Gu Sinian, who was sitting in the hall drinking tea, suddenly sneezed. That fellow Qian Yuanbao must be badmouthing him again.
He had been drinking tea here for half the day for Qian Yuanbao's chicken-blood stone, and his stomach was almost a water bag. But Qian Yuanbao still hadn't shown up. Was he planning to make him wait until the seas ran dry and the rocks crumbled? He had been too impatient. Why did he believe Qian Yuanbao's words? How could there be any exquisite chicken-blood stone in such a small place?
"A Nian? Little Nian Nian? Smile! You're so stern, it's a waste of the exquisite face heaven gave you." Qian Yuanbao, with a fawning face, squeezed in front of Gu Sinian. As he had expected, this guy exuded coldness all over.
"I only have two days. It takes one day to travel back and forth, and now half a day has been wasted. Young Master Qian, can I still see the so-called exquisite chicken-blood stone you mentioned?" Gu Sinian said coldly, "You'd better be able to produce it, otherwise... I think Miss Lian's straightforward personality is very well-matched with you. I don't mind saying a few good words to Uncle Qian."
Qian Yuanbao's handsome face changed. Lian Ruyue's temper was indeed straightforward. She was so straightforward that even the rough men in the army couldn't compare. If he, such a noble and elegant person, were to marry such a woman, it would truly be a case of a good cabbage being ruined by a pig.
"A Nian, with our friendship, do you have to be so heartless?" Qian Yuanbao winked at Gu Sinian.
Gu Sinian ignored him, calmly picked up his teacup, and beckoned to the attendant beside him. The attendant immediately refilled it for him.
Gu Sinian's heart was not as calm as it appeared on the surface. He had been too anxious this time, believing Qian Yuanbao's words. How could he have forgotten that this guy loved to show off the most? If he really had such a good item, why would he keep it in Cuiping Town? He would have already taken it to the capital to attract attention!
"A Nian, I saw that you've been extremely busy preparing the birthday gift for the Protector of the State these past few days, so I tricked you into coming out for a stroll to change your mood. Perhaps you'll get some good ideas? The Protector of the State likes strange stones, and this is common knowledge. Your elder brother is quite capable, do you think he wouldn't put effort into this aspect? By then, the chicken-blood stone you prepared might..."
Gu Sinian understood Qian Yuanbao's meaning: he couldn't stand out.
When it came to understanding people's thoughts, he was afraid he would never surpass his elder brother in his lifetime.
Gu Sinian suddenly felt disheartened. He had been too focused, intent on pleasing his father, but he had forgotten that in his father's eyes, he would always be incomparable to his elder brother.
His elder brother was born to the woman his father cherished most, while he was born to a woman his father was forced to marry.
All of this was destined. No matter how much he tried to please, he would not earn his father's smile, nor would he earn his father's gentle words towards his mother.
"Are there any places for entertainment around here?" Gu Sinian put away his emotions and asked indifferently.
He stopped dwelling on the chicken-blood stone, which surprised Qian Yuanbao. Had he come to terms with it?
"There aren't many fun places in the countryside. If you're talking about good scenery, there's Tiger Tooth Mountain. Hunting in the mountains is a good choice," Qian Yuanbao said after thinking for a moment. "However, we didn't bring many people this time, so hunting might be a bit dangerous. I heard that Tiger Tooth Mountain is full of fierce beasts."
"Then let's go hunting in the mountains." Gu Sinian completely ignored Qian Yuanbao's latter remark.
Thinking that he had tricked the other person into coming, Qian Yuanbao, despite having no interest in hunting himself, decided to accompany his friend even at the risk of his life.
"Alright, I'll have someone prepare. Let's rest well today, and we'll go into the mountains tomorrow." Qian Yuanbao winked, "Do you want me to arrange something?"
Gu Sinian glanced at him sideways, "Didn't you say you wanted to save your virginity for the woman you love most? What, you're not saving it anymore?"
Qian Yuanbao spat several times, "I was talking about you."
"This Prince is not close to women. Oh, no, everyone outside says you are the person this Prince cares about the most. Why, are you so generous as to push this Prince into someone else's bed?"
Qian Yuanbao's face fell. He waved his hand, looking resentful, "Fine, fine, let's pretend I didn't say anything."
After this banter, Gu Sinian felt that the gloom in his heart had dissipated a lot. Everything would take its course.
Meanwhile, Qi Zhenzhen was preparing the items for entering the mountain. Ropes and machetes were essential. Zhang Erniu said he would bring her the bow and arrows by evening. To be honest, her archery skills were average. She was used to using a hand crossbow, which had great destructive power. She would look for an opportunity to have a small, delicate sleeve crossbow custom-made for self-defense.
"Zhenzhen, do you really not need me to go into the mountains with you?" Zhang Xiaoniu looked at Qi Zhenzhen pleadingly.
Zhang Erniu hit him, "If Miss Qi doesn't need me, why would she need you? Behave yourself and get to work. If I bring you along, you might just be a burden."
Zhang Xiaoniu glared fiercely at Zhang Erniu. Could his second brother die if he didn't expose his shortcomings?
"I'm still used to acting alone," Qi Zhenzhen said indifferently, putting down her bowl and chopsticks. "I'll leave the household in your care."
The next day, Qi Zhenzhen got up before dawn. Hearing the noise, Qi Yi also got up. Since his elder sister couldn't accompany him for his run, he could run by himself. He couldn't be lazy just because his elder sister wasn't here. Besides, there were Zhang Er Ge and Zhang Xiao Ge. It would be good for them to keep each other company. As for Zhang Er Ge, forget it. Zhang Xiao Ge could now run for half an hour, so he had to work harder and not fall behind.
Today, Qi Zhenzhen was wearing a short jacket and long pants, with the cuffs of her sleeves and pants tied up. Her face and neck were also covered with cloth. This way, when entering the mountain, she could prevent small poisonous insects from crawling into her clothes. She carried a basket and a bow and arrows on her back, with the rope thrown into the basket and the machete tucked into her waist. After instructing Qi Yi, Qi Zhenzhen walked towards Tiger Tooth Mountain with a surging heart.
Hunting in the mountains was not a mission, but Qi Zhenzhen was still a little excited.
Since arriving here, everything had been bland. The passion in her bones had never had a chance to boil. Today, she finally seized the opportunity.
The outer areas of the forest were mostly populated by small animals, such as pheasants and rabbits. These couldn't be sold for much money, so Qi Zhenzhen's target was medium to large animals in the depths of the mountains, such as sika deer and roe deer. Selling them whole or separately could fetch a good price.
There were paths trodden by people entering the mountain in the outer areas. Further in, one had to take wild paths. With just a slight misstep, one could get lost in the forest and end up with no bones left. Therefore, even experienced hunters rarely ventured deep into the mountains.
But for Qi Zhenzhen, this was simple. She had her own way of finding her bearings, and she had crossed through primeval forests several times during her missions.
The forest was very quiet, with birds occasionally taking flight. Unlike the outer areas of the mountain, the deeper one went, the more spacious it became.
Qi Zhenzhen found traces of a wild boar's rooting under a tree as thick as a person's embrace.
Wild boars were social animals and rarely solitary. Qi Zhenzhen looked around and could confirm that these traces all came from the same wild boar, meaning it was a solitary one.