Chapter 17: Military Commander Tests His Spy Wife

It was a perfectly normal sentence, yet it sounded like an ultimatum—as if saying that tomorrow she could no longer avoid him in the slightest.

Shunyin spent another sleepless night.

She had come determined to observe the defenses of Hexi for Feng Wuji, never expecting such difficulties. At most, her status as a woman would be inconvenient, but she could use the excuse of recording her observations to cover it up. Who would have thought Liangzhou would be in such a state, and Mu Changzhou so unpredictable...

She woke before dawn, almost watching the light in the room gradually brighten before getting up from her bed. Barefoot, she paced back and forth a few steps before calmly dressing, one hand touching her lower back.

Actually, if he hadn't pressed it, her lower back wouldn't have hurt so much, but she had still applied the medicine. The infuriating thing was that it was actually very effective—now her lower back felt warm and comfortable, truly completely healed.

She gently gritted her teeth, fastened her belt, clenched her fists, and muttered to herself, "How can I lose my composure in the face of danger? It's a grave taboo in the army."

Having said that, she calmed herself, walked to the door, and opened it.

The sky outside was clear and bright.

Spring in Liangzhou was short and arrived late; it was only now that the spring light was at its best. Even though it was still morning, the sunlight was already dazzling, shining directly into the main house.

Mu Changzhou was examining the map.

His gaze had just shifted from Shanzhou to Ganzhou when Changfeng walked to the door of the main house and quietly reported, "Commander, the lady has come out of her room."

Mu Changzhou straightened up, closed the map in his hand, and walked to the door. The door to the east room was open, and Shunyin had indeed emerged.

She wore a sandalwood-colored ruqun, cinched at the waist, as if she'd just been served by Shengyu to wash and eat. Standing on the veranda, her gaze was fixed unblinkingly on the main house.

Mu Changzhou's eyes met hers. He walked out the door and stood before her, looking her up and down. "It seems my medicine worked."

Shunyin's eyes flickered. "Of course Second Brother Mu's medicine is effective."

Mu Changzhou recalled his visit to her room yesterday, glanced at her waist, and turned to instruct Changfeng, "Prepare the horses. I have some free time today—I'll accompany Madam for a stroll in the city."

Changfeng obeyed and quickly went to carry out the order.

Shunyin immediately looked over, her gaze fixed on him.

Mu Changzhou saw her gaze and smiled. "This time it's not a ruse." He then walked out first.

Shunyin watched him walk several steps before slowly following. She felt reassured—she had already sensed his unpredictable actions and had decided this morning that the best course of action was to remain unchanged in response to all changes.

Changfeng led their horses to the gate of the mansion. Only ten guards were present, a lightly armed entourage.

Sheng Yu quickly brought over the veiled hat, which Shun Yin put on. She walked out of the mansion gate, silently mounted her horse, glanced at her side, and resolved to be an obedient and compliant person today.

Mu Changzhou mounted his horse beside her, carrying no weapons. His robes were loose, only the cuffs and waist tightly bound; otherwise, one wouldn't have guessed he was a warrior. He glanced at her and led the way.

They were indeed just going to walk around the city.

They followed the road to the main street, where the bustling scene was breathtaking. Commoners dressed in foreign clothes and merchants leading camels all gave way to the official horses, and the cries of vendors in different languages filled the air.

Aside from the Buddha's Birthday celebration, Shun Yin hadn't seen such a prosperous scene in many years. Her eyes swept across the roadside, finally landing on Mu Changzhou to her right.

Mu Changzhou had already turned around, then suddenly glanced behind her. "That's quite a sight, something you'd never see in Chang'an. Yinniang, why aren't you interested in recording what you've seen?"

Shunyin looked back and saw a small, three-story stone pagoda by the roadside. Several people who looked like foreign merchants were bowing and chanting incantations around it, as if in prayer. They were probably followers of some Western Region religion—she certainly hadn't seen anything like it in Chang'an.

She frowned, realizing how difficult it was to spot. Turning back, she said, "I already saw it, but since Brother Mu had already passed by, I didn't stop to look. Anyway, I can take a closer look when we return."

Mu Changzhou didn't stop either, turning back to continue forward. "That was my fault. If there's anything else you want to see, just tell me to stop."

Shunyin glanced around, thinking to herself: So this isn't a pretense? He's actually accompanying me to see the sights. He's become so cunning.

Fortunately, there were no more strange things along the way. They turned at one end of the main street and onto a quieter road, where it became much more peaceful.

The sound of horses' hooves approached from ahead. On horseback was Hu Bo'er, leading several men. They were on patrol, and when they arrived, Hu Bo'er reined in his horse, saluted Mu Changzhou, and then looked at Shunyin, as if he hadn't expected to run into her here. "Commander, you should be off today. Why are you out of the manor?"

Mu Changzhou replied, "I'm accompanying my wife to enjoy the scenery."

Hu Bo'er suddenly understood, then glanced at Shunyin again. How come she was accompanying him to stroll along the narrow path the other day, and now she's taking him to tour the city? He couldn't understand it at all. He grinned and said, "If my wife can really write a book someday, then she'll be second only to the best writers in Liangzhou!"

His voice was often very loud—even Shunyin found it noisy. She deliberately asked, "Who's first?"

Hu Bo'er immediately replied, "Who else could it be but..." He looked at Mu Changzhou, then suddenly fell silent.

Shunyin couldn't help but look at Mu Changzhou, remembering that when she went to the General's residence, the General's wife, Liu, had mentioned that he didn't like to talk about his youth anymore. He probably genuinely didn't want to.

Anyway, he was quite different from before, so there really wasn't much to talk about.

Mu Changzhou asked, "Did you come here for something?"

Hu Bo'er, who was worried about what to say, quickly replied, "Today it's my turn to lead the patrol of the city. Does the military commander want to come and check it personally?"

Mu Changzhou nodded. "Then go ahead."

Hearing this, Shunyin breathed a sigh of relief and pulled on the reins, preparing to return. "Then I'll go back. Today isn't official business, so I won't come along."

Hu Bo'er immediately waved for the guards to escort his wife back, but then heard Mu Changzhou say, "No need. You come with me."

Shunyin paused and looked over.

Hu Bo'er also glanced at him in surprise.

Mu Changzhou turned back, spurred his horse to Shunyin's right, reached out and tugged at the reins in her hand, pulling her horse back from its attempt to turn. He glanced down at her, his voice close to her right ear. "Yinniang, isn't your back pain gone?"

"..." Shunyin immediately recalled the time he forcibly pulled her back by the reins, and reached out to pull them back.

Mu Changzhou released his grip, spurred his horse forward, and she could only obediently follow.

Only Hu Bo'er's eyes darted back and forth between them several times, sensing something was off between the couple today, as if they were arguing, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

---

The road ahead led toward the North Gate.

This was Shunyin's first time visiting the North Gate since arriving in Liangzhou. Because the north side of the city was nestled against the mountains, holding the most prestigious position and close to the governor's mansion, this gate was usually used by officials, not a primary gateway.

A quarter of an hour later, they arrived at the North Gate, and the group stopped and dismounted.

Shunyin dismounted without looking up. Even with the north gate right in front of her, and her veil obscuring her view, she refrained from glancing at the city walls, simply following Mu Changzhou at a respectful distance.

The city guard hurriedly dismounted to greet them. "I didn't know the military commander had come to inspect in person. The newly built weapons were scattered haphazardly, a chaotic mess. They've been tidied up immediately." He glanced at Shunyin behind him. He often saw this lady accompanying the commander on official business while on duty in various parts of the four cities, but he had never seen her accompany him on a special inspection of the city's defenses.

Mu Changzhou glanced behind him and continued up the wall. "It's alright."

Shunyin could only follow.

As soon as they reached the top of the wall, a fierce wind blew in, the sky vast and expansive, offering a panoramic view of the surroundings.

Shunyin's veil was blown open as she quietly glanced around—weapons were laid out on either side, awaiting packing; a square, one-person-high watchtower was specifically set up on the left, but since the north gate itself was high, it became an elevated platform, clearly intended for observing the entire city and the surrounding area.

She glanced outside the city. From here, the terrain was exceptionally clear—even the shapes of the distant mountains were visible. But for now, she could only look around aimlessly, pretending to be a spectator experiencing the novelty of climbing the city wall for the first time.

"Count all the weapons and put them away!" Hu Bo'er followed up to give orders, shouting as he went to check the defenses on the right side of the city wall.

The city guard quickly ordered men to carry the weapons away and put them in the armory.

Shunyin didn't even check the count, only scanning the outside of the city, as if admiring the scenery.

Mu Changzhou glanced at her a few times. Seeing that she seemed uninterested, he raised the corners of his mouth, tucked in his robes, walked to the side, and climbed onto the watchtower.

Shunyin, unable to hear the movement to her left, turned her head and found him already on the platform. She looked up at him, then stood below, pursing her lips, wondering what he was pondering.

"Does Yinniang think the defenses here are adequate?" His voice suddenly appeared above her.

Shunyin looked up and found him crouching down, looking at her. They were instantly close. Her eyes darted around, and she glanced at them, feigning ignorance. "I suppose so."

Mu Changzhou pointed to the watchtower. "Back in the Feng family, I heard Minister Feng say..." He paused, then changed his words. "I heard my father-in-law say that the most important thing in military affairs is reconnaissance. The north of the city is the highest point, allowing for observation both inside and outside, hence the watchtower."

Shunyin was suddenly struck by his mention of her father and his use of the term "father-in-law." She glanced at him—even though they were husband and wife, it was still a little strange to hear him address her father like that for the first time.

Then she realized why he was openly discussing these things with her, as if he were tacitly acknowledging her complete understanding. She glanced at his face again and saw his eyes fixed on her, as certain as ever.

"Commander, the inspection is complete," Hu Bo'er shouted loudly from the other end.

Mu Changzhou stood up, inspected the area above as well, then turned and squatted down, extending his hand to her.

Shunyin paused, hesitated for a moment, then offered her hand.

Mu Changzhou looked at her, glancing at the rope on the watchtower wall below. "I thought Yinniang knew what I was supposed to give her."

Shunyin naturally knew—it was the rope used to secure the wooden ladder hanging from the watchtower. By giving it to him, he could untie the ladder and descend from this side, without having to go to the other side. It was for emergencies.

She lifted the veil in front of her eyes with her other hand, as if just realizing something, and said, "I thought Second Brother Mu wanted me to help him, but it wasn't? Then I'll call them over." She turned to pull her hand away.

Suddenly, her hand tightened. She turned back to see Mu Changzhou had already grabbed her hand and leaped down lightly from above. The force was so great that she almost lost her balance, but fortunately, he gripped her firmly, catching her.

Shunyin's fingers sank, feeling numb from his grip. She silently pursed her lips and glanced at him.

He released her hand, his fingers hanging loosely at his sides, his gaze sweeping over her face, just as he had when he restrained her with the bow that day. He smiled but said nothing.

Thoughts on Chapter 17:

This chapter marks a pivotal shift in the cat-and-mouse game between Shunyin and Mu Changzhou. Shunyin came to Liangzhou as a spy for Feng Wuji, tasked with observing the military defenses of Hexi. Her marriage to Mu Changzhou was supposed to provide cover for this mission, but he has proven far more perceptive and unpredictable than she anticipated.

The tour of the city appears innocent on the surface—a husband taking his wife to see the sights. But every moment is layered with unspoken meaning. Mu Changzhou's comment about her back pain is both intimate and pointed, reminding her of their previous physical encounter while also confirming her recovery. His insistence that she accompany him on the military inspection, despite it being his day off, reveals his awareness of her true interests.

The visit to the North Gate is the crux of the chapter. Mu Changzhou doesn't just allow Shunyin to observe the defenses—he actively shows them to her, explaining the strategic reasoning behind the watchtower placement and even invoking her father's military wisdom by calling him "father-in-law" for the first time. This moment is both tender and calculated. By openly discussing military strategy with her and acknowledging her understanding, he's essentially confirming that he knows exactly what she is and what she's doing.

The final scene on the watchtower crystallizes their dynamic. When he extends his hand, Shunyin hesitates—should she take the rope (revealing her military knowledge) or his hand (maintaining her pretense of ignorance)? Her attempt to deflect by offering to call the others is met with Mu Changzhou's decisive action: he grabs her hand and pulls her close, a physical manifestation of the control he has over the situation.

His silent smile at the end mirrors the moment when he restrained her with his bow earlier, showing that he's not threatened by her mission—if anything, he seems entertained by it. The question remains: Is he allowing her to gather intelligence, or is he feeding her exactly what he wants her to see? And more intriguingly, beneath the strategic maneuvering, there's a growing intimacy neither seems prepared to acknowledge.