Chapter 908: Playing with Fire

Song Qingshu gently pried open the lid of the box, revealing a thick stack of banknotes and jewelry inside. He let out a soft chuckle before pushing the gift box back. “Lady Taohua must surely understand the nature of this case. While your gift is generous, I fear I might not live long enough to enjoy it. Besides, I have little interest in worldly riches. To risk my life for such things… Hah, I’m afraid I must decline your kind offer.”

Daiqisi’s expression darkened. She took a deep breath to suppress her anger before forcing a charming smile. “Then, may I ask what does interest the Imperial Consort? What would make you willing to take such a risk?”

The corners of Song Qingshu’s lips curled slightly. “Have you ever heard a saying among the Han people? ‘To die beneath the peony, even as a ghost, one remains a libertine.’”

Daiqisi’s face finally paled. This was no longer a hint—it was an outright demand. She bit her lip, thinking bitterly how these nobles were truly insatiable vultures.

‘Fortunately, I still have another card to play. Otherwise, I’d be at a complete loss here.’

“Very well. As long as Prince Changsheng emerges unscathed from this case, I shall grant you whatever you desire,” she said bluntly, no longer bothering with pretense.

Song Qingshu smirked. “Surely you don’t expect me to take such a risk based on an empty promise?”

Daiqisi cursed inwardly but maintained her sweet smile. “Then how may I prove my sincerity to the Imperial Consort?”

“Words alone are meaningless. Put it in writing,” Song Qingshu replied.

Daiqisi was taken aback. She had assumed Tang Kuo Bian would try to take liberties with her today, yet he was acting so… ‘gentlemanly’?

Unbeknownst to her, Song Qingshu was sneering inwardly.

‘Unlike others, I know exactly what tricks you have up your sleeve. I have no intention of ending up like Wanyan Quan, drugged into a stupor while dreaming of conquests all night.’

Though he was confident he could avoid her knockout powder, he didn’t want to risk exposing his true identity.

More importantly, due to his ties with Gebi and Wanyan Ping, he had already decided to save Wanyan Yuan regardless of Daiqisi’s plea. But Song Qingshu was never one to pass up an opportunity—since she had delivered herself to his doorstep, why not take advantage of the situation?

Though surprised, Daiqisi also felt a wave of relief. Her knockout powder tactics had always been meticulously planned, and in the high-security environment of the imperial prison, she wasn’t confident of success. Avoiding the need to use her last resort was ideal. As for this so-called “written promise”—what weight did it really hold? Even if she reneged later, would he dare take it to the Emperor?

With that in mind, she cooperatively drafted the agreement. Song Qingshu carefully stored it away. “You may return and await news. In due time, I shall come to collect what is owed to me.”

Daiqisi smiled sweetly, though her heart was cold. “Many thanks for your assistance, Imperial Consort.”

As she left, Song Qingshu glanced at the document in his hand. He knew full well that, under normal circumstances, such a flimsy piece of paper held little power. But with sufficient strength backing it, this very document could serve as legitimate justification. Whether in this world or the last, the concept of ‘legitimacy’, though abstract, often proved invaluable.

*****

A few days later, the court finally reached a verdict on the high-profile treason case involving Sun Jin.

Song Qingshu presented testimonies proving that Sun Jin’s self-proclaimed title was merely a coincidence, unrelated to Wanyan Yuan. In the end, Wanyan Yuan was acquitted and released.

The outcome brought mixed reactions.

In a secluded chamber, Gebi knelt before her late husband’s memorial tablet, recounting recent events in a soft voice. “…Wogula, he treats me so well—just as you once did. For my sake, he even risked angering the Emperor… I’m truly moved. If your spirit watches over me, I wonder… would you blame me?”

In the palace, Wanyan Ping gazed at a portrait on her wall, her cheeks flushed. It was a painting she had secretly made of her brother-in-law, Tang Kuo Bian, to soothe her longing. After the incident at the Laundry Courtyard, she had taken it down in anger but couldn’t bring herself to destroy it. Now, it hung once more. “Brother-in-law… I forgive you,” she whispered.

When the news reached Prince Changsheng’s estate, the Persian Trio couldn’t help but gossip:

“Tang Kuo Bian actually kept his word!”

“With the Holy Maiden herself intervening, what man could resist her charms?”

“Hah! Once Prince Changsheng returns, we must hasten his ascension. Our main sect won’t hold out much longer.”

Daiqisi ignored their chatter, staring at the distant sky with curiosity.

‘That man actually delivered on his promise… But what gives him such confidence that I won’t renege later?’

In Prince Xu’s mansion, Wanyan Yong was utterly despondent. Zhao Min had mysteriously vanished, and her subordinates had withdrawn one after another. Even a fool could see he had been abandoned. This case had been his last hope—if Wanyan Yuan had been executed, the throne might still have been within his grasp. Yet now, all hope was lost.

Meanwhile, in Prince Hailing’s residence, Wanyan Liang smashed several teacups in fury. “That ungrateful Tang Kuo Bian! After all my warnings, he dares defy me!”

His wife, Tudan Jing, hurriedly tried to calm him. “Your Highness, please don’t be angry. Tang Kuo Bian has always been close to you—there must be some misunderstanding. Why not seek clarification?”

Wanyan Liang’s face darkened at her words, the memory of that night’s wife-swapping incident stinging him anew.

‘Is she defending him because she’s taken a liking to him?’

“What’s there to clarify? A stray dog that can’t be tamed! Or do you fancy him yourself?”

Tudan Jing paled, flustered. “Your Highness… How could you say such a thing?”

Fortunately, Wanyan Liang assumed she was unaware of that night’s events and dismissed it as a passing remark. “Enough. I’m going to the palace.”

Not long after Wanyan Liang’s departure, an imperial decree was issued, condemning Tang Kuo Bian for negligence and collusion with a prince. The Sun Jin case was ordered to be retried, and Tang Kuo Bian himself was imprisoned in the celestial prison alongside Prince Changsheng.

As Song Qingshu stepped out of the prison, he was intercepted by imperial guards delivering the decree. Yet he remained utterly composed.

“Just as I expected.”