Chapter 525: The Price

Seeing the excitement on Song Qingshu’s face, Huang Rong couldn’t help but scoff, “Why are you so excited?”

“Uh…” Song Qingshu was momentarily speechless. He couldn’t very well admit that he enjoyed being in the company of such a beautiful woman.

Huang Rong’s expression turned serious. “Young Master Song, I stated clearly before that I stayed here to learn your military tactics for potential use in Xiangyang City. Please, do not get any wrong ideas.” She then left directly, leaving Song Qingshu stunned on the spot.

‘What does she mean by asking me not to get the wrong idea? Clearly, she’s the one overthinking, right?’

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

“She’s already gone, but you still can’t let go?” Zhou Zhiruo’s teasing voice quickly reached his ears.

Turning around, he found several women watching him with half-smiles. Song Qingshu awkwardly chuckled, “What do you mean ‘can’t let go’? I was just pondering something.”

“More like pondering which girl to pursue first,” Zhou Zhiruo quipped, prompting Ah Jiu to join in. Though generally more magnanimous, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy seeing Song Qingshu flirt with so many women.

“The most beautiful among the Red Coat Army is this little sister. If Brother Song doesn’t mind, I can keep you company,” Ah Jiu imitated Yang Miaozhen’s demeanor flawlessly, then spat in disgust, “That woman really has no shame!”

“Yang Miaozhen grew up among outlaws, surrounded by coarse men. Naturally, she lacks the reserved nature of someone like you, Ah Jiu, a true lady of noble birth,” Xia Qingqing, who had remained silent, now joined in on teasing Ah Jiu, seeing that no outsiders were present.

“You cheeky Qingqing, finding new ways to make fun of me,” Ah Jiu immediately reached out to tickle Xia Qingqing’s waist. “I know your personality well. I don’t believe you don’t get jealous.”

Xia Qingqing sighed softly, “I’m different from you all. You’re openly his wives, while I’m just a pitiful young widow. How could I have the right to be jealous?”

Xia Qingqing’s words left the three others speechless, cold sweat breaking out. Song Qingshu, seeing her finally joke about her own situation, was relieved. He understood she was gradually moving past her old sorrows.

“They say widows in mourning are the most attractive, and I adore beautiful young widows. Come here and give me a kiss.” As Song Qingshu spoke, he moved to embrace her.

With the other women present, Xia Qingqing dared not let him kiss her, deftly dodging with a twist of her waist, her face flushing as she spat, “Pervert!”

“Our dear husband truly lives up to the word ‘pervert.’ Not only does he love to flirt with young girls and widows, but also with married women,” Ah Jiu’s words immediately garnered the agreement of the other two women.

Song Qingshu looked aggrieved. “How come such noble and upright interests sound so sleazy coming from your mouths? If outsiders heard this, it could ruin the heroic and valiant image I worked so hard to build!”

“Speaking of which, it reminded me—I’ve never understood why you revealed the secret of summoning wind and rain to them,” Zhou Zhiruo said discontentedly.

“Exactly, exactly. If handled well, it could have helped gather numerous followers in a short time,” Ah Jiu also pouted, evidently disapproving of Song Qingshu’s decision.

“He’s just too soft-hearted, spilling everything when provoked by a pretty girl,” Xia Qingqing added with a sigh.

Indeed, enjoying the favor of multiple women is not an easy feat, Song Qingshu thought, feeling a cold sweat. He quickly explained, “You’ve misunderstood me. Using the ability to summon wind and rain to gather followers has its pros and cons. While it might rally ordinary people, it would also make the world’s intelligent minds view me as a charlatan, which isn’t worth it.”

Seeing the three women deep in thought, Song Qingshu continued, “In the past, Zhang Jiao was formidable, and the Yellow Turban Army numbered over a million. Yet, in the eyes of mainstream society, he was just a rebel deceiving the masses. I don’t want to follow in his footsteps.”

Ah Jiu nodded slightly, “True, one shouldn’t sacrifice long-term gains for short-term benefits. But Big Brother, your ability to summon wind and rain, capable of facing thousands single-handedly, is unprecedented. It would be a shame not to utilize it at all. In the past, the Han Gaozu beheaded a white snake, and the Emperor Guangwu summoned meteors; there are many historical examples to draw from. If you trust me, Big Brother, leave this matter to me.”

Song Qingshu was overjoyed. “Ah Jiu, you come from the royal family and are well-versed in such matters. I can’t think of anyone better suited for this than you.”

Zhou Zhiruo, standing to the side, couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of crisis. Among the three women, Xia Qingqing could help him manage the Golden Serpent Camp, and Ah Jiu, a royal descendant, held considerable influence. Although she was the head of the Emei Sect, her value to his grand cause was comparatively limited. If this continued, her position might become awkward.

Suddenly, Zhou Zhiruo’s expression shifted as a plan formed in her mind. She seized the opportunity to say, “Qingshu, I plan to go to Jiangnan soon.”

Song Qingshu looked at her in surprise. “Why are you going to Jiangnan?”

“I want to take a look at the White Lotus Sect,” Zhou Zhiruo replied simply, not revealing much of her intentions. Although her father was a former leader of the White Lotus Sect, times had changed. What she could accomplish there was still uncertain, so she didn’t want to share too much in front of Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu, to avoid being secretly ridiculed by them later.

Song Qingshu gave her a meaningful look. With his perceptive mind, he quickly surmised Zhou Zhiruo’s current thoughts almost entirely.

Though Zhou Zhiruo appeared cold and harmless, she was quite cunning on the inside. How could she willingly let Ah Jiu steal the limelight…

Seeing through Zhou Zhiruo’s thoughts, Song Qingshu didn’t feel the slightest bit of resentment; instead, he felt a hint of secret joy.

‘If she didn’t truly care about me, why would she compete with Ah Jiu?’

“Alright,” Song Qingshu nodded. “But you must be careful on this trip; the people from the White Lotus Sect aren’t exactly kind.”

Zhou Zhiruo flashed a bright smile. “Don’t worry, I was once titled ‘the best in the world.’ A mere White Lotus Sect—if I’m careful, they won’t be able to trouble me.”

Ah Jiu smiled slightly. “Sister, your grace when defeating all the heroes at the Lion-slaying Assembly back then truly makes me admire you.”

Zhou Zhiruo rarely blushed. “Sister, you’re teasing me. That time was just a fluke, many real experts couldn’t be bothered to spar with someone as young as me. Besides, with your martial arts, you’re likely above me…”

Seeing the two women complimenting each other, Song Qingshu felt a headache coming on and quickly interjected, “Zhiruo, when are you planning to leave?”

“With you all busy capturing cities and territories in the coming days, I wouldn’t be of much help even if I stayed. I plan to leave early tomorrow.”

Zhou Zhiruo’s response startled Song Qingshu. “So soon?”

“Anyway, with two sisters accompanying you, are you still afraid of having no one to warm your bed?” Zhou Zhiruo couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him.

Song Qingshu never expected her to say something so bold, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Xia Qingqing and Ah Jiu also blushed, feeling embarrassed.

“Ah Jiu and I have been busy lately; we haven’t had time to keep him company,” Xia Qingqing hurriedly clarified. “But there are plenty of women on the mountain willing to warm his bed.”

“Huh?” Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be there are other old flames on the mountain?

“Qingqing, are you referring to Miss Zeng?” Ah Jiu suddenly realized.

“Zeng Rou, huh?” Thinking of that adorable round-faced girl, Song Qingshu felt a headache.

Xia Qingqing smiled slightly. “Someone has always put it off, saying it could wait until after repelling the Qing soldiers. Now that the Qing army has been defeated, if someone doesn’t make a move soon, that poor girl might be heartbroken.”

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but smile wryly. “How can I even make a move? I don’t have any feelings for her. Doing this would ruin her life. How about I talk to Situ Bolai and recognize Zeng Rou as my sworn sister?”

“Absolutely not!” Ah Jiu said urgently. “Big Brother’s foundation is still unstable, and he needs absolutely loyal people around him. Situ Bolai has been fully supporting Big Brother mainly because of Miss Zeng; he sees Big Brother as family. Moreover, Miss Zeng is deeply in love with Big Brother. If Big Brother rejects her now, won’t it chill the hearts of the Wangwu Sect? If it creates a rift, it would be very troublesome.”

“Indeed, Miss Zeng must be brought into the family.” Although Zhou Zhiruo felt somewhat displeased, she was aware of the bigger picture. Moreover, she had met Miss Zeng before; she was as soft and harmless as a little rabbit, posing no threat to her. Naturally, she wouldn’t care too much.

“Exactly. Miss Zeng is not only beautiful and skilled in martial arts, but she’s also pure and virtuous. It wouldn’t hurt to marry her and make her a cultivation partner.” Xia Qingqing, with her special status, was always somewhat sensitive and couldn’t help but say sourly. However, as soon as the words left her mouth, the women’s minds drifted to the scene when they once treated Song Qingshu’s injuries together, still fresh in their memories.

“Marry, marry, marry. If you all don’t mind, why should I? It’s not like I’m losing out.”

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but snort. His greatest dream had once been to build a grand harem, but now he found the reality far more complex and indescribable.

“There’s no rush with Miss Zeng. We’ll deal with it once the Golden Serpent Camp controls the various provinces,” Xia Qingqing’s face suddenly took on a peculiar expression. “Right now, there’s another young lady waiting in the side hall to see you.”

“Who?” Song Qingshu was stunned, and both Ah Jiu and Zhou Zhiruo perked up their ears.

“Miss Fang from the Prince Mu Mansion,” Xia Qingqing said, feeling somewhat vexed. If she had known he was so fickle, she wouldn’t have been so soft-hearted back then, sparing herself the constant heartache now.

Xia Qingqing and Zhou Zhiruo were jealous, and even Ah Jiu, usually so magnanimous, felt a pang of envy. “Why do all the pretty girls have… something with you?” After staying in the Golden Serpent Camp for so long, Ah Jiu had unconsciously picked up some coarse language.

“Not at all. Maybe Prince Mu Mansion just has something to say to me,” Song Qingshu smiled awkwardly and quickly headed toward where Fang Yi was waiting in the side hall, under the scornful gazes of the three women.

Song Qingshu wished he could slap his little brother.

‘Why did you have to be so impulsive back then, causing such trouble for me now?’

HELP:

During the recent unrest in the country I am from, our family hardware store was broken into and looted by thugs. I don’t know why they did it, since my family has always been minding our own business, without bothering anyone else. I’m guessing some people are taking advantage of the current lawless and chaotic state of the country.

Anyways, the incident now leaves me as the only earning member of my family. Long time readers know that I was already dealing with a mountain of trouble (that I inherited from my father), and was already struggling. I had created a plan of action, and was steadily moving forward. But this incident destroyed whatever plans I had, again. I don’t know why bad things keep happening to me again and again. I might as well be cursed or something.

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