Zhao Gou led A'ke over and introduced her with a smile. "This is the Young Master Song, Song Qingshu, whom I mentioned to you before."
A'ke covered her mouth and smiled. "As expected, a hero emerges in youth. Such a fine and talented young man."
Song Qingshu was speechless. Women truly were born actresses. She had been weeping bitterly in his arms just moments ago, yet in the blink of an eye, she had become so graceful and dignified, as though she did not know him at all. And why did she sound like an elder praising a junior?
"Greetings, Noble Consort Wu." Song Qingshu bowed, though inwardly he found it strange. Why had Zhao Gou specifically brought his consort over to introduce her? It was truly odd. Still, he smiled and said, "Earlier, Young Master Wanqisi kept praising Noble Consort Wu as a beauty who could make fish sink and geese fall, shame the moon and eclipse flowers..."
The surname Wanqisi was far too rare. Everyone present immediately knew he meant a young master from Wan Qixie's household, and the gathered officials exchanged glances. Though some clever people quickly realized that Wan Qixie and Song Qingshu had always been at odds, so how could any young master of the Wanqisi family have discussed such matters with Song Qingshu? Still, even more people thought: Which young master of the Wanqisi household could it be, to openly discuss Noble Consort Wu's appearance behind her back? Noble Consort Wu was young and beautiful, while several young masters of the Wanqisi family were around her age and were known to frequent brothels. No one would believe that they harbored no improper thoughts while discussing her.
The moment Zhao Gou imagined those Wanqisi wastrels holding courtesans in their arms while fantasizing about his own