There were certain sounds Shen Che was unwilling to share with others, especially with the newcomer. So, even though he didn’t want to go out, he had to turn around resolutely.
“Second Brother, you’re in quite a mood. It’s far from nightfall,” Shen Zheng said with a mischievous grin, rubbing the back of his head as he looked at Shen Che.
“Speak. If it’s not urgent, I’ll chop off your ears,” Shen Che’s displeasure was written all over his face, in bold letters.
Shen Zheng, being a man himself, understood the frustration of being interrupted during an intimate moment. He quickly got to the point, “It’s about Elder Brother. A few days ago, Li Simo sent a messenger as agreed, but Elder Brother rejected Li Simo’s offer of allegiance on the spot.”
“Wasn’t it already settled?” Shen Che frowned.
“Well, when I told Elder Brother about it that day, he didn’t express an opinion, but he didn’t refuse either. I thought such a great opportunity couldn’t possibly be rejected, but who knew he would suddenly make such a decision,” Shen Zheng was also very troubled. “Elder Brother also said…”
Shen Zheng looked conflicted, absolutely not wanting to create a rift between his brothers at this moment.
“What did he say?” Shen Che asked.
Shen Zheng lowered his head, not daring to look at Shen Che’s expression. “He said that if he wants to win, he wants to win fair and square. He disdains and can’t agree with succeeding through schemes hidden under a woman’s skirt.”
Although Shen Che’s affair with Zhai Yana hadn’t been widely publicized, it wasn’t deliberately concealed either. With Zhai Yana being the Holy Maiden of the Zoroastrian faith, various factions were paying attention, and Shen Yu naturally knew about it. He not only knew but had recently received news from Shen Che’s side about the withdrawal of three tribes under Zheli’s command before the battle, hence the reference to “under a woman’s skirt.”
Contrary to Shen Zheng’s expectations, Shen Che didn’t show anger. Instead, he asked Shen Zheng with a pleasant expression, “Do you think I did wrong in this matter?”
Shen Zheng quickly replied, “Of course not, otherwise I wouldn’t have come to inform Second Brother. In my view, whether it’s a covert or overt strategy, the best tactic is one that preserves the lives of our Great Qin soldiers to the greatest extent.”
Shen Yu was a perfect man, so he wanted overt strategies and fair play, but such victories were undoubtedly built on massive bloodshed. Both Shen Che and Shen Zheng were people who hoped to achieve the greatest benefits with the least sacrifice.
Shen Che nodded.
Shen Zheng, still having something to ask, continued to flatter Shen Che, “Besides, a woman like Zhai Yana, what man wouldn’t want to conquer? Beautiful and wild, only Second Brother can make her submit.”
Shen Che frowned and said, “Enough, stop flattering me.”
Shen Zheng then became a bit more restrained and changed the subject, “But I see that Elder Brother is determined this time. No matter how I try to persuade him, he won’t listen. Second Brother, you and Elder Brother used to share everything. What happened between you? Can you talk to Elder Brother and see if you can change his mind?”
After asking for a few more details, Shen Che said, “I understand. I’ll go back to Elder Brother, but first I need to visit Li Simo’s territory. This sudden change of heart must have shaken him, and I can’t let Zheli take advantage of the situation.”
Shen Zheng nodded. After discussing the main issue, Shen Zheng still lingered, unwilling to leave. Matters of the heart were also important, and the image of a certain lady hadn’t left his mind these days. “Second Brother, about the young lady I asked you to inquire about last time, do you have any news?”
It was better not to mention this. As soon as he did, Shen Che was furious, but he couldn’t vent his anger at Shen Zheng, not wanting to add another rift between the brothers. On the other hand, Ji Cheng knew nothing about this, and Shen Che naturally didn’t want to trouble her with this knowledge, lest she feel uncomfortable. How frustrating!
Shen Che’s face darkened, “Is this the time for such matters? I don’t have enough people to gather intelligence for myself, and you want me to find a girl for you?”
Seeing Shen Che’s anger, Shen Zheng didn’t dare say more, but he couldn’t help muttering, “Usually, you all urge me to get married, but now that I’m eager, you’re not in a hurry. Really…” Of course, Shen Zheng had more complaints in his heart. His Second Brother had time for daytime trysts, so why couldn’t he spare some effort for his brother’s needs? Naturally, Shen Zheng wouldn’t dare say this to Shen Che.
After Shen Zheng left, Shen Che returned to the tent. Ji Cheng had already dressed properly, but when she saw Shen Che enter, her face reddened again. “Is everything settled?” Someone who left at such a moment should have returned eagerly, but since Shen Che had been gone for so long, something must have happened.
“Mm,” Shen Che looked at Ji Cheng with some gloom in his heart. Knowing that his brother was fantasizing about his wife, yet unable to vent his anger, was truly frustrating. What’s worse, Shen Che was also a man and had experienced the kind of day and night longing that Shen Zheng was going through. His mind was in turmoil. Just thinking that Shen Zheng was thinking about Ji Cheng made Shen Che want to twist his head off.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Cheng asked with concern. She rarely saw Shen Che in such a low mood.
Shen Che grasped Ji Cheng’s outstretched hand. “It’s nothing. We just need to go see Li Simo immediately.”
Everything was prepared for light travel, and they soon set out with their troops. Ji Cheng heard the whole story from Shen Che during his brief moments of leisure. She and Shen Che were naturally of the same mind, both having a gambler’s mentality of using small stakes for big gains, so they felt Shen Yu was being a bit too rigid.
But little did Ji Cheng know that it was because of her that Shen Yu had said Shen Che was relying on a woman’s skirt, implicitly standing up for Ji Cheng.
Although Shen Che was anxious inside, their group still traveled as if on a leisurely tour, not letting anyone detect any urgency.
Ji Cheng was still dressed in men’s clothing, which was convenient for horseback riding.
“Interested in a horse race with me?” Shen Che waved his riding crop at Ji Cheng.
Only a fool would race with you, Ji Cheng thought. She knew Shen Che’s glorious record; the hero of the polo field’s horsemanship was not something an ordinary person could match.
Ji Cheng firmly shook her head.
Shen Che rode closer to Ji Cheng and said, “If you win, I’ll act out the ‘Empress Dowager and the Little Eunuch’ story with you. How about that?”
Ji Cheng burst out laughing. “Really?”
“Really,” Shen Che nodded heavily.
“Alright,” Ji Cheng spurred her horse, and it galloped away. She turned her head back, her voice carried by the distant wind, “Little Che, hurry up and catch me!”
Shen Che could only shake his head. Women were such creatures that if you gave them an inch, they’d take a mile, and not just one.
Ji Cheng was using all her strength. She no longer dared to underestimate Shen Che. She was panting, her back drenched in sweat, while Shen Che was still not shaken off, following leisurely behind her, only half a horse-length behind.
Whether it was uphill, fording rivers, or weaving through forests, Ji Cheng used all her tricks, but she just couldn’t shake off Shen Che.
Finally, Ji Cheng had to stop her horse angrily, throwing her riding crop at Shen Che. “I’m not racing anymore! What do you mean by this?” Ji Cheng wanted to win, but she didn’t cherish the victory that came from Shen Che letting her win.
Shen Che said, “I’m not letting you win. It’s just that there’s no scenery ahead, so I don’t feel like riding fast.”
Ji Cheng remained silent. She had a premonition that Shen Che was about to say something flirtatious again.
“You in front of me is my scenery. I only wish to ride beside you and enjoy the view together,” Shen Che said.
Ji Cheng’s teeth were about to fall out from the sweetness. She finally understood where Shen Che’s charm with women came from. He must have coaxed Zhai Yana plenty as well, otherwise how could she help him so much?
Ji Cheng blushed and coughed lightly, “You’re so smooth with your words. You must have practiced a lot with others.”
Shen Che just smiled without speaking. Indeed, over the years he had accumulated some experience. Women who didn’t get jealous were extremely rare, and usually, making a woman a little jealous from time to time could enhance the relationship. Those passionate words laid bare before her, which she would find too hot to handle.
Shen Che’s smile immediately made Ji Cheng realize her impropriety. She had grown up beside Cloud Mother, watching her wither away day by day, constantly bickering with the concubines out of jealousy, only to fall from grace and push her father further away.
In young Ji Cheng’s view, there were too many things to do in this world to spend all day revolving around a man. She pitied her mother but also resented her for not being able to let go, no matter how much she tried to persuade her. At that time, Ji Cheng had sworn in her heart that she would never be like her mother, getting jealous of a man.
Ji Cheng glanced away, tidying her wind-tousled hair.
Shen Che came forward to lead Ji Cheng’s horse and said, “There’s a household ahead. I guess we’ll have to stay there for the night.”
As for Nan Gui and Lianzi, they weren’t as fast as Ji Cheng and Shen Che, still out of sight on the other side.
This household was quite well-off, with the sheep pen full of sheep. The dark-skinned, ruddy-faced hostess was preparing dinner, while the host was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Cheng held the steaming milk tea, taking a delightful sip. Unfortunately, she couldn’t understand Turkic, so she could only listen to Shen Che chatting with Danzhu on the side.
“Why is she alone?” Ji Cheng asked Shen Che softly.
“Her husband went to the town market and hasn’t returned yet,” Shen Che replied. Just as he finished speaking, two large men walked in.
Shen Che said, “Look, they’re back.”
Ji Cheng watched as the first man who entered immediately embraced Danzhu and spun her around, seeming very excited, probably having encountered something good. The slightly younger man who entered behind took out a bolt of cloth from his backpack and handed it to Danzhu, then secretly kissed her cheek when no one was looking.
Ji Cheng was confused and quietly asked Shen Che again, “Who exactly is Danzhu’s husband?”
Shen Che rubbed his nose and said, “Both of them are.”
“Both?!” Ji Cheng was shocked.
“Yes, all four brothers of the Gerile family are her husbands,” Shen Che said, watching Ji Cheng’s reaction closely.
“Four brothers?” Ji Cheng couldn’t be more shocked. “How is that possible? How do they…”
“The four brothers are rarely home at the same time. For example, the eldest and second eldest are now at the northern pasture herding cattle and won’t be back for a month,” Shen Che explained.
“But I see they have herds of cattle and sheep. They’re not poor, so why would four brothers marry one wife?” Ji Cheng still didn’t understand.
“It’s because they have so many cattle and sheep. They don’t want to split the family. If they did, one person couldn’t take care of so many animals,” Shen Che said.
For the entire evening, Ji Cheng stared at Danzhu, full of curiosity. She had never imagined that in this world, there could be a woman married to four husbands.
Danzhu felt embarrassed by Ji Cheng’s stare but was delighted to be looked at by such a handsome man from the Central Plains.
“What, do you envy Danzhu?” Shen Che asked as he lay down behind Ji Cheng at bedtime.
Ji Cheng hadn’t thought much about it, but Shen Che’s question made her feel uneasy. She thought of Shen Yu and Shen Jing – weren’t they also three brothers? What Ji Cheng didn’t know was that it wasn’t just three brothers.
“No, how could I possibly envy her?” Ji Cheng quickly shook her head. Just Shen Che alone was sometimes more than she could handle, so she admired Danzhu.