Chapter 868 - 867: The Maid from Guanzhong, Sturdy and Strong

The room fell silent, except for the sound of Cheng Zhirang’s shoulders trembling, no one spoke.

Then Mu Qiu slowly, slowly placed her hand gently on his head, with a trace of tremor.

Still, no one spoke, but the atmosphere had already changed.

After a moment, Cheng Zhirang embraced the person in his arms, the two entwined like soft vines clinging to each other, tightly tangled together. Tears born from death, hearts dying as they live.

A huge crack had formed, only through years and years of mutual torment could they feel the pleasure as sweet as at the beginning, although distorted, they sought only self-deception.

After this embrace, Mu Qiu gradually improved, no longer staying in the room every day, often walking around Qingyin Pavilion, even visiting that small dark room.

But she wandered alone, without maids, only when Cheng Zhirang returned here, stepped forward to embrace her, would she turn around to hold his hand to walk together for a while.

The news of the Princely Heir of Huainan’s sudden violent death due to illness had already spread, King Huainan took out the divorce papers of his son and daughter-in-law, sent them to the Mu Family, and announced it to everyone. The next day, the Eastern Palace sent consolation gifts to the Mu Family, declaring publicly that Mu Qiu returned to the Mu Family, internally telling the Mu Family to prepare their daughter for remarriage.

She was no longer just an heir’s consort who could only hide outside, unseen; even after the news of Prince Huainan’s violent death cooled down, she could also walk outside Qingyin Pavilion.

However, she didn’t go anywhere else, only to the Eastern Palace, and directly to the residence of the Crown Princess Consort and Consort Bai, visiting daily for a cup of tea.

Occasionally feeling tired, she would choose a time when the Crown Prince was not around, change into a rarely worn colored dress, and with a few maids, walk through the market from before, not buying anything, just looking, and while looking, fall into a daze.

Then the maids would process this news and tell the Crown Prince.

Guilt and the desire to compensate cannot sway someone who wants to achieve their grand ambitions, but can bit by bit erode his view of her, making him lean towards her little by little.

Not to mention, he originally loved her.

Another performance of feigned melancholy for three minutes, Mu Qiu prepared to go to the Eastern Palace again to mock the Crown Princess Consort, and by the way, notify all the NPCs, this time it’s the Crown Prince’s turn to become the Emperor, and then it’s the ending.

If not wrapped up, she would be depressed.

She hadn’t expected that just as she had someone hold an umbrella to walk out from Qingyin Pavilion, she met Guan Yu wearing an ancient outer garment.

As soon as the two met, there was a feeling of "Hmm? It’s been a long time, isn’t it time to high-five."

Mu Qiu almost couldn’t hold back the melancholy green tea vibe she’s cultivated for a long time, glanced her up and down, then turned and asked the maid beside her, "Is it because I haven’t gone out for too long? There are actually young ladies in the capital I don’t recognize."

The maid caught onto the act well, evidently updating the NPC world news timely: "Miss, this is Miss Guan who recently almost got involved in a scandal with the Sixth Prince."

"Oh. And that maid behind her?"

"... Um, perhaps, perhaps it’s Miss Guan’s maid from her family, maids from Guan Zhong may be somewhat stronger."

Zhu · Guan Zhong’s Maid · Qi looked up at her gloomily.

Mu Qiu: This guy really takes any kind of job, but he can’t always play female NPC roles, that muscle is about to burst the maid’s clothing.

She looked on with disdain then returned her attention to Guan Yu.

"Hello Miss Guan, are you going to find the Sixth Prince?"

Guan Yu shook her head earnestly, "I’m sorry to impose and ask, who are you? Don’t get me wrong, I just arrived in the capital, not familiar at all, but I feel you fit my taste."

"That must be my good fortune then. I am surnamed Mu."

Guan Yu feigned innocence, "Which family’s madam?"

"..." She chuckled dryly twice, touched her temples, "Used to be a madam, no longer one now. If Miss Guan intends to visit the Sixth Prince, I cannot accompany you."

"It’s alright," Guan Yu waved her hand generously, "I’m not going to find him. I’m going to watch the excitement, heard someone from the General Mansion betrayed causing National Guardian General a tragic defeat, now that person is kneeling outside the Eastern Palace petitioning the Crown Prince for help. Oh, which direction are you heading, Miss?"

To the old lord, why not venture east?!

Mu Qiu chuckled dryly again, "As it happens, I’m also headed to... watch the excitement."

Thus the two found themselves on the same path.

From what she’s heard on the broadcasts, Guan Yu’s group has had many more OOC incidences than theirs, though Li Yang’s group has also OOC-ed several times, Li Yang has cards, plus the seasoned An Zhou to help manage the play, Shu Ran is passable, so overall they’re a bit better than Guan Yu’s group.

If she guessed correctly, her own group was likely to win steadily. However, if there were repeated OOC occurrences, still centered on her, it would certainly have an impact, perhaps even audience complaints.

Being in Guan Yu’s company, her risk of OOC was rather high.

Sure enough, not two steps further, Guan Yu said with a smiling face, "Never expected you to look gentle and lovely, yet also share my liking for excitement."

"Long days need a bit of fun."

"Looking for fun? You should ask me! I’ll tell you something fun! Did you hear about the story with the deceased Prince Huainan, the Crown Prince, and a woman recently... so thrilling."

Mu Qiu: "...How thrilling?"

"I heard, the Crown Prince wanted the support of court ministers, hence married ladies from the Zhang and Bai families, also the General Mansion’s lady, originally prepared for him. But the Crown Prince was still unsatisfied!

He wanted to take down this hard bone of Huainan Mansion, however there was only one heir in Huainan Mansion, no lady, so he married the person he loved most into the mansion! The two worked inside out to take down Prince Huainan, the king in his old age losing his child fell into unbearable grief, no longer had energy for these affairs.

But something more unexpected happened! When imprisoning Prince Huainan, it’s said the Crown Prince always had him dressed in women’s clothing, unknowingly falling for him! Once the heir died he realized what he’d lost, thus neglected the Crown Princess Consort, concubines, including the former heir’s consort, and sent many reparation gifts to King Huainan, with various remembrances!"

Mu Qiu had a face full of black lines, "Who told you this?"

Guan Yu pointed her hand to the side languidly, "My maid."

Zhu Qi: "..."

She paused for two seconds, speaking earnestly, "Miss Guan, you just came from Antarctica, might not be aware, having a busybody around you continually discussing the Crown Prince’s affairs is of no use, it’ll eventually cause trouble. You should have the Sixth Prince swap for a different maid."

"This is already the sixth maid this month, recruited from Guan Zhong specifically, strong and fit, I find them pretty suitable. Ah, we’ve arrived!"

The entrance sporting the Eastern Palace plaque was crowded with people, someone in their middle speaking loudly.

These extras were dedicated, saying "Cheng Zhirang is so handsome" while assuming the guise of common folk discussing capital affairs.