Chapter 26 My Father is Going on a Long Trip to Fight the Bad Guys
News of the plague in the southwest caused a huge uproar in the imperial court of the capital.
During the morning court session, Crown Prince Chu Chongyun's faction immediately jumped out and brought up the old issue again.
"Your Majesty! The barbarians' actions are clearly a collusion with the remnants of the previous dynasty, an attempt to undermine the foundation of our Great Chu! I believe we should immediately send troops to suppress them!"
"That's right! The southwestern border is a wild and untamed land. If it is not subdued with swift and decisive measures, the consequences will be dire!"
Their criticism, seemingly directed at the barbarians, was actually a veiled attack on Prince Chu Heng and Duke Mu Fang, who had opposed the Ninth Prince's trip to the southwest.
"Your Highness Prince Lie, Duke Huguo, you both stood up for the Ninth Prince back then, saying that pacifying the southwest would suffice. Now, the barbarians not only fail to appreciate our efforts but have become even more aggressive. What do you two have to say about this?"
Mu Fang, dressed in court robes, stood in the hall with a somber expression, not uttering a single word.
He knew that any explanation at this moment would be futile.
Emperor Chu Yuan sat on the dragon throne, his face also looking very grim.
He glanced at the composed Ninth Prince Chu Chongjin, then at the silent Mu Fang, feeling extremely irritated.
Finally, he slammed his hand on the armrest: "This matter shall be jointly discussed by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue, and a plan shall be produced within three days! Court adjourned!"
The argument, which had yielded no results, has temporarily come to an end.
Inside the residence of Princess Anguo.
Mu Yu was unaware of the turbulent events unfolding in the imperial court.
She was having a great time playing with Qin Zheng and Princess Jianing in their new home.
Su Yuejian also arrived, bringing a gift.
It was a small purse made of the softest brocade, with a lifelike little koi fish embroidered on it using colorful silk threads.
The koi's eyes are made of two tiny black pearls, smaller than grains of rice, that sparkle brightly.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" Mu Yu took the purse and hung it on her waist with great affection.
"Sister Yuejian, your hands are so skillful!" Qin Zheng also came over to look, her face full of envy.
She only knows how to wield knives and guns; asking her to handle needles would be worse than killing her.
Su Yue felt a little embarrassed by the praise, her face flushed: "I'm glad the princess likes it."
"I love it! I love sparkly things the most!" Mu Yu happily spun around on the spot, the little koi fish pouch at her waist swaying back and forth.
"Sister Yuejian, can you take care of my clothes and purse from now on?" Mu Yu asked, holding Su Yuejian's hand.
She noticed that Su Yuejian's white aura carried a warm and comforting feeling, making her want to get closer.
"I...can I?" Su Yue was flattered.
She was the daughter of a female official in the Imperial Clothing Bureau, a woman of low status. It was already an honor for her to make small things for the princess; how could she dare to take over all of the princess's clothes?
"Of course!" Qin Zheng patted her chest and said, "My father said that capable people, regardless of their background, deserve respect! Yuejian, you are so good at needlework, much better than those arrogant embroiderers in the palace!"
Encouraged by Qin Zheng and Mu Yu, Su Yuejian finally nodded.
Night fell.
After taking a fragrant petal bath in the huge tub, Mu Yu was carried back to her room by her father.
Her new bed was big and soft, and the quilt was embroidered with cute little fish patterns.
Mu Fang tucked the blanket around her, sat on the edge of the bed, and looked at his daughter's exquisitely beautiful face, but his heart was heavy.
The emperor might send him to deal with the plague in the southwest.
But once he leaves the capital, who will protect his little fish?
"Daddy," Mu Yu stretched her little hand out from under the covers and touched Mu Fang's furrowed brows, "Are you unhappy?"
"Father doesn't have it." Mu Fang held his daughter's little hand.
“You’re lying,” Mu Yu said, using her Eye of Fortune to see that the bright red fortune above her father’s head was now being shrouded in wisps of gray mist that represented worry. “There are gray bugs crawling on your head.”
Mu Fang felt a chill run down her spine.
My daughter's abilities are becoming more and more acute.
He sighed and asked in return, "If Father were to leave Little Yu'er and go to a very, very far place, would Little Yu'er be afraid?"
Mu Yu was stunned for a moment, her big eyes instantly filling with tears.
"Does Father not want me anymore?"
"Silly girl," Mu Fang hugged her and gently patted her back, "How could Daddy not want you? Daddy went to fight the bad guys, and after he drove them away, he came back to be with Xiao Yu'er."
"Beat up bad guys..." Mu Yu thought for a moment, "Does it mean beat up bad guys like that evil Taoist priest?"
"Yeah, an even worse villain than him."
Mu Yu rubbed her little head against her father's chest and whispered, "How long will it take you, Daddy?"
"It might take... a few months."
Several months...
For a four-and-a-half-year-old child, this is a very long time.
Mu Yu fell silent.
Just when Mu Fang thought she was about to cry, she raised her head and looked at him with her clear amber eyes.
"Then Father must promise me that he will think of Xiaoyuer every day."
"Also, we need to quickly drive away the bad guys and come back soon to eat the osmanthus cake I hid."
"And also, no injuries, no bleeding."
She stretched out her little finger and made a pinky promise with Mu Fang: "Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no take-backs!"
Looking at his daughter's feigned maturity, Mu Fang's eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded heavily: "Okay, Father promises you."
After settling his daughter down to sleep, Mu Fang left the room.
In the courtyard, Chu Chongjin and Xiao Beichen were already waiting for him.
"Your Highness, did you hear everything?" Mu Fang asked.
"Yes," Chu Chongjin nodded, "Don't worry, Duke Protector, I will personally take charge of the safety of the Princess's Mansion after you go on your expedition. Xiao Beichen will also stay in the capital to protect the Princess's Mansion."
Xiao Beichen nodded vigorously from the side: "General Mu, go with peace of mind! Anyone who dares to touch a hair on Xiao Yu'er's head, I, Xiao Beichen, will be the first to not let him off!"
With their assurance, Mu felt somewhat at ease.
But the real threat never comes from open swords and spears.
The next day, an unexpected visitor arrived at the princess's residence.
She was a young novice nun wearing a gray monk's robe and with her hair still intact.
She looked no more than seven or eight years old, with delicate features, a peaceful expression, and eyes as clear as a mountain spring.
She appeared quietly in the garden where Mu Yu and the others were playing without giving any notice.
No one noticed how she got there; it was as if she was always meant to be there.
"Amitabha." The young novice nun put her hands together and bowed slightly to Mu Yu, who was chasing butterflies.
Mu Yu stopped and looked at her curiously.
Looking at him with the Eye of Fortune, this young master possessed neither the white fortune of an ordinary person nor the golden fortune of royalty, but rather a soft, warm, milky-white halo emanating a faint sandalwood fragrance.
The light made her feel comfortable and close.
"Who are you?" Mu Yu asked.
"This humble nun, Huiming, comes from the Royal Temple." Huiming's voice, like her eyes, was calm and ethereal.
"Did you come here to play with me?"
Huiming shook his head, then nodded.
She walked up to Mu Yu, stretched out her finger, and gently touched the seven-colored scale on the back of Mu Yu's hand.
"This is why I came."
She looked at Mu Yu, her clear eyes reflecting the little girl's confused expression.
"People say this is the 'reverse scale,' whether it is an auspicious sign or a harbinger of disaster, because it can bring about fortune and misfortune, and is unpredictable."
“But in my humble opinion,” said the young nun Huiming with a slight smile, like a lotus flower blooming before the Buddha, “this is not a sign of weakness, but rather the light of wisdom.”
"The Light of Wisdom?" Mu Yu tilted her head, puzzled.
Yan Ziche, who was standing to the side, felt a stirring in his heart upon hearing this.
"What do you mean by that, young master?" He stepped forward and asked respectfully.
Huiming glanced at him and slowly said, "Koi are originally mortal creatures, but by chance, they can acquire spiritual energy and transform into spirits. However, their path of cultivation lies in 'benefiting others' rather than 'benefiting themselves.' Saving one person brings a share of blessings; helping a country brings a share of merit."
"The source of the princess's glory lies here. By using blessings and merits to regulate fortune and punish evil and promote good, this is the great wisdom and great compassion that aligns with the way of heaven. How can there be any talk of a calamity star?"
Her words left the several teenagers present somewhat confused.
But Mu Yu understood.
She understood "saving people", "helping people", and "punishing evil and promoting good".
The Turtle Prime Minister had said something similar to her before.
This young master is the first person who can truly see through the essence of her abilities!
Mu Yu immediately developed a great liking for her.
"Little master, you're so kind!" She took Huiming's hand. "Come with me, I'll treat you to the most delicious milk cake!"
Huiming did not refuse and let her pull him into the reception hall.
Qin Zheng, Jia Ning, and Su Yuejian followed curiously.
Just as they were about to step into the flower hall, Master Huiming suddenly stopped.
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Her gaze did not fall on the exquisite furnishings in the flower hall, nor on the fragrant pastries on the table, but instead landed on... the ground.
The ground was paved with smooth bluestone slabs.
"What's wrong, little master?" Mu Yu noticed her unusual behavior and turned around to ask.
Huiming didn't answer, but squatted down and stretched out her fair fingers to gently stroke the cold ground.
Her expression became more solemn than ever before.
“Strange…” she murmured to herself.
"The feng shui of this place is originally an auspicious pattern of gathering and retaining energy, so why... is the earth's energy so disordered?"
She closed her eyes, as if sensing something.
A moment later, she suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze sharp as lightning, and shot towards the central beam of the flower hall!
"wrong!"
"The foundation of this mansion... has been nailed to it!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
