Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 775: Autumn Fragrance Pavilion

The yellow robed woman stared fixedly at Song Qingshu, almost as if speaking to herself. “Over this period, it’s clear that you hold a fairly high position in the palace. You’re even favored by the Empress. If it weren’t for my appearance, your life in the palace would have been much more leisurely. Not only do I often hit and scold you, I even threaten you by targeting your vital points. By right, you should hate me. So why do you keep helping me again and again? And…”

She glanced at him and added, “What’s more, I don’t see any resentment in your eyes. It feels like… you genuinely want to help me.”

“Such a beautiful heroine—everyone has an eye for beauty. When I see you, I naturally feel a sense of closeness from the bottom of my heart, so I can’t help but want to help you,” Song Qingshu replied.

“If another man said that, I might believe it. But you…” The yellow-dressed girl bit her lip, then changed her words mid-sentence, “But you’re working in the imperial palace, surrounded by the Three Palaces and Six Courts, and seventy-two concubines. Who knows how many stunning beauties you’ve seen. Being exposed to all that, how could you possibly help me just because I’m pretty?”

“There may be many beauties in the palace,” Song Qingshu quickly cut in, answering seriously, “but none of them are as breathtakingly stunning as you, Miss.”

“Breathtakingly stunning? Is that even a compliment?” The yellow robed woman couldn’t help but let out a giggle, revealing her pearly white teeth.

For some reason, though she had faced countless compliments from talented young men over the years—and always responded with a polite smile—not a single one had stirred her heart. Yet this ordinary little eunuch often made her laugh uncontrollably.

Compared to those scholars from Jiangnan who quoted classics to praise her, this little eunuch’s words were rather crude and unrefined, but strangely, she didn’t feel the slightest aversion. In fact, upon closer thought, there was truth beneath the coarse words, even a touch of rustic elegance in their vulgarity.

What she didn’t know was that this casual humor and ease of expression was simply a common way of speaking in Song Qingshu’s previous life. That kind of wit and carefree demeanor was something this rigidly conservative society couldn’t replicate.

“I haven’t read many books. Please forgive me if I used the idioms improperly,” Song Qingshu said, unaffected, perfectly playing the part of a nervous and awkward eunuch.
“I’m not laughing at you. In fact… I think your description is quite refreshing.” The girl instinctively tried to comfort him. “But you still haven’t told me the real reason why you’re helping me. And from your gaze, I can tell—you don’t seem worried at all about the restriction placed on you.”

‘I obviously can’t tell you it’s because I owed you a favor back at the Shaolin Temple, and that we’re technically on the same side,’ Song Qingshu thought.

Seeing that she was staring at him, waiting for an answer, he quickly composed himself and started making things up with a straight face: “To be honest, Miss, I’m actually a Han. I was captured when I was young and brought to the palace to become a eunuch. I’ve suffered countless humiliations…”

Putting on a tearful act, Song Qingshu lamented his misfortunes, only to notice that her eyes had turned slightly red. She looked genuinely moved. That surprised him—‘Wait, seriously? I thought she looked pretty sharp. Did she really fall for that?’

Feeling that the timing was right, he smoothly shifted the topic: “That day, when I saw you sneak into the palace alone to carry out an assassination, I was filled with admiration. And since we’re both Han, I genuinely hoped you’d succeed, to bring glory back to our people.”

“I’m sorry… I let you down.” Her face dimmed with disappointment.

Song Qingshu had wanted to use this opportunity to find out what her real objective was in sneaking into the Jin Empire’s palace. But since she gave nothing away, he didn’t dare press her further, lest it raise suspicion. “As you know, I serve in the palace. If someone were to hear these thoughts of mine, I’d be beheaded ten times over. So I’ve always kept it buried in my heart, not daring to share it—not even with you.”

“I see…” She nodded thoughtfully, finally resolving a question that had long been troubling her.

“After spending these past few days together, I’ve come to see that you’re the classic ‘sharp-tongued but soft-hearted’ type. Though a bit fierce, you would never make things difficult for someone like me, someone who has already suffered so much. That’s why I’m not afraid, even though you placed a restriction on me.” Finishing his explanation, Song Qingshu let out a deep breath. ‘You don’t believe the truth, but you’re willing to believe a lie? Some people… really can’t blame society for being foolish.’

“If you’re willing, once I’ve dealt with everything I need to, I’ll help you escape the Jin Empire and return to our own land.” The girl felt an unexpected sense of connection with the eunuch before her. Seeing him suffer like this, she couldn’t bear it anymore and blurted out the offer.

Song Qingshu gave a bitter smile. “Miss, you know what I am… Even if I do escape the palace, what could I possibly do out there with a broken body like this? I can’t expect you to take care of me for a lifetime. I might as well just stay here quietly.”

Inwardly, he cursed himself. ‘Why did I commit to playing a eunuch so convincingly? So unlucky.’

“At worst, I ‘will’ take care of you for a lifetime!” she declared impulsively. But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized the ambiguity. Thankfully, she remembered he wasn’t a man—just a eunuch—so it didn’t feel as awkward.

“Take care of me for a lifetime?” Song Qingshu glanced at her with a half-smile. “Then I hope you’ll remember those words, Miss.”

“A gentleman never goes back on his word. And though I’m no gentleman, I’m certainly not one to break promises,” she replied solemnly, unaware of the double meaning behind his words.

“Let’s talk about all that after you complete your task.” Song Qingshu suddenly recalled her attack in the Taihe Hall today and couldn’t help asking, “Lady Yang, do you happen to know those two young palace maids from the Empress’s quarters?”

“Recognize them…” A deep sorrow flickered in the eyes of the yellow robed woman, but she didn’t continue speaking. Instead, she said, “It’s not that I’m deliberately keeping it from you, but the less you know about this matter, the safer you’ll be.”

After several attempts to probe her yielded no results, Song Qingshu felt a bit discouraged. Still, he understood that such things couldn’t be rushed. Today, he had just begun to break through her defenses. Given more time and familiarity, he would eventually learn the truth.

They chatted idly for a while. Seeing that the yellow robed woman was low on energy, Song Qingshu took his leave and quietly slipped out of the palace.

Back at the Tangkuo residence, Wanyan Gebi seemed to be deliberately avoiding him. 

Song Qingshu was more than happy for the peace and quiet. Returning to his room, he was just pondering how to rescue the Song Princess confined in the Laundry Courtyard when a servant suddenly ran in and handed him an invitation. Upon opening it, he found that it was from King Hailing, Wanyan Liang, inviting him to a gathering that evening at Autumn Fragrance Pavilion.

“Autumn Fragrance Pavilion? I am still afraid of the tigress in this home” Song Qingshu muttered to himself with a hint of sarcasm. The name wasn’t exactly awe-inspiring. He subtly questioned the servant and, as expected, learned that Autumn Fragrance Pavilion was the largest brothel in Daxing Prefecture—arguably the grandest in all of the Jin Empire. Unlike typical br0thels, this one had rumored ties to government officials and was deeply intertwined with the Imperial Music and Dance Bureau.

“A br0thel, huh? I like it.” Song Qingshu couldn’t help but recall his encounter with Xia Qingqing at a brothel in Yangzhou, and the corners of his mouth lifted in amusement.

*****

While pondering ways to rescue the women of the Laundry Courtyard, night fell without him realizing. He boarded the luxurious carriage that Wanyan Liang had sent. Gazing at the ornate decorations, Song Qingshu marveled to himself, ‘This kind of opulent carriage would be the equivalent of a Rolls-Royce in my previous life.’

He couldn’t help but feel nostalgic for his former world—the advanced internet, the endless stream of entertainment, and the endless parade of long legs every summer. Not like here, where women wrapped themselves up like dumplings…

As Song Qingshu drifted off in thought, a sudden sense of danger jolted him. He instinctively shifted to the side, just in time to avoid a bite from a small golden snake. It struck the spot where he had just been sitting. The sizzling sound of venom corroding the cushion revealed just how deadly the snake was.

Angry shouts from the guards rang out outside the carriage, and then a petite, graceful figure darted in. Without hesitation, the dagger in her hand thrust straight toward Song Qingshu.

He hesitated for a moment, debating whether to reveal his skills, when the dagger suddenly froze midair. A surprised female voice rang out inside the carriage: “You’re not Wanyan Liang?”

Song Qingshu looked up. The assassin before him was wrapped tightly from head to toe, revealing only a pair of lively eyes. Judging by her petite, graceful figure and youthful voice, she had to be a young girl. Even though her face was concealed, Song Qingshu’s experience told him that anyone with such beautiful eyes and brows was likely a stunning beauty—perhaps even dangerously so.

Realizing her target wasn’t Wanyan Liang, the assassin didn’t hesitate. She retreated just as swiftly as she had come. Through the window, Song Qingshu watched her knock away the surrounding guards with a few moves and vanish over the distant rooftops, her Qinggong light and graceful like a swallow in flight.

The guards Wanyan Liang had sent hurried over to apologize, but Song Qingshu ignored them, instead gazing thoughtfully in the direction the assassin had disappeared. “Things have really been interesting lately—beautiful female assassins, one after another…”

“Consort, shall we wait here for a while? I’ve already sent someone to fetch a new carriage and more men to ensure your safety,” one of the guards said anxiously.

“No need. It’s getting late. Let’s head to Autumn Fragrance Pavilion first,” Song Qingshu said, climbing back into the carriage. The snake had long been cleared away.

“But the assassin…” The guard trailed off uncertainly.

Song Qingshu smiled. “Her target was your master, King Hailing. I just got caught in the crossfire. Don’t worry, there won’t be any more assassins tonight.”

*****

By the time Song Qingshu arrived at Autumn Fragrance Pavilion, Wanyan Liang was already waiting outside to greet him. “Brother Tang Kuo! I’ve already heard what happened on the road. It’s lucky you reacted so quickly—if it had been me, I’d be dead. In a way, you saved my life!”

“You flatter me, Your Highness. I only escaped by a stroke of luck.” Song Qingshu had initially suspected that the whole thing might have been a ploy by Wanyan Liang, but judging by his genuinely shaken demeanor, the assassin likely hadn’t been sent by him.

“To have startled you like this, I feel truly guilty,” Wanyan Liang said warmly, taking his hand. “As it happens, a top courtesan arrived at Autumn Fragrance Pavilion today. I’ll make sure to win her for you tonight—as an apology.”