gnovel Chapter 72 Xu Longxiang goes to see Jiang Qingxue again late at night!
Chapter 72 Xu Longxiang goes to see Jiang Qingxue again late at night!
"Xue'er, what would you like to eat? I'll get it for you."
Qin Mu's voice rang out again, as gentle as a lover's whisper.
Jiang Qingxue forced herself to come back to her senses, forced a smile, and pointed:
"Your Majesty... I'd like to eat that roasted lamb leg."
Qin Mu smiled, picked up the silver knife himself, cut off the tenderest piece of meat from the lamb leg, and placed it on the jade plate in front of her.
Her movements were skillful and her posture elegant.
"Anything else?"
"And... that milk tofu."
Qin Mu picked up another piece of milk tofu and placed it on her plate.
"You should try this mare's milk wine. It's a specialty of the North; you can't find it anywhere else."
He picked up a glass of mare's milk wine and brought it to her lips.
Jiang Qingxue stared at the milky white liquid, at her own pale and haggard face reflected in the glass, and at Qin Mu's smiling yet unfathomable eyes...
She opened her mouth and took small sips.
The wine was slightly sour, with a milky aroma, and as it slid down her throat, it felt like burning embers, searing her internal organs.
Xu Longxiang sat at the lower end of the table, watching this scene unfold.
She watched as Qin Mu cut meat for her, served her vegetables, and fed her wine.
He watched as the woman he had cherished since childhood, the one he had never dared to speak harshly to, was now being fed by another man like a pet.
He felt as if his heart was being slowly tortured.
One cut after another.
Blood was everywhere, and the pain was excruciating.
But he couldn't move.
Unable to speak.
They can't even show any emotion.
He could only watch.
Like a clay or wooden sculpture, watching the cruelest punishments in the world.
Qin Mu fed Jiang Qingxue a sip of wine before putting down the glass and glancing back at the audience.
Inside the main hall, all was quiet.
Everyone kept their heads down, pretending to be focused on enjoying their food, but their ears were perked up, paying close attention to the movements at the head of the table.
Qin Mu spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears:
"I have two purposes for coming to the northern border this time."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stopped what they were doing, looked up, and stared at him.
Xu Longxiang's heart also tightened.
coming.
The showdown is finally about to begin.
Qin Mu paused for a moment, then continued:
"First, I've come to see for myself. To see the border defenses of the North, to see the people of the North, to see... how Minister Xu governs this vast territory."
He looked at Xu Longxiang and smiled slightly:
"I am very pleased with what I have seen today. Minister Xu, you have worked hard."
Xu Longxiang quickly stood up:
"It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."
Qin Mu nodded, then changed the subject:
"second……"
His gaze fell on Jiang Qingxue in his arms, his eyes tender:
"It's for Xue'er."
Jiang Qingxue froze.
Xu Longxiang's heart sank suddenly.
"Sherry grew up in the North, but she didn't know who her parents were, and her background was a mystery."
Qin Mu's voice was filled with pity.
"She said she only remembered staying at a restaurant called Tingxuelou, where the manager, surnamed Chen, took good care of her. I thought that since we've come to the northern border, I might as well find her relatives and put her mind at ease."
He looked up at the crowd below the stage, his tone suddenly becoming serious:
"All of you here are officials of the Northern Frontier. You should be more familiar with the local customs, traditions, and historical events of this place than I am."
He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:
"If anyone knows Tingxuelou, knows that Manager Chen, or... knows any clues related to Consort Xue's background..."
His gaze swept over everyone with an almost tangible intensity:
"Remember, you must report it."
"I will reward you handsomely."
Inside the main hall, there was a deathly silence.
Everyone was stunned.
They instinctively looked at Xu Longxiang.
Xu Longxiang sat there, slowly rose, faced Qin Mu, and bowed, saying:
"Your Majesty's favor towards Consort Xue is truly a blessing for her. I will do my utmost to cooperate and mobilize all forces in the Northern Territory to find her relatives."
Qin Mu gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled:
"With Minister Xu's words, I am relieved."
He paused, then surveyed the entire room:
"Everyone, did you hear me clearly?"
The audience below the stage seemed to awaken from a dream, and they all stood up, bowed, and replied:
"Your Majesty, we obey the decree! We will do our utmost to search and find Your Majesty's relatives!"
Qin Mu nodded in satisfaction and picked up his wine glass again:
"Alright, that's enough about the important stuff. Please continue enjoying your meal, don't be shy."
He raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.
The audience quickly raised their glasses in response.
Inside Zhenyue Hall, the aroma of wine and meat mingled, and the lights were as bright as day.
Qin Mu seemed to be in high spirits.
He frequently raised his glass, drinking with Xu Longxiang and offering toasts to the officials below the stage.
The alcohol content of mare's milk wine is not actually high, but it has a long-lasting effect. After a few rounds, many people's faces turned red.
Xu Longxiang remained clear-headed throughout.
He drank the most, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter, like a deep, cold pool, frighteningly calm.
He had been observing Qin Mu.
Observe his every move, every glance, and every word.
After a few rounds of drinks, Qin Mu's cheeks flushed slightly.
His eyes began to glaze over, and his speech seemed to slurred. His posture, which had been upright, gradually relaxed, and he even leaned slightly toward Jiang Qingxue beside him.
After raising his glass once more, his hand visibly wobbled, spilling a little wine onto the cuff of his dark robe, leaving a small, dark, damp stain.
"This mare's milk wine..."
Qin Mu put down his wine glass, shook his head, and said with obvious drunkenness, "It really does... have a strong aftereffect..."
He rubbed his temples, and his body swayed again. If Jiang Qingxue hadn't caught his arm in time, he would have almost slipped off the chair.
Jiang Qingxue supported him and felt that the temperature from his arm was significantly higher than usual, and his breath carried a strong smell of alcohol.
Her heart involuntarily jumped.
Is he really drunk?
Or... was he faking it?
She wasn't sure.
Xu Longxiang watched this scene, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
He immediately stood up, strode to the head of the table, bowed, and said:
"Your Majesty, you've had too much to drink. You should go back and rest."
Qin Mu raised his head, glanced at him through his blurry, drunken eyes, and suddenly grinned:
"Minister Xu... is right. I... am a little tired."
He tried to stand up, but his legs gave way and he slumped back into the chair.
This time, even the chair wobbled.
The audience watched in terror.
Zhao Kuo immediately stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty, this humble general will help you back."
"Okay...okay..." Qin Mu waved his hand, letting Zhao Kuo and another Imperial Guard commander help him up.
He staggered and almost leaned on the two of them to keep his balance.
"Then... let's end it here."
Qin Mu mumbled, "I... had a great time today."
Xu Longxiang immediately bowed: "Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty!"
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone in the audience stood up and bowed in greeting.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty——!"
The sounds were clear and resonant, echoing in the spacious hall.
Supported by Zhao Kuo and the commander of the Imperial Guards, Qin Mu staggered out of the hall.
Jiang Qingxue followed behind him, and Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning quickly followed as well.
The group walked out of Zhenyue Hall, their figures gradually disappearing into the night.
Only after the footsteps had completely faded away did a long, suppressed sigh echo through the hall.
Many people slumped into their chairs, their backs soaked with cold sweat.
Xu Longxiang slowly straightened up, gazing at the pitch-black night outside the hall, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
Behind him, Fan Li stepped forward slowly, lowering his voice:
"Your Highness, this Emperor of Qin... doesn't seem very powerful. He's already this drunk after just a few cups of mare's milk wine."
He paused, his voice even lower:
"It seems his reliance is on that being who may have already reached the level of a terrestrial immortal. As for him himself..."
He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already clear.
Xu Longxiang remained silent.
He stood there, gazing outside the hall. After a long while, he slowly turned around and looked at the officials below the stage who were still trembling with fear.
Under the lamplight, his face was as cold and stern as iron, and when his eyes swept over everyone, they subconsciously straightened their backs.
"What His Majesty said today..."
Xu Longxiang spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "Have you all remembered?"
The audience immediately stood up and bowed in unison:
"We've got it!"
The voices were in unison, yet carried a noticeable vibrato.
Xu Longxiang nodded and waved his hand:
"Then go and do it."
He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold:
"Remember, search thoroughly. But if you can't find it, that's okay. Understand?"
Everyone understood the deeper meaning behind those words.
On the surface, they claim they're going to investigate with all their might, but in reality... they won't find anything.
"We understand!" The group bowed again.
"Go down," Xu Longxiang waved his hand.
The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and hurried away, their steps quick as if they were being chased by evil spirits.
Soon, only Xu Longxiang and his five advisors remained in the main hall.
The lights were still on, but they made the empty hall seem even more desolate.
The delicacies on the table had gone cold, the wine glasses were overturned, and the place was a mess.
Xu Longxiang walked to the window and opened it.
A night breeze swept in, dispersing some of the strong smell of wine in the hall.
He gazed in the direction of Tingtao Garden in the distance, where it was brightly lit, indicating that Qin Mu had already returned.
"Check it out," Xu Longxiang said slowly, "where is that dog emperor... staying tonight?"
Fan Li was taken aback, then realized what was happening, and his expression changed slightly:
"Your Highness, you...you still intend to..."
Xu Longxiang didn't turn around; his voice was eerily calm.
"Qingxue will definitely have something to tell me tonight. I must go see her."