Chapter 220
Chapter 220
Ji Si grabbed him and held him fast.
“We’re going back.”
Ji Lu sighed mournfully, though he had only been complaining. He knew perfectly well how dangerous it was down there. Going in by himself now would be no different from seeking death.
“Don’t be sad.”
Jiang Yunsui took several of the heavy pearl necklaces and gold collars from around her neck and stuffed a large bundle into his hands.
“These are for you.”
“Si Si gets some too.”
Then she gave gold bracelets to Lin Lang, Lin Ran, and the others.
“Everyone who was here gets a share. Nobody came for nothing!”
Even the two dogs had gold collars perched on their heads. Their necks were too thick, with a dense ruff of fur besides, so the collars wouldn’t fit around them.
The roosters had some around their necks too.
No one had come for nothing indeed.
At that moment, Jiang Yunsui looked like a little god of wealth scattering riches, inspiring everyone to gaze up at her in awe.
Even after giving some away, she still had plenty left.
When Jiang Yunsui lifted her skirt a little, everyone discovered that her short legs were covered in treasure too. Jade and gold bangles made for adults fit neatly over them, and she had stacked them on in row after row.
Ji Si finally understood why she had been so heavy.
Ji Lu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “How did you even walk with all that on you?”
Jiang Yunsui giggled. “I couldn’t bear to throw any of it away.”
Ji Si removed the ornaments and wrapped them in his outer robe.
“Let’s go.”
Their gains today had been considerable indeed.
When they met the elephant outside, Jiang Yunsui tried hanging a gold bangle around its trunk too.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t stay. The elephant’s trunk hung downward, so the bangle soon slid off.
In the end, Jiang Yunsui put it away again.
“When we get back, I’ll ask Ji Yan’an to have a little golden elephant made for you to look at.”
As for giving it to the elephant, forget it. The elephant had no need for such things.
She could give it tasty fruit and melons instead.
Riding the elephant, Jiang Yunsui headed toward the new stockade.
This was the settlement Ji Yan’an had trained the mountain people to build together.
The elephant carried Jiang Yunsui grandly through the gates. There was no keeping a low profile on an elephant, after all.
“Yunsui and the others are back!”
The children knew Jiang Yunsui had returned the instant they spotted the elephant. The mountain people were already familiar with it, but aside from Jiang Yunsui, it generally refused to let anyone else ride.
“Ji Yan’an! Ji Yan’an…”
Jiang Yunsui ran toward the bamboo house where he was staying.
Ji Yan’an was reading a letter and did not even raise his eyes until she charged inside.
“Oh, my little ancestor! Where did you go digging this time?”
Nanshu rolled his eyes as soon as he saw Jiang Yunsui.
Good heavens. Every time the child went out, she came back filthy from one thing or another. Some days, she even managed it several times.
Thankfully, she had enough clothes. Otherwise, at this rate, she would never have enough to wear.
Ji Yan’an put down the letter and looked at the little girl, whose smile was brilliant, teeth white, and eyes sparkling.
“Go change your clothes first.”
He was used to it by now. What was there to be angry about? Someone else was assigned to wash her clothes anyway.
Ji Si appeared and set the bundle wrapped in his outer robe on the floor.
When he opened it, even Ji Yan’an was dazzled by the gleam.
Nanshu’s eyes went round.
Nanmo looked over several times.
After a few seconds of silence, Ji Yan’an asked, “Was Jiang Yunsui unlucky again?”
Ji Si nodded. “Yes.”
Ji Lu couldn’t help laughing as he added, “She fell into a grave robbers’ tunnel. There was an enormous tomb below, full of traps, venomous insects, venomous snakes, and other dangers. It was probably the grand tomb of some Nanzhao royal.”
Princes and nobles enjoyed luxury while they lived and feared having no money to spend underground after they died. Thus, they built tombs and buried great quantities of treasure with themselves.
Afraid their tombs might be robbed, they commonly installed traps and raised a few “little pets” inside as well.
Even so, they could never stop grave robbers from paying a visit.
In extraordinary times-during war, for instance-officials might even send specialists to rob tombs to meet military expenses. There had once been a formal office called the Commandant Who Touches Gold for precisely that purpose.
When Ji Yan’an heard that Jiang Yunsui had triggered traps all the way into the treasure chamber, the corner of his mouth twitched despite all the unlucky adventures he had already witnessed her survive.
By then, Jiang Yunsui had changed and run back out.
She was dressed in Miao clothing with a little hat, and everything on her jingled as she moved.
“Ji Yan’an, look! I brought all of this out. Let me tell you…”
Ji Yan’an had already heard the story from Ji Lu, but he still listened patiently as Jiang Yunsui chattered about how she had fallen into the tomb chamber.
“Did it hurt?”
His cool fingers brushed the red mark on her forehead. There were probably more bruises on the rest of her body.
Jiang Yunsui shook her head with a giggle. “No. I already ate several Verdant Jade Mushrooms!”
Although she was unlucky, none of her mishaps had ever put her in truly mortal danger. She was used to them by now.
The feeling of falling was still awful, though.
“Ji Yan’an, do you want any? Pick whatever you like. I’ll give it to you.”
Little Mushroom was exceedingly generous.
The corners of Ji Yan’an’s mouth curved gently. “No. Keep all of it.”
Jiang Yunsui had brought the treasure from the tomb herself. It rightfully belonged to her.
Ji Yan’an summoned Song Jin and told him about the tomb.
Song Jin and Ji Yan’an exchanged a glance, each immediately understanding the other’s thoughts.
“Young Master, what fortunate timing. We have plenty of uses for silver here in Dali. Grave robbing is rather immoral, of course.”
Not that this would be the first immoral thing he had done.
“Then again, we’re doing this to help the local mountain people. They’re descendants of Nanzhao. If they’re short of money and borrow a little from their own ancestors, how could that be considered grave robbing?”
Ji Yan’an nodded expressionlessly. “A sound argument.”
Song Jin continued, “Besides, grave robbers have already visited it and left that tunnel behind. Even if we don’t go, others will eventually. Once we’ve borrowed the money, we’ll fill in the tunnel. That practically counts as a good deed.”
Ji Yan’an, Nanshu, and the others nodded.
“Well said, sir!”
Jiang Yunsui looked bewildered. “But it is grave robbing. Why say so much?”
Song Jin waved a hand. “The more reasons we find, the more righteous and legitimate we sound.”
Everyone knew what they were really doing, but the words had to sound pretty and the justification had to be prepared.
It was just like launching an uprising or rebelling-you needed an excuse first.
Ji Yan’an asked, “What news is there of the silver mine?”
At the mention of the mine, Ji Yan’an had Jiang Yunsui sit beside him. Nanshu eagerly brought her cakes, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and other little snacks.
Their little ancestor truly was their lucky star.
Ji Yan’an supported so many people that his expenses were enormous. Even the fortune the former Crown Prince had entrusted to him before his death could not sustain them for long.
But because of Jiang Yunsui, gold, silver, and treasure practically delivered themselves to his door at every turn.
Look at this! Wasn’t it proof that even Heaven supported their rebellion?