Ling Feng’s voice came from outside the door, "Master, someone from the Le Yuanhou Mansion came to ask."
Mu Houchu glanced at Xinhe.
Xinhe said helplessly, "You can go back and tell them that I won’t return today, let them bring a basin of hot water."
"Yes."
Soon, a little maid brought hot water in, Xinhe took the basin, "Just hand it to me."
"Yes," the little maid turned around and left hurriedly.
The servants in this mansion knew Ji Xinhe’s identity very well.
When Ji Xinhe was there, if a servant dared to linger in the room, they might end up being sold directly by their master.
Xinhe wrung the handkerchief, wiping the beads of sweat trickling down his forehead while saying, "I’ll have the kitchen prepare a bowl of plain porridge for you later. The doctor said you need to take good care of your wound, and remember, don’t move around so much."
Mu Houchu looked at her, feeling wholly contented. Ever since their farewell at Lian’an Town, she kept her distance from him, not even showing a friendly face. Had he known that getting hurt would make her treat him this well, he wished he had been injured sooner.
"What are you looking at?" Xinhe felt uneasy under his direct gaze.
Mu Houchu’s lips curled slightly, "I am looking at you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a good look at you."
Xinhe glared slightly at him, "Is it?"
She was glad that his back was injured now. Otherwise, she suspected the man would have pounced on her at any moment. She was well aware of how beastly this man could be.
Xinhe’s hand, pinching the towel, paused abruptly. Her expression turned solemn, "Do you find anything strange about what happened today?"
Mu Houchu’s face became grave as well, "Obviously, someone tampered with it."
After hesitating for a moment, Xinhe then continued, "Actually, on my way to see the black bear today, I was bumped into by a little palace maid. I felt she deliberately pulled my skirt. I felt something was off at that moment. Maybe she was trying to spread some substance that attracts black bears on my skirt."
Mu Houchu’s eyes turned cold, "Who has such audacity?"
Xinhe continued, "But, even after I changed my clothes, that black bear still chased me persistently. I always feel that something is not right."
Mu Houhu coldly replied, "That indicates that the cause was not the skirt."
"So, did I make a mistake in my early estimation?" Xinhe queried, puzzled.
"That black bear was obviously problematic. It wasn’t known how many arrows had hit it, and it was clearly severely wounded, yet it became more ferocious as it got injured." Mu Houchu’s eyes darkened. "Old Man Chen?"
Xinhe was taken aback, "What does this have to do with Old Man Chen?"
"It seems that he has secretly developed drugs related to this area. The black bears that have been tormented by his drugs, once their wildness is triggered, will become ten times more ferocious and difficult to kill within a certain period, unless, they are hit right in the forehead." Mu Houchu’s voice was cold, bearing a trace of chill. His eyes, too, carried a deep shade.
If he hadn’t suddenly remembered this at the last moment today, he wouldn’t know what his fate would be now.
Xinhe frowned, "What kind of medicine is it? It sounds terrifying, how do you know this?"
Mu Houchu’s eyes were deep, "Of course I know, because I grew up in his underground organization."
Xinhe paused and suddenly remembered what Chen Yining had said before—they grew up together as childhood sweethearts.
It seemed this wasn’t a lie.
Xinhe suddenly felt unwell and remained silent.
Mu Houchu looked at her, "What’s wrong?"
"What underground organization?" Xinhe asked casually, but her tone had lost its previous gentleness.
Mu Houchu continued, "A place that can’t see the light."
He pressed his lips tightly together and still didn’t tell her about the cruelty of that place.
"Since you used to be Old Man Chen’s man, how did you escape from his grasp?"
Mu Houchu’s lips curled coldly, "Law of the jungle, the simplest rule. The moment he couldn’t control me was the moment he should be suppressed by me."
Xinhe knew that despite the simplicity of his words, it probably wasn’t easy. To get to where he is today, he must have suffered a great deal, which could be seen from the scars on his body.
"So, what are you planning to do about this?"
Mu Houchu squeezed her hand, "Let’s wait and see. Such a big incident will certainly be thoroughly investigated by the Emperor’s side. This case has many doubts, let’s wait and see what outcomes their investigation produces, then we may act. The situation will become clearer."
Xinhe nodded, by his side, she seemed not to need to worry about anything. The solution he came up with would surely be the best and most comprehensive one.
As the night deepened, Xinhe, sitting by Mu Houchu’s bed, gradually became more drowsy. Her eyelids drooped heavier, and she unconsciously fell asleep.
She has been in the capital for such a long time yet she seldom slept well. It may be because she was alone in a foreign land and her heart was never quite at ease. But tonight, she slept surprisingly well, not waking up until late morning.
Under the glaring sunshine outside, she frowned and rubbed her eyes. She could vaguely see a teal-green bed canopy, the color was simple and cold, familiar yet strange.
Xinhe rubbed her eyes again, and suddenly startled awake, her eyes shot open. How did she not sleep on her stomach but on her back?!
Mu Houchu leaned on his arm, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Awake?"
Xinhe sat up and looked at him in surprise, "How come I’m in the bed?"
Mu Houchu chuckled, "I was afraid you might catch a chill so I moved you up here."
Waiting for her to fall asleep before carrying her onto the bed, it had been a while since he last touched her. Holding her throughout the night, he felt his injuries were almost healed.
Xinhe’s first reaction was to look down at her own clothes. Seeing they were intact, she glared at him, "I knew you had no good intentions by insisting that I stay!"
Mu Houchu found her cautious look amusing, "In this state, what do you think I can do to you?"
He indeed wanted to do something. But holding her on his bed yesterday had almost tear open his wound, so he really couldn’t do anything.
Yet, seeing the beauty beside him and having to resist, it was exceedingly agonizing.
Mu Houchu looked at Xin He, his eyes filled with voracity. His thoughts were written all over his face, and he couldn’t help but lick his lips, waiting for her to become his official wife...
Xinhe felt chills all over her, she hastily rolled out of bed, "I’ll leave first. Le Yuanhou must be worried by now."
Mu Houchu reluctantly smiled but could only let her go, "Ok."
Xinhe gave him some last advice then left. She hadn’t returned last night. She didn’t know the situation at the mansion of Le Yuanhou.
The moment Xinhe disappeared from view, the smile on Mu Houchu’s face slowly faded, replaced by a gloomy look, "Call someone."
Ling Feng hurried in, "Master."
"Carefully investigate what happened yesterday, see what reaction the palace has to it, and how they plan to handle it." Mu Houchu ordered icily.
"Yes."
"Als, " Mu Houchu paused, "Prepare a generous betrothal gift and send it to Le Yuanhou Mansion."
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