Flower Stealing Master

In the following days, Dongfang Muxue, disguised as Kangxi, decisively rejected various requests from the Three Feudatories. 

Meanwhile, the news that “the Princess Consort of King Jingnan stayed in the palace after meeting the consorts and has not come out since” quickly spread throughout the capital.

This caused an uproar among the court and the populace. Many officials submitted memorials expressing dissatisfaction with “Kangxi’s” actions. However, Dongfang Muxue had already privately contacted several influential ministers, including Prince Kang, Suo Etu, and Ming Zhu, to explain the stakes involved.

She reminded them of how the Jin Dynasty had once underestimated the importance of defending its heartland. This allowed the Mongols to seize the region, leaving the Jin Dynasty with no fallback or strategic depth. Consequently, the Mongol forces gradually eroded the Jin’s power until it was confined to areas like Guanzhong, Henan, and Huaibei, barely holding on.

Prince Kang and the others agreed, believing the heartland was of utmost importance to the Qing Dynasty. As long as the Three Feudatories were pacified, the Qing would find itself in a position of both offensive and defensive strength. Reclaiming Shandong could then be pursued at a later time.

With these influential officials on board, Dongfang Muxue quickly solidified the next steps in court: negotiate with the Golden Serpent Camp and focus all efforts on pacifying the rebellion of the Three Feudatories.

However, the selection of a delegate to negotiate with the Golden Serpent Camp sparked heated debates. Given the uncertainty of the Golden Serpent Camp’s attitude, the envoy’s personal safety was not guaranteed, let alone the success of the negotiations. As such, no one was willing to take on this arduous task.

Prince Kang, still bitter about Suo Etu’s earlier maneuvering regarding Ake’s placement, saw this as an opportunity for revenge. He exaggerated Suo Etu’s capabilities, strongly recommending him for the role of negotiator.

Terrified, Suo Etu quickly realized he was being targeted. He hinted for his allies to oppose the suggestion. However, Ming Zhu, who had always been at odds with Suo Etu, seized this divine opportunity and joined in, praising Suo Etu and further endorsing him.

From her throne, Dongfang Muxue observed the scene with amusement. These officials had no idea that Song Qingshu was eager for a truce. Since both Prince Kang and Ming Zhu supported Suo Etu, Dongfang Muxue went along with the suggestion and assigned the task to him. She also instructed Suo Etu to proceed south to Yangzhou after dealing with the Golden Serpent Camp to placate Jianghuai Governor Li Kexiu.

Meanwhile, the uproar over the Yue Le case subsided under Dongfang Muxue’s deliberate disregard. The court’s focus had shifted entirely to resource allocation and strategies for pacifying the rebellion.

Dongfang Muxue did not execute Yue Le but instead imprisoned him in the Imperial Clan Court, barring anyone from visiting. After all, she still needed him to manipulate Princess Roujia and wouldn’t dispose of him easily.

As for Song Qingshu, he had been occupied during his stay in the capital with consolidating the Pole Arms. 

Since Kangxi was dead, there was no need to maintain the previous “four overt and four covert divisions” arrangement. He restructured the department from eight divisions to seven.

The First Division, led by Sang Feihong, acted as both a propaganda and intelligence agency, gathering information mainly from the martial world and common folk.

The Second Division, under He Qing, planned to establish a chain of brothels in various nations, training women to infiltrate high society. Song Qingshu allocated funds from the imperial treasury to help He Qing set up the first brothel in Yanjing, with further expansion relying on the treasure of the Bandit King in the future. 

The Third Division, or the Embroidered Guards, was tasked with arrests and attacks. Song Qingshu appointed Di Yun as its leader. Di Yun, shocked and then understanding, accepted the role solemnly. Upon learning that news of his junior sister Qi Fang had been found in Jingnan, Di Yun immediately decided to investigate but promised to return afterward.

The Fourth Division specialized in poison research, crafting toxins for use by the other divisions. Song Qingshu intended this role for Cheng Lingsu. However, convincing her might require Hu Fei to charm her, with Bing Xue’er acting as a future mother-in-law figure.

The Fifth Division, responsible for assassinations, was initially intended for Li Mochou, given her skills and demeanor. However, due to the alliance with the Sun and Moon Sect, Li Mochou was stationed there instead. Song Qingshu then considered Tian Guinuo, who, despite his cunning and ruthlessness, lacked the martial prowess needed.

The Sixth Division, led by Su Quan, focused on interrogation and control. However, Su Quan’s whereabouts were currently unknown, so a temporary deputy was appointed.

The Seventh Division, a strategic department, was yet to find a suitable leader. Candidates like Zhao Min, Huang Rong, and Huo Qingtong were not aligned with Song Qingshu, so this division remained in planning.

After ensuring the divisions operated smoothly, Song Qingshu finally left the capital, more than half a month later.

As he headed south, Song Qingshu did not ride a horse or carriage but used Qinggong to travel on foot. His mastery of Traceless Sand Treading Steps allowed him to traverse great distances effortlessly. However, the technique was taxing on his internal energy, requiring occasional rests.

During one such break atop a tree, he noticed a young man and woman approaching. Recognizing the young man as Nalan Rongruo, he quickly donned a silver mask to avoid complications.

Below the tree, the girl—elegant and scholarly—complained, “Why are you following me?”

Rongruo replied with a wry smile, “Wu Yunzhu, the journey south is dangerous. I want to protect you.”

From above, Song Qingshu recalled rumors of the talented and beautiful Wu Yunzhu, the daughter of Suo Etu, admired by many in the capital.

As the two quarreled, Wu Yunzhu scoffed, “I heard the Golden Serpent King exempted taxes for three years and brought peace to his territory. How dangerous could it be?”

Rongruo sighed deeply. “So, you’re heading for the Golden Serpent King after all.” 

“What’s wrong if I did?” The young girl’s eyes sparkled with a peculiar light. “I want to see just what kind of person can single-handedly defeat the Qing army of a hundred thousand. I also want to ask him how he commands the wind and rain.”

It turned out she had overheard her father mentioning that he would be visiting the Golden Serpent Camp this time. She begged to accompany him, but her father, worrying about his own safety, couldn’t bear to bring his precious daughter along. When her father left the capital, Wu Yunzhu secretly left a letter behind and set off in pursuit.

Noticing the glimmer in her eyes, Nalan Rongruo felt a pang of jealousy in his heart and couldn’t help but say, “Those are just hearsay. How can you take them seriously? Besides, the Golden Serpent Camp is currently hostile to our Qing. If your identity is exposed, the people there might capture you to use against your father.”

“Golden Serpent King isn’t that kind of person! He’s a great hero!” She suddenly smirked. “Oh, I get it now—you’re jealous. He’s barely older than you, yet he’s already the number one master in the world and a leader of his own faction…”

Seeing his skeptical expression, the young girl grew anxious.

Perched on the tree, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but scratch his nose. He never imagined his reputation was so stellar. 

‘Looks like I’ll need to give Sang Feihong a raise for almost turning me into a dreamboat for young girls.’  

“You!” Nalan Rongruo was furious. He struck the tree beside him with his palm.

Feeling the leaves tremble around him, Song Qingshu sighed in relief. 

‘Luckily, this kid doesn’t have enough inner strength. Otherwise, if he broke the tree and exposed me, that’d be awkward.’

“Are you mad now?” The girl tugged at his sleeve, cautious yet playful. “I was just teasing you. I didn’t mean it seriously. You’re amazing too! At such a young age, you’re already a 1st-class imperial guard, and you write poems better than me…”

“Alright, alright. Stop mocking me. I know you think poetry is idle work, and fighting on the battlefield is a man’s duty,” Nalan Rongruo said.

Her soft voice melted his anger. Having grown up with Wu Yunzhu, they were childhood companions. At some point, he realized he’d fallen for her. But he knew all too well—she only saw him as an older brother.

Wu Yunzhu, a gifted young woman, had lofty aspirations. Her ideal man could command armies from horseback and govern a nation at peace. Although Nalan Rongruo prided himself on his talents in both literature and martial arts, he still fell short of her impossible standards.

He initially dismissed her criteria as a fanciful dream, since no man could meet such perfection. Yet recently, Song Qingshu had emerged out of nowhere, defeating countless masters to claim the title of Golden Serpent King. Leading a small force of old, weak, and sickly soldiers, he crushed the imperial army of a hundred thousand. Coupled with his rumored ability to summon wind and rain, stories about him, embellished by storytellers, made him the very image of Wu Yunzhu’s ideal.

So when she heard her father was going to negotiate with the Golden Serpent King, Wu Yunzhu was determined to go along.

Though Nalan Rongruo was bitter, he couldn’t let her face danger alone. So, he followed her secretly to protect her.

“Brother Rongruo, you’re the best!” Wu Yunzhu laughed. “Fine, I’ll accept your escort, but once we meet up with my father, you’d better leave quickly. He’s in a foul mood right now. If he takes it out on you, you’re in trouble.”

Her concern warmed Nalan Rongruo’s heart. But then he thought, even without Song Qingshu, there’s no future for Wu Yunzhu and me. First, she only sees me as a brother. Second, our fathers are mortal enemies; they’d never agree to our marriage…

Gentle by nature, Nalan Rongruo suddenly felt clarity. If she wants to meet her ideal man, why not help her? As long as she’s happy, that’s enough for me.

Under the tree, their expressions didn’t escape Song Qingshu’s notice. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. I never thought I’d become Nalan Rongruo’s love rival by accident. Though, if I remember right, didn’t he marry someone surnamed Lu in history?

“Hey, what’s such a beauty doing in the wilderness?” A lecherous voice interrupted from a distance.

“Focus on the mission. Don’t delay Master Zuo’s plans,” another voice scolded coldly.

“Hehe, look at their clothes. They’re obviously Manchu nobility. Their fine fabrics suggest they might be Sou Etu’s children. Capturing them would earn us great merit,” the first voice sneered.

Glancing down, Song Qingshu’s face turned interesting. He recognized the two men immediately—one was Qinghai Yixiao, the other was Chu Hongliu, the former master of Qianliu Village who had defected from the Golden Serpent Camp.

The vulgar one was Qinghai Yixiao, while the calmer one was Chu Hongliu.

“Who are you? Do you intend to harm my father?” Wu Yunzhu glared at them, her almond-shaped eyes wide with anger.

The two exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. “What a stroke of luck!”

Nalan Rongruo gave the girl an exasperated look. “Miss, you’re usually smart. Why are you so foolish today?”

“Can’t you see I’m stalling them on purpose?” Wu Yunzhu retorted.

“Why?” Nalan Rongruo was stunned.

“From what they said earlier, it’s clear there’s a conspiracy against my father. I’m worried he might not handle it, so I’m helping by holding back a few enemies here,” Wu Yunzhu explained matter-of-factly.

“Uh…” Nalan Rongruo was at a loss for words. “But what if exposing your identity puts you in danger?”

“Aren’t you here?” Wu Yunzhu replied, puzzled. “Look at their outfits and demeanor. They’re clearly the cannon fodder characters in those stories. You, a 1st-class imperial guard, can’t handle two small fries?” 

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