Song Qingshu awkwardly coughed, avoiding her gaze as he explained, “I did not mean to be frivolous with you. Mainly, in that specific tense environment earlier, my actions could accelerate your heartbeat, thereby dilating your blood vessels and helping to dissipate heat from your body. At the same time, since those relatives from the Lu residence were outside, my behavior startled you into a cold sweat. Once you sweat, your body temperature drops quickly; and also… and also…” As he spoke, Song Qingshu suddenly hesitated, showing a troubled expression.
Lu Wushuang bit her lip and glared at him, “And also what?”
Song Qingshu took a deep breath and ultimately decided to speak the truth, “And also, after a woman experiences extreme pleasure, whether it is from fragrant sweat or… cough cough… it can dissipate a significant amount of heat.”
Lu Wushuang glared at him fiercely, “You have been frivolous with me for half a day, and the result is for my own good?”
Song Qingshu replied solemnly, “Although I am not an old scholar who clings to outdated ideas, I am also not a despicable and lewd scoundrel. If you do not believe me, you can check if your body temperature has already dropped.”
Lu Wushuang was taken aback, realizing that after talking for so long, her head was not dizzy at all, and the previous feeling of annoyance had vanished. She touched Wang’s forehead beside her and found that she indeed was no longer hot. However, Lu Wushuang still found it hard to accept. After all, just moments ago, he had touched her all over in the bed. Although she had begun to believe he was trying to help her, how could she, as a girl, come to terms with such an occurrence?
Lu Wushuang quietly looked at him, “According to what Brother Song said, did you have any improper thoughts just now?”
“Um… I should not have,” Song Qingshu answered somewhat sheepishly. It was not that he was insincere, but once he spoke the truth, the two of them would likely become entangled. His actions earlier were indeed purely for the purpose of saving her, not for taking advantage. However, he was naturally flirtatious and unruly, and although he knew that method of saving her was somewhat inappropriate, he still went ahead and did it.
Lu Wushuang bit her lip and shot him an annoyed glance, “Then who was it that kept… kept pressing against me?”
“Uh~” Song Qingshu suddenly felt extremely embarrassed. Although he had no improper thoughts, being in a warm and soft bed with her inevitably led to some normal physiological reactions.
“Miss, the medicine is ready!”
Just as Song Qingshu was unsure how to respond, a maid’s voice came from outside. He felt as if he had been granted a reprieve and quickly said to Lu Wushuang, “Your fever has already subsided. Doctor Qiu’s medicine should help you recover. Take good care of yourself; I must leave now, or I won’t be able to get out later when someone arrives.”
If it were not for her injury, Lu Wushuang would have stomped her foot in frustration. Although she had a thousand words to say, she knew this opportunity was rare. If someone discovered Song Qingshu in her room, she would have no face to see anyone: “But how will I explain this to my aunt?”
Song Qingshu glanced at Wang, who had fainted by the bed, and quickly replied, “Anyway, she did not see anything. You can just come up with any excuse to get through it.”
“Fine then,” hearing the maid’s footsteps getting closer, Lu Wushuang dared not keep him any longer, “You… you come find me tomorrow during the day. I… I have something to say to you.”
Song Qingshu forced a bitter smile, and before he could respond, the maid’s footsteps had already reached the door. He no longer dared to hesitate, swiftly darting out through the nearby window.
Seeing him move so effortlessly, Lu Wushuang’s face turned increasingly red, “This scoundrel, he could have escaped like this when my aunt and the others came, yet he chose to crawl into my bed.”
However, she quickly remembered that it was she who had invited the other party to bed, and her face turned even redder as she lightly spat, “Taking advantage and then running away, what a scoundrel…” The enchanting scene from earlier in the bed involuntarily flashed through Lu Wushuang’s mind, leaving her momentarily dazed.
*****
After returning to his residence, Song Qingshu tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Looking at the bulge in his pants, he couldn’t help but bitterly smile, “Truly, I have brought this upon myself.” As dawn was approaching, he naturally could not go find Cheng Yaojia. As for Lu Wushuang, being a young lady, it would be best not to harm her…
After about an hour of sleep, he woke up. The matter of the negotiation was too important; he had arranged to meet Han Dingxiao early this morning to head back to Lin’an.
In the early morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Song Qingshu arrived at the agreed-upon gate and found Han Dingxiao waiting there. He felt a bit apologetic and said, “I apologize for keeping you waiting, Minister Han.”
Han Dingxiao replied, “We just arrived as well.”
Song Qingshu noticed Linghu Chong nearby, who appeared somewhat listless. He greeted him, “Brother Wu, long time no see.”
Linghu Chong was taken aback but quickly realized that the other party was deliberately saying this to prevent Han Dingxiao from knowing that he had sought revenge on him last night. Although he felt a slight stir in his heart, he still had no good feelings towards him and coldly replied, “Long time no see.”
Han Dingxiao, aware of their past grievances, smiled and said, “Young Master Song, let us set off.” He had come out from Lin’an overnight and, in order to save time, had not even taken a carriage, riding swiftly instead. Now, to return to Lin’an quickly, he also declined the carriage offered by the Lu family, preparing to ride back at speed.
Song Qingshu had been on the battlefield countless times, so his horsemanship was naturally not in question. He mounted his horse and said, “Minister Han, please!”
Han Dingxiao spurred his horse and set off, while Song Qingshu glanced back at the Lu residence. He certainly had not forgotten his agreement with Lu Wushuang, but even if they met, what could they possibly say? It was better to take the path of least resistance.
Thus, the group headed towards Lin’an. Each person had prepared three good horses for quick replacements, so they hardly wasted any time and returned to Lin’an city by that evening.
After entering Lin’an city, Han Dingxiao and Song Qingshu settled into a fine inn. With a face full of apologies, he said, “Young Master Song, I need to enter the palace to discuss some matters with the Emperor. I must communicate some details in advance to ensure you can formally meet the Emperor. You may have to endure a couple of days here.”
Song Qingshu naturally understood that these matters could not wait until the court to be discussed: “No problem, I am quite tired from the journey and can rest for a while.”
“I should have hosted you at my residence, but given the current situation, if someone like Wan Qili were to take advantage of this and say that I colluded with you, it would be very unfavorable. So I hope you understand,” Han Dingxiao explained.
Song Qingshu smiled and said, “Minister Han need not worry. I have come for serious business, not to stay in a house. Moreover, being unrestrained in an inn is actually more comfortable for me.”
Han Dingxiao nodded, “That is good. I will head into the palace now. If you need anything while you are here, please do not hesitate to ask. I will leave a few people here to serve you.”
Song Qingshu did not refuse. Although he preferred being alone, he still needed someone to run errands for him in his conversations with Han Dingxiao. As for whether these people would monitor him… with his current cultivation, he could come and go as he pleased, and those people would hardly be a challenge for him.
After a simple dinner at the inn, night fell. Looking out the window at the distant palace with its golden tiles and red bricks, he thought, “I should go see how that girl Li Yuanzhi is doing.”