Qu Yue instinctively closed her eyes and shrank back, but suddenly a tall and broad figure stepped in front of her.
Mu Wangxu grabbed Mu Yao's wrist. A hint of helpless disdain showed in his round, almond - shaped eyes. "Elder sister of the direct line, haven't you had enough of the family discipline?"
Now, Qu Yue was the Lady of Zhenyuan backed by the emperor. Who would still dare to show disrespect to her?
Mu Yao's face twisted with malice. "Brother, are you helping her teach me a lesson?"
Mu Wang narrowed his eyes. "First, think about the stupid things you've done."
From their parents publicly claiming the rewards in the afternoon to ignoring the ethics and holding a grand feast at dinner, which of these things would sound good if they got out?
Mu Yao's face turned ashen. "Blame me? If she hadn't shown off and held that vegetarian feast, would the emperor have been so fussy?"
Mu Wang was so angry that he laughed. He threw Mu Yao's hand away. "Hopeless!"
On the contrary, Qu Yue, who was protected behind Mu Wang, pursed her lips, took a deep breath, clenched her fists, and stepped forward to retort, "Why wouldn't he?"
Her soft and clear voice echoed in the main hall, like a gurgling spring. It seemed soothing but was actually cold to the bone.
"The emperor came in person today just to see my husband off for the last time."
"He valued my husband so much. How could he choose this day to take a concubine?"
"If you have to blame someone, blame yourself. You're stupid and vicious, always wanting more than you should."
"Besides, what the emperor and I talked about doesn't matter. He's not a fool. He can see your attitude towards my husband clearer than anyone else."
"Instead of thinking about how to marry into the palace, you'd better think about how to redeem the Hou Mansion's image in the emperor's mind."
After Qu Yue finished speaking, there was a serious look on her usually docile face, and a glimmer of courage sparkled in her kind eyes.
She loosened her fists. Her heart was beating faster and faster under Mu Yao and Mu Qing's gazes, but she felt extremely exhilarated.
Was this the feeling of resistance?
Qu Yue was used to pleasing others. So when she saw Mu Qing and Mu Yao's stunned expressions, she was a little surprised.
She bowed slightly. "I have to prepare for my husband's burial tomorrow. I'll take my leave first."
She was still timid after all. Qu Yue didn't dare to stay any longer. She trotted all the way back to her courtyard.
Mu Wang stared at the "fleeing" back and sneered softly.
"Father, I'm leaving."
He was bored. He lazily curled his lips, spun around on one heel, and swaggered away.
As soon as Mu Wang left, Mu Qing slapped Mu Yao across the face without mercy. His whole face was shaking with anger. "Ungrateful daughter!"
Originally, he wanted to indirectly find out the relationship between Qu Yue and the emperor, but this ungrateful daughter had ruined everything!
Mu Yao's face was numb with pain. "Father! Why did you hit me?"
Mu Qing gritted his teeth. "If it weren't for you, would our Hou Mansion have made such a fool of itself?"
Anger welled up in Mu Yao's chest. "It's all that damned Qu Yue's fault! If it weren't for her, I'd already be with the emperor... Maybe I'd be in the palace in a few days!"
Now, everything was ruined!
Moreover, it had even reduced the emperor's favor towards her!
Mu Yao became even more annoyed. "Besides, didn't I do all this with your permission?"
At first, when he heard that the emperor wanted to take her as a concubine, he had laughed happier than anyone else.
But as soon as something went wrong, he had shifted the blame faster than anyone!
Mu Qing's chest heaved violently. His hand hanging by his side was shaking with anger. "You're a complete fool! Do you still not understand who the emperor stayed for?"
The rough roar was like a heavy blow, shattering Mu Yao's beautiful dream of today.
She was silent for a long time, then stared at him in disbelief with wide - open eyes. "It can't be Qu Yue!"
"After all, Mu Yuan was one of his favorite generals." Displeasure showed on Mu Qing's angry, red face. "It's not wrong for him to take care of his general's widow."
But to what extent he would take care of her, Mu Qing didn't know for the time being.
Only the emperor and Qu Yue knew what they had talked about in the teahouse this afternoon.
He had to find another chance to dig out the content from Qu Yue's mouth.
If something really had happened...
Collecting evidence and reporting it to his master, his master should be extremely happy.
"As for you - " Mu Qing looked at Mu Yao up and down with disdain. "You've played a good hand of cards badly."
"The Mid - Autumn Festival is next month. There will be a banquet in the palace. You'd better think about how to redeem your image in the emperor's mind!"
Mu Yao pointed forcefully in the direction where Qu Yue had left. "We can't just let that outsider Qu Yue take the reward for nothing!"
Song Luo's weak voice came from outside. "Of course not."
She glanced at Mu Qing fearfully. Seeing that he didn't seem to be angry, she tiptoed into the main hall.
Behind her, there was a woman.
Mu Qing's gaze swept over the woman and then landed on Song Luo's face. "You useless thing, always making more trouble than you're worth. What are you going to do now?!"
Song Luo's face turned deathly pale. Her plump body trembled. "My lord, I didn't think things through today."
"I've already thought of a way for you to get the reward back."
Both Mu Qing and Mu Yao cast curious looks at her.
Song Luo waved and moved closer to them. She lowered her voice and whispered in their ears, "..."
After hearing this, Mu Yao's eyes lit up immediately. "Mother! You're so smart!"
Even Mu Qing nodded slowly. "Your remedy is effective."
Song Luo looked up nervously. "Thank you, my lord."
No matter how much resentment she had in her heart, she could only swallow it back.
As Mu Yao was chatting, a wave of heat surged through her body.
She thought it was bad. "Mother, I'll go back to my courtyard first."
"Is it that medicine..." Song Luo looked concerned and reached out to support her.
Mu Yao nodded. "The grievances I suffered today, I'll make Qu Yue pay them all back tomorrow!"
She rushed back to her courtyard quickly. Song Luo limped back to the courtyard with Mu Qing to discuss the plan for tomorrow.
In the quiet Zhaoping Hou Mansion, a huge conspiracy was brewing.
Because the emperor had come in person, Liu Xu had to stay in the courtyard all day. When she saw Qu Yue coming back, she quickly pulled her and asked what had happened later.
After listening to Qu Yue's story, Liu Xu couldn't help but give her a thumbs - up and laugh heartily. "Miss! You did a great job!"
"You've become tough. I can even imagine their expressions! With the emperor backing you up, I'd like to see how they can bully you!"
Qu Yue didn't know where she had gotten the courage to confront Mu Qing. Recalling the scene just now, she stuck out her tongue shyly. "Actually, my legs were shaking."
Liu Xu looked down when she heard Qu Yue mention her legs. "Miss, let me apply medicine for you!"
"No need." Qu Yue grabbed her. "I'll apply the medicine in my room later."
"We have to get up early tomorrow. Go to bed quickly."
Liu Xu half - stood up. A trace of sadness showed in her eyes. She plucked up her courage and asked, "Miss... Are you still bothered by that matter?"
Qu Yue shook her head. "No. Don't think too much."
The detached tone was like a gentle knife, cutting off Liu Xu's hope of reconciling with Qu Yue.
The applause this morning was like a flash in the pan and quickly withered in her heart.
Liu Xu's eyes dimmed. "Miss, I'll go back to my room first."
It didn't matter!
As long as she was sincere enough, she would surely touch the miss!
Qu Yue watched Liu Xu close the door and sighed softly.
Actually, Liu Xu had been trying her best to make up for it. It was her own problem.
She was so insecure that she didn't trust anyone.
Just as she was about to get up and go back to her room, she suddenly heard a mocking voice from the wall. "Why are you sighing?"