The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 3

*Unedited

At the fifth watch before dawn, the entire Chang-An city wakes up slowly by the sound of the gong.

Liu Qinghuan sits up from her bed and subconsciously touches her face.

Feeling movements through the veiled bed, Ci Tao and Qing Zhi went forward to help her up, helping her wash up as well as dressing her up. Liu Qinghuan take a look at the time of the day after she finished her breakfast. It is about time to give greetings to Old Madam Xue.

Speaking of Xue Mu’s mother, Madam Ning, Liu Qinghuan has heard many rumors. It was said that in her youth, she was famous within Chang-An for her intelligence. Not only was she gorgeous, she too, possess great calligraphy skills and all those who admired her in that days could be said to be no less than her son, Xue Mu. Too bad this beauty had no eye for those flirty suave scholars but instead favored towards generals who galloped throughout the battlefield. It was rumored, yes rumored, that in a beautiful bright afternoon, she fell in love with the young general galloping past her.

His name is Xue Cheng.

The love story regarding the beauty and general had many versions within the town, but all of them had the same ending. On a bight and cheery day, the 16 year old beauty finally married into the Xue Family.

At that time, the Tanganis were invading and were already at the borders of the country. Thus, the newly wedded Ning and Xue Cheng were forced to separated from each other. And throughout the years, Xue Cheng were always at the battlefield, and the time they spend together separate were more than they were together. And finally, on the last day of Tian Zhen 29 years, General Xue Cheng finally defeated the Tanganis, but had unfortunately lost his life in the battle as well. At that time, Xue Mu was but a few years old. Madam Ning was unable to handle the shock and has been ill ever since.

Liu Qinghuan can’t help but sigh at the story. Her eyes focus on the courtyard in front of her.

A faint herbal smell penetrate the entire room as Liu Qinghuan walk towards Madam Ning, kneeling down in front of her as she does a little bow.

” Mother, I have came to give my greetings. ”

Liu Qinghuan, with her natural cute face, has on a fiery red pomegranate dress today. Coupled with the beautiful golden hairpin in her hair, she look out of this world. Looking at the graceful and gorgeous lady in front of her, Madam Ning is overcome with emotions. She remember back to what her son said when he was six.

” Mother, I like that little dumpling. ”

The Xue Family and the Liu Family has always been close so both Xu Mu and Liu Qinghuan know each other since young. When the two families saw them getting along really well with each other, they arranged betrothal for the both of them. Afterwards, as Liu Qinghuan got on with Duke Yong adopted son, Tang Zhibo, she begin to grow apart from Xue Mu. Even Madam Ning hardly catches a sight of her. She once thought that this marriage would fall apart but contrary to expectations, the two of them had gotten married as planned.

Her Son, Xue Mu, has finally marry the ‘little dumpling’ that is always on his heart.

When the maid standing beside her prompt her softly, Madam Ning then realize that Liu Qinghuan has been kneeling all this time.

Madam Ning hurriedly ordered someone to help Liu Qinghuan up and let her sit by her side. After sitting down, Liu Qinghuan smiles at her mother-in-law, before asking gently.

” How is Mother feeling today? ”

Madam Ning’s heart soften at Liu Qinghuan’s smile. This child has always been beautiful and even more so when she smiles. No wonder Xue Mu can never forget her.

” I am really happy you and Mu-er got married and so I am feeling really good these few days. ”

Just then, Madam Ning thought of how Xue Mu spend his night at the Lotus Chamber and her feelings dim.

She wanted to ask why, on their first night did they not consummate but instead slept in different rooms but everything she is about bring it up, she swallowed it back in when she saw Liu Qinghuan’s smile. Helpless, she could only bring it up in a roundabout way.

” Qinghuan, Mu-er is in the army often so he is good in leading the troops. But when it comes to understanding women, he can’t even measure up to his young cousins. Please don’t hold it against him. ”
” I won’t, Mother. ”

Liu Qinghuan answer gently, her smile never changing. Madam Ning gulp, feeling no way to continue on this topic.

After chatting for a bit, Madam Ning let Liu Qinghuan go. Liu Qinghuan said her goodbyes, her heart finally relaxing. At least she manage to fool this old lady.

After lunch, Qing Zhi speaks up.

” Madam, Sir has came back and is now at the Lotus Pavilion drinking tea. ”
” Tea? ”

Liu Qinghuan said, surprised. Qing Zhi nod.

” Every time Sir feel troubled or if there are matters to discuss, he would be at the Lotus Pavilion brewing and drinking tea. ”

Liu Qinghuan thinks about it for a bit before asking again.

” Is there any other habits that he has? ”

Qing Zhi thinks about it for a while.

” Sir had quite the wine tolerance. Everyone in the army said that Sir can drink a thousand cups and still be sober. ”

Ci Tao jumps into the conversation.

” Those in Chang-An tries to b.u.t.ter up to him by giving him wine nonstop. Hmpt. how can those wine be measured up to those the Emperor gave? ”

Liu Qinghuan blink.

” The both of you used to serve him? ”

Ci Tao and Qing Zhi jump at the question and hurriedly kneel in front of her.

” Madam! We did but we were only only normal maids! ”

Liu Qinghuan laughs.

” What else can it be? ”

Ci Tao ” ……. ”
Qing Zhi ” ……. ”

They have a feeling they are being played with.

Liu Qinghuan let the both of them up, before asking again.

” Apart from wine? ”

Qing Tao ” Sir also likes horses. Madam must have also heard of Sir’s 2 favorite horses, Definite and Brilliant. They had followed Sir into many battles and helped out quite a lot. Another thing is that Sir often accompany the Emperor hunting so he has a hunting lynx and leopard. Oh yes. Sir recently hunted a young leopard cub just short of a month old and is currently raising it. It is really cute. ”

Liu Qinghuan is very satisfied with Qing Zhi’s keeping-silent-when-needed-yet-outspoken kind of att.i.tude. After taking in all the information given, she then stands up.

” Let us head to the Lotus Pavilion to have a look. ”

Inside the mansion’s garden, there lies a lake. It’s name is Lotus Lake. You could go boating there in the spring or enjoy flower viewing in the summer. Being april, none of the lotus has bloom but the various colorful buds provides another kind of beauty. In the pavilion situated in the middle of the lake, a few shadows could be seen. Liu Qinghuan walk across the floating bridge to get to the pavilion.

In the middle is a sitting Xue Mu, while two guys and a lady stands by each side. The lad on the left have a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, and is dressed up like a Mongolian. The lad next to him is dressed in Hanfu, long black boots and carry a sword on his waist. On the right is a cute little lady, looking to be around seventeen / eighteen years of age. She have a pair of almond eyes on a round-shaped face, and is currently staring at her.

Liu Qinghuan’s eyes brush through the three of them quickly as she walk straight to Xue Mu. Xue Mu had just scattered the tea powder into the hot water when he stop, seeing Liu Qinghuan approaching.

Liu Qinghuan is just about to greet him when the mongolian-like lad came forward with a face full of happy surprise.

” This is the marquise’s wife? How… Wu la la! ”

Liu Qinghuan stop for bit, before looking puzzled.

” Wu la la? ”

The mongolian lad nod excitedly, his eyes sparkling.

” That’s how we call we called the most beautiful girls, Wu la la! ”

Liu Qinghuan blink, before she ask curiously.

” Then what do you the most handsome guy? ”
” By their name. ”
” ….. ”

Maybe she should have ask the girls instead.

” Peng peng. ”

Xue Mu warn, suppressing his anger. The mongolian lad jerk a little, before retreating back to his position. Liu Qinghuan look at him amusingly.

” You are called Peng peng? ”
” Yes! ”

The young lad replied proudly.

” It’s a chinese name I gave myself, isn’t it majestic? ”
” Compared to your image, it certainly is. ”

Having Madam Hou’s compliment makes Peng peng very proud.

Xue Mu let Liu Qinghuan sit on his opposite and pa.s.s a cup of tea that he had just prepared.

” Would you like to give it a try? ”
” Thank you, Marquise. ”

Liu Qinghuan lifts up the cup, give it a few blows, before sipping it.

” How is it? ”

She place the cup down, smiling.

” Qinghuan knows not much about tea, but Marquise’s tea is delicious. ”

The lady by the side gives a snort and Liu Qinghuan look at her, gently smiling.

” You don’t agree? ”
” I think you are just boot-licking! ”

Liu Qinghuan’s smile deepens.

” Boot-licking? So you mean that the tea Marquise made is not good? ”

Lady ” ….. ”

She opens her mouth, as if trying to say something, but Xue Mu send her a look and she bit her lip, staying silent. Xue Mu look away from her and back at Liu Qinghuan, smiling.

” Even if it’s just boot-licking, I like it. ”

Liu Qinghuan lowers her head bashfully and the corners of Xue Mu’s lips curls up. He then proceeds to introduce the three standing beside him.

” These three are my subordinates, you know Peng peng, this is Nuo Yan, and Nian Tang. ”

Going with the flow, Liu Qinghuan took another few looks at them, before asking.

” Am I bothering your work? ”

Xue Mu hold up his cup and shakes his head.

” There’s no bother. ”

She look at him drinking, before taking a look at the surroundings.

” But usually these things are done in the study room, the more private it is, the better. Doing things the way like you are rare. ”
” This is an empty s.p.a.ce and the surroundings can be seen clearly. Anyone approaching would be noticed immediately. ”

Liu Qinghuan think about it for a bit.

” What if they are hiding in the water? ”

Xue Mu laughs.

” Then he needs to be very good in water. ”

Liu Qinghuan shuts her mouth. With Xue Mu martial arts, he most definitely is able to notice it. By then, no matter how good in water you are, he would make you into a floating corpse.

” Oh yes, is your personal maid back yet? ”
” Not yet. ”

Xue Mu stay silent for a while before speaking up.

” I send someone to check it out but no one suspicious was caught yesterday. ”

Phew. I got so used to the short and cute chapters of Will that these long chapters are a workout!