Chapter 51: Indirect Questioning

As evening fell, braving the biting cold wind, Ma Jun and his companions once again arrived at the residence of the Duke Mu’s household. Before they even entered, they saw the gates wide open, with a crowd waiting outside; at the center stood none other than the young lord, Mu Jiansheng.

Such an arrangement truly showed the importance the Duke’s household attached to Ma Jun and his party!

“Young lord, there’s really no need for such courtesy—standing here in the freezing wind! You’re making us feel terribly embarrassed,” Ma Jun said with a cupped-fist salute and a gentle smile.

The young lord, accompanied by his sister, returned the salute with a smile. “Chief Ma of the Green Wood Hall, it was only ignorance on our part yesterday, but since you have come at our invitation today, we must receive you with the utmost hospitality. Please, come in!”

With that, he stepped aside, making a welcoming gesture for Ma Jun and his party to enter first.

Ma Jun responded with polite words, then walked in together with the young lord.

The residence was brightly lit. Several tables had been set in the grand hall, each laden with sumptuous dishes still steaming hot—it was clear everything had been meticulously prepared.

The guests took their seats in turn. As Ma Jun was both the guest and had rendered the Duke’s household a great service, the young lord invited him to the seat of honor, with himself and Liu Dahong seated on either side.

“Come, today Chief Ma of the Green Wood Hall and his companions grace us with their presence—let us raise our cups and celebrate together!” the young lord declared, lifting his wine cup.

Cups were exchanged amid laughter and idle conversation, and only after several rounds of wine did the gathering approach its true purpose.

Mu Jiansheng filled a small bowl with wine, stood up, and raised his cup respectfully above his brow. In a clear voice, he said, “Chief Ma, as a brother of the Heaven and Earth Society, risked his own safety yesterday to lead his friends in rescuing our brothers of the Duke’s household. For this, Mu Jiansheng offers his deepest thanks!” With those words, he drained the cup in one gulp and bowed deeply.

Ma Jun quickly rose to stop the young lord from bowing. After all, the Duke’s household was a leading force, on par with his own master, Chen Jinnan.

“Young lord, you are too formal. I have always believed that all Han Chinese are one family. We are united in our wish to restore the Ming! When a brother is in trouble, it is only right to lend a hand.”

“Chief Ma is truly a hero among men!” said Liu Dahong, the Ironback Azure Dragon, from beside him. “So young, and already with the merit of slaying Oboi, now coming to our aid as well. I believe that Chief Ma will surely be a pillar of our people in the days to come!”

After the exchange of so many compliments, Mu Jiansheng finally spoke frankly. “To be honest, Chief Ma, there is something I do not understand, and I wish to ask your guidance.”

“Young lord, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. Please, ask whatever you wish.”

Mu Jiansheng gazed at Ma Jun for a moment, then hesitantly said, “You saved our brothers from the Duke’s household, for which we are immensely grateful. But how did you come to know about our plot to assassinate Kangxi and frame Wu Sangui?”

Before coming, Ma Jun had already anticipated this question. For their secret plan, guarded with the utmost care, to have been leaked so easily was naturally shocking—enough to make them suspect a Heaven and Earth Society spy in their midst.

Though both sides were united in the cause to restore the Ming, their allegiances were ultimately to different would-be emperors; if there truly was a spy among them, it would mean open hostility with the Heaven and Earth Society.

Ma Jun laughed heartily. “It was all a coincidence—the news was brought to us by Brother Eighteen. Let him explain everything to put your minds at ease, so there is no ill will between our two houses.”

Now was the time for Mao Eighteen’s presence to serve its purpose.

Mao Eighteen stepped forward from another table, first saluted Ma Jun, then turned to Mu Jiansheng, his face filled with indignation as he recounted the events.

He had been sent out to purchase wine for Ma Jun and the brothers of the Green Wood Hall. On his way, he happened to overhear, from a private room in a tavern, members of the Duke’s household discussing their plans.

He originally intended to leave, but hearing them speak of Xu Tianchuan and Bai Hansong, he thought back to how Chief Ma had previously led everyone to apologize at the Duke’s household to smooth things over. Since that matter had been resolved, why were they scheming again? Could the two houses be heading for conflict?

Remembering Ma Jun’s words—that all Han Chinese are one family—he decided to stay and listen, intending to report back to Ma Jun and help resolve any grievances.

But after only a few sentences, the men from the Duke’s household lowered their voices and began discussing another matter: the assassination of Kangxi and the framing of Wu Sangui.

Startled, Mao Eighteen immediately hurried back to report to Ma Jun.

At this point, Mao Eighteen raised his voice. “Hmph! The men of the Heaven and Earth Society are all upright and honorable! Chief Ma, out of righteousness, risked his life to help you. And now you suspect our motives? Truly, you judge a gentleman by the measure of a petty man!”

Ma Jun waved him off with a laugh. “Now, Brother Eighteen, how could the young lord think such a thing? We’re simply clearing up a misunderstanding—of course, we are all good brothers!”

Mao Eighteen’s account was flawless. With the Duke’s men who died in the palace, there were no living witnesses for the Duke’s household to investigate.

In reality, all of this had been orchestrated by Ma Jun.

He had especially brought Mao Eighteen along as an unwitting decoy. With his fiery temper and straightforward character, his words would naturally seem credible.

Mu Jiansheng’s expression shifted to one of remorse, and he quickly apologized again. “Chief Ma, your help has earned the eternal gratitude of our entire household. In truth, had you come to advise us the other day, we would have listened. There was no need for you to risk your life in the palace!”

Though these words sounded like thanks, there was an undercurrent of questioning.

Mao Eighteen bristled. “That was Chief Ma giving you face! He saw your ridiculous plan would never succeed. If we had come directly to talk, you wouldn’t have listened! Now, after risking our lives to save you, you question everything. Hmph! I say, even without the Duke’s household, our cause to restore the Ming will still prevail! Chief, if they look down on us like this, why should we stay?”

Several brothers of the Green Wood Hall immediately played along, setting down their chopsticks and wine cups, looking to Ma Jun as if ready to leave at any moment.

“Brother Mao, please calm yourself!” Liu Dahong quickly held Mao Eighteen back, then turned to Ma Jun. “Chief Ma, we truly have wronged you! It was entirely our fault. News has already come that our plot to assassinate Kangxi has not led the Manchus to suspect Wu Sangui—they know it was an attempt to frame him. Chief Ma, your foresight and daring in rescuing us are deeply appreciated! For the young lord, I beg your forgiveness!”

Ma Jun hurried to his feet to stop Liu Dahong from bowing. Dressed in his swallowtail coat beneath, he was not afraid of Liu’s martial strength and managed to support him upright.

Liu Dahong was all the more astonished to feel his own strength so easily checked.

This old master had a towering reputation in the martial world, second only to the head of the Duke’s household, and Ma Jun could not accept such a bow from him.

Thanks to Liu Dahong’s intervention, the Green Wood Hall brothers found a gracious exit from the confrontation, and conversation and laughter returned to the hall.

After apologizing to Ma Jun, Mu Jiansheng grew somber and said, “The plan to assassinate Kangxi and frame the young prince was my own idea. I never imagined it would cost so many good brothers their lives. It was my own lack of foresight. Today, I must not only thank Chief Ma but also apologize to every brother of the Duke’s household.” With that, he stood and bowed deeply.

This time, no one stopped him. He was now apologizing and admitting his mistake, and they had to let him see it through.

Thus, what began as a roundabout inquiry was, as Ma Jun had anticipated, resolved easily with Mao Eighteen’s intervention—and in doing so, won the Duke’s household’s further respect.

With that episode behind them, the hosts and guests alike were at ease. Ma Jun awaited the young lord’s grand promise of gratitude, but what came next left him stunned beyond belief!