Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 1017: The Awkward Reunion of the Couple

Cheng Yaojia bit her lip, clearly wanting to say something several times, but in the end, she said nothing. 

Seeing this, Song Qingshu didn’t push her any further. He put down his chopsticks and walked over to the edge of the bed, saying, “Since you’re worried, let’s forget it. Ah, I’ve been exhausted all day, my back and waist are sore. Madam, why don’t you come and give me a massage?” 

Cheng Yaojia felt both shy and angry. “I’m not your maid, why should I give you a massage?” 

As a married woman, how could she engage in such intimate acts with another man? If word got out, her reputation would be ruined. 

Song Qingshu chuckled, “I have my reasons. First, although I promised to let you go, don’t forget, you’re still my captive. If you provoke me and I change my mind, don’t come crying to me. Second, if your husband really comes foolishly to rescue you, I can help you get him out too.” 

“Really?” Cheng Yaojia’s anger turned to joy in an instant. 

“A man’s word is his bond; once spoken, it’s as hard to retract as chasing a runaway horse,” Song Qingshu assured, patting his chest. 

“It’s ‘as hard to retract as chasing four horses,’” Cheng Yaojia corrected him in a delicate voice, thinking that these Jurchens were truly uneducated, even with such high positions, their knowledge was only at this level. 

Noticing the disdain in her eyes, Song Qingshu didn’t mind: “Instead of worrying about four or five horses, you should be more concerned about whether your husband will come to rescue you.” 

“Why wouldn’t he come?” Cheng Yaojia was taken aback. 

Song Qingshu smiled, “Husbands and wives are like birds of the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly their separate ways. This is a den of dragons and tigers; if he comes, it’s clearly a death sentence. Do you really think he would come?” 

Cheng Yaojia’s face paled a bit. After thinking for a moment, she clenched her fists: “Husband is definitely not the kind of person who fears for his life. Unless he doesn’t know I’m here, he will surely come to rescue me.” 

Recalling the loving life they had shared over the years, Cheng Yaojia’s voice grew more resolute. 

“Since you’re so certain, how about this: let’s make a bet. If your husband comes to rescue you, even if he fails and gets captured, I will let you both go. But if your husband doesn’t come to rescue you, then…” Song Qingshu deliberately paused, eyeing her meaningfully. 

Cheng Yaojia’s heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly asked, “What… what are you thinking?” 

“What do you think I’m thinking?” Song Qingshu laughed heartily. “If your husband doesn’t come to rescue you, I just need you to give me a back rub for a month, and afterward, I will let you go.” 

Seeing the teasing look in his eyes, Cheng Yaojia finally realized she had misunderstood. Feeling embarrassed, she blurted out, “Let’s bet then.” 

“Madam can come over now and give me a massage,” Song Qingshu said comfortably, lying on the bed and beckoning her over. 

Cheng Yaojia hesitated for a long time but eventually walked over, sitting at the edge of the bed. She hesitantly said, “I… I’ve never given anyone a back rub before. If I hurt you, please don’t hold it against me.” 

“With your delicate frame, even if you exert all your strength, you won’t be able to hurt me,” Song Qingshu replied dismissively with a smile. 

Cheng Yaojia huffed in anger and deliberately applied a lot of force. However, not long after, her kind-hearted nature made her think about how lenient he was being with her. She felt it was too ungrateful to repay kindness with malice, so she gradually lessened her strength. 

Song Qingshu let out a comfortable hum and hugged a pillow, closing his eyes, and the room fell into a tranquil silence. 

Cheng Yaojia had never touched another man besides her husband. Now, as her fingers brushed against Song Qingshu’s body, her face turned red as if it would burst with water. 

“Madam, are you feeling shy?” Song Qingshu suddenly said. 

Cheng Yaojia, unwilling to lose face in front of a foreigner, stiffened her resolve and huffed, “I’m not shy at all!”

“But I clearly heard the lady’s heartbeat quicken several times faster than usual. Since it’s not shyness, could it be that the lady has developed feelings for me?” Song Qingshu laughed. 

Cheng Yaojia instantly stood up, her well-proportioned chest rising and falling rapidly: “If you keep talking nonsense, I… I won’t massage your shoulders anymore.” 

Song Qingshu tugged at the corner of her clothing, urging her to sit back down, chuckling, “I just thought the house was too quiet and I wasn’t used to it, so I made a joke to lighten the mood. Please don’t be angry, my lady, continue, continue.” 

Only then did Cheng Yaojia reluctantly sit back down, her fingers resting once more on his shoulder: “You… you’re clearly a good person, so why do you always like to provoke me on purpose?” 

“My lady, please don’t be in a hurry to give me a ‘good person’ card; I can’t really be considered a good person,” Song Qingshu sighed deeply. 

Back when he first arrived in this world, he had fantasized about keeping his hands clean of blood, but due to various twists of fate, he had no idea how many people had died by his hand. Coupled with his flirtatious nature, although most women he encountered were mutually attracted to him, there were still a few whom he had used underhanded means to dominate. Was he really a good person? (G: no.)

Seeing the sadness reflected in his eyes, Cheng Yaojia’s heart trembled. This man, though rough on the outside, seemed to possess a soft heart within. 

The room fell silent again, and before they knew it, time passed. As night gradually descended, a sudden commotion erupted outside. 

Cheng Yaojia seemed to recall something and hurriedly stood up, lifting her skirt to rush to the window to check, but unfortunately, all she could see was darkness outside, nothing was clear. 

“What happened outside?” Song Qingshu sat up from the bed and asked the guard outside the door. 

“Reporting to the Marshal, an assassin has infiltrated outside and was discovered by the guards. They have surrounded him, and it shouldn’t be long before he is captured,” the guard replied. 

Cheng Yaojia panicked and quickly ran to Song Qingshu’s side, looking at him with pleading eyes. Song Qingshu signaled her to calm down, then instructed, “You take people to capture that person; don’t let him fall into the hands of the Qing people. Remember, do not harm his life.” 

“Yes!” The guard, having received the order, immediately called for others to rush to the assassin’s location. 

“Thank you,” Cheng Yaojia looked at the man in front of her with a complex expression. When she had fallen into enemy hands earlier, she had thought it was all over for her, and even resolved that if she couldn’t keep her body pure, she would rather die to make a statement. But unexpectedly, this man’s attitude had made a complete turnaround, transforming from a beast into a gentleman. 

“It is the lady’s charisma that has earned my respect; there is no need for thanks,” Song Qingshu replied. By this time, the guards had already brought back a bound black-clothed man. 

“Get down!” Two guards, fierce as wolves, kicked the back of the black-clothed man’s knees, forcing him to kneel awkwardly on the ground, and the black cloth covering his face was torn away. 

“Guanying!” Upon seeing the black-clothed man’s face, Cheng Yaojia exclaimed in surprise and hurried over. 

The guards exchanged glances, confused about the current situation, and Song Qingshu waved his hand, signaling them to step outside first.