Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 722: Jealousy and Rivalry

Huang Rong looked worried. She naturally understood that Ouyang Feng harbored deep hatred for her and her husband, so how could he possibly hand over the antidote? Hearing Song Qingshu’s words, she couldn’t help but feel puzzled. “If Ouyang Feng refuses to give us the antidote and we are unable to obtain it, aren’t they the same thing?”

“Of course not.” Song Qingshu looked at her playfully. “What’s this? The brilliant Huang Rong, known as the female Zhuge, still hasn’t figured it out after all this time?”

The absurd events of the past two days had left Huang Rong feeling utterly drained. She thought it was already remarkable that she hadn’t broken down and could still hold a conversation—there was no way she could think clearly. However, with his hint, she finally started to understand. “Have you thought of a way?”

“Naturally. You should know who your man is.” Song Qingshu raised his chin proudly.

Huang Rong spat at him. “Hmph! My man is Brother Jing, not a scoundrel like you.”

“Not at all,” Song Qingshu replied, unconsciously mimicking Bao Butong’s catchphrase. “No, no. Brother Jing is your husband, but I am your man. There’s no contradiction there.” (G: Bao Butong is a character from The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, known for his contrarian nature and frequent catchphrase “非也, 非也” (fēi yě, fēi yě), meaning “No, no” or “Not so, not so.”)

“You really are a scoundrel!” Huang Rong’s delicate body trembled. But knowing that arguing with him on this topic was unwise, she turned her head away in feigned anger and ignored him.

“It’s just the truth,” Song Qingshu said as he wrapped an arm around her waist, gently stroking her smooth, toned abd0men. “If I weren’t your man, would you have allowed me to touch you like this?”

Huang Rong took a deep breath. “Fine, I admit defeat. Just tell me what your plan is.” She had already suffered enough, and she was too weary to argue over such trivial matters.

Since this was a serious matter, Song Qingshu finally put away his frivolous smile and answered with a solemn expression, “If we go to Ouyang Feng for the antidote, he definitely won’t give it to us. But what if Wanyan Liang asks him for it instead?”
“Wanyan Liang? Why would he help us get the antidote?” Huang Rong was first puzzled, but then her face changed drastically. “Don’t tell me you want me to…”

“What are you thinking?” Song Qingshu flicked her forehead in annoyance. “Using a honey trap would indeed be the easiest and most effective method. But now that you are my woman, how could I possibly let you do such a thing?”

Huang Rong’s expression wavered. Song Qingshu’s action of flicking her forehead suddenly reminded her of her childhood—when she had been mischievous, her father would often get angry but couldn’t bear to punish her, so he would simply flick her forehead like this.

This unintentional gesture evoked a sense of familiarity and warmth in her, and her expression softened slightly. “Then what method do you have to make Wanyan Liang help us?”

“You already know the method,” Song Qingshu said, gazing down at her exquisite face and gently smoothing out her slightly disheveled hair.

“I already know?” Huang Rong’s voice trembled slightly. In truth, she would rather Song Qingshu remain as forceful and domineering as before—at least that way, she could hold onto her hatred. But his tender gestures were beginning to shake her resolve.

Song Qingshu nodded and spoke four words: “Nine Yin Scripture.”

“The Soul Capture Technique!” A flash of realization struck Huang Rong, and she blurted out the answer.

Song Qingshu chuckled. “That’s right. We’ll use the Soul Capture Technique to control Wanyan Liang. He can then ask Ouyang Feng for the antidote, which will be far easier than getting it from Ouyang Feng ourselves.”

Huang Rong looked up at the man holding her with a complicated expression. She had to admit that he was incredibly capable—no matter how dire the situation, he always seemed to find a way out. Last time, when the Qing army’s hundred-thousand-strong force was closing in, he had done it. And now, once again…

Under the hazy moonlight, she even found herself thinking that he looked somewhat handsome…

Huang Rong’s cheeks flushed, and she quickly suppressed her wandering thoughts. Feeling a bit unnatural, she said, “But someone under the Soul Capture Technique appears dull and vacant—it would be easy to see through. Besides, Ouyang Feng has seen the Nine Yin Scripture before.”

Previously, she had successfully used the Soul Capture Technique to alter Madam Tang’s memories, but modifying memories was one thing—forcing someone to take action was another. The difficulty was vastly different. ṞΑ𐌽ＯꞖÈs̩

Song Qingshu, however, looked unconcerned. “That’s only because your True Qi isn’t strong enough. Just trust your man.”

Huang Rong’s doubts were instantly dispelled by his confident words. She had spent quite some time with Song Qingshu, and whenever he spoke so assuredly, he always had a solid plan. However, every time he called himself her man, she couldn’t help but blush, her entire body feeling feverish.

“But Wanyan Liang is heavily guarded. How can we get close enough to use the Soul Capture Technique on him?” Huang Rong raised another concern.

“That is indeed a bit tricky…” Song Qingshu admitted.

Last time, he had managed to get close to Wanyan Liang because many of his guards had been sent to watch over Guo Jing. Additionally, Wanyan Liang had gone to Madame Tang’s residence for a secret rendezvous, and his bodyguard, Murong Bo, had been unwilling to eavesdrop, giving Song Qingshu an opportunity. But this time, getting close wouldn’t be so easy.

Thinking of Murong Bo, Song Qingshu also recalled the mysterious expert who had used the Prajna Palm to abduct Song Yuanqiao and the others. Initially, he had planned to investigate Murong Bo, but after learning from Tang Kuo Bian that Song Yuanqiao and the others were imprisoned in the Laundry Courtyard, he changed his plan. He worried that alerting the Jin authorities might cause them to relocate the prisoners, so he decided to investigate the Laundry Courtyard directly instead.

“Qingshu… Qingshu?” Huang Rong’s voice finally pulled him out of his thoughts. He smiled at her reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’ve thought of a way.”

*****

Madame Tang was not happy.

Tonight, she should have been indulging in pleasure with her beloved man, but instead, she was left alone.

She knew it was all because of that woman named Huang Rong. No matter whether it was Wanyan Liang or Song Qingshu, both of them treated her differently. Even though she was filled with jealousy, she had to admit that the mature beauty was naturally enchanting, possessing a charm that even she found hard to match.

She had always prided herself on her beauty, but compared to Huang Rong, she felt a rare sense of inferiority.

As she sat there wallowing in self-pity, a familiar voice suddenly came from the window.

“Who dares to make Madame so unhappy?”

Madam Tang turned around in surprise and delight, only to see Song Qingshu sitting casually on the window ledge, smiling at her. She let out a joyful cry and, with a flutter of fragrant robes, threw herself into his arms.

“You heartless man…” Madam Tang’s playful complaint was cut short as her smile froze—she had just noticed the stunning woman standing behind Song Qingshu.

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