The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 4

*Unedited

Looks like Hong-er managed to escape.

Liu Qinghuan frown, worry visible as she look towards Xue Mu.

” Would she have met bandits on her way here? ”

After giving it some thought, Xue Mu answered.

” It is possible. I’ll send someone to check it out. ”

Liu Qinghuan nod. Looking at the steaming cups of tea on the table, Peng Peng smiles happily as he counted.

” 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Marquise sure is kind and attentive, just nice there are 5 of us present. ”

Liu Qinghuan raises her head to give him a look, before picking up another cup and take a sip.

Peng Peng ” ……. ”

” Ya le. ” He mutters in Mongolian, and nudge Nuo Yan standing next to him.

” Wu la la just drank your cup of tea. ”

Liu Qinghuan raise her brow, seeing him in a new light.

Nuo Yan stay silent, simply answering him with a cold look. Liu Qinghuan glances at Nuo Yan before standing up.

” Qinghuan won’t be bothering your work any longer. ”

Xue Mu nod and Liu Qinghuan, with both Ci Tao and Qing Zhi, left the pavilion. Just as she is about to step out of the garden, Nian Tang catches up from behind. Looking at the bright fiery figure in front of her, she shouts.

” LIU QINGHUAN! ”

Liu Qinghuan’s movement pauses as she turn and look at Nian Tang behind her. Although the three of them, as Xue Mu’s subordinates, are not require to be as polite as servants are, the hostility Nian Tang is showing is way too obvious, isn’t it?

Seeing that Liu Qinghuan is staying silent, Nian Tang frown as she rushes up.

” Why did you marry the Marquise now when you used to be so cold and unfeeling towards him then? ”

Liu Qinghuan sigh lightly in her heart. She really doesn’t like the word ‘then’. Why play a guessing game with her when they can just tell her the exact time and day?

Seeing Liu Qinghuan not replying, Ning Tang’s expression grows even fiercer.

” I don’t care what motives you have for marrying into the Yong Ning Mansion, but if you even harm a single hair on the Marquise’s head, I will never let you go! ”

Liu Qinghuan gives her a gentle smile.

” The Marquise is my husband, why would I harm him? ”
” You would ask yourself that question! ”

As if thinking of something, the expression Ning Tang is showing to Liu Qinghuan bears disgust.

” You are the only one who knows the best about the relationship you have with Tang Zibo! ”

Sorry, she really don’t. Liu Qinghuan still wanted more clues from Ning Tang but she, as if not willing to even look at her any longer, turn and runs back to the pavilion.

Liu Qinghuan walk back to her room, where she spend the time thinking about ‘Tang Zibo’ these three words.

Tang Zibo can be considers a famous enough person in Chang-An, seeing that she heard some rumors about him before. It is said that he used to be an orphan, and is adopted by Duke Yong, who saw some talent in him. But when Emperor Yan took the throne, he conferred the new t.i.tle of Duke Ningnan to Duke Yong and gave an emperor decree, sending them to Ningnan.

The entire family of Duke Ningnan moved obediently to Ningnan, yet only Tang Zibo is left behind in Chang-An city. Liu Qinghuan thought that this man have a clear mind, and know that with his adopted Father being send to Ningnan, he would not have much of a future even if he work as an officer. Thus he embark on another path, and became one of Chang-An’s richest merchant.

Although merchants are look down upon, but at least that guy is rich.

Liu Qinghuan stroke her chin, sighing. She wish to be look down upon like him too.

Ci Tao and Qing Zhi look at each other, not understanding what their madam is worrying about. Unable to solve madam’s problem, they too, start feeling really bad about it.

Liu Qinghuan change another position as she continue thinking about Tang Zibo. Duke Ningnan helped him before, so he shouldn’t desert his adopted father just like that. Which means he have another motive for staying behind in Chang-An city. The way the Emperor banished his uncle to Ningnan means that he is wary against him so Tang Zibo might be a chess piece the Duke planted in Chang-An city.

Liu Qinghuan’s eyebrows perk up. Xue Mu once said that he was a.s.sa.s.sinated twice before and Ning Tang came over to ask about the relationship she have with Tang Zibo….. Would it be that those a.s.sa.s.sins are send by Tang Zibo? Wai a minute, that mysterious person outside the window on her wedding night, is it possible that she is a spy planted by Tang Zibo in the Yong Ning Mansion?

The matter is unveiling itself but she still doesn’t have any clue of what relationship she have with Tang Zibo.

Please don’t let it be the one that she have in mind.

Listening to Liu Qinghuan sigh again, Qing Zhi feel that now is the time for her to shine as a servant.

” Madam, since it is still early out, why don’t we take a look at the leopard cub Sir had captured? ”

Ci Tao encourage further.

” Yes Madam, the leopard is really pretty. Even Sir have a lot of love of it, needing to play with him everyday. ”
” Is that so? ”

Liu Qinghuan’s curiosity is pipe up. She have never seen a leopard cub before.

” Alright, where is he? ”

There are two leopards being bred in the mansion. One of it is a tribute from a certain western country and even came along with a lynx. Xue Mu had named it Lighting. The other one is the cub Xue Mu caught and because it is so cute, everyone is pampering it the mansion.

When Liu Qinghuan reaches the holding pen, Xue Mu is already there, playing with the cub. Sunshine splashes over him, lighting up the happiness in his eyes and even his deep black hair is shining with a subtle gold color.

Liu Qinghuan stands by the side, looking on for a little while, thinking that the Marquise really likes this little leopard cub.

” Marquise. ”

She calls out, walking forward. Xue Mu look in the direction of the voice and seeing that it is Liu Qinghuan, he stands up.

” Qing Qing, you came. ”
” I heard that the little leopard cub caught by Marquise is being hold here so I specially came to take a look. ”

Xue Mu smile and beckons her to come over. Liu Qinghuan looks at the little fellow in front of her and that little fellow too, look up curiously at her. The two tiny ears on top of it’s head moves slightly and with it’s two large roundish eyes and soft fur, it is simply asking for people to hug it.

Joy raises up in Liu Qinghuan’s heart as she carefully touches it’s head. Seeing that there is no objection, she boldly gives it another touch.

” So cute! ”

She smiles at Xue Mu by her side and he help her up, a gentle smile hanging on his lips.

” Qing Qing likes him? ”
” Very. ”

Xue Mu lips curls up even more.

” This little fellow is soon to be a month’s old. Qing Qing, why not give him a name? ”
” Sure! ”

Liu Qinghuan look at the leopard cub and begin to think about it seriously.

” How about Dots? ”

Xue Mu’s eyebrows raises up.

” Dots? ”
” Yes. See how many dots there are on his body? It’s the perfect name! ”

…..Is she serious?

Xue Mu closes his mouth, before laughing.

” Okay, let’s call him Dots. ”

Ci Tao and Qing Zhi standing at the side ” ……… ”

Sir, please don’t go along with Madam like that! How do you expect him to face Lighting the next time?!

The little leopard cub raises it’s head to look at it’s owners, and gives a innocent cry.

At night, after Liu Qinghuan and Xue Mu had their dinner, he still heads to Lotus Chamber to sleep.

It’s the same pattern for the next few days.

Liu Qinghuan runs into the kitchen, thinking of boiling chicken soup for her mother-in-law to nourish her body. She is most likely unable to wait any longer.

Sure enough, just when Liu Qinghuan ran into the kitchen, Xue Mu is being summon by Madam Ning.

” Mu-er. ”

Madam Ning’s bad mood is for all to see and a look of reproach can be seen when she looks at her son.

” What is going on with you and Qinghuan? If there’s any problem between the 2 of you, just sit down and talk it out. Is there a need to sleep in different rooms? ”

Xue Mu lowers his head, not speaking.

Madam Ning grows even more anxious, and her tone grows heavier.

” Mu-er, do you marry someone just to place her in your house to admire?! You…. ”
” Mother, please don’t worry about Qing Qing and me, I can handle it. ”

Before Madam Ning even finishes her sentence, Xue Mu cut in with his. Madam Ning frown.

” You are my son, can I not worry? ”

Because Xue Mu had lost his father at a young age, he have to bear the responsibility of the family from young, and had already joined the battlefield when he was fourteen. His thoughts runs a lot deeper than others and sometimes, even her, his mother, have no idea what he is thinking about sometimes. Plus her body is weak, so he never share his troubles with her, bearing it all on his own.

Madam Ning can’t help but sigh. Xue Mu looks at her, his eyes apologetic.

” Mother, I really know how to handle this, so please take care of your body instead. ”

Madam Ning shot him a look.

” If you can give me a grandchild soon, I can ride a circle around Chang-An city! ”

Xue Mu laughs.

” I will keep that in mind. ”

In the kitchen, Liu Qinghuan is lost in her thoughts as she stares at the chicken she knocked out.

” Why haven’t you strike yet? ”

Liu Qinghuan subconsciously answer.

” I don’t know how to. ”
” If you drag on like this, how are you going to justify yourself in front of Master? ”

Liu Qinghuan jerk as she suddenly get hold of the situation. It is the same voice as the mysterious person outside the window on her wedding night! She take a quick look around, and see a slight shadow outside the window opposite of her. Looks like this person really like windows.

Her brain turns as she gives a cold laugh.

” I won’t be able if I’m dead. ”

The other person pauses, before saying.

” Naturally, I will prepare some antidote for you. ”

Liu Qinghuan narrows her eyes. That poison was placed by her.

” Xue Mu already knows about my relationship with him. ”
” So what? Didn’t he still marry you in the end? ”

Liu Qinghuan frown. Her bad premonition is growing stronger. She stop speaking and the mysterious person can’t stand the silence any longer and speaks up.

” It can’t be that you still have feelings with Xue Mu? Don’t forget that Master stayed behind just for you! ”

Liu Qinghuan ” ……. ”

She is so moved she wants to cry.

” Someone is coming. ”

That person pop that sentence out and when Liu Qinghuan looks towards the window, the shadow has disappear.

” Madam, Madam! ”

Qing Tao runs in and after seeing the knife in Liu Qinghuan’s hands as she stares at the chicken, her face pales.

” Madam! Please leave this stuff to us servants! If Madam gets hurt, I will be punished heavily by Sir! ”

Liu Qinghuan do not have the mood to boil soup any longer so she gives up the knife obediently to Qing Zhi and walk out of the kitchen.

She is now sure of the fact that the ‘Master’ that person is speaking of is Tang Zibo!