Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 740: The Most Beautiful Woman in the Jin Empire

Upon learning that her “elder brother” had agreed to return to Daxing with Wanyan Liang, Madame Tang hurriedly sought out Song Qingshu and urged, “Brother, you’re seriously injured. How can you endure such a long journey? In my opinion, Wanyan Liang is deliberately making things difficult for you. If you end up falling ill along the way, it would be a disaster.”

Song Qingshu imitated Tang Kuo Bian’s tone and laughed heartily. “Don’t worry. Your brother is strong; these minor injuries are nothing. Besides, I have to return to the capital to report my duties. If I don’t return in time to brief the Emperor, someone with ulterior motives might seize the opportunity to spread falsehoods.”

Hearing this, Madame Tang nodded in agreement. “That’s true. We must be cautious. Over the past two years, the Emperor’s temper has become increasingly unpredictable. He executes court officials at the slightest provocation. Brother, you must be extra careful.”

“I know what I’m doing,” Song Qingshu reassured her. After a brief hesitation, he asked, “Has my sworn brother left?”

A shadow passed over Madame Tang’s face as she nodded slightly. “Yes, he left a letter yesterday before departing.” After some thought, she added, “Brother, he actually played a significant role in saving you this time. Otherwise, Huang Rong wouldn’t have let you go so easily… Though I can’t explain the details, please don’t hold any grudges against him.”

Song Qingshu, of course, already understood everything. After a moment of hesitation, he probed, “It seems your relationship with him is rather unusual…”

Madame Tang’s expression changed slightly, but she quickly shook her head. “Brother, this is my personal matter. Please don’t interfere.”

“Haha, of course.” Song Qingshu laughed to brush it off. “But I must say, that kid Song Qingshu doesn’t seem too bad. Sister, you have a good eye.” Speaking so shamelessly about himself without changing expression—there was probably no one else in the world like him.

“Brother~” Even though Madame Tang was a mature woman, she couldn’t help but blush at his teasing. She shot him a glare before lifting her skirt and fleeing.

As he watched her disappear into the distance, Song Qingshu’s expression gradually became solemn. ‘Grand Marshal of the Chongyi Army, Wudai—just what kind of person are you?’
*** 

Daxing was formerly known as Beijing in Song Qingshu’s past life. However, in this world, it was certainly not the Beijing he knew. He wasn’t entirely sure which modern city this Jin Empire capital corresponded to, but he knew it was located somewhere within Shanxi.

After several days of travel, Song Qingshu and his group finally arrived at Daxing. Gazing at the towering city walls, he couldn’t help but marvel at how the Jin Empire, founded on military strength, still retained its grandeur despite its recent struggles against the rising Mongols. The sheer scale of the city was a testament to the glory of its founding era.

“Brother Tang Kuo, you’ve passed through these gates so many times. Why do you look like you’re seeing them for the first time?” Wanyan Liang rode over, glancing at Song Qingshu, who was sitting by the carriage window, and asked casually.

Song Qingshu’s heart tensed. Throughout the journey, Wanyan Liang had frequently tested him, trying to probe for inconsistencies. He couldn’t afford to slip up now.

“Your Highness, you may not know, but I nearly lost my life this time. Seeing these familiar city gates again, I can’t help but feel like I’ve been granted a second chance. Pardon my moment of emotion.” Song Qingshu replied without missing a beat.

“Brother Tang Kuo, why do you still address me so formally as ‘Your Highness’? That’s too distant. After everything we’ve been through, our bond is beyond formalities. From now on, just call me by my name,” Wanyan Liang said, feigning displeasure.

Song Qingshu hesitated briefly before agreeing, knowing that Wanyan Liang was trying to draw him closer. Thus, he didn’t insist and soon they were addressing each other as “Brother Wanyan” and “Brother Tang Kuo.”

“Brother Tang Kuo, will you be heading home first, or going directly to the Ministry of State Affairs to report in?” Wanyan Liang asked with a smile. But in his mind, he was picturing Tang Kuo’s heavenly wife. If Tang Kuo returned home, he would find an excuse to escort him, just so he could catch a glimpse of Gebi.

Within the Jin Empire’s bureaucratic system, the highest-ranking officials were the Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, Grand Protector, Grand Marshal, Minister of War, and Minister of Works. However, these were mostly honorary positions held by highly respected elder statesmen with little actual administrative power.

The real authority of the Jin Empire rested in two institutions: the Ministry of State Affairs and the Grand Marshal’s Office. The Ministry of State Affairs managed national affairs, functioning similarly to the Secretariat or Inner Cabinet of other nations. The Grand Marshal’s Office, on the other hand, was responsible for military operations and foreign warfare, akin to the Privy Council or the Ministry of War in other nations.

The Ministry of State Affairs was led by the Minister of State, followed by the Left and Right Chancellors, then the two Political Affairs Ministers, and beneath them were the Left and Right Vice Ministers, with additional administrative positions below.

Both Wanyan Liang and Tang Kuo Bian served in the Ministry of State Affairs—Wanyan Liang as a Political Affairs Minister and Tang Kuo Bian as the Left Vice Minister. However, Wanyan Liang’s immense power stemmed not just from his position there but also from his concurrent role as the Right Deputy Marshal of the Grand Marshal’s Office. In this military institution, only the Grand Marshal and the Left Deputy Marshal outranked him, making him the third most powerful military figure in the empire. His authority and influence far exceeded that of Tang Kuo Bian, whose status as a Prince Consort was largely honorary.

Having memorized all this information thoroughly, Song Qingshu hesitated when Wanyan Liang asked his preference. He wasn’t familiar with the inner workings of the Ministry or his colleagues, so going there posed a risk of exposing himself. However, returning home would mean facing Tang Kuo Bian’s wife. Without full confidence in maintaining his disguise, meeting someone who knew Tang Kuo Bian so intimately would be even more dangerous.

“I’ll head to the Ministry of State Affairs directly,” Song Qingshu finally decided. He believed his quick thinking could help him navigate any political conversations. Besides, given his injuries, he wouldn’t be expected to resume work immediately—today was only about reporting in.

As for Tang Kuo Bian’s wife—the legendary most beautiful woman in the Jin Empire—Song Qingshu had been curious. However, he knew his priorities. Women were just a fleeting pleasure in life; they wouldn’t cloud his judgment.

“Tang Kuo Bian, you’ve really put me in a difficult position,” Song Qingshu muttered to himself. He wasn’t a saint. Now that he had Tang Kuo Bian’s appearance, as long as he kept quiet, it would be effortless to claim that fabled beauty as his own. What’s more, Tang Kuo Bian had entrusted his wife to him before dying—if he truly did anything, it would even seem justified.

And yet, Song Qingshu couldn’t bring himself to do it. Something about it felt too dishonorable.

‘You didn’t have any qualms when you toyed with Concubine Tong. So why the hesitation now?’ He chuckled bitterly to himself, mocking his own hypocrisy.

“Brother Tang Kuo is truly a pillar of the empire, always putting national affairs first.” Hearing Song Qingshu’s decision, Wanyan Liang couldn’t hide his disappointment. But he also knew he couldn’t make his intentions too obvious. If Tang Kuo Bian realized his lustful designs on his wife, it would be too costly a mistake.

“Brother Wanyan flatters me.” Song Qingshu chuckled, about to say more when a maid suddenly ran toward them, lifting her skirt slightly as she hurried forward.

Before she could get too close, Wanyan Liang’s guards blocked her. Breathless, she frantically waved her hands and called out, “Master! Master! Madame is waiting for you over there!”

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