Chapter 1: Journey to the Capital

“Master, the capital is truly… truly…”

After struggling for a long time without finding a suitable word, he exposed his rustic nature outright.

“Majestic!”

Sensing the strange glances around him, Li Mu quickly added.

He couldn’t even read a single character, yet insisted on pretending to be cultured.

If not for his exceptional combat skills and his record of single-handedly killing thirteen bandits, Li Mu would never have brought him along.

“Stop standing around—get into the city!”

As he spoke, Li Mu slapped Wu Dagè on the back of the head and dismounted at once.

In the capital, big shots are the most plentiful—better to keep a low profile.

The sharp-eyed Zhou manager had already rushed ahead to the city gate and presented their credentials.

Without any surprise, after verifying their identities, the city guard officer immediately granted passage.

The mocking glances around instantly turned to envy.

Without incident, Li Mu’s party bypassed the queue for toll payment and entered the city directly.

…

A year ago, he was a laid-off victim of corporate optimization.

The market was poor, and he couldn’t find a desirable job in a hurry.

With no “three loans” dragging him down, this nuclear-powered ox decided to take a long break and see his homeland’s magnificent landscapes.

The moment he took his first step, he was struck by the transmigration gift package and arrived in the Great Yu Dynasty.

A dynasty absent from history books, its political system and social backdrop resembled the Great Ming.

The original body was a filial son, strictly observing mourning rites.

He personally built a humble thatched hut near his father’s grave and lived daily on straw mats and coarse food.

Neither scorching heat nor bitter cold ever shook him.

After holding out for two years, his body finally broke down, crushed by a sudden storm.

The reincarnated Li Mu was not so foolish—he willingly accepted his family’s advice and moved back under the pretext of recovering from illness.

After a full six months of rest at home, his health returned to normal.

Thanks to the Great Yu Dynasty’s favorable policy—the hereditary military garrison system—he inherited from his ancestors the foundation of his livelihood: Commander of the Hanzhong Garrison.

A month after the mourning period ended, Li Mu submitted his official appointment petition and set out for the capital.

…

Before the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence.

“Young Master Mu, please come in quickly!”

The servants didn’t know better—they blocked you at the gate; they deserve punishment.

Ever since we received word of your arrival, the Marquis has taken special notice and specifically ordered the Yuzhu Garden prepared for you.

The Marquis is at court and won’t return until evening.

The young masters are all studying at the academy, busy with their quarterly assessments—they won’t be back for a few days.

Please forgive any neglect!

Would you like me to show you to the Yuzhu Garden first?”

As the old steward warmly greeted him, he explained why no master had come out to meet him, fully demonstrating the professionalism of a noble household’s steward.

The accompanying servants, quick to read the situation, took the reins and led the horses through the gate into the stable.

“Thank you, Uncle, for your thoughtfulness!

I came in such haste I had no time to prepare gifts—these are local specialties from Hanzhong. Uncle Liu, please accept them on behalf of my uncle.”

Li Mu replied with neither subservience nor arrogance.

He did not refuse the Zhenyuan Marquis’s kindness.

In a clan society, two Lis cannot be written on separate sheets of paper.

Even though the Hanzhong Li branch had separated from the Zhenyuan Marquis’s household nearly a century ago, and their bloodline was nearly beyond the fifth degree of kinship, as long as the two families hadn’t formally split clans, they remained one family.

Because of this blood tie, the two families had always been political allies.

Staying at the Marquis’s residence was both visiting kin and a political statement to the outside world.

“Young Master Mu, you’re too modest!”

“What are you all standing there for? Get people over to carry the belongings!”

“Young Master Mu, please follow me to the Yuzhu Garden!”

As he spoke, Uncle Liu led Li Mu’s party into the Marquis’s residence.

They passed through more than a dozen gates, taking the time of a single cup of tea to reach their destination.

The Yuzhu Garden covered a large area, with over twenty rooms, and featured bamboo groves, ponds, and pavilions, arranged with great elegance.

Maids and servants had already waited at the gate, and the table was laden with various pastries and fruits—clearly prearranged.

“Young Master Mu, this is the Yuzhu Garden. All daily necessities have been prepared.”

“If you need anything else, just instruct the servants.”

“The Marquis said that here, you are as much at home as in your own house—no need for formality!”

It perfectly highlighted the Marquis’s regard while attributing all credit to the Zhenyuan Marquis himself.

Such a considerate subordinate was loved by every superior.

Clearly, this steward of the Marquis’s household was no ordinary man.

Had he not been limited by his birth, his high emotional intelligence alone would have earned him a place in officialdom.

“Then I’m grateful for your efforts, Uncle Liu—I’ll call if I need anything.”

“I’ve traveled far and need to wash up. Please, take your leave.”

Li Mu smiled.

Hearing the dismissal, Uncle Liu promptly took his leave.

“Zhou manager, arrange for everyone to settle in.”

“The Marquis’s household has many rules—stay within the courtyard unless necessary, and avoid disturbing noble guests.”

“Try not to clash with the Marquis’s people—come to me if anything arises.”

Li Mu gave his final warning.

Great households never lack dark corners—if someone arranged for him to be used as a pawn, it would be embarrassing.

The inner quarters of the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence were turbulent; in noble circles, this was nearly an open secret.

Even in distant Hanzhong, he had heard whispers.

The main wife had no sons; all the young masters were born of concubines, and theoretically, the eldest bastard held succession rights.

But noble families prized face above all—directly inheriting as a bastard would bring shame to the Marquis’s household.

Under such circumstances, bastards were usually registered under the main wife’s name and treated as legitimate heirs.

At that point, birth order among bastards became irrelevant.

Whoever gained the legitimate son’s status became the first in line.

On the matter of succession, the Marquis’s wife remained indifferent, and the Zhenyuan Marquis showed no clear preference.

To fight for succession, the concubines within the household had been fiercely competing.

Li Mu had no wish to join this farce.

His uncle was under forty; the Marquis’s wife was even younger, and they still had two daughters—no one could guarantee they wouldn’t bear a son later.

…

In the evening, the returning Zhenyuan Marquis, Li Yuan, asked wearily:

“Liu Quan, what do you think of my nephew?”

Though uncle and nephew, they had last met five years ago—at the funeral of the previous Zhenyuan Marquis.

“My Lord, Young Master Mu has changed greatly these past years.”

“He rode here himself; among his attendants, aside from one manager, all others are fierce retainers.”

“In matters of social grace, he’s far more mature than before—there’s a touch of your own youthful bearing.”

Hearing the steward’s reply, Li Yuan smiled faintly, then ordered:

“Prepare the evening banquet!”

…

(End of Chapter)