Chapter 1434: Beauty Undercover General's Mischief 25

The old lady asked several questions but got no answer; she only felt it was no wonder that Chen'er liked this person, who actually had a personality just like him.

However, even if he were a man, entering the rear courtyard later, his overly strong personality would probably not be a good thing.

The old lady still wanted to say something, but Su Yan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up, sounding surprised.

"Speaking of which… perhaps it's a bit offensive, but my family's good-for-nothing younger brother from a concubine line often frequents the pleasure quarters."

"I've often heard him say that inside the Jade Water Pavilion there is a charming male courtesan who likes to wear red clothes… also called Muyue."

Jin Qingqing, upon hearing this, immediately went to look at Muyue's red outfit, startled to her feet: "You're the Jade Water Pavilion's huakui?!"

Before Muyue could explain, Su Yan continued: "Funny enough, about four months ago… that male courtesan suddenly disappeared for no reason; it's said the master of the Jade Water Pavilion searched the whole capital but couldn't find him."

"This…" the old lady exclaimed, astonished and doubtful.

Muyue suddenly understood why this young lady was so hostile toward her; she snorted coldly and said angrily, "What's my status to you, and what business is it of yours?"

"Of course there is!"

Jin Qingqing spoke up for her friend, indignant: "Originally, Sister Su was supposed to be the general's wife we chose for Second Brother; only a matching family would be suitable."

Jin Qingqing gave another cold snort and stroked her pearl ornaments.

"Just because Second Brother likes you so much, I let you into the rear courtyard; now that Sister Su will be the principal wife, how can I not inquire about your background?"

"What rear courtyard, what principal wife?"

This little sister is not good at all; not a single word she says is what he wants to hear.

Muyue gritted her teeth, gripped her wrist and endured again and again, constantly reminding herself that they were her older brother's relatives: "No, my older brother only likes me."

Muyue then looked toward the old lady at the head seat, feeling wronged: "Do you also think that way? In your letter you said you prepared fine rice and flour so my older brother wouldn't neglect me."

"How come after returning to the capital, you're another person altogether?"

Being looked at with such sincere, fervent eyes, the old lady instead seemed a bit embarrassed: "Yes, Chen'er likes you; it's the first time he's taken a liking to someone, so of course I have to give him a few words of advice."

"Child, I didn't stop you from entering Chen'er's rear courtyard; if it weren't for that, even as a male concubine you'd need a good family background."

Muyue froze: "So… you also think that way."

"I don't want to stay here; I want to go find my older brother."

Muyue overturned the tea table in front of her, grabbed her bundle, and rushed out.

Jin Qingqing stamped her foot in anger: "You still want to go complain? Someone, stop her!"

The guards of the general's residence immediately leapt into the courtyard, blocking the exit with a menacing presence.

Muyue was already fuming; though she couldn't strike the older brother's family, could she not beat these servants!?

He slung the bundle over one shoulder, darted forward like a venomous snake, striking fast and vicious.

Jin Qingqing supported the old lady as they walked into the courtyard, shocked to see the guards collapsed on the ground, spitting blood.

"This person… also knows martial arts?!"

He looks incredibly strong!

"Old lady, the master and the young master have returned."

The steward came forward to report.

Right after, Old General Jin and Jin Ye stepped into the courtyard, also startled by the scene.

The old general hurriedly asked: "Who is this child? How come he's using Xiwu martial arts?"

"Father!"

Jin Qingqing hurried to his side to tattle: "This is the person Second Brother likes; she talks back to Mother, doesn't know the rules, and actually wants to monopolize Second Brother all by herself!"

"Nice skills." Jin Ye couldn't help but praise.

"Father, let me go test her."

Old General Jin had his hands behind his back: "Go."

Jin Ye leapt forward to stand before Muyue, clasped his fists, and said: "Let me learn your skills."

"Who are you, also trying to stop me from going to find my older brother?"

Muyue glared angrily: "You're all so annoying."

"Hey, I never said that."

Jin Ye shrugged: "I'm Jin Chen's older brother; you should call me 'big brother'."

"Ah…"

Muyue's beautiful eyes blinked lightly, then she put her hands behind her back: "No, my older brother said you have a hidden ailment, so I can't hit you."

Jin Ye: "……"

That little brat Jin Chen keeps blurting out everything!

"Just no."

Muyue shook her head and kept walking outward: "You all don't like me, and I don't like you either; I only need my older brother."

Who would have thought she hadn't even reached the main gate before being blocked again.

"Hey! Senior Brother Shi!"

Muyue finally broke into a smile: "Did my older brother send you to find me?"

"Oh dear little ancestor, something's happened!"

Shi You wore a worried, grim face, yet didn't forget to salute the old general.

Muyue stared blankly: "What happened? How is my older brother?"

"Yes, hurry up and tell us! What happened to Second Brother?" Jin Qingqing asked.

Everyone in the Jin family was anxious; Shi You scratched his head, but only said to Muyue: "The emperor suspects the general of being the murderer who killed the prince, and has thrown him into prison for interrogation."

"The general specifically had me come back to find you; hurry and follow me into the palace!"

Muyue's gaze shifted slightly; she exchanged a look with Shi You and clenched her teeth silently.

The old general flicked his sleeves, anger blazing, "What use is looking for him? How could the emperor's edict be easily defied?"

Only then did he understand why his son had returned to court today, only to be transferred away.

"I'll go to the palace first to see His Majesty; Ye'er, you quickly send people to the border city-state to find someone who can testify."

They naturally didn't believe Jin Chen would kill the prince.

Muyue threw the bundle at Shiyou, so anxious she couldn't bother with formalities, "No need for all this trouble; I'll go myself—make way."

"What use could you have? Do you still think this is the frontier of Saiwai?"

Jin Qingqing snapped at him, "With just you, you also want to change the emperor's edict? You're the one who shouldn't disturb my father as he thinks of a solution!"

Muyue's face sank, "Just because I am the Lord of Xiwu, with me here, your emperor would not dare harm my older brother!"

Jin Qingqing's eyes widened: "... What did you say?"

Old General Jin turned in surprise, not yet reacting, when Shiyou already led the horse in to wait; Muyue had no time to say more, she vaulted onto the horse and galloped straight for the imperial palace.

Watching Muyue's retreating figure, Jin Qingqing's voice trembled, "He said he is... the Lord of Xiwu?"

How could that be!

Wasn't Miss Su saying he's merely the male leader of the Yushui Pavilion?

Goodness… she just scolded the Lord of Xiwu!

Jin Ye's expression was complex: "I think... no one would be so bold as to pretend to be the Lord."

Old Madam Jin clutched her chest, taking several deep breaths, "No wonder I asked about his identity just now—that child… no, the Lord didn't say a thing."

Old General Jin stroked his beard in worry, "Chen'er really is... astonishingly talented."

Su Yan suddenly felt upset, grabbing Jin Qingqing's hand and sobbing, "Does that mean I can't marry Chen older brother?"

Ah… this.

Jin Qingqing scratched her head, earlier she had still said Muyue wasn't good enough for the second older brother.

"But it seems now the one who isn't good enough is my second older brother."