Chapter 446: Prince of Qian

Zhu Qizhen was truly in low spirits tonight, eating barely any of his meal.

Empress Qian helped him lie down, and the couple leaned against the bedhead speaking.

"Reports from Yunnan say Mu Xi may pass within these very days."

Empress Qian asked softly: "May the Prince of Qian return to Yunnan to mourn?"

"No need for such formality," Zhu Qizhen sighed. "I merely feel the Prince of Qian's line still has too few heirs. Prince Ning was an adopted son of Emperor Taizu and Empress Xiaoci, ever loyal—but his line has always struggled to produce offspring. With Mu Xi's death, Mu Ang's health is failing, and Mu Lin is only thirteen."

Empress Qian comforted gently: "But the Prince of Qian is still young."

Zhu Qizhen: "... Yet he still has no son at all."

Also unable to sleep, grieving just outside the palace, was the Prince of Qian.

Since receiving the letter, he had sat in the courtyard clutching a wine jar, his eyes reddening with each sip.

The steward removed his wine jar and whispered: "Your Grace, please do not grieve too deeply. Please take care of your health."

"When I first came to Jingcheng, I made a vow with Brother Xi: once His Majesty allowed me to return to Yunnan, we would jointly guard the southern frontier, never swerving from our pledge," the Prince of Qian said, eyes blazing red. "Later, fearing I lacked family in the capital and suffered too much longing, he sent his five-year-old Lin to stay with me. He wrote to me just last year, saying he could no longer recall Lin's face—and now, having just seen him again, he must..."

Tears fell drop by drop from the Prince of Qian; he choked out, "Every time I think of it, I am filled with regret—I should not have clung to kinship. I should have sent Lin back sooner."

The steward quickly whispered reassurance: "Young Master frequently enters and leaves the palace. Whether he returns to Yunnan depends on His Majesty's will. The two elder elders and the second lord certainly know this, so they have never blamed Your Grace. Why torment yourself?"

He added softly: "This time, Young Master's unauthorized departure nearly brought great disaster. Fortunately, His Majesty's mercy granted Your Grace's plea—otherwise..."

The Prince of Qian raised a hand to stop him, wiped his tears with a palm, "This matter is closed. Do not speak of it again. By the way—has the Daoist Priest that Lin sought been found?"

"We found her... but..."

The Prince of Qian frowned, turning to him. "But what?"

"The guards we sent discovered that the Southern Town Surveillance Office is also investigating her. Moreover, her identity appears questionable," the steward whispered. "She seems to be the daughter of a convicted minister."

The Prince of Qian frowned. "Which convicted minister? What crime?"

The steward hurried to reply: "I had someone investigate—it turns out she is the daughter of Minister Pan Hong from the former Xue Xuan case. Of course, that is merely the official testimony, unconfirmed. It may not be true—but the Southern Town Surveillance Office's actions suggest it is."

"Xue Xuan..." The Prince of Qian relaxed his brow, snorted. "That case was a miscarriage of justice to begin with. Even if she is his daughter, so what? Prepare the gift list as usual. You shall deliver it personally tomorrow. I will go to the palace and beg His Majesty."

The steward hurried to plead: "Your Grace, the letter says all methods have failed—bringing her won't help..."

The Prince of Qian smashed his wine jar in rage, glaring. "What do you mean 'won't help'? Didn't you read what Lin wrote? Brother Xi suffers unbearable agony—only Pan Yun's talisman water and talismans allow him to sleep. Do you know how agonizing it is when corpse worms gnaw at the five viscera and six bowels?"

"Even if she cannot save his life, if she can ease his final days, I would spend every last coin. How dare you say bringing her is useless!"

The steward immediately knelt, banging his head. "I spoke foolishly! Please forgive me, Your Grace!"

He knocked his head twice, then cautiously lifted his face. "But, Your Grace... the Southern Town Surveillance Office seems to be acting on Wang Zhen's orders. If we offend Wang Zhen, it may..."

"I will protect her!" the Prince of Qian sneered. "Wang Zhen is merely a eunuch. How can he compare to Brother Xi?"

The Prince of Qian stared coldly at the steward. "If you do not go to Yin Zhai tomorrow and deliver the gifts with utmost respect, then do not go at all." The steward immediately bowed his head. "I shall deliver the finest gifts and persuade Daoist Pan to come."

The Prince of Qian rose, looking down at him expressionlessly. "I know what you're thinking. I warn you one last time: I am inseparable from my uncle. He trusts me, and I trust him!"

"I regard Brother Xi as my own brother. His son is as my own. If I truly have no heir in this life, the next Prince of Qian shall be Mu Lin!"

The steward trembled on the ground.

The Prince of Qian snorted, swept his sleeve, and left.

The Mu family of Yunnan has always been a unique institution.

Mu Ying's original name was Zhu Ying, an adopted son of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma; he only reverted to the Mu surname after the empire was pacified.

The Zhu clan had enfeoffed countless imperial relatives as princes and commandery princes, but after several reigns, those princes and commandery princes held only honorary titles, no actual fiefs, no military power.

Only the Mu family of Yunnan.

Though holding only the title of Prince, they have always ranked equal to princes, and Yunnan has always been guarded by the Mu family.

For generations, never once broken.

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One could say the Mu family of Yunnan's power rivals that of any prince.

But they are also more feared.

When the Prince of Qian inherited his title, he was still young and could not command respect, so the court made his uncle Mu Ang commander of Yunnan while he came to the capital as a hostage;

When his uncle died and he could assume command of Yunnan, he could return—but then the Mu family must send another person to be held hostage.

The Prince of Qian still has no son, so Mu Lin was sent to the capital: first to keep him company and ease his longing for home; second, to foster affection between uncle and nephew, so that when the Prince of Qian returns to Yunnan, Mu Lin will likely remain in the capital as his substitute.

Precisely because of this unique situation, the Mu brothers have always been close, never once turning against each other.

Emperors through the ages trusted the Mu family more, believing their sons inherited Mu Ying's virtues of fraternal love and unwavering loyalty.

The Zhu imperial clan has always been rife with infighting, yet they have always trusted and valued the Mu family.

One could say Zhu Qizhen might someday suspect his half-brother Zhu Qiyu—but he would never doubt the Mu family's loyalty.

This, too, is tied to the Prince of Qian's lineage-long caution.

Yet even with such caution, the Prince of Qian must offend Wang Zhen to protect Pan Yun—he needs her to draw talismans for his brother, and he must send her to Yunnan.

Alas, Mu Lin is too young. Such a person—when he saw her, he should have begged on his knees, pleaded, even clung to her legs to bring her to Yunnan. How could he let her go?

If you can't beg her, then bind her and take her.

The Prince of Qian turned and walked back inside, deciding to enter the palace at dawn tomorrow to beg the Emperor.

Meanwhile, Yin Song, who had slept soundly, donned a slightly newer official robe and said over breakfast: "I see you've all been dazzled by Jingcheng's splendor. After breakfast, Cong'er, pack your things and take your fellow disciples to Bai Yun Temple to register as guests. Do not leave the temple until you've completed a hundred good deeds."

(End of Chapter)