Gold change maid

"Ha! Such vulgar language, claiming not to be a thief," Shui Sheng retorted, her disgust evident as she spat and cursed. Song Qingshu skillfully evaded her projectile, his agile movements betraying his training. "Are you so eager for me to experience your foul odor? Very well, let's have a drink first. We can continue our conversation after this glass," he said, teasingly tapping Shui Sheng's chin before pouring himself a glass of wine.

Observing the interaction, Wei Xiaobao couldn't contain his excitement, thinking to himself, "I'm not afraid you have no interests, but I'm afraid you don't have the right interests! It seems he has a penchant for beauty, which makes things easier."

"Big Brother Song, you and I see eye to eye. How about becoming sworn brothers?" Wei Xiaobao engaged Song Qingshu in a more speculative conversation, setting aside his usual tactics of flattery.

"This..." Song Qingshu hesitated. Wei Xiaobao anticipated his refusal, but Song Qingshu's response took a different turn. "Wei Jue is an exceptional minister, and yet he is willing to consider me, a humble commoner, as his sworn brother. It displays his courage. How can I dare refuse?"

Wei Xiaobao was overjoyed. Some time ago, Kangxi had tasked him with recruiting talented martial artists from the martial world. Now, by chance, he had encountered Song Qingshu. Since they were becoming brothers, wouldn't he lend a hand when needed?

Eagerly rising from his seat, Wei Xiaobao pulled Song Qingshu closer, inquiring about his age, and swiftly initiating the oath. "I, Wei Xiaobao, today become sworn brothers with Song Qingshu. In the future, we shall share both blessings and hardships!"

Song Qingshu, seeing no harm in the oath, repeated it. "I, Song Qingshu, today become sworn brothers with Wei Xiaobao, sharing both blessings and hardships in the future!"

Wei Xiaobao, always prone to mischief, was cautious this time. He dared not include phrases that might raise suspicion or cause dissatisfaction, potentially jeopardizing their relationship. After all, Kangxi urgently needed martial arts talents from the martial world, and Wei Xiaobao had finally found Song Qingshu. He intended to return and impress Kangxi. He couldn't afford to offend Song Qingshu over trivial details, especially when having such a formidable martial arts brother was undoubtedly advantageous.

However, he wasn't entirely indifferent. Inwardly, he couldn't resist the thought of adding a clause like "You must die before me in the martial world; I won't suffer..." Yet, he swiftly dismissed the idea. Wei Xiaobao maintained a friendly smile on his face as he engaged in casual conversation with Song Qingshu.

This aligns with Song Qingshu's own sentiments. "Wei Xiaobao is perpetually intoxicated, while I diligently practice the authentic Xuanmen internal arts. He is destined to meet his demise before me..."

"Wei Xiaobao, it seems you were quite taken with that woman just now. Well, if you have no other gift for me, I shall gladly accept her," Wei Xiaobao declared, feigning generosity despite feeling a twinge of regret. He was always open-handed, but Shui Sheng's beauty alone wasn't enough to captivate him. He reserved his affections for truly exquisite beauties. Shui Sheng, though beautiful, had not yet ignited his desire.

"You insolent fool, you'll pay for that!" Shui Sheng exclaimed, her excitement fueling her curses.

"Oh," Song Qingshu raised an eyebrow, casting a disdainful glance at Shui Sheng. "Thank you, Brother Wei, but this lady seems to possess a volatile temperament. She wouldn't make a suitable concubine. However, I suppose she could serve as a laborious maid."

Song Qingshu furrowed his brow and glanced at Wei Xiaobao as he spoke. Lord Wei Jue certainly knew how to stir things up. Recognizing that his words were intentional, Song Qingshu played along, fearing any inadvertent offense. "Indeed, she seems strong and robust. Serving as a maid would suit her well."

Internally, Song Qingshu let out a sigh of relief. It was far easier to deal with clever individuals like Wei Xiaobao. On the other hand, Shui Sheng, who had been hurling insults, silently shook her head. She, too, was human. Why did she have to be so foolish? She had clearly attempted to save herself, but now she was caught by Wei Xiaobao, and it seemed inevitable that she would lose her virtue.

"Why don't I find a reason to release her?" Song Qingshu muttered to himself, growing increasingly irritated by Shui Sheng's incessant noise. He rubbed his temples, developing a headache, and decided to silence her by sealing her acupoint.

"If you cease your curses, I shall unseal your acupoints. However, should you continue to curse after I release them, do not blame me for silencing you with a gag. If you agree, simply blink," Song Qingshu proposed, turning his head towards Shui Sheng.

As Wei Xiaobao witnessed Shui Sheng's large, watery eyes blink in response, he almost convulsed with amusement. He marveled at Song Qingshu's ingenuity, reminiscent of his own tactics when dealing with the young princess in the palace.

Lost in his thoughts, Wei Xiaobao gazed at Song Qingshu's handsome face and mused, "Goodness, Brother Song, you truly possess a knack for charming women. If I keep acquiring multiple wives and concubines, each with their own unique characteristics, won't I, Wei Xiaobao, become the most absurd and comical turtle egg in the world?"

Unaware of Wei Xiaobao's rapid stream of thoughts, Song Qingshu gracefully released Shui Sheng's acupoint with a flick of his finger, emitting a cold snort. Immediately, Shui Sheng averted her gaze.

"By the way, since you're all under my care now, I don't yet know your name," Song Qingshu remarked, his voice laced with a smile, as he held a glass of wine and observed her intently.

"Ridiculous! I belong to no one!" Shui Sheng retorted, turning her head to glower at him, finding him more detestable than the most corrupt official of the Qing Dynasty.

"Brother Wei has bestowed you upon me, hence you are naturally mine," Song Qingshu replied, savoring the taste of the wine in his hand. "It matters not whether you disclose your name, for you shall become my maid regardless. Now, as the host, I shall grant you a new name. How about Spring...Ama or Agou?"

Song Qingshu broke into a cold sweat, silently applauding himself for narrowly avoiding mentioning Wei Xiaobao's name.

"Hmph! I refuse to be called Amao Agou," Shui Sheng hesitated for a moment, fearing that he might truly impose such a wretched name upon her. "My name is Shui Sheng."

Wei Xiaobao had yet to utter a word, but Song Qingshu eagerly awaited these words, feigning astonishment. "Shui Dai, one of the Four Wonders of the South, is your father?"

Upon hearing Song Qingshu acknowledge her father's renown, Shui Sheng's beautiful face lit up, and she raised her chin defiantly. "I advise you to release me immediately. Once my father receives word of this, he will pursue you alongside several of my uncles. You wretched thieves will find no place to hide."

"Is her father truly that famous?" Wei Xiaobao questioned Song Qingshu, his suspicion evident.

In an effort to stoke Wei Xiaobao's jealousy, Song Qingshu embellished his words. "Her father and his brothers wield great fame in Jiangnan. They are known as 'Luohua Liushui,' one of the Four Wonders of the South. Their martial prowess rivals that of the recently defeated Blood Blade Ancestor. I believe it would be wise to release her to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"Where can I find the martial artist known as 'Luohua Liushui'?" Wei Xiaobao pondered to himself. "I've handed this woman over to Brother Song. If her father comes to retrieve her, Brother Song will surely be displeased if I do nothing. This presents a perfect opportunity to ingratiate myself."

With this thought in mind, Wei Xiaobao donned a smile and spoke, "Dear Brother Song, fret not. They are merely a band of ruffians in Jinling City. His daughter is suspected of murdering my envoy to the Qing Dynasty. I shall dispatch a messenger to inform the Jinling Prefect shortly. They will be apprehended, subjected to interrogation and torture, to uncover any potential accomplices."