âYouâre practically pushing me into another womanâs arms. Are you really okay with that?â Song Qingshu grinned as he looked at her.
Gebiâs heart skipped a beat under his deep gaze. Flustered, she hurriedly replied, âWhy wouldnât I be okay with it? Go on, hurry up.â As she spoke, she even gave him a little push.
Song Qingshu gave a bitter laugh. âBut I feel like this is a bit too underhanded. Wanyan Liang is Wanyan Liang, but Tudan Jing is innocent.â
Hearing his words, Gebiâs almond-shaped eyes widened in anger. âShe married Wanyan Liangâhow can she be innocent? Do you really think she knew nothing about all the vile things that dog Wanyan Liang has done over the years?â
âWellâŠâ Song Qingshu hesitated. âBut Iâve heard sheâs devoutly Buddhist and a kind-hearted person.â
âHmph!â Gebiâs face flushed with suppressed fury. âThe only reason she spends all day worshipping Buddha is because she knows her husband is a monster, and sheâs trying to atone for his sins. If evil people in this world could just chant sutras and eat vegetarian meals to be forgiven, wouldnât that be too convenient?â
Just then, the high-pitched moans of the courtesan in the next room reached their ears, making both of them stiffen.
Gebiâs voice turned flustered as she urged, âThereâs no backing out now. If you donât get into Tudan Jingâs bed tonight, Wanyan Liang will grow suspicious tomorrow. After all, Wogula wouldnât just hand me over to him for nothing. With his power, the moment he doubts you, uncovering the truth wonât be hard. All our efforts will have been for nothing.â
Song Qingshu could only laugh bitterly. Not sleeping with Wanyan Liangâs wife would arouse suspicion, while sleeping with her would actually earn his trust. Truly, fate had a twisted sense of humor.
âHurry up and go in. Donât waste timeâif Wanyan Liang finishes and comes looking for you, everything will fall apart.â The sounds from the neighboring room grew even more shameless, making Gebiâs face burn. Knowing Wanyan Liang was imagining her in place of the courtesan, she silently cursed him for his depravity.
âDonât worry, he wonât be done anytime soonâŠâ Noticing Gebiâs confusion, Song Qingshu explained how he had seen Wanyan Liang secretly taking medicine.
âUgh! Disgusting! Shameless!â Realizing Wanyan Liang had taken potent drugs specifically to ravish her, Gebi trembled with rage. âBrother-in-law, promise me one thing!â
Seeing her solemn expression, Song Qingshu dropped his playful demeanor. âIf itâs within my power, I promise.â
âGood!â Gebiâs face flushed as she glared at Tudan Jingâs room. âOnce you go in, make sure you take revenge on Tudan Jing for me!â
Song Qingshu had expected something serious, only to hear this absurd demand. If he had been drinking water, he would have spat it out in shock.
âDid I hear that right?â His expression turned incredulous.
Gebiâs eyes glimmered with mischief as she shot him a coquettish glance. âWhatâs wrong? Is my little brother-in-law scared of losing to a dr*gged-up Wanyan Liang? But when you had your way with me, you were like an untamed bullâŠâ The last part was whispered so softly her ears turned scarlet.
âAre you kidding me?!â Song Qingshu bristledâno man could tolerate being challenged like this, even if he knew she was baiting him. âEven if Wanyan Liang swallowed a whole bottle of those little blue pills, he still wouldnât stand a chance against me!â
In the past, he might have been unsure, but ever since mastering the Joyful Meditation Method, he felt like an unrivaled conqueror in this fieldâtruly undefeatable.
Though Gebi had never heard of âlittle blue pills,â she could guess their meaning. Blushing, she scoffed, âAnyone can boast.â
Song Qingshu grinned. âOthers might have the right to call me a braggart, but youâve experienced it firsthandââ Before he could finish, Gebi clamped a hand over his mouth. âEnough! Stop talking!â
Her fingers were cool against his lips, and Song Qingshu smirked in satisfaction, making Gebi hastily withdraw her hand. âItâs been almost an incense stick of time already. If you donât go back soon, Tudan Jing might come looking for Wanyan Liang, and then weâre doomed.â
âFine.â Knowing there was no way out now, Song Qingshu suddenly waggled his eyebrows. âWould Madam like to watch how I avenge Brother Tang Kuo?â
âUgh! You pervert!â Gebi couldnât handle such teasingâher face burned crimson as she fled in embarrassment.
Shrugging, Song Qingshu headed toward Tudan Jingâs room. As he passed Wanyan Liangâs door, the thunderous commotion inside made him click his tongue.
âTsk tsk, Wanyan Liang is fighting like his life depends on it, desperate to break even. Too bad for himâwhile he has his tricks, I have my own.â
Ignoring the racket, he pushed open Tudan Jingâs door and locked it behind him. Hearing the noise, the woman on the bed spoke softly, âMy lord, youâve finally returned.â
With Song Qingshuâs current martial prowess, even in the pitch-black room, the faint moonlight from the window allowed him to see everything clearly.
Tudan Jing sat at the edge of the bed in thin undergarments, a light blanket draped over her, her face flushed as she looked toward the door.
Tudan Jing, having no martial skills, couldnât make out Song Qingshuâs features in the darkânot that he cared. Mimicking Wanyan Liangâs voice, he replied, âWhy arenât you asleep, my dear Jingâer?â
He had warned Wanyan Liang not to speak after entering, but he himself had no such reservations. His mastery of disguise included voice modulationâwhat good was looking the part if his voice gave him away?
Tudan Jing noticed nothing amiss. Gesturing toward the neighboring room, she said with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, âHow could I sleep with that going on? Tang Kuo Bian and Gebi are being utterly shameless. They know weâre next doorâcouldnât they at least restrain themselves?â
Song Qingshu nearly laughed aloud. â
Thatâs your husband with another woman, not them.â
But of course, he didnât say that. âTheyâre just deeply in love. Maybe this is how they usually are at home and forgot we were nearby.â
Tudan Jing spat in disdain. âI always thought Gebi was so gentle and demure. Who knew sheâd be so⊠soâŠâ Being a devout Buddhist, she couldnât bring herself to say the word.
âLewd? Men love women who are proper in public but wild only for them.â Song Qingshu sat on the edge of the bed, and Tudan Jing instinctively scooted over to make space.
âYou menâŠâ She sighed, then suddenly wrinkled her nose. âYouâve had so much to drink. Take off your clothes and get under the covers.â