Chapter 488: Battlefield Nurse - Flower Stealing Master

Huang Rong’s heart skipped a beat under his direct gaze, and she instinctively replied, “What does that have to do with me?”

“Of course, it has something to do with you,” Song Qingshu smiled slightly. “If Madame wants me to win, I dare not lose; if Madam wants me to lose, I dare not win.”

Huang Rong felt her heartbeat quicken a bit, but she had weathered many storms and quickly regained her composure after taking a deep breath. “Young Master Song, your skill in pleasing women is truly eye-opening. I hope Ah Qing will also fall for your tricks later.” Without waiting for his response, she gracefully walked away, though her steps seemed a bit awkward.

Song Qingshu had no intention of pestering her. Watching Huang Rong’s charming figure, he couldn’t help but smile playfully. Teasing such a virtuous married woman occasionally felt quite pleasant.

“Ah Jiu, wasn’t I right? Your Brother Song must have taken the opportunity to flirt with Madame Guo again while we weren’t around.” Zhou Zhiruo walked over from a distance, accompanied by another fairy-like figure, Ah Jiu.

“It sounds like Brother Song is only mine,” Ah Jiu retorted with a pout, clearly unwilling to let Zhou Zhiruo tease her endlessly.

“Both of my dear wives are back! How did it go?” Song Qingshu greeted them boldly, spreading his arms to hug each of them.

“Who are your dear wives!” The two ladies exclaimed coquettishly, quickly dodging his embrace. In fact, they didn’t mind being hugged by Song Qingshu, but doing so in public was too much for them to bear.

Song Qingshu didn’t mind and asked with a smile, “How did it go?”

Seeing him turn to serious matters, the two ladies’ expressions also became serious. Ah Jiu replied, “I have contacted the other leaders of the Golden Serpent Camp. As long as Brother Song can win, the Wangwu Sect and Qingshu are naturally on our side. Master Cheng of the Green Bamboo Sect, and the former Ming General Shui Jian, are also willing to join us…”

Ah Jiu suddenly paused, and Song Qingshu couldn’t help but ask, “Wasn’t Shui Jian accompanying his niece back to Jiangnan to bury his brother Shui Dai?”

“General Shui knew this matter was of great importance, so he rushed back after meeting with the Shui family in Jiangnan. The young lady Shui also expressed great understanding,” Ah Jiu explained, then suddenly remembered something, “I recall when we first met in Jinling City, that young lady Shui was in your room…”

Ah Jiu’s words trailed off, and a peculiar smile appeared on her face. “No wonder General Shui agreed so readily. I always thought it was because of my status, but it turns out someone had already won over the young lady Shui.”

Song Qingshu blushed and protested, “Nonsense, I did nothing improper back then.”

“Really did nothing?” Seeing he seemed truthful, Ah Jiu nodded slightly. “Actually, I would have preferred if you had already consummated the relationship. That way, Shui Jian would be even more reliable.”

“Ah?” This time, not only Zhou Zhiruo but even Song Qingshu was shocked. “Aren’t you jealous?”

Ah Jiu slowly recounted a historical anecdote, “In the past, Emperor Guangwu was trapped in Hebei. To gain the support of King Zhendong, he had to marry his niece Guo Shengtong. With the help of King Zhendong’s 100,000 troops, he was able to ascend to the throne. If Brother Song could secure more support through marriage alliances, I would be thrilled, not jealous.”

Zhou Zhiruo fell silent upon hearing this. Unlike Ah Jiu, who was focused on restoring the Ming Dynasty, Zhou Zhiruo’s goal was merely to bring glory to Emei. Ah Jiu’s grand aspirations allowed her to tolerate other women, but Zhou Zhiruo wasn’t sure she could be so magnanimous.

However, Zhou Zhiruo, always thoughtful, understood that if she appeared jealous now, it might annoy others. But hiding her feelings seemed too unfair to herself. She decided to take things one step at a time.

Song Qingshu, unaware of Zhou Zhiruo’s internal struggle, laughed, “Ah Jiu, your analogy is flawed. Guo Shengtong was later deposed by Liu Xiu, and King Zhendong’s clan was eradicated for treason.”

Ah Jiu smiled faintly, “I believe you are not someone who would abandon your benefactors.”

“Though I know you’re flattering me, it still makes me happy. Come, this sweet little mouth deserves a kiss,” Song Qingshu playfully reached out, making Ah Jiu dodge with a laugh.

“Alright, alright, there are others watching. Let’s talk business,” Ah Jiu said, pushing him away gently before continuing. “Jiao Wan’er from the Golden Dragon Gang, Rong Cai from the Roaming Dragon Gang (Longyou Gang), Nie Tianfeng from Flying Tiger Ravine (Feihuyu Village), and Zheng Qiyun from the Seventy-Two Islands overseas are still ambiguous. I suspect they are waiting to see who wins.”

Song Qingshu nodded, “That’s understandable. Betting too early can be risky. As long as I win, they will be easy to recruit.”

Ah Jiu continued, “However, four factions will be difficult to handle: Chu Hongliu from Thousand Willow Manor (Qianliu Village) is backed by the Red Flower Society; Sha Tongtian from Evil Tiger Gorge (Hugou Village) is supported by the Sun Moon Holy Cult; Master Shili from Qingliang Temple is connected to Shaolin; and the father-son duo Gai Mengchang and Meng Bofei are aligned with Zuo Lengchan. These groups have deep grudges with you, making them nearly impossible to recruit.”

Song Qingshu’s eyes flickered, “Let’s wait and see how they act first.”

The two women nodded, knowing there was no better plan for now.

“I’ve also secretly contacted major sects attending the conference. The Wudang Sect, the Heaven and Earth Society, and the Prince Mu Palace have all expressed willingness to stay and support us…”

Before Zhou Zhiruo finished, Ah Jiu teased, “Have you mentioned your Emei Sect?”

Zhou Zhiruo blushed, “Expelling the invaders is naturally Emei’s duty. However, the sect is all women. Though their martial arts are not weak, killing enemies on the battlefield isn’t their strength.”

Song Qingshu patted her hand. “Don’t worry, Zhiruo. I won’t foolishly send them to the front lines. I have a perfect role for them.”

“What?” Zhou Zhiruo asked, concerned. Though she spoke righteously, involving Emei was still due to her personal feelings, and she didn’t want her disciples to suffer.

“Of course, they will be battlefield nurses,” Song Qingshu said, his mind wandering to fantasies. If time allowed, he would have them in uniform, imagining how the men would be roused with such a sight.