Chapter 30

Chapter 29: Lady Guo, Huang Rong

Song Qingshu's heart tightened, and he quickly gathered his wits to respond, "I do have some leads now."

"Really? Tell me about it," Ling Tuisi put down his teacup and stared intently into his eyes. "I heard that for a while, you were running back and forth between my daughter's room and the prison to chat with Ding Dian. What are you up to?"

Ling Tuisi, as a high-ranking official, exuded a faint aura of authority and pressure, making Song Qingshu feel uneasy. He thought to himself with resentment: I am a穿越者 (穿越者 means someone who has traveled through time or dimensions, often used in Chinese literature for characters who have been transported to a different era or world), and even if I don't have the aura of a king, you shouldn't be the one to overpower me.

Of course, he dared not say this out loud. Instead, he explained in a slightly humble tone, "To be honest, sir, I saw that all the harsh punishments over the years had no effect, so I decided to change my approach. I learned by chance that Ding Dian has long harbored feelings for your daughter, so I planned to use this angle. I used Miss Ling as bait, pretending to help them escape together, and Ding Dian indeed fell for it, becoming more relaxed in his tone..."

"Quite bold of you to joke about my daughter's reputation," Ling Tuisi slammed his hand on the table, startling Song Qingshu. He thought to himself: You were willing to kill your own daughter for the treasure, and now you're putting up a facade of righteousness.

"What did he say?" Ling Tuisi's tone changed, and he asked calmly.

"He promised to reveal the secret of the Liancheng Decree after the plan succeeds," Song Qingshu said, observing the other's expression.

Ling Tuisi angrily said, "Are you suggesting that I should give my daughter to her to get the Liancheng Decree?"

"Of course not," Song Qingshu smiled apologetically, "Sir, with your powerful army and many skilled subordinates, once he reveals the secret, whether to kill or release him is entirely up to you."

"That's true," Ling Tuisi smiled at him, but inwardly he thought: I'll take care of you at the same time.

Ding Dian, hidden in the shadows, was furious and wished he could rush out and kill Song Qingshu, this shameless man. Ding Dian, having experienced the treachery of the world, would not easily trust others. Now that his martial arts were complete, it was not difficult for him to sneak out of the prison. When he saw Ling Tuisi summon Song Qingshu, he followed secretly. He overheard their "plot."

Suddenly, he frowned and glanced into the distance. A powerful expert had arrived. At that moment, he was determined to escape with Ling Shuanghua and did not want to cause any trouble. He turned and left after giving the two men inside a fierce look.

"A messenger from Lord Lu of Xiangyang has arrived in Jingzhou and is waiting outside the mansion," a constable rushed to the door to report.

"I will take my leave first," Song Qingshu, realizing they had important military matters to discuss, prepared to leave tactfully.

Watching Song Qingshu's back, Ling Tuisi had a thought and said, "Why don't you stay and meet the messenger with me? Young Master Song, with your talents, it's a waste to be in the martial world. With more training, you might become a trusted aide of mine..."

Song Qingshu, hearing the tone of recruitment, was surprised but quickly understood. This was a feint to lower his guard. Realizing this, Song Qingshu kept his eyes down and followed Ling Tuisi to meet the messenger.

Soon, a group of people entered, and among them was a woman who could be described as beautiful as spring flowers and radiant as the morning sun, with delicate red lips and a faint smile.

Song Qingshu glanced at her and quickly looked away, his heart pounding. He thought to himself: Good heavens, there is such a beautiful woman in the world!

A moment later, he felt embarrassed for being as shy as his brother and raised his head to admire her more closely.

Ling Tuisi's words soon dispelled Song Qingshu's confusion: "What brings you here, Lady Huang, that you personally came to Jiangling?"

It was Huang Rong! Song Qingshu suddenly understood. Only she could exude such charm and mature allure in every gesture.

"I greet you, Sir Ling. I have come on behalf of Lord Lu of Xiangyang to urge the delivery of next month's military rations. Also," Huang Rong smiled gently, her charming smile making even the middle-aged Ling Tuisi feel a flutter in his heart, "our Beggar Sect has received intelligence that someone in the martial world plans to assassinate you. Your safety is crucial to the rear of Xiangyang, so Lord Lu and my husband decided to send me with a team to protect you."

Song Qingshu's face changed, and he felt a mix of shock and suspicion. Could Huang Rong be referring to me? That doesn't make sense; how could she have received the information in advance?

Ling Tuisi also glanced at Song Qingshu subtly and chuckled, "Thank you for Lord Lu and Master Guo's concern. Does Lady Huang know the identity of the assassin?"

"Our Beggar Sect has investigated thoroughly and found out their background," Huang Rong bowed slightly, "They seem to be from the Western Snow Mountain Sect."

"The Snow Mountain Sect?" Ling Tuisi, though a governor, was also somewhat involved in the martial world and knew a bit about the Snow Mountain Sect, "Is it the Snow Mountain Sect of Mr. Bai Zizai?"

"Exactly!" Huang Rong nodded, a worried look on her face, "The Snow Mountain Sword Technique is famous throughout the world, and there are many experts under the sect leader. We need to be very cautious this time."

"I have no grudges with the Snow Mountain Sect, so why would they try to assassinate me?" Ling Tuisi asked, puzzled, wondering if Lu Wenhuan was using this as an opportunity to plant his own people in Jingzhou.

Huang Rong, perceptive as she was, saw the suspicion in Ling Tuisi's eyes. She thought that if he did not fully cooperate, something might really go wrong. She quickly explained, "Sir Ling, you may not know, but the Snow Mountain Sect is located in the Western Regions, which are now divided among the Mongols, the Ming Sect, and various small factions. The Snow Mountain Sect has recently decided to ally with the Mongols but is worried about being overlooked. They plan to earn a significant achievement to gain favor. For some reason, they chose to target you, Sir, instead of the Prince of Yang of the Western Regions, Chahan, and decided to act through you."

"Truly outrageous!" Ling Tuisi snorted, "A small sect like the Snow Mountain Sect dares to bully me."

"Sir, you must not be complacent," Huang Rong advised, "The Snow Mountain Sect has sent all their experts. Our Beggar Sect has discovered that they have already infiltrated Jingzhou in batches. We must be cautious."

"Men!" Ling Tuisi thought for a moment and called his subordinates to select a hundred skilled warriors from the army to join the governor's guard, and to have the city guards patrol the city more frequently, ready to act at the first sign of trouble at the governor's mansion.

After making these arrangements, Ling Tuisi saw that Huang Rong was not entirely convinced and asked, "Lady Huang, you are known for your wisdom. Is my arrangement appropriate?"

"Sir, your strategy is well-thought-out and meticulous. Considering your background as a scholar, I am truly impressed," Huang Rong's flattery made the shrewd Ling Tuisi feel a bit elated. After all, being praised by such a radiant woman would make any man feel proud.

"However, there may be gaps during the patrols. It would be better if I stay with a few Beggar Sect experts in the mansion to be prepared for any emergencies," Huang Rong's gentle voice made Ling Tuisi feel at ease, and he could not feel the slightest bit of discomfort.

"Very well," Ling Tuisi chuckled, "Who are these gentlemen?"

"These two are my husband's disciples, Wu Xiuwen and Wu Dunru, and these are our Beggar Sect brothers..." Huang Rong introduced them one by one.

Those two, whom Yang Guo once described as "even pigs would bow to them as kings"? Song Qingshu curiously examined them. They looked decent and seemed to have some martial arts foundation; they shouldn't be that bad.

The conversation then turned to the war situation on the Xiangyang front, which bored Song Qingshu. He found an opportunity to slip away.

With Huang Rong's arrival, the Snow Mountain Sect's sinister intentions, and the hidden Wu Liuzhi, Jingzhou was now a place of hidden turmoil. This made it easier to help Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua escape Jingzhou.

He found a secluded spot in the mansion, stretched lazily, and sat under a large tree. After a while, he heard two muffled sounds behind him. A smile appeared on Song Qingshu's lips, and without opening his eyes, he said, "You're here~"

"Now you can't even call me 'sister-in-law'?" Hu Furen emerged from the shadows, scolding him in a huff.

After several days without seeing her, she was still as beautiful and graceful. Song Qingshu stood up, "Who would call you 'sister-in-law' when you look so young and delicate? To others, you look like my little sister. I'm just afraid that calling you 'sister-in-law' would make you seem older."

Knowing he was teasing her, Hu Furen found it hard to be truly angry and kept telling herself that her uncle was a carefree and easygoing person.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Hu Furen pretended to be stern, "What do you need me to do? The governor's mansion is heavily guarded, and I need to leave quickly to avoid being discovered."

Before entering the mansion, Song Qingshu had anticipated that it would be difficult to communicate with the outside world, so he and Hu Furen agreed to meet at this tree every evening to exchange messages.

Hu Furen would secretly monitor the situation outside the mansion. If Song Qingshu did not come, it meant he had nothing to say. If he came, it meant he had something to tell her. She would then use her lightness skills to enter the mansion, incapacitate the two constables secretly watching Song Qingshu, and meet him.

Song Qingshu told Hu Furen about Huang Rong's arrival and the assassination plot by the Snow Mountain Sect. Seeing his eyes light up when he mentioned Huang Rong, Hu Furen felt a twinge of jealousy and asked coldly, "Rumor has it that Huang Rong was the most beautiful woman in the world. Is she really that beautiful?"

Chapter 30: Jealous Hu Furen

"Sir, your strategy is well-thought-out and meticulous. Considering your background as a scholar, I am truly impressed," Huang Rong's flattery made the shrewd Ling Tuisi feel a bit elated. After all, being praised by such a radiant woman would make any man feel proud.

"However, there may be gaps during the patrols. It would be better if I stay with a few Beggar Sect experts in the mansion to be prepared for any emergencies," Huang Rong's gentle voice made Ling Tuisi feel at ease, and he could not feel the slightest bit of discomfort.

"Very well," Ling Tuisi chuckled, "Who are these gentlemen?"

"These two are my husband's disciples, Wu Xiuwen and Wu Dunru, and these are our Beggar Sect brothers..." Huang Rong introduced them one by one.

Those two, whom Yang Guo once described as "even pigs would bow to them as kings"? Song Qingshu curiously examined them. They looked decent and seemed to have some martial arts foundation; they shouldn't be that bad.

The conversation then turned to the war situation on the Xiangyang front, which bored Song Qingshu. He found an opportunity to slip away.

With Huang Rong's arrival, the Snow Mountain Sect's sinister intentions, and the hidden Wu Liuzhi, Jingzhou was now a place of hidden turmoil. This made it easier to help Ding Dian and Ling Shuanghua escape Jingzhou.

He found a secluded spot in the mansion, stretched lazily, and sat under a large tree. After a while, he heard two muffled sounds behind him. A smile appeared on Song Qingshu's lips, and without opening his eyes, he said, "You're here~"

"Now you can't even call me 'sister-in-law'?" Hu Furen emerged from the shadows, scolding him in a huff.

After several days without seeing her, she was still as beautiful and graceful. Song Qingshu stood up, "Who would call you 'sister-in-law' when you look so young and delicate? To others, you look like my little sister. I'm just afraid that calling you 'sister-in-law' would make you seem older."

Knowing he was teasing her, Hu Furen found it hard to be truly angry and kept telling herself that her uncle was a carefree and easygoing person.

"Stop talking nonsense!" Hu Furen pretended to be stern, "What do you need me to do? The governor's mansion is heavily guarded, and I need to leave quickly to avoid being discovered."

Before entering the mansion, Song Qingshu had anticipated that it would be difficult to communicate with the outside world, so he and Hu Furen agreed to meet at this tree every evening to exchange messages.

Hu Furen would secretly monitor the situation outside the mansion. If Song Qingshu did not come, it meant he had nothing to say. If he came, it meant he had something to tell her. She would then use her lightness skills to enter the mansion, incapacitate the two constables secretly watching Song Qingshu, and meet him.

Song Qingshu told Hu Furen about Huang Rong's arrival and the assassination plot by the Snow Mountain Sect. Seeing his eyes light up when he mentioned Huang Rong, Hu Furen felt a twinge of jealousy and asked coldly, "Rumor has it that Huang Rong was the most beautiful woman in the world. Is she really that beautiful?"