"Western Xia's Mu Family?" Song Qingshu looked strangely amused. "Which Mu Family? Don't tell me it's the Mu Family of the Western Xia brothers Mu Yuqi and Mu Wangrong?"
Mu Yuqi and Mu Wangrong had originally been named Yeli Yuqi and Yeli Wangrong. These nomadic peoples had been deeply influenced by Han culture, and among the nobility, it was customary to adopt Han names. The Yeli Family had chosen Mu as their surname.
Song Qingshu knew of the brothers because half of Western Xia's power rested in the emperor's hands, while the other half was controlled by the chieftains of the various tribal clans. The Yeli brothers were the most powerful tribal leaders, directly and indirectly commanding nearly half of Western Xia's army. Moreover, the current Empress of Western Xia also came from the Yeli Family. Since Song Qingshu had studied the ruling circles of various nations, he had naturally paid them particular attention.
"You know them?" Mu Wanqing was also startled. Then, with an embarrassed expression, she said, "Mu Yuqi is... is my father."
Now it was Song Qingshu's turn to be shocked. "Mu Yuqi is your father?"
As though she knew what he was thinking, Mu Wanqing could only explain, "Back then, Duan Zhengchun abandoned my master... my mother after getting her pregnant. She was already with child, and with pressure from the elder brothers of her family, she had no choice but to marry Mu Yuqi. But since my mother had only recently conceived me at the time, Mu Yuqi did not grow suspicious. Instead, he cared deeply for both mother and daughter."
"Yet my mother could never let go of that man. Every so often, she would use going out to clear her mind as an excuse to take me into seclusion near Dali. You probably