Wanyan Gebi remained in the same posture, one hand supporting her delicate chin, revealing a slender wrist as fair as snow. Having just awakened, her enchanting eyes were veiled with a misty, dreamy allure.

The lamplight fell upon her serene and beautiful face, her soft features outlined as if painted in a single stroke. It was hard to tell whether the light illuminated her or if she herself brightened the entire room.

Song Qingshu was momentarily stunned by the beauty of his nominal wife when he suddenly noticed the shock and confusion in her eyes. Only then did he remember that after the night’s many events—including bidding farewell to the Zhao Yingluo—he had forgotten to put Tang Kuo Bian’s disguise back on. Now, his true face was exposed before Gebi.

After a few seconds of mental blankness, Song Qingshu noticed Wanyan Gebi’s chest rising and falling slightly, as if she were about to let out a piercing scream. In a flash, he moved forward and sealed her acupoint before she could make a sound.

Gebi’s body went limp, and she collapsed softly.

Of course, Song Qingshu couldn’t bear to let her meet the cold, hard floor. He reached out and caught her in his arms. Her delicate form was warm and alluring, and even through their clothes, he could clearly feel the heat and astonishing elasticity of her body.

Noticing the panic in Gebi’s eyes and the faint trembling of her body, Song Qingshu didn’t wish to frighten this gentle woman further. He said softly, “My fair lady, I will unseal your acupoint now, but you must not scream. Otherwise, I’ll have to remove your clothes.”

A blush spread across Gebi’s lovely cheeks. She blinked her eyes, signaling her agreement.

Once her acupoint was released, Gebi indeed refrained from shouting. As if afraid he might strip her, she kept her voice low and meltingly soft: “You… who are you?”

“Who I am isn’t important,” Song Qingshu shook his head. “My intrusion into your residence tonight was purely accidental. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

Song Qingshu was naturally handsome, and the trials he had endured had endowed him with a uniquely captivating aura. Coupled with his gentle demeanor, Gebi’s panic gradually subsided. “If… if it was truly an accident, this humble wife naturally wouldn’t blame you. However, my husband will return soon. You should leave quickly, or if the guards are alerted, it won’t be so easy for you to depart.”

Though terrified, Gebi maintained her composure, offering him a way out while subtly implying a threat.

An ordinary thief might have been intimidated by her tactful maneuvering. Song Qingshu couldn’t help but admire her—despite her usual dignified and delicate appearance, she possessed an inner strength befitting a princess of a Dynasty. Her poise far surpassed that of most women in the world.

Yet, her words stirred a mischievous impulse in him. Deliberately, he teased, “The guards of your estate are of no concern to me. As for your husband… since he leaves such a stunning wife alone at night, I doubt he’ll return anytime soon.” As he spoke, he carried her toward the bed.

A flicker of panic crossed Gebi’s brow, her voice trembling. “Wh-what are you planning?”

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Song Qingshu couldn’t bear to torment her further. “Do not worry, my lady. I am no villain. In fact, I am sworn brothers with your husband.”

After gently laying her on the bed, he made no further moves and even released her.

Only then did Gebi relax slightly. “Sworn brothers?”

“Indeed. My name is Song Qingshu. If you doubt me, you may ask Brother Tang Kuo Bian when he returns,” he replied.

“You’re the Golden Serpent Camp leader from Shandong?” Gebi blurted out.

“You know of me?” Now it was Song Qingshu’s turn to be surprised.

Gebi nodded slightly.

After all, Song Qingshu’s legendary feat—defeating 100,000 elite Qing troops with a few thousand remnants, and his final stand summoning wind and rain against the Manchu cavalry—had spread far and wide. Moreover, since the Jin Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty were brotherly nations, the Jin court had paid special attention to the battle, debating it endlessly in court. Yet no one could fathom how Song Qingshu had achieved such a miracle. As a princess of the Jin Dynasty, Gebi had naturally heard fragments of these discussions.

“Since you are my husband’s sworn brother, why not enter the estate openly? Why resort to such… such sneaky methods and even sealing my acupoint?” Gebi suddenly realized the impropriety and shot him a reproachful look.

Song Qingshu smiled awkwardly and unsealed her acupoint. “My lady, you must understand—my identity is sensitive. If I entered openly, it might bring trouble to you and your husband.”

Once freed, Gebi instinctively retreated to the corner of the bed, putting distance between them. After a moment of confusion, she grasped his meaning. The Golden Serpent Camp was a thorn in the Qing Dynasty’s side, and since Jin and Qing were allied, they naturally viewed him as an enemy. If he had indeed swaggered into the Tang estate, it would have caused an uproar.

‘Why would my husband swear brotherhood with him?’ A shadow of worry crossed Gebi’s delicate brows.

“I deeply apologize for frightening you tonight. Please accept this as my atonement.” Song Qingshu took an object from his sleeve and placed it in Gebi’s hand before vanishing into the night.

As soon as he left, Gebi’s body relaxed completely. She examined the jade in her palm—its emerald surface shimmered with an unearthly glow, clearly no ordinary treasure. Realizing that her own name contained the character “bi” (璧, jade), she couldn’t help but smile. “This man has quite the eye for gifts.”

In truth, this jade had been carefully chosen by Tang Kuo Bian in Kaifeng as a gift for his wife. Sadly, he never had the chance to present it himself. Song Qingshu’s spontaneous gesture had, in a way, fulfilled his unspoken wish.

“Wife? Gebi?” Song Qingshu hadn’t gone far. Concealed from Gebi’s sight, he swiftly donned Tang Kuo Bian’s disguise again. After ensuring no flaws remained in his appearance, he returned to find Gebi sitting dazedly on the bed. He walked over and gently shook her shoulder.

Gebi snapped out of her reverie. Seeing her husband before her, her eyes instantly welled up with tears as she threw herself into his arms. “You wretched, horrible husband! Where have you been all this time?”

Song Qingshu stiffened momentarily before hesitantly placing a hand on her shoulder. “Wife, what’s wrong?”

Her response was a pair of scorchingly sweet lips.

Before he could react, a soft, delicate tongue slipped past his teeth, stealing his breath away.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay