xymnovel Chapter 435 Why is the Moon Goddess's face so red? Xu Longxiang wondered.
Chapter 435 Why is the Moon Goddess's face so red? Xu Longxiang wondered.
As night deepened, lanterns in the mansion were lit one by one, illuminating the entire residence as bright as day.
Xu Longxiang sat on a chair in the side hall, holding a cup of tea that had gone cold. The tea reflected the candlelight, giving it a dim glow.
His gaze fell on the teacup, but he couldn't see anything inside. A fire seemed to be burning in his heart, making him restless.
Logically speaking, so much time has passed, the Moon Goddess should have succeeded by now.
With her methods, dealing with a spoiled brat would be a piece of cake.
Why is there still no movement?
He stood up, walked to the window, pushed it open, and the night wind rushed in, ruffling the stray hairs at his temples.
He dared not act rashly.
The silence at least indicates that the Moon Goddess is not in danger. If something had happened to her, that纨绔 (wán kù, a spoiled brat) would have been screaming and shouting long ago.
If he acts rashly, it might cause the entire plan to collapse and all his efforts to be in vain.
He could only endure it.
We must endure until the Moon Goddess succeeds, until that纨绔 (playboy) is controlled, and until they firmly grasp this thread in their hands.
Xu Longxiang took a deep breath, gradually suppressing the surging anxiety in his heart, then walked back to the table, sat down, closed his eyes, and began to review the entire plan.
That playboy was ultimately just a playboy—arrogant, domineering, pleasure-seeking, and a womanizer.
The Moon Goddess is the leader of hundreds of thousands of believers and a peerless expert who is half a step into the realm of immortals. Even he was moved by the Moon Goddess. How could that spoiled brat who has never seen the world possibly escape the Moon Goddess's grasp?
Moreover, the Moon Goddess is in this line of work; bewitching people is her specialty.
Thinking of this, Xu Longxiang felt a little more at ease.
He opened his eyes, picked up his teacup, took a sip of the cold tea, and swallowed it. The bitterness spread from the tip of his tongue to his throat.
Although that playboy had powerful figures around him, it was impossible for them to keep an eye on him every moment.
When the night is deep and quiet, the strong man will need to rest and take turns. He can't possibly keep an eye on that playboy when he's about to do that kind of thing, can he?
Even if he wanted to keep an eye on it, that playboy wouldn't agree, right?
That was the perfect opportunity for the moon goddess.
Xu Longxiang tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, feeling a slight relief from the weight on his heart.
But the thought of that playboy wanting to do that kind of thing with the Moon Goddess, even though it was impossible to succeed, made the Moon Goddess absolutely determined not to let him touch a hair on her head.
But a strange sense of nausea and anger welled up inside him, and he wished he could kill that idiot immediately.
Xu Longxiang gritted his teeth, his cheeks puffed out, and a fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
Once they've used that idiot to their heart's content, once they've controlled him, once they've squeezed every last drop of value out of him, they'll beat that spoiled brat to death!
Only by beating him so badly that even his own mother wouldn't recognize him can I vent my anger!
"Young Master Xu."
A servant's voice came from outside the door, respectful and cautious, "Young master invites you to a banquet; all the guests have arrived."
Xu Longxiang opened his eyes, stood up, and straightened his robes.
He took a deep breath, put on his usual calm smile, pushed open the door, and went out.
The main hall was brightly lit, with dozens of glass lamps hanging from the ceiling, the candlelight flickering gently in the lampshades, illuminating the entire hall as bright as day.
The long table was laden with delicacies, golden goblets and jade cups, silver chopsticks and porcelain plates, the aroma of wine mingling with the fragrance of food, filling the hall.
The hall was already full of people, including wealthy merchants from Linyuan City, celebrities from nearby prefectures and counties, and literati who had come to admire the place. They were all well-dressed and chatting happily.
Qin Mu sat in the main seat, dressed in a moon-white robe with a jade belt around his waist. He held a folding fan in his hand, crossed his legs, and had the air of a spoiled young master.
His face was full of pride, like a child who had received a new toy and couldn't wait to show it off to everyone.
He picked up his wine glass, stood up, snapped his folding fan shut, and clapped it twice in his palm, making a crisp "snap snap" sound that attracted everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have acquired a new concubine today, a beauty that could topple kingdoms and is unparalleled in the world. In all my years of life, I have never seen such a beauty. I invited you all here today to broaden your horizons!"
He laughed heartily, turned his head, and called out to the screen on the side of the hall, "Miss Suxin, come out and let everyone witness your charm."
A slender figure slowly emerged from behind the screen.
Chen Ruoyao wore a light blue flowing fairy dress, her long hair was tied into a flying fairy bun, and a jade hairpin was inserted in her hair. Her face was covered with exquisite makeup.
She lowered her head, a faint smile on her lips, her steps light as a swallow, her skirt trailing on the ground, making a soft rustling sound.
She walked to the center of the hall, stopped, and slowly raised her head.
The candlelight illuminated her face, making her stunningly beautiful features exceptionally clear.
Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains, her eyes were like autumn waters, her nose was high and straight, her lips were light in color, and her cheeks were flushed with a light blush, like the morning glow falling on the snow.
The hall fell silent.
Everyone was stunned. They held their wine glasses to their lips but forgot to drink, they forgot to put down their chopsticks while holding food, their mouths were slightly open, and their eyes were wide open, as if their souls had been stolen.
Dozens of eyes fell on Chen Ruoyao's face, filled with amazement, infatuation, and disbelief, as if they were looking at a painting that had fallen from the sky and was not of this world.
"Oh my god... this... this woman..."
"Such unparalleled beauty exists in this world!"
"Young Master Zheng is truly blessed!"
"Such a woman should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear of such a thing on earth!"
Praises surged like a tide, wave after wave, engulfing the entire hall.
The wealthy businessmen and celebrities raised their glasses to toast Qin Mu, offering compliments while their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy.
"Young Master Zheng is incredibly lucky with women! I'm truly impressed!"
"With such a beautiful woman by his side, Young Master Zheng truly has no regrets in this life!"
"Come, come, let's toast Young Master Zheng!"
Qin Mu laughed heartily, picked up his wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp. His face was full of pride and satisfaction, like a peacock spreading its tail, wishing it could reach for the sky.
Xu Longxiang sat in the corner, watching this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions, feeling very uncomfortable.
He watched as his beloved Moon Goddess stood in the center of the hall, embraced by that纨绔 (playboy), and a surge of uncontrollable bitterness and anger welled up in his heart.
This idiot, he loves to show off so much!
The Moon Goddess was offered to that playboy as a bargaining chip to win him over and control him, not to be used as a decorative vase for people to admire!
Xu Longxiang's brows furrowed tightly, his expression contorted.
A thought suddenly came to his mind.
So many people have seen the Moon Goddess's appearance. When he is with the Moon Goddess in the future, won't people misunderstand him?
They misunderstood that he had taken this playboy's woman, and even misunderstood that the Moon Goddess was no longer pure.
Thinking of this, Xu Longxiang felt a chill and felt even more distressed.
But he can't just kill all of them, can he?
Xu Longxiang gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger little by little, while still maintaining that calm smile on his face.
But beneath that smile lay endless pain and helplessness!
He picked up his glass and took a big gulp. The liquor went down his throat, spicy and bitter, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
At this time,
Xu Longxiang's gaze fell on Chen Ruoyao's face, and he suddenly sensed something was wrong.
He noticed that the moon goddess's face was slightly flushed, her eyes were also slightly red, her eyelashes were trembling slightly, and her lips were more rosy and full than usual, like a flower that had been wet by rain.
Xu Longxiang frowned even more deeply, a strange and inexplicable feeling welling up inside him.
What's wrong with her? Why is her face so red?
Was it from drinking alcohol? Or from being burned by candlelight?
Or... he shook his head, banishing the thought from his mind.
Xu Longxiang felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Just then, Qin Mu, who was in the main seat, suddenly stood up.
His steps were unsteady, his cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were glazed, clearly indicating that he had drunk quite a bit.
He staggered to the center of the hall, holding a wine cup, and waved his folding fan wildly in the air, almost knocking over a wine pot in the hands of a servant.
"Gentlemen... Gentlemen!"
His tongue was a little tied, but his voice was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire hall.
"We have another distinguished guest visiting us today! I... I'd like to give you all a proper introduction!"
Xu Longxiang felt a sudden shock, as if he had been hit hard on the back.
He suddenly had a bad feeling!
No, no... He couldn't be that stupid...
Qin Mu, drunk, raised his wine glass, pointed in the direction where Xu Longxiang was sitting, and raised his voice, making it sharp like a knife.
"The Prince of Zhenbei! Xu Longxiang! He's here too!"
Xu Longxiang's head exploded with a "boom," as if someone had thrown in a fire bomb, blasting him away and shattering his liver and gallbladder!
His mind went completely blank!
What an idiot! He just blurted himself out like that!
Wouldn't this expose his whereabouts?!
How can you explain it if word gets out that he, the Prince of Zhenbei, is appearing in the southwestern border region at a banquet hosted by a spoiled brat?!
That foolish emperor was already suspicious; if he knew he was on the southwestern border, who knows what he would think!
In case he is suspected of colluding with the Moon Goddess Cult, or of plotting a rebellion.
He's not ready yet!
All eyes turned to Xu Longxiang; dozens of pairs of eyes, like dozens of knives, pierced him simultaneously.
Xu Longxiang's smile froze, like a mask that had been frozen and stuck on his face, impossible to remove.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.
He could only stand up, give an awkward smile, the corners of his mouth stiff as if someone had forcibly pulled them up.
He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to those around him, his voice hoarse.
"I am... Xu Longxiang, greetings to all of you."
The crowd was stunned for a moment, then erupted into even more enthusiastic discussions and compliments.
"Huh? The Prince of Zhenbei?! The one who commands 300,000 iron cavalry?!"
"Good heavens! Young Master Zheng has even invited the Prince of Zhenbei!"
"Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"
"I have long admired Your Highness's reputation! Meeting you today, I can confirm your extraordinary bearing!"
Several bold and wealthy businessmen approached, all smiles, trying to offer a toast and get closer to him.
Xu Longxiang maintained his smile, a smile that seemed etched onto his face, hypocritical and stiff.
He raised his glass to each person in response, saying "You're too kind" and "Not at all," but in his heart he was cursing the playboy in the main seat to death.
While dealing with those who tried to get close to him, Xu Longxiang glared at Qin Mu out of the corner of his eye, wishing he could tear him to pieces with his gaze.
Qin Mu, however, was completely unaware. He lay back in the chair, holding Chen Ruoyao in his arms, a satisfied smile on his face, like an emperor enjoying his harem.
The banquet lasted a long time.
The singing, dancing, banquets, compliments, and small talk continued until late at night before gradually dispersing.
The guests took their leave in twos and threes, still talking about the beauty and the Prince of Zhenbei that night, their faces full of lingering enjoyment.
Xu Longxiang sat in the corner all night, drinking alone and forcing a smile. The fire in his heart burned brighter and brighter, making his internal organs ache.
He did not leave.
He had to stay; he still needed to see that playboy.
After the guests left, only Qin Mu, Chen Ruoyao, Yun Suxin, and Xu Longxiang remained in the hall.
Qin Mu leaned back in his chair, a drunken smile still on his face. His arm was still around Chen Ruoyao's waist, and his other hand was casually patting Yun Suxin's shoulder.
Xu Longxiang stood up, walked up to him, his face ashen, his eyes filled with barely suppressed rage.
"Young Master Zheng, do you even know what you've done today?!"