Flower Stealing Master

On the way, Song Qingshu wanted to turn around several times to catch a glimpse of the female assassin. However, each time the thought arose, the sword tip against his back pressed in slightly, as if she could predict his every move.

Song Qingshu’s heart tightened. ‘This female assassin seems highly skilled… Do I know anyone like her?’

Her voice sounded familiar, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall where he had heard it. Clearly, she wasn’t someone close to him. Yet among the women he wasn’t well acquainted with, who could possibly possess such exceptional martial skills?

After racking his brain to no avail, Song Qingshu decided to stop thinking about it. ‘I’ll find out once we reach Xiao Xingguo’s residence—there’s no way she won’t show herself then.’

“We won’t disturb Eunuch Xing any further,” one of the two guards said after an unknown period of walking. They had stopped at the entrance of a courtyard and turned to Song Qingshu.

Song Qingshu took the opportunity to glance behind him but didn’t see the female assassin. He couldn’t help but inwardly praise, ‘What impressive Qinggong!’

Surveying the small courtyard, he assumed it must be Xiao Xingguo’s residence. Without revealing his thoughts, he nodded slightly. “Would the two of you like to come in for some tea?”

“No need, no need,” the guards quickly waved their hands. “We still have to search for the female assassin. We wouldn’t dare delay our duties. Please forgive us, Eunuch.”

Song Qingshu had only asked out of politeness, so he wasn’t surprised by their response. Their tact pleased him even more. “In that case, I won’t insist. Thank you for your assistance today. If there’s ever anything I can help with in the future, just let me know.”

Song Qingshu chuckled to himself. ‘It seems that palace politics are the same everywhere.’

Since the female assassin still showed no intention of revealing herself, he decided to ignore her. Pushing open the door, he began inspecting “his” new residence. After a quick glance around, he silently nodded in approval. Although the courtyard was not large, it was clear that Xiao Xingguo lived alone. ‘It seems he holds a decent position in the palace.’

Upon entering the inner chamber, his eyes suddenly narrowed. A woman dressed in black sat directly across from him—undoubtedly the female assassin. Though her face was veiled, her tall and graceful figure made it obvious why the guards had called her a beauty.

However, Song Qingshu noticed a deep wound on her arm. Although she had sealed the surrounding acupoints, blood still seeped out slowly. Moreover, her unsteady breathing suggested she had sustained internal injuries as well.

“Good thing you were smart enough to keep quiet earlier. Otherwise, you and those two dogs would be dead by now… Cough, cough!” She hadn’t even finished her sentence before she started coughing, her wound appearing to reopen slightly.

‘Even if her looks are slightly lacking, with that stunning figure and those beautiful eyes, she’s definitely a top-tier beauty!’ Song Qingshu couldn’t help but assess her inwardly.

“If you keep staring at me like that, believe it or not, I’ll gouge your eyes out!” The woman finally caught her breath, only to see Song Qingshu staring at her intently. Instantly, anger surged within her.

“I believe you, of course I do!” Song Qingshu immediately responded. ‘A female warrior who dares to infiltrate the imperial palace must be incredibly skilled. Killing me would be as easy as crushing an ant.’ He then added with a chuckle, “But if you keep getting so worked up, you might run out of blood before you get the chance.” He gestured toward her wound.

“Hmph! Don’t get any ideas. Even injured, dealing with you would be effortless.” She snorted coldly.

“Yes, yes, of course,” Song Qingshu said with a grin. “But shouldn’t you tend to your wound first?”

The assassin suddenly gave him a suspicious look. “Why do I feel like you’re not afraid of me at all?”

Song Qingshu’s heart skipped a beat. ‘I can’t let her see through me!’ Thinking quickly, he put on a sincere expression. “A lone woman daring to assassinate someone in the imperial palace must be a righteous and fearless heroine. You wouldn’t waste your efforts on a lowly eunuch like me when your real targets are the corrupt officials and arrogant nobles.”

She looked at him in surprise. “You’re quite good with words.” After a brief hesitation, she beckoned him closer. “Come here.”

“What for?” Song Qingshu feigned fear, but internally, he was thrilled. ‘Is this where she asks me to help remove her clothes and tend to her wounds, just like in those novels?’

“Just come here! Why so many questions?” She sounded impatient.

“Yes, yes!” Song Qingshu hurried over with exaggerated obedience, only to feel a sudden sharp pain in his chest as she swiftly struck several acupoints.

“W-what are you doing?” he asked, feigning a grimace.

“Hmph! You’re no lowly eunuch. Those two guards were fawning over you—clearly, you have influence in the palace. Hardly the pitiful soul you claim to be!” she sneered. “I just sealed your death acupoint with a special technique. Without my intervention, in three days, you’ll bleed from all seven orifices and die.”

“Mercy, Lady Heroine! Please spare me!” Song Qingshu dramatically clutched her hand, though he was inwardly smirking. ‘Her technique resembles something from the Nine Yin Scripture… Who exactly is she?’ Of course, he had already shifted his acupoint using his exquisite muscle control, so he wasn’t actually affected.

Her wounded arm flared with pain from his grip, nearly making her faint. “Let go of me!” she snapped. In her weakened state, it hadn’t even occurred to her that she shouldn’t have been caught so easily by a mere eunuch.

“I won’t let go unless you promise to save me!” Song Qingshu coldly snorted inwardly. ‘You’ve been acting high and mighty this whole time—let’s see how you like a taste of your own medicine.’

“As long as you follow my instructions, I’ll undo it.” She finally realized her mistake and used her free hand to push him several feet away.

Song Qingshu watched as her chest heaved with emotion. ‘Hmm… interesting reaction.’ Aloud, he said, “Of course, of course! Whatever you say, Lady Heroine. If you tell me to go east, I wouldn’t dare go west.”

The assassin frowned slightly. She glanced at her hand in confusion. ‘Am I really so weak now that even a eunuch can shake me like that?’

A wave of dizziness swept over her, cutting off further thoughts. Quickly, she ordered, “Bring me a basin of clean water. And some fresh bandages.”

“Yes, yes!” Song Qingshu turned to fetch the items, but he was already planning his next move. ‘I need to find a way to pull off her veil and see who she really is. Also, I have to figure out Xiao Xingguo’s identity—why would even the imperial guards be so deferential to him?’

“Are you done yet? You’re not up to something, are you?” her voice came from inside the room, tinged with suspicion.

“Almost done!” Song Qingshu responded, though he was inwardly frustrated. ‘I don’t even know where the basin and water are! Let alone the bandages!’ Fortunately, having lived in the Qing palace before, he managed to locate the items just in time.

“Here’s the water!” He placed the basin on the table while glancing at her profile. ‘If I yank off her veil right now, will she stab me on the spot?’

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