Chapter 844: Kept in the Dark

Pink-haired girls are all black-hearted inside!

Song Qingshu shuddered involuntarily, suddenly recalling a meme from his past life in the anime world. The idea was that many pink-haired anime girls were designed to appear as innocent and pure as possible—naive, kind, and sweet—but in reality, they were often the most cunning and sinister of all.

Now, Gebi gave him the same impression. She had always been kind-hearted, but the trauma of her husband’s murder had twisted her into someone far darker when facing his killer.

*****

Time passed quickly.

As night fell, Wanyan Liang arrived at the Tang Kuo residence with his consort, Tudan Jing.

Song Qingshu and Gebi, who had been waiting at the entrance, warmly welcomed the Prince Hailing and his wife.

Observing the faint smile on Tudan Jing’s lips and the subtle dimples that appeared when she spoke, Song Qingshu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

‘Of the four of us here, she’s probably the only one still kept in the dark.’

Meanwhile, Wanyan Liang was shamelessly eyeing Gebi. Her light-blue dress hugged her flawless figure, her delicate cheeks tinged with a faint blush, and her entire demeanor exuded an indescribable charm. The mere thought of soon having this beauty beneath him, at his mercy, made his breathing grow ragged.

Gebi noticed Wanyan Liang’s lecherous gaze and felt a surge of disgust. But to ensure her revenge would be as painful as possible, she suppressed her hatred and maintained a facade of ignorance.

Song Qingshu had initially worried that her emotions might betray her, but seeing how well she concealed them, he marveled inwardly.

‘Women really are born actresses. Someone should give her an Oscar!’

As the group entered, Gebi walked alongside Tudan Jing, chatting and laughing about gossip from noblewomen’s circles in the capital.

Seizing the opportunity, Song Qingshu quietly pulled Wanyan Liang aside and whispered, “Your Highness, later I’ll add a mild sedative to their wine—just enough to cloud their judgment without knocking them out. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Perfect!” Wanyan Liang’s heart raced. He didn’t want Gebi to see through the ruse too soon. After all, the thrill of such affairs lay in secrecy. If she knew everything, the fun would be ruined.

Song Qingshu took the chance to study Wanyan Liang’s guards. Most of the Prince Hailing’s retinue had been left outside—a customary show of respect when visiting another’s home.

These guards were stationed outside to ward off assassins or intruders, ready to storm in at the first sign of trouble. But they were too far away to matter. What concerned Song Qingshu were the elite fighters accompanying Wanyan Liang—the same ones he had seen at Autumn Fragrance Pavilion: the Khitan masters Xiao Tanggudai and Yelü Yuanyi, along with the Tudan clan experts Tudan Alichuhu and Tudan Zhen.

These four had once ambushed even someone as skilled as Yang Guo, momentarily subduing him before he broke free. In a real fight, Yang Guo would have been finished before he could react—though now that he was aware of their tactics, he wouldn’t be caught off guard again.

Individually, each was a top-tier martial artist. Song Qingshu mused that facing all four head-on would be difficult—unless he resorted to stealth.

Aside from these four, Wanyan Liang had only a handful of personal guards, too few to be a real concern.

‘Why haven’t I seen Ouyang Feng and the others lately?’

Song Qingshu felt a flicker of relief. If masters like Ouyang Feng, Murong Bo, or Qiu Qianren were present, his plans would be far harder to execute. These four were troublesome, but they paled in comparison to those three grandmasters.

After some thought, he realized the reason. Though Ouyang Feng and the others were stronger, they were still revered figures—guest elders, not mere bodyguards. Unless the situation demanded it, Wanyan Liang rarely brought them along.

Noticing Song Qingshu’s troubled expression, Wanyan Liang asked, “Brother Tang Kuo, is something wrong?”

Song Qingshu forced a wry smile. “Your Highness, tonight’s affairs… are best kept between us. If word gets out, both our reputations will be ruined. But these guards of yours…”

Wanyan Liang frowned. “You needn’t worry. They are utterly loyal to me.”

“They may serve you, but they’re still from the Tudan clan—and your wife is a Tudan as well. If rumors reach the family…” Song Qingshu left the implication hanging.

Wanyan Liang stiffened. “You’re right. I nearly overlooked that.” He immediately turned to his guards. “Wait in the courtyard. Unless I summon you, do not enter the inner hall.”

The four exchanged puzzled glances but dared not question their lord’s orders. They obediently halted at the entrance.

*****

Once the two couples were seated, Song Qingshu and Gebi raised their cups in gratitude for Wanyan Liang’s “life-saving kindness” in Kaifeng—though inwardly, Gebi was cursing him endlessly.

Wanyan Liang and his wife graciously accepted the toast.

Of the four, only Tudan Jing was unaware of the truth. The other three drank with deliberate cheer, the atmosphere growing increasingly lively.

As the wine flowed, Tudan Jing’s vision began to blur. Pressing her temples, she whispered to Wanyan Liang, “Your Highness, I fear I’ve had too much to drink. May I return to the palace?”

“This…” Wanyan Liang hesitated. He didn’t want his wife to suffer another man’s advances, but without her, his own plans for Gebi would collapse.

Song Qingshu couldn’t let her slip away so easily. “If the Princess Consort is unwell, she’s welcome to rest here for the night.”

“Oh?” Though dizzy, Tudan Jing instinctively felt it improper to stay in another man’s home. Yet outright refusal would be rude. She glanced at her husband uncertainly.

Wanyan Liang stole another look at Gebi—her flushed cheeks, her dazed, glistening eyes—and lust overwhelmed his better judgment. “I still have much to discuss with Brother Tang Kuo. Why don’t you rest in the inner hall for now? I’ll fetch you when it’s time to leave.”

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