Chapter 11: Remember That Kindness Is A Blessing.

“Yeesh, drink slowly. It’s just a cup of tea, are you worried someone will steal it from you?” After seeing that Mu Zhiming had turned bright red after coughing, trying to cover his face with his sleeve, the Noble Consort couldn’t help laughing as she handed over a handkerchief and patted his back.

After recovering, Mu Zhiming exhaled and said: “That red agate jade pendant is a relic belonging to General G-….the mother of General Gu’s son?”

“Yes, that’s correct.” The Noble Consort nodded her head confidently.

Mu Zhiming held his forehead, as he covered his face, feeling both guilty and puzzled.

The reason for that guilt was that in his previous life, he had given such a meaningful object to Fu Yi without knowing.

Mu Zhiming was puzzled because, in his previous life, Gu Heyan had never mentioned any of this to him.

In his previous life, Gu Heyan had lost the red agate jade pendant. Mu Zhiming guessed that Gu Heyan must have thought that it fell into the pond, which was why Gu Heyan didn’t mention it. However, in this life, after Mu Zhiming was saved, Gu Heyan told Mu Zhiming that he could keep the jade pendant.

At that, Mu Zhiming thought: ‘Maybe Gu Heyan doesn’t know the jade pendant was his mother’s relic yet. Otherwise, how could he give it away so easily?’

‘But, why did Gu Heyan not say anything about saving my life in his past life?!!!’

‘He saved my life out of kindness! It’s not a bad thing to expect a debt of gratitude!’

“He’s too taciturn….” Mu Zhiming sighed.

AD
“Who’s taciturn?” The Noble Consort asked, after seeing Mu Zhiming muttering to himself.

“No one.” Mu Zhiming hurried to raise his head.

At that moment, a eunuch reported outside the tent: “Noble Consort Niangniang, it’s time to depart.”

—

The procession set out with the moon and stars, escorted by thousands of Imperial Guards, as they arrived at the Capital before the curfew.

When Mu Zhiming fell into the water, the matter wasn’t reported to the Residence of the Duke of Yan. However, Madam Gong had always been attentive. At a single glance, she was able to tell that something had happened to Mu Zhiming. She hurried to ask what had happened, but since Mu Zhiming didn’t want to worry his mother, he only told her that he was too tired and that it wasn’t anything serious. Given that Madam Gong couldn’t find out the reason why, she let Mu Zhiming go rest.

After greeting his parents, Mu Zhiming went back to his wing room. Just when Caiwei had helped Mu Zhiming take off his brocade robe, Wen Heyin barged in through the door like a strong wind: “Young Master! You’re back! A big wild boar was sent to the Residence earlier! Those fangs, that fierce look! Wow, wow, wow!”

“How many times do I have to tell you, to knock on the door before barging into the Young Master’s room? Knock! Knock on the door!” Caiwei curled her fingers and smashed it against Wen Heyin’s head, causing him to cry out ‘woah, wuwuwu.’

Mu Zhiming laughed at the two, and the fatigue in his heart dissipated at once.

The next day, Mu Zhiming mentioned the matter of returning the gratitude to the Gu family to Mu Boren. Unexpectedly, Mu Boren decided to only return the gratitude by sending a gift to the Gu family’s Residence but refused to pay a visit.

Although Mu Boren was highly arrogant, his own son was kindly saved. Since Mu Zhiming knew that his father was not such an indifferent person, Mu Zhiming questioned Mu Boren about it. Unexpectedly, Mu Boren was shocked: “What?! You fell into a deep pond in the mountain stream?”

It was only then that Mu Zhiming became aware that when Gu Heyan handed him over to the Imperial Physician that day, he left quietly after hearing that Mu Zhiming was alright. Gu Heyan didn’t even claim credit for saving Mu Zhiming’s life, and left without asking for a reward.

Both the Noble Consort and Mu Boren thought that Mu Zhiming had simply fallen into a shallow stream while being playful, which was why he had gotten his clothes wet.

After Mu Boren reproached Mu Zhiming for not informing him of such an important event earlier, Mu Boren went to prepare a generous gift and write a letter.

Mu Zhiming, who was scolded for no reason, walked back to his room in a daze and almost bumped into Caiwei.

“Young Master, what happened? Are you not feeling well?” Caiwei asked with concern.

After Mu Zhiming came back to his senses, he said without thinking: “In the big forest, there are all kinds of birds1. In this vast land, there is a man who is neither deaf nor dumb. He has a big mouth, but he doesn’t use it to say anything. Don’t you think it’s strange? Could it be possible that in his eyes, saving a person is not worth mentioning?”

Caiwei didn’t understand what Mu Zhiming was talking about, and could only see that Mu Zhiming had begun to laugh after he had finished speaking.

As Mu Zhiming raised the corners of his mouth, he curled his fingers against his lips and narrowed his eyes slightly. Smiling like a cunning fox, who had become amused all of a sudden, he muttered: “This world has such an undeniably good man, and I’ve seen him with my own eyes.”

—

In Spring, the city was full of smoky willows2, showing a beautiful Spring scene.

General Gu’s Residence was quiet and unadorned. With five or six wing rooms surrounding a courtyard, built with red bricks and red tiles. The courtyard was empty, with no bright flowers or plants. Only at the corner of the East wing were green parasol trees planted in succession, covering the pavilion.

Gu Heyan, dressed in a bright white brocade, practiced his sword technique under a tree. His posture was like a wandering dragon, and his sword looked as cold as the snow when the moonlight shone upon it. After picking up half of a broken leaf using the tip of his sword, Gu Heyan pulled out a couple of elegant sword strokes. At the right time, the remnants of the leaf fell on the tip of his sword smoothly, as if the wind didn’t exist.

“Young Master Yuyi.”

AD
Gu Heyan had just put away his sword, when an amiable woman called out his name as she walked towards him. It was Gu Heyan’s wet nurse, Aunt Liang.

“Master wants you to go to the side hall.” Aunt Liang said, as soon as she approached him.

Gu Heyan nodded, got up, and rushed to the side hall to see Gu Miao. Once there, he saw Gu Miao holding a letter with a red and gold seal. Gu Miao’s posture was that of a straight pine, standing next to an ancient Ming-style armchair3.

“Father.” Gu Heyan stepped forward and cupped his fist in a salute.

“Hmm, here you are.” Gu Miao folded up the letter in his hand, which was not in line with his style, and said: “Is it true that you saved the life of the Duke of Yan’s son, who fell into a deep pond in the mountain stream?”

Gu Heyan didn’t expect his father would know of this matter. After being slightly stunned for a short while, he replied: “Yes.”

“Well done.” Gu Miao wasn’t surprised. Rather, he lightly complimented Gu Heyan. “It’s better to save one life with good intentions, than to build a hundred Buddhist temples4. You must remember, only with wisdom and benevolence, can we enjoy a hundred years of happiness in life.”

“Your son will remember.” Gu Heyan replied.

“If it weren’t for the gift and the letter from the Duke of Yan, I wouldn’t have known about it.” Gu Miao placed the letter in his hand on a rustic wooden tea table and continued: “The Duke of Yan and his son will visit my humble Residence today, to thank you personally….”

Gu Heyan suddenly raised his head: “What?!!!”

When seeing his son’s reaction, Gu Miao became stunned for a moment. Somewhat hesitant, he said: “….However, I haven’t entertained guests in many years and I do not know the etiquette of hospitality. Since I don’t want to create any unnecessary problems from an honest misunderstanding, I was about to turn them down.”

Gu Heyan bowed his head disappointedly: “….Oh…..”

AD
Gu Miao: “….”

‘Good Heavens! What’s this?!!’

‘Why is my son reacting like this?! It’s too….’

‘Interesting!’

Gu Miao lightly stroked his chin and pondered for a long time. Then, he finally said: “However, the Imperial Court is stable, the Country is prosperous and there is no internal struggle for power. Perhaps my own thoughts and ideas are a bit rotten as well as old-fashioned. Maybe I should discard my bad habits and beliefs. I’ve heard that the Duke of Yan is a man of great education, so it would be a blessing to invite him over to discuss some things. Quickly, go ask Aunt Liang to prepare tea and snacks, the best in the Residence, to treat our distinguished guests.”

“Yes!” Gu Heyan clasped his fist and saluted, then hurriedly exited the side hall.

Gu Miao looked at his son’s back as he trotted away, completely in awe.

Even if he didn’t like to entertain guests, Gu Miao was curious to see what kind of man the son of the Duke of Yan was!