Chapter 906: A Contest of Beauties

“Prince Changsheng?” Although he had already guessed Wanyan Ping’s purpose for coming, Song Qingshu was still somewhat surprised when she voiced it. “As far as I know, you and Prince Changsheng aren’t born from the same mother, are you?”

She and Wanyan Yuan were half-siblings, while she and Wanyan Quan, the Emperor were full siblings. Given that Wanyan Quan was clearly targeting Wanyan Yuan this time, why would Wanyan Ping side with the more distant brother?

Wanyan Ping sighed. “Though we don’t share the same mother, we’ve always been close. When I was very young—back when Emperor Taizong still ruled—the descendants of our grandfather, Emperor Taizu, were often bullied. I was the youngest and looked like a scrawny little girl, so the princes from Taizong’s line loved to pick on me. Back then, Prince Changsheng always stood up for me, often getting beaten black and blue by the other children. Though we grew apart as we got older, I can’t forget the kindness he showed me. I have to repay it.”

Song Qingshu wore a troubled expression. “But you must understand His Majesty’s stance on this case.”

“That’s exactly why I came to you.” Though Wanyan Ping tried to maintain a calm demeanor, a closer look revealed the hopeful glimmer in her eyes.

Song Qingshu shook his head. “This matter is too significant. I need time to consider it carefully.”

Unable to hide her disappointment, Wanyan Ping’s tone turned cold. “Very well. I apologize for disturbing you tonight.” Without another word, she turned and left, leaving Song Qingshu standing alone with a bitter smile.

He knew she thought he was giving her an official brush-off, but she had no idea about his predicament. If he acquitted Wanyan Yuan, not only would Wanyan Liang come after him, but even the Emperor wouldn’t let him off.

Without a foolproof plan to satisfy both sides, making a rash promise would be irresponsible. That was why he hadn’t given her the answer she wanted.

While he was lost in thought, several jailers in the dungeon had gathered to chat, cracking melon seeds. When Wanyan Liang had entered earlier, he had been wrapped up tightly, so they hadn’t recognized him. But they had accepted his generous bribes and turned a blind eye.

Wanyan Ping, however, had no such reservations. As the Emperor’s sister and a powerful figure in the Laundry Courtyard, entering the dungeon was no trouble for her. She didn’t bother hiding her movements, so the jailers had seen her come and go.

Watching her tall, alluring figure disappear into the distance, the jailers couldn’t resist gossiping:

“Tsk tsk tsk, those legs are so round and straight—what man could resist if they wrapped around him?”

“By that logic, she’d never marry! Judging by her walk, she’s clearly not a maiden anymore. I’d love to ask the lucky man how it felt to be squeezed by those legs.”

“Hah, you’ve got guts, daring to gossip about Princess Qi behind her back. Don’t you know she’s the infamous ‘witch’ of the Laundry Courtyard? Anyone who falls into her hands ends up in a pitiful state.”

“What’s there to fear? I’ve seen plenty of high-ranking nobles in this dungeon. Not just princesses—even princes get locked up here! Hell, I once personally hanged a prince.”

“Exactly! If Princess Qi ever steps out of line and lands in our hands, heh heh, would you dare to have some fun with her? Just imagining that icy witch beneath us—damn, it’d be heaven.”

“Keep it down. Though we don’t usually fear her, she’s the sister-in-law of that new royal son-in-law who just arrived. If he hears you, you’ll lose your heads!”

“Tsk, a sister-in-law is a brother-in-law’s little sweetheart. If you ask me, the man who took her maidenhood was probably that very son-in-law.”

“Brother-in-law and sister-in-law? Just thinking about it gets me excited.”

“That d*mn Tang Kuo Bian has way too much luck. His wife is the most beautiful woman in the Dynasty, Princess Gebi, and even his sister-in-law is a stunner like this!”

“Is this ‘most beautiful woman in the Dynasty’ title just hype? Wanyan Ping is already stunning—I can’t imagine anyone more beautiful.”

“Pfft, that’s just your lack of experience. I’ve never seen Princess Gebi, but I once caught a glimpse of the Lady Taohua, who’s said to rival her in beauty. She was like a goddess descended to earth—all the women I’ve ever had don’t compare to a single one of her toes. Just a glance from her could melt a man’s bones.”

“Hah, that’s just you being weak from too much brothel-hopping. How could any woman be that beautiful?”

“Th-there… there really is…”

“You’ve seen her too?”

“Sh-she’s walking toward us right now!” the man stammered.

Everyone jolted and looked up, thunderstruck.

A woman of celestial beauty approached, her fair, jade-like face radiant under the dungeon’s torchlight, her rosy complexion enchanting. The slight curve of her lips gave the illusion that she was smiling at each of them.

By the time she reached them, they were still frozen.

“Greetings. I am Princess Gebi of the Dynasty. With the Emperor’s permission, I’ve come to see my husband, Tang Kuo Bian. Is he here?”

Her voice, soft as water, made the jailers finally understand what their companion had meant by “melting bones.”

They scrambled to reply: “Y-yes! The royal son-in-law is in the innermost chamber. Shall we escort you, Princess?”

Eager to spend even a moment longer in her presence, they all rushed to offer their services.

“No need to trouble yourselves. I’ll find him on my own.” With a slight nod, Princess Gebi gracefully made her way inside.

The jailers stared dumbly after her.

Someone sighed, “Truly worthy of being called the most beautiful woman in the Dynasty. She’s breathtaking—it’s like she glows. I didn’t even dare look directly at her.”

“Not just beautiful—she even spoke so gently to us lowly jailers. She’s perfect. I wouldn’t dare hope for more, but if I could just lick her shoes, I’d die happy.”

“Pathetic. The goddess you don’t dare defile is probably pinned under Tang Kuo Bian every night, getting ravished.”

“D*mn that Tang Kuo Bian! How does he have such insane luck? Not only does he have the most beautiful wife, but also a gorgeous sister-in-law!”

“Don’t be jealous. A harem like that isn’t easy to handle. With a wife that stunning, he must be going at it ten times a night—no way he lives past fifty.”

Little did these jailers know that their crude jokes were eerily accurate. Wanyan Ping’s maidenhood had indeed been taken by her “brother-in-law,” and the real Tang Kuo Bian had died at least thirty years prematurely.

*****

“Achoo!” Song Qingshu rubbed his nose.

Gebi, concerned, draped a robe over his shoulders. “The dungeon is damp and cold. You’ve only been here two days, and you’re already catching a chill.”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “You know how strong my body is. I’m impervious to heat and cold. That sneeze was probably from some lowlife cursing me in secret.”

Gebi blushed and playfully hit him. “You always take advantage of me.”

“Because taking advantage of you feels too good.” Song Qingshu pulled her close, his words carrying a double meaning.

“You’re impossible.” Flushing, she pushed him away. “I came here for serious business.”

“About Prince Changsheng?” Song Qingshu guessed.

Gebi’s eyes flashed with surprise before she nodded. “Yes.”

Song Qingshu laughed inwardly.

‘These sisters really were in sync, coming one after another to plead for their half-brother.’

“Why are you interceding for him? As far as I know, you and your brothers weren’t particularly close.”

Gebi sighed softly. “Distant or not, we’re still siblings. And the Emperor only has this one brother left. Our father’s lineage is thin—there were only a few male descendants to begin with. Now that Prince Wei is dead, if Prince Changsheng is gone too, the Emperor will be truly alone. He’s acting in anger now, but once he cools down, he’ll regret this. As his sister, I have to help ease his burden.”

Song Qingshu mused silently.

‘If only you knew Wanyan Liang is targeting Wanyan Yuan just to legitimize taking his brother’s wife for himself. I wonder how you’d react.’

But there was no need to taint Gebi’s pure heart with the palace’s filth. He replied, “Actually, Ping’er came to see me earlier—for the same reason.”

“Did you agree?” Gebi’s eyes brightened.

Song Qingshu shook his head. “No. This matter is too delicate—one misstep could set me ablaze. But since you’ve asked, I won’t make things difficult for Wanyan Yuan. I’ll handle the case fairly and ensure no false charges stick.”

Gebi knew how thorny this situation was. Going against the Emperor’s will to spare Wanyan Yuan would bring immense pressure and risk. And since Song Qingshu wasn’t the real Tang Kuo Bian, his willingness to take such a risk for her touched her deeply. Overcome with emotion, she threw herself into his arms. “You’re so good to me!”

Holding her warm, soft body, Song Qingshu whispered in her ear, “Stay with me tonight…”

“No!” Gebi recoiled as if stung, then quickly softened, not wanting to hurt his feelings. “Too many people saw me come in. If I stay the night, how could I ever show my face in the capital again? When you… when you return home, I’ll do whatever you want.”

Song Qingshu had known her shy nature would make her refuse. He’d only teased her for fun—but her unexpected promise delighted him. “Is that a promise?”

“Mmm.” Her response was as faint as a mosquito’s hum. “I should go.” Without waiting for his reply, she fled like a startled rabbit.

Song Qingshu wasn’t bothered, but the jailers outside were crestfallen. Hoping to speak more with the Dynasty’s most beautiful woman and admire her a little longer, they watched helplessly as she vanished without a backward glance.

Just as their spirits sank, someone gasped:

“Am I seeing things? Another devastating beauty is coming this way?”