Chapter 138: Attacked (1/2)

Chapter 138: Attacked

The crowd was still keyed up and anxious as they watched the retreating forms of the imperial guards. Still, there was a feeling of things left without a conclusion, as if something was missing.

“Your Highness, let’s bring mufei back quickly. Mufei’s still poisoned, we need to find a doctor!” Murong Wanru was very agitated.

But her words were intolerable to Han Yunxi. She was a poisons doctor herself. Was Murong Wanru treating her as air? Unexpectedly, Grand Concubine Yi nodded as well. “Feiye, let’s go back. Hurry and find an expert poisons doctor for mufei, mufei’s throat is really uncomfortable.”

Long Feiye didn’t reply as he supported Grand Concubine Yi by the arm and prepared to leave. Han Yunxi looked after them coldly. She didn’t mind Grand Concubine Yi or Murong Wanru, but the sight of Long Feiye’s back made her feel like a downright stranger. An inexplicable sense of disappointment secretly crept into her heart.

All right, those three had been part of one family from the start. It was her who was the outsider.

When Madame Li used poison, her detox system hadn’t alerted her to anything. Either Madame Li had tricked them all, or else her poisons were wholly unique. If that was the case, Han Yunxi would like to see what kind of formidable poisons expert Grand Concubine Yi could find in the capital. Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru, you’ve thrown quite a few rocks after me in the well with the Han Family affairs and the bet. You better not have a day when you’re begging me for help!

Just as Han Yunxi was looking after them with narrowed eyes, Long Feiye suddenly turned back, voice cold. “Han Yunxi, you’re still not leaving?”

Han Yunxi’s heart gave a lurch. These were such familiar words! Though he’d only said them to her once, when they were finished paying respects to the empress dowager at the palace, she still felt overwhelmingly nostalgic towards this line. It was as if she’d never been abandoned. She gave a start before suddenly breaking into a smile.

“Your Highness, chenqie needs to wrap up a bet, so I can’t leave just yet.”

Mu Liuyue had been staring dazedly towards Long Feiye before these words forced her to look at Han Yunxi.

The bet!

That’s right, there was still a bet!

The lingering crowds remembered as well. Madame Li had scared them too thoroughly just then that they’d all neglected this fact. No wonder they felt like something was still missing. Han Yunxi admitted that she was acting dirty. Mu Liuyue, this is retribution. You were heartless towards me, so don’t blame me for being unfair to you!

Afraid that Long Feiye would leave, Han Yunxi hastened to add, “Your Highness, Miss Liuyue and chenqie made a bet. Since she lost, she has to fulfill the conditions of the bet.”

“Your Highness, let’s go back. Mufei’s health is more important,” Murong Wanru urged under her breath. After all, her and Mu Liuyue were allies in this case.

But Long Feiye didn’t seem to have heard her words at all. He ordered Chu Xifeng under his breath to take Grand Concubine Yi back before turning around and walking over. Murong Wanru was bewildered. His highness had never enjoyed hustle and bustle, but why was he interested today? She glanced at Mu Liuyue but was ultimately helpless. In the end, she could only go back first with Grand Concubine Yi.

As Long Feiye approached, Mu Liuyue’s heart gradually sank. Everything was no good! Once, she’d hoped for this man to look at her, even if it was for an extra second. But today she wished she could hide in a crack on the ground.

“What kind of bet?” Long Feiye asked mildly, his direct gaze on Mu Liuyue.

At his words, Mu Qingwu clapped himself on the forehead. He knew that his little sister was done for. His Highness Duke of Qin had taken interest in the bet a lot time ago. Wasn’t he just asking on purpose while knowing the answer?

Mu Liuyue’s head lowered until it couldn’t go any lower, her face feeling like it was on fire. It had always been her dream to gain the Duke of Qin’s attention. Whether it was her figure or her face, she’d always taken pains to maintain both while dressing herself up. For years, she’d strictly regulated herself in the hopes that His Highness Duke of Qin would look at her directly one day and leave with a good impression, a lasting memory.

But…but today she was in her most difficult, most embarrassing position.

She was stupid enough to be used by the assassin, and foolish enough to place this bet with Han Yunxi. This…she might as well spit blood until she died! How could she be such a hopeless idiot, brainless enough to lose face completely?! Heavens, how would the Duke of Qin look at her now? What would he think?

“We bet whether chenqie could uncover the true poisoner within a month. There’s still three days until the deadline, so chenqie’s won.” Han Yunxi’s smile was very smug. It’d taken so much effort to triumph, so of course she’d grin to her heart’s content.

Mu Liuyue’s fists clenched inside her sleeves as she listened. She was cursing silently in her heart. Han Yunxi, you slut!

Still, Han Yunxi remained cheerful and smiling. “Your Highness, the loser has to take off their outer robes and run a circle around Xuanwu Street.”

Sobsob…

Finally, Mu Liuyue couldn’t take it anymore. She reached out a hand to tug at her brother’s sleeve for help. “Brother…”

Mu Qingwu’s eyebrows were completely scrunched together. Although he’d remained impartial throughout the investigation, he was still hesitant before the terms of such a bet. It really was too much to strip and run around the streets. Once the clothes were off, one’s reputation and integrity would be lost as well. If Liuyue really did such a thing, how could she still be considered upright? How could she have any more footholds in Tianning capital’s social circles? How would she ever get married off?

Moreover, she’d lose face and prestige for the general’s estate as well.

Mu Qingwu paused for a bit before opening his mouth. “Esteemed wangfei, Your Highness, Liuyue’s still young and doesn’t know any better. This matter concerns a girl’s reputation and integrity; it’ll affect the rest of her life. I ask that there be leniency to spare her this once.”

Han Yunxi knew that Mu Qingwu would plea for mercy. She gazed coldly at Mu Liuyue’s hand, still holding on tightly to her brother. A disdainful curve crept onto her lips. Some people had moral integrity and strength of character. Some others could submit or assert themselves as the occasion required.