Ch.186 Mystery (2)
Mu Mingtang could not tell whether Xie Xuanchen was acting or was he really coughing, as she didn't know whether it was an act or not, the worry on her face was genuine: "My lord…..."
"I’m fine." Xie Xuanchen waved his hand slightly and said, "It is a human life at stake. This huge incident happened in our manor, we cannot be negligent on our part. My body is fine, just lead the way."
Mu Mingtang could only let out a deep sigh, and said to the maid: "Head there first and inform the people in the garden to stand by. The prince’s body is weak and he can't stand in the wind for too long. He has to be dressed enough before he can head out."
The maid did not suspect anything, and after a kowtow, she went out. Mu Mingtang helped Xie Xuanchen to the back of the screen and changed into clothes that were appropriate to head out. Mu Mingtang saw as Xie Xuanchen shook twice when he took a step, and her heart clenched tighter and tighter at the sight of this.
When they got to the back of the screen, Mu Mingtang asked him in a low voice as she tied his cloak around him, "Are you really feeling sick? How about you stay in the room, I'll go and take a look."
"I lied to them." Xie Xuanchen’s lips didn’t even move, but a muffled voice sounded. Although he spoke in a low voice, his breath sounded steady, and not at all like someone who would get blown down by the wind.
Only then did Mu Mingtang feel at ease, and secretly let out a sigh of relief. She realised that Xie Xuanchen was really good at pretending to be sick. Whether it was pretending to be unconscious or fake coughing, he mastered it, and fooled Mu Mingtang every time.
Just as Mu Mingtang was snapping out of her thoughts, Xie Xuanchen started to cough again. This wave of coughs sounded extremely strenuous, and Xie Xuanchen had to crouch over slightly, his fist clenched against his lips to stop the cough. Mu Mingtang was originally tying a knot at the waist area for Xie Xuanchen. When he leaned over, he almost wrapped the whole of Mu Mingtang, who was in front of him. Mu Mingtang wanted to step back subconsciously, but suddenly a hand was placed on her waist, as he exerted a slight force.
“Don't move." Xie Xuanchen hugged her, and whispered in her ear, "Fake coughing is extremely tiring, be cooperative."
Mu Mingtang could only "cooperate" with half of her body left stiff. This position was extremely convenient for Xie Xuanchen. Xie Xuanchen leaned against Mu Mingtang’s sideburns and said in a low voice: "When we head out, the aromatic ball that we left in the cabinet will most probably be replaced. When you return, just act as if you are clueless of it, summon the imperial physicians to take a look, not only just Imperial Physician Zhang, call them in separately, three of them should be sufficient."
"Okay." Mu Mingtang nodded in response. She didn't dare to even flinch. Fortunately, half of her body was covered by Xie Xuanchen’s at the moment, so there was no need to worry about the expression on her face being seen, or else, Mu Mingtang felt that she would definitely expose herself.
Mu Mingtang's cheek faintly grazed past Xie Xuanchen's chin, she could only try to distance them both as far as possible, but her waist was blocked by Xie Xuanchen, Xie Xuanchen would tighten his grip even with a slight movement, and the distance between the two of them just got closer and closer.
Mu Mingtang could only try to divert her own attention by talking about the serious matter at hand: "What should we do when we step out of here?"
"Just do what should be done, it’s only believable if you’re suspicious. Dig up as much information about the identity of the person who died, and if possible, stay longer at the scene."
"Okay." Mu Mingtang nodded her head seemingly, she hesitated and asked, "Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine." Xie Xuanchen finally stood up straight, his lips were pale and his gaze was cold, "I’m well aware of my own condition."
Mu Mingtang responded with an “oh”, after a while, she couldn't help but elbow him: "Since you’re done talking, then let go."
Xie Xuanchen then realized that he was still holding Mu Mingtang by the waist. He suddenly gave off a weak demeanour and leaned against Mu Mingtang's body: "My body is extremely weak now and I need someone to help me around."
When Mu Mingtang and Xie Xuanchen walked to the garden, there were already many people present.
Someone died in Prince An’s manor, Xie Xuanji and Jiang Mingwei also rushed over. Jiang Mingwei stood far away in the pavilion as she wrapped herself in a cloak, with disgust on her face, in fear that she would be sullied by the dead.