Flower Stealing Master

Song Qingshu’s expression shifted. “Are you referring to those assassins from earlier?”

Dongfang Muxue nodded. “Haven’t you been troubled over how to stop the Qing court and the Golden Serpent Camp from fighting? Now the opportunity has arrived.”

“Oh?” Song Qingshu immediately grew interested. Although the Qing dynasty had lost nearly a hundred thousand elite troops in the previous battle, it remained a formidable power due to years of development. After the initial chaos following their defeat, the Qing state machinery had swiftly mobilized. Numerous troops were steadily gathering on the northern banks of the Yellow River, poised to strike at the Golden Serpent Camp. Even with Song Qingshu and Dongfang Muxue in possession of their ‘Kangxi’ card, they couldn’t stop this momentum.

Holding the ‘Kangxi’ ace, Song Qingshu wasn’t worried about the Qing court annihilating the Golden Serpent Camp. However, survival was one thing; growth and expansion were another. Currently, both the Qing dynasty and the Golden Serpent Camp were chips in Song Qingshu’s hand. If they fought, regardless of who won, Song Qingshu would lose in the end, as other powerful states and factions loomed.

If his strength was drained by internal strife, what leverage would Song Qingshu have to contend for the world?

“You’re referring to the Three Feudatories?” Song Qingshu wasn’t slow to catch on.

Dongfang Muxue acknowledged with a hum. “Exactly. Wu Sangui and his ilk have harbored rebellious intentions for a long time but were previously deterred by the court’s strength. Your previous victory—defeating the court’s most elite force of a hundred thousand troops with just a few thousand men—finally piqued Wu Sangui’s ambitions. To him, if such a disparity in strength could yield such a dazzling result, the court’s army must have rotted to the core. Wu Sangui, priding himself on being a great general, likely thinks that if an unknown upstart like you could lead a ragtag army to victory, his tens of thousands of elite soldiers would certainly surpass you. It’s only natural he’s stirred to rebel.”

“Old Wu is really delivering timely help this time.” Song Qingshu was so thrilled he didn’t know what to say. If the Three Feudatories rebelled, ‘Kangxi’ could logically negotiate a ceasefire with the Golden Serpent Camp to focus on suppressing the rebellion. The court officials would have no grounds for objection, as the threat posed by the Three Feudatories far outweighed that of the Golden Serpent Camp.

“Don’t celebrate too early,” Dongfang Muxue poured cold water on his enthusiasm. “Although the Three Feudatories are restless, they haven’t made their final decision yet.”

“Just a few days ago, the Three Feudatories sent envoys to the capital under the guise of offering tribute. In reality, they were probing the court’s strength,” Dongfang Muxue said calmly. “Their actions reveal their current indecision.”

“If they hesitate, we’ll help them make up their minds,” Song Qingshu said firmly. The Golden Serpent Camp was in a developmental stage and desperately needed time to grow. The rebellion of the Three Feudatories was the perfect opportunity.

“It seems we’re on the same page.” Dongfang Muxue’s lips curled into a peculiar smile.

“From your expression, it seems you already have a plan?” Song Qingshu’s eyes lit up.

Dongfang Muxue’s smile grew even more enigmatic. “I do have a plan, but you might not be willing to go through with it.”

Song Qingshu replied seriously, “Don’t worry, I know how to prioritize. Forcing the Three Feudatories to rebel is imperative. I’ll do whatever it takes as long as it’s within my power.”

“Don’t speak too soon,” Dongfang Muxue snorted. “The success of this plan hinges on a woman.”

“A woman?” Song Qingshu frowned. What kind of woman could wield such influence?

“Have you heard of how Wu Sangui was once driven to fury for a beauty?” Dongfang Muxue asked.

Song Qingshu nodded, recalling when he had seen Chen Yuanyuan at Shanhaiguan. With such a stunning beauty taken away, who wouldn’t be enraged?

“This time, we’ll stage another ‘Fury for a Beauty!’” Dongfang Muxue’s phoenix-like eyes gleamed with an inexplicable excitement.

“Fury for a beauty?” Song Qingshu frowned slightly. “Who is this beauty?”

Chen Yuanyuan? Definitely not. Could it be Ah Ke? But was she that important…?

“Didn’t I mention before that we lacked an opportunity to act against Yue Le?” Dongfang Muxue smiled faintly. “Do you know who Princess Roujia, Yue Le’s daughter, is married to?”

“Yue Le’s daughter?” Song Qingshu was puzzled. Having spent little time in the Forbidden City, he wasn’t as familiar with the lives of the Eight Banner nobles as Dongfang Muxue.

“Yue Le is merely a prince. His daughter wouldn’t ordinarily qualify as a princess. However, to secure the loyalty of the Three Feudatories, the Shunzhi Emperor arranged marriages between Eight Banner daughters and the Three Feudatories. Yue Le’s daughter was chosen, granted the title of Princess Roujia, and married the grandson of King Jingnan, Geng Jingzhong. After Geng Zhongming’s death, Geng Jingzhong inherited the title, making Princess Roujia the Princess Consort of Jingnan.”

(Note: Historically, Princess Roujia married Geng Jingzhong’s younger brother, Geng Juzhong.)

“The Jingnan royal residence is far away. Are you suggesting I make a grueling journey to abduct her?” Song Qingshu asked, puzzled.

“There’s no need for that. She’s already coming to the capital with King Jingnan’s envoy after hearing about her father’s imprisonment,” Dongfang Muxue said with a small smile.

“Given the current tense situation, why would Geng Jingzhong allow his princess consort to come to the capital?” Song Qingshu was confused.

Dongfang Muxue explained, “First, Princess Roujia’s special status leads Geng Jingzhong to believe the court wouldn’t dare harm her, even if something happened. Second, he likely hopes she can gather intelligence on Yue Le’s defeat to better gauge the court’s current military strength.”

“She’s indeed a prime candidate for espionage!” Song Qingshu sighed, but then grew more puzzled. “Is this beauty you’re referring to her? How would this provoke a rebellion?”

“Unlike ordinary political marriages, intelligence reports indicate that Princess Roujia and Geng Jingzhong share deep affection, and he dotes on her immensely,” Dongfang Muxue said with a sly smile. “If I’m not mistaken, she’ll enter the palace tomorrow to plead with the Empress for her father’s release. When that happens, all you need to do is have her stay overnight in the inner palace. Geng Jingzhong will undoubtedly rebel.”

Song Qingshu’s expression turned colorful. “What kind of harebrained idea is this?”

“This is no harebrained idea,” Dongfang Muxue said seriously. “Do you know what it means for a minister’s wife to stay overnight in the palace? It signifies to the entire world that the emperor has put a green hat on her husband. Such a humiliation is intolerable! Geng Jingzhong, being young, hot-blooded, and deeply in love with his wife, would rebel even if he had no prior intentions!”

“And since the Three Feudatories have always acted in unison, if Geng Jingzhong rebels, Wu Sangui and Shang Kexi will have no choice but to follow suit.” 

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