Marquis Mu Houchu stood in the darkness. His countenance was indiscernible, with the only illumination being the soft glow from the paper lantern hanging at the temple gate, allowing glimpses of his hardened visage. Upon seeing Ji Xinhe, the icy glare in his eyes was swiftly replaced with warmth despite maintaining his stern expression.
Observing his silence, Xinhe could tell that he was angry, sulking.
Yes, he was annoyed and needed to be pacified.
With a beaming smile, Xinhe approached him. Both her hands reached out to gently squeeze the large hand concealed within his sleeve, "You’re here to take me home?"
Mu Houchu maintained his grave expression, remaining silent. He believed he pacified too easily. All it took was a simple act of coquettishness from this woman and all would be forgiven. Where in the world was such a good deal possible? This time around, she needed a lesson to remember.
"I know I was wrong," Xinhe said, her head hanging down, showing that she acknowledged her mistake, "I really had no choice. Look at it, I just borrowed your honored name. You didn’t even have to appear. We managed to solve big troubles in such a simple way, isn’t it a good thing?"
There seemed to be a hint of seeking praises in Xinhe’s words, given how smoothly she had resolved a troublesome situation, surely it also constituted a tiny achievement.
But this kind of thought Xinhe only dared to express in her heart, she was fully aware of the man’s simmering temper.
Mu Houchu coldly stared at her, "What? Did you, in the first place, plan to involve me directly in this farce?"
Xinhe widened her eyes. This man, could he focus any more on the core issue? Out of all she said, was this the only thing he heard?!
Xinhe immediately put on an angry face, adamantly retorting, "How could that be?! My man, could I just use him for such a scandalous act? Marquis Mu, are you trying to kill me with anger?"
These words indeed resonated well with Mu Houchu. A barely noticeable smile appeared on his defined lips, his facade softened considerably. He chuckled, "You seem pretty indifferent when it comes to such matters."
Xinhe hastily flattered, "How could I be indifferent? I wouldn’t even allow others to have a second glance at my husband!"
Despite knowing that these words were meant to coax him, Mu Houchu’s heart inevitably melted a little. Raising his head, he looked at her contemptuously, "What are you still lingering here for? Hurry home. It’s so late. You’re going to be a mother soon, yet you can’t seem to hold still."
Xinhe giggled affirmatively. This prideful and capricious man, reaping the benefits and still trying to play the victim. Right now, she was in the wrong, so she wouldn’t squabble with him!
"So, will you stop being angry? I promise I won’t act on my own again. I’ll discuss everything with you first. What you say goes, okay?" Xinhe immediately added, seizing the moment.
Only then did Mu Houchu reluctantly agree, his face still stern, "This must not happen again."
Xinhe beamed, her heart filled with sweet victory, "I understand."
"Let’s go home." Mu Houchu promptly escorted Xinhe towards the horse carriage.
With Mu Houchu accompanying Xinhe in the carriage, there was no need for the presence of Shulan and Xiaoyu acting as the third wheel.
Shulan surreptitiously whispered into Xiaoyu’s ears, "In the end, our madam is always the one step ahead. Look how angry our master was earlier. But after a few sweet words from the madam, he’s already pacified! Oh dear, our master only appears to have a short temper, in reality, his rages are short-lived."
Xiaoyu, maintaining a poker face, responded, "Considering how tolerant our master’s temper is, perhaps you should try and provoke him for once, and see if he’s as easygoing."
With the mere suggestion, Shulan shuddered in fear, adamantly shaking her head, "Are you out of your mind?"
Xiaoyu chuckled, shaking her head, "Are you only realizing now that you’ve gone crazy?"
It was only in front of their lady that the master was patient. Having seen their cold-blooded master’s affectionate side, only when dealing with the lady, they never forgot that such man often shows no mercy to outsiders.
For their own sakes, it was best to remain perceptive at all times. It constantly reminded them not to cross their master—the consequences were grave.
As Marquis Mu assisted Xinhe into the carriage, members of the Song Family accompanied Song Ya Lan out. Unable to face this disgrace, the Song Family intended to return to the prefecture city overnight.
Song Ya Lan, from afar, could see Xinhe subtly acting coy with her beloved Mu Lang. The faint smile on the man’s cold face seemed to be the biggest mockery of her. The endless harm she had suffered tonight felt like a relentless assault. At this moment, Song Ya Lan’s heart was filled with hatred so intense it almost made her retch blood.
His lips moved into a smile, his gentle hands assisting her onto the carriage, his tender voice warning her to watch her step, not once did his gaze leave that woman.
Song Ya Lan stood still, gazing fixedly at the man whose godlike beauty was unparalleled to any others, the most handsome man she has ever met.
Just as Mu Houchu helped Xinhe into the carriage, he noticed a pair of eyes on him. He turned slightly, his icy gaze sweeping her face. The chiaroscuro of coldness in his eyes, accentuated by a menacingly stately air, frightened Song Ya Lan. She felt a chill run down her spine, and her legs gave way, nearly causing her to fall.
Mu Houchu did not care to give her a second glance, he turned and climbed into the carriage where Xinhe awaited him.
Song Ya Lan watched as the carriage gradually moved away, departing from her field of vision. She felt a constriction in her throat as if someone was strangling her, making it hard for her to breathe. She didn’t understand how the tender gazes he shared with Ji Xinhe a moment ago, could suddenly turn intensely cold and terrify her.
Could it be that her eyes deceived her in the face of the fleeting tenderness he showed Xinhe?
Song Ya Lan stood idly, her complexion ashen. She didn’t know if she was deceiving herself. The truth was in plain sight, yet she chose not to believe.
"Fifth Miss, you better not idle anymore. Once dawn breaks, there’ll be many seeking the spectacle at Qing Shui Temple. Once that happens, even if you want to leave, you won’t be able to." The Song Family’s steward coldly commented, "And don’t think about escaping either. Second Lady Song specifically mentioned that if you escape this time, don’t think about returning home. The Song Family would publicly announce your death."
Having said that, he sneered and strode to the carriage in the rear.
With her dignity trampled, Song Ya Lan swallowed her fury. A tiger falling on flat ground, bullied by a dog such was her plight. Now that she had hit rock bottom, even the mere steward from her house dared to give her an attitude! With resentment, Song Ya Lan clenched her teeth, and eventually resigned herself to enter the carriage.
The Song Family’s carriage procession gradually disappeared into the dark night, leaving behind the Qing Shui Temple which had been bustling for an entire evening. The tranquility had returned once again.
Of course, this serene moment was only temporary.
As soon as dawn broke, the entire Yu State was bound to be shaken by this scandal.
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