Chapter 53 – I’m in a Good Mood Today

After returning to the royal residence, Liang Shaoping once again questioned the heir of the Prince Zun Residence about Mu Nanjin’s true identity.

The heir led them into the study and ordered the guards to stand watch outside, forbidding anyone from eavesdropping.

“What I’m about to tell you is unbelievable,” he began seriously.

“After you hear it, you must remain silent and ask no questions.”

The four young heirs instinctively swallowed hard and nodded.

“Before we came here, your grandfather had a secret discussion with us. It concerned Mu Nanjin. Her identity, on the surface, is quite simple. She’s the niece of the husband of the Ministry of Appointments’ Assistant Minister’s younger sister, and she currently serves as an Ordinary Jinyiwei (Ninth Rank).”

The four heirs exchanged surprised looks.

They had been in the capital for quite some time and had naturally heard rumors of a female Jinyiwei, but they hadn’t expected that woman to be Mu Nanjin herself.

“But that’s not the most shocking part. The unbelievable thing is that every official in the capital who possesses an official seal, including the Emperor, the Empress, the Empress Dowager, and even the imperial consorts, can hear her inner voice. That’s right, they can literally hear her thoughts. And what’s even more terrifying is that she knows countless secrets no one else could possibly know, things even I have never spoken aloud.”

The four heirs were struck dumb, jaws dropping in disbelief.

“That,” the heir continued grimly, “is why your grandfather suddenly changed his mind and decided not to come to the capital. He was afraid that once Mu Nanjin saw him, she would expose what we’ve done in the borderlands, and the Emperor would detain them in the capital. So instead, he sent us in his place. Originally, we thought we could simply avoid her once we arrived, but who would have thought you’d run right into her yourselves? Had I known, I would have told you everything earlier.”

Liang Shaoping muttered,

“Then why didn’t you?”

The heir shot him a glare.

“The fewer people who know, the better! The Emperor doesn’t want word of this spreading, that he and others can hear her thoughts. Besides, you lot can’t keep your mouths shut. If one of you blurted something out, the Emperor would discover that we’ve been colluding with officials in the capital, and that would hasten his discovery of our… other plans.”

Liang Shaoping: “…”

The heir rubbed his temples, sighing.

“I just hope she didn’t reveal our secrets to the Emperor earlier.”

The heir of Prince Yu’s Residence speculated,

“If His Majesty already knew, we’d all be locked up by now.”

“The Emperor’s mind is unfathomable,” the heir of Prince Zun’s Residence said coldly. “Who knows what he’s thinking?”

Liang Shaoxin hesitated before asking,

“Can we speak now?”

“What do you want to say?”

“Grandfather and the others are afraid the Emperor will find out about their rebellion and arrest them. But… aren’t they worried about us? Why didn’t they send someone else, or just keep us from coming?”

There was a deep sadness in his tone. He felt abandoned.

The heir sighed.

“Your grandfather wanted to come himself, but most of the soldiers only obey his orders, not ours. He also had unfinished business to handle, so he sent us young heirs to the capital to appease the Emperor’s suspicions. And besides,” he added, “you were the one who insisted on coming, and the lot draw just happened to choose you. That’s why you’re here.”

Liang Shaoxin: “…”

If he’d known this trip wasn’t just for the Emperor’s birthday celebrations, he’d never have volunteered so eagerly.

The heir of Prince Huang’s Residence said coldly, “We’ve been telling you to keep a low profile since we arrived, but you wouldn’t listen. You brought this upon yourselves.”

If the person they’d offended hadn’t been Mu Nanjin, perhaps the Emperor wouldn’t have sided with her.

The four heirs hung their heads, silent and ashamed.

The heir of Prince Sheng’s Residence turned to his son, Liang Shaochu.

“Since we picked you up from the palace, you haven’t said a word. Do you have complaints, against the Emperor, or against us?”

Everyone turned toward him.

Liang Shaochu: “…”

He didn’t dare have any complaints.

“Speak.”

Reluctantly, he opened his mouth, revealing a mouthful of bloody, toothless gums.

All the heirs gasped.

They’d heard he’d had his teeth knocked out, but seeing it up close was another matter entirely.

At that moment, the steward’s voice came from outside.

“Honored heirs, the National Preceptor has arrived.”

The heir of Prince Sheng’s Residence frowned.

“What’s he doing here? We’ve got no dealings with him.”

Liang Shaochu, lisping through his toothless mouth, said, “He’s here to fix my teeth.”

Everyone: “…”

Feng Sinan, the National Preceptor, entered the hall. After glancing briefly at Liang Shaochu’s mouth, he handed him a single pill without a word and left.

“That’s it? Just like that?” Liang Shaochu thought he was being played.

Liang Shaoping scoffed, “I’ve never heard of teeth growing back once they’re knocked out.

He probably came just to pacify us.”

But suddenly, Liang Shaochu felt an itch in his gums.

When he touched them, he could feel something hard and sharp pushing through.

“Huh…”

He felt again. The hard things were growing taller.

“I think… my teeth are growing back!”

Everyone froze.

“You’re kidding.”

Liang Shaoping leaned in, and to his shock, he saw teeth sprouting, visibly growing.

“They really are growing back!”

The others crowded around, watching in disbelief as two rows of bright, new teeth emerged before their very eyes.

The heir of Prince Sheng’s Residence was stunned.

“I’d heard Father say the National Preceptor possessed miraculous powers beyond human reach.

I was skeptical, but seeing it myself now, it’s truly incredible.”

The heir of Prince Huang’s Residence mused,

“If only we could win the National Preceptor to our side, or find someone equally gifted.”

The heir of Prince Yu’s Residence sneered,

“Instead of chasing dreams, we should be figuring out how to deal with Mu Nanjin.

As long as she’s around, we’ll never have peace.”

“Let’s continue this discussion in the study,” the heir of Prince Sheng’s Residence said.

While they schemed, Mu Nanjin was at a pharmacy buying herbs and having the clerks deliver them to Xiaoqing Tower.

Inside Xiaoqing Tower, the air was thick with groans of pain.

Everyone had been whipped; no one was in any condition to tend to the wounded.

Doctors had come, left behind piles of medicine, and promptly fled.

Those who could still move tried applying the medicine themselves, but each motion tugged at their wounds, making them cry out in agony.

When Mu Nanjin arrived, the courtesans and attendants lay sprawled across the floor.

“Miss Mu?”

The madam of the brothel stared in surprise. She hadn’t expected Mu Nanjin to return safe and sound after striking members of the royal family.

Seeing the delicate young courtesans beaten raw made Mu Nanjin’s heart ache.

“Are you all all right?”

“How could we be?” The madam fumed. “Everyone’s badly hurt. I tried hiring people to help, but once word spread that we offended royal heirs, no one dared come near us.

Now we can’t even feed ourselves! What about you, Miss Mu, did the Emperor punish you?”

“No,” Mu Nanjin replied calmly.

Carrying five large bundles of herbs, she went upstairs.

“I’ll be making medicine. I’ll come down later.”

Half an hour later, she emerged with a basin of thick, black salve, the same basin Gong Xiurong had once used to wash his face.

“I’ve made a healing ointment. Apply it to your wounds.”

“Medicine?”

The madam wrinkled her nose at the bitter smell.

“It’s so pungent! Are you sure it’s safe to use?”

Without answering, Mu Nanjin wiped away the old medicine from a courtesan’s cheek and applied a dab of her own concoction.

Moments later, the ointment faded, and so did the scar beneath it.

Gasps filled the room.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore!” The courtesan touched her face in disbelief.

“The wound’s gone?”

“It’s really gone,” the madam breathed.

Chaos ensued as everyone scrambled for the basin.

“Don’t rush, there’s more upstairs,” Mu Nanjin said evenly.

After applying the ointment, their wounds vanished without a trace; even the feverish ones recovered.

The madam wept with joy as Mu Nanjin handed her several banknotes.

“Here’s 150,000 taels. Use some to repair the building. Distribute the rest among everyone.”

“Miss Mu, you’re so generous!”

The madam felt lucky to have such a mistress, and even more grateful to Gong Xiurong for entrusting Xiaoqing Tower to her.

“Those taels were extorted from the four heirs,” Mu Nanjin said lightly.

“Spending them doesn’t hurt.” The madam chuckled.

“I’ll make Xiaoqing Tower the finest brothel in the capital, and earn you a fortune.”

“Good,” Mu Nanjin nodded approvingly.

“Just one problem…”

“What is it?”

“After today’s incident, everyone’s afraid of offending the royal heirs. I fear many customers won’t dare return.”

That was a problem.

Mu Nanjin thought for a moment.

“I’ll find a way.”

The next afternoon, she was due to enter the palace with the foreign envoys, so she didn’t linger.

Fortunately, the envoys behaved, and she finally enjoyed a few peaceful days.

But the Vice Minister of Rites wasn’t so lucky.

Everywhere he went, Mu Nanjin’s thoughts echoed in his head:

[I really want to talk to Vice Minister Zhou alone, but I can’t find a chance.]

[He’s always busy with the envoys… or maybe he’s avoiding me?]

[But I haven’t done anything to him! Why’s he hiding from me?]

[Maybe I’m overthinking it.]

[Still… if this keeps up, maybe I should sneak into his house at night to talk.]

[It’s all those envoys’ fault, Vice Minister Zhou, Vice Minister Zhou, Vice Minister Zhou…]

The Vice Minister of Rites twitched uncontrollably.

The Minister of Rites eyed him suspiciously.

“What on earth did you do to her?”

“Nothing! Absolutely nothing!”

“Then why are you avoiding her?”

Even the Minister could tell he was hiding.

“You’d better find a chance to ‘accidentally’ run into her and settle whatever she wants.

Even His Majesty’s paying attention to this now. Resolve it, quickly.”

The Vice Minister grimaced. There was no easy way out of this.

Still, to stop the constant stares, he arranged a “coincidental” encounter.

[Oh wow, it’s Vice Minister Zhou!]

Before he could react, Mu Nanjin was already walking toward him.

Seeing this, Deng Xingchao and Captain Liu didn’t interfere. Honestly, they were tired of hearing her inner monologue chanting “Vice Minister Zhou, Vice Minister Zhou…” all day.

“Vice Minister Zhou,” she greeted warmly.

“Officer Mu.”

He feigned politeness, pretending not to know her purpose, and tried to keep walking.

“Vice Minister Zhou, might I have a few words with you?”

He hesitated, looked around, then pointed toward a lakeside pavilion.

“Let’s talk there.”

The place was open and far from crowds, perfect for privacy.

Or so he thought.

Deng Xingchao and Captain Liu, curious beyond reason, hid in a nearby grove to eavesdrop, but as soon as Mu Nanjin set up a barrier, they heard nothing.

Whatever they discussed, when she emerged later, she seemed lighter, practically glowing with cheer.

Vice Minister Zhou, on the other hand, looked completely drained.

“I’m in a good mood today,” Mu Nanjin announced.

“We can tell,” Captain Liu said, noting her lifted eyes and faint smile.

“Dinner’s on me. After duty, invite Lord Kan and the Captains and Colonels from both divisions to join us.”

Captain Liu raised an eyebrow. “You’re treating that many people?”

“She made two hundred thousand taels the other day,” Deng Xingchao smirked.

“She can afford it, and I’m not holding back.”

He sent Chen Liangli to spread the word.

When the officers heard there was a feast, their spirits soared.

After work, the entire Jinyiwei force, over a thousand strong, rode out together in grand formation.

Onlookers gawked, thinking they were off to suppress bandits or launch a military campaign.

But then, the crowd watched the massive procession stop… in front of Xiaoqing Tower.