Chapter 897: Living in Concealment

Song Qingshu smiled faintly. “Madam’s composure is truly admirable.” Having taken such a significant advantage earlier, he no longer felt it appropriate to remain under the same blanket with her. He kicked Emperor Xizong aside and lightly leaped to his feet.

“Since you didn’t expose me earlier, it proves you’re not from the Jin Dynasty. That means I have nothing to fear.” Daiqisi adjusted her slightly slipping garment, then turned to study him curiously. “Who exactly are you, young master?”

Song Qingshu shrugged. “My identity is rather sensitive, and I don’t see a reason to share it with you.”

Daiqisi was momentarily speechless. Given her peerless beauty, countless heroes—whether on Bright Peak or later in the Jin Dynasty—had been captivated by her charm, falling at her feet. Men usually tripped over themselves to please her, yet this man wouldn’t even answer a simple question.

“Purple-Robed Dragon King?” Song Qingshu examined her curiously. “I thought you returned to the Persian headquarters with Xiao Zhao. Why are you in the Jin Dynasty?”

“You know Xiao Zhao?” Daiqisi finally showed a flicker of emotion.

“We’ve long been acquainted in spirit.” Song Qingshu recalled how, in his past life, Xiao Zhao and Shuang’er were universally regarded as the ideal wives among men. Acquainted in spirit, indeed.

“Then why haven’t I heard Xiao Zhao mention you?” Daiqisi eyed him suspiciously. Among the people Xiao Zhao knew, there was only one young man with such formidable martial skills—Zhang Wuji. But if this were Zhang Wuji, she would have recognized him immediately.

“You’ll hear her mention me often in the future.” Song Qingshu chuckled. “Why has this turned into you questioning me? Let’s return to the main topic—how did you go from being the  Purple-Robed Dragon King to the Lady Taohua?”

“Why should I answer you?” Daiqisi retorted, savoring the reversal of their earlier exchange.

“Because you’re my captive now,” Song Qingshu replied matter-of-factly. “It’d be best if you cooperate, Madam. Someone as delicate as you might not endure t0rture well.”

Daiqisi’s expression flickered, but she quickly regained her composure. Gesturing around, she laughed softly. “How exactly could you t0rture me here?”

Song Qingshu answered calmly, “I have my methods.”

Daiqisi hesitated. His confidence unsettled her, but no matter how she considered it, she couldn’t fathom how he could possibly t0rture her in the emperor’s bedchamber. At worst, she could scream and summon Da Xingguo, forcing a mutual downfall.

Reassured, she scoffed, “I’m not some naive little girl to be frightened so easily.”

“Oh?” Song Qingshu stepped forward abruptly, startling her into retreating.

“What are you doing?” Her face stiffened. If he dared make a move, she’d rather ruin years of effort than let him succeed.

“Your eyes are like two dazzling sapphires—utterly mesmerizing. I couldn’t resist admiring them.” Song Qingshu gazed at her intently.

“Scoundrel!” Daiqisi’s cheeks warmed, but strangely, she wasn’t as furious as she expected. Perhaps it was his lack of lechery, or something else. Uncomfortable, she averted her face slightly.

“How long do you intend to stare?” Her neck flushed as irritation crept into her voice.

“Until you look back at me,” he replied.

“At you?” Puzzled, she turned—only to meet his deep, abyssal eyes.

Seizing the moment, Song Qingshu activated the Soul Capture Technique. Relieved, he mused, Foreigners aren’t so different from us Han. I was worried our martial arts might not work on them.

“Where is the real Lady Taohua?” he asked first.

“I am the real Lady Taohua,” Daiqisi answered tonelessly.

“Impossible!” Song Qingshu frowned. The Wanyan brothers had fought over Taoyao over a decade ago—back then, Daiqisi was likely still the Purple-Robed Dragon King.

“Aren’t you the Ming Cult’s Purple-Robed Dragon King? How did you become the Lady Taohua?” Had he not known the effects of the Soul Capture Technique, he’d have thought she was lying.

“Because of Qianye,” she replied.

“Qianye?” Song Qingshu was puzzled before recalling a name. “Your husband, Han Qianye?”

“Yes.” A tender expression crossed her face, as if reminiscing about their past love.

“Why did he turn you into the Lady Taohua?” His curiosity grew.

“Qianye was ostracized by his clan and forced to undertake a perilous mission. Knowing survival was unlikely, he decided to first avenge his father on Bright Peak. At the Cold Water Lake…” Daiqisi recounted their love story—one that matched Song Qingshu’s knowledge from The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.

“What mission did Han Qianye accept?” Song Qingshu pressed. In the original tale, Han Qianye was a minor figure, remembered only for marrying the era’s greatest beauty. Yet Daiqisi’s tone suggested deeper secrets.

Daiqisi explained softly, “Qianye was a descendant of Han Qi, a renowned minister of the Song Dynasty. His uncle, Han Tuozhou, held great power under Emperor Ningzong. Ambitious, Han Tuozhou longed to reclaim lost territories from the Jin Dynasty. But with the Jin Dynasty at its peak and internal factional strife in the Southern Song, he sent Qianye north as a sleeper agent, to aid in a future northern campaign.”

“But he went to Bright Peak instead?” Song Qingshu interjected.

“Yes.” Daiqisi nodded. “He couldn’t forsake his father’s grudge, so he detoured there. Later, I defected from the Ming Cult for him…” Her face softened—clearly, she had no regrets.

“The Ming Cult’s rules are strict. As a Saintess, I was meant to remain chaste forever. Yet I married, and once the Persian headquarters learned of it, they’d hunt us down. Moreover, after Bright Peak, we’d angered many in the Ming Cult, who might not tolerate us either. So Qianye and I decided to take up Han Tuozhou’s mission, using it as a chance to live incognito in the Jin Dynasty.”