Chapter 845: Each with Their Own Schemes

“Huh?” Tudan Jing hesitated, her face showing reluctance. Born into a noble family, she had never stayed in any residence other than her own palace, except when visiting her parents. Hearing Wanyan Liang suggest she rest here, she instinctively resisted the idea. However, seeing him in high spirits, she didn’t want to spoil his mood.  

“I’m feeling a bit dizzy myself. If elder sister doesn’t mind, let me arrange a place for you to rest for a while,” Gebi said, pressing a hand to her forehead with a dazed expression. Watching her flawless performance, Song Qingshu inwardly gave her a thumbs-up.  

Wanyan Liang’s heart stirred as he saw the faint blush on Gebi’s cheeks, assuming the drug was taking effect. Eager to have his way with her as soon as possible, he urged his wife, “Jing’er, since you’re not feeling well, go rest for a bit.”  

“Well… alright.” Tudan Jing was simply unused to staying in someone else’s home and hadn’t considered any ulterior motives. Seeing her husband’s insistence, she had no reason to refuse and stood up to follow Gebi into the inner chambers.  

Watching the two women’s slightly unsteady steps as they left, Wanyan Liang felt both excitement and hesitation. He was thrilled at the prospect of finally tasting Gebi’s exquisite b0dy, yet conflicted about sacrificing his own wife’s purity.  

Over the years, he had exploited his power to bed countless women, many of them married. Under his influence, their husbands could only seethe in silence, even flattering him to his face. But this was the first time he had to trade his own wife’s chastity.  

However, Gebi’s status was unique. She was widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in the entire Dynasty, a veritable goddess. Though Tudan Jing was also lovely, objectively speaking, she couldn’t quite compare to Gebi. Wanyan Liang felt a pang of guilt, but the trade-off seemed worth it—especially since the thought of swapping partners with another man gave him a perverse thrill.  

‘Hmph, today I brought some particularly potent aphr0disiacs from my palace. If I don’t last at least three hundred rounds with Gebi, it’d be a waste of such a sacrifice.’ Wanyan Liang shot Song Qingshu a sidelong glance, thinking sourly, ‘I hope this Tang Kuo Bian is all looks and no stamina—finishing in half the time it takes to burn a stick of incense. That way, Jing’er won’t suffer too much.’  

Still, he knew that was unlikely. Tang Kuo Bian was a seasoned warrior with a robust physique—hardly the type to fold quickly.  

‘Tonight, I must outlast him. Otherwise, this trade won’t be worth it.’ Wanyan Liang felt as if he were stepping onto a battlefield—one where no man would willingly admit defeat.  

Song Qingshu had no idea what Wanyan Liang was thinking, and even if he did, he’d only laugh inwardly. Once the women entered the inner chambers, he immediately dismissed the surrounding servants.  

“Brother Tang Kuo, what do you think…?” With only the two of them left in the hall, Wanyan Liang grew impatient, no longer worried about eavesdroppers.  

“Your Highness, patience. We should wait a little longer for the dr*g to take full effect. It’ll be easier to act once they’re in a deep, drowsy sleep,” Song Qingshu explained.  

“Brother Tang Kuo speaks wisely, very wisely.” Wanyan Liang chuckled awkwardly, masking his eagerness by taking a sip of wine.  

“Your Highness, there’s something I feel we should clarify first,” Song Qingshu said gravely.  

Wanyan Liang straightened at his serious tone. “Please, speak freely.”  

“What we’re doing today goes against all moral principles. I hope this remains a secret between us—known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. If there’s even the slightest risk of exposure, I’d rather call off this arrangement,” Song Qingshu stated firmly.  

“Naturally. I, too, have no desire to be ruined,” Wanyan Liang replied with a smile.  

“Beyond outsiders, I also don’t want Gebi or your wife to learn the truth. It would be too cruel to them, and a scandal would benefit no one,” Song Qingshu continued.  

Wanyan Liang nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”  

Song Qingshu pretended to relax. “So once we enter the room, we mustn’t light any candles. If they see our faces, it’s over.”  

Wanyan Liang hesitated slightly. The thought of not seeing Gebi’s peerless beauty while taking her was a pity, but this was his own choice. After all, there were only two ways to possess her without her knowledge: either dr*gging her unconscious—which would be dull—or this method, where she remained awake but in darkness. The latter promised far more excitement and thrill.  

“Very well. But Brother Tang Kuo must agree to one condition of mine,” Wanyan Liang said suddenly.  

Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Could there be an unexpected twist?’ Keeping his composure, he asked, “What condition?”  

“I don’t want this to be a one-time arrangement. If the opportunity arises in the future, we should repeat it. What do you think?” Wanyan Liang fixed his gaze on Song Qingshu. Everyone knew Tang Kuo Bian and Gebi had a loving marriage—he feared the other man might refuse.  

Song Qingshu sneered inwardly: ‘You’re the one eagerly delivering your wife into my arms. You’ve brought this upon yourself.’  

Outwardly, however, he feigned hesitation. “This…”  

“Brother Tang Kuo, why overthink it? There’s no difference between doing it once or many times. Besides, the more we… ‘exchange’, the stronger our alliance becomes…” Wanyan Liang was an expert at coercion and manipulation, and Song Qingshu knew that without prior preparation, even he might have been persuaded.  

“Fine. But on one condition—Gebi must never learn the truth,” Song Qingshu said, as though making a painful concession.  

“Of course.” Wanyan Liang smiled, though inwardly he scoffed. ‘Once I’ve had my fill of this game, I’ll switch tactics. I can’t wait to see Gebi’s expression when she realizes it’s me on top of her.’  

He had already decided: after a few more secret encounters in the dark, he would deliberately let Gebi discover his identity. Once she realized her husband had betrayed her, resentment would fester, allowing him to fully claim her body and heart. ‘Heh, that fool Tang Kuo Bian will keep thinking she’s oblivious, treating her as usual—how could their marriage not fall apart?’  

Of course, Wanyan Liang wasn’t ready to take that risk tonight. It was too dangerous—one misstep, and everything would collapse. Only after multiple encounters could he be confident she’d submit to her fate.  

The two men, each harboring their own schemes, occasionally exchanged glances, their smiles eerily knowing. 

After a few more drinks, Wanyan Liang, seeing how late it had grown, could no longer restrain himself. Rising unsteadily, he slurred, “It’s time, isn’t it?”