Chapter 214: Songyang Marquis and Sun Fuping's Connection

"Me, worried about her?" Madame Ying scoffed a few times before quickly following up, "What do you mean?"

"She holds a peerage and is the dignified head of the Daoist sect; she would never become someone's concubine," He Lingchuan said, waving his hand. "Marquis Songyang would never marry into our family. What are you afraid of?"

Madame Ying seemed lost in thought.

Her eldest son's words made perfect sense. A woman like Marquis Songyang could only be a principal wife, never a concubine. Yet, she still couldn't shake off her unease about her husband.

He Chunhua was only thirty-four or thirty-five years old this year. He was tall and slender, with handsome features, and not only was he attractive to women, but his own desires were also strong.

Furthermore, he was only fourteen or fifteen years older than Marquis Songyang. What was such a small age difference? Even octogenarians could take young girls of sixteen into their chambers.

Just then, Grand Master Li Fubo requested an audience.

Since Marquis Songyang was traveling with the support army, Li Fubo often shuttled back and forth, as one side was his employer and the other was his client.

This time, he addressed He Lingchuan: "Master, the Marquis requests your presence."

He Lingchuan was greatly surprised. He pointed to himself, "The Marquis wants to see *me*? Not my father?"

"Yes."

Madame Ying, who was sitting nearby, heard this and immediately told her eldest son, "You go. First the father, now the son – Marquis Songyang is quite something."

Ru County had two inns. Marquis Songyang naturally stayed at the best one, where the best suite was a single, detached courtyard.

As soon as He Lingchuan entered, he smelled a rich, fruity aroma.

On Marquis Songyang Li Qingge's table sat a delicate white porcelain bowl with gilded accents. Its porcelain was as fine as jade; clearly, it was not something this small inn could provide.

The bowl contained a milky white liquid, but it wasn't milk.

She clapped her hands. "Come, bring Young Master He a bowl of apricot kernel paste."

A maid entered carrying a tray.

He Lingchuan thanked her. He raised the bowl and took a sip, feeling a warm sensation spread and his mouth fill with fragrance.

Apricot kernel paste was essentially almond tea. Besides being freshly brewed, it had extra ingredients.

"Strong milky aroma," he savored. "And rose, hmm, what else?"

There was also a floral and fruity scent.

Li Qingge smiled. "Impressive. Young Master He's deduction is exactly like your father's."

He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow. So his father had also drunk almond tea here, probably more than one bowl. Then he heard Li Qingge softly say, "Dried cherries were also added."

The silver-thread brazier in the room was burning brightly, bringing a faint flush to her cheeks. She was a beauty like porcelain and jade, her skin as white as snow and seemingly impossibly delicate. Her eyes held a hint of natural charm, yet her speech was dignified and appropriate.

Her beauty was not associated with flirtatiousness. Instead, it was like the morning sun at seven or eight o'clock, warm and amiable, making people instinctively want to draw closer.

He Lingchuan knew his father's taste; he disdained common beauties. But this one in front of him...

No wonder Madame Ying was fuming internally.

He put down the bowl and cleared his throat. "Marquis, did you need something from me?"

"May I borrow the Broken Blade for a look?"

The Broken Blade was, of course, carried close to him. Not to mention it was the medium for entering dreams, it had also saved his life two or three times. He Lingchuan unfastened it and casually placed it on the table. "Please, have a look."

Li Qingge grasped the sheath. Slowly, she drew out the Broken Blade, allowing its sharp gleam to gradually reveal itself.

A chilling light radiated from it. The temperature in the room instantly dropped by two or three degrees.

"A magnificent blade, even better than Li Fubo described," Li Qingge said, slightly moved. Her fingertips traced down the blade's spine, then she lightly flicked it, and a crisp, pleasant ringing sound echoed.

"This blade's nature is like a dormant beast, always eager to spring forth," she said, her curiosity piqued. "What have you done, Young Master He, to awaken it to this extent?" The blade's condition was different from when Li Fubo had reported on it.

In less than half a month, it had become even more ferocious.

Young Master He scratched his neck. "I used it as a throwing knife and hit a few people. That's all."

This blade was key to him entering the Coiling Dragon dreamland. So, conversely, did his actions in the dream also affect this blade?

"Could I borrow it for a few days to study it?" she asked. The more she looked at this blade, the more extraordinary it seemed.

He Lingchuan gave a noncommittal laugh. "That wouldn't be ideal. I used to have frequent nightmares, but ever since I acquired the Broken Blade, they haven't recurred."

Anyway, he hadn't had any other dreams either.

"Very well, I wouldn't want to take what someone cherishes," Li Qingge said with a slight smile. "In truth, this blade is extremely ominous. Its wielder would either suffer misfortune and bloodshed or become weak, frail, and short-lived. Even if I wanted to keep it, I would need to perform rituals to suppress its malevolent nature. Yet, Young Master He, you can easily control it. Instead of drawing disaster, you receive blessings. If not for a special connection with it, then Young Master He, you yourself must be extraordinary."

He Lingchuan was greatly interested. "So, which possibility does the Marquis believe it is?"

"Your esteemed father said you are a lucky general. I also heard that you even subdued the ferocious ape of the Thousand Heart Stream and made it your medicinal ape; previously, it had overcome four masters in a row," Li Qingge said, resting her chin on her hand. "In the Ancient Coiling Dragon City, by the Immortal Lake, and beneath Deer Cry Garden, the greatest credit might not have gone to you, but you provided immense help. When General Ke Jihai left Deer Cry Garden that night and went to the palace to see His Majesty, he also spoke highly of you. That's why His Majesty bestowed rewards upon you."

He Lingchuan's heart stirred. So this was how the rewards bestowed upon him came about?

No wonder. No wonder the royal court hadn't rewarded him for his previous two achievements.

However, Ke Jihai had entered the palace overnight to have a deep, confidential conversation with the King. There couldn't have been many people present at that time. Yet, Marquis Songyang knew what Ke Jihai had said. This woman truly had incredible connections.

He Lingchuan finally understood why He Chunhua always came here. His father probably also realized how formidable her network was.

For a man obsessed with power, how could such a valuable resource be missed?

Li Qingge continued, "Since the blade's nature has changed, I will discuss with Li Fubo again how to improve the method of cultivating swords. He mentioned that Young Master He personally broke this blade, didn't he?"

He Lingchuan nodded.

"Strange. This blade has a spirit. How could it be so close to the one who broke it?"

He Lingchuan recalled the black dragon in the Coiling Dragon illusion, the scene where Zhong Shengguang entrusted the blade to him, and shrugged. "It was purely an accident. Besides, I fought Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu with it. Perhaps it developed a shared animosity?"

Li Qingge was startled. "You fought Sun Fuping?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied, his heart stirring again. "Wasn't it mentioned in the battle reports you read?"

He thought that the full account of how he and his father thwarted Sun Fuping and Nian Songyu's conspiracy would have been reported in detail to the royal court.

Li Qingge smiled, answering evasively, "I don't mean to discourage you, but Sun Fuping possesses vast supernatural powers and the ability to turn heaven and earth upside down. It's quite remarkable that you survived an encounter with him."

Now He Lingchuan understood why his father liked to talk to Marquis Songyang. She clearly implied his cultivation was weak and that Sun Fuping could crush him with a single finger, yet she still managed to make him feel quite pleased.

Li Qingge returned the Broken Blade to He Lingchuan, her expression showing a hint of reluctance. "All of Commander Zhong's relics seem fated to be with you. Young Master He truly is a lucky general."

The young man lowered his head. He saw her slender fingers, which, though she didn't grow long nails, were lightly stained with koudan. Placed against the faded sword sheath, they looked like newly budding peach branches.

The contrast between old and fresh was striking.

Unfortunately, his mind was focused on the three words "Sun Fuping." "Marquis Songyang and Sun Fuping have some connection, don't they?" No sooner had the words left his mouth than he remembered his father must have asked this question already.

Li Qingge's beautiful eyes swept over him. She then took another sip of the apricot kernel paste before slowly saying, "Young Master He doesn't know? I thought you would have heard about it in Shihan. Lord He and I have conversed many times, but he never mentioned a word about this."

"Shihan again? So it's just me who's ill-informed, right?" He Lingchuan spread his hands. "When I was in Shihan City, I thought Marquis Songyang was a man."

Li Qingge choked suddenly and coughed several times, spilling almond tea onto her collar. The maid behind her quickly handed her a handkerchief.

Marquis Songyang recovered after a while, then sighed and said, "Young Master He is upright; he doesn't bother with gossip."

He Lingchuan gave a wry smile. "The Marquis can just say I'm ignorant."

For the past few months, his mind had been focused on cultivation and the Coiling Dragon dreamland. He paid little attention to external affairs.

Li Qingge waved her hand. "When I was young, I was traveling with my parents when we encountered an ambush by powerful enemies. My parents were killed, and I became separated from our group. My grandfather searched everywhere but couldn't find me. Two years later, Sun Fuping was out treasure hunting and found me in a wolf's den, bringing me back to Marquis Songyang Manor."

She paused. "This incident caused a sensation in the capital back then; even the late king and the current king know about it."

He Lingchuan drew a light breath. "Sun Fuping is your savior." He suddenly recalled what the nobles at Deer Cry Garden had said, that Zhu Xiuer's experience sounded familiar, and someone in Marquis Songyang Manor had a similar story.

Could it be? He immediately thought of the sudden attack beneath Deer Cry Garden.

"But over the years, he hasn't asked for little from Marquis Songyang Manor," Li Qingge said calmly. "Perhaps it's improper for me to say this. He made exorbitant demands several times, which would have repaid even the greatest debt of gratitude. Ever since my grandfather passed away and I took over Marquis Songyang Manor, I've basically cut off all ties with Sun Fuping. Otherwise, when his rebellion came to light, how could Marquis Songyang Manor have remained unscathed?"

That last sentence was the most convincing. He Lingchuan had long heard that the monarch was suspicious. If the monarch had harbored deep suspicions about Marquis Songyang Manor, could Li Qingge still be sitting here safely now?

Li Qingge continued, "Furthermore, Marquis Songyang Manor even assisted in apprehending Sun Fuping's confederates and rendered great service, a fact known throughout the court and the land."

He Lingchuan gave a thumbs-up. "Marquis Songyang is loyal to the King and loves her country; I, He, am filled with admiration!" He then swiftly changed the topic. "Marquis Songyang's artifact forging skills are remarkable. I have another matter to ask your guidance on."

"Please, speak."

He Lingchuan took a talisman from his robes and placed it on the table. "I'd like to ask about the function of this talisman."

He remembered that Marquis Songyang's miniature toy courtyard had been sealed with talismans. It must be similar in principle to this, right?

This talisman was black paper with red characters, unlike ordinary ones. Li Qingge picked it up and glanced at it, her eyebrows furrowing. "Young Master He, where did you get this?"

"I confiscated this from Lu Yao, General Hong Xiangqian's subordinate. At the time, he was already beaten to a near-death state, beyond saving. Then he grabbed a black talisman and swallowed it."

"What was the effect?"

"Absolutely no effect. Nothing happened," He Lingchuan shrugged. "Then someone chopped off his head with a single strike. I still remember the look of disbelief on his dead face."