Chapter 739: German Orthopedics

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“Achoo!”

Just as Huang Rong finished cursing in her heart, Song Qingshu, who was lying in a carriage on the other side, sneezed heavily. He found it strange—was another one of his beloved women thinking about him again?

Beside him, Wanyan Liang quickly put on a concerned expression. “Brother Tang Kuo, you’ve suffered serious injuries and were poisoned. Although the poison has been neutralized, your body is still extremely weak. You must take good care of yourself once we return to the manor.”

However, in his heart, he had an entirely different thought:

‘Hmph, it would be best if he became a sickly invalid from now on, with no energy left for the bedroom. That way, Gebi would suffer a few less rounds…’

By seniority, Gebi was the biological younger sister of Emperor Xizong of Jin, making her Wanyan Liang’s cousin. That he could even entertain such “German orthopedic” thoughts about his cousin was something that even the ever-flirtatious Song Qingshu had to concede to.  (G: a humorous or ironic meme. It stems from a story or joke about a brother breaking his sister’s leg and being sent to “German orthopedics” for treatment, often used to tease sibling dynamics or tab0o relationships.)

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness,” Song Qingshu responded, feigning a deeply moved expression. “I thought I was doomed this time and had already accepted my fate. I never expected Your Highness to save me. For this life-saving grace, even if Tang Kuo Bian must work like an ox or a horse, I shall repay Your Highness.”

‘Hmph, as if you would offer your w!fe to me for a few nights.’

Wanyan Liang sneered inwardly, but his face remained as gentle as jade. “Brother Tang Kuo, there’s no need for such words. We serve the same court, and it is only right to help each other. Besides, we have always shared a deep personal bond—how could I stand by and do nothing?”

Wanyan Liang knew that Tang Kuo Bian and his wife shared a deep affection, unlike Wudai, the Grand Marshal of the Chongyi Army, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals—even offering up his own wife. When Wanyan Liang recalled how Madame Tang had once looked at him with contempt, believing he had used despicable means to obtain her, he smirked coldly.

‘I should find an opportunity to tell her the truth.’

As the alluring image of Madame Tang surfaced in his mind, Wanyan Liang suddenly frowned. For some reason, he found himself losing interest in her lately.

‘It seems that no matter how beautiful a w0man is, one eventually grows tired of her.’

Finding solace in this justification, he quickly shifted his attention to Tang Kuo Bian’s wife, Gebi.

‘One day, I will properly ride this beautiful rouge-colored mare!’

The thought of their special blood ties made Wanyan Liang feel a certain part of his b0dy swell. He hurriedly adjusted his clothes to avoid exposing his reaction to Tang Kuo Bian.

Though Song Qingshu noticed Wanyan Liang’s heartbeat quicken, he had no idea what the man was truly thinking. He continued to feign sincerity. “Your Highness, let’s not dwell on formalities. If there is anything I can do in the future, I will go through fire and water without hesitation.”

Wanyan Liang was pleased with his response. He had gone to great lengths to save Tang Kuo Bian, not merely to silence his political enemies but to secure his allegiance as well.

However, recalling an unresolved matter, he casually asked, “Brother Tang Kuo, what exactly happened that night? How did you end up in Huang Rong’s hands?”

This was something Wanyan Liang had to figure out. After all, he had sent those assassins. If Tang Kuo Bian had identified them, Wanyan Liang would have no choice but to silence him.

Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. He immediately realized what Wanyan Liang was truly concerned about. Fortunately, he had already prepared for this. Without panic, he answered, “To be honest, I’m still a little confused myself. That night, I was resting in my room when several masked men in black suddenly burst in…”

He deliberately paused.

Wanyan Liang was immediately drawn in. “Brother Tang Kuo, do you know who those masked men were?”

Song Qingshu smirked inwardly. ‘Even if I didn’t know the truth, your nervous reaction just now gave you away.’ But on the surface, he remained puzzled. “I have no idea. They charged in with murderous intent, clearly not coming with good intentions. However, before they could act, Huang Rong led people in and engaged them in battle. Those masked men were quickly killed, and then she captured me.”

Wanyan Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Good. He doesn’t suspect anything…’

However, at the thought of Huang Rong escaping time and again, rage surged within him. “That damn woman! One day, I will capture her and—”

He almost blurted out ‘have my way with her,’ but remembering that Tang Kuo Bian was present, he quickly changed his words, “—capture her to let you vent your anger.”

Song Qingshu suddenly had a strange expression. “That woman isn’t disgusting at all. In fact, she smells quite nice.”

Recalling the heavenly pleasure he had recently enjoyed, he couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.

Wanyan Liang chuckled. “Huang Rong is indeed a great beauty. That fool Guo Jing was truly lucky… though he probably won’t be able to enjoy it much longer.”

“Oh? Why is that?” Song Qingshu’s expression shifted slightly.

Wanyan Liang then recounted how he had secretly swapped the real antidote with poison. Song Qingshu felt a wave of relief—luckily, he had anticipated this and acted first. Otherwise, if Guo Jing had died, Huang Rong would have hated him for life.

“Before long, Huang Rong will become the most beautiful widow in the world.” Wanyan Liang’s eyes gleamed as he exchanged a knowing look with Song Qingshu. Their laughter echoed within the carriage.

After chatting for a while, Wanyan Liang returned to his own carriage, where Murong Bo quickly approached him and whispered, “Your Highness, should we find an opportunity to eliminate Tang Kuo Bian on the road? Once we reach the Jiedushi Manor, that will be his territory, and we may not get another good chance.”

Wanyan Liang shook his head. “I’ve changed my mind. Right now, Tang Kuo Bian is deeply grateful to me. Keeping him alive is more beneficial than killing him.”

Murong Bo frowned. “But he is the emperor’s brother-in-law. He may not stand on our side in the future…”

“I have my own plans,” Wanyan Liang replied cryptically, his expression unreadable.

Murong Bo hesitated but still added, “Is there a chance that Tang Kuo Bian is only pretending not to know the masked men’s identities?”

“It’s possible,” Wanyan Liang admitted with a nod. “That’s why we can’t trust him completely.”

After arriving at the Grand Marshal Manor, Madame Tang had already rushed out to greet them. Seeing her brother return safely, she was overjoyed and threw herself into Song Qingshu’s arms, eyes brimming with tears.

Song Qingshu sighed inwardly.

‘These tears are probably mostly for the farewell letter I left behind. When she learns that Tang Kuo Bian is already dead, I can’t imagine how heartbroken she will be…’

Wanyan Liang had accomplished most of what he set out to do and saw no reason to linger. The next day, he departed for the Jin capital, Daxing.

For some unknown reason, before leaving, he invited the “seriously injured” Tang Kuo Bian to accompany him.

Eager to investigate the whereabouts of Song Yuanqiao and the others, Song Qingshu accepted without hesitation.

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