Flower Stealing Master

After some explanation, the two women understood the necessity of Song Qingshu’s return to Yanjing and stopped trying to dissuade him. However, Ah Jiu recalled something and said, “Brother Song, there are two things you must not forget to do before you leave.”

“What things?” Song Qingshu was taken aback.

“The first is, of course, Miss Zeng. Before, you could say you were too busy, but if you keep putting it off now, it won’t make sense. That young girl has been eagerly waiting for you to make a move.” Ah Jiu rolled her eyes at him.

Song Qingshu had been troubled by this matter for a long time. Seeing that he could no longer avoid it, he snorted and said fiercely, “It’s just marrying a woman, isn’t it? I’ll marry her then. It’s not like I’m losing anything. What’s the other matter?”

“Miss Zeng is deeply in love with you, so don’t treat her lightly.” Xia Qingqing couldn’t help but glare at him.

Song Qingshu sighed softly, “She’s just a young girl whose heart has recently opened to love. Her feelings for me are more about admiration. It’s nothing like the true affection we share, forged through life and death together. But don’t worry; since I’m marrying her, I’ll treat her well.”

Song Qingshu’s sudden display of genuine emotion moved the two women deeply. A woman’s heart is hard to understand. On the surface, they all wanted Song Qingshu to treat Zeng Rou equally, but if he truly loved Zeng Rou just as much, they would inevitably feel jealous.

“All right, all right. Leave Miss Zeng’s matter to me; I have deep connections with the Wangwu Sect.” Ah Jiu shifted the topic, suddenly frowning. “Brother Song, I don’t know what Lady Guo is thinking. She’s been staying in the Golden Serpent Camp all this time, showing no intention of leaving.”

“Maybe she enjoys staying close to certain people. Ah Jiu, are you getting jealous?” Xia Qingqing teased, ever eager to stir things up.

Ah Jiu blushed and quickly defended herself, “Brother Song, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that you’re about to depart for Yanjing. If she continues to stay here, with her intelligence, she might notice the flaws in our disguises.”

Song Qingshu nodded. “Indeed, that’s something we can’t overlook.”

He was also puzzled by Huang Rong’s behavior. Clearly, he could see fear in her eyes, as if she saw him as a venomous snake, yet on the surface, she still chatted with him cheerfully. He really didn’t understand what she was thinking.

Could it be that she truly wants to learn something from me to replicate it in Xiangyang? Heh, with my unpredictable methods, how could she possibly learn them?

Song Qingshu indulged in a moment of self-satisfaction but quickly snapped back to reality. “Leave that to me. I’ll find a way to ‘send’ her away soon.”

Though Song Qingshu enjoyed flirting and exchanging sweet words with Huang Rong, he knew his priorities. He had to go north to Yanjing, and he couldn’t leave a ticking time bomb in the Golden Serpent Camp.

“Big Brother, be careful with your approach. You mustn’t offend her; it would be more trouble than it’s worth,” Ah Jiu reminded him urgently.

“Of course, your husband isn’t that foolish.” Song Qingshu sat down boldly on the bed and patted his thighs on both sides. “Come here.”

“What are you up to?” The two women were startled, instinctively glancing out the window. It was still daylight.

“Of course, I’m teaching you the art of disguise.” Song Qingshu said irritably.

“Giggle, Qingqing, what were you imagining just now?” Ah Jiu teased.

“Whatever you were imagining!” Xia Qingqing shot back, and soon the two were playfully squabbling again…

*****

As night fell, Huang Rong leaned against the window, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky, her face full of worry. “I wonder if Fu’er has arrived at Peach Blossom Island. This girl, it’s been so long, and she hasn’t sent a letter to say she’s safe.”

Earlier, when the Qing army of a hundred thousand soldiers attacked the Golden Serpent Camp, Huang Rong didn’t want her daughter to stay and risk danger, so she sent her away in advance. Due to the matter of cutting off Yang Guo’s arm, she couldn’t return to Xiangyang temporarily to face her father’s wrath, so Huang Rong sent Guo Fu to hide on Peach Blossom Island for a while. By now, she should have arrived.

Huang Rong suddenly sighed, “Ah, if I had known Song Qingshu would defeat the Qing soldiers so easily, I shouldn’t have sent Fu’er away so soon.”

During this time, Huang Rong had witnessed Song Qingshu using his unparalleled martial arts to seize the title of Golden Serpent King, then leading a group of weak soldiers to defeat the Qing army of a hundred thousand. In a short time, he expanded the dying influence of the Golden Serpent Camp to thousands of miles between the Yellow River and Huai River. The Qing, who once could contend with the Mongols, suddenly lost nearly a quarter of their territory. The impact on Huang Rong was unprecedented.

Since the nomadic tribes began to establish powerful states, the Han dynasties have retreated step by step. The Ming Dynasty was even destroyed, and the Song Dynasty was pushed south of the Yangtze River, barely holding on. Now, Song Qingshu had suddenly appeared, bringing a bright ray of hope to the Han people.

Previously, the idea of matching her daughter with Song Qingshu had only occasionally crossed her mind, but now this thought had taken root in Huang Rong’s mind and wouldn’t let go. Looking around, there wasn’t anyone of his generation, or even the previous one, who was as exceptionally talented as he was. If Fu’er could form a marriage alliance with him, as her mother, she would be completely satisfied.

Thus, Huang Rong was now filled with regret. If she had let Fu’er stay, the two of them spending time together every day might have naturally brought them closer, even if it didn’t develop into a romantic relationship.

However, with the former Ming princess and the Emei sect leader around, even if Fu’er had stayed, she might still have struggled to win Song Qingshu’s favor under their watchful eyes.

Thinking about the many outstanding women around Song Qingshu, Huang Rong couldn’t help but feel vexed. Her daughter was indeed beautiful, but also spoiled and willful. Would that man really like her?

Thinking of that man, Huang Rong’s feelings grew complicated. She recalled their first meeting in Jiangling City, his clear eyes giving her an impression of purity…

“Ugh, what was I thinking?” Huang Rong spat in disdain. Thinking of Song Qingshu’s actions in the cave not long ago that made her whole body tremble, and the strange dream that followed, she blushed deeply and muttered angrily, “It’s all that old poison Ouyang Feng’s fault!”

“Why would Madam blame Ouyang Feng?” Song Qingshu’s teasing voice came from nearby.

“Ah!” Huang Rong suddenly realized Song Qingshu was standing in the courtyard not far away, looking at her with a playful smile.

“How long have you been here?” Huang Rong was flustered, wondering if she had accidentally voiced her thoughts. If he had heard, she’d die of embarrassment.

“I’ve been here for a while. I saw your face turn red and then white, looking quite charming, so I didn’t want to disturb you.” Song Qingshu chuckled.

His words were nearly flirtatious, and Huang Rong’s expression hardened. “I wonder what brings Young Master here at such a late hour?”

“Is it that late?” Song Qingshu looked up at the moon in the sky and smiled slightly. “Actually, there’s nothing else; I just have many things I’d like to talk to you about.”

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