Chapter 605: The Infamous Duo

The Three Feudatories wielded substantial military power, with their military expenses consuming over 30% of the imperial budget in recent years. This imbalance had reached a precarious state, and now, just after the imperial court had suffered the loss of 100,000 elite troops, the Three Feudatories put forth such audacious demands. Their intentions were as plain as day.  

Years ago, when Princess Jianning and Wei Xiaobao unexpectedly died at Shanhai Pass, Wu Sangui, seeking to atone for his mistakes, sent his most beloved daughter to the capital. Ostensibly, she was to serve as a palace maid for the emperor, but everyone knew this was a veiled attempt to offer his daughter as a concubine.  

Ah Ke inherited her mother Chen Yuanyuan’s unparalleled beauty—Chen Yuanyuan, once hailed as the greatest beauty of her time. 

Upon arriving in the capital, Ah Ke instantly captivated the city, and even Kangxi found himself slightly moved. However, Kangxi, a man of great ambition, sought dominion over the empire. Wu Sangui’s infamy was too great, and Kangxi feared that taking Wu’s daughter as a concubine would alienate the Han people. Moreover, Ah Ke’s mother had been considered a femme fatale, partly blamed for the Ming dynasty’s downfall. As emperor, Kangxi was naturally cautious about such matters.  

Ah Ke’s presence was clearly Wu Sangui’s gesture of goodwill, and Kangxi feared rejecting her would provoke Wu into a desperate rebellion. 

While caught in this dilemma, Sou Etu offered a suggestion: let Ah Ke reside in the residence of Prince Kang, Jieshu, under the pretense of teaching her palace etiquette.  

This arrangement served two purposes: it demonstrated Kangxi’s indifference to beauty, and it placated Wu Sangui by entrusting his daughter to a royal household. 

Kangxi was delighted with the plan and agreed immediately.  

The decision, however, caused great distress to Prince Kang. In his eyes, Ah Ke’s beauty was irresistible, and though Kangxi currently declined to bring her into his harem, who could predict the future? With her living under his roof, Prince Kang feared suspicion might arise, leading to imperial mistrust—a grave matter indeed. In the end, he cursed Sou Etu’s ancestors before hurriedly moving out of his own residence. 

Since Ah Ke’s arrival, Prince Kang had not dared to return home.  

While Ah Ke stirred a commotion in the capital, no one found it unjustified. Wu Sangui had few offspring—just one son and one daughter. Keeping Ah Ke in the capital could be seen as holding a semi-hostage.  

Now, however, Wu Sangui requested her return under the pretext of a family visit. Everyone knew that if Ah Ke were to return, she would never come back to the capital. Loyal ministers protested vehemently, while others, secretly bribed by the Three Feudatories, supported the request, citing historical precedents and causing a heated debate.  

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but feel puzzled. No matter how much Wu Sangui cherished Ah Ke, she was, after all, just a daughter. Why would he go to such great lengths, risking the emperor’s ire, to bring her back? Was it merely to test the court’s response? Yet requesting additional military funds should have been enough for that.  

Recalling the beautiful young girl from years ago, Song Qingshu sighed. He had been so preoccupied with his affairs that he had almost forgotten she was still in the capital. Her days there must not have been easy.  

His mind drifted to the unparalleled beauty of her mother, Chen Yuanyuan, and for a moment, Song Qingshu was lost in thought.  

The noisy morning court session finally ended when Dongfang Muxue casually declared, “We’ll discuss this another day.” 

Song Qingshu left the Hall of Supreme Harmony with Dongfang Muxue. Thanks to Song Qingshu’s earlier efforts and Dongfang Muxue’s arrangements over the past few days, all the palace maids and eunuchs accompanying them were now their trusted confidants. Thus, Song Qingshu felt no qualms about walking openly with “Kangxi.”  

Dongfang Muxue sneered coldly, “The Three Feudatories proposed such unreasonable terms to test the court’s limits. Little do they know, we don’t fear their rebellion; we fear they won’t rebel.”  

“Forcing the Three Feudatories into rebellion is easy, but are you confident in suppressing them?” Song Qingshu asked bitterly. The Golden Serpent Camp urgently needed time to develop, so he hoped to use the Three Feudatories to stall the Manchus. Yet, if the Manchus were truly overthrown by the Three Feudatories, it would be disastrous. Moreover, Song Qingshu had countless matters to attend to and couldn’t impersonate Kangxi indefinitely. Naturally, the task of overseeing the Forbidden City and quelling the Three Feudatories would fall to Dongfang Muxue.  

“To me, Wu Sangui and his ilk are nothing more than paper tigers,” Dongfang Muxue replied arrogantly.  

“Alright, I believe you,” Song Qingshu said firmly. Having worked with Dongfang Muxue for so long, he knew her extraordinary talents. If she had been born a man, she might have been his greatest rival, second only to Zhang Wuji.  

‘Good thing she’s a woman,’ Song Qingshu thought, recalling her flawless figure from the previous night. His smile turned slightly indecent.  

Unaware of his expression, Dongfang Muxue continued, “If my prediction is correct, Princess Roujia will visit the palace today to plead for Yue Le. Which concubine’s residence do you think we should guide her to for convenience?”  

“Consort Tong’s,” Song Qingshu instinctively replied. After all, among Kangxi’s harem, he had only been to Consort Tong’s quarters and was most familiar with the situation there.  

Dongfang Muxue chuckled, “For someone with such a roguish nature, you’ve ignored the many beauties of the harem. It’s laughable.”  

“I’m not that promiscuous…” Song Qingshu’s face darkened as he caught the smug tone in her voice. “Don’t tell me you’ve… entertained them all?”  

“Of course!” Dongfang Muxue replied with pride. “The Manchu harem follows strict rules for serving the emperor. If I had shown favor to Consort Tong alone and neglected the others, they would have grown suspicious long ago.”  

Song Qingshu’s expression turned even stranger. “So many concubines, yet you, a woman, managed to handle them all? And none of them noticed anything amiss?”  

“That’s hardly difficult. I was once the leader of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, after all,” Dongfang Muxue said smugly. “A little aphr0disiac from the martial world, combined with some props, is enough to leave these sheltered noblewomen in ecstasy.”  

Song Qingshu almost stumbled. “Your… creativity is impressive, I suppose.”  

“However, I must admit, your discerning eye is sharp. Among Kangxi’s harem, none of the others match Consort Tong’s charm,” Dongfang Muxue mused. “Alright, we’ll use her residence. I’ll make the arrangements to lure Princess Roujia there.”  

The two began reviewing the details of their plan. After a while, Dongfang Muxue’s lips curled into a playful smile. “Shall we make a bet? Once we’ve dealt with Princess Roujia, let’s see who can seduce Consort Tong first—without using force and in our true forms.”  

Song Qingshu was startled and stared at her warily. “What sort of twisted idea is this?”  

Dongfang Muxue’s smile deepened. “Previously, we had no choice, but now that the entire palace is under our control, don’t you find it dull to rely on Kangxi’s identity?” Her enchanting eyes glimmered with a peculiar light.  

Song Qingshu wanted to denounce her and take the moral high ground, but he hesitated. Her suggestion… was oddly tempting.  

“What’s the bet?” 

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