Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 907: The Beauty Trap

Upon hearing his companion’s exclamation, the other jailer said impatiently, “Stop making a fuss over nothing. How many world-toppling beauties can there really be in this world?”  

“Exactly! I refuse to believe any woman could surpass Princess Daiguo in ruining kingdoms and empires,” another chimed in. The rest were still lost in the lingering awe of Gebi’s stunning beauty and paid little attention.  

“I swear it’s true! If I’m lying, may I suffer three months of impotence!” The first jailer grew frantic when his companions remained skeptical, invoking the harshest oath they commonly used among themselves.  

Hearing this, the others finally looked up with hesitant curiosity. The moment their eyes landed on the woman, the room filled with sharp intakes of breath.  

“What’s happening today? The women we’ve seen today outshine all the beauties we’ve encountered in our entire lives combined!”  

“We’ve truly wasted our years living like dogs. Women like this—we wouldn’t even dare dream of them.”  

“She… she looks like the Lady Taohua!” The jailer who had claimed to have seen her before widened his eyes and gasped.  

“What?!” The others froze. This was the legendary Lady Taohua, whose beauty rivaled Gebi’s? No wonder she was so breathtaking.  

Daiqisi faintly overheard their whispers, her brows darkening with murderous intent. However, she knew the imperial prison was no place for recklessness and forcibly suppressed her irritation.  

Her attendant had already gone to negotiate with the jailers. Although the emperor had strictly forbidden contact with the prisoners, Daiqisi, as the wife of Prince Changsheng, had amassed considerable influence over the years and had her own ways of getting things done.  

Before long, the attendant secured their cooperation. Sensing the jailers’ furtive pointing and murmurs, Daiqisi snorted coldly and strode inside without a word.  

“Lady Taohua isn’t here to see her husband but another man? How bizarre.”  

“Prince Changsheng’s case is being overseen by Tang Kuo Bian. Of course she’d come to lobby him.”  

“How do you think she plans to ‘lobby’ him?”  

“Heh heh heh, need we spell it out? Though the Lady Taohua is noble, Prince Changsheng’s days are numbered. Her status is useless now—the only bargaining chip left is her delicate b0dy.”  

“What kind of karma did Tang Kuo Bian accumulate in his past life? His luck with women is downright unnatural. Not only is his wife the most beautiful woman in the Jin Dynasty, but he also has an adorable sister-in-law. And now, even a femme fatale like the Lady Taohua is throwing herself at him. D*mn it all!”  

“Comparing ourselves to others is just asking for frustration. Women like these were never meant for the likes of us. Let’s just talk about the girls at the Yihong Br0thel—that’s more realistic.” 

Initially, the men had eagerly commented on every beautiful woman who entered, but repeated blows to their self-esteem had left them numb. Realizing they would never have a chance with such women, they listlessly shifted the conversation elsewhere.  

***** 

When Song Qingshu saw Daiqisi again, he couldn’t help but admire her disguise skills. Despite being of pure Western Regions descent, she had effortlessly masked the distinctive features of a Western woman. At a glance, apart from her fairer skin and slightly sharper nose, she looked no different from a Central Plains woman.  

‘I wonder how she hides her eye color. Maybe she’s the inventor of colored contact lenses in this era?’ he mused with amusement.  

But that alone wouldn’t have impressed Song Qingshu, himself a master of disguise. What truly astonished him was how Daiqisi had concealed her Western traits while retaining her original appearance. This wasn’t just disguise—it was art.  

“To what do I owe the pleasure of Lady Taohua’s late-night visit?” Though Song Qingshu knew her purpose, he asked out of courtesy.  

Daiqisi had been plagued by frustration these past two years. Due to her daughter’s status, she had finally escaped the decades-long threat of the Persian Ming Cult’s pursuit. She had thought that with her daughter as the cult leader, she could return to her homeland and live out her days in peace. But upon arriving in Persia, she found the sect’s headquarters in dire straits—the Mongol cavalry could storm the Eagle’s Nest at any moment.  

For her daughter’s sake and her own, Daiqisi volunteered to return to the Central Plains, intending to use the Jin Dynasty to counter the Mongols. Yet, shortly after her return, she discovered her nominal “husband” was on the brink of disaster. She had no choice but to risk entering the palace and trading her “charms” for his safety.  

After conspiring with Wanyan Yuan to seize the throne—hoping to leverage her influence to push him into war with the Mongols and buy time for the Persian headquarters—their plans were abruptly derailed by Sun Jin’s rebellion, which implicated Wanyan Yuan. Despite her repeated pleas to the emperor, he remained unmoved. With Wanyan Yuan’s fate seemingly sealed, Daiqisi had no choice but to approach the case’s presiding official, Tang Kuo Bian, hoping to sway the verdict. After all, Wanyan Yuan was undoubtedly innocent in Sun Jin’s rebellion.  

Lost in her thoughts, Daiqisi snapped back to reality at Song Qingshu’s question. She forced a bitter smile. “The consort is a clever man. Must you ask what you already know?”  

Song Qingshu wagged a finger. “Men tend to play dumb in front of beautiful women.”  

His blunt compliment caught her off guard. ‘Is he hinting at something?’ Though she had prepared for this, a flicker of disgust still rose within her.  

“The consort’s wife is the most beautiful woman in the Jin Dynasty. How could an ordinary beauty possibly stir your heart?” Daiqisi sighed softly.  

Song Qingshu’s eyebrow arched. ‘She’s steering this toward flirtation? Well, if she wants to play, I’ll play.’  

“The Lady Taohua’s fame precedes her. You are far from ordinary,” he replied smoothly.  

Daiqisi’s inner sneer deepened, but her expression remained unchanged. Instead, she produced a carefully prepared gift box. “I heard the consort was recently ambushed in Kaifeng. I’ve gathered some rare healing medicines—I hope they help.”  

As a former Ming Cult Holy Maiden, she had once been bound to purity. But life had taught her well how to captivate men. She had dangled a hint, letting him grow intrigued before feigning innocence and shifting the topic—leaving him itching for more. The greater a man’s desire, the easier her goal would be to achieve.