Chapter 52: The Invitation of the King of Wei

  After listening to Qin Mubai's words, Qin Tong and Qin Bin looked at each other in surprise, while Qin Shubo stroked his beard and smiled.

  "Did you two brothers hear that? Sanlang has a lot of insight." Qin Shubao nodded in agreement, "I have also considered these issues as a father. Today, I revealed my intentions to you for a reason. Indeed, even if I wanted to make a comeback now, it wouldn't be easy. Given my influence in the military and my past achievements, the Emperor would at least give me a small official position, such as a three-star general or a commander-in-chief of a region. However, this would inevitably lead to conflicts with Li Yu and others over military power, affecting the existing military structure and balance. Therefore, unless there is an unexpected outbreak of war and the Tang army needs to be reorganized temporarily, I might have the opportunity to take the initiative to return to the army."

  "My father's words are law," said Qin Mu Bai. "But when there is a war, the Tang Dynasty's garrison troops will gather and form a wartime 'mobile vanguard' formation, at which time many mobile vanguard commanders (equivalent to frontline commanders of field armies) will be needed. At that time, it will be the best opportunity for my father to make a comeback."

  "Sanlang's words are in line with my expectations." Qin Shubao nodded and smiled, saying, "You three brothers all hold positions in the palace, so you must be well-informed. From today on, keep a close eye on military developments and report back to me at any time."

  "Yes, Father!" The three brothers responded in unison.

  "Especially you, Sanlang." Qin Shubao said, "You serve the Emperor every day and hear the latest and most accurate news. As long as it's not leaking court secrets or incurring the Emperor's punishment, if there's any news, you must notify me as soon as possible. Don't let your father down!"

  "Yes, Father." Qin Mu Bai nodded in agreement, thinking: Father, undoubtedly the most trustworthy person for me right now.

  After finishing the family banquet, Qin Shubao, who was in a good mood and had high spirits, specially asked Qin Mubai to play the pipa for the family's entertainment. He said, "I didn't expect that now Sanlang's disciples are all famous throughout the capital - that blind girl's big name, even I, as her father, hiding at home have heard of it. She's a good girl." Also, "How did Wu Meiniang go into business? She is after all my Qin family's daughter-in-law, how could she really go out and become a merchant?"

  Qin Mubai didn't say much more. After his two elder brothers left, he explained the situation to Qin Shubo.

  Qin Shubao listened and simply shook his head: "It's all Heaven playing tricks on people."

  Qin Mubai slowly savored the meaning of his father's words, and felt that he was not very satisfied with Wu Meiniang as a daughter-in-law. It's not surprising, after all, in the eyes of the Tang people, merchants are always lowly and have no status. Just like in modern society, the children of official families would not marry an uncultured girl from a remote rural village. Although the slogan of free love is loud, some people still attach great importance to family background. In the era of the Tang Dynasty, which attaches great importance to family background, it's even more so.

  "Afterwards, things took a turn for the better. It's still best if she doesn't engage in business again. My Qin family may not be extremely wealthy and noble, but we're never short of money to spend, and can support her." said Qin Uncle Treasure.

  "En, now Mei Niang hasn't arrived at the door yet, when that time comes, the child will have a decision. Father, rest assured." Qin Mu Bai could only respond like this, using a temporary measure first. The gap of over a thousand years was too great, and many concepts were deeply rooted in Qin Shu Bao's mind. Although he was considered a relatively open-minded father, it was unrealistic to expect him to suddenly change the ideas he had formed over several decades.

  "Alright, I won't say anything more." Qin Shu Bao smiled and patted Qin Mu Bai's shoulder. "Third Brother, you're busy now, it's rare for you to come home once. Take a good rest at home, spend more time with your mother and little sister. For these three months, they've been missing you terribly."

  "The child knows." Qin Mu Bai smiled, "It's been three months since I last sparred with Father on gun techniques. The child misses it too. I heard from my two elder brothers that Father has been studying Taiji Qin Gun at home every day and must have made great progress. The child was just thinking of asking for guidance and learning from him in secret!"

  "Haha! What are we waiting for? Now that the wine is flowing and our spirits are high, let's go exchange a few moves!" Qin Uncle Treasure suddenly came to life, his eyes shining brightly as he said, "You know, the more I study Tai Chi, the more I feel its vastness and depth. The higher the boat rises on the water, the more perfect my Tai Chi spear becomes - it's far more powerful than it was three months ago! Sanlang, come quick, let me teach you!"

  Qin Mubai's heart skipped a beat: I just casually said that, and you actually believed it!... Great, as soon as I get home, I'll get beaten up!

  The father and son came to the backyard polo field, and as usual, they got on their horses for a gun battle. Qin Uncle Treasure was not someone who liked to brag, but in three months, his marksmanship had obviously improved greatly, reaching an unpredictable realm. Originally, Qin Mu Bai's martial arts were already quite good, and after training the troops for three months, he also practiced hard and made great progress. However, after a few rounds of fighting with his father, he was easily knocked down, losing miserably every time.

  "There is always a higher mountain! I want to reach Father's realm, but I don't know how many years of hard practice it will take!" Qin Mubai sighed and thought to himself.

  "Sanlang, this spear technique is not something that can be mastered just by practicing," said Qin Shubao. "The strongest spear technique in the world is the one used to kill people. Only after walking through countless battles on the battlefield, experiencing life and death, and emerging alive after countless others have died, will your spear technique truly reach its peak!"

  "Hmm... I understand, Father." Qin Mubai could only shake his head and sigh, thinking to himself: It seems that as a general who grew up in this peaceful era, no matter how hard I train, I won't be able to catch up with my father, who has been fighting on the battlefield for half his life! Practice makes perfect, what martial art can compare to the skills honed from actual combat?

  After practicing martial arts, Qin Mubai returned to his room, where his mother and little sister had been waiting for him. The three of them chatted until late at night before dispersing, and Qin Mubai finally got the best sleep he'd had in months.

  The next morning, Qin Mubai, who had slept in late, pushed open the window of his room and saw his little sister Shuang'er sitting alone on a small stone bench in the courtyard, holding a pot of bright red flowers and staring blankly into space.

  "Frost."

  "Third Brother, are you awake?" Frost returned to her senses and smiled at Qin Mu Bai as she walked forward to knock on the door, "Let me in quickly!"

  Qin Mubai opened the door and let her in. He was immediately attracted by the flowers she was holding: "Shuang'er, how did you grow such a beautiful pot of flowers?"

  "Does Third Brother recognize it too?" Frosty made a silencing gesture, hastily closed the door, carried the flower into the house and put it down, heh-heh-ing with laughter, "Dragon Claw Flower, isn't it beautiful!"

  Qin Mubai looked at the pot of red, eye-catching and strangely blooming flowers, nodded: "It's not just recognizable, I also know many legends about this flower. And I know that now this kind of flower is an inauspicious symbol."

  "Yes, so I secretly raised it, afraid that my parents would scold me if they knew. Hehe!" Xue'er wiped her nose and smiled complacently, "But I know that Third Brother has always been the most tolerant and loving towards me, he definitely won't scold me, right?"

  "You're quite skilled at boasting and flattering to shut people up." Qin Mu Bai smiled and said, "I just want to remind you that the stem of this flower is poisonous, be careful not to get any sap on you."

  "It doesn't matter." Shuang'er sat down, propping up her cheek, and said leisurely, "It's just that every time I see this flower, I think of someone. At that time, we often went to the dark places in the mountains outside Chang'an City to find flowers that bloomed like fire. Now, it can't be done again."

  It's clear that Shuang'er is thinking of Li Ke again. Qin Mu Bai smiled and sat down beside her, saying: "Shuang'er, let me tell you a story. Do you know what other name this flower has besides 'Dragon Claw Flower'?"

  "I know, there are many names," said Shuang'er. "There's Cockroach Orchid, Old Crow Garlic, Earth Peony, Ghost Flower, Mountain Black Flower, Life and Death Flower... In short, they're all ominous names. Humph! I really can't understand why such a beautiful flower would be given these inauspicious names. Is it just because it often blooms in graveyards? People are really unfair to it!"

  Qin Mubai nodded and smiled: "It also has another name, called Manzhusha. Have you heard of it?"

  "Huh, this name is quite unusual, I really haven't heard of it before."

  "It has a story." Qin Mu Bai smiled and said, "Legend has it that it is the magical flower of the three rivers of hell, its unique fragrance can awaken people's memories of their past lives, blooming in large clusters, fresh red like blood. People follow the guidance of this flower to the underworld. Its color is like fresh blood, beautiful to the point of being breathtaking and stunning. Or maybe it's because its deep, bright red color makes people think of blood and death, or maybe it's because its scales contain deadly poison, the beauty of Manjusaka is an ominous beauty of disaster, death, and separation. That's why people gave it so many inauspicious names."

  "Third brother, I know you're telling a myth, but... isn't beauty also wrong?" Frost's little brow furrowed as she asked in disapproval.

  "You're right. Beauty is not wrong." Qin Mu Bai gently stroked his sister's head and said softly, "Just like the feelings between you and Li Ke, very pure and simple. But this feeling just doesn't get blessings, lovers can become family members. So you think this flower's fate is very similar to yours, that's why you like it, right?"

  "Third brother... you're so clever!" Frost lowered her head, slightly nodding, "Why is it that there are always so many unpleasant things in the world?"

  "Third brother, let me tell you another story. It's also about the Manjusaka flower," said Qin Mubai. "Legend has it that a long, long time ago, there was a place filled with vast fields of Manjusaka flowers. Guarding this place were two demons, one a flower demon named Manju and the other a leaf demon named Shaka. They had been guarding the Manjusaka for thousands of years but had never seen each other because when the Manjusaka bloomed, there were no leaves, and when there were leaves, there were no flowers - the flowers and leaves had never appeared at the same time. They yearned for each other crazily and were tormented by this pain. Finally, one day, they decided to defy God's will and secretly meet once. That Manjusaka flower was a bright red, set off against the dazzling green, blooming even more beautifully than usual."

  "I wish we were those two brave flower and leaf spirits, even if it was just a momentary reunion..." Frost's eyes had already become misty with smoke and rain, and she choked back a sob.

  Later, the gods punished them. Manzhu and Shahua were thrown into reincarnation and cursed to never be together again, suffering hardships in the mortal world for all eternity. From then on, Manzhu Shahua was also called "Peach Blossom of the Other Shore", meaning a flower that blooms in heaven, with petals shaped like hands praying upwards. This flower bloomed along the Yellow Spring Road, and every time Manzhu and Shahua were reincarnated and smelled the fragrance of the Peach Blossom on the Yellow Spring Road, they would remember their past lives and vow not to part ways again, falling into the cursed cycle of reincarnation without regret.

  "What a great and faithful fairy, what a tragic and beautiful story... Why are fairies more persistent and brave than humans?" Xue'er wiped her eyes and muttered, "And why do gods have to separate them? What would it hinder if they were together?"

  Qin Mubai gently patted the back of his little sister to comfort her, saying: "Shuang'er, facts are often cruel and helpless like this. Gods have their own thoughts, and the world has its own rules. Whether it's a demon or us, we're extremely small and helpless in front of gods and rules."

  Frost bit her lip, letting tears pour down, wetting her face, and flowing down from the edge of her jaw.

  "Although powerless to resist, I would rather learn from that demon's cursed cycle!" Frost suddenly said, "It's just a pity... even if I were Manzhu, he wouldn't be Shahua."

  Having said that, Frost tightly hugged the flower pot and burst into tears.

  "Silly girl, don't be so sad and pessimistic. You've forgotten, you still have Third Brother! Third Brother will definitely think of a way to help you."

  "Thank you, Third Brother...... Waaahhh!" Xue Er still couldn't stop crying.

  Qin Mubai was using all his might to comfort his crying little sister when the door was knocked, and a gentle voice said: "Third brother, why did you bully your little sister into tears so early in the morning? ... Eh, Dragon Claw Flower, how did this unlucky flower end up being planted at home?"

  Fang Er was so startled that she jumped up quickly, hugging the flower pot and running out while saying: "Second brother, you must not betray me, otherwise I will never talk to you again and won't make any more pastries for you!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Look who's here, it's Second Brother Qin Bin. Seeing his little sister in this state, Qin Bin shook his head and smiled: 'This lass has even learned to threaten people... Hmm, did Third Brother sleep well yesterday?'"

  "Excellent." Qin Mu Bai hastily invited his second brother to come in and sit down, poured tea for him, and said: "Second brother arrived so early today, don't you need to go to the Hongwen Academy for work?"

  "There's not much going on at the Hongwen Academy, and I've been quite idle lately." Qin Bin sat down properly, sipped his tea elegantly, and said slowly and politely, "Third brother, I came specifically to look for you."

  "What advice do you have for me, Second Brother?" Qin Mu Bai asked.

  "No. I was entrusted to deliver an invitation to you. Third Brother, please take a look." With that, Qin Bin took out a beautiful pale green invitation and handed it over.

  This color invitation is for calling friends and having fun together.

  Qin Mubai unfolded the letter and couldn't help but slightly furrow his brow: "The King of Wei has invited me and you to go to his mansion for a banquet and entertainment?"

  "That's right." Qin Bin smiled with profound meaning and nodded.