I am invincible, that's why I lie down. You're using your entire clan to rebel?

Chapter 79 A False Background, A Real Reward!

Tingxue Tower is located in the western market of the northern capital. It is a three-story wooden building with a small facade, but it is elegantly decorated with upturned eaves.

Above the door hangs a plaque with the three characters "Tingxuelou" (Listening to Snow Pavilion), written in a vigorous and powerful style.

This is one of the famous restaurants in the Northern Kingdom, known for its Jiangnan cuisine and its homemade "Listening to Snow Wine".

The place is usually packed with guests and bustling with activity.

But today, Tingxuelou is unusually deserted.

Two men were standing in front of the building. When they saw the convoy stop, they quickly went forward to greet them.

Qin Mu got off the carriage, took Jiang Qingxue's hand, and slowly walked to the front of the building.

He looked up at the plaque, then at the empty lobby, and said calmly:

Why is it so quiet today?

An older waiter quickly bowed and said:

"Your Excellency, today... today the master has a joyous occasion, so we will be closed for the day. However, the master has instructed that if any distinguished guests visit, please be sure to treat them well."

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow: "Master? Who is your master?"

"The owner's surname is Chen, and his given name is Feng," the waiter replied. "Owner Chen happens to be in the restaurant today. Would you like to see him?"

Qin Mu nodded: "Let him come to see me."

The moment the word "朕" (I, the imperial "I") was uttered, the two waiters turned deathly pale!

Although they guessed that the distinguished guest today was of extraordinary status, they never expected... it would be His Majesty the Emperor!

The two men knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly.

"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Qin Mu waved his hand: "Rise. Go and call your master."

"Yes! Yes!" The two scrambled to their feet and stumbled into the building.

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe with a prosperous face strode out, followed by a simply dressed, kind-faced old woman.

The two walked up to Qin Mu and knelt down simultaneously:

"This humble subject, Chen Feng (also known as Chen Li), greets Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Qin Mu sized up the two of them for a moment, then slowly said:

"So you're the owner of Tingxuelou?"

"Your Majesty, it is indeed I, your humble servant," Chen Feng said, bowing his head, his voice trembling slightly.

"Stand up and speak." Qin Mu raised his hand.

The two men stood up cautiously, but still dared not raise their heads.

Qin Mu led Jiang Qingxue into the main hall and sat down at a round table made of rosewood in the center.

Su Wanqing and Lu Wanning followed behind him, sitting on either side.

Xu Longxiang and Fan Li stood at the door and did not come in.

"Master Chen," Qin Mu said calmly, "I've come today to ask you something."

Chen Feng quickly bowed: "Your Majesty, please speak. This humble subject will speak without reservation."

Qin Mu turned his head to look at Jiang Qingxue beside him and said gently:

"My beloved concubine, you speak."

Jiang Qingxue took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

She looked at Chen Feng, then at the old woman beside him, and slowly spoke:

"Mr. Chen... do you remember, twenty years ago, did a woman surnamed Jiang stay at your restaurant? She... was with a baby girl who was just three months old?"

This is the fabricated backstory Xu Longxiang made up for her—

Her mother's surname was Jiang. She was the daughter of a merchant from Jiangnan. When she passed through the northern border, she encountered bandits. Her husband was killed and she was seriously injured. She fled to Tingxuelou with her three-month-old daughter and was taken in by the kind-hearted shopkeeper Chen.

Not long after, Jiang succumbed to her injuries and entrusted her daughter to Manager Chen before her death.

Shopkeeper Chen raised the baby girl until she was thirteen years old. Later, due to a change in his family circumstances, he had to give the baby girl to the head of a theatrical troupe for adoption, where she learned singing and dancing for several years.

And that baby girl was Jiang Qingxue.

Later, Jiang Qingxue became a courtesan, and was then discovered by Xu Longxiang, who sent her to the palace.

This explanation is flawless.

As long as Chen Feng speaks according to the pre-rehearsed script, he can perfectly "confirm" Jiang Qingxue's background.

Chen Feng and his wife had already received Xu Longxiang's strict orders and "guidance," so they quickly filled in the gaps in their fabricated backstory.

Chen Feng wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, his voice choked with emotion:

"That's right, that's right! Miss... no, Your Majesty! Your mother, Madam Jiang, was so badly injured when she fled here with you, yet she still protected you as an infant... alas, how pitiful!"

My husband and I have no children, so we raised you like our own daughter for over ten years. We cherished you like a precious gem, afraid you would break if we held you in our hands or melt if we kept you in our mouths…”

Chen Lishi was also wiping away tears, adding details in a rambling manner, saying how well-behaved Xiaoxue was when she was little, how much she loved eating the osmanthus cakes she made, and how she was always snuggled in her arms because she was afraid of the cold...

These details were all taught to Xu Longxiang by his men in advance, with the aim of making the story sound more realistic and believable.

Qin Mu listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the rosewood table, his expression calm and revealing no emotion.

He asked casually, "Did Madam Jiang ever mention her place of origin or background? Who else is in her family?"

Chen Feng shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, it was not mentioned. Madam Jiang is seriously injured. She has been unconscious for many days and is unable to speak at all."

Qin Mu nodded and said calmly, "Continue."

Chen Feng replied respectfully, "It is Your Majesty."

When he mentioned giving Jiang Qingxue to the opera troupe leader for adoption, Qin Mu raised an eyebrow slightly and slowly said:

"So, my beloved concubine's background is now clear. But what happened to the opera troupe leader who adopted her? How did she go from the opera troupe to Minister Xu's residence, and eventually enter the palace?"

This is part of the plan.

Xu Longxiang had already arranged the whereabouts of the "troupe leader".

Several years ago, they encountered river pirates, their boat was destroyed, and they all perished, their remains never found.

The process by which Jiang Qingxue was "discovered" by Xu Longxiang was romanticized as follows: Xu Longxiang encountered a courtesan performing for money by chance, took pity on her talent and background, and redeemed her. Later, because he found her outstanding in appearance and character, he could not bear to see her go to waste, so he presented her to the emperor.

Jiang Qingxue recounted what was said, her tone mournful.

Xu Longxiang added a few words at the door, portraying himself as a discerning and loyal subject of the emperor.

After listening, Qin Mu remained silent for a moment, seemingly digesting the convoluted story.

Then, he sighed softly.

He reached out and took Jiang Qingxue's hand, which was resting on her knee. Her hand was cold and trembling slightly.

"My beloved consort," Qin Mu's voice was low and gentle, tinged with a hint of pity.

"It seems... you truly have no blood relatives in this world. I was originally thinking that if I could find your clansmen, they could share in your good fortune and enjoy family life."

Jiang Qingxue's heart tightened suddenly, followed by a complex wave of sorrow.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes concealing the true emotions in her eyes, and only softly replied:

"To have Your Majesty's favor and to know my origins, I am already content. I dare not ask for anything more."

She was only half telling the truth.

Knowing that her "background" was fake, the humility and resignation of "not daring to ask for anything" was the truest reflection of her state of mind at that moment.

When Xu Longxiang heard Qin Mu say "there are no blood relatives left," his tense heartstrings finally relaxed a little.

It seems this explanation has worked for now. As long as these key figures don't cause any trouble...

However, before he could finally breathe a sigh of relief, Qin Mu's next words plunged him into an ice cave!

"but,"

Qin Mu changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Chen Feng and his wife, then seemingly casually passing over Xu Longxiang, who stood with his head bowed at the door. His tone became gentle yet undeniable.

"Mr. and Mrs. Chen have raised my beloved concubine with great kindness. Although they are not blood relatives, their bond is stronger than that of blood relatives. Such a good deed must be repaid."

He paused, then announced in a clear and steady voice:

"By imperial decree, if Chen Feng and his wife, as well as the family of the opera troupe leader who, though deceased, once adopted and taught my beloved concubine, can still be found, they shall be brought into the capital."

"Bestow residences and stipends upon them, so that they may enjoy their later years in the Imperial City, in gratitude for Consort Xue's kindness."

"boom--!"

Xu Longxiang felt as if his brain had been struck by a heavy hammer, buzzing and his vision even went black for a moment!