PFC Chapter 377 Qin Mu's intelligence system is too powerful
Chapter 377 Qin Mu's intelligence system is too powerful
The next morning, the morning light peeked through the cracks in the window, spreading a pale golden light across the floor.
Jiang Zhaoyue opened her eyes, and what she saw was not the familiar tent ceiling, but a face very close to hers.
Zhao Qingxue lay on her side beside her, her long hair scattered on the pillow, her eyelashes drooping slightly, her breathing shallow and long.
Her hand rested on Jiang Zhaoyue's waist, her fingertips slightly curled, like a sleeping cat still clutching something.
Jiang Zhaoyue's face flushed red.
She turned her head to the side; Yunluan was on the other side.
Yunluan lay on her back, her long hair spread out like ink. Her cold and stern eyebrows softened considerably in her sleep. Her lips were slightly pursed, and her hands were neatly placed at her sides, like a sword that had finally been sheathed.
Jiang Zhaoyue lay between the two women, not daring to move.
She recalled her experience last night, and the blush spread from her cheeks to her ears, from her ears to her neck, and burned all the way into the depths of her collar.
She never imagined that she would be sleeping in the same bed as Empress Li Yang, let alone what would happen next—she dared not think about it and quickly banished those images from her mind.
She turned her head to look at the person who haunted her dreams.
The inside of the bed was empty, the quilt was neatly folded, and the pillows were placed upright, without a trace of anyone having slept there.
She sat up abruptly, her long hair slipping off her shoulders, her voice soft but tinged with barely concealed panic: "Where is His Majesty?"
Zhao Qingxue's eyelashes trembled slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.
A thin layer of mist clung to those deep purple phoenix eyes, making them appear hazy and dreamlike, as if seen through a veil.
She blinked, her gaze falling on Jiang Zhaoyue's face, then on the empty inside of the bed. The mist gradually dissipated, revealing her clear pupils underneath.
Yunluan also woke up.
The moment she opened her eyes, her hand reached for her waist—but found nothing.
Her sword was on the table.
She paused for a moment before remembering where she was, slowly lowered her hand, and sat up, supporting herself on the bed.
Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, obscuring half her face, and her cool, stern eyes held a languid quality typical of someone who had just woken up.
The three people's eyes met briefly in the air before quickly looking away.
No one mentioned what happened last night; no one dared to.
They got out of bed and found their clothes on the floor.
Zhao Qingxue's dress was draped over the screen. She took it off, put it on, and tied the belt, her fingers trembling slightly.
Yunluan's outfit was neatly folded and placed at the foot of the bed. She picked it up and put it on one piece at a time, her movements much slower than usual.
Jiang Zhaoyue's dress had somehow fallen to the ground. She bent down to pick it up, and her face flushed again.
After getting dressed, they pushed open the bedroom door.
On the balcony of the living room, Qin Mu sat in a rattan chair, holding a teacup in one hand and resting the other on the armrest.
The morning light shone in from behind him, bathing him in a pale golden glow.
A moon-white robe was loosely draped over her body, the collar slightly open, revealing a small section of her collarbone.
His gaze fell on the bustling street below the balcony, watching pedestrians come and go, vendors hawking their wares, a half-smile playing on his lips.
The three women stood in the center of the living room, watching him sit there unharmed, drinking tea. At the same time, the weight that had been hanging over their hearts was lifted.
They exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking, but their feet moved involuntarily toward the balcony.
Qin Mu didn't turn around; his voice drifted from ahead, soft and tinged with a hint of amusement. "Awake?"
Zhao Qingxue walked beside him and softly hummed in agreement.
The sound was very soft, as soft as a petal falling on the water, and it slowly spun around.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, whether from the morning light or something else, it was hard to tell.
Yunluan walked to his right, picked up the teapot on the table, and filled the teacup in front of Qin Mu.
The amber-colored tea poured from the spout, swirling in the cup without spilling a single drop.
She put down the teapot, took a half step back, and stood with her hands at her sides, like a quiet shadow.
Her face was expressionless, but a trace of red still lingered on the tips of her ears.
Jiang Zhaoyue walked up to him and slowly knelt down.
The knee touched the floor with a soft thud.
She bowed her head, placed her hands clasped in front of her forehead, and performed a deep bow.
"Your Majesty, it is my fault for not being able to help you dress. Please punish me."
Qin Mu turned his head and looked at her.
The morning light shone on her face, making her lowered eyebrows and eyes exceptionally clear.
Her eyelashes trembled, and her lips were slightly pursed, like a child who had done something wrong waiting for an adult to punish her.
He chuckled softly. "It's alright. I was up too late, so it's normal that you haven't woken up yet."
Jiang Zhaoyue's face turned even redder, so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
She bit her lip, straightened up, crawled to his side, and gently placed her hands on his calves, patting them lightly.
Her fingers were still trembling slightly, and she was pounding each time with great care, as if she were doing something extremely important.
Seeing her like this, Zhao Qingxue pursed her lips, went around behind Qin Mu, and put her hands on his shoulders.
The moment her fingertips touched his shoulder, a soft, indescribable feeling welled up inside her.
She lowered her eyes and began to massage, applying just the right amount of pressure to each acupoint precisely.
Qin Mu leaned back in the rattan chair, closed his eyes, and the smile on his lips deepened.
Three stunningly beautiful women surrounded him: one poured tea, one massaged his legs, and one rubbed his shoulders.
The warm morning light shone down, the aroma of tea wafted through the air, and people came and went under the balcony, their shouts rising and falling.
He opened his eyes and looked down at the bustling street below.
People carried loads on shoulder poles, led children by the hand, and slung baskets over their shoulders, walking back and forth in the morning light.
Some people are buying steamed buns, some are haggling over prices, and some children are chasing and playing.
Everyone had a smile on their face; it was a vibrant, genuine, and heartwarming smile.
"The people live in peace and prosperity, and I have nothing to do." His voice was soft, as if he were talking to himself, or perhaps to the person behind him. "This is truly my ideal state of life."
Zhao Qingxue's fingers paused on his shoulder for a moment.
She lowered her head, a slow smile curving her lips. "Your Majesty is able to enjoy this blessing because Your Majesty deserves it. The Great Qin Dynasty is what it is today, and the people are what they are today, all thanks to Your Majesty."
Yunluan paused, her hand holding the teapot still, and lowered her head. "I have never seen a more enlightened ruler than Your Majesty. It is my honor to serve Your Majesty."
Jiang Zhaoyue knelt beside him, raised her head, and looked at his profile illuminated by the morning light, her eyes slightly reddening. "Your Majesty, I didn't know what a good day was before. Now I know. It's—it's like this, by Your Majesty's side."
Qin Mu smiled, picked up his teacup, and took a small sip.
The tea soup is warm and smooth, gliding down the throat and into the chest and abdomen.
He looked down at the bustling world below, and the smile on his lips deepened.
The sunlight grew brighter and brighter, bathing the entire city of Linyuan in a golden glow.
The aroma of tea wafts in the morning breeze, drifting over balconies, through streets, and into the windows of every ordinary person.
Qin Mu set down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the armrest. "What do you think the Moon Goddess is doing right now?"
Zhao Qingxue couldn't help but chuckle softly, a laugh tinged with an indescribable mockery. "I bet she's still heartbroken. After all, anyone would be devastated to see such a long-established business destroyed in an instant."
Yun Luan gave a soft snort, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her knuckles turning slightly white. "Traitorous officials deserve to die!"
Jiang Zhaoyue knelt beside Qin Mu's legs, her hands continuing to massage them, but her voice was colder than before. "This is all her own fault. She bewitched the people, harmed the youth; if Heaven doesn't punish her, His Majesty will!"
Qin Mu smiled, turning his gaze from the street below to the distant horizon. "I just received intelligence that Xu Longxiang has already set off from the northern border, heading straight for the southwestern frontier."
The three women paused simultaneously.
Zhao Qingxue's fingers stopped on his shoulder, Yun Luan's hand holding the teapot was suspended in mid-air, and Jiang Zhaoyue's hand, which was massaging her legs, stopped on her knees.
Three people, three pairs of eyes, all looked at Qin Mu at the same time, their eyes filled with thoughtful expressions.
Zhao Qingxue spoke first, her voice calm yet carrying a composure born of experience. "It seems Xu Longxiang can't hold back any longer and is preparing to personally meet that Moon Goddess."
Yunluan put down the teapot, straightened up, and frowned slightly. "Perhaps he still wants to see Han Zhong. After all, if Han Zhong really wants to choose the Northern Border, he definitely won't surrender so easily. Given His Majesty's current prestige, it would be extremely unwise for Han Zhong to choose the Northern Border at this time. Xu Longxiang needs to show greater sincerity and determination."
Zhao Qingxue nodded. "That makes sense. Han Zhong isn't a fool. He has 50,000 elite troops at his command, and the court trusts him. If Xu Longxiang wants him to defect, there's absolutely no way he can do it without going there himself."
Jiang Zhaoyue nodded without saying anything, but lowered her eyes.
She recalled the way Xu Longxiang rode his horse, it must have been very fast and urgent, as if something was chasing him from behind.
She felt no emotional turmoil, only a sense of weariness.
Qin Mu smiled, picked up his teacup, and took another sip. "I've also received some intelligence. In Jiangnan, the merchant guild that Xu Fenghua used to run is currently supplying a huge amount of grain and armor to the southwestern border. What do you think?"
Jiang Zhaoyue's eyes flickered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.
Her fingers gently pressed on Qin Mu's calf, as if she were thinking, or perhaps confirming something. "I believe this is Xu Longxiang demonstrating his sincerity to the Moon Goddess Sect, or perhaps it's an agreement they've reached. The Moon Goddess Sect wants food and armor, and the Northern Border will provide that. Only in this way will the Moon Goddess Sect feel secure enough to form an alliance with the Northern Border."
Zhao Qingxue nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Regardless of which it is, it seems Xu Longxiang is unaware that the Moon Goddess Cult's army is gone. If he knew, he certainly wouldn't have sent any more supplies and weapons."
After saying that, she couldn't help but chuckle, and the smile on her lips deepened.
Yun Luan chuckled softly, a cold laugh like frost clinging to a windowpane in winter. "How could the Moon Goddess possibly let Xu Longxiang know about this? She'll keep it a secret, suppress the news, and even silence anyone who knows. After all, the Northern Territory is now the Moon Goddess Cult's only hope."
Qin Mu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three women's faces, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration. "Your analysis is all correct."
He stood up, walked to the balcony railing, and stood with his hands behind his back.
The morning light made his moon-white robe almost transparent, and the hem of the robe fluttered gently in the wind.
He looked down at the bustling street below, at the people carrying loads, leading children, and carrying baskets, and the smile on his lips deepened.
"One is hiding it, the other is kept in the dark. One is desperately sending grain and armor, the other is desperately collecting grain and armor." His voice was very soft, almost as if he were talking to himself. "This play is getting more and more interesting."
Zhao Qingxue walked to his side, her Frost Moon Sword hanging at her waist, the jewel on its scabbard gleaming a pale blue in the morning light. "When does Your Majesty intend to close the net?"
Qin Mu smiled but did not answer.
He simply picked up his teacup, drank the last drop of tea, and gazed at the vast, distant horizon.
There, the official road meandered like a snake, with dust flying everywhere.
There, people are rushing on their way.
Standing beside Qin Mu, Zhao Qingxue looked at his back as he stood with his hands behind his back, and her feelings of emotion deepened.
Qin Mu, far away in the southwest, was fully aware of any movements or disturbances made by Xu Longxiang.
He knew everything about the ministers in the court, every move in the northern army camp, and even how many horses Xu Longxiang changed and which route he took when he set off from the north.
Qin Mu was not in the palace at this moment, but in a small town on the southwestern border, drinking tea, basking in the sun, and watching the pedestrians on the street.
A sense of absurdity rose in her mind.