Flower Stealing Master

Taking advantage of others’ misfortune wasn’t something Song Qingshu had never done before. In the past, when Luo Bing’s husband had been thrown into the dungeon inside the Forbidden City, he had seized the opportunity to make a real sport of her. But now, with his bearing far surpassing that of old, Song Qingshu no longer deigned to employ such methods—and besides, Huang Rong was no fool like Luo Bing, who would use her b0dy as a bargaining chip to save her husband.

As for Song Qingshu himself, he had no deYoung Mastere to leave Huang Rong with the impression of a despicable opportunist; in the long run, that would only backfire on him.

Yet as he looked upon the dazzling woman before him, he couldn’t help but feel a stirring deYoung Mastere. Although he had agreed to help her rescue her husband, there would be plenty of chances along the way to arrange an “accident” for Guo Jing… (G: This marks the start.)

Quickly, Song Qingshu dismissed that newly arisen thought. Even if it weren’t for Huang Rong, he would do everything in his power to save Guo Jing. Though he didn’t approve of all of Guo Jing’s methods, he greatly admired his perseverance.

‘Doing such a thing is impossible!’

Song Qingshu always felt deep admiration for those capable of what he himself could not achieve. Thus he soon banished that tempting notion from his mind. After all, what sets humans apart from beasts is our moral code and values. Even though Guo Jing’s plight would have given him an even better opportunity to savor Huang Rong’s charms, he resolved to rescue Guo Jing whole and unharmed.

Huang Rong had no idea that her husband’s very life now teetered on the whim of another. Her mind was in disarray as she seethed, ‘Is that b*stard truly oblivious or merely pretending? Always using coarse words to make advances on me…’

Realizing that things couldn’t continue as they were, Huang Rong quickly changed the subject. “I wonder, Young Master, have you thought of any way to rescue my husband?”

‘So all she can think about is her husband,’ he mused silently.

Suppressing his unusual thoughts, Song Qingshu sighed inwardly and replied, “Earlier, I went to the prison where the Great Hero Guo is being held. That place is guarded with iron discipline—one sentry every three steps, another every five. Moreover, Ouyang Feng is never far from Hero Guo’s side; should a formidable enemy attack, he could seize control of Hero Guo at any moment. In that instant, whether Hero Guo lives or dies would be decided on a whim. At such close quarters, no one in the world could possibly rescue Hero Guo from Ouyang Feng’s clutches without a hair out of place.”

“Ouyang Feng harbors a deep, bitter hatred for our couple. Now that Brother Jing is in his hands, who knows what torments he must endure,” Huang Rong fretted, unable to remain still as she paced back and forth, her delicate cheeks etched with worry.

“Sister Rong, there’s no need for you to worry so excessively. Wanyan Liang needs Great Hero Guo to stay alive; even if Ouyang Feng acts rashly, he wouldn’t dare deal a fatal blow to Hero Guo—at most, he’d simply torture him a bit. Hero Guo is one of the foremost heroes in the world; he can withstand such torment.” Seeing Huang Rong so flustered, Song Qingshu instinctively rose and placed his hand on her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

At the touch of his hand, Huang Rong shuddered all over and instinctively slid aside, her eyes still lingering with apprehension as she looked at him.

Not expecting such a dramatic reaction from her, Song Qingshu gave a bitter smile and said, “Sister Rong, believe it or not, I truly had no intention of taking advantage of you just now—I merely wanted to comfort you.”

Huang Rong’s face flushed slightly as she inwardly thought, ‘What haven’t you taken advantage of me already?’ Of course, she would never voice that thought, so she managed only an awkward smile. “Young Master, your method of comforting is rather scandalous.”

Shrugging helplessly, Song Qingshu replied, “I’ve almost forgotten that in this day and age, there’s a rule against physical contact between men and women. In my homeland, however, when a man lends his shoulder for a woman to lean on, it’s considered a very effective way of offering solace. If you feel like crying, Sister Rong, my shoulder is at your disposal.”

Huang Rong’s face turned even redder as she couldn’t help but retort, “If I’m not mistaken, Young Master, your hometown is in Wudang—hardly far from Xiangyang. I’ve spent many years here in Xiangyang; how is it that I’ve never heard of such a custom?”

Inside, Huang Rong seethed. ‘This man is incorrigible—always finding new ways to take advantage of w0men.’

Hearing her reply, Song Qingshu was momentarily stunned. Then, in a barely audible tone, he sighed, “The homeland I mentioned is from my past life…”

“What?” Huang Rong was taken aback, not having caught his meaning.

“Nothing,” Song Qingshu smiled. “I’ve just thought of a way to rescue the great hero Guo.”

“Really?” Huang Rong’s anger instantly melted into joy as she looked at him with a beaming expression.

“However, it depends on how much you, Sister Rong, are willing to sacrifice,” Song Qingshu said, his glance laden with implication.

Huang Rong’s heart skipped a beat at his look, and her face grew unsteady. “What do you mean?”

“That Wanyan Liang has obviously coveted you for a long time. If you, Sister Rong, are willing to offer your body to him for one night, rescuing great hero Guo will be as easy as turning one’s hand,” Song Qingshu said with a sly, ambiguous smile, watching her closely for a reaction.

“You!” Huang Rong trembled with anger, thinking, ‘If I were to sacrifice myself to Wanyan Liang, why in the world would I consult with you?’

Overwhelmed by anger and disappointment, Huang Rong was shocked that Song Qingshu would even propose such a thing. In truth, even before last night she had harbored considerable affection for him—even after what happened last night, though she hadn’t blamed him harshly, she had secretly regarded him as a man almost as important as her husband. But never had she imagined he’d ask her to accompany another man!

“Thank you, Young Master Song, for saving my life last night. I won’t trouble you with what comes next—I must take my leave now.” With an impassive expression, Huang Rong turned and walked away.

“Eh?” Song Qingshu hadn’t expected such a reaction. In an instant, he grew anxious and used his Qinggong to dash forward, blocking the doorway. But Huang Rong’s departure was so hasty that, seeing him standing in her path, she couldn’t avoid him and ended up colliding headlong into his arms.

With her warm, soft beauty now in his embrace, Song Qingshu’s heart stirred. Quickly regaining his composure, he helped Huang Rong to her feet. “Rong’er, I was merely joking with you. Why are you reacting so dramatically?”

Surrounded by the familiar masculine aura, Huang Rong couldn’t help but recall how, just last night, he had held her in his arms and lasciviously ravaged her. Her legs grew weak, and with his support she hurried to steady herself. In a slightly panicked tone she said, “Don’t call me that.”

“But that is the name you yourself agreed to last night,” Song Qingshu replied with a self-satisfied smile.

Huang Rong immediately grew agitated. “I only permitted you to call me ‘Sister Rong’er’—I did not agree to you calling me simply ‘Rong’er’!”

For all these years, the only person who had ever addressed her that way was her husband. After losing her virtue last night, she already felt she had wronged Guo Jing; she refused to let even his exclusive term of endearment be shared by another man.

“What difference does it make?” Song Qingshu, utterly baffled by a woman’s logic, mused. In his eyes, “Sister Rong’er” sounded even more frivolous—she could accept being called that, but not simply “Rong’er.” He just couldn’t understand.

“Anyway, I don’t care—but you must not call me that,” Huang Rong stomped her foot in admonishment.

Song Qingshu was utterly captivated by the sudden, almost childlike expression that flickered across her face, and he couldn’t help but sigh sincerely, “Rong’er, you are so beautiful. How could I ever bear to let that Wanyan Liang take advantage of you? Even if, in order to save Guo Jing, you must sacrifice yourself, I would much prefer you do that with me.”

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