Chapter Thirty-One: Setting Sail

The next morning, Qin Song set out for the harbor with Madam Wu and Jiang Yue, boarding a carriage to make their way there.

Meanwhile, before Qin Song departed, dozens of bundles of Xiangyun brocade had already been loaded onto carts from the Qin family workshop, escorted by Hu Shangdong and numerous Qin family guards, ready to be transported to the port.

By the time Qin Song arrived at the dock, all the Xiangyun brocade had been loaded onto the ships, prepared for immediate departure.

Yet, at the harbor, Qin Song spotted two uninvited guests: Lin You and Li Wei, standing atop a distant lookout tower.

Their eyes met, and Qin Song’s gaze held a trace of hatred, though more so a sense of triumph.

Turning his back on them, Qin Song’s lips curled into a cold sneer.

“Utterly foolish!”

From the lookout tower, Li Wei looked disdainfully at Qin Song in the distance.

“It’s a pity. Had we known earlier that the young master of the Qin family was also on board, we should have informed Wang Long sooner. Then he would have surely killed Qin Song!”

“That way, both father and son of the Qin family would be dead by our hands, solving a great problem for our lord!”

Lin You, standing nearby, appeared somewhat regretful as he gazed at Qin Song.

“Don’t worry. Knowing Wang Long’s nature, if he succeeds this time, Qin Song won’t live either!”

After saying this, Li Wei exchanged a knowing glance with Lin You, their eyes gleaming with the thrill of a scheme about to bear fruit.

“What a poignant scene—the mother and son’s final farewell!”

From afar, they observed Madam Wu’s reluctant gestures and tears, but merely assumed that Qin Song was setting off on a long journey, and as his mother, Madam Wu was naturally unwilling to part with her son.

Lin You chuckled coldly. “Let’s chat a little longer. After today, there might never be another chance to meet.”

“It’s a shame. If Madam Wu had been on the ship as well, the Qin family in Yuezhou would have ceased to exist.”

His expression tinged with regret, Lin You sneered, “The Qin family is desperate, sending people by ship to the south to purchase materials elsewhere since they can’t procure silkworm cocoons here. It shows how close they are to ruin!”

“If we destroy the Qin family’s last Xiangyun brocade this time, and trouble the authorities in the capital, the Qin family, without a future, will be utterly unable to establish themselves in Yuezhou!”

Hearing Lin You’s triumphant tone, Li Wei frowned and asked, “Have there been any movements from Chu Haiyuan’s navy?”

“Yesterday, Chu Haiyuan personally led the navy southward on patrol. I planted spies along the way and found no abnormalities.”

“Wang Long’s men are also spread across the port and river, with no unusual activity.”

Satisfied with these reports, Li Wei finally smiled.

If the two atop the lookout tower had been more professional or attentive, they would have noticed that the three Qin family merchant ships prepared for departure sat unusually deep in the water—far heavier than the Xiangyun brocade alone could explain.

The watchers, who only operated at night, had subconsciously assumed the ships carried other cargo.

Partly, it was fate, and partly their own arrogance, which blinded them to these crucial details.

“Mother, I am boarding the ship now. Wait at home for good news,” Qin Song comforted the tearful Madam Wu at the harbor.

Beside him, Jiang Yue disguised herself as Qin Song’s personal maid.

“Song’er, be careful. If danger comes, run immediately. Nothing else matters!” Madam Wu said anxiously.

Qin Song could only smile wryly and hurriedly reassure his mother.

“Mother, if I don’t return this time…”

“Don’t say such nonsense!” Madam Wu interrupted firmly, refusing to hear it.

“I won’t go anywhere else. I’ll be home waiting for you.”

“All right.”

Qin Song nodded earnestly.

After endless instructions from Madam Wu, Qin Song and his companions boarded the merchant ships. With Madam Wu’s lingering gaze, the three vessels slowly pulled away from the harbor, officially embarking on their mission to eradicate the pirates.

“Master!”

Once the ships were well clear of the port, Hu Shangdong stood beside Qin Song.

From this moment on, Hu Shangdong’s sole task was to stay close to Qin Song and ensure his safety.

Having failed to protect Qin Yuanhuai from the pirates previously—resulting in Qin Yuanhuai’s death—Hu Shangdong had been consumed with guilt and even publicly apologized to Qin Song and Madam Wu before the entire Qin family.

Though forgiven, Hu Shangdong vowed that even if it cost him his life, he would not let any harm come to the young master again.

“Let’s go check on the navy brothers!” Qin Song said, leading Hu Shangdong down to the ship’s hold.

Inside, naval soldiers lay scattered, some reclining, others resting.

The dim hold was lit only by a small candle, with narrow slits for windows, the air stale and faintly foul.

“Brother Zhang!”

Qin Song soon found Zhang Pengyuan resting in a corner.

“You should go upstairs to rest.”

With one more person aboard, it wouldn’t attract attention.

“No need. The conditions here are already quite good!” Zhang Pengyuan smiled, pointing to piles of food and water stacked nearby. “I’d rather stay with my brothers.”

Since the navy men boarded the ship until the pirate Wang Long’s arrival, Zhang Pengyuan and his comrades had spent every hour of the day confined to the hold—eating, drinking, and relieving themselves there.

Only at night did they open the windows for ventilation and take turns going on deck for fresh air before returning below.

As navy soldiers, Zhang Pengyuan was long accustomed to this life.

Moreover, Qin Song had gone to great lengths to accommodate them, not only providing various dried foods and fruits but even laying carpets on the floor.

Seeing Zhang Pengyuan’s firm resolve, Qin Song could only say, “Then I entrust you all, brothers. Once we wipe out the pirates, the Qin family will reward you handsomely!”

“Brother Qin, you are too kind. It is our duty to eliminate the pirates!”

After chatting a while, Qin Song, unable to bear the smell, quickly left the hold.

“How did you get in here?”

Turning into his room, Qin Song found Jiang Yue inside, eyes wide with surprise.

“This is my room. Why can’t I come in?”

“Besides, you’re my personal maid now. You know what ‘personal’ means, don’t you?” Qin Song said with a mischievous grin.

As he stepped closer, his vision blurred momentarily, and a chopstick was suddenly pressed against his throat.

“If you move another step, I swear I’ll kill you!”

Though the chopstick’s tip was dull, Qin Song knew this fierce woman was capable.

Seeing Jiang Yue’s flushed yet cold expression, Qin Song grew bored and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not interested in you.”

“Besides, from now on, we need to be on high alert all day. Wang Long and his pirates could attack at any moment!”

“Just rest well here. I’ll go check outside.”

Casting a glance at Jiang Yue, Qin Song left the room, leaving her alone.

After Qin Song’s departure, Jiang Yue couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer.

Thinking of something, her face flushed visibly.

During her time as a pirate, Jiang Yue had heard rumors of a prodigal scion in the Qin family—a playboy who spent his days in brothels and taverns.

But in these past days living in the Qin residence, she realized that the Qin Song she saw was nothing like the rumors.

Or rather, he seemed like a different person altogether.

Jiang Yue had learned most of the recent events from the Qin family servants.

Moreover, Qin Song had broken the legs of the Cao family’s young master to defend two brothel girls, even landing himself in jail—a story already widespread in Yuezhou.

And in recent days, to save his family, Qin Song had been tirelessly busy.

Jiang Yue, who observed him secretly, had seen it all.

“Maybe… he’s not such a scoundrel after all…”

Lost in thought, Jiang Yue’s eyes shone with an inexplicable light.