Chapter 250: The Confrontation (1)
The group had barely settled in when Xia Jiang personally paid them a visit.
"As the young proprietor wished, the supply contract has been signed with Antai."
Xia Jiang felt relieved. "I've collaborated with Proprietor Wu before, and this transaction will certainly proceed smoothly."
"That would be best."
Xia Jiang took a sip of tea. "Might I ask when the young lady plans to depart?"
Hua Zhi's eyes flickered. "Tomorrow. Is there any issue?"
"The sooner the young lady leaves, the better." Xia Jiang hesitated briefly before clenching his teeth and saying, "If the young lady is willing, I can arrange a boat to transport you to the next port of call for the passenger ship."
Hua Zhi set down her teacup. The information revealed in Xia Jiang's words confirmed that Zheng Bei had no intention of letting the matter rest. Yet, despite knowing this, Xia Jiang was still willing to risk confronting Zheng Bei to ensure their departure, which spoke volumes about his decent character. Even if motivated by interests, there was genuine sincerity in his actions.
After a moment's consideration, Hua Zhi asked, "Can Donglai Shipping withstand Zheng Bei's harassment?"
Xia Jiang smiled wryly. "I'm not afraid of being laughed at, young lady. In Zhenyang, the Zheng family is the only one the Xia family cannot contend with. No matter how wealthy and powerful the Xia family is, we cannot compare to the Zheng family, who have a daughter married to a chief steward. My gamble lies in whether he is willing to engage in a mutually destructive conflict with the Xia family over a matter that offers him no benefit. Although the Xia family may not match the Zheng family in influence, we are not to be trifled with. If it comes to a fight, we can still take a significant chunk out of them."
Hua Zhi smiled. "It seems I made the right choice. The young proprietor has courage."
Xia Jiang could only offer a bitter smile in response.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but if Donglai Shipping were truly dragged into this, I would worry that Zheng Bei might sabotage our business dealings. A disruption in the supply chain would be a far greater problem for me."
Xia Jiang visibly relaxed, having carried considerable pressure in making this decision.
After seeing Xia Jiang off, Hua Zhi glanced at the group. "Take turns keeping watch. My stance remains the same: do not take any lives."
"Hua Hua, you're too soft-hearted," Shaoyao muttered. When Hua Zhi looked over, she grinned cheekily, pretending she had said nothing.
Hua Zhi sighed inwardly. If possible, she had no desire to provoke conflict. Having come from an era of peace, she would not hesitate to spend money to resolve issues if it could buy peace. However, it was clear that Zheng Bei wanted more than just a sum of money.
"If we deal with the brother-in-law of the Jingzhou Chief Steward, will we be able to leave Jingzhou unharmed?"
Shaoyao chuckled and pulled out a token, waving it. "The Seven Constellation Bureau is handling official business. Uninvolved parties, step aside."
Her act of borrowing authority from a powerful figure was truly... Hua Zhi shot her a sidelong glance but couldn't help laughing at her mischievous expression.
"Bao Xia, Xu Ying, no matter what happens, protect the siblings while ensuring your own safety."
"Yes."
Bao Xia felt a bit nervous. Although she had been practicing martial arts for over half a year, she wasn't sure if she could hold her own against an opponent. Even if she couldn't assist her young lady, she was determined not to be a burden.
"Little Six, how many of Cao Dahai's subordinates do you think you can handle at once?"
The Sixth Prince calculated briefly before replying, "Three or four shouldn't be a problem."
"Good. Then consider this a chance to gain experience. Opportunities like this don't come often."
The Sixth Prince pursed his lips, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.From day until night, even after the curfew had been enforced, there was no sign of movement from Zheng Bei. Hua Zhi not only dared not relax but grew even more cautious.
As it turned out, Hua Zhi’s caution was never excessive.
At the first light of dawn, Hua Zhi checked out of the inn and headed toward the dock. She hadn’t gone far when she heard someone calling from behind, “Miss! Miss, wait!”
Jiang Huanran rushed out of the inn, his hair disheveled, hastily tying the sash at his waist as he ran. His appearance drew curious glances from early risers passing by.
Hua Zhi was somewhat surprised. Had Jiang Huanran stayed at the inn last night?
“Where are you heading so early, Miss?” Noticing the servants carrying large and small bundles, he suddenly understood. “Are you preparing to return to the capital?”
“Yes, my business is done, and I’m ready to go back to the capital.”
“I’ll be staying here for about half a month longer.” Jiang Huanran sounded disappointed. He had hoped to return with the young lady!
“Enjoy your time here, Young Master Jiang. Farewell.”
“Let me see you off.” Seeing Hua Zhi glance over, Jiang Huanran flashed a grin. “Meeting an acquaintance in a foreign land is a rare occasion. Surely you won’t deny me this opportunity.”
Hua Zhi didn’t refuse. Such a chance encounter in modern times would have warranted exchanging WeChat contacts to become friends. Here, where friendships between men and women were not encouraged, she felt no burden walking alongside him for a while.
Though it was still early, the dock was already bustling with activity. Hua Zhi stopped, about to bid Jiang Huanran farewell, when she turned and saw the entrance to the dock blocked. There was movement behind her as well. She spun around to find the people she had earlier mistaken for passersby closing in on them.
So this was where they had been waiting for her!
As a scion of a noble family, Jiang Huanran was trained in all the necessary skills, even if he wasn’t a master. At the sight of the threat, he immediately shed his playful demeanor and stepped in front of Hua Zhi, casually tying up his hair as he did so. “Miss, do you know who these people are?”
“The brother-in-law of the Jingzhou Governor. I’m afraid I’ve implicated you, Young Master Jiang.”
“Hah! Not just the governor’s brother-in-law, even the governor himself wouldn’t intimidate me. You’re being too formal, Miss. We capital folks must stick together and not let outsiders bully us.” But damn, he had left his sword at the inn!
People from the capital might be clannish, but they also stood united. Hua Zhi experienced this firsthand, and her impression of Jiang Huanran improved slightly.
The crowd parted, and a man with heavily powdered features, though his underlying complexion was swarthy, swaggered forward, fluttering a folding fan with a smug expression. “Run! Weren’t you running pretty fast? Go on, keep running!”
Jiang Huanran’s face contorted in disgust. “I’ve seen men who wear powder, but such an extreme specimen is a first. Truly… an eye-opener.”
Zheng Bei strode directly toward Hua Zhi, his eyes growing brighter the closer he got. The rumors were true—she really was a great beauty. Hahaha! Once she fell into his bowl, did she think she could escape?
“A delicate young lady like you shouldn’t endure wind and rain outside. Why not follow me, young master? I’ll ensure you live in luxury, enjoying the finest…”
Slap! A sharp crack cut off Zheng Bei’s arrogant rant. In a flash, Shaoyao reappeared beside Hua Zhi, pulling out a handkerchief to vigorously wipe her hand. “He must have smeared half a pound of powder on his face.”
Zheng Bei covered his cheek in disbelief. He had been struck! Never in his life had anyone laid a finger on him, and today, he had been slapped by an outsider!?Hearing Shaoyao's words, he nearly fainted from a mix of fury and shame, his trembling finger pointing at the crowd. "Kill them! Spare that woman—kill all the others! Every last one!"
How arrogant! To dare treat human lives like weeds merely because he was a supervisor's brother-in-law—it was clear the supervisor was no good either. Watching Shaoyao excitedly charge into the fray, Hua Zhi made no move to stop her. She wasn't kind enough to demand restraint from her own people when others sought their lives.
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