Chapter 49 Go Back on His Word

Luckily, it was getting light. They went down the mountain along a path by the pool. There were many winding tracks on the mountain which were produced by people collecting herbs here. They could descend the mountain along any track.

Shen Qianshan grasped Gu Qiang’s hand along the way. Even though she had been rescued, his heart trembled at the thought of her confrontation with the big snake. He didn’t know how scared she was when she faced it, but she didn’t call him.

He wasn’t sure whether it was because she was used to being independent or because she was not used to being accompanied by him.

It was light. The surrounding was shrouded in white mist which had the smell of water. The sun rose and shone on the plants covered with dew. The plants glistened with colorful light.

Gu Qiang was exhausted after the tiring night, but she managed to trudge down the mountain. Entering the gate, they returned to Suxin Palace. The whole palace seemed solemn in the morning sunshine.

People were shuttling around and seemed busy. Seeing Shen Qianshan and Gu Qiang, they looked astounded and seemingly sympathetic. Gu Qiang didn’t know why, but she was not glad to see that.

When they walked to the main hall, the master of the palace seemed to have arrived early. He was sitting there and having breakfast. When he saw Shen Qianshan and Gu Qiang entering hand in hand, he looked up and down at them in disbelief. Finding them muddy and miserable, he raised his eyebrows and resumed on his chair, looking complacent.

“Now that you’ve got what you want, when will you pay me one hundred thousand taels of silver?” The master asked drily. Shen Qianshan had agreed to pay the money. He didn’t seem like a man that would go back on his word.

Shen Qianshan sneered, looked up at the master, and answered slowly, “We got Suxin Grass at the risk of our lives. Does it have anything to do with you? Why should I pay you money?”

At the thought of Gu Qiang’s confrontation with the big black snake, Shen Qianshan was enraged but had no way to vent his anger.

The master of the palace realized Shen Qianshan planned to renege on the debt. He knew Shen Qianshan wasn’t an ordinary man. His awe-inspiring and imposing manner identified him as someone with a high status in the capital.

Though Suxin Palace was away from the world of mortals, it had to avoid conflicts with the powerful men in the capital. After all, they could lead armies and conquer Suxin Palace anytime.

However, the capital was chaotic now and the powerful men were even unable to protect themselves. Even if the man in front of the master was the Emperor, the master could bargain with him so long as he didn’t identify himself.

“What do you mean? Do you refuse to pay me the money?” The master asked. He thought himself polite because he still could remain tender at this moment.

Shen Qianshan didn’t respond, but his attitude was clear. Neither of them prepared to compromise.

Gu Qiang looked at the master of the palace. With such a large property, he still made money with herbs. It seemed that he had succeeded in it. In this case, Suxin Palace must have offended quite a few people in the capital, and it wasn’t so glorious as she imagined.

Shen Qianshan moved closer and whispered to her, “Think nothing. Prepare to run with the herbs.”

Gu Qiang nodded slightly to signal she heard him clearly. Without expecting Shen Qianshan would play such a trick with him, the master of the palace said with a cold face, “Suxin Grass grows in our yard. If you want to take it away, you must be approved by us. What’s the problem?”

“If you want to make money with the herb, prepare and sell it to us. But if we get it by ourselves, why should we pay you money?” Shen Qianshan remained calm as before. He stood there without many words or actions, but he wanted the master know that he wouldn’t compromise.

The atmosphere in the hall became tense immediately. After running his eyes over Shen Qianshan carefully, the master of the palace winked at a servant near him. The latter nodded and rushed over. Immediately, Gu Qiang ran towards the gate with the herbs on her back. Others didn’t know what happened. They stopped working and stared at her confusedly.

Shen Qianshan protected Gu Qiang behind her. When someone approached, he turned around, kicked him, and then continued to escape.

Someone wanted to close the gate and catch them, but Gu Qiang rushed out of the gate with all her strength. When she looked back, she found the gate was closed and Shen Qianshan failed to rush out.

She was startled and turned around to knock on the gate heavily. She couldn’t escape alone and leave Shen Qianshan in such a dangerous place. Who knew what would happen if he stayed there alone?

Gu Qiang knocked on the gate and soon saw Shen Qianshan fly over the gate. His clothes fluttered like a butterfly. Once landing on the ground, he grabbed her hand and ran away. The gate behind them was reopened. A group of people surged out, swearing to catch them.

Shen Qianshan’s hand was icy cold. When Gu Qiang held it, she shivered. She turned around to look at him and found him frowning deeply and pressing his lips. There was firmness in his eyes. For unknown reason, Shen Qianshan brought the long-lost sense of safety back to Gu Qiang. It had been a long time since she had such a feeling last time. It made her absent-minded for a moment. Perhaps it was because there had been no one for her to rely on for a long time.

Those guys ran fast behind them. In contrast, Gu Qiang and Shen Qianshan had little strength to escape after a tiring night. When the guys nearly caught up with them, some people flew down from nearby trees and shielded Gu Qiang behind.

Gu Qiang wanted to turn around and look at them. Shen Qianshan smiled at her and said quietly, “They are my men.”

Then they slowed down. Finally, they got to the foot of the mountain. The two horses were grazing leisurely. Shen Qianshan flew onto one horse and pulled Gu Qiang up to it. Then they galloped the horse towards the capital.

At noon, Shen Qianshan took Gu Qiang to the gate of the Prime Minister Mansion. She was small but had a big basket on her back. The basket was filled with precious Suxin Grass.

Shen Qianshan descended the horse and told Gu Qiang, “Let me keep Suxin Grass. You just need to have a little.”

Then he snatched the basket away. Gu Qiang was taken by surprise and saw Shen Qianshan winking at her. It is obviously that a corner of someone’s pink clothes was shown at the wall corner. Someone was peeking. Therefore, Gu Qiang took two pieces of Suxin Grass from the basket and left the others to Shen Qianshan.

Before they parted, Gu Qiang looked Shen Qianshan in his eyes, saluted him respectfully, and said, “Your Highness, I’m grateful for your help…”

Before she finished, Shen Qianshan waved and responded, “Oh, please. Go back to take a shower and a good rest. It’s not done yet.”

Then he ascended the horse, smiled at Gu Qiang, and rode away.

His smile was as limpid and refreshing as the pool water in the mountain behind Suxin Palace. So fascinating.

Gu Qiang smiled and returned to her yard with the two pieces of Suxin Grass.

When she walked past the main hall, Prime Minister Gu was sitting in the yard before it and anxiously looking at a pile of books on the table.

Ye fanned him and refilled his teacup from time to time.

Gu Qiang couldn’t avoid them, so she walked over and saluted them reluctantly.

Seeing Gu Qiang come over, Ye rose immediately and gave Gu Qiang a seat with feigned friendly. She prepared a cup of tea for Gu Qiang and then resumed her seat beside Prime Minister Gu.

Prime Minister Gu glanced at Ye with admiration. Then he turned around and told Gu Qiang, “Qiang, you know the capital is afflicted with the rampant plague. Your mother told me you frequently go out. Be cautious.”

Gu Qiang didn’t expect Ye would speak ill of her to Prime Minister Gu. She could imagine the way Ye spoke. Ye must have said she did it for the sake of Qiang’s safety, but Gu Qiang was not a person that could be criticized by anyone.

Gu Qiang served tea to Prime Minister Gu and said earnestly and respectfully, “Father, I will remember that. But I’m flattered by madam’s concern.”

She turned around to look at Ye. Prime Minister Gu was ready to drink tea. Hearing what Gu Qiang said, he put the cup on the table and asked coldly, “Qiang, are you blaming your mother for meddling in your affairs?”

That was just what Gu Qiang meant! But she couldn’t answer frankly in the presence of Prime Minister Gu. Therefore, she pretended to look at him in surprise and said, “Of course not. The capital is chaotic. Madam should keep an eye on the family members. But father, please think about it. It is improper that madam is clearer about my whereabouts than myself. Madam, if you want to know what I’ve done, you can ask me directly.”

Prime Minister Gu kept a straight face. As implied by Gu Qiang, Ye wasn’t meddling in her affairs but keeping watch on her. No one wanted to be monitored by others.

“Now that Qiang thinks it improper, don’t do it again. After all, Qiang has grown up. She can deal with her affairs.” Prime Minister Gu told Ye with a cold face.

Ye parted her lips and seemed to want to defend herself. But finally, she didn’t. She lowered her head and said respectfully, “OK, I got it.”

Prime Minister Gu nodded with satisfaction and told Gu Qiang, “You must be more careful and mustn’t do anything that will humiliate our family.”

Gu Qiang nodded and went away. Ye sneered at Gu Qiang’s back: did she think what she had done was a secret? Absolutely not. Ye had known all secrets. Gu Qiang would have a big surprise about the Liu Family.

When Gu Qiang returned to her yard, Ting Feng and Chui Xue seemed to have waited for a long time. Seeing Gu Qiang back, they ran to her and looked worried.