Unrivaled Miracle Doctor: The God-Defying Demonic Consort-Chapter 260: No Stopping These Reckless Antics (12)

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: No Stopping These Reckless Antics (12)

As for Mu Qingge, she momentarily glanced at Qin Jinhao amidst the crowd, and the two discreetly exchanged looks before tacitly turning away.

Just as they were hastening to the study, another group also emerged from the Inner Courtyard, their destination being the study engulfed in flames.

This group was led by Mu Lianrong and included the Mu Family’s ladies, among whom were Bai Xiyue and her servant.

For the Coming of Age Ceremony, traditionally women were not allowed to attend; instead, a separate gathering was held in the Inner Courtyard for the family’s ladies to partake in the celebration.

Both groups hurriedly approached and finally met outside the courtyard gate before entering the study.

"Father, what happened?" Upon meeting, Mu Lianrong immediately inquired.

Mu Xiong slowly shook his head: "I just arrived as well."

During their conversation, numerous household servants and guards were busy carrying vessels filled with water, going in and out of the courtyard, ardently battling the fire.

The flames had already penetrated the courtyard walls, and the suffocating smoke deterred many from approaching.

Some officials had already decided to retreat, unwilling to risk getting close.

However, having come so far, they were reluctant to back down, fearing a loss of face amongst colleagues, leaving them in a dilemma.

Fortunately, Mu Xiong timely turned and addressed everyone: "Ladies and gentlemen, the fire ahead is fierce. For your safety, it is best to halt here."

Right as he finished speaking, several individuals dashed out from within the courtyard gates.

They carried various paper items and porcelain ornaments, each bearing scorch marks and emitting white smoke, appearing quite beleaguered. Evidently, they had risked venturing into the raging study to rescue some belongings.

Upon emerging, they hastily dropped what they were carrying on the ground.

After quickly paying their respects to Mu Xiong, they once again returned to plunge into the inferno.

The fire far exceeded Mu Xiong’s expectations. Relying solely on human effort, extinguishing it swiftly seemed improbable. To prevent it from spreading further and endangering neighboring courtyards, Mu Xiong strode in, rolled up his sleeves, and released a surge of Spiritual Power, instantaneously enveloping the flames and subduing them.

In a short while, the conflagration visibly decreased in size, finally being extinguished by the force of Mu Xiong’s palm.

For a Purple Realm Strong Person to put out a fire, it was mere child’s play.

Thankfully, Mu Xiong remembered to disguise his strength and refrained from unleashing the pressure of the Purple Realm.

"The old Lord Duke is remarkable! Merely with the power of his palm, he managed to extinguish such a massive fire. Who else in Qin Country could accomplish this?"

"Indeed, indeed! The old Lord Duke’s reputation as Qin Country’s War God is well-earned. Witnessing this today, I have no regrets in life!"

"Having the old Lord Duke protecting Qin Country, who would dare challenge us lightly?"

"The old Lord Duke is truly Qin Country’s guardian! As long as he’s with us, Qin Country will have peace for another day!"

"..."

Praise incessantly flowed.

Mu Qingge frowned slightly upon hearing this. The earlier praise was fine, but the more she listened, the more something felt off. There seemed to be a hint of flattery leading to downfall?

She narrowed her eyes, her cold and clear gaze indifferently sweeping over those who spoke.

All who were scrutinized by her immediately felt as though plunged into an ice pit, frozen and unable to move. One by one, they fell silent, with fear evident in their eyes when facing Mu Qingge.

"Colleagues, your praises are exaggerated. The benefits I receive from the monarch mean that I bear the monarch’s worries. All that Mu Xiong does is in accordance with Your Majesty’s orders. Your Majesty is the real guardian of Qin Country, protecting our vast land and countless people." Mu Xiong spoke plainly, without a hint of joy from being commended, dismissing everything neatly.

Mu Qingge could hear the malicious undertones in those people’s words; having navigated the officialdom for decades, how could he not grasp it?

His words left everyone awkward.

In the end, Qin Jinhao stepped forward to mediate, saying a few irrelevant words to end the uncomfortable topic.

Just as everyone assumed the matter was settled, a sudden exclamation erupted beside them: "Eh? What’s this?"

Instantly, almost reflexively, everyone turned their gaze to the woman who had spoken.

Suddenly the center of attention, Bai Xiyue appeared flustered, with a shy expression, biting her lip.

"Xiyue, what happened?" Mu Lianrong approached and asked.

Bai Xiyue quickly moved a few steps to the side, her swaying hem seemingly covering something behind her. Then she weakly explained: "No... nothing."

However, her evasive behavior was hardly convincing to those present.

Mu Lianrong’s gaze turned sharp as she looked at her, yet Bai Xiyue avoided the interrogating eyes.

"Err, this lady seems to be hiding something behind her, could you please step aside and let us see?" someone among the crowd, a sly old fox, spoke up.

Bai Xiyue’s identity wasn’t publicly known.

Those closely associated with the Mu Family would naturally be aware of her background and status. Those merely acquaintances would, of course, not know her identity.

But being treated with courtesy by the Mu Family’s members meant her status wasn’t low, and they wouldn’t offend her lightly.

"There’s really nothing, please believe me," Bai Xiyue refused to move, her poor excuse only heightening the crowd’s curiosity.

"If there’s nothing there, then why did the lady speak up earlier? And now refuse to let us find out?" another crafty old fox emerged.

Bai Xiyue’s face turned anxious, like an innocent maiden bewildered when faced with probing questions. She twisted her handkerchief, stammering: "Earlier, I... I just misnoticed something..." She then raised her pitiful eyes towards Mu Xiong.

The pleading in her eyes was unmistakable, seemingly hoping Mu Xiong would step in and assist her.

However, those who knew Mu Xiong’s character wouldn’t overlook that, in such circumstances, his integrity would prevent him from glossing over ambiguities.

Thus, Mu Xiong spoke: "Xiyue, stand aside, there’s no need for such evasiveness here at the Mu Mansion."

A trace of panic flashed in Bai Xiyue’s eyes, seemingly wanting to stop Mu Xiong’s words.

Meanwhile, Mu Qingge, who had been quietly observing her, noticed a hint of cold laughter hidden beneath Bai Xiyue’s panic.

Bai Xiyue displayed an appearance of helplessness, under Mu Xiong’s scrutiny, reluctantly moving aside, revealing what she had been hiding behind her. She seemed confident that Mu Xiong would say those very words, trusting all would proceed as she planned.

Gradually, the concealed items revealed their true form behind her.

It turned out to be a pile of books and documents salvaged from the smoldering study.

However, some sharp-eyed individuals observed subtle differences.

One person stepped forward, pointing to several letters among the books with puzzlement: "Eh? What’s this? Why are there Tu Country letters on them?"