Chapter 42: Her Stomach Has Failed To Live Up To Expectations.

Half a month later, Mu Zhiming finally returned to the Capital. As soon as Mu Zhiming’s mother, Madam Gong, and Caiwei heard the news that Mu Zhiming was returning to the Capital, they went to wait for him at the entrance of the Residence. They had been waiting since early morning.

After Mu Zhiming saluted and paid his respects to his parents, he told them everything he had seen as well as heard at the border. After that, Mu Zhiming made the decision to go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow to meet with the Emperor, and went to rest in his wing room. Caiwei didn’t dare to neglect her Young Master and hurriedly arranged some chores. As soon as Mu Zhiming arrived in his wing room accompanied by Caiwei, a young boy hurriedly brought a copper basin filled with hot water. Since the young boy was in such a hurry, he accidentally spilled some of the water. When Caiwei saw it, she frowned: “Why are your hands and feet so clumsy?”

The boy panicked, apologizing over and over again.

“Alright, alright, go back now.” Caiwei waved her hand and then cleaned up the floor. After that, she took a clean silk cloth, soaked it in hot water, then wring it dry to wipe the dusty cheeks and hands of Mu Zhiming.

Mu Zhiming was puzzled: “I have only been away for half a year. Why are there so many new faces in the Residence?”

Caiwei smiled and said: “Young Master, you still don’t know, but the Seventh Prince was conferred the title of King a few days ago, and his Residence is located next to the Imperial City. Madam was worried that he would be uncomfortable being surrounded by new people outside the Palace, so she chose dozens of loyal, intelligent maids and servants, sending them over to the Prince’s Residence. Since the number of servants greatly decreased, yesterday, the old Housekeeper brought a lot of new people.”

“Oh, I see.” Mu Zhiming nodded. After pondering in silence, he asked softly: “Then….has the Fifth Prince not been given the title of King as well?”

Caiwei nodded and replied: “Yes, he has one too.”

“Those days are really getting closer and closer….” Mu Zhiming murmured worriedly.

“What days?” Caiwei asked, confused.

“Nothing.” Mu Zhiming raised his head.

“Young Master, you should rest early. Look at you. You have always been thin, but after that trip to the border, you have lost a lot of weight! Haa, not only is Madam distressed, but when I see you like this, I am distressed as well….” Caiwei sighed.

“Isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?” Mu Zhiming laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back to my old weight in no time now that I’m back home.”

Caiwei wiped Mu Zhiming’s face and hands, then helped him take out the crown from his hair: “I’ll ask the Cook to make your favorite dishes tomorrow!”

Although the winter in the Capital was also very cold and snowy, the Mu Family Residence had been flooded with warmth due to the reunion as well as the return of the Young Master. Even the two stone lions1 at the main gate had been dressed in crimson robes.

—

The next day, Mu Zhiming went to the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor and informed him of his border investigation. When the Emperor heard Mu Zhiming’s report on the White City, he was enraged and ordered twelve Inspectors to rush to the border to investigate unauthorized tax collection, along with eliminating the corrupt Officials.

As for Mu Zhiming, the Emperor rewarded him with silk and silver for his great merits, as well as the position of Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Rites.

After leaving the Xuande Hall, Mu Zhiming went to the Fengyi Palace to meet with the Noble Consort Niangniang.

The Fengyi Palace, as always, was completely decorated with flowers in full bloom. Even though the cold of winter was quite severe, in the distance you can see the cold plum blossoms in the courtyard, filling the Palace with a soft and warm fragrance. The Noble Consort was still as elegant and beautiful as ever. However, when she heard that Mu Zhiming had come to visit her, she lifted her skirt and rushed to the gate of the Fengyi Palace to meet him. No matter how many years had passed, it was impossible for her lively personality to wear down: “Lizhu! You’re back!”

“Noble Consort, long time no see.” Mu Zhiming bowed to greet her. But before he could finish the formalities, the Noble Consort dragged him into the Fengyi Palace.

“Lizhu, you haven’t seen me for half a year and you have already forgotten the way I am? Why greeting me, hmm? Come on, come in quickly~~”

As she spoke, the Noble Consort led Mu Zhiming into the inner hall, where there were cushions with peonies embroidered in golden thread. After the Noble Consort made Mu Zhiming sit down, she ordered the Palace Maids to bring melon seeds and fruits to eat with him: “I have been bored to death for the past few days. Tell me something about the border. Did you have fun?”

“It is fun, but it is also very cold.” Mu Zhiming relaxed and no longer tried to be polite as the rules dictates. As he took out a small wooden box from his bosom, Mu Zhiming said: “Niangniang, I brought this back from a town on the border. I hope you will like it.”

“Quick, quick, let me see!” The Noble Consort smiled brightly.

A Palace Maid, waiting on the side, stepped forward and took the small wooden box from Mu Zhiming’s hands, then handed it to the Noble Consort. The Noble Consort, on the other hand, took the wooden box with a big smile and hurriedly opened it to take a look at what was inside.

Inside the wooden box, there were three small clay figurines. These figurines were dressed in exotic costumes from the North. While the workmanship wasn’t exquisite, it was much more interesting that way. At a single glance, it was as if you could see the vast landscape beyond the border.

The Noble Consort was delighted and held a clay figure in her hands, not wanting to let it go: “Oh! It’s so beautiful! As expected, Lizhu understands me so well!”

Mu Zhiming said: “Father once told me that when the Noble Consort was young, she liked to travel the world and collect exotic things, which only made my grandfather furious.”

The Noble Consort covered her lips and said with a smile: “Yes, everyone has always said that because I’m a woman, the daughter of a noble family, I cannot run freely. That it’s not decent. But I have never cared what others say, I just wanted to travel everywhere. Back then, when I was still just Mu Qingwan, I….” Suddenly, the Noble Consort’s voice lowered, as if she was remembering something. Her thoughts wandered, and her words became so faint that they were almost inaudible: “….I was free and unrestrained….”

Mu Zhiming called to her softly: “Niangniang?”

“Ah,” the Noble Consort snapped back to reality and smiled softly: “I’m fine, I was just thinking about old times! Lizhu, tell me everything you have seen and heard at the border. I have never been to the Northern Border or White City!”

That day, in the Fengyi Palace, where the vermilion walls of the Imperial Palace completely blocked the plum trees, and snow covered the lonely courtyard, Mu Zhiming vividly told Mu Qingwan about the customs of the people living in the Great Desert of the border.

The conversation continued until Mu Zhiming bowed to the Noble Consort and saluted her, ready to leave. However, the Noble Consort wasn’t satisfied with the short visit, and reluctantly took Mu Zhiming’s hand to ask him to return to the Palace to visit her soon. Only after Mu Zhiming replied three times “Yes, I will,” did the Noble Consort let him go.

After Mu Zhiming left the Fengyi Palace, he bumped into Physician Kuang in the corridor. Physician Kuang, whose eyes were a bit dizzy, yelled at Mu Zhiming: “Noble Consort Niangniang?!”

Mu Zhiming hurriedly stopped Physician Kuang from greeting him, and laughed out loud: “Physician Kuang, I know I look a lot like the Noble Consort, but not to the point of being mistaken for her. Open your eyes wide, you can recognize who I am, right?”

“Ow oops, I’m so old and getting giddy.” Physician Kuang took a closer look at Mu Zhiming and patted his forehead in annoyance. As Physician Kuang’s old face turned crimson from embarrassment, he said: “Lizhu, is it you! Have you returned from the Northern Border already?”

“Yes,” Mu Zhiming bowed to Physician Kuang and said: “Why have you come to Fengyi Palace? Is…the Noble Consort unwell? But I just saw her. She seemed quite healthy and energetic.”

Physician Kuang hesitated for a moment, but then he took hold of Mu Zhiming’s wrist and whispered in his ear: “Lizhu, you have been close to the Noble Consort since you were born. Since you’re not an outsider, I will tell you. His Majesty the Emperor has ordered me to check on the Noble Consort’s pulse.”

“Hmm?” Mu Zhiming was puzzled: “Why?”

“Sigh…. Noble Consort Niangniang’s stomach has failed to live up to expectations.” Physician Kuang said helplessly. “Even after so many years, the Noble Consort hasn’t become pregnant again.”

Mu Zhiming was slightly stunned.

Come to think of it, it was really strange. After the Noble Consort entered the Imperial Palace, the Emperor gave all of his favor to her. Even after so many years, the Emperor was still devoted to her and has never reduced his favor for her. However, aside from Fu Ji’an, the Noble Consort never had another child.

“Because of this, the Emperor has been very anxious over the years. Sigh, I will say no more.” Physician Kuang waved his hand and said: “I have to go to the Fengyi Palace.”

After the two of them said their goodbyes, Mu Zhiming continued to walk towards the Palace exit. However, as luck would have it in for him today, Mu Zhiming ran into another person as soon as he started walking again.

This time, the person Mu Zhiming met with was none other than….Fu Yi.