Gazing upon the disheveled visage of his younger cousin, covered in grime and sweat yet still wearing a jovial smile, Zhai Huan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and silently reassured himself - this was his own flesh and blood, his kin, his own! Even if there was reprimand to be given, it would be behind closed doors at home.
After a moment of psychological preparation, he regained his composure. With an air of refinement and impeccable grace, he bid farewell to Chu Yao and the others. If only his steps were not so hurried, as if pursued by ghosts from behind, the scene would be even more perfect.
Faintly, Shen Tang heard Zhai Le's howling plea for mercy: "It hurts, elder brother! Please don't drag me like this, I can walk on my own." Zhai Huan's low voice reprimanded, "Shut up, you're embarrassing!" Zhai Le was immediately silenced, and Shen Tang could almost envision his crestfallen expression.
However, her brief moment of schadenfreude was cut short when she noticed Chu Yao and his companion's gaze fixated on her, unwavering. It sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to awkwardly touch her nose and ask, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
She knew she was attractive, there was no need for such blatant admiration. Qi Shan sighed and shook his head, Chu Yao forced a strained smile, and sensing the unsettling atmosphere, Shen Tang quickly made an excuse to retreat to her room for a bath. It took her a good fifteen minutes before she emerged again.
Meanwhile, Chu Yao escorted Little Chubby back to the butcher's, picking up some meat for Qi Shan on the way. Qi Shan remained seated in the corridor, basking in the sun's warmth.
Upon hearing Shen Tang's footsteps, he didn't bother to lift his head or open his eyes. He remarked, "The Zhai siblings are quite extraordinary, aren't they?" Shen Tang froze mid-motion, preparing to sit down. "What makes you say that?" she inquired.
Qi Shan replied, "That night, I specifically told Gong Shuwu about our plan to keep our disguises for seven days. Yet Zhai Huan, with Zhai Le in tow, visited us under the pretext of 'dispelling the disguise.' What could his motive be? Surely, he can't afford to wait the remaining five days."
For a moment, Shen Tang's expression stiffened, then she nervously asked, "Is Yuan Liang suggesting they have ulterior motives? Have they discovered our identities?" Qi Shan chuckled, "Not necessarily. Perhaps the Zhai brothers came to Xiaocheng with ambitions of their own, drawn by the prospect of 'Ziwei in the northwest, protecting the unity of the world.' They knew about me and witnessed Lord Lang's impressive display under the influence of alcohol, so they found a reason to probe."
"What do they have to probe about us?" Shen Tang inquired. "Does Shen Xiaolang misunderstand something about himself?" Qi Shan's smile faded as he leaned forward, his cat, Su Shang, disturbed from its nap, meowed discontentedly and scratched his fingers in protest. He apologized with a stroke and adjusted his posture before continuing, "That night when you were inebriated, you single-handedly repelled a Grade Eight Official. That's quite remarkable!"
Shen Tang listened awkwardly. She truly had no recollection of that event. From Qi Shan and Zhai Le's descriptions, she must have been quite impressive, with her martial prowess on full display. It was somewhat regrettable not to remember such a glorious moment.
A pang of discomfort arose as she furrowed her brow. She didn't even remember what she looked like originally. Try as she might, all she could conjure up was the face of this body. Qi Shan, preoccupied with his own thoughts, didn't notice her change in expression. "A Grade Eight Official, with the authority to command four hundred soldiers and equipped with armor, is much more formidable than the miscellaneous soldiers in the barracks. Do you know what these four hundred soldiers signify?"
Shen Tang shook her head, admitting her lack of understanding. Qi Shan spoke with profound implications, "It signifies dominion over the land! Although a Grade Eight Official cannot sustain control over four hundred soldiers for too long, it's still quite remarkable. On the battlefield, a Grade Eight Official can even provide decent armor for at least a thousand soldiers."
In the barracks, only elite soldiers receive armor, mostly leather or bamboo, with their condition depending on luck and repairs. The rest of the miscellaneous troops are sent into battle with nothing more than a coarse linen tunic and a sharpened spear.
A Grade Eight Official holds significant power and influence.
Shen Tang, originally a literary scholar, being able to maneuver through a battalion of four hundred soldiers without shedding blood was already beyond the ordinary.
Regardless of whether it was due to her own abilities or this body's, she was undeniably talented.
"So..." Qi Shan half-closed his eyes, casually remarking, "Let's first probe their intentions, then see if we can make some valuable connections."
Shen Tang's gaze fell upon Qi Shan's face.
Well, well, well!
This was indeed a tempting offer (of allegiance)!
It seemed Yuan Liang was indeed in demand. Even though a string of bosses had fallen before him, new ones continued to emerge.
Qi Shan could tell what she was thinking with just one glance.
He snorted proudly, "Zhai Huan is indeed impressive. He exudes charm and grace, a master of diplomacy, making conversations with him delightful and pleasant at every moment. But then again, I, Qi Yuan Liang, am not someone just anyone can sway."
Of course, his reluctance to venture into the humid southeast was also a reason.
Shen Tang agreed, "Indeed, we must also consider the temperament of the employer and the prospects of the company. We can't afford to join companies that only talk big without substance. Do Zhai Le and Zhai Huan have a foothold in the southeast? It would be awkward if we recruited people but couldn't afford to pay them."
Qi Shan silently observed Shen Tang.
Shen Tang did the same to him.
After a while, he said, "Shen Xiaolang, speak plainly."
Shen Tang recognized the necessity of being forthright, "The employer is like a lord, the company represents influence, talking big and painting rosy pictures is akin to empty promises, and salaries represent remuneration... Does this explanation suffice?"
Qi Shan remained silent, contemplating how fixated Shen Xiaolang was on worldly possessions.
Nevertheless, the explanation wasn't entirely useless. Rough as it was, it was logical. If one wanted others to devote themselves wholeheartedly, their needs and desires had to be met.
After all, not everyone pursued ideals and righteousness exclusively.
Except for monks, who didn't have mouths to feed?
And Shen Xiaolang now...
Could only be described as penniless and bereft.
Qi Shan sighed once again.
"Yuan Liang, you're sighing again..."
Shen Tang felt like she was being dragged down by his sighs.
Qi Shan's gaze softened with pity, "I sigh for your poverty, dear."
Shen Tang felt as though her heart had been stabbed, the wound gaping.
"I can
fill my belly and not go hungry... Poverty is my fault?..." she muttered, feeling increasingly vulnerable as she spoke. "If there were a chance to become rich overnight, would you want to remain impoverished?"
Qi Shan's gaze flickered subtly, "Of course, it's not Shen Xiaolang's fault. However, not seizing opportunities is indeed your problem."
Shen Tang: "???"
Qi Shan lowered his voice, "Opportunity, is approaching."
Shen Tang: "..."
She smelled the scent of a trap.