The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 27

*Unedited

Xue Mu open his eyes and feels like he can sleep no longer. Looking out towards the main bedroom for a while, he gets dressed and head out.

Halfway throughout her sleep, Liu Qinghuan could feel a razor sharp gaze on her. Frowning, she open her eyes unwillingly.

Xue Mu is standing creepily by her bedside.

Liu Qinghuan gulp and sits up as she laughs dryly.

” Marquise, are you sleepwalking? ”

Xue Mu just stares at her without speaking. The smile on her face grows more rigid.

” Heh heh, then I wouldn't disturb you sleepwalking any longer. ”

Saying that, she prepares to lie down again but her wrist is grab hold by Xue Mu. On it, the colored longevity band can be seen.

” If you are just a swindler, why did you take that attack from Jingzhu for me? ”

Xue Mu's voice sounds colder that the cool night as Liu Qinghuan subconsciously freeze. He came over in the middle of the night just to ask her that question?!

Liu Qinghuan feels like that is going a little too far.

She tries to get her hand out of his grip but when she realizes he is griping it even harder, she rationally gives up struggling. Looking up at him, she smiles.

” Although I am a swindler, I am still one with good manners. ”

Xue Mu eyes gleam.

When she is about think that they will remain in this position until the end of time, Xue Mu finally releases her.

” I see. ”

A smile hugs the corners of his lips but Liu Qinghuan cannot figure out what that means. She stares as he walks out of the room, her eyes darkening.

She needs to escape as soon as possible.

Although her ident.i.ty was exposed, her life remains unchanged. She would still give greetings to Old Madam Ning in the morning and she is still being wait upon for the rest of the time. The only difference is that she is being watch tightly.

Only by Nian Tang, but not all the time, as she does need rest as well. But that time is only when Xue Mu is in the mansion.

Liu Qinghuan thought about it. To escape, she have to wait till the moment when Xue Mu is not around. And planning ‘bad things', it would be the best to do it under the cover of the night.

But Xue Mu is always around at night.

She have been vexing over this problem for a while. She hesitated again and again, and finally decides not to do it at night. It would still be the best to escape when Xue Mu is not around.

It is another beautiful night as Liu Qinghuan cups her face as she stares at the moon in the sky, lamenting that once again, she missed a great timing to escape.

Glancing over to the Lotus Chamber, she knows that there is a bit of distance between it and her, but still, she could not risk it with Xue Mu being around. She have no concrete idea of how good Xue Mu's martial arts is, but is certain that if caught, she will either be dead or at least lose a layer of skin.

She needs to have a surefire plan.

Creak, and the wind blows the window behind her wide open. Looking back, Liu Qinghuan freezes on the spot.

She haven't notice when another visitor entered her room. He is masked, tall and st.u.r.dy, and his eyes have an eagle-like gleam to them.

She shudders as her mouth twitches.

” Is Nian Tang still alive? ”

Aersi smiles and answers, his voice still sounding as prideful as ever.

” If you are talking about the little girl standing guard outside, then I would suggest Xue Mu get you a better bodyguard. ”
” She's my jailer. ”
” Sounds nice. ”
” I feel like you need to improve on your mandarin. ”
” I'm not here to discuss about my mandarin level. ”

Aersi said, slightly irritated. Liu Qinghuan flutters her lashes.

” Can it be that you are here to view my bedroom? ”

Aersi is stun for a while before revealing a weird smile.

” Don't you want to escape, Du Juan? ”

Her eyebrows twitches as she stares innocently at Aersi.

” So you know me? Sorry to say but you are in the wrong place. ”

Aersi stares surprisingly at her face.

” This mask is really not bad, being able to create such a lifelike expression. ”
” ……. ”

It can even cry, do you believe it?

After admiring Liu Qinghuan's face, Aersi finally remember why he is here.

” I can help you escape, and even guarantee that after that, Xue Mu won't be looking for your trouble either. ”

Liu Qinghuan looks at him, silent. Aersi c.o.c.k his brow, asking.

” You can't really think Xue Mu can stop everything from leaking out, can you? ”

She shakes her head.

” I'm just thinking of the price you want me to pay. ”

Aersi's lips move but before he can get a word out, Liu Qinghuan jumps ahead.

” I will not be giving up my body! ”
” ……. ”

After being silent for a while, Aersi finally speaks.

” I am not interested in your body. ”
” You are not getting my heart either. ”
” ……….. ”
“《White Jade Orchid • Spring》”

She looks at him, her expression sympathetic.

” You're late then. That painting had been taken by Xue Mu. ”
” You will have a way. ”
” Where did I give you that misconception? ”

Aersi silently pulls out the short knife hanging by his waist.

” You're right, I will have a way. ”

He satisfactorily draws back his knife.

” Madam, who are you talking to? ”

Qing Zhi hears voices and worriedly knocks on the door. Looking at the person standing opposite of her, she walks towards the door.

” I am only reciting some poems. ”
” ……. ”

Lifting her head out to see the blurry moon that is covered by clouds, Qing Zhi nods.

” The moon is beautiful today, no wonder Madam is in the mood for poems. ”
” That's right, that's right. ”

Listening to Qing Zhi's footsteps heading away, Liu Qinghuan release a sigh of relief. Looking at Aersi who is still inside her room, she blinks.

” Tell me your plan quickly while I am still in the ‘poem' mood. ”
” On the 8th of next month, I will prepare to head back to Mongolia. I can find a way to let you smuggle into my team and once you reach Mongolia, even Xue Mu would find it hard to touch you. Of course, I can grantee your life there will on par as it is here. ”
” Sounds tempting. But why should I cooperate with you? ”

A swindler without a partner can still swindle. Even if she is by her own, she can still escape.

As if expecting her question, Aersi smiles as he throws her a bigger lure.

” You should know about the secret behind the paintings right? You are only looking for money, so when I get my hands on the treasure, I can split it with you. ”
” The treasure you speaks of seems to belong to China. ”
” Does a swindler still cares who the money belongs to? It is our money. ”

Our money.

Hm, not a bad description. Liu Qinghuan is indeed tempted. But first, she still have questions.

” I heard you need all 4 to figure out the location of the treasure. ”

The meaning behind it is that even if she gives him the painting, it's nothing more than a sc.r.a.pe of paper. She don't believe Aersi have the eyesight to admire art.

Aersi looks at her for a while, before sprouting out something that very much surprise Liu Qinghuan.

” I have the《Golden Chrysanthemum· Autumn》. ”

Liu Qinghuan's eyes gleam as she suspects.

” You're sure that's the real one? ”
” Absolutely. ”

Liu Qinghuan lowers her eyes, and when she lifts her head up again, all emotions is gone from her peepers.

” How do you prepare to smuggle me into your team? ”
” You'll have to think about it. ”
” ……. Didn't you say you have a plan? ”
” I did. My plan is to let you think of an idea and I'll co-coordinate. ”
” ………. Yea, your mandarin needs to get better. ”

But Aersi is obviously ignoring her suggestion. Since it's a deal, he have no reason to stay here. As fast as Liu Qinghuan saw him got in, he prepares to get out.

” Wait! ”
” Yes? ”
” I'm still a little worried. If the painting on your hand is a fake, wouldn't I lose big? ”

Aersi narrows his eyes as he stares at her.

” What do you want then? ”
” Bring the painting over for me to take a look, I can see the difference. ”

Aersi's gaze gets colder as his voice gets lower.

” You better not play any tricks. You should know, Xue Mu keeping you alive now doesn't mean he won't kill you. ”

She laughs.

” You should know, I can leave even without your help. ”

After a staring contest between the two of them for a while, Aersi back down.

” Okay. ”

So he will show her the painting. He doesn't believe that she can do anything under his eyes.

” 3 days later, same time. ”

With that, Aersi left the room, fast as lighting. Liu Qinghuan cannot help but applauds at his skills. At his level, she believes it would be on par with Xue Mu.

Closing the window, she lies down on her bed.

Aersi said that he is preparing to head home on the 8th of next month. She smirk. ‘Preparing' is such a good word that he used, and she wouldn't know if he would leave or not.

The 8th of next month, the last day of (chinese) valentine's day.

She flips over and close her eyes. Now, she must think of a way to sneak into Aersi's team.

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