Zhao Gou led Ah Ke over and introduced her with a smile: “This is the Young Master Song Qingshu I mentioned to you earlier.”
Ah Ke gave a demure smile: “Truly a hero in his youth…a fine and talented man.”
Song Qingshu was inwardly dumbfounded. *Women are born actresses…she was crying in my arms just moments ago, and now she’s all regal and graceful, as if she’s never met me before. And that tone…why does she sound like an elder praising a junior?*
“Greetings, Your Highness.” He bowed, though inwardly puzzled…why would Zhao Gou specifically introduce his consort to him? It was most strange. Outwardly, however, he smiled and said, “Earlier I heard Young Master Wan Qi praising Consort Wu’s beauty as one that ‘sinks fish and drops geese, outshines the moon and shames the flowers’…”
The surname Wan was exceedingly rare…everyone present immediately knew he meant the son of Wan Qi, the Minister. The officials exchanged glances. Though the smarter ones quickly realized Wan Qi and Song Qingshu were at odds, so how could his son have chatted with him about such things? Most, however, thought: *I wonder which of Minister Wan’s sons it is, openly discussing a consort’s looks behind her back. Consort Wu is young and beautiful, and the Wan sons are of similar age…habitual frequenters of the pleasure quarters. Who would believe they harbored no improper thoughts when discussing her?*
The thought of those Wan playboys holding courtesans in their arms while fantasizing about his own consort made Zhao Gou’s face darken. Though he could no longer perform a man’s duties, that didn’t mean he lacked a man’s possessiveness. No man enjoys knowing another covets what is his.
“Nonsense!” Wan Qi trembled with rage. *Of all my grandsons, the only one who’s ever had dealings with you is Wan Gui, and he’s missing, his fate unknown. Even he wouldn’t discuss such things with you. This is blatant slander!*
“I thought Young Master Wan was talking nonsense too,” Song Qingshu nodded. “Consort Wu is hardly one to ‘sink fish and drop geese, outshine the moon and shame flowers.'”
At these words, the entire hall fell deathly silent. Everyone exchanged strange looks. *We’re not blind…Consort Wu has shoulders like carved jade, a waist as if wrapped in silk, her whole bearing graceful and ethereal. How could she not deserve such praise?*
Even the Yellow-Robed Maiden in the distance furrowed her delicate brows, shooting Song Qingshu a worried look. *You’re too bold. If you anger the emperor, how will you fix this?*
Hearing him speak of her so dismissively, Ah Ke felt a sudden pang in her chest, her nose stinging. *So that’s why he rejected Kangxi’s marriage offer…in his eyes, I’m not beautiful at all.*
Seeing her pout, her face full of grievance as if on the verge of tears, Zhao Gou’s expression darkened. Though he couldn’t perform a man’s duties, he could still appreciate beauty. In his eyes, Ah Ke was the most beautiful and prized vase in his harem…he enjoyed showing her off and basking in the envious gazes of his ministers. Now someone was questioning her beauty…questioning his judgment…it was utterly preposterous!
Wan Qi, ever adept at reading the emperor’s mood, saw Zhao Gou’s face darken like a storm cloud and inwardly cursed. He blurted out: “Wan Gui certainly praised Consort Wu’s beauty! No, wait…Wan Gui never said she wasn’t one to sink fish and drop geese! No, that’s not right either…Song Qingshu is the one who said all this!”
Flustered and enraged by Song Qingshu, Wan Qi had tied himself in knots, leaving everyone frowning at his rambling. But these seasoned courtiers were no fools…they quickly realized Song Qingshu was the instigator. Even Zhao Gou turned to him with a displeased look.
“I do think Young Master Wan was wrong,” Song Qingshu suddenly changed tack. “Consort Wu’s beauty cannot be captured by mere phrases like ‘sink fish and drop geese.’ She is truly one who ‘topples cities and ruins states,’ transcendent and ethereal, a heavenly maiden descended to earth. Don’t you all agree?”
“Absolutely!”
“Topples cities!”
“Transcendent!”
“Heavenly maiden!”
Every official ground their teeth inwardly, thinking: *We’ve got a phrase we’d like to say but probably shouldn’t.* Under the circumstances, who dared disagree? So they all chimed in.
*So shameless!*
*So low!*
*With that kind of flattery, he’d thrive even in the court…*
The Yellow-Robed Maiden in the distance had been holding a straight face, but finally couldn’t help letting out a laugh. *That scoundrel…still so irreverent.* Her smile was like the first thaw of winter, a hundred flowers blooming at once, captivating countless young talents nearby. Many of her admirers from Jianshan Academy silently protested: *Hmph! Our holy maiden’s beauty is no less than that Consort Wu’s!*
Ah Ke, meanwhile, had never expected such a turn. Surprised and delighted, she too broke into a smile, which in turn made Zhao Gou beam with pleasure. But she didn’t spare the emperor a glance…her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Song Qingshu, full of longing and reproach.
Song Qingshu smiled wryly. *You’re sending me amorous glances in front of all these people. I’ve always despised the despicable Zhao Gou and wouldn’t mind cnckolding him, but now is not the time.*
“Please take your seat, Your Majesty!” A nearby eunuch’s announcement broke the awkward moment.
Song Qingshu smiled and stepped aside to let them pass.
As Ah Ke passed by him, her hand dropped…a small ball of paper fell from her sleeve at Song Qingshu’s feet.
His senses sharpened, and he reacted quickly, using the Dragon-Catching Skill to draw the paper ball into his palm. *Ah Ke is bold…passing notes in front of everyone like this? She couldn’t still be holding a grudge over what happened in Yanjing, could she? Is this some honey trap to set me up?*
His mind raced through countless possibilities, but curiosity got the better of him. When no one was watching, he unfurled the note to find elegant handwriting: “The emperor will have me put you on the spot later.”
Song Qingshu frowned slightly, then understood. *Zhao Gou is, after all, a sovereign. I acted arrogantly in court this morning, and he must be seething. If he simply grants my request, it would undermine the court’s dignity. So he’s trying to save face another way.*
*That’s why he brought Ah Ke over to greet me…to create an opportunity for her to speak later. Since she’s a woman, if she offends me, Zhao Gou can feign ignorance, and I can hardly lash out at a lady.*
“How insidious.” He glanced at the smiling Zhao Gou, realizing he was a venomous snake in human form. One moment of carelessness and he’d swallow you whole…bones and all. He must not repeat Yue Fei’s mistake.
“I wonder how Zhao Gou plans to make things difficult for me.” Song Qingshu fell into deep thought.