The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

When Mu Mingda woke up on the second day, he found many soldiers in armor in the courtyard. He was startled and quickly got up from the bed.

Mu Jingyuan happened to be carrying medicine into the room, and seeing this scene, she hurriedly put down the medicine bowl and went over to support him; “Father, you’re finally awake.”

Mu Mingda looked his daughter up and down, relieved to see her unharmed. “What’s going on with those people outside? Did they trouble you?”

“Yesterday when you fell ill, I went down the mountain to fetch a doctor. At the foot of the mountain, I encountered soldiers from the Kingdom of Chao. They didn’t trouble me. Upon hearing of your serious illness, they even brought a doctor.” Mu Jingyuan leaned in closer and whispered, “The young man leading them is the Crown Prince of Chao.”

Mu Mingda furrowed his brows deeply and sighed, “For the Crown Prince of Chao to come personally, his intentions must be significant.”

Apart from a good reputation, Mu Mingda had nothing else.

No, I have a daughter.

Mu Mingda frowned, looking at his daughter who stood gracefully before him, full of worry.

Mu Jingyuan didn’t understand why her father was so concerned and spoke up for the other side, “I don’t think all people from Chao are rough and barbaric, contrary to what’s rumored.”

For instance, yesterday when her stomach growled due to hunger, the Crown Prince of Chao tactfully changed the subject, saving her face.

Those soldiers, though they drank heavily and ate heartily, and even raided her father’s precious wine collection, they didn’t cause havoc or defile the academy. When they encountered her, they didn’t make any inappropriate advances.

The Crown Prince of Chao and the man known as Military Advisor Wang spent the night in her father’s study, casually discussing various literary references.

Mu Mingda watched his daughter speak with earnestness and a troubled expression filled his face

Half an hour later, Mu Mingda tidied himself up and instructed his daughter to invite the Crown Prince of Chao.

“Please come in, Your Highness.” Mu Jingyuan led him as instructed, stopping just outside the door.

He Dongchen nodded slightly and passed her, stepping into the room. Immediately, the air was filled with the fragrance of tea. Master Mingda was dressed in a white robe, kneeling behind the desk, skillfully brewing hot tea, enveloped in mist, his face obscured.

Seeing that Master Mingda didn’t initiate greetings, He Dongchen approached and casually adjusted his robe, taking a seat opposite him. He reached out and picked up a cup of hot tea, sipping it and remarking, “Fragrant as orchids and sweet as rainwater, excellent tea.”

Mu Mingda scrutinized him for a moment, then spoke slowly, “The Crown Prince of Chao honors us with his visit. If you have something to say, speak your mind.”

He Dongchen smiled faintly, placing down the tea cup and spoke frankly, “Today, I’m bold to seek Master Mingda’s advice on a matter.”

Mu Mingda smirked, “I won’t dare accept the title of ‘Master’, but as a fallen subject. If Your Excellency wishes me to appease the people and uphold our reputation, there is no need for much discussion, only the fate of a servant.” With a slight tilt of his head, he showed a demeanor of deference.

He Dongchen chuckled lightly, meeting Mu Mingda’s puzzled gaze, and continued calmly, “From what I understand, Master Ling Zheng was gravely injured by the Xuan Yuan imperial family years ago and soon after met a tragic end. Out of anger, you resigned from your official position and retreated to the mountains. It seems that there is a blood feud between you and the Xuan Yuan clan. Why then, are you now defending the honor of your enemy?”

“You’re twisting the truth!” Mu Mingda flushed with anger, exclaiming, “I defend the generations-old reputation of the Mu family, the pride of the people of Chen Kingdom. It has nothing to do with the Xuan Yuan!”

He Dongchen pressed on step by step, “If so, Master Mingda shouldn’t refuse my request. Now that Chen Kingdom’s demise is irreversible, the people are restless, living in fear every day. They need a learned and respected scholar like you to stabilize their hearts, to prevent further calamities and suffering.”

“This is an act of great virtue, not a disgrace to your family. A hundred years ago, Chao and Chen were originally one family, with the same people and the same race. The common people care about whether they can eat their fill and live in peace. Master Mingda, I read your writings overnight yesterday and saw a true sage who cares for the world deeply. I deeply admire it. Please consider this matter seriously.”

Mu Mingda was struck silent by these words, remaining silent for a long time.

He Dongchen tactfully withdrew, not pressing further.

***

Mu Jingyuan stood outside the door, listening attentively to the entire conversation, her face showing contemplation.

“How does Young Lady Mu feel about this?” He Dongchen asked, noticing her expression.

Mu Jingyuan snapped out of her thoughts, pondered for a moment, and replied earnestly, “In this world, some people live with clarity, focusing on the righteousness of their country, the complexities of loyalty and enmity. For others, life is already difficult enough just to make ends meet, with no time for other concerns. Although I grew up in luxury, I understand that the majority of people struggle just to survive. To them, does it really matter whether there’s a kingdom or not?”

He Dongchen looked into her clear eyes and smiled faintly.

“Master Mingda has raised such a perceptive daughter. I believe what I seek won’t be far off.”

Almost as if to confirm his words, the next day, Mu Mingda emerged from the house with red eyes and handed a letter to He Dongchen with both hands.

“Master Mingda has integrity.” He Dongchen solemnly accepted the letter, hastening back to the city on horseback to publish the article far and wide.

With the first matter resolved satisfactorily, Wang Yi cleared his throat from the side and respectfully added, “Besides this, there’s another important matter for complete reconciliation and long-lasting peace between our nations. His Highness wishes to propose your daughter as the Crown Prince’s Consort, to cement the goodwill between our families.”

Upon hearing that, Mu Mingda immediately retorted sternly, “Absolutely not possible! This matter need not be mentioned again!”

He Dongchen interjected, “There’s no need to rush to refuse, Master Mingda. Your daughter might have a different perspective.”

Mu Mingda stared at He Dongchen’s handsome face, resolute in his tone, “My daughter is not a superficial person.”

He Dongchen scratched his nose.

He hadn’t intended to use his looks to seduce anyone.

“How about this, give me 10 days with the Young Lady. If within 10 days, I cannot make her willingly accept the position as the Crown Prince’s Consort, then we’ll drop the matter. I won’t force anything. What do you think, Master Mingda?”

Mu Mingda stared at him suspiciously, considering his clever daughter, who surely wouldn’t be easily swayed. Thus, he reluctantly agreed, “The Crown Prince’s word is as good as gold. I hope you won’t go back on your word after this.”

“Naturally, my word is as good as gold. Rest assured, Master Mingda. 10 days from now, I’ll ensure she returns safely and soundly.”

And so, Mu Jingyuan was unwittingly packed up and sent down the mountain by her elderly father.

***

It wasn’t until she was seated in the carriage gathered by the soldiers that she blushed with realization.

He Dongchen sat on the other side of the carriage, casually flipping through a book of poetry, occasionally nodding in appreciation.

As Mu Jingyuan watched, she suddenly recognized the book! Wasn’t that my collection of poems?!

Annoyed and embarrassed, she was about to speak up when she heard him say, “Your poetry is quite good. It’s a pity to keep it hidden away in a box.”

Mu Jingyuan was taken aback, but managed a wry smile, “The writings of a mere daughter, hardly fit for the literary world.”

“There’s no need for Young Lady Mu to underestimate herself. In my opinion, your poems and writings are not inferior to those of many literati,” He Dongchen said sincerely.

Mu Jingyuan looked into his deep eyes, filled with genuine sincerity, no flattery, no superficiality. Somewhere deep inside, something stirred.

As a daughter, she had always been overshadowed by the fact that she wasn’t a son. No matter how outstanding she was, outsiders would only shake their heads and sigh, lamenting the fact that she was not a man. Yet here was the first man besides her father who acknowledged her talent, praised her brilliance, without dismissing her simply because she was female.

Mu Jingyuan’s fingers trembled slightly on her lap as she softly murmured, “Thank you.”

They exchanged a glance, and something seemed to shift between them.

The carriage moved slowly, unable to return to the city that day, so they spent the night in a farmhouse.

The villagers saw hundreds of soldiers entering in a tumultuous manner, crying out as if a great disaster was imminent. They were fearful and uneasy. Even when Wang Yi stepped forward to explain their intention to stay and offered money, the villagers remained unsettled.

The entire village was eerily quiet, so much so that even the dogs lay quietly, afraid to make a sound.

Mu Jingyuan rode into the village in a carriage, feeling deeply troubled by the scene.

Beside her, He Dongchen remarked, “This is why I came to visit Master Mingda.”

Though the villagers might be illiterate, they deeply respected scholars and intellectuals. In times of anxiety and unrest, the presence of a respected scholar could certainly calm their hearts.

Mu Jingyuan remained silent.

The night passed without incident, and the next day they continued their journey, finally reaching the city by noon.

***

Mu Jingyuan expected the capital city to be silent and mournful after the fall of the kingdom, but to her surprise, the streets were bustling with open shops, bustling crowds, street vendors calling out, and children playing as if nothing had changed from before.

She even witnessed an argument at a small stall between a soldier from Chao Kingdom in armor and a local from Chen Kingdom about whether to add sugar or salt to tofu pudding.

Both sides argued vehemently, almost coming to blows, but the bystanders seemed unfazed, watching the spectacle with folded arms.

It was a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere in the village the day before.

He Dongchen explained, “The people of the capital have seen much and adapted quickly.”

Mu Jingyuan shook her head with a wry smile, “His Highness governs wisely.”

The convoy continued straight to the palace gates and entered.

***

Mu Jingyuan stepped out of the carriage wearing a white veil hat, escorted to a luxurious palace chamber that previously belonged to a Princess of Chen Kingdom.

He Dongchen said, “Rest well. Tomorrow I will take you out for a stroll.”

Mu Jingyuan nodded and watched his tall figure disappear step by step into the grand hall through the white curtains.

Inside the room, several tall female soldiers waited, temporarily assigned to protect Mu Jingyuan.

The leading female commander stepped forward and bowed, “Ming Yang greets Young Lady Mu.”

Mu Jingyuan looked at her confident demeanor and the other proud female soldiers beside her. They were unlike any women she had seen in Chen Kingdom, and for a moment, she felt disoriented. She returned the gesture and said, “Lady Ming, there’s no need for such formality.”

Before Ming Yang could speak, another female soldier beside her raised her voice, “Young Lady Mu should address our leader as General. After all, women in Chen Kingdom are weak and indecisive, always relying on men, living their whole lives according to men’s whims. It’s understandable they lack experience.”

“Insolent!” Ming Yang scolded, then turned apologetically to Mu Jingyuan, “Forgive her, Young Lady Mu. Xiao Qi is straightforward. She’s been emotional lately seeing the hardships faced by women in the capital.”

Mu Jingyuan shook her head and sighed, “She’s not entirely wrong. Women in Chen Kingdom are indeed weak and powerless, always dependent on men, confined to household matters, and it’s truly pathetic.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiao Qi, the outspoken soldier, immediately chimed in, “Exactly! Unlike us women of Chao Kingdom who can manage households and even fight on the battlefield, achieve great deeds. If husbands are dissatisfied, we just kick them out and find another!”

“Your women in Chen Kingdom live such pitiful lives! And what’s with this ‘virtuous woman’ nonsense! You claimed Chen Kingdom had a flourishing literary scene and peace throughout the land, but in reality, all the influential figures are men, and women are nothing but miserable.”