Huang Shang continued, "If he remains in the imperial palace, I alone will be enough to protect the Emperor. However, before long, the Emperor will be traveling incognito on a short journey. I'm afraid I won't be able to watch over everything by myself."
Song Qingshu glanced at the Wine-Drinking Monk. "Wouldn't the two of you joining forces be enough?"
Huang Shang shook his head. "The situation we'll face this time is extraordinarily dangerous. I've been feeling unsettled lately, so to be safe, I'm inviting you to join us. This matter is of utmost importance to the Emperor. As long as you handle it well, what does it matter if we give you a mere Imperial Consort?"
A'ke's expression dimmed at his words. At last, she could understand the pain her mother had suffered back then. What did it matter if a woman's beauty surpassed all others? What did it matter if she was famed throughout the land? In the end, she was merely a plaything in a man's hands, liable to be given away to someone else at any moment.
Looking at the resolute profile of the man beside her, A'ke bit her lip. Fortunately, Brother Song probably isn't that kind of man.
Yet Song Qingshu caught another meaning in Huang Shang's words. Zhao Gou's journey was clearly no ordinary trip. He had wondered before how Zhao Gou could tolerate Jia Sidao monopolizing power alone. Now it seemed Zhao Gou had long since grown restless and intended to use this journey to wipe out the Jia faction in one fell swoop. But Jia Sidao's power was no small matter. Once they moved against him, it would surely be thunderous and overwhelming. No wonder even Huang Shang and the Wine-Drinking Monk were not fully confident despite joining forces. Zhao Gou's