Chapter 133: Throwing Open the Main Gates

A growing crowd had gathered before the Duke’s mansion, their faces alight with excitement as they waited for the spectacle of the "Moist Son" being turned away for the fourth time.

"He’s here! He’s here!" someone shouted in excitement upon hearing movement from within the estate.

A ripple of commotion spread through the throng as they turned their eyes toward the gate. The central doors of the mansion were suddenly thrown open with a thunderous boom, and a large contingent of servants poured out, forming two neat rows to hold back the crowd. Although Yin Kaishan had passed away years ago, his house remained a prominent military family; the appearance of these fierce, hardened servants instantly cast a chilling, solemn air over the scene.

"That Moist Son is in for it now; he has truly enraged the Duke’s mansion," someone gloated.

"Young Master!" Tie An immediately stepped forward to shield Mo Dun, looking with grim resolve at the wolf-like servants. Unlike the street ruffians of the Fish Gang, these were elite veterans who had seen the battlefield. He was not afraid of a one-on-one fight, but against a whole squad, he knew he would be overwhelmed regardless of his skill.

"Move aside." Mo Dun pushed Tie An away with a look of annoyance. The Moist Village still lacked the deep heritage of these houses; Tie An had no idea what it meant for the central doors to be flung open. When Mo Dun saw the grand entrance opened, he breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the situation had taken a turn in his favor. *I must properly educate Tie An later,* he thought to himself. *Otherwise, this fellow will eventually cause some embarrassing scene.*

"Open the central doors? How is that possible?" In the crowd, the man sent by Zhangsun Chong turned pale with shock. The plan had been proceeding perfectly; he could not fathom how such a massive deviation had occurred at the final stage.

Lady Yin, her hair like silver, walked out through the central doors with a beaming smile. Seeing Mo Dun standing as steady as a pine tree, unflustered despite being turned away three times, she found his persistence in reaching the Duke’s mansion truly admirable. She glanced at her grandson behind her, who was still bruised and battered, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh—if only the Duke’s descendants were as capable as this Moist Son.

"Your arrival is a great honor, Marquis Mo. Please forgive our poor reception," she said warmly.

"The late Duke was a loyal subject and a valiant warrior, a man I have long admired," Mo Dun replied. Since the Duke’s mansion had extended such a grand welcome, he naturally responded with equal courtesy. "His Majesty, deeply moved by the Duke’s founding contributions, has specifically ordered me to come and paint his portrait. I am here today not only to fulfill the Emperor’s trust but also to pay my respects to the late Duke’s legacy and offer incense before his shrine."

"To fulfill the Emperor’s trust!" Lady Yin’s eyes brightened. It was exactly as she had hoped—the Moist Son truly had the confidence to paint the portrait.

"We thank His Majesty for his grace. The Yin family will never forget this kindness," Lady Yin said, bowing respectfully toward the direction of the Imperial Palace. The rest of the household followed suit.

Among the many meritorious officials, the Yin family had faced the hardest times. Yin Kaishan had died too early to leave behind a political legacy, and even more unfortunately, he had no biological heirs, forcing them to adopt a nephew. The establishment of the Lingyan Pavilion would secure the family’s wealth for generations, and it was Mo Dun who had proposed it. This only deepened Lady Yin’s favorable impression of him.

Suppressing her excitement, she smiled. "Please, Marquis Mo! If Kaishan knew such a brilliant talent had come to visit, he would surely be gratified in the afterlife."

"After you, Lady Yin," Mo Dun insisted, but she caught his arm, and they walked into the mansion side-by-side.

As the heavy doors slammed shut, the onlookers were left dumbfounded. They had come to watch the Moist Son be humiliated; instead, the Yin family had opened the central doors to welcome him with great pomp. The spies in the crowd quickly scurried off to report the news.

...

"What? That fool Yin Yuan actually let the Moist Son inside?" In the Jiaosi District, three men were drinking and making merry when they turned their heads in shock toward the messenger.

"Lady Yin herself opened the central doors to welcome him," the servant reported in detail.

"How is that possible? Is the old woman senile?" Du He exclaimed in disbelief. "We promised her that Magistrate Yan would paint the portrait! Does she not want the portrait anymore?"

Zhangsun Chong and Yan Xingjian exchanged a look of unease.

"My uncle once mentioned... he had never actually seen the late Duke," Yan Xingjian said through gritted teeth, realizing the truth could no longer be hidden.

"What?" Du He was stunned. "You mean even Magistrate Yan cannot paint the late Duke?"

Yan Xingjian nodded bitterly.

Du He looked at Zhangsun Chong, who remained calm—evidently, he had known all along. Du He finally understood the whole story. Zhangsun Chong had known Yan Liben couldn't paint the portrait but had promised the Yin family anyway, only for the old lady to see through the ruse and place her final hope in the Moist Son. The two of them had conspired to keep him in the dark until the very end.

"Don't worry, brother Du," Zhangsun Chong comforted him. "Since even Magistrate Yan cannot paint the Duke, do you truly believe the Moist Son can?"

Du He felt slightly reassured, but thinking of the strange, uncanny nature of the Moist Son—who always seemed to perform miracles where others failed—he remained deeply unsettled. Yet, there was nothing left to do but wait.

Inside the mansion, Mo Dun stood respectfully before the late Duke’s shrine, offering incense. After the rites, he and Lady Yin sat down in the reception hall.

"Marquis Mo, forgive my bluntness," Lady Yin asked, unable to contain herself after the tea was served. "Kaishan has been gone for ten years, and he left no portrait behind. How do you intend to paint him?"

Every eye in the room was fixed on Mo Dun, everyone holding their breath in extreme tension.

Mo Dun set down his cup and looked around, speaking with a solemn air. "Since I dared to come to the Yin estate, I naturally have the confidence to complete the portrait."

A murmur of disbelief rippled through the room.

"You have never seen my father," Yin Yuan challenged, his voice full of doubt. "How can you paint the likeness of a man you have never laid eyes on?"

"It is true that I never met the Duke," Mo Dun said with calm confidence. "But I trust your household is not lacking in those who knew him well. I shall paint the Duke through their eyes."