Chapter 80 Moonlight and Fiery Blaze
Mu Xi alighted from her carriage in front of the mansion gate.
Just as they stepped through the gate, Pei Dong, limping, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, looking anxious: "Oh, Your Highness, you've finally returned."
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Mu Xi asked.
Pei Dong glanced at Mu Xun and Mu Chong who had followed behind: "The Marquis has ordered that the three young masters go to his study as soon as they return."
Mu Xi couldn't help but feel nervous, so she asked, "What exactly happened?"
Pei Dong looked around cautiously: "Hasn't Your Highness heard that the late king's remains have been stolen today?"
"Is it because of this?" Mu Xi didn't take it seriously and followed him inside. "What's the big deal? The whole of Moyang City knows about it, right?"
Pei Dong limped along, keeping pace with him: "Has Your Highness heard that, in addition to the theft of the late king's remains, the royal mausoleum, which is under construction right next to it, has also been damaged? I heard that a group of slaves who were building the mausoleum escaped, and now the Red Carp and the Imperial Guards are conducting a large-scale search inside and outside the city."
Mu Xi still didn't think it was a big deal: "I saw it. The Red Carp Guards were indiscriminately killing innocent people, and the Imperial Guards were taking advantage of the chaos to loot."
"Shh..." Pei Dong quickly made a shushing gesture, lowering his voice to the lowest level, "Your Highness, you dare not speak carelessly. Nowadays, everyone is spreading rumors in private about 'the moonlight is like fire, and the water will be devoid of fish'."
Mu Xi didn't understand. Just as she was about to ask another question, she stepped through the second gate and entered the main courtyard.
The group made their way to the study.
Jin Fangjun Muzhen was sitting alone behind his desk in his study.
Pei Dong led Mu Xi, Mu Xun, and Mu Chong inside.
The three paid their respects.
Mu Zhen raised his eyelids and glanced at them: "You must have all heard about what happened last night when you went out today, and you may have even seen the actions of the Red Carp Guard and the Imperial Guard. Therefore, in the coming days, everyone in the Jun Mansion must act cautiously and not go out easily without a reason."
“Yes…” Mu Xun and Mu Chong answered in unison.
Mu Xi had thought that after returning from tomb sweeping, Mu Zhen would at least ask about Princess Yun Ying first, but she didn't expect that the whole thing would be just to give such a warning.
"Do you understand?" Seeing that Mu Xi did not react, Mu Zhen asked again.
"I understand," Mu Xi replied.
Before he could say anything more, Mu Zhen said, "You and Chong'er should go back and rest first. Xun'er, stay here. I have something to tell you."
Mu Xi had nothing more to say and turned to leave.
As soon as Mu Chong stepped out of the study, he was watched by Bai Wei and Bai Ji.
The two remained silent on the way back to the East Courtyard.
As soon as Mu Xi returned to the inner room, Doctor Luo followed her in: "You've had a long day, I'm worried about you, so I'll take your pulse."
Mu Xi sighed inwardly, thinking that this was the attitude a father or relative should have.
He plopped down on the edge of the bed and stretched out his wrist.
Doctor Luo also sat down on the round stool by the bed and began to take the patient's pulse.
When Mu Xi returned and walked around the Jun residence, she could vaguely sense that all the servants were on edge, clearly having been warned.
But why the fuss? So he asked Doctor Luo, "Doctor Luo, you said the theft of the late emperor's remains has nothing to do with us, so why are you so nervous?"
Doctor Luo took his pulse and, perhaps finding it acceptable, replied, "Who knows? It's certainly not our business. Your pulse is fine, so it seems you weren't affected by the events of the day. However, I'll add two calming herbs to today's medicine."
Mu Xi had no objection and continued with her plan: "Doctor Luo, what if I could make a prediction based on this incident... like the late king appearing in a dream, asking which direction the remains were stolen in..."
"Don't act recklessly." Doctor Luo's expression immediately changed. "This matter is of utmost importance and cannot be taken lightly."
"Why?" Mu Xi's thinking was that others might not be able to do it, but as a descendant of the Mu family, it was only natural for her grandfather to appear in her dream.
She could fabricate an ambiguous story, and if she guessed correctly in the future, wouldn't she be able to gain some fame and pave the way for establishing a "spirit association" in the future, as well as preparing for the eventual restoration of her identity?
Doctor Luo's expression was more serious than ever before: "This is no joke, it's extremely important. Don't even think about it, don't even touch it."
"Does Doctor Luo know something?" Mu Xi thought of Mu Xun's hesitant words during the day, and wondered what he was discussing with his scumbag father. She couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Doctor Luo got up, went to the table and wrote down a prescription for two medicines, which she handed to Tao'er. She instructed, "Go and get the medicine, and then add it to the decoction that the young master will be taking today."
"Yes." Tao'er took the prescription and left.
Once only Ze Lan remained in the room, Doctor Luo turned around and asked, "Who do you think stole those remains?"
Mu Xi asked curiously, "Do you know?"
"Sigh..." Doctor Luo sat down at the octagonal table, poured himself a cup of tea, and prepared for a long talk. "This story begins with 'Moonlight and Fiery Light.' Although Yan Sheng is called a continent, it is actually like a lone boat on the sea, rising and falling, with countless dynasties rising and falling over it over thousands of years. The former Yan Kingdom was in decline, plagued by natural disasters and man-made calamities, ultimately leading to widespread suffering and resentment. King Yan had no solutions and, in desperation, colluded with pirates. The Mu clan, in accordance with the will of Heaven, used the celestial phenomenon of 'Moonlight and Fiery Light' as proof, and in accordance with the sentiments of the people, used the Xi clan's betrayal and the people's disloyalty as reasons to take over."
This was all that Mu Xi knew from the original owner's memories: "I understand it the same way, don't I?"
Doctor Luo nodded and then shook his head: "Yes and no."
“That is…” Mu Xi waited for Doctor Luo to give her the answer.
"The people are suffering and cannot survive; this is true in every dynasty. But even so, it's not true that every dynasty has seen popular rebellions. The so-called celestial phenomenon of 'fiery moonlight' is nothing but a fabrication by shamans," sighed Doctor Luo. "As for what truly causes the people to lose heart? What is it that the people of Yansheng cannot tolerate the most?"
Mu Xi then replied, "Sea pirates?"
The continent of Yansheng is named after its location east of the Nine Gardens, the place where the sun rises.
Yansheng is surrounded by the sea on all sides, and borders the Nine Realms Continent to the northwest. The Nine Realms is vast and rich in resources, and is thriving. It does not need to seek anything from outside. Yansheng has something to rely on and is willing to be a vassal state. For thousands of years, they have exchanged goods and lived in harmony.
In contrast, the islands to the east, south, and west have historically served as places for displaced people and bandits. Over time, these bandits multiplied and developed into powerful groups, robbing and pillaging along the coast. At their peak, they were even able to penetrate deep into the heart of the continent and seize half of it.
The pirates were rampant and could not be eradicated. Once they attacked, they committed all kinds of atrocities, burning, killing, and looting, leaving nothing but locusts in their wake.
Historically, they were the most hated by the people of Yansheng. Anyone who colluded with the pirates was considered to have committed heinous crimes and was attacked by the masses.
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