Zhao Yingluo was inwardly shocked. When she had left earlier, she had carefully sensed the area with her Qi to ensure no one was around, fearing unnecessary trouble if spotted by palace personnel. Yet now, she had bumped into someone—proof that this person was a master among masters.

Her hand moved faster than her thoughts. Her five slender fingers gleamed with a crystalline sheen as they shot straight for the intruder’s throat.

Song Qingshu was equally frustrated. He had just found himself with a fragrant, soft beauty in his arms and was about to tease her when, without warning, she unleashed the vicious Nine Yin White Bone Claw, striking at an impossibly tricky angle straight for his throat.

Given Zhao Yingluo’s skill, few in the martial world could evade such a close-range attack. Unfortunately for her, she had run into Song Qingshu.

With no time to think, Song Qingshu tilted his head back, dodging the strike. Seizing the momentary disruption in her Qi caused by the missed attack, he swept his hand toward the numbing pressure point on her elbow. Zhao Yingluo’s arms immediately went limp, but Song Qingshu didn’t dare relax—he knew the Nine Yin White Bone Claw had relentless follow-up attacks. Without hesitation, his hands shot toward the vital points on her chest.

“Huh?” All of this was pure instinct for Song Qingshu—until his hands registered an astonishing softness. Only then did he realize what had happened.

“It’s you!” Zhao Yingluo had finally gotten a clear look at Song Qingshu’s face and froze.

“Sorry, sorry! This was a complete misunderstanding!” Song Qingshu quickly raised his hands in surrender.

“I’ll kill you!” Zhao Yingluo erupted in fury, her face icy as she launched another assault.

Dodging frantically, Song Qingshu cried, “Miss Yang, it really was an accident! I didn’t mean to!” But she ignored him, relentlessly attacking with the most devastating techniques from the Nine Yin Scripture.

“What’s going on?” Zhao Fujin, hearing the commotion inside, rushed out and was stunned to see her sister locked in combat with Song Qingshu.

Spotting her, Song Qingshu darted behind her like a lifeline. “Your sister’s trying to kill me!”

Zhao Yingluo’s expression darkened, but she refused to engage, continuing her assault. Song Qingshu, however, shamelessly used Zhao Fujin as a shield, gripping her shoulders and adjusting her position to block the attacks.

Knowing her sister had no martial skills, Zhao Yingluo had no choice but to stop, glaring at Song Qingshu with fury. “Song Qingshu, you’re a renowned master! Have you no shame? If you have any guts, face me properly!”

Song Qingshu sighed. “It’s not that I’m afraid to fight you, but there’s no point in us going all out.”

“Yingluo, what exactly happened?” Zhao Fujin, exasperated by the chaos, finally snapped.

“I—” Zhao Yingluo’s cheeks flushed as she spoke, still feeling the lingering tingle on her chest. She huffed, “Ask him!”

Under Zhao Fujin’s questioning gaze, Song Qingshu hurriedly explained, “There was a slight misunderstanding between Miss Yang and me… Well, my hand accidentally… uh, landed on her chest.”

Zhao Fujin rolled her eyes. No wonder her sister was furious—any young maiden would be enraged after such an incident. Still, after their recent interactions, she trusted Song Qingshu’s character and knew he wouldn’t deliberately do something so vulgar. She played mediator: “Yingluo, Young Master Song has already apologized. Since it was unintentional, let it go.”

“Fifth Sister, you don’t understand martial arts, so you’re easily fooled,” Zhao Yingluo stamped her foot. “I’m not being unreasonable! If it had truly been an accident, given our recent friendship, I wouldn’t have pursued it. But in that split second, every move he used perfectly countered mine—clearly premeditated! That last move… how could it have been unintentional?”

Finally understanding her rage, Song Qingshu sighed. “Miss Yang, you’ve misunderstood. Yes, I created this combo, but not for you. It was… a playful game between me and Zhiruo. You know she also knows the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. Sometimes, when I tease her too much, she retaliates with it, so I developed this Dragon Claw Technique to counter her. Uh…” Noticing the women’s odd expressions, he chuckled awkwardly. “The name’s a bit crude, but ignore that. When you attacked me earlier, I reacted instinctively—that’s why I accidentally offended you. I swear, it wasn’t intentional.”

Zhao Yingluo’s face alternated between red and pale. Now that she had calmed down, she realized Song Qingshu wasn’t lying. Still, the humiliation burned, and she even resented Zhou Zhiruo: ‘That shameless woman, defiling a divine technique for flirtation!’

Seeing her silence, Song Qingshu added, “If you’re still upset, you can grab me back. A claw for a claw, and we’re even?” He even puffed out his chest slightly.

“Go die!” Zhao Yingluo nearly fainted from anger. 

Zhao Fujin shot him a reproachful look—this was no way to settle accounts!

“Alright, enough,” Zhao Fujin interjected, seeing her sister had cooled down. “Let’s make peace and never speak of this again.” Seizing the chance to shift topics, she asked, “Young Master Song, why did you rush into the palace to find us?”

“Right,” Song Qingshu nodded. “I received word that the Laundry Courtyard is investigating that night’s incident. Worried about Hu’er and Yuanyuan’s safety, I came to check.”

Now discussing serious matters, Zhao Yingluo’s tone normalized. “Last night, the Laundry Courtyard interrogated the Prince Wei’s household and the guards from Taihe Hall. Hu’er and Yuanyuan are temporarily under Empress Pei Man’s protection, but even she may not last another day or two. Once they discover the Prince Wei wasn’t drunk when he entered the palace, they’ll be in grave danger.”

“Where were you rushing off to earlier?” Song Qingshu asked curiously.

Glaring at him, she replied, “I was going to discuss countermeasures with Empress Pei Man.”

Song Qingshu gave her an odd look. “Then why are you dressed like this?” Zhao Yingluo was currently disguised as a palace maid, looking far more delicate and charming than her usual icy demeanor.

Uncomfortable under his gaze, she turned slightly, cheeks tinged pink. “After that night, security around Taihe Hall tightened—guards everywhere, not even a fly could slip through. So I disguised myself as a maid to try and sneak in.”

Song Qingshu shook his head. “You won’t fool anyone like this. They’ll spot you instantly.”

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay