Flower Stealing Master

Mu Wanqing was unaware of a conflicted observer watching from behind. She hid her face against Song Qingshu’s chest, too embarrassed to look up. His body radiated a comforting scent that she couldn’t quite place, but after a moment of thought, she realized it resembled the warmth of sunlight.

Breathing in this reassuring scent, Mu Wanqing drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, she noticed a flurry of sounds around her. Peeking up, she realized they were in the middle of a bustling marketplace, with several people pointing and whispering about them. Embarrassed, she murmured, “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“You’re awake?” Song Qingshu replied with a gentle smile, looking down at her. “You just detoxified the poison. Sleeping a bit longer will help your recovery.”

“There are so many people watching!” Mu Wanqing protested, noting he had made no attempt to put her down.

“If they want to look, let them. A handsome man and beautiful woman always draw attention,” Song Qingshu chuckled heartily.

“I don’t have your shamelessness,” Mu Wanqing retorted, her face flushing. Yet, she didn’t want to leave the warmth of his embrace, so she pulled out a silk scarf to cover her face and snuggled back into his chest.

Amused by her bashful reaction, Song Qingshu laughed. “What are you hiding for? It’s not like we’re in an unspeakable relationship.”

“I don’t care; I just don’t want to be seen like this,” Mu Wanqing muttered shyly.

“Well, if you don’t want to be recognized, then I’ll join you.” Song Qingshu took out his silver mask and covered his face, knowing he needed to keep a low profile.

With her face concealed, Mu Wanqing immediately felt more at ease and began to occasionally peek around at their surroundings.

Arriving at an inn, they had barely entered when the cheerful innkeeper came over, beaming. “You must be Lord Song?”

Surprised, Mu Wanqing glanced at Song Qingshu, who was also taken aback. “Do you know me?” he asked.

The innkeeper didn’t answer directly. Instead, he called to a servant, “Lord Song, we have already prepared the best room for you. Please, you and your… wife can go up and freshen up. We’ll send food and wine to your room shortly.”

Mu Wanqing’s heart pounded, secretly cursing Song Qingshu’s audacity. He must have arranged everything while she was asleep, then led her around in circles… and he’d only booked one room, meaning they’d have to…

Her grip on his clothing tightened, revealing her unease.

But Song Qingshu, oblivious to her reaction, replied, “You must be mistaken. I didn’t make any reservations.”

The innkeeper hesitated, sizing him up before insisting, “No mistake. Earlier, a young lord, quite generous, specifically instructed us to welcome a young gentleman in a silver mask. It must be you.”

Song Qingshu’s mind raced, surprised. His journey north was a well-kept secret, even within his camp. How could anyone know of his plans? He asked solemnly, “Who was this young lord?”

The innkeeper looked troubled. “Lord Song, it would put me in a difficult position. We don’t reveal our clients’ identities lightly.”

Song Qingshu smirked inwardly. If the innkeeper truly valued discretion, he wouldn’t hint at it so openly. He discreetly slipped a silver ingot into the innkeeper’s hand. “Now that I’m also your client, it should be fine to tell me.” freёwebnovel.com

Pocketing the silver, the innkeeper spoke quietly, “The young lord didn’t seem local. I’ve run this inn for years, and I’d recognize him if he were from around here.”

Seeing Song Qingshu’s impatience, the innkeeper quickly added, “The young lord didn’t seem ordinary. His clothes were very fine, and he exuded an aristocratic air. But he was… unnervingly handsome, with lips red as berries and a fair complexion. Perhaps he’s the son of a noble family, pampered among maids and ladies.”

Song Qingshu nodded thoughtfully. “Very well, prepare hot water for us.” Then, carrying Mu Wanqing, he went up to their room.

Once inside, Mu Wanqing, too shy to stay in his arms, struggled to stand. She looked around the well-decorated room and commented, “I didn’t expect such a quaint place to have such elegant rooms.”

Song Qingshu opened a narrow slit in the window, scanning the street below. “The incense here is high-quality ambergris, the quilt is made of rare Su silk, and the tea set is the best from Jingdezhen. Even the tea leaves are pre-Qingming Longjing. Do you think a small town inn could afford all this?”

Mu Wanqing suddenly realized, “This wasn’t arranged by you?”

“I have important business up north. I don’t have time for such extravagances,” he replied, sounding slightly annoyed.

Mu Wanqing felt embarrassed for overthinking things, relieved he hadn’t guessed her earlier assumptions.

“Could this be a shady inn?” she wondered aloud.

“It’s not likely. No black-market inn would go to such lengths,” Song Qingshu replied, closing the window. “Don’t worry. We’ll wait until this mysterious benefactor shows himself.”

Feeling safe beside Song Qingshu, Mu Wanqing nodded. She wouldn’t have stayed alone in such a strange place, but with him here, she felt at ease.

“Lord Song, your hot water is ready,” came a knock from outside.

“Come in,” Song Qingshu called.

The innkeeper directed several servants who brought in bucket after bucket of hot water to fill the tub. After ensuring everything was ready, he smiled at Song Qingshu, “Everything in this room is newly arranged. Rest assured and enjoy.” He bowed out of the room, promising to send up food shortly.

Once they were alone, Mu Wanqing couldn’t resist looking at the steaming tub, dumbfounded. “Are you… planning to bathe?”

“No, you are.” Song Qingshu smiled at her.

Mu Wanqing’s heart raced, and she quickly shook her head. “If anyone’s bathing, it should be you. I don’t need one.”

Noticing her reddened ears, Song Qingshu chuckled, “Where is your mind wandering? You were poisoned earlier by the Frozen Soul Silver Needle and again by your own poisoned dart. Though most of the toxins have been neutralized, a residue remains. If not removed soon, it could harm your body in the long run. That’s why I had the hot water prepared; soaking in it will make it easier for me to expel the poison.”

Mu Wanqing knew he was right, as she still felt dizzy. But undressing and soaking in the tub with Song Qingshu nearby made her nervous.

“No, really. I feel fine,” she said, flustered, waving her hands in protest.

“Would you like to hear the consequences of leaving the poison untreated?” Song Qingshu teased, knowing her hesitancy.

“What consequences?” she asked, taken aback.

“These toxins are potent, and any residue could be harmful, especially for women. If left untreated, it could even affect your ability to bear children,” he said, sounding genuinely concerned. “I wouldn’t want to be left without children someday.”

Mu Wanqing, stunned, hadn’t considered such specific consequences. Unable to contain herself, she snapped, “What does that have to do with you?”

“Because you’ll be the mother of my future children,” he replied, his gaze warm.

Her heart pounded under his intense gaze, and she instinctively turned away, pouting, “Who’s having children with you? You have so many women around you; surely, one will give you children.”

Despite her words, she couldn’t muster any real anger. His boldness left her feeling flustered.

“Don’t you want children?” Song Qingshu whispered in her ear, gently holding her.

Mu Wanqing shivered, unexpectedly allowing his embrace. She was conflicted, suspecting he might be exaggerating the effects of the poison to frighten her, but she couldn’t take the risk.

“I know what you’re thinking, but I’m not as naive as Zhong Ling. You can help expel the poison, but if you try anything inappropriate, I’ll… I’ll…” She bit her lip, searching for a suitable threat.

Song Qingshu chuckled, “You’ll what?”

“I’ll… I’ll ignore you!” She huffed, realizing her threat lacked force and might even encourage him. Frustrated, she mumbled tearfully, “You’re just bullying me.”

Feeling softened by her distress, Song Qingshu said gently, “Don’t worry; I was only teasing. I’ll cover my eyes while I help you. You can relax now, right?”

“That won’t be necessary,” she replied instinctively before realizing her mistake.

Patreon Tiers Just Got More Affordable: From now on, FSM Level 2 will become the CN WN Bundle. The price will remain the same which is $10. Also, the price for the KR WN Bundle will also be decreased to $10 to match this bundle.

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