Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 211 Leaving the Pass and Returning Home
Shen Tu Zhuo said, "Do you still remember the case of the slave trader who was killed? In Aisha's view at the time, the slave trader Wu Chou kidnapped Princess Alan, pawned her sapphire bead necklace, and it circulated on the black market. Then how did he treat Wu Chou? He cut off her hand, slit her throat, and tortured her to death. Have you forgotten the bloody scene in that courtyard?"

Cai Zhu'er still vividly remembers this incident.

She thought for a moment and then defended Aisha, saying, "But Wu Chou is indeed hateful. Most of the slaves who fell into his hands were not enslaved voluntarily. Those of unknown origin were given false identities by him and were also brutally abused. I was one of the victims. The eldest prince did this partly out of compassion for his sister's plight, and partly to rid the people of a scourge. I find it very gratifying."

"Hmph, you've probably been fooled by him," Shentu Zhuo said indignantly. "From the outcome, it seems so, but his original intentions went far beyond that. He tortured him to force him to reveal the princess's whereabouts and avenge his sister; he killed him to cover his tracks and prevent attracting assassins; releasing the slaves wasn't out of kindness, but to use the two Zhong family children to lure you out. This man is cunning and ruthless. Do you really think he's just a pitiful prince?"

“When did I say he was pitiful?” Cai Zhu’er asked innocently.

"Anyway, I can tell you're still hung up on your eldest prince of Mohe," Shentu Zhuo said anxiously. "This time you're going back to Naxi Valley with him, you won't end up rescuing a damsel in distress on the way, falling for her, and developing feelings for her over time! You might even forget about doing business and become his princess in a grand and glorious way..."

"Enough! You're going off on a tangent!" Cai Zhu'er snapped, cutting him off. She said seriously, "Shen Tu Zhuo, do you really think of me as such a frivolous person? If I were, why would I have given up being the Princess Consort of Qin in Da Xuan and instead had to sell flatbread to support your participation in the imperial examinations?"

"I...I'm sorry..." Shen Tu Zhuo realized he had misspoke and said regretfully, "Of course I know you're not that kind of person, I was just burning with jealousy and spouting nonsense..."

“Besides, you don’t understand the situation in Mohe at all,” Caizhu said. “Princess Alan told me some royal secrets before she died… In short, it’s too complicated and tragic. The eldest prince’s situation in the Mohe royal court is probably not as stable as when he was a hostage in Daxuan. It’s already difficult for him to keep his life and position. I just wanted to hitch a ride on a trade route with other merchants. I dare not cause him any more trouble when I go back.”

"In that case, you'd better stay away from him."

"Your heart is only this small," Cai Zhu teased him, then stretched her head to look up at the sky. "Speaking of which, why didn't Qiao Mao come begging for food today?"

In the past, when the time came, Qiao Mao would come to Shen Tu Zhuo for food. Although it didn't have to worry about food and drink outside, nothing tasted as good as food that wasn't earned. Besides, Shen Tu Zhuo and the King of Qin spoiled it a lot. Lately, it often acted like a spoiled child in both places, and it had visibly gained weight. Cai Zhu was really afraid that one day it wouldn't be able to fly anymore.

Shen Tu Zhuo didn't take it seriously: "Perhaps he went to Song Shu's place."

Just then, they heard Qiao Mao let out a panicked cry, then flapped its wings and flew away in a hurry. The next moment, a sand eagle circled down, chased Qiao Mao in the direction it had fled, circled back, and perched on a pillar in the corridor.

Shentu Zhuo roared angrily, "Don't you dare scare my Qiao Mao!"

The desert eagle looked down at him with disdain, preening its tail feathers, seemingly not taking him and the wild goose seriously at all.

Cai Zhu'er pulled Shen Tu Zhuo back: "Alright, alright, it's a bird of prey after all, it probably didn't mean to scare Qiao Mao. Let Qiao Mao fly more, look how fat it's gotten."

As she spoke, she reached out to grab the bamboo tube tied to the desert eagle's leg, but it was standing too high for her to reach.

Shen Tu Zhuo wanted to help her, but as soon as he touched the bamboo tube, the sand eagle pecked at him with its hooked beak. If he hadn't dodged quickly, he would have had a piece of flesh pecked off.

He was so angry he laughed: "What, it's just a gift for her, so I can't touch it? She can't reach it anyway, why don't you come down here!"

Cai Zhu'er said, "Why are you arguing with it? I'll just go and move a small table over."

As if understanding their words, the sand eagle pecked through the ropes and tossed the bamboo tube down with its beak. Cai Zhu'er looked at the silk scroll, which specified the date Aisha and the others would be leaving the pass and instructed her to meet them at Tazichang in Dunhuang County. Cai Zhu'er put the scroll away and said, "It seems I will have to set off tomorrow."

Despite his deep reluctance, Shentu Zhuo still wished her well: "I hope you have a safe journey. After you finish your business here, I'll see if I can apply to the Grand Herald for permission to go on a mission to the Western Regions..."

"Sending an envoy to the western border? That's too dangerous. You just assassinated a general who was skilled in crossbows. Aren't you afraid of their retaliation?"

"It's alright, they don't know it was me who did it," Shentu Zhuo laughed. "Besides, I can't be bothered with all that. I just want to go see your hometown."

“Okay.” Cai Zhu’er tiptoed and gently kissed his lips. “If I come back early, I will go with you next time. If you go quickly… I will wait for you in the Naxi Valley.”
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Three days later, Cai Zhu'er waited for Ai Sha's caravan at Tazichang. Fu Feng had previously told Cai Zhu'er that he also wanted to go back and visit, so he resigned from his work at Rusheng Medical Clinic and joined the caravan.

After the caravan and the guard team merged, they formed a grand and eye-catching procession. To Cai Zhu'er's surprise, when they left the pass, the King of Qin personally led the Zhenxi Army to see them off, escorting them all the way to ten miles outside Yangguan Pass.

During this stretch of the journey, Zhou Wenzong and Aisha discussed matters at length. Caizhu didn't know what they talked about, but it was probably related to the peace and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Afterwards, Zhou Wenzong came to find Caizhu and told her that he had strengthened the Zhenxi Army's patrols along the new trade route, and that they could protect them up to where.

He warned, "Once you cross that boundary marker, you must not get separated from Aisha's group. The bandits there are specifically targeting wealthy merchants for robbery."

Cai Zhu'er agreed, "Okay, I remember."

Zhou Wenzong added, "But once you enter the territory of Mohe, it's best not to travel with him. Now that the royal court is controlled by the princess, and he escorted her back from the marriage alliance, only to have her tragic death, there's no telling what charges they might pin on him."

Cai Zhu'er thought for a moment and asked the question that had always been on her mind: "The eldest prince is obviously on the side of goodwill towards Da Xuan. If he is really in trouble, will Da Xuan secretly lend him a hand?"

Zhou Wenzong looked at Aisha not far away, their eyes met, and they smiled at each other amicably.

However, Zhou Wenzong said, "If he cannot overthrow the princess, he has no value in supporting her. Why should Da Xuan ally with a crown prince who cannot recover his country and people?"

Everything comes at a price.

If you don't have any chips in your hand, how can you expect others to place bets?

Cai Zhu watched Aisha's retreating figure, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.

After Zhou Wenzong led his troops back, Aisha came to Caizhu'er's side and asked casually, "Did he tell you that once you get to Mohe, the farther away from me the better?"

Cai Zhu'er was stunned and embarrassed, not knowing how to reply.

Aisha snorted coldly: "I saw through it long ago. Those people from Daxuan all say one thing and do another."
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Next chapter: So, are you willing to be used by me?