Wanyan Chongjie twisted her body uncomfortably, her expression slightly awkward. “You just need to support my mother. I can manage with my Qinggong.”

Song Qingshu replied, “You’re too slow, and we’re pressed for time.” After a brief pause, he added, “Don’t think I’m trying to take advantage of you. If I wanted to, I’d do it openly—not sneakily like this.”

Without giving the two women a chance to retort, he wrapped his arms around their wa!sts and sped toward Prince Hailing’s mansion like a gust of wind.

Arriving at a narrow alley outside the mansion’s outer wall, Song Qingshu gently set them down.

Wanyan Chongjie, her face flushed, immediately jumped away, while Pucha Alihu reacted more composedly, smoothing her wind-tousled hair to mask her embarrassment.

Song Qingshu tapped his toes lightly, propelling himself onto a nearby tree. Plucking a leaf, he placed it against his lips and blew a unique yet rhythmic melody.

Watching the man on the tree, his sleeves fluttering in the breeze with an almost ethereal grace, Pucha Alihu pulled her daughter aside. “Chongjie, I couldn’t even open my eyes against the wind earlier. Since your martial arts are better, can you gauge how skilled his Qinggong is?” The thought of burying her face against a young man’s chest had stirred a long-dormant flutter in her heart, reminiscent of her youth.

Wanyan Chongjie shook her head. “I couldn’t see clearly either. But from the prison to here—halfway across Daxing Prefecture—we arrived in no time. His Qinggong far surpasses mine, almost beyond human capability.”

Pucha Alihu sighed bitterly. “Now, we can only hope he grows even stronger. If he dies, we won’t survive either.”

Wanyan Chongjie scowled. “That scoundrel used such a vile poison—what kind of hero does that make him?”

As the mother and daughter whispered among themselves, the side gate of Prince Hailing’s mansion suddenly opened.

A refined, elegant woman emerged, cautiously scanning her surroundings before hurrying toward Song Qingshu’s location.

“Mother… isn’t that the Princess Consort?” Wanyan Chongjie rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

Pucha Alihu was equally stunned. “Yes, it’s Tudan Jing.” Having lived in the capital for years, how could she not recognize her?

Spotting them, Tudan Jing hesitated, instinctively stepping back.

Song Qingshu descended from the tree and beckoned. “Don’t be afraid. Come here.”

Tudan Jing’s delicate brows furrowed, her face conflicted, but she eventually approached.

The mother and daughter exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock—why was the esteemed Princess Consort so obedient to him?

“I heard you were imprisoned and was trying to find a way to rescue you, but…” Tudan Jing murmured, sneaking a glance at Chongjie and her mother, her discomfort evident. Her relationship with Song Qingshu was a secret, and if word got out, the consequences would be disastrous.

Noticing her unease, Song Qingshu patted her shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, they’re on our side.” Tudan Jing gave a soft “Mm,” lowering her eyes, though her skepticism was clear.

If they had only suspected something before, the intimate familiarity between them now left no doubt. The mother and daughter’s minds reeled—he had actually seduced the wife of Prince Hailing!

Clearing his throat, Song Qingshu spoke quickly. “Time is short, so I’ll be brief. I came to ask for your help with something.”

Tudan Jing straightened. “Just tell me what to do.”

Song Qingshu nodded. “Find a way to suggest to Wanyan Liang that he send me out of the capital to subdue the Quanzhen Sect, which has long defied the Dynasty’s authority. Frame it as a chance for me to redeem myself.”

Tudan Jing frowned. “That might be difficult. He’s furious you disobeyed him and wants you dead. Besides…” She hesitated, eyeing Song Qingshu nervously before continuing, “He plans to use this opportunity to eliminate you and take Gebi for himself. He won’t let you go.”

Song Qingshu smiled. “Don’t worry. Just hint that this is his chance to legitimately order the Pucha family to send troops with me to Chongyang Palace. If he can remove most of the royalist forces from the capital, he’ll be tempted.”

Tudan Jing nodded slightly. “I’ll try my best… I should go now, or the maids will grow suspicious.”

Song Qingshu spread his arms. “No hug before you leave?”

Glancing at the two women, Tudan Jing bit her lip, wrestling with herself before finally giving in. Blushing, she threw herself into his embrace.

Song Qingshu k!ssed her deeply, only breaking apart after a long moment. “After days apart, the Princess Consort’s body has grown even softer.”

Humiliated in front of others, Tudan Jing could take no more. With a flustered scoff, she fled back to the mansion.

Turning to the stunned mother and daughter, Song Qingshu’s tone returned to normal. “Given your wisdom, Madam, you must understand why I deliberately acted so intimately with Tudan Jing just now.”

Pucha Alihu stared at him before suddenly bowing deeply. “This humble woman thanks you on behalf of my late husband.” She understood perfectly—being violated by Wanyan Liang had left her with a thirst for vengeance beyond mere death. By making Wanyan Liang’s wife suffer the same fate, Song Qingshu had given her immense satisfaction.

“The time to deal with Wanyan Liang is near. Please be patient a little longer,” Song Qingshu added.

Pucha Alihu smiled faintly. “At this point, how could I doubt you? From now on, whatever task you assign, as long as my daughter and I can manage it, we will not refuse.”

“Any task?” Song Qingshu mused inwardly. ‘If I asked both of you to ‘serve’ me, would you really ‘not refuse’?’ Of course, he kept such forbidden thoughts to himself and quickly refocused. “There is something I need Miss Chongjie to do soon.”

Wanyan Chongjie blinked. “What is it?”

“Assuming all goes well, the imperial decree sending me away will arrive shortly. I’m worried about Gebi’s safety, so until I return, you must protect her in secret.” As a princess, Gebi had ample guards, and Chongjie’s martial skills were decent. More importantly, as a woman, she could stay close to Gebi without raising suspicion. This was just a precaution.

“No problem. I’ll protect Auntie well,” Chongjie agreed.

“Don’t take this lightly!” Song Qingshu’s voice turned icy. “Let me be clear—if anything happens to Gebi, I’ll make sure you and your mother learn what ‘worse than beasts’ truly means.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read