Since Zhang Sanfeng had already spoken about hurrying on the journey, the group naturally did not dare delay. Although they didn’t travel day and night, they wasted little time. Because they were already close to the Golden Serpent Camp’s territory, it only took a few days for them to reach Jining, where the camp was currently based.
“I wonder if Ah Qing and Ah Jiu will be able to handle the situation,” Song Qingshu muttered to himself while gazing at Jining’s city gates in the distance. Deep down, he was reluctant to reveal his true identity to Zhang Sanfeng. His feelings toward Wudang were rather complex and conflicted.
A loud creaking sound broke the silence as the city gates of Jining slowly opened. A procession emerged, heading directly toward them.
The Golden Serpent Camp had already received word of Zhang Sanfeng’s arrival. Everyone was deeply astonished, with Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu personally leading a group to welcome him at the gates.
Song Qingshu took one glance at Ah Jiu, who was dressed in women’s attire, and immediately realized that Xia Qingqing was impersonating him today. Though it had been a while since they last met, the two women were as graceful as ever. However, a faint trace of fatigue lingered between their brows, making Song Qingshu’s heart ache. He thought to himself, ‘I’ve been carefree as a hands-off leader, while they’ve borne the burden of managing everything in the Golden Serpent Camp. They’ve had it tough.’
This thought reminded him of the African savanna from his previous life. Male lions spent their days doing nothing but mating and fighting, leaving hunting and other responsibilities to the lionesses. Hmm… the more he thought about it, the more relatable it seemed.
“Grand…Grandmaster, why are you here?” Xia Qingqing led the group forward and imitated Song Qingshu’s tone as she spoke.
Zhang Sanfeng gave the ‘Song Qingshu’ in front of him a puzzled glance but still answered, “I have some matters to investigate.”
“Grandmaster Zhang has traveled a long way. Please, come into the city,” Ah Jiu said softly with a bow.
Ah Jiu hastily replied, “No, no, Grandmaster Zhang. You are the grandmaster of my Song Lang, so naturally, you are also Ah Jiu’s grandmaster. How could I dare accept such courtesy?”
Standing nearby, Ren Yingying’s eyes almost shot fire upon seeing Song Qingshu. However, when her gaze shifted to Ah Jiu, even she couldn’t help but admire her beauty. ‘Back when Princess Changping was the Saintess of the Ming Cult, she was already elegant and ethereal. Now, she’s even more stunning.’
Ren Yingying’s feelings quickly shifted to indignation. ‘How could such a celestial woman end up with that scoundrel Song Qingshu? Heaven truly has no eyes.’
In stark contrast, Wu Yunzhu was overjoyed. Seeing her idol as dashing and extraordinary as she had imagined, her heart raced uncontrollably. But when she noticed Ah Jiu, who looked like a goddess, she couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious. ‘With such a beautiful companion, he probably wouldn’t even spare a glance at a girl like me. Still, I wonder who’s more handsome—him or my elder brother.’
As she pondered, she instinctively glanced at her masked elder brother, only to meet Ah Zi’s hostile gaze. Startled, she quickly averted her eyes.
Ah Zi snorted coldly. ‘This little girl’s lovestruck expression makes it clear she harbors improper intentions toward my master. Hmph, I’ll have to teach her a lesson. Still, that Song Qingshu is indeed strikingly handsome. No wonder his name is the most mentioned since I arrived in the Central Plains… Bah! What am I thinking? He’s definitely not as handsome as my master.’
Remembering how her master had never removed his mask, even in intimate moments, Ah Zi suddenly felt a pang of discontent. ‘Master, if you don’t let me see your face, what if someone pretends to be you with a mask? How will I recognize you?’
As the group exchanged pleasantries, Suo Eto stepped forward with a wide smile. “Brother Song, it’s been ages since we last met in the capital! I’ve missed you dearly!” He spread his arms, intending to hug Xia Qingqing to show his affection.
Song Qingshu’s face darkened. ‘We were merely drinking buddies in the officialdom—when did we become so close?’ Seeing that Suo Eto was trying to take advantage of Xia Qingqing, Song Qingshu flicked his fingers subtly.
“Ah!” Suo Eto suddenly felt a numbness in his legs, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees in front of Xia Qingqing.
Xia Qingqing had been contemplating whether to dodge but hesitated, worried it might reveal something suspicious if the two truly had a life-and-death friendship. Seeing Suo Eto trip, she felt relieved. “Brother Suo Eto, what are you doing? Please, get up.”
Covered in dust and thoroughly embarrassed, Suo Eto laughed awkwardly. “I have no idea what happened. My leg suddenly went numb.”
While the group’s attention was focused on the scene, Zhang Sanfeng cast a thoughtful glance at the nearby Song Qingshu.
“Brother Song, you wouldn’t believe it! On my way here, I almost lost my life. If not for Grandmaster Zhang and this hero, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” Suo Eto said while introducing Song Qingshu to the others.
Noticing the mask on Song Qingshu’s face, Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu exchanged a quick glance, both noticing the same suspicion in the other’s eyes.
Song Qingshu stepped forward and bowed. “I am Xu Ruowu. Greetings to the Golden Serpent King and Princess Changping. Might I ask if you’ve seen a lady named Youyou here? I’ve been searching for her for some time and would appreciate any information.”
The two women had already found the mask familiar and had noticed his figure resembled their lover. Hearing him mention Youyou, how could they have any doubts left?
However, both were intelligent and understood that Song Qingshu had his reasons for hiding his true identity. They showed no unusual reactions, though faint joy sparkled in their eyes. Ꞧ𝘢𐌽ȮΒĘṢ
“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. There’s no one named Youyou here,” Xia Qingqing said calmly, though her heart fluttered at the mention of her pet name. “But your feelings for her are surely something she would understand.”
Apart from the involved parties, everyone else was baffled by the exchange. Ren Yingying, in particular, was fuming. ‘Weren’t you supposed to impersonate Linghu Chong and crash the wedding? Why are you now entangled with another woman?’ Left with no choice, she resolved to see how things unfolded.
The group entered the city and arrived at the meeting hall of the governor’s mansion. Xia Qingqing, acting as though she had just noticed Ren Yingying, remarked, “Oh, Miss Ren is here too?”
Song Qingshu had barely left before he came back with a fiancée, leaving Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu feeling understandably conflicted.
Ren Yingying, naturally, had no kind words for Song Qingshu. She merely huffed and turned her head away.
Taking advantage of the moment, Zhang Sanfeng addressed Song Qingshu. “Qingshu, one of the reasons I came this time involves Miss Ren.”
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