Chapter 2815: The Stand‑In Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit

Ruan Sutong turned to Gu Fanghe and said, "Actually, besides this visit, I have another request."

He spoke, taking a map scroll from his sleeve and spreading it on the table; the map bore several vermilion marks, precisely the locations where the medicinal herbs grow.

My father has been gravely ill these past years; even the famed physicians of the capital are helpless. We need a few kinds of rare medicinal herbs that grow on the cliffs of Black Mountain to make a medicine—only then is there a sliver of hope.

Ruan Sutong pointed his fingertip at several perilous Markings on the map, lifted his eyes to Gu Fanghe, and spoke earnestly: "I am unfamiliar with Black Mountain's terrain; harvesting will be difficult, so I boldly come to ask the stronghold's brothers for a little help, and also… to catch up with old friends."

His words were reasonable, invoking filial piety and bringing up old favors, while he kept his posture low.

Emotionally and logically, it seemed hard to refuse.

Gu Fanghe looked at the map, his brows slightly furrowed, and did not answer immediately.

Meanwhile, Jin Chen, from the moment Ruan Sutong began speaking, simply leaned lazily in his chair, one hand propping his chin, the other holding his wine cup, sipping slowly.

Until Ruan Sutong finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.

【Host, he comes with ill intent, the map, the herbs, catching up—one set after another.】

Jin Chen gave a light laugh, "【The stage setup is not bad.】"

He set down his wine cup, making a soft sound.

Ruan Sutong and Gu Fanghe both looked at him.

Ruan Sutong spoke gently, "Master Jin, do you have something to say?"

Jin Chen lifted his eyes, "How do you know who I am?"

Ruan Sutong: "Master Jin, you jest; though we have never met, your name has long been known to me."

I heard from my family that the Jin Family has a young master who bears some resemblance to me, but unfortunately, when I left my hometown for the capital three years ago, I never got to see him.

After hearing that, Jin Chen let out a soft 'oh', dragging the tone, its meaning unclear.

"Three years ago, I never came to the South Continent."

The smile on Ruan Sutong's face stiffened.

Jin Chen: "How strange—how could your family have foreknown that I would resemble you in appearance?"

Ruan Sutong lowered his eyes slightly, avoiding Jin Chen's gaze.

I once heard that the Jin Family has a son who, due to frailty since childhood, has been recuperating in a villa in Suzhou, seldom interacting with the main branch in the South Continent, though some relatives have seen him… but this involves the young master's privacy, so I shouldn't speak further.

It was I who misspoke, bringing up this matter and offending Master Jin.

Thus, Jin Chen appeared all the more aggressive.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoshan's gaze toward Jin Chen grew mixed with complexity, wanting to speak but holding back.

Jin Chen gave a soft chuckle, leaned back into his chair, took another sip of wine, and no longer looked at Ruan Sutong.

【What is this person muttering,】 Ling Gun Gun shook his head while eating snacks, 【He talks so much, oh.】

Gu Fanghe did not interject from start to finish, merely watching Jin Chen until he took another sip of wine, then withdrew his gaze.

"The Black Mountain Stronghold has its own rules," Gu Fanghe told Ruan Sutong, "Since you have done the stronghold a favor and seek medicine for your father, you may bring your attendants to stay temporarily in the stronghold's west wing courtyard."

"If you need manpower, consult Chen Xiaoshan; once the herbs are gathered, you may leave on your own."

Ruan Sutong rose and bowed to Gu Dage, saying, "Thank you, Gu Dage; this cup is for you. Thanks for your hospitality, and also for your care back when we were in the Black Mountain Stronghold."

Gu Fanghe also raised his cup, first glancing sideways at Jin Chen beside him.

Jin Chen played with the plum cake, seeing him look over, he raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Your wound is healed, the medicine is stopped—drink."

Only then did Gu Fanghe down the wine in his cup.

Ruan Sutong took in the whole scene, his fingers gripping the wine cup a little tighter.

Behind him, Chu Yi and Chu Ming clenched their fists even tighter—this Gu Fanghe, has he been blinded by lard, or has he gone completely mad!

Ruan Sutong forced himself to finish the wine, suppressing his surging emotions, "There is still one matter."

Jin Chen grew impatient, cutting him off, "Why do you have so many matters?"

"You! Do not dare be disrespectful to my young master!" Chu Ming stepped forward, but Ruan Sutong raised a hand to stop him.

Ruan Sutong noticed the fleeting chill in Gu Fanghe's eyes and quickly said, "I have brought back news concerning the court; perhaps it will be useful to you, Gu Dage."

Gu Fanghe furrowed his brows, "What is it?"

Ruan Sutong: "This matter is of great importance, involving the Eastern Palace and the old case of the Tiger Talisman; I wonder if Gu Dage could step aside for a discussion?"

Chen Xiaoshan and Liu Mianfeng, among others, also grew solemn, sitting upright with grave expressions.

The General's Tiger Talisman is a thorn in Gu Fanghe's heart, and also one of the reasons the Black Mountain Stronghold and the court are locked in an endless feud.

But how could Ruan Sutong know this, and dare to speak so bluntly—Gu Fanghe might not even wish to listen.

Before Gu Fanghe could speak, Jin Chen set down his wine cup and rose to his feet unhurriedly.

He smoothed his slightly wrinkled robes, looked at Gu Fanghe, and said, "If you cannot return to the Warm Pavilion by night, I will not wait for you to dine."

Gu Fanghe: "……"

He set down his wine cup, reached out to grab Jin Chen's wrist, brows slightly furrowed, "How can that be?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, "Why not? Master Ruan has important matters to discuss; you two can talk at length."

Gu Fanghe turned his head to look at Ruan Sutong, "If you have something to say, write it on paper and give it to me tomorrow."

Ruan Sutong: "……"

"……Also fine."

——

Tonight there is no moon, only the patter of rain.

The Warm Pavilion was warm as spring; Jin Chen and Gu Fanghe sat opposite each other, quietly finishing their simple dinner.

During the meal, Gu Fanghe several times tried to speak, but Jin Chen subtly blocked him with a glance or a gesture of moving food.

Not long after the meal, Chen Xiaoshan came, saying he had important matters to discuss.

Gu Fanghe glanced at Jin Chen, who was leaning against the window-side daybed, flipping through the unfinished collection of strange tales; he did not lift his head, merely waving a hand to indicate he should go.

The bit of anxiety in Gu Fanghe's heart that had arisen from being neglected during dinner rose again.

He told Ayan to serve well, then followed Chen Xiaoshan away.

Jin Chen set down the book, got up, walked to the door to look, and the lantern under the eaves swayed in the wind and rain.

He looked for a moment, then turned and told Ayan, "Send someone to the back woods to fetch two poisonous snakes."

Ayan blinked, "Young Master, what do you want the snakes for?"

"Just bored, looking for some fun." Once tamed, I'll scare Ruan Sutong to death tomorrow.

Ayan didn't understand, but since the Young Master had ordered, he took an umbrella and went out in the rain.

Soon enough, he returned with two brightly colored snakes speared on tree branches, placing them in a bamboo basket.

Jin Chen lifted the bamboo basket to the bright lantern-lit spot under the eaves and opened the lid.

The two snakes raised their heads and spat out scarlet forked tongues.

Jin Chen moved a low stool to sit under the eaves, holding a slender tree branch and idly poking at it.

Ayan stood beside him, watching his young master's demeanor, feeling inexplicably creeped out.

About half an hour later, the rain grew heavier.

Ayan heard a commotion outside the gate, got up to check, and soon came back running.

"Young Master, a child ran out in the rain and said he saw the Elder Chief and the Second Chief holding a meeting in the study, and… Young Master Ruan was there too."

Jin Chen's poking of the snake with the branch paused slightly.

Ayan glanced at his face, "No wonder the Second Chief always gives you vague answers and picks on you—turns out he's favoring Young Master Ruan!"

Jin Chen touched the two snakes; as his fingertips brushed them, their raised heads slowly lowered.

It's done.

Jin Chen withdrew his hand, "Keep them in the grass patch, lock the gate. I'm tired, I'll rest."

Ayan quickly agreed and, as instructed, bolted the gate from inside.

Inside the warm pavilion, Jin Chen was no longer in the outer room.

Ayan tiptoed to the inner chamber door, screened by the curtain, and whispered, "Young Master, would you like hot water to wash up?"

From inside came Jin Chen's somewhat muffled voice, "No need, go rest yourself."

Ayan dared not linger, replied, and returned to his hut.