The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 23

Chapter 23

*Unedited

Once that sentence springs out of Yong Fu’s mouth, Li Yuanbai’s sleepiness immediately goes away . He perk up his ears energetically . This is a lot more interesting than eavesdropping on how Madam Zhang complain about her neighbor b.a.s.t.a.r.d Li .

He is currently full of expectations about hearing the royal gossip .

But too bad, Xue Mu is not letting him have his way . Xue Mu simply stay silent for a while before saying flatly .

” Let’s not bring up the past any more than it should . ”
” Let’s not? ”

Yong Fu sneer, looking with eyes full of ridicule at Xue Mu .

” That year I stayed by your side for the entire night, just like how you are staying by hers right now! ”

Xue Mu’s mouth twitches a little, but he remains silent . His hand keep holding onto Liu Qinghuan’s, because he remembered, seven years ago, someone once hold his hand the entire time like the way he is doing now .

He lowers his gaze, speaking softly .

” She is injured because of me . ”

Yong Fu wanted to retort how he doesn’t need her help! Her actions are superfluous! But in the end, she stay silent when she lay her eyes on that person lying on the bed .

She pursed her lips and leave the room without another word .

The still-energetic-gossip-listening Li Yuanbai is stunned . This is too much of an abrupt finis.h.!.+ Not having enough, he yawn once again .

On this night, Liu Qinghuan’s high fever come and go a few times before it finally dwindle down . Everyone in the courtyard have not have any shut eye for the entire night, including Xue Mu and Li Yuanbai .

Li Yuanbai feels that this requires three times the amount the Marquise paid him .

After the morning bell finish ringing throughout Chang-An city, Nian Tang finally couldn’t stand still and walk into the room .

” Marquise, there is morning court a.s.sembly today . ”

Xue Mu’s brows twitches and just when he is thinking of sending someone to get an absent of leave from the Emperor, he feel the fingers in his hand move . Subconsciously he tighten his grip on Liu Qinghuan’s hand and call out nervously .

” Qing Qing? ”
” Urgh… . . ”

Liu Qinghuan’s lashes gently flutter, before she slowly open her eyes .

The maid standing guard by her side jumps up in happiness .

” Madam is awake! Madam is awake! ”

Even Li Yuanbai is moved . The patient is awake! The patient is awake! He can finally head back home to sleep!

The entire household is basking in delight, except for Xue Mu, with his tense look, looking at Liu Qinghuan .

” Qing Qing, how are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere? ”

As the blurry shape in front of her gets clearer, she frown a little when she saw the tense person staring at her .

” Who are you? ”

Xue Mu freeze, and the cheers all around dies down immediately . Liu Qinghuan blinks as she look at the even tenser face in front of her, and burst out laughing .

” I’m kidding, Marquise . ”

………… .

The entire houseful of people stare at her, speechless . Xue Mu lightly let out a breath he have been holding in and pinch her hand as a punishment .

” Is it fun? ”
” Quite . ”

She laughs some more, but accidentally tug the wound on her shoulder and immediately stop laughing from the pain . Seeing her face turning pale, Xue Mu hurriedly warn her .

” You just woke up, don’t play around . ”

Liu Qinghuan pout .

” I took 3 needles for you, and I can’t even tease you . ”

Not mentioning it is fine, but hearing her mentioning it, Xue Mu’s expression turns ugly .

” Why are you so foolish? I already knew Jing Zhu is a spy send by Tang Zhibo . ”

Liu Qinghuan stare at him blankly, before her expression turns ugly as well .

” Well sorry about that . It seems like I’m a busybody . If you think I’m foolish than please stay away, just in case you get it from me! ”

The sleepy Li Yuanbai gets his energy back again . Hearing the Marquise couple fight is way more interesting than that w.a.n.g couple fighting! His eyes sparkles as he stares at Xue Mu . Bite back at her, Marquise!

Xue Mu look at person who is obviously mad at him and soften his voice .

” I just don’t want to see you hurt . ”

He regretted not kicking that chess piece called Jing Zhu earlier . Otherwise Liu Qinghuan won’t be inured either .

Liu Qinghuan pouts and turn her head away .

” Close your eyes if you don’t want to see it . ”

Xue Mu ” …… . ”

Li Yuanbai shakes his head disappointingly . The Marquise fighting standard is so far below w.a.n.g . But come to think of it, whomever the Marquise is at odds with, he would kill them and be done with it . There is never a need to fight at all .

Xue Mu brush away a lock of hair for Liu Qinghuan before standing up .

” I need to go for the morning a.s.sembly . I’ll come see you later . ”

Liu Qinghuan ignore him and just when Xue Mu had taken two steps away, he turn back and lay a kiss on her cheek .

Li Yuanbai cover his eyes bashfully .

Seeing that Xue Mu is leaving, Li Yuanbai wants to take this chance to leave as well, only to hear Xue Mu giving orders .

” Nian Tang, take good care of Physician Li . ”
” Yes, Marquise . ”

Li Yuanbai ” …… . ”

Since he can’t leave the Hou Mansion, adding on to the fact that he haven’t slept a wink last night, he might as well head back to his room and sleep . Nian Tang haven’t stop him either, as she continues to stand guard in Liu Qinghuan’s room . Seeing that, Qing Zhi walks over to her .

” Miss Nian Tang, you haven’t slept the entire night as well . Why not go take a rest? You can leave the guarding to me and Ci Tao . ”
” No need . ”

Nian Tang grip the sword in her hand, rejecting Qing Zhi’s proposal immediately . Hearing that, Liu Qinghuan turn and look at her . Nian Tang raise her eyebrow, saying unhappily .

” What? ”
” Nothing . Just wondering… Don’t you hate me? ”
” I do, that will never change . But you’re the Marquise’s wife, and if anything happens to you, the Marquise will be sad . ”

Liu Qinghuan laughs .

” You sure do a lot for the Marquise . ”

Nian Tang look at her silently for a while, before speaking softly .

” Actually I do it for myself . ”

If Li Yuanbai is here, he would have regretted leaving so soon and missing such a juicy piece of gossip .

Nian Tang look at Liu Qinghuan .

” Do you still remember what happen during winter 7 years ago? ”

” Do you still remember what happen during winter 7 years ago? ”

Seven years ago, Xue Mu had invited Liu Qinghuan to go to the Wet Market the second day .

But before that day comes, the news of Xue Cheng death reached him first .

As if struck by thunder, Madam Ning fainted the moment she heard this news, and had been ill since . The thirteen year old Xue Mu not only lost his deeply revered father, he still had to take care of his sick mother and the house . Being push into this position, he couldn’t make it to the date .

So he got Nian Tang pa.s.s a message on to Liu Qinghuan, telling her to wait three days for him .

But Nian Tang didn’t went .

Xue Mu didn’t know if Liu Qinghuan did wait for him at her back door or not but after three days, when he finally have the time to see her, she was already on good terms with Tang Zhibo .

” The Marquise knew I didn’t pa.s.s any ma.s.sage on to you, and ignored me for 3 whole years . ”

There isn’t any difference in her expression, but Liu Qinghuan could see her feelings from how tightly she is gripping her sword . Nian Tang let out a deep breath, and look down at the lying Liu Qinghuan .

” From then on I swear to myself, to never come between the two of you ever again . So even if I really hate you, I will do as the Marquise ordered . ”

She is looking after Liu Qinghuan not just for the Marquise .

Liu Qinghuan closes her eyes as if asleep and Nian Tang retreats back into the courtyard . After the door closes, Liu Qinghuan open her eyes . Staring at the ceiling for while, she softly calls out .

” Ci Tao, Qing Zhi . ”

Ci Tao Qing Zhi immediately come forward .

” Yes Madam? ”
” How long have you been in the mansion? ”

Qing Zhi ” I was sold to the mansion at 10 years of age . It was called the General Mansion at that time . ”

Ci Tao ” Me too . ”

” Then… how much do you know about Nian Tang? ”

Ci Tao and Qing Zhi look at each other, before answering .

” Replying Madam, Nian Tang is already here when we entered . It was rumored that she is an orphan, her parents sold her to a brothel and it was Old Master who helped and brought her back . That time, Miss Nian Tang was all skin and bones, and looks like she can’t survive long . After a while, her body got better, except that the Old Master was already…… ”

Liu Qinghuan know the bottom half without them saying . That year, General Xue Cheng died on the battlefield . The entire country mourned and it was said that even the Old Emperor cried in the morning court a.s.sembly .

” Replying Madam, Nian Tang is already here when we entered . It was rumored that she is an orphan, her parents sold her to a brothel and it was Old Master who helped and brought her back . That time, Miss Nian Tang was all skin and bones, and looks like she can’t survive long . After a while, her body got better, except that the Old Master was already…… ”

Liu Qinghuan know the bottom half without them saying . That year, General Xue Cheng died on the battlefield . The entire country mourned and it was said that even the Old Emperor cried in the morning court a.s.sembly .

She close her eyes, not speaking further . Qing Zhi step forward and help arrange her blanket, softly speaking .

” Madam, you just woke up so it’s better not to think too much and rest well . ”
” Un . ”
” There is porridge in the kitchen, would Madam like some? ”
” Sounds good . ”

With Ci Tao and Qing Zhi serving her, Liu Qinghuan drink some porridge and medicine, before she lay down again .

In the palace, the morning court a.s.sembly is half-way through when Xue Mu arrives .

Out of everyone, it is known that the one who have it the toughest would be General Xue . The times he was a.s.sa.s.sinated was more than even the Emperor himself! He was just a.s.sa.s.sinated yesterday and even insist on attending the a.s.sembly today . Although he is late, everyone is still moved by his actions . Even the strict Imperial Censor too, ignore the fact that his attire is wrong for the a.s.sembly .

Emperor Yan, as expected, didn’t blame him and even ask about his situation . Although General Xue said that both him and his wife is fine, the Emperor still feel guilty and bestow many things to help his wife overcome the fright .

When Xue Mu join in the a.s.sembly, Emperor Yan is about to berate General Bravo and after concerning about Xue Mu’s situation, he continue on his berating . After getting all his anger out, he glance at Li Mo who is trying to make himself as small as possible .

” If it wasn’t for the fact that you had some merit in catching the a.s.sa.s.sins yesterday, you would have it even worst . ”

Li Mo ” …… . ”

You call this going easy on me? Don’t you feel thirsty after scolding for so long?

Although silently cursing inside, he is all ” Thank your majesty for your kindness . ” on the outside . Emperor Yan than look over at Xue Mu .

” The 5 caught yesterday are still in questioning but none of them are admitting anything at the moment . But, all 5 of them are Mongolian . ”

Xue Mu sneer . Having Aersi and Tang Zhibo fight each other is not a bad idea too . Emperor Yan of course know who is behind the dancer but does not point it straight out .

” About that dancer… . ”
” I will investigate it . ”

Xue Mu said . He still remember clearly who brought Jing Zhu into the mansion . Emperor Yan nods and prepare to end the a.s.sembly, only to give another look at Li Mo before leaving .

” If anyone ever dares to drink at the army again, he shall be drag off and killed immediately . ”

Emperor Yan icy cold gaze sweep across the hall, as everyone eyes land on General Bravo .

General Bravo silently s.h.i.+ver .

Unedited Once that sentence springs out of Yong Fu s mouth, Li Yuanbai s sleepiness immediately goes away . He perk up his ears energetically . This is a lot more interesting than eavesdropping on how Madam Zhang complain about her neighbor b.a.s.t.a.r.d Li . He is currently full of expectations about hearing the royal gossip . But too bad, Xue Mu is not letting him have his way . Xue Mu simply stay silent for a while before saying flatly . Let s not bring up the past any more than it should . Let s not Yong Fu sneer, looking with eyes full of ridicule at Xue Mu . That year I stayed by your side for the entire night, just like how you are staying by hers right now Xue Mu s mouth twitches a little, but he remains silent . His hand keep holding onto Liu Qinghuan s, because he remembered, seven years ago, someone once hold his hand the entire time like the way he is doing now . He lowers his gaze, speaking softly . She is injured because of me . Yong Fu wanted to retort how he doesn t need her help Her actions are superfluous But in the end, she stay silent when she lay her eyes on that person lying on the bed . She pursed her lips and leave the room without another word . The still energetic gossip listening Li Yuanbai is stunned . This is too much of an abrupt finish Not having enough, he yawn once again . On this night, Liu Qinghuan s high fever come and go a few times before it finally dwindle down . Everyone in the courtyard have not have any shut eye for the entire night, including Xue Mu and Li Yuanbai . Li Yuanbai feels that this requires three times the amount the Marquise paid him . After the morning bell finish ringing throughout Chang An city, Nian Tang finally couldn t stand still and walk into the room . Marquise, there is morning court a.s.sembly today . Xue Mu s brows twitches and just when he is thinking of sending someone to get an absent of leave from the Emperor, he feel the fingers in his hand move . Subconsciously he tighten his grip on Liu Qinghuan s hand and call out nervously . Qing Qing Urgh . . Liu Qinghuan s lashes gently flutter, before she slowly open her eyes . The maid standing guard by her side jumps up in happiness . Madam is awake Madam is awake Even Li Yuanbai is moved . The patient is awake The patient is awake He can finally head back home to sleep The entire household is basking in delight, except for Xue Mu, with his tense look, looking at Liu Qinghuan . Qing Qing, how are you feeling Does it hurt anywhere As the blurry shape in front of her gets clearer, she frown a little when she saw the tense person staring at her . Who are you Xue Mu freeze, and the cheers all around dies down immediately . Liu Qinghuan blinks as she look at the even tenser face in front of her, and burst out laughing . I m kidding, Marquise . . The entire houseful of people stare at her, speechless . Xue Mu lightly let out a breath he have been holding in and pinch her hand as a punishment . Is it fun Quite . She laughs some more, but accidentally tug the wound on her shoulder and immediately stop laughing from the pain . Seeing her face turning pale, Xue Mu hurriedly warn her . You just woke up, don t play around . Liu Qinghuan pout . I took 3 needles for you, and I can t even tease you . Not mentioning it is fine, but hearing her mentioning it, Xue Mu s expression turns ugly . Why are you so foolish I already knew Jing Zhu is a spy send by Tang Zhibo . Liu Qinghuan stare at him blankly, before her expression turns ugly as well . Well sorry about that . It seems like I m a busybody . If you think I m foolish than please stay away, just in case you get it from me The sleepy Li Yuanbai gets his energy back again . Hearing the Marquise couple fight is way more interesting than that w.a.n.g couple fighting His eyes sparkles as he stares at Xue Mu . Bite back at her, Marquise Xue Mu look at person who is obviously mad at him and soften his voice . I just don t want to see you hurt . He regretted not kicking that chess piece called Jing Zhu earlier . Otherwise Liu Qinghuan won t be inured either . Liu Qinghuan pouts and turn her head away . Close your eyes if you don t want to see it . Xue Mu . Li Yuanbai shakes his head disappointingly . The Marquise fighting standard is so far below w.a.n.g . But come to think of it, whomever the Marquise is at odds with, he would kill them and be done with it . There is never a need to fight at all . Xue Mu brush away a lock of hair for Liu Qinghuan before standing up . I need to go for the morning a.s.sembly . I ll come see you later . Liu Qinghuan ignore him and just when Xue Mu had taken two steps away, he turn back and lay a kiss on her cheek . Li Yuanbai cover his eyes bashfully . Seeing that Xue Mu is leaving, Li Yuanbai wants to take this chance to leave as well, only to hear Xue Mu giving orders . Nian Tang, take good care of Physician Li . Yes, Marquise . Li Yuanbai . Since he can t leave the Hou Mansion, adding on to the fact that he haven t slept a wink last night, he might as well head back to his room and sleep . Nian Tang haven t stop him either, as she continues to stand guard in Liu Qinghuan s room . Seeing that, Qing Zhi walks over to her . Miss Nian Tang, you haven t slept the entire night as well . Why not go take a rest You can leave the guarding to me and Ci Tao . No need . Nian Tang grip the sword in her hand, rejecting Qing Zhi s proposal immediately . Hearing that, Liu Qinghuan turn and look at her . Nian Tang raise her eyebrow, saying unhappily . What Nothing . Just wondering Don t you hate me I do, that will never change . But you re the Marquise s wife, and if anything happens to you, the Marquise will be sad . Liu Qinghuan laughs . You sure do a lot for the Marquise . Nian Tang look at her silently for a while, before speaking softly . Actually I do it for myself . If Li Yuanbai is here, he would have regretted leaving so soon and missing such a juicy piece of gossip . Nian Tang look at Liu Qinghuan . Do you still remember what happen during winter 7 years ago Seven years ago, Xue Mu had invited Liu Qinghuan to go to the Wet Market the second day . But before that day comes, the news of Xue Cheng death reached him first . As if struck by thunder, Madam Ning fainted the moment she heard this news, and had been ill since . The thirteen year old Xue Mu not only lost his deeply revered father, he still had to take care of his sick mother and the house . Being push into this position, he couldn t make it to the date . So he got Nian Tang pa.s.s a message on to Liu Qinghuan, telling her to wait three days for him . But Nian Tang didn t went . Xue Mu didn t know if Liu Qinghuan did wait for him at her back door or not but after three days, when he finally have the time to see her, she was already on good terms with Tang Zhibo . The Marquise knew I didn t pa.s.s any ma.s.sage on to you, and ignored me for 3 whole years . There isn t any difference in her expression, but Liu Qinghuan could see her feelings from how tightly she is gripping her sword . Nian Tang let out a deep breath, and look down at the lying Liu Qinghuan . From then on I swear to myself, to never come between the two of you ever again . So even if I really hate you, I will do as the Marquise ordered . She is looking after Liu Qinghuan not just for the Marquise . Liu Qinghuan closes her eyes as if asleep and Nian Tang retreats back into the courtyard . After the door closes, Liu Qinghuan open her eyes . Staring at the ceiling for while, she softly calls out . Ci Tao, Qing Zhi . Ci Tao Qing Zhi immediately come forward . Yes Madam How long have you been in the mansion Qing Zhi I was sold to the mansion at 10 years of age . It was called the General Mansion at that time . Ci Tao Me too . Then how much do you know about Nian Tang Ci Tao and Qing Zhi look at each other, before answering . Replying Madam, Nian Tang is already here when we entered . It was rumored that she is an orphan, her parents sold her to a brothel and it was Old Master who helped and brought her back . That time, Miss Nian Tang was all skin and bones, and looks like she can t survive long . After a while, her body got better, except that the Old Master was already Liu Qinghuan know the bottom half without them saying . That year, General Xue Cheng died on the battlefield . The entire country mourned and it was said that even the Old Emperor cried in the morning court a.s.sembly . She close her eyes, not speaking further . Qing Zhi step forward and help arrange her blanket, softly speaking . Madam, you just woke up so it s better not to think too much and rest well . Un . There is porridge in the kitchen, would Madam like some Sounds good . With Ci Tao and Qing Zhi serving her, Liu Qinghuan drink some porridge and medicine, before she lay down again . In the palace, the morning court a.s.sembly is half way through when Xue Mu arrives . Out of everyone, it is known that the one who have it the toughest would be General Xue . The times he was a.s.sa.s.sinated was more than even the Emperor himself He was just a.s.sa.s.sinated yesterday and even insist on attending the a.s.sembly today . Although he is late, everyone is still moved by his actions . Even the strict Imperial Censor too, ignore the fact that his attire is wrong for the a.s.sembly . Emperor Yan, as expected, didn t blame him and even ask about his situation . Although General Xue said that both him and his wife is fine, the Emperor still feel guilty and bestow many things to help his wife overcome the fright . When Xue Mu join in the a.s.sembly, Emperor Yan is about to berate General Bravo and after concerning about Xue Mu s situation, he continue on his berating . After getting all his anger out, he glance at Li Mo who is trying to make himself as small as possible . If it wasn t for the fact that you had some merit in catching the a.s.sa.s.sins yesterday, you would have it even worst . Li Mo . You call this going easy on me Don t you feel thirsty after scolding for so long Although silently cursing inside, he is all Thank your majesty for your kindness . on the outside . Emperor Yan than look over at Xue Mu . The 5 caught yesterday are still in questioning but none of them are admitting anything at the moment . But, all 5 of them are Mongolian . Xue Mu sneer . Having Aersi and Tang Zhibo fight each other is not a bad idea too . Emperor Yan of course know who is behind the dancer but does not point it straight out . About that dancer . I will investigate it . Xue Mu said . He still remember clearly who brought Jing Zhu into the mansion . Emperor Yan nods and prepare to end the a.s.sembly, only to give another look at Li Mo before leaving . If anyone ever dares to drink at the army again, he shall be drag off and killed immediately . Emperor Yan icy cold gaze sweep across the hall, as everyone eyes land on General Bravo . General Bravo silently s.h.i.+ver .