Chapter 604: Further Step in the Relationship

“Is it really necessary to do this?” Song Qingshu frowned deeply. Involving an innocent woman in such matters was far from honorable.

“What do you think?” Dongfang Muxue dismissed his hesitation with a look of disdain.

Song Qingshu fell silent. After a long pause, he finally said, “To make Geng Jingzhong misunderstand, it’s enough to keep Princess Roujia in the palace. There’s no need to actually do anything.”

He had done similar things in the past, but those were for his own amusement. This time, using a woman to achieve a specific goal made him feel a sense of resistance.

“Are you even a man?” Dongfang Muxue gave him a sidelong glance. “A woman is practically being offered to you, and you’re still hesitating. Don’t cling to your ridiculous principles. Survival of the fittest is the only true law of this world. If you can’t do it, I’ll do it myself.”

“You?” Song Qingshu, sipping tea, nearly spat it out. He looked at her with a strange expression. “You… can manage that?”

Dongfang Muxue’s face showed a haughty expression. “Hmph, don’t think you’re superior just because you have an extra ‘piece.’ Feiyan, tell him whether I can or not.”

Qu Feiyan’s face flushed instantly, and she stammered, “It’s… possible, I guess.” (G: Remember, Muxue will belong to the MC, so in the end, this doesn’t really matter. However, it opens the doors to many “possibilities” for him. As you will see in the next few chapters, she adds a different “spice” to the mix.)

Song Qingshu’s gaze sharpened as he glared at Dongfang Muxue. “You dare to touch my woman.”

“What do you mean ‘your woman’?” Dongfang Muxue scoffed. “She’s my disciple. Last time, to help you master the Joyful Meditation Method, I generously lent her to you. I’m her true master; don’t get it twisted.”

Song Qingshu’s figure flashed, and he suddenly appeared before her.

Dongfang Muxue’s eyes gleamed, but she didn’t resist as he grabbed her by the neck. Instead, she chuckled. “What? Are you jealous?”

Song Qingshu was surprised by her lack of resistance. He stared into her clear, sparkling eyes. After a long moment, he laughed. “Why should I be jealous? You’re my woman, too, and naturally, your women are also mine.”

Dongfang Muxue’s eyes glimmered with mischief. “Oh, really?” With a flick of her wrist, an embroidery needle shot toward Song Qingshu’s hand.

Song Qingshu remained calm and casually flicked his finger.

Dongfang Muxue, injured as she was, couldn’t match his current strength. Repelling the needle should have been effortless.

However, as if anticipating his move, Dongfang Muxue adjusted her wrist slightly, deftly evading his counter.

Song Qingshu let out a surprised “Hmm,” and quickly switched tactics, only for her to nimbly dodge again. Within moments, they had exchanged over a dozen moves, and the needle inched closer to his wrist.

Song Qingshu couldn’t help but be impressed. Despite Dongfang Muxue’s weakened state, her technique and judgment were impeccable. In terms of skillful moves alone, she was a half-step ahead of him.

Although he had her by the neck, he couldn’t bring himself to use full force. Unless he let go and stepped back, her embroidery needle would surely wound him.

Seeing the pride in Dongfang Muxue’s expression, Song Qingshu realized that if he retreated now, he might never have a chance to subdue her again. Gritting his teeth, he decided to take a different approach. Instead of blocking the needle, his free hand darted toward her mounds.

Dongfang Muxue’s expression shifted, and she redirected the needle toward the back of his hand. Song Qingshu had anticipated this. With a flick of his finger, he sent the needle flying.

This time, Dongfang Muxue failed to evade, and the needle shattered into pieces with a crisp sound.

“Shameless! Despicable!” Dongfang Muxue’s breathing quickened, her chest heaving with rage.

“You just said survival of the fittest is the only true law. Now that I’m strong and you’re weak, how can there be talk of shame or decency?” Song Qingshu tilted her chin, savoring her indignant expression.

A trace of surprise flickered in Dongfang Muxue’s eyes. “I didn’t expect you to learn so quickly.”

“So, what do you plan to do with this weakling, my great and mighty ‘strong one’?” Dongfang Muxue’s voice suddenly turned soft and seductive.

Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat as he gazed into her alluring eyes. Throwing caution to the wind, he leaned in to claim her crimson lips.

“Mmm…” Dongfang Muxue’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected him to be so bold. A blush crept from her cheeks to her snow-white neck.

As Song Qingshu pressed Dongfang Muxue onto the bed, his hand slid into her r0be.

Qu Feiyan smiled faintly and quietly slipped out of the room. What was about to happen was not something a disciple should witness.

“No, I’m not ready yet.” Dongfang Muxue finally caught her breath and pushed him away.

“When will you be ready?” Song Qingshu asked in a low voice.

“I… I don’t know,” Dongfang Muxue replied, her eyes filled with confusion. Though she no longer resisted his advances, something still felt missing between them. That inexplicable feeling made her hesitate.

“Fine. I’ll wait until you’re ready.” Despite his reluctance, Song Qingshu decided to stop. He didn’t want any imperfection to remain in their relationship.

“Are you feeling uncomfortable now?” Dongfang Muxue glanced at a certain spot, her face blushing a hundred times redder than usual.

“What do you think?” Song Qingshu looked gloomy.

“This is easy to solve.” Dongfang Muxue smiled slyly, raising her fair wrist lightly.

A silken ribbon shot out like a streak of light.

Qu Feiyan, who had just reached the door, suddenly felt her body tighten. Noticing a ribbon wrapped around her waist, she barely had time to gasp before being pulled back into the tent.

“Master~” Qu Feiyan instantly realized what was happening and became both embarrassed and anxious.

“Let Feiyan help you,” Dongfang Muxue giggled. “From today onward, my women are your women too.”

Song Qingshu’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. For some reason, an image of Lan Fenghuang’s mature and alluring figure flashed through his mind.

“What’s this? Thinking about Lan Fenghuang?” Dongfang Muxue gave him a knowing look, as though she could see right through his thoughts. “Don’t feel shy. From now on, if you want, just take her. The Miao women have exceptional skills in this regard.”

Song Qingshu’s throat went dry, and his voice turned raspy. “Back in the Five Poisons Cult, you said we weren’t close enough to discuss matters of the bedchamber…”

“Aren’t we close enough now?” Dongfang Muxue leaned closer to his ear and exhaled softly. “Want to see how I handle women?”

Song Qingshu instinctively gulped and nodded eagerly.

Dongfang Muxue smiled enchantingly and lifted Qu Feiyan’s chin. “Feiyan, tonight might be tough for you.”

Qu Feiyan blushed deeply and hurriedly said, “No, I…” But her protest was cut off as two pairs of lips intertwined passionately.

Song Qingshu, watching from the side, was utterly astonished. His body temperature rose sharply as he witnessed the scene. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed before Dongfang Muxue tidied her disheveled hair, casting him a seductive glance. “Aren’t you coming?”

Song Qingshu couldn’t hold back any longer. Letting out a low growl, he leapt forward, soon accompanied by Qu Feiyan’s soft, plaintive voice:

“Brother Song, Master, how can you both be so wicked~”

***

“Time to get up. It’s time for morning court.”

After an unknown amount of time, a lazy voice whispered in his ear. Song Qingshu groggily opened his eyes, finding Dongfang Muxue already dressed and sitting at the bedside, looking at him with a teasing smile.

“So early?” Song Qingshu glanced at the starry sky outside and couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly. Being emperor was truly a tiresome job. He marveled at Dongfang Muxue’s enthusiasm for it. If it were up to him, even with the perks of the three palaces and six courtyards, he wouldn’t want to endure the daily grind of morning court.

“Today’s court session promises to be interesting. Since you’ve just returned and aren’t familiar with everything, to avoid exposing any flaws, I’ll play Kangxi for now. You can stay hidden and observe.” Dongfang Muxue watched Song Qingshu’s expression carefully as she spoke.

“That suits me perfectly. Every time I deal with those crafty ministers, I get a headache,” Song Qingshu readily agreed without hesitation.

Seeing his quick assent, a strange light flashed in Dongfang Muxue’s eyes. However, when she glanced at Qu Feiyan, still fast asleep and seemingly boneless, her cheeks reddened slightly.

‘Hmph, after all the sacrifices I made last night, if he still doubts me, he truly has no heart.’

As Song Qingshu dressed and prepared to leave, he suddenly looked back at Qu Feiyan. “Leaving her here won’t cause any problems, right?”

“Don’t worry,” Dongfang Muxue reassured him. “In this deep palace, I lack capable helpers. That’s why I brought her over from the Five Poisons Cult. Everyone in the palace is already accustomed to her presence. There are all sorts of rumors about her—some say she’s a top-level guard, others a favored concubine. Feiyan may be young, but she’s incredibly competent. She quickly got the eunuchs and maids of the Palace of Heavenly Tranquility under control. Even if someone sees her sleeping on the dragon bed, who would dare say a word?”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned odd, finding it hard to reconcile the delicate girl from last night with such a formidable figure. In the end, he could only sigh inwardly: ‘Women are truly mysterious creatures.’

“By the way, where are Zhong Ling and the others?” Song Qingshu suddenly asked.

“The Five Poisons Cult still needs people to hold the fort. She and Lan Fenghuang stayed behind. According to Feiyan, Zhong Ling seems to have a natural talent for handling poisons. Even Lan Fenghuang marvels at her rapid progress,” Dongfang Muxue replied with a smile.

Thinking of the innocent little girl from back then, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but smile. But when the matter of Mu Wanqing came to mind, his smile quickly faded. Figuring out how to get those two sisters to get along would truly be a challenge…

Following Dongfang Muxue to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Song Qingshu hid in a side chamber and listened to the entire morning court session.

As expected, interesting things unfolded, just as Dongfang Muxue had predicted.

The ministers, as usual, split into two factions and argued heatedly over how to handle Yue Le. Then, envoys from the Three Feudatories presented their petitions, claiming that the border pressures in recent years had grown severe and requesting the court to nearly double the military budget. Wu Sangui’s envoy even proposed that, out of longing for his daughter, the emperor allow Ah Ke to return to Shanhai Pass for a family visit…

Upon hearing these demands, the court erupted into a clamor.

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