activa-t Chapter 84 Consort Xue has fallen out of favor!? Jiang Qingxue, filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
Chapter 84 Consort Xue has fallen out of favor!? Jiang Qingxue, filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Xu Longxiang's ears!
Xu Longxiang trembled violently!
He turned around abruptly!
Under the moonlight, Qin Mu stood three steps behind him, dressed in a black casual suit, his long hair loose, a half-smile on his face, his eyes clear, showing no sign of drunkenness whatsoever!
Inside the house...
Xu Longxiang subconsciously looked into the room again.
Through the paper window, he could still see those two figures—
If Qin Mu is here, then who is the person inside the room?!
and many more……
The two people inside the room appeared to be two women!
Oops!
He had assumed that Qin Mu and Jiang Qingxue were inside, and never expected that there might be two other concubines of Qin Mu!
Countless thoughts flashed through Xu Longxiang's mind in an instant, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes!
Xu Longxiang forced himself to calm down, his brain racing.
He quickly knelt on one knee, lowered his head, and tried to keep his voice steady:
"Your Majesty... I have come late at night with important matters to report. Seeing that the lights inside were still on, I feared I might disturb Your Majesty's rest, so I waited outside the window."
That makes perfect sense.
But will Qin Mu believe it?
Qin Mu stared at him quietly for a long time.
The moonlight shone on his face, making his handsome features appear exceptionally profound in the interplay of light and shadow.
Then he smiled.
"Oh? Something important?"
Qin Mu slowly stepped forward, walked up to Xu Longxiang, and looked down at him.
"What urgent matter could possibly warrant such a late-night report from Minister Xu?"
Xu Longxiang felt a chill run down his spine, but remained calm on the surface:
"Your Majesty, it concerns the Li Yang Dynasty."
"Li Yang?" Qin Mu raised an eyebrow. "What happened to Li Yang?"
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:
"According to reports from my spies in Liyang, Empress Zhao Qingxue of Liyang has recently made a major move."
He paused, lowering his voice slightly:
"She has secretly mobilized an army of 200,000 and deployed them on the east bank of the Lancang River. At the same time, she has sent a large number of spies to infiltrate our Great Qin, their intentions unclear. I fear... Li Yang may be plotting something."
That's half true and half false.
Li Yang is indeed mobilizing troops, and he does have spies.
However, Xu Longxiang deliberately kept the specific quantity and purpose vague, both to increase credibility and to test Qin Mu's reaction.
After listening, Qin Mu remained silent for a moment.
The night breeze blew by, ruffling his long, loose hair and stirring up the fallen leaves in the courtyard, making a soft rustling sound.
After a long silence, he finally spoke:
"Zhao Qingxue..."
His voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself.
"That woman is indeed extraordinary."
He paused, then his gaze returned to Xu Longxiang:
"However, Minister Xu's information network is quite extensive. He even knows the movements of Empress Li Yang perfectly well."
These words have a hidden meaning.
Xu Longxiang's heart tightened, and he quickly said:
"As your subject guarding the northern border, facing Liyang across the river, it is only natural that I pay close attention to the movements of our neighboring country. This is my duty."
"Do your duty..." Qin Mu repeated the word, a meaningful smile curving his lips.
"Minister Xu is indeed loyal to the emperor and loves his country, never forgetting his duty."
He bent down and reached out to help Xu Longxiang up.
"Since Minister Xu has something important to report, let's go inside and talk."
As Qin Mu spoke, he turned and walked towards the main house.
As Xu Longxiang watched his retreating figure, a strong sense of unease welled up within him.
But he had no other choice.
I had no choice but to bite the bullet and keep up.
When he reached the door, Qin Mu pushed it open.
The room was brightly lit by candlelight.
Xu Longxiang's eyes narrowed.
as predicted.
The two people he just saw through the window were Lu Wanning and Su Wanqing.
However, unlike her previous attire, Su Wanqing was now wearing a short shirt similar to men's clothing, and her long hair was tied up, making her look dashing and heroic.
He was misled by the attire, and because he couldn't see clearly through the window, and because of his turbulent emotions, he mistook the other person for Qin Mu.
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and said in a deep voice:
"I have been presumptuous tonight. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"It's alright."
Qin Mu waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down as well.
"Since you're here, let's talk about Liyang. That woman, Zhao Qingxue... I'm quite interested in her too."
Xu Longxiang sat down as instructed and began to give a detailed report on Li Yang's movements.
Qin Mu slowly nodded only after Xu Longxiang finished speaking:
"You are very thoughtful, Minister Xu. I will keep an eye on the matter of Liyang."
He paused, then changed the subject:
"However, Minister Xu, you must also be careful. The northern border is the gateway to our Great Qin, and it cannot be lost. If Li Yang really makes any unusual moves... how will Minister Xu respond?"
Xu Longxiang's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stood up and knelt on one knee:
"Your subject swears to defend the northern border to the death, and will never allow Li Yang to set foot on the territory of my Great Qin!"
"We swear to defend it to the death..."
Qin Mu repeated those four words, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Very well. With Minister Xu's words, I am relieved."
He stood up, walked to Xu Longxiang, and bent down to help him up:
"It's getting late, Minister Xu, you should go back. I have to get up early to travel tomorrow, so I won't keep you any longer."
"Yes." Xu Longxiang bowed his head. "Your subject takes his leave."
He turned and walked towards the door.
Xu Longxiang bowed and withdrew from the main house of Tingtao Garden.
The night breeze cooled his chaotic thoughts slightly, but it only deepened his confusion.
Where is Qingxue?
He didn't see Jiang Qingxue in the main house just now.
Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning were both there, but Qingxue was nowhere to be seen.
Where did she go? Where did Qin Mu put her? Could it be... in the inner room?
Countless questions churned in his mind, but Xu Longxiang dared not ask a single one.
He could only suppress all his doubts and worries deep in his heart and quickly cross the courtyard.
Inside Tingtao Garden, the atmosphere changed abruptly after Xu Longxiang's departure.
Su Wanqing gently pulled the slightly oversized, men's-style black short shirt she was wearing closer together.
She then untied her hair, letting her long, black hair cascade down like a waterfall, softening the heroic air she had just deliberately created.
She walked to Qin Mu's side, glanced in the direction Xu Longxiang had left, then looked back at Qin Mu, her cherry lips parting slightly.
"Your Majesty made me dress like this, and had Wan Ning... strike that pose, all so that Prince Xu outside the window could see it, right?"
She paused, her eyes sparkling in the flickering candlelight, and lowered her voice, a knowing smile playing on her lips:
"It's all to... annoy him, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Mu turned around, the candlelight illuminating half of his profile, outlining his handsome, smiling features.
"Qing'er is still the smartest."
Su Wanqing smiled knowingly, like a peony in full bloom in spring, her elegance concealing a hidden charm.
In fact, these days, she had been observing coldly as the Emperor showered the newly arrived Consort Xue, now Imperial Noble Consort Xue, with all sorts of favors, almost to the point of monopolizing her affections.
It would be a lie to say that I felt no bitterness or doubt.
But she knew His Majesty's temperament better and guessed that things were not as simple as she imagined.
Especially after arriving in the Northern Territory, in Xu Longxiang's territory, His Majesty's interaction with Jiang Qingxue in front of Xu Longxiang... all these signs had already given her a vague guess.
Now that her suspicions had been confirmed by His Majesty, the invisible weight on her heart finally lifted.
It turns out that the so-called "favor" was nothing more than a move on His Majesty's chessboard.
His Majesty was not truly bewitched by the aloof and cold Consort Xue.
This realization completely calmed Su Wanqing's persistent unease.
She was ultimately the one who had been with His Majesty longer and understood his thoughts better.
Lu Wanning blinked her clear, innocent eyes, looking at Qin Mu and then at Su Wanqing.
Although I don't quite understand the intricacies and deeper meanings involved, I've gleaned some insights from their conversation and expressions.
The actions she and Sister Su just took were actually orchestrated by His Majesty to impress the seemingly fierce Prince Zhenbei.
Although she didn't quite understand the specific reasons, she was happy as long as it was something His Majesty ordered her to do, and it seemed to be useful to His Majesty.
She nodded as if she understood, and whispered in agreement, "Yes, Sister Su is clever, but His Majesty is even more amazing."
Looking at her charmingly naive appearance, Qin Mu couldn't help but smile even more, and reached out to ruffle her hair.
"Alright, it's getting late, the play is over, we should rest."
Upon hearing this, Su Wanqing's eyes instantly lit up with unbelievable joy, and she asked in a trembling voice:
"Your Majesty, you...aren't you going to Sister Xue's place tonight?"
God knows how long she had been waiting to hear those words!
Since Jiang Qingxue entered the palace and gained the emperor's favor, especially since she was promoted to Imperial Concubine and accompanied the emperor on his journey to the north, how long has it been since she has truly been close to the emperor?
Even if you have some guesses in your heart, the waiting and uncertainty itself is a kind of torment.
Seeing the undisguised joy in her eyes, Qin Mu said gently but firmly, "Let her rest."
Those few simple words sounded like heavenly music to Su Wanqing's ears.
Her smile grew even more radiant and bright. She quickly curtsied, her voice brimming with barely suppressed joy:
"Yes! Then tonight, Your Majesty will be served by your concubine and sister Wan Ning."
She turned to Lu Wanning, her eyes filled with encouragement and a desire to share her joy.
Upon hearing that she could accompany His Majesty tonight, Lu Wanning's face immediately lit up with a pure and joyful smile, her eyes sparkling as she nodded vigorously.
Two pairs of beautiful eyes, one pair charming and affectionate, the other clear and bright.
The candlelight illuminated the scene, reflecting Qin Mu's figure and filling it with undisguised anticipation and joy.
Meanwhile, in the inner room, which is separated from the main hall by only one wall.
Jiang Qingxue sat alone on an embroidered stool covered with brocade, her hands unconsciously twisting the sash of her plain-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
The room was quiet, so quiet that I could hear my own slightly rapid breathing and heartbeat.
The candlelight burned quietly on the lampstand, casting her lonely shadow on the wall.
His Majesty... did not come tonight.
This was the first time since she had been favored by the emperor.
After the banquet, Qin Mu took her back to Tingtao Garden, but did not embrace her directly as usual.
Or speak to her in that gentle tone that makes her feel flustered yet irresistible.
He merely glanced at her indifferently, ordered, "You stay here and don't go anywhere," then turned and went to the outer room, even closing the door connecting the inside and outside.
At that moment, Jiang Qingxue's heart sank.
Why?
Was it because I didn't perform well enough at Tingxuelou during the day?
Did you make a mistake while pouring wine and serving food at the banquet?
Or... has His Majesty lost interest in him? Grown tired of him?
An unprecedented sense of unease and fear gripped her heart.
this moment,
Jiang Qingxue realized that she had actually... gotten used to it.
Accustomed to the complex emotions of trepidation and resistance intertwined in my heart every evening at dusk, I longed for the emperor's favor.
I've grown accustomed to being embraced in that warm yet undeniably powerful embrace late at night.
I've grown accustomed to being forced to endure and respond in those shameful positions and gasps.
I even... grew accustomed to the occasional tenderness he showed, and the brief peace that followed.
Now, this habit has been suddenly interrupted.
Jiang Qingxue seemed to have lost her soul, at a loss and filled with anxiety.
She had wished countless times that Qin Mu would not come, and that night would never fall.
But when Qin Mu really stopped coming, what remained for her was not relief, but a deeper sense of bewilderment.
And a kind of panic, a sense of being out of favor, that she herself was unwilling to admit.
Jiang Qingxue paced back and forth in the room, then forced herself to sit down, straining her ears to catch any faint sound from outside.
That night, Jiang Qingxue endured the torment of anxiety, unease, self-doubt, and deep confusion.
Candle tears piled up, the water clock dripped slowly.
Even as the sky outside the window began to turn gray, she remained seated fully clothed, with faint dark circles under her eyes, looking exhausted but her mind in turmoil.
It wasn't until dawn that a maid gently knocked on the door.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that we may depart for the palace. Please make your preparations."
Jiang Qingxue suddenly snapped out of her daze, staring blankly at the morning light streaming through the window.
Only then did I realize with a start that the long and agonizing night had passed just like that.
She slowly got up, pushed open the door, and the sunlight was a bit too bright, causing her to squint unconsciously.
The outer room had already been tidied up, and the air seemed to still retain the warm fragrance of Su Wanqing, as well as another sweet scent belonging to Lu Wanning.
Qin Mu was no longer among them.
Jiang Qingxue pursed her pale lips, and with the help of palace maids, she hurriedly washed and changed her clothes, donned the formal attire of a noble consort, and walked out of Tingtao Garden with somewhat unsteady steps.