“So now, this Prince wants both our Mino tribe’s population and to get our grain for free.”
What Lu Heng didn’t say was that Prince Xiyue also wanted to obtain Qin Yining!
Thinking of Zhou Meng’s lecherous expression upon seeing Qin Yining, Lu Heng couldn’t help grinding his teeth in anger. It was normal to be unable to resist taking a few extra glances at Qin Yining’s beauty, but Zhou Meng reportedly already had four consorts and over thirty concubines, having fathered more than ten sons. At his age, he still had the audacity to stare at a young maiden—his character was truly questionable!
“What do you plan to do? Find a way to keep us all here later. I’m worried you’ll be in danger,” Lu Heng said with eyes full of concern.
Thinking of Zhou Meng’s appearance, Qin Yining also felt waves of revulsion.
“I’ll find a way to make you all stay.” She pointed at each person in turn, saying, “You are my male cousin, you three are my guards, and you two are my maids. I told him this, which is why he permitted you to come.”
Uncle A’erhan laughed upon hearing this: “The people who came to fetch us said exactly that. We guessed it was your explanation, so we didn’t act rashly. Moreover, they can’t understand our tribal language when we communicate among ourselves.”
Qin Yining said delightedly, “That’s even better. It makes it more convenient for you to speak among yourselves. Have your movements been restricted during this time?”
“Perhaps to show a magnanimous side, or possibly because we’re guarding the grain, their people have been very polite to us. Many of their young women come daily to bring water and food to our warriors, always deliberately lingering to chat and take a look at the grain before leaving.”
With this, what these Xiyue people wanted to do was already obvious.
It seemed their king had given such orders, or perhaps Zhou Meng had already begun having people spread word that he intended to marry the Divine Maiden as his principal consort, leading to such imitation from below.
Qin Yining nodded. “I understand. Next, I may need to maneuver with him for a while. Once we figure out the routes, we’ll adapt accordingly.”
Lu Heng then relayed Qin Yining’s words to the group behind him in Tatar. Everyone nodded to show they understood.
Qin Yining discussed quietly with Lu Heng: “Let’s first integrate into their way of life and get a clear picture of the terrain. If we want to leave, we need to plan carefully and not act rashly, or we’ll throw away our lives for nothing. These people have figured out that we’re also refugees who fled into the oasis. Though they speak of Divine Maidens and such, I can see this Prince doesn’t really believe those comforting words from their holy scriptures. Most likely he’ll try to coerce us in the end. Let’s observe first and act according to circumstances.”
Lu Heng nodded upon hearing this, saying somewhat helplessly, “We’ve just escaped the wolf’s den only to enter the tiger’s mouth. We barely avoided trouble in the desert, only to encounter these people.”
Qin Yining smiled with full confidence: “It’s nothing. As long as we’re alive, there’s hope for everything. Now we don’t lack food or water. At least we don’t have to fear being buried alive after a sandstorm. This is just a battle of wits with people—we’re both experienced at this. What’s there to fear?”
Though she had suffered a serious illness and still spoke somewhat weakly, as if short of breath, even her complexion wasn’t as good as when they first met—she was too thin now, her face gaunt to the size of a palm and showing the pallor of weakness, giving an impression of frailty. But her eyes had never changed, still as bright and spirited as before, full of confidence.
This person was like a luminous being, radiating light all over, making people feel hopeful about the future just by seeing her.
Lu Heng couldn’t help but smile. “You’re right. In matters of strategy, we just need to stay calm and consider everything thoroughly.”
Qin Yining also smiled and nodded, patting Lu Heng’s shoulder: “Thank you.”
What she had always wanted to say to Lu Heng—thank you for saving my life, thank you for your companionship, thank you for never giving up on me, for not abandoning me even when I was ill.
Lu Heng immediately understood Qin Yining’s meaning and couldn’t help smiling: “Thank me for what? When I was sick, you didn’t abandon me and took meticulous care of me. When I was kidnapped, Uncle A’erhan told me it was because you insisted on pursuing that I was rescued. For me, I should be the one thanking you. But all this thanking back and forth becomes meaningless. We’re partners, and with the Mino tribespeople, we’re family. Why be so formal?”
Uncle A’erhan nodded repeatedly from the side: “Right. We’re family—no need for thanks.”
Qin Yining smiled with her eyes crinkling: “Good, I won’t say such things anymore. Between partners, there’s no need for formality.”
Lu Heng also smiled and nodded.
He now felt immensely grateful for his non-competitive nature.
Precisely because he had hidden his feelings well without anyone discovering them, never showing them in front of Qin Yining or causing her any pressure, he could continue standing by her side as a friend and partner.
Perhaps this was enough.
Since Qin Yining’s heart only held Pang Xiao, if he forced the issue, not only would he gain nothing, but he would also damage the friendship between them.
This unrequited love was better buried deep in his heart as his private keepsake.
Though he still couldn’t completely let go and felt regret knowing Qin Yining would never belong to him.
But if he could exchange silence for a lifetime of standing by her side as a friend, this trade was already the best outcome for him.
Thinking this, Lu Heng couldn’t help but smile self-mockingly.
In the end, he was just a merchant who always sought to maximize profit in everything. If he were a more passionate person, or someone with more intense emotions, doing something like preferring death as jade to life as pottery would at least be a display of heroic spirit. But he was merely calculating gains and losses.
Just then, voices came from outside.
To Lu Heng, those people had southern accents—if they spoke quickly, he had trouble distinguishing words, let alone Uncle A’erhan, who only roughly understood Great Zhou speech.
But Qin Yining found their speech very similar to Great Yan language and understood without difficulty.
“Prince Xiyue is coming with people,” Qin Yining said quietly, then hurriedly sat down properly. The others also chose positions and sat down, putting on the appearance of casual conversation.
Qin Yining indeed began asking about local customs: “…What’s the scenery like? Is it winter or summer in this oasis? I feel it’s even colder here than outside?”
Perhaps hearing Qin Yining’s words, Zhou Meng’s voice approached from far to near, containing laughter: “I won’t hide it from Miss Pang—Xiyue here is indeed much colder than outside, with much stronger winds too. But fortunately, we have Xiyue Lake in the center of the oasis, which not only sustains all the people in the oasis but also irrigates all the trees and plants, so Xiyue doesn’t have too much sand and dust.”
It seemed the entire Xiyue tribe had claimed this oasis as their territory after arriving.
Qin Yining stood up: “The palace is so warm. I see my guards are dressed quite thickly.”
Zhou Meng laughed heartily: “That’s because this palace was built with heated walls and heated brick beds. Besides, Miss Pang is still recovering from illness, so naturally we chose the warmest palace for you to stay in.”
Qin Yining nodded: “Thank you so much, Your Highness.”
Zhou Meng clasped his hands behind his back, staring intently at Qin Yining. Seeing that she looked much better after meeting her people, he couldn’t help feeling delighted.
It seemed that to make a beauty happy, one had to act according to her wishes. When the beauty was in good spirits, her smile was beautiful too, making him happier to watch.
Such a gentle, delicate woman, born so beautiful—what harm was there in pampering her a bit more?
Having made up his mind, Zhou Meng quickly clasped his hands behind his back, leaning forward slightly with a smile: “This Prince will arrange for your guards to visit you daily. Are you pleased?”
Qin Yining timely went to serve him tea, turning sideways to avoid Zhou Meng’s approach.
Zhou Meng watched her bring him a bowl of tea, his smile becoming even more satisfied. He took it and drank a sip.
The plain tea that usually seemed tasteless now seemed full of sweetness.
“Excellent tea!”
Qin Yining observed his expression, and seeing Zhou Meng in even better spirits, spoke gently: “Your Highness, this humble woman is far from home and unfamiliar with people and places here. I truly miss my homeland. Your Highness’s kindness in allowing my kinsmen to visit me daily naturally delights me. However, in this palace I don’t know anyone else, and giving orders feels awkward. I wonder if Your Highness could let them stay here? I see there are many side halls here—accommodating them would be no trouble at all. Moreover, I would restrain them and not let them wander about your palace.”
Zhou Meng narrowed his eyes upon hearing this and slowly set down the tea bowl.
“What Miss Pang desires, this Prince should not refuse. However, my palace houses my consorts and concubines, as well as my children. If we arrange for outsiders to stay, it would be very inconvenient.”
Seeing Qin Yining’s luminous eyes fill with grievance and disappointment, Zhou Meng immediately felt his words might have been too harsh and quickly added: “How about this—this Prince will allow them to visit you once daily, staying for two hours each time. I can also arrange for someone to accompany you on walks to see the sights. How does that sound? Oh, and my daughters and consorts all revere the Divine Maiden and are all very gentle in temperament. I’ll have them come keep you company so you won’t feel lonely.”
Qin Yining pursed her lips: “Very well, but please don’t go back on your word, Your Highness. And regarding my male cousin, please consider that he too was concerned for me—please don’t keep him imprisoned anymore.”
The beauty’s frowning, pouting appearance was truly pitiful. Zhou Meng wanted to bring the most precious fruits and most beautiful clothes to make her happy. Whatever she wanted, he would give. This request wasn’t excessive either—after she married in, this cousin would be family anyway.
Thinking this, Zhou Meng said with feigned magnanimity: “Though your brother was too improper in speech and offended this Prince, since Miss Pang pleads for him, this Prince will overlook it for your sake. Let him stay with your kinsmen.”
Only then did Qin Yining show a slight smile: “Thank you, Your Highness.”