The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 2

*Unedited

Young Miss is still alive!

Not only that but she even ran away from her wedding!

That swindler Du Juan is meant to take her place and marry into the Yong Ning Mansion in the first place!

The above three sentences circle her mind for a while before she grit her teeth and came out with a conclusion.

” They collude this together! ”

She should have thought of it! Why Young Miss would head to the forest in the first place. And just nice, Du Juan appeared in that very same forest. The most important thing is, why Young Miss would die all of a sudden!

That moment in time she was too shocked so not only has she not check her pulse, she had not even see if her Young Miss is breathing or not! As if hypnotized, she simply believe it when Du Juan said that her Young Miss is dead! No wonder Du Juan is Chang-An famous swindler!

Hong-er is so angry that she almost bit through her own lip. Come to think of it, it would be impossible to craft that exquisite human mask in that short period of time given so the two of them must had collude for some time now, only to wait for the wedding to put their plan in place!

Hong-er subconsciously wring her hands, pacing around that area. What should she do now? Expose Du Juan’s plan? But she can be considered an accomplice now and with Du Juan eloquence, there is a possibility that she would turn the tables on her. No, she can’t risk this.

How about pretending she doesn’t know anything and head to Yong Ning Mansion? But if this matter is expose one day, the result is still be death for her. Hong-er shakes her head. She can’t go to Yong Ning Mansion and she can’t go back to her own mansion…. The only way left is to run!

She doesn’t care anymore if the reason Young Miss left is because of Mister Tang or for what purpose Du Juan tries so hard to get into Yong Ning Mansion. It has all got nothing to do with her!

Hong-er bit on her already bleeding lip before she turn and run out of the forest.

As Liu Qinghuan sits in her marriage sedan on the way to Yong Ning Mansion, she glances at the end of the group.

Hong-er is not back yet.

The corners of her lips curl up as she alight the sedan, stepping on the felt mat as she enter through the big gates of the Yong Ning Mansion. Having Hong-er around is a liability. She is confident that she won’t mess up but she can’t be sure about Hong-er.

So she better run far far away, and don’t let anyone catches her.

After completing the wedding ceremony in the Yong Ning Mansion, Liu Qinghuan is finally escorted to her bridal chamber. Sitting on the new bed, she could at last take a breather, having finished all the procedures.

*Knock knock*

Someone knock on the window frame twice and Liu Qinghuan frown, looking over.

” Who is it? ”

The other side stay silent for a while before a lowered female voice would be heard.

” Are you ready? ”

Liu Qinghuan blink. Ready for what? The first night?

…..It sure is kind of the them, to take in consideration of the bride’s feelings before the consummation.

Du Juan thought back to to Xue Mu’s face before lowering her head bashfully.

” Actually… not yet… ”

Oh, how shy it is to answer this kind of question!

The person outside once again stay silent for a while before speaking up.

” I know you you can’t do it. It’s very busy in this mansion today so it would be easy to find a chance. You just wait for the show. ”

The more Liu Qinghuan listen on, she more she frown. From her habit of thinking the worst of people, she can read the whole lot of bad intention from this one conversation. When she is about to continue sounding out that person, she already left so she is left to stare at the candle, frowning as she think about the meaning behind the words.

*Knock, knock.*

Once again, two knocks, but from the door this time. Liu Qinghuan turns towards the door, just in time to see Xue Mu entering. He stood at the doorway, looking at Liu Qinghuan for a while before walking in.

All of a sudden Liu Qinghuan starts getting nervous. What should she do now? Should she remove her blouse first or her skirt first?

No no no no, no! They should exchange nuptial cups first!

Liu Qinghuan quickly calm herself down and look up at Xue Mu. That gentle smile is still hanging on his lips as he hold the two cups of wine in his hand, walking over to her. His shadow is pull long by the candlelight, bathing him in a warm glow. Liu Qinghuan is lost in a daze for a while before hearing him ask.

” Qing qing, can you exchange nuptial cups with me? ”

Liu Qinghuan frown secretly. From the way he called her, it looks like he knew her since young. Ah, this could be slightly troublesome.

” Qing qing? ”

Seeing that she is not responding, he call her out once again.

Liu Qinghuan lifts up her head, smiling as she takes a cup from his hand.

” Yes. ”

Xue Mu look at her, smiling as he lifts his hand up. Both of their arms inter-cross, bringing the cups in front of their lips. Liu Qinghuan lower her head, looking at the wine inside her cup when she suddenly starts recalling the strange things the mysterious person outside the window said.

” Don’t drink it! ”

She used her sleeve to knock over both of their cups, stunning Xue Mu as the cups fell onto the floor with a clank, the wine spilling all over.

Liu Qinghuan remembered she look at the calendar before heading out and on it is clearly stated : Today will be an auspicious day.

But reality proves that bad stuff keep happening and this situation right now can be considered the worst of the worst, right?

To think the wine is poisoned.

The supposingly sweet nuptial wine is actually hiding a deadly poison inside, and is currently sizzling on the ground right now.

Liu Qinghuan immediately glance at Xue Mu, who is looking at the sizzling wine, still having that smile on his face.

Liu Qinghuan narrowed her eyes a little. It looks like he is not actually smiling, it is simply a habit for him.

Her brain churn rapidly as she rush over to Xue Mu, crying quietly.

Xue Mu heard her soft crying and look up, frowning as he uses his fingers to wipe her tears away.

” Qing qing, why are you crying? ”

Liu Qinghuan sniffle as she look at him with teary eyes.

” Not to hide from you, Hong-er and me went to the little forest behind our mansion just before the wedding. And unexpectedly there, I met…. a swindler. ”

” A swindler? ”

Xue Mu lift up his brows, a doubtful expression appearing on his face.

” Yes. ”

Liu Qinghuan nod, before continuing.

” He said that he is a high monk, and that I would bring misfortune to my husband. If I am to insist on marrying you, I would definitely bring harm to you. ”

Xue Mu frown slightly, muttering

” But we matched our eight characters before our wedding. ”

Liu Qinghuan bit her lip, hiding her face as she speak.

” Yes, but I was scared silly by his words at that time, and believe him without a second thought. He gave me a small pill, saying that if I place it into the nuptial wine and let you drink it, it would undo the bad fate I am to bring. I am a fool, to do as he said. ”

Saying this, Liu Qinghuan starts crying again.

” But the more I think about it, the more I find it weird. That’s why I knock the cups away. Luckily I acted in time, otherwise it would be unthinkable. ”

Liu Qinghuan wipe her tears as she sneak a look at Xue Mu. Although that smile is still hanging on his face, she is unable to determine if he believed her words or not. She is annoyed. The poison apparently is placed by the person outside the window, but why would Liu Qinghuan wanted to harm Xue Mu? She heard nothing about this at all. It looks like the Third Miss of the Shi Lang Family is not as simple as she seems.

She can pretend not to know anything about the poison, throwing the blame into someone else but in that case, firstly, it would not explain why she knew that there would be poison inside the wine, and secondly, Xue Mu would definitely look into this matter. If he catches the person before she manages to break the ties between Liu Qinghuan and that person, she would be cornered.

Therefore, she rather be the scapegoat in this matter. She feels like she is the greatest warrior of the land right now.

The silence in the room is unbearable, and just when Liu Qinghuan is thinking of telling him that she is willing to die for this mistake, Xue Mu finally speak up.

” You are not to be blame for this matter. Plus the poison in the wine might not be the doing of that pill. ”

Liu Qinghuan blink.

” Why is that so? ”
” There is two previous a.s.sa.s.sination attempts against me so this time too, it might be them making use of the crowdedness today to sneak the poison in. ”

Liu Qinghuan feel stifled. If she knew that there is so many out there trying to kill him, she shouldn’t have admit that readily just now. But right now, since she is the newly wedded Madam Hou, she have to show some care.

” Do you know who is it? Why would they want to kill you? ”
” I have an idea in mind. As for the reason…. ”

He pause, before speaking up gravelly.

” Kill me, and break the Emperor’s left and right arm. ”

Liu Qinghuan immediately got it. So he is implicated by the Emperor. Looks like being the loyal servant is not easy.

” But to think this time they would get you involved… ”

Xue Mu voice is grave. He pause for a while before changing the subject.

” I would get somebody to clean this place up. Do not tell anyone about the pill. ”

Liu Qinghuan nod. She wouldn’t tell even without him warning her.

Xue Mu look at her for a while again, before leaving the room. When he reach the door, he turn back suddenly, asking.

” Qing Qing, where is your personal maid? ”

Liu Qinghuan slowly look up.

” It looks like she forgotten something so she went back to get it but she haven’t been back since then. Would something have happen to her? ”

Xue Mu think about it before answering.

” I will get someone to check it out tomorrow. ”
” Thank you. ”

Xue Mu nod and left the room. Liu Qinghuan sit back down on the bed, letting out a deep breath.

Not long after, knocks are heard before two cute little maids walk in.

” Greetings to Madam, Ci Tao and Qing Zhi is under Sir orders to serve Madam. ”

Liu Qinghuan look at the two kneeling.

” You may stand. ”

As they stand up, Liu Qinghuan point at each of them, asking.

” You are Ci Tao, while you, Qing Zhi? ”
” Yes Madam. ”

They answered together. Liu Qinghuan said nothing more and Ci Tao automatically start sweeping the floor while Qing Zhi walk over to her side and start removing all the gold and jade hairpins from her head. After changing her clothes, Liu Qinghuan turn and ask Qing Zhi, who is by her side.

” Where is Sir? ”

Qing Zhi look embarra.s.sed as she look down and said in a small voice.

” Sir wants me to tell Madam that he would be sleeping in the Lotus Chamber tonight. ”
” Okay. ”

Liu Qinghuan response, lying down on the bed. This is their first night and there is already poison inside the nuptial wine. Xue Mu will most likely stay in the Lotus Chamber for some time.