Chapter 92 – Don’t Jinx It

Captain Liang was overseeing the men moving crates when he suddenly heard Mu Nanjin’s voice. Instinctively, he urged, “Quickly now, everyone, move faster!”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how guilty they sounded. He cleared his throat and hastily added, “I mean, slow down, slow down! Be careful not to damage anything inside.”

The ninth-rank Jinyiwei, who had already quickened their pace, all fell silent. “…”

Watching Mu Nanjin walk out of the Commander’s Office, Captain Liang called out, “Mu Nanjin, care to lend a hand?”

“No.”

Mu Nanjin replied coolly and walked off.

【What, you think I’m easy to push around just because I’m a young woman? I’ve already been promoted to Seventh-Rank Banner Officer, and you still want me to do ninth-rank grunt work? Hmph.】

Captain Liang exhaled quietly as she disappeared from sight, then hurriedly told the Jinyiwei to pick up the pace again. Once all the crates were loaded onto the carts, he immediately had them delivered to the Seventh Prince’s residence.

Half-healed, the Seventh Prince perked up the moment he heard that crates of gold and jewels had arrived. Ignoring his injuries, he rushed into the courtyard.

“Your Highness, please slow down!” the steward cried, following anxiously behind. “You’ve only just started to recover; you mustn’t strain yourself again!”

One by one, the chests of treasure were carried into the residence. The Seventh Prince opened one, his eyes gleaming at the sight of glittering gold. “Father said he would make sure I got my wealth back. He truly has!”

Captain Liang bowed and explained, “Your Highness, these were not recovered from the Horse King. His Majesty punished the Horse King and his master by sending them to Jiangnan to suppress bandits. The gold and jewels confiscated from the bandits’ lairs were used to compensate you. They have already been disciplined. Once Your Highness fully recovers, please remember to fulfill His Majesty’s order and clean the streets of the capital.”

The Seventh Prince: “…”

The steward’s face darkened. “Lord Captain, His Highness is of noble blood. How can he perform such menial work?”

Captain Liang smiled faintly. “It is the emperor’s decree. Refusal would be defying His Majesty’s will.”

The steward: “…”

The Seventh Prince waved impatiently. “I know, I know.”

Captain Liang hesitated, wanting to say more, but thought better of lecturing a prince. He bowed and took his leave.

Just as he stepped out the gate, he heard the prince cheerfully order, “I’m in a good mood today. Slaughter a horse for celebration!”

Hopeless.

Captain Liang shook his head.

Meanwhile, seeing the Jinyiwei carrying crates reminded Mu Nanjin of the gifts she had bought in Licheng.

After clocking out, she returned home to the Mu Residence, gathered the presents, and headed to the Xiaoqing Pavilion.

It was still early evening, and business was quiet. The madam of Xiaoqing Pavilion gathered the other brothel mistresses and the girls from Spring Breeze House and Yixin Courtyard to share the gifts.

The madam of Spring Breeze House beamed. “Our patroness truly spoils her girls and young men. Even while on official duty, she remembers to bring us gifts! Don’t you all agree?”

“Yes!” Everyone laughed.

The madam of Xiaoqing Pavilion added, “Miss Mu didn’t just bring presents for our girls and patrons; everyone from Xiaoqing Pavilion, Spring Breeze House, and Yixin Courtyard gets something!”

“That’s wonderful!” Even the attendants cheered.

Mu Nanjin walked up to Xijin and asked, “You’ve been at Yixin Courtyard for a while now. Are you settling in well?”

Xijin smiled contentedly. “I like this simple life, free and unrestrained. Once I’ve completely severed ties with the Chen Kingdom, I plan to travel a bit.”

Mu Nanjin nodded approvingly and handed her a long gift box. “This is for you.”

Xijin accepted it without pretense. Inside was a golden hair comb and a delicate waist ornament, an exquisite design she had never seen before. She fell in love with it instantly. When she lifted the gold comb, it chimed softly like distant windbells, ethereal, airy, and beautiful.

“Thank you. I truly love it.”

“As long as you do.”

Mu Nanjin then approached Baidu, who was drinking in the corner. “I heard from the madam that ever since you arrived, the disturbances at Xiaoqing Pavilion, Spring Breeze House, and Yixin Courtyard have dropped dramatically.”

Baidu did not even look at her and simply kept drinking.

Mu Nanjin did not mind. She set a small jade bottle on the table before walking away.

After a moment, Baidu glanced at the bottle. Curiosity piqued, he opened it, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air. Instantly, his inner energy surged, straining against his inner barriers as if trying to break through to a higher realm.

Startled, Baidu quickly sealed the bottle.

If he was not mistaken, this was a rare pill that could elevate a martial artist’s cultivation.

Such a treasure, and she had just given it to him?

He clenched the bottle and, for the first time, thought that maybe staying here was not so bad after all.

“Miss Mu.”

The madam of Yixin Courtyard approached, bringing Fushao along.

Fushao gave a formal bow.

Mu Nanjin said directly, “You’ve saved enough to buy your freedom?”

“Yes.” Fushao could not hide her joy.

Mu Nanjin handed her a contract. “I figured you might be close, so I brought your indenture deed too.”

Fushao took it with trembling hands, confirming her name before bursting into tears of gratitude. “Thank you, Miss Mu! Thank you!”

The madam smiled warmly. “Congratulations. You’re finally free. Once you leave Yixin Courtyard, live well.”

Fushao nodded.

The madam turned to Mu Nanjin. “When would you have time to help her change her household status?”

Fushao tensed, fearing Mu Nanjin might delay.

Mu Nanjin thought for a moment. “If tomorrow isn’t too busy, I’ll handle it then.”

Fushao’s face lit up. “Thank you, Miss Mu!”

“Have you decided what to do after you leave, or where you’ll live?”

“I…” Fushao shook her head.

She wanted to stay in the capital; she had even bought a house. But her past would invite gossip and harassment. Unless she married quickly, staying would be risky. Yet if she left, she would have nowhere to go. Alone, she would not even make it two hundred miles without being robbed or worse.

Lost in thought, Fushao returned to Yixin Courtyard, not even noticing the doorman greeting her. Sensing something was wrong, he asked the madam, who explained. After hearing it, he grew somber and left shortly after.

The next morning, Mu Nanjin arrived at the Commandery Office.

Liu Qian, Xu Cheng, and Yang Bo were waiting and rushed over excitedly. “Officer Mu!”

Seeing them in full Jinyiwei robes, she nodded in satisfaction. “From today onward, you’ll be working under me. I have only one rule: never betray me. Otherwise, your fate will be like this.”

She stepped on a dry leaf. When she lifted her foot, it had crumbled into dozens of fragments.

Xu Cheng and Yang Bo, well aware of her strength, shivered and nodded quickly. Liu Qian did not need convincing; his father had warned him personally:

“You can betray me, but never betray Mu Nanjin. To her, show nothing but loyalty.”

He did not know why, but he trusted his father’s words.

Mu Nanjin brought the trio to Colonel Liu’s office.

“Mu Nanjin,” Colonel Liu said, “you’ve just been promoted and now have subordinates. You’ll need time to adapt. For now, take your men to patrol the streets.”

Because the capital was vast and the constables were few, the Jinyiwei often assisted with patrols.

Mu Nanjin nodded.

【I like patrol duty. It’s the easiest. I can stroll the streets, eat and drink, and no one will say a word.】

Colonel Liu: “…”

True, unless trouble found you.

No, he thought. Do not jinx it.

He cleared his throat. “You know how patrols work?”

Liu Qian replied, “We just walk around and help citizens when they’re in trouble, right?”

“More or less. Just don’t cause trouble.” He shot Mu Nanjin a look.

She nodded seriously. “Mhm.”

【I never cause trouble.】

Colonel Liu’s teeth ached.

Did she forget the Martial Arts Conference incident?

Deciding not to test fate, he waved them off.

【If patrol goes smoothly, I’ll swing by the yamen to help Fushao with her registration.】

Colonel Liu: “…”

Well, at least that fulfilled Superintendent Ji’s request.

Truthfully, it was the Superintendent who had begged Colonel Liu earlier to assign Mu Nanjin to patrol duty. Otherwise, her talent would have been wasted.

As they left the office, Mu Nanjin asked, “Have you eaten?”

Liu Qian nodded. “Yes.”

Yang Bo scratched his head shyly. “It’s our first day as Jinyiwei. I was too excited to eat.”

She brought them to the mess hall for breakfast before they each mounted their horses.

“The Commandery Office is inside the Imperial City,” Mu Nanjin explained. “Most ministries are nearby. Remember the layout; it’ll be useful later.”

They started at the Ministry of Personnel. Yang Bo took one glance and quickly looked away.

【The Minister of Personnel is desperate to marry his daughter to the Crown Prince. But the Emperor still hasn’t named one, and at this rate, his daughter is going to age out. If I were him, I’d petition daily to make His Majesty choose already.】

“Pfft!”

Inside the ministry, several officials nearly choked on their tea.

“Wasn’t that Mu Nanjin’s voice?”

“It was!”

“What’s she doing here?”

“Probably just passing by. It must be one of her stray thoughts again.”

“Our minister’s in today, isn’t he?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

“Then may Heaven help us. He’s going to be in a terrible mood.”

Indeed, the minister’s face darkened so quickly that it looked like a storm was about to break.

That damn girl. What did his daughter’s marriage have to do with her?

【Honestly, Tang Jingrui wouldn’t be a bad match. He’ll probably become Commander of the Jinyiwei by middle age. A capable man, but surrounded by women. Does your daughter even have the wit to survive the competition? More importantly, did you ask her if she wants to spend her life locked in the palace?】

【Then again, maybe she has good taste. Tang Jingrui is handsome.】

Minister of Personnel: “…”

【Speaking of Tang Jingrui, I haven’t seen Tang Wenzong in a while. I bet his family has been living quite harmoniously without me around.】

Tang Wenzong: “…”

“Harmoniously” was not the right word, just quieter, since his parents no longer had her to complain about during meals.

【Hmm, I never noticed how big the Personnel Ministry is. I’ve been walking forever and still haven’t reached the end. Ah, it connects right to the Ministry of Revenue’s wall.】

Spotting the Ministry of Revenue gate, Mu Nanjin snorted softly.

Liu Qian, hearing it, asked, “What’s wrong, Officer Mu?”

“Nothing.”

【The Ministry of Revenue manages the national treasury, but the Emperor has no idea that someone has been embezzling from it.】

Inside, the officials froze.

“What?! Embezzlement? Who?!”

Panic erupted immediately.

But Mu Nanjin said nothing more, leaving them in chaos.

After passing the Ministries of War, Rites, Justice, and Works, she finally exited the Imperial City.

They stopped briefly by the Mu Residence to collect documents for Fushao’s registration, then continued their patrol.

Wearing officials robes, they walked down the streets. Civilians gave them a wide berth.

Xu Cheng whispered to Yang Bo, “When we were mountain bandits, people feared us because we were criminals. Now they fear us because we’re officials. It’s still fear, but somehow it feels different.”

Yang Bo chuckled. “Of course. Bandits are despised; people fear and hate them. We just used force to suppress them. It wasn’t real authority. Now we wear power itself.”

Xu Cheng grinned. “No wonder everyone wants to be an official.”

Among the four, Liu Qian was the most good-natured, helping up anyone who fell, breaking up fights, and even arresting troublemakers when needed. Xu Cheng and Yang Bo soon followed his lead.

“Sir! Sir!”

A man came running, panting. “There’s a man in the tavern ahead. He’s trying to take another man’s wife by force!”

“Where? Show us!”

Liu Qian immediately took charge, leading the others into the tavern.

Mu Nanjin trailed behind, squeezing through the gathered crowd. She heard someone mutter, “It’s just a bunch of ninth-rank Jinyiwei. They won’t do much good.”