The girl's voice echoed through the tent, rising and falling with emotional cadence, both reasonable and stirring.
Ding Dachui was somewhat distracted, likely because he had heard similar words before.
In essence, both women were persuading them to become guards, not avoiding the danger of the matter but promising substantial rewards in return.
Ding Dachui's tension dissipated, and he even had an amusing thought—these two women were both trying to win them over for the same task, and he wondered who would come out on top.
Hmm—didn't this mean the decision was actually in their hands?
If he listened to the new boss, he could reel in this girl's big catch; if he truly became her guard, they could take down the new boss together—
Either way, they would end up with a generous reward.
Exactly, it was like a wise hunter encountering two fierce beasts—no need to rush or panic, just let the two beasts fight it out first.
No matter how fierce or powerful they were, they were the ones fighting—he was merely watching from the sidelines, waiting to reap the rewards.
Ding Dachui couldn't help but laugh.
"Uncle Ding?" Chu Zhao asked, "Do you have something to say?"
Xiao Man, who had been turning her head, immediately looked at Ding Dachui, her eyes warning him, tinged with nervousness—he better not say anything he shouldn't!
Ding Dachui let out an "ah," looking at Chu Zhao: "What?"
Did he scare him? Was he just stunned? Chu Zhao's expression softened further as she said earnestly, "I need you. Will you come with me to Yunzhong County?"
Ding Dachui made an "oh" sound. How should he respond? Before he could think, another woman's voice sounded beside him.
"Husband."
At the same time, a hand shook his arm.
Ding Dachui jolted, stiffening his neck to look at the woman standing beside him—
She still wore an expression of tension and restraint, only slightly raising her head, her voice trembling as if she had resolved herself: "Husband, go. Don't worry about me. I'll wait for you to return safely."
Ding Dachui made another "oh" sound, about to speak, but Chu Zhao across from him spoke first.
"Aunt Ding," she said with a smile, looking at the woman leaning against Ding Dachui, "This journey is perilous. If you're uneasy, why not come along?"
At these words, the expressions of the others, which had been varied, instantly turned to shock—even Ding Dashen, who had been keeping her head down, looked up.
……
……
Chu Zhao saw their darting glances and shifting expressions but was not surprised, instead revealing a knowing smile.
She had figured out this woman's identity—
She was also a bandit.
This wasn't a legal judgment—that a bandit's wife should be treated as a bandit.
It was based on Ding Dachui and Ge Laosan's attitudes—this woman was no appendage; clearly, she had "hunted" with them.
She also understood their thoughts, the darting glances—they were speculating about her intentions: Was it goodwill or a threat?
Bringing their families along, sharing life and death, binding their hearts together so no one could escape.
In truth, her meaning wasn't that complicated.
Chu Zhao said, "I think it's better to come along than to worry at home. Even witnessing and experiencing danger firsthand can bring peace of mind."
She smiled, looking at the woman. Though the woman had raised her head, only her eyes were visible.
When Chu Zhao looked over, the woman's eyes met hers but shifted away the next moment—uneasy, anxious, panicked, and even ashamed?Nervous and panicked—Chu Zhao could understand that. This matter was indeed unsettling for them.
But ashamed... why? Because of their bandit identity?
They were overthinking it. A woman being a bandit was nothing to be ashamed of.
Chu Zhao's smile grew even more amiable as she looked at the woman.
"I think Aunt Ding wouldn't fear even mountains of blades or seas of fire if she's with Uncle Ding."
Hearing this, the woman finally looked up from her averted gaze. She stared at Chu Zhao, nodding then shaking her head: "Yes, I'm not afraid."
Her voice was very soft, but Chu Zhao could clearly sense her determination.
The next moment she lowered her head again, only gripping Ding Dachui's arm tightly with her hand.
Ah, the power of love, Chu Zhao sighed. Women are like this—willing to go through hell and high water for someone they love.
"Uncle Ding," Chu Zhao said sincerely, "That's all I have to say. Whether you come with me or not is ultimately your decision. After all, this is your life—only you can decide."
Was it really his life to decide? Ding Dachui felt the pressure on his arm—no one understood better than him the destructive power contained in that soft hand—
That hand shook slightly, reminding him how to choose between life and death.
Ding Dachui looked at the girl and nodded: "I'll go with you."
"Aunt Ding" immediately followed with a nod: "Husband, I'll go with you."
What else could Ge Laosan say? He immediately declared: "Me too."
He wasn't a fool. If he said no now, his life would be over immediately.
Chu Zhao clapped her hands with a smile: "That's wonderful." Then she bowed again, "Thank you again, fellow villagers."
She seemed to want to say more, but Xiao Man grabbed her and pulled her away.
Once outside, the two stood still.
"What are you doing?" Xiao Man said irritably, "I told you these people are my responsibility. I can handle them myself."
Chu Zhao smiled: "I was just showing sincerity. When asking people to do things, you need sufficient sincerity." She winked, showing a bit of pride, "See? My sincerity worked, right? They were moved, weren't they?"
Xiao Man suddenly felt like laughing. Though this was her first direct interaction with Chu Zhao, she wasn't actually unfamiliar with her. She had been watching Chu Zhao in the market since she was held in her aunt's arms, though she was too young then to remember much.
Later, when she grew up and understood, it became her responsibility to keep an eye on Chu Zhao in the market—
This girl wasn't much different from other market girls, all having that spoiled, delicate nature of wealthy young ladies.
Of course, after coming to the capital, she had witnessed the girl's courage—that part was like her aunt.
Then becoming Empress, going back and forth with those seemingly powerful ministers, saying things she couldn't understand.
Looking at Chu Zhao now, she seemed different again—foolish.
"Moved," Xiao Man drawled, "I'm moved too."
Even if not moved, she must have been affected. This was the first time Xiao Man had spoken to her with emotional fluctuations in her voice, Chu Zhao thought, smiling: "Alright, Xiao Man, you've worked hard along the way. Now that we've convinced them, you can relax a bit."
Xiao Man glanced at her: "Yes, I'll truly be relaxed from now on." With that, she turned her head, snorted, and stomped away.
Her words were strange, A Le stepped forward and said: "But Xiao Man does seem very happy."Chu Zhao looked relieved: "I'm glad you're happy. This child is still young and should be carefree and joyful."
Although she hadn't known Xiao Man for very long, the child always wore a stern expression, looking as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders—ah, but the one who truly should bear such grievances was Chu Zhao herself, yet she didn't go around with a perpetually grim face.
A Le burst out laughing: "Miss, you're still a child yourself."
Chu Zhao let out an "oh" and nodded: "You're right, I should be happy too, cheerful and carefree."
A Le laughed heartily.
As the laughter outside the tent faded away, the atmosphere inside grew tense.
Ding Dachui watched as the woman nervously clenched her hands, pacing back and forth in the room while muttering under her breath, "What should I do, what should I do? I have to go with her, I'll go with her—"
Her breathing grew rapid as she spoke, as if she were struggling for air.
Was she really this frightened? Ding Dachui couldn't help but say, "Boss, if you don't want to go—"
Before he could finish, the woman interrupted him: "I want to go."
She turned to face him, her eyes filled with agitation.
"It's just..." she pressed a hand to her chest, "I'm just a little nervous. I don't know, I—"
She didn't finish her sentence either, quickly stepping out in a rush.
She left Ding Dachui and Ge Laosan standing there in bewilderment.
"What does the boss mean by that?" Ge Laosan couldn't help but ask, "Is she going or not?"
"She's definitely going," Ding Dachui nodded. Otherwise, the boss wouldn't have resorted to threats and persuasion earlier. But her nervousness and fear seemed genuine too—
Did the girl suddenly asking the boss to come along mean she was wary, guarded, or trying to exert pressure?
And because of this, would the boss end up exposed and trapped in front of the girl, making her panic?
The girl was clever, sharp-witted, and bold. It seemed the boss wasn't too confident about this deal.
Should they switch sides now and secure victory with this young lady?
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