Chapter 28: Putting aside the helping plot, respecting others’ fate

The newly built house of the Su family was a single-courtyard style, with an osmanthus tree also planted in the yard. Compared to before, the entire house was more than three times larger. Every member of the Su family, including Ji Sang, had a separate room.

Su Wan also had her own room, which made it much more convenient for her to practice martial arts.

After this incident, everyone in Qinghe Village knew that Su Wan was exceptionally gifted—a martial arts prodigy. The other Su family members also had excellent physiques, and even Zhu Wa had considerable strength.

Su Mingshan and his son were each strong enough to carry a fully grown fat pig.

With this, the villagers’ worries were somewhat eased.

Two days later, everything returned to normal. The hardworking villagers resumed their labor.

“Mother, do you think cousin will believe us?” Liu Zhenzhen anxiously asked the dark-faced woman beside her while sitting in the carriage.

“It depends on what we say. Even if he doesn’t believe, he has to. But you, don’t slip up.”

The mother and daughter had borrowed two hundred taels of silver from relatives just to go to the capital and report the recent rumors about Ning Yumo.

They didn’t realize this trip would likely be a one-way journey.

Of course, that was another story.

In these two days, Wang Shun didn’t come to the grocery shop anymore, but that didn’t mean Su Wan stopped looking for him.

“L-Little Shopkeeper, what… what do you need?” Wang Shun was nearly in tears. His uncle forbade him from going to the grocery shop, fearing any connection with the Su family. So, for two days, he hid at home and didn’t dare to step outside.

Unexpectedly, Su Wan came to find him in person.

Su Wan sat opposite him, resting her right hand on her cheek, smiling brightly and said, “It’s nothing urgent, just something to ask.”

Ask?

Does this look like the tone of someone asking a favor? Just by the murderous intent felt from behind, there was no way this was a gentle request.

“L-Little Shopkeeper, please say it.”

Su Wan didn’t bother with pleasantries; her clear childlike voice rang out, “About the jade plate you gave my mother last time, do you still have it? If so, send me two more, please.”

Wang Shun’s eyes widened. “That thing is valuable, I… I only have one.”

“Then where did you get it?” Su Wan pouted innocently, looking very naïve and easy to deceive. But Wang Shun knew this was just a well-used disguise.

“It was a congratulatory gift from Lord He to my father.” Wang Shun dared not offend Su Wan, so he spoke truthfully.

He also added, “Little Shopkeeper, about catching those bandits a few days ago, I made a big contribution in front of my uncle. He even praised me.”

“Only praised you?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Oh, then your uncle is quite stingy,” Wang Shun said with an awkward and embarrassed expression.

“Alright then, please help me introduce me to Mr. He,” Su Wan requested.

“Mr. He is just a merchant, quite easy to talk to,” Wang Shun replied.

So, the three of them rose and headed to Mr. He’s residence.

By coincidence, when the trio arrived, Mr. He was just seeing off a guest.

As Su Wan brushed past the man who was mounting his horse, a faint but unmistakable scent of blood drifted into her nostrils, instantly putting her on alert.

Without revealing her suspicion, she paused deliberately, her gaze fixed tightly on the retreating figure of the man.

She glanced back at Ji Sang, who wore a similarly grave expression.

Wang Shun, noticing Su Wan’s sudden halt and puzzled by it, asked, “Little shopkeeper, what’s wrong?”

Su Wan shook her head slightly and replied casually, “Nothing really, just suddenly remembered a small matter.” Then she turned her attention back to Mr. He standing before them.

Seeing Wang Shun leading the visitors, Mr. He’s face brightened with a broad smile as he greeted warmly, “Young Master Wang, what wind brings you here today? And this little guest, she looks so well-behaved and adorable.”

Wang Shun quickly stepped forward and bowed, “Mr. He, this is the young shopkeeper from the Su family. She has come to see you about a matter. This is her master, Mr. Ji.”

At the mention of the Su family’s young shopkeeper, a sudden chill ran down Mr. He’s spine.

“Ah, so it’s the Su family’s young shopkeeper. Please, come in, both of you,” Mr. He invited the two and Wang Shun into the house.

After sitting down, Mr. He asked directly, “May I know what business the young shopkeeper wishes to discuss?”

Su Wan smiled brightly, revealing a row of clean white baby teeth. “Master, you say it,” she said with a look so innocent that anyone would think she was just a naive child.

Ji Sang nodded and spoke plainly, “My disciple is very fond of jade. From what Young Master Wang says, your household has quite a collection. We are interested in making a purchase. What do you think, Mr. He?”

The two of them showed proper courtesy.

Wang Shun winked at Mr. He, signaling not to offend them. Mr. He knew well they were skilled fighters; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been so bold to come here.

Thinking this, a sharp and ruthless glint suddenly flashed across Mr. He’s eyes.

He thought the expression disappeared quickly, but Su Wan caught it.

“Oh, I see. I do have some jade on hand. Since it’s business, follow me.”

Mr. He led the three toward his collection room.

As soon as the door opened, Su Wan was stunned by the scene before her eyes: shelves filled with dazzling jade pieces and other precious treasures.

Each item was of considerable value.

Such a large collection of rare and precious treasures was not something an ordinary small merchant could possess, much less display so casually in front of outsiders.

Sure enough, after the three entered in a single file, He Yuanwai did not follow them inside. Instead, he quickly reached out and pressed a hidden mechanism on the door.

In an instant, a huge iron cage dropped from above, accompanied by a dull metallic clang, trapping the three inside.

“He Yuanwai, what are you doing?” Wang Shun’s face showed panic, unable to understand why He Yuanwai would suddenly act this way.

“He Yuanwai, you better think carefully. My cousin will surely search the entire city if he can’t find me,” Wang Shun said, still afraid of Su Wan and Ji San, but unafraid of He Yuanwai.

He Yuanwai slowly stepped inside, his expression resolute and cold. “Little Wang, I won’t harm your life, but those two, that’s another matter.”

Wang Shun became anxious. “He Yuanwai, do you know what consequences this will bring? Those two have martial skills; you can’t trap them.” How foolish — if anyone, why choose these two?

He Yuanwai laughed as if hearing the greatest joke. “Hahaha, Little Wang, they’re inside an iron cage now. No matter how skilled, they’re just fish on the chopping block, at my mercy. Don’t worry, no one escapes.”

Su Wan put on an extremely frightened expression, timidly tugging Ji San’s sleeve, “Master, we just came to buy jade, why is he locking us up?”

Wang Shun saw this and his face grew strange. Meeting Su Wan’s gaze, he wisely chose to keep silent.

Thinking: Fine, since He Yuanwai has chosen the path of death, I’ll stop trying to be a good guy and respect fate.

Silently, he offered three incense sticks in his heart.

“I don’t know. Maybe he wants to kill and rob us?” Ji San looked at He Yuanwai without any fear in his eyes.