I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 124 If one day Xu Longxiang rebels, which side will you stand on?

The banquet was held in the most luxurious restaurant in the capital.

More than a dozen dishes were laid out on the rosewood round table, all prepared by famous chefs from Jiangnan.

The squirrel-shaped mandarin fish was fried until golden and crispy, the crab meat lion's head meatballs were plump and round, the Biluo shrimp were crystal clear, and there was also a pot of slow-cooked soup that had been simmering for six hours, the aroma of which lingered in the room.

But apart from Qin Mu, no one was in the mood to eat.

Chen Feng and his wife sat at the lower end of the table, their hands trembling as they held their chopsticks.

Every time I tried to pick up some food, the tips of my chopsticks trembled slightly, and I missed several times.

They dared not look up, only staring at the few grains of rice in their bowls, as if they were the hardest bones to chew in the world.

Jiang Qingxue sat next to Qin Mu, with several exquisite side dishes laid out in front of her.

She sat with perfect posture, her back straight, her hands folded on her knees, and a gentle and dignified smile on her face.

But the fingers that held the jade chopsticks were also so clenched that the knuckles turned white.

From the moment Mo Shen died outside the window to now sitting at this banquet, only half an hour has passed.

But during those half-hour periods, it felt as if she had endured a long and agonizing ordeal.

The resolute way Mo Shen crushed the jade pendant before her death, the pool of dark red pus, and Qin Mu's composure as he effortlessly resolved everything...

Every image flashed repeatedly in her mind, like sharp knives cutting her already taut nerves until they bled profusely.

She had to act naturally.

She must act like a concubine who was genuinely frightened but gradually calmed down under His Majesty's comforting words.

So she smiled, ate her food in small bites, and occasionally picked up a piece of fish for Qin Mu, saying softly, "Your Majesty, try this, it tastes good."

Her voice was gentle, and her movements were graceful.

But only she knew that every time she got close to Qin Mu, every time she smelled the faint scent of ambergris on him, her heart clenched violently.

fear.

The deep-seated fear, like cold vines, coiled around her internal organs, tightening little by little.

This man is terrifying.

It was so terrifying that even her hatred became pale and powerless.

Qin Mu, however, seemed completely unaware of all this.

He ate very attentively.

He savored each dish carefully, occasionally nodding in praise: "This squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is cooked perfectly, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside."

Or: "The soup is so flavorful; the chefs in Jiangnan are truly skilled."

His voice was gentle and casual, and his posture was languid and relaxed, as if the bloody massacre outside had never happened.

"Manager Chen," Qin Mu suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, "this crab meat lion's head meatball is a famous dish of your Northern Territory, isn't it?"

Chen Feng trembled and quickly put down his chopsticks, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, it is indeed... indeed a famous dish from the Northern Territory."

"I've heard that there are many intricacies involved in making this dish."

Qin Mu picked up a piece of lion's head meatball and examined it closely. "It must be made with pork belly that has a good balance of fat and lean meat, chopped by hand, not too fine and not too coarse. The crab roe must be extracted fresh, not leftovers..."

He paused, then looked up at Chen Feng: "Manager Chen has been operating in the Northern Territory for many years, so you must be very familiar with these things?"

Chen Feng's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, and he nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes... This humble subject knows a little..."

"Then tell me," Qin Mu put the lion's head meatball in his mouth and chewed slowly, "how did the chef do?"

Chen Feng opened his mouth, only to find his mind completely blank.

His mind was filled with the pus-filled mess Mo Shen had left before his death; he had no interest in appreciating the dishes.

"This, this..." he stammered, his face growing paler and paler.

Seeing this, Madam Chen quickly chimed in, "Your Majesty, this lion's head meatball... is exceptionally well made. The meat is tender, the crab roe is rich, and the broth is mellow... It is, it is top-notch craftsmanship."

She spoke with difficulty, her voice filled with fear.

Qin Mu smiled and didn't press the matter further.

He picked up the celadon wine cup, gently swirled the amber-colored liquid inside, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"The wine from the North is much milder than the strong liquor from the South."

He put down his wine glass and turned his gaze to Jiang Qingxue: "What do you think, my beloved consort?"

Jiang Qingxue's heart tightened.

She forced herself to raise her head, meeting Qin Mu's gaze, a perfectly timed, wistful smile playing on her lips:

"Your Majesty... I didn't drink much. But the wine in the North is indeed strong; a sip in winter can warm you from your throat to your toes."

She was telling the truth.

During those years in the North, every winter, Xu Longxiang would have someone warm a pot of strong liquor, and the two of them would sit in the warm pavilion of Tingxuexuan, enjoying the snow while sipping their drinks.

The liquor back then was indeed strong.

It's warm too.

Qin Mu looked at her quietly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

"Which one does my beloved concubine prefer?"

Jiang Qingxue lowered her eyes and said softly, "Your Majesty... I think they're both fine. Strong liquor has its own exhilarating taste, and warm liquor has its own elegance. It all depends on... my mood."

"Well said." Qin Mu clapped his hands lightly. "It all depends on my mood."

He paused, then suddenly changed the subject:

"How is my beloved concubine feeling now?"

The air inside the pavilion seemed to freeze instantly.

The Chen Feng couple were so frightened that they held their breath.

Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat, but she maintained a gentle smile on her face.

"Your Majesty... I was indeed quite frightened just now. But seeing Your Majesty so calm and so... powerful, I feel at ease."

She looked up, a hint of dependence and admiration flashing in her eyes at just the right moment:

"With Your Majesty here, I have nothing to fear."

These words were spoken with heartfelt sincerity, and coupled with her slightly reddened eyes that still held a lingering sense of fear, anyone who saw her would feel pity for her.

Qin Mu looked at her quietly for a moment, then smiled.

"I am relieved that my beloved consort thinks this way."

He reached out and gently took Jiang Qingxue's hand, which was resting on her knee.

That hand was cold and trembling slightly.

Qin Mu's palm was warm and his strength was steady, completely enveloping her hand.

"Your hands are so cold," he said gently, as if whispering sweet nothings, "Were you startled?"

Jiang Qingxue bit her lip and nodded gently: "Hmm... a little."

"Don't be afraid." Qin Mu held her hand tightly. "I'm here."

His gaze swept over Chen Feng and his wife, and his tone returned to its usual gentleness:

"Manager Chen, Madam Chen, you have also been frightened. Today's events were due to my negligence, which has implicated you."

Mr. and Mrs. Chen immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly:

"Your Majesty flatters me! This humble subject would not dare! Would not dare!"

"Get up." Qin Mu waved his hand. "You didn't eat well at today's meal either. I won't keep you any longer."

He stood up, the hem of his moon-white robe brushing against the chair surface, making a slight rustling sound.

"My beloved concubine," he turned to look at Jiang Qingxue, "we should return to the palace now."

Jiang Qingxue quickly stood up and curtsied, saying, "Yes."

Chen Feng and his wife knelt on the ground until Qin Mu and Jiang Qingxue's figures disappeared outside the Elegant Pavilion before they dared to straighten up and collapsed to the ground.

The two looked at each other and saw extreme fear and despair in each other's eyes.

"Master...Master..." Madam Chen's voice trembled, "What...what should we do..."

Chen Feng's face was deathly pale, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

He knew that from this day forward, they were completely like caged birds.

The key to that cage was in Qin Mu's hand.

......

On the way back to the palace, it was already late at night.

The carriage moved slowly along the official road, its wheels making a rhythmic rumbling sound as they rolled over the stone slabs.

Inside the carriage, Qin Mu leaned against the soft couch, closing his eyes to rest.

Jiang Qingxue sat opposite him, her hands folded on her knees, her eyes lowered, motionless.

Her mind was in turmoil.

The death of Mo Shen, the fear felt by Chen Feng and his wife, and Qin Mu's unfathomable strength...

All of this felt like huge rocks pressing down on her heart, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She had to find a way to get the message out.

Xu Longxiang must be informed of everything that happened here.

But... how do I send it?

Qin Mu was right beside her, and the Dragon Shadow Guards were outside; her every move was under surveillance.

Jiang Qingxue's fingers tightened unconsciously, her nails digging deep into her palms.

The pain kept her barely conscious.

Don't rush.

In situations like these, it's crucial not to rush.

She must wait for an opportunity.

An opportunity that may never come.

The carriage suddenly stopped.

"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Yuxiu Palace." A guard's voice came from outside the carriage.

Qin Mu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Jiang Qingxue's face.

"My beloved consort," his voice carried a hint of languid tenderness, "I will stay here with you tonight."

Jiang Qingxue froze.

But she quickly realized what was happening, and a perfect blend of shyness and joy appeared on her face:

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your favor."

She got off the carriage first, then reached out to help Qin Mu.

Qin Mu took her hand and got out of the car.

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the bluestone path in front of Yuxiu Palace.

The palace lanterns swayed in the night breeze, casting dappled light and shadow.

Qin Mu took Jiang Qingxue's hand and walked slowly into the palace.

His hand was steady, with just the right amount of force, neither allowing her to break free nor causing her pain.

Jiang Qingxue lowered her head and let him lead her.

She could feel the warmth of his palm and smell the familiar ambergris scent emanating from him.

And then there was... that invisible pressure that almost suffocated her.

Upon entering Yuxiu Palace, the palace maids were already kneeling to greet us.

"You may all leave," Qin Mu waved his hand.

The palace maids bowed and withdrew, leaving only Qin Mu and Jiang Qingxue in the hall.

The candlelight flickered on the gilded candlesticks, casting a warm and hazy glow over the entire bedchamber.

The large, carved rosewood bed was covered with bright yellow brocade bedding, and the curtains hung down, held up with gold hooks.

Several pieces of porcelain from a previous dynasty were displayed on the antique shelf, and an ancient landscape painting hung on the wall, exuding elegance everywhere.

This is Jiang Qingxue's bedroom.

She had lived here for months, but had never felt so alienated and...fearful as she did at this moment.

"My beloved concubine," Qin Mu released her hand, walked to the window, and pushed open the carved wooden window, "the moonlight is beautiful tonight."

Jiang Qingxue followed him and stood beside him.

Outside the window, a bright moon hangs high, its gentle light bathing the courtyard.

The plum trees in the courtyard stood quietly in the moonlight, their gnarled branches casting sparse shadows.

An autumn wind blew by, carrying a few fallen leaves that swirled in the air before slowly drifting down.

"Your Majesty... I love looking at the moon the most," Jiang Qingxue said softly.

"In the North, the winter moon is especially bright and cold. When it shines on the snow, the whole world looks like it's been plated with silver."

As she said this, her voice carried a genuine sense of reminiscence and a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

Qin Mu turned his head to look at her.

The moonlight shone on her face, making her usually aloof and beautiful features appear exceptionally gentle.

Long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes, her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were pale red.

Very beautiful.

It's as beautiful as a painting.

"And now?" Qin Mu asked, "What's the difference between the moon in the imperial city and the moon in the northern border?"

Jiang Qingxue was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"The moon in the capital... is rounder and brighter. But it always feels... like something is missing."

"What's missing?"

"Too few..."

Jiang Qingxue paused, her voice lowering, "It lacks that aloof and proud feeling. The moon in the Northern Frontier is cold and proud, like a wolf on the snowfield, howling alone at the sky. But the moon in the Imperial City..."

She raised her head and looked up at the bright moon on the horizon:

"Too gentle. So gentle...unlike the moon."

Qin Mu listened quietly, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes.

"My beloved concubine is quite adept at description."

He reached out and gently stroked Jiang Qingxue's cheek, his touch as tender as if he were caressing a fragile piece of porcelain.

"Does my beloved concubine consider herself the moon of the North, or the moon of the capital?"

Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat.

This is a very pointed question.

She lowered her eyes, avoiding Qin Mu's gaze:

"Your Majesty... I don't know. I am now merely a concubine in Your Majesty's palace. What kind of moon I am is no longer important."

"How could it not be important?"

Qin Mu's voice was soft, yet every word was clear: "In my eyes, my beloved consort will always be the cold and aloof moon of the Northern Frontier. Even if you are locked in this deep palace, even if you are surrounded by this splendor and magnificence, deep down you are still that moon that refuses to bow its head."

Jiang Qingxue was startled.

She suddenly raised her head and looked at Qin Mu.

Eyes facing each other.

The candlelight flickered in Qin Mu's eyes, making his deep eyes shine brightly, as if stars were swirling within them.

Jiang Qingxue forced herself to calm down, forcing a bitter smile onto her face:

"Your Majesty... you think too highly of me. Right now... I only want to be Your Majesty's concubine peacefully. All that aloofness and pride is in the past."

"Really?" Qin Mu smiled.

That smile was deep and intriguing.

He stopped asking questions, turned around and walked to the bedside, sitting down in a cushioned rosewood chair.

"Come here." He stretched out his hand to Jiang Qingxue.

Jiang Qingxue hesitated for a moment, but still walked over and placed her hand in his palm.

Qin Mu gently pulled her onto his lap.

The position was too intimate, and Jiang Qingxue's whole body stiffened, but she dared not struggle.

She could feel Qin Mu's arms encircling her waist, smell his strong masculine scent, and hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.

"My beloved concubine,"

Qin Mu's voice rang in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe.

"Tell me, if Xu Longxiang were to rebel one day, whose side would you be on?"