Chapter 143: A chance encounter, brushing past (1/2)

Chapter 143: A chance encounter, brushing past

Princess Changping was secretly delighted at Eunuch Xue’s enigmatic expression. “There’s hope?”

Eunuch Xue smiled without saying a thing, further convincing Princess Changping, who rejoiced inside. Compared to Mu Liuyue’s bet, she was much more interested in this affair. Of course, she still had to help out her best friend who was facing imminent disaster. After all, this friend was none other than the little sister of her heart’s desire.

“Eunuch Xue, I have to see Imperial Father today. Can you help me think of a way?” Princess Changping asked him urgently. Whether or not Mu Liuyue refused the bet or ran out half-robed, everything would be over after today. Mu Liuyue’s namesake would definitely be ruined! Just as Eunuch Xue was placed in a difficult position, Shuang Hong hurried over and whispered something in Princess Changping’s ear. Shocked, Princess Changping’s expression completely changed. She gave out a cry of alarm before turning to run.

Shuang Hong had said that the general’s gates had opened!

Someone had come out, but it was none other than Mu Liuyue’s big brother, Young General Mu Qingwu!

By the time Princess Changping rushed back, the general’s estate was surrounded by a watertight crowd with Mu Qingwu standing before the gates. He’d just finished explaining to everyone that Mu Liuyue had fallen ill ever since three days ago, so there was no way for her to fulfill the bet. Instead, he’d take her place to take off his outer robes and run around the streets.

Even though he was a man, standing in front of everyone to take off his clothes was still a form of humiliation! The entire crowd exploded into commentary, with quite a few people raising their voices to protest.

“Mu Liuyue, get out! Out! You’re not keeping you word, girl! What right do you have to be the general’s daughter?”

“Mu Liuyue has to be pretending to be sick. Why is she letting someone else take her place? This doesn’t count!”

“Great General, there’s no room for levity in the army. Are you really going to let your daughter’s conniving ways go? Too fake!”

“If you can’t stick to your word, then don’t bet in the first place!”

… …

Little by little, the topic shifted to Mu Qingwu.

“Young General, you don’t need to run! It wouldn’t count even if you did!”

“Heheh, Young General, you don’t need to strip either. If you did…no one will watch!”

“Young General, it’s not worth doing this for a person like your little sister. You ought to wake up!”

… …

Princess Changping heard all these words as she looked at Qingwu gege in the distance, her heart so distressed that it was hard to breathe. She stood a long ways off, tears streaming down her face as she hated Han Yunxi bitterly! It was all due to Han Yunxi. Without Han Yunxi, this bet would’ve never happened, and Qingwu gege wouldn’t have fallen to this extent.

The gossip reached a frenzy. At this moment, Han Yunxi was in the crowd as well, her eyebrows furrowed. Somehow, she’d started biting her lip. She expected Mu Liuyue to keep feigning illness, but never thought that Mu Qingwu would come out for her sake to finish the bet. Ignoring the facts of Mu Liuyue’s natural disposition, the fact remained that her reputation would be ruined regardless of whether or not she ran. Mu Qingwu’s display of integrity and moral courage should be enough to conclude things.

Han Yunxi was about to go forward when Princess Changping burst from the crowd and grabbed Mu Qingwu’s arm.

“Qingwu gege, I won’t allow you to do this! I won’t, I won’t!”

Changping was back?

Caught unawares, Han Yunxi backed up a few steps. Mu Qingwu was surprised as well, but he quickly pushed aside Princess Changping’s arm to speak in a low voice. “Princess, men and women shouldn’t be so intimate with each other. Please conduct yourself with dignity.”

Princess Changping feared nothing on Heaven on Earth except for Mu Qingwu. Even if she didn’t listen to anyone else, she’d listen to him. She didn’t dare to touch him anymore, but looked at him with a tearstained face. “I won’t let you do this, I won’t!”

Princess Changping’s appearance had silenced the entire crowd. Mu Qingwu’s gaze turned complicated as he further suppressed his voice. “Princess, everyone’s watching. Don’t make a fuss.”

“I’m not making a fuss. Madame Li is from the Han Family, so Han Yunxi probably…”

Before Princess Changping could finish, Mu Qingwu’s gaze turned frighteningly fierce, scaring her away from speaking any further. She’d never seen Qingwu gege so ferocious, as if she’d committed some unforgivable error.

A bet was just a bet, but if it started entangling the matters of the hidden spies, the effects would be far-reaching. The Duke of Qin and the emperor would have even more difficulties on their side. Beneath the gazes of the crowd today, Mu Qingwu had not choice but to be serious. Seeing that Princess Changping had shut her mouth, Mu Qingwu raised his head to face the assembled people. His eyes shone with a magnanimous light. “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve all seen with your own eyes. My general’s estate keeps to their word.”

So speaking, he undid his buttons and belt without the slightest hesitation to remove his outer robes.

His white under robes and black boots, combined with his tall, thin figure and vigorous military bearing, gave off an open and upright impression to his viewers. In a moment, all of the sneers and scoffs, ridicule and questioning, turned into respect.

Mu Qingwu was a real man!