The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Euphoric music start up in the hall as all the dancers twist their bodies according to the rhythm . Their sleeves swish, their skirt flying up and around, a raised hand, a kick, a twirl, every movement is flirtatious .

But the two men sitting in the hall, one is only concern with drinking, another looks like he is staring at them but is obviously daydreaming .

The dancers all feel stifled .

Thus, those snake-like (slender and supple) waist begin twisting even more vigorously and if they can twist themselves into a knot, they would do it . But still, the two men in the hall, one is still drinking, the other is still daydreaming .

They feel like quitting .

Usually in the West Market, with just a simple twirl or two, cheers and bravos would sound right up so why are they wasting their time and effort here?!

Just as the dancers are all quietly raging inside and men’s heart are elsewhere, two black-cloth men dash in all of a sudden!

Xue Mu is just daydreaming when he see two black-clothed men dashing towards him as if he had done some unforgivable wrong to them . His brows move slightly, thinking about why the a.s.sa.s.sination have been getting cruder and cruder each time . The first two times they still knew to pick the night, but now, in broad daylight, dressing in black only makes one stands the more out, doesn’t it?

Although millions of thoughts are going through his mind, it is simply a second in real time . And even before the two men manage to make their way towards him, General Bravo have already smash the wine jar in his hands .

A loud crash resound through the hall and, not to mention the dancers, even the two a.s.sa.s.sins freeze in their footsteps for a moment .

” Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Bro is just itching for a fight and now the Marquise send me two! You will forever be the best bud of mine! ”

Li Mo loud booming voice burst through everyone’s ears before he flies towards the two a.s.sa.s.sins . Seeing him heading towards them like a hungry predator, the two a.s.sa.s.sins could only first focus on him . Seeing the three tangle together, Xue Mu feels that having someone to help Li Mo smooths his irritation is not a bad thing at all .

At least he don’t have to bother with him for a while .

But as the three are fighting, three more men swish in with similar clothing as the previous two . Xue Mu slightly narrows his eyes as Nuo Yan behind him dashes out silently to block the three . Even Nian Tang comes out from behind the folding screen and stand guardedly in front of Xue Mu .

The dance floor a while ago have magnificently change into a battlefield and the dancers have already lost their bearings, turning pale from fear and screaming loudly . Only General Bravo continue to contribute to the noise by yelling to Nuo Yan to spare him another one .

The five men have good skills but Li Mo and Nuo Yan have even better ones, especially Li Mo, being the General that can kill a thousand on the battlefield . Soon, the five begin showing signs of defeat .

But the timid dances are still persistently moving over to Xue Mu’s side . This Marquise is the acknowledged G.o.d of Battle so his side must be the safest place on earth!

Looking at the scene in front of him, Xue Mu turns to Nian Tang all of a sudden .

” Head to the inner courts to take a look . ”

A trace of anxiety color his voice as Nian Tang bit her lips and obey orders as she leaves the main hall .

Who would know that once she step out of the main hall, she sees Liu Qinghuan hurrying towards her . Stopping her, Nian Tian says to her sternly .

” The Marquise is under a.s.sa.s.sination so you should go back to your room . ”

Liu Qinghuan’s face darkens as she pushes Nian Tang away and continue walking into the main hall .

” You should go protect Mother, I have something to talk to with the Marquise . ”

Liu Qinghuan says strongly, without giving Nian Tang a chance to retort . Glancing at the leaving Liu Qinghuan, Nian Tang frowns as she hurries over to Madam Ning’s place .

Stepping into the main hall, Liu Qinghuan sees Xue Mu standing by himself in front of the folding screen, a bunch of dancers by his side . Her perfect shaped brows scrunch together as she immediately spot the ‘dancer’ that had spoke to her through the window .

She looks as pale and frighten as the other dancers, but the weak silver gleam from her right hand haven’t escape her notice .

” Be careful! ”

At the same moment the two words come out of her mouth, the three needles in the ‘dancer’ hand flies straight towards Xue Mu!

In fact, Xue Mu have already notice the killing presence earlier on . Being on the battlefield have make him sensitive to danger so how can he miss such a strong killing presence that close to him? If Liu Qinghuan thought about it more, she would come to know but at this moment, the only thought on her mind is for her to push Xue Mu away .

Also at this moment, a sudden sharp pain from her left shoulder flushes her face white immediately .

She did acupuncture before and it didn’t hurt this much… .

Before Liu Qinghuan’s consciousness fades away, she thought that she heard Xue Mu yelling her name .

Qing Qing!

The yell is even louder than that of General Bravo . Liu Qinghuan slightly lifts her eyelids, and the sight of Xue Mu’s pair black shiny eyes fill with anxiety enters . He looks anxious, yet his eyes hold a fiery killing rage as well .

Ha . . He must be as scary on the battlefield .

But before she can delve deeper, she falls into darkness .

The moment Liu Qinghuan faints in his arms, Xue Mu feels like his heart stop . His eyes turns red, as if dripping blood . His arms hugging Liu Qinghuan tightens as he shouts across the hall .

” Nuo Yan, not one must live! ”

An hour later, in Tang Zhibo’s mansion .

Looking at the person hurrying over, Tang Zhibo finally stop his pacing as he looks up .

” Is it done? ”

His subordinate shakes his head .

Tang Zhibo’s face darken as frustration rises up in his heart again . He knows that a.s.sa.s.sinating Xue Mu won’t be an easy task, which is why he arrange Liu Qinghuan as his p.a.w.n but who knows……

He sigh .

” What about Jing Mei? ”

The face of his subordinate pales and his voice sounds ragged .

” She is hack into 2 halves by Xue Mu . ”

He pauses .

” Really in 2 halves . ”

The hall lapses into an uncomfortable silence for a while and even Tang Zhibo’s expression grows uglier . He have never been onto the battlefield so he is not clear about what goes on in there but in normal cases, would anyone kill that brutally?

He pursed his lips .

” Something happened? ”
” She . . she hurt Xue Mu’s wife . ”

The gleam in Tang Zhibo’s eyes changes .

” Liu Qinghuan? How is she now? ”
” I don’t know, but Jing Mei’s poison is not that easy to counter so I guess her situation is not that good . ”

Liu Qinghuan situation right now is truly not looking good . She currently is in a high fever after being poisoned . Li Yuanbai, who is force to come by the sword currently holding next to his neck, is currently sobbing .

” Marquise, you have to believe me! Although I have an antidote for this poison, a few herbs needed for the antidote is most likely only in the palace . ”

” Marquise, you have to believe me! Although I have an antidote for this poison, a few herbs needed for the antidote is most likely only in the palace . ”

Xue Mu look at him silently, his face dark .

Li Yuanbai burst in even louder sobs by his soundless pressure .

” Marquise, just by your friendship with the Emperor, I am sure if you ask, you can definitely get it! Rather than threatening me right now, I would rather you send someone over to the palace instead! ”

The Marquise is really scary, he really want to go back to his little drugstore at the east side .

Xue Mu sigh, and calls forward Nuo Yan . Just when he is about to let Nuo Yan enter the palace, Nian Tang, along with a middle-age man, enter the room .

” Marquise, the Emperor knows about Madam’s injuries and have specially send the royal physician to treat her . ”

Hearing the two words ‘Royal Physician’ cause Li Yuanbai’s eyes to sparkle as he sneak a look at the newly arrived man . Seeing that he is only an ordinary middle-aged man, Li Yuanbai take back his glaze disappointingly .

Looks like the Royal Physician is no big deal either . Hmpt .

Although the Emperor send one of the only two royal physician over, Xue Mu does not express much flattery but instead hurried the man inside . Li Yuanbai blinks, and hurriedly follows inside .

After taking Liu Qinghuan’s pulse, the royal physician says almost the same thing as Li Yuanbai . The only difference is that he had brought along all the herbs needed for the antidote .

After writing down the method to create the antidote and informing a few points they must take note of, he left without even lingering around . Li Yuanbai look at his leaving back enviously before laughing dryly .

” Erm . . So, Marquise, I shall take my leave as well . ”
” Not for you . You are staying here until Qing Qing wakes up . ”

Li YuanBai ” …… . ”

Looking at Xue Mu dark face, Li Yuanbai say softly .

” But you let him leave… ”

Xue Mu turn and stare at him .

Li YuanBai ” …… . ”

He heard that the Marquise hack someone in half like he did to firewood, ha ha ha .

Li Yuanbai sorrowfully stay behind as he thought about all his lovely plants growing in his greenhouse . He wonders if there is no one to water them, will they dry up?

He softly yawn and glance at Xue Mu who is sitting by the bedside .

He softly yawn and glance at Xue Mu who is sitting by the bedside .

” Marquise, the poison inside is currently suppressed thanks to the antidote . Even her fever went down by quite a bit . So why not take a rest? ”

He is really sleepy .

Ignoring him, Xue Mu take Liu Qinghuan’s temperature once again . When her forehead doesn’t read as hot as before, his heart finally relaxes a bit .

Soaking the soft napkin into the water, Xue Mu wrings it dry and place it back on Liu Qinghuan’s forehead .

Li Yuanbai yawns again . The Marquise previously says that he is afraid that something will happen in the night but can it be that he really plans on staying awake through the night?

Even dragging him along on it .

The worry he have now is if the patient finally recover, he as the doctor will go down instead .

Knock knock .

Two loud knocks on the door sounds out as Xue Mu frowns at the interruption . Ci Tao who is also staying in the room, is about to chase the visiting person away, only to hear Qing Zhi, who is standing outside, speaks out .

” Sir, Yong Fu Princess has arrived and is asking to visit Madam . ”

Xue Mu frowns as he thought about it .

” Allowed . ”

The door gently opens as Qing Zhi stands to a side and invites the princess in .

Just by seeing Yong Fu Princess cause half of Li Yuanbai’s sleepiness to disappear . Oooooooh, this is a princess! Something that one cannot easily see on the streets! Marquise sure have enough face!

Yong Fu late night visit is, of course, not to visit Liu Qinghuan . She is only worried about Xue Mu .

The a.s.sa.s.sination made a huge racket and it’s news have already travel all throughout out Chang-An City . After considering for a long while, she finally cannot stand it and visited .

Although it is already made clear that the one poisoned is Liu Qinghuan and not Xue Mu, seeing how he is taking care of Liu Qinghuan still makes her uncomfortable . Walking over to the bedside, she ask .

” How is she? ”
” She should awake by tomorrow morning . ”

Even when answering, Xue Mu never once look at Yong Fu, staring only at the person lying on the bed . Yong Fu feels stifled and her mouth open faster than she can think .

” Xue Mu, what exactly is so good about her that makes you treat her like this? That year when you are so ill that your life is in danger, did she ever once come and visit you?! ”

Euphoric music start up in the hall as all the dancers twist their bodies according to the rhythm . Their sleeves swish, their skirt flying up and around, a raised hand, a kick, a twirl, every movement is flirtatious . But the two men sitting in the hall, one is only concern with drinking, another looks like he is staring at them but is obviously daydreaming . The dancers all feel stifled . Thus, those snake like slender and supple waist begin twisting even more vigorously and if they can twist themselves into a knot, they would do it . But still, the two men in the hall, one is still drinking, the other is still daydreaming . They feel like quitting . Usually in the West Market, with just a simple twirl or two, cheers and bravos would sound right up so why are they wasting their time and effort here Just as the dancers are all quietly raging inside and men s heart are elsewhere, two black cloth men dash in all of a sudden Xue Mu is just daydreaming when he see two black clothed men dashing towards him as if he had done some unforgivable wrong to them . His brows move slightly, thinking about why the a.s.sa.s.sination have been getting cruder and cruder each time . The first two times they still knew to pick the night, but now, in broad daylight, dressing in black only makes one stands the more out, doesn t it Although millions of thoughts are going through his mind, it is simply a second in real time . And even before the two men manage to make their way towards him, General Bravo have already smash the wine jar in his hands . A loud crash resound through the hall and, not to mention the dancers, even the two a.s.sa.s.sins freeze in their footsteps for a moment . Ha ha ha ha ha ha Bro is just itching for a fight and now the Marquise send me two You will forever be the best bud of mine Li Mo loud booming voice burst through everyone s ears before he flies towards the two a.s.sa.s.sins . Seeing him heading towards them like a hungry predator, the two a.s.sa.s.sins could only first focus on him . Seeing the three tangle together, Xue Mu feels that having someone to help Li Mo smooths his irritation is not a bad thing at all . At least he don t have to bother with him for a while . But as the three are fighting, three more men swish in with similar clothing as the previous two . Xue Mu slightly narrows his eyes as Nuo Yan behind him dashes out silently to block the three . Even Nian Tang comes out from behind the folding screen and stand guardedly in front of Xue Mu . The dance floor a while ago have magnificently change into a battlefield and the dancers have already lost their bearings, turning pale from fear and screaming loudly . Only General Bravo continue to contribute to the noise by yelling to Nuo Yan to spare him another one . The five men have good skills but Li Mo and Nuo Yan have even better ones, especially Li Mo, being the General that can kill a thousand on the battlefield . Soon, the five begin showing signs of defeat . But the timid dances are still persistently moving over to Xue Mu s side . This Marquise is the acknowledged G.o.d of Battle so his side must be the safest place on earth Looking at the scene in front of him, Xue Mu turns to Nian Tang all of a sudden . Head to the inner courts to take a look . A trace of anxiety color his voice as Nian Tang bit her lips and obey orders as she leaves the main hall . Who would know that once she step out of the main hall, she sees Liu Qinghuan hurrying towards her . Stopping her, Nian Tian says to her sternly . The Marquise is under a.s.sa.s.sination so you should go back to your room . Liu Qinghuan s face darkens as she pushes Nian Tang away and continue walking into the main hall . You should go protect Mother, I have something to talk to with the Marquise . Liu Qinghuan says strongly, without giving Nian Tang a chance to retort . Glancing at the leaving Liu Qinghuan, Nian Tang frowns as she hurries over to Madam Ning s place . Stepping into the main hall, Liu Qinghuan sees Xue Mu standing by himself in front of the folding screen, a bunch of dancers by his side . Her perfect shaped brows scrunch together as she immediately spot the dancer that had spoke to her through the window . She looks as pale and frighten as the other dancers, but the weak silver gleam from her right hand haven t escape her notice . Be careful At the same moment the two words come out of her mouth, the three needles in the dancer hand flies straight towards Xue Mu In fact, Xue Mu have already notice the killing presence earlier on . Being on the battlefield have make him sensitive to danger so how can he miss such a strong killing presence that close to him If Liu Qinghuan thought about it more, she would come to know but at this moment, the only thought on her mind is for her to push Xue Mu away . Also at this moment, a sudden sharp pain from her left shoulder flushes her face white immediately . She did acupuncture before and it didn t hurt this much . Before Liu Qinghuan s consciousness fades away, she thought that she heard Xue Mu yelling her name . Qing Qing The yell is even louder than that of General Bravo . Liu Qinghuan slightly lifts her eyelids, and the sight of Xue Mu s pair black shiny eyes fill with anxiety enters . He looks anxious, yet his eyes hold a fiery killing rage as well . Ha . . He must be as scary on the battlefield . But before she can delve deeper, she falls into darkness . The moment Liu Qinghuan faints in his arms, Xue Mu feels like his heart stop . His eyes turns red, as if dripping blood . His arms hugging Liu Qinghuan tightens as he shouts across the hall . Nuo Yan, not one must live An hour later, in Tang Zhibo s mansion . Looking at the person hurrying over, Tang Zhibo finally stop his pacing as he looks up . Is it done His subordinate shakes his head . Tang Zhibo s face darken as frustration rises up in his heart again . He knows that a.s.sa.s.sinating Xue Mu won t be an easy task, which is why he arrange Liu Qinghuan as his p.a.w.n but who knows He sigh . What about Jing Mei The face of his subordinate pales and his voice sounds ragged . She is hack into 2 halves by Xue Mu . He pauses . Really in 2 halves . The hall lapses into an uncomfortable silence for a while and even Tang Zhibo s expression grows uglier . He have never been onto the battlefield so he is not clear about what goes on in there but in normal cases, would anyone kill that brutally He pursed his lips . Something happened She . . she hurt Xue Mu s wife . The gleam in Tang Zhibo s eyes changes . Liu Qinghuan How is she now I don t know, but Jing Mei s poison is not that easy to counter so I guess her situation is not that good . Liu Qinghuan situation right now is truly not looking good . She currently is in a high fever after being poisoned . Li Yuanbai, who is force to come by the sword currently holding next to his neck, is currently sobbing . Marquise, you have to believe me Although I have an antidote for this poison, a few herbs needed for the antidote is most likely only in the palace . Xue Mu look at him silently, his face dark . Li Yuanbai burst in even louder sobs by his soundless pressure . Marquise, just by your friendship with the Emperor, I am sure if you ask, you can definitely get it Rather than threatening me right now, I would rather you send someone over to the palace instead The Marquise is really scary, he really want to go back to his little drugstore at the east side . Xue Mu sigh, and calls forward Nuo Yan . Just when he is about to let Nuo Yan enter the palace, Nian Tang, along with a middle age man, enter the room . Marquise, the Emperor knows about Madam s injuries and have specially send the royal physician to treat her . Hearing the two words Royal Physician cause Li Yuanbai s eyes to sparkle as he sneak a look at the newly arrived man . Seeing that he is only an ordinary middle aged man, Li Yuanbai take back his glaze disappointingly . Looks like the Royal Physician is no big deal either . Hmpt . Although the Emperor send one of the only two royal physician over, Xue Mu does not express much flattery but instead hurried the man inside . Li Yuanbai blinks, and hurriedly follows inside . After taking Liu Qinghuan s pulse, the royal physician says almost the same thing as Li Yuanbai . The only difference is that he had brought along all the herbs needed for the antidote . After writing down the method to create the antidote and informing a few points they must take note of, he left without even lingering around . Li Yuanbai look at his leaving back enviously before laughing dryly . Erm . . So, Marquise, I shall take my leave as well . Not for you . You are staying here until Qing Qing wakes up . Li YuanBai . Looking at Xue Mu dark face, Li Yuanbai say softly . But you let him leave Xue Mu turn and stare at him . Li YuanBai . He heard that the Marquise hack someone in half like he did to firewood, ha ha ha . Li Yuanbai sorrowfully stay behind as he thought about all his lovely plants growing in his greenhouse . He wonders if there is no one to water them, will they dry up He softly yawn and glance at Xue Mu who is sitting by the bedside . Marquise, the poison inside is currently suppressed thanks to the antidote . Even her fever went down by quite a bit . So why not take a rest He is really sleepy . Ignoring him, Xue Mu take Liu Qinghuan s temperature once again . When her forehead doesn t read as hot as before, his heart finally relaxes a bit . Soaking the soft napkin into the water, Xue Mu wrings it dry and place it back on Liu Qinghuan s forehead . Li Yuanbai yawns again . The Marquise previously says that he is afraid that something will happen in the night but can it be that he really plans on staying awake through the night Even dragging him along on it . The worry he have now is if the patient finally recover, he as the doctor will go down instead . Knock knock . Two loud knocks on the door sounds out as Xue Mu frowns at the interruption . Ci Tao who is also staying in the room, is about to chase the visiting person away, only to hear Qing Zhi, who is standing outside, speaks out . Sir, Yong Fu Princess has arrived and is asking to visit Madam . Xue Mu frowns as he thought about it . Allowed . The door gently opens as Qing Zhi stands to a side and invites the princess in . Just by seeing Yong Fu Princess cause half of Li Yuanbai s sleepiness to disappear . Oooooooh, this is a princess Something that one cannot easily see on the streets Marquise sure have enough face Yong Fu late night visit is, of course, not to visit Liu Qinghuan . She is only worried about Xue Mu . The a.s.sa.s.sination made a huge racket and it s news have already travel all throughout out Chang An City . After considering for a long while, she finally cannot stand it and visited . Although it is already made clear that the one poisoned is Liu Qinghuan and not Xue Mu, seeing how he is taking care of Liu Qinghuan still makes her uncomfortable . Walking over to the bedside, she ask . How is she She should awake by tomorrow morning . Even when answering, Xue Mu never once look at Yong Fu, staring only at the person lying on the bed . Yong Fu feels stifled and her mouth open faster than she can think . Xue Mu, what exactly is so good about her that makes you treat her like this That year when you are so ill that your life is in danger, did she ever once come and visit you