Song Qingshu naturally harbored no genuine feelings for Empress Pei Man. At best, their relationship could be described as “friends with benefits.” However, her safety was crucial to his plans of rescuing those trapped in the Laundry Courtyard, so for now, she couldn’t afford to meet any misfortune.
As for Zhao Hu’er and Zhao Yuanyuan, they were the greatest rewards of his recent risks—though not in the physical sense. They were the only two Song Dynasty princesses who had retained their purity—well, strictly speaking, after that night with their soft, moist lips, they weren’t entirely “pure” anymore.
Through them, Song Qingshu could establish connections with the Song imperial family. Although the Golden Serpent Camp was thriving, it was surrounded by powerful Dynasties. Survival couldn’t rely solely on warfare; it required deft diplomacy and strategic alliances.
Currently, the Golden Serpent Camp had secured a truce with the Qing Dynasty, and Song Qingshu enjoyed favorable personal ties with high-ranking officials in the Liao Dynasty. His schemes in the Jin Dynasty were also progressing well, leaving the Song Dynasty as the only remaining major power to contend with.
Previously, Song Qingshu had crushed the Qing expeditionary force and seized control of Shandong, splitting the Qing territory in two and isolating their holdings in Huainan and Jiangsu.
Though Li Kexiu’s 100,000-strong Green Standard Army still garrisoned the region, it was clear to all that this “fat piece of meat” would eventually be swallowed by a stronger neighbor. Song Qingshu had already secretly dispatched Jiao Wan’er to lay the groundwork in the south. Combined with his personal ties to Li Yuanzhi, the Golden Serpent Camp held the advantage.
However, they weren’t the only ones eyeing this prize—the Song Dynasty also sought a share. If mishandled, this could spark a full-scale war between the Golden Serpent Camp and the Song Dynasty.
Whether from a nationalistic perspective or personal preference, Song Qingshu wanted to avoid such a conflict. And these Song princesses presented the perfect opportunity to resolve the issue.
“Brother-in-law, I’ll take my leave now. Don’t forget what I told you.”
He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—‘Tang Kuo Bian’s sister-in-law truly treated him beyond reproach. Had Heaven itself grown envious of Tang Kuo Bian’s absurdly good fortune and decided to cut his life short?’
‘Hmm… Speaking of good fortune, mine is even better than his. So why am I still fine? Pah! I’m a transmigrator—my fate is unshakable!’
“Lord Consort, Lord Consort! Our prince invites you to dine at the manor.”
A servant from the Prince Hailing’s residence approached just as Song Qingshu was deep in thought.
“Ah, right.”
A sudden idea struck him—wasn’t he just worrying about investigating the Laundry Courtyard and rescuing the princesses? Here was a ready-made ally!
Inspiration surged through him, and soon, a vague plan to “kill two birds with one stone” took shape.
“Brother Tang Kuo, what kept you chatting with your sister-in-law for so long?”
Before he knew it, Song Qingshu was led to the dining hall. Wanyan Liang, noticing his distracted expression, laughed heartily.
“My apologies, Your Highness.”
Song Qingshu looked up and saw Tudan Jing present as well, promptly saluting. “Greetings, Princess Consort.”
Tudan Jing smiled gently. “We’re all family here, Lord Consort. No need for such formality.”
She meant it in the sense that Wanyan Liang and Gebi were cousins, making them relatives. But given the secret “arrangement” between Wanyan Liang and Song Qingshu, both men’s expressions turned awkward at the unintended implication.
Song Qingshu mused silently: ‘Madam Tang once claimed she was tricked by the Hailing Princess Consort into surrendering to Wanyan Liang. Yet, from what I’ve seen, this princess consort is elegant, refined, and famously devout—hardly the scheming vixen described. There must be some misunderstanding.’
‘But now isn’t the time to dwell on Madam Tang’s affairs!’
Suppressing his thoughts, he stole a glance at Tudan Jing. Previously, he had resisted Wanyan Liang’s proposed “exchange,” but now, for the sake of his plan, he needed to accelerate it…
The three of them, each lost in their own thoughts, soon finished breakfast.
Wanyan Liang, needing to visit the palace, dragged Song Qingshu along. Knowing what was coming, Song Qingshu bid farewell to Tudan Jing.
“Safe travels, Lord Consort.”
Her lips curled slightly, revealing a faint dimple that sent a ripple of desire through Song Qingshu. ‘Such a serene and elegant woman… I wonder what she’d be like in bed?’
Once outside, Wanyan Liang sidled up to him and whispered, “Brother Tang Kuo, have you thought about our… arrangement?”
Song Qingshu feigned hesitation before finally relenting. “How about… tonight?”
“Tonight?!” Wanyan Liang’s heart leapt before surging into ecstasy. “Excellent! Tonight it is!”
“Then I’ll invite you and the princess consort to my manor under the pretext of thanking you for saving me in Kaifeng. We can proceed then… What do you think?” Song Qingshu murmured behind his hand.
“Agreed!”
The mere thought of finally possessing the stunning Gebi tonight filled Wanyan Liang with exhilaration. Seeing Song Qingshu’s reluctant expression, he nearly blurted out: “Brother Tang Kuo, offering your wife as thanks—I approve!”
But then he remembered he’d have to “sacrifice” Tudan Jing as well, and his smile stiffened. ‘Hmph, as long as I keep this from Jing’er, once my grand plan succeeds, I’ll have Tang Kuo Bian quietly eliminated. Who’d ever know?’ With that, his mood brightened again.
Song Qingshu, highly sensitive to killing intent due to his cultivation, noticed Wanyan Liang’s shifting expression and sneered inwardly. ‘Enjoy your delusions for now. Tonight, I’ll teach you what it means to ‘give up the bait to catch the fish’!’
After discussing a few more details for the evening, they parted ways—one heading to the palace, the other returning home to prepare.
Wanyan Liang, buoyed by anticipation, nearly floated on air. Upon arriving at the Hall of Benevolent Governance, he saw the highest-ranking officials—Chancellor and Marshal Wanyan Zongxian, Prince Cao and Left Chancellor Wanyan Zongmin, Right Chancellor Wanyan Zongben, Prince Changsheng Wanyan Yuan, and Palace Commandant Wanyan Tesi—gathering one after another. Only then did he realize something major was afoot.
Despite their influence, none of them had received advance notice—the Laundry Courtyard’s lockdown the previous night had prevented any leaks.
“Prince Wei defied filial piety and has been executed by this emperor.”
Emperor Xizong of Jin’s opening statement left the entire assembly thunderstruck.