Chapter 129: The Marquis
Chapter 129: The Marquis
After some time, Chen Mu exited the courtyard.
Standing outside, Xiao He, who had been waiting, bowed slightly upon seeing Chen Mu and said with a mischievous smile, "Your maid, Ning He, greets the Marquis."
Smack!
Chen Mu's expression turned stern, and he slapped Xiao He's buttock.
Xiao He's pretty face instantly flushed with embarrassment. She quickly looked around, seeing no one, and then pouted, "Marquis, you're bullying me. I'll tell Miss about this."
"How am I bullying you?" Chen Mu asked playfully, observing Xiao He's reaction.
Xiao He's face turned even redder, and she stammered, unable to speak. Seeing Chen Mu walking away, she hurriedly followed, saying, "Miss should be back soon. Let me take you to her so you can wait there."
"Okay," Chen Mu nodded slightly.
Right now, apart from a higher-quality Concept Diagram, what he needed most was the Bone Forging Pill. As soon as he obtained the pill, he would immediately begin his Bone Forging Realm cultivation.
With the system panel's enhancement, his Bone Forging progress would be just as swift, far surpassing ordinary people. As long as he reached the perfection of the Bone Forging Realm early and advanced his Thunder Intent to the second step, he would attain the Five Viscera Realm, and then he could compete with others.
Soon, Xiao He led Chen Mu eastward, circling around the main courtyard to the east. After passing through several courtyards, they arrived at a small yet exquisitely designed courtyard with flowers, water, and a pavilion.
Inside was a boudoir entirely constructed from Purple Rainwood. Although Purple Rainwood was not as valuable as Golden Silkwood, it was still top-grade material, impervious to water and fire, lasting for a thousand years, and even more suitable for a girl's boudoir than Golden Silkwood.
This was indeed Chen Mu's first time visiting Xu Hongyu's residence.
Previously, he had stayed at the Yu Clan's residence for almost half a year, mostly staying indoors to practice martial arts and cultivate. Even when he went out, he had never visited Xu Hongyu's boudoir. This eastern area of the main courtyard was generally inaccessible to ordinary people, guarded by the outer servants. Especially the rear area was where the younger generation of the Yu Clan's direct lineage resided.
When Chen Mu had come to find Xu Hongyu before, the outer servants had gone in first to inform, then the inner maids had found Xiao He, and finally, Xiao He had reported to her mistress. But now, Chen Mu could enter and exit freely.
"Do you take care of all the flowers and plants in this courtyard?"
Chen Mu surveyed the courtyard's scenery and then glanced at the pond with floating lotus flowers. The clear water indicated regular maintenance, a luxury only the wealthy could afford.
Xiao He covered her mouth and giggled softly, shaking her head, "I only take care of them occasionally. There are dedicated gardeners for that."
Of course, Xu Hongyu wouldn't have just one maid. The others were there to serve her daily needs and manage the courtyard, not like Xiao He, who could accompany her outside and assist her like a lady's companion.
There was indeed a distinction between a maid and a lady's companion. In reality, after entering the Sinew Transformation Realm, Xiao He had attained a certain status. Even if she left Xu Hongyu's service, she wouldn't be an ordinary servant.
Chen Mu stepped into the pavilion, his gaze sweeping across the entire courtyard.
In both his past and present life, he wasn't born into a wealthy family. He hadn't lived in such a luxurious and picturesque courtyard, with fine clothes and food, never worrying about the cold or warmth. But to him now, this wealth and splendor were no longer impressive.
A slight regret was that, unlike his past life, there were no extraordinary objects here to record the past, and he had little chance to see Xu Hongyu's childhood appearance. As Xiao He had said, before Xu Hongyu's father disappeared, she had been a lively and cheerful little girl, gradually becoming like her current self, rarely showing any liveliness or smiles.
Xu Hongyu's previous cold demeanor gave people a sense of coldness and distance. In Chen Mu's heart, there was only admiration for her ice-like beauty. But now, he felt a touch of pity.
People like her seemed aloof and indifferent, but deep inside, they craved care and attention more than others. It was just that, due to fear and the need to be strong, they could only present a cold exterior.
In any case,
Let him make a small sacrifice.
Just as Chen Mu was standing in the pavilion, pondering and trying to imagine Xu Hongyu's childhood appearance, Xiao He's voice suddenly came from the courtyard entrance, "Miss, you're back. The Marquis... is waiting for you in the courtyard."
Chen Mu looked over and saw Xu Hongyu entering the courtyard. Hearing Xiao He's words, she was momentarily stunned, then glared at Xiao He, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Xiao He smiled sweetly, "The Clan Head has already decided on your marriage to the Marquis. Congratulations, Miss. After all these years, you finally have a partner... Ouch!"
Xu Hongyu's cold and beautiful face, like white jade, now showed a faint blush. She raised a hand to pinch Xiao He's face.
Xiao He shrank back, slipping out of Xu Hongyu's grasp, and then retreated out of the courtyard with a giggle, "I'll go take care of some chores for Miss first."
Speaking, the figure disappeared without a trace.
Xu Hongyu stood there, turning awkwardly to face Chen Mu in the pavilion, feeling a little lost for words.
Marquis...
When Yu Zuyi had asked her about Chen Mu, she hadn't said anything else. She merely recounted what Chen Mu had done, praising him where appropriate. But in an instant...
"You're back?"
Chen Mu approached Xu Hongyu with a gentle expression, "Did anything unexpected happen on your way here?"
Xu Hongyu slightly lowered her head and spoke softly, "When I left the Demon Slayer Bureau, I met He Guangyi. He asked me if I knew about the disappearances of He Guangzong and He Mingzhen, but I ignored him, and he didn't dare stop me."
He Guangyi.
The eldest heir of the He family's third generation, He Guangzong's older brother, and one of the vice commanders of the Demon Slayer Bureau.
Xu Hongyu's explanation was simple, but Chen Mu could easily imagine the scene of He Guangyi interrogating Xu Hongyu with a stern face, only letting her go due to the impending changes in Yu Prefecture.
"I should have accompanied you to the Demon Slayer Bureau."
Chen Mu shook his head.
He Guangyi...
A cold glint flashed in Chen Mu's eyes. The conflict with the He family was only growing, and it was no longer just between the Yu and He families. Even he himself would eventually have to settle all accounts with the He family.
Xu Hongyu's heart warmed at Chen Mu's words. She looked up at him and then, remembering something, took out a plump perfumed pouch from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "Here, this is sixty Bone Forging Pills."
Chen Mu took the perfumed pouch and felt a hint of warmth from the small silver pills within.
This was the quantity for two people. Xu Hongyu had exchanged all her merits at once.
"You should keep some for yourself. I probably won't need this many."
Chen Mu said after a moment's thought.
Xu Hongyu shook her head, "I still need to consolidate my qi and blood. I won't try Bone Forging for a few months. You can take them all, and if there are any left, keep them for later."
Chen Mu understood that Xu Hongyu had absorbed a lot of demonic blood during the recent chaos, significantly enhancing her qi and blood. However, she needed time to consolidate and regulate her body, which would take a couple of months. By exchanging the pills for both of them, she wasn't doubting his aptitude but trying to help him as much as possible.
Looking at the jade-like beauty before him, with her clear, large eyes gazing at him, Chen Mu's heart stirred slightly. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "Hongyu, I want to kiss you."
Xu Hongyu's body trembled slightly, and her translucent earlobes silently blushed.
"You...what are you saying..."
Xu Hongyu's voice was unsteady, and her eyes darted around, avoiding his gaze.
Even though they had already been intimate by the Lin'an River, Xu Hongyu's reaction now was barely a fraction of what it had been then. This warmth in Chen Mu's eyes, and the words themselves, brought a hint of blush to her usually stoic expression.
A faint blush spread along her translucent earlobes, and Chen Mu was momentarily captivated by the jade-like beauty before him. Her usual aloof and unattainable aura seemed to have returned to the mortal realm, like a blooming ice lotus, more beautiful than he had ever seen her.
Xu Hongyu's heart raced, and she wanted to escape, but her feet felt rooted to the spot. Her eyes darted around, avoiding Chen Mu's gaze, and the anticipated intimacy didn't materialize.
When her anxious gaze finally returned to Chen Mu, she saw that he had been staring at her the whole time.
For some reason, Xu Hongyu suddenly felt a sense of peace. Her eyes no longer darted around, and she spoke calmly, "What are you looking at?"
Her voice seemed to have regained its usual serenity and coolness, but the faint blush on her cheeks remained.
Chen Mu snapped back to attention.
Looking at the jade-like beauty before him, he didn't take any further action. Instead, he gently held her two hands, as smooth as jade, and placed them in front of him, saying, "The situation in Yu Prefecture has changed. The Yu family won't hold a grand wedding for us, and I feel it's unfair to you. If you wish, we can wait for two more years, and I'll prepare a ten-li-long red bridal procession for you."
Xu Hongyu was slightly taken aback.
She stared at Chen Mu's earnest gaze.
For some reason, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy and happiness.
Chen Mu saw the jade-like beauty's eyes curve slightly, as if in the midst of an icy landscape, a hundred flowers bloomed, revealing a smile that she might not have shown in over a decade. This moment's beauty was indescribable.
"I don't want that."
She looked at Chen Mu, smiling radiantly.
(End of Chapter)
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