Chapter Twenty-Five Taking Office

  After returning, Muzi continued to bully Xiangling as usual. In the following days, Muzi stayed at home with Xiangling every day, occasionally sparring with Sima Grandfather, which was not bad. Sometimes listening to the three old people telling their stories also shocked Muzi and others.

  Especially the touching stories of Grandpa Sima and Grandma, made Mu Sheng admire them, while Xiang Ling and Xiao Lü were in tears. Talking about this, one can't help but mention the story from back then.

  Grandfather Sima's name was Sima Chengfeng, and Grandma's name was Wang Qingfeng. Wang Qingfeng was a Jianghu woman, while Sima Chengfeng was the eldest son of the Sima family. The Sima family was a general's family in Wu Dynasty, and they were granted the title of Jingguo General Mansion, with their ancestors being founding merit subjects. Sima Chengfeng met Wang Qingfeng by chance on one occasion, and the two fell deeply in love at first sight. However, the head of the Sima family at that time, Sima Chengfeng's father Sima Liuyun, did not approve of Sima Chengfeng being with Wang Qingfeng. As a result, Sima Chengfeng and Wang Qingfeng eloped together, and from then on, the two disappeared from people's sight. To avoid being pursued by the Sima family, they changed their names and identities, eventually earning the title of "Dragon Valley Two Immortals". Until now, they have not returned to the Sima family. The specific circumstances at that time were not mentioned in the conversation between the three elderly people, but Sima Chengfeng's heart still yearned for love. Every time he talked about this, Grandma would look at him with deep affection, and this man had paid too much for her.

  Listening to the stories of the three old men and helping Xiangling to expel poison, Mochizuki spent several days like this. Since Wen Hao will go to Tianxian County for work after a while, Mochizuki won't be able to come back for a period of time. In order to cure Xiangling's black scar as soon as possible, Mochizuki extended his meditation time.

  After dozens of days of detoxification, Xiangling's black scar had faded a lot. Now the skin was only slightly different from the surrounding area, and if you didn't look carefully, you couldn't see it at all. Sima Chengfeng suggested that Musheng didn't need to go through detoxification again, and prescribed an antidote, saying that taking it for several days would cure him completely.

  Xiang Ling's black scar had finally disappeared, without leaving a single trace. Lying in bed, Xiang Ling nestled in Mu Sheng's arms, touching his broad chest and said: "Husband, thank you."

  "Thank me for what? We're husband and wife, what's there to thank about? Ling'er, don't say such things again in the future." Mu Sheng said, gently scratching Xiang Ling's nose.

  Xiangling murmured a response, then asked: "Husband, are you leaving tomorrow?"

  "Yes!" Mu Sheng sighed and said, actually he didn't want to leave Xiang Ling either. But Wen Hao was going to take office tomorrow, and Mu Sheng had to settle the affairs of Tian Tang County before returning. Looking at the person in his arms, Mu Sheng comforted: "Ling'er don't worry, I will hurry back as soon as possible."

  Hearing Mu Sheng say that, Xiang Ling also felt a lot more at ease. However, thinking about the fact that her husband would be leaving tomorrow, Xiang Ling softly said: "Husband, I want..."

  Mei Sheng didn't mind and just said: "Whatever Ling'er wants, I'll bring it back for you when I return."

  Xiang Ling saw that her husband didn't understand what she meant, so she forgot about being shy and modest as a young girl, and kissed Shu Sheng saying: "Husband, I want."

  "Ah, I see!" said Mu Sheng, "So Ling'er wanted this all along. Why didn't you say so clearly?" Xiang Ling was now too embarrassed to even lift her head.

  The two spent a night together, and by the time it was over, the east had already turned white. After sleeping for several hours, the sky was already bright. Looking at Shu Sheng getting out of bed, Xiang Ling said: "Sir, I won't be able to help you get dressed today."

  "Mo Sheng kissed down Xiang Ling's forehead and said: "Ling'er, rest well, it's all my fault for making you stay up too late last night. Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible."

  "En, wait for you." said softly.

  After washing and dressing, Muzi took a few clothes and went out. After greeting Grandfather and others, he went to the Zhao's house.

  Upon arriving at the Zhao residence, Wen Hao's belongings were already packed into several large boxes. The eldest sister, Qin Bo, and Wen Hao were all seated in the main hall. When they saw Mu Sheng arrive, Wen Hao stood up and said: "Big Brother Mu has arrived! I'll be taking my leave now."

  "Be careful on the road," said Little Sister with concern.

  "Take care on your way, young master," said Qin Bo.

  "Don't worry! Sisters, Qin Bo, you can go back now! No need to see us off anymore." Wen Hao said loudly.

  Musheng sat in the carriage, vaguely seeing the eldest sister waving her hand through the window. Wen Hao didn't bring many people to Tianxian County this time, except for Musheng, he only brought two servants, one older and one about the same age as San, seemingly called Sancui, the older one was called Zhongbo, who had been in the Zhao family for decades.

  There were two horse-drawn carriages, one for Ruzeng and Wen Hao, and the other for Zhongbo and San Cai. Each carriage had a large trunk containing documents, official seals, and some silver items. The two carriages set off towards Tian Tang County, kicking up clouds of dust as they went.

  Sitting in the carriage, Mu Sheng closed his eyes to rest, having stayed up too late last night and just wanting to take a nap. Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop, and Mu Sheng and Wen Hao's bodies swayed, Wen Hao waking up from his sleep and asking, "Big Brother Mu, what's going on?"

  "I don't know, Wen Hao, let's get off and take a look." After finishing speaking, he got off the carriage with Wen Hao. Only after getting off the horse-drawn carriage did they see that two men holding steel knives were blocking their way ahead. Mu Sheng thought to himself, it seems they've encountered highway robbers. The coachman had already fled to who-knows-where at the sight of this scene.

  One of the men shouted at Mu Sheng and Wen Hao, "Leave your valuables behind, and you can pass!" Another one shouted, "Otherwise, don't blame us, Hei Shan Er Hu, for not showing mercy."

  Wen Hao was about to speak when Mu Sheng stopped him and turned to Hei Shan Er Hu: "Are you two really going to do this?"

  "Of course it is, or did you think we two brothers came here to play house?" one of the men said discontentedly.

  Mo Sheng didn't respond, but instead casually threw out two copper coins. The copper coins accurately hit the steel knife, and a clear "clang" sound was heard as the knife broke in half from the middle. Hei Shan Er Hu looked at the broken knife in shock, realizing that they had encountered a superior opponent today. He quickly knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Great hero, spare our lives! We didn't intentionally rob you, please let us two brothers go."

  Musheng walked up to them and said: "Look at me and tell me your reasons."

  "Yes, yes, yes" The two tigers of Hei Shan hastily said: "My brother and I were originally hunters from Tian Tang County. From a young age, we followed our father to learn some martial arts and made a living by hunting. One day, my brother and I hunted an old tiger, the former county magistrate found out that my brother and I had a tiger skin, he wanted to take it by force, but my brother and I refused to give it to him. As a result, he framed us for treason and issued a warrant for our arrest. My brother and I were forced to flee to this mountain and become bandits in order to survive, we only resorted to this out of desperation, please spare our lives, great hero." They finished speaking and continuously kowtowed.

  Mu Sheng looked into their eyes, which were clear and unblemished. He had already understood what they meant to say. The possibility of them being fake was small. Earlier, when they were shouting, their hands were shaking slightly, and their clothes were tattered and worn out. Their steel knives were also rusty in many places. Since everything was already clear in his mind, Mu Sheng said: "My young master is the newly appointed magistrate of your Tian Xiang County. If what you two say is true, I will definitely give you justice. However, regarding the matter of you two being robbed, we will deal with it at the county yamen later. Do you two have any objections?"

  Hei Shan heard that the one he had robbed was actually the county magistrate, and his body trembled with fear. His courage was indeed not small! However, upon hearing that this great hero would help clear their names, he felt a surge of gratitude in his heart. Who wouldn't want to avoid becoming an outlaw? He hastily thanked him, saying: "Everything will be done according to your instructions, Great Hero."

  At this time, Wen Hao also said: "You two get up first. If your words are true, I will definitely help you two to turn the case around and give you justice. As for your robbery, I will also deal with it. For now, follow me to Tian Tang County."

  "Yes, sir," they replied in unison.

  "Since that's the case, the horseman from earlier was scared away by you two. Are you two willing to drive the carriage?" Wen Hao asked.

  "The two of them responded in unison, 'Obeying your orders, sir.'"

  Then the next journey was driven by Hei Shan's two tiger brothers.

  After traveling all the way, they finally arrived at the county government office of Tianyang County. The chief clerk, the teacher and a group of yamen runners were already waiting at the gate to greet them. After getting off the carriage, they said in unison: "Welcome, great master of the county."

  "Never mind, you all just go about your own business!"

  After listening to Wen Hao's words, the yamen runners all went about their own business. The chief clerk and the instructor remained, one of whom introduced himself: "Sir, I am Zhang Qing, the chief clerk of the county, please take care of me in the future." Another person also said: "Sir, I am Liu Bin, the instructor of the county, please take care of me from now on."

  "This is natural," Wen Hao said calmly, then introduced them: "This is my brother Mu, from now on, when you see him, it's like seeing me."

  The steward and the teacher saw a scholar standing aside, dressed in a simple manner. Unexpectedly, this unassuming person was actually the county magistrate's elder brother. They didn't dare to be negligent, so they hastily paid their respects, saying: "We've seen Master Mu".

  "It's too much courtesy from both of you." Mu Sheng said expressionlessly: "Wen Hao, let's go in! Just call someone to bring the things in."

  "Alright, Brother Mu, Master, I'll have someone bring it in," said Wen Hao.

  "Yes, sir." Master Liu Bin was shocked. This new county magistrate listened to and followed his every word! It seemed he had to treat this Master Mu with great respect.

  Next, Wen Hao and Mu Sheng familiarized themselves with the county government office. Generally speaking, the county government office was not too old. The teacher had ordered someone to clean up the wing room, so Mu Sheng and Wen Hao put their things in it. Hei Shan Er Hu brothers also temporarily lived in the county government office. San Cai and Zhong Bo began to help Wen Hao tidy up the study.

  After everything was settled, the steward and the teacher left, and only Widow Yang and her children were left in the county government office. Yang usually did laundry and cooked meals in the government office to earn some money for household expenses. Yang's children were already over ten years old, a few years younger than San Cai. There was a boy named Yang Zhen and a girl named Yang Zi Yun. Seeing that San Cai was only a few years older than them, they pulled him along to play together. San Cai was also just a big kid, and with Wen Hao's consent, the three of them played harmoniously.

  At night, Mushi invited Yang and the children to come over for dinner, but Yang was unwilling. Seeing Yang's persistence, Mushi didn't say anything else. It seems that class consciousness has already taken root in their hearts.

  As for Hei Shan's case, let's talk about it tomorrow, both of them also said they are not in a hurry.

  After dinner, Mosheng took a bath and went back to his room to rest. Tonight, Xiangling was not by his side, and Mosheng felt a bit unaccustomed. He sat for a while before finally resting.