Chapter 826: A Troublesome Problem

Prince Wei was not worried about any potential issues. Last time, using the incident with the assassins as an excuse, he had replaced all the guards in Taihe Hall with his own men. There were even hidden guards in the room protecting him—it could be said that the entire Taihe Hall was under his control.

He was even confident that if he were to push Empress Pei Man down and violate her right now, no one else in the palace would know what had happened. However, though he was lustful, he was not so blinded by desire as to lose his senses. He knew Empress Pei Man’s status was too special to touch for now. But the little maidservants by her side? There was no need for such restraint.

“If Your Highness does not mind, they can serve you here,” Empress Pei Man said demurely, standing to the side. But inwardly, she sneered coldly.

Prince Wei hesitated. Though reason told him that taking these two maids back to his palace was the wiser choice, his gaze drifted to the phoenix bed not far away, and a wicked fire surged in his heart. This bed was too special—throughout the entire Dynasty, only one man was allowed to climb onto it: the Emperor. Now, he had the chance to enjoy it in advance. The temptation was simply too great.

“This is truly too embarrassing…” Prince Wei said, though his steps carried him unhesitatingly toward the phoenix bed.

Pulling aside the bed curtains, he saw Zhao Yuanyuan and Zhao Hu’er huddled under the covers, their delicate shoulders partially exposed as they looked at him timidly. Swallowing hard, he turned back to Empress Pei Man with a smirk. “Your Majesty doesn’t plan to just stand there and watch, does she?”

Empress Pei Man’s face brightened, a bewitching smile playing on her lips. “Does Your Highness wish for me to watch?”

Her coquettish smile made his heart skip a beat. She’s only ever known Father—that sickly weakling. If she sees my heroic vigor, perhaps she’ll be so moved she’ll throw herself into my arms…

“If Your Majesty wishes to watch, then watch. This prince doesn’t mind.” He turned back to the two girls under the covers, rubbing his hands together before pouncing. “My little beauties, your prince has arrived!”

At this moment, Zhao Yingluo could hold back no longer. Like a fleeting shadow, she lunged toward Prince Wei’s back with her Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

“Your Highness, be careful!”

The hidden guard lurking in the shadows had felt something off all night, so he had remained on high alert. Seeing Zhao Yingluo strike, he swiftly drew his thin sword and attacked her.

Since Zhao Yingluo was moving too fast, he had to push his internal energy to its limits to save Prince Wei. His body shot forward like a meteor, certain he could intercept her before she struck.

But suddenly, his entire body shuddered as if struck by a hammer. He crashed uncontrollably into the nearby wall. His face twisted in disbelief as he struggled to lift his head, spotting a handsome young man standing calmly not far away.

“How could there be someone else in this room?” When he had first entered, he had scanned the entire chamber with his Qi perception. Aside from the two girls on the phoenix bed, he had detected no one. Now, two people had appeared out of nowhere—proof that their martial arts far surpassed his.

‘His Highness is finished…’

This was his last thought before death. The only reason he hadn’t died instantly from Song Qingshu’s full-force strike was his sheer will to see who had attacked him. Now that he knew, he could hold on no longer.

By then, Zhao Yingluo had already subdued Prince Wei. Turning back, she saw Song Qingshu kill the hidden guard. The guard had been incredibly fast, yet Song Qingshu had moved like an invisible light, appearing beside him in an instant. With a single, silent palm strike, he had shattered the man’s heart meridian.

Zhao Yingluo was stunned. She had known Song Qingshu was strong, but not to this extent. She had fought this hidden guard earlier in Taihe Hall and knew his skills were on par with hers. Yet, Song Qingshu had killed him in one move!

Though he had the advantage of surprise, to render a master of this level helpless and instantly kill him—few in the entire martial world could accomplish such a feat.

If Zhao Yingluo was shocked, Prince Wei was utterly terrified. Over the years, this hidden guard had saved him from countless dangers. In his mind, this man was the strongest fighter in the world. Yet, he had been killed in a single strike!

“You… what do you want?” Prince Wei tried to shout for his guards, but Zhao Yingluo had already sealed his mute acupoint. Desperate, he could only look to Empress Pei Man for help—only to see her standing beside the two mysterious experts, a cold smile on her face. His heart sank in despair.

“I am the Emperor’s only son! How dare you, this lowly woman, think of killing me!” But with his acupoints sealed, his words came out as nothing but muffled whimpers.

“I know exactly what you’re thinking right now,” Empress Pei Man said coolly. “But I have no interest in wasting words on you.” She turned to Song Qingshu. “Young Master, please knock him out.”

Pleased with her tone, Song Qingshu tapped a finger, and Prince Wei’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed unconscious.

“What do you plan to do next?” Song Qingshu asked curiously.

“I will summon the Emperor soon. But before that, I need to align their stories.” Empress Pei Man carefully instructed Zhao Yuanyuan and Zhao Hu’er on how to respond when questioned.

Listening nearby, Song Qingshu and Zhao Yingluo felt a chill. This woman is truly ruthless…

After finishing her instructions, Empress Pei Man suddenly frowned. “No, there’s still one flaw.”

“What flaw?” Song Qingshu asked.

“Thanks to your earlier reminder,” she said, eyeing the two girls. “Their appearances do look like they’ve just been violated… but they’re missing the most crucial evidence.”

“What evidence?” Zhao Yingluo, concerned for her sisters, pressed the question.

“Prince Wei’s…” Empress Pei Man lowered her voice and whispered a word, making the other three women blush and Song Qingshu roll his eyes.

“If you want that, get it yourself. They won’t help with this,” Song Qingshu said dryly.

Empress Pei Man smirked. “Of course I’ll do it. Did you think I’d let your untouched little sweethearts touch Prince Wei?”

Song Qingshu’s brow twitched. “Forget it. I’ll handle it.”

“You?!” Not just Empress Pei Man, but even Zhao Yingluo and the two girls stared at him in shock.

“You’re women—must your minds be so vulgar?” Seeing their expressions, Song Qingshu sighed. “I just have a clever method, that’s all!”

He tapped a point on Prince Wei’s waist. The unconscious man shuddered violently, and soon, a large wet stain spread across his pants.

“You handle the rest. I don’t want to touch another man’s filth.” Disgusted, Song Qingshu stepped far away.

“Um…” Zhao Hu’er suddenly spoke up timidly. “I don’t want that disgusting man’s… stuff… smeared on me.”

Zhao Yuanyuan nodded in agreement. “Me neither.”

Empress Pei Man was stunned. “If you don’t, how will you fool the Emperor? If he inspects you and finds nothing, we’re all dead—including your sisters in the Laundry Courtyard!”

“But I really don’t want to touch his… thing…” Zhao Hu’er’s face reddened as she stole a glance at Song Qingshu, muttering under her breath, “If it were brother-in-law’s… maybe.”

Beside her, Zhao Yuanyuan gave an almost imperceptible nod.