The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 33

*Unedited

Nuo Yan goes stiff for a moment. He knelt there, unmoving for a while before he could recover from the overwhelming wave of emotion.

He have to admit it, Xue Mu knows how handle people. He went three years without speaking a word to Nian Tang, so now he could do the same and use his own life against him (Nuo Yan).

Nuo Yan bites his dry lips and lay his oath.

” I promise there will never be a second time. ”

There is no immediate response from Xue Mu, as he only look down at him. Just when Nuo Yan thinks that he is still going to be killed in a single slash, Xue Mu finally open his mouth.

” Get up. ”

If there is not a honest word in anything Liu Qinghuan said, then Nuo Yan is the direct opposite of her ———— He meant everything he said.

Xue Mu watches as Nuo Yan stands up hesitatingly and thus ending this short but thrilling conversation.

When he returns to the main bedroom, Liu Qinghuan is happily eating her yogurt. But the moment she catches sight of him, she immediately choked on it. Dismissing Ci Tao and Qing Zhi, Xue Mu goes and seat right next to her.

The person next to him looks as if her arch-enemy is here. Xue Mu laughs.

” Why is my wife so uptight? ”

Liu Qinghuan gulp down the yogurt in her mouth and laughs dryly.

” No I'm not. ”
” Then you're excited? ”
” ………. ”

She think that Xue Mu's skin is getting thicker.
[TN : Thick skin in chinese culture mean shameless]

Scenes from last night flashes past Liu Qinghuan's mind and her face color changes. Xue Mu takes a glance at her before s.h.i.+fting his line of sight over to the extra lock on the door.

” You prepared this to keep me out? ”
” That.. is only to convey my stance. ”
” Hm. ”

Walking over, Xue Mu pinches the lock with his two fingers and the very solid metal very easily breaks into two solid half.

” Looks like your stance aren't that strong. ”
” ………. ”

Where's your humanity?! So what to your martial arts!!

Her blacken face pleases Xue Mu greatly as he laughs, before sitting back by her side.

” There's a general in court called Song Chen, do you know of him? ”

The fast changing in topic throws Liu Qinghuan off for a while but using her super adaption powers, she kinda manage to follow Xue Mu's line of thought.

” I've heard of him. ”

There have been a saying among the citizens of Chang-An. There are three great treasures of the country, namely Xue Mu, Li Mo and Song Chenhao.

The three men are all famous for being a general in their young age. As Xue Mu is the youngest among the three, and the one with the most popularity, Li Mo, who is older, can only be ranked second after him.

As for Song Chenhao, he used to be second along with Li Mo, but that t.i.tle ultimately goes to Li Mo, reason being General Song had laid down his life for the sake of his country.

” It was when the Emperor had just taken the throne, and the Mongolian army is pus.h.i.+ng the border. They had taken over five areas in one go and is about to reach Golden Scale Gate. The one guarding that gate was Song Chenhao. ”

Xue Mu eyes dim.

” The Golden Scale Gate is the last border, if breached, they could reach Chang-An in no time. Facing the huge Mongolian army, Song Chenhao could only defend. Luckily, the Golden Scale Gate was not that easily breached and Song Chenhao is, in name and skills, a great general. All he have to do is to last till we arrive with backup. ”

Being a common commoner, Liu Qinghuan had only heard about how Xue Mu lead a measly army to defeat the huge Mogolian army, and this side of the story was news to her. She can't help but be drawn to the story.

” What happen next? ”
” During the 2nd day of the attack, a vice-captain in his troops betrayed him. ”
” Sasamani wu lala! This can't be the reason for General Song's death?! ”

She is so angry that she even used Peng Peng's favorite phrase. Xue Mu glance at her before continuing.

” That man was thinking of collaborating with the army outside and letting them in. And although Song Chenhao realized it in time, the Mogolian army took the chance when they are having trouble among themselves and forcefully attack. The Golden Scale Gate are in trouble and General Song send men over to the nearest border for help, but no one dare to. ”
” Why not? ”
” Because they know they're going to die. ”

Xue Mu goes silent at this.

” At that time the Mongolian army were huge and strong, as oppose to us. Golden Scale Gate getting breached was a matter of time so they see no point in sending people to their death. Besides, I was on my way with back-up so all the more they wouldn't move, as they could simply wait for me. ”

Liu Qinghuan feels her heart burning with anger. They are all soldiers on the battlefield, so what gave them the rights to push Xue Mu forward while they hide behind the back?

” And these are the men of Chang? ”

She can't help but look down on them. What losers.

Xue Mu smiles.

” You shouldn't look down too much on the men of Chang. At least there's a guy who rushes to the battle without fearing death. ”
” Who? ”
” Nuo Yan. ”

Liu Qinghuan pauses and look at Xue Mu, silent. Taking in her gaze, he continues his story.

” Nuo Yan used to be a vice-captain under Song Chenhao. He was then recommend and ended up as the general guarding Sunny Jade Gate. He knew that this was a battle he can't win, yet he still brought his personal troops along to help save Golden Scale Gate. Do you understand the feeling of rus.h.i.+ng into a battle which you know will lose? ”

She purse her lips, staying silent. Xue Mu lower his gaze, as if the ugly scene of that battlefield is unfolding before his eyes.

” Song Chenhao stood strong, till death he didn't allowed any Mongolian army inside the gate. When I brought my troops and finally defeated the Mongolians, I found Song Chenhao within the ma.s.ses of corpses, all torn and bloodied up, with not a good piece of skin on him. Luckily, Nuo Yan still had a breath left in him. ”

Just by listening to the story is enough to shock Liu Qinghuan. She lowers her head and takes in a deep breath.

” Marquise, Nuo Yan is your subordinate, it doesn't matter how he treats me, as long as he's loyal to you. ”

Xue Mu's eyes glitters. He admit that the reason he told her this story is hoping she would not hold Nuo Yan against his deeds but now he feels like he acted unnecessarily.

The person sitting next to him thinks things thorougher than he thought. She must never have the idea to hold it against Nuo Yan, otherwise, she would have complain the moment she saw him.

He smiles and pats her head.

” Relax, Nuo Yan promised me there won't be a 2nd time. ”
” ………. ”

Marquise, what is the meaning of you looking at me with eyes like watching a daughter finally grow up?!

Without minding Liu Qinghuan's weird expression, he takes a look at the small bowl of yogurt.

” Do you want more? ”

Liu Qinghuan's eyes brighten up.

” Can I?? ”

This thing is expensive and ever since her ident.i.ty had been exposed, she feel guilty about eating it but…. guilt is short-lived in a swindler's life.

Xue Mu turns to her and lean close to her ear.

” Of course. ”

The feather-light breath tickles and her face goes slightly red. Pus.h.i.+ng Xue Mu away with stunted movements, she pouts.

” Marquise, there is no need to come so close to me, I can hear quite well. ”

Xue Mu looks at her and smile, his beautiful features relaxing.

” But I like it. ”
” ………. ”

Marquise, you're the child, not me.

After getting Xue Mu's permission, Liu Qinghuan happily devours another bowl of yogurt. After getting caught and brought back, she is having a much better time than when she first got exposed. Maybe it's because Xue Mu thinks that she wouldn't do anything in this short period of time, plus he himself is guarding the bedroom, Nian Tang is no longer guarding the courtyard.

She have been thinking, is this an attempt by Xue Mu to test her or does she really have a good chance at escaping?

On the other side, staying-behind-to-admire-Chang An's scenery-Aersi haven't lounge around either. Today, he decides to admire Tang Zhibo's mansion.

Tang Zhibo is very surprised at Aersi sudden visit. He ordered for some wine to be brought up and simply dive straight to the point and ask him for his purpose.

Finis.h.i.+ng the entire vat of wine, Aersi laughs heartily.

” I like someone as straightforward as you, Brother Tang. Looks like we could become great friends. ”

Tang Zhibo look silently at him. He haven't forget the one who left him a huge mess to clean up after disguising as the beseeching fire cult members.

As if having forgotten all the grudges between them, Aersi looks at him mysteriously, purposing speaking in a whisper.

” Does Brother Tang knows that the Liu Qinghuan living in Xue Mu's mansion is a fake? ”

Tang Zhibo's eyes gleams.

His informant had told him sometime before about Liu Qinghuan being Du Juan in disguise but he thought that it's a fake news spread by Xue Mu.

Looking at Aersi, Tang Zhibo expressionlessly speaks.

” The envoy better take care of what you speak, or you wouldn't know who you'll anger. ”

Aersi laughs.

” What is there to be afraid of if it's the truth? In order to escape from the mansion, Du Juan join forces with me and even gave me the《White Jade Orchid • Spring》painting in exchange. ”

Tang Zhibo's eyes change. A few days before, Xue Mu spend a great deal of effort to find someone and now, listening to Aersi, could it be that the Liu Qinghuan is really a fake?

But they had a meeting in the Hou Mansion before….

Seeing how Tang Zhibo's brows are squeeze tight and suspicion on his face, he keeps his expression in a little.

” Is there something wrong? ”

Looking at him, Tang Zhibo keeps his emotions in check.

” And the envoy is here today to discuss the Marquise's household matters? ”

Aersi smirk and pull out a stack of papers from his pocket, handing them over to Tang Zhibo.

He looks at Aersi suspiciously, asking.

” And this is? ”
” The map under《White Jade Orchid • Spring》. ”