Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 839: Sisters of One Heart

Wanyan Ping glared at him fiercely—if looks could kill, Song Qingshu would have already been pierced by ten thousand arrows. “Where is my brother-in-law?”

“Miss, missing your brother-in-law?” Song Qingshu chuckled. “But why come looking for me if he’s gone?”

“Hmph! If you weren’t certain he wouldn’t return tonight, how could you be so brazen as to… bully my sister in his own house?” Wanyan Ping said indignantly.

“Ah, Miss Ping is quite sharp,” Song Qingshu laughed. “You’re right. We knew your brother-in-law had been invited by Wanyan Liang for an all-night gathering, so we dared to… well, you know.”

“Shameless!” Wanyan Ping spat, then turned and left, leaving behind a graceful silhouette.

Song Qingshu shrugged. After she left, he realized that moving around the estate in broad daylight was inconvenient, so he hurried back to put on Tang Kuo Bian’s mask. He also thought it best to inform Gebi about fooling Wanyan Ping, lest she accidentally reveal something.

When he arrived at Gebi’s room, he saw two maids standing guard at the door. Frowning, he motioned for them to leave, but the two maids hesitated and whispered, “Master, the mistress is bathing inside.”

“So what if she’s bathing? I’m her husband—can’t I go in?” Though Song Qingshu had been in this world for a while, he was still unfamiliar with certain customs—such as how even married couples typically avoided seeing each other during baths, lest they be seen as licentious.

Frightened by his anger, the maids dared not stop him and quickly excused themselves, allowing him to enter.

“Lately, the master seems different.”
“How so?”

“Before, he treated the mistress like fragile treasure. He would never barge in while she was bathing.”

“Why should we care about their private affairs?”

“Hmm, true.”

…

Hearing the maids’ whispers from afar, Song Qingshu chuckled wryly, but his attention was soon drawn to the alluring figure behind the folding screen.

“Didn’t I say no one was to enter without my permission?” Gebi said irritably upon hearing movement.

“I came to see if Madame needed any assistance.” Song Qingshu stepped around the screen and grinned at the hazy silhouette veiled in steam.

“Ah! It’s you?” Instinctively, Gebi crossed her arms over her chest, then realized it was futile and quickly sank deeper into the water, leaving only her head exposed.

Thick petals floating on the water blocked his view, much to Song Qingshu’s frustration. ‘Is this some kind of bath commercial?’

“Get out!” Gebi’s delicate face flushed—whether from embarrassment or the steam, he couldn’t tell.

Amused by her shyness, Song Qingshu teased, “Which inch of your skin haven’t I seen before? Why so bashful?”

“It’s… different,” she muttered awkwardly.

“How so?” He shamelessly admired the sight before him, thinking, ‘No wonder Wanyan Liang is so obsessed with her.’

“It just feels different.” Seeing he wasn’t budging, Gebi panicked and impulsively splashed water at him.

Song Qingshu didn’t dodge, letting the droplets land on his face. He inhaled deeply. “So fragrant. No wonder Durant wanted to drink Scarlett’s bathwater.”

“Du… Durant? Scarlett? Those names sound strange. Are they from the Jin Dynasty?” Gebi asked, confused.

“Never mind,” Song Qingshu sighed, suddenly nostalgic. “Just two famous people from my homeland.” Distracted, he lost interest in teasing her and instead told her about his earlier encounter with Wanyan Ping.

“What? Ping’er saw us like that?” Gebi nearly fainted. “Heavens, how can I ever face her again?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve calmed her down—she promised not to spread this. Just act like nothing happened when you see her.”

“How can I pretend nothing happened?” Gebi was both angry and anxious. The thought of her sister now despising her made her heart ache.

“This might not be entirely bad. We can’t hide Brother Tang Kuo’s situation from her forever. This might help her adjust gradually.”

“I suppose…” Suddenly, Gebi’s eyes widened. “Wait, you told her that her brother-in-law spent the night at Wanyan Liang’s place?”

“Yeah, why?”

Gebi paled. “You don’t know my sister. In this situation, she’d go straight to find him. If she goes to that bastard Wanyan Liang’s mansion and he gets any wicked ideas, she’ll be in danger!”

“Surely not,” Song Qingshu said dismissively. “As far as I know, he only has eyes for you. Besides, it’s broad daylight—what could he possibly do?”

Gebi’s cheeks flushed, and she bit her lip, shooting him a reproachful look. “It was also broad daylight when you did… that to me!”

The memory of her beneath him stirred his heart. “Fine, fine. I’ll go check on her at Prince Hailing’s mansion.”

******

Meanwhile, in Prince Hailing’s residence, Wanyan Liang looked puzzled at the young woman before him. “Your brother-in-law wasn’t here last night.”

“Really?” Wanyan Ping eyed him suspiciously.

“Why would I lie?” Wanyan Liang smiled, his gaze subtly roaming over her slender waist and long legs. ‘I’ve overlooked this little beauty beside Gebi. She’d feel amazing to touch. One day, I’ll have both her and Gebi in the same bed.’

As he fantasized, heat surged in his abdomen, and his body stiffened.

“So that scoundrel lied to me?” Wanyan Ping muttered. When she looked up and met Wanyan Liang’s gaze, she shuddered in discomfort.

“If my brother-in-law isn’t here, I’ll take my leave.” Without waiting for his response, she turned to go.

Wanyan Liang watched her pert backside sway enticingly with each step, his admiration growing. Unable to resist, he followed to escort her out.

When Song Qingshu arrived at Prince Hailing’s mansion, he spotted Wanyan Ping leaving. Just as he considered slipping away unnoticed, Wanyan Liang—who had come to see her off—noticed him.

“Brother Tang Kuo!” Wanyan Liang called loudly, drawing Wanyan Ping’s attention. When she turned and saw Song Qingshu’s face, her eyes lit up with joy.