Chapter Twenty-Nine: Qin Huaiyu

Chang’an City, the Mo Residence.

“We’re back again!” Uncle Fu gazed at the grand manor before him, his heart filled with emotion. No—this was no longer a count’s estate, but had now become a marquis’s residence. This very house had been bestowed by His Majesty when Mo Lie was granted the rank of marquis. As expected, among all such estates, this was by far the least desirable. Its location was poor, not only far from the imperial city, but nearly bordering the commoners’ quarters. The sole advantage was its sheer size!

Mo Dun looked at the vast grounds before him, his heart roaring with excitement: “I’ve struck it rich!” In a modern capital, such a massive mansion would be priceless, even if offered a fortune, no one would part with it! Though the location was lacking, it still managed to cling to the status of nobility by a thread, and the two stone lions at the gate remained as imposing as ever.

With a loud creak, the red lacquered doors swung heavily open, and a thin youth appeared at the threshold.

“Mo Wu!” Mo Dun called out.

“Young Master!” The youth was overjoyed, bounding over like a monkey, tears in his eyes. “Young Master, you’ve finally come back to the Mo Residence!”

Previously, whenever Mo Dun came to Chang’an, he always stayed at the fresh fish shop; this place was too far from the fish market, and besides, the soul from another world that now resided in Mo Dun had little attachment to this estate, so he had never come here before.

Mo Dun looked fondly at Mo Wu before him. Mo Da was an orphan of the army whom Mo Lie had adopted—servants in name, but closer than brothers in truth.

“Where are Mo Da and Mo Er?” Mo Dun asked.

From Mo Da to Mo Wu, there were five brothers in all, all adopted by Mo Lie. After Mo Lie’s death, the residents of the Mo estate returned to Mo Family Village, leaving the five to guard the house, with the youngest, Mo Wu, specially tasked with watching the gate.

“They’ve all gone to help Brother Yu. I can handle the gate myself!” Mo Wu answered honestly. Now, in Mo Family Village, no one wanted to fall behind; everyone was eager to work, and Mo Da and the others were no exception, often helping out at the fish shop.

“All right, Mo Wu, hurry and show us in!” called Ziyi.

“Yes, Sister Ziyi!” Mo Wu replied quickly. Ziyi was lively and mischievous, and Mo Wu and the others got along with her best.

Once inside the Mo Residence, they saw it was already spotless—clearly, Mo Wu and his companions had managed Mo Family Village with great order. Only the buildings were a bit dilapidated; some were even uninhabitable, giving the place a somewhat desolate air.

“It’s so empty!” Mo Dun remarked as he walked along the flagstone path, gazing at the vast and vacant courtyard.

“Once the young master starts a family, this place won’t feel empty at all,” Uncle Fu said, looking at Mo Dun with a gratified smile, causing Mo Dun to shiver slightly.

Mo Dun chose the master bedroom, and the others picked their own rooms as well. Thus, they settled in properly and finally had a home in Chang’an. Though poor, the house brimmed with warmth.

“It’s time to pay our respects to Lord Yi! We still haven’t properly thanked him for the last time. As luck would have it, Physician Hua just prepared a tonic for Lord Yi—let’s bring it along,” Uncle Fu said to Mo Dun.

Mo Dun nodded. Though he now held the rank of county baron, if not for Qin Qiong, he wouldn’t even have had the chance to submit a memorial, let alone temporarily safeguard the secret of live fish, or gain the business rights for Mo Family Village. He had even unexpectedly obtained a student’s position at the Imperial Academy—though that had been somewhat forced upon him.

Five large soft-shelled turtles, five grass carp, five bighead carp, and five common carp—all lively and leaping—were loaded into the water cart; every one of them top-quality fish.

“Ah, it’s Uncle Fu!” Lady Qin greeted him warmly. Back when Mo Lie was alive, he and Qin Qiong had been close, so she was well-acquainted with Uncle Fu.

“Greetings, madam!” Uncle Fu bowed respectfully.

“You’re still as stiff as ever! Why bring gifts?” Lady Qin chided gently.

“Just some local specialties, nothing of value,” Uncle Fu replied, smiling as he handed over the medicinal herbs.

“Oh! It’s Physician Hua’s medicine—wonderful, my husband just finished his last supply,” Lady Qin exclaimed with delight, accepting the herbs.

Mo Dun was surprised. He hadn’t realized that Physician Hua was so valued by Lady Qin. It seemed Mo Family Village held many secrets he had yet to uncover.

“And this must be the little catfish His Majesty spoke of!” Lady Qin set the herbs aside, her eyes sparkling as she looked Mo Dun up and down.

“Mo Dun of Mo Family Village greets madam!”

Mo Dun could only smile wryly. Ever since the emperor personally decreed that he enter the Imperial Academy, Mo Dun had acquired a new nickname in Chang’an: the Little Catfish.

“You’re being too formal—call me Aunt!” Lady Qin feigned annoyance.

“Yes, Aunt!” Mo Dun quickly corrected himself.

“You really are a good child, much more refined than your father ever was,” Lady Qin teased merrily.

“There’s no need to fret. Many would envy you being the emperor’s catfish, but few are worthy of the role! If anything happens, don’t shoulder it alone. Come find your aunt—I’ll stand up for you,” Lady Qin said meaningfully.

Mo Dun’s heart jolted—he suddenly understood. Indeed! How many people tried every trick to get their poems and essays before the emperor, hoping for a fleeting glance of imperial favor? From another angle, he had done nothing and yet already had the emperor’s attention. What was there to complain about?

“Thank you for your guidance, Aunt!” Mo Dun said sincerely.

“Such a clever child. If only Huaiyu had half your sense, I’d be spared so much worry,” Lady Qin sighed, her eyes narrowing as a flash of sternness flickered by.

“Qin Huaiyu!” she called sharply.

A handsome youth, his belt adorned with warm jade and his face full of grievance, walked over.

“Mother, I was just out for a stroll!” Qin Huaiyu protested.

“School starts tomorrow. If your grades are at the bottom again, watch out for your legs!” Lady Qin, true to her military roots, disciplined her child with a fierce air.

“Mother, don’t worry,” Qin Huaiyu replied, paling, and promised repeatedly.

Lady Qin glared at him, then turned to Mo Dun. “This is your father’s old friend’s son. You’ll both be starting at the Imperial Academy this year. Look after each other.”

Qin Huaiyu glanced at Mo Dun’s small frame, thumping his chest as he promised, “Don’t worry, little brother. There are few at the Academy who would dare disrespect Qin Huaiyu. If you have any trouble, just come to me!”

“Then I’ll be counting on you, elder brother,” Mo Dun replied.

“Our families are old friends. Looking out for each other is—” Suddenly, Qin Huaiyu seemed to realize something, sprang up, and stared at Mo Dun in astonishment.

“You’re Mo Dun, the Mo family boy—”

Mo Dun touched his nose awkwardly. “If there’s no other Mo Dun, then the Mo family boy you speak of is me.”

“Uh…” Qin Huaiyu was momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected the Mo family prodigy causing such a stir at the Academy to be right here in his own home. And it seemed Mo Dun was indeed preparing to attend the Academy—did he know that even before setting foot there, he’d already become the center of a storm? The whole Academy was in an uproar, vowing to put the Mo family boy in his place on the very first day.

“What’s going on?” Lady Qin demanded sharply.

Qin Huaiyu stammered as he recounted the events. Ever since news spread that the Mo family boy would attend the Academy, it had caused a sensation. His Majesty was using Mo Dun as a catfish to stir things up—did that make the rest of them sardines waiting to be devoured? This conclusion riled the proud Academy students; they secretly conspired to make sure the Mo family boy would have a hard time on the first day.

“That’s the situation. I wasn’t involved!” Qin Huaiyu hastily distanced himself, though he’d actually been the most enthusiastic troublemaker.

“What should we do?” Lady Qin worried. All those Academy students had powerful backers. For Mo Dun to face them as soon as he arrived—this was not good.

“Aunt, don’t worry. When soldiers come, we’ll meet them with generals; when floods come, we’ll build dikes.”