Mu Wanqing was unaware of a conflicted observer watching from behind. She hid her face against Song Qingshuâs chest, too embarrassed to look up. His body radiated a comforting scent that she couldnât quite place, but after a moment of thought, she realized it resembled the warmth of sunlight.
Breathing in this reassuring scent, Mu Wanqing drifted off to sleep. When she awoke, she noticed a flurry of sounds around her. Peeking up, she realized they were in the middle of a bustling marketplace, with several people pointing and whispering about them. Embarrassed, she murmured, âWhy didnât you wake me up?â
âYouâre awake?â Song Qingshu replied with a gentle smile, looking down at her. âYou just detoxified the poison. Sleeping a bit longer will help your recovery.â
âThere are so many people watching!â Mu Wanqing protested, noting he had made no attempt to put her down.
âIf they want to look, let them. A handsome man and beautiful woman always draw attention,â Song Qingshu chuckled heartily.
âI donât have your shamelessness,â Mu Wanqing retorted, her face flushing. Yet, she didnât want to leave the warmth of his embrace, so she pulled out a silk scarf to cover her face and snuggled back into his chest.
Amused by her bashful reaction, Song Qingshu laughed. âWhat are you hiding for? Itâs not like weâre in an unspeakable relationship.â
âI donât care; I just donât want to be seen like this,â Mu Wanqing muttered shyly.
âWell, if you donât want to be recognized, then Iâll join you.â Song Qingshu took out his silver mask and covered his face, knowing he needed to keep a low profile.
With her face concealed, Mu Wanqing immediately felt more at ease and began to occasionally peek around at their surroundings.
Arriving at an inn, they had barely entered when the cheerful innkeeper came over, beaming. âYou must be Lord Song?â
Surprised, Mu Wanqing glanced at Song Qingshu, who was also taken aback. âDo you know me?â he asked.
The innkeeper didnât answer directly. Instead, he called to a servant, âLord Song, we have already prepared the best room for you. Please, you and your⌠wife can go up and freshen up. Weâll send food and wine to your room shortly.â
Mu Wanqingâs heart pounded, secretly cursing Song Qingshuâs audacity. He must have arranged everything while she was asleep, then led her around in circles⌠and heâd only booked one room, meaning theyâd have toâŚ
Her grip on his clothing tightened, revealing her unease.
But Song Qingshu, oblivious to her reaction, replied, âYou must be mistaken. I didnât make any reservations.â
The innkeeper hesitated, sizing him up before insisting, âNo mistake. Earlier, a young lord, quite generous, specifically instructed us to welcome a young gentleman in a silver mask. It must be you.â
Song Qingshuâs mind raced, surprised. His journey north was a well-kept secret, even within his camp. How could anyone know of his plans? He asked solemnly, âWho was this young lord?â
The innkeeper looked troubled. âLord Song, it would put me in a difficult position. We donât reveal our clientsâ identities lightly.â
Song Qingshu smirked inwardly. If the innkeeper truly valued discretion, he wouldnât hint at it so openly. He discreetly slipped a silver ingot into the innkeeperâs hand. âNow that Iâm also your client, it should be fine to tell me.â
Pocketing the silver, the innkeeper spoke quietly, âThe young lord didnât seem local. Iâve run this inn for years, and Iâd recognize him if he were from around here.â
Seeing Song Qingshuâs impatience, the innkeeper quickly added, âThe young lord didnât seem ordinary. His clothes were very fine, and he exuded an aristocratic air. But he was⌠unnervingly handsome, with lips red as berries and a fair complexion. Perhaps heâs the son of a noble family, pampered among maids and ladies.â
Song Qingshu nodded thoughtfully. âVery well, prepare hot water for us.â Then, carrying Mu Wanqing, he went up to their room.
Once inside, Mu Wanqing, too shy to stay in his arms, struggled to stand. She looked around the well-decorated room and commented, âI didnât expect such a quaint place to have such elegant rooms.â
Song Qingshu opened a narrow slit in the window, scanning the street below. âThe incense here is high-quality ambergris, the quilt is made of rare Su silk, and the tea set is the best from Jingdezhen. Even the tea leaves are pre-Qingming Longjing. Do you think a small town inn could afford all this?â
Mu Wanqing suddenly realized, âThis wasnât arranged by you?â
âI have important business up north. I donât have time for such extravagances,â he replied, sounding slightly annoyed.
Mu Wanqing felt embarrassed for overthinking things, relieved he hadnât guessed her earlier assumptions.
âCould this be a shady inn?â she wondered aloud.
âItâs not likely. No black-market inn would go to such lengths,â Song Qingshu replied, closing the window. âDonât worry. Weâll wait until this mysterious benefactor shows himself.â
Feeling safe beside Song Qingshu, Mu Wanqing nodded. She wouldnât have stayed alone in such a strange place, but with him here, she felt at ease.
âLord Song, your hot water is ready,â came a knock from outside.
âCome in,â Song Qingshu called.
The innkeeper directed several servants who brought in bucket after bucket of hot water to fill the tub. After ensuring everything was ready, he smiled at Song Qingshu, âEverything in this room is newly arranged. Rest assured and enjoy.â He bowed out of the room, promising to send up food shortly.
Once they were alone, Mu Wanqing couldnât resist looking at the steaming tub, dumbfounded. âAre you⌠planning to bathe?â
âNo, you are.â Song Qingshu smiled at her.
Mu Wanqingâs heart raced, and she quickly shook her head. âIf anyoneâs bathing, it should be you. I donât need one.â
Noticing her reddened ears, Song Qingshu chuckled, âWhere is your mind wandering? You were poisoned earlier by the Frozen Soul Silver Needle and again by your own poisoned dart. Though most of the toxins have been neutralized, a residue remains. If not removed soon, it could harm your body in the long run. Thatâs why I had the hot water prepared; soaking in it will make it easier for me to expel the poison.â
Mu Wanqing knew he was right, as she still felt dizzy. But undressing and soaking in the tub with Song Qingshu nearby made her nervous.
âNo, really. I feel fine,â she said, flustered, waving her hands in protest.
âWould you like to hear the consequences of leaving the poison untreated?â Song Qingshu teased, knowing her hesitancy.
âWhat consequences?â she asked, taken aback.
âThese toxins are potent, and any residue could be harmful, especially for women. If left untreated, it could even affect your ability to bear children,â he said, sounding genuinely concerned. âI wouldnât want to be left without children someday.â
Mu Wanqing, stunned, hadnât considered such specific consequences. Unable to contain herself, she snapped, âWhat does that have to do with you?â
âBecause youâll be the mother of my future children,â he replied, his gaze warm.
Her heart pounded under his intense gaze, and she instinctively turned away, pouting, âWhoâs having children with you? You have so many women around you; surely, one will give you children.â
Despite her words, she couldnât muster any real anger. His boldness left her feeling flustered.
âDonât you want children?â Song Qingshu whispered in her ear, gently holding her.
Mu Wanqing shivered, unexpectedly allowing his embrace. She was conflicted, suspecting he might be exaggerating the effects of the poison to frighten her, but she couldnât take the risk.
âI know what youâre thinking, but Iâm not as naive as Zhong Ling. You can help expel the poison, but if you try anything inappropriate, Iâll⌠IâllâŚâ She bit her lip, searching for a suitable threat.
Song Qingshu chuckled, âYouâll what?â
âIâll⌠Iâll ignore you!â She huffed, realizing her threat lacked force and might even encourage him. Frustrated, she mumbled tearfully, âYouâre just bullying me.â
Feeling softened by her distress, Song Qingshu said gently, âDonât worry; I was only teasing. Iâll cover my eyes while I help you. You can relax now, right?â
âThat wonât be necessary,â she replied instinctively before realizing her mistake.
Patreon Tiers Just Got More Affordable: From now on, FSM Level 2 will become the CN WN Bundle. The price will remain the same which is $10. Also, the price for the KR WN Bundle will also be decreased to $10 to match this bundle.
With this I have gotten rid of the level system. The reason I am doing this, is because I plan to add more chapters to the $5 Patron tiers. Currently the readers get 2 advance chapters when they become a $5 Patron, but I want to increase the chapters they get to at least 5 chapters and more. So the current updated tier system will work like this:
The Individual Tiers ($5) will give you access to 5 chapters or more.
The Bundle Tiers ($10) will give you access to all the chapters of CN or KR webnovels.
The Supreme Patron ($30) will give you access to all the webnovel chapters on Goblinslate.