The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 5

*Unedited

As time pa.s.s into May, the weather in Chang-An city turn hot and humid.

Liu Qinghuan slump over her chair, feeling like a fish dying of thirst. The mysterious person hadn’t appeared since then so she couldn’t be bothered to rack her brains over the matter anymore. She will handle it when it comes.

Ci Tao stand by her side, fanning her as Qing Zhi briskly walk towards her. Placing the carved peony plate on the table, she looks up at Liu Qinghuan.

” Madam, this grape wine is rewarded by the Emperor. Sir had specially asked me to ice it before bringing it to you. ”

Liu Qinghuan’s eyes sparkles. Being a high-ranking officer sure has a good life! To be even able to use such a precious thing such as ice! Liu Qinghuan is so moved she is about to cry. Picking up the cup, the purple colored liquid inside shines clear, and there is even wafts of cool air emitting from it. Qinghuan drinks it all in one sitting. It sure feels…. so so cooling.

” Good wine! ”

She praise, as she reaches out for another cup. Seeing her drown three cups in a row, Qing Zhi cannot help but to remind her.

” Madam, Sir had make it clear that you are not to drink too much of the wine. ”

Liu Qinghuan rolls her eyes. The Marquise loves controlling things so much that he is even controlling her right now….

As if feeling Liu Qinghuan slight moodiness, Qing Zhi hurriedly pick the plate up and lifts it up in front of her.

” This plate of fish is personally sliced by Sir, would Madam like to try a bite? ”

Liu Qinghuan glances at the plate. The fish slices are beautifully translucent, as they are sliced very very thinly. Looks like the Marquise’s knife work is rather good.

” The Marquise is at the main banquet hall? ”

Qing Zhi pauses for a while before stuttering out her answer.

” Y, yes. ”
” Who is he receiving? ”
” I-it’s Princess Yong Fu. ”

Liu Qinghuan blink. Isn’t she just a princess? What is it so difficult about putting it into words? Looking at Qing Zhi, she smiles.

” The Marquise and the Princess’s relationship is close? ”
” N-No! ”

Qing Zhi panicky deny. But she then feel like the answer sounds rude, thus she proceeds to explain further.

” As the our mansion and the Princess Mansion are all situated in Chongren Square, there were a few meetings here and there. I heard that today is a surprise visit from the Princess. ”
” Oh, I see. ”

Liu Qinghuan stares at the plate of fish, yet her chopsticks lies there, unmoving.

Qing Zhi feels anxious, and she continue explaining.

” The Emperor, Princess and the Marquise grew up together, so they might be slightly close to each other. ”

Liu Qinghuan looks like she is deep in thought and Qing Zhi throw Ci Tao a sign for help.

” Madam, this fish looks really delicious, why not give it a try? ”
” Um. ”

Giving a one-note answer, Liu Qinghuan then proceed to pick a piece of sliced fish with her chopsticks and dip it into the garlic sauce, before placing it in her mouth.

Qing Zhi and Ci Tao stare at her unblinkingly, and tried asking.

” How is it? ”
” The fish is quite fresh. ”

Liu Qinghuan put down her chopsticks and pour herself another drink. Ci Tao and Qing Zhi look at each other, worry evident in their eyes.

Madam looks like she is angry so will the Marquise get punish later? If the Marquise get punish, will they be punish as well?

Inside the Yong Ning Mansion, Xue Mu is still inside the banquet hall.

Yong Fu glances at Xue Mu, smiling.

” Are you still hiding your wife and not letting me have a look? ”

Not forgetting to deliver a plate of sliced fish even when he is eating with her… What is so good about her that makes him treat her so well?

Xue Mu lowers his eyes, answering with another question of his own.

” Why does the Princess insist on meeting her? ”
” Isn’t it that when there is a female guest, the wife must be present? ”

Xue Mu stay silent for a while before turning to the maid standing by the side.

” Invite Madam over. ”
” Yes Master. ”

The maid bow in compliance before leaving.

Liu Qinghuan finishes the last of the fish and just when she lifts her head up, she sees a maid walking through the courtyard. The maid bows, before politely stating the reason for being here.

” Madam, Master invites you to the banquet hall. ”

Liu Qinghuan lets out a small ” Oh? ” before lowing her head. She then turns to Qing Zhi, asking.

” How’s my hair today? ”
” It is perfect! ”

Liu Qinghuan stands up, smooth her clothes out and brings along Qing Zhi as they head towards the banquet hall.

In the hall, there are three dancers dancing and just when Liu Qinghuan enters from the back, the song ends. Fu Yong’s line of sight drifts over to her the moment she walks into the hall. Today, Liu Qinghuan has on her favorite pomegranate skirt, and as usual, fully dressed in red. Fu Yong’s gaze stops at her for a moment, before turning away.

The first time Fu Yong heard of Liu Qinghuan’s name was from Xue Mu. At that time, his eyes were filled with joy just by mentioning her name.

Once, she sneaked over to take a peek at Liu Qinghuan, and felt that she is short and skinny, and was in no way comparable to her beauty.

This viewpoint of hers haven’t change till this day. In Fu Yong’s eyes, Liu Qinghuan is forever uglier than her.

She have no idea when Liu Qinghuan is in front of her. Fu Yong raises her head as she see Liu Qinghuan greets her, her red lips opening and closing, but not a word is entering Fu Yong’s ears.

Her entire mind is filled with the scene of Xue Mu’s wedding day, when he was being summoned into the palace.

In the grand and splendor palace, a young Emperor was sitting on the Dragon Throne, his brows wrinkling at the person standing below him.

” You know she have an ulterior motive in marrying you, yet you are still going ahead with it? “

Xue Mu nodded.

” Yes. “

His voice is powerful and resonating, a stark contrast against the silent courtroom. Emperor Yan looked at him, and asked again.

” Never regretting? “

Xue Mu stayed silent for a short while, before answering.

” Life is like chess, there will be no regret with every step. “

Emperor Yan is left speechless and after thinking about it, he said again.

” Xue Mu, you and I are friends since childhood and now, you are one of my most important and trusted minister. If Liu Qinghuan ever did harm onto you, even if you don’t decide to pursue, I will not let her go. “

Xue Mu lowered his eyes, and as if mumbling to himself yet as if convincing the Emperor, he said.

” I will never let that happen. “

After Xue Mu left, Emperor Yan suddenly opened his mouth against the empty court.

” Willing to give up now? “

A shadow appeared behind the folding screen and Fu Yong walked towards the Emperor, biting hard on her own lips, staying silent.

Emperor Yan looked at her, patiently waiting for her answer.

Fu Yong’s expression wasn’t really good as she took a deep breath.

” Fu Yong’s heart will never give up, but…. I am willing to admit defeat. “

Only, she didn’t know that she wasn’t the only one who gambled on that day.

” Princess? ”

Ever since she came over, Princess Fu Yong has been staring at a certain spot, deep in her own thoughts. Liu Qinghuan can’t help it but to give her a call. Fu Yong came back to reality and looking at Liu Qinghuan’s face, she doesn’t feeling like continuing with the banquet any longer.

She then answer Liu Qinghuan’s call with a nod before standing up, looking at Xue Mu.

” Royal brother and I will be going hunting in the West Mountains in a few days time. Will the Marquise care to join us? ”

Xue Mu agrees and without taking another look at Liu Qinghuan, Fu Yong, along with her servants, heads back to her mansion.

Standing in front of the table, Liu Qinghuan look helplessly at Xue Mu.

” The Princess don’t seems to like me very much. You shouldn’t have called for me. ”

Xue Mu laughs before standing up, going to her side.

” Qing Qing, have you visit Dots lately? He grew up quite a lot. ”
” Really? ”

Liu Qinghuan’s attention immediately turn towards the little leopard cub.

” Come to think of it, I haven’t been visiting him for a few days now. If the Marquise is free at the moment, would you like to come along? ”
” Sure. ”

Xue Mu takes hold of her hand and lead her out of the banquet hall.

Two days later, Liu Qinghuan is speechless when she heard from Xue Mu that his six years old nephew is coming over for a visit. It must be Old Madam Ning’s idea.

These few days, whenever she greets Madam Ning in the morning, she would always beat around the bushes trying to tell  her to go through the first night. However, consummation can’t be done with just her alone, right? So is Old Madam Ning now trying to add pressure on by inviting Xue Mu’s little nephew over?

Ai, it’s not that she can’t understand Madam Ning’s feelings. After all, having nothing to do day after day, the only thing she can do is to worry about the fate of her grandchildren.

Liu Qinghuan look at her two maids standing by her side.

” I heard the Marquise’s nephew came over today, do you happen to know where he is? ”

Qing Zhi ” He hounded the Marquise to teach him martial arts the moment he arrived. Maybe they are still at the garden? ”

Trying so hard when he is only six? But can he even lift a weapon?

Thinking about it, Liu Qinghuan heads to the garden.

From far away, swishes and swooshes mix with the jubilant claps and cries of a young child could be heard. Proceeding forward, a spear wielding Xue Mu fully dressed in white enters into Liu Qinghuan’s sight.

His spearmanship is strong and charming, as alive as nature, yet is ever-changing, a perfect merge of an illusion and reality. Every strike is sharp and fierce, and nothing seems to be able to get in the way of the spear.

Finishing the set, Xue Mu tuck his spear in, his clothes still fluttering in the aftermath of his movements. Ning Hong immediately flies over and grab his leg.

” Uncle is awesome! Teach me teach me! ”

Liu Qinghuan can’t help but feel like ” Slap me! Slap me! ” would be more appropriate.

Peeling the human plaster off his leg, Xue Mu turn over to Liu Qinghuan standing at the side.

” Qing Qing, you are looking for me? ”

Liu Qinghuan walk forward, smiling.

” I heard the Marquise’s nephew is here, so I came to take a look. ”

Ning Hong then finally turn towards Liu Qinghuan. He heard that his uncle recently got married, maybe it’s to this lady? Seeing Ning Hong looking at her, she bend down slightly, smiling at him.

” You like martial arts? ”
” Un! ”

Ning Hong nod strongly.

” I want to be as strong as Uncle in the battlefield in the future! ”

Liu Qinghuan’s lips curls up.

” I know a person when I was young that loves martial arts as much as you. He would wake up early every morning to practice. On the 3rd watch he would practice his swordmanship, on the 5th watch he would practice with his saber, on the 6th he would practice his fists. Everyday, without fail. ”

As if agitated by the example Liu Qinghuan had given, Ning Hong ask Liu Qinghuan.

” What happens then? Did he became a great general? ”

Liu Qinghuan answer casually.

” He fell into a river and drowned to death. ”

Ning Hong ” ……. ”

This is where mystery in life lies. One will never know what is in store for them.