Chapter 128: A single penny can thwart even heroes

Chinu is just Chinu.

However, a simple sentence alone makes his resentment surge to the heavens.

Du Shanü stopped her steps and carefully examined Chinu—

The old locust tree's shade is thick, yet it hardly conceals his bearing.

When the wind passes, the locust leaves rustle, and a few strands of loose hair brush over his browbone.

His brows are pressed low, ink-dark and thick, slanting into his sideburns, making his eye sockets appear even deeper, and reflecting a layer of gloom that never dissipates.

Du Shanü looks at him, and he also gazes at Du Shanü.

When the wind passes, the locust leaves rustle and fall on his shoulders, yet he does not brush them away.

After staring at each other, Du Shanü finally relaxed her held breath, turned back, and gently took Chinu's hand:

"I said I don't want to argue with you, which simply means I don't want to repeat heavy words......"

Chinu's hand is very cool, feeling like thin jade upon grasp.

Since their last quarrel at the inn, the two have rarely engaged in intimate gestures.

Yet now, Du Shanü voluntarily lowered her head.

Even, this is happening on the street of an unfamiliar city, with people coming and going......

The street!

Realizing this, Chinu instinctively wants to pull his hand back—

No good.

It definitely won't do.

If someone sees it, it will surely add more trouble.

But who could really pull his hand back?

Their hands overlapped, and the few traces of coolness originally present were dispelled.

Under the bright daylight, that feeling...

It feels as if, at last, they have been acknowledged.

Exactly, acknowledgment.

No need to use the ruler-subject excuse any longer, no need to endure the jealous resentment toward Yu Baobao day after day...

No need to hide in the dark night to obtain a little favor.

In broad daylight, she loves him.

The two of them can walk hand in hand down the main street.

The two ought to walk hand in hand, openly and confidently, down the main street.

Chinu pursed his lips; Du Shanü felt a moment of resistance, yet she still firmly held his hand and walked toward the county office.

Both tacitly avoided mentioning the past; Du Shanü calmly led Chinu through the crowd of varied expressions, walking and patiently asking again about the espionage matter.

Chinu lowered his brows and eyes, his gaze falling on his left hand being held; he pursed his lips, finally softened his temperament, and replied:

"When I imprisoned those former An Nan troops in the great jail, I first interrogated the espionage case in Cang Cheng; altogether I uncovered three spies, and their names were reported to Cang Cheng yesterday."

"Well done, Chinu! Your work truly puts my mind at ease!"

Du Shanü's eyes lit up; knowing she values official business most, Chinu lowered his voice a bit more:

"...... Cang Cheng is our ancestral home; as long as Ouyang Yan doesn't commit a major mistake, it should remain stable."

"The real trouble is the matter of Dun Cheng."

"Ouyang Wu has gone missing, and you have just obtained Dun Cheng at this time; regardless of whether disaster strikes this time, the An Nan side will surely investigate your identity...... and you previously committed a grave error."

"If Chinu says it's wrong, then it certainly is wrong."

"However, this is also the first time she has heard Chinu speak so seriously about a 'major mistake'."

Du Shanü startled, and her steps slowed a beat.

Chinu didn't show off; he spoke directly:

"Earlier, when you shot and killed government soldiers at the gate of Ju Cheng while calling yourself the princess, you did not first consult me about my title."

"The title you claimed for yourself, 'Changping,' is actually your greatest weakness now."

"The title 'Changping' was already granted during the Taizong era to Changping Marquis Lian Piao, who is related by marriage to Yu Baobao's maternal clan; how could it be given to you?"

"Not to mention the same dynasty; even across all dynasties, seeking a title is unique."

"Furthermore, it would never happen to grant a title originally meant for a military officer to a princess."

"The Changping Marquis has died only a little over ten years ago; many who remember his achievements are still alive—how could one forget these two characters?"

"Again, Ouyang Wu's disappearance, and again the title is mistaken......"

"If the An Nan side weren't foolish, they would surely turn their gaze toward Du Shanü."

"Upon realizing this, Du Shanü's face looked especially grim:"

"I merely casually reported a title that had some connection in my previous life......"

"Who would have thought that in this world there actually exists a Changping Marquis?"

"Du Shanü's head began to ache again:"

"Could we find a title that sounds the same but uses different characters to cover up this matter?"

"Chinu gave a slight nod:"

"I am also preparing this solution, but it cannot be concealed for long; you are ultimately not genuine, so caution is best."

"As for the forged edict, we have also been preparing these days; Afang found an old commendation edict in the Dun Cheng county office, removed the silk and roller, and kept it for later......"

"Du Shanü listened attentively; after waiting a few moments, Chinu unexpectedly did not continue speaking."

"Du Shanü could only draw nearer and ask:"

「What about the future? 」

「This time we really owe it to you and Afang; from now on...... we can't shortchange you, can we? 」

Chinu remained silent, merely turning away somewhat abruptly, avoiding the space right in front, and instead directing the gaze toward the townspeople cleaning sludge by the street.

Du Shanü wondered, following the direction Chinu had avoided——

Not looking would be fine, but as soon as she looked, she jumped in fright.

Chen Weifang, in a green robe, had appeared sometime ago, standing not far away, watching them walk hand in hand down the street.

That half-smile, half-sneer expression—even if Chinu turned away, even Du Shanü, who usually had a thick skin, couldn't help but let out a hiss in her heart.

Afang, you old brat—when did you show up!

How could it be such a coincidence!

Earlier, Afang had her try to put Chinu to sleep, but she had firmly refused!

And now she just happened to be caught in the act!

If only I had known then to give myself a way out!

Now it's just great—she ended up lifting a stone only to drop it on her own foot!

Du Shanü's expression momentarily turned fierce, uncontrollable, but only for a few breaths; after calming down, she gripped Chinu's hand even tighter.

Originally they were just holding hands; with a slight move from Du Shanü, they became interlaced fingers, palms pressed together.

Chinu hadn't expected her to make such a decision; Chinu's fingertips paused slightly, and Chinu responded in kind.

Thus they walked up to Chen Weifang; Du Shanü pretended not to notice the increasingly teasing gaze, and simply spoke as usual:

「Afang, how did you come out? 」

「We were just talking about you...... How does the public affairs of Dun Cheng compare to those of Cang Cheng? 」

Chen Weifang's abilities are, in fact, plain for all to see.

If Chen Weifang were placed in charge of the rear, one could rest easy at any time.

But now manpower is lacking; Du Shanü is unfamiliar with official procedures, and if only Chinu were busy, they'd likely exhaust themselves, so they first let Chen Weifang handle the pioneering work, coming to Dun Cheng to stabilize the situation...

It really couldn't be helped.

Therefore Du Shanü now pays special attention to Chen Weifang's feelings.

Chen Weifang had been secretly watching this little couple for a while; seeing Du Shanü not dodging or avoiding, the scholar, whose looks resembled the ancient moon, finally averted gaze, lowered head, and said with a smile:

「As long as Saner is well...... I don't mind the extra work. 」

「By the way, my lord, Afang still has one matter: manpower is truly insufficient now; would you like to recruit more people? 」

Du Shanü nodded without even thinking:

「Of course! 」

Recruit people, we definitely need to recruit people!

Otherwise, when will the days of using women as men and men as donkeys ever end!

Chen Weifang heard the answer, not surprised, and then added:

「All right, I understand. 」

「But if that's the case, we'll need silver and gold to grease the wheels; I don't know how much wealth you have, my lord. 」

Du Shanü: "?"

Chen Weifang: "?"

How come the lord's complexion looks so strange?

Du Shanü really had a hard time putting it into words, and after consideration, said:

「Recruiting people...... shouldn't it be that I, with a mighty shake of my tiger-like frame, display kingly bearing in every gesture, and then scholars will naturally flock to join...... 」

How did we end up talking about money and silver?

Cang Cheng and Dun Cheng have just suffered disaster; who knows if the supplies in the storehouses are enough for repairs and relief!

Where would she get any gold and silver!

Chen Weifang froze, then gave a hehe laugh:

「My lord, scholars also need to eat. 」

「I joined you because Saner is here; other scholars certainly don't come with a dowry. 」

「You want scholars to bring their families to join you...... or else just go to sleep early, for in dreams anything is possible! 」

Du Shanü: "(〃＞ dish ＜)"

If it's no good, it's no good; what's the point of all this yin-yang weirdness!

Afang truly lives up to being Chinu's good friend; with that mouth, just licking their own lips would probably poison themselves!

?? coming coming||ヽ(*￣▽￣*)ノミ|Ю