Chapter 121
“So it’s true.”
Seeing Xie Chengze recognize her, the Chief frowned. He fingered the tiger-headed axe at his waist in irritation. “What did a little woman from the capital come here for? And right into our Qianjin Stronghold! Now look at this mess. We can’t let you go, and we can’t keep you!”
To avoid trouble with the authorities, they always disguised themselves as merchants to rob people on Black Tiger Mountain. For years, everything had gone smoothly. No one knew there was a Qianjin Stronghold on Mount Qiantai.
Now they’d abducted a high official’s daughter and set themselves directly against the court!
If they released her, the court might send troops to wipe out Qianjin Stronghold. If they didn’t, the court’s troops would come looking for her and wipe it out all the same.
“Exactly. What’s a young lady from the capital doing out in these wild mountains?” Xie Chengze asked as well.
Sheng Yiren stole a glance at him, understanding that he was asking why she had come to Mount Qiantai. “I heard there was something valuable on Mount Qiantai, so I wanted to see whether it was true.”
His Highness had asked her to have people inquire about mountains that burned on their own. A few days earlier, a merchant in Liaozhou had written back, saying that Mount Qiantai had burned twice. She had thought she would scout it out first, to see what this spontaneously burning mountain contained that could make His Highness specifically ask her to find it.
Perhaps it was a business opportunity?
She’d heard there were no bandits on Mount Qiantai, which was why she’d dared to climb it. Who could have imagined that there were bandits after all!
If Shen Yuan hadn’t happened to be here too, she would almost have become the Chief’s woman!
The Chief still didn’t believe her. “What could be valuable on Mount Qiantai? Did somebody fool you? At most, there’s some lousy medicinal herbs. They aren’t worth much.”
“Not necessarily!” Sheng Yiren immediately retorted. “You just don’t recognize value when it’s in front of you!”
“Ridiculous! Do you know how many years I’ve lived here? I’d know if there were so much as one extra ant on this mountain!” The Chief was stubborn too. Planting both hands on his bear-like waist, he demanded in a voice like a tiger’s roar, “Go on, then. What’s so valuable on Mount Qiantai?”
“Well… You dragged me into your stronghold before I could find it, didn’t you?” Sheng Yiren faltered, then fired back, “What are you shouting for? I’m not deaf! And doing business isn’t robbery. You have to find opportunities yourself, instead of waiting for someone to deliver them to your door!”
“Why, you!” Stung by the dig, the Chief was angry enough to hit her.
“Don’t be angry, Chief.” Xie Chengze spoke up, smiling. “The girl has a point. My family is in business too. Didn’t I have to travel far and wide with my former husband, looking for ways to make money?”
“Exactly! See, even the Sec – Second Chief’s wife says so!” With both Xie Chengze and Shen Yuan there, Sheng Yiren’s courage promptly returned. “Don’t spout nonsense when you don’t understand! Who knows business better, you or me?”
Hearing her call Xie Chengze the Second Chief’s wife pleased the Second Chief immensely. He couldn’t help adding, “That’s right, Elder Brother. If merchants didn’t travel far and wide, where would we find people to rob?”
“Whatever!” The Chief snorted. “I still don’t believe there’s anything valuable on Mount Qiantai!”
“You’re mistaken.” Xie Chengze shook his head. When all eyes turned to him, he coughed lightly and smiled. “Doesn’t Mount Qiantai have Qianjin Stronghold? In my view, this stronghold is the best thing on the mountain.”
“Heh! Now that’s something I like to hear, Sister-in-Law!” The Chief immediately brightened. He grumbled at Sheng Yiren, “You little capital woman, learn from her! You claim to do business, but you can’t even say something pleasant!”
Sheng Yiren: ???
Was it that she couldn’t? She didn’t want to!
“Second Chief, I’m hungry.” Now that he’d confirmed Shen Yuan was here, Xie Chengze could finally relax. He rose and drew his red fur coat closer, asking lazily, “Is there a clean, spacious room here? I won’t settle for just anything when it comes to my quarters.”
“Uh, well, I’ll have someone clean one up for you.” The Second Chief scratched his head. “Will you sit here and wait for now?”
It was his first time encountering such a beautiful wife. He had no idea how to attend to her, so he could only ask “her” opinion about everything first.
Seeing this, Sheng Yiren hurriedly offered, “Why not come to my room, Madam? This hall is so cold. My room has a newly built heated brick bed. It’s wonderfully warm!”
Though she had been abducted, Sheng Yiren had to admit that she was treated very well in the stronghold. She didn’t know whether the bandits here were particularly indulgent toward women, or Shen Yuan had been mediating on her behalf, or perhaps both.
The Second Chief looked at Xie Chengze, who gave a small, haughty nod of assent. “Very well. I want meat tonight, Second Chief. When it’s ready, have someone bring it over.”
Then he smilingly hooked his arm through Sheng Yiren’s and left the hall with a “graceful” walk.
The Chief clicked his tongue. “Why does it feel like she’s come home? She’s not holding back at all!”
The Second Chief chuckled. “Doesn’t that just show she’s meant to be in our stronghold?”
The Chief’s mouth twitched. “Look at you. Pathetic.”
“Second Chief, Sister-in-Law demands the finest in everything. Her tastes are probably exacting too. If you’re going to prepare food for her, you’d best ask someone who knows her well.”
Standing to one side, Shen Yuan offered the kindly reminder with a smile. “Otherwise, she’ll probably say you’re just fobbing her off again.”
“Oh, right!” The Second Chief promptly slapped his hands together, relieved. “I don’t like you, boy, but you’re right about that!”
He hurried out of the hall, plainly off to find Hu Lai.
“Chief, now that I’ve met Sister-in-Law, I won’t trouble you any further.” Shen Yuan saluted the Chief with clasped hands, then said seriously, “As for what we discussed yesterday, take your time considering it. I’m in no hurry.”
“Mm… Let me think it over some more.” The Chief nodded, his expression growing more serious.
“Then I’ll return to my room.” Shen Yuan bent down and put the white fur cloak from the bench back around himself, wrapping himself in the lingering warmth of that person’s body as well.
A faint smile rose unbidden to his lips. He stepped out of the hall and headed for his own room.
He needed to rest and gather his strength for a nocturnal visit to the “lady’s chamber.”
…
“Your Highness!” As soon as they entered the room, Sheng Yiren moved to pay her respects.
Xie Chengze stopped her. “At present, I’m not the Second Prince, but a merchant’s wife, Shen Yuanyuan. No need for formalities.”
Shen Yuanyuan?
Sheng Yiren wondered why Xie Chengze had chosen that name, just as she wondered why Shen Yuan called himself Xie Daqiang. But more than that, she wanted to know, “Why are you here, Your Highness?!”
“Ahem, ahem.” Xie Chengze patted her shoulder and gave her a meaningful look. “What do you think?”
“You really did come to save me!” Sheng Yiren’s eyes immediately reddened. Deeply moved, she said, “Your Highness! How could I deserve to have you risk your life in person for me?!”
“…” You’re the one who said it. I haven’t said a thing. Xie Chengze rubbed his little nose, neither confirming nor denying it, looking every inch the shameless heartbreaker. “Have you found anything on Mount Qiantai?”
“No.” Sheng Yiren shook her head regretfully. “I’ve had such bad luck. I’d barely started up the mountain when I ran into bandits heading down to rob people. They abducted me and brought me here, where I discovered that Lord Shen was here too.”
“Did they capture Shen Yuan?” Xie Chengze discreetly probed.
“I suppose… so? He won’t tell me what he’s planning. He says the less I know, the safer I’ll be.” Sheng Yiren lowered her voice. “But the Chief is an exceptionally skilled fighter. Shen Yuan said that even if he fought him, they’d probably both end up badly hurt.”
Xie Chengze was surprised. “He’s that strong?”
Then why had he never heard the man’s name in the book?
Someone so formidable shouldn’t have starved to death on a snowy mountain, should he?