The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 43

This all happen so fast that everyone got a shock.

Xue Mu eyes dim and he drags Tang Zhibo all the way to where the soldier fell through.

” Where does this trap leads to? ”

Tang Zhibo bite his bloodless lips, his voice raspy.

” How do I kn…. urgh! ”

He yell in pain, his face turning pale from it as Xue Mu looks at him with a stony face.

” You better think before answering, otherwise I might just break your other wrist as well. ”

Tang Zhi Bo bite down hard on his teeth and simply stare at Xue Mu, not saying a word. Nuo Yan, with a few soldiers, search around the area and soon, they found what have activated the trap.

The trap open up once again and in there, one can see a long narrow tunnel, looking to be ever deeper than the one they arrive in.

Tanh Zhibo look over as well. That is actually not a trap but an exit, leading to the Biqing river outside of the city. Only because this exit leads to the bottom of the river, one would end up being soak from head to toe, looking worst for wear. So if it is not an emergency, no one would choose this exit. Of course, this applies to those who are not good at swimming too.

But Xue Mu and co knows nothing about this. After researching it for a while, Nuo Yan stands up and report back to Xue Mu.

” Marquise, I'll go down to take a look. ”

Xue Mu thinks about it.

” No need. There's Brother Tang opening up the path for us. ”

Tang Zhibo's face changes and before he could curse Xue Mu for being shameless, he is being thrown down by him. Listening to his screams fading, Xue Mu jumps in after him.

Surprised by his actions, Nuo Yan hurriedly jumps in after Xue Mu as well.

The tunnel twirls and curls as it extend forward. Besides from the wind rushing pa.s.s their ears, Xue Mu could somewhat hear some water flowing as well. Not before long, light appear in front of them and the river water gushes into their faces without any warning.

Xue Mu get a mouthful of water and almost immediately floats up. Looking around, he recognize that it to be the Biqing river from outside the city. A violent cough starts up beside the left side of him. Turning around, he sees that Tang Zhibo have also floated up.

Swimming over to his side, Xue Mu drag him up onto the river bank by his clothes. The soldier who had fall through is also on the bank while Nuo Yan, the last to surface up, look around and start heading towards them after spotting their figures.

All who have fallen through the trap are all gathered, only Liu Qinghuan's figure is nowhere to be seen.

Looking at this desolate area, Xue Mu frowns.

” QING QING!! ”

These two words are filled with strength and vigor. Echoes resounds throughout, scaring the birds into escaping into the sky, covering it in a patch of darkness.

Even after the echo dissipates, no one replied him.

Xue Mu's heart grows heavier. If she is not here, might she be heading back to the mansion then? Glancing at Nuo Yan, he proceed to dump Tang Zhibo onto him.

” Bring him back and also take a look if Qing Qing is back at the mansion. ”
” Yes. ”

Grabbing the half-conscious Tang Zhibo, Nuo Yan begin to head out towards the city gates, the soldier following him. Xue Mu stay behind by himself and start searching along the river bank.

When Nuo Yan, along with a troop of soldiers, return, Xue Mu's clothes have already dried but still without any discoveries. Spotting Nuo Yan, he walk over hurriedly.

” Is Qing Qing back at the mansion? ”
” No. ”

Xue Mu's eyes dim.

” Marquise, the a.s.sistant minister has heard about what happened this morning and Madam Liu is currently in the mansion. ”

Xue Mu stop in his tracks. Qing Qing have only been married to him for 4 months but she already have 2 accidents. Madam Liu most likely have a lot of things to say to him. He purse his lips, asking.

” What is the situation like? ”
” Madam Liu is in a panic, and while waiting for Marquise to head back to explain, Old Madam is with her. ”

Thinking about it a little, Nuo Yan added.

” The a.s.sistant minister is also summoned into the palace by the Emperor. ”
” Understood. ”

After staying silent for a bit, Xue Mu said.

” First we look for Qing Qing whereabouts. Get people to survey this area. ”
” Yes. ”

The search lasts all the way till sunset and still nothing. Looking at Xue Mu somber back, Nuo Yan walk up.

” Marquise, it is not easy to search in the dark, how about we continue in the morning? ”
” Continue searching. ”

Xue Mu answered immediately, without even turning his head. Nuo Yan frown, trying to convince him.

” Marquise, you haven't had a bite for the entire day. If this continues, your body won't be able to take it. Besides, back at the mansion, there are things that needs the Marquise to be there to handle. ”

Xue Mu stop in his tracks and simply stand there. At night, having Liu Qinghuan alone in here is a lot more dangerous, not to mention she most likely is hurt so Xue Mu really, seriously, very much don't want to head back. As long as she is not found, he will never be at peace.

But as Nuo Yan said, there are a lot of things waiting for him at home. He clench his fists, and growl.

” You take some men and continue searching along this river, I'll go back alone. ”
” Rest a.s.sured Marquise, I'll do my very best in searching for Madam. ”

When Xue Mu is back at home, he head straight towards Madam Ning's courtyard. Madam Liu is, as expected, still there. Seeing Xue Mu, the 2 madams' eyes shine with anxiety.

” Do you have Qing Qing's whereabouts? ”

Xue Mu purse his lips.

” Nuo Yan is still searching along with the troops. Mother and Mother-in-law please rest a.s.sured, I will definitely find Qing Qing. ”

Madam Liu's heart sinks when she heard him. Wiping the reddish corners of her eyes, she walk up to him.

” Marquise, why don't you tell me what is going on? Why did the beseeching fire cult took Qinghuan away? Is her life in danger? ”
” No. ”

Xue Mu said resolutely.

” Qing Qing will be fine. ”

He said with certainly, not knowing if he is rea.s.suring Madam Liu or himself.

Madam Liu goes deep in thought. He only answered her last question but his face look worst than hers so it's better not to force him anymore.

” It's late now so I won't stay in the Marquise mansion, giving you pressure. If the Marquise have any news about Qinghuan, please send someone over to my place to inform us. ”
” I will, Mother-in-law. ”

Madam Liu nod and left with her maidservant. Liang Chen walk them out and Madam Ning look at Xue Mu, her heart full of worries.

” Mu-er, is Qinghuan really fine? ”

Xue Mu walk up to her and take her hands.

” Don't worry, Mother, Qing Qing is as wise as Solomon so she will definitely to turn peril into safety. ”

She give him a look, and never said another word. Xue Mu let go of her hands and stand up.

” I would need to head to the palace for a visit. Please rest early, Mother. ”
” Mu-er, you just came back. Did you have dinner yet? ”
” I'm not hungry so don't worry, Mother. ”

Madam Ning wants to any something but Xue Mu is already far away. She sits down, rubbing her throbbing temples.

When Xue Mu enter the palace, a.s.sistant minster Liu is just on his way out. They met and Xue Mu don't know what to say in front of him so a.s.sistance minister Liu speak up first.

” Qinghuan always have good fortune with her so Marquise don't have to be this anxious. ”

Hearing that, Xue Mu feels even more guilty.

” You son-in-law have let you down. ”

a.s.sistant minister Liu walk towards his, lowering his voice.

” She can escape 17 years ago so she must be safe this time round too. ”

Xue Mu pause, before nodding.

” I certainly hope so. ”

If anything happens to Qing Qing, he might not be able to look at the big picture and kill Tang Zhibo off first.

After bidding a.s.sistant minister Liu off, Xue Mu step into the court hall. Emperor Yan sees his gloomy face and frown.

” No news of Liu Qinghuan yet? ”

Xue Mu shakes his head. Emperor Yan is his childhood friend and know he love Liu Qinghuan deeply so in this moment, all he could do is to rea.s.sure him that she would be fine.

Xue Mu suddenly feel like laughing. Others rea.s.sure him like this, he rea.s.sure others in the same way. But, it never works.

His heart is like how someone have place it on burning flame, causing him extreme anxiousness. He is really scared… to find her corpse in the end.

Emperor Yan don't feel good too, looking at him like this, but there are somethings he have to say.

” The news about you bringing a troop of people over to the beseeching fire cult have spread and there are officers bringing this issue up to me. I pushed it down but I'm afraid that Tang Zhibo…. might need to be released. ”

Xue Mu frown, his killing intent seeping out of his pores.

” Duke Ling Nan several good friends asked for him? ”

Emperor Yan sigh.

” Xue Mu, now's the critical point and we cannot rush this, otherwise everything will be for naught. ”
” Then what about Qing Qing? I don't even know if she's dead or alive and you want me to let Tang Zhibo go? ”

The eunuch serving beside the Emperor, flinch. Looking at Xue Mu's att.i.tude, if this continue, there will be a fight.

” Princess Yong Fu is here! ”

The eunuch standing in front of the door yell as Yong Fu walks in.

” Sister greets you, dear brother. ”

The appearance of Yong Fu mellow out the atmosphere in the room. Emperor Yan nods and stay seated in his chair, saying nothing else. Yong Fu take a look at Xue Mu expression and smiles.

” General Xue, I have something to speak to the Emperor, I wonder if you can give us some s.p.a.ce? ”

Xue Mu purse his lips and walk forward.

” This officer shall take his leave. ”

Saying that he turns and walk out. After just a while, Yong Fu come running out.

” Xue Mu! ”

Xue Mu's feet never stop as he reply her without even turning his head.

” Didn't the princess have something to speak to the Emperor? ”

She frowns.

” You already know that's… forget it. If something really happens to Liu Qinghuan, what will you do? ”

That questions make Xue Mu's face goes even stonier and that strong aura of killing intent make Yong Fu feel uneasy. She bit her lips.

” They say a disaster will last a long time and Liu Qinghuan doesn't look like someone with a short life. ”

Xue Mu continue walking, ignoring her. Yong Fu grow angry and shouts.

” Xue Mu, stop right there! ”

His feet finally stop as he turns to her.

” What matter does the princess have with me? ”

She walks up to him, staring at him. His eyes are black, reflecting the stars and the palace, yet not reflecting her in his eyes.

She have never once entered his eyes.

After staring at him for a long while, she finally smiles.

” Xue Mu, if I tell you that 7 years ago, when you almost died of illness, the one staying by your bedside is not me but Liu Qinghuan, will you hate me? ”

Stunned, Xue Mu lower his eyes.

” No. ”

Surprised, Yong Fu ask.

” Why? ”
” Because I knew it was her the entire time. ”

He pause, his voice getting lower.

” I recognize her hands. ”