Chapter 72 – A Bit Costly in Gold

After the Courtesan Banquet ended, Mu Nanjin had made a fortune.

She took half of the earnings and quietly placed the silver notes on the dragon desk in the Imperial Study.

When the Emperor returned from court and saw the stack of silver notes, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted.

Money from brothels was really easy to earn.

In such a short time, Mu Nanjin had already made him 180,000 taels.

At this rate, earning several million taels a year wouldn’t be a problem.

“Hahaha!”

The Emperor laughed heartily and waved his hand.

“Summon the Head of the Armory Division to the palace at once.”

“Yes.”

The chief eunuch withdrew and instructed the junior eunuchs to deliver the summons.

About half an hour later, the Head of the Armory Division arrived at the Imperial Study, panting from the rush. He knelt and said:

“This humble official greets Your Majesty.”

“Rise,” the Emperor said. “How much silver is needed to make one set of armor for soldiers?”

The Head of the Armory Division stood and cautiously asked,

“May I ask which soldiers’ armor Your Majesty refers to?”

“The padded armor worn by the northern border troops in winter.”

“About ten taels of silver per set. The exact amount depends on whether prices rise this year.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“No false reporting?”

With a loud thud, the Head of the Armory Division dropped to his knees.

“I would never dare deceive Your Majesty!”

“I will believe you for now.”

The Emperor handed him the silver notes.

“These 180,000 taels are for making padded armor. How many sets you can produce is up to your department.”

The Head of the Armory Division accepted the notes.

The Emperor glanced outside.

“Commander Hua.”

Hua Tongling entered immediately.

“Your Majesty.”

“It’s almost noon. Take the Head of the Armory Division to the Commander’s Office dining hall for a meal, then send him back.”

“Yes.”

Hua Tongling, who had served the Emperor for many years, instantly understood the meaning behind the order.

“Please follow me.”

“This humble official takes his leave.”

The Head of the Armory Division felt uneasy.

In all his years, no official had ever been treated to a meal at the Commander’s Office before leaving the palace.

Why the special treatment today?

Could it be that the Jinyiwei were being assigned to monitor them?

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

But since he had a clear conscience, he had nothing to fear.

Near noon, the Commander’s Office was bustling. Jinyiwei who had been out on missions were returning in waves.

As the Head of the Armory Division followed Hua Tongling into the courtyard, a woman’s voice kept echoing in his ears:

【When the Commander saw the underwear hanging in the courtyard today, his expression didn’t look good. Could it be that I didn’t wash them clean enough?】

【That can’t be. My technique is excellent. I even bleached them. No one washes cleaner than me.】

【Ah… maybe he just didn’t like them being hung in the courtyard. With so many people passing by, it really does look inappropriate.】

【Tomorrow I’ll hang them on the roof. They’ll get more sunlight there.】

“……”

Hua Tongling felt a wave of sympathy for the Jinyiwei.

Their lives were truly not easy.

To be honest, he was a little curious about what kind of “scenery” tomorrow’s rooftop underwear would create.

The Head of the Armory Division glanced around and asked,

“There’s a young lady in the Commander’s Office?”

“Did you forget His Majesty once appointed a young lady as a Ninth Rank Jinyiwei?”

“Oh, right, right.”

He remembered now.

Any official in the capital who held a seal could hear Mu Nanjin’s inner thoughts.

He had simply forgotten since he had never interacted with her before.

“We’re here.”

Hua Tongling led him into the dining hall.

Instead of lining up for food, he scanned the room and finally locked his gaze on Mu Nanjin, who was sitting by the window.

“Head of the Armory Division, please come with me.”

He brought the Head of the Armory Division to her table.

“Guard Mu, do you mind if we sit here?”

Mu Nanjin, who was lost in thought, looked up and nodded.

“Go ahead.”

【Why is the Imperial Guard Commander eating at the Commander’s Office?】

【Is he so poor he can’t afford food at home?】

【And who’s the official beside him? I’ve never seen him before.】

【Why is he staring at me so shocked? Doesn’t he know there’s a female officer in the Jinyiwei?】

The Head of the Armory Division, still stunned from hearing her thoughts, quickly regained his composure and smiled.

“This is my first time seeing a female official.”

“There will be more in the future,” Mu Nanjin said.

“That’s true. Once the Emperor opens the Imperial Examinations to women, female officials will only increase.”

Hua Tongling introduced him.

“Guard Mu, this is the Head of the Armory Division, a Fifth Rank official. You should address him as Lord.”

“Oh.”

Mu Nanjin replied halfheartedly.

“You two talk. I’ll get the food.”

Hua Tongling left.

The Head of the Armory Division smiled at Mu Nanjin.

【The Armory Division… that’s the department in charge of forging armor for soldiers.】

【Some of its officials are real scum. Armor that should cost seven taels gets reported as ten, with three taels pocketed.】

【Worse, they steal money and cut corners on materials. In battle, enemy blades can easily slice through our soldiers’ armor.】

【Luckily, we haven’t had a major war lately. Otherwise, Great Qian’s army would’ve collapsed long ago.】

【What’s the point of hoarding silver if the country is gone?】

The Head of the Armory Division turned pale, cold sweat pouring down his back.

Now he finally understood why the Emperor had sent Hua Tongling to bring him here.

【The Head of the Armory Division is actually pitiful. All the other officials in the bureau are children of powerful families. They pressure him through their clans.】

【If he doesn’t obey, he gets isolated or framed. In less than half a year, he’d lose his position.】

Seeing him drenched in sweat, Mu Nanjin kindly handed him a white handkerchief.

“It’s unused.”

“Oh… thank you.”

He took it and wiped his forehead.

Just then, Hua Tongling returned with the food.

“Lord, here’s your meal.”

“Thank you.”

The Head of the Armory Division had no appetite. After a few bites, he made an excuse and left.

Hua Tongling stayed and ate.

From time to time, he glanced at Mu Nanjin.

She was spacing out again.

【Commander Hua is good in every way, except he loves to fart. And they’re really smelly.】

【I’d better finish quickly and leave before he makes me lose my appetite.】

Hua Tongling: “……”

Young Lady, I had just started to think better of you.

【Should I tell him that frequent foul-smelling farts might mean stomach issues? Maybe he should see an imperial physician. But how do I bring it up?】

“I’m full.”

Hua Tongling suddenly remembered his recent stomach discomfort, put down his chopsticks, and hurried off to find a physician.

“Eh?”

【Why does everyone leave after only a few bites?】

【That’s such a waste of food… and I didn’t even get to remind him to see the physician.】

【Oh well, there will be other chances.】

After finishing her meal, Mu Nanjin went to deliver food to the dungeon prisoners.

After work, she returned to the Mu Manor.

Seeing that Heitan’s door was still closed, she knocked.

“Heitan.”

No response.

“I know you’re inside. Open the door.”

“Hmph!”

Heitan snorted angrily.

“I brought you a gift.”

“A gift?”

His ears perked up.

“What gift?”

“Open the door first.”

Heitan slowly opened it.

“It’d better be a real gift…”

Mu Nanjin spread her palm, revealing over twenty ear studs, each with a horse pattern.

Heitan picked one up.

“What’s this?”

“Ear studs.”

Seeing the horse design, a faint smile finally appeared on his face.

“I’ll put them on for you.”

With a flick of her hand, the studs shot toward his ears.

They embedded neatly, from large to small, forming a golden trim along his ears.

Heitan fetched a bronze mirror.

“Looks good.”

Mu Nanjin smiled.

“I’m glad you like it.”

Heitan admired himself, then pouted.

“You think a few dozen ear studs are enough to apologize?”

Mu Nanjin took out thin golden threads, fine as hair.

“What are those?”

“For decorating your tail.”

Heitan snorted.

“Are you saying my tail hair is too thin?”

“Of course not. Change into your horse form and you’ll see.”

Heitan transformed into a horse, his golden imperial gear appearing as well.

Mu Nanjin attached the threads to his tail.

When he swished it, golden light shimmered beautifully.

He leapt excitedly.

“It’s gorgeous! I love it! Thank you, Mu Nanjin!”

“So you’re not mad anymore?”

He nodded.

“You forgive me?”

Another nod.

Mu Nanjin smiled to herself.

This black horse was easy to appease, just costly in gold.

Heitan galloped out to show off and only returned at dawn, waking Mu Nanjin.

Half-asleep, she stared at the black horse head in front of her.

“What are you doing?”

“We’re going to court.”

“To court?!”

“I’ll take you!”

“I’m not on duty today.”

She pulled up her blanket.

Heitan bit it off.

“Yes, you are.”

He dragged Zhenzhu over to dress Mu Nanjin, then carried her to the palace.

“Why are we going?”

Heitan just hummed a tune.

She fell asleep again.

The palace guards recognized Heitan, the Emperor’s personally appointed First-Rank Horse King.

Today, however, he looked even more dazzling.

A commander muttered,

“Guard Mu, your horse… looks even prettier.”

Heitan proudly lifted his head.

Then someone called out:

“Guard Mu, are you on duty again today?”

Mu Nanjin lazily pointed at Heitan.

“The Horse King ordered me.”

The Zhengxi Dajiangjun laughed.

“You’re interesting.”

Beside him stood a woman in general’s armor, elegant, heroic, unmistakably female.

“This is my wife, Sha Ping’ai. She is now my Vice General.”

【Wow! The legendary heroine who rescues soldiers deep in enemy lines!】

【She’s so cool the General looks overshadowed!】

The General laughed proudly.

Sha Ping’ai smiled.

“I’ve long admired Young Lady Mu. Would you care to drink with us after duty?”

“I—”

“NO.”

Captain Liang rushed over.

“She’s busy.”

If she got drunk again, everyone would suffer.

“Why?” the General asked.

“She has… other matters.”

Sha Ping’ai nodded knowingly.

“Another time, then.”

Heitan finally grew impatient and dashed off.

Captain Liang sighed.

“When she gets drunk, she exposes secrets, and the entire capital hears them.”

The General: “……”

Sha Ping’ai: “……”