Chapter 247 Western Border
Mu Xi failed to find any trace of Mu Xun in the Northern Region, but thinking of the matter of Princess Qingyang and Liu Yang, she deeply felt the importance of military power, so she also turned around and headed to the Western Region to see if she could take over military power from Marquis Yifang, Mu Dong.
After three months of travel, they arrived at Qingyan City, the capital of the western border. On the second day after the East Sea cavalry were stationed outside the city, Marquis Yifang Mudong personally led a team out of the city to welcome them.
Mu Dong was unexpectedly warm and affectionate, just like an uncle who had been separated from his nephew for a long time.
Adhering to the principle of "one should not have the heart to harm others, but one should not be without the heart to guard against others," Mu Xi accepted Mu Dong's enthusiasm without reservation, but privately she still had to make some preparations.
On the day Mu Dong welcomed her, he invited Mu Xi to stay at the Jin Fangjun Mansion in Yanqing City. Mu Xi declined repeatedly, but finally agreed to hold a banquet for her half a month later, introduce her to the important generals of the Western Border, and formally transfer the military power of the Western Border to Mu Xi.
Mu Xi was surprised that Mu Dong would so readily hand over military power to her, and even take the initiative to bring it up first.
This, in turn, made her even more cautious.
For half a month, Mu Dong and Mu Xi were busy with their own preparations. Finally, the generals and officers of the Western Border gathered, Qingyan City was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the Jin Fangjun Mansion was brightly lit, with a grand banquet held at night.
For so many years, Mu Xi had only heard of the name of the Jin Fangjun Mansion in the Western Region, but had never set foot there. This was the first time in her life that she had ever entered the mansion, and she felt an indescribable sense of unreality.
The night was as dark as ink, enveloping the Jin Fangjun Mansion in the western border.
Inside the mansion, the main hall was brightly lit and bustling with people, a stark contrast to the silent and desolate atmosphere outside.
Mu Xi sat upright at the head of the guest seats, her purple and gold python robe highlighting her slender figure. Her face was covered with her usual noble and aloof demeanor, but deep in her eyes, there was a hint of vigilance.
Tonight, those following behind were neither Doctor Luo nor Bao Fan, but Liang Shuo and Peng Haiwai, along with their elite guards.
The person in the main seat, Yi Fanghou Mu Dong, looks seven-tenths like his scumbag father, Jin Fangjun Mu Zhen. However, he is slightly overweight in middle age and has a kind face, making him seem extremely mediocre.
Mu Dong, the commander-in-chief who has been stationed in the Western Border for many years, raised his glass first: "Your Highness has traveled a long way and must be tired. Arriving in the Western Border is like coming home. Uncle, please drink this cup to welcome my nephew and wash away the dust of his journey."
Mu Xi did not have the habit of drinking alcohol, but she could not refuse in this kind of occasion. Fortunately, she had taken the hangover medicine prepared by Doctor Luo in advance, and then drank it all in one gulp.
The liquor was a strong spirit unique to the Western Regions, burning hot as it went down her throat, carrying a rugged quality, completely different from the mellow liquor of Mo Yang in her memory.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Uncle." Mu Xi's voice was clear and bright, revealing little emotion. "I am new here and am unfamiliar with many things. I would appreciate your guidance, Uncle."
"I wouldn't dare offer advice, we're all family." Mu Dong put down his wine cup and warmly pointed to the three young men sitting to his left. "These are the three sons of the third uncle, who are also the young master's cousins. This is the eldest son, Mu Heng. Ever since Mu Xun returned to Moyang, he has taken over the troops under Mu Xun's command."
Mu Xi had already inquired about Mu Dong's situation to some extent, so she nodded and said, "Greetings, Cousin Mu Heng."
At first glance, Mu Heng does resemble his father, except for his three-white eyes, which seem to bulge in their sockets, making it unclear whether they are inherited from his birth mother.
“Cousin…” Mu Heng stood up first, his movements swift and efficient, displaying the competence honed in the military. He was quite tall, and after a brief return bow, his eyes darted around before he began to speak sarcastically, “You don’t mind me addressing you this way, do you? After all, since the passing of the Marquis, and the King’s forced retreat to Liangdu, the position of Lord Jin Fang is still vacant, and I heard… my cousin was supposed to marry into the Qingyang County of the East Sea, but instead… ah…”
Does this mean they don't acknowledge her as the Crown Prince of Kim Bang?
Mu Xi had already anticipated that this trip to the western border might not be smooth, so she remained calm and composed.
Mu Dong's face darkened, and he scolded, "Heng'er, you mustn't be rude. By kinship, you are brothers of the same blood. By public authority, although the Crown Prince has not received an imperial decree, the King has not issued any decree to depose him and appoint someone else. Otherwise, that traitor Gao Quan would not have spread false information, attempting to have his own nephew Mu Chong take his place."
"Hmph, the Gao family is really out of their minds." Mu Heng cursed, plopped down, and didn't say anything more.
Mu Dong turned his face away, then put on a kind smile and continued to introduce, "These are the Crown Prince's two cousins, Mu Qiong and Mu Min. They are twin brothers, and they have both followed their elder brother in military training. You brothers should get closer in the future."
The two greeted each other.
Upon hearing that they were twin brothers, Mu Xi couldn't help but take a closer look, only to find that they were not identical twins.
The two looked nothing like Mu Dong, probably because they both resembled their birth mother. However, they shared a similar temperament with their father, Mu Dong, who was mediocre and easygoing.
After Mu Xi returned the greeting, the two sat down together, their movements surprisingly synchronized.
Next, Mu Dong enthusiastically introduced Mu Xi to the many civil and military officials from the Western Border who were accompanying them in the hall.
Each time a general was introduced, the introduced officer would stand up and greet them one by one.
Mu Xi returned the greetings one by one, but couldn't remember all the people at once. Only after a mature and prudent captain mentioned Mu Xun did she have any recollection of him.
Once someone mentioned Mu Xun, it was like a floodgate had opened, and they suddenly had a lot to say.
Mu Xi observed that there were few civil officials and many military officers among the officials in the hall.
Most of the military officers should know Mu Xun, but unfortunately Mu Xun is not here. These people seem to be following Mu Heng's lead.
After the introductions, Mu Xi raised his glass to Mu Dong: "Uncle, you have managed the Western Regions so well over the years. It must have been very hard work. My father has passed away. On behalf of my late father, I would like to offer you a toast, Uncle."
"We're all family, no need for formalities," Mu Dong said warmly, downing his drink in one gulp.
After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.
After enjoying a good meal and drinks, Mu Dong got down to business: "Nephew, rest assured, I promised my brother that the Western Frontier troops would be handed over to you intact. Although you have been frail and sickly for many years, with Mu Xun and Mu Heng helping you on either side, there will definitely be no problem..."
Mu Xi has spent the last two years recuperating in the East China Sea, and has managed to recover some of the energy she lost from the two injuries to her heart meridian. However, it would not be an exaggeration to say that she is still "weak and sickly".
She couldn't refute Mu Dong's words, but she was already thinking about what to do about Mu Xun once the military power was transferred.
Upon arriving in the Western Region, Mu Dong immediately inquired why Mu Xun had not accompanied him.
Mu Xi could not reveal the details, only saying that the two came from different directions and that Mu Xun would be able to meet up soon.
However, without Mu Xun, she would have had a hard time controlling the military power in the western border region as it was being transferred.
Just as he was about to make things difficult, Mu Heng rolled his eyes and suddenly stood up: "A young master who can't even ride a horse steadily or lift a sword is qualified to command the Western Border troops? Father, you're getting senile. This Western Border is the foundation that your children have guarded for so many years. How can we easily hand it over to such a person?"
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