Chapter 57: The Bridal Chamber and Its Candlelight

Ma Jun only gave a general overview. He didn’t go into detail about the process, nor did he explain all the various situations that might arise during the fighting. This was just the first expanded meeting for the Clear and Cool Plan, essentially a framework to guide future discussions. The specifics would be added and refined over time. After all, there was still plenty of time left.

By the time Kangxi arrived, it would likely be the start of the next spring! Ma Jun planned to take full advantage of this period to make his preparations.

Once Kangxi died, Wu Sangui, Shang Kexi, and Geng Jingzhong would almost certainly rise in rebellion immediately. After all, Yang Yizhi had already rushed back to Yunnan, and if all was going as expected, Wu Sangui was intensifying his preparations, ready to go to war against the Qing at a moment’s notice.

Meanwhile, his convenient master had returned to Taiwan, and would surely inform the Zheng family. It was very likely the Zhengs would dispatch a portion of their army, aiming to land and seize a share for themselves. The one in charge would nominally be Zheng Keshuang.

Once Zheng Keshuang arrived and clashed with Chen Jinnan, the rift between them would likely push the Heaven and Earth Society to gradually turn against Zheng.

Ma Jun had also sent Qian Mo on secret errands, and besides the Aoki Hall, he had cultivated many loyal followers over the years. Their devotion had been tested, and at present, they were scattered throughout the land carrying out the Grain-Ton Action. Qian’s current mission was to disperse another large sum of silver to them. When chaos broke out, they would be ready to recruit soldiers, establish local bases, and, when the moment was right, raise Ma Jun’s own banner.

From then on, every ten days or half a month, everyone would hold another meeting, discussing the details of the Clear and Cool Plan, determined to make it foolproof. Every possible contingency had to be considered ahead of time.

Though Ma Jun still presided over the meetings, he mostly kept his opinions to himself. He spent his days roaming the mountains and rivers, seizing every moment to train and consume rare medicinal herbs to improve his skills.

Several months passed in a blur.

One day, the sky was bright and the air clear. Ma Jun, dressed as a scholar with a cigarette between his lips, wandered alone in the woods. Now that he had mastered both internal and external skills, his martial prowess had reached a new level—even without his swallowtail coat, he was far stronger than before.

He deliberately chose the roughest, least-trodden mountain paths, but his lightness skill made it easy. Before long, he had climbed to the summit of a small mountain, standing against the wind, feeling the chill only those in high places know.

“Sigh, after all this time in the ancient world, my phone’s dead. So boring. I really want to go online and play some games! Xiaohua, darling, come out and keep me company!”

Xiaohua’s image appeared, standing on a slightly raised rock, beaming at Ma Jun. “Didn’t you say you enjoyed experiencing all these different lives? So, how does it feel to be the leader of a rebellion—fun, isn’t it?”

“It is fun, but scheming all day long, watching what I say around everyone, it gets old fast!”

Xiaohua giggled, her smile bright as spring. “I never realized before, Uncle, that you were so good at this kind of thing!” It was hard to say whether she was praising or teasing him.

Ma Jun gave a huge yawn, flopped down on the ground, glanced around, and grinned mischievously. “Come on, since no one’s around, Xiaohua, come sit on my lap—let’s get cozy!”

“Cozy, my foot!” Xiaohua’s cheeks flushed with anger and, with a swish, she vanished. “Every time you’re bored or moody, you come to tease me! You pervert! In a little while, you’ll be marrying Mu Jianping—go play with her then!”

“She doesn’t have a chest, doesn’t have a butt—her figure can’t even compare to mine!” Ma Jun shook his head. “What’s so fun about that?”

After enjoying the mountain breeze for a while, Ma Jun stood up and gazed into the distance. Suddenly, he spotted several figures in monk’s robes at the foot of the mountain.

“Well, I thought you wouldn’t show up. Looks like you’re right on schedule, just like the original story! But these must be scouts—the main force is behind.”

He thought to himself, “With you lot stirring things up, the chances of the Clear and Cool Plan’s success have just gone way up!”

At the next meeting, Ma Jun shared this news with the others, who were puzzled—what were these monks doing here? After some inquiries with local officials, they learned that the group numbered about three thousand, apparently monks from Qinghai.

Though they opposed the Qing, Ma Jun knew from the start that, rebel or not, you still had to maintain good relations with the officials. Having been at Wutai Mountain for some time now, their cover businesses—various taverns—had opened one after another, and with silver paving the way, officials and commoners alike were won over. His subordinates had managed all of this flawlessly.

A few days later, the group discussed how to make use of the monks, and at the end of the meeting, the topic shifted to Ma Jun’s upcoming wedding.

With only half a month left, the preparations at the Mu Prince’s Mansion were nearly complete; all that remained was Ma Jun’s side. He himself wasn’t too invested, but his brothers couldn’t sit still—they insisted on organizing everything for him.

Thus, everyone busied themselves buying wedding gifts, decorating the new home, and planning the wedding procession route.

Unfortunately, things in Taiwan were still in turmoil, and Chen Jinnan simply couldn’t get away.

But at last, the auspicious day arrived—spring in full bloom, the third lunar month.

On this day, Ma Jun rode a tall horse, dressed in red and adorned with a great red flower, leading a jubilant wedding procession complete with musicians and gifts, parading grandly through the city.

After touring the entire city, they went to the Mu Prince’s residence to fetch Mu Jianping, and eight sedan chairs carried her to Ma Jun’s new mansion.

Every house was festooned with red decorations and the character for joy. Dozens of tables filled the courtyard, with guests from the Mu Prince’s household and the Heaven and Earth Society—hundreds in all—celebrating together in great merriment.

After a long and complicated ceremony, Ma Jun was thoroughly exhausted. Forcing a smile, he joined the festivities, eating and drinking with everyone. Only when night fell did he finally retire to the bridal chamber.

Inside the chamber, draped in red, Mu Jianping sat perfectly still at the edge of the bed, dressed in gold and silver, her head covered with a red veil.

With a troubled look, Ma Jun chased away the crowd eavesdropping at the door, entered, and closed it behind him.

“Your Highness, are you tired?” he asked awkwardly as he walked over.

“Mmm,” Mu Jianping replied, her face crimson with embarrassment, though the veil hid her expression. Her answer was barely audible.

“Heh heh,” Ma Jun grinned like the big bad wolf eyeing Little Red Riding Hood. “Since you’re tired, let’s get some rest. Staying up late isn’t good for a girl’s complexion.”

“Mmm,” Mu Jianping replied again, still motionless.

Scratching his head, Ma Jun suddenly reached out and lifted her veil, revealing a face as delicate and rosy as a ripened apple.

“Husband!” Mu Jianping looked at him, both bashful and joyful, then lowered her gaze. “Let’s rest.”

“Alright, lights out, time to sleep!” Ma Jun said cheerfully, then jumped up, pushed Mu Jianping toward the inside of the bed, lay down on the outer edge, pulled up the thin quilt, and closed his eyes. “Sleep!”

Xiaohua burst out laughing. “Uncle, you’re such a coward!”

“Quiet, you brat. I’m going to sleep now!” Ma Jun said solemnly.