Mu Tianbo was the eleventh-generation grandson of Mu Ying and the son of the late Duke of Qian, Mu Qiyuan.
Mu Qiyuan was not a worthy Duke of Qian. After inheriting the title in the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, he became increasingly arrogant and tyrannical. It was bad enough that he established a private prison, but to protect his household servants, he even sent troops to surround the local inspector's office and ordered them to blast the gates open with cannons. Even more disastrous, he secretly forged an imperial tiger tally, harboring traitorous intentions.
His grandmother, Lady Song, witnessed these various crimes and harbored deep resentment. The Mu clan had a family motto: "All my descendants must remain loyal and serve the country. In all matters, be diligent, cautious, and humble toward your colleagues. Take heed, and let this be a warning." To preserve the legacy of the Mu clan, Lady Song decided to eliminate her own kin for the sake of righteousness. Under the guise of a banquet, she poisoned Mu Qiyuan’s wine and food, ending his life. (Following his death, the Mu clan hoped to bury him in the ancestral cemetery in Jinling, but the Imperial Court delayed the request for five years, only granting permission for his burial in the third year of the Chongzhen reign.)
Chapter 530