pappabearbooks Chapter 489 A Game with Hidden Intentions!
Chapter 489 A Game with Hidden Intentions!
The women looked completely bewildered by the game.
They had never heard of "truth or dare," didn't know what it was, or how to play it.
Jiang Zhaoyue blinked, her gaze falling on Qin Mu's face, her voice soft.
"Young master, what kind of game is this? What are the rules?"
Qin Mu glanced at the women's bewildered yet curious expressions, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"The rules are simple."
He picked up a few pebbles from the ground, weighed them in his palm, and then casually tossed them back.
"Roll the dice and compare the highest and lowest. The person with the lowest score has to choose between Truth or Dare. Truth is to answer a question truthfully, and Dare is to complete a task."
The women blinked in surprise.
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes brightened slightly, and the smile on her lips deepened.
"That sounds interesting."
Yun Luan didn't speak, but her gaze shifted from Qin Mu's face to the pile of withered branches on the ground, lost in thought.
Xu Fenghua's eyes flickered, her fingers curled slightly inside her sleeve, and a complex feeling welled up in her heart.
This game sounds simple, but who knows what Qin Mu will ask in the "truth or dare" round?
She didn't dare to gamble.
Yun Suxin frowned slightly, her brows forming a faint knot, but she said nothing.
Han Xin'er knelt on the edge of the felt, head down, face flushed, her heart pounding.
Qin Mu stood up, walked to the temple entrance, bent down and picked up a fist-sized stone from the ground.
The stones were grayish, with sharp edges and a rough texture that hurt the hands.
He held it in his palm, looked at it, and nodded.
He raised his right hand, spread his fingers, grasped the stone, and gently squeezed it.
Without a loud noise or flying stones, the stone in his palm was like a lump of clay being kneaded, silently and slowly changing shape.
The edges were smoothed out, the surface became smooth, and the six sides gradually took shape.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]
He released his grip, and a perfectly square stone die lay in his palm. The numbers were clearly visible on all six faces of the die, as if they were naturally formed there.
The women looked at the die with varying expressions.
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes were filled with amazement. She knew Qin Mu was very strong, but every time she saw his effortless ability to turn the impossible into the possible, she couldn't help but be shocked.
Xu Fenghua's pupils contracted slightly, her fingers clenched tightly in her sleeve, her nails digging into her palms.
She had seen Qin Mu in action, but every time she did, a deep sense of powerlessness would well up inside her.
Yun Suxin's gaze fell on the die, and her heart turned cold.
She used to be able to do it, but now... she lowered her head and stopped looking.
Han Xin'er secretly raised her head, glanced at the die, and then quickly lowered her head again.
Qin Mu walked back to the felt mat, sat down cross-legged, placed the dice in his palm, and gently shook them.
"Who wants to go first?"
His gaze swept over the women, a smile playing on his lips.
The women exchanged glances, but none of them dared to be the first to speak.
Jiang Zhaoyue pursed her lips and reached out her hand.
"I'll go first."
She took the dice from Qin Mu's palm, held them in her hand, and tossed them gently.
The dice rolled a few times on the felt and then stopped.
Four o'clock.
She breathed a slight sigh of relief, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.
Yunluan took the dice, tossed them casually, her movements swift and decisive, without even glancing at them.
Five o'clock.
Xu Fenghua took the dice, her fingers trembling slightly, and threw them.
three o'clock.
Her heart sank.
Yun Suxin took the dice, held them in her hand, remained silent for a moment, and then threw them.
Two points.
Her face paled slightly.
Han Xin'er was the last one. Her hands were trembling, and the dice slipped from her fingertips, rolled a few times on the felt, and stopped at a dot.
Han Xin'er's face turned white instantly, as white as paper.
Her lips trembled violently, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
Qin Mu smiled.
"Truth or Dare?"
Han Xin'er bit her lip, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"The truth."
Qin Mu leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on her face, the smile still lingering on his lips.
"I'm asking you—are you afraid of me?"
Han Xin'er's body trembled slightly.
"Afraid."
Qin Mu smiled.
"What are you afraid of?"
Han Xin'er lowered her head, her fingers clenching tightly inside her sleeve.
"I'm afraid...afraid that you'll displease me, sir. I'm afraid I'll do something wrong. I'm afraid..."
She didn't continue.
Qin Mu nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
"continue."
The dice rolled again.
This time, Yun Suxin had the lowest score.
Her face was as pale as paper, and her lips were completely bloodless.
She kept her head down, her voice hoarse.
"The truth."
Qin Mu looked at her, his gaze calm as still water.
"I'm asking you—do you want to leave?"
Yun Suxin's body stiffened abruptly, her lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out of her throat.
She remained silent for a long time, so long that all the women thought she wouldn't answer.
She finally spoke, her voice hoarse, carrying a deep-seated weariness.
"I want to. But... I know I can't leave."
Qin Mu nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
The dice continued to roll.
As the night deepened and the rain intensified, the atmosphere inside the temple grew increasingly lively.
The issue has become increasingly bolder than initially cautious.
When asked, "What was your feeling when you first met His Majesty?" Jiang Zhaoyue blushed and said, "My heart was beating very fast."
When Yunluan was asked, "If there is an afterlife, would you still want to follow Your Majesty?" she answered "yes" without hesitation.
Xu Fenghua was asked, "If you had the chance, would you want to leave the palace?"
Her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve, her nails digging into her palms. She remained silent for a long time, her voice hoarse.
"think."
Her answer surprised all the women.
Qin Mu looked at her, the smile on his lips deepening, but he said nothing.
When Han Xin'er was asked "Do you have someone you like?", her face turned as red as if it were about to bleed, she lowered her head, and her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"have."
All the women's eyes fell on her.
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow.
"Who is it?"
Han Xin'er bit her lip and remained silent.
Yun Suxin's heart pounded faster and faster. She didn't know when Qin Mu would ask the question that she couldn't answer, or what awaited her.
She could only gamble, hoping that her luck wouldn't be that bad.
Xu Fenghua's heart sank deeper and deeper.
She discovered that the game was not a pastime at all, but a carefully designed test.
Qin Mu was asking each of them questions, probing their hearts, and gradually uncovering what they hid deepest within them.
If she continued to choose truth, she didn't know what Qin Mu would ask. She dared not gamble.
"My lord, I choose dare."
Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet temple.
All the women's eyes fell on her.
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes flickered, and the smile on her lips deepened.
Yunluan remained expressionless.
Yun Suxin glanced at her, then lowered her head again.
Han Xin'er knelt on the edge of the felt, her head bowed, not daring to look.
Qin Mu leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on Xu Fenghua's face, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"A grand adventure? Sure."
He paused, his voice soft yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Take off one piece of clothing."
Xu Fenghua's body stiffened abruptly.
Her face flushed red, so red it looked like it was about to bleed, the redness spreading from her cheeks all the way to her ears and even into the depths of her collar.
She bit her lip, her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeve, her nails digging into her palm.
She slowly raised her hand and untied the ties of her outer garment.
The moon-white outer garment slipped off her shoulders and fell to the ground with a very soft rustling sound.
She wore a snow-white undergarment, and her collarbone gleamed faintly in the candlelight.
The women watched this scene with varying expressions.
Jiang Zhaoyue lowered her head, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Yunluan remained expressionless.
Yun Suxin lowered her eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
Han Xin'er didn't dare to look and buried her face in her arms.
Qin Mu looked at Xu Fenghua with a hint of amusement in his eyes, but said nothing more.
The dice continued to roll.
The atmosphere grew increasingly heated.
Jiang Zhaoyue chose dare, and Yunluan asked her to "hug His Majesty".
Jiang Zhaoyue blushed, but she didn't hesitate. She turned to the side and gently hugged Qin Mu.
Qin Mu smiled and patted her on the back.
Yunluan chose dare, and Jiang Zhaoyue told her to "smile at His Majesty." Yunluan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
Han Xin'er was forced to choose a dare, and Yun Suxin made her "offer the young master a cup of wine".
Han Xin'er's hands were trembling as she held the wine glass and knelt before Qin Mu, not daring to lift her head.
"Young master, please... please have a drink."
Qin Mu took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
When it was Qin Mu's turn, he rolled a one.
The women exchanged glances but remained silent.
Who dares to make Qin Mu choose truth or dare?
They dare not.
Qin Mu's gaze swept over the women, and he said calmly:
"This young master chooses the adventure. Who will issue the mission?"
The women looked at each other, none of them daring to speak.
Jiang Zhaoyue bit her lip and mustered her courage.
"My lord, I wish..." She paused, her face turning even redder. "I wish you would hold me."
Qin Mu smiled, reached out, and pulled Jiang Zhaoyue into his arms.
Jiang Zhaoyue leaned against his chest, buried her face in his chest, and smiled slightly.
Yunluan watched this scene, her eyes flickered, but she remained silent.
When it was Yunluan's turn to choose a task for Qin Mu,
She raised her head, looked at Qin Mu, and spoke in a clear and steady voice.
"My lord, I would like to... please touch my sword."
Qin Mu raised an eyebrow and gently stroked the scabbard at her waist.
Yunluan's ear tips turned slightly red, but her face remained expressionless.
As Xu Fenghua watched this scene, a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.
She quickly lowered her head and stopped looking.
Yun Suxin watched Qin Mu interact with the other women with a calm expression.
She was merely a bystander, an outsider, a prisoner unrelated to any of this.
Han Xin'er knelt on the edge of the felt, her head bowed, not daring to look.
Her heart was pounding, as fast as a rabbit's.
The dice landed in Xu Fenghua's hands again.
This time, she rolled a very small number again.
She dared not choose truth again, afraid that Qin Mu would ask the question she couldn't answer.
"My lord, I choose dare."
Her voice was soft, yet it carried a resolute air of "what's the use of trying?"
Qin Mu looked at her, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"A grand adventure? Sure."
He paused, his gaze sweeping from her face to her body.
"Take off another layer."
Xu Fenghua's pupils contracted slightly, and her fingers clenched tightly in her sleeve.
She bit her lip, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly raised her hand.
Her snow-white undergarment slipped off her shoulders and fell to the ground, revealing a light purple bodice underneath.
Her shoulders were trembling slightly, and below her collarbone was a large expanse of snow-white skin, which shone with a soft, faint glow from the candlelight.
Her face was burning hot, so red it looked like it was about to bleed, and even her neck was burning.
She kept her head down, not daring to look at anyone, including Qin Mu.
Jiang Zhaoyue lowered her eyes and said nothing. Yun Luan remained expressionless.
Yun Suxin lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought. Han Xin'er buried her face even deeper, curling herself into a ball.
Qin Mu looked at Xu Fenghua, and the playful smile on his lips deepened.
He didn't say anything, but simply picked up the dice, placed them in his palm, and shook them gently.
"continue."
The dice rolled on the felt, revealing the numbers one by one.
The atmosphere grew increasingly subtle and ambiguous.
The candlelight burned quietly inside the lampshade, casting the shadows of everyone onto the mottled wall, where they intertwined.
The rain outside the window was getting heavier and heavier, pouring down as if it would never stop.
The wind blew in through the broken windowpanes, causing the candlelight to flicker and illuminating the room in an alternating light and shadow.
Yun Suxin had a run of bad luck, losing three rounds in a row.
She chose three dares, and each time she blushed so deeply that she wished she could disappear into the ground.
The first time, Jiang Zhaoyue asked her to "sing a song".
Her voice was hoarse as she sang a folk song from the southwestern border region, but she was off-key, which made all the women laugh.
The second time, Han Xin'er asked her to "tell a joke".
She thought for a long time and told a joke that wasn't funny. Jiang Zhaoyue covered her mouth and laughed, and Xu Fenghua couldn't help but smile as well.
The third time, Qin Mu asked her to "drink three cups of wine".
Without hesitation, she picked up her glass and drank three glasses in a row.
The liquor went down her throat, spicy and bitter, and her face burned even redder.
Han Xin'er also lost several rounds.
She was afraid to choose dare, and always chose truth.
Qin Mu asked her, "Who is the person you like?" She bit her lip and refused to answer.
Qin Mu didn't press further and changed the subject.
Is he good to you?
Han Xin'er's eyes reddened, she lowered her head, and said softly, "Okay. Very good."
The women looked at her with varying expressions.
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes flickered, but she said nothing. Yun Luan remained expressionless.
The rain is still falling, and the night is still long.
The game continues, and no one knows who will be asked the next question, or what the next question will be.
But everyone had a vague feeling that something would be different after tonight.
after an hour,
The game has come to an end.
Xu Fenghua was the first person who could no longer play.