Chapter 173

Previously, she had been infatuated with Murong Fu, but she reasoned that if Murong Fu had allowed her to degrade herself so, she would never have agreed.

She truly could not imagine what Qin Keqing was thinking to agree to such an absurd request.

If the reaction of the other women was so intense, let alone the story's heroine herself.

In the room, Qin Keqing sat dazed by the bedside, her expression blank, her eyes empty and lifeless.

Her entire being was like a walking corpse, devoid of spirit and vitality.

This melodramatic story was a thunderclap to the other women; how much more so was it a bolt from the blue to her?

"No... no... how could I possibly do such a thing... how could I agree to such a request..."

Qin Keqing slowly came to her senses, unable to accept this story.

She felt that even if she loved Liu Ruosong more, she could not have agreed.

"This must be fake! It must be..."

Qin Keqing kept trying to convince herself, but then suddenly remembered something, and her heart sank sharply.

She and Liu Ruosong had grown up together and harbored mutual affection, yet Liu Ruosong had loved Wu Gong since childhood, was fiercely competitive, and had even once declared that he would become a top expert in the world.

For this reason, five years ago he left Suzhou, went to Ezhou, and entered the Wudang sect.

During those five years, he never returned to visit her once, and rarely even sent letters on his own initiative.

A month ago, Liu Ruosong returned home and proposed to her.

Qin Keqing was overjoyed and readily accepted.

However, after hearing Jiang Sishui's story, Qin Keqing recalled a detail from their reunion—

Liu Ruosong had not returned alone, but with several Wudang disciples.

Among them was one named Song Qingshu, said to be a direct granddisciple of Zhang Zhenren of Wudang, holding extremely high status within Wudang.

As a result, Liu Ruosong kept his head bowed and eyes lowered in his presence.

When the two met after a long separation, the moment Song Qingshu saw her, he was stunned, his eyes not moving an inch.

Yet for his such rude behavior, Liu Ruosong did not so much as scold him, nor show the slightest displeasure; he even had her pour tea and pay respects.

Afterwards, he went so far as to create opportunities for the two of them to be alone multiple times.

At the time, Qin Keqing's heart was entirely fixed on Liu Ruosong, so she did not think much of it; now, upon careful reflection, everything felt wrong.

"Song Qingshu, direct granddisciple of Zhang Zhenren of Wudang... Wu Gong... Brother Liu..."

Suddenly, Qin Keqing's heart trembled, and large teardrops rolled down from the corners of her eyes like a string of beads.

Du Bingyan, Li Yuhu, and the Flower Fairy understood now as well.

Although Qin Keqing had her reasons and was pitiable, she was nonetheless aiding evil and harming countless people.

Moreover, in the story, she turned into such a wretched state after marrying.

No wonder Jiang Sishui despised her, and was so happy upon learning she had not yet married.

【When I met Qin Keqing, she was also a captive bride, snatched away by Bai Qingshu during her wedding procession, and never married.】

【What a coincidence; everything can still be stopped.】

【For this reason, I specifically used the Purification Technique to check; the aura on Qin Keqing is very pure.】

【It seems Liu Ruosong has not yet made his move on her; such a heaven-sent match, so why should I be polite to him?】

【However, such matters are hard to explain, so I fabricated a reason involving a grudge against Liu Ruosong and snatched her back to Mantuo Shanzhuang.】

【Qin Keqing must hate me to the core right now; sigh, what a trouble.】

【Furthermore, given her feelings for Liu Ruosong, winning her heart through psychological means is basically impossible.】

【So should I cook the raw rice into cooked rice first? After all, affection can grow over time.】

【Never mind; let's wait and see for two days and give her some time to adjust.】

"You even gave her time? You are quite considerate to her..."

On the other side, Dong Shiniang felt a bit jealous.

You see, when she first arrived, Jiang Sishui had climbed through the window that very night, and had not been so gentle with her then.

Thinking it over carefully, it was mostly because Jiang Sishui had misunderstood her back then, believing she was not a maiden, so there was no need to be too gentle.

This made Dong Shiniang feel a wave of grievance.

【Detected that Jiang Sishui has completed today's diary entry; congratulations, you have received one month of True Qi.】

【Selecting today's winner...】

【Congratulations to Qin Keqing on receiving the "Water of Oblivion".】

"It's her, the Water of Oblivion? Could it be..."

As the name suggests, all the women formed a guess about this reward.

They could not help but wonder: would Qin Keqing drink this "Water of Oblivion"?

In the room, Qin Keqing looked at the bowl of greenish liquid in her hand and fell into hesitation.

The Water of Oblivion: if she drank it, she would forget all deep affection for her beloved.

Simply put, she would not forget the little details with Liu Ruosong, but when recalling them again, her emotions would not fluctuate even slightly.

So now, should she drink it? Or not?

If she drinks, all troubles vanish, but what if she misunderstands Liu Ruosong?

If she does not drink, how can she let go of that old affection? She would likely suffer greatly day and night.

While Qin Keqing was dazed and wavering, unable to decide, a night breeze blew in through the window.

Bringing a touch of coolness.

Qin Keqing looked up at the bright moon hanging in the sky, her charming face shimmering with a lustrous glow under the moonlight.

"May we all be blessed with longevity, that we may share the beauty of the moon though far apart. Now that I have come to this Mantuo Shanzhuang, will I ever have a day to return?"

Qin Keqing sighed with melancholy, her lingering gaze falling once more upon the "Water of Forgetting."

Her mood was incredibly complex.

192 Flower Fairy: You like kissing so much, right? I'll let you kiss your fill!

Claim the reward, comprehend the "Ten Directions Annihilation," cultivate the Classic of the Plain Girl...

After such a round, it was already deep night.

Jiang Sishui quietly slipped out from under the covers, looking at Wang Yuyan asleep on the bed, a flame of passion rising in his eyes.

Thinking of what he was about to do, a thrill unlike any before surged to his heart.

Even though Jiang Sishui was experienced, his heart could not stop pounding wildly.

Taking a deep breath, he left the Young Lady's boudoir silently and without a trace.

Heading straight for the courtyard where Li Qingluo resided.

Avoiding the maids on night watch, he made his way straight to the destination.

Just as he reached the window, he heard a suppressed low moan.

Jiang Sishui stopped in his tracks, lost in thought.

Mobilizing his hearing, he listened carefully for a while; after confirming there was only one person inside, Jiang Sishui hesitated no longer and climbed through the window.

A low cry of panic from a woman rang out, then abruptly ceased.

After a brief silence, the atmosphere inside the room grew heated once more.

At dawn.

Youcao got up early, as usual, to wake Li Qingluo.

During this period of 27 days, Li Qingluo acted against her nature, making a bowl of morning soup for Jiang Sishui every day; it had almost become a routine.

To prevent oversleeping, she had specifically instructed Youcao to remind her.

Youcao arrived at Li Qingluo's small courtyard as usual, but before she even reached the door, her steps stopped.

"This sound... is it the Lady?" Youcao's small face was full of shock.

Although she herself had no experience, some things are simply understood without a teacher.

"Is there a man in the Lady's room?"

Youcao's mind was violently shaken, as if struck by five thunderbolts.