The Supporting Male Characters Who Died Alone All Those Years Later

Mu Jingyuan listened to Xiao Qi’s account of the lives of women in the Chao Kingdom, and her long-held beliefs began to crumble bit by bit.

Yes, why can’t women establish their own households? Why must they rely on their fathers, brothers, and husbands, hoping to live off their characters?

Ming Yang and his companions were only there to protect Mu Jingyuan, not to take care of her daily needs. The ones who served her were former palace maids from the Chen Princess’s palace. They had been sent away to farm the land some time ago, but because they had performed well in the past 2 months, being diligent and capable, they were reassigned to take care of Mu Jingyuan.

Mu Jingyuan looked at the timid and cowering palace maids, then at the spirited and lively Ming Yang and her companions, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

***

The next day, after finishing his official duties, He Dongchen went to Mu Jingyuan’s quarters. He keenly noticed that something about her was different.

When Mu Jingyuan saw He Dongchen staring at her, she asked in confusion, “Your Highness?”

He Dongchen withdrew his gaze and asked, “Your veil?”

“No need.” Mu Jingyuan shook her head, her clear eyes serious. “I want to see the world with my own eyes, without hiding.”

In the Chen Kingdom, unmarried women had to wear veils whenever they stepped outside. If someone saw their faces, it would be considered a loss of reputation, rendering them impure.

Mu Jingyuan used to follow the norm, wearing a veil without any issues. But now, she suddenly wondered why women had to hide, unable to walk openly in the world.

He Dongchen was very pleased to see her change. The customs of the two countries were different, and so were the statuses of women. The Chao Kingdom had a fierce and tough culture, frequently clashing with the nomadic tribes of the north. Many famous female generals emerged from these conflicts, so the status of women wasn’t low. It wasn’t uncommon to see women officials in the court of the Chao Kingdom. In contrast, the Chen Kingdom valued literature and had strict rites and rules, placing numerous constraints on women. The moral codes for women, such as the virtues and prohibitions, dictated that a husband was the leader of the wife, reducing the status of women to dust.

Mu Jingyuan grew up in such an environment, and the fact that she could awaken a sense of resistance so quickly set her apart from many others.

“Your Highness, the carriages and horses are ready and can depart at any time,” Ming Yang said, bowing as she entered the hall.

He Dongchen nodded and invited Mu Jingyuan to discreetly leave the palace with him.

***

Mu Mingda’s article had been printed overnight and distributed throughout the kingdom. In every teahouse in Nandu City, people were discussing it. Ordinary citizens felt reassured and hopeful about the future, while some scholars believed that Mu Mingda kneeling to the enemy had disgraced the integrity of intellectuals, showing a complete lack of backbone.

He Dongchen brought Mu Jingyuan into a teahouse. The heatedly debating crowd fell silent upon seeing Mu Jingyuan’s stunning beauty. They then noticed He Dongchen’s upright posture and Chao Kingdom attire, along with the female soldiers behind him, including Ming Yang. Their expressions turned somewhat displeased.

A thin man in a green robe sneered disdainfully, “Showing your face in public is indecent.”

Though his voice was low, the teahouse was so quiet that everyone could hear it.

People nearby subtly distanced themselves from him to avoid trouble, aware that the women of the Chao Kingdom were known to be fierce and not easily provoked.

The thin man, realizing his mistake, glanced fearfully at He Dongchen.

Unable to retreat under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he stubbornly said, “Did I say something wrong? Women showing their faces in public ruin social norms and disgrace their families! If my daughter behaved like this, I would have thrown her into a well long ago. How could she face the world?”

Ming Yang and her companions were furious upon hearing that.

Xiao Qi, who had a hot temper, stepped forward, dragged the thin man out, and threw him to the ground. She stomped on his chest and spoke with disgust, “Men like you are worthless in our Chao Kingdom! Yet you look down on us women!”

The man was humiliated, his face flushed red as he lay under the foot of a woman he despised, feeling utterly disgraced.

Seeing his predicament, Ming Yang and the others laughed heartily. The other people in the teahouse, intimidated by their swords, dared not speak up.

Chao Kingdom soldiers patrolling outside peeked in and, instead of intervening, cheerfully remarked, “Oh, General Xiao Qi is teaching another fool a lesson!”

In the eyes of Chao Kingdom men, Chen Kingdom men were not only scrawny and perpetually whining, but also bullies who only picked on the weak. They were cowardly outside yet oppressive towards women at home, utterly lacking in courage.

Mu Jingyuan’s expression was complex. It was exactly this group of bullies who, with their nonsensical reasoning, had oppressed the women of Chen Kingdom for hundreds of years.

In the end, the thin man was grabbed by the neck by Xiao Qi, like trash, and thrown out of the teahouse.

He Dongchen took his people to a private room on the second floor and ordered a pot of tea.

Originally, they had come to listen to the various opinions of the people, but after the commotion earlier, everyone in the teahouse knew there was a group of formidable Chao Kingdom people present, so they stopped their loud discussions and gradually dispersed.

The group had some refreshments in the teahouse before leaving to continue wandering around Nandu City.

By the end of the day, Mu Jingyuan had experienced a lot.

***

In the following days, Master Mingda’s article spread throughout the kingdom. Other cities in Chen Kingdom surrendered one after another. He Dongchen was busy sending people to take over. A few cities tried to unite and resist, relying on natural barriers to declare independence. He Dongchen decisively sent troops to attack, leaving no room for hesitation.

As the war reignited, He Dongchen wanted to avoid unnecessary casualties and decided to lead the troops himself.

At that point, there were only 2 days left until the 10-day agreement.

At the recently reopened Qingshan Academy, Mu Mingda was leisurely enjoying fine wine.

The day before departure, He Dongchen took some time to meet Mu Jingyuan.

Before he could speak, Mu Jingyuan spoke first, “I’m willing to become the Crown Princess of Chao Kingdom.”

He Dongchen raised his eyebrows. She said the Crown Princess of Chao Kingdom, not his wife. Watching Mu Jingyuan discuss marriage without any hesitation, He Dongchen sighed inwardly. Do I no longer have any charm?

Mu Jingyuan saw his subtle expression and frowned. Remembering something, her face turned slightly pale. “Or has Your Highness found a better candidate?”

There were thousands of women in the Chen Kingdom, many from prominent families; she wasn’t the only possible choice for the crown princess.

He Dongchen, seeing her misunderstanding, explained, “You’re overthinking it. The position of the Crown Princess is yours alone. Once I return from the expedition, we’ll immediately hold the ceremony.”

Mu Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief, realizing her earlier behavior seemed overly eager. Blushing slightly, she turned aside uncomfortably. “I need to return to the academy to inform my father.”

“Of course. In these turbulent times, I’ll have Ming Yang accompany you for protection.”

Mu Jingyuan, understanding the importance, didn’t refuse. She turned back and bowed to him solemnly. “I hope Your Highness returns safely and triumphantly.”

Before descending the mountain, Mu Jingyuan’s heart was still troubled, somewhat preoccupied with the fall of the Chen Kingdom. But what she had seen and heard recently shifted her focus to other matters.

She thought, the Chao Kingdom’s invasion might be a great fortune for the women of the Chen Kingdom.

What she needed to do was to stand in a higher position to help those unfortunate women still trapped in the mire.

Seeing her determined gaze, He Dongchen also responded seriously, “I will. Wait for me to come back and marry you.”

He then strode away, his tall, upright figure gradually elongating in the twilight.

Mu Jingyuan stood behind, watching him leave. After a long while, she raised her hand to touch her chest, a slight smile on her lips. Perhaps, there was also a bit of selfishness in her feelings.

The next day, He Dongchen led a hundred thousand troops out, armored and ready for battle.

Mu Jingyuan stood far away on a high tower, watching the grand army leave.

Ming Yang, unable to join the expedition this time, felt disappointed. However, knowing that Mu Jingyuan would be the future Crown Princess, she took her role as protector seriously and dutifully.

“Young Lady Mu, the carriage is ready. We can depart now.”

Mu Jingyuan withdrew her gaze and gently said, “Thank you, General Ming.”

***

Qingshan Academy,

The atmosphere was heavy, and the students coming and going were silent.

When Qingshan Academy reopened, less than 60% of the students returned. Those unwilling to return believed that Master Mingda lacked integrity and were ashamed to be his disciples. Many students were also afraid of public opinion and were too afraid to associate with him.

Mu Mingda had anticipated this situation and remained calm, instructing the Chao Kingdom soldiers sent by He Dongchen to retrieve the previously distributed books. Most of the books in the academy were treasured collections of the Mu family, holding great significance.

Some people, unwilling to part with the precious books, used the excuse that Mu Mingda was unworthy of owning such sacred texts and refused to return them.

The Chao Kingdom soldiers were baffled. “You take someone else’s books and then say they don’t deserve them? What nonsense! And you call yourselves scholars!”

The soldiers seized the books and left.

When Mu Mingda found out later, he remained silent.

As soon as Mu Jingyuan entered, she saw her father sitting alone in a pavilion, holding a book, looking somewhat desolate.

Unable to bear the heavy atmosphere, she broke the silence. “Father, your daughter has returned.”

Mu Mingda turned his head, and upon seeing his daughter after several days, he smiled. “You are back.”

He looked his daughter up and down. She appeared slightly more slender and composed, but her expression had gained a sense of determination. Although her face was the same, she now exuded a new and unfamiliar aura. Her eyes were bright and lively, sparkling with intelligence.

It was as if someone who had always gone with the flow had finally found her direction.

Mu Mingda’s heart skipped a beat, and he tentatively asked, “How does the Crown Prince of Chao Kingdom treat you?”

Mu Jingyuan thought about the treatment she had received these past days. Everywhere she went, Ming Yang had made arrangements, and she was treated with respect. She replied, “He treats me very well.”

Mu Mingda, clutching his chest in distress, exclaimed, “I knew that scoundrel had ulterior motives!”

Mu Jingyuan quickly explained, “I’ve only met the Crown Prince three times, and we haven’t had much interaction.”

Before Mu Mingda could respond, Mu Jingyuan continued, “Father, I want to become the Crown Princess of Chao Kingdom.”

Mu Mingda looked at his resolute daughter and, after a moment of silence, asked, “Why?”

Before she left the mountain, Mu Mingda had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons of becoming the Crown Princess. It was a position that was difficult and thankless, bringing long-term benefits but immediate scorn, much like his own current situation.

Mu Jingyuan recounted her experiences over the past few days in detail. “Father, in Chao Kingdom, women can achieve great things and establish their own households. I’ve seen a different way of life. Women can be spirited and free.”

Mu Jingyuan was fortunate to have an open-minded scholar as a father. Even though she was of marriageable age, no one pressured her to marry. However, her childhood friends had long been married, managing households, supporting their husbands, and raising children. The once lively and cheerful girls had become discontented women, confined and lifeless.

“If I become the crown princess and lead by example, the women of Chen Kingdom will have a role model. Whether they choose to step out of the inner chambers or continue to navigate them, they will gain confidence.”

“And you don’t care if people accuse you of currying favor and seeking wealth and glory?”

“I don’t care,” Mu Jingyuan said earnestly.

Mu Mingda looked at his resolute daughter, sighed deeply, and raised his hand to gently touch her hair. He said, “My child, you have always been determined since you were young. If this is what you wish, then go ahead.”

In this world, one must live boldly and passionately at least once.

For their beliefs.