Chapter 130: There is always something more important

Chinu, have you ever killed someone's grandson?

What kind of old acquaintance is this?

This is an enemy, an enemy!

People like her—never mind that she can't come up with ten thousand gold; even if she could, you still couldn't let them come!

Du Shanü waved her hands repeatedly:

"Although 'when the boat reaches the bridge it will naturally sink, pass after pass, difficult to pass'... but this great Buddha, just forget it."

"Afang, I just obtained some money from two righteous men here; you first handle the city's expenses, and as for the 'meager gift,' I'll think of something else."

In this world, coming up with some novelties to make money is indeed not difficult.

But the problem is, when flood strikes, even those who were somewhat well-off end up empty-handed.

However, if we don't take money from the common folk, we can still think of ways to get it from wealthy households......

Du Shanü kept pondering; seeing that she had no intention of inviting that esteemed gentleman Ruán, Chen Weifang let out a breath of relief, took the parcel from her hand, and gave it a quick glance.

Chinu, however, didn't know what to think; after pondering a few breaths, he bluntly said:

"Although Ruansizong is wanton and lawless, he has been immersed in officialdom for decades, with the Jingchuan Ruán clan backing him. Firstly, he has many disciples; secondly, he carries weight among aristocratic clans—he can be considered a rare strategist."

"If I recall correctly, he currently serves as the Lingnan Prefecture Judge, yet having taken offense at the prefect's incompetence, he has been at odds with him for many years......"

"If he is willing to help you, you'll surely get twice the result with half the effort."

The problem with the Lingnan prefect is actually far greater than anyone imagines.

Besides being incompetent, this prefect also likes male beauty and is immersed in seeking Daoist arts.

He indeed intends to send Liu Er to his side as a placement, but who would complain about having too many spies?

Moreover, even if Liu Er managed to kill the prefect in one strike, wouldn't that just be letting off easy a Judge who holds authority over an entire surveillance prefecture?

Therefore, spies must be inserted, but it would also be best to win over this Judge Ruán......

So what are you going to do?

The dim light, a clear voice suddenly broke.

Chinu stiffened, then belatedly lifted his head to look beside him.

Du Shanü met his gaze, only to ask again:

So what are you going to do?

You didn't kill his grandson, did you? He surely won't let it rest, will he?

If he comes, constantly causing you trouble, what will you do?

Du Shanü admitted that becoming emperor was far more troublesome than she had imagined.

But everyone must also admit that she is inherently a person of heroic spirit.

Or rather......

A hero of tumultuous times.

She cares nothing for right or wrong.

She likes Chinu, she loves Chinu, so she must bear this responsibility.

Seeking renowned scholars, seeking loyal ministers—is that important?

Of course it is.

But nothing is more important than Chinu.

Chinu can, for her sake, recommend an enemy.

But can she set aside Chinu's grudge against that person and accept him openly?

No.

No.

Even if Ruansizong is all-powerful, he won't be as formidable as Chinu.

If she truly lets Ruansizong come, when he encounters the avenger of his grandson's killer, wouldn't he surely seek revenge?

She is already overwhelmed by the refugee crisis; who knows what else she'll face later—how could she tolerate someone who doesn't share her burden but instead constantly quarrels with Chinu?

Never mind how strong they are; internal unity is what matters most!

Silver money can always be earned.

Talent can always be found.

Ruansizong seems suitable, but there isn't only one Ruansizong in the world; why must we seek him, wronging Chinu?

The heavens and earth are dim, yet the clamor from the distant street is shut out by Du Shanü's words.

Chinu's eyelids twitched slightly; he pressed his lips and said nothing.

The three thus fell silent.

After a few breaths, Chen Weifang finally realized what she had heard, gradually breaking into a relieved smile, and said cheerfully:

"I suddenly recall I still have some unfinished business; I'll go ahead first, you two take a stroll, take a stroll......"

Chen Weifang left.

He left without looking back.

Du Shanü did not relax; instead, she kept staring at Chinu.

Chinu, having his ears reddened by her gaze, after a while let out a soft nasal 'en'.

Well then, let's think it over again......

Du Shanü had been waiting for exactly that reply; hearing it, she also broke into a cheerful smile.

She continued to hold Chinu's hand as they walked toward the county office, meanwhile bringing up another matter:

"Earlier I specially wrote a letter, asking Ouyang Yan to have people dig some lime from the hill behind his house to send over; that stuff can disinfect, sterilize, improve the base and eliminate odors, making it most suitable for post-flood epidemic prevention......"

She spoke in detail, and Chinu listened attentively.

The two were like an ordinary married couple, hand in hand, fingers tightly interlocked, chatting as they walked.

Chinu was habitually gloomy, his temperament ever-changing, yet walking with her in broad daylight he became obedient and gentle to a fault.

His fingers were long, knuckles distinct, slightly cool, like a piece of jade slowly warmed in the palm.

His brows and eyes remained the same: narrow, slightly upturned, carrying a hint of wickedness.

Yet beneath the shadow of his browbone, a thin mist had somehow dissipated.

He no longer lowered his gaze; occasionally he lifted his lashes, his eyes resting on her profile for a moment before drifting away.

A wind blew from the end of the street, the roadside locust trees scattering fragmented shadows that pressed against his lashes, sketching a few ink‑like strokes beneath his brows and eyes......

Just an instant.

Just that instant.

Du Shanü had an illusion—

What white crane immortal feathers, pure snow of the western ridges, bright moon through a thousand autumns......

Compared to Chinu, they all fell short by a measure.

Du Shanü felt a twinge of emotion; Chinu vaguely sensed it too, found an opening, and spoke casually:

"...... Shall we return to the Xian Xie to handle official business?"

Those pale, dust‑like lips opened and closed before Du Shanü's eyes, so that she actually heard nothing.

Du Shanü merely blinked a few breaths, then spoke:

"Lately I haven't rested properly...... Let's do something interesting?"

Chinu: "?"

Even though Chinu's schemes were unmatched, he now seemed a bit slow to react:

"What do you mean?"

If I'm not mistaken, there shouldn't be anything missing, right?

The seizure of Dun Cheng was almost entirely his doing; Cang Cheng is now relatively stable, traitors are being caught, disaster victims rescued, and neglected affairs are gradually being settled.

Even the matter of the forged edict is being handled in an orderly fashion.

Logically, there should be no oversight......

Wrong.

Wrong.

After a breath, Chinu realized.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to read a teasing expression from Du Shanü's face.

But there was none.

There was no teasing.

At the point where their hands overlapped, Du Shanü eased her grip a little and lightly scratched her slave's palm with her fingernail......

Afterward, she received a "fierce" response.

Chinu also used his fingertip to lightly scratch her palm——

His fingernail traced the soft flesh of her palm from the tiger's mouth to the base of her fingers, as if licked by a snake's tongue, so gentle and slow that she could count every inch of the spreading itch.

That itch was not an itch, but fire.

It burned from palm to wrist, up to the shoulder blades, then seeped inward layer by layer, scorching to her heart.

His posture was deferential, his stance aggressive, his eyes probing......

If his brows and eyes were blades, each stroke would strike Du Shanü.

But what could be done?

"Se Zi Tou Shang Yi Dao"—to take a blow is still a blow.

Du Shanü swallowed the scorching surge in her throat, paused only a breath, then agreed:

"...... Let's do it."

?? I don't know if the next chapter will be blocked..... Let's try try try.