The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 36

The grudge between Xue Mu and Tang Zhibo can be trace back to 7 years ago . From the moment Tang Zhibo, with his smug face, told Xue Mu that ” Qinghuan doesn’t want to see you . “, he has always wanted to drag that guy over to the field and train him so hard that he cry .

Actually, throughout these years, he had plenty of chances to do that but both the former Emperor and the current Emperor all asked him to look at the big picture . Like how they knew it was Tang Zhibo who sent a.s.sa.s.sins after him on 4 separate occasions and yet did nothing, just so they wouldn’t alarm the Duke staying all the way at Ling Nan .

Getting rid of Tang Zhibo is easy, but that would also spook the enemy . Duke Ling Nan have been laying low and hiding from sight for so many years and only recently have he seems to have been itching to do something so they don’t want to spook him back into hiding .

The Emperor is still waiting for that chance to scoop up the whole lot at one go .

And throughout these few years, Xue Mu have long since been able to hide his emotions . So even if he hated Tang Zhibo to the core, he would still smile and refer him as Brother Tang .

But at this moment, the old impulse in his heart is raring it’s head and he can’t wait to drag that guy over to the field and train him to his death .

Seeing his ever changing expression, Tang Zhibo is dancing in his head but still maintain his sincere look .

Calming himself, Xue Mu look at Tang Zhibo .

” And how did Brother Tang came to know about this? ”
” Aersi told me personally . ”

He paused, as if fearing Xue Mu would doubt him, continuing on with a severe countenance .

” Marquise, Du Juan is a crafty swindler . As long as there is something in it for her, she would cooperate with anyone . Marquise should be clear on the fact that General Xue Cheng vastly damaged the Mongolian troops during the battle against them previously . They had spent these few years nursing their strength back, which is why it had been so peaceful recently . If Aersi is to go to war with the current Mongolian King and take the throne, the citizens of the Great Chang will be back in the times of war as Aersi have a bigger ambition and the sacrifice of General Xue Cheng will be in vain . ”

He said it so full of feeling and understanding that he even moved himself . He knows that the person Xue Mu admirethe most is his father, Xue Cheng . As long as he mention Xue Cheng, it would be difficult for Du Juan to talk herself out .

The gleam in Xue Mu’s eyes changes a few times over where it then settle into calmness . He looks at Tang Zhibo standing opposite of him, his voice betraying nothing .

” I will take Brother Tang’s advice into consideration . ”

Tang Zhibo smiles, knowing when to quit .

” Then I shall no longer disturb the Marquise . I will take my leave . ”

After Tang Zhibo left, Xue Mu spend some time simply sitting in the main hall . Nuo Yan sneak a peek at him . If Du Juan really gave the treasure map to Aersi as Tang Zhibo had said, than this kind of betrayal, if by any random soldier, will be punishable by death . Not to mention the target of her betrayal is Mongolia, the country that cause Xue Cheng’s death . Dying 10 times over would not even be enough .

But the one would did this is her, and Nuo Yan worries that Xue Mu would go soft on her .

” Marquise… ”

Considering for about half the day, Nuo Yan finally speak up only to get interrupted by Xue Mu .

” I will handle this myself, you don’t need to do anything . ”

Nuo Yan’s gaze sharpen as he lowers his head .

” I understand . ”

Xue Mu then leave without saying another word, heading towards the main bedroom .

Liu Qinghuan had just dried her hair and is currently sitting in front of the bronze mirror, letting Ci Tao and Qing Zhi to tie her hair up . The door creak open and after looking back, Ci Tao and Qing Zhi bow in greeting .

” Sire . ”

Liu Qinghuan tense up immediately, and when the words Xue Mu said to her before he left run across her mind, she can’t help but blush .

” Go out for now . ”

A sentence spoken without any feeling, surprising Ci Tao and Qing Zhi . But still, they bow and left the room . At these few words, Liu Qinghuan too, noticed the suppressed emotions behind it . With a half-tied head of hair, she turn and look at him . The suppressed anger in his eyes tells her that he is not here to consummate their marriage .

It looks more like he is coming to interrogate her .

She purse her lips, not saying a word . Walking to her side, Xue Mu lowers his head to look at her .

” What is the condition for Aersi to help you escape that other day? ”

Her eyes gleams and she stay silent .

” Was it the map in《White Jade Orchid • Spring》? ”

Liu Qinghuan takes a deep breath and look at him .

” Since you already know, why do you still ask? ”

The hand hanging by his side clench into a fist forcefully as the anger emitting from Xue Mu causes her to s.h.i.+ft her body to the side .

” The unknowing expression you had on when I first told you about the map is also faked? ”

Liu Qinghuan draws in another breath, admitting it .

” Yes . ”

Xue Mu’s feelings sink . That map on her hands… is either she remembered it when he showed it to her or she already copied it down before that . Now, it looks to be the latter .

Coming to this conclusion, Xue Mu can’t help but sneer .

” Knowing the trick behind the painting yet you still acted oblivious in front of me . . When are you going to have a word of truth? ”

Liu Qinghuan laughs as well .

” Knowing I’m a swindler yet still wanting a word of truth from me, when are you going to learn not to be so innocent? ”

If Li Yuanbai is here, he would comment that Xue Mu lost in this verbal battle .

Being retorted cause Xue Mu to go even angrier . He look at Liu Qinghuan, his heart cooling down .

” Do you know how my father died? ”

Liu Qinghuan’s heart freezes as she glance away .

” Mongolia prides herself in her strong troops and stage war against our border every year . My father used his own body to stop their army, and now you easily place the treasure map into their hands? ”

She lowers her head, not daring to look at Xue Mu .

Having been here for some time, she heard many things from Madam Ning about Xue Mu when he’s young . The border was constantly in trouble so General Xue Cheng is often not at home . But whenever he is, Xue Mu would be happy for a very long time . He had taught Xue Mu martial arts, strategies of warfare since young and is the hero of all of the Great Chang, not to mention Xue Mu .

Still, this hero fell .

When the news of Xue Cheng’s pa.s.sing broke, Madam Ning cried, the citizens of Chang cried, the former Emperor cried, Xue Mu… did he cried as well?

” I told you the secret of the painting because I thought you know the seriousness of it all, but who would have know that you still… . you really disappoint me . ”

Xue Mu mouth is purse into a hard straight line, as his voice sounded as dry as a desert .

” You know, this can considered as a treason . ”

The tone of his voice is light, yet every word hits hard onto Liu Qinghuan’s heart .

The room went silent, leaving only the sound of them breathing . After saying that, Xue Mu turn and leave the room, as if not wis.h.i.+ng to take another look at her . Liu Qinghuan stare weirdly at his leaving back . Not imprisoning her, not killing her, but simply just… . leave?

Biting her lips, she loosen the hand that have been gripping hard onto her skirt .

Xue Mu never came back ever since he left and only at night did Liu Qinghuan receive news from Qing Zhi that he decides to stay at the Lotus Chambers for tonight .

She smiles, wash up early, and goes to bed .

Tonight Xue Mu himself is staying in the Lotus Chamber and neither have he sent Nian Tang to stand guard in the courtyard . This simply meant that he is silently asking her to leave .

She flips over, and the conversation she had with Xue Mu comes up in her mind .

Treason? He sure put a big hat on her that she is unworthy of . He told her to wait for him to come back and she did, and this is what she receives?

Liu Qinghuan can’t help but laugh . So be it . Anyway,the date in 10 days time that Tang Zhibo mention in the letter is coming up tomorrow and by then she would be free, and they don’t have to see each other again .

By now she also finally understand what happened . Xue Mu must have known about the map matter from Tang Zhibo . He must have done this on purpose to cut off her options, forcing her to work with him .

What a scoundrel of the year .

She close her eyes . She would need her energy to see what tricks is he up to .

Early next morning, Xue Mu left for the army, along with Peng Peng and Nuo Yan . After waking up, Liu Qinghuan first goes to Madam Ning to offer her greetings . Once Madam Ning sees her, she immediately ask worriedly .

” Qinghuan, what happen between you and Mu-er? Why did he go back to the Lotus Chamber? ”

Liu Qinghuan guess beforehand that Madam Ning would ask but she doesn’t know how to answer either .

She have always feel guilty towards Madam Ning . Although Madam Ning have never worry about money throughout her life, but the shock of losing her husband is too great for her and since Xue Mu enter the battlefield from young, so she have always been living in fear . Luckily these few years are peaceful and Madam Ning can look forward to having grandchildren but then she got tangled with a daughter-in-law like her .

Liu Qinghuan lowers her head, staying silent . Seeing her like this, Madam Ning thinks to herself to really punish Mu-er when he comes back since it must be him who wronged her daughter-in-law . She smiles, and no longer pressure Liu Qinghuan for answers, turning the subject .

” This porridge is freshly brewed by Liang Chen, so you’re in for a treat! Come come, and taste this hot! ”

Liu Qinghuan smiles and taste a mouthful .

” I should really let Ci Tao and Qing Zhi try this, they will burst into tears . ”

Ci Tao and Qing Zhi blush at her comment as Madam Ning laughs .

” Liang Chen can’t be praised . Seeing how you praised her today, she will definitely burn the porridge tomorrow . ”

Liang Chen laughs .

” I shall keep Old Madam’s scolding in mind . ”

Liu Qinghuan smiles and simply eat her porridge, spoonful after spoonful . The Hou Mansion is a great place so girls are lining up from the north to the south and back again to enter so Madam Ning would most definitely get her grandchildren she desires . Only… that would have nothing to do with her .

Finis.h.i.+ng her food, Liu Qinghuan look at Madam Ning once again .

” Mother, it it turning chilly these days so please look after yourself and don’t catch a cold . ”
” Young Madam please don’t worry, I will take care of Old Madam carefully . ”
” Then I shall rest a.s.sured . ”

Bidding goodbye to Madam Ning, she return to her room to concentrate on waiting for the person Tang Zhibo said would come to fetch her . After a while, as expected, there are noises occurring outside . Taking a glance outside, she tell Qing Zhi to go find out what is happening .

Qing Zhi is back just as she finish her yogurt . Without waiting for Liu Qinghuan to speak, she start conveying what she saw .

” Madam, a few Beseeching Fire Cult devotees are outside, claiming that a revolted devotee escaped into our mansion, wanting to head in to catch him . ”

Liu Qinghuan coldly laughs in her head . You really can’t depend on Tang Zhibo to think so some good tricks to get her out . Pa.s.sing her empty bowl to Ci Tao, she mutters to herself .

” How brave of them to demand entering the mansion . ”
” That’s right! ”

Qing Zhi nods agreeingly .

” Since when is the Hou Mansion allowing people to freely enter and leave? So they are all stopped by the guards outside, but they refused to budge, sticking to their statement that the person they are chasing is inside . So now both sides are in a stalemate and a fight breaks out . ”
” Oh? So how is it now? They better not surprise Mother . ”
” Madam is right, the guards are also worried about this . Sir and the rest are not here today but luckily Miss Nian Tang is still around, so when I was over there, the guards have already left, looking for her help . ”
” I see . ”

Liu Qinghuan stands from her seat and head towards the door . The flowers in the courtyard is now in full bloom, and the smell of Osmanthus is stronger than before .

” Madam, those devotees are still outside so it would be better to stay in for now . ”

Qing Zhi said, afraid that those barbaric people suddenly rush in and hurt Madam, then the Marquise would be angry again .

” Un . ”

Liu Qinghuan nods before turning and knocking her unconscious . Ci Tao stand there in a daze at her actions and she take use of the chance to flash before her, knocking her unconscious as well .

Placing the two of them onto the sitting mat, Liu Qinghuan let loose a breath .

The last time she escape, she knocked them unconscious as well . She doesn’t know what did Xue Mu said to them but they said nothing all the while she is back . And despite having that experience once before, they still take no precautions against her . How… . thoughtful .

” Sigh . ”

Actually, she is a little reluctant to leave them . Changing back into Du Juan clothing back in the room, she put on her veil and after surveying the empty courtyard, she is up onto the back wall in no time .

The escape this time is so easy that she is not escaping, but Xue Mu letting her leave on purpose .

She coldly smile and accept the Marquise’s good intentions .

After flipping over the wall, she takes a last look at the mansion . This time, she won’t be back .