Chapter 1438: Beauty Undercover: The General's Machinations 29

The fatigue from travel had completely faded after a few days of rest. Aside from having to report every two days, Jin Chen, relying on Muyue as his backing, asked the emperor for leave.

Dealing with the huakui identity Muyue had left behind in the capital was also put on the agenda.

After discussing with Muyue, Jin Chen finalized the plan and had someone select a slender man from the death row cell.

That day.

The Jiangjun fu's carriage stopped outside the street near Jade Water Pavilion. Muyue donned a black cloak, wore a mask, and rushed in like a gust through the back gate of Jade Water Pavilion.

"Who are you!"

The henchmen barred the way with a murderous aura, "No outsiders allowed inside!"

"It's me."

After making sure no commoners had seen him, Muyue removed the mask, took off the outer cloak, and underneath wore the embroidered light red gauze clothing he often wore as a huakui at Jade Water Pavilion.

In just a few quick motions, he instantly became the admired Young Master Muyue again.

"Muyue?!"

The two henchmen were astonished: "You secretly escaped; even Mother is furious half to death! Coming back like this, you'll surely be beaten half to death!"

Muyue covered his mouth and smiled lightly, his eyes and brows full of charm, "Elder Brother, you're mistaken."

"During my absence, Jade Water Pavilion's business must have dropped a lot; Mother surely wishes I'd return quickly."

"That's true, hurry inside."

Muyue deliberately chose the moment when Mother summoned all the performers and courtesans for a talk.

As Muyue expected, when Mother saw him return, she first gasped, then scolded him profusely.

"Mother, please don't scold... If I fell seriously ill, who would revive such a grand Jade Water Pavilion?"

"You silver-tongued thing, just relying on your fame? Don't think there aren't plenty of huakuis; you could be replaced any day, and your old patrons have already moved on to fresher faces."

Muyue scanned the familiar and unfamiliar faces, clearly seeing their apprehension and dissatisfaction in their eyes, then laughed out loud.

"Then during my absence these months, has Mother found someone else?"

Mother: "……"

What nonsense.

"A naturally alluring huakui isn't that easy to find."

"Alright, don't talk more; the punishment is waived for now. You've served many clients this month—I'll still treat you well."

After saying that, she twisted the handkerchief and left the upper floor.

Muyue pretended not to notice others' probing looks, deliberately letting them see his outfit clearly before leaving.

No need to make a show; Muyue just walked around the main hall, and all the guests of Jade Water Pavilion knew he'd returned, clamoring to spend money.

Elsewhere in Jade Water Pavilion.

A corpse was brought up to the second floor; Muyue and the person delivering it exchanged glances and nodded.

The corpse was hung by the window ledge; from outside it looked like someone had hanged themselves.

"Muyue... what are you doing!"

A sudden startled cry interrupted Muyue's action.

He turned in surprise and saw it was someone he knew before—the top courtesan of Jade Water Pavilion, with whom he'd had many conflicts.

"You killed someone? Why is this person wearing the same clothes as you? What are you up to?"

"So much nonsense."

Muyue had no time to waste on explanations; moreover, if this person found out, the plan would surely be exposed.

He drew the knife hidden in his sleeve and signaled the corpse-movers to continue.

"I advise you to mind your own business, otherwise the person who hangs themselves will be you."

"You... you really killed someone! I'm going to tell Mother!"

"Idiot." Muyue's eyes turned fierce; he was already getting anxious inside.

"If you won't learn to keep quiet, I'll teach you."

"Perfect, new and old grudges can be settled together."

"Ah!"

The Jiangjun fu servant in charge of moving the corpse turned back in surprise, only to see the talkative person stabbed in the chest, frightened by Muyue's gaze, and swallowed nervously.

"The corpse is ready... you... you better run."

"Remember to seize the moment."

Muyue no longer lingered, leapt down from the second-floor windowsill, put the mask back on, and crossed the street.

Just as Muyue had left, less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, passersby near Jade Water Pavilion suddenly exclaimed.

"Good heavens! Someone is hanging themselves at Jade Water Pavilion!"

"Come quick! Someone died here!"

"These clothes... is that Young Master Muyue?! Could he have come back?"

The noise outside bustled, and soon many guests heard it and rushed out from Jade Water Pavilion.

"Young Master Muyue! That's him! No mistake... I just saw him a moment ago!"

The Jade Water Pavilion performers embraced by the guests went weak in the legs, hurried to call Mother; who knew this person's return was just to hang himself, and the whole scene descended into chaos.

And the commoners arranged by Jin Chen were also stirring the pot, adding to the chaos, making those present even more convinced it was Muyue.

The Jade Water Pavilion henchmen lowered the corpse, and only when they cut the rope around its neck did they discover the face had been slashed, blood and flesh blurred beyond recognition.

Again a voice in the crowd shouted: "Who doesn't know that Young Master Muyue cares most about his face? He must have disfigured himself out of grievance before killing himself!"

The guests suddenly realized: "Exactly! I just said I saw Young Master Muyue come back earlier—no wonder he looked rushed!"

Just then, Jin Chen and Muyue arrived late.

Heavens… who died? Is it Lord Muyue?

Muyue changed into a moon-white robe, stood at Jin Chen's side waving a fan, looking even more like a monarch's bearing than usual.

Yeah, just saying it's a pity… you… him?

The person explaining for Muyue glanced over, frightened into retreating several steps; the surrounding people, seeing this, immediately made way.

"Lord Muyue?!" a guest wondered.

Muyue waved his fan, saying, "No, no, although I also bear the name Muyue, I have come to pay respects to the Muyue inside Jade Water Pavilion."

The onlookers genuinely wondered.

Old Mother rushed over, face red and neck thick with anger, shouting, "Stop pretending here, old lady—I can still tell!"

"Impudent!"

The guard behind Jin Chen immediately drew his sword, saying, "No disrespect to the General and the Monarch of Xiwu!"

"What?!"

Old Mother, as if struck by lightning, simply couldn't believe what she had heard.

"Good heavens! That's a ghost face……"

Jin Chen released the aura he had just gathered.

The commoners then noticed Jin Chen wearing a ghost mask to the side, and they all retreated three lodgings, their expressions both fearful and reverent.

"General! Greetings, General!"

Jin Chen gave a faint hum, standing slightly behind Muyue to show respect.

"The Monarch personally arrives at Chixiao Capital to show friendship between the two nations; even His Majesty must yield three points—who would dare be disrespectful?"

The bystanders who had been surrounding the scene all turned to look at Old Mother.

Old Mother: "……"

Her legs went weak; no matter how much she had seen of the world, she never expected something like this!

"Monarch… you… Your Majesty…… how could you be the Monarch? You clearly look just like Muyue."

Aside from their utterly different auras, they are practically identical!

Muyue lightly coughed to hide his smile, the jade fan swaying slightly, "Frankly, I and that Muyue are twins; it's a pity that in Xiwu, twins are considered ominous."

"So that Muyue was sent away, presumably drifting here, and out of necessity entered Jade Water Pavilion."

That excuse is utter nonsense.

If anyone else said that, I wouldn't believe a word.

But the General is standing right here; he wouldn't be idle enough to joke.

At that moment, Old Mother was frightened out of her wits, fearing she might lose her head; she hurriedly knelt to beg forgiveness, admitting she had offended.

"Hmm… the ignorant are blameless; let it go."

Muyue shook his head regretfully, "This time coming to the capital, I also wanted to meet this brother I've never met; trouble you, Old Mother, to properly bury her."

"Of course, of course." Old Mother dared not refuse; paying silver is far better than losing her head.

Muyue also wanted to glance at Jin Chen, blinking secretly, "General, what do you think?"

"What the Monarch said is absolutely correct."

Jin Chen didn't let his provocation make him twitch his lips; fortunately the mask covered it, so it couldn't be seen.

He was still addicted to playing.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -15, total 50!】