Caught off guard by being named, Qu Yue straightened her small frame abruptly. Her pretty features tightened instantly, and she almost failed to catch her breath.
Countless startled gazes also landed on her, making her feel as if she had needles pricking her back.
Her pupils trembled, and she couldn't make up her mind for a moment.
After all, if she received the imperial edict, it would be equivalent to openly offending the old marquis and Lady Song.
On the contrary, she would have the right to control all the rewards bestowed upon Mu Yuan.
In their country, the person who received the imperial edict would be the one in control.
Suddenly, Mu Wang's soft reminder came to her ears: "Go."
Qu Yue was slightly shocked and looked sideways.
The young man who usually showed disgust towards her was then full of solemnity. His round, almond - shaped eyes were filled with sincerity towards her.
Although Mu Wang was mean to her, he never let her down at critical moments.
Qu Yue trusted him.
She lifted the hem of her mourning dress and stepped out of the crowd.
Although she was slender, she had all the proper grace. She walked with dignity and elegance, which was a posture cultivated since childhood.
However, due to years of being oppressed, there was an ineradicable sense of inferiority embedded in her.
These two conflicting auras merged in her, but strangely wove her gentle exterior.
Qu Yue walked to Mu Qing's side, knelt on both knees and saluted, "This commoner girl, Qu Yue, pays homage to Your Majesty!"
Xie Qichi was sitting upright on the main seat. His dark eyes had been falling on Qu Yue, as if absent - mindedly, ever since she stepped out of the crowd.
The movement of turning the jade ring on his finger became even quicker. "Mu Yuan's legal wife?"
Qu Yue was kneeling on the ground. Her violent heartbeat almost pounded her whole body to pieces. It took her a long time to stammer a reply, "Yes, it's this commoner girl..."
Xie Qichi stared at the small figure on the ground. The coldness between his eyebrows deepened.
He seemed to be deliberately making things difficult and deliberately didn't speak.
She carefully glanced up, not knowing whether she should get up or not with her bent body.
It was Mu Qing beside her who couldn't hold his hands up any longer. He plucked up his courage and said, "Your Majesty, this subject dares to remind you. I originally wanted to adopt Qu Yue as my god - daughter and marry her off to someone else.
"This imperial edict should be received by this subject!
"Since Your Majesty's reward is for Mu Yuan, as his father, this subject has the right to receive it."
Lady Song exchanged glances with Mu Qing from afar and also knelt down nodding.
"This commoner girl, Song Luo, pays homage to Your Majesty."
"I've raised Mu Yuan with my own hands. Even if I have no great merits, I've put in a lot of effort. Moreover, the marquis and I have planned a good future for Qu Yue. I hope Your Majesty will take our good intentions into account and let the marquis receive the imperial edict!"
Her words were sincere and touched people's hearts. Her trembling voice combined with her slightly red eyes made people feel sad.
But hidden beneath those slightly red eyes was her determination that Qu Yue must not get the reward!
If this ungrateful and scheming woman got the reward, it would be hard to get it back from her!
Moreover, they still needed this money to—
Xie Qichi saw Qu Yue's carefully raised head droop back after Lady Song came out. A faint smile spread across his pale - white skin. "According to what you've said, does it mean that I'm deliberately withholding the reward from the marquis's mansion?"
Mu Qing's eyelids twitched wildly. His hands were sore from being held up. He could only grit his teeth and hold on. "This subject wouldn't dare!"
Song Luo straightened up and gently hammered her chest. "Your Majesty, this commoner girl is not afraid of offending you, but I just want a reasonable explanation.
"We think our arrangement is proper and reasonable. Why can't the marquis receive the imperial edict?"
Mu Qing put down his hands and turned around to shout at Song Luo, "That's enough!"
He pretended to teach Song Luo a lesson. "Mind your words in front of Your Majesty!"
Song Luo looked as if she were ready to die. "Marquis, I must get an explanation today!"
The husband and wife sang in chorus, which made Qu Yue look a bit embarrassed.
She stole a glance and found that Mu Qing had already put his hands down.
"..."
Why didn't he give her an excuse to get up?
It was tiring to be lying on the ground.
"Reason?" A sinister smile spread across Xie Qichi's lips. There was a glint in his dark eyes. "You're talking about reason with me."
His lowered voice was soaked with an indescribable threat.
The arrogance that Song Luo had just risen instantly disappeared. She knelt back on the ground. "This commoner girl wouldn't dare."
Mu Qing also knelt back. "It's all because this subject has failed to discipline his wife well. Please punish this subject, Your Majesty!"
Xie Qichi saw through their clumsy acting at a glance and was too lazy to reply. Instead, he cast his gaze on the thin figure that had been struggling to hold on for a while. "Mu Yuan's legal wife, say something."
Qu Yue was caught off guard by being named again.
Without hesitation, she straightened up suddenly. Her waist was sore. When she suddenly straightened up, her vision went black all of a sudden, and she almost fell back to the ground.
Afraid of being noticed, she quickly and carefully raised her eyes and happened to meet Xie Qichi's gaze on the main seat.
That cold and damp feeling climbed up her back again, as if she had walked into a wet and rainy alley, and every step she took was covered with mud.
She opened her lips with difficulty. "I..."
What should she say?
Every breath Qu Yue exhaled was filled with nervousness. It was as if there was a fire burning in her throat. Every word formed in her throat seemed inappropriate to be spoken out.
She didn't dare to say a single word wrong.
A single wrong word might either anger His Majesty or offend the marquis.
Neither outcome was good.
Qu Yue liked to bite her lips when she was nervous. Her fair white teeth bit on her pink and soft lips, glistening slightly, just like fragrant honey.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for her answer.
Mu Qing and Song Luo were especially anxious.
If this bitch dared to say she would receive the edict, there were many tortures in the marquis's mansion. They weren't afraid she wouldn't hand it over!
It would just mean there would be one less person named Qu Yue in the world.
Mu Wang, standing at the back of the crowd, frowned tightly. While disliking Qu Yue, he couldn't help but worry about this stupid girl. Could she say something that would satisfy everyone?!
Even Xie Qichi, sitting on the main seat, was waiting.
He narrowed his eyes leisurely. When he met her nose that kept fluttering due to nervousness, the urge to tease her welled up in his heart.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to urge her, he heard a soft and timid reply floating in the air of the main hall.
"I... I don't know."
Suddenly, silence filled the hall.
After Qu Yue said that, she felt uneasy herself.
She said it on a whim.
Xie Qichi could have just let her be silent, but he named her on purpose.
There was only one possibility, that he deliberately wanted to see her make a fool of herself.
She hoped that this childhood playmate would, out of old friendship, stop teasing her...
Thinking so, Qu Yue raised her eyes and cast a look at Xie Qichi.
Her peach - blossom eyes were half - drooping, looking a bit pitiful. There was a faint redness from crying in her eyes that were as clear as autumn water, which was extremely endearing.
Xie Qichi almost crushed the jade ring in his hand.
So obedient.
Just like the little cat he raised.
Instantly, he lost the thought of making things difficult for her. He asked again, "Don't know?"
Qu Yue didn't know why, but talking to him always made her feel as if she were walking through a swamp. "Really, really don't know."
Mu Qing and Song Luo immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Playing dumb wasn't a bad idea.
Now, the imperial edict was theirs!
Xie Qichi gave a soft laugh. "Then, you receive the imperial edict."