Chapter 49: 049. Bounty
Translator: 549690339
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As one of the top talents among the noble descendants of Qian Country, Nian Jincheng has been highly regarded by the court and his military career has advanced rapidly since he distinguished himself in the Military Exam last year.
However, he would never be seen participating in regular aristocratic recreational activities, such as poetry gatherings and flower appreciation parties.
Since his childhood, he has been very diligent in studying martial arts and literature. Besides his good friend Gu Ling, the young master of the rebel Marquis Chang Xin’s family, he has no other friends.
Thus, when a servant from the Qin Mansion reported that the second son of the Nian Family had arrived, the original harmonious poetry gathering fell silent for a moment, with everyone showing surprise.
Dressed elaborately and sitting between Miss Qin and the Sixth Princess, Nian Ruxue stood up with a light smile and said softly, “I made an appointment with my second brother to practice Martial Arts today. I couldn’t refuse Miss Qin’s invitation, so my second brother must be here to take me back.”
Sixth Princess Duanmu Qianqian looked astonished, “Xuexue, your martial arts skills are already very impressive! Are you still going to practice? Do you plan to become a female general?”
Nian Ruxue shook her head quickly, “Sixth Princess, please don’t tease me! It’s because my second brother always thinks my martial arts skills are weak, and he worries that I will be bullied, so he insists on watching me practice.” Envy appeared on the faces of the young ladies present.
Qin Yujun, who organized the poetry gathering today, adjusted the hair on her roreneaa, pulled Nian Kuxue DaCK to ner seat, and said witn a smile, “General Nian is a rare guest. How can we let you leave so soon? Xuexue, you must not leave, and we must keep your second brother here as well!”
The Sixth Princess also chimed in.
“My second brother is afraid of being asked to recite poems. I broke our appointment today, so I dare not provoke him further. Please let me go, Yujun. I have to go back.” Nian Ruxue insisted on leaving.
Xing Yusheng, who was sitting in a wheelchair across the room, his face pale and weak, spoke faintly, “Cousin, if Miss Nian has something to do, there is no need to force her.”
As he spoke, the servant led Nian Jincheng into the garden.
He wore a dark-green brocade robe, his face handsome and resolute, striding confidently with an impressive demeanor, quite different from the young noblemen at the poetry gathering.
Nian Ruxue left her seat to greet him, clinging to Nian Jincheng’s arm affectionately and playfully, “Second brother, I’m sorry! I’ll go back with you now. ”
Qin Yujun gracefully saluted Nian Jincheng, “It’s my fault for not knowing that General Nian had an appointment with Xuexue and insisting on inviting her here.”
Nian Jincheng shook his head, “It doesn’t matter. Since you’re here, have a good time, little sister. There’s no need to hurry back.”
Nian Ruxue was startled, but Nian Jincheng had already pushed her hand away, walked over, and greeted Xing Yusheng with a bow, “I have been wanting to call on the Young Master since I heard that you had arrived in the capital, Xing. I have some free time today. Would you be interested in playing a few games of chess with me?”
Everyone exchanged glances. Was Nian Jincheng here for Xing Yusheng?
Nian Ruxue’s uneasiness quickly vanished, and she returned to her seat.
Xing Yusheng was also quite surprised, although he had been observing Nian Jincheng quietly ever since the latter appeared.
Qin Yujun immediately arranged for servants to push Xing Yusheng to the lakeside pavilion and invited Nian Jincheng to join them.
“My cousin, like General Nian, is not interested in reciting poetry but loves playing chess. It’s perfect; let them play while we continue our gathering.” Qin Yujun laughed.
Nian Jincheng played a move and went straight to the point, “Young Master
Xing, why are you investigating Gu Ling?”
Xing Yusheng’s hand holding the chess piece stiffened slightly, yet his expression remained calm, “General Nian, be careful what you say.”
Nian Jincheng remained expressionless, “The Emperor has entrusted me with the task of capturing the fugitive Gu Ling. Young Master Xing shouldn’t want me to bring your subordinate before the Emperor to explain why Bei Jingwang Mansion is interested in Gu Ling’s whereabouts, right?”
Xing Yusheng’s face darkened, “Nian Jincheng, are you threatening me?”
“If Young Master Xing doesn’t want Bei Jingwang Mansion to be linked to the treasonous Gu Family, please answer my original question. Why are you investigating Gu Ling?” Nian Jincheng pressed the chess piece firmly in front of Xing Yusheng’s eyes, his deep voice carrying great pressure.
Xing Yusheng remained silent for a while, then spoke again with a hint of sarcasm, “Before coming to the capital city, I heard that General Nian’s only friend was Gu Ling. This kind of deep friendship and relentless pursuit is truly touching! ”
Nian Jincheng narrowed his eyes, “If I repeat what you just said to the
Emperor, do you think he will believe that you are defending Gu Ling?”
But Xing Yusheng’s face showed a pale smile, “Yes, so what? It’s a pity that the person sitting opposite you is not Bei Jingwang, but me – a dying, useless crown prince. I’m flattered by your concern, but your threats are useless against me.”
Nian lincheng snorted coldlv. “Are vou trvinz to sav that vour father doesn’t care about you?”
Xing Yusheng’s reply seemed irrelevant, “You asked why I investigated Gu Ling; I’m sorry, but I don’t even know him. If there is any connection between us, it would be that my grandmother once wanted to marry my younger sister, who used to be Gu Ling’s fiancée. Unfortunately, after seeing her today, I can only describe her as an ordinary-looking, hypocritical, and affected woman. It’s quite disappointing. I suppose that’s how you Nian people are.”
Nian Jincheng stared coldly at Xing Yusheng, “Have I offended you, Young
Master Xing, upon our first meeting?”
Xing Yusheng lowered his head to play chess, a smile flickering on his face, “I come from the countryside; my health is weak, and I’m neither accomplished in literature nor martial arts. No one pays attention to me. Is it wrong for me to be jealous of your brilliance? I genuinely praise you, there’s no need for thanks.”
The two of them stopped talking and continued their battle of wits on the chessboard.
At the end of the game, Nian Jincheng lost.
“I’m tired. Ajun, take me back.” Xing Yusheng waved for Qi Jun, who was standing outside the pavilion.
Qi Jun ran over and pushed Xing Yusheng away.
Qin Yujun, who had been watching the lakeside pavilion the whole time, let the servant invite Nian Jincheng over. Nian Ruxue stood up again, “My second brother must be ready to leave, and I should go too.”
Qin Yujun didn’t hold her back this time, but Nian Jincheng passed Nian Ruxue and Qin Yujun with large strides and said, “I still have things to do. Farewell.” He simply left.
A young lady who didn’t get along with Nian Ruxue sarcastically said, “Xuexue, your second brother didn’t come for you? It seems we misunderstood.”
“Master, Nian Jincheng has discovered our investigation. What should we do?” Qi Jun asked Xing Yusheng.
Xing Yusheng gazed out of the window, pondering for a moment before responding, “Pull all our men back.”
“Yes,” Qi Jun nodded, then added with a serious expression, “I don’t quite understand, what is his intention?”
“He is testing me and warning me,” Xing Yusheng’s eyes were deep, “Since he didn’t catch our men, there’s no need to panic. The real trouble will arise if someone else finds out that I’m investigating Gu Ling.”
Qi Jun’s face was tense, ‘Master, are you saying that, on the surface, Nian
Jincheng is ruthlessly pursuing Gu Ling, but in fact…”
Xing Yusheng frowned, “Shut up! I haven’t said anything, and you don’t know anything.”
Qi Jun sighed deeply, “My brother should be about to arrive in Bei’an County to find Miss Su.”
Mentioning Su Liang, Xing Yusheng’s expression softened, and he sighed lightly, “The capital city is truly a disgusting place, far less comfortable than living in Qiuming Manor.”
“Did the master notice that both the Sixth Princess and Miss Qin seemed to be interested in Nian Jincheng?” Qi Jun said.
Xing Yusheng’s expression was indifferent, “I know. My cousin clearly doesn’t like Nian Ruxue, but insists on inviting her, just because of Nian Jincheng.” “Doesn’t the master mind?” Qi Jun asked weakly.
Xing Yusheng hesitated, “What should I mind? The Sixth Princess was never going to marry me. The emperor called me to the capital city under the pretext of selecting a son-in-law, but it’s just a cover. As for my cousin, she’s very nice, but she’s just my sister.”
“So, would the master be willing to have General Nian as his brother-in-law?” Qi Jun smiled.
Xing Yusheng snorted, “Who cares if I’m willing or not? What matters is that mv cousin is haDDV with whoever she marries.”
“Ah, it’s much more comfortable to deal with Young Master Ning and Miss Su. If Young Master Ning passes the exam, he can come to the capital city to take the test.” Qi Jun said.
Xing Yusheng frowned, “Duanmu Chen went to investigate the iron smuggling. Whether it’s related to the Xing Family or not depends on what the emperor wants, not the truth. The Bei Jingwang Mansion might be in big trouble lately. I hope it won’t affect Ning Jing, otherwise I’ll have no face to see Su Liang again.”
When Nian Ruxue returned home and went to find Nian Jincheng, he had already returned to the military camp.
In the note that the servant handed to Nian Ruxue, there was only one sentence, “If there’s a next time, just give up on the Military Exam.”
Bei’an County.
At nightfall, the rain finally stopped.
The storm had subsided, and though it was only on the surface, the common people felt that the trouble had passed.
The news spread that the mastermind behind the iron smuggling was deliberately causing chaos, killing innocent people, and conspiring against the new county magistrate.
As a result, the anger of the common people was directed at the iron smugglers.
But who these people were remained unknown.
Although Chang’an said that the captured thieves confessed to Bei Jingwang’s instructions, Mu Fei did not mention Bei Jingwang in the news he disseminated.
Su Liang thought that it probably depended on the emperor’s intentions.
No one claimed the bounty in town, but the matter was resolved quickly. The people thought that Mu Fei was very capable, but Mu Fei was filled with doubts.
There was a mysterious expert helping him, but he hadn’t even seen a shadow. He suspected Su Liang and Ning Jing because they were the only two acquaintances and suspicious targets, but he couldn’t be sure it was them.
Chang’an suggested a fake assassination attempt to test if Su Liang and Ning Jing were skilled in martial arts.
After much deliberation, Mu Fei did not take that approach.
“Both of them have strong personalities and should not be offended. I think the mysterious person is not helping me out of good intentions, but simply punishing evil and removing injustice. Now there are more important matters at hand, and we can’t afford to be distracted. Remember, be polite to them.” Mu Fei instructed Chang’an.
“Yes. What about the matter of Bei Jingwang Mansion…” Chang’an asked.
Mu Fei looked at him solemnly, “If it was really done by Xing Yan, how could it be discovered so easily? It’s so obvious that it seems like someone deliberately framed him. My father has to be cautious when dealing with Xing Yan, and I can’t act recklessly. One wrong move and I’ll be taken advantage of by him.”
“The master’s words make sense. I have arranged for someone to escort the three scholars to the provincial city tomorrow. Should I ask Young Master Ning again if he wants to go to Qianshan Academy?” Chang’an asked.
“You can go and ask. If they have cooked something, bring some back for me.” Mu Fei rubbed his forehead.
When Chang’an arrived, Su Liang had just finished cooking dinner.
Because she had made a mistake today and angered Ning Jing, she had used the limited ingredients to make a very delicious and fragrant meal.
After Su Liang said Ning Jing was not going to Qianshan Academy, Chang’an hesitated to say that his master hadn’t eaten anything all day, and the food cooked by the chefs in the county office didn’t suit his taste.
looked at Ning Jing, “It’s your decision.”
Unexpectedly, Ning Jing agreed, “Fine. One dish for 500 taels.”
Chang’an initially found it strange that Ning Jing suddenly became so agreeable, but when he heard how much it would actually cost, he couldn’t believe it…
But since Mu Fei had just expressed his desire to befriend Su Liang and Ning Jing, and since he hadn’t eaten anything all day, Chang’an looked at Su Liang’s mouth-watering dishes and accepted the “price gouging” on behalf of his master, “Deal! The food will be ruined if it gets cold, so I’ll take it back to the master first and then bring the money back to you.”
Ning Jing nodded his agreement, then let Su Liang take one-third of each dish…
Chang’an looked at the small portion of food and couldn’t help but ask, “This is worth 500 taels?”
Su Liang counter-questioned, “Are you backing out?”
Chang’an said with a drooping face, “No.” After having come so far in this situation, Mu Fei would surely blame him for losing face if he refused…
So, Chang’an returned with a large food container, placed it in front of Mu Fei, and said it cost him three thousand taels.
Mu Fei looked at the small portions of food that looked like leftovers from someone else’s meal, and said with a black face, “This money, you pay for it yourself! ”
Chang’an: .
However, after Chang’an explained that this wasn’t leftover food, but Su Liang’s freshly cooked meal, Mu Fei started eating. While eating, he nodded his head and praised Su Liang’s cooking skills as excellent, and finally ate everything.
Not having eaten a bite and losing three thousand taels, Chang’an had to go back to Su Liang to deliver the money.
After receiving the money, Su Liang happily said to Ning Jing, “That’s more like it.. We came to the city to earn the bounty; we can’t leave empty-handed!”
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