Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 815: Blinding the Eyes

Song Qingshu recognized the little eunuch—he was one of the two attendants Empress Pei Man often sent to summon him. Seeing his face, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but laugh. He had just been thinking about Pei Man, and it seemed she had the same idea.

But this was nothing more than a joke. Song Qingshu knew very well that a woman like Empress Pei Man, who reveled in the intoxication of power, would never lose herself in mere romantic affairs. If she had sent someone to fetch him, it likely meant her grand scheme was about to begin.

At the moment, Song Qingshu was hiding in a large tree nearby. From his vantage point, he could see the little eunuch banging on the door while Zhao Yingluo lurked behind it, her sword rising and falling in her grip—clearly considering silencing him for good.

Noticing the sudden glint of murderous intent in her eyes, Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. He swiftly leaped to her side and grabbed her wrist. Killing a little eunuch would be easy, but the aftermath would only bring more trouble.

Startled by the sudden movement, Zhao Yingluo reflexively lashed out with her Nine Yin White Bone Claw. Fortunately, having suffered under this move before, Song Qingshu anticipated it. With a flick of his fingers against her elbow, her arms went numb, instantly weakening.

Shocked, she wondered, Since when did the Jin Dynasty’s palace have such an expert? Just as she prepared to counterattack, a familiar voice whispered in her ear: “Stop, it’s me!”

Turning her head, she saw Song Qingshu’s infuriatingly handsome face mere inches away. She spat out, “Let go of me! Why are you holding so tight?”

“An accident, I swear! I was just worried you’d make too much noise,” Song Qingshu quickly released her, eager to clear his name.

“Hmph, as if I don’t know your true nature. If you want to take advantage, just say so,” Zhao Yingluo grumbled, growing angrier by the second. In the past, whenever she traveled the martial world, men treated her with utmost respect—never daring to even touch the hem of her robes. Yet ever since meeting Song Qingshu, she had suffered countless indignities, from being undressed for medical treatment to being manhandled in all sorts of ways.

Just as Song Qingshu was about to reply, the little eunuch outside shouted impatiently: “Eunuch Xing! I hear you in there! If you don’t answer, I’ll report to Her Majesty, and when she punishes you, don’t blame me!”
“Coming, coming! No need to rush!” Song Qingshu called back before shrugging at Zhao Yingluo. “I’ll go deal with him.”

Watching him swiftly don Xiao Xingguo’s mask and transform into a completely different person, Zhao Yingluo gaped in astonishment. “Your disguise technique is truly miraculous.”

“Do you have any lovers or sweethearts?” Song Qingshu suddenly turned and grinned at her.

“No… Why do you ask?” She was utterly baffled—what did that have to do with their conversation?

Song Qingshu sighed dramatically. “What a shame. If you did, I could reluctantly disguise myself as him to ease your longing.” Before she could react, he darted out the door.

Startled, Zhao Yingluo instinctively hid in the shadows, worried about being seen. Only then did she realize Song Qingshu had done this on purpose—to escape her retaliation. Watching him sling an arm around the little eunuch’s shoulders and walk away, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “This scoundrel… He’s a ruler in his own right, yet sometimes acts like a mischievous child.”

***** 

“Eunuch Xing, I’m not lecturing you, but in this palace, when Her Majesty summons someone—whether it’s us lowly servants or even the imperial concubines—everyone rushes to attend. Yet you? Every time, Her Majesty has to send someone to fetch you, and even then, you act reluctant.” On the way to Taihe Hall, the little eunuch nagged incessantly.

Song Qingshu chuckled. “Brother, my stomach was acting up earlier. I had to stay in the latrine a bit longer. And since I was about to see Her Majesty, I couldn’t very well go reeking of filth, could I? I had to change clothes and wash up—that’s why I was delayed.”

“Ew—” The eunuch recoiled in disgust. “You went to the latrine and now you’re touching me?”

“I washed up, didn’t I?” Song Qingshu casually tossed him a small gold nugget. “If I’ve offended you, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“Gold?” The eunuch instinctively bit it, his expression immediately softening. “Well, nature calls—what can you do? If Her Majesty asks, I’ll cover for you.”

“Many thanks, honored eunuch.” Song Qingshu smirked inwardly. ‘A moment ago, you were disgusted by the latrine, yet now you’re putting gold in your mouth. Ever consider that gold is yellow… and so is sh!t? If I had actually gone, and smeared a little on this nugget…  ‘

“By the way, honored eunuch, do you know why Her Majesty summoned me this time?” He hadn’t spent that gold for nothing—he needed some information to prepare.

“How could lowly servants like us presume to guess Her Majesty’s thoughts?” The eunuch gave a perfunctory reply before lowering his voice. “Eunuch Xing, don’t say I didn’t warn you—you’d better be on your best behavior today. Her Majesty seems… off. She dismissed all the maids and eunuchs earlier. For her to summon you now… heh…”

The eunuch left it at that, throwing Song Qingshu a knowing look. Fighting the urge to gag, Song Qingshu pondered: This fool thinks Pei Man is just in a bad mood, but from his words, she’s already clearing the palace. Is she simply looking for another rendezvous… or is her mysterious plan finally in motion? The memory of that fiery night made his mouth go dry.

***** 

“Same as before—go in by yourself.” The eunuch led him to the entrance of Taihe Hall before leaving. Recalling his last visit, Song Qingshu strode in boldly under the guards’ watchful eyes—yet, just like before, they acted as if they were blind, ignoring him completely.

“You’re finally here.” Empress Pei Man’s voice carried a faint trace of irritation, though she quickly masked it. “No matter. Come, see the new robes I’ve prepared for you. Let’s see if they fit.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned odd. While he had full confidence in his own skills, a woman like Empress Pei Man would never—after a single night of passion—suddenly transform into a doting wife sewing clothes for her man.

But when he saw what she had prepared for him, everything became clear—

‘This is enough to blind a man’s eyes!’  

On the clothing rack hung a dazzling, golden five-clawed dragon robe!