“Many thanks to Prefect Xue for your great assistance. We have urgent duties and must take our leave,” Liu Mu and Ruo Feng said, escorting Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and son out of the prison and bidding farewell to Jinhua Prefect Xue Tao.
“In such a hurry? I’ve just had the kitchen prepare a table of homestyle dishes. Wouldn’t the two generals like to eat before leaving? If Governor Zhu learns you came all this way without a hot meal, he might think I’ve been a poor host,” Xue Tao said warmly.
“Thank you, Prefect Xue, but this mission is extremely urgent. Governor Zhu specifically instructed us to return immediately,” Liu Mu replied, saluting with clasped fists.
“Alas, if it’s the Governor’s orders, I dare not defy them. Since the matter is so pressing, I won’t keep you. Safe travels, generals, and please convey my regards to the Governor,” Xue Tao said, no longer insisting, as he watched Liu Mu, Ruo Feng, and their charges depart.
Outside the Jinhua yamen, Liu Mu and Ruo Feng led Wang Zhi’s mother, wife, and son to a large carriage.
“Remove the shackles,” Liu Mu ordered. Once they were clear of the yamen, the chains and fetters on Madam Wang, Madam Wang Zhang, and young Wang Qiong were removed.
Freed from the restraints, ten-year-old Wang Qiong was overjoyed. His eyes widened with curiosity, taking in the blue sky, white clouds, long streets, and the scattered houses along them. The bright world, endless roads, and countless buildings were all so novel—he’d never seen such sights.
In contrast, Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang were gripped by anxiety.
*Why remove our shackles?*
*Where are they taking us?*
*Are they leading us to the execution ground?* They’d heard that before executions, shackles were removed and replaced with hemp ropes, which were disposable, sent with the condemned, while the shackles were reused to save costs.
Thinking this, the two women trembled like leaves in a storm, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.
“Please, Madam, board the carriage,” Liu Mu said, lifting the carriage curtain for Madam Wang, Madam Wang Zhang, and Wang Qiong.
“General, sir, where are you taking us?” Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang asked nervously, holding Wang Qiong tightly and hesitating to board, fearing the carriage would take them straight to the execution ground.
Who in the world doesn’t fear death?
They were afraid to die, but even more terrified for Wang Qiong, their grandson and son, who was so young. Imprisoned at five, he’d spent five years in a dark, damp cell, never truly seeing the world.
“It’s good news for you. The Governor wishes to see you,” Liu Mu explained briefly.
“Good news? The Governor wants to see us?” Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang were confused. *Why would the Governor want to see us?*
“Please, Madam, board quickly and sit tight. We must rush to Shaoxing,” Liu Mu urged.
“Alright, alright.”
Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang hurriedly helped Wang Qiong into the carriage.
Liu Mu boarded as well, sitting upright and keeping a close eye on the three. Zhu Ping’an had stressed that these three were critical to the southern Zhejiang campaign, and their safety was paramount. Liu Mu rode inside to prevent any escape attempts or self-harm, ensuring nothing went wrong.
“Move out!”
Outside, Ruo Feng mounted his horse and waved his hand.
The Zhejiang soldiers mounted horses and mules, surrounding the carriage, and the group set off for Shaoxing.
The carriage sped along for an hour before slowing to let the horses and mules drink and rest.
“Here are meat pancakes, side dishes, porridge, and eggs. Eat while it’s hot; we’ll be moving again soon,” Liu Mu said, taking three portions of heated meat pancakes, side dishes, porridge, and eggs from outside and handing them to Wang Zhi’s family.
These had been brought from Shaoxing and reheated at the rest stop to save time and maintain travel efficiency.
The fragrant meat pancakes, savory side dishes, millet porridge, and boiled eggs made young Wang Qiong’s mouth water. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d eaten meat—maybe a year or two ago, when a jailer tossed him a discarded chicken tail.
He couldn’t remember the taste, but it had been delicious, so fragrant he’d bitten his tongue.
Now, faced with a large, meaty pancake, its aroma overwhelming, Wang Qiong’s mouth watered uncontrollably. Ignoring his mother and grandmother, he grabbed the pancake and devoured a huge bite, eating like a starving ghost.
*Delicious!*
*So delicious!*
It was so good, tears welled up.
And the egg.
He hadn’t eaten an egg in ages, almost forgetting their taste.
Without swallowing the pancake, Wang Qiong snatched the egg, barely peeling it before biting into it, shell and all.
The egg, mixed with bits of shell, was heavenly.
*Satisfying.*
*So satisfying.*
Meat and egg in his mouth—*Am I dreaming?* Wang Qiong took another bite of pancake and stuffed in more egg, filling his mouth until he choked.
“Drink some porridge, eat slowly. No one’s taking it from you. If it’s not enough, there’s more outside,” Liu Mu said with a smile.
Madam Wang patted Wang Qiong’s back while Madam Wang Zhang fed him porridge, helping him swallow the pancake and egg.
“General, this… this isn’t our last meal before execution, is it? The story about the Governor wanting to see us—was that a lie? After this meal, are you sending us to our deaths?” Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang asked tearfully, staring at the pancakes, dishes, eggs, and porridge.
Unlike the carefree Wang Qiong, they were suspicious. In prison, they’d eaten moldy cornbread, gritty rice or porridge, wild vegetable dumplings, and slop-like gruel. Now, they were offered fragrant pancakes, savory porridge, crisp side dishes, and boiled eggs.
The contrast was stark, making them think of a condemned prisoner’s final meal.
“You’re overthinking, Madam. Why would I deceive you? What’s there to gain? The Governor truly wishes to see you. He ordered us to care for you well, and I’m just following orders,” Liu Mu said with a wry smile.
*True.*
*What’s worth deceiving us for? Even if they’re executing us, there’s no need for lies.*
Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang exchanged glances, nodded, and relaxed slightly, beginning to eat the pancakes heartily.
“I can’t finish this. Give half to my grandson,” Madam Wang said, tearing off half her pancake and placing it in Wang Qiong’s bowl, reluctant to eat it all.
“I can’t finish either,” Madam Wang Zhang said, doing the same.
“Bring three more pancakes,” Liu Mu called out, taking the additional pancakes handed in and passing them to the three. “Eat without worry, Madam.”
“Thank you, General,” Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang said, pulling Wang Qiong to thank Liu Mu repeatedly.
“No need to thank me. Thank the Governor. He insisted we treat you kindly and care for you,” Liu Mu said.
“Thank you, Governor,” Madam Wang and Madam Wang Zhang said, pulling Wang Qiong to express gratitude to the unseen Zhu Ping’an.
