Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 150: Advantages and Disadvantages
Reminded by Aisha, Tan Huaike returned to the private room full of doubts.

They were talking about something inside. Shen Tu Zhuo seemed a little excited. Tan Huai Ke only vaguely heard a sentence, "You go and block the dirty water so it doesn't get on her." When she pushed open the door, she only saw the two of them with stiff smiles on their faces. Zhou Wen Cong said dryly, "Yan Zhi Si's dishes are still so special."

Given the current situation, it's clear that they're hiding something from her.

Tan Huai Ke had made up his mind. He sat down without showing any emotion, picked up a cup of wine, and said, "It is truly an honor for my humble establishment that Your Highness has come to support us today. The eldest prince and Lady Guan Bai are also here. I went out to thank them earlier. Please forgive me if I have been negligent. It is also a coincidence that I was able to bypass the inspection thanks to your kindness."

Shen Tu Zhuo grumbled sourly, "Why did they only thank them and not me?"

Tan Huai Ke rolled his eyes at him and brought up the story they had told each other: "You're the uncle I'm supporting by selling sesame cakes when he comes to inspect the imperial examinations. Isn't it only natural for family to help each other?"

The phrase "one of our own" flattered him, and he thought to himself, "What's wrong with having performed the wedding ceremony with the King of Qin?" In the end, the only "one of our own" she referred to was herself.

After drinking his wine, Zhou Wenzong downplayed the issue, saying, "Madam, you flatter us. How could we not come to the opening of a new shop? Besides, your past is completely clean, there's no problem at all. Those people are just trying to take advantage of the situation to make money off you."

"In the end, it's because I'm guilty..." Tan Huaike sighed softly. "I can trust you all, but I can't trust my relatives in the Tan family. This matter is weighing on me, and it will always be a disaster."

"Don't worry, there will be a solution," Zhou Wenzong comforted. "Right now, just focus on running Yanzhisi well, accumulating more business experience and wealth for yourself, so that you can legitimately compete for the imperial merchant status."

"Speaking of the imperial merchant quota, I have a question. I heard that Your Highness also participated in the selection process after taking over Hexi. May I ask you for some advice?" Tan Huai Ke got to the point.
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"What's the confusion?"

"The soldiers who suddenly came to me just now probably weren't just there to inspect the checkpoint. After all, they didn't find anything at the checkpoint. Instead, they kept arguing about whether my business, Yanzhisi, should be considered a property in Hexi or Andu. Moreover, when my uncle was dealing with them, they repeatedly advised me to change the name of the main store to Andu. What was their intention in doing that?"

Zhou Wencong and Shen Tuzhuo exchanged a glance.

Tan Huaike was too perceptive and immediately grasped the key point, so there was naturally no need to hide it any longer.

Zhou Wenzong said, "Andu is a dangerous place. It is wise for you to stick to your identity as a merchant from Hexi. This way, you will have a regional advantage when competing for the imperial merchant position."

“Yes, that’s what I think too.” Tan Huaike continued his analysis, “But I don’t understand, what have I done to deserve this small-time merchant who started out making flatbreads, whether I’m from Hexi or Andu? Why would they send soldiers to my door to threaten me and force me to submit? If I hadn’t been hesitant to act after seeing you, I probably would have been captured on the spot today.”

"That's because they weren't after you," Shen Tu Zhuo sneered.

"This is my fault for not handling things carefully enough," Zhou Wenzong confessed. "Although our past ties have ended, we are still old acquaintances. Seeing that you were repeatedly frustrated in finding a shop, I couldn't openly help you, so I had to find a broker to reserve the shop first, and then transfer it to you. Who would have thought that this broker couldn't keep a tight tongue, and after receiving some benefits, he revealed my connection to this shop." "Connection? They know that I was impersonating a princess to marry the prince?" Tan Huaike was shocked.

"No, no, no, that's not true. The marriage alliance has long been settled. They themselves used many underhanded methods, and pursuing it further will not benefit anyone," Zhou Wenzong said awkwardly. "It's just that there were rumors earlier that I went to the market in the suburbs to buy her favorite flatbreads to offer as a sacrifice because I missed Mo He's deceased wife. Not long after, it was rumored that I secretly found a prime location for the flatbread stall."

"Somehow, the powerful and wealthy spread the rumor that... I took a fancy to Madam Shentu, who bears a resemblance to my deceased wife, and while I was looking for a shop for you, I also intended to take you as my concubine."

"..." Tan Huai Ke was stunned for a moment, unable to process what was going on. "The Princess Qin I was impersonating died of a serious illness, and now you want to take me back as a concubine? To replace myself? Putting aside the complicated situation, Your Highness, you sound like a fickle person who pretends to be affectionate but is easily swayed by others."

"It's all just rumors, nothing more. I had no such intention," Zhou Wenzong hurriedly protested. "Besides, why would I make you my concubine?"

"Is this a matter of whether or not she becomes a concubine?" Shentu Zhuo could no longer contain himself. "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you're a prince. She's still my sister-in-law, no matter what. Forget about it! If even a drop of the mud they've thrown at you touches my sister-in-law, you'll see what happens to me..."

"Alright, enough of this nonsense, shut up." Tan Huai Ke was getting a headache just listening to this. No wonder Guan Bai Niangzi hesitated to speak while looking towards the private room, and Ai Sha had told her that the rumors weren't nice and advised her not to take them to heart. So that's what they were waiting for her to say. It shows that sometimes having a powerful backer can also have its drawbacks.

Zhou Wenzong promised: "I will clarify this matter and will never tarnish your reputation."

After finally sorting out his thoughts, Tan Huaike felt something was amiss: "Is it because of this kind of romantic affair? Are they trying to torment me, their 'concubine,' to see if you, the King of Qin, will fly into a rage?"

Shen Tu Zhuo said, "Their actions against you are intended to serve as a warning to the King of Qin."

Zhou Wencong nodded: "Now the Grand Minister wants to use the selection of imperial merchants to counter the power of the Eastern Palace. I have taken over twelve prefectures including Hexi and Yangguan. In the future, all trade between Daxuan and the Western Region will have to go through my hands. How can they not be wary?"
"Whether through coercion or bribery, as long as merchants like you are transferred to areas they can control, they can weaken my jurisdiction over the western trade routes. Without the support of trade routes, financial power will fall entirely into other hands, which is a great disadvantage for us. And you are the easiest for them to deal with, and the most likely sacrifice they can use to intimidate me."

"I see." Tan Huaike finally understood. "We merchants who are focused on running our businesses and only want to compete for the imperial merchant status and open up trade routes in the western border are nothing more than pawns manipulated by the powerful and wealthy."

"Your Highness need not worry. Although I, Tan Huai Ke, am just a merchant's wife, I can still distinguish right from wrong. Their attempt to force merchants like me to change their allegiance is nothing more than a way to sever the root of the Hexi trade route so that they can control you, the person in charge of the twelve prefectures."

"But my name, Yanzhisi, is rooted in Hexi. Since I came to Andu, I have never intended to bow down to anyone. I will not change the ownership of the merchants, and I will fight for the title of imperial merchant. If anyone insists on using me as a pawn, then I will fight them with this worthless life. What harm is there in that?"

Next chapter: Scented clothes sent off to the exam.