SEC Chapter 169 In a few more days, I will accompany you to the Zhang family.
Chapter 169 In a few more days, I will accompany you to the Zhang family.
The three words "family" were like three ice picks, piercing Xu Longxiang's heart!
His body stiffened almost imperceptibly, his fist clenched tighter in his sleeve, his nails digging deep into his palm, drawing blood and causing sharp pain.
But his face remained calm, even managing a stiff smile:
"Your Majesty is right."
He spoke with great difficulty, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth.
Qin Mu seemed oblivious to his odd behavior and continued in his gentle, casual tone:
"Since we are family, please feel free to ask if you need anything in the future. If the Northern Frontier faces any difficulties, I will do my utmost to help you."
These words sound grand and dignified, as if they truly represent the concern of a monarch for his frontier generals.
But to Xu Longxiang, every word sounded like a biting sarcasm.
need?
What does he need?
He needs Qin Mu to let go of his sister, Qingxue, and the Xu family!
He needs Qin Mu to disappear from this world!
But he couldn't say a single one of these words.
He could only lower his head deeply, his voice dry and hoarse:
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
The air inside the hall seemed to freeze.
Xu Fenghua sat upright in a rosewood armchair, her lotus-colored palace dress making her face appear even paler.
Her hand, resting on her lap, twitched almost imperceptibly, but the calm and dignified composure that belonged to Consort Hua remained perfectly maintained on her face.
But deep within those amber eyes, an indescribable mix of emotions surged.
There was heartache for his younger brother's deep pain, helplessness in the face of his own situation, and a chilling hatred for Qin Mu's hurtful words.
She looked at Xu Longxiang.
Just then, in the brief moment when he was looking down, Xu Longxiang glanced at her with extreme speed, like a wounded young animal.
That glance was as fleeting as a flash of lightning.
Beneath the forced calm and ice in Xu Longxiang's eyes lay overwhelming humiliation, deep-seated hatred, and... a trace of hidden pain and reluctance.
He was silently telling his sister that he understood, he understood everything, he swallowed the humiliation of being "family," and he remembered it.
Xu Fenghua's eyes, however, were like a bottomless, icy pool, seemingly calm and still, yet conveying silent admonitions and reassurance through the most subtle shifts in her gaze:
"Endure, only by enduring can you achieve victory."
There were no words, no actions, just a glance between them.
The unspoken understanding between the siblings, forged through blood ties and the tacit knowledge honed in the perilous palace, was enough to convey a thousand words.
Then, Xu Longxiang lowered his head deeply again.
It was as if all the strength in his body had been used to suppress the surging emotions back into the deepest part of his heart, turning them into a more hardened and cold silence.
Qin Mu took in all of this, and the smile on his lips deepened, as if he were watching an extremely interesting silent play.
"It's good that you understand, my dear minister."
He waved his hand, his tone returning to its languid state, "If there's nothing else, go back and prepare. The North... cannot do without you."
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath and slowly stood up.
The hem of his dark suit fell with his movements, his straight back seemed to bear a heavy burden, yet it also revealed an unyielding stubbornness.
He first faced Qin Mu and bowed deeply: "Your subject takes his leave."
Then, he turned to Xu Fenghua, his gaze lingering on her face for an even longer moment than before, before finally bowing deeply again, his voice low yet clear:
"Your Majesty, I take my leave. Consort Hua, please take care."
He spoke the words "Take care" with great emphasis, as if he wanted to pour all his concerns, entrustments, and unfinished words into them.
Xu Fenghua's hand, resting on her lap, trembled slightly at the fingertips. She forced herself to remain calm, nodded slightly, and spoke in her usual cool and steady voice:
"Dragon and Elephant... Be careful on your journey. The northern border is bitterly cold, so wear plenty of warm clothing."
Xu Longxiang looked at her one last time, as if he wanted to etch his sister's image into the depths of his soul.
Then, without further hesitation, he turned around resolutely, his dark figure taking steady yet resolute steps as he walked out of the main hall of Huaqing Palace.
Sunlight streamed in from outside the palace gates, gilding his departing figure with a golden edge, yet it could not dispel the heavy loneliness and burden he carried.
Only when Xu Longxiang's figure completely disappeared at the end of the palace road did the extremely tense atmosphere inside the hall seem to ease slightly with his departure.
Qin Mu remained leaning back in the rosewood chair in the main seat, playing with a white jade thumb ring, his gaze fixed on Xu Fenghua's face with a half-smile.
"My beloved concubine,"
He spoke, his voice tinged with amusement, "You look... not too well."
Xu Fenghua's heart tightened slightly.
She was overwhelmed with emotion by her brother's departure and the phrase "family".
Despite his best efforts to conceal it, Qin Mu probably still keenly noticed the lingering weariness and hidden pain between his brows.
She quickly adjusted her breathing, forcing a perfectly timed, wry smile that carried a hint of melancholy and gentleness, her voice slightly hoarse:
"Perhaps... I didn't sleep well last night, or perhaps... seeing these things reminds me of home, and I miss my home in the North too much."
She deliberately spoke the word "home" softly and lingeringly, vividly portraying her longing for her homeland and the sorrow of being a concubine who was not free.
This was the best cover-up, and the only reasonable explanation she could give for her low spirits at that moment.
Upon hearing this, Qin Mu chuckled softly, the sound carrying a certain profound meaning in the empty hall.
"It's alright."
His tone was relaxed, as if he were merely offering casual reassurance, "My beloved consort need not worry about this. Haven't I already promised you? In a few days, once palace affairs have eased up a bit, I will personally accompany you back to the Northern Border to visit the Zhenbei Prince's Mansion."
His gaze was fixed on Xu Fenghua, observing her most subtle reactions.
Sure enough, upon hearing the words "return to the Northern Border," Xu Fenghua's lowered eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and a complex light flashed in her eyes.
Qin Mu personally accompanied him?
Is this a blessing, or even tighter surveillance and control?
Will her original plan to secretly contact her old followers in the North still be able to proceed?
But these thoughts only flashed through her mind.
She quickly looked up, a gentle smile of gratitude mixed with a hint of flattery appearing on her face, and gave a slight bow:
"Your Majesty, I am grateful for your consideration. It is an honor for the Xu family and the Northern Border to have Your Majesty's personal presence."
She spoke with utmost respect and propriety, portraying the image of a grateful concubine flawlessly.
Qin Mu nodded in satisfaction, seemingly quite pleased with her "sensible" demeanor.
Just then, Xu Fenghua changed the subject, her tone carrying a natural concern, as if it were just a casual greeting between sisters:
"By the way, Your Majesty, this morning I overheard the palace servants gossiping, saying... that Consort Xue of Yuxiu Palace seemed to have been somewhat frightened yesterday and even injured herself? I wonder... is she alright?"
She asked cautiously, looking at Qin Mu with concern, as if she were truly just an older sister who cared about her "sister".
Qin Mu's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes deepened, carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible scrutiny.
"Oh? Your information network is quite extensive, my dear consort." His tone was calm, but it sent a chill down Xu Fenghua's spine.
Her expression remained unchanged; in fact, she subtly revealed a hint of helplessness and composure as she explained in a steady voice:
"Your Majesty is too kind. There are no real secrets in this deep palace. This morning, when I was taking a walk in the Imperial Garden, I overheard two palace maids sweeping the garden whispering in a corner. They said that things were not peaceful in the Imperial Garden last night, and that Consort Xue was injured while protecting Your Majesty... I was worried about her, so I listened carefully. If I have disturbed Your Majesty's peace, it is my fault."
She offered a plausible explanation, attributing the source of the information to "chance" and "discussions among palace staff."
This both cleared him of suspicion that he was deliberately trying to find out, and expressed his concern.
Qin Mu looked at her quietly, seemingly trying to determine the truthfulness of her words.
After a moment, he slowly nodded, his tone softening:
"I see. My dear consort, you are very thoughtful."
He paused, then added, "Xue Fei was indeed frightened and injured in the shoulder by the assassin's energy, but the injury is not serious. Imperial Physician Wang has already treated her, and she will be fine after a few days of rest."
Hearing that the injuries were not serious, Xu Fenghua breathed a slight sigh of relief, but the worry did not completely disappear.
Following Qin Mu's words, she naturally made a request, adopting an extremely humble posture with a sincere expression of sisterly affection:
"Your Majesty, Sister Xue is still young, and she was injured while protecting you. She must be feeling very frightened. I don't know many people in this deep palace. Sister Xue is kind and gentle, and we... have gotten along quite well."
"Your Majesty, I was thinking... if it's convenient, could I visit Sister Xue at Yuxiu Palace? Firstly, to comfort her, and secondly... I have some knowledge of medicine, and the palace still has some excellent healing herbs stored from years ago, which might be helpful for Sister Xue's recovery."
Qin Mu's gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he casually nodded.
"My beloved consort is deeply devoted to her sister; how could I possibly stop her? Go forth. I'm sure Consort Xue will be pleased to see you."
"Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty."
Xu Fenghua was secretly delighted, but she remained respectful on the surface, rising and giving a graceful bow.
"Then I will go to the Imperial Hospital and ask Physician Wang to prescribe some suitable medicines before I go to visit Sister Xue."
"Okay, go ahead."
Qin Mu waved his hand, refocusing his attention on the white jade ring in his hand, his posture languid, as if he no longer cared about the matter.
Xu Fenghua bowed again, then turned around, the hem of her lotus-colored palace dress tracing an elegant arc with her movement.
She walked out of the main hall of Huaqing Palace with dignified and steady steps, heading towards the Imperial Medical Academy.