Do Not Offend the Reborn Wicked Wife-Chapter 328: Growing Suspicion!

"You..."

Qi Yun pointed at Li Qingmu, so infuriated that he was at a loss for words. How had such an annoying brat survived until now?

Yet, when he met Li Qingmu’s clear, flawless eyes, his frustration dissipated.

What he said was true; who in this world isn’t afraid of death?

Those truly unafraid of death are either madmen or fools!

Li Qingmu was honest enough to tell him his thoughts, which showed his pure heart.

A gentle smile gradually appeared on Qi Yun’s serious face.

He chuckled and said, "You rascal, since you regret it, why did you rush over?"

"I... I didn’t know either, but when I saw Your Majesty in danger, I instinctively wanted to protect you!"

Li Qingmu spoke as honestly as ever, and he used "protect" instead of "save," giving the Emperor due respect, which pleased Qi Yun.

The difference between unconscious acts and intentional ones is vast. Many people, to curry favor with the Emperor, would act with opportunistic intentions, even at the risk of their lives.

But such actions reveal ill intentions!

"Your Majesty, breakfast is here."

Chen Zhong entered, carrying a tray with a plate and a bowl of porridge. This task was usually left to the servants, but since the Emperor was inside, he had to come in person.

As he entered, he glanced at the still-sleeping Long Yue slumped on the table, his expression conflicted.

He looked toward the Emperor beside the bed, seeking advice on what to do, but Qi Yun just waved it off.

Chen Zhong was slightly taken aback but still bowed and exited.

As he left, he ushered away the palace maid and eunuch standing guard.

His Majesty the Emperor intending to feed him breakfast personally? It’s a treatment even princes and grandsons don’t receive, and yet a mere minister does? Even if he saved the Emperor’s life, isn’t that a minister’s duty?

This scene was too astonishing, not something outsiders should witness, not even the Emperor’s close ministers!

Qi Yun slowly walked to the table and picked up the porridge.

"Yam, Codonopsis, and lean meat porridge, mm, not bad, gentle and nourishing, just right for your current state."

As Qi Yun spoke, he fetched a cushion, helped Li Qingmu lie down, tested the temperature with the back of his hand, and then ladled a spoonful of porridge over.

"Your Majesty, I’ll do it myself, hiss..."

Li Qingmu reached out, but it tugged at the wounds on his chest and arm, causing him to let out a soft gasp.

Qi Yun chuckled lightly, finding an odd delight in seeing him wince from the pain. He handed the porridge back over, humming, "Rascal, can you feed yourself? Let me do it instead!"

"Your Majesty, I’m flustered..."

Li Qingmu blushed, being called a rascal...

"Flustered about what?" Qi Yun huffed, "It’s just you and me here, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know, what are you afraid of? You’re a grown man, what are you fussing about? Now, drink the porridge!"

"Yes."

Having been persuaded, Li Qingmu thought refusing further would be too pretentious, so he obediently ate.

Qi Yun watched him drink the porridge, his gaze slightly intensified.

This rascal, lying here for several days, looked a bit untidy, his hair loosely draped over his shoulders, and from the side, he bore a slight resemblance to Princess Consort Yun!

Qi Yun blinked hard, thinking he must have been seeing things. But upon reopening his eyes, that little resemblance had grown significantly!

Qi Yun was stunned.

Li Qingmu swallowed a mouthful of porridge, turned his head, and found the Emperor staring at him in a daze, causing an inexplicable panic.

"Your Majesty... let me do it myself, I can..."

"How old are you this year?"

Uh?

Didn’t you ask this before, Your Majesty?

"I’m nineteen."

"Where’s your family home?"

"South of Jiangling County, Qingtian County, Qingshui Village..."

Answering this, Li Qingmu felt a sudden tingling sensation in his scalp.

Was the Emperor investigating his background? What for?

"Are your parents home? Any siblings?"

Li Qingmu looked up in surprise, meeting Qi Yun’s deep, unwavering eyes.

Nervously, his hand clenched slightly.

Qi Yun smiled suddenly, "Don’t be nervous. I just think your merit this time is significant, and you ought to bring honor to your family. If you have parents or siblings, they should come to Shengjing to enjoy some good fortune, mm?"

Li Qingmu lowered his gaze, responding blandly, "Yes."

Qi Yun gazed at him, said nothing further on the subject, and ladled another spoon, "Have some more porridge!"

"Yes."

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense, and neither the sovereign nor the subject spoke again for a moment.

Long Yue slowly opened her eyes, the golden sunlight spilling over her, warm and cozy. She was about to yawn and stretch when she looked up and froze.

Could it be? The Emperor was feeding her husband porridge?

At the moment, they were certainly supposed to be sovereign and minister, right?

Failing to realize the awkward atmosphere, Long Yue hurriedly got up and rushed over, "Your Majesty, I’ve sinned, falling asleep. Let me do it!"

Qi Yun glanced at Li Qingmu, who kept his head down in silence, then looked at Long Yue and handed the porridge to her.

"That way, you take good care of yourself. If you need anything, just talk to the people outside."

"Yes, I understand, thank you for Your Majesty’s grace!"

Watching Qi Yun’s broad strides departing, Long Yue felt something amiss, as if sensing an undercurrent.

She came to Li Qingmu’s side, intrigued, "What’s going on?"

Li Qingmu slowly raised his head, his expression somewhat bitter, "He just asked me many things—birthdays, about my parents and siblings at home, Yue’er, I think the Emperor is starting to suspect."

"If suspicion arises... let it arise? Some matters must be faced eventually."

"If so, I don’t know how to face Jingyu and the others."

Qi Jingyu, the little fellow, Li Qingmu truly cared about. So when he found out they deceived him, he felt so angry and disappointed, even arguing with the Emperor and getting punished.

If his identity were really exposed, how would they view him?

Would they think he approached them deliberately, with intentions? Just seeking that supreme Emperor’s position?

"It’s still not the right time, and besides, those people haven’t been rooted out. Doing this now is too soon. I don’t want the Emperor to make any wrong assumptions... Forget it, let’s take it one step at a time!"

...

Qi Yun walked slowly in the garden. As autumn set in, the once-flourishing back garden began to wither, gradually taking on a splendid yellow and white hue, with a rich and intoxicating fragrance wafting intermittently.

That was the osmanthus in bloom!

Chen Zhong followed closely behind Qi Yun, knowing the Emperor liked to stroll in the Imperial Garden when deep in thought.

This was not the time to speak, or he’d disturb the Emperor’s thoughts, which would be problematic.

"I’ve never noticed before, but now he looks so much like Xiang’er? He’s nineteen this year, and his family..." Qi Yun mulled over silently, then suddenly stopped and ordered, "Chen Zhong, have someone compile Li Qingmu’s records, as detailed as possible!"