"Grand Marshal, please hear my explanation. Not long ago, Qiucao's father and brother acted on impulse and launched a palace rebellion. Of course, they were no match for your brilliance and martial might, Grand Marshal. After their defeat, the entire Puchá Clan was driven into a desperate situation." Puchai Alihu cast a pitying glance at the girl on the bed. "For some reason, His Majesty has kept them imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, but anyone with sense knows that those involved in treason cannot escape death. In order to save her father and brother, and to save the entire Puchá Clan, Qiucao could only come begging to me. But what could a woman like me do? In all the world, perhaps only the Grand Marshal can save them."
Only then did Song Qingshu remember that Puchai Alihu was also from the Puchá Clan. By reckoning, she should be Pucha Qiucao's aunt. No wonder she had helped her.
Puchai Alihu secretly studied his expression before continuing, "But a treason case is no trivial matter. Even though the Grand Marshal holds immense power at court, I fear you would not be willing to wade into such muddy waters unless... unless there were a reason you absolutely had to save them."
"The Grand Marshal is a man who cherishes beautiful women, so after thinking it over, we could only resort to this measure. I hope you will forgive us, Grand Marshal." As she spoke, Puchai Alihu knelt on the floor, looking as though she would submit to whatever he chose to do with her.
Song Qingshu laughed in fury. "You think I'll help just because of this? Do you take me for a fool?"
Puchai Alihu let out a soft sigh. "We knew that even if everything succeeded, the chance of the Grand