Chapter 2509: My Wife Is a Pirate 39

As the saying goes, money can make ghosts push a millstone.

Previously, because of poverty, no matter how one begged, the good doctors would not come; but seeing the ample silver that Bu Changji and his group brought, each doctor vied to come to Iron Chain Bay to see patients.

Not long after, the strange ailment that had troubled the fishermen for a long time finally received effective control and treatment.

After staying in Iron Chain Bay for a month or so, seeing the fishermen's conditions stabilize, the remaining brothers were also sufficiently reliable.

Only then did Bu Changji's long-held anxiety truly settle back to reality.

The Slaughter Wave Ship weighed anchor again, fully laden with the reluctance and blessings of the Iron Chain Bay fishermen, and set off on the return journey to White Wave Bay.

As the ship sailed on the sea, Bu Changji's mood was now quite different from when he had come.

With the heavy burden on his shoulders lifted, only the excitement and anticipation of formally bonding with his beloved remained.

He leaned against Jin Chen, gazing at the far-off horizon where sea and sky merged, his lips continually twitching upward uncontrollably.

Jin Chen turned his head to glance at him, reached out to sweep the hair disheveled by the sea wind behind his ear, his fingertips brushing the cool earlobe.

"What are you giggling about?"

"Just happy." Bu Changji leaned against his shoulder, his voice sweet, "Thinking of going back, I could…… I could always be with you."

Proper and rightful, never to be parted again.

Jin Chen chuckled low, wrapped his arm around his shoulders, and held him tighter.

The sea breeze swept past, carrying a salty yet free feeling.

As the Slaughter Wave Ship slowly entered the familiar harbor of White Wave Bay, many fishermen who had heard the news had already gathered on the shore.

The Village Chief stood at the front, his face breaking into a smile, shouting from afar.

"At last you're back! Everything is ready; we're just waiting for you two, the main guests!"

Bu Changji felt his face warm under the teasing gazes of the crowd, yet his heart was sweet.

He jumped off the ship, and at first sight saw festive red silk hung on the shore, traces of meticulous preparation evident everywhere in the bay.

The day of the bonding was set for three days later.

According to the bay's elders' tradition, the two betrothed must not see each other on the eve of the bonding and the morning of the day, for luck.

Bu Changji was shoved back into the tidied little cabin by Hai Shisan and the others, who were grinning, while Jin Chen was taken elsewhere to be settled by Liu Ping'an and the others.

That night, Bu Changji tossed and turned, actually suffering some insomnia.

Although it was not the first time they shared a mat to sleep, thinking that tomorrow everything would change, his heart felt like a brood of lively, jumping fish fry, both expectant and inexplicably nervous.

He touched the seashell cord on his wrist, and only then did drowsiness gradually come.

The next morning, as the sky just began to lighten, Bu Changji was awakened by the lively commotion outside.

He had just risen and finished washing up, preparing to change into the new garment sent by the Village Chief's wife, embroidered with twin lotuses, when he heard urgent hoofbeats outside the courtyard gate, followed by a strange, loud announcement.

"Eight-hundred-li urgent missive from the Capital! May I ask if Bu Changji, Young Master Bu, is here?"

Bu Changji felt surprised.

He dubiously pushed open the courtyard gate, only to see a dust-covered courier on horseback, holding aloft a thick letter sealed with wax.

Also present was a small purple sandalwood box that looked quite valuable.

"I am Bu Changji."

The courier nimbly dismounted, presenting the letter and box with both hands, "Your humble servant obeys the order of Heir Apparent Fang Yunyao, traveling day and night by the fastest merchant ship, and must personally deliver this letter and object to Young Master Bu today; the Heir Apparent instructs, saying you must be sure to open it yourself!"

Bu Changji received the items, full of doubt.

What scheme is that Fang Yunyao kid up to, even sending an eight-hundred-li rush?

He thanked the courier, gave him some silver for good luck, then took the items back inside, weighed the heavy wooden box, and only then tore open the wax-sealed letter.

The letter's opening gave great thanks to Jin Chen, saying that thanks to the stratagem he had left behind, their party managed to repeatedly escape danger, not only successfully shaking off the layered pursuits sent by Prince Jing, but also returning safely to the Capital.

Relying on the crucial evidence and military support they brought back, they finally toppled Prince Jing in one fell swoop and purged the court.

Seeing this, Bu Changji raised his eyebrows, thinking that Jin Chen had done quite a bit behind his back.

He continued reading.

But the following words made his breath catch sharply.

Fang Yunyao wrote in the letter: "……Jin Chen brother, when he promised to lend a hand, his sole request was this."

"I, your humble servant, have not failed the mission; I have already implored His Majesty to issue a special edict pardoning Bu Brother and all his subordinates for whatever they did out of necessity or circumstance, thereafter registering them as good citizens and restoring their free status."

"Furthermore, a special clearance document and trade permit for the Slaughter Wave Ship's coastal passage have been granted; with this document, the Slaughter Wave Ship team may freely come and go at all our dynasty's ports, unhindered, conducting lawful business…… This is the shared intention of your humble servant and Yue Ling; I congratulate the two elder brothers on their joyous union, may they remain of one heart for a hundred years……"

Bu Changji's hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

He could scarcely believe it as he opened the purple sandalwood box.

Inside, on a red silk cushion, lay a bright yellow silk imperial decree neatly placed, its vermilion seal shining brightly.

Beside it was a hardcover clearance document likewise stamped with an official seal.

Good citizen status…… clearance document……

Bu Changji never imagined he could ever shake off the label of pirate in this lifetime, let alone dare to think that one day he and his brothers could openly sail their ship, dock at any port without fear of official pursuit, conduct business like ordinary merchants, and make a living by their own abilities.

And this…… was actually obtained for him by Jin Chen.

Without his knowing, Jin Chen had already laid out such a path for their future, a road he had long dreamed of.

Bu Changji's nose tingled, and his eye sockets grew hot.

He also didn't bother with auspicious or inauspicious times, or rules; he grabbed the scroll of decree and document, in his middle clothes, flung open the window, leapt out nimbly, and sprinted madly toward the house where Jin Chen was temporarily staying.

"Husband!"

Jin Chen was being helped by Liu Ping'an and a few others to tidy the wedding attire, having just fastened his sash, when he heard an urgent shout from outside the window; next, the door burst open with a bang, and Bu Changji rushed in tumultuously, throwing himself into his embrace.

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -5, total 0!】

Jin Chen was pushed back half a step by the impact, instinctively reaching out to steady the person securely.

Lowering his gaze, he saw that the person in his arms wore only thin middle clothes, hair slightly disheveled, eye sockets reddened, as if on the verge of tears from excitement.

"What's wrong, what happened?" Jin Chen's heart tightened, he held his shoulder and examined closely.

Bu Changji panted, shoved the silk and documents into Jin Chen's hands, his voice somewhat fluttering from excitement.

"This…… is what you had Fang Yun Yao handle, when did you tell him, how did you think of it? You even gave him an idea to stand firm in court, you're amazing!"

Jin Chen lowered his head and glanced at the bright yellow silk, then understood.

He lifted his eyes to look at Bu Changji, smiled, and said, "This, I just helped them out of hand, proposed this condition, thinking you might like it."

He said it lightly, but Bu Changji knew it could not possibly be that simple.

To have the imperial court pardon an entire pirate gang and issue a clearance document, what kind of scheming and exchange is needed behind this?

What Jin Chen did for him was far more than what he saw.

"I like it, I like it so much!" Bu Changji's throat choked, he tiptoed and kissed him.

Liu Ping'an and the others helping inside retreated to the side, faces flushed, both amused and embarrassed.

Outside, an old person who had come to watch the commotion heard the movement and, laughing through the window, reminded them.

"Oh dear, Boss Bu, it's not time yet! Before the contract is sealed, you can't meet, it's unlucky! Come out quickly, come out quickly!"

Hai Shisan, guarding outside, upon hearing this, immediately led a few pirate brothers to the doorway, planted himself there, hands on hips, and shouted back loudly.

"Hey, old man, then let's go by our sea's rules; here, the boss's word is law! Our boss wants to meet the son-in-law whenever he wants, and no one can interfere!"

This remark caused the fishermen waiting inside and outside the courtyard to burst into laughter.

Yes, rules are dead, people are alive; what could be more auspicious than lovers finally becoming a couple?

Soon after.

On a fine, breezy morning, the Slaughter Wave Ship raised its mighty flag once again.

The hull was kept oily and shiny, fully loaded with supplies and hope.

Bu Changji stood at the bow, the sea wind fluttering his wide robes loudly.

He glanced back at Jin Chen, who stood nearby with hands behind his back, and his face lit up with a bright, satisfied smile.

Bu Changji's veins flowed with blood yearning for freedom; his destination was this vast, boundless expanse, full of the unknown and challenges, a magnificent, turbulent sea.

The sailboat cut through the green waves, heading toward where water meets sky, gradually drifting away.

Their story continues.

……

【Congratulations Host mission completed, Blackening Value cleared, reward points accumulated!】

【Now transmitting to the next world…… transmission successful!】