The Counterfeit Madam Hou Chapter 51

Tang Zhibo then breath his last. Although Xue Mu don't have the time to find out more, he subconsciously believe his words.

He let Peng Peng send the detained Duke down the mountain and decide meet up with Li Mo, who will rush over. Turning, he start heading back to the cave. On the way back, he met Aersi but ignored him. Right now, he only cares about Liu Qinghuan's health. He didn't dare to look too closely at her just now and wonder if she is hurt anywhere.

Thinking of this, Xue Mu's footsteps got faster. His girl is strong, although she yells out in pain just from walking, she still wishes to join in and help.

Aersi have a detained a Duke's man in his hands and brush shoulders with Xue Mu. Seeing that the latter have no intention of minding him, he smiles and follows Peng Peng down the mountain. As for that whatever treasure, he will let the great General Xue go looking for it on his own.

Reaching the cave, he see Gao Chen outside gathering medical herbs. The mountain here have plenty of herbs and although they are not very precious herbs, stanching bleeding and providing relief is more than enough. Seeing that Xue Mu is back, he pa.s.s the pounded herbs into his hands.

” Nice timing, General. Change the herbs for Miss Liu. ”

Xue Mu give his thanks and enter the cave with the herbs in hand. Liu Qinghuan is still huddle up on the straw bed and seeing that, he frowns slightly. They have limited resources on the mountain. He can't wait to get her back to Chang-An city and get the best doctors for her.

Sighing lightly, he walk over to her side and sit down, calling her out gently.

” Qing Qing. ”

Liu Qinghuan thick lashes flutters as she slowly open her eyes.

” Ah Mu… ”

The soft purr of ‘Ah Mu' goes straight into his heart, melting it into a puddle. He kiss her cheek, his tone of voice softer than before.

” I'll change the medicine for you. ”
” Okay… ”

Obediently lying there and allowing Xue Mu to remove her clothing, Liu Qinghuan doesn't struggle at all. The moment the new herbs touches her wound, she cries out subconsciously from pain. Xue Mu's hand pause and look at her.

” It's painful? ”
” … No. ”

She denies stubbornly but the scrunch up features on her face sold her out completely. Xue Mu feels his heart hurting and kiss her.

” Be good, bear with it a little more and it'll be over. ”

This wound on her waist is not deep but after being soak in water for so long and torn a few time, it is showing signs of inflammation. He worries that it will turn for the worst but luckily, Gao Cheng found a few medical herbs and after applying for a few times, the wound starts to get better. But because of today's action, it got torn again.

” Liu Qinghuan, this is the last. No matter how you beg me after this, I won't let you be so willful ever again. ”

Xue Mu tone of voice is gentle, but his words convey threats to the extreme. Liu Qinghuan bit her lips and try to divert his attention.

” You caught the Duke? ”
” Of course. Peng Peng has detained and is moving him down the mountain. ”

Xue Mu don't really want to discuss this so he keep it simple and short. Liu Qinghuan nod, she is more at ease knowing the Duke have been caught. Her gaze lands on her wound and that hideous appearance makes her frown.

” Ah Mu, do you think it'll leave a scar? ”

Xue Mu lift his head up and look at her amusingly.

” So you worry about this too? ”

She pouts and shift her head away as he laughs.

” Relax, I'll be the only one to see it even if it does. ”

Her ears turn red as Xue Mu finish dressing her wound while laughing. Apart from the yell of pain at the start, she is quiet for the rest of it. Her head is still facing the cave wall but the hand by her side is clench into a fist. She have another question that she wanted to ask ever since Xue Mu enter the cave but she don't dare to. She don't want to see Xue Mu being that sad again.

” Not gonna ask me about the antidote? ”

Xue Mu rearranges her clothes nicely, throwing the question out. Liu Qinghuan goes stiff for a moment as her face remain turned away from him. He gently envelopes her and whisper into her ear.

” Qing Qing, you're not poisoned. ”

She freeze and finally turn to look at Xue Mu in confusion. He grasp hold of her small cold hand into his.

” Tang Zhibo didn't poison you. ”
” How…? ”
” Web of lies. ”

Liu Qinghuan blinks. First, they pretended to poison her, then they allow her find out. Look like she is not the only one who have this trick up her sleeve.

” Why did he do that? ”

Xue Mu keep quiet. After pondering about it for a while, Liu Qinghuan whispers.

” I won't be grateful to him. ”

Xue Mu look at her and hug her tighter.

” But I am. ”
” If I'm not poisoned, why do I cough out blood? ”

It can't be that she really have tuberculosis? Xue Mu frown slightly.

” This we'll have to wait till we get back to Chang-An and get a doctor to look at it. ”
” It won't be a new kind of illness, will it? ”
” Don't joke around. ”

She laughs and tug at her wound again, causing her face to collapse in pain. Xue Mu look amusingly yet helplessly at her.

” Can you stop for a bit? ”

She then quietly lies in his arms, staying quiet. Maybe it is because there is nothing troubling her anymore, she starts feeling sleepy. Seeing her nodding head, Xue Mu carefully lay her down on the straw bed.

” Qing Qing, sleep for a bit if you're sleepy. I'll call you up when it's dinner. ”
” Okay. ”
” Tomorrow morning I'll bring Gao Cheng along to look for his teacher and we shall head back to Chang-An. ”

Looking slightly in disdain at the straw blanket, Xue Mu still gently cover Liu Qinghuan with it. She blinks and ask worriedly.

” Gao Cheng's teacher sounds very strong so the both of you must be careful. ”
” Un. ”

He nods and smiles. He only exit the cave after he sees that she have fallen asleep. There is nothing much to eat up here. Aside from mushrooms and fruits, there are only wild game. Since nothing is known about Liu Qinghuan's health condition, Xue Mu doesn't dare to feed her random food. The day before he made her eat fruits and mushroom soup and that boss complained that he was torturing his patient.

He knows that eating these doesn't have much nutrition but as she is wounded, she cannot take in any wild game so he is thinking if he can catch some fish and boil some fish soup for her.

After asking Gao Cheng, he found out that there is really a stream nearby. Gao Cheng made him stand guard at the cave and he himself take on the task of catching the fish. As he is familiar with the the surroundings, he is soon back with some fishes and a basket full of mushrooms.

” Using these mushrooms together with the fish will make the taste better, and these herbs is to remove the fishiness. ”

Gao Cheng said as he place everything in front of Xue Mu. Xue Mu nods satisfactorily. Now she can't say he is torturing her again, can she?

” Oh yes, I found this too. ”
” This is? ”
” The king of shrooms. It'll be good for her health. ”

Gao Cheng said, before dealing with the fishes he caught.

Holding that mushroom in his hand, Xue Mu studies it for a while. He did not expect the king of shrooms to look so… normal. But Gao Cheng have been living on this mountain for too many years to get it wrong so he gave his thanks and accepted it. Thinking that it is a pity to cook the king of shrooms here, Xue Mu decides to bring it back home and get professional chefs to deal with it.

When dinner preparation is almost done, Gao Cheng can sense that a huge number of people are getting closer and immediately stand on guard. Xue Mu pat his shoulder, pacifying him.

” It's fine, they're my men. ”

Li Mo is supposed to bring the Duke back to the capital but he would rather search for the treasure. After meeting with Peng Peng at the bottom of the mountain, he let Nuo Yan and Peng Peng head back to Chang-An first as he, bringing along a troop, head up the mountain to meet up with Xue Mu.

Seeing Xue Mu sitting front of a small fire boiling soup, he feels like he is dreaming.

” The soup made by the great General Xue himself. This I must try. ”

Xue Mu slap his hand away.

” This is for Qing Qing. ”
” Marquise, it's not good to pamper your wife so much. ”
” If you can do it, you get a wife and pamper her in front of me too. ”
” What good is there to get a wife to control your every movement? I rather go look for those young missus and have fun. ”
” Un, that's what they all say when they can't get a wife. ”
” ………. ”

A few snorts of laughter escape from the soldiers behind them, with the soldiers unable to keep it inside any longer. Li Mo stare angrily at them.

” Keep laughing! Do you believe that I'll make you beg in tears later?! ”

The soldiers stand straight, and said in union.

” General Li, we didn't laugh! ”

They're laughing at Xue Mu. If he can do it, go punish Xue Mu! Li Mo berated them for a few more moment before lying his eyes on the fish and chicken.

” These are mine and Gao Cheng. Go get them yourself if you wanna eat. ”

Li Mo then look at the young boy standing next to Xue Mu. He must be the ‘Gao Cheng' Xue Mu just mentioned.

” He is…? ”
” The leader of Seven Stars Sect. ”

Gao Cheng said stoically. This surprised Li Mo. What young and promising youth, to be a sect leader at such young age. Seeing Xue Mu subordinates are growing by the minute, even having a sect leader joining in, and looking back at himself… Hmm, looks like he is Xue Mu's subordinates too.

This realization hits Li Mo a little too hard as he sniff and gives an order to the ones behind him.

” Guys, let's go hunting in the forest! ”
” Yes! ”

And so, the west mountain welcome the biggest threat in it's life.

Gao Cheng look at their leaving backs and frown. With that amount of people, will they hurt his teacher tomorrow?

As if reading his mind, Xue Mu said.

” Relax, they're only here for manual labor. ”
” ………. ”

Luckily General Li left before he could hear that.

TN : Double release for thanking you guys for not hurrying me to update. Enjoy. We'll be finished soon.