The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 44

When Liu Qinghuan gradually wakes up, she could somewhat hear people speaking. Peeling open her eyelids, the sight in front of her is a farm. Pale sunshine shines through the door, hurting her eyes a little. After staring at the two figure in front of the door for a while, she then prop herself up from the bed. The moment she exert her strength, a sharp pain sear across her waist.

” Ah….. ”

She cries out and immediately, the two figure at the doorway rushes in.

” Miss, you're awake? You're injured so you shouldn't recklessly move. ”

The one who spoke is a peasant lady around forty, dressed in rough clothing with yellowish skin. Liu Qinghuan blinks and ask.

” Where am I? Why am I here? ”
” This is the Liang prefecture. You fainted by the river side and when Old Hu went to fish, he found you and bought you back. ”

Liang prefecture? Liu Qinghuan quickly flash back to the map she saw of the area around Chang-An city. She could recall that after she fell into the trap, she pa.s.sed out from the extreme pain her wound caused her. But before she lost conscious, she did remember she fell into water. If this is the Liang prefecture, that means the river she fell into is the Biqing River. This river flows towards the north, and across all 7 prefectures. Liang prefecture is 2 prefectures away from Chang-An city. She actually drifted all this way?

Seeing how Liu Qinghuan is silent, the madam takes the initiative to introduce themselves.

” This is my husband, Old Hu. He's the one who brought you back. ”

Liu Qinghuan lift her head and look at the 2 standing in front of her and say gratefully.

” No words can express my gratefulness. I don't know how to repay you for this favor so please allow me to bow to you. ”

As she says that, Liu Qinghuan struggles to get up from the bed and the madam hurriedly hold her.

” Please don't move recklessly, Miss. Be careful of your wound. ”

She then sit down by her bedside, smiling.

” What would your name be, where are you from and why are you injured by the river side? ”

Liu Qinghuan eyes redden as she sob.

” I… sob sob sob. ”

Seeing how heartbroken Liu Qinghuan is, the madam hurriedly console her.

” Don't cry, slowly let out all your grievances to me. ”

Liu Qinghuan sniffles.

” My name is Ji Shudan, my hometown is at Sichun. My father brought us over to Chan-An to do trading and life there can be considered alright. But last month, my cousin came over from Sichan to ask for my hand in marriage. It was supposed to be a joyful affair but who knew he have a heart as malicious as snakes and for the sake of stealing all our fortune, he cause my dad to lose his life and wanted to come after me too. He hunted me down the entire way so I could only escape by throwing myself down the river. I thought I would die, but who knew I would meet the two of you saviors who saved my life… ”

After hearing that, Madam Hu is furious.

” How can there be such a heartless person on earth! Miss Ji, please take your time to get better here. Once you're better, we'll accompany you to the magistrate to sue him. ”

Liu Qinghuan wipe her tears and say sadly.

” Madam Hu, you have no idea. My cousin have already bribe the magistrate so they wouldn't do anything to him. ”
” Don't worry, the truth will never be buried. You just get better first. ”
” Madam Hu, how long was I asleep? ”
” About a day. You really scared us. ”

A day? Then Xue Mu most likely have already brought his men over to the temple. As if having thought of something, Liu Qinghuan frown. Madam Hu thought she is thinking about her cousin again, and hurriedly say.

” Miss Ji, you lie down, rest, and don't think so much. I'll go boil you some soup. ”
” Thank you, Madam Hu. ”
” No problem, no problem. ”

Madam Hu smile and stand up, dragging Old Hu out along with her. Liu Qinghuan look at their retreating backs and slowly close her eyes.

At the Hou mansion, Li Mo points to the map on the table.

” We've already look along the Biqing river for a day and found nothing. If Madam is not around the forest, then she's likely being wash away by the river somewhere. ”

His long index finger follows the windy river path on the map and continue.

” Biqing River flows towards the north once it's out of Chang-An city, across all 7 prefectures. Madam might be saved in one of them. ”

Looking at the map, Xue Mu growls.

” Search every one. ”

Li Mo lick his dry lips.

” I'll increase the manpower. ”

After that discussion, Xue Mu head out and Li Mo hurriedly chases after him.

” I say, oh great general, you're not made of steel. If you continue not eating and sleeping, no one is gonna help you find your wife if you fall. ”
” I slept 2 hours yesterday and also had breakfast today. ”
” I don't see you working as hard when you're on the battlefield. ”

Seeing Xue Mu without any reaction, Li Mo can't help but ask.

” You don't regret releasing Tang Zhibo? Now the one missing is not the Emperor's wife so he's not anxious but you can't back down this easily too! ”

The Emperor loves telling him to quit drinking so this is the time to pull Xue Mu over to his side!

” What is there to regret about? I can release him today, I can also get him lock up tomorrow. ”

Li Mo gasp, then nod in admiration.

Xue Mu then search the entire day with his troops and seeing that the day is ending, they are still without result.

After lying in bed for a whole day, Liu Qinghuan feels a lot better. But in the silent night, her wounds start burning up.

She slowly get down from bed and get a cup of water. With just a mouthful she chokes and start coughing. Afraid that she'll wake the Hu couple in the next room, Liu Qinghuan covers her mouth with her hand and silently coughs.

When she releases her hand, a few drop of blood can be seen on her palm. Liu Qinghuan eyes dim as she stand in front of the table for a long while, before slowly heading back to her room.

After taking it easy for 2 days, Liu Qinghuan feels like her body could move better than before. Although every movement causes a sharp pain to her wound, at least she can finally move about.

She walks over to the yard and sit under a tree, basking in the sunlight.

Uncle He is tending the field while Madam Hu is busy with housework. There is even 2 dogs running around outside. In the sunlight, Liu Qinghuan starts felling sleepy and just when she decides to head back for a nap, 2 fierce looking constables arrive at the door.

Madam Hu quickly run over to greet them as the constables size her up.

” Have you seen any suspicious person around lately? ”
” No no no, there's only Old Hu and me here, no suspicious person. ”

The constables look around the area, and notice Liu Qinghuan under the tree.

” Oh, and where is this young miss from? She is real pretty. ”

Saying that, he is about to walk over to where Liu Qinghuan is when Madam Hu quickly stop him.

” Aye Sir, this is my daughter. She got injured when she went up to hill to gather mushrooms. She's not anyone suspicious. ”
” Your daughter? ”

The constable glance at her.

” You can give birth to such a beautiful daughter? ”
” Aye Sir, please don't tease me. I'm quite the beauty when I'm young. Old Hu spend quite the effort and time to ask for my hand in marriage. ”

Hearing that, the two constable laugh.

” Alright, if you see anyone suspicious, remember to report it. ”
” Got it got it, please take care then! ”

Seeing the 2 walk away, Madam Hu then give a sigh of relieve. Liu Qinghuan walk over to her, asking.

” Madam Hu, what happened? What did the constable came to check on? ”
” Let's talk inside. ”

MAdam Hu help her to her bed, before lowering her voice.

” Miss, you might not know but on the day you fainted, a murderer escape from Chang-An and now, everyone is on the look out for him. ”
” A murderer? ”
” Yes. Rumors have it that there's an accomplice waiting for him outside. ”

Madam Hu said, looking afraid.

” They're really strict recently so if anyone asked, say you're my daughter Hu Lingsan, so as to not have any unnecessary troubles. ”
” I got it. But where has your real daughter gone? ”
” Aye, that girl. She ran over to Chang-An to visit her cousin again and would most probably be back around next month. ”

When Madam Hu is mentioning her daughter, she look disappointed.

” Oh. ”

Liu Qinghuan response with a somewhat confuse look. Seeing her, Madam Hu worriedly remind her again.

” Miss Ji needs to remember to say you're my daughter if anyone asked! ”

Seeing Madam Hu that worried, Liu Qinghuan smile.

” Don't worry, Madam Hu, I will. ”

Only then does Madam Hu relax and continue doing her ch.o.r.es.

At lunch, Madam Hu specially killed a chicken and duck. When Liu Qinghuan see the chicken and duck on the table for dinner, she is surprised.

” Madam Hu, what's the occasion? ”

No wonder she is suprised. Although the Hou mansion it is always full of good food, the Hu family is only a normal farmer and the things they usually eat are light food. Looking at this spread… it just look like a new year feast.

Placing a drumstick into her bowl, Madam Hu laugh.

” Miss Ji is injured so you need the nutrients to heal. ”
” Thank you, Madam Hu. Once I'm better, I'll definitely repay you. ”

Madam Hu eyes shifts a little before picking up her bowl of rice.

” Eat, eat. ”

Liu Qinghuan lowers her head and focus on eating.

Just when they are done with dinner, a huge bunch of people rushes into the house. The 2, other than Liu Qinghuan, stand up, shock at the sudden surprise.

The leader of the group size them up for a bit, his gaze landing on Liu Qinghuan the last.

” Who is she? ”
” S-she's my daughter. ”

Madam Hu hurriedly say. The leader doesn't seem to believe that she is able to give birth to such a beautiful daughter as he look suspiciously at Liu Qinghuan.

” You're her daughter? What's your name?
” I-I'm Hu Lingshan. ”

The leader's eyes shines as he order the men behind him.

” Take her back. ”