Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 530: Jiao Wan’er

Huang Rong pulled out a dagger from somewhere and made a few threatening gestures at Song Qingshu’s face and neck. Seeing that he still didn’t react, she couldn’t help but scoff, “Sleeping like a pig. Fine, considering your contribution in resisting the invaders, I’ll let you off today.”

However, recalling the fright she just experienced, Huang Rong felt that letting him go so easily was too lenient. She glanced around the room and spotted an inkstone and a brush on the table, her eyes lighting up instantly.

“It’s not easy to fool you once; I’m not confident I can trick you again next time. Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, fleeing is the best. Better leave a note.” As she spoke, Huang Rong picked up the brush and began doodling on his face, mumbling to herself.

After a while, satisfied with her handiwork, Huang Rong nodded approvingly, “Young and irresponsible, messing with women—this is your retribution.”

She tossed the brush aside and wiped the ink on her hands onto Song Qingshu’s clothes. Grabbing a pre-packed bundle from the bedside, she made sure no one was watching outside and then sneaked out on tiptoe.

Song Qingshu was highly skilled in martial arts, and Huang Rong had no idea when he might wake up. She dared not linger, so she hurriedly packed her things and left in the dead of night.

Not long after Huang Rong’s departure, Song Qingshu, who had been lying on the bed like a dead pig, suddenly opened his eyes—completely sober.

He touched his neck, as if still feeling the chill of the dagger, and muttered to himself, “Good thing you couldn’t bring yourself to do it. Otherwise… heh heh.”

Earlier, Ah Jiu had suggested that he find a way to get rid of Huang Rong, so Song Qingshu came up with this idea. Instead of trying to chase her away, it was easier to scare her into leaving on her own.

“I wonder what she wrote on my face; it was making me itch earlier, and I had to hold back my laughter.” Song Qingshu wiped the ink off his face and quickly walked over to the bronze mirror.
“Parting without farewell, I wish you well; a parting gift, a turtle to tell.”

The first part was serious, but the latter half was filled with mischief. Seeing the vividly drawn turtle on his face, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “Heh, you drew me a turtle, better watch out, or one day I’ll make your husband into a turtle.”

However, he quickly remembered that her husband was none other than the revered Guo Jing. Song Qingshu shivered and murmured, “Forgive me, forgive me.”

He casually washed the ink off his face, but as he looked into the mirror, a trace of confusion flickered in Song Qingshu’s eyes. It wasn’t long before the man in the mirror revealed a sinister smile. “What about Guo Jing? Who told him to be so busy with state affairs that he neglected his beautiful wife, leaving her alone every day?” (G: Ok here we go, from now on all his s*xual misdeeds is due to the side effects of the Joyful Meditation. It was foreshadowed a long time ago.) 

“Madam Guo, are you there? I’m coming in… huh?” A woman’s voice came from the doorway. When she saw Song Qingshu in the room, she was utterly shocked.

Song Qingshu turned to see a delicate young woman standing at the door. Despite her plain attire and simple hairstyle, her face was gentle and elegant, exuding a dignified charm. Song Qingshu recognized her; she was Jiao Wan’er, one of the twelve leaders of the Golden Serpent Camp and the head of the Golden Dragon Gang.

“L-Leader?” Jiao Wan’er was stunned. Huang Rong had many questions about the Golden Serpent Camp that she wanted to ask her. However, since she was busy with various matters during the day, they agreed to have a long conversation tonight. Seeing the door open earlier, she thought nothing of it and walked in, not expecting to find Song Qingshu in Huang Rong’s room.

“Where is Madam Guo?” Jiao Wan’er cautiously glanced around but saw no trace of Huang Rong.

“Are you looking for her?” Song Qingshu casually threw aside the towel and sat down comfortably. “She’s not here.”

Seeing him sit casually on Huang Rong’s bed, as if it were a normal occurrence, Jiao Wan’er’s eyes slightly narrowed. Song Qingshu was usually accompanied by either Zhou Zhiruo or Ah Jiu, both of whom were ethereal beauties. Recently, he was also planning to take Zeng Rou into his chambers, and his reputation for being a playboy was well-known throughout the Golden Serpent Camp.

Moreover, there had been ambiguous relations between him and Huang Rong recently, and there were even private rumors suggesting something more between them. However, one was the distinguished Madam Guo, and the other was the Golden Serpent King, who seemed to have descended from the heavens. Most people found these rumors hard to believe.

Jiao Wan’er, however, had a different perspective. Once, by chance, she saw Song Qingshu enter Xia Qingqing’s room and not come out all night. Connecting that with Xia Qingqing’s previous attitude toward the new Golden Serpent King, Jiao Wan’er instantly realized they were involved.

At that time, Jiao Wan’er was furious. To avoid putting Yuan Chengzhi in a position of seeming ungrateful, she had once deeply loved Yuan Chengzhi but had willingly backed down, refusing to compete with Xia Qingqing. For Yuan Chengzhi’s sake, she chose to marry her senior brother Luo Liru, despite her own heartache.

But she never expected that, not long after Yuan Chengzhi’s death, Xia Qingqing would fall into the arms of another man. This was something Jiao Wan’er couldn’t accept.

However, Jiao Wan’er knew that Song Qingshu was the new Golden Serpent King, and his recent victories had greatly elevated his prestige. Revealing all of this would not benefit her, so she kept everything to herself and never spoke of it to anyone.

Because of this, her impression of Xia Qingqing and Song Qingshu had deteriorated immensely. If Song Qingshu could seduce the widow of the former Golden Serpent King, what other woman wouldn’t he dare to seduce? Hence, she had long suspected an affair between Song Qingshu and Huang Rong. When Huang Rong sought her out to ask about matters related to the Golden Serpent Camp, Jiao Wan’er was equally eager to use the opportunity to probe their relationship.

But seeing how naturally Song Qingshu moved about Huang Rong’s room, as if it were not his first time, Jiao Wan’er realized there was no need to investigate further through Huang Rong.

“If Madam Guo isn’t here, I’ll take my leave,” Jiao Wan’er said as she turned to leave.

As she walked away, Song Qingshu noticed her curvaceous figure, her swaying hips creating a unique allure, and he felt a stirring in his heart. In a flash, he was ahead of her, blocking the doorway.

“Ah!” Jiao Wan’er hadn’t expected Song Qingshu to suddenly appear in front of her, nearly bumping into him. She quickly stepped back, a bit flustered, and asked, “What is the meaning of this, Leader?”

“Are you afraid of me?” Song Qingshu stared intently into her eyes.

“Leader, you must be joking. Like all the others, I respect you deeply. Why would I be afraid?” Jiao Wan’er forced a smile, though inwardly she was cursing. Being alone with such a notorious lecher in the middle of the night, how could she not be afraid?

“It’s said that an unexpected encounter is better than a planned invitation. Since you’re not afraid, why not sit and chat with me?” Song Qingshu gestured to a chair by the table, smiling slightly. “You’re considered a senior member of the Golden Serpent Camp. As the new leader, I should hear your opinions.”

Jiao Wan’er hesitated. Although she despised his shameless behavior, Song Qingshu was undeniably a capable leader. Moreover, he was her superior, and given the pretext of official matters, she had no reason to refuse. Reluctantly, she found a nearby chair and sat down.

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