Volume One: The Emperor's Sword Chapter 53: Dowry

The astonishingly extravagant dowry left the elders of the Mu family utterly dumbfounded, while Yun Que and Mu Qingyao were equally taken aback. Even for the Mu family, the most prominent clan in the Yan Kingdom, it was unthinkable to provide such a wealth of treasures as a daughter’s dowry.

Yun Que quickly tallied the chariots—nearly a hundred carts of refined copper alone! Refined copper was no ordinary metal; it was extracted from brass and served as the essential material for forging magical artifacts, valued even above gold. Iron essence was similarly precious, only slightly less valuable than refined copper, and also used in the creation of magical instruments.

Yun Que couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of suspicion. Mu Qingzhou’s actions were highly irregular. This display was far beyond the custom of marrying off a daughter—he clearly had another plan.

Mu Qingzhou accepted the account ledger from the old steward and handed it to Yun Que. “Son-in-law, are you satisfied?” Mu Qingzhou smiled. “Keep it safe. Check the accounts from time to time. With so many hands involved, it’s inevitable that some things might go missing.”

Without giving Yun Que a chance to reply, Mu Qingzhou promptly saw him to the door. “Come, let me see you out.”

With a wave of his hand, the fleet of carriages formed a long procession, each one following the next as they rolled out of the Mu residence.

“Wait!” A voice rang out from the main hall—the elders could no longer remain seated.

“Mu Qingzhou, are you out of your mind? You’re giving away half our family’s fortune as a dowry for your daughter?”

“We do not agree! Those three hundred carts of dowry will not leave the Mu estate!”

Beards bristled and eyes blazed with fury; teapots were smashed, tables overturned, and all eyes fixed on Mu Qingzhou with anger.

He paused, not turning back, and spoke with his back to them, “Uncles, please be patient. When I return, I’ll give you an explanation.”

“No! Explain yourself now, or don’t think you can take a single coin from the Mu family!” shouted a bald elder, stepping forward to block the way.

“Qingzhou, it’s best you clarify things now. We’re all getting old and can’t handle such shocks,” Mu Wan added.

Mu Qingzhou slowly turned, his presence like a lion’s, casting a cold glance over the group. At once, the elders fell silent; the bald old man halted, not daring to advance, and Mu Wan too held his tongue.

The head of the family commanded his own authority.

Saying nothing more, Mu Qingzhou escorted Yun Que all the way to the gates.

Before the endless line of carriages, Yun Que did not ask about the exorbitant dowry, but instead, as if in passing, inquired, “Uncle Mu, do you know the cause of my father’s death?”

Mu Qingzhou shook his head heavily. “Over the years, I’ve sent out at least ten groups to Coldwater City to investigate, including masters of great skill. Not one returned alive.”

Yun Que was silent for a long while before bowing deeply. “Thank you, Uncle Mu.”

Yun Que believed him. No matter how someone might disguise themselves, whether feigning innocence or righteousness, that subtle regret in the eyes was not something easily faked.

He had seen that trace of sorrow in Mu Qingzhou’s eyes—the helpless grief of losing an old friend.

Mu Qingzhou forced a bitter smile and advised, “Yao’er is pure-hearted and knows little of business. This dowry is no small sum. Please help her manage it, so she won’t be deceived.”

Seeing Yun Que nod his assent, Mu Qingzhou waved them off. “It’s getting late. You should return to Sword Palace.”

Mu Qingyao had furrowed her brows throughout, wanting to ask why her father would part with such a dowry, but Mu Qingzhou gave her no opportunity, turning away and heading back inside.

Helpless, Mu Qingyao joined Yun Que as the grand procession set off for the Sword Palace.

Along the way, passersby buzzed with excitement, and soon the news swept through the Imperial City.

“Did you hear? The eldest daughter of the Mu family is getting married! Her dowry fills three hundred carts!”

“Heavens above! Three hundred carts—that’s unbelievably lavish!”

“Even if it were only rice and flour, that would be a fortune!”

“Rice and flour? The cheapest thing there is gold bars! Pearls, corals, jade—every treasure you can imagine. They don’t even bother with silver!”

“As expected of the richest house in Yan! I’m so envious!”

In every street and alley, in taverns and tea houses, all anyone could talk about was the Mu family dowry.

On the road, Mu Qingyao sat in silence, her head bowed, pondering her father’s true intention. No matter how she turned it over in her mind, she could not fathom why he would split half the family wealth as her dowry. It not only offended every branch of the family but struck a blow to the foundation of the clan itself.

“Don’t think about it. Since your father won’t say, you won’t be able to find out,” Yun Que lounged in the carriage, idly sifting golden sand through his fingers. “The minds of the wealthy are truly unfathomable.”

Watching the gold grains slip through Yun Que’s hand, Mu Qingyao mused, “Could it be that Father wants to break away from the family and establish his own house?”

“No. If that were his aim, he’d have acted long ago—why wait until now?” Yun Que replied offhandedly.

“How can you be so sure?” Mu Qingyao asked, surprised. It was her father, yet Yun Que seemed to know him better than she did.

“I’m just guessing,” Yun Que said lazily. “With so much dowry, after the wedding I’ll gain another title—Richest Man in Yan.”

“Who said I’m marrying you?” Mu Qingyao retorted, her tone half-teasing, half-annoyed.

“Wasn’t it you, just now at your house, who said you had me? Changing your mind already? You’ve let me see you, touch you, even hold your hand. I’m afraid you won’t be able to marry anyone else now.”

Mu Qingyao’s brows arched, her gaze sharp as a blade, the jade hairpin in her flowing locks trembling, sword intent swirling around her.

Such impudence—she could not tolerate it.

Yun Que merely lifted his chin, exposing his neck to her, as if inviting her to strike.

“Scoundrel!”

Mu Qingyao stilled her emotions and turned to gaze out the window, ignoring Yun Que.

“Those elders at your house can’t even outwit a youngster like me—do you think they could possibly outmaneuver your father, that old fox?”

Yun Que admired her annoyed expression, laughing. “That’s why I say your father isn’t trying to start his own branch—he must have some other hardship.”

Mu Qingyao immediately turned back, forgetting Yun Que’s irreverent words, and asked in surprise, “What hardship?”

Yun Que simply spread his hands. “He isn’t my father. How should I know his troubles?”

Mu Qingyao’s brows knit tightly. “Hardship…”

A trace of guilt surfaced in her heart. She and her father had always been distant, seldom meeting even once a year. She had never considered that he might have his own burdens.

“I can’t discern your father’s true reasoning, but there’s one thing I can roughly guess.” Yun Que’s smile faded, replaced by rare gravity. “I fear trouble is coming for your family.”

From Mu Qingzhou’s parting words—‘return to the Sword Palace’—Yun Que could surmise his intent. The head of the Mu family intended to preserve half the family’s assets under the guise of a dowry, and the Sword Palace was the safest vault in the land.

Mu Qingyao pondered Yun Que’s words repeatedly. She could not imagine that the mighty Mu family could be forced into dividing its wealth out of necessity.

“That can’t be. The Mu family has no powerful enemies. There should be no threat of destruction,” she murmured, unable to hide her anxiety.

“I’m only speculating. Don’t worry too much,” Yun Que consoled. “Perhaps your father just thinks his son-in-law is so outstanding that he insists on giving so much dowry.”

Mu Qingyao couldn’t help but laugh through her tears, shooting Yun Que a glare before falling silent.

Back at the Mu residence, in the great hall, Mu Qingzhou sat quietly in the seat of the head, surrounded by a ring of elders burning with anger and suspicion. Mu Wan sipped his tea, striving to mask the deep resentment in his eyes.

As dusk fell, Mu Qingzhou’s figure grew shrouded in shadow. He spoke in a low, mournful voice:

“The Emperor insists on forging the Celestial Sword, sparing no offense to the ministers, ignoring the cries of the people. In his haste, countless have died. The Mu family holds the largest copper and iron mines in the kingdom—precisely the materials needed for the sword. Do you all think the one who sits upon the dragon throne will let us go?”

His words sent a chill through those present.

Mu Gui protested, “But when the Grand Preceptor came for refined copper, we already gave a hundred thousand jin! We gave more than even the royal family—what more do they want?”

“When you were young, Third Uncle, you loved to hunt and killed many wolves,” Mu Qingzhou said, his eyes cold and still in the gloom. “Have you ever seen a wolf that could be fed its fill?”

Once more, the hall was plunged into silence. Even the air felt stifling.

“Yao’er’s dowry is to ensure the Mu family still has a chance to rise again,” Mu Qingzhou’s voice grew colder, heavier. “Prepare yourselves for disaster. Calamity is about to befall us.”