praised him highly. This subject wishes to appoint him as deputy general to assist this subject in rushing to Yunnan for new achievements.”
Though Feng Cheng appeared indifferent to his nephew Mu Chun on the surface, he actually hoped Mu Chun would prove himself, especially not lose to his brother Mu Sheng! Now that Mu Sheng’s southern campaign performance was outstanding, almost overshadowing brother Mu Chun’s northern expedition glory, how could Feng Cheng not be anxious? The Marquis Xiping heir hadn’t even been enfeoffed yet!
He had to use his opportunity going south to defend cities to help his nephew, creating opportunities for Mu Chun to turn the tables.
“Mu Chun…” The Hongwu Emperor hesitated. “Chun’er is… indeed excellent, but Empress Mother’s health is poor now—she needs his companionship. Only seeing Chun’er brings some smile to Empress Mother’s face.”
Empress Ma’s spirits declined daily, causing the Hongwu Emperor great concern.
Feng Cheng said: “Mu Chun grew up in the palace—accompanying Empress Mother shows his filial heart. But men’s ambitions lie in all directions. Fighting on battlefields to unify the realm—that is true filial piety.”
Feng Cheng made sense. The Hongwu Emperor, after all, was a founding hero. He frowned, nodded, and agreed.