“Why?” Zhao Yingluo was taken aback. This disguise was something she and her sister had spent half a day perfecting. They were confident that, compared to other palace maids, there was no noticeable difference.
Song Qingshu’s gaze lingered on her flawless, snow-white cheeks, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Since when do palace maids look this stunning? If there really were one this beautiful, the emperor would have long since taken her as a consort and made her the mistress of a palace. How could the guards not recognize her?”
“Then what do you suggest?” Though her hard work had been dismissed, hearing Song Qingshu’s roundabout way of calling her beautiful made her cheeks flush slightly.
“We’ll just use Qinggong to fly in,” Song Qingshu said casually.
“Qinggong?” Zhao Yingluo frowned. “I have to remind you—the area around Taihe Hall is swarming with guards right now. No matter how good your Qinggong is, there’s no way to sneak in without alerting them.”
“That’s just because your Qinggong isn’t good enough.” His words nearly made Zhao Yingluo choke with anger. Seeing her puffed-up expression, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along. “Let’s go.”
“Where?” She didn’t react to him holding her hand. After all they’d been through—having her clothes stripped or her chest groped—holding hands felt almost innocent in comparison. She didn’t even realize how unbothered she was by it now.
“To Taihe Hall, of course.” Song Qingshu turned back and waved at Zhao Fujin. “Fifth Sister, we’re heading out first.” With that, he pulled Zhao Yingluo into a sprint toward Taihe Hall.
Though Zhao Yingluo had long known Song Qingshu’s Qinggong was exceptional, she hadn’t expected it to be this extraordinary. At first, she tried to use her own Qinggong to lighten his burden, but after just a few steps, she stumbled. If not for Song Qingshu wrapping an arm around her waist, she would have face-planted in the most undignified manner.
“Just relax and hold onto me,” Song Qingshu said with a gentle smile.
Her heart skipped a beat at his expression. ‘This b*stard… sometimes he doesn’t seem so bad.’ Feeling the strength of his arm, she stiffened at first but soon relaxed. She knew he wasn’t trying to take advantage of her, and she wasn’t about to throw a fit over something so trivial.
Unconsciously, she had changed. In the past, she wouldn’t have let any man so much as brush against her sleeve, even if they had no ill intentions. But after spending so much time with Song Qingshu, her tolerance had gradually eroded…
Soon, she had no energy left for wandering thoughts—the wind rushing past made it impossible to keep her eyes open. She realized it was because of their incredible speed and couldn’t help but marvel: Even if I could move this fast, I wouldn’t be able to keep my eyes open like this!
Unable to bear the wind’s assault, she buried her face against Song Qingshu’s chest, which immediately brought relief. The faint sound of his heartbeat against her ear made her fair skin flush with a delicate pink.
She had no idea how much time had passed before she caught a glimpse of Taihe Hall’s roof in the distance. “We’re almost there. Are you planning to just charge in like this?”
“Yep, straight in.” The moment Song Qingshu spoke, the wind vanished. Curious, she lifted her head—and froze at the sight before her.
Everything around them seemed frozen in time. Butterflies hovering over a flowerbed hung motionless in midair, their wings unmoving. The guards surrounding Taihe Hall stood like statues—some with eyes wide open, others half-lidded—but none of them moved a muscle. It was as if their actions had been suspended mid-motion.
A disorienting illusion took hold of her. Song Qingshu moved as if they were strolling through a garden, yet each step carried them dozens of feet forward. The guards remained oblivious, as though blind to the two intruders boldly entering the hall.
“How did you do that?” Zhao Yingluo glanced back—not a single guard had turned their way.
“If you kiss me, I might consider telling you,” Song Qingshu teased, though the sweat on his forehead betrayed how much effort this actually cost him.
“Drop dead.” Her face burned as she glared at him, but his playful distraction made her forget to press further.
Still bickering, the two entered Empress Pei Man’s chambers. After the incident with Prince Wei and the ensuing investigation by the Laundry Courtyard, the empress had dismissed all her eunuchs and maidservants, keeping only Zhao Hu’er and Zhao Yuanyuan by her side. Today, she was coaching the two girls on how to handle the Laundry Courtyard’s interrogation when she heard movement outside. Annoyed, she thought, Which fool dares disturb me now?
Just as she was about to scold the intruder, she recognized Song Qingshu. Her anger melted into delight. “You’re here.”
The two girls also saw him and rushed over excitedly. “Brother Song!” Once they learned that he and their sister weren’t actually involved, they hadn’t hesitated to switch to this more intimate address. After all, given what they’d done with him, they saw themselves as his women—they certainly didn’t want their lover to become their brother-in-law.
Zhao Yingluo rolled her eyes. ‘These two ungrateful brats! After all these years of me trying to save them, they’re fawning over Song Qingshu without even greeting me.’
Though Song Qingshu hadn’t spent much time with Zhao Hu’er and Zhao Yuanyuan, and couldn’t say he had deep feelings for them, their adoring gazes still stroked his ego. What man doesn’t enjoy being admired by beautiful women?
After comforting the two girls, he left them with Zhao Yingluo and approached Empress Pei Man. “Your Majesty seems to be in good spirits.”
The empress covered her mouth with a delicate laugh. “I wasn’t in the best mood earlier, but seeing you has brightened my day.”
“Since when did Your Majesty learn to sweet-talk so well?” Song Qingshu made himself at home, plopping down beside her and popping a grape into his mouth.
“If you want grapes, you needn’t serve yourself.” Empress Pei Man peeled another grape with her slender fingers and held it to his lips.
“The ones you peel taste sweeter.” As he bit into the fruit, juice dribbled onto her fingers, which he playfully licked away, making her giggle.
Zhao Yingluo had seen enough. Coldly, she cut in, “Are you two done flirting? If so, let’s discuss business.”
“Oh? Is Sister Yang jealous?” There was something about Empress Pei Man’s sultry tone that grated on Zhao Yingluo’s nerves.
Noticing her darkening expression, Song Qingshu decided not to push her further. “Alright, let’s get down to business. I know the Laundry Courtyard is investigating the incident from that night, but you don’t need to worry—I’ve already found a solution.”
“What solution?” Empress Pei Man had been fretting over this for days. Hearing this, she was both shocked and elated. “Young Master Song, you truly are my lucky star.”
Just as Song Qingshu was about to explain, he paused, his expression turning serious. “Before I do, I need Your Majesty to answer one question honestly.”
Empress Pei Man smiled. “Ask away. I’ll hold nothing back.”
“Did Prince Hailing ever share your bed?” His gaze bore into her.
Her smile stiffened. “Why would you ask that?”
“Just answer yes or no.”
“So in your eyes, I’m just some wanton woman?” Empress Pei Man sighed. “As the empress, why would I risk my life consorting with a prince? Aside from the emperor, you are the only man I’ve ever been with.”
Zhao Yingluo shot Song Qingshu a surprised glance. Well-versed in the Nine Yin Manual, she could tell he was using the Soul Capture Technique. At first, she wondered what could be so important to warrant such a method, but upon hearing their exchange, she was furious. ‘This idiot! Of all the times to ask something like that!’
Song Qingshu was equally stunned. He’d heard from Madam Tang that Wanyan Liang and Empress Pei Man had been involved, which was why he had to confirm. If they had been lovers, and she revealed the truth to Wanyan Liang, his plans could unravel.
Yet under the Soul Capture Technique, her answer had to be truthful. But then again, Madam Tang had no reason to lie to him. What’s really going on here?
Unable to make sense of it, he set the matter aside. As long as there was no secret connection between Empress Pei Man and Wanyan Liang, that was enough.
Dispelling the technique, he laid out his plan to frame Wanyan Liang, leaving all four women wide-eyed with amazement.
“So we finally have a scapegoat for that night,” Empress Pei Man said, relieved.
“Those poor sisters will finally be saved,” Zhao Yingluo murmured, overjoyed that her years of effort were about to bear fruit.
As for Zhao Hu’er and Zhao Yuanyuan, they gazed at Song Qingshu with hearts in their eyes, convinced their man was the most capable in the world.
*****
Prince Xu’s Mansion, the Capital
“Princess, isn’t tomorrow’s plan too risky?” Prince Xu, Wanyan Yong, studied the breathtakingly beautiful woman before him and sighed inwardly. He had seen many great beauties in his time, yet every encounter with her left him stunned anew.
*****
Outside the City, a Dilapidated Temple
A group of white-robed figures surrounded two veiled, peerlessly beautiful women.
“The True Void is our home, the Eternal Venerable Mother is our salvation! We humbly welcome the Saintess’s arrival.”
TYFTC
Thank you for reading!