Tudan Jing bit her lip, unsure how to respond. 

Cooperate? What a joke—even if she were caught with her own husband in the palace, it would be a grave offense, let alone with another man.

Yet, his words made sense. The longer they delayed, the higher the risk of discovery. She had no idea where her husband had gone, and if he returned to find her missing, he might mobilize the palace maids and eunuchs to search for her. That would be disastrous.

While she hesitated, Song Qingshu had already pulled her behind a grove of trees. Staring at the row of small wooden cabins ahead, she froze. “What is this place?”

“This is the imperial restroom, reserved for the emperor and titled consorts. Aside from the cleaning eunuchs, no other servants come here. And with the banquet in full swing today, neither the emperor nor his consorts will visit. Feel better now?” Having spent so much time in the palace, Song Qingshu knew every corner like the back of his hand.

“But—” Tudan Jing’s lips parted slightly, puzzled by how familiar this man was with the palace’s inner workings.

“No more ‘buts.'” Song Qingshu grabbed her hand and pulled her into one of the compartments. Though it was a restroom, it was designed for the emperor—immaculately clean, free of any unpleasant odors, and even scented with rare incense. In terms of comfort and hygiene, it surpassed even the high-end restrooms of his past life.

After closing the door, Song Qingshu studied the woman before him with amusement. 

Tudan Jing’s face flushed and paled in turns before she finally sighed, undoing her sash with trembling fingers. “Hurry up…” she whispered, biting her lip.

“At the princess consort’s command, how could I refuse?” Song Qingshu grinned.

*****

Time passed indeterminably.

Blushing furiously, Tudan Jing pushed the man off her, straightened her dress, and moved to leave—only for Song Qingshu to yank her back. Just as her eyebrows knitted in anger, he whispered, “Quiet. Someone’s coming.”

Her heart leapt into her throat as she clamped a hand over her mouth. Pressing her ear to the door, she soon heard heavy footsteps approaching.

“Prince Hailing, other places are too crowded. That’s why I brought you here. What I say now leaves my lips and enters your ears—I do not wish a third soul to know.” A soft, slightly effeminate voice spoke. Song Qingshu recognized it as Emperor Xizong’s.

Tudan Jing’s legs turned to jelly. The lingering flush on her cheeks drained away, replaced by pallid terror. Not only had she recognized the emperor’s voice, but worse—her husband seemed to be outside as well.

Sure enough, Wanyan Liang’s voice soon followed: “As the saying goes, ‘A careless minister loses his life.’ I understand this principle well.”

“Good.” Wanyan hesitated before continuing, “Do you think I’ve been too harsh on Wanyan Yuan? He’s my only remaining brother. About the Laundry Courtyard incident… could I have misunderstood him?”

Wanyan Liang’s heart skipped a beat. His entire scheme revolved around isolating Emperor Xizong by eliminating his closest kin, leaving him utterly alone. But the emperor’s words suggested he wasn’t as foolish as expected—he’d realized that without heirs or a brother, the throne would pass to another branch of the family.

‘Luckily, I came prepared.’

Calmly, Wanyan Liang replied, “Your Majesty, if you wish to test Prince Changsheng’s loyalty, I have a simple method.”

“Oh? Speak quickly!” Emperor Xizong had long suspected Wanyan Yuan’s involvement in the Laundry Courtyard’s incident, but the evidence remained ambiguous. A straightforward way to gauge his brother’s intentions piqued his interest.

A faint, sinister smile curled Wanyan Liang’s lips. “Today is Your Majesty’s birthday banquet. At some point, offer him a cup of wine. If he drinks without hesitation, his loyalty is unquestionable. If he hesitates… well, that would speak volumes.”

Wanyan clapped in admiration. “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Prince Hailing, you are Zhuge Liang reborn!” As emperor, he knew well the historical precedent of poisoned wine used to execute disloyal subjects. Using this method to test Wanyan Yuan was indeed a masterstroke.

Song Qingshu inwardly clicked his tongue. 

Wanyan Liang is truly ruthless. Just moments ago, he had warned Wanyan Yuan not to drink—yet now, he was advising the emperor to offer him wine.

‘Poor Wanyan Yuan. He’ll die without knowing why, all while remembering Wanyan Liang’s ‘kind’ warning.’

Song Qingshu felt a chill. Had he been in Wanyan Liang’s crosshairs instead of operating from the shadows, who knew what underhanded schemes the man might have devised?

The two outside conversed a while longer, but nothing of note was said before they departed. 

Only then did Song Qingshu realize Tudan Jing had collapsed into his arms, limp as a rag doll.

“Princess Consort, look into my eyes.”

His urgency earlier had been deliberate—using the palace’s high-stakes environment to shatter Tudan Jing’s mental defenses, making the Soul Capture Technique far more effective. Now, after the scare, her resistance was as fragile as an infant’s. Seizing the moment, he activated the technique.

As Tudan Jing lifted her head, her gaze met his pitch-black pupils—and her eyes glazed over.

Song Qingshu whispered a command, and she murmured obediently, “Yes… Master.”

*****

When they returned to the main hall, Wanyan Liang was searching frantically for his wife. Spotting her with Song Qingshu, a pang of jealousy struck him. Tudan Jing might be oblivious, but he knew exactly what had happened that night. What did Tang Kuo Bian take her out for?

“My dear, where were you just now?” he couldn’t help asking.

Tudan Jing smiled softly. “Just taking a stroll outside.”

“I see.” Wanyan Liang studied her suspiciously. Was it his imagination, or did her cheeks seem rosier than before? Yet even his wildest conjectures wouldn’t lead him to suspect she’d just been whisked away for a quick meal by Song Qingshu.

By now, the banquet was about to begin, and all the officials had gathered. 

Song Qingshu shot Tudan Jing a playful wink, making her blush anew. Chuckling, he strode into the hall, where Gebi—already seated—beamed and waved him over.