Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 111: Parting Sorrow
Compared to the main courtyard just across the wall, Tan Huaike's place seemed much quieter. But the family dinner just now was really disgusting. No matter how rich and delicious the dishes were, Shen Tu Zhuo couldn't taste them.

So when it was late at night and everyone was asleep, he came to the side yard again to eat.

After a long time of trouble, Pei'er was afraid that his wife would suffer any harm, so he stayed by her side and did not dare to leave. At this time, the charcoal basin in the side yard had long been extinguished and needed to be lit again.

After returning, Tan Huaike also felt hungry, so he cut mutton and carrots, put them into a large porcelain jar, added raisins, wolfberries and red dates, covered it with a lid and simmered it on the stove.

Hearing the sound of Shen Tu Zhuo climbing over the wall and landing, she didn't even raise her eyelids and said familiarly, "Oh, my uncle is really willing to take such a risk just to fill his stomach. Did he come here just because of the smell?"

Shen Tu Zhuo didn't hesitate to give her a sniff and said, "It smells so good! This is Yan Zhi Si's most highly-praised jar meat right now. Who can resist such a good delicacy?"

Tan Huaike told Pei'er to watch the fire, and came out to invite Shentu Zhuo to sit next to the charcoal brazier in the house.

"Aren't they very busy digging the ditch? Why did you come back so suddenly?"

"You asked Zhong Ming to bring me medicine. That kid is quite clever. He told me that the Tan family seems to be bothering you again and mentioned the matter of the shop on Huaqi Street. The others are fine, but Master Tan is really difficult to deal with. That's why I thought I'd take some time to come back and take care of you, so that you won't be bullied by that old fox."

"I was wondering what Zhongming was dawdling about outside the pharmacy the other day. Turns out he overheard something and tipped you off." Tan Huaike said with a smile, "Don't worry. I've already settled the matter with Mr. Tan."

"Why don't you worry? I just came back and heard that you mortgaged all your shops just to buy Mr. Tan's five shops? Don't you know that Huaqi Street is a hot potato right now?"

"It's a hot situation right now, who knows if there will be a turnaround later?" Tan Huaike said unconcernedly, "Besides, I just used my shop as collateral with the guilder. As long as I can pay back the agreed amount every month, they won't take my shop away. With the current income of the cloth shop and the medicine shop, I can still hold on."

"It's still too risky."

"It really doesn't matter." Tan Huaike's expression was bright. "I won't suffer any loss by buying those five shops. Do you know what I got in return for looking for that old fox?"

Seeing her so cheerful, Shen Tuzhuo roughly guessed: "Have you got your indenture back?"

Tan Huaike nodded: "Exactly!"

"That's definitely not a loss." Shen Tu Zhuo was also happy for her. He knew very well that being able to regain her freedom was the most cost-effective deal in her eyes.

"Even if business goes bad someday, I can use all my shop space to pay off my debts. At worst, I can start over again as a small vendor." Tan Huaike said with interest, "Of course, that's the worst-case scenario. I'd rather be a small wealthy businessman."

"In that case, I wish Boss Caizhuer great prosperity and may she soon become wealthy!"

"Second Young Master has such a sweet tongue! No wonder so many young ladies are in love with you." Tan Huaike teased him cheerfully, "Fortunately, your trip wasn't in vain. Didn't you just happen to catch up with Aunt Jun arranging a match for you?"

"Don't tease me, sister-in-law knows that I have someone in my heart." Shentu Zhuo said without any hesitation.

"Really? If Aunt Jun saw your expression like this, she would probably accuse me of something again."

"Mother was just testing you at best. If she realized you weren't my type at all, she'd know the problem lay with me. There was no point in accusing you," Shentu Zhuo said. "What's bothering her most right now is my participation in the imperial examinations. Can you believe it? When I went to dig a canal, the biggest obstacle I encountered was the tenant farmers blocking the road and causing trouble. And the idea of ​​arranging a marriage for me was just a way for her to blackmail me."

"My uncle is a handsome man with a bright future ahead of him, so naturally he attracts the attention of the young ladies waiting to get married in the county." Tan Huaike washed his hands, sat by the charcoal fire to warm himself, and looked up at him. "Aunt Jun used to think that Lady Fu was good at managing the household and would bring good fortune to her husband, but it seems she wasn't very good at judging people."

"What's wrong?" Shen Tu Zhuo asked after hearing the hidden meaning in her words.

"How does she know that I haven't fallen into your trap?" Tan Huaike supported her chin with one hand, and the firelight made her cheeks red.

"You..." Shen Tu Zhuo was a little dazed for a moment, "Are you really willing to..."

"What are you willing to do? Are you willing to divorce your brother and marry you?" Tan Huaike did not answer him directly. "Uncle, I have not yet avenged my great hatred and the road ahead is uncertain. You also shoulder heavy burdens and have many concerns. What you say now is just a mirage." "Have we ever been afraid of those difficulties and obstacles?" Shen Tuzhuo could not help but hold her hand and look deeply into her eyes. "I just want to ask you, have you really fallen for my tricks, Caizhu'er..."

Two seeds dropped in the desert need only a single drop of water to send down roots stretching a hundred feet. They slowly grow, sprouting from the soil, enduring the trials of intense heat and bitter cold, yet stubbornly sprouting branches, each relying on the other.

God is ignorant, so he sends thunder; people in the world are ignorant, so they are bound by etiquette.

But so what?
If love is deeply rooted, even ten thousand disasters cannot destroy it.

The firelight danced on their faces, like the fluttering of their beating hearts.

The two shadows were getting closer and closer.

Pei'er, who came out with a jar of meat, stood outside the door and turned around so as not to disturb them.

How could she not see the affection between the eldest lady and the second young master? But she also knew that it was easy for them to know each other, but it was too difficult to stay together. To be able to indulge herself for a moment was already a fearless act.

However, at the last moment of confusion, he finally managed to stop.

It was Tan Huaike who turned his head away.

She called softly: "Pei'er, come in."
-
When Pei'er pushed the door open and entered, the two of them had already sat apart. The eldest lady's eyes were shimmering as she stared blankly at the charcoal basin, while the second young master's Adam's apple rolled, as if he was trying hard to suppress something.

Pei'er coughed lightly and said, "The meat in the pot has been stewed until it's soft."

"Let me do it. You go and warm up the pancakes." Tan Huaike stood up and took them from her hand, put them on the table, and said as he arranged the dishes and chopsticks, "Eat some first to warm them up."

"Well, okay." He agreed with his mouth, but put the mutton aside with his hands. Shen Tu Zhuo ate the carrots woodenly, thinking that I have been warm enough for a long time, it's time for me to cool down a little.

The baked Hu pancakes were served and the two of them ate them with the soup.

After a long moment, Shentu Zhuo broke the silence: "I heard from Zhongming that with the careful care of Fufeng and Doctor Qiu, the eldest prince Mohe is almost recovered."

"Oh, yes."

"So I came back this time for another purpose." Shen Tu Zhuo looked at her, "You will be leaving soon, but I have to stay in the county to dig ditches. I can't be by your side to protect you all the time."

"Go and do what you should do. There's no need to worry about us." Tan Huaike consoled him. "The Third Prince has made all the arrangements. We have heavy guards along the way, and the Zhenxi Army is there to protect us. After all, we're in Daxuan territory, so I don't think those assassins would dare to act rashly."

Shen Tu Zhuo nodded, raised his teacup, and said, "I will be returning to the county tomorrow. I am here tonight to fulfill my wish for you. I hope that you will be free from all evil and everything will go smoothly. It would be best if you can avenge your great hatred and never have to worry again."

The sadness of parting suddenly surged in his heart. Tan Huaike clinked glasses with him and said, "Thank you for your good words."

"But I also want to remind you, you must not really become the princess. Otherwise, I will definitely break into Andu, no matter if he is the Third Prince or some king, I will snatch you away first. Anyway, sooner or later, I will snatch my sister-in-law."

"..." What do you mean he'll snatch my sister-in-law away sooner or later? Tan Huaike said helplessly, "Then I'll also warn you, don't really become my brother-in-law. I see that Lady Fu hasn't given up yet, and she might resort to some tricks."

After saying this, both of them laughed bitterly.

The relationship between sister-in-law and uncle, brother-in-law and aunt is really messy.
-
　Next chapter: He was ordered to come here to expose this trick of using someone else as a substitute.

　　(End of this chapter)