Chapter 2
On the day Xun Qingwei returned to the palace, the sunlight was just right.
Mu Guanghan was wandering in the rear garden, moving about like a lost soul.
He was genuinely walking a bird.
A talking green parrot.
The parrot said, "Caw—Lord of Moonlight City, Mu Changong, loved by all, admired by all."
Mu Guanghan replied listlessly, "Good bird."
The parrot continued, "Caw—Lord of Moonlight City, Mu Changong, handsome, dashing, and elegant."
Mu Guanghan, still lethargic, said, "Well said, here’s some dried meat."
Under the sunlight, the courtyard was full of jade-green trees.
Suddenly, a handsome fox-man appeared, half-concealing a scroll from his sleeve, hopping and chasing after Mu Guanghan’s back.
“My lord, come quickly to see the beautiful portrait I just acquired.”
“I’m not looking.”
“This is the famous Luo Nan Zhi, Governor of Luo Prefecture, the most renowned and dashing beauty of Southern Yue. She eclipses even the Marquis of Wu Heng, Wei Liuyi, in grace and radiance.”
“I’m not looking. My heart is dead,” Mu Guanghan muttered gloomily. “When I think about it carefully, someone as unsightly and doomed as me, why would I trouble others?”
Xun Qingwei interrupted, “Nonsense!”
Mu Guanghan expected some comforting words like, “My lord, you are handsome and elegant, who wouldn’t be worthy of you? It’s just that those people lack judgment,” but instead, Xun Qingwei struck straight at the heart of the matter:
“The fact that you still have the energy to walk a bird here means your heart is not completely dead.”
“...”
“...”
Yes, blame him for not being dead inside.
Blame him for having a cockroach’s heart, stubborn and unyielding despite a hundred deaths.
Blame him for being disfigured and unsightly yet still recklessly seeking a profound love with a handsome man.
He deserved to be heartbroken over and over again.
Xun Qingwei chuckled.
His pale skin and long red eye markings were already enchanting, and when he squinted, he looked even more like a sly fox, swaying constantly in front of Mu Guanghan.
“If my lord’s heart is not dead, then why not take a quick look at this fresh and warm portrait of a beauty?”
Mu Guanghan ignored him and kept walking.
“Luo Nan Zhi, Governor of Luo Prefecture, hails from a famous family in Jiangnan, elegant and noble in appearance, especially with a charming vermillion mark between her eyebrows.”
Mu Guanghan’s footsteps faltered.
...
Xun Qingwei’s scheme succeeded.
He had heard that the one white moonlight his master could never forget was a noble and dignified figure, with a vermillion mark between her brows.
His master, though always cleanly severing ties and never looking back, was deeply devoted when he loved.
Having met many people over the years, it was only natural to secretly harbor one or two unforgettable loves in his heart.
The scroll, adorned with golden-thread tassels, swayed before him.
Mu Guanghan: “...Fine.”
Just look.
Looking once wouldn’t kill him.
...
Alas, the famed “Twin Jewels of Luo River,” Luo Nan Zhi’s reputation was indeed well-deserved!
The Governor of Luo Prefecture was extraordinarily beautiful—beautiful, beautiful, beautiful—truly captivating.
Mu Guanghan regretted not having seen her portrait earlier.
...
Mu Guanghan’s last romance ended with death of both body and heart, just half a month ago.
He had faithfully stayed by the side of Wei Liuyi, Marquis of Wu Heng, for a year, curing the beloved’s chronic illness, often discussing music, chess, calligraphy, poetry, and romance, even helping Wei Liuyi reorganize Wu Heng’s finances and repel three invasions from Xiliang.
Truly...
...
Mu Guanghan felt that, apart from his appearance, he was capable and useful in every way.
Yet no one loved him.
They even used him as a blood donor to prolong the life of their own beloved—alas.
They say when you love someone, you must leave something behind.
He knew he left nothing for Wei Liuyi except a horribly ugly centipede-shaped scar on his lower abdomen.
How tragic.
If one day he managed to trick a blind beauty who didn’t care about looks, even that beauty would find him unapproachable and reject him.
What a miserable fate.
Most people faced with such heartbreak would want to die.
Mu Guanghan did look genuinely haggard and gaunt, lying in bed for many days.
Yet, unexpectedly, his heartbreak healed on its own after half a month.
Thanks to Luo Nan Zhi’s exquisitely beautiful portrait!
“Out with the old, in with the new,” “Either the time was not long enough, or the new love not good enough," as the ancients said.
With the new portrait hung up high, Mu Guanghan no longer secretly mourned behind others’ backs.
Luo Nan Zhi.
A truly elegant beauty, whose very name smelled of orchids and jade trees.
Mu Guanghan recalled that he should have known Luo Nan Zhi long ago—back when he secretly admired the Southern Yue King and freeloaded at the royal residence, Luo Nan Zhi often paid visits to the palace.
Yet he was wholly devoted to the king then and never glanced at the famous “Twin Jewels of Luo River.”
A huge mistake.
Xun Qingwei said, “The owner of the painting shop in Luo Prefecture who sold me this said that the real Luo Nan Zhi’s charm still doesn’t compare to the real Governor of Luo Prefecture.”
Mu Guanghan was stunned for a long moment.
If Luo Nan Zhi herself was already so beautiful, how much more so the real Governor?
He, with only half a face left, was unworthy of admiring such a beauty.
No, he did not deserve her.
Yet Mu Guanghan, styled Changong, was the very “toad longing for swan’s flesh.”
But what if?
What if Luo Nan Zhi was one of the rare people in this world who didn’t care about his appearance, only his talent?
The world was vast; surely there was one or two with refined taste who appreciated him.
...
In the following days, Mu Guanghan asked, “Qingwei, are you sure this Governor Luo Nan Zhi is unmarried and has no lover?”
“Nor does she secretly protect a lover, or have someone she uses as a shield?”
“Or perhaps, no lover who looks like me?”
So many questions—evidence of how many exes had hurt him.
Xun Qingwei replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve investigated. Luo Nan Zhi’s family practices purity of heart. Before marriage, she avoids all romantic entanglements, especially reckless abandon and fickle love. Unless she chooses one, she is for life with that person—‘one life, one world, one pair.’”
Mu Guanghan was stunned again.
“One life, one world, one pair”—how wonderful.
If only he could promise his first love forever, instead of repeatedly failing and falling for many.
He could only sigh.
“Beautiful and noble, but she’d probably find me noisy and worldly.”
“...”
“I’d better write her some exquisite poems and songs to impress her with talent!”
With that, he spread out the fine paper of Chengxin Hall and picked up his brush.
His elegant plum blossom calligraphy flowed freely, producing a poem full of grace and nobility—utterly refined.
“Hmm, I should also send her some precious gifts to show Moonlight City’s proper etiquette.”
“By the way, Qingwei, have you found out what Luo Nan Zhi likes?”
Xun Qingwei raised an eyebrow. “...Well.”
“Governor Luo Nan Zhi is skilled in music and martial arts, proficient in literature and arts, fond of humor, with a broad and lofty character and carefree elegance. She has wide interests and is known for her poetry. She would probably like whatever you send.”
She was known for being cheerful, unrestrained, talented, and well-rounded.
“Unfortunately, it’s said her temperament changed a lot after the Tianchang Campaign.”
Mu Guanghan paused mid-stroke.
The Tianchang Campaign happened about half a year ago.
Before that, Luo Prefecture was the strongest and most prosperous of Southern Yue’s territories, governed by the elderly Luo Prefecture Marquis Shao Zijian and Governor Luo Wentai.
Everything was flourishing.
...
But during Tianchang, Luo Prefecture’s army was betrayed by the long-time ally Yi Prefecture Marquis.
The elite troops were led into a Xiliang trap and nearly annihilated, with two great leaders dying on the battlefield.
Young General Luo Nan Zhi, with a small remnant force, fought desperately and barely escaped.
This sudden disaster threw Luo Prefecture into chaos.
Now only the young Luo Nan Zhi and the unreliable young lord Shao Xiaoling tried to hold things together amidst despair, panic, low morale, and shortage of troops and supplies.
Meanwhile, the murderer of the two young lords’ father, the treacherous Yi Prefecture Marquis Ying Zu, had defected to the enemy Xiliang and was growing stronger.
If anyone were in Luo Nan Zhi’s position, seeing the unjust death of their elders and facing such turmoil, they would surely change and lose their composure.
Mu Guanghan said, “…If she’s willing, I can help her.”
Xun Qingwei chuckled, “Heh heh.”
Yes, yes, of course, your Moonlight City Lord can help her.
Whether it’s organizing troops and supplies or helping her to avenge her grievances, the Moonlight City Lord always thinks first of offering everything to his beloved.
As long as the other wants it, and he has it—
He hopes that by giving his all, others will understand his goodness.
Even if he’s been repeatedly used and betrayed, he never learns.
Well, let him be.
The lord has his own way of life.
No use persuading him, no need to!
...
Though Mu Guanghan wrote many splendid poems and songs for Luo Nan Zhi, what he ultimately sent were a few very formal letters.
Carrier pigeons flew back and forth for half a month, bringing a reply from Luo Nan Zhi.
“You are most welcome. I look forward to meeting Lord Moonlight City in Anmu City.”
Luo Nan Zhi agreed to see him!
Mu Guanghan was overjoyed and immediately stood before the full-length mirror to try on new clothes.
In the mirror stood a tall, slender figure, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, exuding the aura of a dashing and talented gentleman—only, a golden mask with embossed patterns covered half his face.
He silently removed the lower half of the mask, revealing the hideous venomous markings, which made even his originally handsome half face repulsive.
This appearance, sigh.
Fortunately, his talent was outstanding, which might compensate somewhat.
...
On the appointed day, Mu Guanghan boarded the ship.
Moonlight City lay hidden beneath the Kunlun Mirror, which itself was located in Northern You of the Great Xia.
Thousands of years ago, when Great Xia was founded, the emperor resided in the Central Plains and divided the realm into four regions: Dongze, Xiliang, Southern Yue, and Northern You.
Under these regions were various dukes, marquises, counts, governors, and city lords.
Now, in this chaotic era with the emperor weakened, local powers fought for control, leading to confusion and instability.
Beneath the Kunlun Mirror flowed the Huai River, whose lower reaches were where Luo Nan Zhi’s Luo Prefecture lay.
The journey from Northern You was long, nearly a month by boat.
Mu Guanghan calculated the route, passing through Suizhou, Yizhou, Moqian, and Wuheng...
Ahem.
Suizhou housed one of his exes.
Yizhou another old flame.
Moqian held a white moonlight he loved but could not have.
Wuheng still retained the lingering warmth of Wei Liuyi.
Truly...
Exes everywhere!
Sadly, none had a happy ending; his passion was all unrequited.
All that’s past, Mu Guanghan sighed.
He only wished for smooth sailing and no crazy exes blocking his way.
Sigh.
Speaking of his exes, their behavior was truly baffling.
When he gave his heart, they all cheated, trampled, and betrayed him, yet after breaking up, they haunted him.
They claimed he was ugly and refused him, but wouldn’t let others have him either.
He owed them nothing and didn’t understand their grudges.
Wouldn’t it be better to part ways and each find happiness?
Mu Guanghan’s desire for revenge wasn’t strong; after all, they were people he once truly loved.
If fate was broken, better never to meet again.
Yet they kept stirring trouble afterward, which was truly vexing.
Enough, no use thinking about it.
First, a sip of freshly brewed tea!