funbook-pk Chapter 73 Liar
Chapter 73 Liar
“No need,” Mu Yunqing paused, suppressing his discomfort, and replied, “I trust the doctor, but I have important matters to attend to and cannot stay here any longer.”
"What could be more important than your eyes?" Zhao Siheng pressed the man back into the chair, took some residual poison powder from his clothes, and said, "I've taken the poison powder. I'll study it for the next few days. Come back in a few days, and I'll definitely cure you."
Mu Yunqing hesitated for a moment, then finally gave in, stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Then I will trouble you, Doctor. I will take my leave." He had only taken two steps when he swayed and almost fell.
"Let me help you back," Shen Chenxi said.
“No need,” Mu Yunqing said, turning his back. “Lord Shen should go back soon.”
Seeing that he was determined to do so, Shen Chenxi cupped his hands and said, "Then I will take my leave now. May Lord Mu have a safe journey."
_
Fanglan Garden
Mu Yan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, secretly planning her return to the military academy. After several days of recuperation, she felt much better and could walk normally or even practice her swordplay without any problems. She figured she could grit her teeth and get through the training at the academy.
She should have gone back long ago!
But she had just claimed to be ill a few days ago, and suddenly she recovered. It's a bit...mysterious, isn't it?
But so what if it's mysterious? When others ask, just say you're lucky, blessed by God? Not only did you receive a miraculous elixir, but you also have a special constitution?
Mu Yan slapped her forehead. This wasn't a cultivation world; there were no magic pills or elixirs here.
Just as I was lost in thought, a loud crash came from outside the door, as if something had broken.
"Maybe it's a cat," Mu Yan thought, and rolled over again.
"Wait a minute," she sat up in bed, "when did the Prime Minister's residence get a cat?"
Sure enough, people's intelligence declines at night. Since she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, she casually threw on a coat and went outside.
Perhaps a bit of cold air will clear her head.
As soon as the door opened, Mu Yan saw someone squatting in the courtyard. She drew her dagger and rushed towards the person. After seeing the face clearly, she was almost dumbfounded: "Mu Yunqing? What are you doing here?"
The person on the ground was busy plucking orchid leaves and didn't hear what she said at all.
"Mu Yunqing?" Mu Yan called out again.
Was he sleepwalking? Or was he drunk?
Mu Yan asked, "Have you been drinking?"
Mu Yunqing frowned slightly, trying hard to recall: "I...I think I drank some wine, I might be a little drunk..."
"The ground is cold, why don't you get up first?"
"Okay." Mu Yunqing grabbed a handful of orchid leaves and tried to stuff them into Mu Yan's hand, but because he couldn't find Mu Yan's location, he bumped his head into a pillar.
Mu Yan: "..."
Nighttime really does lower your IQ.
She walked to Mu Yunqing's side and asked, "Why did you drink alcohol out of the blue?"
Upon smelling the familiar fragrance, Mu Yunqing immediately sobered up a bit. He said, "It's nothing, I'm just feeling down and wanted to drown my sorrows in alcohol."
"Has your sorrow disappeared?"
"No."
"So you came here to offer yourself as a bedmate?"
"Mu Yan," he said in a deep voice, "I'm just a little drunk, not out of it. I'll remember everything you said tomorrow."
"What did I say?" Mu Yan asked in return.
"Offering myself as a bedmate."
"Great!" Mu Yan said with a smile, "When do you plan to offer yourself as my bedmate?"
Mu Yunqing: "..."
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore," she asked. "How much did you drink tonight? Your eyes look so vacant."
Mu Yunqing raised his hand and rubbed his temples, saying, "I didn't drink much, it's just that my eyes are a little uncomfortable and my vision is a bit blurry."
"What happened to your eyes?"
Mu Yunqing hesitated for a moment before replying, "My eyes were stung by the poison powder. It's not serious, but I can't see clearly for the time being." He then added, "It's only temporary. The doctor said I'll be fine in a few days."
Mu Yan leaned closer to him: "You really can't see?"
"I can't see it, but I can feel it," Mu Yunqing raised his hand to block in front of him and said seriously, "Step back, men and women should not touch each other."
"Men and women shouldn't touch each other?" Mu Yan pinned him against the wall and teased, "You seem quite comfortable with physical contact, don't you? Open your eyes and let me see."
Mu Yunqing turned her head slightly to the side and moved away, saying helplessly, "There's no need to watch, what's there to see?"
Mu Yan raised her hand and turned his face back: "It's just looking at my eyes, what's there to be afraid of? Mu Yunqing, why are you so delicate?"
"The men of Phoenix Perch Kingdom are known for their gentleness, doesn't Miss Mu San know that?"
"I don't know," Mu Yan said casually, scrutinizing his eyes. "But I think being overly delicate is not good."
He was taken aback: "A man?"
"Whether male or female, if one is too delicate, one cannot even protect oneself, how can one accomplish anything?"
Is success all you care about?
“I still see you,” Mu Yan winked at him. “Never mind, you can’t see me anyway! But I’ve looked at your eyes, and they’re probably not blind, so don’t worry.”
Mu Yunqing nodded and said, "It's getting late, I should go back."
"Shall I take you there?"
“This…” He was about to refuse, but swallowed the words back and nodded slightly: “Then I’ll have to trouble Miss Mu.”
Mu Yan helped him walk forward, saying, "Watch out for the steps."
"it is good."
_
Green Bamboo Garden
Mu Yan helped the person to sit down by the bed and said, "It's inconvenient for you to do things like this. Shall I transfer a few people to your courtyard?"
“No need,” Mu Yunqing frowned slightly and subconsciously refused, “I’m not used to having too many people around me, and besides, I’m only temporarily blind, it’s nothing serious.”
"How can I be at ease if you're like this?" Mu Yan interrupted him.
Mu Yunqing felt a warmth in her heart, but she remained stubborn, "There's really no need, no need... to worry about me."
Seeing his stubbornness, Mu Yan's eyes lit up, and an idea came to her. "Then I'll come and take care of you every day until your eyes recover, okay?"
Mu Yunqing was taken aback and was about to refuse when Mu Yan continued, "If you don't agree, then I will have no choice but to arrange for someone to come into the hospital to take care of you."
Mu Yunqing sighed helplessly, "Then it's your way."
_
Silver Birch Pavilion
Hongxiu knelt on the ground, her body covered in wounds, her face lowered, her hair disheveled.
The man at the seat slowly brewed tea, occasionally raising his hand to add charcoal to the stove.
After a moment, he looked up at the person on the ground. Only one lamp was lit in the room, and the dim light made his face look even colder.
Noticing his gaze, Hongxiu's fingertips trembled, and she lowered her head even further.
Shen Chenxi said calmly, "According to the rules, taking action without authorization is punishable by death."
"I obey my orders."
“Heh,” Shen Chenxi scoffed, her tone icy, “You’re quite clever.”
Hongxiu said tremblingly, "This subordinate dares not disobey."
"You dare not?" Shen Chenxi put down his cup, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "What you did today is utterly disrespectful."
"That's what the Master taught me."
“Since you know you’ve made a mistake,” he said, “then accept your punishment.”
Hongxiu knelt on the ground, refusing to get up for a long time.
"What are you still standing there for?" Shen Chenxi glanced at her sideways, his voice so cold it seemed to freeze into ice, sending chills down one's spine: "Do you expect me to personally escort you down? Wei Zhuo, take her down!"
"Young Master!" Hongxiu hurriedly said, "I know that my death is nothing to regret, but I did it for your sake."
"Considering my interests?" He scoffed, strode over to Hongxiu, and said coldly, "If you were truly considering my interests, you shouldn't have acted rashly."
Hongxiu's breathing became slightly heavy as she kowtowed and said, "This subordinate knows she has made a mistake, but..."
"No need for further explanation," Shen Chenxi said coldly, "A mistake is a mistake. Why bother explaining so much? Go and receive your punishment!"
Seeing this, Wei Zhuo pleaded, "Young Master, Hongxiu is seriously injured. Her body might not be able to withstand further punishment..."
“Young master, there’s no need to listen to him,” Hongxiu said as she stood up. “I will go and accept my punishment myself!” As soon as she finished speaking, she forced herself to walk out.
Wei Zhu bowed to Shen Chenxi and hurriedly followed after him.
Shen Chenxi smiled slightly, holding a white jade teacup, and glanced at the wind and snow outside the window.
Wei Zhuo and Hong Xiu were people he had taken in since childhood, and eighteen years had passed in the blink of an eye.
These two have very different personalities and often bicker, but they cooperate perfectly in critical moments, shielding him from a lot of harm.
_
The next morning, as Mu Yunqing got up, he sensed someone beside him. He suddenly remembered what Mu Yan had said the night before, "Then I'll come and take care of you every day until your eyes recover, okay?"
"Who's there?" Mu Yunqing asked tentatively.
The servant paused in serving the dishes and replied, "Young Master Mu, you're awake! I'm from the Third Miss's courtyard; you can just call me Xiao Jiang!"
Mu Yunqing's face darkened. Mu Yan kept saying she would take care of him, but she still called someone else instead.
She's a walking liar; you can't believe nine out of ten things she says.
"Young Master Mu," Xiao Jiang said solicitously, "I have prepared some food for you. Would you like to come and eat something, or rest a little longer?"
Mu Yunqing waved his hand, "Thank you for your trouble, but I don't have much of an appetite right now. Please take this away."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiang dropped his abacus beads and hurriedly said, "No, young master, this is something I prepared with great care. Miss San always says it's delicious!" He pleaded, "Please, have a taste!"
"Okay, I'll try it." Mu Yunqing replied and groped his way towards the dining table. Xiao Jiang was afraid he would bump into something, so she stayed by his side to protect him, pulling out a chair and serving him food, taking meticulous care of him.
"Was it the Third Miss who gave the order?" he asked.
Xiao Jiang shook his head repeatedly, "No, it was my own initiative! Young Master Mu, don't forget my kindness when your eyes recover!"
Mu Yunqing smiled and replied, "Even if I remember, I can't offer you any benefits."
"I don't need any benefits," Xiao Jiang said with a fawning smile. "I just need Young Master Mu to put in a good word for me with the Third Miss, so that my work in the courtyard can be a little easier!"
Mu Yunqing put down his bowl and chopsticks and said calmly, "If that's the case, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I can't say much to her either."
Xiao Jiang was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Did you two have a fight?"
"There was no quarrel."
"Then why can't you speak in front of the Third Miss?" Xiao Jiang couldn't understand why the Third Miss would hide someone in the courtyard and not speak to them.
He paused for a moment, then said, "Or perhaps, young master... you were actually kidnapped by the Third Miss?" Upon thinking of this, Xiao Jiang couldn't help but cover his mouth. Given the Third Miss's habits, it was indeed possible.
Mu Yunqing rubbed his forehead and explained, "No. I'm just staying here temporarily."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jiang's eyes lit up: "It's good to stay temporarily! It's better than not being able to stay at all!" He said, "Over the years, you're the first man to have troubled the Third Miss! Oh, no, there was also the young marquis, but that young marquis will become the principal husband after entering the Prime Minister's residence, so we won't compare ourselves to him!"
As she spoke, Xiao Jiang looked Mu Yunqing up and down again, praising, "With your looks, young master, you're more than good enough to be a concubine! I just hope you won't forget my kindness in the future!"
"Let's not talk about that now," he said. "Put the food away and come with me."
"Alright, young master!" Xiao Jiang quickly collected the food and helped the man out the door.
_
Military training ground
The snow fell heavily today, and in just a few moments, a thick layer of white snow had been laid out.
Qiuyi sat on the ground, looking up at the snowflakes falling from the sky, her mind heavy with worries.
She had previously returned to Qingcheng Mountain, hoping her master would answer her questions. But her master said, "Do not inquire about cause and effect."
Who is the cause? Who is the effect? She couldn't figure it out even after smashing the divination plate to pieces.
Autumn raised her hand, and a snowflake swirled in the air before gently landing in her palm.
She thought of the blood-stained sword again, and the memory still sent chills down her spine.
The icy touch of her palm felt like a sharp blade piercing her heart. Qiu Yi was so frightened that she broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly withdrew her hand, leaning back as if she were falling backward.
Ling Yun quickly threw down the broom and came over to help her up. "What happened? Did something bite your hand? Why are you so scared?"
“No,” Qiu Yi shook her head, still feeling a lingering fear, “Perhaps the wind and snow were a bit heavier this year.”
"What snowstorm?" Ling Yun was completely confused and asked again, "When will Mu Yan come back? Without her, I have no fun watching the military training ground."
"I don't know." Qiu Yi picked up the broom and replied, "Let's hurry up and sweep the snow, or Commander Xiao will scold us again if he sees us."
"Oh," Ling Yun replied, and picked up a broom to sweep the snow.
_
teahouse
The teahouse was rather deserted at midday, with only a few people scattered around.
Mu Yunqing sat in the cubicle. Although he was blind, he still came to see Ling Qi as promised.
Come to think of it, it had been quite some time since he had seen Ling Qi.
Mu Yunqing asked, "How much do you know about the assassins?"
“I’ve investigated several times before,” Ling Qi said with frustration, “but in the end, all the clues went cold, and the totems on those assassins were all different.”
"What kind of totems are they?"
“They’re like snakes, wolves, and even ants,” Ling Qi replied. “The colors of the totems are all different, which is quite strange.”
“The totems are not the point,” he said seriously. “These are just smokescreens to distract you.”
Things that are too flashy and obvious often lack substance.
Ling Qi: "Hmm?"
“What I mean is,” Mu Yunqing explained, “that you should start from somewhere else to investigate their martial arts style or their behavior. As for the totems, put them aside for now and investigate them after you’ve found out where they came from.”
"Oh, I see." Ling Qi replied, seemingly understanding, then looked up at him: "Your eyes..."
"It's nothing, I'll be fine in a few days." Mu Yunqing stood up and said, "This place is not safe to stay for long. If you need anything, send me a message. I'm leaving now."
Ling Qi nodded blankly, watching him turn and leave.
This was the first time she had ever seen Mu Yunqing with such an expression. He was usually so sharp-tongued, but today he was actually patiently explaining things to her—it was like the sun had risen in the west.