He definitely did it on purpose.
She glared at Dongfang Heng in the bronze mirror, her small, fair hand gripping the ribbon at her waist, about to pull it off, when Dongfang Heng's clear voice rang out: "The secret guards have sent word that last night at midnight, a maid from Consort Shu's Changxin Palace and a palace guard were caught having an affair. Consort Shu was found guilty of lax palace management and has been stripped of her power over the harem!"
The Empress of the Western Liang Palace died young, and the harem was managed by the most favored Consort Shu. Over the years, she has had the same power as the Empress, suppressed many concubines, and won the resentment of everyone in the harem. Whenever something happens to her, all the concubines in the harem gloat.
Shen Lixue paused, then asked, "Is the harem now under the jurisdiction of Consort De?"
“That’s right!” Dongfang Heng nodded. After stripping Consort Shu of her management authority, the emperor immediately handed it over to Consort De, who was the most senior and the best person.
Shen Lixue smiled. It was highly likely that Consort De was plotting to frame the palace maid of Chang Le Palace for having an affair. Consort Shu almost killed Consort De, and now that Consort De has recovered, she will certainly not let Consort Shu off easily.
Consort Shu was cautious and left no trace in her actions, making it difficult for Consort De to outwit her. Instead, Consort De targeted the palace maids around Consort Shu. Chang Le Palace was Consort Shu's palace, and the maids' shameless actions only tarnished Consort Shu's reputation. Consort De was indeed clever.
Dongfang Heng picked up a letter, opened it, and said calmly, "The battle between Lu Jiangfeng and Mu Tao last night has already spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital!"
One was a blind prodigy from the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion, and the other was a general from the Duke's mansion who was renowned for his prowess on the border. Although the two of them only exchanged one move, they were still very eye-catching.
"Although Mu Tao is highly skilled in martial arts, he lacks wisdom and is no match for Lu Jiangfeng. Why did Duke Mu send him back to the capital?" When Lu Jiangfeng defeated the fast horse, Shen Lixue had not gone far. She heard every word they said.
Mu Tao is a fierce general who can kill countless enemies on the battlefield, but when faced with the open and covert struggles in the capital, he has no advantage other than his superb martial arts skills.
Both the Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion and the Muguo Duke's Mansion have daughters who have entered the palace as concubines, making them like sworn enemies who can't stand each other. Even if Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng didn't come to Xiliang, they would still fight each other fiercely.
Dongfang Heng pondered for a moment: "Perhaps they feel that with Consort Shu around, they won't suffer any losses!" Consort Shu is a formidable character, and she is meticulous in her precautions. The concubines in the harem have never been able to find any fault with her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to manage the harem on behalf of the Empress for so many years. It's probably just a coincidence that Consort De was able to scheme against her.
“Mu Tao is only eighteen years old this year. He was thirteen five years ago. He’s very young. It’s impossible for him to run to Qingyan to take Huasheng!” Shen Lixue got back to the point and said the purpose of their visit.
“Even if he were to go, he should go with his father.” Dongfang Heng’s dark eyes were unfathomable. The key to unlocking the secret of Huasheng lay with Duke Mu or Consort Shu.
Shen Lixue nodded in agreement: "It seems we should bring Duke Mu back!"
"With a son like Mu Tao, there's no doubt that Duke Mu will return!" Dongfang Heng's dark eyes were unfathomable.
“That’s true!” Shen Lixue’s gaze darkened. “When we find an opportunity, let’s test these two people.” The Huasheng incident is definitely related to them.
"How do you plan to test her?" Dongfang Heng raised an eyebrow at Shen Lixue.
Shen Lixue smiled mysteriously: "Mu Tao has already returned to the capital. The Duke of Mu's mansion has lost so much money and face. They must be eager to get the money back and save face. We should just play it by ear!"
As the sun rose higher and higher, and noon approached, Dongfang Heng put down the letter, walked over and gently embraced Shen Lixue's soft waist. His dark eyes were tender and affectionate: "We can talk about these things later. There's a very nice restaurant in the capital of Xiliang. Let's go have lunch together!"
Wangjianglou is one of the three major restaurants in the capital of Xiliang. It is built on the banks of the vast river. Standing in the private room, you can open the window and see the beautiful river view. You can enjoy the view while eating, which is very pleasant. Noble families and nobles like to dine here.
At lunchtime, Wangjiang Tower was packed with people. Dongfang Heng had booked a private room, but Shen Lixue wanted to hear the rumors about the capital, so she didn't go to the private room and sat in an inconspicuous corner.
The guests nearby, their faces flushed from drinking, chatted animatedly: "That Duke Mu's mansion is truly incompetent! So many people, young and old, and they were completely unaware that so much gold and silver had been stolen..."
"That's right. I heard that as soon as General Mu returned to the capital, he went to provoke Lu Jiangfeng and got beaten so badly he was practically spitting out his teeth..."
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow. Lu Jiangfeng only used one move to kill Mu Tao's fast horse, and the two of them didn't fight again. This rumor... really likes to exaggerate.
"Lu Jiangfeng is the Azure Flame Prodigy. Although he is blind, he is highly skilled in martial arts, intelligent, and has an elegant demeanor. Unlike that General Mu Er, a mere brute who thinks he is invincible just because he has brute strength..."
"That's right, hahaha..." The group laughed, their faces flushed and their bodies trembling. Before their laughter had even faded, a furious shout, like a thunderclap, resounded throughout the restaurant hall: "Bullshit! Who's talking bad about me!"
The laughter stopped abruptly, and the group's muddled minds instantly cleared. They looked at Mu Tao, who was stomping towards them with a furious expression, and his fierce demeanor changed instantly. When did this fierce man arrive? How come they hadn't seen him?
"You lot, how dare you speak ill of me!" Mu Tao's tall figure charged straight at the group.
"General Mu, spare our lives!" The men were trembling with fear. Before they could even kneel and beg for mercy, Mu Tao's iron fist had already struck them hard in the chest. They were sent flying three or four meters away, crashing heavily to the ground. With a "pfft," they spat out a mouthful of blood, which landed on the nearest tables and chairs. Then, their bodies went limp and they collapsed to the ground, their condition unknown—whether they were seriously injured or dead.
The hall fell silent instantly, and then the guests surged out like a torrent, shouting deafeningly, "Murder! Murder! Run!"
Shen Lixue glanced at the few people lying on the ground with their eyes closed. They were only seriously injured and unconscious, but not dead. The hall was in chaos. Looking at Mu Tao who was so close to her, she lost her appetite. She stepped forward, took Dongfang Heng's arm, and said gently, "Let's go!"
Dongfang Heng nodded, his jade-like fingers gently embracing Shen Lixue's shoulder, and turned to leave.
"Don't go!" Mu Tao swung his arm across, blocking Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng's path with a fierce expression.
Shen Lixue raised her eyes and looked coldly at Mu Tao: "We haven't offended you, so why can't we leave!"
Mu Tao's sharp gaze fell on Dongfang Heng, who was dressed in white with slightly lowered eyelids. His every move exuded elegance and nobility. He stood there quietly, tall and graceful, completely ignoring everyone else. It was as if he was the only one left in the world.
Looking at Shen Lixue again, her face was bright and her temperament was fresh. The stylish Xiang dress seemed to be tailor-made for her. Standing next to the man in white, they were an indescribably well-matched couple.
Mu Tao was slightly surprised. The young man and woman were outstanding in appearance and temperament, and they were exceptionally well-matched. Who were they? He had been in the capital for so many years and had never seen them before. Were they from out of town? It didn't matter. As long as they weren't from the Ye family, he wasn't afraid.
He pointed a thick finger at the unconscious men on the ground: "You were sitting next to them just now, so you were close neighbors. You must have said a lot of bad things about us. You should be punished!"
Shen Lixue: "..." She knew that there was a crime of collective punishment in ancient times, which meant that if one person committed a serious crime, the whole family or even nine generations of relatives would be implicated. She had never heard of several unrelated people being punished together for sitting too close together at a meal.
"You really know how to argue!"
"Here, I am the one in charge. Men, drag the woman out and give her fifty lashes. As for the man, I will punish him myself!" Mu Tao clenched his fist and punched Dongfang Heng hard in the chest.
He didn't realize that the man in white had internal strength. Judging from the man's weak appearance, he must be a weak scholar with no martial arts skills. He was being mocked and was still holding a grudge, so he took it out on the man in white.
With a loud "bang!", Dongfang Heng stood firmly without moving, while Mu Tao was sent flying and landed heavily in the crowd. The running crowd was shocked and panicked, and unable to stop themselves, they trampled over Mu Tao.
Countless stinky feet stomped on Mu Tao's arms, legs, stomach, and chest, causing him unbearable pain. He was both shocked and furious. He quickly raised his hand, ready to push through the crowd, when he heard two sharp cracks. Someone had stepped on his shoulder, dislocating his arm. Enraged, he prepared to kick the person, but then there were two more sharp cracks—his ankle was twisted.
A piercing pain shot through his nerves and into his brain. Cold sweat poured down his forehead from the pain. He opened his mouth, about to curse, when a stinky cloth was stuffed into his mouth. A large, dirty foot stomped hard on his face, making him dizzy and seeing stars.
After the guests left, only the mess and the disheveled Mu Tao remained. Several servants rushed forward and quickly helped him up. Seeing the shoe prints all over his body and face, they twitched their lips, quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look into his angry eyes, pulled the smelly cloth out of his mouth, and carefully patted the mud off his body: "General, are you alright?"
"Damn it!" Mu Tao glared at Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue, his eyes flashing with golden light. The area was already empty. He cursed angrily, "This general will definitely find those two and tear them to pieces!" He, the second young master of the Duke of Mu's mansion and a great general on the battlefield, had actually been mocked like this by a stranger. Damn it, damn it!
"Crack!" After a few sharp pains, Mu Tao's arm and leg bones were set. He was still in pain from the blow Dongfang Heng had struck his chest. His brows furrowed tightly. Who was that white-clad man? He hadn't even seen how he made his move. His internal organs felt like they had been shattered.