Chapter 2816 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 21

Ruan Shutong turned to Gu Fanghe and said, "I have another request to make of you."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll map from his sleeve and spread it out on the table. Several red dots were marked on the map, indicating the places where medicinal herbs grew.

“My father has been suffering from a serious illness in recent years, and even the famous doctors in the capital are helpless. We need a few rare medicinal herbs that grow on the cliffs of Black Mountain to make medicine, so that there is a glimmer of hope for his life.”

Ruan Shutong pointed to several steep marks on the map, looked up at Gu Fanghe, and said sincerely, "I am not familiar with the terrain of Black Mountain, and the harvesting is difficult, so I have come here with great shame, hoping to ask the brothers in the village for help, and also to... catch up with old friends."

His words were reasonable and justified, both in the name of filial piety and by reiterating past favors, and he adopted a humble attitude.

It seems difficult to refuse, both emotionally and logically.

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

As for Jin Chen, from the moment Ruan Shutong began to speak, he simply leaned back lazily in his chair, one hand supporting his chin and the other holding a wine glass, slowly sipping his drink.

After Ruan Shutong finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment.

[Host, he's up to no good. Maps, herbs, reminiscing—he's got it all figured out.]

Jin Chen chuckled softly. "The stage is quite well-built."

He put down his wine glass with a soft thud.

Ruan Shutong and Gu Fanghe both looked at him at the same time.

Ruan Shutong spoke gently, "Does Young Master Jin have something to say?"

Jin Chen raised her eyes. "How do you know who I am?"

Ruan Shutong: "Young Master Jin is too kind. Although we have never met, I have long heard of your name."

"I heard from my family that the Jin family has a young master who looks quite similar to me. It's just a pity that I was unable to meet him three years ago when I left my hometown for the capital."

After listening, Jin Chen gave a soft "oh," the last syllable of which was drawn out and its meaning unclear.

"I didn't come to Nanzhou three years ago."

Ruan Shutong's smile froze.

Jin Chen: "That's strange. How did your family know I would look like you?"

Ruan Shutong lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding Jin Chen's gaze.

"I once heard someone mention that the Jin family has a young master who has been recuperating in a villa in Suzhou since childhood and has not had much contact with the main family in Nanzhou, but some of his family members have seen him... However, this matter involves the young master's privacy, so it is not appropriate to say more."

"It was I, Ruan, who misspoke and brought up this matter, which displeased Young Master Jin."

In this way, Jin Chen appears to be being aggressive.

As expected, upon hearing this, Chen Xiaoshan's gaze towards Jin Chen became somewhat complicated, and he hesitated to speak.

Jin Chen chuckled softly, leaned back in his chair, took another sip of wine, and stopped looking at Ruan Shutong.

"What is this guy mumbling about?" Ling Gun Gun shook his head while eating a snack. "He talks so much."

Gu Fanghe didn't say a word from beginning to end, he just looked at Jin Chen until Jin Chen started drinking again before he looked away.

“Black Mountain Village has its own rules,” Gu Fanghe said to Ruan Shutong. “Since you have done a favor for the village and are seeking medicine for your father, you and your entourage can stay temporarily in the western side courtyard of the village.”

"You can discuss with Chen Xiaoshan what kind of manpower you need. Once the herbs are gathered, you can leave on your own."

Ruan Shutong stood up and bowed to Gu Fanghe, "Thank you, Brother Gu. This cup is for you. I thank you for taking me in, and also for the care you gave me during those days in Black Mountain Village."

Gu Fanghe also raised his glass, first turning his head to glance at Jin Chen beside him.

Jin Chen played with the plum cake. When he saw him looking over, she raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Your injury is healed, and you've stopped taking the medicine. Drink it."

Gu Fanghe then drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Ruan Shutong took in the whole scene, and her fingers tightened around the wine glass.

Chu Yi and Chu Ming behind him clenched their fists even more. This Gu Fanghe, has he really been blinded by greed, or has he gone completely mad!

Ruan Shutong forced down the wine in her glass, suppressing her turbulent emotions. "There's one more thing."

Jin Chen grew impatient and interrupted him, "Why do you have so many problems?"

"You! You are not allowed to disrespect my young master!" Chu Ming stepped forward, but was stopped by Ruan Shutong raising her hand.

Seeing the sudden chill in Gu Fanghe's eyes, Ruan Shutong quickly said, "I brought back news about the imperial court, which may be useful to Brother Gu."

Gu Fanghe frowned. "What is it?"

Ruan Shutong: "This matter is of great importance, involving the old case of the Crown Prince and the Tiger Tally. I wonder if Brother Gu would be willing to come and discuss it with me?"

Chen Xiaoshan, Liu Mianfeng, and the others also straightened up, their expressions serious.

The General's Tiger Tally was a thorn in Gu Fanghe's side and one of the reasons why Black Mountain Village and the imperial court were locked in a life-or-death struggle.

But how could Ruan Shutong know that Gu Fanghe might not even want to hear it, let alone dare to say it so directly?

Before Gu Fanghe could speak, Jin Chen put down his wine glass and stood up gracefully.

He straightened his slightly wrinkled collar and looked at Gu Fanghe, "If you can't get back to the warm pavilion by tonight, I won't wait for you to have dinner."

Gu Fanghe: "..."

He put down his wine glass, reached out and grabbed Jin Chen's wrist, his brows furrowing slightly. "How can that be?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why not? Young Master Ruan has important matters to discuss. You two can talk slowly."

Gu Fanghe turned to look at Ruan Shutong, "If you have anything to say, write it down on a piece of paper and give it to me tomorrow."

Ruan Shutong: "..."

"...That's fine."

-

There is no moon tonight, only the patter of rain.

The warm room was cozy and cozy. Jin Chen and Gu Fanghe sat facing each other and quietly finished their simple dinner.

During the meal, Gu Fanghe tried to say something several times, but Jin Chen subtly stopped him with her eyes or the gesture of picking up food.

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

Gu Fanghe glanced at Jin Chen, who was leaning against the soft couch by the window, flipping through the book of strange tales he hadn't finished reading. Without even raising his head, he simply waved his hand, signaling Gu Fanghe to go.

The unease that Gu Fanghe had felt from being ignored at dinner resurfaced.

He instructed Ayan to take good care of him before leaving with Chen Xiaoshan.

Jin Chen put down his book, got up and walked to the door to look around. The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind and rain.

He looked at it for a moment, then suddenly turned to Ayan and said, "Find someone to go to the woods behind and find two poisonous snakes."

Ayan was taken aback. "What does Young Master want a snake for?"

"I'm bored, let's watch something funny." If you tame it, it'll scare Ruan Shutong to death tomorrow.

Although Ayan didn't understand, she went out in the rain with an umbrella after the young master gave the order.

Before long, they indeed brought back two brightly colored snakes with a twig and put them in a bamboo basket.

Jin Chen carried the bamboo basket to a brightly lit area under the eaves and opened the lid.

The two snakes raised their heads and flicked out their scarlet tongues.

Jin Chen moved a low stool and sat on the veranda, holding a thin twig in his hand, fiddling with it intermittently.

Ayan stood by, feeling a strange chill run down her spine at the sight of her young master.

About half an hour later, the rain started to fall even harder.

Hearing a commotion outside the courtyard gate, Ayan got up to check and soon returned jogging.

"Young Master, a child ran in the rain and said he saw the First Master and Second Master discussing matters in the study, and that... Young Master Ruan was also there."

Jin Chen paused slightly as he manipulated the branch that was touching the snake's body.

Ayan glanced at his face and said, "No wonder that second-in-command always ignores you and finds fault with you. It turns out he's on the side of that Young Master Ruan!"

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

It became.

Jin Chen withdrew his hand. "Keep them in the grass and close the gate. I'm tired, I'm going to rest."

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

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

Ah Yan tiptoed to the door of the inner room and asked softly through the curtain, "Young Master, would you like some hot water to wash up?"

Jin Chen's somewhat indistinct voice came from inside, "No need, you can go and rest."

Ayan didn't dare to disturb her any longer, so she responded and returned to her small house.