Now that Ren Jiuxiao has twice attempted to exchange Ren Feng for hostages, it is clear that large-scale warfare is not what he desires. It may be laughable to say that a pirate leader is peace-loving, but this shows that Ren Jiuxiao is not a bloodthirsty person who doesn't care about the lives of his gang members or others.
"Ninth Master, I have a suggestion, I don't know if you'd be willing to listen. The current charge against Captain Ren is colluding with Japanese pirates. Frankly, I don't believe he would do such a thing. If you also believe he's innocent, you might as well wait for the court to find out the truth..."
Chu Yao's "belief" was no empty promise. In his previous life, after Ren Feng's execution, everyone assumed Ren Jiuxiao would wreak havoc on the Zhejiang coast. The imperial court even planned to temporarily close ports and suspend trade as a defense measure. However, to everyone's surprise, Ren Jiuxiao sent a letter written in blood, proclaiming his adoptive father's innocence. He even volunteered to lead the still-developing navy in suppressing the Japanese pirates to clear his name. If Ren Feng truly colluded with the pirates, Ren Jiuxiao would have no confidence and no need to act in this way.
But before he could finish speaking, Ren Jiuxiao interrupted him rudely: "Your Highness, my godfather is certainly innocent, but if there weren't people in the court distorting the truth, how could he have been arrested and punished?"
His adoptive father cherished his reputation, and colluding with the Japanese pirates was tantamount to betraying his country and colluding with the enemy—a crime he was unwilling to bear unjustly. In his previous life, he refused his rescue and escape, determined to wait for the court to clear his name. Who would have thought that even death wouldn't grant his wish, and he would die unjustly? To help his adoptive father clear his name, he risked everything to fight the Japanese pirates. In this life, he was not afraid of battle, but no matter what, he could not let his adoptive father die again.
Today, I invited the King of Ying here under the guise of a trade, but in reality, I have other plans.
"Speaking of which, Your Highness's belief in my godfather's innocence is a testament to the friendship we formed more than ten years ago," Ren Jiuxiao said.
Chu Yao was surprised. Could it be that he knew Ren Jiuxiao when he was a child?
Without warning, the real culprit in the Hangzhou Maritime Trade Office case was suddenly brought to justice. Local officials, both high and low, were all curious about the details, but no one dared to ask. After all, the Lingguang Guard was directly under the Emperor's command, and they had no right to inquire.
With this matter concluded, Chu Yao led the Lingguang Guard back to the capital on a chosen day. Jun Shu was also to return to the capital to report, and since Lady Yang had finished her postpartum confinement, she could bring her newborn and husband along on the journey. The group planned to travel together on a large ship.
However, with everything going smoothly, the biggest problem became whether Wang Hongbo would stay or leave.
Chapter List 61|9
Chapter Sixty-One:
"Aunt Cai... Aunt Caiqiong." Wushuang stammered as she addressed her.
"Good girl." He Caiqiong ruffled her bun and continued to watch the fun while resting her chin on one hand.
Wushuang was at a loss for words, her eyes clearly waiting to see her make a fool of herself. She stammered, "Aunt Caiqiong, aren't you going to save Second Uncle?"
She asked her second uncle but not her sister who had fallen into the water, clearly understanding the consequences if Jun Nian were to save her.
He Caiqiong smiled and retorted, "Then why didn't you save your second uncle?"
Wushuang fiddled with her fingers, lowered her head shyly, and whispered, "Second Uncle can't swim, and she's too far from the shore. There are only willow trees here, and the branches are soft, so it's obviously impossible to pull her out."
"You're quite clever." He Caiqiong pinched the chubby cheeks of Wushuang. "As far as I know, Wu Wan'er is a very good swimmer."
Wushuang turned her head to look at her, and asked hesitantly, "Shall we go?"
He Caiqiong looked back at her: "I think it would be better to bring my brother-in-law along."
Wushuang nodded, emerged from the bushes, and dashed to Jun Nian's side, who was anxiously pacing around: "Second Uncle, Second Uncle, Shuangshuang is mistaken, Aunt Caiqiong is over there."
While speaking, she grabbed Jun Nian's sleeve and tried to drag him away.
"Someone has fallen into the water," Jun Nian wiped away his sweat, "We have to save them."
Acts of bravery are a good thing, but it would be bad if they led to being plotted against by those with ulterior motives.
Wu Shuang swung her little feet twice. It seemed inappropriate for her to tell her second uncle that Wu Wan'er's drowning was a conspiracy.
Just as she was struggling with her decision, He Caiqiong came running over, lifting her skirt.
"Oh my god... isn't that my cousin Wan'er?" she exclaimed in surprise. "How could she have fallen into the lake? Oh no! If she hadn't come to visit me, she wouldn't have been in danger. Brother-in-law, what should we do?"
"I'll go get some help. You stay here and watch over her." With help, Jun Nian's mind worked faster.
"Yes," He Caiqiong nodded quickly in agreement, but then added, "Brother-in-law, you should find a maid. My cousin is a girl, and there are many taboos..."
Jun Nian was suddenly reminded of something. Just now he was regretting that he couldn't swim, but now it seemed fortunate that he couldn't. Otherwise, if he had rescued that girl, wouldn't he have had to marry her?
Although he didn't have any particular fondness for He Caiqiong, he was unwilling to be forced to marry someone whose name he had never even heard of before, simply because of his kindness.
"Could you please watch Shuangshuang for me for a while?" He wanted to pick up Wushuang, but he was afraid of slowing down the process. Since lives were at stake, every step counted, so he handed her over to He Caiqiong.
Wushuang was stunned by He Caiqiong's excellent singing and acting, staring at her with wide eyes.
She's such a good actress; if she really becomes her second aunt in the future, won't her second uncle be in a terrible situation...?
Jun Nian passed through the moon gate and disappeared behind the inner wall. He Caiqiong also took Wushuang's small hand and slowly followed the path to leave.
"Aunt Caiqiong, if you leave like this, how will you explain it to your second uncle when he comes back?" Wushuang kindly reminded her.
He Caiqiong frowned and looked into the lake, her disgust undisguised. "Look at her, she's been struggling for so long without sinking. Her swimming skills are no worse than pearl divers on the beach. If there's no one on the shore, she'll naturally come ashore. Why would we need to explain?" As she spoke, she jokingly pushed Wushuang's shoulder. "Hurry up, hurry up. The water is cold. If you stay too long, you might get cramps or drown."
After the two left by taking small, backward steps, a young man in a blue robe emerged from behind the bushes along the lakeside path.
As Wu Wan'er watched Jun Nian, He Caiqiong, and Wu Shuang leave one after another, she stopped pretending to be struggling in the water and began to swim slowly, paddling with her hands.
She grew up in the south and was an excellent swimmer. The small artificial lake was no challenge for her. Just as she was about to reach the shore, a long bamboo pole suddenly stretched out at an angle.
Wu Wan'er looked up and saw an old acquaintance standing on the shore.
Chapter Index 62 | 61.9
Chapter Sixty-Two:
Unexpectedly, Xu Lang was unmoved, coldly replying, "I'm only willing to help you because I'm worried about your difficult situation and want to lend you a hand where I can. But I've never had any improper thoughts about Miss Wuxia. Don't talk nonsense and ruin my reputation."
Wu Wan'er was still unwilling to give up and encouraged, "If we didn't have it before, we can have it in the future..."
Xu Lang interrupted her: "I come from a humble background, and my career prospects are still uncertain. I am not worthy of your help, so please stop talking. In short, if I have any news, I will find a way to let you know."
After saying that, he conveniently landed and turned to leave.
Watching his graceful departure, Wu Wan'er shouted, "Didn't you ever think that if you became the son-in-law of the Marquis's mansion, they would naturally cultivate you, and your career path would be as smooth as a broad road!"