Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 645: Ill Intent

Song Qingshu’s gaze landed on Ren Yingying’s face, just a few feet away. Her skin appeared as translucent as fine jade, with a faint blush shining through. Under the glow of her crimson wedding dress, her cheeks were radiant and delicate, making her seem utterly captivating. 

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but marvel: ‘Such a beautiful bride—only a fool would give her up to another man.’  

“I’ve kept you waiting, my dear wife,” Song Qingshu said, his voice tinged with drunkenness.

Ren Yingying’s expression turned cold. “I hope you will exercise self-restraint, Senior Xu. I only agreed to this sham marriage to annul my engagement with Song Qingshu. You are well aware of the circumstances, and surely you wouldn’t wish to betray Miss Youyou, would you?”

Slapping his forehead, Song Qingshu laughed heartily. “Ah, my memory fails me! Seeing such a stunning bride, I must have lost myself for a moment.”

Though this enigmatic man rarely expressed admiration, Ren Yingying couldn’t help but blush slightly. “Am I really that beautiful?” she asked hesitantly.

“You outshine even the prettiest of flowers, unmatched in beauty,” Song Qingshu praised sincerely.

“Thank you for the compliment, Senior,” she replied shyly. However, a sigh escaped her lips as she thought of Linghu Chong. “It’s a pity Brother Chong couldn’t see this.”

Song Qingshu spoke with a double meaning. “That boy just doesn’t have the fortune for it.”

Ren Yingying failed to catch the implication and hesitated before voicing her concern. “Senior Xu, though this is merely a sham marriage, it will still raise suspicions if the two of us share a room tonight under so many watchful eyes…”
Song Qingshu laughed. “You’re worried about Linghu Chong’s misunderstanding, aren’t you?”

Embarrassed, she nodded faintly.

Sighing, Song Qingshu said, “I understand your concerns, Miss Ren. However, the members of the Golden Serpent Camp saw me enter this room just now. If I leave suddenly, it may arouse suspicion when the news reaches the Golden Serpent King.”

Ren Yingying frowned, recognizing the logic in his words. However, the idea of spending the night in the same room with him was unbearable. A wise woman, she naturally understood the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.

“There’s no need for you to worry too much, Miss Ren,” Song Qingshu said. “The only person whose opinion matters to you is Linghu Chong. You and I are innocent. Just explain it to him clearly, and that will resolve the issue.”

Shaking her head, Ren Yingying replied, “It’s not so simple. Men are prone to overthinking in matters like this.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned serious. “Miss Ren, you’ve said you and Linghu Chong truly love each other. True love can withstand any test. If he doubts you despite all the sacrifices you’ve made, wouldn’t that be an affront to your deep feelings?”

Her heart wavered at his words. ‘Yes, I agreed to this marriage to protect Brother Chong’s life, and now I’ve gone through a sham wedding to end it. Will he understand the sacrifices I’ve made?’

“To set your mind at ease, how about we stay up and talk all night instead of sleeping?” Song Qingshu suggested with a smile.

Ren Yingying came to her senses and looked apologetically at him. “I know Senior Xu is a gentleman, but I still fear Brother Chong might harbor suspicions. I’m afraid I cannot stay in the same room with you tonight.”

Though initially misled by his words, Ren Yingying quickly realized her mistake. While true love could withstand trials, deliberately creating such tests could lead to needless complications. She understood that Linghu Chong would choose to trust her, but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t leave a lingering shadow in his heart. To avoid future issues, she preferred not to take that risk.

Song Qingshu’s eyes briefly revealed surprise. Ren Yingying’s perceptiveness exceeded his expectations. The strategy he employed—feigning gentlemanly behavior while subtly sowing seeds of doubt—was a tactic often used by seasoned men to manipulate young, inexperienced women. Yet, she had deftly defused the situation.

Inwardly, Song Qingshu resolved: ‘Such an exceptional woman must belong to me.’  

It would have been easy for him to take her by force, but he desired her willing heart, not her reluctant compliance. Yet he also knew that a woman like Ren Yingying, once in love, would be difficult to sway.

The simplest way to turn the tables would be to claim her body first, thus shifting the dynamic. However, such a move might forever alienate her heart. Torn, Song Qingshu hesitated to take the risk.

Noticing a fleeting look in his eyes, Ren Yingying felt a pang of unease. Women’s intuition warned her that lingering any longer might lead to irreparable consequences.

“Senior has done so much for me, even saving my life. I cannot let you endure hardship on my account. Please stay here tonight; I’ll go outside to spend the night,” Ren Yingying said.

Her words brought Song Qingshu back to reality. Chuckling, he replied, “If someone must go outside, it should be me. How could I let a woman suffer on my behalf?”

Ren Yingying hesitated, surprised by his response. In an era where husbands were considered superior to their wives, such thoughtfulness was rare. His tone, genuine and respectful, left a peculiar impression on her: ‘Senior Xu truly is an extraordinary man.’

Shaking her head, she said firmly, “You’ve already done so much for me. I cannot let you endure further discomfort. My mind is made up.”

Sighing, Song Qingshu relented. “Miss Ren, you truly are considerate of others. How about we stop arguing and go stargazing together instead?”

Her expression turned strange. ‘I was trying to avoid being alone with him, yet now he suggests stargazing together? Staying here might have been better.’

However, she couldn’t voice her thoughts. Deciding that being outside was preferable to sharing a room, she nodded. “Alright.”

With his Qinggong, Song Qingshu had no trouble leading her out undetected. Choosing secluded paths, he suddenly pulled her into the shadow of an artificial hill, his expression tense.

Startled, Ren Yingying thought he might have malicious intentions and opened her mouth to scream. 

Goblin: I was waiting for this chapter to have some talk. In this chapter we are once again reminded why the name of this novel is Flower Stealing Master, not Supreme Immortal Master or something like that. No matter how powerful he is or what he wants to become, Song Qingshu at the end of the enjoys life when he is stealing the flowers from a garden belonging to others. This is in no way an easy task, considering that the flowers all have strong and determined personalities. But the formidable the prey is, the more accomplished the hunter will feel by successfully hunting them. That’s it…a hunters mentality. That’s why he takes things slow and takes time to observe and understand the prey. Song Qingshu enjoys the thrill of conquest–both of the flowers and the world.

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