At the lowest level of the ice cellar, Song Qingshu had long since extinguished the candles to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, the enormous blocks of ice around them emitted a faint glow—ordinary eyes would have struggled to see it, but it was more than enough for someone of his cultivation.
He could make out that someone was wrapped inside the quilt Li Qiushui held. Her dark hair was disheveled, and one fragrant shoulder was exposed. Sadly, he could not see her face clearly, but he could tell that she was small in stature and likely quite young. That was hardly unusual. In his old world, girls that age had only just entered middle school, but in ancient imperial palaces, palace maidens selected for the emperor were often required to be that age.
Li Qiushui smiled seductively. "I could have accompanied you myself, young master, but along the way, I came to understand that someone of your temperament probably would not fancy a withered willow like me. So I specifically found a young palace maid for you. She is lovely as a flower, innocent and unspoiled. Please accept her with a smile."
Song Qingshu shook his head. "I do not need her. Take her out!" He was not so helpless that he could not sleep without a woman beside him. Besides, judging from the situation, Li Qiushui had most likely used some coercive method on the girl. How could he agree to this?
Li Qiushui looked troubled. "That makes things difficult. If you do not fancy me, I naturally will take her away. But she knows where we are hiding, and you know my temperament. To ensure nothing goes wrong, I will certainly have to silence her. Poor little girl—she is as lovely as a flower and still in the