Flower Stealing Master

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Han Dingxiao’s face. He knew Song Qingshu was mocking the fact that their agreement in Yangzhou had fallen apart when Wan Qili had shown up and changed everything. For that matter, he had cursed Wan Qili’s ancestors for eighteen generations in the privacy of his own home.

“You’re worried about Wan Qili, aren’t you, young master?” Han Dingxiao explained. “It’s true that Wan Qili sabotaged our agreement last time. But now he’s as good as a skeleton in a grave—he can’t stir up any more waves. You can rest assured.”

“A skeleton in a grave?” Song Qingshu gave a soft laugh. “What do you mean by that?”

Han Dingxiao smiled as well. “Wan Qili previously used the Jiang-Huai region to tie the court to his chariot. But now that Li Kexiu has been captured by you, young master, the Jiangnan Green Standard Army has been utterly annihilated. Wan Qili no longer has any backing. Many in the court have impeached him, and his position is already shaky. If not for His Majesty’s consideration of his years of service, he would have long since been stripped of his chancellorship.”

“Years of service?” Song Qingshu’s voice turned cold. “Wan Qili has done nothing but evil. What ‘service’ could he possibly have? Unless you mean framing Yue Fei as his service?” He had always deeply admired Yue Fei, and the more he spoke, the more indignant he became.

Han Dingxiao gave an awkward smile or two but did not chime in. The case against Yue Fei was the greatest injustice of the Southern Song Dynasty—and also the biggest minefield in the court. Although everyone knew that Yue Fei had been wrongfully accused, no one dared to suggest overturning the verdict. After all, the emperor himself had personally approved that matter. To clear Yue Fei’s name would be to publicly slap the emperor’s face.

Song Qingshu was an outsider, so he could afford to say such things. But Han Dingxiao held an official position and had weathered decades in the treacherous currents of court politics. He had long since learned to be prudent and protect himself, so of course he would not wade into that quagmire.

Nevertheless, Han Dingxiao admired the passion Song Qingshu displayed. After all, he too had always despised the actions of Qin Hui and Wan Qili. Moreover, his heart was set on a northern expedition to reclaim the Central Plains and wash away the shame of Jingkang, so he naturally regarded Yue Fei as a kindred spirit.

“Even if Wan Qili is out of the picture, there still seems to be a heavyweight in your court,” Song Qingshu suddenly remarked.

“You mean Jia Sidao?” Han Dingxiao’s expression suddenly grew strange. “He probably won’t have the energy to meddle in these matters for a while. Not long ago, his son committed a grave offense…”

That matter involved the inner palace. Since Song Qingshu was an outsider, Han Dingxiao preferred to avoid the subject. But how could he know that Song Qingshu had been a direct participant from beginning to end?

“…His Majesty was furious. Consort Jia was banished to the Cold Palace, and Jia Sidao was demoted. His influence has been crippled,” Han Dingxiao said, barely able to suppress a smile of schadenfreude. “He expended tremendous effort just to save his son’s life, sending him to the Mongols as a hostage to atone for his crimes. Who could have known that the Mongol delegation would later vanish without a trace? His son’s whereabouts are unknown. Now, Jia Sidao is throwing all his energy into investigating the matter.”

Song Qingshu was inwardly alarmed. He thought to himself that Jia Sidao had not only lost his son but also so many of the top experts from Isle of Heroes. Of course he’d be hopping mad. With his influence in the court and the intelligence network of Isle of Heroes, who knew whether he would eventually trace it back to him?

With this concern in mind, Song Qingshu asked casually, “Oh? Has he found anything yet?”

Han Dingxiao also frowned deeply. “This matter is extremely bizarre. The Mongol delegation were all elite riders, accompanied by many top-tier experts. That was a formidable force. I have no idea what kind of power could have made them vanish into thin air. However, traces of the Imperial Guard were found at the scene, so someone must have used military force. My guess is that the mastermind behind it is Wan Qili.”

Song Qingshu pondered silently. Wan Qili had been audacious enough to send five hundred elite cavalry—a perfect scapegoat. But while that might fool others, it probably wouldn’t fool Jia Sidao. Those eighteen top experts from Isle of Heroes were all at the grandmaster level. Even against five hundred elite cavalry, there was no way they would all be wiped out without a single survivor.

Han Dingxiao smiled. “Are you reassured now, young master?”

“I hope everything goes smoothly.” Song Qingshu nodded.

They continued their negotiations and ultimately reached a preliminary agreement based on the previous Yangzhou terms. But times had changed. Song Qingshu had a stronger position and could demand more concessions. Though Han Dingxiao found it difficult, he did not refuse.

Finally, Han Dingxiao said, “Tomorrow morning, young master, you will depart with me for Lin’an. I will arrange for His Majesty to receive you. However, there is one issue.”

“What issue?” Song Qingshu had no objection to an imperial audience, nor did he worry about danger. With his current level of skill, even within the imperial palace, he could come and go as he pleased. Who could stop him?

“You need a proper reason for entering the palace,” Han Dingxiao explained patiently. “Without one, everyone will assume you’ve come to sue for peace. The officials will then press for more and more concessions, and the harsh terms they propose will likely infuriate you.” He did not see this as collusion with the enemy. From his perspective, the Southern Song Dynasty and the Golden Serpent Camp had no preexisting enmity. Moreover, they were all Han Chinese. To some extent, he could even make use of the Golden Serpent Camp’s strength.

In Han Dingxiao’s mind—and in the hearts of most Southern Song subjects—the greatest enemy was unquestionably the Dynasty. He had just recently received news that the Dynasty was in internal chaos. This was the perfect opportunity to launch a northern expedition, to avenge the shame of Jingkang. The previous delays caused by Wan Qili and Li Kexiu had already cost them precious time. He worried that if peace negotiations with the Golden Serpent Camp wasted too much time, and the Dynasty fully recovered from its internal strife, they would miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Compared to the eventual losses in troops, resources, and provisions, the concessions they would make to the Golden Serpent Camp were almost negligible.

“Then let it be known to you, Minister Han, that I have not come south to sue for peace. I have come to seek a marriage alliance.” Song Qingshu spoke with confidence. This issue had been debated at length within the Golden Serpent Camp. In the end, it was Zhao Min who came up with the solution: change the purpose from “seeking peace” to “seeking a marriage alliance,” which instantly resolved the problem.

“Seeking a marriage alliance?” Han Dingxiao was momentarily stunned, then clapped his hands in praise. “Excellent! Last time, you rescued the various princesses from the Laundry Courtyard in the Dynasty. With that debt of gratitude in play, the court will find it difficult to refuse, and the other ministers will have nothing to say.”

They proceeded to discuss specific details and finally agreed to set out for the capital the next morning.

Afterward, Lu Zai arranged a lavish feast to welcome Han Dingxiao and celebrate Song Qingshu’s arrival. With the negotiations largely concluded, everyone was satisfied. The atmosphere at the banquet was lively, and host and guests alike enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

When the feast ended, Song Qingshu, reeking of wine, was escorted back to his quarters by a maidservant. Though the girl was rather pretty, Song Qingshu was accustomed to far greater beauties and felt no attraction to her.

After the maidservant left, Song Qingshu—who had been feigning drunkenness—instantly opened his eyes, which were perfectly clear and sober.

“Ah, should I go to Cheng Yaojia’s place tonight or not?” Song Qingshu hesitated. If he didn’t go, he might lie awake alone. If he did go, he had to consider Lu Guanying’s feelings, since the man had just returned. He had no desire to plant seeds of hatred in the man’s heart.

As he wrestled with the dilemma, Song Qingshu suddenly felt a stir in his heart. He walked outside and gazed quietly at the courtyard beyond. “Since you’ve come, my friend, why not show yourself?”

“Young Master Song’s cultivation is indeed impressive. I only quickened my heartbeat, and you noticed me.” A figure slowly walked in through the courtyard gate. Under the moonlight, a green robe, sharp brows, thin lips, and a face full of unruliness.

Song Qingshu’s expression showed surprise. He cupped his hands. “So it’s Brother Linghu. Long time no see.”

The man was, of course, Linghu Chong. After Han Dingxiao had recommended him for a position, Linghu Chong had become one of the most mysterious and prestigious “Weapon-Bearing Officers” in the imperial guard. But the emperor, in recognition of Han Dingxiao’s hard work and contributions, had specifically assigned Linghu Chong to protect him as a mark of favor.

This time, when Han Dingxiao left Lin’an, Linghu Chong had been guarding him covertly the entire way. He had not shown himself during the day, so Song Qingshu had not known he was there.

“It hasn’t been that long since we parted in Yangzhou,” Linghu Chong said coldly.

Song Qingshu knew he still harbored a grudge over Ren Yingying being taken from him, so he wasn’t bothered by the chill in his tone. He smiled and said, “Speaking of which, I still need to thank Brother Linghu for his help back then.”

Linghu Chong grunted. “I had no intention of saving you then. I thought you were doomed to die from that poison. If I had known you would escape, I never would have done it. So you need not thank me.”

Song Qingshu smiled wryly. “Brother Linghu is indeed a man of honor. I greatly admire that. But didn’t we already clear things up last time? There’s no real reason for you to hate me like this. Why not focus your efforts on pursuing your junior sister instead?”

Linghu Chong stared at him with a dark expression and did not answer.

Song Qingshu shrugged, unconcerned, and continued trying to build rapport. “Brother Linghu, did you act on my suggestion? How are things progressing with Miss Yue?”

Linghu Chong remained silent for a long time. Finally, he said, “I have been entrusted with a duty, and I must be faithful to it. I have no time to look for my junior sister.”

Song Qingshu nearly choked. Frustrated, he said, “How can you be so earnest? You’re already falling behind. If you don’t hurry up and raise Miss Yue’s opinion of you, she’s going to end up as someone else’s wife.”

*Clang—*

A dragon’s cry rang out as Linghu Chong’s long sword left its sheath. The tip of the blade pointed steadily at Song Qingshu. “I, Linghu Chong, am open and aboveboard. I would never stoop to deceitful tricks to win over my junior sister.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned strange. “Pursuing the woman you love with a sincere heart—how could that be called deceit?”

“Say no more,” Linghu Chong barked. “You’re not poisoned this time. I can come to take my revenge openly. Draw your sword!”

Song Qingshu sighed. “Still about Yingying?”

Linghu Chong said nothing, which was as good as a yes.

“You are no match for me,” Song Qingshu shook his head. “If I were you, I would have struck last time in Yangzhou, or found a chance to assassinate you in secret. I certainly wouldn’t come knocking openly like this.”

Linghu Chong said coldly, “If I did that, how would I be any different from you? Draw your sword. Don’t boast too soon.”

Hearing the confidence in his voice, Song Qingshu let out a surprised “Oh” and examined him more carefully. He said in wonder, “Compared to before, your skill has indeed improved significantly. Have you had some kind of fortunate encounter recently?”

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