Chapter 00215: The Connection Between Marquis Songyang and Sun Fuping
# The Connection Between Marquis Songyang and Sun Fuping
Chapter 215
Novel: After the Immortals Disappeared
Chapter 215: The Connection Between Marquis Songyang and Sun Fuping
"Am I worried about her?" Madam Ying let out a cold laugh, but quickly followed up with a question, "What do you mean?"
"She holds a noble title and is the head of a prestigious Daoist sect; it’s impossible for her to become a concubine."
He Lingchuan waved his hand dismissively, "Marquis Songyang could never marry into our family, so what are you afraid of?"
Madam Ying appeared to be deep in thought.
What her eldest son said was indeed a hard truth; a woman like Marquis Songyang could only be a wife, not a concubine.
However, she still felt uneasy about her husband.
He Chunhua was only thirty-four or thirty-five this year, tall and handsome.
Not only was he attractive to women, but his own desires were also quite vigorous.
Moreover, he was only about fourteen or fifteen years older than Marquis Songyang; what did that age difference matter? Even an octogenarian could take a twenty-year-old maiden into his chambers.
At that moment, Master Li Fubo came to seek an audience.
Since Marquis Songyang was traveling with the Ciying Army, Li Fubo often darted between the two parties, as one was the employer and the other the contractor.
This time, he addressed He Lingchuan: "Boss, the noble lord requests your presence."
He Lingchuan was taken aback and pointed at himself: "The noble lord is asking for me?" Not his father?
"Yes."
Madam Ying, who was sitting beside him, immediately said to her eldest son, "You go."
After discussing the father, it was time to discuss the son; Marquis Songyang was indeed noteworthy.
There were two inns in Ruxian County, and Marquis Songyang naturally stayed at the one with the best conditions, which was a standalone courtyard.
As soon as He Lingchuan entered, he was greeted by a rich fruity aroma.
On the table of Marquis Songyang, Li Qingge had a delicate white and gold porcelain bowl, the porcelain as fine as jade, clearly not something this small inn could provide.
The bowl contained a milky substance, but it was not milk.
She clapped her hands: "Come, serve Young Master He a bowl of apricot cream."
A maid entered with a tray.
He Lingchuan thanked her and took a sip from the bowl, feeling warmth and a delightful fragrance fill his mouth.
Apricot cream was essentially almond tea, made fresh and with additional ingredients.
"The milk fragrance is rich," he remarked, savoring it, "and it’s also added with rose, hmm, what else?"
There was also the scent of flowers and fruits.
Li Qingge smiled: "Impressive, Young Master He’s deduction is just like your father’s."
He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow; it turned out his father had also drunk almond tea here, and probably more than one bowl.
He then heard Li Qingge softly say, "It also has dried cherries."
The silver charcoal basin in the room burned brightly, warming her cheeks with a slight blush.
She was a beauty akin to porcelain, with skin as white as snow, delicate and flawless, her eyes holding a hint of natural charm, yet her speech was dignified and appropriate.
Her beauty was not flirtatious but rather like the warm and friendly sunlight of early morning, making one unconsciously want to draw closer.
He Lingchuan understood his father's taste; he looked down on superficial beauty, but this one…
No wonder Madam Ying was feeling fiery inside.
He set down the bowl and lightly coughed: "Does the noble lord have something to discuss with me?"
"May I borrow the Broken Blade for a look?"
The Broken Blade was, of course, worn close to the body.
Not to mention it was a medium for entering dreams, it had also saved its master two or three times.
He Lingchuan took it off and casually placed it on the table: "Please take a look."
Li Qingge grasped the scabbard and slowly drew out the Broken Blade, allowing its sharpness to gradually unfold.
The cold light was penetrating, and the temperature in the room dropped by two or three degrees.
"A good blade, even better than what Li Fubo described to me."
Li Qingge's expression shifted slightly as her fingertips glided down the back of the blade, then she flicked it lightly, producing a crisp and pleasant sound.
"This blade is like a lurking ferocious beast, always eager to try."
She was very curious, "What did you do, Young Master He, to awaken it to this state?" The blade's condition was different from what Li Fubo had reported.
In less than half a month, it had become increasingly fierce.
He Lingchuan scratched his neck: "I used it as a dart and hit a few people, that’s all."
Even if he had, he couldn't tell her.
This blade was the key to his entry into the Panlong Dreamscape.
Conversely, did what he did in the dream also affect this blade?
"Can I borrow it for a few days to appreciate?" The more she looked at the blade, the more extraordinary it seemed.
He Lingchuan chuckled: "That wouldn’t be good. I used to have nightmares, but ever since I got the Broken Blade, I haven’t had any relapses."
After all, he hadn’t had any other dreams since then.
"Alright, then I won’t take what you cherish."
Li Qingge smiled slightly, "In fact, this blade is very ominous; the wearer will not only suffer from bloodshed but will also become weak and short-lived. Even if I want to keep it, I must pray and perform rituals to subdue its ominous nature. Yet, Young Master He can easily control it, avoiding calamity and instead gaining fortune. If it weren’t for your affinity with it, then you must be extraordinary yourself."
He Lingchuan became very interested: "Then what does the noble lord think, which possibility is it?"
"Your father said you are a blessed general. I also heard that you subdued the ferocious monkey of the Qianxin Stream and took it as a medicinal ape; previously, it had defeated four masters."
Li Qingge rested her chin on her hand, "In the ancient city of Panlong, by the Fairy Spirit Lake, and beneath the Deer Ming Garden, the first credit may not be yours, but you have certainly helped greatly. When General Ke Jihai left Deer Ming Garden that night to enter the palace to meet the emperor, he praised you endlessly, and that’s why the king bestowed rewards upon you."
He Lingchuan's heart stirred; so that was how the rewards he received came about?
No wonder.
No wonder there had been no commendation from the royal court for his previous two contributions.
However, Ke Jihai had entered the palace overnight for a deep discussion with the emperor, and there surely weren’t many people present at that time.
Yet, Marquis Songyang knew what Ke Jihai had said; this woman could be considered to have her eyes and ears everywhere.
He Lingchuan finally understood why He Chunhua kept coming here.
His father had probably also sensed her extensive connections.
For a man keen on power, how could he miss such a valuable resource?
Li Qingge continued, "Since the blade's nature has changed, I will discuss with Li Fubo about improving the sword-making method. He mentioned that this blade was broken by your own hands?"
He Lingchuan nodded.
"Strange. This blade has spirit; how could it be so close to the one who broke it?"
He Lingchuan recalled the black flood dragon in the Panlong Dreamscape, the scene where Zhong Shengguang entrusted the blade to him, and shrugged: "It was purely accidental. Besides, I fought with Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu using it; perhaps it developed a sense of camaraderie against a common enemy?"
Li Qingge was taken aback: "You fought with Sun Fuping?"
"Yes."
He Lingchuan's heart stirred again, "Didn’t you see it mentioned in the battle reports?"
He thought that the entire process of his father and him thwarting Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu's conspiracy would have been reported to the royal court in detail.
Li Qingge smiled and answered evasively: "I’m not saying discouraging words, but Sun Fuping is immensely powerful, capable of overturning clouds and rain. It’s quite remarkable that you survived his hands."
Now He Lingchuan understood why his father liked to talk to Marquis Songyang.
She clearly said that you were weak, that Sun Fuping could crush you with a finger, yet she could still make you feel valued.
Li Qingge returned the Broken Blade to He Lingchuan, her expression somewhat reluctant: "Commander Zhong's relics are all connected to you; Young Master He is indeed a blessed general."
The young man lowered his head and saw her slender fingers; although she did not have long nails, they were lightly stained with a rosy hue, resting on the faded scabbard like budding peach branches.
The contrast between the ancient and the new was striking.
It was a pity that his thoughts were all on the name "Sun Fuping": "Marquis Songyang and Sun Fuping have some connection, right?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he remembered that his father had probably asked this question before.
Li Qingge's beautiful eyes turned on him, then she took a sip of the apricot cream and said slowly, "Young Master He doesn’t know? I thought you had heard about it in Shihuan. Lord He and I have talked many times, yet he never mentioned it."
Again with Shihuan; was he the only one who was ignorant? He Lingchuan spread his hands: "When I was in Shihuan City, I thought Marquis Songyang was a man."
Li Qingge choked and coughed several times, spilling almond tea onto her clothes, while the maid behind her hurriedly handed her a handkerchief.
Marquis Songyang took a moment to recover before sighing: "Young Master He is straightforward; I wouldn’t bother to inquire about such rumors."
He Lingchuan smiled wryly: "The noble lord can just say I’m ignorant."
His thoughts had been focused on cultivation and the Panlong Dreamscape these past few months, and he had paid little attention to matters outside.
Li Qingge waved her hand: "When I was young, I traveled with my parents and encountered powerful enemies. My parents were killed, and I got separated from my group; my family searched for me in vain. Two years later, Sun Fuping went out treasure hunting and found me in a wolf's den, returning me to the Songyang residence."
She paused: "This incident caused quite a stir in the capital back then; even the former king and the current king knew about it."
He Lingchuan inhaled sharply: "Sun Fuping is your savior."
He suddenly remembered that the nobles in Deer Ming Garden had mentioned Zhu Xiuer's experience, which sounded familiar; someone in the Songyang residence had experienced something similar.
So they were talking about Li Qingge.
Could it be? He immediately recalled the sudden attack beneath Deer Ming Garden.
"But he has also demanded much from the Songyang residence over the years," Li Qingge said lightly, "What I’m saying may not be appropriate. He has made several exorbitant demands; even the greatest kindness cannot fill that gap. Since my grandfather passed away and I took over the Songyang residence, I have basically cut off contact with Sun Fuping. Otherwise, if he were to be exposed for treason, how could the Songyang residence remain unscathed?"
This last statement was the most convincing.
He Lingchuan had heard that the king was suspicious; if he became suspicious of the Songyang residence, could Li Qingge still be sitting here safely?
Li Qingge continued: "In fact, the Songyang residence even helped capture Sun Fuping's accomplices, achieving great merit; this is known throughout the court and the public."
He Lingchuan gave a thumbs up: "Marquis Songyang is loyal to the king and loves the country; I admire you!" He quickly switched the topic, "Marquis Songyang has remarkable skills in weapon crafting; I have another matter to consult."
"Please, go ahead."
He Lingchuan took out a talisman from his bosom and placed it on the table: "I would like to inquire about the function of this talisman."
He remembered that Marquis Songyang's toy courtyard was sealed with talisman paper, which should be similar to this item, right?
This talisman was made of black paper with red characters, different from the usual ones.
Li Qingge picked it up and glanced at it, her dark brows furrowing: "Where did Young Master He get this?"
"This was captured from General Lu Yao under Hong Xiangqian. At that time, he had already been beaten to the brink of death, in such a state that he couldn’t be saved, and then he pulled out a black talisman and swallowed it."
"What effect did it have?"
"Not a bit of use; nothing happened."
He Lingchuan shrugged, "Then he was beheaded by someone, and I still remember the look of disbelief on that dead face."
(End of Chapter)