Flower Stealing Master

Chapter 533: Layers of Collapse

“The second man is someone very close to Madam,” Song Qingshu stated. 

As soon as he finished speaking, Jiao Wan’er reacted immediately, her face turning pale with anger. “Are you planning to use my brother to threaten me? He’s admired you so much, constantly praising you in my ears every day.”

After the death of Jiao Gongli, he left behind a son and a daughter. The daughter was naturally Jiao Wan’er, while the son was only seven or eight years old at the time. Over the years, the siblings had relied on each other, sharing a deep bond.

“Back then, even as a young maiden, Madam braved countless dangers to avenge your father, earning the admiration of everyone in the martial world as a dutiful daughter. I believe you hold filial piety in the highest regard. So, I wish to ask Madam: what constitutes unfilial conduct?” Song Qingshu’s voice suddenly turned cold.

“There are three major unfilial acts, the greatest being without offspring!” Jiao Wan’er gritted her teeth, clenching so hard they almost made a grinding noise. She understood precisely how Song Qingshu intended to threaten her.

“If Madam, due to personal reasons, leads the Jiao family to extinction, how will you face Master Jiao in the afterlife?” Song Qingshu pressed her further, his gaze intense.

“If Wan’er does anything to disgrace the family, others will likewise have no face to meet our father in the afterlife,” Jiao Wan’er retorted, though her eyes now showed a flicker of panic.

“May I ask, Madam, what is the ultimate act of filial piety?” Song Qingshu gave her no chance to breathe, continuing his relentless questioning.

“To establish oneself, to act according to the way, to gain fame for posterity, and thus bring honor to one’s parents—that is the ultimate act of filial piety.” Jiao Wan’er instinctively recited. In this era, few people hadn’t read the “Classic of Filial Piety,” and she naturally remembered the opening lines.

“As far as I know, the ancestors of the Jiao family have never produced anyone of significant renown. Your father, who became the leader of a gang, was among the most outstanding talents of your lineage. However, in the martial world, there are many gangs like the Golden Serpent Camp—if not a thousand, then at least eight hundred. They’re as numerous as fish in a river, hardly an impressive accomplishment.”

Song Qingshu sneered, continuing, “If Madam agrees, I can elevate your brother, support him in climbing to great heights, achieving illustrious deeds that would bring honor to the Jiao family. He could secure a place in official history and be remembered for ages. The ancestors of the Jiao family, if they were watching from the afterlife, would thank you rather than blame you.”

At this moment, Jiao Wan’er’s heart was in turmoil. Although she felt something was amiss, she didn’t know how to refute him and instinctively resisted, “I don’t know, I don’t know…”

“Don’t just consider the Jiao family; even the Luo family could be immortalized in history. If the ancestors of the Luo family were watching from the afterlife, they might even urge their daughter-in-law to give in to me sooner.” Song Qingshu laughed arrogantly.

“Stop it!” Jiao Wan’er clenched her fists tightly, her heart aching deeply.

“Madam hesitates because, at the core, you’re concerned about your reputation, afraid of losing face before the world. But have you considered this,” Song Qingshu gently wiped the tears from Jiao Wan’er’s cheeks. Her body trembled, but she didn’t shy away. “Today’s events are known only to you and me. If you don’t speak of it and I don’t speak of it, who would know what you have done?”

“Heaven knows, earth knows, and I know myself!” Jiao Wan’er couldn’t help but let a trace of anger flare in her eyes.

Song Qingshu scoffed, smiling disdainfully. “Madam, you haven’t seen the methods of turning black into white. Do you really think that if nothing happens today, you can maintain your inn0cence?”

“What do you mean?” Anxious, Jiao Wan’er dropped any pretense of addressing him as the Chief.

Song Qingshu’s smile grew broader as he looked at her like a caged prey. “Madam, do you believe this scenario could unfold: Tonight, if you comply with me, in everyone’s eyes, you will still be seen as a virtuous and pure wife. But if you strive to protect your chastity tonight, everyone might instead see you as a promiscuous woman who consorts with strange men, unchaste and shameless, scorned by all.”

“I don’t believe you can manipulate everything like that!” Jiao Wan’er trembled with rage, suddenly realizing something. Her eyes lit up, “Even if everyone misunderstands, Senior Brother Luo will believe me. As long as he believes me, I have nothing to fear.”

“But what if Brother Luo is the first not to believe you?” Song Qingshu asked with amusement.

“He won’t!” Jiao Wan’er wiped away the tears trickling down her cheeks with her fingers, forcing herself to remain calm. “Senior Brother Luo cherishes me the most. He has always treated me the best. He would never believe those rumors.”

“It’s widely known within the Golden Serpent Camp that you and your husband maintain a courteous yet distant relationship. I believe that with ordinary rumors, Brother Luo would indeed not believe them.” Song Qingshu suddenly revealed a wicked smile, causing Jiao Wan’er’s heart to skip a beat. “But what if the man you supposedly consorted with was Yuan Chengzhi?”

‘Brother Yuan?’

Jiao Wan’er’s expression froze as she recalled the fond memories of hiding under the bed with Brother Yuan, a hint of tenderness and embarrassment surfacing in her eyes. However, she quickly remembered that they were now separated by life and death, and a pain struck her heart.

Back then, many knew about Jiao Wan’er’s affection for Yuan Chengzhi. Luo Liru was aware that she only married him to avoid burdening Yuan Chengzhi. Although Luo Liru had never spoken of it, Jiao Wan’er always sensed that it was a thorn in his heart.

If rumors of her and Yuan Chengzhi… consorting were to spread, Senior Brother Luo might actually believe it…

Jiao Wan’er’s face turned pale as she softly said, “Chief, don’t forget, Brother Yuan has already passed away.”

“What does his death matter?” Song Qingshu chuckled. “Have you ever heard of the art of disguise? If I were to disguise myself as Yuan Chengzhi and set a trap where Brother Luo ‘accidentally’ witnesses you and me together, do you think he would believe you were c0erced or that you were willing?”

“Stop it!” Jiao Wan’er covered her ears and began to sob uncontrollably. She trembled at the thought of the dreadful scenario he described.

Seeing the petite widow in front of him crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, Song Qingshu knew he had successfully breached her defenses. He pressed on, delivering the final blow: “You have two choices: secretly consort with me, hidden from everyone’s sight, or let your husband witness you in the throes of pass!on with another man, condemned by the world. The choice is yours, Madam.”

“Can’t I choose neither?” Jiao Wan’er looked up, her gaze devoid of the previous determination, now filled with boundless confusion and fear.

“No,” Song Qingshu refused bluntly.

“I… will un*dress.” After uttering these words, Jiao Wan’er felt as if all her strength had been drained from her body, and she couldn’t help but sob, her shoulders shaking.

After a long time, Jiao Wan’er raised her head, resigning herself to her fate. “I hope you remember your promise, to bring honor to both the Jiao and Luo families for a lifetime.”

“If Madam had agreed from the start, I would have fulfilled these promises. But now, it’s too late. I can only promise you that your husband will not know of any of this, and you will retain your image of a virtuous and pure wife in his eyes.” Song Qingshu said coldly.

“You demon!” Jiao Wan’er could no longer hold back and started sobbing once more.

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