Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 49: I Fear Heights

Sword light flashed across the skies above the Sword Palace, heading straight for the Imperial City.

Many people caught sight of Mu Qingyao and Yun Que as they soared by, pointing and whispering in envy.

Yet, as the one at the center of all this attention, Yun Que found little pleasure in it. Instead, he felt as if fate itself had set a trap from which he could not escape.

Unwilling to play by the rules, he had managed to send away the steward of the Mu family. But Mu Qingyao, no less unorthodox, had simply seized him and brought him back to the Mu estate.

So the cycle of cause and effect spun on—retribution was inevitable.

Fortunately, Yun Que was magnanimous enough to accept the situation. Since he had discovered that leaping from the sword would likely result in his death, he no longer cared about the Mu family’s intentions. Instead, his thoughts turned to what he might have for lunch at their table.

“What business could you possibly have with me? Why is your family so insistent on meeting a ruined Marquis like myself?” Yun Que asked, his tone casual as he reached out, quite naturally, to wrap his arm around the slender waist before him.

Mu Qingyao’s body tensed immediately.

“Let go.”

“I’m afraid of heights.”

Yun Que’s response was unapologetic; not only did he refuse to release her, but he held her even tighter.

“My father needs to speak with you. It's important.” Mu Qingyao’s voice was cool, no longer concerned with his wandering hand.

“Why all the secrecy? Can’t you just tell me outright?” Yun Que’s impatience showed.

The Mu family’s steward had been evasive, and now Mu Qingyao gave him the same line—it was clear they still regarded him as an outsider.

Sensing Yun Que’s displeasure, Mu Qingyao shook her head gently. “I truly don’t know what it’s about. My father only said it concerns the life and death of our family.”

Yun Que fell silent, pondering what trouble the Mu family could be in that would make Mu Qingzhou speak of life and death. And what did any of this have to do with him, a mere Marquis of Coldwater?

He couldn’t see the connection.

At most, he was the Mu family’s prospective son-in-law, and not a favored one at that—lacking in every way, infamous for his misdeeds. How could the fate of the Mu family be tied to such a figure?

At first, Yun Que suspected they wished to break off the engagement, but a mere marriage arrangement hardly warranted talk of life and death.

Beyond the engagement, he could think of no other link between himself and the Mu family.

Since Yun Que had nothing more to say, Mu Qingyao also fell silent, focusing on steering their sword. They soon arrived at the Mu estate, landing in the courtyard before the main hall.

Inside, the spirit pine tea had already been finished, and the elders of the Mu family were beginning to grow impatient.

“So Qingyao has returned. The younger generation of our Mu family certainly cut a dashing figure with their sword-riding,” someone remarked.

“This is what it means for the waves of the Yangtze to drive on those before them. Eh? Why has she brought along a young rascal?”

“How improper, standing so close! Men and women should maintain decorum—what if outsiders see this?”

The elders in the hall were displeased, especially Mu Gu, Mu Qingzhou’s third uncle, who tapped his gold cane on the ground with a loud clatter.

A middle-aged man in a sky-blue brocade robe, unconcerned, said, “They’re young—who among us hasn’t made mistakes? It is through experience that one matures.”

This was Mu Wan, Mu Qingzhou’s cousin and Mu Qingyao’s eldest uncle. Though he seemed to speak on her behalf, his words were barbed, casting aspersions on Mu Qingzhou.

Mu Qingzhou paid him no mind, pretending not to hear.

Introduced by Mu Qingyao, Yun Que offered the proper greetings as a junior: “Nephew pays respects to Uncle. Forgive me for coming in haste, empty-handed.”

“We’re all family here, there’s no need for such formality,” Mu Qingzhou replied with a smile, nodding to Yun Que. Then, turning to the gathered elders, he continued, “Third Uncle, uncles and brothers, this is Yun Que, son of Yun Changji.”

At the mention of Yun Que’s name, the elders’ expressions shifted—some glared, some frowned, others looked disdainful or surprised. None were welcoming.

Mu Gu’s face grew dark. He fixed his gaze on Mu Qingzhou and demanded, “You’ve summoned us all here—what is so important that you require the presence of an outsider?”

His tone dripped with disapproval.

Mu Qingzhou remained calm. “This matter does indeed concern Yun Que.”

“Then let’s hear it. We old folk cannot sit for long,” Mu Gu snorted, his impatience clear.

The other elders wore similar expressions, displeased with Mu Qingzhou’s actions. They’d been given no prior information, and after all this waiting, found themselves facing an outsider—the infamous and problematic Marquis of Coldwater. Naturally, they were not pleased.

Mu Qingzhou sat at the head of the table, composed and unhurried. “Years ago, Yun Changji and I arranged a marriage between our families. I’m sure you all remember. Though the Yun family has declined, the engagement between our families still stands.”

His gaze grew complicated as he looked at his daughter and Yun Que, finally revealing the purpose of this assembly.

“I’ve called you all here today to discuss the marriage agreement between the Yun and Mu families.”

Yun Que’s brow furrowed instantly—he had guessed wrongly; it truly was about the engagement.

Mu Qingyao, too, was surprised. She hadn’t expected her father’s so-called important matter to be the marriage agreement.

None of the elders had anticipated that Mu Qingzhou would summon them all merely to discuss the engagement between the Yun and Mu families.

After all, if left unmentioned, the engagement could easily be disregarded. None of the Mu elders supported it; all wished to sever ties with the Yun family.

Once, the Marquis of Yanmen was a figure of unmatched renown, hailed as the God of War and the greatest military mind in Great Yan. No one objected to the union then.

But times change and fortunes shift. Since Yun Changji’s death at the border—a disgrace for the nation—the Yun family had fallen into utter ruin, their title disgracefully altered by the emperor to Marquis of Coldwater.

Such a burden was not one the Mu family wished to bear. Severing ties was only prudent.

Mu Gu was the first to speak. “What is there to discuss? Qingyao is now the foremost sword prodigy of the Southern Academy—a dragon among mortals. Her future is boundless, and even if she marries, it should be into a family of equal standing. This match should end here.”

A white-haired elder added, “When our lord was a young father, he was inexperienced and made this pact with the Marquis of Yanmen over drinks. Such drunken words cannot be taken seriously.”

A bald elder declared, “Our Mu family does not seek to marry into nobility, but neither will we support the useless. A man must know his own worth. Only a true talent is worthy of Qingyao—like Third Brother’s grandson, Yi Hongwen.”

Another elder in fine robes said, “Hongwen is indeed outstanding. I hear he’s reached the sixth level of Qi Refining—just a step away from the late stage. Among the Sword Palace disciples, he’s among the best.”

Mu Gu smiled with satisfaction. “In less than a year or two, Hongwen will surely earn the title of Sword Prodigy!”

It was clear he intended his own grandson, Yi Hongwen, to marry Mu Qingyao, thereby consolidating his power within the family.

The elders voiced their opposition one after another—none supported the match.

Mu Qingzhou listened with a faint smile, neither agreeing nor refuting, leaving his intentions unreadable.

“Very well,” Mu Gu declared, “As the family head’s uncle and Qingyao’s grand-uncle, I will decide this matter.”

He turned to Yun Que. “You, the Yun family boy—you must know your own worth. Everything in this world has a price. We Mu are businessmen; we’ll offer you a fair sum.”

Summoning a servant, Mu Gu ordered, “I’ll pay for this myself. Bring a hundred thousand taels of silver for him. From this day on, the Mu and Yun families are no longer connected. The engagement is annulled.”

Some elders nodded in approval, though others frowned, unsure whether a hundred thousand taels would suffice for a marquis.

After all, he was no commoner.

Mu Qingyao felt uncomfortable at this, worrying for Yun Que. If she were treated in such a manner, she would find it unbearable.

Mu Qingzhou neither stopped nor endorsed the arrangement. He simply watched Yun Que with a smile, waiting to see what the son of his old friend—the descendant of the God of War, his future son-in-law—would do in the face of such humiliation.

Would he swallow his pride and endure, erupt in anger, or simply turn and leave without a word?

Yun Que’s response, however, surpassed all of Mu Qingzhou’s expectations.