Flower Stealing Master

The once-furrowed brows of the young Consort Tong suddenly relaxed slightly, her face momentarily showing a trace of confusion.

She didn’t understand why she was reacting this way. She had thought that having her pure b0dy invaded by a man other than her husband would be both painful and disgusting. Yet now, none of those negative emotions surfaced. Instead, she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity and intimacy.

Shyly, Consort Tong raised her hand and touched the chest of the man on t0p of her. Her expression grew even more surprised. “Have we met before…?”

“What is the Consort saying?” Song Qingshu feigned ignorance.

“Nothing…hmmng~” Consort Tong turned her head away, her cheeks flushing as if painted with rouge. She quietly scolded herself, ‘I’m overthinking things. I’m the Emperor’s beloved consort. How could I possibly have had any connection with him before this…?’

A mischievous glint appeared in Song Qingshu’s eyes as he deliberately said, “Fate is truly unpredictable. When I first saw you in the Imperial Garden, I was utterly captivated by your peerless beauty, thinking the Emperor was truly blessed to have such a celestial consort. Back then, I thought that simply exchanging a few words with you would be enough to fulfill my heart’s desire. Who would have thought I’d be granted such fortune today?”

“Enough! Ah~” Consort Tong trembled all over. Hearing him mention the past, she couldn’t suppress the complex emotions welling up within her.

“What impression did I leave on you back then?” Song Qingshu was genuinely curious about how Consort Tong viewed his original identity.

“The Emperor mentioned you were the most skilled guard in the palace…Ahn! N-nothing else.” Consort Tong’s voice quivered as she answered.

“Really?” Song Qingshu’s tone grew dissatisfied. “Yet there were times I clearly felt you watching me.”

“Ahhhng!” Consort Tong let out a soft cry and hurriedly replied, “Back then, I just thought you were different from the other guards. There was always… always a look of smugness on your face. If I’d known I’d be bullied by you like this today, I would’ve… I would’ve had you beaten to death back then!”

Song Qingshu raised an eyebrow and chuckled, “It seems this servant must repay your kindness for sparing my life.”

****

In the Imperial Garden, a woman clad in court attire walked slowly. Though she was in her early twenties, she was dressed as a married woman. Her outfit was noticeably different in style from that of the other consorts in the palace. Despite her worried expression, her beauty remained unscathed.

“I wonder if I’ll be able to save Father this time.”

The woman in court attire was none other than Princess Roujia, daughter of Prince An and the current Princess Consort of Jingnan, who had once been betrothed to Geng Jingzhong.

Upon hearing that her father had been defeated in battle and imprisoned, Princess Roujia wished to rescue him. She persuaded her husband to let her accompany the envoy to the capital.

The political climate was delicate. Geng Jingzhong had been reluctant to let her take the risk, but the opportunity to glean information about the court from her father eventually convinced him.

Before her marriage, Princess Roujia had many friends and sisters in the capital, most of whom had since married and become titled ladies. After returning to the capital, she prepared lavish gifts and visited the wives of high-ranking officials, pleading with them to persuade their husbands to lend their aid. Once she had done this, she sought out an old playmate in the palace—now a consort of Kangxi—hoping that she might whisper a few words on her father’s behalf.

Unfortunately, her friend admitted that her standing in the palace was too low to have any influence. She suggested Princess Roujia bring gifts to Consort Tong, who had recently become the Emperor’s most favored consort.

Even from the northern regions, Princess Roujia had heard of Consort Tong’s reputation. It was said that she was “the beloved of three thousand.” Carefully selecting an exquisite array of gifts, Princess Roujia made her way to Consort Tong’s Earthly Ascension Palace.

At the palace gates, she instructed the maids to announce her arrival. After a while, a palace maid returned, accepted the gifts, and led her inside.

Walking through the palace, Princess Roujia found it strange that there wasn’t a single person in sight. The maid brought her to a hall, stopped, and said that Consort Tong was waiting inside. She instructed her to enter alone before turning and leaving.

Though puzzled, Princess Roujia’s mind was occupied with thoughts of her father’s safety. She wondered how to build a connection with Consort Tong.

“She accepted the gifts, so she should be willing to help, right?”

As she fretted, a series of faint, sobbing sounds reached her ears. Only then did she realize she had wandered into the depths of the palace.

Looking up, Princess Roujia was stunned by the scene before her. Instinctively, she cried out, “What… what are you doing?!” 

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. She had often heard of scandalous affairs within the palace but never thought she would stumble upon one herself. Initially, she assumed it was a maid and eunuch, but upon closer inspection, the woman was breathtakingly beautiful, far surpassing the appearance of any ordinary maid. Given her presence in Earthly Ascension Palace, it was undoubtedly Consort Tong. 𝘳�

The man, with his muscular and imposing physique, was clearly no eunuch. As a married woman herself, Princess Roujia immediately understood what the two were doing.

Her heart sank. ‘Could I have caught Consort Tong in the act of an ill!cit affa!r with a guard?’

Consort Tong noticed Princess Roujia as well. A chill ran down her spine. If today’s events were exposed, she would be utterly ruined.

Sensing her tension, Song Qingshu gently patted her cheek and softly reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

He had sensed Princess Roujia’s approach earlier and was still contemplating his next move when Dongfang Muxue’s teasing voice echoed in his mind, “I helped you get close to Consort Tong. Now, show me your skills and see how you handle this tricky situation.”

Dongfang Muxue, once the top martial artist of the demonic path and the leader of its largest sect, was a proud and ambitious woman. Song Qingshu knew it wouldn’t be easy to win her over. If she was testing him, he wouldn’t back down. A surge of resolve rose within him as he allowed Princess Roujia to enter.

After comforting Consort Tong, Song Qingshu turned and said sternly to Princess Roujia, “Who are you? Why do you not kneel upon seeing your Emperor?”

Princess Roujia froze. ‘This man is the Emperor?’

When she left the capital, Kangxi was still a child. After so many years, she no longer recognized him.

Quickly, she smiled bitterly. ‘How could I have been so foolish? Who else in the palace could share such intimacy with Consort Tong but the Emperor?’

“This humble servant, Princess Roujia, greets Your Majesty and Consort Tong.”

Song Qingshu snorted and said indifferently, “Kneel over there for now.”

He then turned his attention back to the horrified Consort Tong, winking at her mischievously before resuming his “work” with a fearless smirk.

---

This chapter was released on by translator Goblin. Your support makes Goblin translate more. So, do the right thing please.

Goblin: Want to read more? Become a Flower Stealing Master ($5 per month) member at Goblinslate Patreonand get Five or More Advance Chapters immediately, then stay 5 or more chapters ahead of the regular release for the month! 

Or, become a CN WN Bundle ($10 per month) member and have access to all the CN NovelBin advance chapters on Goblinslate. Get more chapters by sponsoring at BuymeaCoffee or Patreon Shop. You can also watch a*ds to support the translation.

Check out my other projects: Dual Cultivation with a Fox Demon, Ask the Mirror (recommended), and Immortal Divine Tribulation, The Way of Restraint (recommended)