Chapter 713: Conditions

These words resonated deeply in Huang Rong’s heart. What had happened last night was indeed unforgettable. If she set aside the moral torment, she had to admit that the experience was unprecedentedly wonderful and pleasurable.

Unfortunately, the moment she thought about how she had given herself to a man other than her husband, all that pleasure turned into a lash against her conscience.

“I have to forget it, whether I want to or not.” Huang Rong’s voice no longer trembled with hesitation. In an instant, she seemed to revert to the decisive leader of the Beggar Sect.

“It’s a pity, but I have no intention of forgetting it.” Song Qingshu shook his head.

Huang Rong gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes filled with fury. “Last night, you took immense advantage of me. I’m already letting it go, and you still want more?”

“That advantage was indeed significant.” Song Qingshu nodded, openly admitting it. “But my appetite is just as great.”

Huang Rong felt a chill wash over her body. “What do you mean?”

“Rong’er, you must know how I feel about you.” Song Qingshu’s gaze swept across her delicate face, flawless like porcelain, and he couldn’t help but marvel at the wonders of creation. “Before, because of your identity, I exercised a great deal of restraint. You should have noticed that.”

Huang Rong’s face flushed slightly, and she let out a soft hum in response. Thinking back on their interactions, she had to admit he was right. Although Song Qingshu had often acted ambiguously, there was always a reason behind it. Overall, he had remained within the bounds of propriety. If that weren’t the case, she wouldn’t have been so defenseless last night, falling asleep in his bed without any precautions.

Realizing this, Huang Rong felt an intense hatred. She had truly been deceived by his facade of being a gentleman.

“But since what happened last night, there’s no need for restraint anymore.” Song Qingshu continued.

Huang Rong was alarmed. “What exactly do you want?”

“Be my w0man.”

Whether as Kangxi or as the Golden Serpent King, he had grown accustomed to wielding power. The moment he spoke seriously, his voice carried an undeniable authority.

“Impossible!” Huang Rong rejected him outright.

“Why?” Song Qingshu asked calmly.

“Because I already have a husband and a daughter. And because of this, the world would never accept it…” Huang Rong quickly listed her reasons, but midway through, she suddenly realized—why was she explaining herself so thoroughly? A rejection was a rejection; it didn’t require justification.

“Your husband is easy to deal with. If he dies, remarriage would be a natural course of action.” Song Qingshu’s voice carried a chilling undertone.

Huang Rong’s blood ran cold. She hastily said, “If anything happens to Brother Jing, I will b!te my t0ngue and k!ll myself. You will never get what you want.” ᚱÃΝóʙʧ

Song Qingshu’s expression darkened. After a long silence, he sighed. “Forget it. Guo Jing is, after all, a great hero—an idol in the hearts of many. I have always admired his integrity. How could I do something that would outrage the world? Rong’er, don’t worry. I won’t use despicable means against him.”

Hearing this, Huang Rong finally let out a breath of relief. Though there was no real guarantee, she instinctively believed him. From what she had seen of Song Qingshu’s temperament, he was not the kind of petty villain who would resort to such low tactics.

“After thinking it through, the only legitimate way to have you is as I mentioned before—leading an army to the gates of Xiangyang. Against absolute power, no amount of public opinion matters. And in that case, all the blame would fall on me, sparing you and your husband from any disgrace.” Song Qingshu furrowed his brows, deep in thought, as he muttered to himself.

“Fine, I’ll wait for that day.” Huang Rong knew that the likelihood of such a thing happening was nearly zero, so she had no qualms about indefinitely postponing the matter.

Song Qingshu shook his head. “I know what you’re thinking. You assume I’m just making empty boasts. But I believe that day will come—perhaps in ten or twenty years. By then, we’ll be old. Throughout history, beauties and great generals alike are never allowed to grow old in the eyes of the world. I can’t wait that long.”

Huang Rong instinctively took a step back. “What exactly do you want?”

Song Qingshu’s voice was solemn. “It may take ten years before you can openly be my woman. But if you agree to be my lover in secret, it can start right now.”

Huang Rong was so enraged that she let out a cold laugh. “Why should I? Who do you think you are?”

“You know exactly why.” Song Qingshu’s expression remained eerily calm, as if he were stating something utterly ordinary.

Huang Rong fell silent. She knew he was right. Whether it was his martial arts, the Soul Capture Technique from the Nine Yin Scripture, or the fact that Brother Jing’s life was at his mercy—if Song Qingshu truly wanted to possess her, she had no power to resist.

In the past, even in desperate situations, she had always relied on her wit and intelligence to find a way out. But after what had happened last night, none of it mattered anymore.

Her chastity was already gone. What difference did it make if it happened once more?

“Rong’er, I know you’re a smart woman. You should understand the difference between agreeing to this on your own and forcing me to act.” Song Qingshu looked at her intently.

“You’re a devil!” Huang Rong trembled. “Why didn’t I see your true face sooner?”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “That’s because I was reluctant to use these methods against you before. I hope you won’t force me to reveal my true demonic nature.”

Huang Rong remained silent for a long time before finally speaking. “I can agree to your terms, but you must promise me a few conditions.”

Song Qingshu snapped his fingers. “Rong’er, you truly are intelligent. If you forced me to use coercion, you wouldn’t have the chance to negotiate conditions. Tell me what they are. As long as they aren’t excessive, I will consider them.”

“First, you must guarantee Brother Jing’s safety. You cannot harm him in any way.”

“No problem.” Song Qingshu agreed without hesitation.

“Second, this matter can only stay between us. No third party must ever know—not even your closest confidants.” Huang Rong’s expression grew increasingly composed, as if she were discussing something unrelated to herself.

“You’re worried I’ll deliberately let Guo Jing find out and ruin your marriage, aren’t you?” Song Qingshu smirked. “Rest assured, I won’t do that. If he found out, it would spoil the fun.”

“No one else must know either—not Miss Zhou, not your Ah Jiu, or anyone else.” Huang Rong bit her lip as she added the condition.

“No problem. Anything else?” Song Qingshu asked with a smile.

“Third, this arrangement is limited to Kaifeng. Once I leave, you are never to interfere in my life again.” Huang Rong gazed at him quietly.

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