Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 545: The Truth Comes to Light

Zeng Rou was feeling suspicious, but when Song Qingshu k!ssed her, her heart raced wildly, and her mind floated in the clouds, leaving no room for other thoughts.

Her maidenly reserve made Zeng Rou want to turn her head away in embarrassment, but then she remembered that she was now Song Qingshu’s wife. How could she refuse his k!ss? In this moment of hesitation, she thought of an excuse, “We haven’t even had the ceremonial wine yet… Mmph~”

Before Zeng Rou could finish speaking, her lips were sealed by Song Qingshu’s. In that instant, it felt as if a bolt of electricity surged through her body. She was so overwhelmed with happiness that she almost fainted, shyly thinking to herself, ‘Why is Brother Song in such a rush? Could it mean he really likes me…’

Zeng Rou’s mind was a whirlwind of girlish thoughts, but Song Qingshu, unaware of her internal musings, found the situation a little odd: just moments ago, they had been so intimate, so why was she still acting shy with just a k!ss now?

His misunderstanding made his actions a bit hasty, while Zeng Rou, captivated by her feelings for him, willingly let him have his way with her.

After an unknown amount of time, Song Qingshu finally realized something was off. Looking down at the girl beneath him, tears welling up in her eyes from pain, he froze. Lowering his gaze, the sight of bright red blood left him momentarily dumbstruck.

“Rou Rou, what’s going on?” Song Qingshu felt like his brain wasn’t functioning properly. They had been together for so long, how was she still a virgin?

Could it be that the person before wasn’t her? Song Qingshu felt a chill run down his spine, suddenly frightened. 

‘If it wasn’t her, then who could it have been? Was it Qingqing…’

He recalled seeing Xia Qingqing at the door earlier, but quickly dismissed the thought. No matter how mischievous Xia Qingqing could be, she wouldn’t have done something like this on Zeng Rou’s wedding night…
Feeling the man atop her suddenly stop, Zeng Rou thought it was because he was being considerate of her, and her heart swelled with gratitude and happiness. She softly said, “Husband, I can handle it… You don’t have to hold back…”

As soon as she spoke, her cheeks flushed red, shocked by her own boldness in saying such a daring thing.

Song Qingshu finally snapped out of his daze, touched by Zeng Rou’s affection. His heart warmed, and he gently stroked her brow, “Rou Rou, it was my fault just now…”

Filled with tenderness, Song Qingshu’s movements became much more gentle. Zeng Rou’s tightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and her expression grew sweeter and more joyful.

*****

The next morning, waking up to see the woman curled up like a kitten in his arms, Song Qingshu felt a wave of affection but also a tinge of confusion. 

‘Who was that woman last night?’

Though his memories were somewhat hazy, certain fragments were still vivid. They had passionately engaged in hundreds of rounds of intimate battle, something Zeng Rou’s youthful body surely couldn’t have endured. But besides her, the bride, there had been no other women in the bridal chamber.

Song Qingshu pondered and pondered, but couldn’t make sense of it. He didn’t dare ask Xia Qingqing or Ah Jiu either. The whole matter was too bizarre, and he feared provoking jealousy between the two women. So he decided to chalk it up as a strange but beautiful dream.

Song Qingshu buried his doubts and spent the following days preparing various matters for the Golden Serpent Camp, getting ready for his upcoming journey north. At the same time, guilt gnawed at him over leaving Zeng Rou alone so soon after their wedding, so whenever he had a free moment, he would stay in Zeng Rou’s chambers, keeping her company.

This constant companionship, however, left Zeng Rou both happy and anxious. On one hand, she feared upsetting Ah Jiu and the others. On the other hand, she was secretly troubled, though she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. While Brother Song always made her feel joyful, he was insatiable like a wolf, and as a newly defl0wered bride, how could she keep up with his constant attentions? All she could do was endure the bittersweet exhaustion.

As the time for departure drew closer, Song Qingshu could no longer hide certain matters from Zeng Rou. Naturally, she was utterly shocked when she learned that Xia Qingqing was also one of his women.

Despite her surprise, Zeng Rou was not the type to wallow in romantic sentiments. She understood the importance of Song Qingshu’s mission to head north to Yanjing and encouraged him to leave without worry, assuring him that she wouldn’t feel neglected.

When Song Qingshu was making final arrangements with Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu, Zeng Rou couldn’t help but stick out her tongue mischievously. While she was reluctant to see him go, she secretly felt a bit of relief—at least she’d finally be able to get a good night’s sleep after he left…

Thinking of the way others had been looking at her lately, Zeng Rou’s face flushed crimson. She herself had noticed that she had been walking somewhat awkwardly these past few days.

While the women were helping him pack, Song Qingshu quietly pulled Xia Qingqing aside, hesitating several times before finally speaking, his face full of embarrassment.

“Brother Song, is there something you want to tell me?” Xia Qingqing’s heart skipped a beat, and she tentatively asked, secretly wondering if he was about to ask about the matter with Jiao Wan’er…

Xia Qingqing had never told Song Qingshu about what happened that night. She didn’t want to burden him with such petty issues between women, figuring she could handle it herself. She was also worried that he might look down on her, as her actions that night were not exactly honorable.

“It’s actually about Lady Luo…” Song Qingshu hesitated for a long time before finally confessing everything about how, under the influence of his heart demon, he had impulsively taken advantage of Jiao Wan’er that night. After all, he was about to leave the Golden Serpent Camp, and if Xia Qingqing and the others remained unaware, Jiao Wan’er could become a ticking time bomb at any moment.

When Xia Qingqing first heard Jiao Wan’er’s name, she looked a bit guilty, thinking her actions had been discovered. But as Song Qingshu continued, her expression grew more and more incredulous.

“You already… with her?” Xia Qingqing suddenly realized. No wonder Jiao Wan’er had come to her, asking to leave the Golden Serpent Camp.

“Uh, I know I acted like a scoundrel and a beast, but there were reasons. You don’t have to look at me like that.” Song Qingshu felt uneasy under Xia Qingqing’s gaze and awkwardly explained.

Xia Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh. “Brother Song, I just realized I did something really stupid.” Seeing his shocked expression, she recounted the events of that night with an odd expression.

“What? It was her that night?” Song Qingshu was equally shocked.

“So, after all this, it was just a huge misunderstanding.” Xia Qingqing pouted in frustration. “If I’d known you two had something going on, I wouldn’t have needed to play the villain. I’m not dealing with this mess anymore. You made it, you clean it up.”

Blushing with a mix of shame, embarrassment, and a hint of jealousy, Xia Qingqing stamped her foot and hurried away.

“Your behavior that night was far more exaggerated, wasn’t it?” Song Qingshu muttered, half-amused, half-exasperated. But he knew that Jiao Wan’er’s situation did indeed need to be dealt with; otherwise, things could get out of hand later.

After pondering for a moment, Song Qingshu made up his mind and headed towards Jiao Wan’er’s residence.

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