The World is Initially Settled, Part Four (The End)
After returning to the capital with Mo Feng and Xian Ying, Mu Chuan went back to the Princess's residence alone.
The princess was not surprised that he did not bring Wang Pan'er back with him.
Since she began ruling from behind the curtain, she has allowed her two children, who have already settled into their ways, to grow up freely, firmly believing that as long as they are not morally corrupt, they will surely have children and grandchildren to enjoy good fortune.
However, since her son was upset, the mother still had to do something to show her support.
She handed over a list, which Mu Chuan took and opened. It contained the names of the managers of Tianchengyuan Money Shop in various locations, along with a seal engraved with the character "Tian".
This seal represents the identity of the owner of Tianchengyuan and has the highest authority. With it, even if Tianchengyuan is dealt with, no one will dare to object.
The eldest princess said, "Have someone send this to Pan'er. Her roots are in Jinzhou Prefecture. Forcing her to stay in the capital is like watching her wither away. This can help her grow stronger as soon as possible. Once her roots have grown and reached the capital, our family can be reunited."
Mu Chuan carefully placed the seal at the bottom of his purse and said to the Princess, "Mother is still the best."
The princess flicked his head: "They say that men become more mature after they get married, but you've become even more coquettish."
Mu Chuan was dissatisfied with the princess's description and dodged her hand that was flicking his forehead: "Pan'er wouldn't dislike me."
The eldest princess smiled gently and instructed, "Pan'er is willing to spoil you, but you must not become spoiled. The seal was only taken out with Lan'er's consent. When Pan'er returns to the capital, it must be returned to me."
"knew."
After exchanging greetings with his mother, Mu Chuan hurriedly tidied his clothes and went to the palace to report back.
Before he could even get to the point, Mu Yunji seized the opportunity to tease him relentlessly: "I never imagined that my cousin would be so fond of women and neglect his brother! I've exchanged memorials with Minister Li several times, and you're only now returning to the capital. Now, standing before you, I'm probably not even as important as the stone lions at the palace gate."
Mu Yunji kept rambling on, and the words Wang Pan'er used to describe him suddenly popped into Mu Chuan's mind—a white-cut, black-filled sesame glutinous rice dumpling.
It couldn't be more vivid.
His head started buzzing; he quickly stopped Mu Yunji's chatter: "If you don't speak properly, I'll really quit and chase after Pan'er back to Jinzhou."
"I've had enough! Look at you now, you can't stop talking about your sister-in-law!" Mu Yunji wailed. "Good heavens, how could she bear to let you go back to the capital alone? Doesn't she worry at all that you'll be snatched away by those covetous noble ladies?!"
Will Wang Pan'er be worried?
No, if he dared to cheat on Wang Pan'er, he would be kicked out immediately. Just thinking about that situation made Mu Chuan feel extremely miserable.
However, Wang Pan'er was always surrounded by beautiful women; boys liked her, and girls loved to get close to her. Although Wang Pan'er would never do anything out of line, the fact that he wasn't her closest friend was enough to make Mu Chuan anxious and irritable.
Upon returning to the capital, Mu Yunji originally intended to appoint Mu Chuan as the Privy Councilor. However, after Mu Yunji's unintentional provocation, Mu Chuan thought it over and over again, becoming increasingly unwilling to accept the position. He then obtained the official register and, after studying it thoroughly, volunteered to become the Imperial Envoy, tasked with inspecting local officials and the political situation for Mu Yunji.
"You really don't want to be the Privy Councilor?" Mu Yunji asked in surprise. This was a very high-ranking official position that held important military and political responsibilities.
However, Mu Chuan had no interest in power. His return to the capital to report for duty and receive his new post was solely out of a sense of responsibility, for the sake of the stability of the Great Xia Dynasty. The work of inspecting the provinces was also extremely important, and it also required someone trusted by the emperor to take on the role. In either case, he was serving the court, and being able to travel the country with Wang Pan'er, how could he possibly care about the position of Privy Councilor?
Thus, Mu Chuan, full of high spirits, returned to Jinzhou Prefecture ten days later and chose the nearest auspicious day to hold the first happy event in Jinzhou Prefecture after the war.
Jinzhou was short of supplies, so the Princess prepared peanuts, melon seeds, wedding candy, and other items, and asked Mu Chuan to bring them to Jinzhou.
It was an extremely rare event for the Prince and Princess to hold a wedding banquet in Jinzhou Prefecture.
This was their second wedding banquet, and Wang Pan'er was completely carefree, leaving all the traditional wedding rituals behind. Despite wearing a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, she still lifted the sedan chair curtain in the street and scattered wedding candies along the way.
The people were already grateful to the two sisters, so almost the entire city turned out for the wedding banquet. The Jinzhou Prefecture was bustling with activity, with gongs and drums beating loudly, even more lively than the firecrackers on New Year's Eve.
Wang Pan'er received countless blessings and was in a great mood. She waved her hand and arranged a three-day banquet at the medicinal cuisine restaurant, welcoming all who came.
Mu Chuan gave Wang Xiaoyao and Wang Chengxi each a thick red envelope, finally getting his wish to get the two younger sisters to change their address.
After the wedding in Jinzhou Prefecture, Wang Pan'er began to prepare to expand her business, opening branches of Shanhe Medicinal Cuisine Restaurant throughout the Great Xia Dynasty.
She did not accept Tianchengyuan's seal. The eldest princess had given her a lot of valuables, and Mu Chuan's assets were also handed over to her, so she had plenty of funds. She had already opened a branch and had standardized procedures. As long as she found a suitable shop, the personnel, funds, and materials would be in place immediately.
Moreover, Mu Chuan made the decision to have a copy made of the plaque personally inscribed by the Emperor. She figured no one would dare to be ungrateful and cause trouble at her shop.
If she still can't succeed under these conditions, she might as well pack up her belongings, retreat to the Princess's residence, and be a pampered wife.
*
Three years later, the Shanhe Medicinal Cuisine Restaurant in the capital finally opened its doors.
Soldiers and their families who had received kindness from Wang Pan'er were the first to come and show their support. Braving the heavy snow, they flocked to the clinic and formed a long queue.
Li Qingyan also completed his mission of restoring Jinzhou and was appointed to return to the capital as Minister of Revenue.
When Wang Pan'er learned that her old acquaintance had returned to the capital to report for duty, she naturally went to invite him to a welcoming feast.
She had been away for three years and was unaware that her second sister had already gone with Li Qingyan. When she saw the two standing side by side at the city gate, she was so shocked that her mouth could have fit a whole egg. Then she kept patting Mu Chuan: "I was still wondering if I could drink Chengxi and Xianying's wedding wine. I didn't expect Xiaoyao to give me such a big surprise!"
"You're being unreasonable." Mu Chuan laughed. "Even if Xiao Yao wanted to send you a letter, with you changing locations these past few days, the letter wouldn't reach you."
"I was just feeling this way!" Wang Pan'er elbowed Mu Chuan in annoyance. "So sudden, aren't you surprised?"
"It was unexpected, but it makes sense." Mu Chuan pointed to the two people with affectionate expressions and analyzed with Wang Pan'er, "You forgot that when Li Qingyan took over as prefect, he adopted Xiaoyao's plan for Jinzhou Prefecture without making any changes. The two of them share the same ambition and are friends who can appreciate and recognize each other. If either of them is willing, this marriage is inevitable. Moreover, Li Qingyan has excellent character and outstanding abilities. At a time when the emperor is lacking support, as long as he doesn't go astray, his career will definitely be smooth. He would also be a very good choice as a husband."
"Okay, I trust your judgment in people."
After saying that, Wang Pan'er immediately stuck close to her younger sister.
Mu Chuan was suddenly all alone. He shrugged helplessly at Li Qingyan.
Wang Xiaoyao was accompanied by Wang Chengxi. Tao Shuo was unwilling to move and stayed in Jinzhou Prefecture. Wang Chengxi heard that her eldest sister was going to open a branch in the capital, and her second sister was also going to the capital with her future brother-in-law, so she naturally wanted to go with them. Now that she had completed her studies, she could practice medicine at the capital branch of the medicinal cuisine restaurant.
Wang Xiaoyao entrusted the Liuyun Chamber of Commerce to Su Lingya. She had done an excellent job in recent years, and Wang Xiaoyao was completely at ease handing it over to her. As for the Qianji Wanying Pavilion, a shop that benefited countless young women, it would take root quickly as long as no one interfered. But who would dare to cause trouble? This was the territory of the Chiayi County Magistrate; Wang Xiaoyao had no worries whatsoever.
As the year draws to a close, her younger sisters have all come to the capital, and Wang Pan'er is preparing a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.
The eldest princess finally got to enjoy a family reunion and insisted on holding a grand celebration.
Early on New Year's Eve, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law went out to shop. When they returned home, they found Wang Xiaoyao and Mu Lan, who had arrived early, already chatting and laughing together.
Watching the two laughing and joking figures, the eldest princess sighed, "Girls are just so lively and interesting."
“If my mother likes it, I often invite Xiaoyao to visit the mansion. Xiaoyao’s mother has passed away, and he is all alone.”
"Oh?" The eldest princess was surprised. "I thought you were sisters."
Wang Pan'er shook her head: "Xiaoyao is my neighbor's younger sister. Her father is an alcoholic and beats people when he's drunk. When I ran away, I took her with me."
The eldest princess, still shaken, grabbed Wang Pan'er's hand and patted it: "It's a good thing you let her out. If she hadn't been there, who knows how many more people would have died in the battle three years ago in Jinzhou Prefecture. No wonder the high monk of Kaiyuan Temple said you are noble, not only noble to me, but also noble to the Great Xia."
"Mother is exaggerating. With His Majesty, with you, and with so many loyal ministers, this is the true fortune of Great Xia."
"You're not even trying to be modest for me. Alright, it's time to prepare for the dinner."
This year's New Year's Eve banquet was supposed to be a grand affair, and they really did invite a lot of people, including Aunt Tian, who was on the list compiled by the Princess.
Aunt Tian is no longer the old lady in charge of purchasing at the medicinal cuisine restaurant; now she is the old lady of the Ministry of Revenue's mansion.
Setting up a banquet was not Wang Pan'er's forte. Fortunately, she was able to rely on the Princess to arrange it today. She just needed to assist the Princess. Otherwise, she really wouldn't have been able to arrange such a pleasing table of dishes.
The princess made thoughtful preparations, and the guests enjoyed the meal. The banquet was a success, with both host and guests having a pleasant time.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, everyone was reluctant to leave and gathered at the Princess's residence to celebrate the New Year together. Unexpectedly, after the palace banquet, Mu Yunji, along with the Empress Dowager and the Empress, also came to the Princess's residence with Mu Chuan to celebrate the New Year.
Everyone stood up to pay their respects.
Mu Yunji stopped everyone: "Today I am here as your nephew, and we are of the same generation. There is no need for formalities."
After returning to the manor, Mu Chuan immediately sidled up to Wang Pan'er, sticking to her side without leaving her side. Only after her explanation did he realize that it was customary for Mu Yunji to come to the Princess's manor after the New Year's Eve palace banquet.
Mu Yunji may seem to hold imperial power and enjoy boundless glory, but he has very few true relatives. The loneliness of being at the top is something that few people can understand.
On New Year's Eve, as every household lit their lamps, his loneliness intensified. So he indulged himself on this once-a-year day, shedding the burdens of ordinary life and becoming an ordinary person for a few hours.
Mu Yunji never expected the Princess's residence to be so lively this year. There was his beloved minister Li Qingyan, who had just returned to the capital, and the Princess of Jiayi, whom he had never met but greatly admired. Hearing that Li Qingyan and Wang Xiaoyao were in love, he felt the urge to bestow a marriage upon them again. However, three years had passed, and everyone had matured. This time, he was no longer impulsive and specifically inquired about their preferred location and time.
As the bells of the Drum Tower rang out, a perfect year had passed. Everyone clasped their hands together, praying for favorable weather, good health, and peace in the coming year.
After the 108 bells rang, Mu Yunji and his entourage had to return to the palace.
Before his departure, he summoned Mu Chuan and Wang Pan'er separately to discuss the new policies to be promulgated next year: "Now that the country is peaceful and prosperous, I intend to reopen the ports and trade with foreign countries and foreign nations. I have heard that my cousin's wife has extraordinary insight, and I would like to ask my cousin to serve as the Grand Minister, so that the two of you can work together to open up trade routes."
Foreign trade is not just about the exchange of goods, but also a means of promoting economic operation and cultural exchange. Mu Yunji may be young, but he is quite ambitious.
However, after enjoying the privileges that came with her status, Wang Pan'er's thinking gradually became assimilated by Mu Chuan's. She felt it was only natural that she should do something practical for the common people to give back to them. Therefore, when entrusted with this important task, she felt no fear, nor did she have any intention of refusing.
She looked up at Mu Chuan, wanting to see what he meant. Their eyes met, and the couple smiled knowingly. Then they clasped their hands together and bowed solemnly: "We will certainly live up to His Majesty's expectations!"
End of article
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