pappabearbooks Chapter 65 A Choice That Decides Life or Death!
Chapter 65 A Choice That Decides Life or Death!
"Why isn't my beloved consort speaking?"
Qin Mu looked at her pale face, his smile deepening. "Are you too moved?"
Jiang Qingxue bit her lower lip hard, the faint taste of blood filling her mouth, barely managing to suppress the sob in her throat.
She forced herself to give a "touched" smile, even though the smile was as stiff as a mask:
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is so overjoyed... I don't know what to say..."
She lowered her eyes, not daring to let Qin Mu see the true emotions in them:
"Your Majesty's kindness to me is boundless... I have no way to repay you in this life but to serve you wholeheartedly to repay this heavenly favor..."
She herself felt disgusted when she said those words.
But at this moment, what else could she do besides offering these insincere compliments?
Qin Mu seemed quite pleased with her "emotion," and pulled her into his arms, saying gently:
"My beloved consort, there's no need for such formalities. Now that you are my Imperial Consort, I will naturally give you the best. I have already ordered people to make arrangements in advance for your journey to the Northern Frontier, and I will certainly find your relatives so that you can be reunited with your family."
A family reunion...
Jiang Qingxue buried her face in his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the warmth of his chest, but her heart was a frozen wasteland.
There won't be any family reunion.
There was only one play whose ending was already predetermined, and she was the most tragic pawn in that play.
The carriage continued north.
The scenery outside the window became increasingly desolate, and the temperature dropped lower and lower.
Even wrapped in a thick mink cloak, Jiang Qingxue still felt the biting cold.
The coldness came not only from outside the window, but also from the depths of my heart.
She secretly glanced up at Qin Mu.
He remained with his eyes closed, his expression calm, as if this trip was truly just an ordinary inspection, a considerate "search for relatives".
But Jiang Qingxue knew that beneath this calm surface lay a raging storm of danger and murderous intent!
She slowly closed her eyes, with only one thought in her mind—
That letter must be sent out as soon as possible!
In any case, Xu Longxiang must know that Qin Mu has come to the Northern Border, and that he is coming for him!
But... how do I deliver it?
Qin Mu stayed by her side almost every step of the way. The convoy was full of Imperial Guards and Dragon Shadow Guards, so she didn't even have a chance to go to the toilet alone, let alone pass on messages.
Is there really no other way?
Jiang Qingxue thought desperately, her fingers unconsciously stroking her waist.
There, her dressing case was hidden, as was that fatal letter.
Just then, Qin Mu suddenly opened his eyes.
He looked down at the pale profile of the woman in his arms, at the dampness clinging to her tightly closed eyelashes, and a cold smile slowly curved his lips.
The North...
Xu Longxiang...
He was eager to see what expression the mouse hiding in the shadows would have when it discovered the cat had come to the hole.
As for the trembling little bird in my arms...
Qin Mu gently stroked Jiang Qingxue's long hair, his movements tender, but his eyes were deep and unfathomable.
Fly!
Fly higher.
That way, the fall will hurt even more.
That will make people feel more happy.
Outside the carriage, the north wind howled, whipping up clouds of yellow sand.
It's really cold now.
........
Outside the carriage, the desolate scene unfolded slowly before Jiang Qingxue's eyes like a long, ink-wash scroll.
The world seemed to have lost all its vibrant colors, leaving only a vast expanse of gray and yellowish-brown.
On both sides of the official road are rolling hills with sparse vegetation, and exposed rocks stand silently in the cold wind.
Further into the distance, the outline of a majestic mountain range can be vaguely seen, its peaks covered in snow, reflecting a dazzling cold light in the thin sunlight.
The wind whipped up the sand and gravel on the ground, which pounded against the car walls, making a soft, dense sound, like countless tiny teeth gnawing at something.
The air was filled with the distinctive scent of the North.
It was crisp and dry, with the scent of soil and snow.
Jiang Qingxue gazed out the window, her fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of the carriage curtain.
She knew this land all too well.
This is where she has lived for twenty years.
It is her hometown.
But at this moment, when her hometown actually appeared before her eyes, she felt no joy at returning home.
Only a chilling despair, like vines, coiled around her heart, tightening ever more.
She had fantasized countless times about returning to the North.
In those sleepless nights deep within the palace, in those moments overwhelmed by humiliation, she closed her eyes more than once, fantasizing—
Perhaps it was late at night when she finally found an opportunity, changed into a palace maid's clothes, and took advantage of the laxity of the guards to climb over the high palace wall. Under the moonlight, she fled north for three thousand miles and finally returned to this familiar land.
Perhaps Xu Longxiang's great cause was already accomplished. He led his troops to conquer the imperial city, and amidst the ruins and flames, he found her trembling. He embraced her and told her:
"Qingxue, I've come to pick you up."
Or perhaps... it's the dream she dares not even think about, yet yearns for most.
That is, Xu Longxiang really did offer the entire country as a dowry, and came to the capital in grand style, welcoming her out of the deep palace in front of the world, giving her a real wedding that belonged to them.
But she never imagined she would return in this way.
Sitting in Qin Mu's carriage, dressed in the fine clothes he bestowed upon her, and bearing the title of "Snow Consort," she was brought back to the Northern Territory in the open and aboveboard by him under the guise of "finding relatives."
Like a pet being shown off by its owner.
Like a product displayed on a shelf for people to admire.
The man she loved most was right there in the heart of this land, completely unaware of this.
He didn't know she was there.
Unaware that she was getting closer step by step.
I wonder... what kind of storm she's about to bring him.
"Feeling apprehensive as one approaches home?"
Qin Mu's lazy voice came from behind.
Jiang Qingxue stiffened, slowly loosening her grip on the carriage curtain. She turned around, her face now adorned with a gentle smile.
"Your Majesty...you are right. I have been away from home for a long time, and now that I have finally returned, I am indeed...a little nervous."
She spoke very softly, each word seemingly rolling across the tip of her tongue, carrying a cautious probing and concealment.
Qin Mu gently put his arm around her waist from behind and pulled her into his embrace.
Their movements were so natural, as if they were truly a loving emperor and empress.
He lowered his head, his chin resting on the top of her head, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe:
"My beloved concubine, there is no need to be nervous. With me here, no one will dare to make things difficult for you."
Jiang Qingxue's lips twitched uncontrollably.
With you here...
It is because you are here that I am so afraid!
She cried out silently in her heart, but outwardly she could only nestle obediently against his chest and softly reply:
"Yes... With Your Majesty here, I feel at ease."
She felt disgusted with herself for saying those words.
Qin Mu seemed quite pleased with her "dependence," gently stroking her long hair with his fingers as he casually asked:
"Should we go to the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion first, or to the restaurant you used to frequent? Judging by the time, Minister Xu and the others should have already returned to the mansion."
This question, like a cold dagger, pierced Jiang Qingxue's heart unexpectedly.
Her body stiffened, and her mind raced in an instant.
Where to go first?
Is the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion, or that fabricated "childhood residence"?
This is a life-or-death choice!
If we go to the Prince of Zhenbei's residence first, Xu Longxiang will be there. With his intelligence, he might be able to detect anything amiss beforehand and take appropriate action.
However, that is also the place with the greatest risk.
Qin Mu and Xu Longxiang faced off directly, and any slight mistake could lead to unpredictable consequences.
If we go to that restaurant first...
That was a crucial link in the "chain of evidence" that Xu Longxiang had meticulously arranged for her.
There were "old acquaintances" who "knew" her parents, the room she "once lived in," and all the traces of forgery.
How long can those forgeries hold up in front of Qin Mu's unfathomable eyes?
An hour? A quarter of an hour? Or... just a few words?
Jiang Qingxue dug her fingertips deep into her palm, forcing herself to think calmly.
She knew that her decision would directly affect the direction of the entire plan, and might even determine Xu Longxiang's life or death.
Time seemed to freeze at that moment.
She could hear her own rapid heartbeat and feel Qin Mu's seemingly gentle but actually sharp gaze falling on the top of her head.
Finally, she took a deep breath and said in as calm a voice as possible:
"Your Majesty... I would like to go to the Prince of Zhenbei's residence first."
She paused, then added:
"Young Master Xu... General Xu has been kind to me. If it weren't for him, I would never have had the chance to see His Majesty's face... Now that I've returned, it's only right that I go to express my gratitude first. As for the matter of finding my relatives... there's no rush."
She chose to believe Xu Longxiang.
This is his territory, the northern border he has cultivated for many years.
He must have a way.
He will definitely be able to handle it.
Jiang Qingxue convinced herself of this, even though the convincing seemed so weak and ineffective.
Qin Mu remained silent for a moment.
That brief silence almost suffocated Jiang Qingxue.
Then he smiled.
His laughter was gentle, revealing no emotion.
"Alright, then let's do as my beloved consort says. Let's go to the Prince of Zhenbei's residence first."
The carriage continued on its way.
The scenery outside the window is becoming more and more familiar.
That solitary peak she had gazed at countless times, that meadow where she had galloped on horseback, that stream where she had strolled side by side with Xu Longxiang…
Everything was reminding her—
They're really back.
In the most despicable way.
........