Mu Ge paused, looking at him in confusion.
Those innocent eyes, clear yet carrying a slight coolness, inexplicably made Qin Jinhao's heart skip a beat, the orderly rhythm suddenly disrupted. It seemed that the face before him, which was always obsessed with him, was not so annoying after all.
"What's wrong with that?" Mu Ge asked, puzzled. It's just a stroll; does she disrupt the city's appearance, or is it that the laws of Qin Country prohibit the little Lord of Mu Mansion from walking under the bright daylight?
Mu Ge's questioning brought Qin Jinhao back to his senses. He didn't immediately answer her but frowned slightly, seemingly perplexed and displeased by his earlier loss of control.
Seeing Prince Rui remain silent, Bai Xiyue's eyes gleamed as she stepped closer to the two and said to Mu Ge, "Brother Mu, have you forgotten your reputation in Luodu?"
Reputation?!
Mu Ge's gaze shifted to Bai Xiyue, saying with a mocking expression, "My reputation? Is it arrogance, or bullying the weak and fearing the strong? Or perhaps a capricious, irritable temperament? Or maybe... I like men?" As she spoke, her gaze subtly landed on Qin Jinhao.
"How could Brother Mu speak of himself like that?" Bai Xiyue exclaimed, covering her mouth with surprise, her eyes quickly filling with a thin mist. As if the person Mu Ge described was her.
Qin Jinhao stiffened momentarily at Mu Ge's last glance, a hint of anger flashing across his cold, stern features. However, he concealed it so well that no one without rigorous training could detect a trace.
"Qingge is speaking nonsense again. The brotherly bond between us, how could outsiders understand? Don't let some gossip ruin your mood," Qin Jinhao forced himself to smile, suppressing a nauseating feeling.
His words seemed perfectly normal. Yet, upon deeper reflection, they could leave one heartbroken. Fortunately, she was not the original self, and would not be secretly saddened by his seemingly conciliatory words.
But poor was the infatuated lonely soul beside him.
"Indeed, Brother Mu, Xiyue wasn't referring to those indecent rumors earlier. Could it be that Brother Mu forgot you are reputed to be the most beautiful in Luodu? Look, as soon as you come out, everyone is looking our way, and Prince Rui is just worrying about your mood..."
"Are you sure they're looking at you, not me? A playboy like me, the most beautiful in Luodu! Ha, what a joke." Mu Ge impatiently interrupted Bai Xiyue. Immediately, the little green tea's eyes welled up with tears, biting her lip in grievance.
Bai Xiyue lightly stomped her foot hidden under her skirt, biting her lip shyly, "Brother Mu is mocking me. Xiyue's humble appearance could never compare to yours. Besides, Xiyue wears a veil over her face; who would know my looks?" The naturally alluring charm amidst her innocence was like a flower bud touched by dew, stirring Qin Jinhao's heart beside her.
"You don't understand; sometimes the mystery of being partially concealed is even more intriguing," Mu Ge said with an ambiguous smile, arching an eyebrow suggestively at her.
Bai Xiyue blushed at her words, glancing around, it seemed she really believed they were looking not at Mu Qingge, but at herself.
"The teahouse ahead is quite good, why don't we rest there for a while? After Qingge decides what she wants, we can go again," Qin Jinhao suddenly decided. Saying this, he didn't allow anyone to refuse and led the way to the teahouse at the intersection.
Bai Xiyue looked at Mu Ge, then at Qin Jinhao, and eventually bit her lip, following them.
Watching their departing backs, Mu Ge asked in an almost inaudible voice, "What's all this about being the most beautiful in Luodu?"