Chapter 570: Land of Tenderness

Song Qingshu leaned closer and whispered, “I’ll marry you sooner or later, so let me indulge a little now, won’t you?”

Mu Wanqing pushed him away in annoyance, tears welling in her eyes as she began to sob. “I’ve already agreed to share you with other women… How could you not understand my struggles?”

Song Qingshu panicked, hastily explaining, “I was being too thoughtless. Don’t take it to heart. I won’t pressure you anymore, alright?”

Mu Wanqing sighed softly. “Brother Song, we must marry first before… before anything else. That’s my bottom line.”

Song Qingshu groaned dramatically. “After marriage? I thought a betrothal was enough.”

Seeing his disappointment, Mu Wanqing’s heart softened. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, “After the betrothal… it’s not entirely out of the question.”

“Really?” Song Qingshu’s face lit up instantly but quickly dimmed again. “But I’m so busy lately that I probably won’t have time to go to Dali anytime soon.”

“That’s okay. I’ll wait for you,” Mu Wanqing replied shyly, smiling faintly.

Song Qingshu was deeply moved. “I must be the luckiest man in the world.”  (Author’s Note: Obviously!)

“Look at how happy you are. Have you thought about how you’ll explain things to Zhong Ling when the time comes?” Mu Wanqing frowned, clearly troubled.

“Don’t worry. Ling’er is gentle and understanding. Besides, you’re her elder sister. She’d be thrilled for us,” Song Qingshu reassured her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

“Oh? So you’re saying I’m not gentle?” Mu Wanqing’s almond-shaped eyes flared as she pouted in protest.

“Not at all!” Song Qingshu groaned internally. He knew reasoning with a woman was futile. Without further ado, he silenced her protest by k!ssing her pouty lips.

“Mmm… Mmm…” Mu Wanqing tried to speak, but her words dissolved into muffled sounds. When their lips finally parted, she glared at him playfully. “You’re always bullying me.” Her tone was teasing rather than accusatory.

“Alright, I won’t bully you anymore.” Song Qingshu pulled her into a gentle embrace. “Have you decided to go to Gusu?”

“Yes,” Mu Wanqing replied, leaning into his chest. Her tense posture relaxed completely. “I promised my mother, and I can’t let her down. Even if I don’t kill that woman, I must teach her a lesson so I can report back.”

Hearing her soften her stance, Song Qingshu sighed in relief. He didn’t want Mu Wanqing to live her life consumed by revenge or becoming the target of vengeance herself.

“Be careful on your way to Gusu. Read through the Secret Book of Five Poisons that Li Mochou gave you; it should help improve your martial arts quickly, enough to deal with the Wang family. But if you encounter someone far stronger, like today, mention my name. They may hesitate to act against you.” Song Qingshu thoughtfully advised her on how to navigate potential dangers.

“Speaking of earlier, we haven’t settled accounts yet!” Mu Wanqing’s cheeks flushed as she pouted. “You tricked me into saying such embarrassing things at the inn. How am I supposed to show my face in the martial world now?”

“I didn’t expect you to say that either, but hearing you call yourself my woman made me overjoyed,” Song Qingshu said, tightening his embrace. “I used to think your heart belonged to that scoundrel Duan Yu.”

“Duan Yu isn’t a scoundrel. He’s my brother,” Mu Wanqing retorted, a hint of annoyance in her tone.

“Brother or not, he might not be your biological one,” Song Qingshu replied with a knowing smile.

Mu Wanqing missed the implication and changed the topic. “What about that ‘Red Fairy’? Who is she to you? Why would she risk her life to save me just because of our connection?”

“What do you think she is to me?” Song Qingshu asked, his expression teasing.

“You’re such a flirt. How am I supposed to know if she’s another of your admirers?” Mu Wanqing replied, her voice tinged with jealousy.

“Relax.” Song Qingshu chuckled at her jealous reaction. “I saved her life, so she was likely just repaying the favor.”

“Is that so?” Mu Wanqing muttered doubtfully. She shifted slightly, suddenly feeling something uncomfortable. “Hey, what’s poking me?”

“Uh…” Song Qingshu hesitated, but Mu Wanqing’s face turned crimson as she realized. “Hmph! What nonsense are you thinking about now?”

“This isn’t my fault. You stirred me up earlier, and now I can’t calm down,” Song Qingshu said, exasperated.

“Is it… really that uncomfortable?” Mu Wanqing asked hesitantly, her voice barely audible.

Song Qingshu seized the opportunity and exaggerated, “Unbearably so! I feel like I’m about to explode!”

Mu Wanqing glanced at him, her eyes full of playful suspicion. “Do you think I’m as gullible as Zhong Ling, ready to fall for your tricks?”

“Uh…” Caught off guard, Song Qingshu felt a little flustered. “Did Ling’er tell you about this?”

“Don’t blame her. She’s simple-minded and has no secrets from me. I just had to prod her a little, and she spilled everything.” Mu Wanqing giggled at Song Qingshu’s embarrassed expression. She lowered her gaze and murmured shyly, “Brother Song, you don’t have to be so roundabout. If you ask me directly… I wouldn’t refuse.”

Song Qingshu was taken aback.

Mu Wanqing smiled sweetly, her movements fluid as she shifted her hand closer to his raging dragon.

***

The days that followed were filled with passion and intimacy.

They explored scenic spots by day and ignited fiery emotions by night.

Mu Wanqing, new to love, shed her cold exterior and showed tenderness, complying with all of Song Qingshu’s requests except crossing the final line. Her sole focus was on making him happy.

For Song Qingshu, it felt like a dream come true. But eventually, the day of their parting arrived.

Mu Wanqing rose early, gazing at Song Qingshu as he slept soundly beside her. She whispered, “Song Lang, you’ve been so busy, yet you stayed with me these past days. I’m truly grateful. But I know I can’t cling to you forever. You have important matters to attend to, and I must head south to Gusu. Once my task is done, I’ll come find you…”

As Mu Wanqing departed, Song Qingshu opened his eyes, touching his lips and the tear streaks on his cheek.

A sense of loss washed over him.

“The deepest sorrow comes from parting ways…”

***

Meanwhile, in a manor a hundred miles away, a handsome nobleman was pacing in frustration. “No sign of him in the previous towns?”

“None, my lord,” replied a subordinate nervously.

The nobleman frowned. “How odd. He should have arrived here by now unless something happened along the way…”

He quickly dismissed the idea. “No, impossible. With his skills, few in this world could harm him.”

Another subordinate rushed in with news. “My lord, we’ve received word from Liulian Town.”

“Speak!”

The subordinate hesitated before answering, “According to the report, he entered the inn we prepared and hasn’t left town since. By day, he toured the town with a young woman surnamed Mu, and by night… they shared a room.”

The nobleman’s face twitched as he waved them away. Once alone, he seethed, smashing a porcelain cup against the floor. “Song Qingshu, you scoundrel! While I’ve been worried about you, you’ve been indulging in romance!”

***

At this moment, Song Qingshu, who had just left Liulian Town, suddenly sneezed. Rubbing his nose, he couldn’t help but reveal a sly smirk at the corner of his lips.

“I don’t play by the rules. Staying here for a few days must have driven that mysterious person mad with anticipation by now.”

Suddenly, Song Qingshu furrowed his brows, his expression shifting as he glanced toward a bamboo grove behind him.

“You’ve been following me for quite some time. Come out.”

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