Flower Stealing Master

“Many thanks, young master, for saving my life!” Huang Rong finally relaxed her tense nerves and hurriedly bowed gracefully to Song Qingshu.

Song Qingshu quickly helped her up. “With our relationship, Madame, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Huang Rong subtly withdrew her hands, feeling secretly annoyed. ‘The way he says that, it’s as if there’s something improper between us.’

However, seeing the clarity in his eyes, she knew he was merely speaking lightly and had no real intention of taking advantage of her. She quickly let go of the thought.

“Why did Madame find herself surrounded tonight?” This was what Song Qingshu was most curious about. Why were they not staying in Xiangyang but had instead come all the way to the Jin Empire?

“It’s a long story,” Huang Rong hesitated briefly before summarizing, “After the Mongols withdrew, the Jin Empire seized the opportunity to occupy those territories. The Beggar Gang received intelligence that the Jin Empire intended to invade the south. The citizens of Xiangyang had endured so much to drive the Mongols away, and Brother Jing naturally wouldn’t want to see another war break out and cause further suffering. Just as we learned that Tang Kuo Bian, the leader of the Jin Empire’s war faction, had left the capital, we planned to assassinate him to put an end to their invasion plans.”

Song Qingshu sighed. “Judging from what happened tonight, it seems the Jin Empire set a trap to lure you in.”

“Sigh, we were too careless.” Huang Rong sighed, suddenly remembering something. She quickly stood up and said, “Young Master Song, I know this is an unreasonable request, but I have no other options. Could I ask you to help rescue my husband?”

“Great Hero Guo is a man of righteousness, admired by all Han people. Now that he’s in danger, it’s only right to save him. However…” Song Qingshu hesitated, looking troubled. “Madame saw the situation tonight. Any one of Wanyan Liang’s top experts is on par with Great Hero Guo. Even if I risk my life to save him, it would likely be in vain.”

Huang Rong knew his words were true. Her face immediately turned pale, and she collapsed onto a chair in despair, her hair disheveled. She muttered absentmindedly, “If Brother Jing dies, I won’t live either.”

Seeing her in such a state, Song Qingshu hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, “I won’t pretend to be noble, Madame. While Great Hero Guo is well-known, I have no personal ties with him. Asking me to risk my life for him is something I can’t do. However… I do have some connection with Madame, and I can’t bear to see you so heartbroken. For your sake, I am willing to give it a try.”

“Truly?!” Hearing his agreement, Huang Rong immediately jumped up, grabbing Song Qingshu’s wrist, her beautiful eyes shining with excitement.

“Hey, hey, hey, Madame, you’re truly heartless. You only care about your husband, but aren’t you at all concerned about whether I live or die?” Song Qingshu said, feeling exasperated.

Only then did Huang Rong realize her impropriety. She quickly let go of his hand, tidied the stray strands of hair on her cheeks, and apologized, “I know this is a great burden on you, Young Master Song, and I cannot let you take such a risk for nothing. How about this—if you can rescue my husband, I will fulfill any request you make.”

“Any request?” Song Qingshu looked at her with a half-smile. “A woman should be cautious when making such promises, especially one as beautiful as you, Madame.”

Feeling a sudden sense of unease under his gaze, Huang Rong still forced herself to maintain her composure. “I always keep my word.”  (G: Cough!.)

Having spent so much time with Song Qingshu, Huang Rong understood his lascivious nature all too well. She had also noticed the occasional glances he gave her, and she could guess what they implied.

However, she had no intention of repaying favors with her b0dy. Huang Rong was an exceptionally intelligent woman who understood her own advantages well and knew how to use them.

In her younger years, she had effortlessly manipulated Ouyang Ke using her beauty, which remained one of her proudest accomplishments. In recent years, as her martial arts improved and her husband’s reputation grew in the martial world, she rarely had to resort to such tactics. But that didn’t mean she had forgotten how.

She saw clearly that without offering some form of temptation, this scoundrel Song Qingshu might not go all out to save Brother Jing. So she deliberately phrased her words vaguely to bait him. Once Brother Jing was rescued, with her husband by her side, Song Qingshu wouldn’t dare to make a move even if he had any thoughts.

And if Song Qingshu ever brought up this promise again, she could always feign innocence and offer him something else in return.

Unaware that Huang Rong had already calculated everything, Song Qingshu looked at her beautiful yet slightly weary face and shook his head. “Madame, there’s no need for that. I am willing to help you, and I ask for no reward.”

At his righteous expression, Huang Rong was momentarily stunned. ‘Did I misjudge him? Was I being too cynical?’

Song Qingshu continued, “However, now is not the right time to rescue Great Hero Guo. With those four top experts present, we must wait and observe for a weakness in the defenses before making a move. I hope Madame understands.”

Worried she would be too anxious about Guo Jing’s safety, he added, “Madame can rest assured. From what I observed earlier, Wanyan Liang won’t kill Great Hero Guo right away. We still have time to plan carefully.”

Huang Rong nodded. This was her judgment as well. “I am not someone who fails to grasp the gravity of the situation. I leave this matter in your hands, Young Master Song.”

Song Qingshu chuckled bitterly. “I consider Madame a friend, yet you always speak so formally, calling me ‘Young Master Song’ at every turn. It’s giving me goosebumps.”

Huang Rong was momentarily surprised before breaking into a charming smile. “Then what should I call you?”

Dazed for a moment by her radiant smile, Song Qingshu instinctively replied, “You can call me darling, dear, baby—anything you like, I’m not picky.”

Huang Rong didn’t understand the other terms, but she certainly understood “dear.” Amused yet exasperated, she scolded, “There you go again, taking advantage of me. How about this—I am older than you, so I will call you Little Brother Qingshu. And you should stop calling me Madame. Just call me Elder Sister instead.”

She deliberately established a sibling-like bond between them, hoping to subtly remind him to keep his thoughts in check.

“Qingshu is fine, but must you add ‘little brother’?” Song Qingshu muttered to himself. Then he grinned and said, “Elder Sister? But look at your delicate skin—it’s even better than that of most sixteen-year-old girls. You’re probably only in your early teens. You’re too young to be my elder sister. How about this—I’ll call you Sister Rong’er, , and you can call me Brother Qingshu instead.”

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