Xie Qichi held a silver chopstick in his hand. Gracefully, he picked up a teapot, tilted it, and the tinkling sound of the tea hitting the cup wall echoed.
He had thin upper eyelids, so when he slightly lifted them, they formed a somewhat intimidating arc. "It seems that the Second Young Master is quite concerned about my affairs."
And Mu Wang happened to be the least intimidated person in the Zhaoping Marquis Mansion.
He propped his head up with one hand, leaned against the table edge casually, and let out a soft laugh. "As a subject of the Great Yan, isn't it natural to care about the emperor?"
Xie Qichi twirled the wine cup gently. "Since the Second Young Master is so concerned about me, why not help me solve my problems?"
Beneath this seemingly calm sentence lurked a barb that others couldn't detect.
Mu Wang tightened his hand that was propping up his head. Losing the support, his head slammed hard onto the table.
Qu Yue was still surprised by Xie Qichi's return. Suddenly, a loud noise exploded in her ear. Following the sound, she saw Mu Wang scrunching up his features and rubbing his forehead.
She leaned forward with concern. "Does it hurt?"
Mu Wang originally wanted to shake his head, but suddenly, as if thinking of something, he nodded pitifully. "Yes."
His high ponytail swayed back and forth with the nodding motion. His hair was bathed in the moonlight, and there was a faint tremor in his soft grunt.
Qu Yue glanced at the table, picked up an apple, and handed it to Mu Wang. "Here! You can use it to apply on the wound for a while."
Mu Wang took it with his free hand and twirled the apple. "Why don't you just let me eat it?"
Qu Yue was stunned for a moment, then licked her lips and replied, "The surface temperature of the apple is low. It can reduce the swelling."
Mu Wang tossed the apple up and down. "You seem to know a lot."
She used to get beaten often at home. It was hard for her not to know.
"Put it on!" Qu Yue saw the apple being tossed up and caught again. A small bump had already formed on Mu Wang's forehead. She hurriedly urged him. "It will swell even more later!"
Xie Qichi picked up the teacup and took a small sip.
Listening to their conversation constantly, the taste of the green tea seemed to take on a hint of bitterness.
He put down the teacup, and his dark eyes observed their interaction. "It seems that the relationship between the brother-in-law and sister-in-law in the Zhaoping Marquis Mansion is quite good."
Mu Wang looked up. Seeing the way Xie Qichi put down the teacup, he felt an inexplicable sense of elation, like a general who had won a battle. He flashed a bright smile. "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty."
This was his sister-in-law.
Mu Wang snorted. It seemed that his intentional head - bumping was not in vain.
Qu Yue, who had just been stunned by Xie Qichi's sudden praise, hadn't figured out why he was praising them when she heard his cold command. "Qu Yue, pour me some tea."
The imperial order was hard to disobey. She shivered and immediately responded, then walked around the round table towards Xie Qichi.
Mu Wang: "..."
He glanced at Xie Qichi's teacup. "Your Majesty, there's still tea in your cup."
Qu Yue also noticed and stood there holding the cup, at a loss.
Xie Qichi sat gracefully. "It's cold."
Qu Yue held the teacup. It seemed to still retain Xie Qichi's warmth.
She slightly lowered her long eyelashes and glanced down at the brown tea liquid. "Your Majesty, this is cold tea..."
Her soft voice was cautious.
Mu Wang almost burst out laughing. "Your Majesty, are you not used to this? Do you want me to call someone to change it for you?"
Xie Qichi wasn't embarrassed at all. "No need."
He motioned for Qu Yue. "Pour another cup."
Qu Yue was confused but obediently followed his order.
Mu Wang's eyes were fixed on their hands that were about to touch. He was ready to stand up and pull Qu Yue away at any moment.
But Xie Qichi just took the wine cup and splashed the tea on the ground.
It was obvious who this cup of tea was for.
Qu Yue stood beside him. Her heart, which had just gone through some ups and downs, was faintly stirred. The sourness in her nose brought a hint of moisture to her eyes.
When Xie Qichi followed Mu Yao into the kitchen earlier, she was disappointed.
She didn't expect that the emperor, who valued Mu Yuan so much, wouldn't even take this last meal seriously.
She was even more surprised that the kind - hearted Xie Qichi from her childhood had become so cold - blooded.
But fortunately, that wasn't the case.
He just went in to get the bowls and chopsticks.
But... why did he have to get the ones inside?
Confusion welled up in Qu Yue's eyes. She slightly raised her pink chin and looked into the kitchen.
Just then, she met Mu Yao's gaze.
The elegant look on Mu Yao's carefully - made - up face was gone. All that was left was the resentment of having her credit stolen.
Mu Yao dug her nails deeply into her palm. Her breathing was filled with anger. "Mother! Why?!"
Song Luo also looked unhappy.
When Xie Qichi entered the kitchen, she thought that Mu Yao's marriage to Xie Qichi was a sure thing. But he just took a pair of bowls and chopsticks and left!
Song Luo seemed to remember something. She turned back and glanced at the dining table.
Gradually, her heart calmed down. She gave Mu Yao a reassuring look and whispered, "Don't be hasty."
Mu Qing was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. Even in his weak voice, his anger couldn't be concealed. "Women's opinions!"
Daring to scheme during Xie Qichi's funeral was sure to incur the emperor's dislike!
For now, they could only start with Qu Yue.
After all, she had said that she would earn the emperor's favor for the Marquis Mansion.
Mu Qing calculated and took a step forward, ready to go outside the courtyard to take a seat.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he took a step, Song Luo grabbed his sleeve.
"My Lord Marquis, where are you going?"
Mu Qing's eyes showed a fierce look. "Let go!"
"I understand your thoughts." Song Luo withdrew her hand fearfully. She couldn't forget the slap in the afternoon. Even though she had seen through this man, she could only pretend to get along with him.
She raised her eyebrows, and her finger accurately landed on the place where a pair of bowls and chopsticks was missing. "But please, my Lord Marquis, turn your head and look at the bowls and chopsticks the emperor took."
Mu Qing hesitated for a moment and then raised his hand, lowering his voice. "Was it you all..."
It was only after Song Luo's reminder that Mu Yao realized what was going on. She raised her eyebrows. "Yes, it was that pair."
Mu Qing frowned slightly. "What does he need them for?"
Mu Yao spread her hands matter - of - factly. "How could the emperor accept those shabby tableware used by Qu Yue and the servants?"
"Yao Yao is right." Song Luo agreed. "It's just that we didn't expect that Mu Yuan could really be so highly regarded by the emperor."
"It's actually convenient for us."
Seeing Qu Yue standing beside Xie Qichi, Mu Yao wished she could go up and tear this bitch who had ruined her plans!
She let out an annoyed tsk. "So what should we do now?"
Song Luo smiled slightly and led Mu Yao gracefully towards the stone table.
"Come with mother."
Mu Qing's eyes lingered on Qu Yue and the two of them, full of calculations.
He didn't think that the reason why Xie Qichi took those bowls and chopsticks was so simple.
Maybe...
Song Luo and Mu Yao's footsteps were clearly audible in the night of the kitchen.
Xie Qichi's imperial robe fit him perfectly. Even when sitting, he exuded an imposing aura.
Opposite him, the heroic - looking Mu Wang obediently applied the apple that Qu Yue had given him on his wound.
Qu Yue stood between the two of them, like a beautiful porcelain doll.
Mu Yao bit her lip hard. Suddenly, her hand hurt.
She let out a scream, and her eyes turned red.
Just as she was about to question Song Luo why she had pinched her, she suddenly saw her kneeling on the ground. "Your Majesty, it was Yao Yao who was being childish tonight."