Since the two concubines were sent by the emperor, they could not be dealt with openly for the time being, but Chu Mubai secretly sent them to other residences of the Chu family. Xia Yixin didn't even know whether the two girls were fat or thin.
When Xia Yixin heard news of them again, it was that they had both "died unexpectedly from illness." In reality, it was the old lady who arranged for them to change their names and marry other people.
Although the two concubines were merely for show, the old lady still felt that Xia Yixin had been wronged.
When she paid her respects, he comforted her, "Girl, I know Mu Bai said in the ancestral hall that he would only marry you, but now the imperial decree is hard to disobey. Girl, please, as the old lady is begging you, for the sake of the Chu family, please bear with it for now. Those two are just decorations. Chu Mu Bai doesn't want to touch the new emperor, and he can't force him. I believe in Mu Bai's character; he won't let you suffer. But you two need to hurry, you know? Jia Shi's belly is already firmly set. If you also hurry up and give birth to a child, our Grand Tutor's Mansion will have double happiness!"
Xia Yixin gave a dry laugh and subconsciously glanced at Chu Mubai beside her. The latter's eyes were lowered, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
During this time, because of Chu Mubai's health issues, she focused on treating his condition, and he was no longer as intimate with her as before. The two of them became increasingly distant and respectful, which made her feel extremely frustrated.
The old lady, being an experienced woman, guessed what was going on just by looking at their expressions. After they left, she quietly called Xiaoman over and asked her a few questions, and Xiaoman immediately sensed that something was wrong.
"You said there was no sound from their room at night?" The old lady frowned, and seeing Xiaoman nod, she felt that something was wrong the more she thought about it.
Xiao Man didn't know, but she knew very well that even if something was quiet and suppressed, it shouldn't be completely silent.
She suddenly remembered the bet Chu Mubai had mentioned to her before, and her heart sank. Could it be that her silly grandson was living with her just to fool this old lady, and actually wanted to win the bet by drinking with others so that he could have a legitimate reason to stay?
It must be said that the old lady was very quick-witted. She immediately called Li over. Li was also very surprised when she found out. In the end, the two discussed it and Li made an excuse to go to the East Garden. She also brought a jar of medicinal wine, saying that it was a gift from the servants. The old lady wanted the young couple to try it and enjoy the moon while the night was beautiful.
In the past, Xia Yixin and Chu Mubai would have noticed something was wrong, but today neither of them was paying attention.
Reminded by the old lady, Xia Yixin also felt that she should have a good talk with Chu Mubai.
Under Xiaoman's gratified gaze, she cooked a long-awaited meal of medicinal cuisine for Chu Mubai, and even had Xiaoman open the medicinal wine, since alcohol emboldens the timid.
Chu Mubai's health had been restored to 70, so drinking a little wine wouldn't hurt him too much.
To her surprise, she was the first to get drunk. She felt that something was wrong with the medicinal wine, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She just felt that she was really "drunk" and dizzy.
As she became more and more "drunk," she felt increasingly wronged and angry. Lately, whenever she faced Chu Mubai and saw his aloofness, she felt extremely suffocated and had nowhere to vent her frustration.
His happiness level has remained stuck at 70.
She propped her head up, still feeling dizzy, and looked at the gentle, refined man opposite her. "Chu Mubai, I'm only now realizing that I don't understand you at all. Why are you distancing yourself from me? I've already apologized and explained..."
Chu Mubai finished his drink without answering her. He could tell that she had been trying to please him lately. The evidence he later obtained about what happened that night was indeed as she said. But Yan Jiu and her were still inexplicable, as was the name she called out in her nightmare that night.
What did she take him for?
He was afraid that if he asked, he would get a despairing answer, so he selfishly wanted to keep her.
Chu Mubai looked at the woman who had begun to nod frequently and put down his wine glass. "Madam, you are drunk."
"I'm not drunk!" Xia Yixin shook her dizzy head and subconsciously retorted, "I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. I even got you drunk that night, how could I be drunk!"
Chu Mubai knew that the night she was referring to was their wedding night, and his gaze darkened slightly as he thought of her mentioning having someone she liked that night.
He poured himself another glass of wine. Chu Mubai wasn't stupid; he had already received the news, but for some reason, he didn't stop the old lady's little scheme.
Perhaps, deep down, he also wanted to break the cold war that had been going on for some time.
He looked at her and asked in a deep voice, "Then, madam, could you tell me who your beloved is?"
"The person I admire?" A strange yet familiar face suddenly appeared in her mind, and she couldn't help but smile foolishly. "Him... he's so wonderful, but... but I... I'm sorry to him..."
The emotions and memories suppressed by the system surged up all at once, fueled by alcohol. Her eyes reddened, and she didn't even notice that the person opposite her had changed his expression.
Knowing is one thing, but saying it herself is another.
Chu Mu felt as if there was a fire and a block of ice in his heart, and his eyes had unknowingly turned blood red.
Xia Yixin felt dizzy.
"...Will my wife hate me?"
Xia Yixin's mind was a complete mess. She only heard the second half and subconsciously shook her head. Why did she hate him?
Chu Mubai knew she was not fully conscious, but his eyes still blazed with fury. His reason had long since crumbled under the weight of his jealousy. Even if she hated him, he would still make her his rightful wife.
All the bets, all the gentlemanly conduct, all the self-control—they've all vanished.
However, Xia Yixin's words while slumped over the table extinguished everything.
"...Lu Yan...I'm sorry..."
Chu Mubai's heart sank into an icy abyss, which also brought him back to his senses.
for a long time.
Chu Mubai took a few deep breaths to suppress his desire, opened the door and said in a deep voice, "Cold war, prepare a bucket of cold water."
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