In the end, Song Qingshu casually dismissed the jailers with a few words. 

Watching Wanyan Chongjie pouting in frustration and Pucha Alihu’s strange expression, he suppressed a laugh and said, “Alright, alright. They didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t take it to heart.”

Pucha Alihu smiled faintly. The trials of recent years had long taught her to remain unshaken by minor incidents—this wasn’t even a ripple in the pond, and she quickly put it out of her mind. 

But Wanyan Chongjie was different. Perhaps due to her mother’s past and the rumors she had grown up hearing—many of which involved insinuations about mother and daughter—she was particularly sensitive about such matters. She snorted angrily, “You must be enjoying this. We came here out of kindness to see you, and instead, we ended up boosting your reputation.”

Song Qingshu chuckled. “After all, we’re acquainted. What’s the harm in letting a friend bask in some glory?”

“Friend?” That word only stoked Wanyan Chongjie’s anger further. “What kind of friend poisons someone?” The memory of how Song Qingshu had forced them to take the Three Corpse Brain Holy Pill still rankled.

“Chongjie!” Pucha Alihu quickly tugged at her daughter’s sleeve. More mature in her thinking, she understood that Song Qingshu’s actions had been a necessity under those circumstances. Arguing about it now was pointless. There were more pressing matters. “Young Master Song, we came to ask why you would act so recklessly—risking yourself for the sake of Prince Changsheng?”

This was the advantage of the Three Corpse Brain Holy Pill. Whether they liked it or not, their fates were now bound to Song Qingshu’s. If he prospered, so would they. If he died… with no one to provide the antidote, they would die as well. That was why they had rushed to question him the moment they heard of his predicament.

“Mother, didn’t you hear what those jailers said? Lady Taohua came to see him. He must’ve lost his head over her and ended up in this mess,” Wanyan Chongjie sneered.

Song Qingshu smiled faintly but didn’t argue. 

Pucha Alihu, however, cut her daughter off. “Nonsense. Young Master Song isn’t that kind of man. He must have his own reasons.” Though her daughter’s beauty now rivaled her own, when it came to judging men, the gap between them was vast. Despite Song Qingshu’s occasionally frivolous demeanor, Pucha Alihu could see something in his clear eyes that others missed. She was certain he wasn’t the type to let lust cloud his judgment.  (G: cough!)

Wanyan Chongjie wanted to retort, but having only recently reconciled with her mother, she bit back her words to avoid disrespecting her.

“Back then, Madam called me your confidant. Now, I must say the same—no one understands me better than you.” Song Qingshu rose to his feet. “Indeed, I anticipated this situation. Being thrown into prison was part of my plan.”

His main reason for doing this was to avoid taking the fall for Emperor Xizong and Wanyan Liang. Prince Changsheng had a reputation for virtue, and everyone knew he had been framed. Killing him as Emperor Xizong desired would have been easy, but afterward, Song Qingshu would have been branded the executioner in the public eye. 

In this world’s feudal hierarchy, subjects instinctively avoided blaming the emperor, and since Wanyan Liang had remained hidden in the shadows, few knew his role in the affair. In the end, Tang Kuo Bian would have borne the brunt of the blame.

In Song Qingshu’s new plan, Tang Kuo Bian’s reputation was crucial—it couldn’t afford such a stain. Instead, he decided to flip the script, allowing the usually insignificant Tang Kuo Bian to seize a moment of glory.

As for the risks involved, Song Qingshu glanced at the prison bars and let out a disdainful chuckle.

Wanyan Chongjie couldn’t hold back any longer. “You make it sound so impressive, like everything’s part of your grand scheme. But the reality is, you’re locked in the imperial prison, one step away from losing your head!”

“This prison can’t hold me. I come and go as I please.” Song Qingshu’s voice carried an innate arrogance. “In fact, I need to go meet someone now. You two should come with me.”

With that, he struck the cell door, and the lock snapped in two.

Pucha Alihu paled. “Young Master, what are you doing? I know your martial arts are extraordinary, but openly breaking out of the imperial prison will make you a wanted man across the entire Dynasty. Please reconsider!”

Wanyan Chongjie, however, was exhilarated, dismissing her mother’s worries. Having witnessed Song Qingshu’s skills, she half-hoped he would lead her straight to Prince Hailing’s manor to slaughter that beast and exact vengeance.

Song Qingshu shook his head slightly. “Don’t worry, Madam. It’s not as serious as you think. Follow me.” He strode ahead without hesitation. After exchanging a glance, Pucha Alihu and her daughter had no choice but to follow.

Soon, they encountered a prison guard. The man’s face darkened as he reached for his blade, ready to raise the alarm—until his eyes met Song Qingshu’s. He froze momentarily, then returned to his post as if nothing had happened.

Pucha Alihu’s heart had been in her throat, but now she was stunned. 

Even Wanyan Chongjie was wide-eyed in disbelief. She had expected a fierce battle, yet this was the outcome?

Had Song Qingshu bribed the guards? No—that guard had clearly been about to draw his weapon. So why had he suddenly stood down?

By the time they walked out of the prison, both women felt as though they were dreaming. Every guard along the way had ignored them, allowing the trio to stroll out unchallenged!

“How did you do that?” Wanyan Chongjie grabbed Song Qingshu’s arm, her face alight with excitement and curiosity.

Song Qingshu shook his head with a smile. “Secrets are what make a man mysterious and alluring.”

“Mean!” Wanyan Chongjie stamped her foot in frustration.

Pucha Alihu, who had spent years walking a tightrope and knew the value of caution, tugged at her daughter, signaling her to drop the subject.

“Young Master mentioned meeting someone earlier. Who might that be?” she asked instead.

Song Qingshu gazed in the direction of Prince Hailing’s manor. “You’ve always resented me for stopping you from seeking revenge, thinking I was just stringing you along. Today, I’ll let you get a taste of vengeance in advance.”

Pausing, he suddenly wrapped an arm around each w0man’s waist. Both stiffened, ready to protest—until he said, “I can’t stay away from the prison for too long without raising suspicion. We need to move quickly.”