The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 19

TN: Finally a new chapter! Sorry, been in a slump lately and have been trying very hard to shake it off. Feeling much better now. Sorry for waiting!

By the time Xue Mu changed and head over to the main hall, thirty minutes pa.s.sed.

Aersi and Yi Jin stay seated in the main hall, their faces showing none of any impatience. Seeing Xue Mu walking in, the both of them immediately stand and politely give their greetings.

Sitting in the main seat, Xue Mu smiles at Aersi.

” Although the Envoy's mandarin isn't that good, you sure are well-versed in our cultural manners. ”

Aersi pursed his lips lightly. Is he being praised or ridicule? Why is Xue Mu talking around in circles just like Yi Jin? Seeing Aersi simply frowning and staying silent, Xue Mu orders the maid to serve them some wine before asking again.

” So, why is the Envoy here for? ”

Aersi sniff at the top quality wine in front of him.

” Wucheng Luoxia. ”

Yi Jin's mouth twitchs as he stays silent while Xue Mu laughs.

” Looks like Envoy like his wine. ”
” But I prefer the local Chang-An City's Xis.h.i.+ Qiang. ”

Xue Mu glances at a servant and soon, he serves up a jar of Xis.h.i.+ Qiang. Just as the servant is about to pour it out into Aersi's cup, the jar in his hand is s.n.a.t.c.h away by Aersi.

” I prefer to drink it straight from the jar. ”

Servant ” ……. ”

Dear Sir, do you think this is just some water from a pond? This is top quality wine! The very expensive kind!

Xue Mu smiles and get the servant to back down. Aersi finishes the entire jar in a breath which after he looks over to Xue Mu.

” Oh yes, what did you say just now? ”

Yi Jin ” ……. ”

He really just wants to pretend to not know this person right now.

Xue Mu simply calmly repeats his question.

” What brings the Envoy to my house? ”
” I heard today's Marquise's birthday, so I came specially bearing some gifts. ”

Saying that, he stands up and beckons to someone standing outside the hall. Soon, many of his subordinates, bringing along many stuff with them, walk in. Neighing can also be heard outside as well.

” The Marquise just treated me to come great wine, so it's my turn to repay the favor with our famous local wine, as well as cuisines. Plus, I heard that the Marquise loves horses, so I prepared 2 of our best steeds to present to you. ”

Mongolians are nomadic, so not only are their people tall, even their horses are exceptionally strong and hardy. Because of the species and the way they are breed, Mongolian horses are handsome and possess strong explosive power, being favored by many high-ranking officials. Even the Emperor himself owns a few steeds.

Just by hearing the neighing, Xue Mu knows that it is a rare and precious horse. But all he does is to turn to Aersi.

” I did nothing deserving of this, so I'm afraid I can't accept such precious gifts. ”
” The Marquise is too ceremonious. Since fate brought all of us together, this is just a gesture to a friend that fate had given us. This is all but basic manners. ”

Yi Jin said. Xue Mu looks at him, staying silent. Seeing the chance, Aersi adds in.

” If the Marquise feels undeserving of these gifts, I do have a favor to ask of you. ”
” Oh? ”

Xue Mu line of sight s.h.i.+fts to Aersi.

” Do speak. ”

Aersi glances at Yi Jin, before speaking up.

” Is the Marquise looking for Jiading Maoxue's 4 famous paintings《Spring • Summer • Autumn • Winter》? ”

Xue Mu said nothing as Aersi continues.

” To tell the truth, I am also searching for these 4 paintings. But the sad thing is that I do not have much behind me to help in this quest. If the Marquise would join forces with me, things would be much easier. ”

Xue Mu laughs, before looking at Aersi.

” Since the Envoy is also searching for the 4 paintings, you most likely know of the secret behind it. What I would like to know is, what is the Envoy's plan after getting all 4 paintings? ”

Aersi's eyes dims for a moment as he sigh.

” I'll lay it out on the table. Marquise should know that the Mongolian King and me is like oil and water. Although he is my elder brother, he keeps guarding against me. Whenever there is a war, he would send me to the front line. Once it's over, he would revoke all my army authority, throwing me away like a rag. Ha! Maybe he is just hoping I would die in the battlefield one day. Even for this envoy trip, he still send his subordinate to monitor me all the way. ”

Xue Mu looks at him, a smile hanging off his lips.

” If I have brother that is so good at war like you, I would guard against you as well. But since you said that there is someone monitoring you, aren't you afraid that this little meeting would would find it's way into the King's ears? ”

Aersi thin lips hook up as he laughs coldly.

” No worries there Marquise, for he will never open his mouth again. ”

Xue Mu eyes gleam but he remains silent. The hall lapsed into silence for while before Aersi speaks up.

” If the Marquise can help me find the 4 paintings, I would thank you greatly when I inherit the throne. ”

Xue Mu laughs, the ridicule inside apparent.

” Had the Envoy forgotten that my father died on the battlefield against the Mongolians? ”

Aersi freezes, before sighing regretfully.

” Old General Xue's death also pains me, but I promise, if I ever am the King, I would remain loyal, never revolting. ”
” Ha ha! ”

Xue Mu laughs straight out, as if he heard a joke. Aersi's brows moved, as he looks at Xue Mu.

” Do the Marquise not believe me? ”
” You have a face that wants to rule. ”

Aersi pursed his lips together silently, his gaze darkening. Nuo Yan, who have been standing by Xue Mu's side, farrowed his brows as his hand moves towards the sword handing by his waist.

” Haha, there's no need to be this serious. ”

Yi Jin said, smiling.

” We came specially to celebrate the Marquise's birthday. Even if the deal doesn't go through, our sincerity is still here. I hope the Marquise will accept our gifts. We shall take our leave. ”

Saying that, Yi Jin calls out to Aersi in a low whisper before walking out of the hall. Aersi looks at Xue Mu before taking his leave, following behind Yi Jin's footsteps.

His face is still dark when he flips onto his horse.

” I still hate that person. ”

Yi Jin laughs.

” We never once expect it to go through, so why take it so seriously? ”

Aersi let out a breath.

” So, did you find out anything? ”

Yi Jin thinks deeply for a second.

” Even if the painting is not in his hands, he must know where it is. ”

Aersi narrows his eyes dangerously.

” Anyday Xue Mu is not removed, it would be difficult to move. ”
” Relax, there are someone who wishes for that more than you. ”

As if remembering something, Aersi's tighten mouth curves up.

” So what do we do now? ”
” Follow the plan and enter the palace. ”

After Aersi and Yi Jin left, Xue Mu stay seated in the hall. Nuo Yan looks at him worriedly.

” Marquise, is it okay to accept all these? If they ever go to the Emperor to sow discord… ”
” Don't worry. ”

Xue Mu glances at the horses outside before standing up.

” If they deliberately wanted to sow discord, it doesn't matter if we accept it or not.”

Two days later, Liu Qinghuan is so free that she decides to try her hand at making the crystal dragon-phoenix cake Qing Zhi told her before. Maybe she got into the mood, that after the crystal cake, she tries her hand at making several other deserts. Once placed inside the lunch box, it looks quite good.

Thinking back to how Xue Mu gave her quite a bit of Mongolian stuff a while back, Liu Qinghuan feels like she can't only be the one enjoying. Turning to Qing Zhi, she ask.

” Is the Marquise back? ”
” Replying Madam, Sir has been back at the mansion for some now. At this time, Sir would most likely be at the Lotus Chamber. ”
” Good. ”

With her lunch box in hand, Liu Qinghuan make her way towards the Lotus Chamber. The blooming period for lotuses is almost at it's end, and when Liu Qinghuan pa.s.ses by the Lotus Pond, the water sparkles brightly.

The yard smells slightly of magnolia as she walks towards the room, knocking on the doors lightly.

” Marquise.”

A furry of movement sound within the room and very quickly, Xue Mu opens the door.

” Qing Qing? ”

Liu Qinghuan smiles at him, lifting the lunch box in her hand.

” I was free today, so I made some deserts. Would the Marquise like to give it a try? ”

Xue Mu looks at the intricate lunch box, smiling as he grasps her hand.

” Very much. ”

Guiding Liu Qinghuan into the room, Xue Mu orders Qing Zhi to get some wine. Liu Qinghuan sits on the bed as she excitedly opens up the different layers of the lunch box. The various cakes are arrange neatly, the colors vibrant. Xue Mu picks one up from the uppermost layer and looks at it.

” This is…. crystal dragon-phoenix cake? ”

” Puhaha…”

Hearing Xue Mu's questions, Ci Tao and Qing Zhi, who are standing by the side, can't help it but laugh as silently as possible.

Liu Qinghuan turns and shoots them a glare. Okay, so maybe she will admit that the dragon and phoenix shapes are really to difficult to make so she got lazy and randomly made something but…. at least it's not a dog?

Xue Mu looks at the unhappy Liu Qinghuan, smiling as he takes a bite of the crystal ‘dragon-phoenix' cake he have in his hands.

” Hmm, it taste quite good. ”
” Right?! ”

Having Xue Mu's approval, Liu Qinghuan gets c.o.c.ky.

” The important thing for food is the taste. No matter how beautiful it looks, isn't it all going into the stomach anyway? ”

Xue Mu laughs as he nods.

” True. ”
” He he he. ”

Liu Qinghuan laughs, before happily pus.h.i.+ng pus.h.i.+ng another cake to him.

” This Dew Cake is taught by Master Liang Cheng herself! ”

Having personally been taught by Master Liang Cheng, Liu Qinghuan is confident that no matter the outlook or the taste, this Dew Cake would erase any humiliation from the ‘dragon-phoenix' cake!

” Liang Cheng? ”

Xue Mu ask as he picks up the white snowflake-shaped baked cake and gently takes a bite.

” Yes. She was just nice at the kitchen to make some pastries for Mother and said that you like eating dew cakes, so she taught me how to make one. ”

Saying that, Liu Qinghuan suddenly lowers her voice.

” Ah..should we leave some for Mother as well? ”

Xue Mu smiles.

” Don't worry about it. ”

After all, the thing Madam Ning worry about is not deserts.

Liu Qinghuan have been visiting the Lotus Chamber recently so his Mother should have known about it by now. Not exposing her hand in this, Xue Mu picks up another cake and takes a bite.

Just when the atmosphere is good, an unknown eunuch is currently rus.h.i.+ng his way to the Marquise Mansion from the palace.