Both men felt very anxious in their hearts, but this was after all Sitong Trading House’s premises, and the owner herself had come personally to invite them up for a chat. If they refused, it would be unreasonable.
The two had no choice but to bring over a ladder and, like two rats, emerged gray-faced from the opening that could only allow one person to pass through.
Even though they had food and drink daily in the cellar, they still couldn’t see daylight, and with poor air circulation, they both felt they smelled unpleasant when they came out. Looking at the female boss of Sitong Trading House, both men felt rather embarrassed.
Manager Yin stepped forward timely to introduce them: “Boss, this is Shi Fang, and this is Lu Xiong.” He then turned to introduce them, “This is our Sitong Trading House’s owner, Boss Qiu.”
Shi Fang and Lu Xiong exchanged glances, then dropped to their knees with a thud on the wet ground, kowtowing repeatedly to Qin Yining.
“Boss Qiu, we brothers had nowhere to turn, and it’s all thanks to Boss Qiu’s rescue. Your great kindness and virtue we two will never forget for the rest of our lives! In this lifetime, even if we work like oxen and horses, we must repay Boss Qiu’s great favor!”
Qin Yining hurriedly smiled and reached out to help them up: “Please rise quickly, brothers. Since Hall Master Qiao already introduced me to join the Azure Heaven Alliance that day, we’re all family brothers. When family brothers are in trouble, if I stood by coldly, what kind of person would I be? It’s just that conditions are limited, and I’ve wronged you both by having you stay in the cellar these days.”
“What are you saying? Boss Qiu has already treated us with utmost benevolence and righteousness. At such a critical moment, hiding us could have brought disaster upon you, yet you’ve always protected us completely. We brothers are truly endlessly grateful.”
Qin Yining smiled and shook her head, “This is nothing. It’s cold outside, let’s go inside to talk.”
Manager Yin also said, “Tea and refreshments have been prepared inside. Please, Boss, please, brothers.”
“Please.”
With mutual courtesies, they arrived at the side room. Pang Xiao and Mu Jinghu both stood in inconspicuous positions, quietly treating themselves as furniture in the room. Manager Yin served tea and then withdrew with his people.
Pang Xiao was somewhat curious about how Qin Yining would persuade these two men, so although he stood in the corner, his gaze kept imperceptibly observing Qin Yining’s direction.
Shi Fang and Lu Xiong currently had no mind to notice two ordinary-faced guards standing in the corner; their hearts were full of excitement at meeting their lifesaver.
“Really, if it weren’t for Boss Qiu’s righteousness this time, we brothers absolutely couldn’t have escaped Prince Zhongshun’s pursuit.”
“Yes, Prince Zhongshun must have gone completely mad. We brothers have no grievances with him from long ago or recently, yet he struck at us so ruthlessly. There were four of us brothers outside at the time, including us. The other two brothers were caught by the pursuing troops and died miserably.”
Shi Fang wiped his face, “Prince Zhongshun acting like this is truly intolerable by heaven’s justice. If this revenge isn’t avenged, I can’t dispel the hatred in my heart!”
Lu Xiong also said, “Yes, I also can’t swallow this anger. But Prince Zhongshun has a noble status and commands large forces. How easy is it to seek revenge? That we can live peacefully now is already quite good.”
Listening to these two men indignantly clamoring to seek revenge against Pang Xiao, Qin Yining couldn’t help but look back at Pang Xiao standing in the corner.
Pang Xiao maintained his expressionless appearance.
Qin Yining coughed and sighed, “What you say makes sense. Prince Zhongshun commands troops and has fought wars for years. Not to mention now when we’re isolated and weak, even when all our brothers were alive, confronting Prince Zhongshun would probably be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. But Hall Master Qiao and the others were killed by Prince Zhongshun’s people for no reason. This time we lost so many brothers, I really can’t swallow this anger.”
Lu Xiong shook his head, “What can we do even if we can’t swallow this anger? Could it be that Boss Qiu has some way to deal with him?”
Qin Yining smiled bitterly, “Although my Sitong Trading House looks like a big business, in front of truly high-ranking officials, it amounts to nothing. With Sitong Trading House’s capabilities, we really don’t have the confidence to dare confront Prince Zhongshun. When the time comes, I’m afraid even our bone fragments would be chewed to pieces by others. In all of Huichuan County, probably only Earl Zhongyi can still contend with Prince Zhongshun.”
Pang Xiao blinked, listening to Qin Yining talk nonsense and finally bring it around to himself. Those unfamiliar with her might not know, but looking at Qin Yining’s expression, she was clearly up to no good.
Shi Fang’s eyes lit up, “Earl Zhongyi indeed can contend with Prince Zhongshun. I heard before that Earl Zhongyi comes from the Lu family, a prestigious clan. The Lu family’s capabilities are tremendous. Although Prince Zhongshun is skilled in warfare, if he really confronted the Lu family, he’d be far inferior in terms of foundation. I say, if we could unite with Earl Zhongyi, this revenge might not be impossible to achieve.”
Qin Yining waved her hands repeatedly, sighing, “Brother Shi, don’t overestimate me. My small Sitong Trading House wouldn’t even catch Earl Zhongyi’s attention. You also know he comes from the prestigious Lu family, with countless gold and silver mountains at home. Even if I took out my entire fortune to bribe him, he might not even glance at it. Trying to persuade him to help with revenge would be harder than ascending to heaven.”
Shi Fang shook his head, “I have a suggestion. Let me speak it out, and Brother Lu and Boss Qiu can both help consider it. After all, only we three remain of the local Azure Heaven Alliance.”
Lu Xiong vaguely guessed what Shi Fang was thinking and hesitated somewhat.
Qin Yining asked in confusion, “What matter are you speaking of?”
Shi Fang glanced at Mu Jinghu and Pang Xiao behind Qin Yining, then said in a low voice, “Is it convenient to speak here?”
Qin Yining smiled, “Convenient. These are all my trusted confidants. I take them everywhere I go.”
Shi Fang then said, “Good, then I’ll speak directly. Boss Qiu, you know about that large treasure stored at the stone quarry. We’ve been looking for opportunities to transport it out.”
“There is such a matter. But now that the imperial inspector and county magistrate have taken office, it’s no longer like when I discussed this matter with Hall Master Qiao. Acting rashly now might very likely alert the court. Whether Prince Zhongshun or Earl Zhongyi, neither would arbitrarily spare those who steal imperial mausoleum materials.” Qin Yining said, then suddenly looked at Shi Fang, blinking, “Brother Shi, are you thinking of… using this treasure as leverage?”
“Smart.” Shi Fang gave a thumbs up, “If this revenge isn’t avenged, the hatred in my heart can’t be dispelled, and our fallen brothers can’t rest in peace. We have no other wealth as leverage to convince Earl Zhongyi, but this treasure, Earl Zhongyi will definitely be interested in.”
Qin Yining nodded, “He would indeed be interested, but if we tell him, we probably won’t be able to get all of this treasure.”
“Hey, for this treasure, so many brothers died. We two also discussed this in the cellar. If we can get some, that’s naturally good. If we can’t get any, then it’s our brothers’ fate to be poor, not destined for this wealth. Even if we were given all this treasure, we wouldn’t have the life to use it!”
Lu Xiong agreed, “Compared to our lives, treasure means nothing. We brothers can’t swallow this anger.”
Speaking to this point, both men looked at Qin Yining very anxiously.
They knew this woman now held the power of life and death over them. If she didn’t want the treasure’s secret revealed, but they had this intention, she would definitely kill them to silence them, then find an opportunity to monopolize the treasure. So both men were gambling—gambling that this woman who could save their lives in danger should be someone who values brotherhood loyalty.
Qin Yining thought for a long while before saying, “To avenge the brothers, Brother Lu and Brother Shi are both prepared to give up the treasure?”
Both shook their heads, “We’re not entirely giving it up, but we really can’t find any other good method. If we could get a little, that would naturally be better.”
Qin Yining thought and said, “I actually think this method is feasible. Honestly speaking, although treasure is good, it’s a hot potato. Once the treasure is in our hands, we three will become everyone’s target. Without this treasure, we brothers can still eat and drink well, and won’t be so poor we’ll die. If we tell Earl Zhongyi about this in exchange for him helping us get revenge against Prince Zhongshun, I agree.”
Both men breathed a collective sigh of relief and couldn’t help but praise, “Although Boss Qiu is a woman, she has a broad mind and generous heart. We two brothers greatly admire this.”
“Not at all.” Qin Yining smiled embarrassedly, “To tell you brothers honestly, I’m actually just afraid.”
Qin Yining pointed to the room’s furnishings, “As a small woman, it’s not easy to conduct business, but my capabilities against Prince Zhongshun’s army mean death, and against the prestigious Lu family also mean death. People should eat from bowls matching their abilities. Hall Master Qiao and the others meeting with trouble really scared me. If there hadn’t been that treasure, Hall Master Qiao and the brothers would still be living well now.”
Qin Yining shook her head as she spoke, her voice becoming somewhat hoarse and choked, “If you brothers think this is feasible, I have no objection. After the matter is finished, if you brothers don’t mind, stay by my side and work at Sitong Trading House together. Life will still be lived colorfully.”
These words truly spoke to Shi Fang and Lu Xiong’s hearts. Having been hunted for so long, they were already afraid. The life they now yearned for wasn’t about sitting on golden mountains, as they knew that even if they had the chance to possess gold and silver mountains, those ultimately wouldn’t belong to them, and they might even lose their lives in the process. What they now yearned for was stability.
This treasure was a hot potato—better to throw it to someone capable of handling it.
“Excellent! Who would have thought Boss Qiu would be such a reasonable and straightforward person. Since you don’t object, then it’s decided.”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded, then asked, “How do you brothers plan to inform Earl Zhongyi?”
Lu Xiong said, “Brother Shi and I will send one person to inform him of this matter. The other will stay to watch the situation. If we can convince him, then we can conveniently seek refuge with Earl Zhongyi and secure a future. Thanks to revealing the treasure’s location, we’ll have guarantees for the future. As for not going together, it’s also to prevent the other party from turning hostile and not recognizing people—we don’t want both of us to be trapped together.”