Flower Stealing Master

“Wan’er, why did you carefully arrange for me to meet you here?” Xia Qingqing asked, her heart filled with curiosity.

Over the years, though the two women had been together in the Golden Serpent Camp and appeared to get along on the surface, Xia Qingqing understood that they were far from being friends.

Back then, if she hadn’t been so impulsive and sarcastically insinuated that Jiao Wan’er and Yuan Chengzhi were having an affair, Jiao Wan’er wouldn’t have married a senior apprentice she didn’t even like to avoid suspicion.

As she gained more experience and had gone through life-and-death situations, Xia Qingqing was no longer the jealous and reckless girl she once was. Whenever she recalled this incident, she felt deeply guilty toward Jiao Wan’er.

Xia Qingqing also knew well that even though Jiao Wan’er had never said anything outright, deep down, she still resented her. 

‘After all, Jiao Wan’er had loved Brother Yuan so much back then…’

This explained why, despite the deep connections between the two women, when it came to nominating the candidate for the Golden Serpent King, Xia Qingqing wasn’t confident she could persuade Jiao Wan’er to support Song Qingshu. As expected, Jiao Wan’er had nominated Murong Fu instead.

“I want to ask you for a favor,” Jiao Wan’er looked at her with a strange expression.

“Wan’er, you’re too polite. As long as it’s something I can do, I’ll definitely help you,” Xia Qingqing said immediately, feeling apologetic and eager to agree since Jiao Wan’er rarely asked for help.

“You can do it,” Jiao Wan’er paused for a moment before continuing, “I want to take the Golden Dragon Gang back to our hometown, Jinling.”

She could have just left quietly, but she didn’t want her father’s former legacy to be destroyed, and she was also worried that if she secretly escaped, Song Qingshu wouldn’t let her go.

But if Xia Qingqing were to help, things would be different. As one of the twelve faction leaders of the Golden Serpent Camp with a prestigious status, if she brought it up during a council meeting and a few other influential leaders supported it, Song Qingshu would find it difficult to refuse. Jiao Wan’er could then leave his grasp in a legitimate manner.

“What? Wan’er, you want to return to Jinling?” Xia Qingqing was stunned upon hearing Jiao Wan’er’s words.

She couldn’t help but be surprised. It wasn’t a secret that the Golden Dragon Gang had wanted to return to Jinling before, but that was when the Golden Serpent Camp was facing internal and external troubles, teetering on the brink of collapse. Now, however, the camp was flourishing, and their status as a couple had risen accordingly. They might even attain a general’s rank in the future. Why would they want to leave at such a crucial time?

Sensing Xia Qingqing’s confusion, Jiao Wan’er replied indifferently, “My mind is made up. You don’t need to try and persuade me.”

“Wan’er, have you discussed this with Brother Luo?” Xia Qingqing couldn’t help but frown. Recently, Luo Liru had been highly motivated, eager to achieve merit and secure a future for himself. How could he suddenly decide to return to Jinling?

“This is none of your concern. The matters between my husband and me are quite clear to us,” Jiao Wan’er said impatiently. “You only need to tell me if you’ll help or not.”

Xia Qingqing looked troubled. If the Golden Serpent King were someone else, she would be willing to help Jiao Wan’er even at the cost of offending him. However, the current Golden Serpent King was Song Qingshu, and the camp was at a critical juncture. If they suddenly lost the Golden Dragon Gang, a vital force, the camp’s strength would undoubtedly be compromised.

Noticing Xia Qingqing’s hesitation, Jiao Wan’er sneered, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking.”

Xia Qingqing glanced at her guiltily, “I’m not thinking anything.”

“Do you really want me to spell it out?” Jiao Wan’er scoffed. “You’re just concerned about that lover of yours and his ambitions.” Jiao Wan’er had always disliked Xia Qingqing, and after the way Song Qingshu had treated her, she naturally despised both of them, speaking with venom.

“What lover…” Xia Qingqing’s face instantly drained of color, turning ashen.

“If you didn’t want people to know, you shouldn’t have done it. I don’t even want to mention your filthy business for fear of dirtying my mouth,” Jiao Wan’er said angrily, though her face flushed slightly as she said it. She wasn’t in much better moral standing these days herself.

In the dimly lit room, Xia Qingqing, overwhelmed with panic, didn’t notice Jiao Wan’er’s embarrassment. Hurriedly, she tried to explain, “Wan’er, it’s not what you think. I and he…”

Xia Qingqing suddenly stopped. She didn’t know how to explain. Back then, to avenge Brother Yuan, she had entered the palace alone to assassinate Kangxi. Later, she even went to Shengjing to deceive Hongli. If not for Song Qingshu saving her multiple times, she would have been lost forever. They had shared many life-and-death moments—how could she explain all of this in a few words?

“Why are you silent now?” Jiao Wan’er’s anger flared up again. “Xia, back then you forced me into a corner. But considering your devotion and that you knew Brother Yuan first, I stepped aside to let you two be together. But who would’ve thought you’d turn out to be such a shameless woman? If I’d known, I would never have handed Brother Yuan to you!”

The events of that fateful night had been catastrophic for a virtuous woman like Jiao Wan’er. She had been tormented by her conscience and morals ever since, suppressing her anguish. Seeing Xia Qingqing now reminded her of the woman who had stolen Brother Yuan from her, only to bring that demon into the Golden Serpent Camp, ruining her life. How could she not be furious?

“Wan’er, it’s true that I wronged you back then,” Xia Qingqing’s face turned pale, but she still mustered the courage to explain, “But what happened between Song Qingshu and me isn’t as sordid as you think… In short, we are in love with each other.”

“Brother Yuan’s bones aren’t even cold, and you’ve already thrown yourself into another man’s arms! Some vengeance that is!” Jiao Wan’er lashed out in fury.

“Wan’er, you don’t understand. Brother Song has already avenged Brother Yuan. The real culprit…” Xia Qingqing suddenly fell silent. Kangxi’s death was a sensitive matter, and she dared not reveal it lightly.

Hearing her mention that demon again, Jiao Wan’er’s bl0od boiled in anger. Without thinking, she retorted, “Fine, today that man is getting married. I’ll go expose your affair in front of all the guests. Let’s see how the world views the two of you—this pair of despicable lovers!”

Jiao Wan’er was usually not so impulsive, but after bottling up her emotions for so long and having her old and new grudges stirred up by Xia Qingqing, she couldn’t hold back. The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them, feeling a cold shiver at the thought of that demon’s methods.

Suddenly, Jiao Wan’er felt a numbness in her waist. Shocked and enraged, she turned to see Xia Qingqing behind her. “You!”

Seeing that she had hit Jiao Wan’er’s pressure point, Xia Qingqing bit her lip. “Wan’er, I’m sorry. I don’t care how you insult me, but Brother Song has great ambitions. I can’t let you ruin his plans.”

“Are you going to k!ll me to silence me?” At this critical moment, Jiao Wan’er suddenly felt calm. Maybe this was the relief she had been waiting for.

Xia Qingqing shook her head. “I’ve wronged you enough. How could I k!ll you?”

“If you don’t k!ll me, how will you stop me from speaking?” Jiao Wan’er asked expressionlessly.

“There is a way…” Xia Qingqing glanced at the brightly lit bridal room in the distance, her eyes thoughtful.

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I NEED YOUR HELP: During the recent unrest in the country I am from, our family hardware store was broken into and looted by thugs. I don’t know why they did it, since my family has always been minding our own business, without bothering anyone else. I’m guessing some people are taking advantage of the current lawless and chaotic state of the country. 

Anyways, the incident now leaves me as the only earning member of my family. Long time readers know that I was already dealing with a mountain of trouble (that I inherited from my father), and was already struggling. I had created a plan of action, and was steadily moving forward. But this incident destroyed whatever plans I had, again. I don’t know why bad things keep happening to me again and again. I might as well be cursed or something.

So here I am, after much hesitation, once again asking for your support. If you are reading this, please help if you are able to, I repeat, help only if you are able to. I am not asking something for free, you can become a Patron at Patreon to gain access to more chapters, or sponsor as many chapters you can from any of the novels you enjoy on Goblinslate here at BuymeaCoffee. Or if you just want to help, you can donate any amount at the Wishlist at BuymeaCoffee. Thank you.