Flower Stealing Master

Lu Wushuang had a blood feud with Li Mochou. How could she kneel to the friend of her enemy?

Song Qingshu was taken aback, then laughed. “I almost forgot about the bad blood between you. Actually, aside from my connection to Li Mochou, I have another identity. Hmm, I’m not sure what you’d call me under that relationship. In short, I’m the man of your martial aunt. That makes me something like your uncle. Kowtowing to me is only proper.”

At this, not only Lu Wushuang but even Cheng Ying’s expression changed. “You’re… Miss Long’s man?”

Song Qingshu had originally been referring to Bing Xue’er. But Lu Wushuang and Cheng Ying only knew that Li Mochou had one junior sister, and they immediately assumed he meant Xiao Longnu. After a moment’s thought, he did not correct them. After all, Bing Xue’er’s identity was complicated and would require a lengthy explanation—they might even think he was lying. “In a sense, yes.”

He had already been naked with Xiao Longnu and had touched nearly every inch of her body. His possessiveness now would not allow her to marry any other man.

Receiving his confirmation, Cheng Ying exclaimed, “How can that be? Miss Long loved Big Brother Yang so much…”

“Nothing is impossible in this world,” Song Qingshu answered flatly. “Besides, Yang Guo has his own fiancée now.”

“What?” Lu Wushuang clutched her chest as if struck a heavy blow. Even Cheng Ying looked lost.

“Who is Big Brother Yang’s fiancée?” Cheng Ying was the first to recover, forcing herself to ask.

Song Qingshu did not answer. Instead, he said, “I came to the Lu residence today to discuss important matters with Uncle Lu and the others…” He left the sentence unfinished, but his meaning was clear: he didn’t have time for idle chitchat.

“Fine. I’ll kowtow to you. In return, you’ll tell us about Fool.” Lu Wushuang pushed Cheng Ying aside, walked up to Song Qingshu, knelt, and knocked her head heavily against the floor.

Song Qingshu was exasperated. *I tried so many ways to make her yield, and she wouldn’t budge. But at the mention of Yang Guo’s name, she completely lost her composure.*

*Thud, thud, thud.*

Whether from pent-up anger or because the news of Yang Guo’s fiancée had left her feeling dead inside, Lu Wushuang struck her head against the floor with great force, each impact loud and heavy.

After only a few, Song Qingshu’s gaze sharpened. He noticed dark red bloodstains on the floor. He said grimly, “Enough. Stop.”

But Lu Wushuang stubbornly refused. “No! I said thirty, and thirty it will be!”

“Cousin!” Cheng Ying knew that her cousin, upon hearing about Yang Guo’s fiancée, was likely in a self-destructive spiral. If she let her continue like this, she might very well crack her skull. She tried to pull her away, but Lu Wushuang shook her off.

“I said enough, and that’s enough.” Without any visible movement from Song Qingshu, Lu Wushuang felt an invisible wall of energy propping her up. No matter how hard she struggled, she could not bow further.

“Miss Cheng, take her away to rest.” As if lifted by invisible hands, Lu Wushuang was placed into Cheng Ying’s arms.

Exhausted from her efforts and with blood on her forehead, the sudden rise made Lu Wushuang dizzy, swaying on her feet. Cheng Ying quickly caught her. “Thank you, Young Master Song.”

She could see that Song Qingshu had shown mercy. She was also shocked by the level of his cultivation, which he had just demonstrated.

“Madam, you may retire to the inner quarters as well. We have matters to discuss.” After Cheng Ying had helped Lu Wushuang out, Lu Zai said to Old Madam Tang. Having lived so long, he could tell the atmosphere in the room was unusual. Connecting it with his wife’s domineering nature, he had a rough idea of what had happened. Fearing she would cause more trouble if she stayed, he took the opportunity to send her away.

“Yes, my lord.” Old Madam Tang had felt like a fishbone was stuck in her throat the entire time and had been longing to escape. She did not hesitate, quickly taking her maidservants and retreating.

“I shall take my leave as well.” Cheng Yaojia naturally could not stay either. She bowed and softly withdrew.

“May I ask what business Young Master Song has with our humble household?” After some small talk, Lu Zai could no longer contain his curiosity.

Song Qingshu smiled faintly. “Nothing special. I simply came to thank Brother Wu Guan and Brother Guanying for saving my life in Yangzhou.” He produced a scroll and handed it to Lu You. “I know Brother Wu Guan is a man of refined taste and would not care for ordinary gold or silver. I recently acquired Zhang Xu’s ‘Treatise on Stomachache’ and thought I would offer it to you.”

Even Lu Zai was moved, let alone Lu You. The Lu family was famous throughout the land for their vast collection of books. Their Shuangqing Hall contained countless rare manuscripts and authentic works. Zhang Xu’s ‘Treatise on Stomachache’ hit right at their deepest interest.

But Lu You demurred. “This… this ‘Treatise on Stomachache’ is far too precious. Young Master, please take it back.”

Song Qingshu smiled. “No matter how precious, it cannot compare to Brother Wu Guan saving my life in Yangzhou. I am no scholar. Keeping it would be a waste.”

He had inherited Li Kexiu’s territory, along with all the treasures in his residence. Though the ‘Treatise on Stomachache’ was precious, it cost him nothing to be generous.

“In that case, I will gratefully accept.” Lu You truly loved the gift. After some hesitation, he finally took it.

Song Qingshu nodded and turned to Lu Guanying with a smile. “As for Brother Guanying, given our relationship, there’s no need for such formality.”

“Of course.” Far from being upset at receiving no gift, Lu Guanying was even happier. He understood that Song Qingshu was deliberately showing closeness to him, elevating his status in the family.

As expected, Lu Zai and Lu You exchanged meaningful glances upon hearing Song Qingshu’s words.

For the rest of the conversation, Song Qingshu did not mention peace talks at all. He chatted idly about everything under the sun. Lu You and his father tried to pry information from him, but got nothing.

After lunch, Song Qingshu smiled and said, “I have long heard that your Shuangqing Hall houses countless books. When the Southern Song imperial library was lacking many texts, they issued an edict seeking rare books from across the land. They first sent scribes to Shuangqing Hall to copy them. Might I be permitted to take a look?”

“Of course,” Lu Zai quickly replied. “Guanying, you will accompany Young Master Song to Shuangqing Hall.”

Song Qingshu shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll just wander around on my own.”

“Well…” Lu Zai was worried this might seem disrespectful. But Song Qingshu’s tone suggested he did not want company. “Then we shan’t disturb you, Young Master.”

Song Qingshu nodded and sauntered out.

After he left, Lu Zai signaled Lu You to close the door. He pulled Lu Guanying aside and asked, “Guanying, do you know why Song Qingshu has come south?”

Lu Guanying looked bewildered. “I have no idea. He only said he was traveling south to relax.”

“Relax?” Lu You happened to overhear as he closed the door. His expression was strange. “The Golden Serpent Camp and the court have hundreds of thousands of troops facing each other along the river. War could break out at any moment, and he’s come south to relax?”

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