The steward's attentiveness in sending food was noticed by the other people on the ship. Everyone has a gossipy heart, and since there was no place to entertain themselves on the ship, they went to the cabin where the fish soup had been drunk to inquire about the situation.
"Sister-in-law, what's going on with those two? Why is the ship's snobby steward so welcoming to them?"
"This... I don't know either." The woman holding the child showed worry in her eyes. She and the child's father declined the fish soup offered by the two men. They didn't want to get involved in trouble. After all, they attracted pirates, but who would have thought that the manager not only did not kick them off the boat, but also respectfully offered them food and drinks.
She looked at the child's father. "...What should I do?"
"What should we do?" The big man didn't understand what she was thinking. He just sat on the couch and drank with his brothers.
Another woman holding a child cried out, "Brother, we refused their fish soup and clearly didn't want to get involved. Now I'm a little worried that they'll be angry. What if they tell the manager and kick us out?"
"This... can't be." The big man was stunned for a moment. They were just ordinary people. They wouldn't be driven away just for a piece of fish soup.
"Who knows? How about... you go ask the stewards? See if they're angry?"
The big man looked embarrassed. "How... should I say this?"
The woman rolled her eyes at him and said, "Let my husband go with you. He's usually talkative. Let him ask for you."
The two big men looked at each other, and then had to leave the cabin under pressure, asking along the way to find the steward's room.
"What do you want?" The steward would only speak in a humble and flattering manner in front of His Highness and the boss, but in front of these ordinary people he would return to his arrogant attitude, raising his chin and looking down at people.
The large man stammered, unable to speak. The man next to him clasped his fists towards the steward and said, "I don't know if you've heard, but the young man in that guest room once offered fish soup to me, my wife, and my children. However, after the incident with the pirates, we were afraid of being implicated, so we refused his offer again, fearing that it would anger him. So, since you were able to speak with him, we came to ask if we deserve an apology."
The steward chuckled, "You guys..." Although he didn't say it out loud, he looked at them with disdain, as if they were just ants, ordinary people who were used to changing their attitude according to the situation. He squinted and looked down on them, then said, "Don't worry, he's an important person, he won't bother with you. You are nothing in his eyes. Really, you can't even grasp the opportunity to curry favor with him!"
After saying that, regardless of their expressions, he drove them out.
Although the two brothers were belittled, they felt relieved and went back to repeat the manager's words.
The two women regretted not taking the bowl of fish soup. They were afraid that they would never meet such a noble person in their lifetime. The person extended a helping hand when they were in trouble, but they distanced themselves from him when he was criticized for fear of being implicated. It was really ungrateful to think about it.
They were deeply regretful over a bowl of fish soup, but Song Jiaren was completely unaware of it. She had already forgotten about the fish soup and was only worried about having to pay compensation.
Until she got off the boat, she felt that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's order to have the steward send someone with the jade pendant to get the silver notes was most likely a temporary measure. Therefore, as soon as she got off the boat, she urged His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to leave as soon as possible. In the future, she would find a way to make money and compensate the dead and injured slaves.
Gu Zhen was confused as she pulled his sleeves, which were wrinkled. He frowned and asked, "Why are you walking so fast?"
Song Jiaren whispered, "I'm just afraid that the steward on the ship will react and not let us go."
"What did you react to?" Gu Zhen looked at her coldly with his dark eyes, as if he didn't understand what she was saying.
Song Jiaren sighed helplessly. He was still showing off at this time. She said softly and soothingly, "I know you don't have the money to compensate them. Don't worry, I will find a way to make money to compensate them as soon as possible."
So she knew all this, and he didn't need to pretend that he didn't care. No money meant no money, and she understood. She was not the kind of person who could only share the good times but not the bad times.
The masked man and the pirates have been through it all together, so how could he not help him compensate for the silver?
Gu Zhen hadn't expected her to think this way, so he kindly reminded her, "I've taken 80% of the profits from the hot pot restaurant and instant noodles, and you actually think I don't have money? And even without the income from the hot pot restaurant, don't you know I still have at least ten other businesses in Beijing? I just never told you in detail."
It seems that I should let her know later that she actually treated him as a poor guy. Her hot pot restaurant had an income of at least 1,000 taels per month, and he took 80% of it. No matter how you look at it, he is richer than her.
Song Jiaren was stunned. Yes, she was only thinking about the remaining 20% of profit every month, forgetting that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was the one who got the biggest share. She was actually still trying to find a solution for him. She was crazy.
"I just... forgot for a moment, just pretend I didn't say anything."
Gu Zhen smiled and said, "I appreciate your kindness." As someone who loves money so much, you must have given him all the money you had with you.
Song Jiaren felt a little embarrassed and turned her head away from him. "How do we go next? Is this Tonghe City?"
The big ship was anchored at the river bank. The porters were busy moving the goods. There were constant hawking sounds on the shore, and people were getting off the ship one after another. The two couples also passed by them, each holding a child. The two women just nodded slightly to Song Jiaren as if they were meeting for the first time.
This time, Song Jiaren did not smile back, but turned her head away as if she didn't see it. She was still a little angry in her heart. On the one hand, she understood that they were just ordinary people who were afraid of getting into trouble, but on the other hand, she felt that they were a little ungrateful. As soon as she saw any sign of trouble, she immediately distanced herself from them.
The steward on the boat stood on the shore and watched them leave stiffly. He finally felt relaxed after seeing off a giant Buddha.
Song Jiaren and Gu Zhen sat in the carriage, with soldiers following on horseback in front and behind. She lifted the thick windshield curtain on the window. This scene seemed familiar, especially like when they had just left the capital. She was full of confusion and could only sit in the carriage with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and try her best to maintain the appearance of a concubine, although she soon let herself go.
But this time, as they were sitting in the carriage, surrounded by soldiers, her mood was quite different. She had been trying to adapt to the place and was no longer confused. Her impression of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was no longer the few lines of description in the original book, but a living flesh and blood being who would get hurt and bleed for her. He was the existence that made her feel at ease in the book.
Gu Zhen looked at her black hair blown by the cold wind and said lightly, "Aren't you cold?"
Song Jiaren lowered the curtain, and the scattered hair on her forehead fell down a little, making her features look even more graceful. "It's not cold, it's just that I remembered that when I left the capital with His Highness, we sat in the carriage together like this."
Gu Zhen looked at her, his eyes filled with emotions she couldn't understand. "Thank you for your hard work."
He suddenly said this to her so seriously, Song Jiaren was a little embarrassed, and said embarrassedly, "It's okay, haven't you always been protecting and taking care of me?"
She was telling the truth. All she did along the way was eat and sleep, and it wasn't hard at all. She just treated it as a spring outing with him. There was no such opportunity in modern times.
Tonghe City is not far from the river bank, and it takes about an incense stick of time to get there. The city walls are majestic and magnificent, and the gate is heavily guarded by soldiers wearing swords and armor. Standing in the cold wind, you don’t look cold at all.
They were stopped at the city gate. "Who are you?"
The leading soldier took out the official pass from His Highness. The soldiers guarding the gate did not dare to stop them and let them pass immediately. They also sent someone to lead them to find the city lord and reported along the way. The city lord of Tonghe City was already standing at the door to greet them.
"Lin Chuang, the Lord of Tonghe City, awaits your arrival." Gu Zhen and Song Jiaren got off the carriage and saw a handsome young man with a fan in his hand, a high crown and tied hair, and a jade belt around his waist.
My impression of the city lord has changed a lot. After all, he is not like Luo Zhen who neglects exercise and is fat and strong. This person has a more imposing appearance.
"City Lord Lin, I came here to discuss an important matter." Gu Zhen said straight to the point with a serious face.
Lin Chuang made a gesture of invitation and said, "Please follow me to the study to discuss in detail."
After that, he led them through the corridor of the second courtyard and had the servants serve a few cups of hot tea in the study. He then dismissed everyone and asked with a frown, "May I ask what happened, Your Highness?"
Gu Zhen pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Do you know Yin Guangfa?"
"I know. Wasn't the Yin family's patriarch's property confiscated back then?"
Is he still alive?
That would have caused endless troubles. At that time, the Yin family was equivalent to ruling the country from behind the scenes. All court affairs were handled by Yin Guangfa, who persecuted loyal officials and plundered the people. It took many years to eradicate this cancer.
Gu Zhen nodded solemnly. "Yes, he was indeed beheaded and his family property was confiscated. Who knew that he bribed the executioner and found a scapegoat? He secretly trained a team of masked assassins in Bianchu Town and used the old, weak and sick people in the town as cover. No one has discovered his whereabouts for so many years."
After taking a sip of tea, he continued, "The Wusun Kingdom recently sent people to visit the border camp, but they were actually scouting the route. A few days later, a group of people came and stole the fake tiger talisman I had placed in public. I heard that Yin Guangfa has been secretly communicating with the Wusun Kingdom and intends to use the tiger talisman to divert troops from your area. If that happens, with the Wusun Kingdom attacking from outside and traitors cooperating from within, China will be in great danger."
Lin Chuang was so shocked that he could hardly hold the fan in his hand. He thought that Yin Guangfa was secretly training assassins in order to usurp the throne, but he didn't expect that he would actually sell out his country for personal gain!
You bastard!
"Then what will Your Highness do?"
Gu Zhen narrowed his eyes, his gaze fierce, "I will definitely make sure he never comes back!"
Song Jiaren held the clear glass teacup and took a sip from time to time, watching His Royal Highness the Crown Prince make plans and the City Lord indirectly interject a few words, raising questions or plans. She also had a feeling of being in charge, but soon, it was getting dark, and they were still discussing under the lights. She became a little restless and lay on the table without any image to endure the hunger.
"...But we'll proceed according to plan." Gu Zhen looked at Song Jiaren lying on the side and said with a smile, "It's getting late. I can only bother you here at the City Lord's."
Lin Chuang waved his hands fearfully and said, "Your Highness is seriously ill. We have already arranged a room for you two. Please move to the front hall for dinner."
Gu Zhen patted Song Jiaren's shoulder gently and said, "Let's go and have dinner."
Song Jiaren found that she was more suitable for living a life of idleness and waiting for death. She couldn't even persist in accompanying them to discuss strategies. As soon as she heard about eating, she immediately became energetic.
"...Walk slowly, I'm too hungry."
When they arrived at the front hall, Lin Chuang and the two women immediately stood up and asked Gu Zhen and Song Jiaren to sit down first before they sat down again.
"Your Highness, these two are my wives, Cui and Lin. I heard that Your Highness and your family have come to my humble abode and are clamoring to share in the blessings. I have no choice but to do so. I hope Your Highness does not mind."
Gu Zhen shook his head and said calmly, "No problem, a simple home-cooked meal will do, no need to be so polite."
However, he did not introduce Song Jiaren in detail, for fear that she would mind mentioning her status as a concubine in front of outsiders. After all, Lin Chuang and the other two were his legal wives.
Song Jiaren really didn't think too much about it. She just wondered what was so special about City Lord Lin that allowed his two wives to get along so harmoniously. You pick up food for me and I pour wine for you, which made City Lord Lin seem redundant and a little pitiful.
Her eyes were glued to the two beauties sitting opposite her all night, so she didn't notice Gu Zhen's unhappy frown.
Lin Chuang sent someone to take them back to the guest room. The servant was very considerate and had already asked someone to prepare a bathtub for them, and the water temperature was just right.
"You wash first, I'll have some tea."
Song Jiaren couldn't refuse, so she went behind the screen, took off her heavy robes and stepped into the bathtub. She hadn't washed for a few days, and it was so comfortable to get into the warm water. All the pores on her body stretched out with pleasure, and she couldn't help but let out a sigh of satisfaction.
Gu Zhen picked up a book and flipped through it casually, but was distracted by the sound of water behind the screen and could not concentrate at all. He drank a sip of tea in annoyance.
Song Jiaren didn't soak for too long. After all, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince hadn't taken a bath yet. It was already a bit embarrassing for him to use her bath water, and it would be even more inappropriate if the water cooled down. So she simply wiped herself, put on her pajamas, stepped out from behind the screen, and wiped her dripping hair with a cloth.
"Your Highness, go and take a shower. The water is still warm."
Under the dim candlelight, Gu Zhen saw Song Jiaren's white and tender calves and her face flushed by the heat. Her skin, as white as milk, seemed to be glowing.
After just one glance, he withdrew his gaze and quickly walked behind the screen, took off his outer robe and pajamas, and looked at his rough wheat-colored skin. Could it be that she grew up soaking in cow's milk?
Until they fell asleep, the atmosphere between the two was a little subtle.
It was just that they slept separately during those few days on the boat, and now they were sleeping in the same bed again. Song Jiaren actually felt a little nostalgic. She could smell the cold breath of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, as cold as winter. He was not far away, not too close. She lay on her back motionless, counting sheep.
One sheep, two sheep...
Not long after, he couldn't resist the sleepiness and fell asleep. He even took the initiative to crawl into the familiar arms and rubbed against him restlessly a few times.
Gu Zhen opened his eyes helplessly, hugged her shoulders tightly, turned around and kissed her smooth forehead, his eyes soft, deep and restrained.
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