Add two thousand more.

Chapter Title: 083 Add Two Thousand

The moment Fang Rulai and Zhu Xishi appeared, the two who had been grappling just seconds before abruptly ceased their skirmish. Each sprang to their feet like a carp leaping from water, positioning themselves protectively in front of Fang Rulai and Zhu Xishi.

Guan Shiyin draped an arm around Fang Rulai’s shoulder, pivoting smoothly, “The most beautiful sight in Ping City is surely the Blue Cang River that winds half the city’s circumference. And its loveliest hour is after sunset, when the evening glow paints the sky. Today, my dear, the timing is perfect. How about we…”

“Miss Fang, would you care to enjoy the view?” Zhou Dashan suddenly straightened his neck and called out in a booming voice, “The Zhou Shipping Company is pleased to offer our most luxurious vessel, free of charge, for Miss Fang’s river tour.”

Fang Rulai tilted her head, eyeing the frozen-faced Guan Shiyin with an ambiguous smile, “Both suggestions are excellent. To conserve resources, why not combine them?”

Mu Zhijin shot a glare at Guan Shiyin: Of all excuses, why pick this one? You’re walking right into their trap! Foolish. Watch how I handle this.

Mu Zhijin tugged at his torn sleeve—ripped by Guan Shiyin—then turned to Zhu Xishi with a sycophantic tone, “Would you kindly mend this for me?”

Zhu Xishi looked him up and down, her gaze sliding upwards, “Do I need to be convenient?”

Her tone was rising, but her aura sank.

Mu Zhijin was taken aback, not by the unfamiliar, emotionless voice, but by Zhu Xishi’s unprecedented, bright and piercing refusal. For the first time, she showed her thorns openly before him.

His vision blurred, and Zhu Xishi had already turned away. “I hear someone intends to propose to me?”

No sooner had she spoken than a crowd rushed forward, “Yes, yes, we do!”

The most prominent was Zhou Dashan, towering and robust.

Zhu Xishi glanced at him, “Weren’t you proposing to Miss Fang just now?”

“Yes, indeed, I proposed to Miss Fang, and on behalf of my younger brother, I’m also proposing to Miss Zhu. We’re cousins from the same family, so after you join us, you won’t need to worry about rival wives or, well,” Zhou Dashan cast a sidelong look at Guan Shiyin and Mu Zhijin, who were disheveled and grimy, “about troublesome brother-in-law relationships. Our brothers will set the standard for harmonious kinship in the Yao Tian Kingdom.”

Guan Shiyin muttered quietly in Fang Rulai’s ear: He really is from a family of shippers; his words flow as smoothly as a ship on water.

Fang Rulai ignored him, stepping up beside Zhu Xishi, pointing to her own shaven head and monk’s robe, “You don’t mind?”

Zhou Dashan nodded so vigorously it was as if his head was on a spring. “The Zhou family has been waiting for a bald head! I, Zhou Dashan, have neither taken a concubine nor a chambermaid, and have waited twenty-two years for Miss Fang!”

The burly man spoke sweet words naturally, his tone joyous yet unforced. Fang Rulai sensed no discord. If it wasn’t genuine infatuation, then he was a master performer, pursuing some hidden benefit.

Fang Rulai feigned shyness, “The Zhou family is wealthy; surely your associates are all people of status. If we marry, won’t gossip be a concern…”

Zhou Dashan pounded his chest with a resonant thud, “Why should the lady of the Zhou house heed others’ opinions? Those who spread malicious gossip should worry whether the Zhou family will uncover their roots and sever ties! Hmph, those who wrong us, borrow a boat and you’ll surely capsize!”

His promises rang loud and clear. Fang Rulai raised a grateful smile at the right moment, “Head of Zhou, such resolve!”

“And what about me?” Zhu Xishi cut in coldly, “She’s your family’s fated one, but I am a widow, my husband lost young. I can neither bring luck nor prosperity to the household. Why would your cousin wish to marry me?”

Because you are the only weakness capable of balancing the unpredictable Fang Rulai, Zhou Dashan thought. But his face grew even more earnest, “Miss Zhu, as an elder cousin, brought her younger cousin all the way to Ping City to protect her from a forced marriage. Such a righteous and courageous act is exactly the standard the Zhou family admires and upholds. A woman like you belongs in our family!”

Fang Rulai’s stomach clenched, nearly sending the braised pork she’d just eaten back up. She gulped it down and, turning to Zhu Xishi, nestled beside her in a delicate, bashful manner, “My family passed early; now only my cousin remains. As they say, the eldest sister is like a mother. When it comes to life’s great decisions, I listen to my cousin.”

Beneath her sleeve, Fang Rulai pinched Zhu Xishi’s waist lightly with two fingers: Give a convincing reason; let’s venture deep into the tiger’s den.

Zhu Xishi stood straight as a rod, “I’ve been married before. Helping my sister scope out a future in-law’s home in advance is nothing to be ashamed of. Very well, Head of Zhou’s sincerity rings true. Let’s not wait for another day; I say we go now and see for ourselves. We care little for wealth, but the temperament of your elders is what matters most. Don’t you agree, Head of Zhou?”

“Absolutely, Cousin Zhu speaks exactly what Dashan was thinking.” Zhou Dashan switched his address smoothly, stepping aside with an inviting gesture, “This way, please?”

Fang Rulai and Zhu Xishi exchanged glances and strode forward. Mu Zhijin rushed to block them but was pushed aside by the enthusiastic crowd.

“Miss Fang, I’m heir to the seaside salt fields, eight-tenths of which belong to the Yan family. Our family also has a tradition: only a monk’s wife can be the legitimate spouse. Would you care to visit my home along the river and meet the elders?”

“Miss Zhu, I’m the village head of Salt Village. Though my family isn’t grand, we live comfortably. Most importantly, the Shi family is honest and upright, free of the scheming found in great households. If you marry me, I guarantee you’ll never suffer.”

“Miss Fang, I am…”

“Miss Zhu, I…”

A group of men in various attire, like vendors hawking wares in a bustling market, each boasted their merits, eager for the ‘buyers’ to make their choice.

The crowd’s noise faded as they moved away.

Guan Shiyin rubbed his ear, sore from Mu Zhijin’s grip, “Did you just use inner strength?”

Mu Zhijin sniffed his nose, pinched by Guan Shiyin, “You used at least twenty percent of your power!”

They exchanged a wry smile.

Mu Zhijin said, “Why did we go to such lengths to play the fool?”

Guan Shiyin replied, “Because only then will their departure seem believable and easier to accept.”

“Oh, you played your part well. They were happily escorted away.”

“Ah, but now I regret it. We already have the Salt Route token. If we raised it and called out, those who hold their ancestral teachings sacred would obey, even if reluctantly. Why seek what’s distant when we already have power in hand?”

“Yes, that’s a sharp question. Take your time pondering it. I need to change into clothes suitable for the water.” Mu Zhijin walked away.

Guan Shiyin stomped his foot in frustration, “Banxia, bring two sets of clothes for water.”

Thanks to dear Stinky Egg Haha and Chao Jin Lu Kui for the encouragement, Qingye is working hard~

This book was first published...